Here we examined the contribution of the lungs and CAM to
V ·
O2total in the internally pipped chicken embryo when exposed to
hypoxia or hyperoxia at the air cell and/or the rest of the egg.
Additionally, we examined potential mechanisms by which
internally pipped chicken embryos may control the site of gas
exchange when exposed to air cell hypoxia and hyperoxia. To do
this,wemeasured ventilation and blood flow patterns in internally
pipped embryos exposed to hypoxia or hyperoxia at the air cell.
We found that the internally pipped embryo altered the
contribution of the lungs and CAM to V ·
O2total by altering the
right-to-left shunt of blood rather than by changing ventilation
patterns.