Related Experiment Videos
Chemosensory learning in the chicken embryo
H Sneddon1, R Hadden, P G Hepper
1School of Psychology, The Queen's University of Belfast, UK.
Physiology & Behavior
|July 14, 1998
Summary
Chicks exposed to a strawberry scent before hatching developed a preference for it after birth. This demonstrates prenatal chemosensory learning in birds, suggesting a universal phenomenon across the animal kingdom.
Area of Science:
- Behavioral Ecology
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Biology
Background:
- Prenatal chemosensory learning is documented in various animal groups, but not yet in birds.
- Avian embryos can learn auditory stimuli before hatching, suggesting potential for other sensory learning.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if prenatal exposure to a chemosensory stimulus influences chemosensory preferences in newly hatched chicks.
- To determine if birds exhibit prenatal chemosensory learning.
Main Methods:
- Chicken embryos were exposed to a strawberry odorant via air, shell application, or air space injection between days 15-20 of incubation.
- Post-hatching preference tests included olfactory (scent vs. no scent) and gustatory (flavored vs. unflavored water) assessments at 2 and 4 days old, respectively.
Main Results:
- Chicks exposed to strawberry prenatally showed a significantly weaker aversion or preference for the strawberry stimulus post-hatching.
- Exposed chicks consumed more strawberry-flavored water and spent more time in strawberry-scented areas compared to controls.
- Preference changes were stimulus-specific and persisted without post-hatching exposure.
Conclusions:
- Prenatal exposure to a chemosensory stimulus alters post-hatching preferences in chicks, indicating learning.
- These findings support the universality of prenatal chemosensory learning across diverse animal taxa.
- Embryonic chemosensory learning may play a role in post-hatching recognition and survival.