DUPUY ET AL., June 2002

Embryonic Development from First Cleavage Through Seventy-Two Hours Incubation in Two Strains of Pekin Duck (Anas platyrhynchos)

V. Dupuy,* B. Nersessian,† and M. R. Bakst‡
*Station de Recherches Avicoles, INRA, Nouzilly, France; †Maple Leaf Farms Inc., Milford, Indiana; and ‡Germplasm and Gamete Physiology Laboratory, Agricultural Research Service, US Department of Agriculture, Beltsville, Maryland 20705-2350

ABSTRACT Embryonic mortality is a significant problem plaguing the commercial duck industry worldwide. Yet, an objective means to stage development of the duck embryo is lacking. Such a staging procedure, which is described in this study, is essential for the critical and reproducible assessment of embryo development. The morphological features associated with duck embryo development are very similar to those of the chicken, although the duck embryo develops more slowly. The staging scheme presented here provides objective morphological criteria describing the embryonic development of the duck.

(Key Words: duck, embryogenesis, blastoderm, avian)

2002 Poultry Science 81:860-868