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Published on: June 16, 2023
Morphological changes in the chicken ductus arteriosi during closure at hatching
Candace Belanger1, Jennifer Copeland, David Muirhead
1Department of Biological Sciences, University of North Texas, Denton, Texas 76203, USA.
Anatomical Record (Hoboken, N.J. : 2007)
|June 4, 2008
Summary
Chicken embryos have two ductus arteriosi (DA) that close at hatching. Proximal DA occlusion begins with increased blood oxygen during external pipping, while the distal DA closes later.
Area of Science:
- Developmental biology
- Cardiovascular physiology
- Comparative anatomy
Background:
- The chicken embryo possesses two ductus arteriosi (DA), vital for fetal circulation by shunting blood away from undeveloped lungs.
- DA closure is critical for establishing separate pulmonary and systemic circulation post-hatching.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the morphological and functional changes in the chicken DA during the hatching period.
- To correlate changes in blood oxygen levels with DA closure mechanisms.
Main Methods:
- Histological examination of DA morphology before, during, and after hatching.
- Assessment of smooth muscle actin expression and internal elastic lamina fragmentation.
- Measurement of blood gas partial pressure of oxygen (Po(2)) and DA oxygen responsiveness.
Main Results:
- Proximal DA occlusion initiated at external pipping, completing by hatching, characterized by neointimal proliferation and smooth muscle actin presence.
- Distal DA showed delayed occlusion compared to the proximal portion.
- Proximal DA oxygen sensitivity peaked during external pipping, coinciding with increased arterial Po(2) and initial closure.
Conclusions:
- Chicken DA closure is a timed process initiated by increased arterial Po(2) during hatching.
- The proximal DA is more responsive to oxygen and closes earlier than the distal DA.
- This study elucidates the developmental mechanisms of DA closure in avian species.
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