DEVELOPMENTAL PATTERNS OF O-2 CONSUMPTION, HEART-RATE AND O-2 PULSE IN UNTURNED EGGS

The effects of failure to turn eggs on the developmental patterns of o xygen consumption (M(O2)), heart rate (fH) and O-2 pulse during the se cond half of incubation of individual chicken eggs were examined. The M(O2) of unturned eggs increased at a significantly lower rate than th e control toward the end of prenatal incubation, and the plateau M(O2) between day 17 and 19 was significantly lower than the control. Lack of turning also resulted in significant changes in the developmental p atterns of fH and O-2 pulse. It is suggested that the effects of lack of egg-turning on the developmental patterns of M(O2) may be attributa ble to lower embryonic growth rate in addition to impairment of gas ex change through the chorioallantoic gas exchanger.