Summary
The eggshell of the domestic fowl has been studied by transmission electron microscopy and diffraction. Thin sections of shell were prepared by chemical and ion-beam thinning techniques. Each calcite column of the palisade layer consisted of crystallites of diameter 20 to 30 µm with some tendency for crystallite alignment within a single column. Evidence indicates that there was no significant preferred orientation in the palisade layer as a whole. Only in the surface layer was any preferred orientation detected, and here {1014} planes tended to lie parallel to the surface. The results are compared with previously published data, and calcite nucleation and growth are discussed.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Simons, P.C.M., Wiertz, G.: Notes on the structure of shell and membranes of the hen's egg; A study with the scanning electron microscope, Ann. Biol. Anim. Biochem. Biophys.10:31–49, 1970
Simons, P.C.M.: Ultrastructure of the Hen Eggshell and Its Physiological Interpretation. Centre for Agricultural Publishing and Documentation, Wageningen, 1971
Terepka, A.R.: Structure and calcification in avian egg shell, Exp. Cell Res.30:171–182, 1963
Schmidt, W.J.: Über die Struktur einiger abnormer Vogel-Eischalen nebst Bemerkungen zu neueren Auffassungen betreffend Bau und Bildung der Kalkschale, Z. Morphol. Ökol. Tiere.53:311–361, 1964
Winchell, H.: The unit cells of calcite, Am. J. Sci.254:65–70, 1956
Cain, C.J., Heyn, A.N.J.: X-Ray diffraction studies of the crystalline structure of the avian egg shell, Biophys. J.4:23–39, 1964
Favejee, J.Ch.L., Van der Plas, L., Schoorl, R., Floor, P.: X-Ray diffraction of the crystalline structure of the avian egg shell: some critical remarks, Biophys. J.5:359–361, 1965
Heyn, A.N.J.: The crystalline structure of calcium carbonate in the avian egg shell, J. Ultrastruct. Res.8:176–188, 1963
Veress, I., Szép, I., Bidlo, G.: Examination of the fine structure of goose egg shells by electron microscopy and x-ray diffraction, Baromfiipar1:35–46, 1972
Quintana, C., Sandoz, D.: Coquille de l'oeuf de caille: étude ultrastructurale et cristallographique, Calcif. Tissue Res.25:145–159, 1978
Krueger, W.F., cited in [12]
Creger, C.R., Phillips, H., Scott, J.T.: Formation of an egg shell, Poult. Sci.55:1717–1723, 1976
Dana E.S.: A Textbook of Minerology. John Wiley & Sons, New York, 1932
Tullett, S.G., Board, R.G., Love, G., Perrott, H.R., Scott, V.D.: Vaterite deposition during eggshell formation in cormorant, gannet and shag and in “shell-less” eggs of the domestic fowl, Acta Zool. (Stockh.)57:79–87, 1976
Board, R.G., Perrott, H.R., Love, G., Scott, V.D.: The phosphate-rich cover on the eggshells of the Great Crested Grebe, Calcif. Tissue Int. (submitted)
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Perrott, H.R., Scott, V.D. & Board, R.G. Crystal orientation in the shell of the domestic fowl: An electron diffraction study. Calcif Tissue Int 33, 119–124 (1981). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02409423
Received:
Revised:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02409423