Methods for controlling sex of oviparous embryos using light sources

Abstract

The sex of embryos in eggs is influenced or controlled through the application of light having selected wavelengths in order to promote the development of embryos of a selected sex. An incubating device is provided having an interior cavity that can be sealed from an outside, and having a plurality of lighting elements disposed on each of a plurality of trays disposed in the interior cavity. Eggs are disposed on the trays, and pre-determined environmental conditions are applied to the interior cavity to promote hatching of the eggs. Concurrently with the application of the environmental conditions, the eggs are irradiated according to pre-determined lighting conditions. The lighting conditions include applying light having wavelengths substantially concentrated in selected ranges, such as light wavelengths within the 390-419 nm, 410-450 nm, 420-450 nm, 450-495 nm, or other narrow range.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61 / 735,786, filed on Dec. 11, 2012; U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61 / 746,475, filed on Dec. 27, 2012; U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61 / 759,536 filed on Feb. 1, 2013, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61 / 802,826 filed on Mar. 18, 2013; U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61 / 813,905 filed on Apr. 19, 2013; and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61 / 845,466 filed on Jul. 12, 2013, all to Grajcar, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein in their entireties.TECHNICAL FIELD[0002]This disclosure relates to controlling the sex of avians, fish, or other oviparous animals at the embryonic stage. More specifically, this disclosure is directed to applying selected wavelengths of light and / or electromagnetic radiation to eggs in order to influence the sex of embryos within the eggs.BACKGROUND[0003]While sex (or gender) in higher ver...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

This patent describes a way to control the sex of embryos in eggs by using light with specific wavelengths. The method involves applying pre-determined lighting conditions, such as using low-intensity lighting elements, to the incubating device. This way, researchers can influence or control the development of the egg and ultimately affect the sex of the embryo.

Problems solved by technology

Because males and females are born at an approximate 50 / 50 sex ratio, approximately half of all avian born at such operations are thus lost and unproductive or provide diminished production.

For that matter, studies have shown that increased incubation temperature in very specific H&H stages (a series of normal stages in the development of the chick embryo as provided by Hamburger V, Hamilton HL Dev. Dyn. 1992 December, 195(4): 231-272) changes the gender of poultry; however, such increase in temperature causes a decrease in hatchability to the point where such a gender change is not economically beneficial.

This thereby decreases the number of avians that must be euthanized or lost, increasing efficiencies and maximizing profits.

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