Observations on congenital teratology in turkey embryos and its experimental transmission via transplantation
The embryonic period of the domestic turkey is characterized by a relatively high level of mortality (Kosin & Mun, 1960, 1965). The aim of the investigation reported below was to analyse the significance of certain changes observed in turkey embryos doomed to die because of either congenital or experimentally induced defects. The study was based on hatching eggs obtained in 1963 and 1964 from the Broad Breasted Bronze turkey stock maintained at that time at Washington State University for genetic investigations, and from a mass-mated flock of non-selected White Leghorn chickens. Only such criteria as size and shape of the egg and soundness of the shell were employed in choosing eggs for use. The eggs were brought daily to the storage room a few hours after laying and stored at 13·5 °C and 85 % relative humidity for 1–14 days. Following this, the eggs were incubated at 37·5 °C and 60 % relative humidity for 1–15 days.