VETERINARY EMBRYOLOGY

EXERCISE #5
THE MATURE OVUM

A. Study the diagram showing the structure of the hen's egg at the time of laying
(Fig. 16, Chap 2, p.37 Patten's Early Embryology of the Chick)

All eggs (ova) like any other cells are covered by the cell membrane or
plasmalemma. In addition to the plasmalemma, eggs of all animals except sponge and
some coelenterates, are surrounded by egg membranes. The primary membranes are
those which develop in the ovary between the oocytes and the follicle cells. The
membrane bears different names in different animals it is known as the vitelline
membrane. In insects, mollusks, amphibians and birds, in fishes it is called the
chorion. In mammals it is called the zona pellucida. In insects, a second, thicker
membrane is secreted by the follicle cells on top of the vitelline membrane is called the
chorion.

In mammals an egg extruded from the ovary carries with it the zona
pellucida and the corona radiata. The corona radiata is later peeled off as the
egg travels down the fallopian tube.

The secondary egg membranes are those which are secreted by the oviducts
and other accessory parts of the female reproductive system while the egg is passing
down through them. The most complex secondary egg membranes are present in the
egg of birds. External to the vitelline membrane (primary egg membrane) - a very thin
membrane covering the surface of the yellow of the egg which is the true egg cell- four
secondary egg membranes are distinguishable.

Thus the egg membranes of the bird from the inside outward are
1. Vitelline membrane
2. Egg white- consists of 85% water and a mixture of several proteins, mostly albumins.
A denser part of the egg white forms strands, called the chalazae, which help to keep
the egg cell in the center of the egg white. The chalaza is twisted into rope-like strand
on either side of the spherical yolk mass.
3. Inner shell membrane
4. Outer shell membrane which consist of keratin fibers matted together. Over most of
the egg, the shell membranes are in contact with each other except at the blunt end of
the egg where they are separated. The inner membranes adheres to the egg white and
the outer membrane adheres to the egg shell leaving a space in between filled with air
(air space).
5. Shell- consists chiefly of calcium carbonate, about 5 grams in a hen's egg. The
shell is pierced by numerous tiny pores which are filled by an organic (protein)
substance related to collagen. In an average a total number of about 7000. The shell
consists of 3 layers, the inner mammillary, intermediate spongy and outer thin cuticular
layers.
 The membranes of the birds egg do not only protect the egg cell
but the egg white serves also as an additional source of nourishment
and is gradually used up in the course of development of the embryo.

B. Allow a fresh egg to float freely in water until it comes to rest

Open the egg by cutting away the part of the shell which lies
uppermost The deutoplasm will become visible. The deutoplasmis
the yolk mass with the blastodisc which generally floats around to
the most dorsal position. The blastodisc appears as a circular
whitish area lying atop the yolk. In fertilized egg the blastodisc
represents the region of earliest embryonic development and is
relatively free from yolk. The blastodisc is larger in fertilized than in
unfertilized eggs due to the development which has taken place in
the former eggs. The aggregation of cells which infertilized eggs lies
in the blastodisc is known as the blastoderm
C. Enlarge the opening of the egg to permit the albumen and yolk to
flow freely into a saline solution (0.85%) in a petri dish. This must
be done carefully to avoid rupture of the yolk: Draw the fresh egg
as presented in the petri dish and label the following structures: yolk;
blastodisc; chalaza: the outer albumen, vitelline membrane
D. Place a drop of egg yolk on a glass slide, add a little water and
examine with a microscope.
1. Diagram of a Fresh Egg
c. Hold a fresh raw egg in one position for 3-5 minutes so as to allow
the blastodisc to come to the most dorsal position. Mark the position
of this blastodisc on the shell and boil the egg in the same position.
Remove the shell and take note of the outer and inner shell
membranes and the air space at the broad end of the egg. Using a
thin thread, cut the boiled egg (hard boiled) vertically through the
marked position of the blastodisc exposing the neck of the latebra.
The white and yellow yolk are not easily distinguishable in the hard
boiled egg but evidence
of concentric rings maybe seen.

Longitudinal section of a hard boiled egg showing the following

structures: shell, outer and inner shell membranes; air space,
albumen, concentric white and yellow volk; blastodisc, latebra and
nucleus of Pander.
SAQS
1. Tor F: The air space appears only after the egg has been laid
and cooled to ordinary temperatures.
2. How is the air space related to the freshness of the egg?
3. What is the use of egg white (albumen)?
4. What structures in the mammalian ovarian follicle are absent in
the avian follicle?
5. What is the other name of avian yolk
6. What is the site of early embryonic development in the avian
egg?