Browsing by Author "Sinchi Yumbla, Santiago Xavier"

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Características morfológicas de huevos de gallina (Gallus gallus domesticus) para consumo en cuatro momentos del ciclo lunar
(Universidad de Cuenca, 2025-02-19) Sinchi Yumbla, Santiago Xavier; Sisalima Pachar, Fernando Javier; Perea Ganchou, Fernando Pedro
Scientific evidence has demonstrated an effect of the lunar cycle (LC) on productive and reproductive aspects in farm animals. However, there are no reports on the effect of the moon on hen egg morphology. This study evaluated the influence of four moments of the LC on external and internal morphometric characteristics of laying eggs. The lunar cycle was divided into new moon (NM), crescent quarter (CQ), full moon (FM) and waning quarter (WQ). Egg, yolk and albumen weight and dimensions, eggshell weight and thickness, and other variables derived from the above were recorded. Data were analyzed by analysis of variance using the general linear model, and means were compared with the least squares test. There was a statistical effect of LC on egg weight, length and width (P 0.0001), eggshell weight and thickness (P<0.001), and eggshell/egg ratio (P=0.0145), although egg shape did not vary between phases. Likewise, LC statistically influenced yolk weight, diameter and height (P<0.01), and albumen weight and diameter (P<0.01) but not albumen height (P=0.2998). In addition, yolk/egg (P=0.0520) and albumin/egg (P=0.0347) yolk/albumin (P=0.0463) ratios were also influenced by LC (P<0.05), but not yolk color (P=0.1118). In general, egg morphometric variables were higher in WQ and NM than in CQ and FM. In conclusion, an effect of the moon on the external and internal characteristics of laying eggs was observed. Both yolk, albumen, shell and whole egg were heavier in NM and WQ than in the other two LC phases.