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Abstract
The objective of the current study was to determine the effects of incubating turkey
eggs in the presence of incandescent light on hatching times, as well as liver and
heart growth and function of the hatched poult. In each of two independent trials,
180 commercial turkey eggs were incubated either in a 12-h incandescent light:dark
schedule or continuous darkness throughout the incubation period (n = 360). Hatching
time was observed at 8-h intervals following 25 d of incubation. Hatchability was
calculated as a percentage of total eggs set, and was also calculated as a percentage
of fertilized eggs. Poult weights, blood glucose, liver weights, and heart weights
were measured at hatch. Liver and heart glycogen concentrations were analyzed, and
comparisons were made of light-treated hatchlings and controls exposed to continuous
darkness. The photostimulation of eggs accelerated hatching times (P < or = 0.01)
without affecting hatchability or poult weight at hatching. Neither organ weights
nor organ glycogen contents of photostimulated poults differed significantly from
controls incubated in the dark. Results of this experiment indicate that the incubation
length of turkey eggs may be shortened by photostimulation of eggs during the incubation
period without significantly affecting embryonic survival, liver or heart growth,
or glycogen content.