Direct Measurement of Vessel Pressure in Chicken Embryo during Development

Abstract

Hemodynamic conditions play a critical role in embryonic cardiovascular development, and altered blood flow leads to congenital heart defects (CHD). Chicken embryos are commonly used as models of cardiac development, with abnormal blood flow achieved through left artery ligation (LAL) surgery intervention to restrict the blood flow. The heart is the first functioning organ in the developing embryo and a detailed understanding of the physiological mechanisms involved in its formation provides insights into CHD. Therefore, it is important to measure the pressure during the development of an embryo. This study is aimed to develop measure the pressure during normal and LAL condition in chicken embryo by using an WPI-900A micro pressure system. This approach is based on servo-null method where a microelectrode is introduced into the vitelline artery to directly measure the vessel pressure of the chicken embryo during development (HH18-HH32). We also described the initial calibration of the microelectrode as well as pressure measurement at different time points. In addition, we measure pressure after hemodynamic alteration via LAL surgery. We have successfully measured the vitelline artery pressure after 5 days of post incubated (HH26) chicken embryo. Our study provides a precise measurement of clinical relevant cardiac function. These measurements highlight the importance of hemodynamic alteration during the cardiovascular developments.