Egg transmission of two strains of Mycoplasma gallisepticum in chickens.
The egg transmissibility of strains F and R of Mycoplasma gallisepticum (MG) was studied in 53 pullets by isolating MG from the eggs and embryos. MG was isolated at rates of 3.19% and 1.59% from the eggs of hens exposed by aerosol to the R or F strain, respectively. However, MG was isolated at rates of 0.19% and 0.00% from the eggs of chickens exposed by eye drop to the R or F strain, respectively. A statistically significant reduction in egg production was observed during the first 4 weeks postexposure in the group exposed to the R strain of MG by aerosol. An unexpected finding was significantly lower fertility of eggs from all MG-infected groups.
D000336:Aerosols; D000818:Animals; D002642:Chick Embryo / Q000382:microbiology*; D002645:Chickens; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D009174:Mycoplasma / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D009175:Mycoplasma Infections / Q000635:transmission / Q000662:veterinary*; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; D010058:Oviposition; D010063:Ovum / Q000382:microbiology*; D011201:Poultry Diseases / Q000635:transmission*; D013045:Species Specificity
D000336:Aerosols; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions