The chick embryo chorioallantoic membrane assay

Abstract

The chick embryo chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) is an extraembryonic membrane which serves as a gas exchange surface and its function is supported by a dense capillary network. Because of its extensive vascularization and easy accessibility, the CAM has been used to study the morphofunctional aspects of the angiogenesis process in vivo and to investigate the efficacy and mechanisms of action of pro-angiogenic and anti-angiogenic natural molecules. The CAM has long been a favored system for the study of tumor angiogenesis and metastasis, because a this stage the chick immunocompetence system is not fully developed and the conditions for rejection have not been established.