Corrosion Casting: A Novel Method for Determining Avian Eggshell Pore Morphology
Submission Type
Event
Expected Graduation Date
2014
Location
Atrium, Center for Natural Sciences, Illinois Wesleyan University
Start Date
4-20-2013 9:00 AM
End Date
4-20-2013 10:00 AM
Disciplines
Biology
Abstract
Pores in avian eggshells facilitate gas exchange between the external environment and the embryo. We developed a novel approach for studying the three-dimensional morphology of eggshell pores using a polyurethane-based resin (PU4ii resin, VasQtech) typically used for creating molds of blood vessels. The resin was drawn through the pores of eggshell fragments using a vacuum and resin polymerization occurred within 24 hours at room temperature. The calcium carbonate components of the eggshell were dissolved with 10% hydrochloric acid, air-dried, and the remaining cast of the pore spaces was imaged using a JEOL-5800 scanning electron microscope. The dimensions of the pore spaces were determined from collected images using ImageJ software. Pores from eggshells of the domestic Chicken (Gallus gallus), Common Grackle (Quiscalus quiscula), and Brown-headed Cowbird (Molothrus ater) were successfully cast and imaged. Our results to date indicate that this technique is effective for determining pore shape and future work will focus on assessing the diversity of pore morphology among avian taxonomic groups.
Corrosion Casting: A Novel Method for Determining Avian Eggshell Pore Morphology
Atrium, Center for Natural Sciences, Illinois Wesleyan University
Pores in avian eggshells facilitate gas exchange between the external environment and the embryo. We developed a novel approach for studying the three-dimensional morphology of eggshell pores using a polyurethane-based resin (PU4ii resin, VasQtech) typically used for creating molds of blood vessels. The resin was drawn through the pores of eggshell fragments using a vacuum and resin polymerization occurred within 24 hours at room temperature. The calcium carbonate components of the eggshell were dissolved with 10% hydrochloric acid, air-dried, and the remaining cast of the pore spaces was imaged using a JEOL-5800 scanning electron microscope. The dimensions of the pore spaces were determined from collected images using ImageJ software. Pores from eggshells of the domestic Chicken (Gallus gallus), Common Grackle (Quiscalus quiscula), and Brown-headed Cowbird (Molothrus ater) were successfully cast and imaged. Our results to date indicate that this technique is effective for determining pore shape and future work will focus on assessing the diversity of pore morphology among avian taxonomic groups.