Spectrophotometric Identification of Eggshell Pigments and Timing of Superficial Pigment Deposition in the Japanese Quail

Abstract

Summary

The eggshell pigments of wild-type and mutant white egg Japanese quail have been identified by spectrophotometric analysis of eggshell solutions, solutions of wild-type superficial pigment, and extracts of uterine tissue. Oöporphyrin and biliverdin both contribute to wild-type eggshell pigmentation but oöporphyrin alone seems responsible for the slight pigmentation of mutant white eggshells. In wild-type quail, deposition of superficial eggshell pigment begins between the second and third hours prior to oviposition and is accompanied by an abrupt reduction of oöporphyrin content in uterine tissue extracts.