Changes in mean chorioallantoic artery blood flow and heart rate produced by hypoxia in the developing chick embryo

Abstract

Hypoxia in the mammalian fetus produces cardiovascular changes, such as bradycardia, systemic hypertension, and changes in heart rate variability. This response was studied in 140 chick embryos ranging from stage 34 to stage 42 (d 9-16 of the 21-d incubation), by measuring the changes in mean chorioallantoic artery blood flow (CABF) and heart rate for 5 min in two levels of hypoxia (group 1; n = 90; 100% N2) or (group 2; n = 50; 5% O2). Eggs were opened at the air cell and placed in a small plexiglass holder, which had a continuous gas flow of an O2/N2 mixture (5 L/min), at 38 degrees C and 60% humidity. The chorioallantoic artery was placed in the lumen of a flow probe to measure mean CABF, heart rate, peak flow, and blood flow acceleration. After baseline measurements, the gas mixture was changed to 100% N2 or 5% O2 in N2 for 5 min. Mean CABF and heart rate decreased significantly in both groups (Wilcoxon paired sample test, p < 0.05). This response was more pronounced with the development of the chick embryo. Chorioallantoic artery peak flow (mL/min) and CABF acceleration (mL/s2) increased with incubation time and decreased during periods of hypoxia. During recovery, heart rate returned to baseline levels, whereas mean CABF showed an overshoot. The initial decrease in mean CABF and heart rate was similar in both groups. The cardiovascular response to hypoxia in the chick embryo is similar to the response in the mammalian fetus. The more pronounced response in the more developed chick embryo may represent a maturation of cardiovascular control.