-
Poultry Science Feb 2022The aim of the study was to compare the nutritive value of eggs from Polish Crested chickens (PCr) to that of eggs from commercial hybrid Hy-Line Brown (HLB) and to...
The aim of the study was to compare the nutritive value of eggs from Polish Crested chickens (PCr) to that of eggs from commercial hybrid Hy-Line Brown (HLB) and to examine the effect of storage conditions on physical quality parameters. In total, 135 PCr (9 pens) and 75 (5 pens) HLB chickens were kept on litter and fed commercial feed. At laying peak (36 wk), all eggs (n = 66/ genotype) were collected on the same day and divided into 3 groups (n = 20): group I was assessed on the day after laying; group II was analyzed after 28 d of storage in a fridge; group III, after 28 d in storeroom conditions of 19.5 to 20.5°C. For group I, vitamin A and E content (n = 3 samples) and fatty acid (FA) profiles (n = 6 samples) were determined. For all groups, the physical quality parameters of the eggs were assessed. The vitamin E content was higher (P < 0.05) for PCr than HLB. The PUFA n-6 FA content was higher and the amount of MUFA was lower (P < 0.05) for PCr when compared to HLB. All physical parameters changed after storage, with more negative changes recorded for group III than for group II. Concerning egg weight, albumen height, Haugh unit score and the pH of the yolk and albumen, interaction between genotype and storage conditions (P < 0.001 - P < 0.05) was demonstrated. The lightest eggs with the lowest albumen height and the highest pH were recorded from PCr in group III. The lowest Haugh unit score was recorded from HLB eggs stored in the same conditions. Moreover, the eggs of PCr were characterized by a higher (P < 0.001) yolk content and yolk color (P < 0.05), whereas the weight of the yolk and content of albumen were lower (P < 0.001) for HLB. Eggs from PCr that are stored in appropriate conditions could possibly be offered as a niche product.
Topics: Animals; Chickens; Egg Yolk; Eggs; Fatty Acids; Nutritive Value; Ovum; Poland
PubMed: 34920384
DOI: 10.1016/j.psj.2021.101579 -
PloS One 2021Extreme temperature exposure can reduce stored sperm viability within queen honey bees; however, little is known about how thermal stress may directly impact queen...
Extreme temperature exposure can reduce stored sperm viability within queen honey bees; however, little is known about how thermal stress may directly impact queen performance or other maternal quality metrics. Here, in a blind field trial, we recorded laying pattern, queen mass, and average callow worker mass before and after exposing queens to a cold temperature (4°C, 2 h), hot temperature (42°C, 2 h), and hive temperature (33°C, control). We measured sperm viability at experiment termination, and investigated potential vertical effects of maternal temperature stress on embryos using proteomics. We found that cold stress, but not heat stress, reduced stored sperm viability; however, we found no significant effect of temperature stress on any other recorded metrics (queen mass, average callow worker mass, laying patterns, the egg proteome, and queen spermathecal fluid proteome). Previously determined candidate heat and cold stress biomarkers were not differentially expressed in stressed queens, indicating that these markers only have short-term post-stress diagnostic utility. Combined with variable sperm viability responses to temperature stress reported in different studies, these data also suggest that there is substantial variation in temperature tolerance, with respect to impacts on fertility, amongst queens. Future research should aim to quantify the variation and heritability of temperature tolerance, particularly heat, in different populations of queens in an effort to promote queen resilience.
Topics: Acclimatization; Animals; Bees; Biomarkers; Cell Survival; Female; Gene Expression Regulation; Hot Temperature; Insect Proteins; Male; Mass Spectrometry; Ovum; Proteomics; Spermatozoa
PubMed: 34379669
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0255381 -
Animal Reproduction Science Feb 2023European grayling (Thymallus thymallus) is an endangered salmonid fish species and its populations have decreased considerably in European waters in recent decades. One...
European grayling (Thymallus thymallus) is an endangered salmonid fish species and its populations have decreased considerably in European waters in recent decades. One of the conservation measures applied to grayling is stocking with hatchery-reared fish. To advance the knowledge of grayling reproduction in the hatchery, husbandry data were systematically collected in the period from 2006 to 2015 during grayling spawning seasons and analyzed to quantify grayling female reproductive parameters such as fecundity, egg size, and embryo survival to the eyed egg stage. Data was collected for first time spawners (3 years old) and repeat spawners reared in the hatchery. Statistically significant differences were found for the number of eggs between first time spawners, producing on average 3600 eggs, and repeat spawners, producing on average 8000 eggs. Absolute fecundity was positively correlated to grayling female total length and weight for both first time and repeat spawners. However, relative fecundity did not correlate with these parameters. A positive correlation was observed between female total length and mean egg weight for repeat spawners, while the correlation was negative for first time spawners. Heavier eggs tended to have a higher rate of survival until the eyed egg stage, though the correlation was stronger for first time spawners than for repeat spawners. Due to the higher reproductive success of repeat spawners, it could be concluded that larger and older grayling females should be included in hatchery reproduction.
Topics: Female; Animals; Salmonidae; Ovum; Reproduction; Endangered Species; Fertility
PubMed: 36680926
DOI: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2023.107196 -
Poultry Science Jul 2024Although it is well known that incubation environment has a great influence on embryogenesis and post-hatching performance of birds, not much is known about how external...
Although it is well known that incubation environment has a great influence on embryogenesis and post-hatching performance of birds, not much is known about how external thermal, sound and light stimuli are isolated by eggshells and perceived by embryos. In this context, this study aimed to develop, calibrate and evaluate a multilevel sensor for integrated monitoring of the external (incubator) and internal environment of eggs. The variables of interest for the external environment were air temperature and relative humidity. For the internal environment, shell temperature, internal temperature, luminosity and sound pressure level were considered. The sensor was developed with an ATmega328 microcontroller, in open-source prototyping, using electronic components which are compatible with the egg's physical structure. Calibrations were carried out in a controlled environment, comparing the multilevel sensor with commercial equipment, obtaining coefficients of determination of R > 0.90 for all variables studied. The multilevel sensor was also validated, simulating a commercial incubation situation and comparing eggs with 2 shell colors (white and brown) and internal volume (intact and empty). Validation results showed that white-shelled eggs insulate less external light (P < 0.001) and full eggs presented higher internal temperatures, greater light and lower sound pressure levels compared to empty eggs (P < 0.001). The multilevel sensor developed here is an innovative proposal for monitoring, simultaneously and in real time, different variables of interest in the commercial incubation environment.
Topics: Animals; Ovum; Temperature; Chickens; Egg Shell; Incubators; Humidity; Calibration
PubMed: 38749105
DOI: 10.1016/j.psj.2024.103802 -
PloS One 2021In birds, incubation temperature has received increased attention as an important source of phenotypic variability in offspring. A lower than optimal incubation...
In birds, incubation temperature has received increased attention as an important source of phenotypic variability in offspring. A lower than optimal incubation temperature may negatively affect aspects of nestling physiology, such as body growth and energy metabolism. However, the long-term effects of sub-optimal incubation temperature on morphology and physiology are not well understood. In a previous study, we showed that zebra finches from eggs incubated at a low temperature (35.9°C) for 2/3 of the total incubation time suffered a lower post-fledging survival compared to individuals that had been incubated at higher temperatures (37.0 and 37.9°C). In the present study, we investigated whether these variations in incubation temperature could cause permanent long-lasting differences in body mass, body size, or basal metabolic rate. Furthermore, we tested whether the observed differences in survival between treatment groups would be reflected in the rate of physiological deterioration, assessed through oxidative damage and decreased metabolic rate with age (i.e. 'metabolic aging'). Incubation temperature did not significantly affect embryonic or nestling body growth and did not influence final adult body mass or body size. Nor was there any long-term effect on basal metabolic rate. Birds from eggs incubated at the lowest temperature experienced an accumulation of oxidative damage with age, although this was not accompanied by an accelerated rate of metabolic aging. The present results suggest that the low survival in these birds was possibly mediated by increased oxidative stress, but independent of body growth and the basal metabolic rate.
Topics: Aging; Animals; Basal Metabolism; Biological Variation, Population; Body Size; Cold Temperature; Energy Metabolism; Female; Finches; Hot Temperature; Male; Ovum; Oxidative Stress; Temperature
PubMed: 34843532
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0260037 -
Philosophical Transactions of the Royal... Oct 2020Dynamic rearrangements of epithelial cells play central roles in shaping tissues and organs during development. There are also scenarios, however, in which epithelial... (Review)
Review
Dynamic rearrangements of epithelial cells play central roles in shaping tissues and organs during development. There are also scenarios, however, in which epithelial cell movements synergize with the secretion of extracellular matrix to build rigid, acellular structures that persist long after the cells are gone. The formation of the micropyle provides an elegant example of this epithelial craftsmanship. The micropyle is a cone-shaped projection of the eggshell through which the sperm will enter to fertilize the oocyte. Though simple on the surface, both the inner structure and construction of the micropyle are remarkably complex. In this review, I first provide an overview of egg development, focusing on the key events required to understand micropyle formation. I then describe the structure of the micropyle, the cellular contributions to its morphogenesis and some interesting open questions about this process. There is a brief discussion of micropyle formation in other insects and fish to highlight the potential for comparative studies. Finally, I discuss how new studies of micropyle formation could reveal general mechanisms that epithelia use to build complex extracellular structures. This article is part of a discussion meeting issue 'Contemporary morphogenesis'.
Topics: Animals; Drosophila melanogaster; Embryo, Nonmammalian; Epithelium; Fertilization; Morphogenesis; Ovum
PubMed: 32829690
DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2019.0561 -
Histological and molecular difference in albumen quality between post-adolescent hens and aged hens.Poultry Science Jun 2024The decline in albumen quality resulting from aging hens poses a threat to the financial benefits of the egg industry. Exploring the underlying mechanisms from the...
The decline in albumen quality resulting from aging hens poses a threat to the financial benefits of the egg industry. Exploring the underlying mechanisms from the perspective of cell molecules of albumen formation is significant for the efficient regulation of albumen quality. Two individual groups of Hy-Line Brown layers with ages of 40 (W40) and 100 (W100) wk old were used in the present study. Each group contained over 2,000 birds. This study assessed the egg quality, biochemical indicators and physiological status of hens between W40 and W100. Subsequently, a quantitative proteomic analysis was conducted to identify differences in protein abundance in magnum tissues between W40 and W100. In the W40 group, significant increases (P < 0.05) were notable for albumen quality (thick albumen solid content, albumen height, Haugh unit), serum indices (calcium, estrogen, and progesterone levels), magnum histomorphology (myosin light-chain kinase content, secretory capacity, mucosal fold, goblet cell count and proportion) as well as the total antioxidant capacity of the liver. However, the luminal diameter of the magnum, albumen gel properties and random coil of the albumen were increased (P < 0.05) in the W100 group. The activity of glutathione, superoxidase dismutase, and malondialdehyde in the liver, magnum, and serum did not vary (P > 0.05) among the groups. Proteomic analysis revealed the identification of 118 differentially expressed proteins between the groups, which comprised proteins associated with protein secretion, DNA damage and repair, cell proliferation, growth, antioxidants, and apoptosis. Furthermore, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes pathway analysis revealed that BRCA2 and FBN1 were significantly downregulated in Fanconi anemia (FA) and TGF-β signaling pathways in W100, validated through quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR). In conclusion, significant age-related variations in albumen quality, and magnum morphology are regulated by proteins involved in antioxidant capacity.
Topics: Animals; Chickens; Female; Aging; Albumins; Proteomics; Ovum
PubMed: 38564835
DOI: 10.1016/j.psj.2024.103618 -
Reproduction & Fertility Jul 2021The success of IVF has remained stagnant for a decade. The focus of a great deal of research is to improve on the current ~30% success rate of IVF. Artificial...
The success of IVF has remained stagnant for a decade. The focus of a great deal of research is to improve on the current ~30% success rate of IVF. Artificial intelligence (AI), or machines that mimic human intelligence, has been gaining traction for its potential to improve outcomes in medicine, such as cancer diagnosis from medical images. In this commentary, we discuss whether AI has the potential to improve fertility outcomes in the IVF clinic. Based on existing research, we examine the potential of adopting AI within multiple facets of an IVF cycle, including egg/sperm and embryo selection, as well as formulation of an IVF treatment regimen. We discuss both the potential benefits and concerns of the patient and clinician in adopting AI in the clinic. We outline hurdles that need to be overcome prior to implementation. We conclude that AI has an important future in improving IVF success.
Topics: Artificial Intelligence; Female; Fertilization in Vitro; Humans; Male; Ovum; Semen; Specimen Handling; Spermatozoa
PubMed: 35118395
DOI: 10.1530/RAF-21-0043 -
Poultry Science May 2024Eggshell quality is among the most important factors affecting hatchability in broiler breeders, and therefore several methods for its assessment are available in the...
Eggshell quality is among the most important factors affecting hatchability in broiler breeders, and therefore several methods for its assessment are available in the poultry industry. Among them, eggshell translucency has received special attention in recent years due to its connection with ultrastructural disorganization of the shell layers. However, there is very limited data on the impact of translucency on hatching eggs and on the possible links between this trait and specific gravity (SG) or shell color. Thus, our study investigated associations and interactions between eggshell translucency, SG, and color on incubation parameters of eggs from the same breeding flock (Ross 308AP, 51 wk of age). To this end, light and dark eggs within 5 different SG categories (≥1.065, 1.070, 1.075, 1.080, and ≤1.085) were selected from 15,976 eggs, graded into 3 translucency scores, and later incubated to evaluate egg weight loss, hatchability and embryonic mortalities. In general, translucency scores were evenly distributed within SG categories (χ [8, N = 1,138] = 13.67, P = 0.090) and color (χ [2, N = 1,138] = 4.93, P = 0.084). No interactions between eggshell translucency and SG or between translucency and color were found for the analyzed variables. An interaction was observed between SG and eggshell color for the variable egg weight loss, where the light-shelled eggs, in most SG categories lost more weight throughout incubation than dark eggs. Eggshell translucency affected egg weight loss, hatchability, and embryonic mortality on 11 to 18 d of incubation, with highly translucent eggs showing the worst results. At the same time, eggs with SG lower than 1.070 displayed the greatest weight loss, lowest hatchability, and highest contamination. We found no influence of eggshell color on weight loss or hatchability, but light-shelled eggs exhibited higher late embryonic mortality. Together, these data suggest that despite its effects on certain hatching parameters, shell translucency bears no relationship to SG or color.
Topics: Animals; Egg Shell; Chickens; Ovum; Color; Specific Gravity; Chick Embryo; Weight Loss
PubMed: 38417303
DOI: 10.1016/j.psj.2024.103528 -
Poultry Science Feb 2024Selenium (i.e., Se) is a trace element that is vital in poultry nutrition, and optimal forms and levels of Se are critical for poultry productivity and health. This...
Effects of different selenium sources and levels on the physiological state, selenoprotein expression, and production and preservation of selenium-enriched eggs in laying hens.
Selenium (i.e., Se) is a trace element that is vital in poultry nutrition, and optimal forms and levels of Se are critical for poultry productivity and health. This study aimed to compare the effects of sodium selenite (SS), yeast selenium (SY), and methionine selenium (SM) at selenium levels of 0.15 mg/kg and 0.30 mg/kg on production performance, egg quality, egg selenium content, antioxidant capacity, immunity and selenoprotein expression in laying hens. The trial was conducted in a 3 × 2 factorial arrangement, and a total of 576 forty-three-wk-old Hyland Brown laying hens were randomly assigned into 6 treatment groups, with diets supplemented with 0.15 mg Se/kg and 0.3 mg Se/kg of SS, SY and SM for 8 wk, respectively. Results revealed that SM increased the laying rate compared to SS and SY (P < 0.05), whereas different selenium levels had no effect. Organic selenium improved egg quality, preservation performance, and selenium deposition compared to SS (P < 0.05), while SY and SM had different preferences for Se deposition in the yolk and albumen. Also, organic selenium enhanced the antioxidant capacity and immune functions of laying hens at 0.15 mg Se/kg, whereas no obvious improvement was observed at 0.30 mg Se/kg. Moreover, SY and SM increased the mRNA expression of most selenoproteins compared to SS (P < 0.05), with SM exhibiting a more pronounced effect. Correlation analysis revealed a strong positive association between glutathione peroxidase 2 (GPx2), thioredoxin reductases (TrxRs), selenoprotein K (SelK), selenoprotein S (SelS), and antioxidant and immune properties. In conclusion, the use of low-dose organic selenium is recommended as a more effective alternative to inorganic selenium, and a dosage of 0.15 mg Se/kg from SM is recommended based on the trail conditions.
Topics: Animals; Female; Selenium; Antioxidants; Chickens; Ovum; Dietary Supplements; Diet; Sodium Selenite; Animal Feed
PubMed: 38150828
DOI: 10.1016/j.psj.2023.103347