Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Types of Selection

Types of Selection

Natural selection influences the frequencies of particular alleles and phenotypes within populations in several different ways. Primarily, natural selection can be directional, stabilizing, or disruptive. Directional selection favors one extreme trait and shifts the population towards that phenotype while selecting against individuals displaying alternate traits. Stabilizing selection favors an intermediate trait with a narrow range of variation. Deviation from the optimal phenotype towards an...

Cleavage and Blastulation

Cleavage and Blastulation

After a large-single-celled zygote is produced via fertilization, the process of cleavage occurs while zygotes travel through the uterine tube. Cleavage is a mitotic cell division that does not result in growth. With each round of successive cell division, daughter cells get increasingly smaller.

Determination

Determination

During embryogenesis, cells become progressively committed to different fates through a two-step process: specification followed by determination. Specification is demonstrated by removing a segment of an early embryo, “neutrally” culturing the tissue in vitro—for example, in a petri dish with simple medium—and then observing the derivatives. If the cultured region gives rise to cell types that it would normally generate in the embryo, this means that it is specified. In...

Background and Environment Affect Phenotype

Background and Environment Affect Phenotype

Although the genetic makeup of an organism plays a major role in determining the phenotype, there are also several environmental factors, such as temperature, oxygen availability, presence of mutagens, that can alter an organism’s phenotype.
An example of how genetic background affects phenotype can be seen in horses. The Extension gene in horses is responsible for their coat color. A wild-type gene (EE) produces black pigment in the coat, while a mutant gene (ee) produces red pigment. A...

Limits to Natural Selection

Limits to Natural Selection

Organisms that are well-adapted to their environment are more likely to survive and reproduce. However, natural selection does not lead to perfectly adapted organisms. Several factors constrain natural selection.

Cellular Differentiation

Cellular Differentiation

How does a complex organism such as a human develop from a single cell? It all starts from a single fertilized egg which gives rise to a vast array of cell types, such as nerve cells, muscle cells, and epithelial cells that characterize the adult? Throughout development and adulthood, cellular differentiation leads cells to assume their final morphology and physiology. Differentiation is the process by which unspecialized cells become specialized to carry out distinct functions.
A zygote is a...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Transcriptional Cytokine Responses Linked to Pathological Outcomes in Broiler Chickens Fed Residual Doses of Antimicrobials.

International journal of molecular sciences·2026

Same author

Transcriptomic changes in embryonic blood of subsequent generations following in ovo stimulation with nutriepigenetic factors.

BMC genomics·2026

Same author

Dry nettle (Urtica dioica) as a feed additive: impacts on duck growth, meat quality, gut morphology, gene expression, and microbiota.

BMC veterinary research·2026

Same author

Survivability of microorganisms on synthetic and semi-synthetic textile materials used in the production of special purpose clothing in various humidity and temperature conditions.

Annals of agricultural and environmental medicine : AAEM·2025

Same author

Research note: Cecal microbiota and growth performance in Hubbard JA 757 broilers with and without outdoor access.

Poultry science·2025

Same author

Transgenerational effects of in ovo stimulation with synbiotic and choline on gonadal tissue across three generations.

Scientific reports·2025

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Apr 8, 2026

Assessing Species-specific Contributions To Craniofacial Development Using Quail-duck Chimeras

Assessing Species-specific Contributions To Craniofacial Development Using Quail-duck Chimeras

Published on: May 31, 2014

Changes in Quail Blastodermal Cell Status as a Result of Selection.

Dorota Sawicka, Kamila Samek, Luiza Chojnacka-Puchta

Folia Biologica

|June 25, 2015

Summary

Genetic selection impacts quail embryonic development. Blastodermal cell analysis reveals differing live and apoptotic cell percentages across meat-type, egg-laying, and high-yolk-cholesterol lines, indicating selection effects.

More Related Videos

Ecotoxicological Effects of Microplastics on Bird Embryo Development by Hatching without Eggshell

Ecotoxicological Effects of Microplastics on Bird Embryo Development by Hatching without Eggshell

Published on: August 14, 2021

Blastomere Explants to Test for Cell Fate Commitment During Embryonic Development

Blastomere Explants to Test for Cell Fate Commitment During Embryonic Development

Published on: January 26, 2013

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Apr 8, 2026

Assessing Species-specific Contributions To Craniofacial Development Using Quail-duck Chimeras

Assessing Species-specific Contributions To Craniofacial Development Using Quail-duck Chimeras

Published on: May 31, 2014

Ecotoxicological Effects of Microplastics on Bird Embryo Development by Hatching without Eggshell

Ecotoxicological Effects of Microplastics on Bird Embryo Development by Hatching without Eggshell

Published on: August 14, 2021

Blastomere Explants to Test for Cell Fate Commitment During Embryonic Development

Blastomere Explants to Test for Cell Fate Commitment During Embryonic Development

Published on: January 26, 2013

Area of Science:

Animal Genetics
Developmental Biology
Avian Reproduction

Background:

Long-term genetic selection in poultry has enhanced traits like growth rate and egg production.
However, this selection can introduce unintended negative consequences, potentially affecting embryonic development.
The proportion of live and apoptotic blastodermal cells (BCs) in early embryogenesis serves as a sensitive indicator of these selection-induced changes.

Purpose of the Study:

To compare the number of live and apoptotic blastodermal cells (BCs) across three distinct quail lines.
To evaluate the impact of divergent genetic selection (body weight, egg number, yolk cholesterol) on early embryonic cellular health.

Main Methods:

Analysis of live and apoptotic blastodermal cells (BCs) at the X stage of embryogenesis.
Utilized Magnetic Activated Cell Sorting (MACS) to isolate apoptotic BCs.
Compared cell populations across Pharaoh (F33, meat-type), S33 (egg-laying), and S22 (high yolk cholesterol) quail lines.

Main Results:

Significant differences (P ≤ 0.01) in live and apoptotic BC percentages were observed between F33 and S33 lines.
The F33 meat-type line exhibited a higher number of apoptotic BCs compared to the S33 egg-laying line.
Selection for high yolk cholesterol (S22) increased total BCs and significantly decreased the percentage of apoptotic BCs compared to the S33 line.

Conclusions:

Early embryonic blastodermal cell analysis is a viable method for assessing the effects of genetic selection.
Different selection strategies (meat vs. egg production vs. yolk cholesterol) have distinct impacts on embryonic cellular apoptosis.
The S22 line, selected for high yolk cholesterol, demonstrates improved embryonic cellular health markers compared to the S33 line.