Patterns and relationships of plasma calcium, protein and phosphorus during the egg laying cycle of the fowl and the effect of dietary calcium.

In 29 domestic hens, four blood samples were collected during the period of egg formation, at time points representing different metabolic stages. Plasma concentrations of total calcium, total phosphorus, inorganic phosphorus and total protein were measured, and the effect of adding oyster shell particles to a standard laying diet was investigated. Analyses of covariance were made and correlations between the plasma characteristics were calculated. The following were significantly correlated: total and inorganic phosphorus, calcium and total phosphorus, and calcium and protein. Each of the four characteristics showed a significant decrease during egg formation. Inorganic phosphorus reached a peak 15 h after ovulation, probably related to medullary bone resorption. Plasma total phosphorus differed significantly between chickens. Addition of oyster shell to the diet did not affect the concentration or the pattern of the plasma characteristics during egg formation and did not reduce calcium mobilisation from medullary bone during shell formation.