The Influences of Maternal Hormones on The Quality Characteristics of Incubating Eggs
Abstract
The quality of the egg formed in the body of the laying hen is determined by hormones transferred to the yolk from the maternal. This study aimed to examine the effects of testosterone and corticosterone in egg yolk and their interaction on egg quality traits. The experimental design was based on averages of significant correlations between steroid hormone levels in a total of 48 hatching egg yolks from the Ross 308 genotype. Based on these mean values, the groups were categorised as low testosterone and low corticosterone (LT and LC) and high testosterone and high corticosterone (HT and HC). Egg, albumen, and shell quality characteristics were measured in all groups. The testosterone hormone in the yolk had a significant effect on the quality characteristics of the egg and albumen, but did not affect shell quality characteristics. Egg weight, shape index, and albumen weight were significantly higher in the LT group than in the HT group. In the LC group, egg and albumen weights increased, while the shape index, albumen height, and shell thickness at the ventral and equatorial ends decreased in the LC group compared to the HC group. The interaction between egg yolk testosterone and corticosterone had a significant effect on egg weight, shape index, albumen quality traits, shell thickness, and shell density. The findings showed that, in contrast to the individual hormone levels in the egg yolk, the interaction between testosterone and corticosterone levels in the egg yolk more effectively influenced external and internal quality characteristics of the egg. However, steroid-derived hormones in the egg yolk revealed hormone-specific effects on egg formation.
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References
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Details
Primary Language
English
Subjects
Poultry Farming and Treatment
Journal Section
Research Article
Authors
Early Pub Date
March 24, 2026
Publication Date
March 24, 2026
Submission Date
February 6, 2026
Acceptance Date
March 24, 2026
Published in Issue
Year 2026 Number: Advanced Online Publication
