Larger Eggs Research Articles

Juvenile hormone and temperature effects in the postzygotic parental investment of male waterbug Abedus ovatus (Belostomatidae)

AbstractParental investment is any expenditure of time or energy by parents that increases their offspring survival at the cost of future reproduction. The costs associated with parental investment can be reflected in a deterioration of their physiological condition. In insects, juvenile hormone has been identified as having a role in the control of parental care. However, its effects on parental investment remain unclear for many taxa, especially in species with exclusive paternal care. We evaluated whether juvenile hormone influences postzygotic parental investment in Abedus ovatus, a waterbug with exclusive paternal care. Males provide parental care by carrying eggs on their backs and ventilating them by generating water currents through push‐ups called brood pumping. In an experiment, we applied methoprene (an analog of juvenile hormone) to males at early and late parental care stages and quantified the frequency of brood pumping and the contents of energy reserves (lipids, carbohydrates, and glycogen) at the end of parental care as a measure of physiological condition. We found that methoprene increases the frequency of brood pumping only when the water temperature increases. However, there was no correlation between the parent's energy reserves and methoprene treatments. We found that males who cared for large egg pads had lower amounts of lipids and carbohydrates at the end of parental care, and both effects are greater as the water temperature increases. These results suggest that energy expenditure during parental care is high due to intense muscular activity during brood pumping, which depletes male energy reserves and could affect future reproduction.

Influence of broodstock nutrition on egg quality and fatty acid composition in California Yellowtail

AbstractObjectiveCalifornia Yellowtail (CYT) Seriola dorsalis are continuous spawners and rely entirely on their diet to supply nutrients like fatty acids (FAs) to their eggs to support early development. The objective of this study was to determine whether commercial diets could replace a diet consisting of fresh fishery products (FFP‐D) without compromising egg quality and biochemical composition, specifically FAs.MethodsIn 2017, one broodstock group (one female and two males) was fed a formulated reference feed (REF‐D; Bio‐Oregon). This pilot experiment showed that it was possible for a minimum of one female and two male broodfish to spawn repeatedly in a tank, a finding that led to a replicated diet experiment during 2018 in which 18 CYT broodfish were divided into six replicate tanks, with one female and two males per tank. Three tanks were fed the FFP‐D as a control, and three tanks were fed a commercial diet (COM‐D; Breed‐M, INVE). For each spawning event, egg quality metrics were collected, along with samples for FA analysis.ResultThe 2017 REF‐D treatment produced eggs that met arachidonic acid (ARA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) requirements and had egg metrics comparable to those obtained from the FFP‐D, with higher viability and average batch fecundity. However, the REF‐D treatment had insufficient docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and no tank replicates. The 2018 COM‐D treatment produced eggs with large egg and oil diameters and met ARA and EPA requirements but was associated with very poor spawning and hatch success and had insufficient DHA levels. The FFP‐D treatment produced below‐average viability and batch fecundity rates and was unable to meet most essential FA requirements, but it yielded the greatest number of spawning events.ConclusionNone of the experimental treatments, including the control, was able to fully meet the nutritional requirements of CYT broodstock. These results reveal crucial data about current CYT broodstock diets that can facilitate future research for developing nutritionally complete diets, especially in terms of essential FAs.

Parasitism and Suitability of Trichogramma chilonis on Large Eggs of Two Factitious Hosts: Samia cynthia ricini and Antheraea pernyi.

Trichogramma, an effective biological control agent, demonstrates promise in environmentally sustainable pest management through its parasitic action toward insect eggs. This study evaluates the parasitism fitness and ability of T. chilonis with regard to two factitious host eggs, aiming to develop a cost-effective biological control program. While T. chilonis demonstrated the ability to parasitize both host eggs, the results indicate a preference for ES eggs over COS eggs. The parasitism and emergence rates of T. chilonis regarding ES eggs (parasitism: 89.3%; emergence: 82.6%) surpassed those for COS eggs (parasitism: 74.7%; emergence: 68.8%), with a notable increase in the number of emergence holes observed in the ES eggs compared to the COS eggs. Moreover, the developmental time of T. chilonis for ES eggs (10.8 days) was shorter than that for COS eggs (12.5 days), resulting in a lower number of dead wasps produced. Notably, no significant difference was observed in the female ratios between the two species. A comprehensive analysis was conducted, comparing the size and shell thickness of the two factitious hosts. The ES eggs exhibited smaller dimensions (length: 1721.5 μm; width: 1178.9 μm) in comparison to the COS eggs (length: 2908.8 μm; width: 2574.4 μm), with the ES eggshells being thinner (33.8 μm) compared to the COS eggshells (47.3 μm). The different host species had an effect on the body length of the reared parasitoids, with T. chilonis reared on COS hosts exhibiting a larger body length (female: 626.9 µm; male: 556.7 µm) than those reared on ES hosts (female: 578.8 µm; male: 438.4 µm). Conclusively, the results indicate that ES eggs present a viable alternative to COS eggs for the mass production of Trichogramma species in biological control programs.

Pemberdayaan Santri Pondok Darussalam Adijaya Lampung Tengah Di Era Pandemi Melalui Budidaya Ayam Petelur

Central Lampung Regency has a layer farming business, one of which is at the Darussalam Islamic boarding school located in Adi Jaya village. The laying hen farming business plays an important role in the economy of the Darussalam Islamic boarding school. Thus, it is necessary to conduct research related to the cultivation of laying hens here. The objectives in this service are to find out the process of cultivating laying hens at the Darussalam Adi Jaya Islamic boarding school and to find out the marketing system of the laying hen farming business at the Darussalam Islamic boarding school in Central Lampung. The method used in the research is using the ABCD method. The implementation steps of laying hens cultivation in Darussalam Islamic boarding school include choosing good seeds, choosing feed always pays attention to two things, namely: knowledge of available feed substances, the amount of livestock needs for feed substances. Layer chicken cages in Darussalam boarding school are in the form of boxes or cages made of bamboo slats. Marketing system of layer chicken business in Darussalam boarding school in Adijaya Central Lampung. The owner of the layer chicken business provides a variety of chicken eggs ranging from small chicken eggs to large chicken eggs.

An oocyte meiotic midbody cap is required for developmental competence in mice

Embryo development depends upon maternally derived materials. Mammalian oocytes undergo extreme asymmetric cytokinesis events, producing one large egg and two small polar bodies. During cytokinesis in somatic cells, the midbody and subsequent assembly of the midbody remnant, a signaling organelle containing RNAs, transcription factors and translation machinery, is thought to influence cellular function or fate. The role of the midbody and midbody remnant in gametes, in particular, oocytes, remains unclear. Here, we examined the formation and function of meiotic midbodies (mMB) and mMB remnants using mouse oocytes and demonstrate that mMBs have a specialized cap structure that is orientated toward polar bodies. We show that that mMBs are translationally active, and that mMB caps are required to retain nascent proteins in eggs. We propose that this specialized mMB cap maintains genetic factors in eggs allowing for full developmental competency.

Morphological characteristics, molecular species validation and spatio-temporal distribution of myctophid eggs off the Pacific coast of northeastern Japan

Myctophids in the world's oceans have a huge biomass and act as an important link between secondary producers and upper trophic levels through their extensive diel vertical migrations from the epipelagic to mesopelagic layers. Dominance of myctophid larvae in oceanic ichthyoplankton has been reported from various parts of the major oceans; however, there are few records concerning their eggs. We established species-specific morphological characteristics for identifying myctophid eggs which were then validated by sequence analysis of mitochondrial 12S rRNA and cytochrome b genes using representative subsamples of the morphotypes, and then used the criteria to determine the species composition and spatio-temporal distribution of myctophid eggs. Samples were collected monthly in the epipelagic layer off the Pacific coast of northeastern Japan, resulting in 664 net tows that yielded a total of 10,172 myctophid eggs, defined by a smooth and delicate chorion, segmented yolk, and single oil globule. Subsamples of 160 small, 34 intermediate, and 20 large-sized eggs were sequenced, resulting in their classification as Diaphus theta, Diaphus garmani, and Myctophum asperum, respectively. Mean egg diameter was smallest in D. theta (0.75 mm), intermediate in D. garmani (1.06 mm), and largest in M. asperum (1.31 mm). Eggs of D. theta had a markedly narrower perivitelline space (0.17 mm) than D. garmani and M. asperum (0.49 and 0.71 mm, respectively). Based on morphology, the myctophid eggs were dominated by D. theta (86.0%), followed by D. garmani (12.6%) and M. asperum (1.4%). Abundances of early-stage eggs of D. theta and D. garmani were high during the daytime to dusk but low at night and dawn, indicating that spawning would not be active in the epipelagic layer at night. Spawning can be considered to occur in the mesopelagic layer during the early night, and then the eggs rise to reach the epipelagic layer in the daytime. High abundances of D. theta and D. garmani eggs were observed in the slope region from spring to summer, corresponding with the larval distribution reported for the study area.

Spawning manipulation, broodfish diet feeding and egg production in farmed Atlantic salmon

Atlantic salmon aquaculture relies on continuous supply of high quality eggs. Broodfish nutrition and manipulation of ovulation time (photoperiod and temperature) are key factors. The optimum feeding period with broodfish diet has not been investigated before. The present study examined how feeding period with broodfish diet (9 vs. 17 months) interacted with manipulation of ovulation time (early (Nov), normal (Dec), late (Feb)) on broodstock egg production capacity and egg quality in two-sea-winter female Atlantic salmon (∼12 kg). All groups were fed until June 2021 when they were transferred to tanks and starved until ovulation.There were no measurable main or interaction effects of feeding period. Manipulation of ovulation gave several significant effects compared to normal ovulating females:1.Early ovulating females had higher viscerosomatic index, smaller eggs with higher swelling rate (early 1.36, normal 1.27, late 1.23), and lower egg quality shown as reduced survival from fertilization to the eyed egg stage (mortality: early 11%, normal 5%, late 14%).2.Late ovulating females: (i) were emaciated as shown by low condition factor calculated on gutted weight, and hepatosomatic and viscera indexes; (ii) had larger gonads caused by larger eggs; (iii) had reduced egg quality measured as elevated mortality from fertilization to first-feeding (eyed egg – first feeding: early 11%, normal 8%, late 23%).3.All groups spawned a similar number of eggs per female.The current results show that the feeding period with broodstock diet may be set to 9 months. This would make Atlantic salmon egg production more economical and environmentally sustainable. The results also show that manipulation of ovulation time reduce egg quality but not fecundity. Further research should investigate feeding periods with broodstock diet shorter than 9 months and determine the threshold for jeopardized fish welfare with respect to starvation time for manipulated late ovulating females.

Fertilisation kinetics among common Indo-Pacific broadcast spawning corals with distinct and shared functional traits

Indo-Pacific corals predominantly reproduce using synchronous mass spawning events to maximise fertilisation. However, as disturbances continue to thin population densities, the quantities of gametes released declines and colonies become more isolated, reducing the likelihood of cross-fertilisation. Local hydrodynamic conditions can promote or inhibit gamete contact; thus, the interaction between the abiotic environment and sperm density will determine the amount of time gametes interact. In this study, we investigated the sensitivity of reproduction to manipulations of two key limiting factors of fertilisation: sperm concentration and contact time between gametes. We explored fertilisation kinetics of phylogenetically and functionally similar and diverse coral taxa on the Great Barrier Reef and Western Australia (Acropora digitifera, A. tenuis; Coelastrea aspera, Platygyra daedalea). Results indicate that fertilisation is optimised at sperm concentrations > 103 sperm mL−1 and contact times > 30 s, but the extent of these relationships is species-specific. All species showed clear differences in fertilisation success across contact times, although these differences were less distinct for A. tenuis and P. daedalea at very high sperm concentrations. Acropora digitifera and P. daedalea exhibited nonlinear trends with steep slopes of increased fertilisation success once sperm concentration surpassed values of 104 sperm mL−1 and 102 sperm mL−1, respectively, followed by slight declines. Acropora tenuis and A. digitifera had the highest maximum fertilisation success, likely owing to beneficial evolved functional traits like large egg sizes. The present analysis underpins studies of fertilisation kinetics in natural reef populations to help inform management and restoration practices that assist population resilience and recovery.

Updated Checklist of the Freshwater Shrimps (Decapoda: Caridea: Atyidae) of Mindoro Island, the Philippines, with a Description of a New Species of Caridina

Following recent expeditions to Mindoro Island, the Philippines, numerous samples of atyid shrimps were collected and then studied in an integrative taxonomy framework. A total of 16 species belonging to 4 genera are hereby reported, including 8 new records for the island and/or the Philippines: Atydina atyoides, Caridina bruneiana, C. celebensis, C. elongapoda, C. papuana, C. parvirostris, C. typus, C. zhujiangensis, and one new species, Caridina leptopoda sp. nov. Sequences of 16S rRNA have been produced for all of the species and taxonomical notes are provided. To account for the morphological variability across its range, C. bruneiana Choy, 1992 is herein re-described based on specimens from Mindoro. All of the species reported here from Mindoro have small eggs and are considered amphidromous, which suggests that they all potentially occur in other localities. This contrasts with other islands of the Philippines such as Bohol or Luzon where endemic species with large eggs can be found.

Exceptional Early Jurassic fossils with leathery eggs shed light on dinosaur reproductive biology.

Our understanding of pre-Cretaceous dinosaur reproduction is hindered by a scarcity of evidence within fossil records. Here we report three adult skeletons and five clutches of embryo-containing eggs of a new sauropodomorph from the Lower Jurassic of southwestern China, displaying several significant reproductive features that are either unknown or unlike other early-diverging sauropodomorphs, such as relatively large eggs with a relatively thick calcareous shell formed by prominent mammillary cones, synchronous hatching and a transitional prehatching posture between the crocodilians and living birds. Most significantly, these Early Jurassic fossils provide strong evidence for the earliest known leathery eggs. Our comprehensive quantitative analyses demonstrate that the first dinosaur eggs were probably leathery, elliptical and relatively small, but with relatively long eggshell units, and that along the line to living birds, the most significant change in reptilian egg morphology occurred early in theropod evolution rather than near the origin of Aves.

Reproduction of Carijoa riisei (Cnidaria: Octocorallia) in the Panamanian tropical eastern Pacific

Octocorals are the main component of rocky walls in the Panamanian tropical eastern Pacific (TEP), providing shelter and substrate for diverse marine invertebrates and demersal fishes. Despite their ecological importance, many essential biological traits of these corals remain undescribed. Like some cnidarians, octocorals may be related to bioinvasion. One emerging risk is the rise of the Indo-Pacific invasive octocoral Carijoa riisei, which overgrows other soft corals, competing for food and space and promoting the emergence of diseases. Considering the potential risk to native octocorals, we investigated the reproductive seasonality of C. riisei at 15 m depth every month for one year in the Gulf of Panama (Las Perlas Archipelago), an octocoral diversity hotspot with seasonal upwelling. Carijoa riisei showed an average fecundity (percentage of polyps with eggs sampled throughout the year from only female colonies) of 53% (SE 0.03%) with no seasonality. Carijoa riisei produced eggs continuously with overlapping generations, with an average of 23 (1–107; SE 0.75) eggs per fertile polyp and an average egg diameter of 0.12 (0.10–0.64; SE 0.0008) mm. The number of eggs inside the gastrovascular cavity was higher during the upwelling. However, the size and proportion of large eggs were greater towards the end of the upwelling season, with a drastic decrease from 30% to 2% at its end. Our results over a one-year sampling period show that in the Panamanian TEP, C. riisei reproduces continuously, seemingly energized by higher nutrient levels present during upwelling. This, along with its rapid growth rate, makes this species a formidable competitor for native species. Thus, we encourage future monitoring of these populations.

Radiocarbon dating of the very large egg baobab from the Andombiry forest, Madagascar

Radiocarbon dating of the very large egg baobab from the Andombiry forest, Madagascar

Standard- and large-sized eggs of Trichuris trichiura in the feces of schoolchildren in the Yangon Region, Myanmar: Morphological and molecular analyses.

Standard- and large-sized eggs of Trichuris trichiura were found in the feces of schoolchildren in Yangon, Myanmar during epidemiological surveys and mass deworming with albendazole in 2017-2019. The standard-sized eggs were identified as those of T. trichiura, but it was necessary to exclude the possibility of the large-sized eggs belonging to Trichuris vulpis, a dog whipworm. We conducted morphological and molecular studies to determine the species of the 2 types of Trichuris eggs. Individual eggs of both sizes were isolated from Kato-Katz fecal smears (n=20) and mechanically destroyed using a 23G injection needle. Nuclear DNA was extracted, and the 18S rRNA region was sequenced in 15 standard-sized eggs and 15 large-sized eggs. The average size of standard-sized eggs (T. trichiura) was 55.2×26.1 μm (range: 51.7-57.6×21.3-28.0 μm; n=97), whereas the size of large-sized eggs was 69.3×32.0 μm (range: 65.1-76.4×30.1-34.5 μm; n=20), slightly smaller than the known size of T. vulpis. Regarding standard-sized eggs, the 18S rRNA nucleotide sequences exhibited 100% homology with T. trichiura deposited in GenBank and 88.6-90.5% homology with T. vulpis. Regarding large-sized eggs, the nucleotide sequences showed 99.8-100% homology with T. trichiura in GenBank and 89.6-90.7% homology with T. vulpis. Both standard- and large-sized eggs of Trichuris spp. found in Myanmar schoolchildren during 2017-2019 were morphologically and molecularly confirmed to belong to T. trichiura. The conversion of eggs from smaller to large sizes might be due to anthelmintic treatments with albendazole.

Economic sustainability of extending lay cycle in the supply-managed Canadian egg industry

The productivity levels of the Canadian egg industry have increased over the years, including hen productivity and feed conversion efficiency. Moreover, genetic improvements combined with improved feed and light management have recently resulted in hens potentially being able to produce 500 eggs in an 80-week laying cycle. Nevertheless, most egg farms in Canada are still on a 51-week production cycle despite high hen productivity levels at culling. Lack of economic impact information, combined with the fact that egg production is under supply management in Canada and that farmers are paid their cost of production reduces the incentive to extend laying cycles despite the savings associated with lower rates of flock replacement. On the other hand, a greater percentage of large eggs is beneficial to the value chain, and the use of fewer resources per egg associated with longer laying cycles generates environmental benefits. This article analyzes the economic sustainability of extending laying cycles in Canada by combining partial budgeting analysis based on farm-level data with a non-linear mathematical programming model to assess the economic costs and benefits of extending laying cycles, while taking into consideration the policy context of supply management in Canada. The results suggest that, for hens housed in an aviary, extending the laying cycles from 51 to 64 weeks would increase profits by approximately 6% per year over a 5-year period. Our optimization model forecast that a laying cycle of 71 weeks would be economically optimal, with an average productivity of 6.7 eggs per hen per week and a cumulative mortality rate of 5.53%. This article, through an innovative methodological approach that combines partial budgeting and non-linear mathematical programming models, generates information to help the egg industry stakeholders to make informed decisions on extending laying cycles while considering the policy context of supply management in Canada.

Benefits of intertidal development and large egg size in a marine toadfish

Benefits of intertidal development and large egg size in a marine toadfish

P-452 Economic impact of antagonist stimulation protocol vs progestin primed stimulation protocol in oocyte donor program A retrospective study

Abstract Study question Is the cost per oocyte lower in antagonist ovarian stimulation protocol vs progestin primed ovarian stimulation protocol in oocyte donation program? Summary answer The cost per oocyte is lower in progestin primed stimulation protocol in oocyte donation program What is known already 1. The use of progesterone during ovarian stimulation is effective in blocking the LH surge, and it does not affect the number of oocytes collected or the quality of the embryos obtained. Progestins can be used orally and are less expensive than GnRH analogues. These new regimens enable more flexibility and are interesting but their medical and economic significance remains to be demonstrated. Study design, size, duration Calculation of cost-effectiveness ratios (cost per mature oocyte achieved) using data derived from retrospective clinical practice in a large egg donor program of a single University Hospital between 2011 and 2021 5677 egg donor cycles identified from the electronic medical records database were eligible. Participants/materials, setting, methods Donors fulfilled national legal and medical-guide requirements, 18- 35 y.o, regular menstrual cycles, BMI 18-30 Kg/m2, no relevant medical history and normal karyotype. They were divided into 2 groups(4subgroups): Antagonist FSH stimulation group(subcategory recombinant and biosimilar FSH) and Progestin primed FSHstimulation group(subcategory recombinant and biosimilar FSH). Demographic data were collected and compared between groups. The cost per unit of gonadotrophin, progestin and antagonist was calculated according to the manufacturer’s sale price. Main results and the role of chance The mean age of women recruited into the study was 26,5 years. The distribution into the different study groups was as follows: 1.1. 3155 (55,6%) in recombinant FSH antagonists group (FSHrA), Mean days stimulation 9,17-antagonists 4,91; mature eggs:13,62 2.2. 1489 (26,2%) in biosimilar recombinant FSH antagonist group (FSHrbA), Mean days: stimulation 9,17-antagonists 5,28; mean mature eggs: 13,37 3.3. 187 (3%) in recombinant FSH progestin primed group (FSHrPP), Mean days stimulation 9,26-desogestrel 23; mean mature eggs: 12,54 4.4. 846 (14,9%) in biosimilar recombinant FSH progestin primed group(FSHrbPP). Mean days stimulation 9,07-desogestrel 24; Mean mature eggs: 13,78 According to clinical outcomes in oocyte donor, we did not find statistical differences neither in the mean of days of stimulation nor in mature eggs collected in each treatment group but there is a higher rate in the range of 0-4 mature eggs collected in Progestin primed group. The costs for each drug were as follows: 0,33-0,382€ per unit of recombinant FSH; 0,299-0,33€ per unit of recombinant biosimilar FSH; 25,85€ per unit of Ganirelix; 0,14 per unit of Desogestrel. In conclusion, cost savings can be achieved using FSH progestin primed treatment. The cost per mature oocyte is 52,59€ compared with 58,25€ per oocyte in FSH antagonist group. Limitations, reasons for caution Cancellations before reaching pickup are not contemplated,they may increase the total cost of the cycle. Although the days of stimulation are equivalent in the different groups, the cost of visits including the costs of nursing, infrastructure, patient care time and consumables might be different between the groups. Wider implications of the findings Progestins can present an effective option for egg donation programs in terms of cost Trial registration number not applicable

Identification of potent antioxidant bioactive peptides from the soluble proteins of chicken egg yolk

Background: Eggs are an excellent nutrient-dense food containing proteins, fats, carbohydrates, minerals, and vitamins. While many proteins are present in egg yolk, there arefew studies on their health benefits. Objective: The aim of this study was to explore the antioxidant peptides derived from the soluble protein fractions of egg yolk. Lipids and lipoproteins were removed with activated carbon and centrifugation after water dilution at acidic pH. Materials and Methods: Compared with 3.6 grams of protein in egg white, egg yolk contains 2.7 grams of protein in a single large egg. The egg yolk soluble protein (EYsP) was digested with pepsin for 2h at pH 3.0 (P-EYsP), followed by digestion with trypsin (P-EYsP-T), α-chymotrypsin (P-EYsP-α), or both enzymes (P-EYsP-T/α). The most active digest was fractionated using sephacryl S-100 gel filtration, followed by reversed phase-HPLC of the most active fraction. The antioxidant activities were evaluated using a superoxide anion-generating system of xanthine oxidase, DPPH-scavenging assay, and yeast cells as an oxidative-stress tolerance cellular model. Results: The intact proteins (EYsP) showed antioxidant activity, but pepsin hydrolysate (P-EYsP) exhibited greater superoxide-scavenging activities than EYsP, while P-EYsP-T, P-EYsP-α and P-EYsP-T/α lacked activities. The P-EYsP and its subsequent proteases (P-EYsP-T, P-EYsP-α and P-EYsP-T/α) exhibited significant DPPH reduction, but P-EYsP-T, P-EYsP-α and P-EYsP-T/α exhibited the strongest DPPH reduction activities. MALDI-TOF-MS analysis revealed five major antioxidant peptides, two derived from yolk glycoprotein 40 (859 Da, 883Da), two from lipovitelline (901Da, 945 Da), and one from livetin (1089 Da). The peptides exhibited potent superoxide anion as well as DPPH scavenging activities and markedly enhanced the tolerance of yeast cells against peroxide-induced oxidative stress.Conclusion: The results show that these bioactive peptides hold a fascinating opportunity for their potential as nutraceuticals in prevention and combating oxidative stress-associated diseases.Keywords: Egg yolk proteins; bioactive peptides; antioxidant; superoxide-scavenging; DPPH-reduction; yeast tolerance

Do African egg‐eating snakes (Dasypeltis) exhibit preference for eggs they eat?

AbstractAfrican egg‐eating snakes (genus Dasypeltis) are medium‐sized obligate egg‐eating species capable of swallowing large eggs compared to facultative egg‐eating snakes of the same size. Dasypeltis have numerous adaptations for swallowing then crushing eggs to extract the content. Being dependent on an egg diet, it could be predicted that Dasypeltis have the ability to assess the quality of an egg then decide whether to reject or swallow it. For example, a small egg provides less food and takes less time to swallow than a large egg but swallowing a large egg could leave the snake more vulnerable to predation. Despite the possibility of Dasypeltis exhibiting egg preference, little research has addressed this. This study examined egg preference by five species of Dasypeltis in two laboratory experiments. In the first, five species of snakes were given a choice of the widest size range of eggs available from one order of birds. These included nine species of gallinaceous birds ranging from small, soft‐shelled king quail eggs to large, hard‐shelled turkey eggs. In the second experiment, snakes were given a choice of four eggs representing three genera of birds that occur in Africa represented by two galliform and two columbiform species. These eggs varied in volume, color, and hardness of shell. The results show Dasypeltis preferred certain eggs. Large snakes eat eggs of all sizes with preference for the largest, hardest eggs, while the smallest snakes ate only the smallest eggs. Snakes preferred columbiform eggs (dove and pigeon) over galliform eggs (king quail and Japanese quail). This study demonstrated that Dasypeltis in captivity do exhibit preferences for types and sizes of eggs.

Vitamin E and A Availability in Goose Embryos and Goslings and Improvement of Reproduction Traits Depending on the Starting Temperature Regime of Egg Incubation

One of the major problems impeding the sustainable development of goose production is low egg hatchability. Thus, it is imperative to develop more efficient ways to improve the hatching qualities of goose eggs. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of changes in the temperature regime of incubation on the availability of vitamins A (retinol) and E (α-tocopherol), as well as important elements of antioxidant protection in embryos and goslings. The initial heating of eggs at temperatures of 39 and 39.5 °C during the first 24 or 36 h was used as the main factor influencing goose embryo development. The dynamics in the content of antioxidant retinol and α-tocopherol were analyzed in the liver of embryos and goslings (up to 9 days of age) using the standard regime of incubation (at 38 °C) and the prior heating of eggs (at 39 °C and 39.5 °C) in the first 24 and 36 h of incubation. The obtained results provided new information about the effect of the initial heating of eggs on the function of antioxidants in the gosling’s body. It was confirmed that the age-related changes of retinol and α-tocopherol levels in goslings are similar to those found in chicks, ducklings, and turkey-poults. In addition, the effect of an egg’s weight on hatchability was established, with the hatchability of eggs in the medium weight class being higher than that of smaller and larger eggs. The efficiency of the redistribution of retinol from the yolk to the liver in day-old goslings was higher by 6% when exposing eggs to a temperature of 39.5 °C for 36 h. The initial heating regime at 39.5 °C led to an increased hatch of goslings, and to the evenness of their hatch from eggs of different weights, approaching the hatch values of the medium class. Overall, the α-tocopherol concentration in the liver of embryos and goslings, using the starting heating of eggs, was higher than that with the standard temperature mode of incubation. At the same time, the hatch rate of goslings increased by 9–13%, and the hatchability of eggs by 10–16%. For use in the practice of hatcheries and breeding poultry farms, it is recommended that goose eggs are heated for 36 h at 39.5 °C.

Truita de pedres, a Catalan Recipe for Visualizing Women’s Domestic Work

Research Article| May 01 2023 Truita de pedres, a Catalan Recipe for Visualizing Women’s Domestic Work Cristina Fernández Recasens Cristina Fernández Recasens Cristina Fernández Recasens is a lecturer at the University of Surrey. In their PhD, they proposed the incorporation of body movement for the teaching of literature. They have also coordinated several research projects related to oral history and undertaken further research in the fields of cultural and gender studies. Search for other works by this author on: This Site PubMed Google Scholar Gastronomica (2023) 23 (2): 47–51. https://doi.org/10.1525/gfc.2023.23.2.47 Views Icon Views Article contents Figures & tables Video Audio Supplementary Data Peer Review Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Tools Icon Tools Get Permissions Cite Icon Cite Search Site Citation Cristina Fernández Recasens; Truita de pedres, a Catalan Recipe for Visualizing Women’s Domestic Work. Gastronomica 1 May 2023; 23 (2): 47–51. doi: https://doi.org/10.1525/gfc.2023.23.2.47 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Reference Manager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentGastronomica Search Truita de pedres (pebbles omelette) Serves 2 Prep: 5 minutes Easy 4 large free-range eggs 1 small handful of beach pebbles a pinch of salt extra virgin olive oil In August 2022, I conducted a series of interviews with fifteen local women of between fifty-nine and eighty-nine years in age to obtain data about fish consumption, reproductive work, and popular eating habits around fish in the seaside city of Blanes, my hometown, in the Costa Brava region of Catalonia. The interviews were part of a research project called “Women and Fish Gastronomy, a Study about Fish Consumption and Food Habits in the City of Blanes,” promoted by the local historical archives and the city council with funding from the EMFF (European Maritime and Fisheries Fund), which supports coastal communities. The aim of this research was to investigate current popular eating habits around fish and how they have changed in recent... You do not currently have access to this content.