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Egg consumption could reduce the chance of cognitive decline. We aimed to assess this possible protective effect using data from the Birjand longitudinal aging study (BLAS).In this cross-sectional study, the association between number of whole eggs consumed per week and cognitive impairment was assessed on 1352 participants in the context of the first wave of BLAS conducted on September 2018 to April 2019. Six Item Cognitive Impairment Test (6-CIT), Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), Verbal Fluency Test (VFT) and abbreviated mental test (AMT) questionnaires were used to assess the cognitive function. Analyses have been conducted using multiple logistic regression.Participants ate an average of 2.4 eggs per week. Older adults with moderate and high egg consumption (2–3 eggs/week and ≥4 eggs/week, respectively) performed better at 6-CIT (OR: 0.61, 95% CI: 0.46; 0.80; and 0.58, 95% CI: 0.41; 0.82), AMT (0.67, 95% CI: 0.52; 0.87; and 0.56, 95% CI: 0.39; 0.80) and all 4 cognitive tests combined (0.47, 95% CI: 0.30; 0.73; and 0.44, 95% CI: 0.24; 0.78). VFT was not associated, and MMSE score was only associated with high egg intake (0.53, 95% CI: 0.38; 0.74). High egg intake was more protective of cognitive decline (≥40%) than the moderate intake (30–40%). The significance of most associations disappeared after adjustment for confounders and covariates.In summary, the findings of this study suggest a potential inverse relationship, displaying an ascending trend, between weekly egg consumption and cognitive function among elderly Iranians. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to analyze and compare the Hg, Pb, Cd, and Mn levels in egg feed, soil, and water among laying hens, laying ducks, and free-grazing duck farms in contaminated and uncontaminated areas. This study revealed that the Hg concentration in the eggs of free-grazing ducks was significantly greater than that in the eggs of laying hens and ducks in both contaminated and uncontaminated areas. However, the Pb and Mn levels in the eggs of laying ducks and free-grazing ducks were significantly greater than those in the eggs of laying hens in the contaminated area. Unfortunately, the Hg, Pb, Cd, and Mn concentrations in the feed, soil, and water from these three farms in both areas were not significantly different (P > 0.05). Hg and Cd were confirmed to be enriched in the egg albumin fraction, while Pb and Mn were found mainly in the egg yolk. However, egg consumption from free-grazing duck farms was the riskiest to Hg, Pb, and Mn contamination in the contaminated area. Additionally, the ecological risk factor (ER) in the soil revealed that all the farms were at considerable to high environmental risk for Cd except for Hg and Pb. Although the potential ecological risk index (RI) indicated a moderate risk for all farms in both contaminated and uncontaminated areas, these results were not consistent with our hypothesis. Therefore, the information gained in this study could be useful for setting up mitigation strategies and making decisions about public health concerns related to health hazards, especially for ecological risk assessments of heavy metal contamination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Data on the occurrence of organophosphate tri-esters (tri-OPEs) and their metabolites (di-OPEs) in hen’s eggs are scarce. Therefore, 200 egg samples were gathered in 2023 in Hanoi, Vietnam and analysed by UHPLC-Q-Exactive HRMS. The majority of these compounds were detected, with tris(2-ethylhexyl) phosphate (0.10–2.7 ng/g wet weight (ww)) and trihexyl phosphate (0.08–2.3 ng/g ww) being the most prevalent tri-OPEs. Significant differences in tri-OPE profiles were observed in egg samples from battery-cage and free-range farming (p < .05). Despite egg levels ranging from 0.05 to 11.2 ng/g ww, Σdi-OPE accumulation in yolk and egg white was not significantly different in (p > .05). Among di-OPEs, dibutyl phosphate was found at the highest levels in the egg white, while bis(2-ethylhexyl) phosphate had the highest levels in yolk. There was no carcinogenic human health risk associated with OPEs in eggs (HQs <1). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ability to trace the origin of eggs from backyard-raised hens is important due to their higher market value compared to barn-raised eggs. This study aimed to differentiate eggs from these two rearing systems using isotopic, elemental, and fatty acid profiles of egg yolks. A total of 90 egg yolk samples were analyzed, analytical results being followed by statistical tests (Student's t-test) showing significant differences in δ18O, several elements (Mg, K, Sc, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Cd, Ba, Pb), and fatty acids compositions (C23:0, C17:0, C18:0, C16:1n7, C18:1n9, C18:2n6, C20:1n7, C20:4n6, C20:5n3, C22:6n3), as well as in the ratios of SFA, PUFA, and UFA. The results indicated a nutritional advantage in backyard eggs due to their lower n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acid content and a more favorable n-6 to n-3 ratio, linked to differences in the hens' diet and rearing systems. To classify the production system (backyard vs. barn), three pattern recognition methods were applied: linear discriminant analysis (LDA), k–nearest neighbor (k–NN), and multilayer perceptron artificial neural networks (MLP–ANN). LDA provided perfect initial separation, achieving 98.9% accuracy in cross-validation. k-NN yielded classification rates of 98.4% for the training set and 85.7% for the test set, while MLP–ANN achieved 100% accuracy in training and 92.3% in testing, with minor misclassification. These results demonstrate the effectiveness of fusion among isotopic, elemental, and fatty acid profiles in distinguishing backyard eggs from barn eggs and highlight the nutritional benefits of the backyard-rearing system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of in ovo injection of organic manganese (Mn) on the hatching traits and performance of broiler chickens. Methods: A total of 320 eggs from the Ross 308 strain, with an average weight of 65 g, were used for the experiment. The birds were randomly divided into four groups: four negative control groups (no injection), one positive control group (in ovo injection of 0.272 mL of normal saline solution), Manganese I group (in ovo injection of 0.013 mg of organic Mn), and Manganese II group (in ovo injection of 0.026 mg of organic Mn). Results: The injected treatments showed a significant decrease in the percentage of hatched chicks compared to the negative control group (P < 0.0001). Furthermore, the in ovo injection of Mn caused a significant increase in the final weight of the birds and their feed consumption (P < 0.0001). The experimental treatments also affected blood parameters, with blood triglyceride, cholesterol, and lipoproteins levels demonstrating a decrease compared to the negative and positive controls (P < 0.0001). Conclusion: The in ovo injection of organic Mn showed favorable results in broiler chickens' performance indicators while showing no impact on immune response and microbial population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The western corn rootworm, Diabrotica virgifera virgifera, (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) is a serious pest of maize in the USA and Europe. Microbial plant biostimulants such as bacteria, fungi, and algae are designed to stimulate plant nutrition and growth, with some hypothesized to also possess insecticidal properties. We tested 10 biostimulants (four bacteria, five fungi, and one alga) under laboratory and greenhouse conditions. Most biostimulants did not affect the eggs, larvae, or adults of D.v. virgifera. However, in the laboratory, 10% of biostimulants improved egg hatching, and 40% killed some larvae, including the fungi Beauveria bassiana, Rhizophagus irregularis, and Trichoderma asperellum, and the bacterium Ensifer meliloti. Under potted-plant conditions in the greenhouse, these insecticidal effects were not detectable. However, several biostimulants slightly increased height and shoot length of uninfested maize plants, but reduced volume and length of their roots as well as above-ground biomass. Interestingly, 30% of the biostimulants enhanced the plant's defence against larvae, for example, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens, B. subtilis, and E. meliloti. These may warrant further research into their modes of action as well as field trials to better understand and optimize their potential use in sustainable and integrated pest management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The objective of this study was to investigate the influence of yacon root extracts (YREs) on productive performance and health of laying hens. Methods: Six hundred 30-week-old Xiaoshan Chicken layers were divided into 5 groups, control group, antibiotic positive control group, and 3 YREs treatment groups. In a 9-wk feeding experiment, at the end of wk 3, 6, and 9, twenty eggs were collected from each replicate to measure egg qualities. At the end of wk 9, three hen serum samples, and 5 hen cecal content samples were collected from each replicate. Results: Compared to the control group, 0.8%, 1.6%, and 2.4% YREs treatments could increase hens’ daily feed intake, and YREs supplementation affected daily feed intake in linear manner. YREs did not change egg size, but 0.8% and 2.4% YREs changed egg shape by decreasing the egg shape index and sphericity, and 0.8% YREs tended to improve the eggshell breaking strength. Diet supplemented with 1.6% YREs might decrease yolk color grade but optimize the pH of thick egg white in fresh egg; moreover, 1.6% and 2.4% YREs might be helpful for eggs to inhibit water loss during storage, and YREs supplementation affected water loss rate in linear manner. 2.4% YREs could decrease the serum lactate dehydrogenases (LDH) level, and YREs supplemental levels linearly affected serum LDH content. Finally, YREs could enrich the diversity of intestinal microbiota of hens fed with 0.8% and be beneficial for the relative abundance of phylum Bacteroidota and Halobacterota; 2.4% YREs might increase the abundance of phylum Actinobacteriota and genus Bifidobacterium, while decrease genus Bacteroides; YREs supplemental levels affected the abundance of phylum Actinobacteriota, and genera Bifidobacterium and Bacteroides in linear manner. Conclusion: Dietary supplementation with YREs could affect egg quality, protect the health of organs and exhibit prebiotic activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Embryo development is stimulated by calcium (Ca2+) signals that are generated in the egg cytoplasm by the fertilizing sperm. Eggs are formed via oogenesis. They go through a cell division known as meiosis, during which their diploid chromosome number is halved and new genetic combinations are created by crossing over. During formation the eggs also acquire cellular components that are necessary to produce the Ca2+ signal and also, to support development of the newly formed embryo. Ionized calcium is a universal second messenger used by cells in a plethora of biological processes and the eggs develop a "toolkit", a set of molecules needed for signaling. Meiosis stops twice and these arrests are controlled by a complex interaction of regulatory proteins. The first meiotic arrest lasts until after puberty, when a luteinizing hormone surge stimulates meiotic resumption. The cell cycle proceeds to stop again in the middle of the second meiotic division, right before ovulation. The union of the female and male gametes takes place in the oviduct. Following gamete fusion, the sperm triggers the release of Ca2+ from the egg's intracellular stores which in mammals is followed by repetitive Ca2+ spikes known as Ca2+ oscillations in the cytosol that last for several hours. Downstream sensor proteins help decoding the signal and stimulate other molecules whose actions are required for proper development including those that help to prevent the fusion of additional sperm cells to the egg and those that assist in the release from the second meiotic arrest, completion of meiosis and entering the first mitotic cell division. Here I review the major steps of egg formation, discuss the signaling toolkit that is essential to generate the Ca2+ signal and describe the steps of the signal transduction mechanism that activates the egg's developmental program and turns it into an embryo. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The field of reproductive biology has made significant progress in recent years, identifying specific molecular players that influence oocyte development and function. Among them, sirtuin 3 (SIRT3) has attracted particular attention for its central role in mediating mitochondrial function and cellular stress responses in oocytes. So far, studies have demonstrated that the knockdown of SIRT3 leads to a decrease in blastocyst formation and an increase in oxidative stress within an embryo, underscoring the importance of SIRT3 in maintaining the cellular redox balance critical for embryonic survival and growth. Furthermore, the literature reveals specific signaling pathways, such as the SIRT3- Glycogen synthase kinase-3 beta (GSK3β) deacetylation pathway, crucial for mitigating oxidative stress-related anomalies in oocyte meiosis, particularly under conditions like maternal diabetes. Overall, the emerging role of SIRT3 in regulating oocyte mitochondrial function and development highlights the critical importance of understanding the intricate connections between cellular metabolism, stress response pathways, and overall reproductive health and function. This knowledge could lead to the development of novel strategies to support oocyte quality and fertility, with far-reaching implications for assisted reproductive technologies and women's healthcare. This commentary aims to provide an overview of the importance of SIRT3 in oocytes by synthesizing results from a multitude of studies. The aim is to elucidate the role of SIRT3 in oocyte development, maturation, and aging and to identify areas where further research is needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Garden plants, trees and bushes suffer damages caused by lots of pests by 30-50 % every year, and sometimes by 80-90 % during the period when they grow massively. For this purpose, scientific bases for the use of perspective entomophages in the biological fight against harsh pests by studying the species composition, bioecological features of 6 species of insects, which damage garden and forest plants, and entomophages (parasites and predators), which regulate their number, have been developed in Azerbaijan. The research paper established that the oriental fruit moth infests fruit crops by 50-60 %. It was found that 22 types of parasites play a role in the regulation of abundance. Among them, macrocentrus infests oriental fruit moth larva up to 80 %, scambus up to 60 %, apanteles up to 40-50 %. The scoliidae parasite is of economic importance and can be used for biological control against the oriental fruit moth. Considering the prospects of some parasites, the bioecological features on the Absheron Peninsula have been studied. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Infections by gastrointestinal parasites are found in a variety of animals worldwide. For the diagnosis of such infections, the flotation method is commonly used to detect parasitic microorganisms, such as oocysts or eggs, in feces. Instead of adding a flotation solution after the final centrifugation step and using a cover slip to collect the parasites, the method using a wire loop for the recovery of the organisms has been reported as one of alternative methods. However, the recovery rates of microorganisms from the flotation method have not been analysed. In the present study, the utility of a flotation method with the use of a wire loop of 8 mm in diameter (the loop method) was evaluated using different numbers of E. tenella oocysts and Heterakis gallinarum eggs, and chicken fecal samples collected at the farms. Consequently, we found that the oocysts and eggs in tubes could be collected at a ratio of 2.00 to 3.08. Thus, our results indicate that the loop method is a simple and time saving method, implicating the application for the estimated OPG/ EPG (Oocysts/Eggs per gram) of the samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article, published in the Journal of Raptor Research, discusses the observation of a Ferruginous Hawk consuming her own egg, a behavior known as filial oophagy. The study notes that cannibalism, including the consumption of young and eggs by conspecifics, is well-documented across various animal species. While cannibalism among raptors, such as siblicide and filicide, has been frequently reported, instances of filial oophagy are relatively undocumented. The article presents an observation of a wild female Ferruginous Hawk consuming her own egg and discusses possible hypotheses for this behavior. The study was conducted in a population of breeding Ferruginous Hawks in western Wyoming, USA, using nest-monitoring camera systems. The researchers highlight the importance of studying the prey items and reproductive performance of Ferruginous Hawks in relation to potential natural gas and oil development in the area. The article discusses the occurrence of filial oophagy, or the consumption of eggs by parents, in birds. The authors present evidence suggesting that the initial breakage of the egg was likely accidental rather than due to predation or limited resources. They also highlight the underreporting of filial oophagy in birds and suggest that the use of camera traps may help increase observations of this behavior. The authors encourage further monitoring of broken eggs and filial oophagy in their study area, which is located in a natural gas field with hydraulic fracking, to assess potential environmental impacts. [Extracted from the article]

As an essential food ingredient with good nutritional and functional properties and health benefits, eggs are widely utilized in food formulations. In particular, egg proteins have good emulsification properties and can be commonly used in various food products, such as mayonnaise and baked goods. Egg protein particles can act as stabilizers for Pickering emulsions because they can effectively adsorb at the oil–water interface, reduce interfacial tension, and form a stable physical barrier. Due to their emulsifying properties, biocompatibility, controlled release capabilities, and ability to protect bioactive substances, egg proteins have become ideal carriers for encapsulating and delivering functional substances. The focus of this review is to summarize current advances in using egg proteins as emulsifiers. The effects of influencing factors (temperature, pH, and ionic strength) and various modification methods (physical, chemical, and biological modification) on the emulsifying properties of egg proteins are discussed. In addition, the application of egg proteins as emulsifiers in food products is presented. Through in‐depth research on the emulsifying properties of egg proteins, the optimization of their applications in food, biomedical, and other fields can be achieved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study used a combination of cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) and ultraviolet (UV) 222 nm with plasma-activated hydrogen peroxide (PAHP) pre-treatment to optimise the pasteurisation of fresh eggs and to investigate their freshness quality. The optimal treatment conditions (power density of 2.5 W/cm3, treatment distance of 7.8 cm, and an airflow rate of 4 m3/min) resulted in significant reductions in Salmonella Enteritidis by 1.25 log CFU/egg, Campylobacter jejuni by 1.47 log CFU/egg, and Staphylococcus aureus by 2.32 log CFU/egg. The pasteurisation mechanism was attributed to reactive oxygen species particles generated by the plasma and enhanced plasma micro-discharges induced by UV light. Importantly, the freshness quality of the eggs, including various parameters such as Haugh unit, yolk index, eggshell hardness, egg yolk pH value, eggshell thickness, and egg yolk colour, remained unchanged during shelf-life storage under refrigeration conditions. Overall, the combination of PAHP pre-treatment and cold atmospheric plasma fusion of 222 nm ultraviolet proved effective in sterilising and preserving fresh eggs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This is a structural examination of egg-and-lemon sauce (avgolemono), a complex colloidal food which, depending on the stage of preparation and use, is a viscous liquid, an aggregated dispersion, a foam, an emulsion, and a gel. Following the food's preparation, the pH-dependent zeta potential and phase equilibria/separations are discussed as principal contributors to the extensional rheology and to the relaxation times of its macromolecular components. Foaming under whipping is discussed along with the topology of the foam's interface. These are used to understand the foam stability of the sauce, as it undergoes structural (foaming), compositional (addition of yolk), and chemical changes (acidification by lemon juice). The effect of the above on the shear rheology of the bulk phase and of the foamed product are used as to explain its foaming ability and stability. The foams are examined as to highlight the fine interplay of the dual character created by the bubble collapse and the liquidification during the recipe's preparation. The temperature changes during the making and the application of the sauce, as well as cases of the recipe's mismanagement (e.g. overheating), are discussed in terms of thermodynamics and structure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The experiment was conducted for the period from (9/16/2023 to 11/18/2023), with the aim of studying the effect of injecting eggs with different levels of organic selenium and spirulina algae extract on the hatchability characteristics, productive performance of broiler chickens. The experiment of injection and hatching of chicks was conducted in the Lailani hatchery located in the Lailan area. (600) hybrid eggs (Ross 308) from a flock of 33-week-old mothers imported from Republic of Turkey were used, with average egg weight 58 g. They were randomly distributed among (6) treatments with (100) eggs for each treatment and placed in BROODTECH incubator drawers until the age of (18 days), after which the eggs were injected and the drawers were transferred to the hatchery until the chicks emerged at the age of (21 days), which were: T1 = no negative control injection, T2 = injection of 0.5 ml of deionized distilled water per egg (positive control), T3 = injection of 0.5 ml/egg containing a concentration of 10 micrograms of organic selenium, T4 = 0.5 ml/egg injection containing a concentration of 20 micrograms of organic selenium, T5 = 0.5 ml/egg injection containing 1.5 mg of spirulina algae extract, T6= 0.5 ml/egg injection containing 3 mg of spirulina algae extract. The data were subjected to statistical analysis by applying one-way ANOVA using SAS software. Differences between treatments were tested using Duncan's multiple comparison test, at a significance level of P ≤0. 05. The study conducted that inject the egg with organic selenium were enhance the bird weight and the weight gain, moreover, the both of organic selenium and the spirulina extract affected significantly on the hatching rate, feed intake and FCR.

The tiger barb (Puntius tetrazona) is a freshwater ornamental fish native to Indonesia, predominantly found in Sumatra and Kalimantan. This research investigated the mass induction of tiger barb propagation through the hormone immersion method using Ovaprim, aiming to optimize its dosage for improved reproductive outcomes. The study systematically evaluated different hormone doses, ranging from 0.0 to 2.0 mL/L, and assessed critical parameters including latency period, total egg production, fertilization rate, hatching rate, and larval survival rate. The results revealed dose-dependent effects, with 1.5 mL/L as the optimal dosage. This concentration resulted in a latency period of 5.50 ± 0.83 h, total egg yield of 448.00 ± 35.18, fertilization rate of 99.04 ± 0.49%, hatching rate of 96.40 ± 1.73%, and larval survival rate of 95.52 ± 1.05%. This study provides valuable insights for the aquaculture industry, offering optimum parameters for the mass propagation induction in tiger barbs using Ovaprim immersion. This study does not only highlight the effectiveness of Ovaprim immersion but also underscores its potential as a powerful tool to improve breeding protocols and address the growing demand for ornamental fish.

This study assessed the husbandry practices, egg production performances, egg quality traits, and constraints and opportunities for chicken production in Baka Dawula district. Six kebeles were selected based on production practices and availability of different chicken breeds. A total of 168 respondent households were interviewed and 108 eggs (36 from each breed) were evaluated based on their internal and external qualities. The majority of respondent households (86.9%) practiced scavenging type of feeding with maize, wheat and sunflower supplementation. All the respondent households provided free water access to their chickens. The majority (66%) of respondents kept their chickens in separate houses. The health care practiced was mainly traditional using plants extracts. The main purpose for chicken keeping was income generation followed by stock replacement. The average ages at first-egg laying for local and exotic (Sasso and Bovans brown) breeds were 7 and 5 months, respectively. The total number of eggs produced per hen per year was 206.79, 192.35 and 55.75 for Sasso, Bovans brown, and local breeds respectively. Most external and internal egg quality traits varied significantly (P

Abstract Background This paper investigates the effects of price volatility spillover in the poultry industry’s input markets, including soybean meal, day-old chicks and corn, and the foreign exchange market as an independent market, on the wholesale egg market in Iran. The experimental investigation is based on dynamic conditional correlation (GARCH-DCC). It is one of the most powerful and accepted methods for studying market volatility, whose representation is based on conditional variance. On the other hand, eggs are one of the main food items in the food basket of Iranian households, playing an important role in ensuring part of the food security of the country. However, the price volatilities of its inputs, which make up more than 70% of egg production costs, cause the instability of its price and the confusion of the producers of this sector. This is although in the relevant literature, there is little research on the issue of volatility spillover effects on agricultural product markets, especially in the country. Results The findings show that any shock in the input market leads to volatility and instability in the market; on the other hand, these volatilities maintain their stability. In addition, there is a spillover of exchange market volatility into corn and soybean meal input markets. Conclusions In that context, this article emphasizes the knowledge of market relationships and their consequences, thereby suggesting appropriate policies to control and support the domestic poultry industry.

This study aims to investigate the reproductive characteristics of Cernuella virgata (Da Costa, 1778) from Diyarbakır, Southeast Turkey. From October 2023 to February 2024, the reproductive activities of over 300 individuals were monitored in Yeniköy Cemetery in Diyarbakır. The snails were first observed mating on 18 October 2023, after the autumn rains, with the first egg laying observed on 3 November 2023. The last mating observation occurred on 8 January 2024. A total of 225 individuals were noticed mating during this period. The number of eggs per clutch ranged from 36 to 114, with an egg hatching time between 18 and 32 days. Eggs were deposited amidst damp mosses, beneath decomposing vegetation, or on the damp soil surface. The spawning period lasts 12–13 weeks. Egg weights varied from 0.60 to 1.20 mg, and egg diameters ranged from 1.10 to 1.42 mm. Hatchling snails had shells with 1.5–2 whorls (protoconch), weighing between 1.15 and 1.72 mg on. The height of the hatchling’s shells ranged from 0.75 to 0.94 mm, and the width ranged from 1.21 to 1.38 mm. This study offers a detailed insight into the reproductive biology of C. virgata and marks the first record of the species in the region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

India is ranked as the 2nd largest egg producer in the world. Despite the prevalence of backyard poultry (free range), a majority of the commercial egglaying hens in the country are still housed in battery cages. There is a global shift toward cage-free eggs, due to regulations and increased demand from conscious consumers and food corporations. However, there are very few commercial cage-free facilities in India to meet this demand. The aim of this study was to undertake a needs-assessment survey of Indian egg producers on cage-free production, and understand what support is needed to build the capacities of the cage-free egg production sector to develop it into a viable and sustainable alternative to battery cage eggs. The results showed that nearly all producers agreed on the need for additional support in shifting to, and operating in, the cage-free sector. This included support in the form of financial assistance, technical training, and promotion of the cage-free sector. The results of this study highlight the pressing need for government and private support, in the absence of which cage-free producers are compelled to compete with battery cage poultry producers on prices, which will result in increased losses and failure of the sector, since they have not yet achieved economies of scale. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of the diet modification (soybean and lupine addition) on the content of protein and amino acids (AA) in eggs was studied. Both the sampling day and the diet influenced the total protein content. In albumen, the lowest protein content (10.6%) was noted after administering a diet containing 25% lupine; in the same egg the yolk contained the most proteins (16.7%). In the content of nonessential AA (NAA) in egg yolks, differences were noted only for cysteine, with its the highest content in the yolks of the control group. The stable content of essential yolk amino acids (EAA) was observed only for isoleucine, leucine, tryptophan and phenylalanine. The highest contents of EAA and NAA were recorded in the yolks of the control group (~47 and ~53 g/100 g of protein, respectively) and in the group with 25% additions of lupine (~42 and ~51 g/100 g of protein, respectively). AA with constant content in the tested albumens were methionine, tryptophan and alanine. The highest content of EAA (>~42 g/100 g of protein) and NAA (>~62 g/100 g of protein) were determined in albumen of eggs determined in the group with at least 20% additions of lupine. The highest content of EAA for humans delivered eggs from groups 4–6 (with the addition of soy into the diet ≤5%). The protein sources used in the hen diet significantly influenced the content of protein and individual AA in the produced eggs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Several species of the worldwide distributed genus Calliphora Robineau‐Desvoidy (Insecta, Diptera, Calliphoridae) are medically important vectors and agents of myiasis. Furthermore, these flies are relevant in forensics because they are found in corpses. Information regarding the taxonomy, bionomics and distribution of Calliphora species endemic to South America, including Calliphora lopesi Mello, is scarce. To expand knowledge on C. lopesi, this study presents descriptions of eggs, larvae, puparia and developmental data at 14, 17, 20, 23 and 26 ± 1°C for the first time. Adult flies were collected from the field and kept in the laboratory to obtain samples for morphological and biological studies. Immatures were examined using light and scanning electron microscopy. To assess the growth rate, 10 specimens from each temperature group were randomly removed from the diet and weighed every 24 h from larval hatching until pupation. The minimum developmental threshold, thermal constant and linear development‐rate equations were calculated for each stage. Considering weight gain records and survival rates, the optimum temperature for the development of C. lopesi ranges from 23 to 26°C. A key to third‐instar larvae of known Neotropical species of Calliphora was also provided to assist in identification. The information provided in this study should be useful in expanding knowledge about Neotropical Calliphoridae species of forensic importance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Food allergy (FA) is a potentially life‐threatening chronic condition that is becoming an increasing public health problem worldwide. This systematic review (SR) was carried out to inform the development of clinical recommendations on the treatment of IgE‐mediated FA with biologics and/or IT for the update of the EAACI guidelines. A SR of randomized‐controlled trials or quasi‐controlled trials was carried out. Studies were identified via comprehensive search strategies in Medline, Embase, and Cochrane Library, up to April 2022. Population: Human adults, children, and adolescents with IgE‐mediated FA. Intervention: IT and/or biologics. Comparator: Placebo or standard‐of‐care (allergen avoidance). Outcome: Efficacy (desensitization, sustained unresponsiveness (SU), remission), quality of life, and safety (systemic and local adverse reactions (AR)). The Cochrane RoB tool was used to assess the risk of bias. It was reported according to PRISMA and registered in PROSPERO CRD4202229828. After screening, 121 studies were included (111 for IT and 10 for biologics). Most studies had a high risk of bias and showed high heterogeneity in design and results. Metanalysis showed a positive effect of biologics and IT in terms of relative risk (RR) for achieving tolerance to the culprit food compared to avoidance or placebo. Omalizumab for any FA showed a RR of 2.17 [95% confidence interval: 1.22, 3.85]. For peanut allergy, oral IT (OIT) had a RR of 11.94 [1.76, 80.84] versus avoidance or placebo, sublingual IT (SLIT) had a RR of 3.00 [1.04, 8.66], and epicutaneous IT (EPIT) of 2.16 [1.56, 3.00]. OIT had a RR of 5.88 [2.27, 15.18] for cow's milk allergy, and of 3.43 [2.24, 5.27] for egg allergy. There was insufficient data on SLIT or EPIT for the treatment of egg and milk allergies. Most ARs reported were mild. For OIT the most common AR involved the gastrointestinal system and for EPIT, AR's most commonly affected the skin. There was limited data on severe or life‐threatening ARs. There was limited evidence for long term efficacy and quality of life. In conclusion, biologics and IT, alone or in combination, are effective in achieving desensitization while on active treatment but more evidence is needed on long‐term tolerance as current evidence is not of high quality. Adverse events while on therapy are generally mild to moderate but a long‐term comprehensive safety profile is missing. There is a critical need to optimize and standardize desensitization protocols and outcome measures to facilitate our understanding of the efficacy and safety as well as to allow for comparison between interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The honeybee queen is the engine of the colony, laying thousands of eggs that develop into larvae, nurse bees, and foragers. In turn, pollen and nectar from the environment, matured into bee bread and honey in the hive, transformed by digestion to royal jelly by the worker community, fuel queen egg-laying. The queen relies on this food supply chain to produce large numbers of eggs during the high season when pollen and nectar are in abundance. Despite the importance of egg-laying for the productivity of a colony, few studies have evaluated the influence of nutrition on the quantity and quality of eggs. This review aims to describe food processing from the queen’s mouth to egg provisioning, by exploring the nutritional cues that trigger queen egg-laying, the subsequent pathways involved, and the factors that influence them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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This research aims to design and test the feasibility of an automatic system duck egg incubator, with 100% local ingredients (TKDN) and affordable for small duck egg hatching industries. Duck egg hatching continues to develop along with advances in technology and the increasing need for duck eggs and cut duck meat. The innovation of the automatic duck egg incubator machine is an effort to help the small duck egg hatching industry to increase production in a more efficient and ergonomic manner. In this research, the creation of an automatic duck egg incubator machine uses stages including problem identification, formulation and refinement of ideas, selection of design concepts, analysis and creation of working drawings, manufacture of tool prototypes, testing and refinement of tool prototypes, then feasibility tests for temperature stability and stability are carried out. humidity, and hatchability tests carried out at the small duck egg hatchery industry UD. Putra Jember, Puger, Jember. The result of this research is an automatic duck egg incubator with a capacity of 5000 eggs, with an LPG heating source. The feasibility test showed stable temperature and humidity fluctuations and produced a hatchability of 82%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was designed to determine the combined effect of fiber degrading enzymes (β-Mannanase) and soybean hulls (SH) on the egg quality parameters in the laying hens during the early (29 to 32 weeks) peak production period. Two hundred golden brown (RIR × Fayoumi) layer birds, 28 weeks old, were used for the experimental purpose and were assigned into five groups CON, T1, T2, T3, and T4. Each group contained 4 replicates with 10 birds per replicate. The CON group had a corn-soybean basal diet while the T1 group had 3%SH+20mg/kg enzyme, T2 3%SH+30mg/kg enzyme, T3 9%SH+20mg/kg enzyme, and T4 group 9%SH+30mg/kg enzyme in the feed. Results indicated overall significantly lower egg shell thickness in the control group while all other overall internal and external egg quality parameters were not affected (P>0.05). It is concluded that the replacement of soybean meal in the diet of laying hens by 3 and 9%SH in combination with enzyme (β-Mannanase) at the level of 20 and 30mg/kg feed has a positive effect on the egg quality parameters during early peak egg production period in the laying hens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nearly all dinosaur egg or oospecies occurrences from the Upper Cretaceous of France have been attributed to titanosaur dinosaurs. Here, we describe the first occurrence of probable hadrosauroid eggshells from France, which we assign to a new oospecies, Paraspheroolithus porcarboris oosp. nov. (oofamily: Spheroolithidae), from the upper ‘Argiles et Grès à Reptiles’ Formation (upper Maastrichtian) of Aix-en-Provence. Paraspheroolithus porcarboris differs from all other spheroolithid oospecies in the following combination of characteristics: prolatospherulitic morphotype, prolatocanaliculate pore system, prominent anastomosing ornamentation, medium eggshell thickness, less defined horizontal accretion lines and high pore density. The spheroolithid affinity places the new ootaxon outside oofamilies ascribed to titanosaurs (i.e. Megaloolithidae and Fusioolithidae), and thus its discovery expands the parataxonomic diversity of this region and formation. We suggest the taxonomic affinity of Spheroolithidae is somewhat broader than Hadrosauroidea, potentially encompassing all Ornithopoda. However, a hadrosauroid affinity remains the most plausible for Paraspheroolithus porcarboris based on the absence of other ornithopod remains from late Maastrichtian deposits of the Ibero-Armorican Island. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Egg consumption may be associated with the risk of depression. OBJECTIVES: We aimed to assess this possible relationship in the context of the Birjand longitudinal aging study (BLAS). METHODS: In this cross-sectional study PHQ-9 was used to assess depression in a total of 1364 adults above 60 years of age, participating in the first stage of BLAS between September 2018 to April 2019. Socio-demographic information, anthropometric indices, and number of whole eggs consumed per week were assessed. Depression was assessed across the egg consumption groups: low (≤1 eggs/week), moderate (≥2 to ≤3 eggs/week), and high (≥4 eggs/week), and the association was investigated using logistic regression. RESULTS: Mean egg intake in the studied population was 2.4 eggs/week. In the crude model and after adjustment for age and sex, moderate and high egg consumption were both associated with lower risk of depression in older adults (P≤0.05). Adjustment for more confounding variables revealed that only moderate egg consumption protected against depression, while high egg consumers were still at risk of depression. CONCLUSION: Both moderate and high egg intake had reverse association with depression, and reduced the odds of depression among the elderly to approximately 30–40%. Future longitudinal studies could better confirm this association. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The variation in egg quality parameters of traditional/native hen breeds with good freshness and antibacterial properties of egg albumen may determine the attractiveness of these eggs for modern consumers looking for high quality products. The objective of this study was to evaluate external and internal physical quality parameters and enzymatic activity of lysozyme of eggs from three traditional hens bred in Poland and to compare these egg quality parameters to those obtained from commercial hybrids kept under the same management conditions in extensive farming production system. The study was carried out on eggs collected from 4 genetic groups of hens, i.e. Polish Liliputy Bantams (PLB), native Polish Crested Chickens (PCr, CP-22 strain), Gold Laced Polish Chickens (GLP) and from Hy–Line Brown hybrids (HLB). In total 135 PLB, 75 PCr, 75 GLP and 75 HLB hens were kept on litter (3 pens) and fed commercial feed. The eggs (n = 33/genotype/age) were collected at the 33 and 55 weeks of age. The study concluded that with the age of the hens, there was an increase (P<0.05) in the weight of the egg and the proportion of its main fractions, as well as a decrease (P<0.05) in the quality parameters of the albumen and the eggshell. However the eggs from traditional breeds retain good parameters of albumen quality even at the end of production period. The eggs of traditional hens were characterized by higher (P<0.05) yolk proportion and its color and albumen lysozyme parameters, and a lower (P<0.05) eggshell and albumen height and Haugh unit score in relation to commercial hybrids. The highest (P<0.05) content of lysozyme and enzymatic activity of lysozyme were found in eggs from Gold Laced Polish Chickens. Thus, eggs obtained from traditional hens may meet requirements of modern consumers because of specific physical characteristics, good albumen lysozyme activity and freshness parameters. Particularly noteworthy are Polish Liliputy Bantams eggs, characterized by the low weight and a high proportion of more intensely colored yolk and good Haugh unit score at the end of production period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to evaluate the safety and tolerability of STP1, a combination of ibudilast and bumetanide, tailored for the treatment of a clinically and biologically defined subgroup of patients with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), namely ASD Phenotype 1 (ASD-Phen1). We conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group phase 1b study with two 14-day treatment phases (registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT04644003). Nine ASD-Phen1 patients were administered STP1, while three received a placebo. We assessed safety and tolerability, along with electrophysiological markers, such as EEG, Auditory Habituation, and Auditory Chirp Synchronization, to better understand STP1's mechanism of action. Additionally, we used several clinical scales to measure treatment outcomes. The results showed that STP1 was well-tolerated, with electrophysiological markers indicating a significant and dose-related reduction of gamma power in the whole brain and in brain areas associated with executive function and memory. Treatment with STP1 also increased alpha 2 power in frontal and occipital regions and improved habituation and neural synchronization to auditory chirps. Although numerical improvements were observed in several clinical scales, they did not reach statistical significance. Overall, this study suggests that STP1 is well-tolerated in ASD-Phen1 patients and shows indirect target engagement in ASD brain regions of interest. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

*1. In many countries, eggs are not refrigerated and must be stored at room temperature. The objective of this study was to explore the effects of dietary oregano oil (275 mg $/$ / kg; ORE) versus an unsupplemented control diet (CON) on laying hens on the shelf life and fatty acid profile of eggs. 2. Treatments were randomly distributed into 10 pens containing 27 birds each. A total of 200 eggs were collected from both groups on the same day and were stored for either 0, 10, 21 and 35 d. At each storage time, egg yolks were analysed for fatty acid profile and lipid peroxidation. 3. The main indicator of lipid peroxidation, malondialdehyde (MDA), was significantly lower in ORE eggs compared to CON eggs (p = 0.001). Storage time had a significant impact on MDA concentrations (p = 0.023), with the highest found after 35 d. Significant differences were found for individual fatty acids, saturated (SFA), monounsaturated (MUFA) and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA). Palmitic acid, stearic acid, oleic acid, linoleic acid and arachidonic acid were significantly lower in ORE eggs compared to CON eggs (p < 0.05). Palmitoleic acid (p = 0.002), linolenic acid (p = 0.001) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, p = 0.001) were significantly higher in ORE eggs. 4. Storage only affected oleic, linolenic, linoleic, arachidonic and docosahexaenoic acids (p < 0.05). Total SFA, MUFA, n-6 and ratio of n-3 to n-6 (n-3:n-6) PUFA were significantly higher in CON eggs (p < 0.05). The ratio of SFA to PUFA (SFA:PUFA, p = 0.005) and total n-3 PUFA (p = 0.001) were significantly higher in ORE eggs. 5. The n-3:n-6 ratio was significantly impacted by treatment (p = 0.021) and storage (p = 0.031) with no significant interaction. This ratio is important for human health indication and could lead to the development of designer eggs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The tiger barb (Puntius tetrazona) is a freshwater ornamental fish native to Indonesia, predominantly found in Sumatra and Kalimantan. This research investigated the mass induction of tiger barb propagation through the hormone immersion method using Ovaprim, aiming to optimize its dosage for improved reproductive outcomes. The study systematically evaluated different hormone doses, ranging from 0.0 to 2.0 mL/L, and assessed critical parameters including latency period, total egg production, fertilization rate, hatching rate, and larval survival rate. The results revealed dose-dependent effects, with 1.5 mL/L as the optimal dosage. This concentration resulted in a latency period of 5.50 ± 0.83 h, total egg yield of 448.00 ± 35.18, fertilization rate of 99.04 ± 0.49%, hatching rate of 96.40 ± 1.73%, and larval survival rate of 95.52 ± 1.05%. This study provides valuable insights for the aquaculture industry, offering optimum parameters for the mass propagation induction in tiger barbs using Ovaprim immersion. This study does not only highlight the effectiveness of Ovaprim immersion but also underscores its potential as a powerful tool to improve breeding protocols and address the growing demand for ornamental fish. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Anbar Journal of Agricultural Sciences is the property of Republic of Iraq Ministry of Higher Education & Scientific Research (MOHESR) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Journal of Kirkuk University for Agricultural Sciences is the property of Republic of Iraq Ministry of Higher Education & Scientific Research (MOHESR) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The major drivers in the rapid growth of food demand include growing world population, rising incomes and eating trends towards higher meat intake. Chicken meat and eggs are viable and high-quality protein sources, an increased demand of which has led to a rapid growth of industrial poultry production. The consumption of contaminated meat, eggs and allied products is one of the major cause of food borne illnesses so food safety has become a matter of ever increasing global concern. Since decades, antibiotics have extensively been used in animals for prophylaxis and treatment of various infections and subtherapeutic levels of antibiotics have commonly been used in animal feeds as growth promoters. The rational use of antibiotic growth promoters has potential impact on poultry production with their consistent performance in optimising gut health and prevention of enteric diseases. However, the emergence of antibiotic resistance has led to a ban on use of antibiotic growth promoters in some parts of the world. The role of gut microbiota in sustainable poultry production and alternatives strategies to optimise gut health has been discussed. To implement a successful antimicrobial stewardship strategy in intensive poultry production, a multidimensional approach is needed to facilitate the successful replacement of antibiotic growth promoters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Functional gastric disorders entail chronic or recurrent symptoms, high prevalence and a significant financial burden. These disorders do not always involve structural abnormalities and since they cannot be diagnosed by routine procedures, electrogastrography (EGG) has been proposed as a diagnostic alternative. However, the method still has not been transferred to clinical practice due to the difficulty of identifying gastric activity because of the low-frequency interference caused by skin–electrode contact potential in obtaining spatiotemporal information by simple procedures. This work attempted to robustly identify the gastric slow wave (SW) main components by applying multivariate variational mode decomposition (MVMD) to the multichannel EGG. Another aim was to obtain the 2D SW vectorgastrogram VGGSW from 4 electrodes perpendicularly arranged in a T-shape and analyse its dynamic trajectory and recurrence quantification (RQA) to assess slow wave vector movement in healthy subjects. The results revealed that MVMD can reliably identify the gastric SW, with detection rates over 91% in fasting postprandial subjects and a frequency instability of less than 5.3%, statistically increasing its amplitude and frequency after ingestion. The VGGSW dynamic trajectory showed a statistically higher predominance of vertical displacement after ingestion. RQA metrics (recurrence ratio, average length, entropy, and trapping time) showed a postprandial statistical increase, suggesting that gastric SW became more intense and coordinated with a less complex VGGSW and higher periodicity. The results support the VGGSW as a simple technique that can provide relevant information on the "global" spatial pattern of gastric slow wave propagation that could help diagnose gastric pathologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study evaluated the effects of various climatic variables on the efficiency of a solar-powered egg incubator. Results showed that generated incubation temperature (GIT) and relative humidity (GIRH) all significantly impacted the incubator’s performance. Low temperatures negatively affected egg embryonic formation and hatching rates, while high humidity levels resulted in poor egg quality. Additionally, it demonstrated that the incubator could be kept at the desired temperature of 34–38 oC and relative humidity of 56–86% for high efficiency. The study also discovered that more solar radiation resulted in more reliable and effective temperature control inside the incubator. The findings of this study offer significant contributions to the enhancement of solar-powered egg incubator designs and the optimisation of their efficiency under diverse climate scenarios.

ABSTRACT: Egg production performance is an important economic trait in the poultry industry. In previous studies, attention has often been paid to the growth and development of the ovaries, while there has been less research on the testicular tissue of male goose. Due to various factors, there are usually significant differences in the process of testicular spermatogenesis among different goose breeds. The Jilin white goose (JL) is a high-production local goose species in China, domesticated from Anser cygnoides, which has a high egg-laying performance and the egg-laying period can last from February to July. In the production of goose within Jilin Province, the female goose of Jilin White goose is considered as an important maternal parent of synthetic lines, and ganders from Hungarian white goose (HU), Wanxi white goose (WX) and Jilin white goose are the main male parents. Each year, all 3 gander species begin to exhibit breeding capacity in February and reach the peak of reproductive capacity by April, marked by high fertilization rates. With the gradual increase in temperature, the testicular tissue of Hungarian and Wanxi goose gradually diminishes in its ability to produce sperm. the testicular tissue undergoes significant shrinkage by the end of June, resulting in a near loss of sperm production capability, thereby yielding low fertilization rates. However, the Jilin White goose demonstrates the ability to maintain a stable sperm production capacity. Individuals with low sperm motility contribute to increased seed production costs and pose constraints on the industrial development of livestock and poultry varieties. In this study, transcriptomics and proteomics data from gooses testicular of 3 different goose breeds inclouding Jilin white goose, Wanxi white gooseand Hungary white goose sampled in 2 stages, peak of laying cycle (PLC) and end of laying cycle (ELC). In a comparative analysis between PLC and ELC groups (ELC vs. PLC) of 3 breeds, we identified 401,340,6651 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and 18,225,323 differentially expressed proteins (DEPs), respectively. Differentially expressed genes and proteins were significantly enriched in Gene Ontology (GO) terms such as phosphotransferase activity, cytoskeletal protein binding, microtubule motor activity, channel activity and carbohydrate metabolic process. The KEGG enrichment analysis of the DEGs in testicular showed that most differentially expressed mRNAs participate in the KEGG pathways, including ECM-receptor interaction, MAPK signaling pathway, carbon metabolism, Cell cycle, VEGF signaling pathway, Lipoic acid metabolism and p53 signaling pathway. The differential expression of 4 selected DEGs (SPAG6, NEK2, HSPA4L, SERF1A) was verified by qRT-PCR, and the results were consistent with RNA-seq data. In conclusion, this study reveals the differences in gene expression regulation in testicular tissues of different goose species, and screening candidate genes and proteins related to spermatogenesis.

ABSTRACT: The utilization of full-fat high-oleic soybean meal in layer diets could lead to value-added poultry products. To test this idea, 336 hens were randomly assigned to 4 isonitrogenous (18.5% CP) and isocaloric (2,927 kcal/kg) formulated diets and fed the following diets for eight weeks: conventional control solvent-extracted defatted soybean meal (CON); extruded-expelled defatted soybean meal (EENO); full fat normal-oleic soybean meal (FFNO); or full fat high-oleic soybean meal (FFHO). Body weights (BW) were collected at week 0 and week 8. Eggs were collected daily, and the totals counted each week. Feed consumption was measured weekly, and egg quality was measured bi-weekly. Eggs were collected at wk 0 and wk 8 for fatty acid analysis. There were no significant treatment differences in any of the production parameters measured, BW, feed consumption, feed conversion ratio or egg production (P > 0.05). Eggshell strength was significantly greater in eggs produced from the EENO group as compared to the control (P < 0.01), while egg yolk color was significantly darker in eggs of the control and EENO treatment groups relative to the FFNO and FFHO treatments (P < 0.0001). Eggs produced by hens fed the FFHO diet had a 52% increase in monounsaturated n-9 oleic acid content (P < 0.0001) and reduced palmitic (P < 0.01) and stearic (P < 0.0001) saturated fatty acid levels as compared to the conventional controls. These results validate the utilization of FFHO as a value-added poultry feed ingredient to enrich the eggs and/or poultry meat produced.

Abstract Infections by gastrointestinal parasites are found in a variety of animals worldwide. For the diagnosis of such infections, the flotation method is commonly used to detect parasitic microorganisms, such as oocysts or eggs, in feces. Instead of adding a flotation solution after the final centrifugation step and using a cover slip to collect the parasites, the method using a wire loop for the recovery of the organisms has been reported as one of alternative methods. However, the recovery rates of microorganisms from the flotation method have not been analysed. In the present study, the utility of a flotation method with the use of a wire loop of 8 mm in diameter (the loop method) was evaluated using different numbers of E. tenella oocysts and Heterakis gallinarum eggs, and chicken fecal samples collected at the farms. Consequently, we found that the oocysts and eggs in tubes could be collected at a ratio of 2.00 to 3.08. Thus, our results indicate that the loop method is a simple and time saving method, implicating the application for the estimated OPG/ EPG (Oocysts/Eggs per gram) of the samples.

Embryo development is stimulated by calcium (Ca2+) signals that are generated in the egg cytoplasm by the fertilizing sperm. Eggs are formed via oogenesis. They go through a cell division known as meiosis, during which their diploid chromosome number is halved and new genetic combinations are created by crossing over. During formation the eggs also acquire cellular components that are necessary to produce the Ca2+ signal and also, to support development of the newly formed embryo. Ionized calcium is a universal second messenger used by cells in a plethora of biological processes and the eggs develop a “toolkit”, a set of molecules needed for signaling. Meiosis stops twice and these arrests are controlled by a complex interaction of regulatory proteins. The first meiotic arrest lasts until after puberty, when a luteinizing hormone surge stimulates meiotic resumption. The cell cycle proceeds to stop again in the middle of the second meiotic division, right before ovulation. The union of the female and male gametes takes place in the oviduct. Following gamete fusion, the sperm triggers the release of Ca2+ from the egg’s intracellular stores which in mammals is followed by repetitive Ca2+ spikes known as Ca2+ oscillations in the cytosol that last for several hours. Downstream sensor proteins help decoding the signal and stimulate other molecules whose actions are required for proper development including those that help to prevent the fusion of additional sperm cells to the egg and those that assist in the release from the second meiotic arrest, completion of meiosis and entering the first mitotic cell division. Here I review the major steps of egg formation, discuss the signaling toolkit that is essential to generate the Ca2+ signal and describe the steps of the signal transduction mechanism that activates the egg’s developmental program and turns it into an embryo.