Using the heart rate of a bird embryo to monitor its condition

Abstract

The article deals with the problem of artificial incubation of eggs of bird species, whose incubation is carried out for the first time and for which there are no data on the optimal temperature regime. The question of the need for using the methods allowing individual monitoring of the embryo is raised. The data from the literature on non-invasive methods of biological control of incubation, allowing changing the heart rate of a bird embryo to control its condition, are presented. It was found that the heart rate of embryos decreases as they develop. A similar effect on the heart rate, regardless of age, provides a decrease in temperature and lack of oxygen. Motor activity of the embryo creates interference check of the heart rate. The results of testing the device for determining the heart rate of the embryo of birds by the optical method are presented. The circle of factors influencing the accuracy of measurements is defined. The possibility of lifetime determination of the duration of hypoxia of the embryo of birds by monitoring the heart rate is experimentally confirmed. The possibility of using the method of heart rate control to detect the degree of hypoxia of the embryo in order to determine the exact time of human operational intervention in the process of hatching of rare bird species is discussed.