Characteristics of egg parts, chemical composition and nutritive value of Japanese quail eggs--a review.

All nutrients including proteins, lipids, vitamins, minerals and growth factors required by the developing embryo, as well as a number of defense factors, can be found in avian eggs. Eggs are also a source of other substances with biological functions and activities inter alia immune proteins and enzymes. Although chicken egg consumption is currently at the highest level, eggs from other species are also becoming popular. Since our knowledge about Japanese quail eggs is still limited, the aim of this review was to shed light on characteristics of egg parts, chemical composition and nutritive value of quail eggs.