In ovo administration of boron alters bone mineralization of the chicken embryo

It has been hypothesized that boron (B) is an essential element for animals, especially in bone metabolism. In this study, the influence of in ovo boron administration was assessed in the chicken. At 8 d of embryogenesis, carrier or B (0.1, 0.5, or 1.0 mg) was injected on to the chorioallantoic membrane of fertile eggs. At hatching, body weights were recorded and tissue samples collected. Although boron failed to alter bone mineralization, it decreased (p less than 0.05) dried bone weight, suggesting a reduction in the bone organic matrix. Furthermore, 1 mg boron decreased (p less than 0.05) hatchability and increased (p less than 0.05) the height of the proliferative zone in the growth plate, indicating an unfavorable effect on bone elongation of the developing chick.