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Sexing chicken eggs using fluorescence
The objective of this research is to develop a method to detect the sex of freshly laid eggs using measurement of fluorescence emitted from the ‘blastodisc’ on the yolk of the intact egg. This is part of a larger project aimed at developing technological alternatives for the killing of day old chicks (see background of overall project below). As an experimental model we can use chicken eggs that express green fluorescent protein (GFP) in the blastodisc. Such eggs can be obtained from transgenic chicken that we have available through co-operation with Roslin Institute of Edinburgh University.
The blastodisc of a chicken egg is the primordial ‘embryo’ on top of the egg yolk of the fertile egg. It is only approximately 5 mm in diameter and contains 20,000 -50,000 undifferentiated cells. Irrespective of the position of the egg, the yolk always turns such that the position of the blastodisc is ‘up’. The fluorescence signal of the GFP eggs is strong enough to be clearly seen in opened eggs, but the challenge is to measure the fluorescence without needing to open the egg. This means that excitation and emission wavelengths must be able to pass through the intact egg shell and albumen. Albumen is translucent for the visible spectrum, but the egg shell obviously is not. The egg shell can obscure light by massive light scattering (all eggs) and by extinction (especially pigmented brown eggs). Still we know that a significant portion of light can pass through intact eggs. A problem may arise from autofluorescence from the egg shell, albumen, or yolk.
Similar studies have been done to detect and image GFP fluorescence in intact animals (e.g. mice).
The advantage in our study is that we do not need imaging of the fluorescence, but just need to be able to detect the presence of GFP in a yes or no fashion. The task of the student would be to at least show the proof of principle that the GFP signal from intact eggs can be detected.
Background of the overall project:
For the production of new layer hens, young animals must be generated. While the female chicks can be used, the male chicks of the layer breed can not be valorized, because males don’t lay eggs, and because they do not have the genetic potential to be raised for meat production. Consequently, in the Netherlands, annually over 30 million male chicks are killed right after hatching. This mass killing has raised concern in society and Parliament. This project is very relevant as it investigates a number of technological alternatives that would prevent the mass killing.
This assignment will be conducted in close cooperation with Wageningen UR Livestock Research in Lelystad
Are you interested or do you have any questions? Please contact:
Loes Segerink or Ad Sprenkels
BIOS, lab on chip group
Hogekamp 6254
Phone: +31 (0)53 489 3944
E-mail: l.i.segerink@ewi.utwente.nl
