The temperature required to initiate blastoderm development of bobwhite quail eggs

Three experiments were conducted to determine the temperature required to initiate blastoderm development of Bobwhite quail eggs. In the first two experiments, groups of eggs were incubated for eight days at the following temperatures: 24.4 degrees C., 25.6 degrees C., 26.7 degrees C., 27.8 degrees C. and 28.9 degrees C. At the end of the incubation period, the diameter of the blastoderm was measured with a vernier caliper. In the third experiment, the same procedure was used except that a group of eggs which had not been incubated were used as controls. Results from the first and third experiment showed significant increases in blastoderm size of eggs incubated above 24.4 degrees C. In the second experiment there was a numerical increase in the blastoderm size when eggs were incubated above 24.4 degrees C., and significant increases in the size of blastoderms of eggs incubated above 25.6 degrees C. On the basis of the results of theses experiments, it was concluded that the temperature required to initiate blastoderm development of Bobwhite quail eggs was between 24.4 degrees C. and 25.6 degrees C.