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Probing the Roles of Physical Forces in Early Chick Embryonic Morphogenesis
06:33

Probing the Roles of Physical Forces in Early Chick Embryonic Morphogenesis

Published on: June 5, 2018

Effects of posture on the respiratory mechanics of the chick embryo

Tara M Menna1, Jacopo P Mortola

  • 1Department of Physiology, McGill University, 3655 Sir William Osler Promenade, Montreal, Quebec, H3G 1Y6 Canada.

The Journal of Experimental Zoology
|December 19, 2002
PubMed

Insights

Chicken embryo breathing mechanics are not significantly constrained by their posture inside the egg or by the eggshell. Exteriorization had minimal impact on respiratory system compliance and resistance in late-stage embryos.

Area of Science:

  • Physiology
  • Developmental Biology
  • Comparative Anatomy

Background:

  • Pulmonary ventilation and gas exchange are crucial for avian development before hatching.
  • Understanding respiratory mechanics in late-stage chicken embryos is vital for comprehending hatching physiology.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the mechanical properties of the chicken embryo respiratory system.
  • To determine the influence of intra-egg posture and eggshell presence on respiratory mechanics.

Main Methods:

  • Studied passive mechanical properties of chicken embryos during internal and external pipping phases.
  • Recorded tracheal pressure and lung volume changes during mechanical ventilation.
  • Compared respiratory system mechanics before and after embryo exteriorization.

Main Results:

  • In internal pippers, exteriorization increased respiratory system compliance and decreased expiratory resistance.
  • Exteriorization did not significantly alter inspiratory impedance in internal pippers.
  • In external pippers, exteriorization showed no significant effects on respiratory compliance, resistance, or impedance.

Conclusions:

  • The curled posture within the egg does not impose significant mechanical constraints on breathing in chicken embryos nearing hatching.
  • Respiratory system mechanics in late-stage embryos are largely independent of the egg environment, similar to newly hatched chicks.

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