PHOSPHORUS DEPOSITION IN THE EGG AS MEASURED WITH RADIOACTIVE PHOSPHORUS

Abstract

Injected phosphorus appeared rapidly in the shells of hens'' eggs, the largest amts. being found in shells formed at the time of P32 inj. Its deposition in albumen was delayed, maximal deposition of P32 occurring in eggs whose albumen was actively secreted 24 to 54 hrs. after the inj. Administered P32 appeared rapidly in the phospholipid and other P compounds of the yolk; the amt. of P32 deposited in these fractions in the yolk could be accounted for by an integral function of the 2 variables, yolk growth rate and P32 availability, during the corresponding period of new formation. The availability curves for yolk P and yolk phospholipid were roughly defined. A faster deposition of P32 was observed in yolks of fast-laying than in slow-laying birds. Excretion of injected P32 is shown to depend upon rate of egg production, and whether shell formation is in progress.