Methods for controlling sex of oviparous embryos using light sources

Abstract

The sex of embryos in eggs is influenced or controlled through the application of light having selected wavelengths in order to promote the development of embryos of a selected sex. An incubating device is provided having an interior cavity that can be sealed from an outside, and having a plurality of lighting elements disposed on each of a plurality of trays disposed in the interior cavity. Eggs are disposed on the trays, and pre-determined environmental conditions are applied to the interior cavity to promote hatching of the eggs. Concurrently with the application of the environmental conditions, the eggs are irradiated according to pre-determined lighting conditions. The lighting conditions include applying light having wavelengths substantially concentrated in selected ranges, such as light wavelengths within the 390-419 nm, 410-450 nm, 420-450 nm, 450-495 nm, or other narrow range.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method comprising:
 disposing a plurality of eggs in an incubating device configured to receive eggs for incubation;   providing at least one lighting element to emit light on at least one egg in the incubating device, wherein the at least one lighting element emits light having a spectrum substantially concentrated within a pre-determined narrow range of wavelengths;   applying pre-determined environmental conditions to the plurality of eggs in the incubating device, wherein the environmental conditions are selected to promote hatching of the plurality of eggs; and   applying pre-determined lighting conditions including lighting having a spectrum substantially concentrated within the pre-determined narrow range of wavelengths within the incubating device,   wherein the lighting conditions are applied during the application of the environmental conditions selected to promote hatching of the plurality of eggs.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the environmental conditions are applied according to a pre-determined schedule, and the lighting conditions are applied according to the same pre-determined schedule. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one lighting element emits light with wavelengths substantially concentrated within the range of 410-450 nm. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one lighting element emits light with wavelengths substantially concentrated within the range of 450-495 nm. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the applying pre-determined lighting conditions within the incubating device comprises separately activating the lighting elements of first and second pluralities of lighting elements with respective lighting intensities and according to respective schedules for irradiating the eggs. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the eggs are fish eggs. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the eggs are avian eggs. 
     
     
         8 . An incubating device comprising:
 a body configured to receive a plurality of eggs for incubation;   at least one lighting element positioned to irradiate at least one egg of the plurality of eggs received within the body;   said at least one lighting element emitting light having a spectrum substantially concentrated within a pre-determined narrow wavelength range to promote hatching of the at least one egg.   
     
     
         9 . The incubating device of  claim 8 , further comprising:
 a lighting controller electrically connected to the at least one lighting element to activate the at least one lighting element at a pre-determined lighting intensity and according to a pre-determined schedule to irradiate the at least one egg with light having a spectrum substantially concentrated within the pre-determined wavelength range and having the pre-determined lighting intensity according to the pre-determined schedule.   
     
     
         10 . The incubating device of  claim 9 , wherein:
 the at least one lighting element comprises a plurality of lighting elements, said plurality of lighting elements comprising:
 a first plurality of lighting elements emitting light having a spectrum substantially concentrated within a first pre-determined wavelength range; and 
 a second plurality of lighting elements emitting light having a spectrum substantially concentrated within a second pre-determined wavelength range different from the first pre-determined wavelength range, and 
   the lighting controller is electrically connected to the first and second pluralities of lighting elements and separately activates the lighting elements of the first and second pluralities of lighting elements with respective lighting intensities and according to respective schedules for irradiating the plurality of eggs.   
     
     
         11 . The incubating device of  claim 8 , wherein the lighting elements emit light with wavelengths substantially concentrated within the range of 410-450 nm. 
     
     
         12 . The incubating device of  claim 8 , wherein the lighting elements emit light with wavelengths substantially concentrated within the range of 450-495 nm. 
     
     
         13 . The incubating device of  claim 8 , wherein the lighting elements are light emitting diodes (LEDs). 
     
     
         14 . The incubating device of  claim 8 , wherein the eggs are fish eggs. 
     
     
         15 . The incubating device of  claim 8 , wherein the eggs are avian eggs.