Yolk Sac Development

Embryology - 3 Dec 2023 Expand to Translate
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Introduction

Stage 17 embryo and yolk sac

The yolk sac is an early extra-embryonic membrane which is endoderm origin and covered with extra-embryonic mesoderm. Yolk sac lies outside the embryo connected by a yolk stalk (vitelline duct, omphalomesenteric duct) to the midgut with which it forms a continuous connection. The endodermal lining is continuous with the endoderm of the gastrointestinal tract. The extra-embryonic mesoderm differentiates to form both blood and blood vessels of the vitelline system.

In reptiles and birds, the yolk sac has a function associated with nutrition. In mammals the yolk sac acts as a source of primordial germ cells and blood cells.

Note that in early human development (week 2) a transient structure called the "primitive yolk sac" forms from the hypoblast layer, this is an entirely different structure.

The yolk stalk normally degenerates around the time the midgut herniation return to the peritoneal cavity and the anterior body wall closes (week 8). Failure of complete degeneration of this structure can lead to a common intestinal abnormality, Meckel's diverticulum. (More? Meckel's diverticulum, Johann Meckel)

Coelom Links: Introduction | Lecture - Week 3 Development | Lecture - Mesoderm Development | Placenta - Membranes | Category:Coelomic Cavity

Historic Embryology - Coelomic Cavity
1891 peritoneal \| 1897 human coelom \| 1910 Coelom and Diaphragm \| 1924 serous

Some Recent Findings

Human Placental Membranes

The phenotypic and functional properties of mouse yolk-sac-derived embryonic macrophagesPubmedParser error: The PubmedParser extension received invalid XML data. () "Macrophages are well characterized as immune cells. However, in recent years, a multitude of non-immune functions have emerged many of which play essential roles in a variety of developmental processes. In adult animals, macrophages are derived from circulating monocytes originating in the bone marrow, but much of the tissue-resident population arise from erythro-myeloid progenitors (EMPs) in the extra-embryonic yolk sac, appearing around the same time as primitive erythroblasts. ...In conclusion, we have established a protocol to isolate and propagate EMs in vitro, have further defined specialized properties of yolk-sac-derived macrophages, and have identified EM-EC and EM-NSPC interactions as key inducers of EC tube formation and microglial cell maturation, respectively."

Expression of thyroid hormone regulator genes in the yolk sac membrane of the developing chicken embryo^[1] "Thyroid hormones (THs) are essential for the correct development of nearly every structure in the body from the very early stages of development, yet the embryonic thyroid gland is not functional at these stages. To clarify the roles of the egg yolk as a source of THs, the TH content in the yolk and the expression of TH regulator genes in the yolk sac membrane were evaluated throughout the 21-day incubation period of chicken embryos....It is assumed that the chicken yolk sac inactivates THs contained abundantly in the yolk and supplies the hormones to the developing embryo in appropriate concentrations until the second week of incubation, while THs may be activated in the yolk sac membrane in the last week of incubation. Additionally, the yolk sac could serve as a source of iodine for the embryo."

New development of the yolk sac theory in diabetic embryopathy: molecular mechanism and link to structural birth defects^[2] "Maternal diabetes mellitus is a significant risk factor for structural birth defects, including congenital heart defects and neural tube defects. ...The yolk sac vascular system is the first system to develop during embryogenesis; therefore, it is the most sensitive to hyperglycemia. The consequences of yolk sac injuries include impairment of nutrient transportation because of vasculopathy. Although the functional relationship between yolk sac vasculopathy and structural birth defects has not yet been established, a recent study reveals that the quality of yolk sac vasculature is related inversely to embryonic malformation rates."

More recent papers
This table allows an automated computer search of the external PubMed database using the listed "Search term" text link. This search now requires a manual link as the original PubMed extension has been disabled. The displayed list of references do not reflect any editorial selection of material based on content or relevance. References also appear on this list based upon the date of the actual page viewing. References listed on the rest of the content page and the associated discussion page (listed under the publication year sub-headings) do include some editorial selection based upon both relevance and availability. More? References \| Discussion Page \| Journal Searches \| 2019 References \| 2020 References Search term: Yolk Sac Development \| Vitelline Duct \| Meckel's Diverticulum

Older papers
These papers originally appeared in the Some Recent Findings table, but as that list grew in length have now been shuffled down to this collapsible table. See also the Discussion Page for other references listed by year and References on this current page. Definitive Hematopoiesis in the Yolk Sac Emerges from Wnt-Responsive Hemogenic Endothelium Independently of Circulation and Arterial Identity^[3] "Adult-repopulating hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) emerge in low numbers in the midgestation mouse embryo from a subset of arterial endothelium, through an endothelial-to-hematopoietic transition. HSC-producing arterial hemogenic endothelium relies on the establishment of embryonic blood flow and arterial identity, and requires β-catenin signaling. Specified prior to and during the formation of these initial HSCs are thousands of yolk sac-derived erythro-myeloid progenitors (EMPs). ...In embryos lacking a functional circulation, rounded Kit(+) EMPs still fully emerge from unremodeled yolk sac vasculature. In contrast, canonical Wnt signaling appears to be a common mechanism regulating hematopoietic emergence from hemogenic endothelium. These data illustrate the heterogeneity in hematopoietic output and spatiotemporal regulation of primary embryonic hemogenic endothelium." Review - Coelomic epithelium-derived cells in visceral morphogenesis^[4] "Coelomic cavities of vertebrates are lined by a mesothelium which develops from the lateral plate mesoderm. During development, the coelomic epithelium is a highly active cell layer, which locally is able to supply mesenchymal cells that contribute to the mesodermal elements of many organs and provide signals which are necessary for their development. ... Body wall, heart, liver, lungs, gonads, and gastrointestinal tract are populated by cells derived from the coelomic epithelium which contribute to their connective and vascular tissues, and sometimes to specialized cell types such as the stellate cells of the liver, the Cajal interstitial cells of the gut or the Sertoli cells of the testicle." Embryo-fetal erythroid megaloblasts in the human coelomic cavity^[5] "The coelomic cavity is part of the extraembryonic mesoderm, surrounding amniotic cavity, embryo, and yolk sac in the early gestation. It is now believed to represent an important transfer interface and a reservoir of nutrients for the embryo. Coelocentesis by ultrasound-guided transvaginal puncture offers an easier access to the early human embryo, from 28 days post-fertilization. However, despite some studies about its biochemical composition being reported, our knowledge about the presence of cellular elements and their quality in this compartment are still limited. Here we studied human coelomic fluids sampled from 6.6 (48 days) to 10 weeks of gestation, demonstrating the presence of functional embryonic erythroid precursors, that is, megaloblasts in the coelomic cavity."

Movies

<html5media height="540" width="390">File:Week3_folding.mp4</html5media>

<html5media height="420" width="400">File:Amnion 001.mp4</html5media>

‎‎Week 3

Page | Play

This animation shows a mid-sagittal section of the folding of the embryonic disc beginning week 3 of development.

blue - ectoderm layer of embryo and amniotic cavity
yellow - endoderm layer of the yolk sac and gastrointestinal tract
red - mesoderm layer of embryo and extra-embryonic mesoderm outside of embryo.

‎‎Amniotic Cavity

Page | Play

This animation shows the development of the extra-embryonic coeloms. Note that as the yolk sac (yellow) is continuous with the midgut and you can also follow development of the gastrointestinal tract regions of foregut, midgut and hindgut.

Development Overview

Yolk Sac Blood Vessels

Yolk sac blood vessels and Notch model^[6]

Abnormalities

Meckel's Diverticulum

ICD-11 LB15.0 Meckel diverticulum

This gastrointestinal tract abnormality is a very common (incidence of 1–2% in the general population) and results from improper closure and absorption of the omphalomesenteric duct (vitelline duct) in development. This transient developmental duct connects the yolk to the primitive gastrointestinal tract.

In addition to Meckel's diverticulum there are a range of other vitelline duct abnormalities, which depend on the degree from a completely patent duct at the umbilicus to lesser remnants (cysts, fibrous cords connecting umbilicus to distal ileum, granulation tissue at umbilicus, or umbilical hernias).

Links: GIT Abnormalities - Meckel's Diverticulum | OMIM - Meckel's Diverticulum | Pubmed - Meckel's Diverticulum | Pubmed - omphalomesenteric duct | Pubmed - vitelline duct

Yolk Sac Carcinoma

A yolk sac carcinoma (endodermal sinus tumor^[7]) is a form of germ cell tumour.

References

↑ Too HC, Shibata M, Yayota M, Darras VM & Iwasawa A. (2017). Expression of thyroid hormone regulator genes in the yolk sac membrane of the developing chicken embryo. J. Reprod. Dev. , 63, 463-472. PMID: 28652559 DOI.
↑ Dong D, Reece EA, Lin X, Wu Y, AriasVillela N & Yang P. (2016). New development of the yolk sac theory in diabetic embryopathy: molecular mechanism and link to structural birth defects. Am. J. Obstet. Gynecol. , 214, 192-202. PMID: 26432466 DOI.
↑ Frame JM, Fegan KH, Conway SJ, McGrath KE & Palis J. (2016). Definitive Hematopoiesis in the Yolk Sac Emerges from Wnt-Responsive Hemogenic Endothelium Independently of Circulation and Arterial Identity. Stem Cells , 34, 431-44. PMID: 26418893 DOI.
↑ Ariza L, Carmona R, Cañete A, Cano E & Muñoz-Chápuli R. (2016). Coelomic epithelium-derived cells in visceral morphogenesis. Dev. Dyn. , 245, 307-22. PMID: 26638186 DOI.
↑ Renda MC, Giambona A, Fecarotta E, Leto F, Makrydimas G, Renda D, Damiani G, Jakil MC, Picciotto F, Piazza A, Valtieri M & Maggio A. (2010). Embryo-fetal erythroid megaloblasts in the human coelomic cavity. J. Cell. Physiol. , 225, 385-9. PMID: 20533375 DOI.
↑ Copeland JN, Feng Y, Neradugomma NK, Fields PE & Vivian JL. (2011). Notch signaling regulates remodeling and vessel diameter in the extraembryonic yolk sac. BMC Dev. Biol. , 11, 12. PMID: 21352545 DOI.
↑ Damjanov I. (1980). Animal model of human disease: yolk sac carcinoma (endodermal sinus tumor). Am. J. Pathol. , 98, 569-72. PMID: 6986787

Reviews

Yamane T. (2018). Mouse Yolk Sac Hematopoiesis. Front Cell Dev Biol , 6, 80. PMID: 30079337 DOI.

Palis J, Malik J, McGrath KE & Kingsley PD. (2010). Primitive erythropoiesis in the mammalian embryo. Int. J. Dev. Biol. , 54, 1011-8. PMID: 20711979 DOI.

Tavian M & Péault B. (2005). Embryonic development of the human hematopoietic system. Int. J. Dev. Biol. , 49, 243-50. PMID: 15906238 DOI.

Arendt D & Nübler-Jung K. (1999). Rearranging gastrulation in the name of yolk: evolution of gastrulation in yolk-rich amniote eggs. Mech. Dev. , 81, 3-22. PMID: 10330481

Auerbach R, Huang H & Lu L. (1996). Hematopoietic stem cells in the mouse embryonic yolk sac. Stem Cells , 14, 269-80. PMID: 8724693 DOI.

Articles

Funayama N, Sato Y, Matsumoto K, Ogura T & Takahashi Y. (1999). Coelom formation: binary decision of the lateral plate mesoderm is controlled by the ectoderm. Development , 126, 4129-38. PMID: 10457021

Search PubMed

Search Pubmed: Coelomic Cavity Development | pericardial cavity development | pleural cavity development | peritoneal cavity development

Additional Images

Historic

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Pages where the terms "Historic" (textbooks, papers, people, recommendations) appear on this site, and sections within pages where this disclaimer appears, indicate that the content and scientific understanding are specific to the time of publication. This means that while some scientific descriptions are still accurate, the terminology and interpretation of the developmental mechanisms reflect the understanding at the time of original publication and those of the preceding periods, these terms, interpretations and recommendations may not reflect our current scientific understanding. (More? Embryology History \| Historic Embryology Papers)