1
|
Wu W, Ma X, Chen R, Fan J, Ye W, Chen Z, Huang Q, Qian L. Effects of Phytosterol Ester Supplementation on Egg Characteristics, Eggshell Ultrastructure, Antioxidant Capacity, Liver Function and Hepatic Metabolites of Laying Hens during Peak Laying Period. Antioxidants (Basel) 2024; 13:458. [PMID: 38671906 PMCID: PMC11047565 DOI: 10.3390/antiox13040458] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2024] [Revised: 04/03/2024] [Accepted: 04/11/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
The aim of this experiment was to investigate the effects of dietary Phytosterol Ester (PSE) supplementation on egg characteristics, eggshell ultrastructure, antioxidant capacity, liver function, hepatic metabolites, and its mechanism of action in Hy-Line Brown laying hens during peak laying period. A total of 256 healthy Hy-Line Brown laying hens were randomly allocated into four groups. The hens in the control group were fed a basal diet, while those in the experimental groups were fed a basal diet further supplemented with 10, 20, and 40 mg/kg PSE, respectively. It was found that the addition of 20 mg/kg and 40 mg/kg PSE to the diets increased egg weight, but decreased egg breaking strength (p < 0.05). The addition of PSEs to the diets increased albumen height and Haugh unit in all experimental groups (p < 0.05). Electron microscopic observation revealed that the mammillary thickness increased significantly at doses of 20 and 40 mg/kg, but the total thickness decreased, and the effective thickness also thinned (p < 0.05). The mammillary width narrowed in all experimental groups (p < 0.001). Dietary supplementation with 40 mg/kg PSE significantly increased egg yolk Phenylalanine, Leucine, and Isoleucine levels (p < 0.05). In untargeted liver metabolomic analyses, L-Phenylalanine increased significantly in all experimental groups. Leucyl-Lysine, Glutamyl-Leucyl-Arginine, and L-Tryptophan increased significantly at doses of 10 and 20 mg/kg (p < 0.05), and L-Tyrosine increased significantly at doses of 10 and 40 mg/kg (p = 0.033). Aspartyl-Isoleucine also increased significantly at a dose of 10 mg/kg (p = 0.044). The concentration of total protein in the liver was significantly higher at doses of 20 and 40 mg/kg than that of the control group, and the concentrations of total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol were significantly reduced (p < 0.05). The concentration of triglyceride and alkaline phosphatase were significantly reduced in all experimental groups (p < 0.05). Steatosis and hemorrhage in the liver were also improved by observing the H&E-stained sections of the liver. Concerning the antioxidant capacity in the liver, malondialdehyde concentration was significantly reduced (p < 0.05) at a dose of 40 mg/kg. In the ovary, malondialdehyde and nitric oxide concentrations were significantly reduced (p < 0.001). In all the experimental groups, plasma nitric oxide concentration was significantly decreased while superoxide dismutase was significantly increased, and total antioxidant capacity concentration was significantly increased (p < 0.05) in the 10 mg/kg and 40 mg/kg doses. Metabolomics analyses revealed that PSEs play a role in promoting protein synthesis by promoting Aminoacyl-tRNA biosynthesis and amino acid metabolism, among other pathways. This study showed that the dietary addition of PSEs improved egg characteristics, antioxidant capacity, liver function, and symptoms of fatty liver hemorrhagic syndrome in Hy-Line Brown laying hens at peak laying stage. The changes in liver metabolism suggest that the mechanism of action may be related to pathways such as Aminoacyl-tRNA biosynthesis and amino acid metabolism. In conclusion, the present study demonstrated that PSEs are safe and effective dietary additives as an alternative to antibiotics.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wenzi Wu
- Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition and Feed Science in East China, Ministry of Agriculture, College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China; (W.W.); (X.M.); (Q.H.)
| | - Xin Ma
- Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition and Feed Science in East China, Ministry of Agriculture, College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China; (W.W.); (X.M.); (Q.H.)
| | - Rui Chen
- Hainan Institute of Zhejiang University, Sanya 572025, China; (R.C.); (W.Y.); (Z.C.)
| | - Jinghui Fan
- Hangzhou Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hangzhou 310004, China;
| | - Wenxin Ye
- Hainan Institute of Zhejiang University, Sanya 572025, China; (R.C.); (W.Y.); (Z.C.)
| | - Zhuo Chen
- Hainan Institute of Zhejiang University, Sanya 572025, China; (R.C.); (W.Y.); (Z.C.)
| | - Qixin Huang
- Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition and Feed Science in East China, Ministry of Agriculture, College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China; (W.W.); (X.M.); (Q.H.)
| | - Lichun Qian
- Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition and Feed Science in East China, Ministry of Agriculture, College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China; (W.W.); (X.M.); (Q.H.)
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Zhang B, Zhang M, Xing Y, Wang B, Fan W, Kong M, Li W, Wang C. Dietary cholecalciferol and 25-hydroxycholecalciferol supplementation interact to modulate reproductive performance, egg quality, serum antioxidant capacity, intestinal morphology and tibia quality of breeder geese. Br Poult Sci 2023; 64:625-633. [PMID: 37466364 DOI: 10.1080/00071668.2023.2229266] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2023] [Revised: 05/22/2023] [Accepted: 05/26/2023] [Indexed: 07/20/2023]
Abstract
1. A study was conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary cholecalciferol (vitamin D3) and 25-hydroxycholecalciferol (25-OH-D3) supplementation on the reproductive performance, egg quality, eggshell ultrastructure, serum hormone level and antioxidant capacity, intestinal morphology and tibia quality of breeder geese during the laying period.2. The trial was designed as a 3 × 3 factorial arrangement with three levels (300, 400 and 500 IU/kg) of vitamin D3 supplementation and three levels (25, 50 and 75 μg/kg) of 25-OH-D3 supplementation in a 10-wk feeding trial.3. The results showed that the combined supplementation of 400 IU/kg vitamin D3 and 50 μg/kg 25-OH-D3 had a better feed conversion ratio and a higher egg laying rate than the other groups. Vitamin D3 supplementation significantly increased the rate of qualified eggs for hatching, eggshell strength and thickness, serum testosterone and progesterone levels, serum total superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase activities, tibia ash content and bone mineral density (P < 0.05). Dietary 25-OH-D3 supplementation significantly increased serum glutathione peroxidase activity and duodenal villus height and villus height-to-crypt-depth ratio (P < 0.05). The geese receiving 500 IU/kg vitamin D3 and 75 µg/kg 25-OH-D3 had the highest tibia calcium and phosphorous content among all groups (P < 0.05).4. Feeding 400 IU/kg vitamin D3 plus 50 µg/kg 25-OH-D3 gave optimal effects on feed conversion ratio and egg laying rate. This combination could be a nutritional strategy for increasing the laying rate, eggshell quality, serum hormone levels and serum antioxidant function regardless of 25-OH-D3 supplementation. Supplementation of 50 μg/kg 25-OH-D3 could be a recommended dose for improving the serum antioxidant capacity and intestinal morphology regardless of vitamin D3 supplementation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- B Zhang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, China
| | - M Zhang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, China
- Nutrition and Feed Laboratory of China Agriculture Research System, Qingdao, China
| | - Y Xing
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, China
| | - B Wang
- Nutrition and Feed Laboratory of China Agriculture Research System, Qingdao, China
| | - W Fan
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, China
| | - M Kong
- Nutrition and Feed Laboratory of China Agriculture Research System, Qingdao, China
| | - W Li
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, China
| | - C Wang
- Chongqing Academy of Animal Sciences, Chongqing, China
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Shi X, Liang Q, Wang E, Jiang C, Zeng L, Chen R, Li J, Xu G, Zheng J. A Method to Reduce the Occurrence of Egg Translucency and Its Effect on Bacterial Invasion. Foods 2023; 12:2538. [PMID: 37444276 DOI: 10.3390/foods12132538] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2023] [Revised: 06/27/2023] [Accepted: 06/28/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Translucent egg consumption is low due to consumer acceptance and quality concerns, which is a problem that egg producers need to address. This study was performed to evaluate the reasons for the high occurrence of egg translucency in summer, as well as whether the addition of mono-dicalcium phosphate (MDCP) to the diet can relieve eggshell translucency and whether eggshell translucency is associated with the risk of bacterial invasion. A total of 72 laying hens that were 36 weeks old were randomly divided into control (CON) and MDCP groups and fed in the same environment. Results showed that the number of translucent eggs increases in July and August as the temperature and humidity increase. Compared with the CON group, in July, August, and October, the translucent egg grade (TEG) of the MDCP group was lower than that of the CON group (p < 0.05). TEG was correlated with mastoid space height (MSH), width (MSW), and area (MSA) (correlation coefficients 0.63, 0.59, and 0.68, respectively, p ≤ 0.05). There was no significant difference in the invasion rate of E. coli between translucent and non-translucent egg groups (47.2% vs. 39.33%), and translucent area and non-translucent area (13.49% vs. 15.08%). In conclusion, our results show that dietary MDCP may alleviate eggshell translucency and that eggshell translucency would not increase the probability of E. coli cross-shell penetration rate.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xuefeng Shi
- College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Qianni Liang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Enling Wang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Caiyun Jiang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Lingsen Zeng
- College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Ruochen Chen
- College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Junying Li
- College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Guiyun Xu
- College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Jiangxia Zheng
- College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Liu W, Lin J, Zhang C, Yang Z, Shan H, Jiang J, Wan X, Wang Z. Effect of Dietary Casein Phosphopeptide Addition on the Egg Production Performance, Egg Quality, and Eggshell Ultrastructure of Late Laying Hens. Foods 2023; 12:foods12081712. [PMID: 37107507 PMCID: PMC10137583 DOI: 10.3390/foods12081712] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2023] [Revised: 04/06/2023] [Accepted: 04/17/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
(1) Objective: This study aimed to assess the effects of dietary casein phosphopeptide (CPP) supplementation on the egg production performance of late laying hens and the resulting egg quality and eggshell ultrastructure. (2) Methods: A total of 800 laying hens aged 58 weeks were randomly assigned into 5 groups with 8 replicates of 20 hens each. The hens were fed a basal diet supplemented with 0 (control, T1), 0.5 (T2), 1.0 (T3), 1.5 (T4), and 2.0 (T5) g/kg CPP for 9 weeks. (3) Results: Dietary CPP supplementation was found to be beneficial for improving eggshell quality. The spoiled egg rate of the experimental groups was lower than that of the control group (linear and quadratic effect, p < 0.05). The yolk color in the T2, T3, and T4 groups was higher than that in the T1 group (quadratic effect, p < 0.05). The shell thickness in the T4 group was higher than that in the T1 and T2 groups (linear effect, p < 0.05). The shell color in the experimental groups was higher than that in the control group (linear and quadratic effect, p < 0.05). The effective thickness in the T3-T5 groups (linear and quadratic, p < 0.05) and the number of papillary nodes in the T2 and T3 groups were higher than those in the T1 group (quadratic, p < 0.05). The calcium content in the T2 and T3 groups was higher than that in the T1 group (quadratic effect, p < 0.05). The iron content in the T2 and T3 groups was higher than that in the T1 group (p < 0.05). (4) Conclusion: In summary, 0.5-1.0 g/kg CPP supplementation reduced the spoiled egg rate, enhanced the yolk and eggshell colors, increased the thickness of the effective layer, and the calcium and iron contents in the eggshell.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wenpei Liu
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
| | - Jun Lin
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
| | - Chenyue Zhang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
| | - Zhi Yang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
| | - Haoshu Shan
- Zhenjiang Animal Disease Prevention and Control Center, Zhenjiang 212000, China
| | - Jiasen Jiang
- Jurong Haoyuan Ecological Agriculture Technology Co., Ltd., Jurong 212400, China
| | - Xiaoli Wan
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
| | - Zhiyue Wang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Jiang Q, Sun J, He Y, Ma Y, Zhang B, Han Y, Wu Y. Hydroxychloride trace elements improved eggshell quality partly by modulating uterus histological structure and inflammatory cytokines expression in aged laying hens. Poult Sci 2021; 100:101453. [PMID: 34624774 PMCID: PMC8503664 DOI: 10.1016/j.psj.2021.101453] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2021] [Revised: 07/21/2021] [Accepted: 08/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The objectives of this study were to investigate the effectiveness of dietary zinc, copper, and manganese hydroxychloride (HC) supplementation on performance, minerals deposition, serum parameters, eggshell ultrastructure, uterus histological structure, and inflammatory cytokines in aged hens. A total of 560 Hyline Brown layers at 62 wk of age were randomly allotted into 3 groups (CON, basal diet without extra minerals supplemented; Sulphate and HC, basal diet with sulphate or hydroxychloride zinc, copper, and manganese supplementation at levels of 80, 15, and 80 mg/kg, respectively). The trial lasted for 16 wk consisting of 4 wk depletion period and 12 wk testing period. The results indicated that dietary hydroxychloride trace elements increased egg weight (P < 0.05) when compared with CON group and improved average Haugh unit and albumen height (P < 0.05) when compared with Sulphate group from 70 to 73 wk. Trace element supplementation significantly increased eggshell strength, ceruloplasmin content in serum, and modified crystallographic structure of eggshell (P < 0.05) that included effective layer height, palisade height, mammillary layer width, and mammillary internal area ratio, but the results did not differ regarding the trace mineral sources used. Furthermore, hens fed with hydroxychloride trace element showed the highest mucosal fold height (P < 0.05) and epithelial height (P = 0.053) in eggshell gland, as well as mRNA expression of TNF-α (P < 0.05) and IL-22 (P = 0.094). It is concluded that supplementation of Zn, Cu, and Mn mixture modified eggshell quality partly through enhancing histological structure and immune responses of uterus. Hydroxychloride source of Zn, Cu, and Mn excelled sulphate in its beneficial effects for birds.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Qiuyu Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Jingjing Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Yang He
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Yanbo Ma
- Department of Animal Physiology, College of Animal Science and Technology, Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang 471023, China
| | - Bingkun Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China.
| | - Yanming Han
- Trouw Nutrition R&D, Amersfoort, the Netherlands
| | - Yuanyuan Wu
- Trouw Nutrition R&D, Amersfoort, the Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Xie C, Elwan HAM, Elnesr SS, Dong XY, Zou XT. Effect of iron glycine chelate supplementation on egg quality and egg iron enrichment in laying hens. Poult Sci 2020; 98:7101-7109. [PMID: 31347692 PMCID: PMC8913954 DOI: 10.3382/ps/pez421] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2019] [Accepted: 07/12/2019] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of iron glycine chelate (Fe-Gly) on egg quality of laying hens. A total of 810 laying hens (HyLine Variety White, 26 wk old) were randomly assigned to 6 groups, and each group consisting of 135 hens (5 replicates of 27 hens each). Hens in the control group received a diet supplemented with 60 mg Fe/kg as FeSO4, whereas hens in the other 5 groups received diets supplemented with 0, 20, 40, 60, and 80 mg Fe/kg from Fe-Gly, respectively. The study showed that dietary Fe-Gly treatments influenced (P < 0.05) the internal egg quality (egg weight, Haugh unit, albumen height), compared with the control group. However, dietary Fe-Gly supplementation showed few effects on the ultrastructure of eggshell in this study. The group of 60 mg Fe/kg as Fe-Gly was promoted (P < 0.05) in succinate dehydrogenase levels of liver and spleen compared with the 0 mg Fe-Gly/kg group, whereas the control (Fe/kg as FeSO4) group has no differences compared with the 0 mg Fe-Gly/kg group. The concentrations of Fe in the eggshell, yolk, and albumen were increased with increasing concentrations of Fe-Gly, where Fe-Gly (60, 80 mg Fe/kg) had higher (P < 0.01) Fe concentration than the control in yolk and albumen. The Fe-Gly groups (60, 80 mg Fe/kg) were influenced (P < 0.05) in transferrin, divalent mental transport 1, and ferroportin 1, compared with the control (FeSO4). In conclusion, Fe-Gly (60 mg Fe/kg) improved egg quality and egg iron enrichment. In general, there were no significant differences between Fe-Gly (40) and the control group in albumen height, Haugh unit, Fe concentration in eggshell and yolk. It revealed that FeSO4 could be substituted by a lower concentration of Fe-Gly and Fe-Gly may be superior to FeSO4 for egg quality in laying hens.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- C Xie
- College of Animal Science, Zhejiang University, 310058 Hangzhou, China
| | - H A M Elwan
- College of Animal Science, Zhejiang University, 310058 Hangzhou, China.,Animal and Poultry Production Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Minia University, 61519, El-Minya, Egypt
| | - S S Elnesr
- College of Animal Science, Zhejiang University, 310058 Hangzhou, China.,Department of Poultry Production, Faculty of Agriculture, Fayoum University, 63514 Fayoum, Egypt
| | - X Y Dong
- College of Animal Science, Zhejiang University, 310058 Hangzhou, China
| | - X T Zou
- College of Animal Science, Zhejiang University, 310058 Hangzhou, China
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Park JA, Sohn SH. The Influence of Hen Aging on Eggshell Ultrastructure and Shell Mineral Components. Korean J Food Sci Anim Resour 2018; 38:1080-1091. [PMID: 30479513 PMCID: PMC6238045 DOI: 10.5851/kosfa.2018.e41] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2018] [Revised: 09/10/2018] [Accepted: 09/10/2018] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The eggshell, which is a complex and highly ordered structure, is very important factor for food safety and egg marketing. This study investigated the changes in eggshell structure and shell components in relationship to hen age. For this study, we examined the histological change of the endometrium of the 30-, 60-, and 72-wk-old commercial layers, and analyzed the ultrastructure and ionic composition of their eggshells. The results showed that histological deformation, fibrosis, atrophy and elimination of micro-villi in the uterus endometrium were found through microscopic observation that was associated with increasing hen age. Concentration of blood-ion components such as Ca2+, Na+, K+, and Cl- ions did not change with age. Along with the results from the ultrastructure analysis of the eggshell, the palisade layer ratio and the density of mammillary knobs were significantly decreased in older hens. In addition, the type B mammillary knobs were frequently observed with increasing hen age. In the mineral element assay from the eggshell, Ca2+, S2-, and Co2+ significantly decreased with increasing hen age, whereas Na+, K+, and V2+ significantly increased. Therefore, the damages of endometrial tissue inhibit the processes of ion transmission and the crystallization of eggshell formation, resulting in a large and non-uniform mammillary knob formation. This means the conditions of endometrial cells affect the formation of the eggshell structure. In conclusion, hen aging causes the weakness of the eggshell and degrades the eggshell quality.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Sea-Hwan Sohn
- Department of Animal Science and Biotechnology, Gyeongnam National
University of Science and Technology, Jinju 52725,
Korea
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Jeon EO, Kim JN, Lee HR, Koo BS, Min KC, Han MS, Lee SB, Bae YJ, Mo JS, Cho SH, Lee CH, Mo IP. Eggshell apex abnormalities associated with Mycoplasma synoviae infection in layers. J Vet Sci 2014; 15:579-82. [PMID: 24962418 PMCID: PMC4269603 DOI: 10.4142/jvs.2014.15.4.579] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2014] [Accepted: 04/29/2014] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Eggs exhibiting eggshell apex abnormalities (EAA) were evaluated for changes in shell characteristics such as strength, thickness, and ultrastructure. Mycoplasma synoviae (MS) infection was confirmed by serological assay along with isolation of MS from the trachea and oviduct. Changes in eggshell quality were shown to be statistically significant (p < 0.01). We also identified ultrastructural changes in the mammillary knob layer by Scanning Electron Microscopy. While eggs may seem to be structurally sound, ultrastructural evaluation showed that affected eggs do not regain their former quality. In our knowledge, this is the first report describing the occurrence of EAA in Korea.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Eun-Ok Jeon
- Avian Disease Laboratory, College of Veterinary Medicine, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju 361-763, Korea
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|