Improved hatching for in vitro quail embryo culture using surrogate eggshell and artificial vessel

Area of Science:

• Developmental Biology
• Animal Biotechnology
• Embryology

Background:

• Avian embryonic culture is crucial for developmental research and producing transgenic chickens for biological materials.
• Current methods face challenges with low hatchability, around 50%, due to insufficient oxygen and calcium.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate and overcome limitations in avian embryo culture, specifically oxygen and calcium availability.
• To develop a fully artificial vessel for successful avian embryo culture and hatching.

Main Methods:

• Utilized quail embryos cultured in chicken eggshells with oxygen enrichment and calcium lactate supplementation.
• Designed and tested a novel, fully artificial culture vessel using a gas-permeable Teflon membrane.
• Incorporated eggshell powder and calcium lactate into the artificial vessel for embryo development.

Main Results:

• Oxygen enrichment in eggshell cultures improved mid-stage viability and achieved 30% hatchability.
• Supplementation with calcium lactate alongside oxygen aeration increased hatchability to 80% in eggshell cultures.
• The artificial vessel, with eggshell powder and calcium lactate, supported normal quail embryo development and achieved 43% hatchability.

Conclusions:

• Limited oxygen and calcium availability are key factors affecting avian embryo culture hatchability.
• Supplementation strategies significantly enhance embryo survival and hatching rates.
• A fully artificial vessel for avian embryo culture has been successfully developed, demonstrating potential for future research and applications.