Fig. 5. Blocking of Bmp7 and Bmp4 signaling recapitulates the Hoxa13^GFP homozygous mutant phenotype. (A) Heterozygous male GT explant treated with control IgGs. Arrow denotes the normal formation of the meatus (M), arrowhead denotes the progression of mesenchyme closing the urethra. (B) Male GT explant treated with a Bmp4-blocking antibody (Bmp4). Arrow denotes the disruption of meatus (M) formation. Arrowhead denotes the formation of an ectopic fistula. (C) Male GT explant treated with a Bmp7-blocking antibody (Bmp7). Arrow denotes the complete absence of a meatus (M^*). Arrowhead denotes poor progression of the GT mesenchyme to close the urethra. (D) TUNEL analysis of PCD in the UPE of heterozygous male GT explants treated with control IgGs. Arrowhead denotes normal levels of PCD in the dUPE. Arrow denotes normal levels of PCD in the mesenchyme flanking the UPE. (E) TUNEL analysis of PCD of a male GT explant treated with the Bmp7-blocking antibody (Bmp7). Note the reduced PCD in the dUPE (arrowhead) and mesenchyme flanking the UPE (arrow) when compared with the IgG-treated control. Scale bar: 50 µm.

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