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Role of magnesium in egg shell formation in the domestic hen.

1. The effects of feeding diets containing various amounts of magnesium on plasma concentration of calcium and magnesium in the domestic hen were investigated. 2. Plasma concentrations of calcium and magnesium decreased during shell formation in all birds. 3. Plasma magnesium content and egg shell thickness were severely reduced in birds given diets containing either 207 or 132 mg Mg++/kg. 4. Using electron microscopy, a precise correlation was observed between the normal distributions of magnesium and organic material across the egg shell of the domestic hen.

Animals↗

Egg shell penetration tendency of different Salmonella serotypes by attached ring color method.

To investigate the extent of Salmonella penetration through the egg shell, 200 eggs were dipped in red (for 3 minutes) and then in green (for 6 minutes) aqueous bland food color solution for the detection of positive penetration test areas. Each egg with positive penetration area, 5 spots of 1 cm in diameter, was marked for the attachment of steel cylinders (1 cm in diameter and height). These cylinders were filled with the test strain of Salmonella. Among 19 serotypes S. pullorum and S. gallinarum were nonmotile while the other 17 were motile. Among a total of 180 eggs (900 points) maximum (30%) penetration was in area III, where salmonellae invaded through cuticle, shell, inner and outer shell membranes, followed by area II (14.77%) and area I (4.6%). It was very well evident that penetration of salmonellae to the contents of eggs was maximum, while in area II the penetration was to outer shell membrane and in the least cases through the cuticle and shell. Penetration in area I is not significant and to some extent in area II as well, while invasion in area III is highly significant.

Animals↗

The effect of disulfiram on egg shell formation in adult Trichuris muris.

The effect of disulfiram on egg shell morphology in the parasitic nematode Trichuris muris was studied in vitro and in vivo. Daily disulfiram treatment of mice infected with T. muris beginning 25 days after infection and continuing for 26 days resulted in the production of malformed eggs by adult female worms in all treated groups. In addition, significantly fewer adult worms were found at necropsy in mice treated with 5.0 or 7.5 mg/kg/day of disulfiram as compared with mice treated with 2.5 mg/kg/day or control mice. Adult worms collected from infected, untreated mice and placed in aerobic culture for 5 days in media containing 4 or 8 micrograms/ml of disulfiram released malformed eggs into the culture medium after 30 hr in culture. Oral inoculation of naive mice with malformed eggs did not result in T. muris infections in the mice. The results of these studies suggest that inhibition of phenol oxidase results in disruption of normal egg production by T. muris females and that the enzyme might be a useful target in the development of control strategies aimed at nematode parasites that rely on phenol oxidase for egg shell hardening.

Administration, Oral↗

Visualization of chitin-protein layer formation in Ascaris lumbricoides egg-shells.

The formation of chitin-protein layer in Ascaris lumbricoides egg-shells was studied using the method of chitin structures visualization by means of derivatives of stilbene-disulfonic acid (Blankophor, Bayer, FRG). Intensive formation of chitin structures in A. lumbricoides egg-shell occurred only in fertilized females in a very short portion of uterus from the site of connection of the oviduct with the uterus up to 25-30 mm distally, i.e. in the section forming about one fifth or less than one sixth of length of adult female uterus. Already 3 mm from the beginning of uterus there was a thin layer on the surface of the fertilized eggs which contained chitin detectable by Blankophor visualization, whereas the chitin-protein layer on the shells could not be demonstrated histologically. The thickness of this chitin-protein complex increased distally. At 25 mm from the beginning of uterus the chitin layer was already complete and its thickness did not increase any more.

Animals↗

The influence of dietary phosphorus level on laying hen performance, egg shell quality, and various blood parameters.

The influence of dietary phosphorus on hen performance and egg shell quality was investigated. Total dietary phosphorus levels of .17, .23, .30, .40, .50, .70, 1.50, and 2.30% were fed to four body weight groups of 23-week-old White Leghorn hens. Hens consuming the diets containing .17, .23, and .30% phosphorus, all from plant origin, consumed significantly (P less than or equal to .05) less feed, which resulted in poorer performance than hens fed diets supplemented with inorganic phosphorus. Addition of supplemental inorganic phosphorus at levels of .10 to .40% resulted in the best overall hen performance. Plasma phosphorus was directly related to dietary phosphorus level. Egg shell quality as measured by specific gravity was inversely related to dietary phosphorus levels above .50%.

Animals↗

Egg shell formation by vitelline globules or by uterus. An introspection.

The question of the formation of the egg shell has attracted attention of most of the helminthologists and several different views have been expressed from time to time. The most agreed view which held the vitelline globules responsible for forming precursors of the shell membrane, has now become questionable in view of the fact that there are trematodes in which neither Mehlis' gland nor vitelline glands are present. The authors have demonstrated histochemically and histologically that the proximal part of the uterus has the necessary potentialities to form the egg shell membrane.

Animals↗

Dietary marine algae promotes efficient deposition of n-3 fatty acids for the production of enriched shell eggs.

Two experiments were conducted to investigate the usefulness of a natural golden marine algae (MA) as a poultry ration supplement for the production of shell eggs rich in n-3 fatty acids (n-3 FA). This MA is unique due to a high concentration of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA; C22:6n-3) and the absence of other n-3 FA normally present in marine oils such as menhaden oil (MO). In the first experiment, 60 24-wk-old Single Comb White Leghorn (SCWL) hens were divided among four dietary treatments, including a typical corn-soybean control (CON); 1.5% MO, supplying 233 mg eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and 155 mg DHA per d; 2.4% MA, supplying 200 mg DHA/d; and 4.8% MA, supplying 400 mg DHA/d. A second experiment using 96 56-wk-old SCWL was conducted using the same diets. In both experiments, eggs were collected weekly for 4 wk for determination of egg production parameters and yolk FA content. Each week, yolk samples were extracted, methyl estered, and quantified using gas chromatography. Transient depression in egg and yolk weights were noted early in Experiment 1 in response to dietary 4.8% MA. Although egg and yolk weights were not affected in Experiment 2, egg production was significantly reduced in the 4.8% MA treatment. Egg production was unaffected due to diet or week in Experiment 1. In both experiments, yolk polyunsaturated profiles were significantly influenced by diet. Dietary n-3 FA supplementation significantly increased yolk total N-3 FA with concomitant reductions in yolk n-6 FA. Although hens fed MO were supplied predominantly EPA, the principal yolk FA deposited was DHA. Marine algae also promoted efficient yolk DHA deposition with the highest yolk DHA concentrations attained in eggs from hens fed 4.8% MA. These data indicate that utilization of MA as a direct source of dietary n-3 FA may provide an efficient alternative to current sources of n-3 FA available for the production of poultry products rich in n-3 FA.

Animal Feed↗

The effect on egg-shell thickness of the inclusion of the calcinogenic plant Solanum malacoxylon in the diet of laying hens.

The leaves of the plant Solanum malacoxylon contain 1,25 dihydroxycholecalciferol, the active form of vitamin D. The effect on egg-shell thickness of supplementing the diet of laying hens with a dry powdered preparation of the leaves (DLSM) has been studied. A significnat increase in shell thickness was evident for eggs laid on the second and subsequent days of the DLSM-regimen but nor for those laid during the first 24 hours. It is suggested that the provision of high doses of the vitamin D metabolite in the form of a DLSM supplement may restore calcium binding protein levels in birds approaching the end of the first laying year and hence improve dietary calcium absorption and consequently egg-shell quality.

Animals↗

The effect of changing the excreta moisture of caged laying hens on the excreta and microbial contamination of their egg shells.

1. An experiment that included 1440 caged laying hens in 24 experimental units was conducted to determine the effect of differences in excreta moisture on the proportion of dirty eggs and the microbial contamination of eggs that were ostensibly uncontaminated by excreta. Excreta moisture contents were changed by giving the hens diets that contained 4 different concentrations of sodium. 2. Diets containing 1.6, 5, 10 or 15 g/kg dietary sodium were fed ad libitum to 1140 laying hens for a 12-week feeding period. A sample of excreta was collected from each experimental unit each week and its moisture content determined. All eggs produced were classified as clean or dirty according to the European Community Egg Marketing Regulations. A sample of eggs were collected from each experimental unit on 4 separate occasions in the last 4 weeks of the feeding period and the total bacterial numbers on ostensibly clean egg shells were determined. 3. Increasing dietary sodium concentration gave linear (P<0.01) increases in excreta moisture. Each 100 g/kg increase in excreta moisture increased (P<0.001) dirty egg numbers by 0.52% of the total eggs produced. Increasing excreta moisture gave a linear increase (P<0.001) in the (log-transformed) numbers of microorganisms that contaminated ostensibly clean egg shells.

Animals↗

Blood gases and acid-base status in chicken embryos with naturally varying egg shell conductance.

In chicken eggs selected for widely varying values of specific water vapor conductance, gH2O (= water vapor conductance per freshly laid egg mass), PCO2, pH, PO2 and hematocrit were measured in arterialized blood sampled from an allantoic vein (after 16 days of incubation) or in blood termed 'venous', sampled from an allantoic artery (after 18 days of incubation). Both arterialized and 'venous' PCO2 were inversely related to gH2O. Since the variations of blood plasma pH with PCO2 were smaller than predicted for true plasma, partial compensation by appropriate non-respiratory changes of plasma bicarbonate concentration must have occurred. Only with extremely high and low gH2O a definite alkalosis and acidosis, respectively, were observed. Both arterialized and 'venous' PO2 tended to diminish with decreasing gH2O. The hematocrit value showed a tendency to increase with decreasing gH2O and with decreasing arterialized PO2.

Acid-Base Equilibrium↗

[Chick embryo culture using duck egg shell--first successful hatch ].

The suitability of duck egg shell (DES) for chick embryo culture was investigated. Chick embryos were transferred into DESs with all egg contents after 3 days of normal incubation and cultured. The vessels made of polyethylene cling film were used for shell-less control. Among 35 embryos cultured in DESs, 21 survived until 16 days of incubation (13 days after transfer) and finally 3 newly hatched chicks were obtained at 22 days of incubation. One of them died 4 days later, but remaining two became full-grown cocks showing normal body weight and production of fertile sperms. Among 37 embryos cultured in polyethylene vessels, none survived over the period of 19 days of incubation. It is suggested that DES culture system may be useful for the various experiments using chick embryos.

Animals↗

The opercular bond in the egg-shell of the monogenean Entobdella soleae, a platyhelminth skin parasite of the common sole (Solea solea).

The monogenean (platyhelminth) skin parasite Entobdella soleae from the common sole (Solea solea) lays tetrahedral eggs. One of the 4 corners of the tetrahedron is a detachable operculum which is bonded to the rest of the egg-shell by cement. Most of this cement layer, beginning at the inner surface of the shell and running through almost to the outer surface (a distance of about 2 microns), is more or less uniform in thickness (30-38 nm), or tapers slightly. About 345 nm from the outer surface the cement layer narrows abruptly to about 10 nm. The cement is exposed on the inner surface of the shell, but in most eggs a layer of shell about 10 nm thick covers the narrow outer region of the cement layer. When experimentally perforated eggs were incubated with trypsin, the wide inner layer of cement was digested, but the narrow outer region initially remained intact. These observations are discussed in relation to the following (1) survival of the eggs during embryonic development, (2) hatching, (3) the 'hinge' often connecting the operculum to the empty egg-shell, (4) the rapid hatching that occurs in some other monogeneans.

Animals↗

An overview of the Salmonella enteritidis risk assessment for shell eggs and egg products.

This article summarizes a quantitative microbial risk assessment designed to characterize the public health impact of consumption of shell eggs and egg products contaminated with Salmonella Enteritidis (SE). This risk assessment's objectives were to: (1) establish the baseline risk of foodborne illness from SE, (2) identify and evaluate potential risk mitigation strategies, and (3) identify data gaps related to future research efforts. The risk assessment model has five modules. The Egg Production module estimates the number of eggs produced that are SE-contaminated. Shell Egg Processing, Egg Products Processing, and Preparation & Consumption modules estimate the increase or decrease in the numbers of SE organisms in eggs or egg products as they pass through storage, transportation, processing, and preparation. A Public Health Outcomes module then calculates the incidence of illnesses and four clinical outcomes, as well as the cases of reactive arthritis associated with SE infection following consumption. The baseline model estimates an average production of 2.3 million SE-contaminated shell eggs/year of the estimated 69 billion produced annually and predicts an average of 661,633, human illnesses per year from consumption of these eggs. The model estimates approximately 94% of these cases recover without medical care, 5% visit a physician, an additional 0.5% are hospitalized, and 0.05% result in death. The contribution of SE from commercially pasteurized egg products was estimated to be negligible. Five mitigation scenarios were selected for comparison of their individual and combined effects on the number of human illnesses. Results suggest that mitigation in only one segment of the farm-to-table continuum will be less effective than several applied in different segments. Key data gaps and areas for future research include the epidemiology of SE on farms, the bacteriology of SE in eggs, human behavior in food handling and preparation, and human responses to SE exposure.

Animals↗

Is there lipid peroxidation induced malondialdehyde production during egg shell formation?

The marked increase observed in malondialdehyde concentration of the blood plasma and liver of laying hens during egg shell formation in a previous experiment (Mézes and Lencsés, 1985) were explained as a possible consequence of physiologically controlled lipid peroxidation. In this experiment, 54-week-old laying hens were treated intrauterinally with indomethacin (1.0 and 2.0 mg/kg body mass) after oviposition. Two other groups of hens were treated per os with excess amounts of vitamin E (100 and 200 mg/bird). The higher dose of indomethacin significantly decreased the PGF2 alpha production and malondialdehyde content of the sell gland, as well as the malondialdehyde concentration of the plasma. The excess amount of vitamin E had the same effect. The results suggest that during egg shell formation malondialdehyde is derived from prostanoid biosynthesis rather than from a free-radical initiated lipid peroxidative process. On the other hand, the excess amount of vitamin E inhibited prostaglandin biosynthesis as well as malondialdehyde production.

Animals↗

Calcium reserve assembly: a basic structural unit of the calcium reserve system of the hen egg shell.

A well-defined proper subregion of the mammillary knob is described, consisting of baseplate (BP), calcium reserve body (CRB), and an integral but distinct CRB cover. The BP extends 14 to 20 microns into the outer shell membrane and rises a few microns above its surface. The organic matrix of the BP is a composite of modified membrane fibers and adjacent components. The distinct CRB matrix is attached to the BP and extends outward in attenuated from, much like the fractal aggregates associated with filter "cakes." The three regions comprise a unit designated as the CRA (calcium reserve assembly, or assemblies). The CRA are fully developed and mineralized by 10.5 to 11 h postoviposition of the previous egg. By 13 h postoviposition a new structure, the crown, is evident. The classical mammillary knob consists of the CRA/crown complex. By hatch time the CRA are partially decalcified, except in the air cell region. Consequently, a zone of separation develops in the affected CRA about midway through the CRB. Estimates of the calcium recovered from the egg shell and of the calcium found in the CRA, excluding the CRA in the air cell region, indicate that more than enough calcium is present in the CRA to meet the drawdown of calcium from the egg shell by the developing embryo. It is concluded that the CRA that are available to the action of the chorioallantoic membrane represent the calcium reserve of the hen egg shell.

Animals↗

The magnetic field effect affecting on the metallic chemical components of egg shell as demonstrated for breeding chicken.

The chickens were raised under fixation of the permanent magnet (80 mT) and the effect of extra magnetic field, which affects on the content of the several inorganic chemical elements of egg shell, was investigated by X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy. From 3 days after fixing the magnet, the relative concentration of Ca begun to increase. After 10 days, the relative contents of Ca were decreased, while conversely the contents of K were increased. Though there was a linear relationship between Ca content and P content in inner layer of chicken egg shell, the relationship was greatly hindered by applying the static magnetic field. The experimental result suggests that both Ca and K ion transport can be perturbed by addition of extra magnetic field in the incubation processes of chicken egg, and that Ca, P and K ions play the important role in egg shell formation.

Journal Article↗

Regulation of net intestinal calcium uptake in hens laying obligatory soft-shelled eggs.

1. Individually caged laying hens had a loop of thread inserted into the shell gland. This resulted in the laying of soft shelled eggs. 2. A balance study was performed for a one week period before and after the operation. After the operation birds with threads consumed less calcium than before. Their requirements for calcium for eggshells decreased, resulting in increases in both calcium excreted and calcium retained. 3. Net calcium extraction in the digestive tract was measured in groups of birds with threads and intact controls, when shelling or not, by examining ratios of Ca to TiO2 in different gut segments. Observations were made during the period following premature oviposition in birds with threads, but within the normal shelling period of control birds. The period of study was at least two weeks after the operation. 4. Birds with threads absorbed less calcium than control birds up to the upper jejunum. 5. Control birds secreted calcium between the upper jejunum and colon, but birds with threads showed little change in absorption in this part of the digestive tract. 6. The increase in calcium absorption in intact birds was a response to the stimulus of shelling an egg or replacing calcium in medullary bone during a pause day, rather than of ovulation.

Animals↗