Topics:
Animal Nutrition, Animal Refresher
Cause of Pink Egg White
Pink discoloration of egg white is due to:
- HCN
- Gossypol — Correct Answer
- Dicoumarol
- None
Explanation:
Correct Answer: Gossypol
Pink (rose-coloured) discoloration of egg white is caused by feeding hens cotton seed cake/meal containing Gossypol. Gossypol binds to proteins in the egg white, imparting a pink/rose discoloration. It also causes olive-green or dark yolk discoloration in eggs stored at low temperatures.
Gossypol — Anti-Nutritional Factor in Cotton Seed
| Effect | Species/Situation |
|---|---|
| Pink egg white discoloration | Laying hens fed cottonseed meal |
| Olive/dark yolk at cold storage | Hens fed gossypol-containing diet |
| Reduced fertility | Bulls (gossypol damages sperm) |
| Cardiac failure (long-term) | Pigs, poultry |
Detoxification and Species Resistance
- Treatment: Iron supplement or FeSO₄ — iron binds gossypol forming an insoluble gossypol-iron complex.
- Horse is resistant to gossypol poisoning.
- Subabool (Leucaena) → Mimosine — also treated with FeSO₄ (same treatment as gossypol).
- Free gossypol is the toxic form; bound gossypol in processed meal is less toxic.
Why Other Options Are Wrong
- HCN → causes cyanide poisoning (from Jowar/Sorghum, Cassava); not egg white discoloration.
- Dicoumarol → anti-Vitamin K factor from Sweet Clover; causes haemorrhage, not egg discoloration.
- None → Gossypol is the definitive cause of pink egg white discoloration.
📚 About this Topic — Animal Nutrition
This multiple choice question is from Animal Nutrition, Animal Refresher. It has 4 options with a detailed explanation of the correct answer. Practice more MCQs from Animal Nutrition to strengthen your preparation.
