Cute-Egg, improvement of eggshell cuticle quality to reduce vertical transmission of zoonotic and pathogenic organisms
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Glasgow
Department Name: College of Medical, Veterinary, Life Sci
Abstract
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Technical Summary
The cuticle is a glycosylated protein layer which covers the external surface of the egg and fills the gas exchange pores through which the embryo 'breathes'. The cuticle is critical to minimising the risk of vertical and horizontal transmission of pathogenic or zoonotic organisms to the egg contents which is un-desirable for food safety, animal and human health. This project will use physiochemical, physiological and genetic methods to provide the information and tools necessary to make precision genetic selection for improved cuticle quality in both meat and egg laying hens.
The objective of the work is;
1) to use excitation-emission-matrix spectroscopy to determine the parameters for discrimination of the cuticle from background fluorescence and to design and build an instrument that can rapidly and accurately measure cuticle coverage,
2) to apply this direct measurement to estimate reliable heritabilities for cuticle coverage in meat and egg laying strains of poultry and to determine genetic correlations with important production parameters to ensure there are no major negative consequences,
3) to test the hypothesis that (i) moderate levels of stress, (ii) events determining the timing of oviposition and (iii) bird age influences the level of cuticle coverage and to estimate the contribution of these environmental factors to cuticle variation,
4) to develop a method to measure the degree of glycosylation of the cuticle using time resolved fluorescence,
5) to test the hypothesis that the cuticle and its degree of glycosylation acts both as a physical and a chemical barrier to bacteria using penetration and recovery experiments with a range of GFP bacteria,
6) Using animals killed during the transition from shell to cuticle formation and oviposition we will profile the expression of genes to increase our understanding of the control of cuticle formation. We will also specifically measure genes we know from proteomic studies that encode cuticle proteins.
The objective of the work is;
1) to use excitation-emission-matrix spectroscopy to determine the parameters for discrimination of the cuticle from background fluorescence and to design and build an instrument that can rapidly and accurately measure cuticle coverage,
2) to apply this direct measurement to estimate reliable heritabilities for cuticle coverage in meat and egg laying strains of poultry and to determine genetic correlations with important production parameters to ensure there are no major negative consequences,
3) to test the hypothesis that (i) moderate levels of stress, (ii) events determining the timing of oviposition and (iii) bird age influences the level of cuticle coverage and to estimate the contribution of these environmental factors to cuticle variation,
4) to develop a method to measure the degree of glycosylation of the cuticle using time resolved fluorescence,
5) to test the hypothesis that the cuticle and its degree of glycosylation acts both as a physical and a chemical barrier to bacteria using penetration and recovery experiments with a range of GFP bacteria,
6) Using animals killed during the transition from shell to cuticle formation and oviposition we will profile the expression of genes to increase our understanding of the control of cuticle formation. We will also specifically measure genes we know from proteomic studies that encode cuticle proteins.
Planned Impact
The principle benefit from this research will be a reduction in the transmission of potential pathogens from parent to offspring via the egg of poultry. In particular organisms of enteric origin such as E Coli, Enterococcus faecalis, Yersinia enterocolitica, Clostridium Perfringens all of which reduce growth, health and welfare and are known zoonotics.
This is of benefit to the poultry industry where birds that lay eggs with good cuticles will result in savings to farmers all the way down the production chain with reduced losses and better protection from disease. For E. Coli infection alone it is estimated that the cost for a typical farm is in the region of £360,000 per annum (World Poultry Vol. 25 No. 5, 2009). With continual pressure to remove antibiotics any system that improves natural antimicrobial defence is important.
The proposal also addresses the concerns of governmental agencies such as the European Food Safety Authority which has identified vertical transmission of antibiotic resistant strains of bacteria in poultry as a major source of flock infection and an impediment to creating clean flocks.
The development of a simple tool and its application to breeding poultry will therefore ultimately reduce the risk to consumers and improve the safety and sustainability of poultry production by utilizing the natural antimicrobial defenses of the egg.
The development of methods to measure the cuticle will be of interest to a range of academics involved in the poultry industry and in wild birds and may provide commercial opportunities. The novel techniques for measuring glycosylation are likely to have interest across biological disciplines and would have wide application beyond that envisaged in the proposal.
This is of benefit to the poultry industry where birds that lay eggs with good cuticles will result in savings to farmers all the way down the production chain with reduced losses and better protection from disease. For E. Coli infection alone it is estimated that the cost for a typical farm is in the region of £360,000 per annum (World Poultry Vol. 25 No. 5, 2009). With continual pressure to remove antibiotics any system that improves natural antimicrobial defence is important.
The proposal also addresses the concerns of governmental agencies such as the European Food Safety Authority which has identified vertical transmission of antibiotic resistant strains of bacteria in poultry as a major source of flock infection and an impediment to creating clean flocks.
The development of a simple tool and its application to breeding poultry will therefore ultimately reduce the risk to consumers and improve the safety and sustainability of poultry production by utilizing the natural antimicrobial defenses of the egg.
The development of methods to measure the cuticle will be of interest to a range of academics involved in the poultry industry and in wild birds and may provide commercial opportunities. The novel techniques for measuring glycosylation are likely to have interest across biological disciplines and would have wide application beyond that envisaged in the proposal.
Organisations
People |
ORCID iD |
Maureen Bain (Principal Investigator) | |
Mark Roberts (Co-Investigator) |
Publications
Bain MM
(2013)
Enhancing the egg's natural defence against bacterial penetration by increasing cuticle deposition.
in Animal genetics
Bain MM
(2016)
Increasing persistency in lay and stabilising egg quality in longer laying cycles. What are the challenges?
in British poultry science
Dunn I
(2019)
Genetic variation and potential for genetic improvement of cuticle deposition on chicken eggs
in Genetics Selection Evolution
Kulshreshtha G
(2022)
Properties, Genetics and Innate Immune Function of the Cuticle in Egg-Laying Species.
in Frontiers in immunology
Poyatos PertiƱez S
(2020)
Transcriptome analysis of the uterus of hens laying eggs differing in cuticle deposition.
in BMC genomics
Description | The measurement we developed in this project to assess cuticle deposition has been adopted by 2 primary poultry breeding companies and is helping to reduce vertical transmission of potentially pathogenic bacteria in the hatchery. |
Exploitation Route | One primary breeding company is now using this measurement routinely as part of their breeding selection index. We have also extended our collaborative effort and submitted a follow on grant application (Jan 2021 to BBSRC) - lead Roslin Institute. |
Sectors | Agriculture, Food and Drink |
URL | http://lomondinstruments.com/li200-ecutimeter-summary/ |
Description | Measurements of estimate genetic parameters have been made for 2 layer and one broiler line. The results indicated that we can select for cuticle in all lines and that one measurement in the life of a hen was adequate to estimate its genetic potential. We now have a clear idea of how we need to implement a quantitative measurement of the cuticle for practical use. We have produced a machine with high throughput which should facilitate the ultimate implementation in breeding programmes. We are continuing to work with the companies to overcome any obstacles to implementation. However all signs are that a major effort is going to be made to incorporate this measure so we should succeed in our efforts to reduce vertical transmission of micro-organisms between generations. The other major output has been a greater understanding and clarification of cuticle deposition physiology. Specifically the timing of the deposition, its susceptibility to environmental factors, the reliance on hormonal signals and the precise location of deposition, most of these points were not proven in the literature before we started. This will help the research community to design further experiments to characterize the nature and the mechanisms of cuticle deposition. |
First Year Of Impact | 2016 |
Sector | Agriculture, Food and Drink,Education |
Impact Types | Economic |
Description | Implementation of cuticle assessment as part of selection criteria |
Geographic Reach | Multiple continents/international |
Policy Influence Type | Influenced training of practitioners or researchers |
Title | Cuticle assessment |
Description | Assessment of cuticle deposition is now recognized by stakeholders as an important criterion when considering ways to improve of egg quality and safety |
Type Of Material | Technology assay or reagent |
Year Produced | 2013 |
Provided To Others? | Yes |
Impact | Our original two stage method (published 2013) for assessing cuticle deposition is now used by researchers and is being applied in the commercial feed industry sector. Our revised methodology will will make it easier to include cuticle quality assessment as a routine measure of egg quality and safety. |
Title | High speed integrated spectrophotometer and analysis tool, eCutimeter |
Description | Custom designed system for the rapid assessment of cuticle deposition using spectrophotometry. The final 'production' prototype was capable of rapid measurement across a range of wavelengths but was designed principally for high throughput reflectance measurement of eggs which would be used for cuticle measurement by staining. |
Type Of Material | Technology assay or reagent |
Year Produced | 2016 |
Provided To Others? | Yes |
Impact | The machine is in trial at breeding organizations with a view to assessing its incorporation into breeding practice. |
URL | http://lomondinstruments.com/li200-ecutimeter-applcation-brief/ |
Title | prototype egg cuticle measurement device |
Description | Device to hold rotate and measure surface fluorescence of an egg |
Type Of Material | Technology assay or reagent |
Provided To Others? | No |
Impact | Ability to conduct measurements for genetic evaluation |
Title | Genetics calculations on cuticle deposition in egg and meat type chickens |
Description | Genetic calculations for cuticle deposition including heritability and genetic correlations with other important production traits are now possible for a meat and 2 egg laying lines of chicken. |
Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
Provided To Others? | No |
Impact | We now have evidence that there is a strong genetic basis to cuticle deposition making it possible to incorporate this trait into breeding programs for improved egg quality and safety |
Title | EGGOMETER V1 development |
Description | 2 lab prototypes of the eggometer device have been designed and built for use in the cute egg project. These prototypes include both our original method for measuring cuticle deposition based on % reflectance and a new technology which uses fluorescence measurements. |
Type Of Technology | Physical Model/Kit |
Year Produced | 2014 |
Impact | These prototypes have been used extensively throughout the project. |
Title | EGGOMETER V2 interface improvment |
Description | Further modifications which enhanced the user interface were incorporated into V2 EGGOMETER lab based instrument |
Type Of Technology | New/Improved Technique/Technology |
Year Produced | 2015 |
Impact | The speed and processing of data in V2 of the eggometer instrument were significantly improved . Further refinements in this design will lead to a field instrument which will be of direct use by our industrial partners |
Description | A talk presentation to Society of Feed Technnologists |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Invited to give update on cuticle work- to society of feed technologists - forum for UK and EU companies involved in poultry feed manufacture |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
Description | A talk/presentaiton WPSA South African Branch |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Invited speaker- presented work on cuticle |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
Description | Activity at farm sunday |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | In collaboration with project partners @Roslin we produced a kit and advertising material to educate about eggs, science and its application. We hope to use this in interaction with schools and other engagement activities. Was distributed to farms we don't know the feedback although when run at our open days it was very favourable. http://www.roslin.ed.ac.uk/CuteEgg/ |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
URL | https://farmsunday.org/open-my-farm/science-and-technology |
Description | Departmental seminar |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
Results and Impact | Seminar about the work being carried out on the CUTE egg project was attended by members of the department |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2015 |
Description | Egg quality Workshops 2014-2016 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
Results and Impact | Egg quality workshops for industry- presented this research as part of 4 different talks given to stakeholders in the industry who are directly involved in supplying fertile eggs to commercial hatcheries or supplying eggs for human consumption. The audiences included farmers, eggpackers, feed companies and breeding company technical support service providers. The aim was to raise awareness about the CUTE-Egg project and promote its primary aim which is to select for improved egg quality and safety. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2014,2015,2016 |
Description | MVLS Industry Day 2014 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
Results and Impact | 250 participants from industry and commerce attended the college of MVLS industry day-this project was showcased as part of the main exhibition and attracted interest from a general perspective as well as from the industry |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2014 |
URL | http://mvlsindustryday2014.meeting-mojo.com/ |
Description | Presentation WPSA china branch |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | invited speaker to WPSA china branch . One of 2 international speakers at this prestigious event. Ongoing collaboration with China agricultural university on cuticle quality assessment |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2006 |
Description | Presentation at Industry event World Poultry Congress, Beijing 2016 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Other audiences |
Results and Impact | XXV World's Poultry Congress (WPC2016), September 5-9, 2016, in Beijing, China has an international audience >4000 people with 50% industry attending. I gave an invited talk on advances in egg quality in a special workshop |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
Description | Presentation of Paper at IFRG meeting |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
Results and Impact | Presentation of Cuticle research at Infertility and incubation Research Group meeting in Edinburgh. This is part of the European Network of the WPSA. Two industry based participants are now staining for cuticle deposition in their commercial operations. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
URL | https://www.ifrg.org/ |
Description | Science Festivals |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | As a result of a Beltane grant and workshop an activity was built up to engage the public including children in the research. Specifically to understand the role of the cuticle in keeping bacteria out of the egg (in a fun way!). This was used at a number of different science festival events |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2014 |
URL | http://midlothiansciencefestival.com/event/scoffing-scottish-science/ |
Description | Two oral presentations at International conference (EGGMEAT2017) |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Two short oral presentations at European conference EGGMEAT2017, held in edinburgh |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
URL | http://eggmeat2017.efconference.co.uk/ |