The secretion of glucose into the egg ofgallus domesticusand observations on the uterine secretion of cations

Abstract

1. The concentrations of glucose, K+, Na+ and Ca2+ were measured in the uterine fluid and albumen of eggs removed from the shell gland at intervals of from 6 to 20 h after the previous oviposition. 2. A steady increase in the concentrations of glucose and K+ occurred in the uterine fluid during the initial 13 h of the egg's sojourn in the gland, resulting in their diffusion into the albumen. Meanwhile Na+ concentrations of the fluid and albumen decreased. 3. After 14 h in the gland and until oviposition there was little change in the concentrations. 4. Uterine fluid drained artificially from the gland using a Perspex egg had lower glucose and K+, but higher Na+ concentrations than the normal fluid. 5. The rates of secretion of glucose and K+ measured with the artificial egg resembled their entry rates into the normal egg, but there was an apparent deficit in Ca2+ secretion.

Source of Carbon for the Biosynthesis of Eggshell Carbonate in the Hen. Comparison of Six 14C Labeled Compounds as Sources of Carbon in Eggshells, Albumen, and Yolk

“…2). This may be explained by the recent observation of Edwards (1977) that a steady increase in the concentration of glucose in albumen occurred during the initial 13 hr of the egg's sojourn in the uterus. The substantial entry of 14 C into albumen of D+l eggs (Table 1) raised a question whether this activity was conveyed into the egg during the early period of shell formation by the plumping process or by a "spill-over" of unused carbonate precursor or derivative from the shell-formation process.…”