Summary
Calcium and phosphorus were measured in the yolk and albumen of fertile pigeon (Columba livia) eggs incubated for 0–17 days, and in embryos and hatchlings. Shell provided most of the calcium for skeletal mineralization of the embryos, whereas phosphorus was derived from the yolk and albumen. Mobilization of calcium from the shell to the embryo commenced at approximately day 11 of incubation, accumulating both in the embryo and the yolk sac. There was 1.4 times more calcium in squab yolk sacs than that contained in newly laid egg yolks. The results suggest that whereas general patterns of calcium and phosphorus accumulation during embryogenesis in altricial birds closely resemble those of precocial birds, calcium mobilization from the shell begins later, proceeds at a slower rate and results in a less mineralized hatchling.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Coty WA, McConkey CL Jr, Brown TA (1981) A specific binding protein for 1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D in the chick embryo chorioallantoic membrane. J Biol Chem 256:5545–5549
Hart LE, Cheng KM, Whitehead PE, Shah RM, Lewis RJ, Ruschkowski SR, Blair RW, Bennett DC, Bandiera SM, Norstrom RJ, Bellward GD (1991) Droxin contamination and growth and development in great blue heron embryos. J Toxicol Environ Health 32:331–334
Itaya K, Ui M (1966) A new micromethod for the colorimetric determination of inorganic phosphate. Clin Chim Acta 14:361–366
Johnston PM, Comar CL (1955) Distribution and contribution of calcium from the albumen, yolk and shell to the developing chick embryo. Am J Physiol 183:365–370
Packard MJ, Packard GC (1991) Patterns of mobilization of calcium, magnesium and phosphorus by embryonic yellow-headed blackbirds (Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus). J Comp Physiol B 160:649–654
Rolnik VV (1970) Bird embryology. Israel Program for Scientific Translations, Jerusalem
Romanoff AL (1967) Biochemistry of the avian embryo. John Wiley and Sons, New York
SAS (1985) Statistical analysis system. Statistical Analysis Systems Inc., Cary, North Carolina, USA
Tuan RS (1987) Mechanism and regulation of calcium transport by the chick embryonic chorioallantoic membrane. J Exp Zool [Suppl 1]:1–13
Terepka AR, Stewart ME, Merkel N (1969) Transport functions of the chick chorioallantoic membrane. Exp Cell Res 58:107–117
Vleck CM, Vleck D (1987) Metabolism and energetics of avian embryos. J Exp Zool [Suppl 1]:111–125
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
CIDA/NSERC Visiting Research Associate
Permanent address: Department of Animal Science, University of Peradeniya, Peradeniya, Sri Lanka
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Hart, L.E., Ravindran, V. & Young, A. Accumulation of calcium and phosphorus in pigeon (Columba livia) embryos. J Comp Physiol B 162, 535–538 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00264814
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00264814