Allantoic fluid electrolytes and urate of embryonic Japanese quail subject to differential water loss

1. The composition of allantoic fluid from Japanese quail was measured from days 9 to 14 of incubation.

2. The effect of the inhibitor of urate synthesis, allopurinol, upon weight, electrolytes and urate of allantoic fluid was investigated in eggs subject to different rates of water loss. The composition of plasma and the solid fraction of allantoic fluid was also investigated.

3. During the second half of incubation allantoic fluid water weight decreased, as did pH, and sodium, chloride and bicarbonate concentrations. Fluid urate and potassium concentrations increased, but osmolality was unchanged.

4. Allantoic urate and electrolyte concentrations were greatest, and fluid weight lowest, in eggs subject to high water loss.

5. Allopurinol reduced the total urate of allantoic fluid, and increased osmolality and electrolyte concentrations. Allopurinol had no effect on plasma osmolality.

6. It is concluded that in eggs of high water loss allantoic fluid osmolality was reduced by sequestration of sodium by urate in the fluid solid fraction. In eggs subject to low water loss fluid osmolality was reduced by the replacement of chloride by colloidal urate.