Ventral duplication of the autopod: chemical induction by methoxyacetic acid in rat embryos.

Administration of 2-methoxyethanol to pregnant rats on day 12 of gestation induced ventral duplication of the autopod, presumably via its oxidative metabolite, methoxyacetic acid. Morphological observations indicate that the limb bud periderm is severely damaged by methoxyacetic acid so that large patches of this structure are actually missing during an extended period of limb bud development. A high concentration of methoxyacetic acid (10 mM) was found in the extraembryonic fluid and we postulate that the damage to the periderm was initiated from this extraembryonic exposure. The ventral duplication of the autopod is thought to arise through an attempt by the embryo to repair the periderm lesion.