Chorioallantoic Membrane Models of Various Avian Species: Differences and Applications

SIMPLE SUMMARY: The chorioallantoic membrane of an avian embryo is a simple, low-cost, low-maintenance, and well-available in vivo animal model with many advantages in the field of scientific experimentation and a multitude of ways of its application. Our review addresses the avian species that are less known as suitable for the chorioallantoic membrane model (CAM) assay than the most commonly used chicken embryo. We describe and compare the characteristics of the quail, turkey, and duck CAM assays, each species offering different advantages for research and opening more possibilities for working methods. ABSTRACT: The chorioallantoic membrane model (CAM) of an avian embryo is used as an experimental model in various fields of research, including angiogenesis research and drug testing, xenografting and cancer research, and other scientific and commercial disciplines in microbiology, biochemistry, cosmetics, etc. It is a low-cost, low-maintenance, and well-available in vivo animal model that is non-sentient and can be used as an alternative for other mammal experimental models. It respects the principles of the “3R” rule (Replacement, Reduction, and Refinement)—conditions set out for scientific community providing an essential framework for conducting a more human animal research, which is also in line with constantly raising public awareness of welfare and the ethics related to the use of animal experimental models. In this review, we describe the chorioallantoic membrane of an avian embryo, focusing on its properties and development, its advantages and disadvantages as an experimental model, and the possibilities of its application in various fields of biological research. Since the most common chicken CAM model is already well known and described in many publications, we are particularly focusing on the advantages and application of less known avian species that are used for the CAM model—quail, turkey, and duck.