Guinea Fowl Eggs Research Articles

Effect of Storage Methods on Egg Characteristics and Embryonic Development of Guinea Fowl (Numida meleagris) Eggs

Aims: This study was conducted to investigate the influence of different egg storage methods on egg characteristics and embryonic development of Guinea fowl (Numedia meleagris) eggs.
 Study Design: A Complete randomized design (CRD) was used for the experiment.
 Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted at the Poultry Unit of the Department of Animal Science Education, University of Education, Winneba, Mampong campus.
 Methodology: A total of one hundred and eighty (180) hatching eggs were used for the experiment. The various experimental coops were labelled in accordance with their experimental treatment as paper crates (T1), vegetable oil (T2) and saw-dust (T3). Each treatment (T) had three replications (20 eggs per replicate), which gave a total of nine replications. Data collected were analyzed using General Linear Model (GLM) procedure of SAS.
 Results: Results showed that egg storage methods had significant (P < .05) effect on egg weight after storage, egg weight loss and embryonic development. The highest (P < .05) egg weight after storage was observed among eggs stored with vegetable oil and lower among eggs stored on paper crates. Eggs treated with vegetable oil produced very excellent (P < .05) results with lower weight loss while eggs stored with paper crates recorded the highest weight loss. Embryonic development was significantly (P< .05) higher among eggs treated with vegetable oil followed by saw-dust with paper crates being the least. Albumen weight and yolk weight was significantly (P < .05) higher among eggs treated with vegetable oil. Similar (P < .05) albumen weight was observed for both saw-dust and paper crates. The least yolk weight was observed among eggs stored on paper crates.
 Conclusion: In conclusion, coating table eggs with vegetable oil could be effectively used to preserve egg quality and improve embryonic development.

Effect of guinea fowl egg storage duration on embryonic and physiological parameters, and keet juvenile growth

This study investigated the effects of guinea fowl hatching eggs storage time on embryo parameters and post-hatch juvenile growth. A total 1,800 eggs of guinea fowl were used. They were numbered, weighed, and divided into four groups of 450 eggs each according to storage time of 3, 7, 11, and 15 D before storage at a temperature of 18°C. Then, they were incubated at 37.7°C and 55% relative humidity for 28 D in a forced-draft incubator. Egg weight loss, albumen pH and weight, embryo weight, hatching events, and keet growth up to 7 D post-hatch were recorded. In addition, thyroid hormone and corticosterone levels were determined. The results indicate that during storage, relative egg weight loss increased with storage duration. However, albumen pH increased with storage time up to 11 D of storage and remained unchanged between 11 and 15 D. In addition, from 19 to 22 D of incubation, albumen weight was higher for eggs stored for 15 D compared to that of eggs stored for 3 to 11 D. But, from 16 D of incubation, embryos from eggs stored for 3 D grew faster than those from eggs stored for 7 to 15 D. Incubation durations up to internal pipping (IP), external pipping (EP), and hatching events increased with egg storage duration. At IP, corticosterone and triiodothyronine (T3) concentrations of eggs stored for 15 D had the lowest (P < 0.05) compared to those of eggs stored for 3 to 11 D. Moreover, the levels of thyroxine (T4) decreased with storage duration (P < 0.05). At hatch, corticosterone levels increased while T4 levels decreased with storage duration (P < 0.05). Also, hatchability decreased with egg storage duration. In addition, 7-day-old keets from eggs stored for 3 and 7 D had comparable weight and were heavier than those from eggs stored for 11 D. It was concluded that storage of guinea fowl hatching eggs more than 7 D negatively affects egg quality and subsequently depresses embryo and post-hatch growth.

Macroscopic embryonic development of Guinea fowl compared to other domestic bird species

ABSTRACT Since few studies have addressed the embryonic development of Guinea fowl (Numida meleagris), the objective of the present study was to evaluate its embryonic development in the Cerrado region of Brazil and compare the results to published descriptions of the embryonic development of other domestic bird species. The commercialized weight for Guinea fowl eggs used in the experiment was found to be 37.57 g, while egg fertility was 92%. Embryo growth rate (%) was higher on the sixth day [...]

Effet du poids de l’œuf de pintade (&lt;em&gt;Numida meleagris&lt;/em&gt;) sur les paramètres de reproduction et de croissance des pintadeaux au Burkina Faso

Deux mille trois cents œufs de pintades collectés à la station de Gampéla au Burkina Faso ont été pesés puis répartis en six catégories allant de 20–25 g à 45–50 g. Les œufs ont été incubés et les paramètres suivants ont été enregistrés : les taux de fertilité et d’éclosion, le poids des pintadeaux, les mortalités, et la croissance pondérale jusqu’à 56 jours d’âge. Le poids moyen des œufs a été de 35,2 ± 1,3 g avec une répartition inégale dans les six catégories ; le plus grand nombre d’œufs était dans la catégorie des 35–40 g. Le taux de fertilité moyen des œufs a été de 84,4 % ; il était corrélé (r = 0,81 ; p &lt; 0,05) au poids de l’œuf. Le taux d’éclosion apparent a été de 65,7 % et le taux réel de 82,7 % ; ce dernier était corrélé (r = 0,85 ; p &lt; 0,05) au poids de l’œuf. Le poids vif moyen du pintadeau à l’éclosion a été de 25,3 ± 4,3 g ; il était également significativement lié au poids de l’œuf (r = 0,96 ; p &lt; 0,05). Le taux de mortalité des pintadeaux a été en moyenne de 16,5 % ; il était lié au poids de l’œuf et donc du pintadeau. Le poids moyen des pintadeaux à 56 jours (PDS56) a été de 152,5 ± 20,3 g ; il était lié au poids de l’œuf (PO) selon la régression : PDS56 = -279,1 + 11,8 PO avec R² = 0,87. Cette étude montre que dans la perspective de production de pintadeaux performants il importe de rejeter les œufs de calibre faible (&lt; 35 g).

Morphogenesis of the midbrain of grey breasted helmeted guinea fowl at pre-hatch

This study was carried out to investigate the development of the midbrain in the grey breasted helmeted guinea fowl. Domestication of grey helmeted guinea fowl is increase but scanty documentation on the development of midbrain (mesencephalon) and how it relates to the neurobiology of this bird is lacking. A total of sixty six (66) fertilized guinea fowl eggs were purchased from National Veterinary Research Institute (NVRI) Vom, Jos, Plateau state, Nigeria and used for this study. Grossly, in the wild grey breasted helmeted guinea fowl, the optic lobe develops following development of midbrain and the midbrain appeared first on day 10 of incubation flank by the optic lobes on each sides. There was steady increase in the weights of the midbrain up to day 28 of incubation. This was expressed graphically at pre-hatch period which went up at day 17 and dropped at day 20 of incubation. Significant increases (P ≤ 0.0001) of the midbrain were seen on days 23 and 26. This indicates that as body and brain weights were increasing, there was a concurrent increase in midbrain weight. Morphologically, the midbrain was fully developed at pre-hatch period. This indicates that contribution from optic lobe to auditory-visual systems is fully developed in the wild grey breasted helmeted guinea fowl immediately after hatching and is capable of surviving independently.Keywords: Grey, Helmeted, Midbrain, Morphogenesis, Pre-hatch

Comparison of Nutritional Composition of Bird Egg Varieties Found in Southern Nigeria: A Preliminary Study

This study was aimed at comparing nutrient composition of some bird eggs in their raw and boiled forms. The different varieties were exotic chicken, local chicken, turkey, quail and guinea fowl eggs. The eggs were shelled and their contents (boiled and raw) lyophilized. Standard AOAC methods were used for determination of proximate, mineral and vitamin compositions. Results showed the boiled eggs having higher nutrient concentrations than the raw eggs across all species. Guinea fowl egg had significantly higher (p < 0.05) content of protein, fat and most micronutrients. The eggs were rich in microelements, with guinea fowl egg having the best sodium-potassium ratio (0.66). Turkey eggs had significantly (p < 0.05) higher iron content in the raw and boiled samples (7.2 ± 0.09 mg/100g and 9.6 mg/100g, respectively). This study showed some “less-popular”/underutilized eggs having certain nutrients in significantly greater quantities; hence exploiting these may greatly improve diet quality and nutritional status of consumers.

Morphogenesis of the cerebrum of grey breasted helmeted guinea fowl (Numida meleagris galeata) at incubation period

This study was carried out to investigate the development of the brain in the grey breasted helmeted guinea fowl in Nigeria. Domestication of this species of bird is in an increase, but scanty documentation on the development of cerebrum and how it relates to the neurobiology of this bird is lacking. A total of seventy four (74) fertilized grey breasted helmeted guinea fowl eggs purchased from National Veterinary Research Institute (NVRI) Vom, Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria and other local breeders within Jos and its environs were used for this study. Grossly, the cerebrum of the helmeted guinea fowl appeared first on day 4 of incubation and was lissencephalic throughout the incubation period. The mean weight of the cerebrum was established to be 0.010 ± 0.003 g on day 5 pre-hatch. The weights progresses steadily but weighed less than 3.0 g on day 28 prior to hatching. At day 5 of incubation, there were numerous neuroblast migrating from the neuroepithelium of the lateral ventricles. Blood vessel was the first organ to be formed. The cerebrum was first observed to appear on day 4 of incubation. The cerebrum was fully formed void of olfactory lobe at pre-hatch period.

Alternative food for рatients with allergу to the egg

Patients suffering from food allergy/food intolerance of eggs need alternative products that do not cause allergic reactions. The purpose of the research: to evaluate guinea fowl egg and meat tolerance among children with chicken egg allergy. There has been conducted single-centre prospective research into intolerance of the products. Appearance or increase in skin or gastrointestinal allergic symptoms was registered; the concentration of specific IgE antibodies against chicken egg and meat in blood serum was assessed. As alternative products, the children were offered guinea fowl egg and meat; these products were given to them during 14 days. In the research 40 children (23 girls and 17 boys) from the age of 8 months to 1.5 years old took part; all children were diagnosed with atopic dermatitis, one of its triggers was chicken egg. Exacerbation of skin allergy was connected with eating chicken egg, which was confirmed by the results of the allergy examination. 28 (70.0%) children were diagnosed as having the mild form of atomic dermatitis, while 12 (30.0%) patients had the moderate form of atomic dermatitis. At the beginning of the research the patients were divided into 2 equal groups (each group of 20 patients). The first group consisted of the children aged 8 moths - 1.5 years old who received 1/2 guinea fowl egg every other day. The second group consisted of the patients aged 1.5-3 years old who received 60-90 grams fowl egg meat per day. The research has revealed that the children showed tolerance of guinea fowl egg and meat, the majority of the patients did not experience any skin or gastrointestinal allergic reactions. It has also been shown that at the end of the research the majority of the children (73.3%) had a decrease in concentration of specific IgE antibodies against chicken egg and meat in blood serum. According to the allergy examination, 8 (26.7%) children experienced an increase in skin sensitization to chicken egg and meat, which coincided with exacerbation of skin allergy. Thus, the examined products can be used as alternative products for those children who suffer from food allergy/food intolerance of chicken egg and meat.

Spermatological Parameters of Extended Rabbit Semen in 5% Indigenous Poultry Egg Yolk Plasma-Biofortified Extender

The in vitro evaluation of spermatological parameters is of great importance in the validation of semen samples to be used in artificial insemination. This study was aimed at evaluating the effect of 5% egg yolk plasma from 5 Nigerian domesticated avian species as a component of semen extender in the preservation of rabbit semen to be used for field fertility trials. The evaluated parameters (%) pre and post chilling storage were mass motility, forward progressive motility (FPM), liveability, acrosome integrity and total abnormalities at 37 0C, 0 hours, 5 0C, 24 hours and 5 0C, 48 hours. The 5% egg yolk plasma (EYP) was locally sourced from Chicken, Guinea fowl, Quail, Turkey and Muscovy bio assayed egg yolk samples. Semen samples used were aliquoted from the heterospermic pool of 20 bucks maintained under the same husbandry management regime. The result showed that at 37 °C post extension but pre-chilling storage, mass motility (%) in guinea fowl egg yolk plasma (GEYP) extended rabbit semen was significantly different (P<0.05) from that of the other samples compared except for Muscovy. The best acrosome integrity was recorded in Turkey (EYP) extended rabbit semen 76.00% while the best abnormality of 9.67 % was recorded with quail (EYP). After chilling for 24 hours at 5 0C, the best combination of spermatological parameters was found in quail egg yolk plasma (QEYP) containing extender having average mass motility of 63.00 %, FPM of 50.33 %, liveability of 82.33 %, acrosome integrity of 66.00 % and total abnormality of 6.67 % being the least. At 48 hours, QEYP extended semen gave the best result with the highest values of 74.67 %, 62.33 %, 81.67 % and 78.00 % for mass motility, FPM, liveability and acrosome integrity respectively. Quail (EYP) could be used as an alternative to chicken (EYP) in the production of semen extender for rabbit semen chilling storage. Key words : rabbit semen, egg yolk plasma, chilling storage, avian species.

Storage Period and its Effect on Hatchability of White Breasted Pearl Guinea Fowl Eggs

The study was conducted to determine the effect of storage period on the hatchability of white breasted pearl Guinea fowl eggs. Total 1002 eggs were collected from a Guinea fowls of 32-35 weeks of age reared on deep litter. These eggs were categorized into three different storage periods (zero, four and eight days). Zero day storage eggs, were transferred to the incubator immediately after egg collection, while the other two groups were transferred to the egg storage room maintained at 18°C with 75-80% relative humidity. Four and eight day’s storage category was transferred on the respective days to the setter for incubation. Maximum hatchability was observed on zero day of storage (59.43% ± 0.40) and minimum at eight days (51.28% ± 0.61) of storage. Eggs stored for zero day had significantly (P

Production characteristics and seasonal variations in genital tract of female guinea fowl

Attempts have been made to investigate the production characteristics and seasonal variations in genital tract of female guinea fowl. Age of sexual maturity in guinea fowl was found to be 275±25 days. Yearly egg production in guinea fowl was observed to be 82±3.36 eggs. The fertility and hatchability of guinea fowl egg appears to be inferior (P<0.05) compared to chicken. The egg weight of chicken was higher (P<0.05) than guinea fowl. During breeding season the body weight increased (P<0.05) in all the three varieties (white, pearl and lavender) of guinea fowl in with increment in ovary and oviduct weight. Estradiol mean values in guinea fowl were recorded 136.66±19.60, 127.50±13.70 and 133.16±13.70 pg/ml in breeding and 59.83±10.90, 58.16±15.80 and 56.33±8.70pg/ml in non-breeding season, respectively in white, pearl and lavender varieties of guinea fowl. Higher mean values of progesterone in white, pearl and lavender were recorded as 5.09±0.45, 4.66±0.35 and 4.79±0.31 ng/ml in breeding season whereas, the lower values viz 1.51±0.16, 1.39±0.15 and 1.35 ng/ml in non-breeding season respectively. Estradiol profile was noticed more than double whereas progesterone more than three times in breeding season than the non-breeding season. Strong relationships between genital tract weight and sex steroid hormones were recorded in both the breeding and non-breeding seasons in guinea fowl.

Beç Tavuklarında (Numida meleagris) Yumurta Şekil İndeksinin Yumurta Kalitesine Etkileri

The aim of this study was to investigated the effects of the egg shape index on egg quality characteristics in Guinea fowl. For this, the eggs were classified in terms of egg shape index, as ≤ 75, &lt; 76 -77 &gt; and ≥ 78. A total of 100 Guinea fowl eggs were evaluated to determine the egg quality traits ( egg weight, eggshell thickness, eggshell surface area, eggshell weight per unit surface area, eggshell ratio, albumen index, albumen ratio, yolk index, yolk ratio, yolk/albumen ratio, haugh unit and egg volume). In this study, eggshell thickness, eggshell weight per unit surface area, eggshell ratio, albumen index, albumen ratio, yolk index, yolk ratio, yolk/albumen ratio and haugh unit were not significantly affected by egg shape index groups. Whereas egg weight, eggshell surface area and egg volume were significantly affected by egg shape index groups. At the same time, there were found significant relationship between the egg shape index and egg quality traits. Egg shape index was found to be an important factor affecting the egg quality characteristics.

EFFECT OF EGGSHELL COLOR ON THE EGG CHARACTERISTICS AND HATCHABILITY OF GUINEA FOWL (NUMIDA MELEAGRIS) EGGS

The objective of this study was to determine the effects of eggshell color of guinea fowl (Numida meleagris) eggs on eggshell quality and hatchery results. The highest mean grey value (MGV), integrated density (ID), lightness (L*) and Hue angle (H*) values were obtained in eggs with lighter eggshell color. The effects of color difference (DE*) value levels on egg characteristics were evaluated. Eggshell color presented different (p<0.01) MGV, ID, L*, redness (a*), yellowness (b*), H* and Chroma (C*) values. Eggs with lighter color presented thicker eggshells and lower egg weight loss on day 25 of incubation (p<0.05) compared with intermediate and darker eggs. Eggshell color did not have any significant effect on fertility and hatchability (p>0.05). In conclusion, under the conditions of the present study, eggshell color influenced eggshell thickness and weight loss, but not hatching parameters of guinea fowl eggs. Further studies on this subject should be carried out.

Beç Tavuğu Yumurtalarında İç ve Dış Kalite Özellikleri Arasındaki Fenotipik Korelasyonların Belirlenmesi

Summary In this study, it was aimed to determine the internal and external quality traits of the Guinea fowl eggs as well as the phenotypic correlation among the these traits. Totally 100 Guinea fowl eggs were collected in three sequential days were used for this study. The birds were housed at Poultry Research Unit of the Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Akdeniz. Values of egg weight, egg length, egg width, eggshape index, eggshell weight, eggshell ratio, eggshell thickness, eggshell surface area, unit surface area and egg volume were determined as 40.14 g, 49.47 mm, 37.89 mm, 0.76%, 6.48 g, 16%, 0.54 mm, 65.69 cm 2 , 0.11 g/cm 2 , respectively. In addition, values of yolk weight, yolk height, yolk width, yolk index, yolk ratio, albumen height, albumen width, albumen length, albumen weight, albumen index, yolk/albumen ratio and haugh unit were found as 13.58 g, 14.99 mm, 40.64 mm, 37%, 33%, 4.77 mm, 62.97 mm, 80.07 mm, 21.62 g, 6.7%, 68% and 74.97%, respectively. According to the results determined in this study, all most all external quality traits of the egg were changed at the significant levels depending on the change occurred in the egg weight. The results indicated that egg weight influences external egg quality traits of quinea fowl. The positive correlations obtained among the egg quality traits indicated that they can be improved phenotypically through selection.

Effect of Storage Time and Egg Position on Hatchability of Guinea Fowl Eggs

This experiment investigated the effects of storage time and egg position on hatchability of guinea fowl eggs. A total of 140 eggs were randomly divided into two groups (i.e., broad end up and broad end down positions). Prior to incubation eggs were stored at room temperature for 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 days in either broad end up (BEU) or broad end down (BED) position. Eggs were incubated at 37.5-37.8 oC and 60% relative humidity for 28 days and thereafter incubation parameters including hatchability, dead in shells (DIS), clears, dead pips, alive pips and alive in shells (AIS) traits evaluated. Data were subjected to ANOVA using the General Linear Models (GLM) procedure of Statistical Analysis Software (SAS). Storage time had no effect (P0>0.05) on incubation parameters except for AIS. Alive in shells for eggs stored for 3-4 and 5-7 days were significantly (P

Influence of Prestorage Incubation on the Hatchability of Guinea Fowl Eggs Stored for Fourteen Days.

Abstract This study was conducted to determine the effects of different prestorage incubation (PRESI) times of 0, 3, 6 and 9 h on the hatchability of guinea fowl eggs stored for 14 d. A total of 80 eggs were assigned to each of the four PRESI treatments. PRESI-3h, PRESI-6h and PRESI-9h eggs were placed in an incubator at 37.5°C and 65% relative humidity for 3, 6 and 9 h, respectively, before storage with the PRESI-0h (control) eggs for 14 d at 18°C. After 14 d storage period the eggs were incubated at 37.5°C and 65% relative humidity. After 30d incubation period, the total number of eggs hatched (keets) were counted and all unhatched eggs opened to determine fertility. Hatchability data were analyzed using General linear Models of SAS and the model included fixed effects of PRESI treatments. The results indicated that PRESI treatment had an influence on the hatchability of both fertile and set eggs. PRESI-6h resulted in higher hatchability of both fertile and set eggs compared to the control group. There were however, no significant differences in hatchability of fertile eggs and hatchability of set eggs between the PRESI-9h and the control groups. These results indicate that PRESI-6h greatly reduces embryonic mortality resulting in higher hatchability compared to the other groups. It therefore appears that PRESI-6h could be used as a strategy of improving the hatchability of guinea fowl eggs stored for 14d.

Culture of chicken embryo in interspecific surrogate egg white

The effect of interspecific egg white on the development of chicken embryos was investigated in a surrogate eggshell culture system. Egg yolks were separated from fertile White Leghorn chicken eggs and cultured in different egg whites from turkey (group TK), guineafowl (group GF), and duck (group DK), and chicken (group CK) was used as control. The viability of chicken embryos in groups CK, TK, GF, and DK after 3 d culture in system II was 98.3, 90.2, 96.1, and 91.1%. The whole contents (egg yolk and surrogate egg white) were further transferred into an eggshell from a 1.5 times heavier chicken egg with air space (system III), and incubated for further 16 d, before moving them to a hatcher. No significant difference between the 4 groups was found in their viabilities, which ranged between 72.9 and 81.3%, until 14 d postincubation (P > 0.05). After 21 d, the viability decreased to 60.4, 57.4, 50.0, and 27.7% in groups CK, TK, GF, and DK. The viability in group DK was significantly lower than in the other groups (P < 0.05). Weight loss in system III was approximately 12% in all the 4 groups without significant difference (P > 0.05). Hatchability of the chicken embryo was 60.4, 55.3, 47.9, and 19.1% in groups CK, TK, GF, and DK, respectively, and that in group DK was significantly lower than in the other groups (P < 0.05). There was no difference between the other groups (P > 0.05). These results show that chicken embryos can develop to hatch in duck, guineafowl, and turkey egg whites. However, the hatchability decreases according to the phylogenetic distance. The present study will provide a tool for manipulation of avian embryos and eventual conservation of endangered wild birds.

Market potential for guinea fowl (Numidia meleagris) products

The survey evaluated the market potential for guinea fowl (GF; Numidia meleagris) products in the city of Harare, Zimbabwe. Questionnaires were administered to traders/producers (n = 17), retailers (n = 12), cafeteria industry (n = 33) and consumers (n = 1,680) to establish their perceptions on guinea fowl products. The average household size was 6 ± 2. Each trader sold 10 ± 6.30 keets (mean ± standard error), 33 ± 15.05 growers, 20 ± 12.69 breeders and 20 ± 10.1 crates of 30 eggs per month. Each household consumed 2.5 ± 1.39 kg of GF meat and 3 ± 0.65 dozens of GF eggs per month. Retailers purchased 52 ± 44.42 crates of GF eggs and 41 ± 30.50/kg of GF meat whilst cafeteria purchased 33.6 ± 14 crates of GF eggs and 65.5 ± 33.52 kg of GF meat per month. Growers for breeding were the major product for sale by traders (94.1%) at a price of US$7.50 ± 1.74/bird. Different industries were offering different prices for guinea fowl products because of their scarcity on the market. The mean purchase price per crate of 30 guinea fowl eggs sold to the retail and cafeteria were US$3.00 ± 0.58 and US$4.50 ± 0.50, respectively. The mean purchase prices for GF meat was lower (P < 0.05) for retailers (US$2.5 ± 0.81/kg) than cafeteria (US$3.67 ± 0.83/kg). The challenges faced by producers in the marketing of guinea fowl products included poor supply due to the absence of good road networks to connect source areas and the market, perishability of dressed chickens due to power cuts and poor publicity. Overall, the study showed that there is greater market potential for guinea fowl products and farmers can channel their products through traders, cafeteria and retail industries.

Eggshell Permeability: A Standard Technique for Determining Interspecific Rates of Water Vapor Conductance

Typically, eggshell water vapor conductance is measured on whole eggs, freshly collected at the commencement of a study. At times, however, it may not be possible to obtain whole fresh eggs but rather egg fragments or previously blown eggs. Here we evaluate and describe in detail a technique for modern laboratory analysis of eggshell conductance that uses fragments from fresh and museum eggs to determine eggshell water vapor conductance. We used fresh unincubated eggs of domesticated chickens (Gallus gallus domesticus), ducks (Anas platyrhynchos domesticus), and guinea fowl (Numida meleagris) to investigate the reliability, validity, and repeatability of the technique. To assess the suitability of museum samples, museum and freshly collected black-headed gull eggs (Larus ridibundus) were used. Fragments were cut out of the eggshell from the blunt end (B), equator (E), and pointy end (P). Eggshell fragments were glued to the top of a 0.25-mL micro test tube (Eppendorf) filled with 200 μL of distilled water and placed in a desiccator at 25°C. Eppendorfs were weighed three times at 24-h intervals, and mass loss was assumed to be a result of water evaporation. We report the following results: (1) mass loss between weighing sessions was highly repeatable and consistent in all species; (2) the majority of intraspecific variability in eggshell water vapor conductance between different eggs of the same species was explained through the differences in water vapor conductance between the three eggshell parts of the same egg (B, E, and P); (3) the technique was sensitive enough to detect significant differences between the three domestic species; (4) there was no overall significant difference between water vapor conductance of museum and fresh black-headed gull eggs; (5) there was no significant difference in water vapor conductance for egg fragments taken from the same egg both between different trials and within the same trial. We conclude, therefore, that this technique is an effective way of measuring interspecific water vapor conductance from eggshell fragments and that museum eggs are a suitable resource for such work.

Detection of Turkey, Duck, and Guinea Fowl Egg in Hen Egg Products by Species-Specific PCR

A simplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) has been applied for the specific detection of hen, duck, turkey, and guinea fowl in egg products using species-specific primers targeting the mitochondrial cytochrome b genes. The species-specific PCR yielded excellent results for identification of duck, turkey, and guinea fowl eggs in hen egg products, since the detection of 0.1% of each species was achieved, in liquid egg products as well as in powders. The proposed method is then a potentially reliable and suitable technique in routine food analysis for the research of fraudulent species mixture practices.