The structure of the organic mammillary cores in some weak egg shells

Abstract

Synopsis The microscopic structure of the outermost layer of the outer shell membrane containing decalcified mammillary cores of some of the egg shells laid by a large flock of Shaver 288 Starcross hybrids from November 1967 to September 1968 has been examined. It has been found that a high percentage of the weak and thin egg shells contain abnormal organic mammillary cores. The results are discussed with special reference to the recent findings of other workers who have studied the crystalline structure of shell concretions and egg shells laid by hens under climatic stress.