The amino acids differences in epitopes may promote the different allergenicity of ovomucoid derived from hen eggs and quail eggs

Quail egg ovomucoid can inhibit activation of basophils and eosinophils,while hen egg ovomucoid has been shown to be a major allergen,named Gal d 1.At present,the differences in structure and function between two ovomucoid are unclear.We found the homology of ovomucoid in quail eggs and hen eggs reached77%.Compared with hen egg ovomucoid,the distribution of secondary structure was different in AA52-53,AA57-58,AA66-68,AA71-72,AA131-133,AA139-140,AA157-159 and AA184-185.Among 9 epitopes of egg ovomucoid,there were different amino acids from quail egg ovomucoid in 8 epitopes.Recombination quail egg ovomucoid had trypsin inhibition activity and quail egg ovomucoid didn't specifically bind to serum of eggs allergic patients.Quail egg ovomucoid can significantly inhibit RBL-2 H3 cells degranulation and protect cells morphology to a certain extent,indicating quail egg ovomucoid can inhibit cells activation and have potential anti-allergic effects,which is related to trypsin inhibitory activity.The difference in sensitization compare to hen egg ovomucoid may be due to amino acids differences affecting protein structure by changing antigenic epitopes.

Effects of Desmodium uncinatum Leaf Meal in the Diet on Lohmann Brown Hens’ Laying Performance and Eggs Quality

A cheap, safe and available alternative protein source to soybean is a huge priority for the developing world. This study is aimed at evaluating the effects of Desmodium uncinatum leaf meal incorporation levels in the diet on Lohmann Brown hens’ laying performances. For this purpose, 60 Lohmann Brown hens aged 33 weeks with an average weight of 1.78 kg were randomly assigned to 3 treatment groups of 20 birds each with 4 replicates. The experimental treatments consisted of DULM 0, DULM5, and DULM10 containing 0, 5 and 10 kg of D. uncinatum leaf meal (DULM) per 100 kg of feed respectively. The results reveal that except for the weights of hens, laying performances were significantly affected (p < 0.05) by DULM in the diet. Daily feed intake was lower with 10% incorporation of DULM in the diet as compared to a diet with 5% DULM which recorded the highest value for this parameter. Moreover, the highest value for the egg weight, egg mass, yolk index, albumen index and egg production were recorded with diet DULM5. On the other hand, the diet with 10% of DULM (DULM10) recorded the highest relative shell weight, feed conversion ratio and egg price. Nevertheless, the mortality rate found in this study was 0% for all treatments confirming the good quality of DULM as protein feedstuff for layer. It was concluded that incorporation levels of D. uncinatum leaves at 5% in the diet improved the laying performances of Lohmann Brown hens.

Analysis of the Production and Operation Status of Silkworm Eggs Producing Farms in China——Based on Questionnaire Survey to 136 Silkworm Eggs Producing Farms Nationwide

Through statistical analysis on questionnaire survey data from 136 silkworm eggs producing farms in China,it was concluded that most silkworm eggs producing farms had such problems as follows: old production facilities and poor production condition,heavy staff burden,weak scientific and technological support,small operation scale and heavy surplus production capacity; narrow silkworm eggs sale channels and stubborn regional segmentation,insufficient innovation and lack of technological support for diversified expansion. All these problems led to low labor productivity,low asset utilization rate and poor economic benefit in silkworm eggs producing farms in China. Except the provinces( regions) of Guangxi,Guangdong and Yunnan,the silkworm eggs producing farms in other provinces were generally at deficit condition. In the light of ownership,although silkworm eggs producing farms of different ownership systems were in the red,those of the private sector had the minimum deficit. Based on these findings,it is proposed to deepen system reformation of silkworm eggs producing farms,loosen control to price and circulation of silkworm eggs,implement large-scaled production and operation,speed up scientific and technological innovation,expand diversified development channels,and reinforce government support so as to increase production and operation benefits of silkworm eggs producing farms in China.

A potential source of recruitment of Acartia pacifica nauplii: viable benthic resting eggs

Many estuarine and coastal planktonic copepods depend on the hatching of benthic resting eggs for recruitment of nauplii to the water column population. The distribution and abundance of viable resting eggs of Acartia pacifica in the Xiamen Bay were determined by the presence of nauplii in the laboratory. The number of viable eggs var/ed temporally and spatially. The maximum number (9.2×10^4m^-2) of viable eggs was in summer. In spring the average abundance of viable eggs was 5.6×10^4 m^-2. The abundances of viable eggs in fall and winter were similar, respectively 2.7×10^4 and 3.3×10^4m^-2, which were the lowest in the year. The numbers of viable eggs inside the stations of the Xiamen Bay were higher than those outside the stations. The viable eggs were found at all depths (0-10 cm),although not in every station. The maximum number did not necessarily occur in the uppermost centimeter of the sediments but often occurred several centimeters below the water-sediment interface. The accumulation of viable eggs in the seabed of a subtropical bay constitutes a potential source of recruitment of nauplii into the pelagic population.

Effects of Predation by Invasive Western Mosquitofish(Gambusia affinis) on Survival of Eggs,Embryos and Tadpoles of Pelophylax nigromaculatus and Duttaphrynus melanostictus in South China

Alien species are one of the most serious threats to the decline and extinction of native amphibian populations. In this study, we examined the predation of invasive Western Mosquitofish Gambusia affinis on the eggs, embryos, and tadpoles of Duttaphrynus melanostictus and Pelophylax nigromaculatus in south China. Our results suggested that the survival of eggs and embryos remaining in the egg capsules of P. nigromaculatus and D. melanostictus was significantly higher than those removed from the egg capsule at 12-h intervals within 72 h in the presence of G. affinis. The survival of P. nigromaculatus eggs and embryos without egg capsules was significantly lower than those of D. melanostictus without egg capsules. The survival of P. nigromaculatus eggs and embryos with egg capsules was significantly higher than those of D. melanostictus with egg capsules from 24 h to 72 h except for 12 h. The survival of D. melanostictus tadpoles was significantly higher than that of P. nigromaculatus tadpoles in the presence of G. affinis. The survival of Gosner stage 26 tadpoles of P. nigromaculatus was significantly higher than that of Gosner stage 30 tadpoles from 12 h to 60 h, but there were no significant differences at 72 h. In contrast, the survival of Gosner stage 26 tadpoles of D. melanostictus was significantly lower than that of Gosner stage 30 tadpoles within 72 h, recording every 12 h. The increasing temperature caused a significant increase in predation by G. affinis on P. nigromaculatus eggs and embryos. The outer jelly capsule surrounding anurans eggs might serve as a mechanical defense against predation by G. affinis due to its large diameter, relatively stationary state and unpalatability. The differences in the vulnerability of P. nigromaculatus and D. melanostictus embryos and tadpoles to G. affinis probably due to differences in the unpalatability, black skin and activity. Based on the magnitude of predation by G. affinis on the eggs, embryos and tadpoles of these two species and the combined impact of temperature, we might speculate that invasive G. affinis and global warming would have more detrimental impacts on population viability of P. nigromaculatus than D. melanostictus in China.

Prediction Model of Weekly Retail Price for Eggs Based on Chaotic Neural Network

This paper establishes a short-term prediction model of weekly retail prices for eggs based on chaotic neural network with the weekly retail prices of eggs from January 2008 to December 2012 in China.In the process of determining the structure of the chaotic neural network,the number of input layer nodes of the network is calculated by reconstructing phase space and computing its saturated embedding dimension,and then the number of hidden layer nodes is estimated by trial and error.Finally,this model is applied to predict the retail prices of eggs and compared with ARIMA.The result shows that the chaotic neural network has better nonlinear fitting ability and higher precision in the prediction of weekly retail price of eggs.The empirical result also shows that the chaotic neural network can be widely used in the field of short-term prediction of agricultural prices.

An Updated Review on Chicken Eggs: Production, Consumption, Management Aspects and Nutritional Benefits to Human Health

Ancestors of the modern chicken were domesticated from members of the Gallus genus probably 7 to 8 thousand years ago in southeastern Asia. Subsequently, they spread globally for meat and egg production. In the chicken egg, there is a balance of numerous, high-quality nutrients, many of which are highly bioavailable. The egg confers a multitude of health benefits to consumers emphasizing its classification as a functional food. Current global per capita egg consumption estimates approach 9 kg annually but vary greatly on a regional basis. This review deals with global production, consumption, and management aspects such as hygiene, feeding, and housing. Management aspects play key roles in the composition, quality, food safety, and visual (consumer) appeal of the egg. Also the manipulation of egg nutrients and value for human health is discussed.

Effect of Intertidal Elevation at Tsuyazaki Cove,Fukuoka,Japan on Survival Rate of Horseshoe Crab Tachypleus tridentatus Eggs

Physical factors affecting the survival of Tachypleus tridentatus eggs were investigated by translocating their eggs between the high intertidal zone and the low intertidal zone of a known spawning site.The mean egg survival rates per day were highest in the mid intertidal zone(45.1%±25.4%)and the lowest in the low intertidal zone(13.3%±27.6%).Differences in the elevation,air exposure time,and water content of the spawning ground were significant factors determining the egg survival rates.Excessive or insufficient air exposure time resulted in inadequate water content at higher and lower intertidal zones and could reduce egg survival.On the other hand,moderate saturation and dehydration were repeated with each tidal movement in the mid intertidal zone.This dynamic is considered as one of the crucial factors for the survival of eggs and is considered optimal for spawning.Therefore,the protection of the mid intertidal zone is imperative for maximizing the egg survival rate in Tsuyazaki Cove where almost all suitable nesting sites have disappeared due to coastal development.By protecting these optimal sites for spawning and recovering other optimal sites on suitable beaches,a positive contribution can be made to future management and conservation.The study also suggests that translocating eggs from marginal to optimal spawning sites might be a recovery strategy for this globally endangered species.

Unhatched and Hatched Eggshells of the Chinese Cobra Naja atra

Changes in structure and composition of the eggshell resulting from embryonic mobilization of minerals from the eggshell are found in all oviparous reptiles studied thus far. In this study, we measured samples of unhatched and hatched eggshells of the Chinese cobra Naja atra to determine the percentage of ash and the phase composition of calcium carbonate. The mean percentage of ash was significantly higher in unhatched eggshells （24.6%） than in hatched eggshells （22.3%）. The dominant phase in unhatched eggshells was the calcite form of calcium carbonate. In addition to the peaks of calcite, a few small peaks were found to be caused by the aragonite and vaterite phases of calcium carbonate, implying that there are small amounts of aragonite and vaterite in the eggshell. The concentration of the various phases calculated from the intensity of the X-ray diffraction spectra allowed the estimation that percentages of calcite, aragonite and vaterite were about 92%, 4% and 4%, respectively. Hatched eggshells produced similar spectral characteristics as unhatched eggshells, with one exception. The dominant phase composition in the hatched eggshell was also calcite, but the amount of the aragonite phase had a marked increase. Our study adds evidence that embryonic mobilization of minerals from the eggshell may result in changes in structure of the eggshell.

Egg recognition in Cinereous Tits(Parus cinereus):eggshell spots matter

Background:Brood parasitic birds such as cuckoos(Cuculus spp.)can reduce their host’s reproductive success.Such selection pressure on the hosts has driven the evolution of defense behaviors such as egg rejection against cuckoo parasitism.Studies have shown that Cinereous Tits(Parus cinereus)in China have a good ability for recognizing foreign eggs.However,it is unclear whether egg spots play a role in egg recognition.The aims of our study were to investigate the egg recognition ability of two Cinereous Tit populations in China and to explore the role of spots in egg recognition.Methods:To test the effect of eggshell spots on egg recognition,pure white eggs of the White-rumped Munia(Lonchura striata)and eggs of White-rumped Munia painted with red brown spots were used to simulate experimental parasitism.Results:Egg experiments showed that Cinereous Tits rejected 51.5%of pure white eggs of the White-rumped Munia,but only 14.3%of spotted eggs of the White-rumped Munia.There was a significant difference in egg recognition and rejection rate between the two egg types.Conclusions:We conclude that eggshell spots on Cinereous Tit eggs had a signaling function and may be essential to tits for recognizing and rejecting parasitic eggs.

Detection of Persistent Organochlorine Pollutants in Eggs of Antarctic Seabirds Based on Gas Chromatography and Their Ecological Environment Significance

By using internal standard method based on gas chromatography-electron capture detector （GC-ECD）, the contents of persistent or- ganochlorine pollutants polychorinated biphenyls （PCBs） and organochlorine pesticides （OCPs） in eggs of seabirds （ Catharacta Ionnbergi, Cathar- acta maccormicki, Pygoscelis papua and Macronectes giganteus） breeding on King George Island, Antarctica were detected, and their ecological environment significance was discussed. The results showed that the recovery of various compounds ranged from 68.6% to 90.8% ; relative stand- ard deviation （RSD） was 3.6%, and the lowest detection limits of PCBs and OCPs were 0.8 - 16 and 2 - 12 pg respectively, which could meet the demands for the residue analysis of trace persistent organochlorine pollutants in the eggs of Antarctic seabirds. The contents of PCBs, DDTs, HCB and HCHs in the eggs of Antarctic seabirds were 0.5 -515.5, 2.0 -304.4,0.5 -70.5, and 0.5 -2.0 ng/g respectively. In addition, the accumula- tion of PCBs and OCPs in the skuas was enhanced gradually through the food chain. The maximums of persistent organochlorine pollutants ap- peared in the eggs of C. Ionnbergi, followed by the eggs of C. maccomicki. The detection of OCPs and PCBs in the eggs of Antarctic seabirds was not interfered by other compounds containing chlorine, showing that the extraction, purification and detection method was suitable for the analysis of OCPs and PCBs in the eggs of Antarctic seabirds and has high sensitivity and reliability.

Developmental stages and quality traits of giant African land snails [<i>Archachatina marginata</i>(swainson)] eggs

Sixty sexually mature purebred black-skinned Archachatina marginata snails with weight ranging from 120.50 g to 135.70 g were used to generate eggs in this study. The eggs collected were incubated in a chamber filled with loamy soil for appropriate observation and assessment (cracking at four days intervals to check snailet’s development). Results obtained from the study showed that at laying snail egg weights ranged from 1.54 - 2.45 g (mean of 2.00 g). The egg lengths and widths ranged from 13.50 - 16.90 mm (mean of 15.20 mm) and 10.00 - 12.70 mm (mean of 11.40 mm) respectively. The results also revealed that at laying (day one) the egg content was translucent or clear (blank) when observed with light from a powered microscope. Observation of eggs on day four showed the formation of embryo with a semi-transparent cup attached to a long string body. On day 12, some specific organs of the snailet had developed, and there was a reduction in the liquid content. On day 28, the snailet was fully formed, but the shell still contained very small volume of liquid. The snailet hatched on day 29.

Effects of NPY Gene on Total Number of Eggs at 300 Days of Age in Donglan Black-bone Chicken

In this study, PCR-RFLP technique was employed to detect the genetic polymorphism of NPY gene and analyze the effects of various genotypes on the total number of eggs at 300 days of age in 135 Donglan black-bone chicken. According to the results, there were three genotypes （AA, AB and BB） of NPYgene in Donglan black-bone chicken group. Different genotypes exhibited significant effects （P 〈 0. 05 ） on the total number of eggs at 300 days of age. The total number of eggs at 300 days of age of AA genotype was significantly higher than that of BB genotype （P 〈 0. 05）. Therefore, the polymorphic site of NPY gene could be used as a candidate molecular marker that affects egg laying in Donglan black-bone chicken.

Analysis of Influencing Factors in Production of Selenium-enriched Eggs

Selenium is an essential trace element for human health.Eating selenium-enriched eggs is conducive to easily and effectively solving the problem of selenium deficiency.In the production process of selenium-enriched eggs,different selenium sources,additive doses,feeding time,and the addition of other vitamins,trace elements,and methionine in the diet will influence the deposition of selenium in eggs.Through this review,it is intended to provide a reference for the practical,safe and economical production of selenium-enriched eggs.

Distribution and Characteristics of Dinosaur Eggs in China

China is one of the most prolific countries for dinosaur material in the world, from skeletons to footprints and eggs. At present, China has documented more than 160 kinds of dinosaur, 35 genera and 39 ichnospecies of dinosaur footprints, and 17 genera and 44 oospecies of dinosaur eggs. The dinosaur eggs in China are mainly distributed in Xinjiang, Inner Mongolia, Ningxia, Gansu, Henan, Hunan, Hubei, Jilin, Liaoning, Shandong, Zhejiang, Jiangxi and Guangdong （Fig. 1）, especially in Xixia of Henan, Nanxiong of Guangdong and Yunxian County of Hubei, which have the widest distribution, the best preservation and the most diversity.

Impact of feeding flaxseed and microalgal residue on omega-3 fatty acids enrichment in hen eggs

To investigate the impact of dietary supplementation of different omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFAs) resources on PUFAs enrichment in hen eggs, two supplemental materials, flaxseed and oil-extracted microalgal residue of heterotrophic Schizochytrium, were added to the diet of laying hens in 3 groups. Results showed that supplementation with flaxseed and Schizochytrium residue gave rise to the increased, but different n-3 PUFAs levels in egg yolk, mainly α-linolenic acid (ALA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). The ratio of n-6/n-3 PUFAs was reduced in all groups. After 14 days feeding of supplied PUFAs resources, n-3 PUFAs contents reached a plateau, and then remained constant during further supplementation in 3 experimental groups. Both the highest ALA level and DHA level were achieved in flaxseed group and microalgae group, reaching up to 353.69 (±68.15) mg/egg and 301.41 (± 26.76) mg/egg respectively. Moreover, the n-3 PUFAs enrichment efficiency was relatively low in flaxseed group when compared to other 2 groups. Laying rates of hens before entering peak production period could be improved by adding flaxseed but was not obviously affected by Schizochytrium residue. The egg weight, on the other hand, had no relationship with dietary supplementation. Thus, supplementation of flaxseed or Schizochytrium residue into standard feed offers an alternative choice for the production of n-3 PUFAs enriched eggs.

The development of the region between the preexisting and nascent membranes during the first cleavage of Rana amurensis eggs

The region between the preexisting and nascentmembranes of a cleaving Rana egg is a dense protrusionregion of nearly 40μm wide at 180°stage.Later,thisregion differentiate,into an upper part,a strip withlong, branched and randomly distributed protrusionswhich are derived largely from the preexistingmembrane,and a lower part,a band with microvilli.During 4-and 8-cel1 stages,the strip is almost vanishedand microvilli in the band is shortened.The nascentmembrane is smooth at the 180°stage,then a rough areaappears below the smooth region and quickly expands.Wheat germ agglutinin which can bind to preexistingmembrane interrupts the development of the regionbetween the preexisting and nascent membranes.Detergent,Brij,having the property to increase the areaof nascent membrane,does not interrupt the developmentof the region between the preexisting and nascentmembranes.

First Eggs of Fossil Bristletails (Meinertellidae： Microcoryphia) from Burmese Amber

Fossil microcoryphids are scarce. Silverstri （1912） described two genera and eight species of Machilidae or Machiloidae incertae sedis from Baltic amber （35-40 Myr）. In Cretaceous Myanmar amber （burmite： -99 Myr） one preserved Machilidae plus five undetermined specimens were reported but with no details by Grimaldi et al. （2002）. In Dominican amber （20-25 Myr） only Neomachilellus （Praeneomachilellus） dominicanus （Sturm ＆ Poinar 1997： Meinertellidae） has been found. Mendes （2013） considered that one undetermined Microcoryphia specimen preserved in burmite belonged to the genus Macropsontus, but did not provide enough argumentation.