EGG MORPHOLOGY AS PRE-HATCH SEX PREDICTOR IN ItikPINAS MALLARD DUCKS

Vince Steven F. Martinez, Alyzza Cyrra C. Tidon, Kevin Clien T. Dagohoy, Giovannie M. Sarmiento, Herald Nygel P. Bautista, Mark Jafet D. Henebraldo, Kimberly Ann P. Bermudez, Rene C. Santiago, Veneranda A. Magpantay

Abstract


This study assessed the potential of egg morphometric traits, particularly shape index (SI), as non-invasive predictors of post-hatch sex in ItikPINAS (IP) mallard ducks (Anas platyrynchos L.) across three genetically distinct lines: IP-Kayumanggi, IP-Itim, and IP-Khaki. A total of 269 hatching eggs were subjected to both manual and digital morphometric measurements using digital calipers and ImageJ EggTools software, respectively. Key traits measured included egg length and width, with computed values for volume, surface area, and shape index. Hatchling sex was determined through vent sexing. Descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, principal component analysis (PCA), and logistic regression were used to analyze the data. Significant morphometric differences were observed among the IP lines; however, these breed-level variations did not affect sex outcomes, justifying data pooling. In all variables, sex-based comparisons showed non-significant differences. PCA revealed considerable overlap among lines and between sexes, while logistic regression showed no trait combination capable of reliably predicting sex. Despite high measurement consistency among traits, egg morphology alone was not a sufficient predictor of duckling sex. These findings highlight the need for further studies using larger datasets, non-linear modeling techniques, and internal imaging tools to improve the feasibility of morphometry-based sex prediction in mallard duck production systems.

Keywords


egg morphometry, mallard ducks, non-invasive methods, sex determination

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References


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