Effects of reciprocal forebrain transplantation on motility and hatching in chick and duck embryos

Effects of reciprocal forebrain transplantation on the embryonic motility and the hatching behavior in the chick and the duck embryos were studied. The forebrains were transplanted before the establishment of circulation. The grafted tissue formed the telencephalon, diencephalon, eyes, upper beak and part of the cranium. Data indicate that the size of the forebrain has no significant influence on the early embryonic motility (Type I and II) in the chick and the duck embryos. The initiation and maintenance of the pre-hatching behavior (Type III motility) does not reside in the forebrain. The final stage of hatching (climax) on the other hand may be controlled by the forebrain.