Spatiotemporal expression of FGF10 during the development of the hindgut and anorectum in human embryos

Objective To determine the spatiotemporal expression of the fibroblast growth factor 10 (FGF10) in human embryos during hindgut and anorectal development,and to elucidate its possible role during morphogenesis of the human hindgut and anorectum.Methods The embryos (n =85)were sectioned serially and sagittally,and the expression of FGF10 on the caudal midline from the 3rd 8th weeks of gestation was shown by immunohistochemical staining.Results From the 4th to 7th week of gestation,the FGF10-positive cells were mainly located on the epithelium of the apical urorectal septum,hindgut,and cloacal membrane.After the anorectum and the urogenital sinus (UGS) opened to the amniotic cavity during the 7th week,the FGF10-positive cells disappeared and remained negative up to the 8th week on the epithelium of the anal canal.Conclusions The expression of FGF10 is constantly active during human hindgut and anorectum development and disappears after the anus formed,suggesting that FGF10 plays an important role in human hindgut and anorectal morphogenesis. Key words: Fibroblast growth factor;  Embryo