Respiratory Acidosis and Eggshell Resorption by the Chick Embryo

Abstract

Eggs of the domestic fowl were injected with 45Ca and then subjected to normal incubation or to incubation in 9% carbon dioxide in air. The embryos, yolk, albumen and shell were analysed at various times after incubation had started. The results demonstrate that there is normally a resorption of the eggshell during the latter part of incubation but that this process is depressed by hypercapnia. The results are discussed in relation to the events in normal development and in relation to possible mechanisms of shell resorption.