Effect of Egg Yolk Size on Yolk Cholesterol Concentration.

Abstract

Within a genetic line of birds, there was an inverse relation between size of the yolk and cholesterol concentration of the yolk. Moreover, on a dry weight basis there was a difference between the regression coefficients for the genetic lines with respect to yolk cholesterol. The data showed that a differential rate of cholesterol transfer into the follicle exists between strains. While a negative relationship existed between ovum size and cholesterol concentration, a positive relationship existed between ovum size and solids content. The solids content of developing ovum increased rapidly until the ovum reached 3 grams, after which the solids content increased slowly as the ovum size increased. There was no difference in the solids content of the mature boiled egg yolks between the genetic lines.