Abstract
The freshly laid avian egg contains most of the materials needed for embryonic growth and development, but lacks the oxygen and heat needed for successful development. Microscopic pores in the eggshell allow O2 to diffuse into the egg from the environment and water vapor and CO2 produced by the embryo to diffuse out. The adult bird has a key role in incubation, providing not only the heat necessary for embryonic development but also controlling the microclimate of the egg. In the poultry industry and for research purposes, the adult bird can be conveniently replaced by an incubator. The majority of research on avian incubation is undertaken using artificially incubated chicken (Gallus gallus domesticus) eggs. Thus, in this chapter, the chicken embryo is used to elucidate the development of physiological function during avian incubation, supplemented by additional species when data are available. Developmental physiology of the gas exchange, acid–base, cardiovascular, osmoregulatory and thermoregulatory systems are examined. The optimal conditions for artificial incubation are outlined and embryonic responses to incubation extremes are described.
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