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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Mississippi State, Mississippi » Poultry Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #161594
Title: EGG CHARACTERISTICS OF COMMERCIAL EGG LAYING HENS BETWEEN 20 AND 58 WEEKS OF AGE WHEN INOCULATED WITH THE S6-STRAIN OF MYCOPLASMA GALLISEPTICUM AT 10, 22, OR 45 WEEKS OF AGE

Author
item BASENKO, E - MISS STATE UNIVERSITY
item PARK, S - MISS STATE UNIVERSITY
item PEEBLES, E - MISS STATE UNIVERSITY
item Branton, Scott
item MAURICE, D - CLEMSON UNIVERSITY
item WHITMARSH, S - MISS STATE UNIVERSITY
item GERARD, P - MISS STATE UNIVERSITY

Submitted to: Poultry Science Association Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/10/2004
Publication Date: 7/25/2004
Citation: Basenko, E.Y., Park, S.2., Peebles, E.D., Branton, S.L., Maurice, D.V., Whitmarsh, S.K., Gerard, P.D. 2004. Egg characteristics of commercial egg laying hens between 20 and 58 weeks of age when inoculated with the s6-strain of mycoplasma gallisepticum at 10, 22, or 45 weeks of age. Poultry Science. 82(Suppl. 1): Abstract 127. p. 108.

Interpretive Summary: Not required for abstracts.

Technical Abstract: The effects of S6-strain Mycoplasma gallisepticum (S6MG) inoculation and its timing on egg characteristics were investigated using a total of 160 Hy-Line W36 hens in each of two trials. In each of 16 biological isolation units 10 birds were housed, with four replicate units in each of four treatments. Control birds received sham inoculations at 10 wk of age and treated birds received S6MG inoculations at 10, 22, or 45 wk. Egg weight (EW) was determined weekly between 21 and 60 wk in Trial 1, and between 21 and 53 wk in Trial 2. Eggshell weight per unit of surface area (SWUSA), percentage egg yolk (PY), albumen (PA), and shell (PSW) weights, and yolk moisture (YM) and lipid (YL) contents were determined at 24, 32, 43, 47, and 58 wk, whereas yolk cholesterol (YCHOL) and fatty acid (YFA) contents were determined at 47 and 58 wk in both trials. Hen age influenced EW, PA, PY, PSW, YM, YL and YFA in both trials, but influenced SWUSA only in Trial 2. EW was increased across 46-60 wk by S6MG inoculation at either 10, 22, or 45 wk in Trial 1, and was decreased across 22-45 wk by S6MG inoculation at 22 wk in Trial 2. In Trial 2, PSW and SWUSA were decreased across 47-58 wk by S6MG inoculation at 45 wk. YL was increased at 58 wk in Trial 1 by 45 wk S6MG inoculation, and was decreased at 24 wk in Trial 2 by 22 wk S6MG inoculation. Across 47-58 wk, the 22 and 45 wk inoculations decreased yolk myristic and oleic acid concentrations in Trial 1, but increased yolk stearic and arachidonic acid concentrations in both trials. S6MG inoculation during production may increase egg weight, decrease eggshell quality, and influence yolk total lipid and fatty acid contents during post-peak production.