The avian embryo as a model for early developmental endocrinology

Abstract

Studies utilizing the developing chicken embryo have significantly augmented our understanding of the ontogeny of endocrine regulation during major critical periods of embryonic development. These embryos currently provide the only available models for elucidating the onset of endocrine function during all stages of in situ amniote development, for examining chronic calcium deficiency during embryogenesis, and for experiments in basic renal function during periods when only the mesonephros is normally functioning, as well as mixed meso/metanephric function and solely metanephric kidney function.