Calcium and Phosphorus in the Development of the Turkey Embryo*
W. M. Insko, Jr. and
Malcolm Lyons
(From the Kentucky Agricultural Experiment Station, Lexington, Kentucky)
1. A study was made of 1.embryonic growth as measuredby wet weight, dry weight and ash content; 2.per centof moisture; 3.growth cycles; 4.calcium and phosphoruscontent of the Bronze turkey embryo.
2. The daily increasein wet weight, dry weight, and ash contentwas very small untilthe twelfth day, after which time incrementsof growth noticeablyincrease.
3. The increase in calcium and phosphorus contentwas relativelyslow until the seventeenth day.
4. The calcium-phosphorusratio was less than 1.0 until thenineteenth day of incubation,after which time it exceeded 1.0.
5. Turkey embryo growthis divided into three distinct phasesor cycles, with definiteperiods of retardation between theninth and tenth and betweenthe nineteenth and twentieth days.These periods of retardationwere also noted in the calciumand phosphorus content of theembryo. Certain correlations betweenthese periods of retardationand the change in the type of foodmetabolized are suggested.
6. It is suggested that the calcium content of the embryomaybe used as a measure of growth provided the yolk materialdrawninto the body cavity is removed before analysis.
* The investigation reported in this paper is in connection witha project of the Kentucky Agricultural Experiment Station andis published by permission of the director.