| Abstract: | Levels of biotin and avidin were assayed in eggs from Small White turkey hens having 12-15 week average hatchability of fertile egg records (HF) of 13 and 99%. The median level and concentration of avidin was higher in eggs of the 13% HF (2.72 mg and 42.5 micrograms/ml, respectively) as compared with the 99% HF (1.39 mg and 23.8 micrograms/ml, respectively). Calculations for total biotin to avidin binding in the eggs revealed that all eggs in the 13% HF and residual free avidin levels after total biotin was complexed to avidin. This complex formation is expected to have limited the availability of biotin for embryonic development. |
