Two studies which were similar in protocol were conducted. Following a preliminary baseline period of 7 days, in which the subjects consumed their self-chosen diets, they received 3 eggs daily for 4 weeks. Depending upon the changes in plasma cholesterol in response to 3 eggs daily, the subjects in studies A and B were divided into 2 groups. During the subsequent 4 week treatment period, the hyporesponders received 6 eggs daily in study A, and 3 eggs and additional butter daily in study B. The hyperresponders consumed 3 eggs daily in study A; and 3 eggs with additional high PUFA margarine in study B. Dietary records were taken during the last 7 days of each period. A total of 128 seven-day dietary records kept by these subjects indicated that the majority of them met the RDA's for the nutrients studied, except vitamin B6 and folacin. Vitamin B6 intakes were below 67% of the RDA in 13% of the diets, and were below 67% of the RDA for folacin in 21% of the diets. There was a problem in meeting 67% of the RDA for zinc in subjects who consumed less than 70 g. of protein daily. When the subjects added 3 whole eggs daily to their self-chosen diets, there were significant increases in protein (p<0.05), total fat (p<0.01), phosphorous (p<0.01), sodium (p<0.001), iron (p<0.05), and dietary cholesterol (p<0.0001). A significant decrease in non-egg dietary cholesterol (p<0.01) was also observed. There were no significant differences in nutrient intake between hypos and hypers in either the baseline or classification periods. No further changes in nutrient intakes were seen in the 9 subjects who continued consuming 3 added eggs daily during treatment period. The 13 hyporesponders who added 6 eggs daily to their self-chosen diets had significant increases, compared to baseline, in protein (p<0.05), total fat (p<0.05), and dietary cholesterol (p<0.0001) and significant decreases in carbohydrate (p<0.01), thiamin (p<0.05), and vitamin B6 (p<0.05). Other than obvious increases in total fat, no other changes in nutrient intake were observed upon the addition of butter or margarine. The use of nutritional supplements was observed in 71% of the subjects: 58% regularly and 13% occasionally. All subjects who took supplements included vitamin C. In general, nutrient supplements did not improve poor nutrient intakes. These results show overall adequacy of the diets for most of the men, which is consistent with other studies. The effects of additional egg in the diet were increases in protein, fat and cholesterol intakes and a decrease in carbohydrate consumption. / Graduation date: 1985

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The eggshell of reptiles is essential for not only protecting the embryo, but can also serve as source of calcium for embryonic skeletal development. Whereas embryonic lepidosaurs and chelonians rely on their yolk sac for calcium during development, embryonic archosaurs mobilise eggshell calcium supply to both the embryo and the yolk sac. By the time archosaurs hatch, their residual yolk sacs have a calcium content equal or greater than at time of oviposition, which is used to support post-hatching growth. To date, no study has looked into how removal of the calcareous eggshell affects embryonic development in archosaurs. I tested how the removal of the calcareous eggshell affects embryonic and hatchling growth and biomechanic function of the skeleton in embryos and hatchlings of the American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis). Experimental eggs had their eggshell manually peeled, while control eggs were sham handled but otherwise not altered. Sampling of eggs occurred on a weekly basis until the end of incubation. Embryos, yolk sacs, and eggshells were removed and analyzed for morphological, histological and biomechanical parameters. Results show that at the time of eggshell peeling yolk sac calcium reserves were sufficient for experimental embryos to develop, but animals hatched in diminutive state. Serial clearing and staining of embryos revealed that onset of bone mineralization was similar for both treatment groups. Growth trajectory of experimental hatchlings parallelled that of control animals, without compensatory growth. Experimental hatchlings were observed to have flexible lower jaws and produced a weaker bite force than control hatchlings. Cross-sections of the mandible and femoral mid-diaphysis had a significantly reduced cross-sectional area in experimental hatchlings. I conclude that loss of the calcareous eggshell during incubation leads to severe constraint on growth and biomechanics of the alligator skeleton.