Failure to turn eggs during incubation: Development of the area vasculosa and embryonic growth

Effect of turning of the egg during incubation on development of the area vasculosa of the chick embryo was investigated. The size of the area vasculosa was determined by two methods: direct measurement with calipers and measurement of a template cut from the eggshell by use of an automatic surface area recorder. The effects of turning and additionally the effects of lowered temperature (36°C) on both growth of the area vasculosa by day 7 and embryo growth by day 14 of incubation were investigated. The effects of turning during a critical period for turning, from 3 to 7 days of incubation, were also recorded. Generally, failure to turn eggs retarded growth of the area vasculosa. Turning during the critical period stimulated the extent of growth of the area vasculosa by day 7 of incubation and of subsequent embryonic growth by day 14. Incubation at low temperature resulted both in reduced expansion of the area vasculosa and retarded embryonic growth in a pattern similar to that observed for unturned eggs. It is suggested that turning stimulates development of blood vessels in the area vasculosa via localized increases in blood pressure. The effect of a reduced area vasculosa is considered to retard embryonic development through restricted nutrient uptake from the yolk. The prevailing hypothesis that turning prevents deleterious membrane adhesions is questioned in light of these observations. It is suggested that the physiological basis for the need for turning lies in maximizing the growth rate of the area vasculosa to maximize yolk use and embryonic growth rate.