Journal of Applied Physiology, Vol 58, Issue 2 416-418, Copyright © 1985 by American Physiological Society
Gas exchange and hatchability of chicken eggs incubated at simulated high altitude
A. H. Visschedijk
Chicken eggs laid at sea level were incubated at sea level (control
conditions), at a simulated altitude of 5.5 km without any further measures
(natural conditions), and at a simulated altitude of 5.7 km at optimal
incubator gas composition (optimal conditions). Under optimal conditions
the incubator relative humidity was 70% throughout incubation, the gas
mixture supplied to the incubator contained 45% O2-55% N2, and the
ventilation rate was reduced to 6% of control in order to maintain the
normal air-space gas tensions and to compensate for the increased eggshell
conductance at altitude. The embryos that developed under control
conditions showed a normal CO2 production with 94% hatchability of fertile
eggs. Under natural conditions at altitude all embryos died within a few
days. Optimal conditions resulted in an almost normal gas exchange and in
an improvement of hatchability from 0 to 81% of fertile eggs.
