Photoacoustic imaging of live chicken embryo at multiple developmental stages

Abstract

Chicken embryo remains a commonly used model for biomedical research due to its ease of availability, accessibility for surgical manipulations, and biological similarities with humans. Although, it is being extensively used for cancer, cardiovascular, and developmental studies, non-destructive imaging of live embryo vasculature with high optical contrast remains a challenge. In this work, photoacoustic tomography of chicken embryos developing in bioengineered eggshell was performed. Chicken embryos at different developmental stages were irradiated with laser pulses at wavelengths 532 nm and 740 nm to acquire cross sectional images at various depths. We have shown a label free method for imaging of live chicken embryo while maintaining its integrity. We demonstrated that our method has the potential to be a powerful non-invasive imaging method for studying vasculature growth and development in chicken embryos.

Evaluating the effects of calcium supplementation for chicken embryos cultured in a novel biomimetic transparent eggshell

“…Dr. Ishak formerly noted and discussed the possibility of accelerating the adoption of this ex-ovo model, particularly for imaging applications and education purposes [27]. This can likely be extended to advanced bioimaging techniques, such as photoacoustic imaging [163], high-frequency ultrasound [164], high field magnetic resonance imaging [165],…”

“…and also fluorescence microscopy [113]. For example, Sharma et al demonstrated using a similar PDMS ex-ovo model to conduct photoacoustic imaging studies, noting that the transparent eggshell was vital as the calcium eggshell often resulted in high signal attenuation [163]. Another study by Lai et al also proposed adopting an "egg on a chip" plan using a cuboid PDMS ex-ovo model, citing advantages in optical transparencies and facilitating in-vivo 3D fluorescent imaging [9].…”