Abstract

A study was undertaken to illustrate the pre-hatch development of the small intestine in turkey (Meleagris gallopavo). Sixty embryos of Beltsville White turkey each from third, fourth, sixth, ninth, twelfth, fifteenth, eighteenth, twenty-first, twentyfourth and twenty-seventh day of incubation and six-day-old poults were collected. Gross morphological and morphometric studies were conducted on the segments of small intestine in the embryos collected. The morphogenetic differentiation of the small intestine occurred by sixth day of incubation and the morphometric parameters showed progressive increase with age of the embryo.

Keywords : Development, Embryo, Turkey, Small intestine