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Biochemical and functional characterisation of eggshell matrix proteins in hens

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  18 September 2007

Y. Nys ,
J. Gautron ,
M. D. McKee ,
J. M. Garcia-Ruiz  and
M. T. Hincke
Y. Nys
Affiliation:
Station de Recherches Avicoles, INRA, 37380 Nouzilly, France
J. Gautron
Affiliation:
Station de Recherches Avicoles, INRA, 37380 Nouzilly, France
M. D. McKee
Affiliation:
Faculty of Dentistry and Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, McGill University, Montreal QC H3A 2B2, Canada
J. M. Garcia-Ruiz
Affiliation:
CSIC, University of Granada, 18002, Spain and
M. T. Hincke
Affiliation:
Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa, ON, K1H 8M5, Canada
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Abstract

The eggshell of the hen is a highly ordered, mineralised structure deposited within an acellular milieu – the uterine fluid secreted by the distal oviduct. Spherulitic crystal growth is initiated by deposition of calcium carbonate on aggregates of organic material present on the outer surface of the eggshell membranes. Gel electrophoresis reveals a complex array of proteins in uterine fluid and eggshell extracts. The eggshell matrix proteins can be classified as egg white proteins (lysozyme, ovalbumin, ovotransferrin, clusterin), bone protein (osteopontin), or proteins specific to the uterus and eggshell (ovocleidins-17 and –116; ovocalyxins-32 and –36). Eggshell extracts, uterine fluid and purified fractions are able to modify the morphology of calcite crystals in vitro. In young hens the breaking strength of the eggshell is inversely related to the degree of calcite orientation. Conversely, reduced strength in eggshell from aged hens coincides with a high variability in crystallographic texture. In guinea fowl the exceptional mechanical properties of the eggshell are explained by an increase in the amount of eggshell produced and particular features of the crystallographic texture. These observations suggest that the eggshell matrix influences the process of crystal growth by controlling size, shape and orientation of calcite crystals. This structural control probably contributes in a substantial manner to the mechanical properties of eggshell.

Keywords

Calciteeggshellhenmatrix proteinsmineralisation
Type
Research Article
Information
World's Poultry Science Journal , Volume 57 , Issue 4 , December 2001 , pp. 401 - 413
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2001

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