[The effect of argon-containing hypoxic gas environment on development of Japanese quail embryos].

In case of acute hypoxic hypoxia argon in the gas environment is favorable to survivability of laboratory animals (rats). Our purpose was to evaluate effects of an argon-containing hypoxic gas environment on embryogenesis of the Japanese quail (Cortunix cortunix japonica). Eggs of the Japanese quail were incubated in a pressurized chamber with a hypoxic gas environment differing in concentration of nitrogen and argon. In hypoxic (10% O2) oxygen-nitrogen and oxygen-nitrogen-argon atmospheres total mortality of embryos was observed no later than on day 7 of development. These gas mixtures also had a teratogenic effect. However, about 55% of argon in atmosphere prevented completely microcephalia and reduced in half incidence of other pathologies.