[Changes in the density of L-glutamate- and glycine-activated currents in the membranes of spinal cord nerve cells in the early stages of chick embryo development]

The changes in densities of L-glutamate- and glycine-activated currents through the membrane of spinal neurons were investigated in 6-11 day chick embryos using enzymatic isolation of cells and voltage clamp technique. General tendency of the current density increase during cell differentiation was found. A considerable decrease of the glycine-activated current density against a background of such an increase was observed on the 9th day of incubation. Reciprocal relation between L-glutamate- and glycine-activated current densities was found for a single neuron. Functional significance of the revealed density changes is discussed in connection with the development of the locomotor function of the spinal cord.