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Fast Locomotor Burst Generation in Late Stage Embryonic Motility

Department of Biokinesiology and Physical Therapy, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California

Submitted 24 December 2007; accepted in final form 11 February 2008

We examined muscle burst patterns and burst frequencies for a distinct form of repetitive leg movement recently identified in chick embryos at embryonic day (E)18 that had not been previously studied. The aim was to determine if burst frequencies during repetitive leg movements were indicative of a rhythm burst generator and if maturing muscle afferent mechanisms could modulate the rhythm. Electromyographic recordings synchronized with video were performed in ovo during spontaneous movement at E15, E18, and E20. Multiple leg muscles were rhythmically active during repetitive leg movements at E18 and E20. Rhythmic activity was present at E15 but less well formed. The ankle dorsi flexor, tibialis anterior, was the most reliably rhythmic muscle because extensor muscles frequently dropped out. Tibialis anterior burst frequencies ranged from 1 to 12 Hz, similar to frequencies during fast locomotor burst generation in lamprey. The distribution in burst frequencies at E18 was greatest at lower frequencies and similar to locomotor data in hatchlings. Relative distributions were more variable at E20 and shifted toward faster frequencies. The shell wall anterior to the leg was removed in some experiments to determine if environmental constraints associated with growth contributed to frequency distributions. Wall removal had minimal impact at E18. E20 embryos extended their foot outside the egg, during which faster frequencies were observed. Our findings provide evidence that embryonic motility in chick may be controlled by a fast locomotor burst generator by E15 and that modulation by proprioceptors may emerge between E18 and E20.