The Relationship of Hyperthermia to Liver Growth and Liver Glycogen in the Chick Embryo

Abstract

INTRODUCTIONNUMEROUS studies have indicated that elevated incubation temperature for the chick embryo results in visceral overgrowth and protrusion of the viscera into the body stalk (celosomia), various other congenital malformations and growth acceleration. Ancel and Lallemand (1941) reported the production of visceral overgrowth and celosomia in chick embryos incubated at 39.0°C. during the third through the sixth day of incubation. This same malformation was produced in the chick embryo by Delphia and Eveleth (1961) from continuous incubation temperature of 40.0°C. Alsop (1919) and de la Cruz et al. (1966) recorded numerous congenital malformations in chick embryos incubated at 40.0°C. Rott (1957a, b) observed that incubation of the chick embryo at 38.5°C. accelerated growth during the first half of incubation. Delphia and Elliott (1965) using a temperature of 40.0°C. during the third through the sixth day and continuously, found lowered myocardial glycogen levels.The present study is concerned with the .