Eggshell uniformity and the relationship between shell structures and shell translucency, examined by Computated Tomography (CT) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM)

While it has been determined that eggshell translucency is caused by the accumulation of moisture within the structures of the shell, it is still unclear precisely which shell structures are related to translucency. As part of a larger study, initial work aimed to determine how many shell samples from a single egg were required to adequately identify any features or abnormalities of that shell. SEM and CT analysis of shell samples is a time consuming process so avoiding unnecessary replication would allow for more eggs to be examined.