Changes of some blood components associated with ostrich embryonic development during incubation [electronic resouce].

Includes references.

A total number of 60 ostrich eggs weighing between 1300 to J 500 g were obtained from commercial farm located at Cairo. Eggs were incubated at multi stage incubator. At 20, 30, 34, 36, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42 and 43 day's olincubation, 4 embryos were removed from the fertile eggs and examined for some hematological parameters as well as some blood chemistry. Furthermore. calcium and phosphorus content in plasma, leg bones and eggshell of the growing embryos and hatching chicks were determined The results showed that: As the embryos developed, erythrocyte and leukocyte counts, hemoglobin concentration, hematocrite value (PCV), plasma glucose, total protein, albumen, globulin and albumen to globulin ratio (A/G), urea. uric acid, and alkaline and acid phosphates concentration increased gradually with increasing~ embryo age. all these parameters reached their highest values approximately at 41 or at 42-d of age. However, plasma concentrations of (F3) and (1'4) increased with increasing the embryo.~ in age and reached its maximum value at 41 do/incubation, meanwhile, both T3 and T4 concentration in the plasma of the ostrich embryos decreased at pipping and before hatching. Moreover, plasma total lipids, cholesterol and triglyceride concentration increased gradually as the embryo advanced in age and reached their peak at 34, 36 and 38-d-o/d respectively. On the other hand, eggshell content of (Ca) and (P) decreased gradually as the embryo advanced in age. On the contrary, (Ca) and (P) concentration ;n the embryos plasma and bones increased with increasing the embryos age. These results establish base line information on ostriches hematological and biochemical parameters. Moreover, any reduction in these base line parameters during the last stage a/the ostrich embryonic development may cause high mortality rate.

Summary in Arabic.

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