Register      Login
Animal Production Science Animal Production Science Society
Food, fibre and pharmaceuticals from animals
RESEARCH ARTICLE

Eggshell quality: a comparison between Fayoumi, Gimieizah and Brown Hy-Line strains for mechanical properties and ultrastructure of their eggshells

Lamiaa M. Radwan
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

Poultry Production Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt. Email: Lamia_radwan@agr.asu.edu.eg

Animal Production Science 56(5) 908-912 https://doi.org/10.1071/AN14755
Submitted: 4 March 2014  Accepted: 6 November 2014   Published: 19 February 2015

Abstract

This experiment was designed to study the relationship between mechanical properties and ultrastructure of three genetic groups (Fayoumi, Gimieizah and Brown Hy-Line strains). To assess eggshell mechanical parameters a total of 120 eggs from each strain was used. This study suggested predicting the mechanical properties and ultrastructure of eggshells when egg weight was equal for the three strains (39.8 g). There was a significant difference among strains for shell thickness, eggshell breaking strength and stiffness, with the Fayoumi eggshells recording the highest values compared with other strains. The palisade layer of Gimieizah and Brown Hy-Line eggshells was thinner than that of Fayoumi eggshells. There were significant correlations between palisade length and breaking strength (0.51), shell thickness (0.89) and stiffness (0.48); however, the length of the palisade layer was significantly negatively correlated with elasticity (–0.85). The Fayoumi (local Egyptian strain) showed higher resistance for eggshell breakage than the Hy-Line commercial strain due to their longer palisade layer noting that there were no significant differences in egg weight between the two. The length of the palisade layer plays an important role in eggshell strength, so it is of interest to include these parameters in selection programs aimed to improve eggshell strength. However, a negative correlation between length of palisade layer and elasticity prevented improvement of these two parameters.

Additional keyword: poultry.


References

Bain MM (1990) Eggshell strength: a mechanical/ultrastructural evaluation. PhD Thesis, University of Glasgow, UK.

Bain MM (1991) A reinterpretation of eggshell strength. In ‘Egg and eggshell quality’. (Ed. SE Solomon) pp. 131–144. (Wolf Publishing Ltd: London)

Bain MM (2005) Recent advances in the assessment of eggshell quality and their future application. World’s Poultry Science Journal 61, 268–277.
Recent advances in the assessment of eggshell quality and their future application.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Bain MM, Macleod N, Thomson T, Hancock JW (2006) Microcracks in eggs. Poultry Science 85, 2001–2008.

Chen Y, Mckittrick J, Meyers MA (2012) Biological materials: functional adaptations and bioinspired designs. Progress in Materials Science 57, 1492–1704.

Chien YC, Hincke MT, Vali H, Mckee MD (2008) Ultrastructural matrix-mineral relationships in avian eggshell and effects of osteopontin on calcite growth in vitro. Journal of Structural Biology 163, 84–99.
Ultrastructural matrix-mineral relationships in avian eggshell and effects of osteopontin on calcite growth in vitro.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD1cXnvVGktbY%3D&md5=fe03fc3f3375f3ff7ec7514ec6c8d725CAS | 18511297PubMed |

Chien YC, Hincke MH, Mckee MD (2009a) Ultrastructure of avian eggshell during resorption following egg fertilization. Journal of Structural Biology 168, 527–538.

Chien YC, Hincke MT, Mckee MD (2009b) Avian eggshell structure and osteopontin. Cells, Tissues, Organs 189, 38–43.
Avian eggshell structure and osteopontin.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD1cXhsVOgsb7N&md5=2b499924d2bedaca9d624df68fbfbc2bCAS | 18698131PubMed |

Coucke P, Dewil E, Decuypere E, De Baerdemaeker J (1999) Measuring the mechanical stiffness of an eggshell using resonant frequency analysis. British Poultry Science 40, 227–232.
Measuring the mechanical stiffness of an eggshell using resonant frequency analysis.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:STN:280:DyaK1MzptlSrsw%3D%3D&md5=9bf1a519f45d3f415297fdc2cfb82ef1CAS | 10465390PubMed |

De Ketelaere B, Govaerts T, Couke P, Dewil E, Visseher T, Decuypere L (2002) Measuring the eggshell strength of 6 different strains of laying hens: techniques and comparison. British Poultry Science 43, 238–244.

Dunn IC, Bain MM, Edmond A, Wilson PW, Joseph N, Solomon S, De Ketelaere B, De Baerdemaeker J, Schmutz M, Preisinger R, Waddington D (2005) Heritability and genetic correlation of measurements derived from acoustic resonance frequency analysis; a novel method of determining eggshell quality in domestic hens. British Poultry Science 46, 280–286.
Heritability and genetic correlation of measurements derived from acoustic resonance frequency analysis; a novel method of determining eggshell quality in domestic hens.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:STN:280:DC%2BD2MzptFOktw%3D%3D&md5=9a317674ee91e6e6b99f763430660b29CAS | 16050180PubMed |

Dunn IC, Rodríguez-Navarro AB, Mcdade K, Schmutz M, Preisinger R, Waddington D, Wilson PW, Bain MM (2012) Genetic variation in eggshell crystal size and orientation is large and these traits are correlated with shell thickness and are associated with eggshell matrix protein markers. Animal Genetics 43, 410–418.
Genetic variation in eggshell crystal size and orientation is large and these traits are correlated with shell thickness and are associated with eggshell matrix protein markers.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:STN:280:DC%2BC38rksV2itw%3D%3D&md5=fb6dd2f16f0596b9e66f3b28700e66d0CAS | 22497523PubMed |

El-Itriby AA, Sayed IF (1966) Dokki-4 a new breed of poultry. Agriculture Research Reverse Cairo 44, 102–109.

El-Safty SA (2004) Stepwise regression analysis for ultrastructural measurements of eggshell quality in two local breeds of chicken. Egyptian Poultry Science 24, 189–203.

Fraser AC, Bain MM, Solomon SE (1999) Transmission electron microscopy of the vertical crystal layer and cuticle of the eggshell of the domestic fowl. British Poultry Science 40, 626–631.

Galal A, Mahrous MY, Radwan LM (2012) Eggshell ultrastructural and organic matrix in two genetic groups of chicken. In ‘The 3rd Mediterranean poultry summit of WPSA (3rd MPS) and the 6th international poultry conference (6th IPC). Alexandria, 26–29 March 2012, Egypt’. pp. 1068–1077.

Kemps B, De Ketelaere B, Bamelis F, Govaerts T, Mertens K, Kamers B, Tona K, Decuypere E, De Baerdemaeker J (2003) Development of a methodology for calculation of Young’s modulus of eggshell using vibration measurements. In ‘The proceedings of the Xth European symposium on the quality of eggs and egg products, Saint-Brieuc, France’. 3, pp. 105–108.

Kemps BJ, Govaerts T, DeKetelaere B, Mertens K, Bamelis FR, Bain MM, Decuypere EM, De. Baerdemaeker JG (2006) The influence of line and laying period on the relationship between different eggshell and membrane strength parameters. Poultry Science 85, 1309–1317.
The influence of line and laying period on the relationship between different eggshell and membrane strength parameters.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:STN:280:DC%2BD28vhtVSksQ%3D%3D&md5=efaee9772dc5352d616786a4c404fe67CAS | 16830874PubMed |

Lammie D, Bain MM, Solomon SE, Wess TJ (2006) Scanning microfocus small angle X-ray scattering study of the avian eggshell. Journal of Bionics Engineering 3, 11–18.
Scanning microfocus small angle X-ray scattering study of the avian eggshell.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Lunam CA, Ruiz J (2000) Ultrastructural analysis of the eggshell: contribution of the individual calcified layers and the cuticle to hatchability and egg viability in broiler breeds. Poultry Science 41, 584–592.
Ultrastructural analysis of the eggshell: contribution of the individual calcified layers and the cuticle to hatchability and egg viability in broiler breeds.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Mahmoud TH, Sayed IF, Madkour YH, Honein MM (1982) The Gimmizah a new breed of chickens. Agriculture Research Reverse Cairo 60, 51–67.

Mahrous MY, Radwan LM, El-Dlebshany AE (2013) Shell quality and ultrastructural characteristics of eggshell in the 15th generation of chickens selected for egg production traits. Egyptian Journal Animal Production 50, 25–30.

Radwan LM (2007) Comparative study on ultrastructural measurements of eggshell quality in some local breeds of chicken using modern techniques. MSc. Thesis, Faculty of Agriculture, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt.

Radwan LM (2010) Relationship between organic matrix composition and ultrastructure of eggshell in some local breeds of chickens. PhD Thesis, Faculty of Agriculture, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt.

Radwan LM (2013) ‘Relationship between organic matrix and ultrastructure of eggshell.’ (LAP Lambert Academic Publishing: Germany)

Radwan LM (2014) The effect of eggshell ultrastructure on hatchability percentage of eggs laid from naked neck, frizzled and normally feathered hens. Egyptian Poultry Science 34, 397–413.

Radwan LM, Fathi MM, Galal A, Zein El-Dein A (2010) Mechanical and ultra structural properties of egg shell in two Egyptian native breeds of chicken. International Journal of Poultry Science 9, 77–81.

Radwan LM, El-Dlebshany AE, Mahrous MY (2014) Determining genetic similarity and genetic diversity in selected Alexandria chickens using RAPD technique. Egyptian Poultry Science 34, 751–760.

Roberts JR (2004) Factors affecting egg internal quality and egg shell quality in laying hens. Japanese Poultry Science 41, 166–177.

Sabri HM, Wilson HR, Harms RH, Wilcox CJ (1999) Genetic parameters for egg and related characteristics of white leghorn hens in subtropical environment. Genetics and Molecular Biology 22, 183–186.

SAS Institute (2005) ‘SAS/STAT user’s guide: statistics. Version 8.2.’ (SAS Institute: Cary, NC)

Simkiss K (1961) Calcium metabolism and avian reproduction. Biological Reviews 36, 321–359.
Calcium metabolism and avian reproduction.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaF3MXhtF2ns7g%3D&md5=2a9ba2cc39748a14d3e95f6a6a19e372CAS |

Solomon SE (1991) ‘Egg and eggshell quality.’ (Wolfe Publishing Ltd: London)