Scientists have developed a breakthrough shell-less culture system or SLCS that allows the real-time observation of chicken embryo development without the eggshell.
Led by researchers from Okayama University of Science, the system involves culturing embryos on a rotary shaker to prevent the yolk membrane from drying out, optimizing conditions to allow for normal development. With the addition of oxygen and calcium carbonate, and manual shaking, the success rate of hatching healthy chicks increased to 10.5%.
This transparent system opens up new possibilities in fields like toxicology, stem cell research, and regenerative medicine.