The Pattern of Early Embryonic Development in Two Genetically Isolated Lines of Broad Breasted Bronze Turkeys ,

Abstract

STUDIES of the genetic control of embryonic growth and development in Aves to date have been largely confined to the domestic chicken. Kaufman (1934), Bernier et al. (1951), Krzanowska (1959), McNary et al. (1960), and Coleman et al. (1964) have provided evidence for genetic control of embryogenesis in that species. The existence of negative correlation in the chicken between the rate of embryonic growth and the incidence of embryonic mortality has been reported by several investigators (Krzanowska 1959; Bernier et al., 1951; Crittenden and Bohren, 1961). Furthermore, evidence has been accumulating that in the chicken the rate of embryonic growth is higher in populations characterized by smaller body size (e.g. McNary et al., 1960; Coleman et al, 1964). At the same time, chicken embryos from lines or strains known for low embryonic mortality also exhibit a higher rate of embryogenesis than genetic stocks known as “poor hatchers” (Neel, 1942; Bernier …