Concentration of egg white antimicrobial and immunomodulatory proteins is related to eggshell pigmentation across traditional chicken breeds

0517555 - FGÚ 2020 RIV GB eng J - Journal Article
Gvoždíková Javůrková, V. - Pokorná, M. - Mikšík, Ivan - Tůmová, E.
Concentration of egg white antimicrobial and immunomodulatory proteins is related to eggshell pigmentation across traditional chicken breeds.
Poultry Science. Roč. 98, č. 12 (2019), s. 6931-6941. ISSN 0032-5791. E-ISSN 1525-3171
R&D Projects: GA ČR(CZ) GA17-10832S
Institutional support: RVO:67985823
Keywords : eggshell colour * protoporphyrin IX * albumen * ovotransferrin * lysozyme
OECD category: Analytical chemistry
Impact factor: 2.659, year: 2019
Method of publishing: Open access
https://doi.org/10.3382/ps/pez472

Eggshell colour, quality, and biosafety of table eggs are of significant commercial interest. To date, there have been few studies investigating the relationship between eggshell pigmentation and internal egg quality in commercially bred birds. Moreover, the genetic basis and mechanisms behind the effects of extrinsic factors on deposition of antimicrobial compounds in egg white and eggshell pigments are not fully understood. In the present study, we evaluate the effect of chicken breed identity, eggshell pigmentation and the role of extrinsic factors (year and breeder identity) on variability in the concentrations of 2 major egg white antimicrobial proteins (AMPs), lysozyme (LSM), and ovotransferrin (OVOTR), across 23 traditional chicken breeds. We found that chicken breed identity and eggshell pigmentation explained most variability in the concentration of egg white LSM and OVOTR. Year and breeder identity were also significant predictors of egg white LSM and OVOTR variability, and showed selective effects on the deposition of both AMPs in egg white. We also documented a positive correlation between concentration of egg white LSM and eggshell cuticle protoporphyrin in tinted and dark brown eggs, but not in brown, white, and blue eggs. We assume that a combination of both intrinsic genetic and hormonally regulated extrinsic factors is responsible for this relationship and for the variability in egg white AMPs. In this study, we demonstrate the existence of a relationship between eggshell pigmentation and egg white AMPs content in the eggs of traditional chicken breeds that may advertise the egg's antimicrobial potential and biosafety. These findings provide novel insights into the relationship between eggshell pigmentation and egg internal quality and may stimulate the recovery and exploitation of traditional chicken breeds for egg production, where the demands for egg quality and biosafety, in conjunction with animal welfare, are a priority.
Permanent Link: http://hdl.handle.net/11104/0302888