FORMALDEHYDE VAPORIZATION IN THE HATCHER AND THE EFFECT ON TRACHEAL EPITHELIUM OF THE CHICK

Chicken embryos were exposed to formaldehyde vapors in the hatcher dur ing the final 3 days of incubation. Measured formaldehyde levels appro ached 130 ppm. Tracheas collected at hatch and 5 days post hatch were evaluated for functional and morphologic changes. Tracheal cilia motil ity was reduced in formaldehyde-exposed chicks. Scanning electron micr oscopy revealed blunted cilia and blebs occurring in the cilia surface s. At 5 days of age, excessive tracheal mucus was present. Sloughing o f the tracheal epithelium was visible by light microscopy.