Fig. 2.

Transfer of immune factors into yolks depends on maternal levels. a IgA, IgG, and IgM levels in follicles as determined by ELISA. n = 36 follicles with different sizes from 5 hens. b IgA, IgG, and IgM levels in breeder-egg yolks as determined by ELISA. n = 6 eggs. c Gene expression of Avidin, Cystatin, and FcRL4 in the ovaries of hens as determined by qPCR. n = 5 hens. d Spearman correlations of immune factors between the follicles and serum of hens. *P < 0.05 and **P < 0.01, n = 10. Data are shown as means ± SEMs (a–c). Student’s t-test was conducted. ns, P ≥ 0.05, *P < 0.05, and **P < 0.01