Effects of atmospheric ammonia on chick embryo development

Abstract

1. Two experiments were carried out in which fertile, White Leghorn eggs were individually subjected to atmospheric ammonia, for 24 h before incubation, in order to examine the effects on embryo development.

2. In experiment 1, development was unaffected by 0.35 mg/l (493 μl/l) atmospheric ammonia and slightly reduced by 0.7 mg/l (986 μl/1) while 7 mg/l (9 860 μ/il/l) produced 100% mortality. In experiment 2, embryo development was unaffected by 0.35 mg/l atmospheric ammonia, but severely reduced by 3.15 mg/l (4437 μl/l).