Embryo mortality associated with avian Mycoplasma serotype I
McClenaghan, M.; Bradbury, J.M.; Howse, J.N.
Veterinary Record 108(21): 459-460
1981
ISSN/ISBN: 0042-4900 PMID: 7292919 Document Number: 177218
Strains of serotype I isolated from two turkey flocks and designated as A1, A2 and B were inoculated into fertile turkey and chicken eggs at various doses (102-106 cfu of A1, 103 cfu of A2 and 103-107 cfu of B). Turkey embryos failed to hatch, irrespective of strain and dose administered or age of embryo at inoculation (7 or 14 days), whereas control groups hatched successfully. Strain A1 appeared to kill embryos more rapidly than strain B. Both strains also caused chicken embyro mortality, strain A1 killing more embryos than strain B. Most embryo deaths occurred in the later stages of incubation (18-24 days in turkey, 19-21 days in chick embryo). Various abnormalities were seen, the most common being congestion, stunting and, in turkey embryos, oedema around the head.