title: Exposure of fertile chicken eggs to microwave radiation (2.45 GHz, CW) during incubation: technique and evaluation.
abstract: A multi-mode cavity constructed of 22-gauge perforated galvanized steel with a horn irradiator was used to expose chicken embryos to microwave (MW) radiation during incubation. The MW exposure system was placed within an environmental chamber. Mean +/- standard error of mean (SEM) power level was 3.6 +/- 0.02 mW/cm2 and mean egg specific absorption rate was 0.8 mW/g per mW/cm2. Mean temperature of the MW-exposed eggs was 37.5 +/- 0.9 degrees C as monitored by a Luxtron fluoroptic thermometer. Non-irradiated eggs were incubated at 37.5 +/- 0.1 degrees C and 55% relative humidity. There was no significant different in percent fertile eggs hatched between eggs exposed to MW radiation during incubation or eggs incubated conventionally (82.9% and 87.7%, respectively).
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal and Poultry Science, University of Guelph, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Braithwaite
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Morrison
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Otten
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Pei
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002642:Chick Embryo / Q000254:growth & development / Q000528:radiation effects*; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D008722:Methods; D008872:Microwaves