Search

ABSTRACT: Direct introduction of cryopreserved embryonic gonadal germ cells (GGC) into a sterile chicken surrogate host to reconstitute a chicken breed has been demonstrated as a feasible approach for preserving and utilizing chicken genetic resources. This method is highly efficient using male gonads; however, a large number of frozen female embryonic gonads is needed to provide sufficient purified GGC for the generation of fertile surrogate female hosts. Applying this method to indigenous chicken breeds and other bird species is difficult due to small flock numbers and poor egg production in each egg laying cycle. Propagating germ cells from the frozen gonadal tissues may be a solution for the biobanking of these birds. Here, we describe a simplified method for culture of GGC from frozen embryonic 9.5 d gonads. At this developmental stage, the germ cells are autonomously shed into medium, yielding hundreds to thousands of mitosis-competent germ cells. The resulting cultures of GGC have over 90% purity, uniformly express SSEA-1 and DAZL antigens and can re-colonize recipient's gonads. The GGC recovery rate from frozen gonads are 42% to 100%, depending on length of cryopreservation and the breed or line of chickens. Entire chicken embryos can also be directly cryopreserved for later gonadal isolation and culture. This storage method is a supplementary approach to safeguard local indigenous chicken breeds bearing valuable genetic traits and should be applicable to the biobanking of many bird species.

ABSTRACT: Climate change is one of the most significant challenges facing the sustainability of global poultry production. Stress resulting from extreme temperature swings, including cold snaps, is a major concern for food production birds. Despite being well-documented in mammals, the effect of environmental stress on enteric neurophysiology and concomitant impact on host-microbiome interactions remains poorly understood in birds. As early life stressors may imprint long-term adaptive changes in the host, the present study sought to determine whether cold temperature stress, a prominent form of early life stress in chickens, elicits changes in enteric stress-related neurochemical concentrations that coincide with compositional and functional changes in the microbiome that persist into the later life of the bird. Chicks were, or were not, subjected to cold ambient temperature stress during the first week post-hatch and then remained at normal temperature for the remainder of the study. 16S rRNA gene and shallow shotgun metagenomic analyses demonstrated taxonomic and functional divergence between the cecal microbiomes of control and cold stressed chickens that persisted for weeks following cessation of the stressor. Enteric concentrations of serotonin, norepinephrine, and other monoamine neurochemicals were elevated (P < 0.05) in both cecal tissue and luminal content of cold stressed chickens. Significant (P < 0.05) associations were identified between cecal neurochemical concentrations and microbial taxa, suggesting host enteric neurochemical responses to environmental stress may shape the cecal microbiome. These findings demonstrate for the first time that early life exposure to environmental temperature stress can change the developmental trajectory of both the chicken cecal microbiome and host neuroendocrine enteric physiology. As many neurochemicals serve as interkingdom signaling molecules, the relationships identified here could be exploited to control the impact of climate change-driven stress on avian enteric host-microbe interactions.

Direct introduction of cryopreserved embryonic gonadal germ cells (GGC) into a sterile chicken surrogate host to reconstitute a chicken breed has been demonstrated as a feasible approach for preserving and utilizing chicken genetic resources. This method is highly efficient using male gonads; however, a large number of frozen female embryonic gonads is needed to provide sufficient purified GGC for the generation of fertile surrogate female hosts. Applying this method to indigenous chicken breeds and other bird species is difficult due to small flock numbers and poor egg production in each egg laying cycle. Propagating germ cells from the frozen gonadal tissues may be a solution for the biobanking of these birds. Here, we describe a simplified method for culture of GGC from frozen embryonic 9.5 d gonads. At this developmental stage, the germ cells are autonomously shed into medium, yielding hundreds to thousands of mitosis-competent germ cells. The resulting cultures of GGC have over 90% purity, uniformly express SSEA-1 and DAZL antigens and can re-colonize recipient's gonads. The GGC recovery rate from frozen gonads are 42% to 100%, depending on length of cryopreservation and the breed or line of chickens. Entire chicken embryos can also be directly cryopreserved for later gonadal isolation and culture. This storage method is a supplementary approach to safeguard local indigenous chicken breeds bearing valuable genetic traits and should be applicable to the biobanking of many bird species., Competing Interests: DISCLOSURES All authors declare no conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Host defense peptides (HDP) are multifunctional effectors of the innate immune system, which has antimicrobial and pleiotropic immunomodulatory functions. Although there is a very sophisticated superposition of adaptive immune systems in vertebrates, this system is still essential. As an important family of HDP, cathelicidins are also known for their broad-spectrum antibacterial activity against bacteria, fungi, and enveloped viruses. It has been found in humans and other species, including cattle, pigs, sheep, goats, chickens, rabbits, and some kind of fish. Among them, cathelicidins in birds were described for the first time in 2005. This review focuses on the structure, biological activities, expression, and regulation of avian cathelicidin, especially main effects of host defense cathelicidin on potential therapeutic applications. According to the results obtained both in vitro and in vivo, good perspectives have been opened for cathelicidin. Nevertheless, further studies are needed to better characterize the mechanisms of action underlying the beneficial effects of cathelicidin as novel therapeutic alternatives to antibiotics.

Low-egg-producing hens (LEPH) ovulate less frequently than high-egg-producing hens (HEPH) and exhibit differences in mRNA levels for components of the hypothalamo–pituitary–gonadal (HPG) axis, suggesting differential responsiveness to trophic stimulation. Ovulation frequency is governed by the production of the pituitary gonadotropins and feedback of the ovarian follicle steroid hormones, which are regulated by HPG axis stimulation and inhibition at the hypothalamic level. The pituitary and follicle cells from LEPH and HEPH were subjected to in vitro hormonal treatments to stimulate or inhibit the HPG axis, followed by expression analysis of mRNA levels for HPG axis genes and radioimmunoassays for steroid hormone production. Statistical analysis was performed using the mixed models procedure of SAS. The pituitary cells from HEPH showed upregulation of genes associated with ovulation stimulation, whereas cells from LEPH showed upregulation of genes associated with inhibition of ovulation. High-egg-producing hens’ follicle cells displayed a higher sensitivity and responsiveness to gonadotropin treatment. Level of egg production impacted ovulation-related gene expression in the pituitary cells as well as steroid hormone production in the follicle cells, with HEPH displaying a greater positive response to stimulation. These findings indicate that differences in egg production among turkey hens likely involve differential responsiveness of the cells within the HPG axis.

As indicators of diseases, blood biochemical values play a crucial role in clinical practice and assessments of animals’ health condition. The rising population of homing pigeons in China has prompted needs for reliable blood biochemical reference intervals. Therefore, the aim of this study was to establish biochemical reference intervals for homing pigeons. Heparinized whole blood samples obtained from 77 clinically healthy pigeons were analyzed by Zoetis Abaxis VetScan VS2 with VetScan Avian/Reptilian Profile Plus Rotor. Reference intervals for pigeons were computed by Excel with Reference Value Advisor V2.1. The statistical analysis performed by SPSS program revealed correlations between biochemical analytes. Effects of sex and age and validity of published reference intervals were also discussed. The present results serve as a useful guide to broaden the scope of pigeon breeding industry.

ABSTRACT: In black-boned chicken, melanocytes are widely distributed in their inner organs. However, the roles of these cells are not fully elucidated. In this study, we used 3-wk-old female Silky Fowl to investigate the functions of melanocytes under infection with infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV). We found the melanocytes in the bursa of Fabricius involved in IBDV infection shown as abundant melanin were transported into the nodule and lamina propria where obvious apoptotic cells and higher expression of BAX were detected. Genes related to the toll-like receptor (TLR) signaling pathway were highly detected by quantitative PCR, including TLR1, TLR3, TLR4, TLR15, myeloid differential protein-88, interferon-α, and interferon-β. We then isolated and infected primary melanocytes with IBDV in vitro and found that higher expressions of immune genes were detected at 24 and 48 h after infection; the upregulated innate and adaptive immune genes were involved in the pathogenesis of IBDV infection, including TLR3, TLR7, interleukin 15 (IL15), IL18, IL1rap, CD7, BG2, ERAP1, and SLA2. These changes in gene expression were highly associated with microtubule-based movement, antigen processing and presentation, defense against viruses, and innate immune responses. Our results indicated that the widely distributed melanocytes in Silky Fowl could migrate to play important innate immune roles during virus infection.

ABSTRACT: Japanese quail is an increasingly important bird of economic importance for commercial egg and meat production, particularly in developing countries. There is a need for research aimed at improving efficiency of these birds during stressful challenges, such as oxidative stress. Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), a highly functional antioxidant, protects cells against oxidative stress. This study was conducted to determine the effects of CoQ10 on reproductive performance of Japanese quail under cadmium (Cd) challenge. A total of 216 six-wk-old Japanese quail were randomly allocated into 3 groups for an 8 wk experimental trial. The treatments include a negative control (NC): feeding basal diet; a positive control (PC): feeding basal diet and cadmium administration (1 mg/100 g BW, at 10 and 11 wk of age), and (CdQ10): feeding CoQ10 supplemented (900 mg/kg diet) basal diet and Cd administration. At 11 and 13 wk of age, egg production, body weight, mortality, oviduct, and ovarian biometry, were recorded. Histology and histopathology of isthmus and magnum, fertility, hatchability, hatchling quality, and HSP70 mRNA transcript abundance in the utero-vaginal junction (UVJ) were evaluated. Positive control and CdQ10 group had no significant effect on live body weight, stroma weight, follicle size, hatchability, and fertility; however, Cd administration increased (P < 0.01) mortality rate in the PC group compared to the NC and CdQ10 groups. CdQ10 quail produced more eggs and had a higher hatchling quality compared to the PC group (P < 0.01). The thickness and height of isthmus and magnum folds in the CdQ10 group was increased compared to the PC group (P < 0.01) and overall oviduct weight was increased with CoQ10 supplementation (P < 0.01). Compared to PC, the CdQ10 group had a reduction in infiltration of inflammatory cells. Relative abundance of HSP70 mRNA in UVJ was influenced by interactive effect of treatment × time (P < 0.05). In conclusion, dietary supplementation of CoQ10 showed beneficial effects on some reproduction characteristics of female Japanese quail under Cd-induced oxidative stress.

Climate change is one of the most significant challenges facing the sustainability of global poultry production. Stress resulting from extreme temperature swings, including cold snaps, is a major concern for food production birds. Despite being well-documented in mammals, the effect of environmental stress on enteric neurophysiology and concomitant impact on host-microbiome interactions remains poorly understood in birds. As early life stressors may imprint long-term adaptive changes in the host, the present study sought to determine whether cold temperature stress, a prominent form of early life stress in chickens, elicits changes in enteric stress-related neurochemical concentrations that coincide with compositional and functional changes in the microbiome that persist into the later life of the bird. Chicks were, or were not, subjected to cold ambient temperature stress during the first week post-hatch and then remained at normal temperature for the remainder of the study. 16S rRNA gene and shallow shotgun metagenomic analyses demonstrated taxonomic and functional divergence between the cecal microbiomes of control and cold stressed chickens that persisted for weeks following cessation of the stressor. Enteric concentrations of serotonin, norepinephrine, and other monoamine neurochemicals were elevated (P < 0.05) in both cecal tissue and luminal content of cold stressed chickens. Significant (P < 0.05) associations were identified between cecal neurochemical concentrations and microbial taxa, suggesting host enteric neurochemical responses to environmental stress may shape the cecal microbiome. These findings demonstrate for the first time that early life exposure to environmental temperature stress can change the developmental trajectory of both the chicken cecal microbiome and host neuroendocrine enteric physiology. As many neurochemicals serve as interkingdom signaling molecules, the relationships identified here could be exploited to control the impact of climate change-driven stress on avian enteric host-microbe interactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Selenium (Se) is an essential nutrient for humans and all food-producing animal species. Nutritional deficiencies of Se and (or) vitamin E induce exudative diathesis, nutritional pancreatic atrophy, and nutritional muscular dystrophy in chicks. Although these diseases are presumably associated with the need of Se for the synthesis of the 21st amino acid, selenocysteine (Sec, U) in selenoproteins, metabolic functions of the 25 selenoproteins identified in avian species remain largely unknown. This paper reviews regulations of the whole selenogenome and selected selenoproteins by different concentrations and chemical forms of dietary Se and (or) vitamin E in various affected tissues. The avian selenogenome may be divided into 2 groups: responders and non-responders, based on its response to dietary Se and vitamin E changes. Mechanisms for the gene-, tissue-, and age-dependent responses and the correlation with the stress and cell death signaling are explored. Overall, this review intends to link the novel regulation and function of avian selenogenome to the protection by Se against oxidative insults associated with the classical Se/vitamin E deficiency diseases in chicks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The increase in antibiotic resistance is a global concern for human and animal health. Resistant microorganisms can spread between food-producing animals and humans. The objective of this review was to identify the type and amount of antibiotics used in poultry production and the level of antibiotic resistance in Escherichia coli isolated from broilers. Isolate information was obtained from national monitoring programs and research studies conducted in large poultry-producing regions: US, China, Brazil, and countries of EU—Poland, United Kingdom, Germany, France, and Spain. The survey results clearly display the absence of a harmonized approach in the monitoring of antibiotics per animal species and the evaluation of resistances using the same methodology. There is no public long-term quantitative data available targeting the amount of antibiotics used in poultry, with the exception of France. Data on antibiotic-resistant E. coli are available for most regions but detection of resistance and number of isolates in each study differs among regions; therefore, statistical evaluation was not possible. Data from France indicate that the decreased use of tetracyclines leads to a reduction in the detected resistance rates. The fluoroquinolones, third-generation cephalosporins, macrolides, and polymyxins ("highest priority critically important" antibiotics for human medicine according to WHO) are approved for use in large poultry-producing regions, with the exception of fluoroquinolones in the US and cephalosporins in the EU. The approval of cephalosporins in China could not be evaluated. Tetracyclines, aminoglycosides, sulfonamides, and penicillins are registered for use in poultry in all evaluated countries. The average resistance rates in E. coli to representatives of these antibiotic classes are higher than 40% in all countries, with the exception of ampicillin in the US. The resistance rates to fluoroquinolones and quinolones in the US, where fluoroquinolones are not registered for use, are below 5%, while the average of resistant E. coli is above 40% in Brazil, China, and EU, where use of fluoroquinolones is legalized. However, banning of fluoroquinolones and quinolones has not totally eliminated the occurrence of resistant populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The hen is an attractive animal model for in vivo testing of agents that thwart ovarian carcinogenesis because ovarian cancer in the domestic hen features clinical and molecular alterations that are similar to ovarian cancer in humans, including a high incidence of p53 mutations. The objective of the study was to test the potential ovarian cancer chemopreventive effect of the p53 stabilizing compound CP-31398 on hens that spontaneously present the ovarian cancer phenotype. Beginning at 79 wk of age, 576 egg-laying hens (Gallus domesticus) were randomized to diets containing different amounts of CP-31398 for 94 wk, 5 d, comprising a control group (C) (n = 144), which was fed a diet containing 0 ppm (mg/kg) of CP-31398; a low-dose treatment (LDT) group (n = 144), which was fed a diet containing 100 ppm of CP-31398; a moderatedose treatment (MDT) group (n = 144) which was fed a diet containing 200 ppm of CP-31398; and a highdose treatment (HDT) group (n = 144), which was fed a diet containing 300 ppm of CP-31398. Hens were killed at 174 wk of age to determine the incidence of ovarian and oviductal adenocarcinomas. Whereas the incidence of localized and metastatic ovarian cancers in the MDT and HDT groups was significantly lower (up to 77%) compared to levels in the C and LDT groups (P < 0.05), the incidence of oviductal cancer was unaffected by CP-31398. CP-31398 appears to be an effective tool for chemoprevention against ovarian malignancies, but does not appear to affect oviductal malignancies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A proteomic study of egg white proteins from 2 major poultry species, namely quail (Coturnix coturnix) and duck (Anas platyrhynchos), was performed with comparison to those of chicken (Gallus gallus) through 2-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (2-DE) analysis. By using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS/MS), 29 protein spots representing 10 different kinds of proteins as well as 17 protein spots designating 9 proteins were successfully identified in quail and duck egg white, respectively. This report suggested a closer relationship between quail and chicken egg white proteome patterns, whereas the duck egg white protein distribution on the 2-DE map was more distinct. In duck egg white, some well-known major proteins, such as ovomucoid, clusterin, extracellular fatty acid-binding protein precursor (ex-FABP), and prostaglandin D2 synthase (PG D2 synthase), were not detected, while two major protein spots identified as "deleted in malignant brain tumors 1" protein (DMBT1) and vitellogenin-2 were found specific to duck in the corresponding range on the 2-DE gel map. These interspecies diversities may be associated with the egg white protein functions in cell defense or regulating/supporting the embryonic development to adapt to the inhabiting environment or reproduction demand during long-term evolution. The findings of this work will give insight into the advantages involved in the application on egg white proteins from various egg sources, which may present novel beneficial properties in the food industry or related to human health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Avian infectious bronchitis is a highly contagious viral disease with economic effects on poultry agribusiness. The disease presents multi-systemic clinical signs (respiratory, renal, enteric, and reproductive) and is caused by one Coronavirus (infectious bronchitis virus, IBV). Infectious bronchitis virus is classified into different serotypes and genotypes (vaccine strains and field variants). This study aimed to evaluate the occurrence of IBV in commercial poultry flocks from 3 important producing regions in Brazil and to determine the tropism of the main circulating genotypes to 3 different avian physiological systems (respiratory, digestive, urinary/reproductive). Clinical samples with suggestive signs of IBV infection were collected from 432 different poultry commercial flocks (198 from broilers and 234 from breeders). The total number of biological samples consisted of organ pools from the 3 above physiological systems obtained of farms from 3 important producing regions: midwest, northeast, and south. Infectious bronchitis virus was detected by reverse-transcription, real-time PCR of the 5' untranslated region. The results showed 179 IBV-positive flocks (41.4% of the flocks), with 107 (24.8%) from broilers and 72 (16.8%) from breeders. There were similar frequencies of IBV-positive flocks in farms from different regions of the country, most often in broilers (average 54%) compared with breeders (average 30.8%). reverse-transcription was more frequently detected in the digestive system of breeders (40%), and in the digestive (43.5%) and respiratory (37.7%) systems of broilers. Infectious bronchitis virus genotyping was performed by a reverse-transcription nested PCR and sequencing of the SI gene from a selection of 79 IBV-positive flocks (45 from broilers and 34 from breeders). The majority of the flocks were infected with Brazilian variant genotype than with Massachusetts vaccine genotype. These results demonstrate the predominance of the Brazilian variant (mainly in the enteric tract) in commercial poultry flocks from 3 important producing regions in Brazil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article describes some of the milestones in research concerned with protozoan parasites of the genus Eimeria that infect birds and cause the disease coccidiosis. The time period covered is from 1891, when oocysts were first found in the ceca of diseased chickens, to the present. Progress in our understanding has lagged behind that of other protozoan parasites such as Toxoplasma and Plasmodium despite the enormous importance of Eimeria to animal livestock production. Nevertheless, applied research by universities, government agencies, and private industry has resulted in the successful development of methods of control, research that continues today. The topics covered and the references provided are selective and include life cycles and biology, pathology, ultrastructure, biochemistry, immunity, genetics, host cell invasion, species identification, taxonomy, chemotherapy, vaccination, and literature concerned with avian coccidiosis. This review is primarily concerned with the avian species of Eimeria that infect poultry, but some important advances, principally in immunology, have been made using species that infect rodents and rabbits. These are included where appropriate. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

ABSTRACT The biological basis of sustained fertility in broiler and turkey hens is their capacity to store sperm in the oviductal sperm storage tubules (SST) located in the uterovaginal junction. The objectives of this study were to determine if the numbers of SST varied between 4 strains of broiler breeders and determine the number of SST in the turkey before (less than 9 d of photostimulation) and after (up to 22 d of photostimulation and laying) photostimulation. No statistical differences were observed in SST numbers in the 4 strains of broilers examined or in turkey hens before and after the onset of egg production. The mean numbers of SST for broilers and turkeys were 4,893 and 30,566, respectively. We conclude that any differences between the fertility of the 4 broiler breeder strains examined cannot be explained by differences in SST numbers. However, differences in the duration of fertility between broilers and turkeys are, in part, related to their respective numbers of number of SST. Furthermore, we conclude that turkey SST are rriorphologically differentiated and functional before the onset of photostimulation and while the oviduct is morphologically undeveloped. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Influenza viruses with novel hemagglutinin and 1 or more accompanying genes derived from avian influenza viruses sporadically emerge in humans and have the potential to result in a pandemic if the virus causes disease and spreads efficiently in a population that lacks immunity to the novel hemagglutinin. Since 1997, multiple avian influenza virus subtypes have been transmitted directly from domestic poultry to humans and have caused a spectrum of human disease, from asymptomatic to severe and fatal. To assess the pandemic risk that avian influenza viruses pose, we have used multiple strategies to better understand the capacity of avian viruses to infect, cause disease, and transmit among mammals, including humans. Seroepidemiologic studies that evaluate the frequency and risk of human infection with avian influenza viruses in populations with exposure to domestic or wild birds can provide a better understanding of the pandemic potential of avian influenza subtypes. Investigations conducted in Hong Kong following the first H5N1 outbreak in humans in 1997 determined that exposure to poultry in live bird markets was a key risk factor for human disease. Among poultry workers, butchering and exposure to sick poultry were risk factors for antibody to H5 virus, which provided evidence for infection. A second risk assessment tool, the ferret, can be used to evaluate the level of virulence and potential for host-to-host transmission of avian influenza viruses in this naturally susceptible host. Avian viruses isolated from humans exhibit a level of virulence and transmissibility in ferrets that generally reflects that seen in humans. The ferret model thus provides a means to monitor emerging avian influenza viruses for pandemic risk, as well as to evaluate laboratory-generated reassortants and mutants to better understand the molecular basis of influenza virus transmissibility. Taken together, such studies provide valuable information with which we can assess the public health risk of avian influenza viruses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In black-boned chicken, melanocytes are widely distributed in their inner organs. However, the roles of these cells are not fully elucidated. In this study, we used 3-wk-old female Silky Fowl to investigate the functions of melanocytes under infection with infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV). We found the melanocytes in the bursa of Fabricius involved in IBDV infection shown as abundant melanin were transported into the nodule and lamina propria where obvious apoptotic cells and higher expression of BAX were detected. Genes related to the toll-like receptor (TLR) signaling pathway were highly detected by quantitative PCR, including TLR1, TLR3, TLR4, TLR15 , myeloid differential protein-88, interferon-α, and interferon-β. We then isolated and infected primary melanocytes with IBDV in vitro and found that higher expressions of immune genes were detected at 24 and 48 h after infection; the upregulated innate and adaptive immune genes were involved in the pathogenesis of IBDV infection, including TLR3, TLR7 , interleukin 15 (IL15), IL18, IL1rap, CD7, BG2, ERAP1 , and SLA2. These changes in gene expression were highly associated with microtubule-based movement, antigen processing and presentation, defense against viruses, and innate immune responses. Our results indicated that the widely distributed melanocytes in Silky Fowl could migrate to play important innate immune roles during virus infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Japanese quail is an increasingly important bird of economic importance for commercial egg and meat production, particularly in developing countries. There is a need for research aimed at improving efficiency of these birds during stressful challenges, such as oxidative stress. Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), a highly functional antioxidant, protects cells against oxidative stress. This study was conducted to determine the effects of CoQ10 on reproductive performance of Japanese quail under cadmium (Cd) challenge. A total of 216 six-wk-old Japanese quail were randomly allocated into 3 groups for an 8 wk experimental trial. The treatments include a negative control (NC): feeding basal diet; a positive control (PC): feeding basal diet and cadmium administration (1 mg/100 g BW, at 10 and 11 wk of age), and (CdQ10): feeding CoQ10 supplemented (900 mg/kg diet) basal diet and Cd administration. At 11 and 13 wk of age, egg production, body weight, mortality, oviduct, and ovarian biometry, were recorded. Histology and histopathology of isthmus and magnum, fertility, hatchability, hatchling quality, and HSP70 mRNA transcript abundance in the utero-vaginal junction (UVJ) were evaluated. Positive control and CdQ10 group had no significant effect on live body weight, stroma weight, follicle size, hatchability, and fertility; however, Cd administration increased (P < 0.01) mortality rate in the PC group compared to the NC and CdQ10 groups. CdQ10 quail produced more eggs and had a higher hatchling quality compared to the PC group (P < 0.01). The thickness and height of isthmus and magnum folds in the CdQ10 group was increased compared to the PC group (P < 0.01) and overall oviduct weight was increased with CoQ10 supplementation (P < 0.01). Compared to PC, the CdQ10 group had a reduction in infiltration of inflammatory cells. Relative abundance of HSP70 mRNA in UVJ was influenced by interactive effect of treatment × time (P < 0.05). In conclusion, dietary supplementation of CoQ10 showed beneficial effects on some reproduction characteristics of female Japanese quail under Cd-induced oxidative stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Elucidating the cellular and molecular mechanisms regulating sperm selection and transport in the vagina of the hen had been the focus of a limited amount of research over the past decade. New observations indicate the presence of nonneuron endocrine cells in the epithelia lining the lumina of the turkey hen vagina and uterovaginal junction. Although no cells in the vagina or uterovaginal junction surface epithelia exhibited argentaffin staining, typical of cells containing neurosecretory granules, cells restricted to the vaginal and uterovaginal junction but not the sperm storage tubule epithelia were immunoreactive positive to serotonin. We speculate that if released into the vaginal lumen and submucosa, serotonin could augment cilia and sperm tail beat frequencies and facilitate smooth muscle contraction, respectively. If this is the response to sperm at insemination, it would represent the first evidence of a local control mechanism responding to sperm in the turkey vagina. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Glucose is a main metabolic substrate in the central nervous system (CNS). Recently, lactate has attracted renewed attention because it plays an important role in the CNS as a metabolic substrate between neurons and astrocytes. Lactate and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), a key enzyme for lactate and pyruvate interconversion, have been investigated. The glycogen body (GB) is a gelatinous tissue in the dorsal area of the lumbosacral spinal cord in birds. It is composed of uniform cells with high glycogen storage and is thought to be in the astroglia lineage. In this article, we investigated the LDH enzyme activity in embryo GB (embryonic d 12, 14, 16, 17, and 18) and chickens. To detect the subtype of the LDH, mRNA expressions in GB were investigated and compared with those of cerebral cortex and spinal cord. By histochemical observations, LDH enzyme activity was detected in the cytoplasm of GB cells of all embryonic periods after embryonic d 12. In biochemical analysis, the enzymatic activities of the GB were higher than in the cerebral cortex. In the GB the subtype of LDH mRNA was LDM-B only, and in the cerebral cortex and spinal cord, the subtype of LDH mRNA was predominantly LDH-B, and a small amount of LDH-A was found in the chicken and embryo. The LDH-B mRNA expression in GB was detected during all periods of the study (after embryonic d 12). These observations suggest that GB expressed only LDH-B and that GB cells are not lactate-producing cells, like astrocyte, but rather are lactate-consuming cells, similar to neurons in CNS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fumonisin B1 (FB1) is a mycotoxin produced by the fungus Fusarium verticillioides (formerly Fusarium moniliforme) and is found in diverse crops such as corn, wheat, and barley. Many diseases linked to FB1, such as porcine pulmonary edema, rat hepatic cancer, and equine leukoencephalomalacia, indicate a compromised immune system. The purpose of this study was to determine whether FB1 altered immunological responses in various cell populations of Single Comb White Leghorn chicks. Cells collected for this study were obtained from those immunological organs with well-defined responses (i.e., spleen, thymus, and blood). Cell populations were exposed to 5 to 50 µg/mL FB1 in vitro for 24 to 72 h, and viability and mitogenic response were evaluated. The effects of FB1 on the mitogenic response were evaluated in cell populations from the spleen and blood stimulated with the mitogens, lipopolysaccharide, concanavalin A, and pokeweed mitogen and in thymocytes stimulated with concanavalin A. The 3-(4,5-dimethylthazol-2-yl)-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) reduction assay was used to assess viability and mitogenic response. Fumonisin B1 decreased spleen cell viability and mitogenic response, albeit the degree of decrease varied with mitogen and time of exposure. Fumonisin B1 increased number of viable thymic cells at 50 µg/mL but had no effect on the mitogenic response of thymocytes. Fumonisin B1 had no effect on blood lymphocyte viability or mitogenic response. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The cellular and molecular mechanisms regulating the reuptake of the testicular fluid supporting sperm exiting the testes in the bird are not known. The presence of aquaporins, proteins involved in transmembrane water transport, was investigated. Observations were limited to the ductuli efferentes, collecting ducts, and ductus epididymis. Interestingly all of these ducts were positive for aquaporins-2, -3, and -9 but not aquaporin-7. When positive, aquaporin was observed localized over the whole cell or the apical plasma membrane of the nonciliated cells and the apical plasma membrane and cilia of the ciliated cells. This study is the first to clearly demonstrate the presence of aquaporins-2, -3, and -9 in the epididymal region of any bird. We assume the aquaporins play a role in concentrating the sperm and in the promotion of sperm maturation in the epididymal region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oviductal sperm storage tubules (SST), located at the uterovaginal junction, are the primary site of sperm storage in turkeys. Sperm reside within these storage sites and may be released via a dynamic interaction between sperm mobility and a fluid current generated by the SST epithelial cells. In this study, aquaporins 2, 3, and 9 (proteins that form water channels in the plasmalemma of a variety of cells) were immunocytochemically localized within the apical aspect of the epithelial cells that form the SST. These observations support the contention that the SST epithelial cells are capable of water exchange that may interact with sperm residing within the SST. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A turkey hen in egg production requires 48 h after the last insemination to maximize the number of sperm in the uterovaginal junction sperm-storage tubules. Where the sperm that continue to fill the oviductal sperm-storage sites during this 48-h period reside remains unknown. Histological sections of the juncture of the vagina with the urodeum, the central compartment of the cloaca, revealed deep tubular glands containing periodic acid-Schiff-positive secretory material. When examined 36 h after the last artificial insemination, sperm were observed in the lumen of the tubular glands associated with the urodeum. We suggest that sperm reside in the tubular glands within the urodeum and are released in association with the secretory activity of the tubular glands. These sperm then may ascend the vagina to continue to populate the sperm-storage tubules. Alternatively, the sperm in the tubular glands of the urodeum may be evidence of spermatorrhea and have no functional role in the fertilization process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Host defense peptides (HDP) are multifunctional effectors of the innate immune system, which has antimicrobial and pleiotropic immunomodulatory functions. Although there is a very sophisticated superposition of adaptive immune systems in vertebrates, this system is still essential. As an important family of HDP, cathelicidins are also known for their broad-spectrum antibacterial activity against bacteria, fungi, and enveloped viruses. It has been found in humans and other species, including cattle, pigs, sheep, goats, chickens, rabbits, and some kind of fish. Among them, cathelicidins in birds were described for the first time in 2005. This review focuses on the structure, biological activities, expression, and regulation of avian cathelicidin, especially main effects of host defense cathelicidin on potential therapeutic applications. According to the results obtained both in vitro and in vivo, good perspectives have been opened for cathelicidin. Nevertheless, further studies are needed to better characterize the mechanisms of action underlying the beneficial effects of cathelicidin as novel therapeutic alternatives to antibiotics., (Copyright © 2020. Published by Elsevier Inc.)

Low-egg-producing hens (LEPH) ovulate less frequently than high-egg-producing hens (HEPH) and exhibit differences in mRNA levels for components of the hypothalamo-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis, suggesting differential responsiveness to trophic stimulation. Ovulation frequency is governed by the production of the pituitary gonadotropins and feedback of the ovarian follicle steroid hormones, which are regulated by HPG axis stimulation and inhibition at the hypothalamic level. The pituitary and follicle cells from LEPH and HEPH were subjected to in vitro hormonal treatments to stimulate or inhibit the HPG axis, followed by expression analysis of mRNA levels for HPG axis genes and radioimmunoassays for steroid hormone production. Statistical analysis was performed using the mixed models procedure of SAS. The pituitary cells from HEPH showed upregulation of genes associated with ovulation stimulation, whereas cells from LEPH showed upregulation of genes associated with inhibition of ovulation. High-egg-producing hens' follicle cells displayed a higher sensitivity and responsiveness to gonadotropin treatment. Level of egg production impacted ovulation-related gene expression in the pituitary cells as well as steroid hormone production in the follicle cells, with HEPH displaying a greater positive response to stimulation. These findings indicate that differences in egg production among turkey hens likely involve differential responsiveness of the cells within the HPG axis., (Copyright © 2020. Published by Elsevier Inc.)

As indicators of diseases, blood biochemical values play a crucial role in clinical practice and assessments of animals' health condition. The rising population of homing pigeons in China has prompted needs for reliable blood biochemical reference intervals. Therefore, the aim of this study was to establish biochemical reference intervals for homing pigeons. Heparinized whole blood samples obtained from 77 clinically healthy pigeons were analyzed by Zoetis Abaxis VetScan VS2 with VetScan Avian/Reptilian Profile Plus Rotor. Reference intervals for pigeons were computed by Excel with Reference Value Advisor V2.1. The statistical analysis performed by SPSS program revealed correlations between biochemical analytes. Effects of sex and age and validity of published reference intervals were also discussed. The present results serve as a useful guide to broaden the scope of pigeon breeding industry., (Copyright © 2020. Published by Elsevier Inc.)

An abstract of the article "AI infection in animals: A challenge and opportunity for the poultry veterinarian," by I. Capua and colleagues is presented.

An abstract of the article "Network research and education structures to prevent and control pandemic avian influenza," by D.R. Perez and colleagues is presented.

An abstract of the article "Real time PCR for the rapid detection of avian reoviruses," by K. Guo, J. Giambrone, T. Dormitorio and H. Wu is presented.

An abstract of the article "Holistic vs. traditional teaching of complex aspects of avian physiology in a laboratory setting," by S. Burgos is presented.