TRANSMISSION ELECTRON-MICROSCOPIC DEMONSTRATION OF ABNORMALITIES ON THE TRACHEAL CILIA OF CHICKS EXPOSED TO FORMALDEHYDE DURING HATCHING

Formaldehyde gas used to fumigate hatcheries for control of microbial contamination has an adverse effect on trachea cilia function and morp hology. Evaluation of the changes revealed alterations in the ultrastr ucture of the axoneme with the absence of B subfibers and the producti on of additional A subfibers. Spikes and vesicular blebs in the cilia walls were evident in formaldehyde-exposed cilia. These changes could result in ciliastasis and cilia loss.