Strength Distribution, Weight and Some Histological Aspects of the Vitelline Membrane of the Hen’s Egg Yolk

FROMM (1962) reported a method for evaluating the strength of the vitelline membrane so that the yolk remained intact after several evaluations. Prior to this report, available methods for this analysis necessitated the complete rupture of the membrane so that the yolk lost its identity (Haugh, 1933; Munro and Robertson, 1935; and Moran, 1936). Presumably since the literature in general is essentially devoid of reference to differences in strength at specific areas of the vitelline membrane other than at the germinal disc (Moran and Hale, 1936; McNally, 1943; and Romanoff and Romanoff, 1949), one might assume from previous research that the vitelline membrane of the fully developed egg may be physically uniform excepting at the germinal disc. It was the purpose of this study to evaluate strength differences at various points on the vitelline membrane and to determine what inherent factors of the vitelline membrane may influence its strength. EXPERIMENTAL…