The general purpose of this review is to show the stage of the development of peripheral
and central nervous thermoregulatory mechanisms in poultry embryos at the end of
incubation, and the impact of long-term changes in incubation temperature. Methods
are described which (a) allow continuous measurement of peripheral thermoregulatory
mechanisms simultaneously with the body temperature of the embryo, and (b) can be used
for identification of changes in the sensitivity of the central controller of body temperature
during the development as well as after prenatal temperature experiences. Further, a
method for characterisation of ‘critical periods’ in the development of the respective body
function is introduced.