Isolation and Characterization of Yeasts Associated With Hatchery Dead - In - Shell Embryos, In Zaria

This study was conducted to isolate yeast from dead-in-shell embryos of poultry as a potential cause of in-viability in poultry eggs. A total of two thousand dead-in-shell poultry eggs were sampled over a period of five months, on a weekly basis from a reputable hatchery in Zaria, Kaduna State, Nigeria. The eggs were disinfected in accordance with the standard protocol using sodium hypochlorite and 70 % alcohol. Ten eggs were pooled into sterile beaker as sample processed per week with a total of 200 pooled samples in five months and inoculated on Sabaurauds Dextrose Agar (SDA) and Corn Meal Agar (CMA) in accordance with standard microbiological procedures. Out of the 200 pooled samples, Fifteen (15) yielded yeast isolates, on microbiologic examination. Further biochemical analysis using urease, citrate and triple sugar ion test confirmed nineteen (19) of the pooled samples as Aspergillus Species. One hundred, and forty-four (144) pooled samples were negative for fungi and twenty-two (22) had no growth on both Corn Meal Agar and Sabaurauds Dextrose Agar. These findings revealed that Yeasts and Aspergillus species can be associated with dead-in-shell embryo of poultry eggs which can thus be incriminated as potential cause of embryo death in poultry eggs. Hence, the need to create awareness on biosecurity measures amongst poultry farmers, hatcheries and other