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Primary Endodermal Epithelial Cell Culture from the Yolk Sac Membrane of Japanese Quail Embryos
Published on: March 10, 2016
Changes in shell membranes during the development of quail embryos
1Department of Biological Diversity, Faculty of Agriculture, Gifu University, Japan. pflayer@cc.gifu-u.ac.jp
Poultry Science
|March 5, 2002
Summary
Egg turning thins the avian egg's limiting membrane, increasing water permeability for better embryo development. Stationary eggs show delayed thinning and reduced water passage, impacting hatch rates.
Area of Science:
- Avian embryology
- Eggshell membrane research
- Developmental biology
Background:
- The avian eggshell membrane includes a limiting membrane layer crucial for water balance.
- Understanding the limiting membrane's role in embryo development is vital for poultry science.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the changes in the limiting membrane's width and water permeability during quail embryo development.
- To compare these changes in eggs that were turned versus those that remained stationary.
Main Methods:
- Incubation of quail eggs at 39°C and 60% humidity, with and without automatic rotation.
- Measurement of limiting membrane width using nanometer-scale analysis.
- Quantification of water permeability via evaporation rates through the shell membrane.
Main Results:
- Turning eggs accelerated limiting membrane thinning (74 nm to 35 nm) and increased water permeability (4-5 nL/mm²/min to 9 nL/mm²/min).
- Stationary eggs exhibited delayed thinning on the lower side, with water permeability reduced to 51% of the upper side by Day 8.
- A critical limiting membrane width of 40-44 nm was identified for high water permeation.
Conclusions:
- Egg turning promotes limiting membrane thinning, likely via enzymatic digestion, enhancing water permeation.
- Thinning of the limiting membrane is essential for optimal water exchange and successful avian embryo development.
- Albumen presence was observed to impede water permeation through the shell membrane.
