Yolk Diameter Research Articles

Effects of divergent selection for growth on egg quality traits in Japanese quail

The experiment was designed to investigate the impact of selection for increased body mass on external and internal egg quality traits of Japanese quail. Three hundred and sixty Japanese quail, divergently selected over three generations for different body mass at 4 weeks of age, were used. Quail were homogeneously divided into three groups each consisting of 120 birds: high body mass (HBM), low body mass (LBM) and Control. ANOVA was used to detect the effect of selection on egg quality. In addition, correlation between external and internal egg quality traits was measured. Our results revealed that HBM quail laid heavier eggs (P = 0.03 compared with LBM but not significantly different with Control quail) with a higher external (shell thickness, shell weight, eggshell ratio and eggshell density, P = 0.0001) and internal egg quality score (albumen weight, P = 0.003; albumen ratio, P = 0.01; albumen height, yolk height, yolk index and Haugh unit, P = 0.0001) when compared with both the Control and LBM. The egg surface area and yolk diameter were significantly higher in HBM when compared with the LBM but not with the Control line. Egg weight was positively correlated with albumen weight (r = 0.54, P = 0.0001), albumen ratio (r = 0.14, P = 0.05), yolk height (r = 0.27, P = 0.0001), yolk weight (r = 0.23, P = 0.002), yolk diameter (r = 0.14, P = 0.05) and yolk index (r = 0.21, P = 0.005) but was negatively correlated with yolk ratio (r = –0.16, P = 0.03). Our results indicate that selection for higher body mass might result in heavier eggs and superior egg quality.

EFFECT OF DIETARY INCLUSION OF PURSLANE (Portulaca oleracea L.) ON YOLK OMEGA-3 FATTY ACIDS CONTENT, EGG QUALITY AND PRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCE OF RHODE ISLAND RED HENS

<p>This study aimed to determine the effects of dietary inclusion of 100 g/kg and 200 g/kgpurslane meal on yolk <em>ω</em>-3 fatty acids content, egg quality and productive performance in Rhode Island Red laying hens. Sixty-four hens of 30 weeks of age, with an average body weight of 2100 g, were randomly allocated into four treatments: 0 g/kg (negative control), 100 g/kg and 200 g/kg purslane meal, and 14.7 g/kgflaxseed oil (positive control) in the diet. Hens were housed in cages equipped with individual feeders and drinking troughs. They received food and water <em>ad libitum</em> and 18 h of light during 56 days. The inclusion of 200 g/kg purslane and 14.7 g/kgflaxseed oil in laying hens diet showed higher (P < 0.05) content of <em>ω</em>-3 fatty acids (α-linolenic acid and docosahexaenoic acid) in egg-yolks compared with those of the groups that received 0 and 100 g/kg purslane. Treatments did not influence (P>0.05) parameters of egg quality such as egg longitudinal and transverse diameter, albumin and yolk diameter, yolk height, and yolk weight. Hens that received 200 g/kg purslane in their diet increased (P < 0.05) feed intake, egg production, egg mass, and feed conversion compared with those fed with the negative control. It was concluded that the dietary inclusion of both 100 g/kg and 200 g/kg purslane increases yolk <em>ω</em>-3 fatty acids content without any adverse effect on egg quality traits and productive performance of Rhode Island Red hens.</p>

EFFECT OF DIETARY SUPPLEMENTATION OF POMEGRANATE PEEL POWDER AND BUTYLATED HYDROXY TOLUENE ON SOME PRODUCTIVE, PHYSIOLOGICAL AND IMMUNOLOGICAL PARAMETERS OF JAPANESE QUAIL

SUMMARY This experiment aimed to study the effect of pomegranate peel powder (PPP) and butylated hydroxy toluene (BHT) on some productive, physiological and immunological parameters of Japanese quails. One hundred and eighty Japanese quails aged 11 weeks old were randomly divided into four treated groups, each group contain 3 replicates 15 bird each. The first group was fed control diet without any supplementation. While, the second and third groups were fed on diet containing 10 and 15 g PPP/kg respectively, and the fourth group were fed on diet containing 125 g/ton BHT. The results indicated that: 1- Pomegranate peel treatments powder significantly increased body weight gain, while, feed intake and feed conversion were significantly lower in all treated groups compared with control group. 2-Egg production traits (egg number, egg weight and egg mass) were significantly increased in PPP and BHT supplemented groups compared to control. 3-Egg shell weight was significantly higher in treated groups. While, yolk diameter was significantly longer in control than treated groups. While, yolk color and albumin were higher at (22 wks. of age). 4-Plasma total lipid TP, Cholesterol, low density lipoprotein LDL and high density lipoprotein HDL, creatinine, uric acid, AST and ALT significantly decreased by PPP addition .While, plasma TP was significantly increased in PPP and BHT treated groups. 5-Deftherdbody weight after slaughter was significantly increased in groups fed on 10 PPP g/kg diet. While, heart percentage of weight was significantly lowered in quails supplemented with 15 g PPP /kg diet. 6- Supplementation of PPP and BHT didn’t affect the total micro bacterial count in instant. 7-Total phenolicswere significantly increased. While, the TBARS values was significantly decreased in birds fed 15 g PPP/kg compared with that received BHT supplemented diet and the control group. In conclusion, PPP addition by 15g PPP/kg diet can improve productive and physiological parameters and also can extend meat shelf-life.

Evaluation of different egg quality traits and interpretation of their mode of inheritance in White Leghorns.

Aim:The experiment was carried out to evaluate different external and internal egg quality traits and to figure out their mode of inheritance from a set of hierarchically classified data.Materials and Methods:The data collected from 548 progenies (1 egg from each progeny) of 282 dams mated to 47 sires (1 sire mated to 6 dams) of a White Leghorn flock were used in the present study. Phenotypic means and their standard errors were calculated for all the quality traits. Heritabilities were estimated for these traits separately from “sire,” “dam” and “sire+dam” (full-sib) components of variance using Statistical Package for Social Sciences-17 program.Results:External quality traits such as; egg weight, length, width, shape index, surface area, shell weight, shell thickness, shell ratio, and internal quality traits such as; length, width, height, and weight of albumen and yolk, albumen index, albumen ratio, Haugh unit (H.U.), yolk diameter, yolk index, yolk ratio, and yolk albumen ratio were measured in 548 eggs of the experimental White Leghorn flock. The eggs were found to have optimum weight (57.78±0.20 g), shape index (73.53±0.18) and shell characteristics (6 g, 0.32 mm) as per its genetic potential. Higher values for albumen height (8.41±0.04) mm and H.U. (92.00±0.19) are attributable to the freshness of eggs and proper age of hens. Heritability estimates from “sire” component of variance were higher than “dam” and “sire+dam” components for the traits like egg weight, length, width, shape index, surface area, albumen width, albumen index, H.U., yolk width, yolk height, yolk weight, and yolk index whereas for rest of the traits the values estimated from “dam” component were higher. Estimates from “sire+dam” component were intermediate to the estimates derived from “sire” and “dam” components.Conclusion:The heritability estimates from different egg quality traits were moderate to high. Since most of the traits have high heritability values, these traits can be improved by mass selection.

Predicting Egg Quality and Egg Production Traits Using Egg Weight and Body Weight Respectively In Three Varieties of Helmeted Guinea Fowls in Humid Tropics

This study investigated the prediction of egg quality and egg production traits using egg weight and body weight respectively in three varieties of helmeted Guinea fowls in humid tropics. The experimental varieties were Pearl (Sake), Lavender (Hurudu) and Black (Angulu). Base populations of 180 Guinea fowls were used to generate 144 F1 females comprising 48 birds per variety. Each variety was divided into three randomized replicates containing 16 birds per replicate. Data were collected fortnightly on external egg quality traits including egg weight, egg length, egg width, egg index, shell thickness, shell weight; internal egg quality traits including albumen height, albumen weight, albumen diameter, yolk length, yolk height, yolk weight, yolk diameter, yolk index and Haugh unit and egg production traits including body weight (BWT), body weight gain (BWG), feed intake (FI), feed per dozen egg (FDE), feed efficiency (FE), egg number (EN), percent hen day production (% HD) Data collected were subjected to Simple linear regression statistical analysis using SPSS. The findings of this research have shown that egg weight can be used largely to predict albumen weight (R2 = 43.2 % and 54.6 %) and yolk weight (R2= 68.6 % and 58.3 %) in Pearl and Black varieties respectively. The body weight on the other hand, can be used to predict shell weight (64.6 %) highly and egg weight (47.5 %) reasonably only in the Pearl variety. This study has equally shown that body weight can fairly be used to predict body weight gain and feed efficiency in Lavender variety as well as daily feed intake in Black and Pearl varieties. Other component traits besides egg weight and bodyweight can therefore be tried out as predictors.

Phenotypic Correlations between External and Internal Egg Quality Traits in Three Varieties of Helmeted Guinea Fowl from 28 to 46 Weeks of Age

This study investigated the correlation in internal egg quality traits and external egg quality of three varieties of guinea fowls. The experimental varieties were Pearl (Sake), Lavender (Hurudu) and Black (Angulu). Base populations of 180 guinea fowls were used to generate 144 F1 females comprising 48 birds per variety. Each variety was divided into three randomized replicates containing 16 birds per replicate. Data were collected fortnightly on external egg quality traits including egg weight, egg length, egg width, egg index, shell thickness, shell weight, and on internal egg quality traits including albumen height, albumen weight, albumen diameter, yolk length, yolk height, yolk weight, yolk diameter, yolk index and Haugh unit. Data collected were subjected to Pearson Product Moment Correlation using SPSS. The correlation result showed strong relationship among the three varieties with some variations which may be due to non-genetic and/or genetic reasons. The three varieties showed great similarities in the following association between egg weight vs. albumen weight, egg weight vs. yolk weight, egg length vs. yolk weight and egg width vs. albumen weight. The differences that exist in certain association in the three helmeted varieties suggests possible genetic polymorphic differences in the three varieties. This result necessitates separately planned improvement programs in the three helmeted varieties.

Egg Quality Characteristics and Hatchability of Two Colour Variants of Japanese Quails (Coturnix coturnix japonica)

The study was designed to evaluate two colour variants of the Japanese quails namely the Panda white and Cinnanon brown for external and internal egg quality traits, fertility and hatchability. A total of 270 day old quails (135/genotype) were generated from a random bred population which was later subjected to assortative plumage mating. The quail chicks were brooded according to genotype, and reared to 6 weeks of age. Thereafter, 10 males and 40 females were selected from each genotype and housed on deep litter breeding pens at a mating ratio of 5 males to 20 females. Eggs were collected for assessment of external and internal egg characteristics after 30 days of onset of egg production. Data collected on external egg qualities included egg weight (g), egg length (mm), egg width (mm), egg volume (ml), shell weight (g), shell thickness (mm) while data on internal egg qualities included yolk density (mm), yolk diameter (mm), yolk weight (g), and albumen weight (g). One hundred and ten (110) eggs of each genotype were used to assess fertility and hatchability in each flock. Fertility was determined as the percentage of eggs set that were fertile while hatchability was determined as percentage of fertile eggs that hatched out. Other hatchability parameters such as dead germ and dead in shell were expressed as percentages of eggs set while normal and abnormal quail chicks were expressed as percentages of chicks hatched. All data collected were subjected to independent samples t test to compare between genotypes. The reproductive parameters were subjected to Pearson correlation analysis to ascertain the phenotypic relationship between pairs of traits. Genotype influenced reproductive parameters namely fertility, hatchablity, dead germ, and hatched chick weight but not external and internal egg qualities of the two quail colour variants. Significant correlation coefficients were observed between pairs of reproductive traits suggesting phenotypic associations that could be exploited to influence the outcome of incubation of quail eggs.

Induced Breeding and Early Development of Stinging Catfish, <i>Heteropneustes Fossilis</i> (Bloch) (Siluridae)

Induced breeding, embryogenic chronology and larva development of Heteropneustes fossilis were studied in this work. One sexually matured female was injected intramuscularly with dry carp pituitary gland suspension at 4 mg/ kg- of body weight. After a latency period of eight hours, the female was stripped while the male was sacrificed to remove the testes which were macerated to fertilize the eggs. Incubation was carried out at 27℃ and the different stages of embryo were photographed using a Nikon SMZ 800 binocular microscope. Hatching started 23.53 hrs after fertilization and the percentage hatchability was 97.5%. Hatchlings had a mean length of 2.5 mm and mean yolk diameter of 0.1 mm. The yolk was completely absorbed between the third and fourth day of hatching and exogenous feeding started on the fourth day of hatching. The mean percentage survival was 75%.

Synthesis of hierarchically porous carbon spheres with yolk-shell structure for high performance supercapacitors

Uniform yolk-shelled carbon spheres (YS-CSs) with a hierarchically porous nanoarchitecture have successfully been synthesized through a new gradient sol–gel process with surfactant-directing co-assembly by using cationic surfactant cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) as a template, resorcinol-formaldehyde (RF) as a carbon source and tetraethoxysilane (TEOS) as an assistant pore-forming agent. The effects of CTAB and TEOS on the yolk-shell structure and pore properties of the carbon spheres are systematically investigated. Characterizations from SEM and HR-SEM, TEM, N2 sorption, FTIR, and TG techniques reveal that the obtained YS-CSs possess a microporous yolk, mesoporous shell and macroporous hollow cavity between the yolk and shell, high specific surface areas (887–1085m2/g) and large pore volumes (1.4–2.8cm3/g). Moreover, the yolk diameter can be well controlled from 320 to 600nm, the shell thickness from 140 to 250nm and the mesopore size from 4.6 to 10.6nm by simply adjusting amount of CTAB and TEOS. When evaluated as electrode materials for supercapacitor applications, the YS-CSs exhibit high performance with a high specific capacitance and a good rate capability (75% retention ratio at a high current density of 20A/g).

Assessing the Performance Characteristics of Chicken Layers Fed with Pito Mash Inclusion Diets Treated with Cocoa Pod-Husk Ash Extract

2 Abstract: A nutritional balance trial was conducted, with 176 strain of Lohmann breed of brown layers at 8 weeks old, weighing between 340-341 g. The chickens were grouped into 4 dietary treatments of 4 4 chickens per group. A complete randomized design (CRD) was applied in which the dietary treatments included 0, 5, 10 and 15% level of the alkali-treated pito mash. Feed and water were provided ad libitum over the 11-month experimental period. The parameters measured were body weight changes, feed intake, water intake, hen-day egg production, hen-housed egg production, feed conversion ratio (kg/dozen egg), age at the onset of e gg production, body weight at the onset of egg laying, weight of the first egg laid, shell thickness, number of broken egg, yolk colour, yolk diameter, albumen height, Haugh unit and mortality rate. Results showed that apart from body weight at the start of feed trial, feed/dozen eggs and body weight at the onset of egg laying, shell thickness and mortality of chickens, all the alkali-treated pito mash based diets exhibited significantly (p<0.05) higher performances than the control group in all the other parameters considered, although at varying magnitudes. The costs/100 kg grower and layer diets were progressively reduced as the level of treated pito mash increased in the diets. Alkali-treated pito mash inclusion in grower and layer chicken diets up to 15% is therefore recommended.

Quality of pejerrey (Odontesthes bonariensis) eggs and larvae in captivity throughout spawning season

The aim of this work was to assess the quality of pejerrey eggs and larvae throughout its spawning season. Fertilized eggs were taken on September, October, November, and December from a captive broodstock. The egg diameter, yolk diameter, and oil droplets area decreased along the spawning season, with higher values in September. Fertilization and hatching rates decreased throughout this period, with highest values in September (88.0%; 55.2%) and the lowest values on December (43.0%; 25.2%). The larvae hatched from eggs obtained on October were the heaviest and longest (1.57 mg; 8.24 mm). The survival rate at 30 days post hatching (dph) was similar in larvae from September and October eggs (66.1%; 62.9%) with a sharp decrease in larvae from November and December eggs (22.4%; 23.3%). Furthermore, the highest body weight (15.1 mg) and total length (15.25 mm) at 30 dph were obtained in larvae from October eggs. The results obtained showed that overall eggs quality was better at the beginning of the spawning period, influencing the larvae performance.

Upgrade of egg quality through different heat-combating systems during high environmental temperature.

The aim of the study was to find out the effect of various heat-combating systems (HCS) on the egg quality characteristics of commercial laying hens during high environmental temperature of the year. Three hundred pullets were wing banded and randomly divided into 15 experimental units comprising of 20 pullets each. These units were randomly allotted to five treatment groups, replicated thrice according to four heat-combating systems (desert cooling, water sprinkling, time limit feeding, ascorbic acid supplementation), and the control was maintained under the same housing system. The mean values of egg weight, eggshell thickness, Haugh unit, thick albumen height, yolk height, and yolk diameter were calculated. The layers kept under the influence of desert cooling produced eggs with more weight and thicker shells than those under other systems. Results of the present study did not show any difference in the shell thickness between water sprinkling and ascorbic acid supplementation as compared to the control group. Haugh unit and yolk index values obtained from the layers kept under various HCS did not significantly differ from those of the control group. All HCS significantly reduced the occurrence of blood spots in the eggs as compared to the control. All the treatments in general markedly reduced the incidence of meat spots in the eggs especially with the supplementation of ascorbic acid being the most effective. Among all of the treatments, the desert cooling system proved to be the best for producing better-quality eggs during hot periods of the year with less humidity.

Laying performances and egg quality of local barred hens under improved conditions in Cameroon

Objectives: This study was designated to evaluate the laying performances and egg traits in local barred hens. Sixteen (16) hens and 4 cocks were used, divided into 4 experimental units of 4 hens and 1 cock per unit.Methodology and Results: The following parameters were studied: feed intake (g/bird/day), egg production (%/hen-day), egg weight (g), egg mass (g/hen/day), feed conversion ratio (g feed/g egg) and egg cost (Fcfa). A total of 730 eggs were used to evaluate external egg traits including egg weight, egg length, egg width, egg index and 320 eggs to evaluate internal egg traits including relative yolk weight (%), yolk height, yolk diameter, relative shell weight (%), shell thickness, albumen height, relative albumen weight (%) and haugh unit. Mean values for laying performances were: age at first egg (22.5 weeks), hen live weight at first egg (1298g), hen age at peak egg production ( 33 weeks), percent egg production at peak (57.9%), feed conversion ratio (5.36), mean egg production (40.4%) and egg cost (48.5 Fcfa). Mean egg traits were: egg weight (43.8g), relative albumen weight (17.3%), albumen height (5.74mm), haugh unit (78.0), relative yolk weight (34.9%), relative shell weight (11.6%) and shell thickness (25.9mm). There was a highly significant (P&lt;0.01) correlation between egg weight, yolk volume and albumen volume. This correlation was weak between egg weight and albumen height (0.060) and egg weight and shell thickness (0.020).Conclusions and applications of findings: The present study suggests that local barred hens have a good potential for egg production, which may be useful for breed improvement, and development for future generation of local laying hens.Key words: egg quality, laying performances, local barred hens.

Effect of Dwarf and Naked Neck Gene on the Egg Production Performance in Tropics

Cocks and pullets from each of 4 genotypes; Redbro (RbRb), Naked neck (NaNa), Redbro dwarf (Rbdw) and Naked neck dwarf (Nadw) were crossed reciprocally for egg production trial. Egg quality (egg weight, egg diameter, egg length, shell thickness, membrane thickness, membrane weight, shell weight, % of shell, yolk color score, albumen diameter, albumen height, yolk diameter and yolk weight) were compared among 4 genotypes. Daily feed intakes, almost related to respected body size were reduced in Rbdw and Nadw hens by 7.41 and 19.89% than in normal sized RbRb hens. The feed conversion and hen day egg production were highest in Rbdw, intermediate in RbRb and Nadw and lowest in NaNa. Naked neck (Na) and dwarf genotypes had favorable effect on egg fertility and hatchability. Parents in both Na and dw inheritance had favorable shell thickness, shell membrane weight (%), albumen height and diameter, yolk height and diameter, albumen weight and albumen weight (%) and yolk weight, while NaNa had highest yolk weight (%). Both egg weight and chick weight percent were highest in RbRb x Rbdw genotypes, followed by RbRb, RbRb x Nadw, RbRb x NaNa, Rbdw x RbRb, Rbdw, Rbdw x Nadw, Rbdw x NaNa, Nadw x RbRb, Nadw x Rbdw, Nadw, Nadw x NaNa, NaNa x RbRb, NaNa x Rbdw, NaNa x Nadw and NaNa respectively. Chick weight as percent of egg weight irrespective of genotype was simply the functions of egg weight.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/pa.v18i2.18167 Progress. Agric. 18(2): 115 - 121, 2007

PERIODS OF MOUTH OPENING AND YOLK ABSORPTION RELATED TO THE ACTIVITY OF DIGESTIVE ENZYMES IN THE EARLY STADIA FROM THE SECOND GENERATION OF HUMPBACK GROUPER BROODSTOCK

The experiment was carried out to determine the exposure time of the first mouth opening on humpback grouper larval from F2 broodstock on hatchery until 10 DAH (days after hatching) because this phase is a critical phase of larval adaptation from food endogenous (from yolk sac) to the ability of absorbing nutrients from external (exogenous). The eggs used were collected from natural spawning of second generation of humpback grouper reared in the tank size of 150 litre. The mouth opening was observed at 90 and 45 degrees under computerize integrated microscope and processed by a specific software. The rate of yolk absorption was observed in larvae from the beginning to the end of breeding, while the activities of digestive enzymes (trypsin and chymotripsin) were analyzed by enzyme assay techniques. The results showed that the period of mouth opening of larvae of humpback grouper occurred at 3 DAH with mouth openings of 45° as large as 0.103 mm and of 90° as large as 0.156 mm. In the early stadia, the diameter of yolk was 0.1875 mm, while the oil globule was 0.0537 mm. At 4 days after hatching, the yolk and oil globule had been absorbed, while the enzymes trypsin and chymotripsin were detected in the early stadia. The results also showed that the larvae was started to use foods from outside after the age of 4 DAH. Up to the age of 10 days, the mouth opening increased and the activity of trypsin and chymotripsin were still detected.Keywords: progeny larvae of humpback grouper F2, mouth opening, yolk sac, enzyme

PERIODS OF MOUTH OPENING AND YOLK ABSORPTION RELATED TO THE ACTIVITY OF DIGESTIVE ENZYMES IN THE EARLY STADIA FROM THE SECOND GENERATION OF HUMPBACK GROUPER BROODSTOCK

&lt;p&gt;The experiment was carried out to determine the exposure time of the first mouth opening on humpback grouper larval from F2 broodstock on hatchery until 10 DAH (days after hatching) because this phase is a critical phase of larval adaptation from food endogenous (from yolk sac) to the ability of absorbing nutrients from external (exogenous). The eggs used were collected from natural spawning of second generation of humpback grouper reared in the tank size of 150 litre. The mouth opening was observed at 90 and 45 degrees under computerize integrated microscope and processed by a specific software. The rate of yolk absorption was observed in larvae from the beginning to the end of breeding, while the activities of digestive enzymes (trypsin and chymotripsin) were analyzed by enzyme assay techniques. The results showed that the period of mouth opening of larvae of humpback grouper occurred at 3 DAH with mouth openings of 45° as large as 0.103 mm and of 90° as large as 0.156 mm. In the early stadia, the diameter of yolk was 0.1875 mm, while the oil globule was 0.0537 mm. At 4 days after hatching, the yolk and oil globule had been absorbed, while the enzymes trypsin and chymotripsin were detected in the early stadia. The results also showed that the larvae was started to use foods from outside after the age of 4 DAH. Up to the age of 10 days, the mouth opening increased and the activity of trypsin and chymotripsin were still detected.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Keywords: progeny larvae of humpback grouper F2, mouth opening, yolk sac, enzyme&lt;/p&gt;

Fatty acid composition of ovule in kutum (Rutilus frisii kutum Komensky, 1901)

Fatty acid composition of ovules (ovulated oocytes) from kutum (Rutilus frisii kutum) was investigated to assess their relationship to gonad biological characteristics, larval size, fertilization, and hatching success. Forty-eight kutum were captured in the wild during the spawning season. Results revealed an inverse relationship between linoleic acid (18:2n-6) and ovule weight (P < 0.05). Arachidonic acid (20:4n-6) and eicosapentaenoic acid (20:5n-3) contents showed a direct correlation with the number of ovules per gram (P < 0.05); the latter had an inverse relationship with the ratio of surface to volume (P < 0.01). There was a direct and significant correlation between docosahexaenoic acid (22:6n-3) and ovule weight (P < 0.05). High unsaturated fatty acid levels indicated a direct relationship with egg and yolk diameters and also an inverse correlation with ovule surface to volume ratio (P < 0.l05). Direct relationships were found between polyunsaturated fatty acids and the diameter of egg and yolk as well as the ratio of surface to volume (P < 0.05). There was a direct correlation between saturated fatty acid content and the number of eggs (per gram) (P < 0.01). Total lipid and weight of newly hatched larvae represented a direct relationship (P < 0.05). Despite living in brackish water and migrating to fresh water during the reproductive season, kutum exhibited greater similarity in ovule fatty acid composition to saltwater fish than species in fresh water. Moreover, with respect to biological characteristics, this species shows more significant relationships with n-3 fatty acids than with n-6 fatty acids.

Farklı Kanatlı Türlerinde Yumurta Kalite Özelliklerinin Sayısal Görüntü Analizi İle Belirlenmesi

Summary The present study was aimed at the investigation of egg quality characteristics of different poultry species by digital image analysis. The material of the study was comprised of eggs of the Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica), rock partridge (Alectoris graeca), ring-necked pheasant (Phasianus colchicus) and cross-chickens (Denizli x Leghorn F1). Values pertaining to egg quality characteristics were obtained using the conventional method and digital image analysis. Egg length, egg width and shape index values measured by digital image analysis were shown to correspond closely with values measured using the conventional method, within an accuracy range of 98.44-98.54%. As regards internal egg quality characteristics, high error rates were determined for albumen height (32.24%) and yolk diameter (13.44%) values measured by digital image analysis, in comparison to values obtained with the conventional method. In result, it was demonstrated that egg quality characteristics could be determined by digital image analysis, in close correspondence with the conventional method, provided that devices equipped with measurement scales and images with reference points are used.

Comparison of growth traits at early stages and genetic diversity of F1among different shell color lines of the small abalone(Haliotis diversicolor)

A small amount of yellow shell color of small abalone were found in the stock of Dongyou No.1.In order to understand the relationship between shell color and growth traits,four different color lines of Haliotis diversicolor including BB(normal♀× normal♂),YY(yellow♀× yellow♂),YB(yellow♀× normal♂)and BY(normal♀× yellow♂)were established by inbreeding and crossbreeding.The biological parameters of egg dismeter,fertilization rate,hatching rate,metamorphosis rate,survival rate and growth traits among different shell color lines were studied.Genetic diversity and genetic structure for the four lines were compared using 16 microsatellite markers.The results showed that yolk diameter of yellow shell color line was significantly larger than that of normal shell color line(P0.05).Egg diameter,fertilization rate,hatching rate,metamorphosis rate and survival rate showed no significant differences(P0.05)among BB,YY,YB and BY lines.At 90 days after fertilization,the growth of shell length and width among the four lines showed no significant differences(P0.05).The results also showed that BB line had the lowest genetic diversity.In addition,Nei's genetic identity(0.632 9-0.957 1)and genetic distance(0.043 9-0.457 3)indicated that genetic identity between BB and YY(0.632 9)was the lowest and genetic distance between them was the farthest(0.457 3).The results indicated genetic differentiation exists between normal and yellow color individuals.The present study provides basic data and theoretical basis for selective breeding of the small abalone using shell color as a candidate marker.

EVALUATION OF SOME EXTERNAL AND INTERNAL EGG QUALITY TRAITS OF QUAILS REARED IN BASRAH CITY

This study was designated to evaluate some external and internal characteristics of quail eggs reared in Basrah city. Ten mature female quails were used in the present study. All birds were reared under similar environmental, managerial and hygienic conditions. To assess the egg quality parameters, a total of 100 eggs were randomly collected for 20 days. The values related to egg weight, shape index, shell weight, shell ratio , shell thickness, egg length, Egg width, Shell index and shell surface area (cm 2 ) are found respectively as 7.041, 79.590, 0.973, 14.193, 0.307, 2.825, 2.245, 13.044 and 8.205. The internal traits as albumen index, albumen height, albumen weight, albumen ratio, albumen width, Albumen length, albumin average, yolk diameter, yolk height, yolk weight, yolk index, yolk ratio and Yolk : Albumen ratio are found respectively as