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RECORD NUMBER: 4 OF 19

Main Title Comparison of Breaking Strength and Shell Thickness as Evaluators of Eggshell Quality.
Author Bennett, J. K. ; Ringer, R. K. ; Bennett, R. S. ; Williams, B. A. ; Humphrey, P. E. ;
CORP Author Corvallis Environmental Research Lab., OR. ;Northrop Services, Inc., Corvallis, OR. ;Michigan State Univ., East Lansing. ;Oregon State Univ., Corvallis. Dept. of Forest Products.
Publisher c1988
Year Published 1988
Report Number EPA/600/J-88/301;
Stock Number PB89-202352
Additional Subjects Birds ; Sulfanilamide ; Toxicity ; Thickness ; Sulfur organic compounds ; Breaking strength ; Reprints ; Eggshells ; Bobwhite quail ; Biological effects ; Colinus Virginianus
Holdings
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Status
NTIS  PB89-202352 Some EPA libraries have a fiche copy filed under the call number shown. 07/26/2022
Collation 10p
Abstract
The shell quality of eggs produced by northern bobwhite (Colinus Virginianus) dosed with sulfanilamide was evaluated by a compression breaking strength test and by the shell thickness measurements that are used in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency avian reproduction test to determine the effect of a chemical substance on eggshells. The relative sensitivities of the two methods in detecting shell quality changes in sulfanilamide-treated quail were compared by relative response ratios, calculated as treatment period response divided by pretreatment values. The ratios demonstrated a clear shell weakening response and a less apparent shell thinning response. Significant differences in shell thickness of eggs from sulfanilamide-treated hens and those from control hens were not demonstrated (alpha = 0.32 and 0.34), although highly significant differences in shell strength were demonstrated (alpha <0.0001). Scanning electron micrographs of weak shells of normal thickness revealed abnormal ultrastructure, usually poorly formed mammillae. Obtaining both shell thickness and shell strength information may provide better means to evaluate a chemical's effect on shell quality.