3D transparent technology displays the developmental patterns of ductus arteriosus morphology in chicken embryos before and after birth.

The ductus arteriosus (DA) is a critical fetal vascular structure that shunts blood from the pulmonary artery to the aorta, bypassing the non-functional fetal lungs. Postnatally, it undergoes active remodeling and closure, forming the ligamentum arteriosum. Abnormal persistence (patent DA, PDA) can lead to significant health issues. Chicken embryos, with their rapid development and accessibility, serve as a valuable model for studying DA morphogenesis. This study explores how 3D transparent technologies have advanced our understanding of DA development in chicken embryos, emphasizing pre- and post-hatching morphological changes. We use glycerol transparency technology to show the DA development processes with 3D stereo effect and the H.E technology to show variation of the horizontal sections of DA. Chicken models provide insights into PDA pathophysiology, aiding drug testing (e.g., caffeine exposure). 3D imaging could validate therapeutic efficacy in vivo, bridging preclinical and clinical research.