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Egg Composition and Formation - Anatomy & Physiology (view source)
Revision as of 13:55, 3 September 2008
, 13:55, 3 September 2008no edit summary
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<big><center>[[Exotics_-_Reproduction_in_the_Female_Avian_-_Anatomy_%26_Physiology|'''BACK TO FEMALE AVIAN REPRODUCTIVE ANATOMY & PHYSIOLOGY''']]</center></big>
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[[Image:Chicken Egg schematic.jpg|thumb|right|150px|<p>Schematic Diagram of a Chicken Egg: (1. Eggshell 2. Outer membrane 3. Inner membrane 4. Chalaza 5. Exterior albumen (outer thin albumen) 6. Middle albumen (inner thick albumen) 7. Vitelline membrane 8. Nucleus 9. Germinal disk (blastoderm) 10. Yellow yolk 11. White yolk 12. Internal albumen 13. Chalaza 14. Air cell 15. Cuticle)</p><sup> ©RVC 2008</sup>]]
[[Image:Chicken Egg schematic.jpg|thumb|right|150px|<p>Schematic Diagram of a Chicken Egg: (1. Eggshell 2. Outer membrane 3. Inner membrane 4. Chalaza 5. Exterior albumen (outer thin albumen) 6. Middle albumen (inner thick albumen) 7. Vitelline membrane 8. Nucleus 9. Germinal disk (blastoderm) 10. Yellow yolk 11. White yolk 12. Internal albumen 13. Chalaza 14. Air cell 15. Cuticle)</p><sup> ©RVC 2008</sup>]]
= Size =
== Size ==
* Varies greatly between species.
* Varies greatly between species.
** '''Altricial''': Chicks are born blind and nakes,require long periods of feeding.
** '''Altricial''': Chicks are born blind and nakes,require long periods of feeding.
= Shell =
== Shell ==
The shell provides physical protection. It protects the embryo from microorganisms and regulates evaporation so that the embryo does not become dessicated. The shell is also a source of calcium carbonate, which is important for bone formation in the embryo.
The shell provides physical protection. It protects the embryo from microorganisms and regulates evaporation so that the embryo does not become dessicated. The shell is also a source of calcium carbonate, which is important for bone formation in the embryo.
== Shell membranes ==
=== Shell membranes ===
* Organised into an '''inner and outer''' layer which lie in close apposition.
* Organised into an '''inner and outer''' layer which lie in close apposition.
* '''Prevent dessication''' and infection.
* '''Prevent dessication''' and infection.
== Testa ==
=== Testa ===
* Main thickness of the shell
* Main thickness of the shell
* Pigmented by porphyrin and biliverdin
* Pigmented by porphyrin and biliverdin
== Cuticle ==
=== Cuticle ===
* Water repellent
* Water repellent
* Barrier to infection
* Barrier to infection
== Yolk ==
=== Yolk ===
* '''Protein and lipids''' are synthesized in the liver and travel to the oocyte in the ovary, where they are made into yolk ('''vitellogenesis''').
* '''Protein and lipids''' are synthesized in the liver and travel to the oocyte in the ovary, where they are made into yolk ('''vitellogenesis''').
* Contains '''maternal antibodies''', primarily IgG.
* Contains '''maternal antibodies''', primarily IgG.
=== Albumin ===
== Albumin ==
* Less viscous than yolk
* Less viscous than yolk
* Composed mainly of '''water''' and '''protein'''.
* Composed mainly of '''water''' and '''protein'''.
* Thin layer encloses the yolk membranes and suspends the yolk in the centre of the egg by twisted strands called '''Chalazae'''.
* Thin layer encloses the yolk membranes and suspends the yolk in the centre of the egg by twisted strands called '''Chalazae'''.
= Germinal Disc =
== Germinal Disc ==
* Small, circular, white spot on the surface of the yolk.
* Small, circular, white spot on the surface of the yolk.
* Contains cytoplasm and the oocyte.
* Contains cytoplasm and the oocyte.
= Embryonic Membranes=
== Embryonic Membranes==
Within the egg, three extraembryonic membranes support the life & growth of the embryo:
Within the egg, three extraembryonic membranes support the life & growth of the embryo:
== Amnion ==
=== Amnion ===
* Surrounds only the embryo
* Surrounds only the embryo
* Fluid keeps the embryo from drying out and provides protection.
* Fluid keeps the embryo from drying out and provides protection.
== Chorion ==
=== Chorion ===
* Surrounds all embryonic structures and serves as a protective membrane ('''chorioallantoic membrane''').
* Surrounds all embryonic structures and serves as a protective membrane ('''chorioallantoic membrane''').
** Calcium transfer from the shell to the embryo.
** Calcium transfer from the shell to the embryo.
== Allantois (or allantoic sac) ==
=== Allantois (or allantoic sac) ===
* Grows larger as embryo grows
* Grows larger as embryo grows
* Works together with chorion to permit respiration (exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide) and excretion.
* Works together with chorion to permit respiration (exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide) and excretion.
* Important in storage of nitrogenous wastes (uric acid).
* Important in storage of nitrogenous wastes (uric acid).