Microscopic fungi in eggs of ring-necked pheasants kept in aviaries

Pheasant eggs of different colors differ with regard to physical properties. This study was conducted to ascertain the intensity of infestation by microscopic fungi based on egg color. Settling intensity by microscopic fungi of pheasant egg shells and the content of eggs of different color during a 7-d storage period was investigated. The content of ergosterol (ERG) was used as a quantitative indicator of microscopic fungi and yeasts in the egg. The highest ERG content was determined in blue- and light brown-shelled eggs, both nonstored (0 d) and stored (7 d). A similar tendency was observed when assessing ERG content in the egg white. The difference between blue- and light brown-shelled eggs and the remaining eggs amounted to approximately 0.95 mg/kg. Differences in the ERG content in the whites of eggs stored for 0 and 7 d were determined to be 0.80, 1.63, 1.91, and 0.85 mg/kg for blue-, olive-, light brown-, and dark brown-shelled eggs, respectively. The performed quality analysis of the mycoflora found on pheasant eggs indicated a considerable proportion of molds from the Aspergillus genus as well as the occurrence of single colonies from Penicillium and Rhizopus genera. The only yeasts determined on the egg surface of the examined eggs belonged to the Rhodotorula genus. The performed investigations demonstrated that microscopic fungi pose a potential hazard to pheasant embryos.