Scanning electron microscopy of the respiratory epithelium of chicks fumigated with formaldehyde vapour

1. Hatching chicks were exposed to 10.9 ppm of formaldehyde vapour during the last 3 d of incubation in a commercial situation.

2. Samples from pre‐selected regions of the entire respiratory tract, taken at 0, 6, 30 and 54 h post‐vaporisation of formaldehyde, were examined by scanning electron microscopy for surface morphological features and associated pathological changes.

3. Clumping of cilia, blebs on the cilial wall, deciliation and exfoliation of the epithelium were all observed under the scanning electron microscope.

4. Lesions were more severe in chicks exposed for 54 h as compared to those exposed for 6 and 30 h. There were no regional differences in the lesions throughout the respiratory tract of all the chicks.

5. Limited observations suggest that the passage of formaldehyde vapour across the egg shell wall may influence the morphology of the respiratory lining of the developing embryo.