Isotopic Labeling of Embryo Yolk Sac and Intracellular Parasites of the Embryonated Hens Egg by Yolk Replacement

摘要

A technique is described which allows the replacement of 50% of the yolk of the embryonated hen's egg with large volumes of diverse but chemically defined solutions. By using an electrosurgical unit and a polyethylene tunnel, the procedure was performed on eggs from days 3 through 7 with greater than 90% surgical success and viability for the short term. More than 50% of the eggs replaced showed viability for 2 weeks, and a significant proportion went full term. ³²PO4 and amino acids (³H and ¹⁴C) added to the replaced eggs were incorporated into the macromolecules of the embryo and yolk sac as well as into parasitic rickettsiae cultivated in the replaced eggs. The incorporated ³²PO4 was shown to be assimilated into a variety of biochemical species.