Organic matrix composition and ultrastructure of eggshell: a comparative study.

1. The avian eggshell is a biomineralised composite ceramic consisting of calcium carbonate embedded in an organic matrix. Matrix components are supposed to be involved in the control of mineralisation, crystallographic texture and biomechanical properties of eggshell. 2. The structure and eggshell matrix composition of various domesticated bird species were compared to gain insight into the universality of the eggshell mineralisation process. 3. The SDS-PAGE profiles of soluble eggshell matrix were specific within groups of birds (a: laying hen, breeder hen, quail, pheasant and possibly turkey; b: guinea fowl; c: duck and goose) but some of the protein bands were common to all groups. 4. Analogies between species were confirmed by Western blotting using hen protein antibodies. Ovocleidin-17 (OC-17) and ovalbumin were revealed in all species (except quail for OC-17). Lysozyme was present only in hen eggshell. Another egg white protein: ovotransferrin showed a positive signal in hens, turkey and quail. Osteopontin was observed in laying and breeder hens and quail. 5. Different proteoglycans were localised to discrete regions within the eggshell. Dermatan sulphate was observed within the matrix of the calcified shell of all species except quail which contained chondroitin-6-sulfate. Keratan sulphate was observed in mammillary bodies of breeder and laying hen, quail, pheasant and turkey while chondroitin sulphate was also present in guinea fowl and duck. 6. The general structural organisation of the different avian eggshells was similar but specific differences were observed in the ultrastructure of the mammillary layer. Species of the same taxonomic family could be grouped according to their structural analogies: breeder hen, turkey and pheasant resembled that of the domestic fowl. Guinea fowl was unique. Goose and duck were quite similar with large and confluent mammillary bodies. 7. Some matrix components are therefore common to eggshells of various species but more information is needed to relate differences in matrix composition between taxonomic groups with differences in ultrastructure.     

Comparison of moulting methods for layers: high-zinc diet versus fasting

1. The serum biochemical profiles, thyroid hormones, body weights and the production and quality of eggs subsequent to moulting, were compared in laying hens subjected to conventional forced moulting or forced moulting with a diet high in zinc.

2. A total of 200 Dekalb White laying hens in their second production cycle were studied. Blood sampling was conducted in a factorial experimental design (2 × 3) with two methods of moulting (fasting or zinc) and three sampling periods (pre-moult, moult and subsequent peak).

3. Total egg protein content, including globulins, was greater with the zinc diet, whereas egg weight and albumen percentage were greater after fasting. The zinc method resulted in an increased shell thickness and calcium percentage but lower percentage of phosphorus. During the moulting period, the hens in the zinc group had heavier mean body weights.

4. It was concluded that moulting with a high-zinc diet could replace fasting, without negative effects on body weight, biochemical variables or subsequent egg quality and production. The zinc method was also better for the birds’ welfare.

     

Influence of the microstructure on the shell strength of eggs laid by hens of different ages

1. The eggshell is a bioceramic material constructed of columnar calcite crystals preferentially oriented with their c-axis perpendicular to the shell surface. 2. The influence of microstructure (crystal size, shape and crystallographic orientation of crystal grains) on the mechanical properties of eggshells (shell strength) was investigated using eggs from hens of different ages. 3. There was a strong correlation between crystallographic texture and the strength of the eggshell in the case of eggs laid by young hens. The strength of eggshells increased as the preferential orientation of the crystals constituting the eggshell decreased. 4. By comparing two age populations, the effect of hen age on eggshell properties was evaluated. In general, eggshells from aged hens had a lower breaking strength (less than half that of those laid by young hens) and showed a greater variability in their structural properties such as thickness, grain morphology and crystallographic texture. 5. Texture analysis revealed that shells from eggs laid by aged hens have two preferred crystal orientations, after (001) and (104), compared with mainly one, after (001), in eggs laid by young hens. 6. These observed changes in eggshell properties could be due to changes in the organic matrix of the eggshell associated with ageing of the hens.     

Features of eggshell formation in guinea fowl: kinetics of shell deposition, uterine protein secretion and uterine histology

1. Rate of calcium carbonate deposition, duration of eggshell formation, organic composition of the uterine fluid, morphology of the egg shells and histochemistry of the uterus were studied in guinea fowl to analyse the origin of such thick, strong egg shells. 2. The egg shell was linearly deposited from 6.4 h to 21.8 h after the oviposition of the previous egg. The rate of egg shell deposition was similar to that in laying hens. However, the duration of linear shell deposition was increased by 2.1 h relative to that in hens. This explained the increased egg shell weight observed in the guinea fowl. 3. Intervals between oviposition of intra-clutch eggs were 24 h throughout the laying period. Ovulation occurred just after oviposition of the previous egg in the guinea fowl, as previously observed in hens but the duration of egg white protein deposition, of plumping and of initiation of shell mineralisation were all 1.5 h shorter than in domestic hen. 4. Uterine fluid can only be collected during the growth and terminal phase of shell formation. The electrophoretic profiles of the uterine fluid differed between phases and were somewhat different from those previously observed in the hen. Ovalbumin and ovocleidin-17 were both present in the uterine fluid and also in egg shell extract. Ovocleidin-17 was predominant during the growth phase. 5. The histology of the uterus differed slightly in guinea fowl compared to hens. Ovocleidin and ovalbumin are both secreted by the tubular glands. 6. Examination of radial ultrathin sections of eggshell showed, above the mammillary layer, intricate interlacing of adjacent exospherite in guinea fowl in contrast to the continuous columnar microstructure in hens. 7. The kinetics of egg shell deposition largely explains the increased egg shell weight of guinea fowl. The organic matrix proteins may be associated with the contrast between the structural organisation of the guinea fowl egg shell and that of the hen egg shell.     

Effects of commercial enzyme preparations on egg and eggshell quality in laying hens

1. Four different commercial enzyme products were added to standard commercial layer diets, based on barley, wheat or triticale. 2. Diets were fed to 4 different strains of commercial laying hen: ISA Brown, Hy-Line CB, Tegel SB2 and Tegel HiSex. 3. Diets were given for 5 weeks prior to measurements of egg and eggshell quality. 4. The inclusion of commercial enzyme products in the diets had no effect on egg weight. 5. Positive effects of the enzymes were: improved eggshell breaking strength, shell weight, percentage shell and shell thickness for the barley-based diet and increased eggshell breaking strength for two of the enzymes with the wheat-based diets. 6. Negative effects of the enzyme products were slightly lighter coloured eggshells and reduced albumen quality for the barley-based diet and for two enzymes with the wheat-based diet. 7. The addition of commercial enzyme preparations had no main effect on egg and eggshell quality for the triticale-based diet, except for effects on yolk colour. 8. Yolk colour was lower than control for enzyme 3 in all diets and for enzyme 4 with the barley- and wheat-based diets. 9. Further investigation is required to elucidate the specific enzyme components that influence egg quality.     

Changes in luteinizing hormone-containing gonadotrophs after moulting induced by fasting and zinc in laying hens (Gallus domesticus)

The purpose of the present study was to investigate egg production performance, immunohistochemical (IHC) identification, localization and morphological characterization of moulted hen’s pars distalis luteinizing hormone (LH) gonadotrophs. This system has been validated for chicken LH by immunodetection of purified hormones on dot blots, western blotting and by specific labelling of cells on sagittal sections of chicken pituitaries. This study showed that egg production and egg weight increased significantly after zinc-induced moult when compared with fasting-induced moult. Luteinizing hormone-gonadotrophs are of numerous shapes and distributed throughout the adenohypophysis, with densely populated regions on the margins of pars distalis. Moulting of laying hens was associated with a significant increase in immunoreactive LH gonadotroph cell count and cell size, which peaked at the subsequent production stages. Zinc-induced moulting also caused a significant increase in LH gonadotroph cell size as compared with fasting-induced moulting. The nuclear size of LH-positive cells was distinct during decreased egg production. Our results validate the use of ovine LHβ antibodies for the IHC localization of chicken LH gonadotrophs. This technology was further applied to the characterization of the shape and morphological changes of gonadotrophs as a function of the egg production status of the birds.     

乳酸锌对蛋鸡生产性能及蛋壳质量的影响

为研究乳酸锌对蛋鸡生产性能及蛋壳质量的影响,试验采用单因子随机分组试验设计,选取1600只360日龄的罗曼粉壳蛋鸡,随机分为4个处理组,每个处理组8个重复,每个重复50只鸡。础饲日粮为玉米-豆粕型粉状饲粮,处理1组饲喂基础饲粮+60 mg/kg一水硫酸锌(以锌计),处理2组饲喂基础饲粮+60 mg/kg乳酸锌(以锌计),处理3组饲喂基础饲粮+40 mg/kg乳酸锌(以锌计),处理4组饲喂基础饲粮+60 mg/kg锌(一水硫酸锌和乳酸锌提供的锌各一半)。结果表明,蛋鸡日粮中添加60 mg/kg乳酸锌(以锌计)能显著降低平均破蛋率、提高平均蛋壳强度(P<0.05)和明显提高平均蛋壳厚度,并且平均死亡率最低,但对蛋鸡的平均产蛋率、平均蛋重、平均日采食量和平均料蛋比无显著影响(P>0.05)。     

饲粮中添加α-亚麻酸对产蛋鸡脂质利用及蛋壳质量的影响

采用单因素试验设计,研究在日粮中添加0(对照组)、0.5%、1.0%、2.0%、3.0%和4.0%的α-亚麻酸(ALA),对海兰褐商品蛋鸡的蛋壳质量和脂质利用的影响。试验期28d。结果表明:添加α-亚麻酸,与对照组相比,各周鸡蛋蛋壳重、蛋壳强度和蛋壳厚度增加;鸡蛋胆固醇下降;4.0%ALA组第1周和第2周血清极低密度脂蛋白(VLDL)、第2周注射肝素后血浆中脂蛋白脂酶(LPL)活性下降极显著(P<0.01)。这说明添加α-亚麻酸可提高蛋壳品质,增加外周组织对脂质的利用。     

Measuring the eggshell strength of 6 different genetic strains of laying hens: techniques and comparisons

1. Eggshell quality was compared in 6 different strains of laying hens. Three strains were commercial; the three others were experimental. 2. Four different variables describing the strength of eggshells were investigated. Three of them were the classical ones eggshell thickness, shell stiffness measured during quasi-static compression and breaking force. Dynamic stiffness, introduced by Coucke (Ph.D. Thesis, KU Leuven, 1998), was the 4th. The fact that this measurement is dynamic could be helpful in genetic selection for eggshell breakage, because forces applied to the egg in practice are dynamic, rather than static. 3. Hisex White hens produce eggs with the strongest eggshell, in terms of all 4 eggshell variables. However, their shell quality in terms of breaking force did not remain constant over the laying period, unlike 4 other strains. 4. All strains showed a decline in quasi-static stiffness over time. 5. The eggshell thickness of three strains showed a decline over time. 6. Dynamic stiffness remained constant or improved in all strain. 7. All variables describing the mechanical eggshell strength gave different information.     

强制换羽对蛋鸡生产性能和蛋品质的影响

旨在研究强制换羽对蛋鸡生产性能和蛋品质的影响。选取80周龄海兰褐蛋鸡4 500只,分为A、B、C组,每组1 500只,于试验组Ⅰ区饲养;选取60周龄海兰褐蛋鸡3 000只,分为D、E组,每组1 500只,于试验组Ⅱ区饲养;另选取60周龄海兰褐蛋鸡1 500只（F组）,于对照组Ⅲ区饲养。试验组Ⅰ区和试验组Ⅱ区位于同一栋鸡舍,对照组Ⅲ区位于另外一栋鸡舍。采取饲料、饮水、光照控制的方式对A~E组鸡群进行强制换羽处理;F组不进行强制换羽处理。试验包括7 d的预试期和56 d的正试期。在正试期内,测定各组鸡群的产蛋率、蛋品质指标、死亡率。结果表明：与换羽前相比,强制换羽后A、B、C组的平均产蛋率的提高幅度为27.1%,强制换羽后D、E组的平均产蛋率的提高幅度为16.1%,换羽后F组的平均产蛋率的降低幅度为5.5%;5个接受强制换羽处理的试验组（A~E组）与对照组（F组）相比,蛋重增加2.5%,蛋壳强度提高11.8%,蛋白高度提高8.8%,蛋形指数提高3.3%,蛋壳尖端的厚度提高14.8%;5个接受强制换羽处理的试验组（A~E组）的平均死亡率为2.5%,对照组（F组）的死亡率为1.5%。综上所述,强制换羽技术的应用可以明显提高海兰褐蛋鸡的产蛋率,并提升蛋品质。     

Heritability and genetic correlation of measurements derived from acoustic resonance frequency analysis; a novel method of determining eggshell quality in domestic hens

Cracked eggshells result in economic loss and provide a route for pathogenic organisms to enter the egg. Genetic factors that contribute to shell strength are likely to decrease the risk that an egg will crack when subject to insult. A novel measurement, the dynamic stiffness of the eggshell (Kdyn) was examined to determine if it might be used in the genetic selection of hens with improved eggshell characteristics. The measurement is determined from acoustic resonance frequency analysis. The estimates of heritability for the novel measurement of Kdyn were moderately high and ranged from 0.33 to 0.53 depending on the model used for the estimation. The estimates of genetic correlation of Kdyn with eggshell breaking strength (0.49) and static stiffness (0.57) were positive and relatively large as expected. There was a small negative genetic correlation between Kdyn and egg production from 26 to 50 weeks of age (-0.19) and a moderate one from 58 to 74 weeks of age (-0.36). The moderate heritability and relative independence of Kdyn indicates that this measurement could be used successfully in a breeding programme to improve shell quality and to reduce the incidence of cracks.     

Constant photoperiods and eggshell quality in broiler breeder pullets

Broiler breeder pullets were exposed to constant 10-, 11-, 12-, 13-, 14- or 16-h photoperiods from 3 d of age. Egg weight, eggshell weight and shell thickness index were determined at 52 weeks of age. Egg weight increased by 0.31 g, shell weight decreased by 30 mg and shell thickness index decreased by 0.57 mg/cm2 for each one-hour increase in photoperiod. Whilst the changes in egg weight and eggshell thickness index might be overstated because eggs were collected at the same chronological time, the effect of time of egg-laying within the day was minimal in comparison, and did not negate the conclusion that egg weight increases, and shell weight and thickness index decrease with lengthening photoperiods. The effect of photoperiod on eggshell quality was not due to differences in the rate of lay between treatments. Shell weight was unaffected by time of lay.     

雏鸡破壳解剖组织学的机理研究

雏鸡破壳依靠两种组织协同作用来完成,即锁颌韧带和破壳肌(作者命名)。锁颌韧带在雏鸡破壳过程中,使雏鸡上下颌闭合增加卵齿对蛋壳的压强,破壳肌是雏鸡破壳的动力来源。破壳肌是横纹肌,并观察到部分有节横纹肌纤维。     

Effect of dietary dried milky sludge on productive performance and egg quality in laying Japanese quails

The experiment was conducted to study the effectiveness of dried milky sludge (DMS) as a feed source for laying Japanese quails. The DMS was incorporated into the experimental diets at levels of 0, 5.0, 10.0, 15.0 and 20.0%. Four hundred quails were used in a completely randomized design. The results revealed that the daily egg-laying rate, feed cost/100 egg weight, egg width, egg length, egg weight, shell quality characteristics in terms of breaking time, Young's modulus, work, max force, fracturability, breaking stress, stiffness and power, as well as color intensity and yolk height improved significantly with increasing levels of DMS in the diet ( P  < 0.05), while feed intake/bird/day, mortality and eggshell thickness showed no significant differences ( P  > 0.05). From this experiment, it was found that DMS incorporated into the experimental diet at the 20.0% level yielded the most productive performance and best egg quality.     

蛋壳表型性状与蛋壳质量间的相关与通径分析

本文旨在研究蛋壳表型性状与蛋壳强度之间的相关与通径分析。试验选用40~43周龄的新鲜珍珠鸡蛋100枚,测定了其蛋重、蛋形指数、蛋壳厚度、蛋壳重、蛋壳比例、单位面积蛋壳重、蛋壳强度6个指标,计算其性状间的相关系数;采用通径分析方法计算以表型性状为自变量对蛋壳强度作因变量的通径系数、决定系数对各性状的影响大小进行分析。从通径分析结果看出,直接影响最大的是蛋壳厚度（P=0.657）,间接影响最大的是蛋壳比例（0.746）,并以蛋壳厚度指标建立回归方程为y=44.145x-9.229。在生产实践中,为获得好的蛋壳质量应着重注意蛋壳厚度和蛋壳比例,同时要协调蛋形指数、蛋重、蛋壳比例、单位面积蛋壳重与蛋壳强度之间的关系。     

不同锰源与水平对蛋鸡产蛋后期生产性能和蛋品质的影响

试验旨在研究添加不同锰源与水平羟基蛋氨酸锰对蛋鸡产蛋后期生产性能和蛋品质的影响。对照组饲喂加含106 mg/kg硫酸锰(以锰计)的基础日粮,其余各组分别添加30、50、70 mg/kg的羟基蛋氨酸锰(以锰计)来替代基础日粮中的硫酸锰。结果表明:与对照组相比,试验第14 d,日粮中添加30 mg/kg羟基蛋氨酸锰显著提高了蛋壳厚度(P<0.05),添加50 mg/kg羟基蛋氨酸锰显著提高了蛋壳重(P<0.05);试验第28 d,日粮中添加50 mg/kg羟基蛋氨酸锰显著提高了蛋壳厚度(P<0.05),添加30 mg/kg羟基蛋氨酸锰显著改善蛋壳颜色(P<0.05);试验第42 d,蛋壳厚度与添加量呈二次曲线关系,蛋壳厚度在添加量为50 mg/kg时达到最大值(P<0.01)。与对照组相比,试验第14 d,日粮中添加30 mg/kg羟基蛋氨酸锰显著降低了鸡蛋的哈夫单位和蛋黄比例(P<0.05)。试验第42 d,与对照组相比,日粮中添加30 mg/kg羟基蛋氨酸锰显著降低了鸡蛋的蛋黄比例(P<0.05)。试验结果表明,添加50 mg/kg的羟基蛋氨酸锰来替代基础日粮中的硫酸锰效果最好。     

乳酸锌对蛋鸡生产性能及蛋壳质量的影响试验

本试验旨在研究乳酸锌对蛋鸡生产性能及蛋壳质量的影响。试验采用单因子随机分组试验设计,选取1600只360日龄的罗曼粉壳蛋鸡,随机分到4个处理组,各处理组8个重复,每个重复50只鸡。基础饲粮采用为玉米-豆粕型粉状饲粮,处理1饲喂基础饲粮＋60mg／kg-水硫酸锌（以锌计）;处理2饲喂基础饲粮＋60mg／kg乳酸锌（以锌计...     

乳酸锌对蛋鸡生产性能及蛋壳质量的影响

本试验旨在研究乳酸锌对蛋鸡生产性能及蛋壳质量的影响。试验采用单因子随机分组试验设计,选取1600只360日龄的罗曼粉壳蛋鸡,随机分到4个处理组,各处理组8个重复,每个重复50只鸡。基础饲粮采用为玉米－豆粕型粉状饲粮,处理1饲喂基础饲粮＋60mg／kg－水硫酸锌（以锌计）,处理2饲喂基础饲粮＋60mg／kg乳酸锌（以锌计）,处理3饲喂基础饲粮＋40mg／kg乳酸锌（以锌计）,处理4饲喂基础饲粮＋60mg／kg锌（－水硫酸锌和乳酸锌提供的锌各一半）。试验结果表明,在产蛋鸡饲粮中100％以乳酸锌替代硫酸锌（提供的锌含量为60mg／kg）,能显著降低平均破蛋率,提高平均蛋壳强度和平均蛋壳厚度（P〈0．05）,死亡率最低,对蛋鸡的平均产蛋率、平均蛋重、平均日采食量和平均料蛋比无显著影响（P〉0．05）。     

笼养与平养蛋鸭蛋品质测定与相关性分析

试验旨在比较笼养和平养方式对不同品种蛋鸭蛋品质的影响,以期为评价不同饲养方式下的鸭蛋品质提供参考依据。随机选取40周龄笼养和平养的金定鸭（青壳蛋）和山麻鸭（白壳蛋）鸭蛋各30枚于产后24 h内进行蛋品质测定。结果表明,同一品种笼养蛋鸭蛋重极显著大于平养蛋鸭蛋重（P<0.01）,蛋重与蛋壳重、蛋白重和蛋黄重之间均存在极显著正相关（P<0.01）,但不同类型鸭蛋的蛋黄重之间差异不显著（P>0.05）。青壳蛋的蛋壳强度显著高于白壳蛋（P<0.05）,笼养青壳蛋的蛋壳强度亦高于平养青壳蛋（P<0.05）。蛋的比重与蛋壳厚度呈极显著正相关（0.503,P<0.01）,与蛋壳强度的相关系数亦达到0.536（P<0.01）。4种类型鸭蛋的哈氏单位均达到72以上。虽然蛋白重与蛋黄重之间呈极显著正相关（P<0.01）,但蛋白重与蛋黄比率之间却呈极显著的负相关（P<0.01）。蛋的比重与蛋黄重和蛋黄比率之间亦存在显著负相关（P<0.05）。以上结果表明,就蛋品质而言,蛋鸭养殖以采用笼养模式、选择青壳蛋鸭品种为宜。     

蛋壳胶护膜研究进展

蛋产品安全一直是人们重点关注的问题,也是研究的热点。随着福利养殖的推广,鸡蛋被微生物污染的机率增大。除了加强饲养管理之外,强化鸡蛋自身保护屏障从而抵抗细菌入侵也十分重要。胶护膜是蛋壳最外层覆盖的无色透明膜,鸡蛋产出前1.5~2.0 h于子宫部形成,是蛋抵御微生物污染的重要屏障,研究表明胶护膜较厚的蛋不易被细菌入侵。鸡蛋蛋壳胶护膜主要由糖蛋白（90%）、多糖（4%）、脂质（3%）和以羟基磷灰石晶体形式存在的无机磷（3%）组成。胶护膜中含有溶菌酶C、卵转铁蛋白、ovocleidin-32等多种抗菌蛋白,可有效地阻碍细菌跨壳污染。此外,胶护膜能终止蛋壳矿化、帮助蛋产出前在子宫中翻转、调节水气交换以延长鸡蛋的保存时间。本文对胶护膜的结构、生物学功能、胶护膜品质评价方法及胶护膜质量的影响因素等方面进行了阐述,并对尚待解决的问题展开了探讨。