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Glyphosate-based herbicides (GBHs) are massively used in agriculture. However, few studies have investigated the effects of glyphosate-based herbicides on avian species although they are largely exposed via their food. Here, we investigated the potential reversibility of the effects of chronic dietary exposure to glyphosate-based herbicides in broiler hens. For 42 days, we exposed 32-week-old hens to glyphosate-based herbicides via their food (47 mg/kg/day glyphosate equivalent, glyphosate-based herbicides, n = 75) corresponding to half glyphosate’s no-observed-adverse-effect-level in birds. We compared their performance to that of 75 control animals (CT). Both groups (glyphosate-based herbicides and control animals) were then fed for 28 additional days without glyphosate-based herbicides exposure (Ex-glyphosate-based herbicides and Ex-control animals). Glyphosate-based herbicides temporarily increased the plasma glyphosate and AMPA (aminomethylphosphonic acid) concentrations. Glyphosate and aminomethylphosphonic acid mostly accumulated in the liver and to a lesser extent in the leg muscle and abdominal adipose tissue. Glyphosate-based herbicides also temporarily increased the gizzard weight and plasma oxidative stress monitored by TBARS (thiobarbituric acid reactive substances). Glyphosate-based herbicides temporarily decreased the cecal concentrations of propionate, isobutyrate and propionate but acetate and valerate were durably reduced. The cecal microbiome was also durably affected since glyphosate-based herbicides inhibited Barnesiella and favored Alloprevotella. Body weight, fattening, food intake and feeding behavior as well as plasma lipid and uric acid were unaffected by glyphosate-based herbicides. Taken together, our results show possible disturbances of the cecal microbiota associated with plasma oxidative stress and accumulation of glyphosate in metabolic tissues in response to dietary glyphosate-based herbicides exposure in broiler hens. Luckily, glyphosate-based herbicides at this concentration does not hamper growth and most of the effects on the phenotypes are reversible. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In reproductive hens, a feed restriction is an usual practice to improve metabolic and reproductive disorders. However, it acts a stressor on the animal. In mammals, grape seed extracts (GSE) reduces oxidative stress. However, their effect on endocrine and tissue response need to be deepened in reproductive hens. Here, we evaluated the effects of time and level of GSE dietary supplementation on growth performance, viability, oxidative stress and metabolic parameters in plasma and metabolic tissues in reproductive hens and their offsprings. We designed an in vivo trial using 4 groups of feed restricted hens: A (control), B and C (supplemented with 0.5% and 1% of the total diet composition in GSE since week 4, respectively) and D (supplemented with 1% of GSE since the hatch). In hens from hatch to week 40, GSE supplementation did not affect food intake and fattening whatever the time and dose of supplementation. Body weight was significantly reduced in D group as compared to control. In all hen groups, GSE supplementation decreased plasma oxidative stress index associated to a decrease in the mRNA expression of the NOX4 and 5 oxidant genes in liver and muscle and an increase in SOD mRNA expression. This was also associated to decreased plasma chemerin and increased plasma adiponectin and visfatin levels. Interestingly, maternal GSE supplementation increased the live body weight and viability of chicks at hatching and 10 days of age. This was associated to a decrease in plasma and liver oxidative stress parameters. Taken together, GSE maternal dietary supplementation reduces plasma and tissue oxidative stress associated to modulation of adipokines without affecting fattening in reproductive hens. A 1% GSE maternal dietary supplementation increased offspring viability and reduced oxidative stress suggesting a beneficial transgenerational effect and a potential use to improve the quality of the progeny in reproductive hens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In poultry, the selection of broilers for growth performance has induced a deterioration in the health of the parental hens associated with poor reproductive efficiency. To improve these parameters, we administered to laying parental broiler hens a regular diet supplemented or not (Control) with a moderate (1%) or a high level (2%) of grape seed extract (GSE). The 1% GSE diet was administered from a young age (from 4 to 40 weeks of age) and the high level of 2% GSE was administered only during a 2-week period (from 38 to 40 weeks of age) in the laying period. The analysis of 40-week-old hens showed that 2% GSE displayed a reduction in the fat tissue and an improvement in fertility with heavier and more resistant eggs. Seven monomer phenolic metabolites of GSE were significantly measured in the plasma of the 2% GSE hens. GSE supplementation increased the relative abundance of the following bacteria populations: Bifidobacteriaceae, Lactobacilliaceae and Lachnospiraceae. In conclusion, a supplementation period of only 2 weeks with 2% GSE is sufficient to improve the metabolic and laying parameters of breeder hens through a modification in the microbiota. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Steroidome analysis allowed quantifying 28 steroids in gilts saliva. • Steroids concentrations in gilts saliva varied from immature to pubertal stage. • We identified steroids that could be biomarkers of the receptivity to boar effect. • We contributed to the development of non-hormonal tools for estrous synchronization. • Non-invasive saliva sampling is in agreement with improvement of animal welfare. Estrus synchronization is necessary for management of gilt reproduction in pig farms. It is usually achieved by using synthetic progestagens, but there is increasing demand for non-hormonal alternative tools with the prospect of sustainability of livestock production. Moreover, in organic farms, synthetic hormones are not allowed. Before reaching puberty, gilts exhibit a "waiting period" during which external stimulations, such as boar exposure, could trigger and synchronize the first ovulation. However, practical non-invasive tools for detection of the "waiting period" in pig farms are lacking. During this period, estrone levels in urine are high, but urine sampling is difficult in group-housed females. Our objective was to identify among steroids potential biomarkers of this "waiting period" through saliva monitoring from immature to pubertal gilts using gas chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry. Starting between 144 and 147 days of age, six Large White gilts were submitted to ultrasound puberty diagnosis 3 times a week until first ovulation. Urine and saliva samples were collected to analyze weekly estrone and steroidome respectively, until puberty. Urinary estrone concentration significantly increased 2 weeks before first ovulation occurring between 182 and 192 days of age. The period with increasing estrone levels was considered as the "waiting period". Steroidome analysis allowed identifying and quantifying 28 steroids in 500 µl of gilts saliva. Significant decrease of dehydroepiandrosterone and significant increase of 5α-dihydroprogesterone and 17β-estradiol were detected 2 weeks before puberty, suggesting that these steroids could be potential biomarkers of the "waiting period". These results show that painless sampling of saliva could be a non-invasive welfare-friendly tool for the identification of the physiological hormonal status of the gilts and possibly the optimal time for application of the boar effect, a solution to synchronize puberty without exogenous hormones. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to determine the body composition of parental broilers during growth from hatching to adulthood (32 wk of age), we evaluated the kinetics of fattening, growth rate, reproduction parameters, and body composition of the animals by using non-invasive tools such as medical imaging (ultrasound and CT scan) and blood sample analysis. The use of CT scanner allowed us to monitor the development of the body composition (fatness, bone, muscle, ovary, and testis growth) of these same animals. These analyses were accompanied by biochemical blood analyses such as steroids, metabolites, and some adipokines concentration. Difference in the body composition between males and females appeared at 16 wk of age. From 20 wk of age, shortly before the onset of lay, the females had 1.6-fold more adipose tissues than males (P < 0.001) and 8-fold more elevated plasma triglycerides levels. In addition, females, from 16 wk of age, presented a weakened bone quality in comparison to males (P < 0.001). The ratio of the tibia volume/tibia length was 33.2% lower in female compared to male chicken at 32 wk of age (P < 0.001). However, the pectoral muscle had the same volume in both sexes. The production of steroids by gonad started at 16 wk of age for both sexes, and the testis and ovary development could be measured by imaging tools at 24 wk. The follicle development was correlated to the ovarian fat tissue (r = 0.80) and fatness. In conclusion, the use of CT scanner and ultrasound system has allowed investigate the body composition of live animals and actual parental breeds with to the aim of using them for genetic selection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• LEP, RARRES2 and RETN protein levels in plasma and WAT are higher in MS than LW sows. • ADIPOQ and ITLN1 protein levels in plasma and WAT are lower in MS than LW sows. • Plasma LEP and RARRES2 are positively associated with the BFT in MS and LW sows. • Plasma LEP and RARRES2 are negatively associated with the puberty age in MS and LW. • Plasma ADIPOQ is negatively linked to BFT and positively to the puberty age in MS and LW. In pig, backfat deposition is strongly related to the growth and reproductive performance. However, the molecular regulatory mechanisms of adipose tissue are not clearly understood. Adipose tissue is now recognized as an important endocrine organ that secretes a variety of factors including adipokines. However, the regulation of expression pattern of these adipokines in both plasma and visceral white adipose tissue (WAT) in lean and fat pig is unclear. In the present study, we used two representative porcine breeds (Large White, LW; Meishan, MS) with contrasting backfat thickness and sexual maturity age. Using specific ELISA assays, we determined the plasma profile of eight adipokines, leptin, adiponectin, visfatin, apelin, chemerin, resistin, omentin and vaspin in LW and MS sows. By RT-qPCR and western-blot we also investigated the mRNA and protein levels of these adipokines and their cognate receptors (LEPR, ADIPOR1, ADIPOR2, CMKLR1, CCRL2, GPR1, APLNR, TLR4, ROR1, CAP1 and HSPA5) in the peri renal WAT, respectively. At both plasma and peri renal WAT level, we found that the amounts of leptin, chemerin, resistin and vaspin were higher whereas those of adiponectin and omentin were lower in MS than LW sows. Plasma and adipose tissue visfatin and apelin levels were not different between the two breeds. Moreover, we noted that the variations of peri renal WAT adipokines observed between MS and LW were similar at the protein and mRNA level except for chemerin and apelin suggesting post-transcriptional modifications for these two adipokines. Finally, among the eight adipokines studied, we showed that only the plasma concentrations of leptin and chemerin were positively and those of adiponectin, negatively associated with the thickness of fat and opposite correlation was found for the onset of puberty in both LW and MS animals. Taken together, these results support a potential involvement of adipokines in WAT regulation and its link with the onset of the puberty in sows. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]