Action of Thalidomide on the Induction of Tentacles in Regenerating Hydra littoralis.

The article cites a study related to the action of thalidomide on the induction of tentacles in regenerating Hydra littoralis. In 1963, scientists showed that several neuropharmacological agents had an inhibitory action on regenerating Hydrae. It was remarkable that the large increase of number of the nerve cells at the regenerating surface, which is typical of normal regeneration 12 hours after transection, did not occur in presence of these agents. When one correlates this phenomenon to the fact that denervated amputated amphibians cannot regenerate extremities, the conclusion can be drawn that the diminution of nerve cells could be the cause of the general growth inhibition.