Influence of parent flock age on embryonic metabolism in modern turkey strains

The metabolic response of some galliform embryos to embryonic heat production (EHP) and how incubation conditions have been adjusted to prevent overheating of embryos is well established in broiler breeders. However, the daily metabolic status of turkey embryos has not been studied or established in turkey embryos. The objectives of the current research were therefore to determine the respiratory (eggshell conductance, G) and metabolic status (EHP) of 2 modern turkey genetic strains [Hybrid (H) and Nicholas (N)] and 4 parent flock ages [young (Y, 30 wk), peak (P, 34 wk), mature (M, 55 wk), and old (O, 60 wk)] during incubation. To measure G, moisture loss from 15 eggs/genetic strain per flock age and saturated vapor pressure measured between the eggshell and its immediate environment were used. Daily embryonic O(2) consumption and CO(2) production rates were assessed 6 times each day from embryos of eggs (n = 11 eggs/genetic strain per flock age) incubated in individual metabolic chambers and were used to determined daily EHP. Data were analyzed using the mixed model procedure of SAS at P ≤ 0.05. The results showed that the G values (g/d per mmHg) were significantly different for the interaction between genetic strain and parent flock age (H × Y = 17.71, H × P = 17.53, H × M = 19.73, H × O = 26.46, N × Y = 16.70, N × P = 20.96; N × M = 25.47, N × O = 26.05; P = 0.0227). Daily EHP (mW) was higher in embryos from the O flock than in embryos from the Y flock during all days presented except at 8, 25, and 28 d of incubation (4 d: Y = 1.00, P = 0.93, M = 1.60, O = 1.75; 12 d: Y = 19.0, P = 20.0, M = 21.6, O = 23.4; 16 d: Y = 51.7, P = 60.5, M = 65.9, O = 70.8; 20 d: Y = 129, P = 146, M = 144, O = 155; 24 d: Y = 154, P = 188, M = 167, O = 180; 26 d: Y = 169, P = 199, M = 197, O = 230; and 27 d: Y = 231, P = 265, M = 288, O = 307; P < 0.05). The data showed that metabolic differences existed between embryos from flocks of different ages and that embryos from older flocks were metabolizing at a higher rate and could be subject to overheating, which requires further investigation. On the basis of the data, turkey eggs from flocks of different ages should be incubated separately for optimal physiological performance.