Author
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Richards, Mark |
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Submitted to: Symposium on Artificial Insemination of Poultry Proceedings
Publication Type: Abstract Only Publication Acceptance Date: 6/19/1994 Publication Date: N/A Citation: N/A Interpretive Summary: Technical Abstract: Long-term culture of avian embryos outside of the eggshell is possible. Briefly, the technique involves opening fertile eggs that have been incubated for 3 (chickens) or 4 (turkeys) days and transferring the contents into specifically designed culture dishes. The culture dishes are then maintained at 37.5oC and 90+% relative humidity. Studies of growth and development of the embryo are thus possible under conditions which permit more precise observation and offer the possibility of facilitated intervention (i.e., sample collection; administration of nutrients, hormones, growth factors, etc.). Cultured turkey embryos were found to grow and develop normally through the midpoint of incubation. Beyond this point, there was a progressive retardation of growth and development. Although embryos do not 'hatch' from this system, it is possible to study some events that precede the hatching process. Lack of the shell causes a calcium deficiency to develop. In conclusion, shell-less culture is a useful in vitro technique to study growth and development of the avian embryo. |
