Abstract:
The process of fertilization and gender determination in avian eggs directly impacts the economic efficiency and ethical considerations within poultry incubation and breeding operations. Historically, the detection of fertilization status and gender information in eggs has represented a significant bottleneck in the advancement of the poultry and egg sectors. The non-destructive identification of egg sex stands as a particularly formidable challenge on a global scale. Non-destructive detection methodologies that are both suitable and efficacious promise not only to unveil pertinent, previously inaccessible information but also to do so without inflicting any harm upon the eggs, hence the surge in research interest in recent times. Nevertheless, the quest for precise detection is complicated by factors, including but not limited to the variability in eggshell thickness and coloration, the dynamic nature of the internal fluids, and the intricacies of embryonic development. A comprehensive comparative analysis of the array of non-destructive detection techniques show cased in extant literature was conducted, encompassing machine vision, spectroscopic technologies, acoustic resonance frequency analysis, bioelectrical signal analysis, percussive vibration methods, dielectric constant analysis, and olfactory signature analysis. Moreover, it delineated the persistent challenges faced in the non-destructive assay of fertilization and sex data in avian eggs and articulated a forward-looking discussion on the potential integration of nascent technological applications in forthcoming investigative endeavors.