Morphological analysis of testes from post- hatch chicks submitted to temperature variation during incubation =Análise morfológica dos testículos de pintainhos recém-eclodidos submetidos à varia o de temperatura durante a incuba o

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of temperature variation during incubation on testicular morphology of post-hatch chicks. We utilized 60 eggs incubated under different temperatures: Group 1 – 37.5°C; Group 2 – 39.5°C; and Group 3 – 34°C. Chicks were weighted and the testes were histologically analyzed. All eggs from Group 3showed embryonic death. There were no significant differences in body weight and testicular morphology between Groups 1 and 2; however, there was a difference in the diameter of the seminiferous tubules (p < 0.001). The increase in temperature to 39.5°C during incubation causes a decrease in diameter of the seminiferous tubules. Este estudo objetivou avaliar os efeitos da varia o de temperatura durante a incuba o na morfologia testicular de pintainhos recém-eclodidos. Foram utilizados 60 ovos incubados em diferentes temperaturas: Grupo 1 – 37,5°C; Grupo 2 – 39,5°C; e Grupo 3 – 34°C. Os pintainhos foram pesados e seus testículos analisados histologicamente. Todos os ovos do Grupo 3 apresentaram morte embrionária. N o houve diferen as significativas no peso e na morfologia testicular entre os Grupos 1 e 2, porém, houve diferen a no diametro dos túbulos seminíferos (p < 0,001). A eleva o da temperatura para 39,5°C durante a incuba o causa a redu o do diametro dos túbulos seminíferos.