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The developmental pattern of calcium mobilisation during embryogenesis in Muscovy ducks
1Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition and Regulation, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China.
British Poultry Science
|June 24, 2026
Summary
Duck embryos mobilize significant calcium from yolk and serum during late incubation (ED25-28) to support bone development. Eggshell quality and calcium content decline as embryos grow.
Area of Science:
- Avian physiology
- Developmental biology
- Mineral metabolism
Background:
- Calcium (Ca) is vital for avian embryonic bone mineralization.
- The precise dynamics of calcium metabolism during duck embryogenesis are not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate calcium mobilization in Muscovy duck embryos throughout their development.
- To correlate changes in eggshell and yolk calcium with embryonic physiological parameters and gene expression.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of eggshell physical properties and calcium content from embryonic day (ED) 16 to ED31.
- Measurement of serum calcium and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity.
- Assessment of relative mRNA expression of calcium transport and absorption genes in yolk sac membrane (YSM) and liver tissues from ED16 to the day of hatch (DOH).
Main Results:
- Eggshell quality and calcium levels decreased linearly with incubation time.
- Yolk calcium levels peaked around ED25, while serum calcium and ALP activity increased significantly from ED16 to DOH, plateauing by ED28.
- Expression of key calcium-related genes in YSM and liver showed a quadratic increase, peaking between ED25-28.
Conclusions:
- Eggshell quality and calcium content diminish as duck embryogenesis progresses.
- A critical period of enhanced calcium mobilization occurs between ED25-28, evidenced by increased yolk and serum calcium, ALP activity, and upregulation of related gene expression.
- This mobilization is crucial for supporting bone mineralization and overall growth in developing duck embryos.
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