J Vet Sci.  2014 Dec;15(4):579-582. 10.4142/jvs.2014.15.4.579.

Eggshell apex abnormalities associated with Mycoplasma synoviae infection in layers

• Jeon EO
• Kim JN
• Lee HR
• Koo BS
• Min KC
• Han MS
• Lee SB
• Bae YJ
• Mo JS
• Cho SH
• Lee CH
• Mo IP

• KMID: 2070247
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4142/jvs.2014.15.4.579

Abstract

Eggs exhibiting eggshell apex abnormalities (EAA) were evaluated for changes in shell characteristics such as strength, thickness, and ultrastructure. Mycoplasma synoviae (MS) infection was confirmed by serological assay along with isolation of MS from the trachea and oviduct. Changes in eggshell quality were shown to be statistically significant (p < 0.01). We also identified ultrastructural changes in the mammillary knob layer by Scanning Electron Microscopy. While eggs may seem to be structurally sound, ultrastructural evaluation showed that affected eggs do not regain their former quality. In our knowledge, this is the first report describing the occurrence of EAA in Korea.

Keyword

eggshell abnormalities; eggshell ultrastructure; Mycoplamsa synoviae; scanning electron microscopy

MeSH Terms

Animals
Chickens
Egg Shell/microbiology/*ultrastructure
Microscopy, Electron, Scanning/veterinary
Mycoplasma Infections/microbiology/*veterinary
Mycoplasma synoviae/*physiology
Poultry Diseases/*microbiology
Republic of Korea

Figure

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  Fig. 1 Gross (A~D) and ultrastructural (E~G) images of eggs either eggshell apex abnormalities (EAA)-positive (B~D, F, and G) or -negative (A and E) collected from layers on the SH farm with Mycoplasma synoviae (MS) infection. Note the presence of rough and dark areas on the surface of the eggs (B~D). A demarcated zone was clearly present in the eggshell (D) with increased light penetration on the blunt end when illuminated with a flashlight. Scanning electon microscope (SEM) images of an unaffected eggshell (E) clearly showed the inner membrane (a), mammillary knob layer (b), and part of the palisade layer (c). Shells of eggs with EAA (F and G) lacked a mammillary knob layer and only part of the palisade layer was present (arrow). Additionally, larger and more irregular membrane bodies (mb) were observed. A size bar is present at the bottom of each SEM image. *Geometric mean ± SD; statistically significant differences within each column are indicated by different lowercase superscript letters.

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  Fig. 2 Changes of egg production rate and cracked egg rate for the layer farm with EAA. A significant drop in egg production and increased cracked egg rate were present for layers between 52 weeks and 57 weeks old. Production was not recorded for birds between 68 weeks and 71 weeks old because of molting.

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