Measurement of blood pressure of chick embryo with an implanted needle catheter

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Abstract
A catheter, consisting of a hypodermic needle and polyethylene tube, was implanted in the allantoic artery and/or vein of chick embryos ranging in incubation ages from 13-17 days. The procedure was performed through a small hole opened in the shell (< 1 cm2). The hole was covered after implantation of the catheter, ensuring the adequate gas exchange by the chorioallantois and physiological values of blood gases. Blood pressure was measured with an electromanometric transducer. The arterial pressure lacked a dicrotic elevation. Systolic and diastolic pressures increased markedly with days of incubation but the heart rate showed no significant change. Venous pressure was pulsatile in some eggs and the pulsations became prominent after epinephrine administration.