Sex in birds is determined genetically as in mammals and a Z-linked gene DMRT1 is required for testis development. But it remains possible that the W chromosome contains a similarly critical factor for female development. The W-linked gene PKCIW was put forward as the seductive candidate for avian sex determination and/or sex differentiation. Mis-expression and over-expression of PKCIW were per...

We have isolated a new chicken gene that is a member of the cysteine-rich secreted protein family (CRISP). The CRISP family is composed of over 70 members that are found in many phyla of organisms, including: vertebrates, plants, fungi, yeast, and insects. Here we describe the cloning of a novel member of this family, SugarCrisp, and its expression pattern throughout chicken embryogenesis. We a...

The CUBIC tissue clearing protocol has been optimized to produce translucent immunostained whole chicken embryos and embryo brains. When combined with multispectral light sheet microscopy, the validated protocol presented here provides a rapid, inexpensive and reliable method for acquiring accurate histological images that preserve three-dimensional structural relationships with single-cell-lev...

The use of rodent models to evaluate efficacy during testing is accompanied by significant economic and regulatory hurdles which compound the costs of screening for promising drug candidates. Vasopermeation Enhancement Agents (VEAs) are a new class of biologics that are designed to increase the uptake of cancer therapeutics at the tumor site by modifying vascular permeability in the tumor to in...

This study investigated whether the same cytochrome P-450 (P-450) isoenzymes were inducible in cultures of chick-embryo hepatocytes as in the liver of chicken embryos. We purified two isoenzymes of cytochrome P-450 from the livers of 17-day-old-chick embryos: one of molecular mass approx. 50 kDa induced in vivo by the phenobarbital-like inducer glutethimide, and the second of approx. 57 kDa ind...

The effect of the light schedule on toxic interactions between propranolol and disopyramide were studied in chick embryos. Fertilized eggs of White Leghorns were incubated under dark conditions and investigated, on two occasions, under light conditions or under dark conditions. Propranolol, with and without disopyramide, was injected into the air sac of fertilized eggs on the 16th day of incuba...

Imaging of the chicken embryo in the egg has revealed that the entire brain can be switched on for the first time earlier than expected by exposure to maternal vocalizations.

Background: Non-ionic surfactant, Tween-80 (TW80) is commonly used for drug delivery due to its effect on the cell membrane permeation. The change in permeability can also increase viral infectivity in cells. This study was undertaken to improve upon Newcastle disease virus (NDV) titer cultivated with embryonic chicken eggs. Methods: The toxicity of TW80 was investigated against chicken embryo...

It is commonly held that hearing generally begins on incubation day 12 (E12) in the chicken embryo (Gallus domesticus). However, little is known about the response properties of cochlear ganglion neurons for ages younger than E18. We studied ganglion neurons innervating the basilar papilla of embryos (E12-E18) and hatchlings (P13-P15). We asked first, when do primary afferent neurons begin to e...

Avian embryos develop and grow from energy and nutrients stored in the egg by the hen. In this sense, breeder male contribution is not important. Follicular deposition of nutrients occurs over a wide range of time, but becomes relevant during the week prior to ovulation. Amounts, but also forms, of nutrients deposited in the egg determine success of embryo development and hatching of a healthy ...