Supplemented eggshell restores calcium transport in chorioallantoic membrane of cultured shell-less chick embryos

It was previously reported (Tuan, 1980a) that the development-specific expression of calcium transport and related functions in the chick embryonic chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) requires the continuous presence of the eggshell, the calcium source of the embryo. To further understand the mechanism of action of the eggshell on the CAM functions, this study reports the effects of eggshell supplementation on chick embryos maintained in shell-less cultures. The cultured embryos were able to accumulate and utilize the exogenous shell calcium, applied directly onto the CAM, for skeletal formation. In the region of the CAM directly adhering to the added shell, calcium transport activity, calcium-binding protein (CaBP) activity, and vitamin K-dependent gamma-glutamyl carboxylase activity were significantly restored. These results strongly suggest that the proximity of shell calcium may regulate expression of calcium transport and related functions in the chick embryonic CAM.