A new candling procedure for thick and opaque eggs and its application to avian conservation management

Hall, Clancy; Potvin, Dominique A.; Conroy, Gabriel

doi:10.1002/zoo.21730

Cited by 4 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 63 publications

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“…The first imaging method, brightfield transmission imaging, also commonly called egg candling, is the traditional optical method for observing the blood vessels within a chicken egg 17,20,21 . It is primarily used for assessing the viability of the embryo in agriculture and avian conservation 13,14 . A broadband light source is placed beneath or behind the egg.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…This alteration changes the gas exchange dynamics, cardiodynamics, physical tension on the embryo, and resistance to infection, negatively impacting the overall survival of the embryo 11,12 . Thus, having the ability to observe the CAM non-invasively within the intact egg, throughout early stages of embryonic development would be beneficial for various scientific studies, commercial applications, and conservation 11,13 . The challenge lies in developing an imaging method that enables visualization of the embryonic tissues such as the CAM, heart, and blood vessels while overcoming the opacity of the eggshell.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…A broadband light source is placed beneath or behind the egg. As the egg is held against the light source, the internal elements can be visualized due to the differences in the absorption of the light [13][14][15] . As egg candling relies on absorption of the illuminating light by the sample, the imaging can be compromised by undesired external sources of light absorption 15 , such as cracks or pigmentation of the eggshell as well as air-bubbles, especially between the inner and outer shell membranes.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Non-invasive laser speckle imaging of extra-embryonic blood vessels in intact few-days-old avian eggs

Dong,

Mahler,

Readhead

et al. 2024

Preprint

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Imaging blood vessels in early-stage avian embryos has a wide range of practical applications for developmental biology studies, drug and vaccine testing, and early sex determination. Optical imaging such as brightfield transmission imaging offers a compelling solution due to its safe non-ionizing radiation, and operational benefits. However, it comes with challenges such as eggshell opacity and light scattering. To address these, we have revisited an approach based on laser speckle contrast imaging (LSCI) and demonstrated a high quality, comprehensive and non-invasive visualization of blood vessels in few-days-old chicken eggs, with blood vessel as small as 100 um in diameter (with LSCI profile full-width-at-half-maximum of 275 um). We present its non-invasive use for monitoring blood flow, measuring the embryo's heartbeat, and determining the embryo's developmental stages using machine learning with 85% accuracy from stage HH15 to HH22. This method can potentially be used for non-invasive longitudinal studies of cardiovascular development and angiogenesis, as well as egg screening for the poultry industry.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Non-invasive laser speckle imaging of extra-embryonic blood vessels in intact few-days-old avian eggs

Dong,

Mahler,

Readhead

et al. 2024

Preprint

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show abstract

Characteristics of Kinosternon scorpioides turtle embryos through egg candling

Braga,

Leal,

Oliveira-Bahia

et al. 2024

Theriogenology Wild

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Suitability of emu (Dromaius novaehollandiae) eggs for in ovo imaging research as an alternative to conventional animal model: First experience and non‐invasive investigation of physiological embryonal development on computed tomography

Perkas,

Pomraenke,

Greiser

et al. 2024

Acta Zoologica

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Fertilized bird eggs are an alternative model to conventional animal testing. In recent studies, a preclinical imaging model based on large ostrich eggs was introduced in a clinical research centre using imaging systems designed for humans, thus bypassing the need for dedicated small animal imaging systems. Ostrich eggs are only laid during the season with increased daylength, which limits its year‐round availability. The current study focuses on large emu eggs instead of ostrich eggs and aims at investigating its suitability for preclinical imaging research. Physiological development of emu embryos was observed by serial weightings and serial CT scans until developmental day (DD) 46. Differences between fertilized a non‐fertilized eggs were analysed. In fertilized eggs, the embryo was identified on CT scans as early as DD 13. As expected, CT scans showed continuous embryonal development and growth over time, comparable to ostriches. Neither the eggs' volume and weight nor the weight loss nor the radiodensity provided significant differences between fertilized and non‐fertilized eggs. Despite inferior incubation success in emus compared to ostriches, suitability of emu eggs for artificial incubation and subsequent research was confirmed. Hence, emu eggs represent an alternative model for preclinical imaging and allow a year‐round use for research purposes if combined with ostrich eggs.

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A new candling procedure for thick and opaque eggs and its application to avian conservation management

Cited by 4 publications

References 63 publications

Non-invasive laser speckle imaging of extra-embryonic blood vessels in intact few-days-old avian eggs

Non-invasive laser speckle imaging of extra-embryonic blood vessels in intact few-days-old avian eggs

Characteristics of Kinosternon scorpioides turtle embryos through egg candling

Suitability of emu (Dromaius novaehollandiae) eggs for in ovo imaging research as an alternative to conventional animal model: First experience and non‐invasive investigation of physiological embryonal development on computed tomography

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