Prenatal light exposure influences gait performance and body composition in bobwhite quail chicks

Maternal nesting behavior, which includes periods of patterned inattention, provides key elements essential for avian embryonic development, including regulation of temperature and light. For example, avian research consistently shows the importance of prenatal light exposure for several developmental processes; however, this research has primarily focused on artificial light regimens (i.e. 24 hr, 0 hr light). Comparatively less is known about how exposure to naturally occurring light patterns during incubation influence motor performance, body composition (i.e. body mass, bone length), and developmental age (incubation length). Here we conducted two experiments which investigated the effects of prenatal light exposure on developmental age, body composition, and gait performance in 1-day-old bobwhite quail. Experiment 1 investigated crepuscular light exposure during the last two days of incubation under two light duration treatments (2 hr & 6 hr) compared to a 12 hr continuous light schedule. Results indicated crepuscular prenatal light experience extended the incubation period for 2 hr exposed embryos, but not for 6 hr exposed embryos and negatively influenced postnatal body composition and postnatal gait performance when compared to 12 hr continuous light embryos. Experiment 2 examined the influence of prenatal light duration (2 hr vs 6 hr) and light presentation (crepuscular vs sporadic). Results demonstrated sporadic light presentation improved gait performance in 2 hr exposed hatchlings, but not 6 hr exposed hatchlings, improved body composition in 6 hr exposed hatchlings, but not 2 hr exposed hatchlings, and did not alter incubation length when compared to crepuscular light counterparts. This study provides further evidence for the importance of maternally regulated sensory stimulation during the prenatal period on early postnatal motor development.