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Elhamouly M, Nii T, Isobe N, Yoshimura Y. Aging-associated increased nitric oxide production is a potential cause of inferior eggshell quality produced by aged laying hens. Theriogenology 2023; 205:63-72. [PMID: 37086586 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2023.04.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2023] [Revised: 03/15/2023] [Accepted: 04/06/2023] [Indexed: 04/24/2023]
Abstract
It is important to prolong the productive life of laying hens without compromising their welfare. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to identify the cause for inferior quality egg production of aged hens by investigating the aging-associated molecular changes related to eggshell formation in the isthmic and uterine mucosae and determining whether nitric oxide plays a role in decreasing the quality of eggs produced by aged hens. Young (35 weeks old) and aged (130 weeks old) White Leghorn laying hens were used in this study to determine the effects of age on the expression of proteins related to eggshell membranes formation in the isthmus and eggshell biomineralization and nitric oxide production in the uterus. Nitric oxide synthesis during the ovulatory cycle was examined in twenty-five laying hens (46-52 weeks old) euthanized at 0, 4, 7, 16, and 24 h after oviposition. S-Nitroso-N-acetylpenicillamine (a nitric oxide donor) was added to the cultured isthmic and uterine mucosal cells to examine the effects of nitric oxide on the expression of genes related to eggshell membranes formation and eggshell biomineralization, respectively. The results showed that the protein abundance of collagen I and V in the isthmic mucosa and collagen V in the eggshell membranes were lower in aged hens than in young hens. The mRNA expression levels of calbindin, osteopontin, and ovocalyxin-36 and the protein abundance of calbindin and carbonic anhydrase-2 were lower in the uterine mucosa of aged hens than in that of young hens. Nitric oxide synthesis was higher in the uterine mucosa of aged hens than in that of young hens. Nitric oxide downregulated the mRNA expression levels of osteopontin and ovocalyxin-36 in cultured uterine mucosal cells. Our results indicated that the eggshell quality decreases with aging due to molecular changes in the uterine mucosa affecting the eggshell membrane formation and eggshell biomineralization. Moreover, nitric oxide overproduction may play a role in this dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Elhamouly
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sadat City, Sadat City, Egypt; Graduate School of Integrated Sciences for Life, Hiroshima University, Higashi-Hiroshima, 739-8528, Japan
| | - T Nii
- Graduate School of Integrated Sciences for Life, Hiroshima University, Higashi-Hiroshima, 739-8528, Japan
| | - N Isobe
- Graduate School of Integrated Sciences for Life, Hiroshima University, Higashi-Hiroshima, 739-8528, Japan
| | - Y Yoshimura
- Hiroshima Study Center, The Open University of Japan, Hiroshima, 730-0053, Japan.
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Almeida e Silva T, Gorup LF, de Araújo RP, Fonseca GG, Martelli SM, de Oliveira KMP, Faraoni LH, de Arruda EGR, Gomes RAB, da Silva CHM, de Arruda EJ. Synergy of Biodegradable Polymer Coatings with Quaternary Ammonium Salts Mediating Barrier Function Against Bacterial Contamination and Dehydration of Eggs. FOOD BIOPROCESS TECH 2020. [DOI: 10.1007/s11947-020-02545-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
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Egg quality and safety with an overview of edible coating application for egg preservation. Food Chem 2019; 296:29-39. [DOI: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2019.05.182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2019] [Revised: 05/22/2019] [Accepted: 05/26/2019] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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Jeong W, Bae H, Lim W, Song G. Dicer1, AGO3, and AGO4 microRNA machinery genes are differentially expressed in developing female reproductive organs and overexpressed in cancerous ovaries of chickens. J Anim Sci 2018; 95:4857-4868. [PMID: 29293730 DOI: 10.2527/jas2017.1846] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
MicroRNA (miRNA)-mediated gene silencing is a key mechanism regulating numerous biological processes such as development of organs and tumorigenesis. The expression of miRNA machinery genes linked to miRNA biogenesis and processing is finely regulated. Despite accumulating evidence for chicken miRNA in the female reproduction system, precise regulatory mechanisms are largely unknown. Therefore, the objective of this study was to determine changes in expression levels of miRNA machinery genes in developmental stages of the oviduct and ovarian carcinogenesis of laying hens. In the present study, differential expression of miRNA machinery genes during ovarian carcinogenesis was determined using cancerous and normal ovaries collected from normal laying hens and hens with cancer. Our results showed that 3 miRNA machinery genes (, , and ) were differentially expressed as laying hens' reproductive organs developed. These genes were simultaneously upregulated in cancerous ovaries compared with those in normal ovaries. Their transcripts were abundantly localized in glandular epithelial cells of cancerous ovaries. Our results indicate that , , and play critical roles in the development of reproductive organs and ovarian carcinogenesis in laying hens, suggesting that simultaneous overexpression of these genes might serve as a prognostic factor for ovarian cancer.
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Ahmed TAE, Suso HP, Hincke MT. In-depth comparative analysis of the chicken eggshell membrane proteome. J Proteomics 2017; 155:49-62. [PMID: 28087451 DOI: 10.1016/j.jprot.2017.01.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2016] [Revised: 12/30/2016] [Accepted: 01/04/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The avian eggshell membrane (ESM) is stabilized by extensive cross-linkages, making the identification of its protein constituents technically challenging. Herein, we applied various extraction/solubilization conditions followed by proteomic analysis to characterize the protein constituents of ESM derived from the unfertilized chicken eggs. The egg white and eggshell proteomes (including previous published work) were determined and compared to ESM to identify proteins that are relatively or highly specific to ESM. Merging the results from different extraction/solubilization conditions with various proteomes allowed the identification of 472, 225, and 488 proteins in the ESM, egg white, and eggshell proteomes, respectively. Of these, 163 and 124 proteins were relatively or highly specific to ESM, respectively. GO term analysis of the common proteins and ESM unique proteins generated 8 and 9 significantly enriched functional groups, respectively. Different families of proteins that were identified as ESM-specific included collagens, CREMPs, histones, AvBDs, lysyl oxidase-like 2 (LOXL2), and ovocalyxin-36 (OCX36). These proteins serve as a foundation for the mechanically stable ESM that rests upon the egg white compartment and is a physical barrier against pathogen invasion. Overall, our results highlight the structural nature of the ESM constituents that are relevant to various biomedical applications, such as wound healing. BIOLOGICAL SIGNIFICANCE The eggshell membranes (ESM) are a highly resilient double-layered fibrous meshwork that is secreted while the forming egg transits a specialized oviduct segment, the white isthmus. The ESM protects against pathogen invasion and provides a platform for nucleation of the calcitic eggshell (ES). ESM is greatly stabilized by the extensive desmosine, isodesmosine and disulfide cross-linkages which make the identification of its protein constituents by standard proteomic approaches technically challenging. Comparative proteomic analyses of ESM, egg white, and ES proteins showed proteins groups that are relatively or highly specific to ESM. These groups of proteins serve as a foundation for the mechanically stable ESM that rests upon the egg white compartment and is a physical barrier against pathogen invasion. These features are essential for eggshell quality and for the prevention of pathogen invasion which reinforce food safety of the table egg.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamer A E Ahmed
- Medical Biotechnology Department, Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology Research Institute, City of Scientific Research and Technology Applications (SRTA-City), Alexandria, Egypt; Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | | | - Maxwell T Hincke
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada; Department of Innovation in Medical Education, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
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Du J, Hincke MT, Rose-Martel M, Hennequet-Antier C, Brionne A, Cogburn LA, Nys Y, Gautron J. Identifying specific proteins involved in eggshell membrane formation using gene expression analysis and bioinformatics. BMC Genomics 2015; 16:792. [PMID: 26470705 PMCID: PMC4608100 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-015-2013-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2015] [Accepted: 10/04/2015] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The avian eggshell membranes surround the egg white and provide a structural foundation for calcification of the eggshell which is essential for avian reproduction; moreover, it is also a natural biomaterial with many potential industrial and biomedical applications. Due to the insoluble and stable nature of the eggshell membrane fibres, their formation and protein constituents remain poorly characterized. The purpose of this study was to identify genes encoding eggshell membrane proteins, particularly those responsible for its structural features, by analyzing the transcriptome of the white isthmus segment of the oviduct, which is the specialized region responsible for the fabrication of the membrane fibres. Results The Del-Mar 14 K chicken microarray was used to investigate up-regulated expression of transcripts in the white isthmus (WI) compared with the adjacent magnum (Ma) and uterine (Ut) segments of the hen oviduct. Analysis revealed 135 clones hybridizing to over-expressed transcripts (WI/Ma + WI/Ut), and corresponding to 107 NCBI annotated non-redundant Gallus gallus gene IDs. This combined analysis revealed that the structural proteins highly over-expressed in the white isthmus include collagen X (COL10A1), fibrillin-1 (FBN1) and cysteine rich eggshell membrane protein (CREMP). These results validate previous proteomics studies which have identified collagen X (α-1) and CREMP in soluble eggshell extracts. Genes encoding collagen-processing enzymes such as lysyl oxidase homologs 1, 2 and 3 (LOXL1, LOXL2 and LOXL3), prolyl 4 hydroxylase subunit α-2 and beta polypeptide (P4HA2 and P4HB) as well as peptidyl-prolyl cis-trans isomerase C (PPIC) were also over-expressed. Additionally, genes encoding proteins known to regulate disulfide cross-linking, including sulfhydryl oxidase (QSOX1) and thioredoxin (TXN), were identified which suggests that coordinated up-regulation of genes in the white isthmus is associated with eggshell membrane fibre formation. Conclusions The present study has identified genes associated with the processing of collagen, other structural proteins, and disulfide-mediated cross-linking during eggshell membrane formation in the white isthmus. Identification of these genes will provide new insight into eggshell membrane structure and mechanisms of formation that will assist in the development of selection strategies to improve eggshell quality and food safety of the table egg. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12864-015-2013-3) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingwen Du
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa, 451 Smyth Road, Ottawa, K1H 8 M5, Canada.
| | - Maxwell T Hincke
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa, 451 Smyth Road, Ottawa, K1H 8 M5, Canada.
| | - Megan Rose-Martel
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa, 451 Smyth Road, Ottawa, K1H 8 M5, Canada.
| | | | | | - Larry A Cogburn
- Department of Animal and Food Sciences, University of Delaware, Newark, DE, 19717, USA.
| | - Yves Nys
- INRA, UR83 Recherches Avicoles, F-37380, Nouzilly, France.
| | - Joel Gautron
- INRA, UR83 Recherches Avicoles, F-37380, Nouzilly, France.
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Abstract
Sepia officinalis egg protection is ensured by a complex capsule produced by the female accessory genital glands and the ink bag. Our study is focused on the proteins constituting the main egg case. De novo transcriptomes from female genital glands provided essential databases for protein identification. A proteomic approach in SDS-PAGE coupled with MS unveiled a new egg case protein family: SepECPs, for Sepia officinalisEgg Case Proteins. N-glycosylation was demonstrated by PAS staining SDS-PAGE gels. These glycoproteins are mainly produced in the main nidamental glands. SepECPs share high sequence homology, especially in the signal peptide and the three cysteine-rich domains. SepECPs have a high number of cysteines, with conserved motifs involved in 3D-structure. SDS-PAGE showed that SepECPs could form dimers; this result was confirmed by TEM observations, which also revealed a protein network. This network is similar to the capsule network, and it associates these structural proteins with polysaccharides, melanin and bacteria to form a tight mesh. Its hardness and elasticity provide physical protection to the embryo. In addition, SepECPs also have bacteriostatic antimicrobial activity on GRAM- bacteria. By observing the SepECP / Vibrio aestuarianus complex in SEM, we demonstrated the ability of these proteins to agglomerate bacteria and thus inhibit their growth. These original proteins identified from the outer egg case ensure the survival of the species by providing physical and chemical protection to the embryos released in the environment without any maternal protection.
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Baláž M. Eggshell membrane biomaterial as a platform for applications in materials science. Acta Biomater 2014; 10:3827-43. [PMID: 24681370 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2014.03.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 106] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2013] [Revised: 03/17/2014] [Accepted: 03/20/2014] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Eggshell membrane (ESM) is a unique biomaterial, which is generally considered as waste. However, it has extraordinary properties which can be utilized in various fields and its potential applications are therefore now being widely studied. The first part of this review focuses on the chemical composition and morphology of ESM. The main areas of ESM application are discussed in the second part. These applications include its utilization as a biotemplate for the synthesis of nanoparticles; as a sorbent of heavy metals, organics, dyes, sulfonates and fluorides; as the main component of biosensors; in medicine; and various other applications. For each area of interest, a detailed literature survey is given.
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Lim CH, Lim W, Jeong W, Lee JY, Bae SM, Kim J, Han JY, Bazer FW, Song G. Avian WNT4 in the female reproductive tracts: potential role of oviduct development and ovarian carcinogenesis. PLoS One 2013; 8:e65935. [PMID: 23843947 PMCID: PMC3699571 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0065935] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2012] [Accepted: 05/02/2013] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The wingless-type MMTV integration site family of proteins (WNTs) is highly conserved secreted lipid-modified signaling molecules that play a variety of pivotal roles in developmental events such as embryogenesis, tissue homeostasis and cell polarity. Although, of these proteins, WNT4 is known to be involved in genital development in fetuses of mammalian species, its role is unknown in avian species. Therefore, in this study, we investigated expression profiles, as well as hormonal and post-transcriptional regulation of WNT4 expression in the reproductive tract of female chickens. Results of this study demonstrated that WNT4 is most abundant in the stromal and luminal epithelial cells of the isthmus and shell gland of the oviduct, respectively. WNT4 is also most abundant in the glandular epithelium of the shell gland of the oviduct of laying hens at 3 h post-ovulation during the laying cycle. In addition, treatment of young chicks with diethylstilbestrol (DES, a synthetic estrogen agonist) stimulated WNT4 only in the glandular epithelial cells of the isthmus and shell gland of the oviduct. Moreover, results of our study demonstrated that miR-1786 influences WNT4 expression via specific binding sites in its 3'-UTR. On the other hand, our results also indicate that WNT4 is expressed predominantly in the glandular epithelium of cancerous ovaries, but not in normal ovaries of hens. Collectively, these results indicate cell-specific expression of WNT4 in the reproductive tract of chickens and that it likely has crucial roles in development and function of oviduct as well as initiation of ovarian carcinogenesis in laying hens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chul-Hong Lim
- WCU Biomodultion Major, Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Whasun Lim
- WCU Biomodultion Major, Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Wooyoung Jeong
- WCU Biomodultion Major, Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Jin-Young Lee
- WCU Biomodultion Major, Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Seung-Min Bae
- WCU Biomodultion Major, Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Jinyoung Kim
- WCU Biomodultion Major, Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Department of Animal Resources Science, Dankook University, Cheonan, Republic of Korea
| | - Jae Yong Han
- WCU Biomodultion Major, Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Fuller W. Bazer
- WCU Biomodultion Major, Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Center for Animal Biotechnology and Genomics and Department of Animal Science, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, United States of America
| | - Gwonhwa Song
- WCU Biomodultion Major, Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Division of Biotechnology, College of Life Science and Biotechnology, Korea University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
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Chang MT, Cheng YS, Huang MC. A novel non-synonymous SNP of the COLX gene and its association with duck reproductive traits. Mol Cell Probes 2012; 26:204-7. [DOI: 10.1016/j.mcp.2012.05.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2012] [Revised: 05/14/2012] [Accepted: 05/23/2012] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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Jeong W, Lim W, Kim J, Ahn SE, Lee HC, Jeong JW, Han JY, Song G, Bazer FW. Cell-specific and temporal aspects of gene expression in the chicken oviduct at different stages of the laying cycle. Biol Reprod 2012; 86:172. [PMID: 22423054 DOI: 10.1095/biolreprod.111.098186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Egg formation and embryonic development occur as the yolk passes through the magnum, isthmus, and shell gland of the oviduct before oviposition in hens. The present study identified candidate genes associated with secretory function of the chicken oviduct after ovulation and contributing to egg formation and oviposition. Hens (n = 5 per time point) were euthanized to recover the reproductive tract when the egg was in the magnum (3 h after ovulation) and the shell gland (20 h after ovulation). Total RNA was extracted from each segment of the oviducts and subjected to Affymetrix chicken GeneChip analysis. Quantitative PCR and in situ hybridization analyses of selected genes confirmed the validity of the gene expression patterns detected using microarray analysis. In particular, ACP1, CALB1, CYP26A1, PENK, RCAN1 and SPP1 expression increased significantly in the shell gland between 3 h and 20 h postovulation, whereas only RCNA1 expression increased significantly in the magnum between 3 h and 20 h postovulation. Results of the high-throughput analysis revealed cell-specific and temporal changes in gene expression in the oviduct at 3 h and 20 h postovulation in laying hens provide novel insight into changes at the molecular and cellular levels of candidate genes related to formation of the egg and oviposition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wooyoung Jeong
- World Class University Biomodulation Major, Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
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Cabeza M, Cambero M, de la Hoz L, García M, Ordóñez J. Effect of the thermoultrasonic treatment on the eggshell integrity and their impact on the microbial quality. INNOV FOOD SCI EMERG 2011. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ifset.2011.01.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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Mao KM, Murakami A, Iwasawa A, Yoshizaki N. The asymmetry of avian egg-shape: an adaptation for reproduction on dry land. J Anat 2007; 210:741-8. [PMID: 17523938 PMCID: PMC2375759 DOI: 10.1111/j.1469-7580.2007.00737.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The present study describes the biological meaning of the asymmetrical shape in avian reproduction using quail. During the incubation of eggs, water was gradually lost and the air chamber which appeared in between the inner and outer shell membranes at the blunt end expanded, so that the angle made by the long egg-axis and the horizontal line increased, presumably because the centre of gravity of the egg contents moved toward the sharp end. The increase in angle occurred in both fertile and infertile eggs, suggesting that this phenomenon occurs irrespective of fertility and is due to the asymmetrical shape. The increase in the volume of the air chamber resulted in an increase in the area of the inner shell membrane at the chamber to satisfy the amount of gas exchange needed by the developing embryo for better hatching. We isolated a 300-kDa protein from the inner shell membrane. It was produced by cells in the luminal epithelium of the oviductal isthmus and was found in the cortex of the fibres of shell membranes and a lining surrounding the air chamber. The lining comprised a medial layer between the inner and outer shell membranes in uterine eggs. The asymmetrical ellipsoid produces the air chamber at the blunt end of the avian egg during its sojourn in the oviductal isthmus, to maintain the blunt end up after oviposition and to raise that end during incubation in a dry environment, leading to high hatchability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kun-Ming Mao
- Department of Animal Resource Production, United Graduate School of Agricultural Science, Gifu University, Japan
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15
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Fernandez MS, Passalacqua K, Arias JI, Arias JL. Partial biomimetic reconstitution of avian eggshell formation. J Struct Biol 2004; 148:1-10. [PMID: 15363783 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsb.2004.05.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2003] [Revised: 05/07/2004] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
The avian eggshell is a biocomposite ceramic consisting of minute amounts of organic matrix and a crystalline calcium carbonate (calcite) filler. It is formed by a well regulated spatio-temporal assembling process, where extracellular matrix proteins, especially the sulfated glycosaminoglycan anionic sites of specific proteoglycans, have been involved in nucleation and growth of the inorganic crystalline phase. Together with such extracellular matrix molecules, the activity of carbonic anhydrase, is crucial for the normal eggshell formation. Here, we studied the effect of dermatan sulfate and carbonic anhydrase on the in vitro calcification of non-mineralized eggshell membrane-mammillae substrate at different pH and incubation times. Crystal morphology was analyzed by scanning electron microscopy. Crystal nucleation and growth was delayed at lower pH. Dermatan sulfate modified crystal morphology producing aggregates of large calcite crystals exhibiting a columnar morphology, contributing to the eggshell texture development. Carbonic anhydrase increased the velocity of crystal growth and eventually contributed to the fusion of the crystal aggregates to each other. Although, the effect of other macromolecules could not be ruled out, the combinatory effect of proteoglycans and carbonic anhydrase seems to be important for the control of eggshell formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- M S Fernandez
- Faculty of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Chile, Santiago
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Fernandez MS, Escobar C, Lavelin I, Pines M, Arias JL. Localization of osteopontin in oviduct tissue and eggshell during different stages of the avian egg laying cycle. J Struct Biol 2003; 143:171-80. [PMID: 14572472 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsb.2003.08.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
The avian eggshell is an acellular bioceramic containing organic and inorganic phases that are sequentially assembled during the time the egg moves along the oviduct. As it has been demonstrated in other mineralized tissues, mineralization of the eggshell is regulated by extracellular matrix proteins especially the anionic side chains of proteoglycans. Among them, osteopontin has been found in the avian eggshell and oviduct. However, its precise localization in the eggshell or in different oviduct regions during eggshell formation, nor its function have been established. By using anti-osteopontin antibody (OPN 1), we studied its immunolocalization in the isthmus, red isthmus and shell gland of the oviduct, and in the eggshell during formation. In the eggshell, osteopontin was localized in the core of the non-mineralized shell membrane fibers, in the base of the mammillae and in the outermost part of the palisade. In the oviduct, OPN 1 was localized in the ciliated epithelial but not in the tubular gland cells of the isthmus, in the ciliated epithelial cells of the red isthmus, and in the non-ciliated epithelial cells of the shell gland. The occurrence of osteopontin in each of the oviduct regions, coincided with the concomitant presence of the egg in such region. Considering the reported inhibitory function of osteopontin in other mineralized systems, together with its main occurrence in the non-mineralized parts of the eggshell and at the outermost part of the shell, suggests that this molecule could be part of the mechanism regulating the eggshell calcification.
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Affiliation(s)
- M S Fernandez
- Faculty of Veterinary and Animal Sciences and Center for Advanced Interdisciplinary Research in Materials (CIMAT), University of Chile, Santiago, Chile
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Sultana F, Yokoe A, Ito Y, Mao KM, Yoshizaki N. The peri-albumen layer: a novel structure in the envelopes of an avian egg. J Anat 2003; 203:115-22. [PMID: 12892410 PMCID: PMC1571145 DOI: 10.1046/j.1469-7580.2003.00197.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The present paper describes a novel structure, termed the peri-albumen layer, in the egg-envelopes of the quail Coturnix japonica. It reacts with Alcian blue and exists between the egg white and the shell membrane. Ultrastructurally, it is of fine granular structure and forms a fenestrate sheet, the width of which is 190 nm or less. Isolated materials of the peri-albumen layer include an Alcian-blue-positive polysaccharide of 260 kDa, and three glycoproteins of 160, 108 and 52 kDa. The layer is supplied to an egg when it passes through the magnum-isthmus junction, the normalized length of which is 0.62-0.63 of the oviduct. The mucosa of the junction consists exclusively of a luminal epithelium. It is apparently distinct from the mucosa of the magnum and the isthmus, which consist of a luminal epithelium and tubular glands. The luminal epithelium of the magnum-isthmus junction stains prominently with Alcian blue and consists of alternately distributed ciliated cells and granular cells. Immunohistochemistry with an antiserum raised against the materials of the peri-albumen layer revealed the staining of the peri-albumen layer of the egg, and secretory cells of the luminal epithelium at the magnum-isthmus junction. It was concluded that the materials of the peri-albumen layer are produced by secretory cells at the magnum-isthmus junction of the oviduct.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Sultana
- Department of Animal Resource Production, The United Graduate School of Agricultural Science, Gifu University, Gifu 501-1193, Japan
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