System for extracting a biological sample from a poultry egg, and related method

Abstract

The invention relates to the process of extracting a biological sample from a poultry egg (6, 106), in particular for the in-ovo sex determination of a poultry embryo. The invention proposes, in a system (2, 102) in question, a receiving means (4, 104) for receiving at least one poultry egg (6, 106) from which the sample is to be extracted; and a sampling device (8, 108) which is designed to extract a biological sample (12, 112) from an extraction region (10, 110) of the poultry egg (6, 106), said sampling device (8, 108) having a penetration and extraction means (16, 116) which is designed to penetrate the shell (18) of the poultry egg (6, 106) and extract the sample (12, 112) from the extraction region (10, 110) and said receiving means (4, 104) having an aligning device (20, 120) which is designed to position the poultry egg (6, 106) and / or the penetration and extraction means (16, 116) relative to each other such that the penetration and extraction means (16, 116) is aligned adjacently to the extraction region (10, 110).

Description

[0001] System for taking a biological sample from a poultry egg and related procedure

[0002] The invention relates to a system for taking a biological sample from a poultry egg, in particular for in-ovo sex determination of a poultry embryo, especially a turkey embryo. In the present context, "turkey" refers in particular to the domesticated form of the turkey, also known as the domestic turkey (Meleagris gallopavo Linnaeus f. domestica).

[0003] These turkeys are primarily raised for their meat, which is particularly lean. Turkey eggs are mostly produced in specialized breeding facilities, then incubated in hatcheries, and the hatchlings are moved to fattening farms. Male and female turkeys exhibit significantly different rearing and meat characteristics. Therefore, it has proven beneficial to identify the sex of the birds shortly after hatching and then raise them under conditions optimized for each sex. For this purpose, turkeys undergo a manual sexing process after hatching. Although this method has generally proven effective, sexing involves significant labor costs and stress for the animals.

[0004] A further disadvantage is that the sex of the turkey is unknown before hatching. Sex-specific incubation and incubation location are therefore currently impossible. Furthermore, the known method for sex determination implies that the hatched chicks must be transported, sometimes over long distances, to their fattening farm. Transporting the eggs before hatching is currently not possible, as most fattening farms specialize in raising only one sex of turkey.

[0005] In recent years, methods and systems for in-ovo sex determination in chicks have been developed. One such method is known, for example, from WO 2017 / 109133 A1. Unlike in turkeys, where sex determination ensures optimized fattening, the motivation for chicks lies primarily in avoiding the culling of male chicks from the laying line. With regard to chicks, the cited document proposes extracting allantoic fluid from the egg and then performing sex determination using endocrine analysis with antigen-antibody technology.

[0006] However, a disadvantage of the described method is that it is not optimized for use with turkeys and, in particular, cannot meet the requirements that arise when such a method is to be used for a large number of eggs in general, for example in a large hatchery.

[0007] Against this background, the invention was based on the objective of further developing a method and a system in such a way as to eliminate the disadvantages found in the prior art as far as possible. In particular, a system for taking a sample from a poultry egg and a corresponding method are to be provided, which are automated to such an extent that the system and method can be used in the practical incubation operation of a hatchery.

[0008] According to the invention, the problem is solved in a system of the type mentioned above by the system comprising a receiving means for receiving at least one poultry egg from which the sample is to be taken, a sampling device configured to take a biological sample from a sampling area of ​​the poultry egg, wherein the sampling device comprises a penetration and extraction means configured to penetrate a shell of the poultry egg and extract the sample from the sampling area, and wherein the receiving means comprises an alignment device configured to position the poultry egg and / or the penetration and extraction means relative to each other such that the penetration and extraction means is aligned adjacent to the sampling area. The aim is to keep the hatching egg on the tray and to position it optimally for sampling.According to one embodiment, the poultry egg is a turkey egg.

[0009] The invention utilizes the finding that the system according to the invention enables automated sampling from a poultry egg by using an alignment device to position the poultry egg and / or the penetration and sampling means relative to each other in such a way that the penetration and sampling means can be introduced directly into the sampling area of ​​the egg. In this way, automated sampling from a poultry egg is made possible.

[0010] The system and method according to the invention are, in principle, applicable to any type of poultry. The system and method differ only with regard to the removal area, the force required for removal, and the time of removal.

[0011] This eliminates the need to remove the egg from an existing receiving device, such as a so-called tray. The speed of sampling can thus be significantly increased compared to prior art solutions. This results in fewer steps being required for sampling overall. Furthermore, there is always a risk that eggs will break and leak. With the sampling device according to the invention, leaking eggs do not contaminate the subsequent process, as the eggs can remain on the tray.

[0012] Any shell defects can occur before treatment in the laying facility, during transport or similar processes, but also with any movement or when piercing the egg. In this case, a leaking egg is not a problem because it does not lead to contamination of the system.

[0013] Finally, the system according to the invention offers significant advantages in terms of animal welfare. Conventional manual sex determination in chicks can lead to injuries and / or damage to the yolk sac due to manipulation of the cloaca by a human during sex determination. Furthermore, the stress for the animals being examined can be avoided, while maintaining a high level of hygiene.

[0014] The system according to the invention can be used to extract any sample, in particular a sample of biological material, from an egg. Depending on the selection of the extraction area and the penetration depth of the penetration and extraction agent, the material can be extracted according to the analytical method to be carried out.

[0015] The term "biological material" or "biological sample" as used herein refers both to the egg to be sampled and its contents, as well as to any biological contamination in the form of pathogenic agents, in particular microorganisms, or parts thereof, including viruses, bacteria, fungi and their spores, etc., and any toxins or components thereof produced by the pathogenic agent. Thus, the system according to the invention and the sampling methods are suitable not only for the in-ovo determination of the sex of a developing chick, but in other embodiments also for the determination of contamination, specifically by a pathogenic agent, since the method presented herein allows not only nucleic acid fragments, including DNA and RNA, and proteins, but also, with suitable antibodies and derivatives thereof, antigens of any kind to be easily determined both quantitatively and qualitatively.Even an isotope analysis would be possible, e.g. to determine origin or regarding the hen's diet or similar.

[0016] According to one embodiment, the sampling area is selected such that the sample taken contains allantoic fluid from the poultry egg, and the system includes a sex determination device which is configured to perform a sex determination of the poultry embryo on the basis of the sample taken from the poultry egg.

[0017] This allows for automated sex determination of poultry eggs. This offers several advantages: First, poultry eggs can be incubated separately according to sex before hatching. The personnel required for manual sexing is also reduced. Furthermore, it becomes possible to transfer the eggs to a specialized broiler farm or a decentralized hatching facility based on their sex, thus reducing transport distances for hatched chicks and improving animal welfare. This also eliminates damage to the yolk sac that can occur during manual sexing. Additionally, stress for the hatched chicks is reduced, which benefits animal welfare. Sex determination before hatching also allows for hatching in the barn for turkeys housed in sex-segregated pens.This eliminates the need to transport live animals. The invention is further developed by the fact that the alignment device includes a pivoting mechanism configured to pivot the poultry egg relative to the penetration and removal means, so that the penetration and removal means is aligned adjacent to the removal area. In one embodiment, it has proven particularly advantageous to pivot the poultry egg relative to a penetration and removal means that is not pivotable. It has been shown that the mechanical complexity of a device for pivoting the poultry egg is significantly lower than that of a device in which the penetration and removal means itself is pivotable.At the same time, this ensures that the penetration and extraction tool always has a specific orientation in relation to gravity, which makes the extraction process more precise overall.

[0018] According to a preferred embodiment, the poultry egg has a longitudinal axis and a reference plane arranged perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, with the poultry egg having its largest diameter perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The reference plane divides the poultry egg into a first sub-body and a second sub-body, the first sub-body having a greater length along the longitudinal axis than the second sub-body, and the extraction area being located in the first sub-body. Preferably, the extraction area extends between a first boundary plane and a second boundary plane, the boundary planes being perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and spaced apart from the reference plane in the direction of the longitudinal axis. The distance of the first boundary plane from the reference plane is 30% of the total length of the first sub-body, and the distance of the second boundary plane from the reference plane is 60% of the total length of the first sub-body.The described area has proven to be particularly suitable for extracting the allantoic fluid from the poultry egg at the desired time of extraction.

[0019] The invention is further developed in that the penetration of the poultry egg occurs essentially perpendicular to a tangential plane of a point to be penetrated in the sampling area. Such a penetration angle has proven particularly advantageous in order to avoid damage to the poultry eggshell. Preferably, the penetration and sampling means is movably guided along a penetration axis. In this way, penetration of the poultry egg can be achieved without unduly damaging it. Preferably, the penetration axis is vertically oriented. In this way, the penetration and sampling means can be guided, as it were, and dropped in the direction of the egg to be sampled. The penetration and sampling means can, for example, be held in its starting position and released by a magnet.

[0020] According to a preferred embodiment, the receiving device is configured to hold an egg tray, and the alignment device is configured to align and / or pivot the egg tray, in particular individual poultry eggs within the egg tray, relative to the penetration and sampling device. This facilitates the processing of a larger number of poultry eggs by positioning not just a single egg, but several poultry eggs held on an egg tray. Preferably, the penetration and sampling device is movably arranged along the egg tray so that individual poultry eggs within the tray can be sampled. Alternatively, it would also be conceivable to move the egg tray relative to the penetration and sampling device in such a way that individual poultry eggs become accessible. Alternatively, the system can also be configured to sample more than one row of the tray.This can increase efficiency.

[0021] Preferably, data obtained from poultry eggs, such as sex information, are collected in batches. Each batch is preferably uniquely identified by an identification feature. This identification feature can be, in particular, a chip, especially an RFID chip. The batch is only processed when it is in a specific position. This ensures the correct assignment of results to the corresponding egg on the batch.

[0022] The tray is preferably rectangular with one long and one short side. It can be inserted from either the long or the short side. Preferably, the tray is inserted with the long side facing sideways, so that as many eggs as possible can be sampled simultaneously.

[0023] The sorting of eggs by sex can be performed independently of the sampling time. For example, sorting can take place immediately after sampling and sex determination, or at a later time. Operational circumstances can be taken into account here; that is, sorting can be performed at times that are advantageous for logistics processes or for the incubation process. Sampling can be performed at the optimal time, meaning the optimal sampling time can vary depending on the analytical method. According to a preferred embodiment, the penetration and sampling means is a first penetration and sampling means, wherein the sampling device has at least one further penetration and sampling means. In particular, the number of penetration and sampling means corresponds to the number of egg samples in a row of the egg tray.In this way, multiple penetration and sampling devices allow for simultaneous sampling of a large number of poultry eggs arranged in a row on the egg tray. This increases sampling efficiency.

[0024] Preferably, the penetration and sampling means(s) are designed as a hollow needle. The use of hollow needles allows the sampling of poultry eggs without negatively impacting the incubation process. The hollow needle has an outer diameter of approximately 0.2–3.0 mm, preferably approximately 0.3–2.5 mm, and most preferably approximately 0.4–2.0 mm.

[0025] According to one embodiment, the dish is penetrated directly with a needle to extract the sample. Alternatively, the dish can first be penetrated using a drill bit or similar tool. After opening the dish, the sample can be extracted using the penetration and extraction device. A pre-punched hole in the dish can also be used.

[0026] Regarding the sex determination device, both nucleic acid-level detection (including, among other things, a sex-specific DNA marker) and protein-level detection (including the determination of a hormone or an antigen expressed in a sex-specific manner at a specific developmental stage) can be used. Particularly suitable detection systems include methods comprising (reverse) polymerase chain reaction ((RT-)PCR) and its variations known to those skilled in the art, isothermal amplification methods including LAMP (loop-mediated isothermal amplification) and RPA (RNA polymerase amplification) and their variations known to those skilled in the art, ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) and sandwich ELISA, and their variations known to those skilled in the art, as well as all common forms of antibody-based detection methods. Two exemplary embodiments are described below.In a first embodiment, sample analysis is performed using test strips. In a second embodiment, ELISAs are used. In both examples, detection is carried out by a highly sensitive and rapid antibody-based detection system.

[0027] Especially when used for in-ovo sex determination, antibody-based methods, particularly ELISA or the use of test strips combined with antibody detection, may be preferable. These methods are fast, as a color reaction can usually be read immediately, robust, and highly sensitive when suitable antibodies are used. Furthermore, antibody-based detection methods and isothermal methods can be performed at constant and moderate temperatures between room temperature (approx. 20°C - approx. 25°C) and approx. 42°C. Therefore, no particularly high temperature is required, as is the case with conventional PCR methods.

[0028] Suitable antibodies or derivatives and fragments thereof according to the present invention include, but are not limited to, polyclonal antibodies, monoclonal antibodies, single-chain Fv antibodies, and nanobodies. Antibodies, derivatives, or fragments thereof according to the present invention may be naturally derived from hybridomas or polyclonal antisera, or recombinant, i.e., in vitro produced, antibodies, derivatives, and fragments thereof may be used.

[0029] The detection is preferably carried out using a multiplex high-throughput method, so that several samples can be analyzed simultaneously, thereby increasing the throughput and thus the speed of the overall process.

[0030] The antigen-antibody reaction can be performed on appropriately arranged test strips, which is preferable for sustainability reasons, but also on ELISA test strips, the size of which is based on the number of eggs per row on the egg tray. These are then combined into a plate according to the size of the egg tray.

[0031] According to a preferred embodiment, the sex determination device has at least one analysis container for receiving a sample, wherein the sampling device is further configured to transfer the sample into the analysis container after it has been taken. For this purpose, the sampling device can, for example, be movable over the egg tray in the manner of a bridge. For example, in a first position, the eggs can be sampled, and then, by moving the sampling device, they can be positioned above the analysis container, and the sample can then be transferred into the analysis container.

[0032] The invention is further developed in that the sex determination device includes a test strip insertion device, which is configured to insert a test strip for determining the sex of the poultry embryo into the analysis container, particularly before the sample is introduced into the analysis container. In other words, preferably a test strip is first inserted into an otherwise cleaned analysis container, and then the sample is transferred from the sampling device into the analysis container containing the test strip.

[0033] Preferably, the analysis container is arranged in a motion device configured to move the analysis container along a path at a predetermined speed. In this way, the analysis container can be transferred to subsequent analysis steps, and the time interval after which the analysis container is transferred to each subsequent analysis step can be precisely adjusted by controlling the motion speed. For example, if it is known that an analytical reaction of the test strip takes 10 minutes, the speed or length of the motion path can be adjusted accordingly so that the analysis container is transferred to a subsequent analysis device after at least 10 minutes.

[0034] Preferably, the sex determination device includes a detection device configured to detect a state of the test strip that is indicative of the sex of the poultry embryo in the sampled poultry egg. The detection device may, for example, utilize optical measurement principles or the like. Preferably, the sex determination device is configured to assign the test strip to the sampled poultry egg. In this way, a unique assignment between the test strip and the sampled poultry egg is ensured.

[0035] Preferably, the detection device is arranged relative to the movement device such that the analysis container is fed to the detection device after a certain time, in particular after 2 to 30 minutes after the sample and test strip have been combined in the analysis container. The described time period has proven particularly suitable to ensure that a sufficient reaction has taken place between the sample and the test strip.

[0036] The invention is further developed by making the analysis container at least partially or completely transparent. This allows the test strip or the contents of the cavity to be accessed by optical detection methods. Preferably, the detection device includes a camera configured to optically determine the state of the test strip. According to a preferred embodiment, the analysis container is made of or consists of at least one of the following materials: glass, in particular shatterproof glass; plastic, in particular optically clear polystyrene or polypropylene. All of these materials have in common that they enable optical evaluation of any discoloration of the test strip or the contents of the cavity.

[0037] According to a preferred embodiment, when using test strips, a processing device is arranged downstream of the detection device in the direction of movement of the motion device, wherein the processing device is configured to separate a test strip from the analysis container. In particular, the processing device is configured to rotate the analysis container such that an opening of the analysis container points substantially in the direction of the gravitational force. This causes the test strip to fall out of the analysis container after its rotation.

[0038] The invention is further developed in that the processing device includes a cleaning device for cleaning the analysis container. The cleaning device is specifically designed to clean the analysis container in such a way that it is free of traces of the sample from a previous sampling process, thus preventing any falsification of the test results.

[0039] According to a preferred embodiment, the preparation unit includes a drying unit for drying the analysis container. In particular, the drying unit is located downstream of the cleaning unit such that an analysis container is fed to the drying unit after passing through the cleaning unit. Providing such a drying unit is especially advantageous when a cleaning fluid is used to clean the analysis container. Before a sample liquid or test strip is added in a subsequent cycle, it must be ensured that the analysis container has been sufficiently dried. When using ELISA test strips or similar disposable products, these are discarded after the results have been read.

[0040] Preferably, the movement device is configured to feed the analysis container back to the test strip insertion device and / or the sample collection device after it has passed through the processing unit. In this way, a cycle is established that enables the reuse of analysis containers. Analysis containers thus do not need to be disposed of after a single analysis process, but can be used for multiple analyses, provided the material properties meet the requirements outlined here.

[0041] As is known to those skilled in the art, there are four main types of ELISAs: direct, indirect, competitive, and sandwich ELISAs. In principle, all variants according to the present invention can be used. Each of these types is described below by a diagram showing how the analytes and antibodies are linked and utilized. For cost reasons, a direct ELISA may be preferred here, since only one primary antibody conjugate is required, which directly binds the antigen of interest. The primary antibody is coupled to an enzyme or molecule that enables simple detection, usually via a chromogenic reaction. All other types of ELISA can also be used, depending on the analyte / antigen to be detected.

[0042] A major advantage of using the ELISA system according to the invention is that, due to the use of a highly specific antibody with a high affinity and binding constant for the antigen of interest, preferably an antigen that enables sex discrimination, a washing step can be omitted. This leads to process optimization and cost reduction.

[0043] According to an alternative embodiment, the sex determination device has a sample receiving device in which a sample is applied to a test strip, which is designed to receive the sample.

[0044] The test strip preferably has several wells for receiving a sample each, the number of wells corresponding in particular to the number of poultry eggs in the egg tray. The test plate is preferably arranged on a moving device configured to move the test plate along a path at a predetermined speed. This again ensures definable reaction times. Preferably, the sex determination device utilizes a so-called enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), which is known per se. The number of test strips corresponds to the number of rows of eggs in the tray. The system assembles the rows into a single plate.

[0045] The test plate preferably features a code. The sample tray can be individually loaded, particularly directly after sex determination or at a later time. A unit is provided that assigns the sex determination result to the sample tray. The identity of the sample tray is linked to the sample result.

[0046] The results concerning a batch of eggs can, for example, be read out at a later time to determine the sex of the eggs in that batch. This information can then be used for subsequent sorting processes or similar applications.

[0047] According to one embodiment, plates are assembled from rows. A mechanism can be used to hold them together when tapped, similar to a picture frame.

[0048] According to a preferred embodiment, the sex determination device comprises a first addition and tapping device, which is arranged downstream of the sample receiving device in the direction of movement, wherein the first addition and tapping device is configured for adding and tapping enzymes. The invention is further developed in that the sex determination device comprises a second addition and tapping device, which is arranged downstream of the first addition and tapping device in the direction of movement, wherein the second addition and tapping device is configured for adding and tapping water or analytical reagents.

[0049] To clean the plate, it is specifically provided that it is inverted using a device so that contaminants are removed from the plate by centrifugal force. Components that are not bound to the cavity are removed from the plate by centrifugal force.

[0050] Preferably, the sex determination device further comprises an evaluation unit which is arranged downstream in the direction of movement of the preceding addition and tapping device, wherein the evaluation unit is configured to create a photograph of a color change in the cavities, which qualitatively corresponds to the result. For this purpose, a color reaction is detected in particular within the framework of the ELISA method. An advantage of this method is that no washing of the test plates is required.

[0051] Preferably, the invention is further developed in that the system includes a sorting device which is located downstream of the sex determination device and is configured to sort the poultry eggs according to the determined sex. The poultry eggs can then be incubated according to their sex.

[0052] The sorting process can alternatively be carried out at a later time and / or with a separate sorting device. Preferably, the system includes a unit that assigns the result of the sex determination to the eggs in the colony.

[0053] Preferably, the sex determination device is configured to detect whether the sex of the poultry embryo is male or female. According to a preferred embodiment, it can also detect whether the hatching egg is unfertilized or contains a dead embryo. Furthermore, eggs with invalid test results, e.g., incorrect color change, cloudiness, etc., can also be separated.

[0054] For those eggs for which sex determination could not be carried out or could not be clearly determined, it may be possible to subject the hatched chicks to manual sexing, as is currently common practice.

[0055] The invention has been described above with reference to a system. In a further aspect, the invention relates to a method for in-ovo sex determination of a poultry embryo, in particular by means of a system according to one of the preceding embodiments. The invention solves the problem described above with regard to the method by comprising the following steps: providing at least one poultry egg for which sex determination is to be carried out, and a penetration and sampling means configured to penetrate a shell of the poultry egg and to take a sample from a sampling area; positioning the poultry egg and / or the penetration and sampling means relative to each other by means of an alignment device such that the penetration and sampling means is aligned adjacent to the sampling area, the sampling area being selected such thatthat the extracted sample contains allantoic fluid from the poultry egg, wherein, in particular, the poultry egg is pivoted relative to the penetration and sampling device, a sample is taken from a sampling area of ​​the poultry egg, and the sex of the poultry embryo is determined based on the sample taken from the poultry egg. The method utilizes the same advantages and preferred embodiments as the system according to the invention, and vice versa. In this regard, reference is made to the above statements, and their content is incorporated herein.

[0056] The method is further developed by using a sample volume of allantoic fluid ranging from 1 pl to 100 pl, particularly 51 pl to 100 pl. According to a preferred embodiment, the poultry egg is sampled on days 10 to 25 of incubation. The described fluid volume and sampling interval have proven particularly suitable for determining the sex of poultry embryos, for example, in a hatchery.

[0057] In a further aspect, the invention relates to the use of a system according to one of the preceding embodiments for in-ovo sex determination in a poultry embryo. This use also takes advantage of the same benefits and preferred embodiments as the system and method according to the invention, and vice versa. In this regard, reference is made to the above statements, and their content is incorporated herein.

[0058] The invention is described in more detail below with reference to preferred embodiments and the accompanying figures.

[0059] Figures 1 to 3 show a first embodiment of a system according to the invention for in-ovo sex determination of a poultry embryo in different views;

[0060] Fig. 4 shows a perspective view of an analysis container of the

[0061] Exemplary embodiment of Figs. 1 to 3;

[0062] Fig. 5 shows a schematic view of a poultry egg and the relevant

[0063] extraction area;

[0064] Figs. 6 to 10 show an alternative embodiment of a system according to the invention for in-ovo sex determination of a poultry embryo in different views;

[0065] Fig. 11 shows a block diagram of a method according to the invention for in-ovo sex determination of a poultry embryo.

[0066] Figures 1 to 3 show a first embodiment of a system 2 for taking a biological sample from a poultry egg, in particular for in-ovo sex determination of a poultry embryo contained in a poultry egg 6. The system 2 is shown in side views in Figures 1 and 3 and in a top view in Figure 2. The system 2 has a receiving means 4 for receiving at least one poultry egg 6 for which sex determination is to be carried out. The system 2 has a sampling device 8. The sampling device 8 is configured to take a sample 12 from a sampling area 10 of the poultry egg 6. The sampling area 10 is preferably selected for the purpose of sex determination such that the sample 12 taken contains allantoic fluid from the poultry egg 6. The system 2 also has a sex determination device 14.The sex determination device 14 is designed to determine the sex of the poultry embryo based on the sample 12 taken from the poultry egg 6. The sampling device 8 has a penetration and extraction means 16, which is designed to penetrate a shell 18 of the poultry egg 6 and to extract the sample 12 from the extraction area 10.

[0067] The receiving device 4 has an alignment device 20. The alignment device 20 is configured to position the poultry egg 6 and the penetration and removal device 16 relative to each other such that the penetration and removal device 16 is aligned adjacent to the removal area 10. For this purpose, the alignment device 20 has a pivoting device 22. The pivoting device 22 is configured to pivot the poultry egg 6 relative to the penetration and removal device 16 by an angle α, so that the penetration and removal device 16 is aligned adjacent to the removal area 10. The penetration and removal device 16 is movably guided along a penetration axis 32. The penetration axis 32 is vertically oriented.

[0068] The receiving device 4 is configured to receive an egg tray 34. The alignment device 20 is configured to align and pivot the egg tray 34, in particular individual poultry eggs 6 from the egg tray 34, relative to the penetration and sampling device 16. The penetration and sampling device 16 is a first penetration and sampling device 16. The sampling device 8 has at least one further penetration and sampling device 36. Preferably, the number of penetration and sampling devices 36 corresponds to a number of egg receiving devices 66 in a row r of the egg tray 34.

[0069] The penetration and extraction means 16, 36 is designed as a hollow needle 38. The hollow needle 38 has an outer diameter d of 0.2 - 3.0 mm, preferably 0.3 - 2.5 mm, particularly preferably 0.4 - 2.0 mm.

[0070] In the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 3, the sex determination device 14 has an analysis container 40 for receiving a sample 12. Such an analysis container 40 is shown in Figure 4. The sample collection device 8 is configured to transfer the sample 8 into the analysis container 40 after it has been collected. The sex determination device 14 also has a test strip insertion device 42. The test strip insertion device 42 is configured to insert a test strip 44 for determining the sex of the poultry embryo into the analysis container 40. In particular, the test strip 44 is inserted into the analysis container 40 before the sample 12 is inserted into the analysis container 40. A certification line 68 is located downstream of the test strip insertion device 42. An analysis container 40 equipped with a test strip 44 is shown in Figure 4.

[0071] The analysis container 40 is arranged in a motion device 46. The motion device 46 is configured to move the analysis container 40 along a motion track 48 at a predetermined speed. The desired dwell time of the analysis container 40 in the motion device 46 can also be achieved by adjusting the length of the motion track 48. The sex determination device 14 includes a detection device 50. The detection device 50 is configured to detect a state of the test strip 44 that is indicative of the sex of the poultry embryo of the sampled poultry egg 6. The sex determination device 14 is configured to assign the test strip 44 to the sampled poultry egg 6.The detection device 50 is further arranged relative to the movement device 46 such that the analysis container 40 is fed to the detection device 50 after a certain time, in particular 2 to 30 minutes after the sample 12 and test strip 44 have been combined in the analysis container 40. The analysis container 40 is at least partially or completely transparent, and the detection device 50 includes a camera 52. The camera 52 is configured to optically determine the state of the test strip 44. The analysis container 40 is made in particular of shatterproof glass or optically clear plastic, such as polystyrene or polypropylene.

[0072] In the direction of movement B of the motion device 46, a processing device 54 is arranged downstream of the detection device 50. The processing device 54 is configured to separate a test strip 44 from the analysis container 40. In particular, this is done by the processing device 54 rotating the analysis container 40 such that an opening 56 of the analysis container 40 points substantially in the direction 58 of the gravitational force, so that the test strip 44 falls out of the analysis container 40 due to the gravitational force acting on the test strip 44.

[0073] The processing unit 54 further comprises loading and rotation areas 60 for cleaning the analysis container 40 when using test strips. The processing unit 54 is located downstream of the cleaning unit 60 such that an analysis container 40 is fed to the drying unit 62 after passing through the cleaning unit 60. The movement unit 46 is configured to feed the analysis container 40 back to the test strip insertion device 42 and / or the sample collection device 8 after it has passed through the processing unit 54. This allows analysis containers 40 to be used multiple times, in particular until they need to be replaced, for example, due to wear and tear. The system 2 also includes a sorting device 64, which is shown in Fig. 1 and is configured to sort the poultry eggs 6 according to their sex.The sorting device 64 is shown here in conjunction with the embodiment shown in Figs. 1 to 3, but can also be used in the embodiment shown in Figs. 6 to 9.

[0074] Fig. 5 shows a schematic representation of a poultry egg 6. The poultry egg 6 has a longitudinal axis 24 and a reference plane 26. The reference plane 26 is arranged perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 24. In the region of the reference plane 26, the poultry egg 6 has its largest diameter dmax perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 24. The reference plane 26 divides the poultry egg 6 into a first sub-body 28 and a second sub-body 30. The first sub-body 28 has a greater length 11 along the longitudinal axis 24 than the second sub-body 30, which has a length 12. The removal area 10 lies in the first sub-body 28. In particular, the removal area 10 is located between a first boundary plane g1 and a second boundary plane g2. The boundary planes g1 and g2 are perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 24 and are spaced apart from the reference plane 26 in the direction of the longitudinal axis 24.A distance a1 of the first boundary plane g1 from the reference plane 26 is 30% of the total length 11 of the first partial body 28. A distance a2 of the second boundary plane g2 from the reference plane 26 is 60% of the total length 11 of the first partial body 28. In particular, the penetration of the poultry egg 6 by means of the device shown in Figs. 1 to 4 takes place essentially perpendicular to a tangent plane t of a point s to be penetrated in the extraction area 10.

[0075] Figures 6 to 9 show an alternative embodiment of a system 102 for in-ovo sex determination of a poultry embryo. The system 102 has a receiving means 104 for receiving at least one poultry egg 106 for which sex determination is to be carried out. The system 102 further has a sampling device 108, which is configured to take a sample 112 from a sampling area 110 of the poultry egg 106. The sampling area 110 is selected such that the extracted sample 112 contains allantoic fluid from the poultry egg 106. The system 102 has a sex determination device 114, which is configured to perform sex determination of the poultry embryo based on the sample 112 taken from the poultry egg 106.The sampling device 108 has a penetration and extraction means 116, which is configured to penetrate a shell 18 of the poultry egg 106 and to extract the sample 112 from the extraction area 110. The receiving means 104 has an alignment device 120, which is configured to position the poultry egg 106 and the penetration and extraction means 116 relative to each other such that the penetration and extraction means 116 is aligned adjacent to the extraction area 106. The alignment device 120 has a pivoting device 122, which is configured to pivot the poultry egg 106 relative to the penetration and extraction means 116 so that the penetration and extraction means 116 is aligned adjacent to the extraction area 110. The receiving device 104 is designed to receive an egg tray 134.The alignment device 120 is designed to align and pivot the egg tray 134, in particular individual poultry eggs 106 of the egg tray 134, relative to the penetration and sampling means 116. The penetration and sampling means 116 is, in this case, a first penetration and sampling means 116. The sampling device 108 further comprises at least one additional penetration and sampling means 136. In the embodiment shown in Figures 6 to 9, the number of penetration and sampling means 116, 136 corresponds to a number of egg receptacles 166, a row r of the egg tray 134.

[0076] The penetration and sampling means 116, 136 is designed as a hollow needle 138. The sex determination device 114 has a sample receiving device 126, in which a sample 112 is applied to a test plate 116. The test plate 116 is designed to receive the sample 112. The test plate 116, also referred to as an ELISA plate, which is shown in detail in Fig. 8, has several wells 118 or cavities, each for receiving a sample 112. The number of wells 118 corresponds to the number of poultry eggs 106 in the egg tray 134. The test plate 116 is arranged on a movement device 146. The movement device 146 is designed to move the test plate 116 along a path 148 at a predetermined speed. Test plate 116 is assembled from several rows that exhibit Wells 1 18.

[0077] The sex determination device 114 has a first addition and tapping device 150. The first addition and tapping device 150 is arranged downstream of the sample receiving device 126 in the direction of movement B of the moving device 146. The first addition and tapping device 150 is configured for adding and tapping enzymes. The sex determination device 114 has a second addition and tapping device 152. The second addition and tapping device 152 is arranged downstream of the first addition and tapping device 150 in the direction of movement B of the moving device 146. The second addition and tapping device 152 is configured for adding and tapping water.

[0078] The sex determination device 114 has an evaluation unit 124, which is arranged downstream of the second addition and tapping device 152 in the direction of movement B of the movement device 146. The evaluation unit 124 is configured to identify the sex of the poultry embryo of the sampled poultry egg 106. This is done in particular by means of a camera. This camera takes a photograph of a color change in the wells 118 (cavities), which qualitatively corresponds to the result.

[0079] Fig. 10 shows an embodiment of the system 102 for in-ovo sex determination of a poultry embryo. A sorting device 164 is connected downstream of the system 102, which is configured to sort the poultry eggs 6 according to the determined sex.

[0080] Fig. 11 shows a block diagram of a method 200 for in-ovo sex determination for a poultry embryo, in particular by means of a system 2, 102 according to one of the above embodiments.Method 200 comprises the following steps: providing 202 at least one poultry egg 6, 106 for which sex determination is to be carried out, and a penetration and sampling device 16, 116, which is configured to penetrate a shell 18 of the poultry egg 6, 106 and to extract a sample 12, 112 from a sampling area 10, 110; and positioning the poultry egg 6, 106 and the penetration and sampling device 16, 116 relative to each other by means of an alignment device 20, 120 such that the penetration and sampling device 16, 116 is aligned adjacent to the sampling area 6, 106, the sampling area 10, 110 being selected such that the extracted sample 12, 112 is allantoic fluid of the poultry egg. 6, 106, in particular the poultry egg 6, 106 is pivoted relative to the penetration and extraction agent 16, 116.The procedure further includes step 206 of performing a sex determination of the poultry embryo based on sample 12, 112 taken from the poultry egg 6, 106. A sampling volume V. e The allantoic fluid content is 1 pl to 100 pl, particularly 51 pl to 100 pl. Poultry egg 6, 106 is sampled on the 10th to 25th day of incubation. Reference list

[0081] 2. System for in-ovo sex determination of a poultry embryo

[0082] 4. Absorption devices

[0083] 6 poultry eggs

[0084] 8 Sampling device

[0085] 10 Extraction area

[0086] 12 Sample

[0087] 14 Sex determination device

[0088] 16 Penetration and extraction devices

[0089] 18 bowls

[0090] 20 Alignment device

[0091] 22 Swivel device

[0092] 24 Egg longitudinal axis

[0093] 26 Reference plane

[0094] 28 first subbody

[0095] 30 second subbody

[0096] 32 Penetration axis

[0097] 34 egg stash

[0098] 36 other penetration and extraction agents

[0099] 38 Hollow needle

[0100] 40 analysis containers

[0101] 42 Test strip insertion device

[0102] 44 test strips

[0103] 46 Movement device

[0104] 48 Movement path

[0105] 50 Detection device

[0106] 52 Camera

[0107] 54 Processing unit

[0108] 56 Opening the analysis container

[0109] 58 Direction of action of the gravitational force

[0110] 60, 62 Loading and rotation areas

[0111] 64 Sorting device

[0112] 66 egg intake

[0113] 68 Certification Street

[0114] 102 System for in-ovo sex determination of a poultry embryo

[0115] 104 Intake media 106 Poultry egg

[0116] 108 Sampling device

[0117] 110 extraction area

[0118] 112 Sample

[0119] 114 Sex determination device

[0120] 116 Test plate

[0121] 118 Wells

[0122] 120 alignment device

[0123] 122 Swivel device

[0124] 124 Evaluation unit

[0125] 126 Sample receiving device

[0126] 134 egg stash

[0127] 136 additional penetration and extraction agents

[0128] 138 Hollow needle

[0129] 146 Movement device

[0130] 148 Path of movement

[0131] 150 first adding and tapping device

[0132] 152 second addition and tapping device

[0133] 164 Sorting device

[0134] 166 egg intake

[0135] 200 methods for in-ovo sex determination of a poultry embryo

[0136] 202 Providing a poultry egg

[0137] 204 Taking a sample from a poultry egg sampling area

[0138] 206 Performing a sex determination of the poultry embryo a1 Distance of the first boundary plane from the reference plane a2 Distance of the second boundary plane from the reference plane a Swivel angle

[0139] B Direction of movement d Hollow needle Outer diameter dmax Largest diameter g1 First boundary plane g2 Second boundary plane

[0140] 11 first length

[0141] 12 second length r row of the egg horde s point to be penetrated t tangent plane V e withdrawal volume

Claims

Claims 1. System (2, 102) for taking a biological sample from a poultry egg (6, 106), in particular for in-ovo sex determination of a turkey embryo, comprising a receiving means (4, 104) for receiving at least one poultry egg (6, 106) from which the sample is to be taken, a sampling device (8, 108) which is configured to take a biological sample (12, 112) from a sampling area (10, 110) of the poultry egg (6, 106), wherein the sampling device (8, 108) has a penetration and extraction means (16, 116) which is configured to penetrate a shell (18) of the poultry egg (6, 106) and to extract the sample (12, 112) from the sampling area (10, 110). and wherein the receiving means (4, 104) has an alignment device (20, 120) which is configured to position the poultry egg (6, 106) and / or the penetration and extraction means (16, 116) relative to each other,that the penetration and extraction means (16, 1 16) is aligned adjacent to the extraction area (10, 110).

2. System (2, 102) according to claim 1, wherein the sampling area (6, 106) is selected such that the sample taken (12, 112) contains allantoic fluid of the poultry egg (6, 106), and wherein the system (2, 102) comprises a sex determination device (14, 114) which is configured to perform a sex determination of the poultry embryo on the basis of the sample (12, 112) taken from the poultry egg (6, 106).

3. System (2, 102) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the alignment device (20, 120) has a pivoting device (22, 122) which is configured to pivot the poultry egg (6, 106) relative to the penetration and removal means (16, 116) so that the penetration and removal means (16, 116) is aligned adjacent to the removal area (10, 110).

4. System (2, 102) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the poultry egg (6, 106) has a longitudinal axis (24) and a reference plane (26) which is arranged perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (24) and in which the poultry egg (6, 106) has the largest diameter (dmax) perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (24), wherein the reference plane (26) divides the poultry egg (6, 106) into a first part body (28) and a second part body (30), wherein the first part body (28) has a greater length (11) along the longitudinal axis (24) than the second part body (30), and wherein the extraction area (10, 1 10) is located in the first part body (28, 128).

5. System (2, 102) according to claim 4, wherein the extraction area (10, 110) extends between a first boundary plane (g1) and a second boundary plane (g2), wherein the boundary planes (g1, g2) extend perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (24) and are spaced apart from the reference plane (26) in the direction of the longitudinal axis (24), wherein a distance (a1) of the first boundary plane (g1) from the reference plane (26) is 30% of the total length (11) of the first sub-body (28), and wherein a distance (a2) of the second boundary plane (g2) from the reference plane (26) is 60% of the total length (11) of the first sub-body (28).

6. System (2, 102) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the penetration and extraction means (16, 116) is movably guided along a penetration axis (32), in particular wherein the penetration axis (32) is vertically oriented.

7. System (2, 102) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the receiving means (4, 104) is configured to receive an egg tray (34, 134) and wherein the alignment device (20, 120) is configured to align and / or pivot the egg tray (34, 134), in particular individual poultry eggs (6, 106) of the egg tray (34, 134), relative to the penetration and removal means (16, 1 16).

8. System (2, 102) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the penetration and sampling means (16, 116) is a first penetration and sampling means (16, 116) and wherein the sampling device (8, 108) has at least one further penetration and sampling means (36, 136), in particular wherein the number of penetration and sampling means (16, 36, 116, 136) corresponds to a number of egg recordings (66) of a row (r) of the egg tray (34, 134).

9. System (2, 102) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the penetration and extraction means (16, 36, 116, 136) is designed as a hollow needle (38, 138), in particular wherein the hollow needle (38, 138) has an outer diameter (d) of 0.2 - 3.0 mm, preferably 0.3 - 2.5, particularly preferably 0.4 - 2.0 mm.

10. System (2) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the sex determination device (14) has at least one analysis container (40) for receiving a sample (12) and wherein the sample collection device (8) is further configured to transfer the sample (8) into the analysis container (40) after collection.

11. System (2) according to claim 10, wherein the sex determination device (14) comprises a test strip insertion device (42) configured to introduce a test strip (44) for determining the sex of the poultry embryo into the analysis container (40), in particular before introducing the sample (12) into the analysis container (40), and / or wherein the analysis container (40) is arranged on a movement device (46) configured to move the analysis container (40) along a movement path (48) at a predetermined speed, and / or wherein the sex determination device (14) comprises a detection device (50) configured to detect a state of the test strip (44) which is indicative of a sex of the poultry embryo of the sampled poultry egg (6), and / or wherein the sex determination device (14) is configured toto assign the test strip (44) to the sampled poultry egg (6).

12. System (102) according to one of claims 2-9, wherein the sex determination device (114) has a sample receiving device (126) in which a sample (112) is applied to a row of wells (118), wherein the wells (118) are configured to receive the sample (112), in particular wherein several rows are joined together to form a test plate (116).

13. System (102) according to claim 12, wherein the test plate (116) has several wells (118) for receiving a sample (112) each, wherein the number of wells (118) corresponds in particular to the number of poultry eggs (106) in the egg tray (134), and / or wherein the test plate (116) is arranged on a motion device (146) which is configured to move the test plate (116) along a motion path (148) at a predetermined speed.

14. System (102) according to claim 13, wherein the sex determination device (114) comprises a first addition and tapping device (150) which is arranged downstream of the sample receiving device (126) in the direction of movement (B) of the movement device (146), wherein the first addition and tapping device (150) is configured for adding and tapping enzymes, in particular wherein the sex determination device (114) comprises a second addition and tapping device (152) which is arranged downstream of the first addition and tapping device (150) in the direction of movement (B) of the movement device (146), wherein the second addition and tapping device (152) is configured for adding and tapping water, in particular wherein the sex determination device (114) comprises an evaluation device (124),which is arranged downstream of the second adding and tapping device (152) in the direction of movement (B) of the movement device (146), wherein the evaluation device (124) is configured to identify the sex of the poultry embryo of the sampled poultry egg (106).

15. Method (200) for in-ovo sex determination of a poultry embryo, in particular by means of a system (2, 102) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising the steps: Providing (202) at least one poultry egg (6, 106) for which sex determination is to be carried out, and a penetration and sampling device (16, 116) which is configured to penetrate a shell (18) of the poultry egg (6, 106) and to take a sample (12, 112) from a sampling area (10, 110), and positioning the poultry egg (6, 106) and the penetration and sampling device (16, 116) by means of an alignment device (20, 120) relative to each other such that the penetration and sampling device (16, 116) is aligned adjacent to the sampling area (6, 106), the sampling area (10, 110) being selected such that the sample taken (12, 112) is allantoic fluid of the poultry egg (6, 106) exhibits, in particular the poultry egg (6, 106) is tilted relative to the penetration and extraction means (16, 116), Taking (204) a sample (12, 112) from a sampling area (10, 110) of the Poultry ice cream (6, 106), Performing (206) a sex determination of the poultry based on the sample taken from the poultry egg (6, 106) (12, 112).

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