Growth and mineral content of cultured chick embryos

In order to assess mineral uptake by chick embryos cultured outside of the shell, growth and mineral (Ca, Mg, K, Na) composition of control and cultured embryos and total egg contents (embryo plus residual egg contents) were measured from 8 through 21 days of incubation. At day nine and thereafter, cultured embryos contained significantly less Ca and Mg than did control embryos. At day 11 and thereafter, ash weight of cultured embryos was significantly less than that of controls. At 13 days and thereafter, wet weight, dry weight, toe length, K and Na content of cultured embryos were significantly less than in controls. To assess relative mineral uptake of cultured embryos, mineral (Ca, Mg, K, Na) content per gram embryo dry weight was plotted against incubation age. Values for the ratio of Mg, K and Na per gram dry weight were similar for control and cultured embryos. Control values for Ca per dry weight were consistently higher than those for cultured embryos during the period from 9 to 21 days. The data suggest that Ca may not be present in sufficient quantity, even on a relative growth basis, to perform its normal physiological functions in cultured embryos.