Physiology of turkey embryos during pipping and hatching II. selected blood parameters

Blood samples from turkey embryos taken at days 24 to 28 of incubation, a time of great embryonic mortality were analyzed for plasma calcium, magnesium, potassium, total plasma protein, lipid, and glucose concentrations. Plasma calcium increased significantly (P less than .05) until pipping, after which it declined until hatching. Plasma magnesium declined significantly (P less than .01) only at hatching. Potassium concentration declined significantly (P less than .01) as the hatched state approached. Plasma total protein concentration decreased until the onset of pipping, after which the concentration increased significantly (P less than .01) until hatching. Plasma total lipid concentrations decreased significant (P less than .01) during pipping, but the concentration remained constant while the poult emerged from the shell. Plasma glucose concentration increased significantly (P less than .01) prior to pipping and again at hatching.