The Influences of Maternal Hormones on The Quality Characteristics of Incubating Eggs

Elif Babacanoğlu Çakır

doi:10.18016/ksutarimdoga.vi.1883524

EN TR

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.

Keywords

Maternal Hormonların Kuluçkalık Yumurtanın Kalite Özelliklerine Etkileri

Öz

Yumurtlayan dişinin vücudunda oluşan yumurtanın kalitesi maternal tarafından yumurta sarısına aktarılan hormonlar ile belirlenir. Bu çalışmada, yumurta sarısındaki testosteron ve kortikosteron hormonlarının etkilerini ve testosteron ile kortikosteron hormonlarının yumurtanın kalite özellikleri üzerindeki etkileşimini incelemek amaçlanmıştır. Ross 308 genotipine ait toplam 48 adet kuluçkalık yumurta sarısında ölçülen steroid hormon düzeyleri arasındaki önemli korrelasyonlardan yola çıkarak elde edilen ortalamalar üzerinden deneme deseni belirlenmiştir. Bu ortalama değerlere göre gruplar düşük testosteron ve kortikosteron (LT ve LC) ile yüksek testosteron ve kortikosteron (HT ve HC) olarak oluşturulmuştur. Tüm gruplarda yumurta, albümin ve kabuk kalite özellikleri ölçülmüştür. Sarıdaki testosteron hormonu yumurtanın ve albüminin kalite özellikleri üzerinde önemli bir etkiye sahipken, kabuk kalite özelliklerini etkilememiştir. Yumurta ağırlığı, şekil indeksi ve albümin ağırlığı LT grubunda HT grubuna göre önemli ölçüde daha yüksek saptanmıştır. HC grubuna göre LC grubunda yumurta ve albümin ağırlıkları artarken, şekil indeksi, albümin yüksekliği, küt ve ekvatoral uçların kabuk kalınlığı HC grubuna kıyasla LC grubunda azalmıştır. Yumurta sarısı testosteron ve kortikosteron arasındaki etkileşimin etkisi yumurta ağırlığı, şekil indeksi, tüm albümin kalite özellikleri, kabuk kalınlığı ve kabuk yoğunluğu üzerinde önemli saptanmıştır. Bulgular, yumurta sarısındaki tek tek hormon düzeylerine karşılık, yumurta sarısı testosteron ve kortikosteron düzeyleri arasındaki etkileşimin yumurtanın iç ve dış kalite özelliklerini daha etkili bir şekilde etkilediğini göstermiştir. Bununla birlikte, yumurta sarısındaki steroid kökenli hormonlar yumurta oluşumu üzerinde hormona özgü etkiler ortaya koymuştur.

Anahtar Kelimeler

Destekleyen Kurum

yok

Proje Numarası

Bu çalışma yazarın maddi olanakları ile yapılmıştır. bir proje kapsamında finansal bir destek alınmamıştıır.

Etik Beyan

Bu çalışmada kullanılan yumurtalar ticari bir broiler yetiştirme şirketinden temin edilmiş olup, tüm ölçümler yumurtalardan alınmıştır. Araştırma sadece non-invaziv prosedürleri içermektedir.

Kaynakça

Anonymous, (2011). https://www.resmigazete.gov.tr/eskiler/2011/12/20111213-4.htm.
Babacanoğlu, E., Yalçin, S., & Uysal, S. (2013). Evaluation of a stress model induced by dietary corticosterone supplementation in broiler breeders effects on egg yolk corticosterone concentration and biochemical blood parameters. British Poultry Science, 54(6), 677–685. DOI: 10.1080/00071668.2013.847901
Babacanoğlu Çakır, E. (2024). In ovo injection of testosterone to yolk sac modulates early posthatching development and physiology of male chick in broilers. Poultry Science, 103(3), 103389. https://doi.org/ 10.1016/j.psj.2023.103389
Bar, A. (2009). Calcium transport in strongly calcifying laying birds: mechanisms and regulation. Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology Part A: Molecular & Integrative Physiology, 152(4), 447-469. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cbpa.2008.11.020
Çanga, D., Yavuz, E., & Efe, E. (2021). Prediction of Egg Weight Using MARS data mining Algorithm through R. Kahramanmaraş Sütçü İmam Üniversitesi Tarım ve Doğa Dergisi, 24(1), 242-251. https://doi.org/ 10.18016/ksutarimdoga.vi.716880
Dean, C. R. (2022). Effects of Exogenous Testosterone Treatment and Social Interaction on Rapid Yolk Deposition in Laying Hens. University of Georgia ProQuest Dissertations & Theses, 28968407. https://www.proquest.com/docview/2682292433? fromopenview=true&pqorigsite=gscholar&sourcetype=Dissertations%20&%20Theses.
Downing, J. A.., Bryden, W. L., Barnett, J., & Stewart, G. (2005). Non-Invasive Stress Assessment of Commercial Egg Industry Practices. Report to the Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation RIRDC, Canberra Project US-107A; p.41-58.
Downing, J, A., & Bryden, W. L. (2008). Determination of corticosterone concentrations in egg albumen: a non-invasive indicator of stress in laying hens. Physiology and Behavior, 20, 95(3), 381-7. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.physbeh.2008.07.001

Dufty, A. M., Clobert, J., & Møller, A. P. (2002). Hormones, developmental plasticity and adaptation. Trends in Ecology & Evolution, 17, 190-196. DOI:10.1016/S0169-5347(02)02498-9
Etches, R. J. (1996). Reproduction in poultry. CAB International; p.348.
Grindstaff, J. L., Brodie, E. D., & Ketterson, E. D. (2003). Immune function across generations: integrating mechanism and evolutionary process in maternal antibody transmission. Proceedings of The Royal Society London B Biological Sciences, 270, 2309-2319. https://doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2003.2485
Groothuis, T. G. G., Eising, C. M., Dijkstra, C., & Mueller, W. (2005). Balancing between costs and benefits of maternal hormone deposition in avian eggs. Biology Letters, 1(1), 78-81. https://doi.org/10.1098/rsbl.2004.0233
Hackl, R., Bromundt, V., Daisley, J., Kotrschal, K., & Möstl, E. (2003). Distribution and origin of steroid hormones in the yolk of Japanese quail eggs (Coturnix coturnix japonica. Journal of Comparative Physiology B, 173(4), 327-331. DOI 10.1007/s00360-003-0339-7
Hayward, L. S., & Wingfield, J. C. (2004). Maternal corticosterone is transferred to avian yolk and may alter offspring growth and adult phenotype. General and Comperative Endocrinology, 135(3), 365-371. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ygcen.2003.11.002
Henriksen, R., Rettenbacher, S., & Groothuis, T. G. G. (2011). Prenatal stress in birds: Pathways, effects, function and perspectives. Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews, 35, 1484–1501. https://doi.org/10.1016/ j.neubiorev.2011.04.010
Hernández, A., Torres, R., & Montoya, B. (2024). Incubation as a driver of maternal effects: temperature influences levels of yolk maternally derived 5α-dihydrotestosterone. General and Comparative Endocrinology, 347, 114420.
Kaur, J., Paitz, R. T., Verrett, T. B., & Bentz, A. B. (2026). Socially responsive yolk steroids correlate with gene expression in early extra-embryonic membranes. Journal of Experimental Biology, 229(1), jeb251188. https://doi.org/10.1242/jeb.251188
Kim, Y, H., Kim, J., Yoon, H. S., & Choi, Y. H. (2015). Effects of dietary corticosterone on yolk colors and eggshell quality in laying hens. Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Science, 28(6), 840-846. doi: 10.5713/ajas.14.0849
Mahawar, M., Altuntaş, E., & Gül, E. N. (2023). Mass Modelling of Eggs Based on Shape Index Using Regression Analysis. KSÜ Tarım ve Doğa Dergisi, 26(1), 132-139. https://doi.org/10.18016/ksutarimdoga.vi.992588
McNabb, F. M. A. (2007). The hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid (HPT) axis in birds and its role in bird development and reproduction. Critical Reviews in Toxicology, 37, 163-193. https://doi.org/10.1080/10408440601123552
Moberg, G. P. (2000). Biological response to stress: Implications for animal welfare. In: Moberg GP and Mench JA, eds. The Biology of Animal Stress: Basic Principles and Implications for Animal Welfare. New York: CABI Publishing. p.1-21.
Newman, R. E., Bryden, W. L., & Fleck, E. (2000). Dietary n-3 and n-6 fatty acids alter avian metabolism: metabolism and abdominal fat deposition. British Journal of Nutrition, 88(1), 11-18. https://doi.org/10.1079/BJN2002580
Okuliarová, M., Škrobánek, P., & Zeman, M. (2007). Effect of increasing yolk testosterone levels on early behaviour in Japanese quail hatchlings. Acta Veterinaria Brno 76 (3), 325-331. https://doi.org/10.2754/avb200776030325
Peebles, E. D., & Brake, J. (1987). Eggshell quality and hatchability in broiler breeder eggs. Poultry Science, 66(4), 596-604. https://doi.org/10.3382/ps.0660596
Rahn, H., Christensen, V. L., & Edens, F, W. (1981). Changes in shell conductance, pores, and physical dimensions of egg and shell during the first breeding cycle of turkey hens. Poultry Science, 60(11), 2536-2541. https://doi.org/10.3382/ps.0602536
Rettenbacher, S. E. Möstl, R. Hackl, R., & Palme R. (2005). Corticosterone in chicken eggs. Annals of the New York Academy Sciences, 1046, 193-203. https://doi.org/10.1196/annals.1343.016
Rutkowska, J., Place, N. J., Vincent, S., & Adkins-Regan, E. (2011). Adrenocortical response to mating, social interaction and restraint in the female Japanese quail. Physiology and Behavior, 104(5), 1037-1040. DOI:10.1016/j.physbeh.2011.07.001
Ruuskanen, S., Doligez, B., Pitala, N., Gustafsson, L., & Laaksonen, T. (2012). Long-term fitness consequences of high yolk androgen levels: sons pay the costs. Functional Ecology, 26, 884-894. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2435.2012.01994.x
SAS, (2007). Statistical Analysis Systems User’s Guide: Statistics, SAS Institute, Inc. North Carolina, USA.
Scanes, C. G. (2015). Protein metabolism. Sturkie's Avian Physiology. Academic Press; p.455-467.
Schwabl, H. (1993). Yolk is a source of maternal testosterone for developing birds. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 90, 11446-11450. doi: 10.1073/pnas.90.24.11446
Silversides, F. G., & Scott, T. A. (2011). Effect of storage and strain on albumen quality. Poultry Science, 79(12), 1725-1729. https://doi.org/10.1093/ps/79.12.1725
Tschirren, B., Postma, E., Gustafsson, L., Groothuis, T. G. G., & Doligez, B. (2014). Natural selection acts in opposite ways on correlated hormonal mediators of prenatal maternal effects in a wild bird population. Ecology Letters, 17, 1310-1315. doi: 10.1111/ele.12339.
von Engelhardt, N., & Groothuis, T. G. G. (2011). Maternal hormones in avian eggs. In: Lopez KH, Norris DO eds. Hormones and Reproduction of Vertebrates: Birds. New York: Academic Press; p.91-127.
Widowski, T. M., Cooley, L., Hendriksen, S., & Peixoto, M. R. L. V. (2022). Maternal age and maternal environment affect egg composition, yolk testosterone, offspring growth and behaviour in laying hens. Scientific Reports, 12(1), 1828. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-022-05491-6
Wingfield, J. C., & Sapolsky, R. M. (2003). Reproduction and resistance to stress: when and how. Journal of Neuroendocrinology, 15(8), 711-724. doi: 10.1046/j.1365-2826.2003.01033.x.

Ayrıntılar

Birincil Dil

İngilizce

Konular

Kanatlı Hayvan Yetiştirme ve Islahı

Bölüm

Araştırma Makalesi

Yazarlar

Elif Babacanoğlu Çakır ^*
0000-0002-6329-315X
Türkiye

Erken Görünüm Tarihi

24 Mart 2026

Yayımlanma Tarihi

24 Mart 2026

Gönderilme Tarihi

6 Şubat 2026

Kabul Tarihi

24 Mart 2026

Yayımlandığı Sayı

Yıl 2026 Sayı: Advanced Online Publication

DOI

https://doi.org/10.18016/ksutarimdoga.vi.1883524

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA85BE85SN

Kaynak Göster

RIS / Bibtex

APA

Babacanoğlu Çakır, E. (2026). The Influences of Maternal Hormones on The Quality Characteristics of Incubating Eggs. Kahramanmaraş Sütçü İmam Üniversitesi Tarım ve Doğa Dergisi, Advanced Online Publication, 1089-1097. https://doi.org/10.18016/ksutarimdoga.vi.1883524

The Influences of Maternal Hormones on The Quality Characteristics of Incubating Eggs

Abstract

Keywords

Maternal Hormonların Kuluçkalık Yumurtanın Kalite Özelliklerine Etkileri

Öz

Anahtar Kelimeler

Destekleyen Kurum

Proje Numarası

Etik Beyan

Kaynakça

Ayrıntılar

Birincil Dil

Konular

Bölüm

Yazarlar

Erken Görünüm Tarihi

Yayımlanma Tarihi

Gönderilme Tarihi

Kabul Tarihi

Yayımlandığı Sayı

DOI

IZ

Kaynak Göster

e-ISSN: 2619-9149