Study the Thorax Ossification Centers in Partridge Embryos by Alizarin Red and Alcian Blue Double Staining Techniques

Abstract

The current study was aimed to determine the onset of vertebral ossification, ribs, and sternum, and to evaluate ossification centers using the alizarin red and alcian blue staining techniques in the partridge embryos. One-hundred fertilized eggs of the partridge were placed in a hatching machine. From day 8 of incubation, three egg samples were randomly selected daily for staining until hatching. After staining, ossification centers in various parts of thorax were evaluated by a stereomicroscope. Data from examination of different thoracic parts of the partridge embryos indicated that cartilaginous thoracic vertebrae was were formed in the embryo on the 8th day, but the ribs and sternum were not visible. Cartilaginous ribs were formed on the 9th day of embryo. A cartilaginous sternum began to form on the 10thday of embryo. On the 13th day, cartilaginous uncinate processes were observed at the caudal border of embryonic ribs. From the 16th day, the first ossification center was detected in the body of ribs. The embryonic development process was progressive on the 17th and 18th days. The first ossification centers in the embryo of the 22nd and 23rd days were detectable in the cranio-lateral process of sternum and in the uncinate process of the first thoracic rib, respectively. On the 25th day, the cranio-medial process of sternum was the first ossification center in the embryos. The emergence of ossification centers in different parts of thorax and the developmental process were not observed at the pre-hatching time.