We describe the spatiotemporal expression pattern of Nesp, and its antisense transcript, Nespas. We found non-complementary expression of these two oppositely imprinted transcripts during mouse embryogenesis, in a number of forming embryonic structures. Nesp expression was primarily seen in the somites and vasculature, whereas Nespas was mainly detected in the progress zone, mesenchyme and ectoderm of the limb, and the neural tube. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.