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Background: Even with the technological advances in management, health and genetics applied to poultry farming worldwide, there is still a high rate of carcasses condemnation at slaughterhouses, which result in losses for the poultry production chain. Thus, this work aimed to evaluate the condemnation occurrence index (COI) and adjusted seasonal index (ASI) of poultry (turkey, griller, and heavy chicken) between 2009 and 2019, in a slaughterhouse enable to export in southeastern Brazil. Data were obtained from official spreadsheets from the Brazilian Federal Inspection Service (FIS) and used to calculate the COI, correlation analysis between the main causes of condemnation, and ASI assessments throughout the year. Results: Seven percent (55,594,318) of the poultry carcasses were condemned (partial or total), and the most frequent causes, contamination, and contusion/traumatic injury, amounted to 63.5% of the total condemnation. There was a trend of increasing condemnation throughout the time series evaluated, with COI varying between 45,282–149,809 condemnations per 1,000,000 poultry slaughtered. Considering the ASI, it was identified that for ascitic syndrome, July has a higher index value (1.63) than the months between January–June (P < 0.05). Conclusions: The main causes of condemnation were contamination and contusion/traumatic injury, both technological causes. ASI showed that in July there is a greater carcasses condemnation due to ascitic syndrome than in the months between January and June. The variations observed in the ASIs can provide subsidies for preventive measures and optimization of human and financial resources, generating positive impacts on food safety, productivity, and profitability of the sector. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The goal of this study was to evaluate marker-assisted selection (MAS) in broiler chickens using previously mapped gene regions associated with ascites syndrome incidence. The second-generation MAS products were assessed for impact on ascites phenotype and whether there were associated changes in important production traits. Previously, we used whole genome resequencing (WGR) to fine-map 28 chromosomal regions as associated with ascites phenotype in our experimental ascites broiler line (Relaxed, REL) based on a hypobaric chamber challenge. Genotypes for single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in mapped regions on chromosomes 2 and 22, were used for MAS in our REL line. After two generations, birds homozygous for the genotypes associated with resistance for both chromosomal regions were established. The MAS F2 generation was then compared to the REL line for ascites susceptibility and 25 production traits. Results: Selection based on SNPs in the carboxypeptidase Q (CPQ, Gga2) and leucine rich repeat transmembrane neuronal 4 (LRRTM4, Gga22) gene regions resulted in a sex- and simulated altitude- dependent reduction of ascites incidence in two F2 cohorts of the MAS line. Comparisons of the F2 MAS and REL lines for production traits when reared at ambient pressure found no significant negative impacts for feed intake (FI), feed conversion ratio (FCR), or deboned part yields for either sex for two F2 cohorts. There were, however, improvements in the MAS for full-trial body weight gain (BWG), FCR, absolute and relative tender weights, and relative drumstick weight. Conclusions: These results validate the mapping of the 28 chromosomal regions and demonstrate that fine mapping by WGR is an effective strategy for addressing a complex trait; it also stands as the first successful SNP-based selection program against a complex disease trait, such as ascites. The MAS line is comparable and, in some instances, superior, in growth performance to the REL control while being more resistant to ascites. This study indicates that MAS based on WGR can provide significant breeding potential in agricultural systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of dietary total sulphur amino acids (TSAA) levels and guanidinoacetic acid (GAA) supplementation on performance, carcase yield and energetic molecular metabolites in heart and breast muscle of broiler chickens fed wheat-soy diet. A total of 450, male one-day-old Ross-308 broiler chicks were assigned in a 3 × 3 factorial arrangement of nine treatments, five replicates and 10 birds each. Dietary treatments included three graded levels of supplementary TSAA (+0.4 g/kg per level) resulting in a deficient, adequate and plus level of recommended by strain, with three levels of GAA (0, 0.6 and 1.2 g/kg) and were fed for 35 days. Dietary TSAA levels only enhanced performance during the starter period (p <.05). At adequate TSAA level, weight gain (WG) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) in the grower phase were positively affected by supplementing GAA at 1.2 g/kg (p <.05). The FCR during the overall experimental period was significantly lower when feeding GAA at 0.6 and 1.2 g/kg compared to non-supplemented (p <.05). Heart and breast muscle ATP/AMP ratio and breast muscle ADP and PCr concentration and PCr/CrN ratio in the birds fed 1.2 g/kg GAA diet were significantly higher than non-supplemented (p <.05). It is concluded, effects of dietary GAA supplementation were influenced by dietary TSAA level, this indicates to need for proper dietary sulphur amino acid formulation by GAA supplementation. Dietary GAA supplementation could improve broiler chicken's growth performance via regulating some aspects of energy metabolism. Guanidinoacetic acid plays a critical role in energy homeostasis. The effect of dietary Guanidinoacetic acid supplementation may influenced by the dietary sulphur amino acids. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) play an important role in intestinal extracellular matrix homeostasis. An overexpression of MMPs results in tissue destruction and local inflammation and has been associated with multiple inflammatory diseases. These host proteases might also be important in tissue damage caused by infectious agents, such as in intestinal damage in Clostridium perfringens-induced avian necrotic enteritis (NE). The aim of the present study was to elucidate the effect of a C. perfringens infection on the MMP activity in the small intestine of birds with a pre-disposing coccidial infection to obtain a more thorough understanding of the pathogenesis of NE. For this purpose, the gelatinolytic activity present in jejunal tissue of Eimeria infected birds which were challenged with either a pathogenic C. perfringens type G strain or a commensal C. perfringens type A strain was analyzed using substrate zymography. The results show that infection of broilers with Eimeria and different C. perfringens strains, independent of their pathogenicity, decreases the expression of a 40–45 kDa host collagenase in the jejunum, as compared to the expression in Eimeria-infected control birds. It was also shown that the expression of 2 MMPs with molecular weights of approximately 50–60 and 60–70 kDa was significantly lower in necrotic tissue as compared to the activity in macroscopically healthy tissue adjacent to the lesion. These results indicate that host collagenases are not elicited by the C. perfringens infection for permeabilizing the host mucosa to allow penetration of the NetB toxin in Eimeria infected broilers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ascites syndrome (AS) is a metabolic disorder in fast-growing broilers that is characterized by non-tumult fluid collection in the abdomen. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of variable feeding and rearing temperature on AS occurrence in broilers. A total of 360 one-day-old male Ross-308 chicks were assigned to three equal groups (n = 120) fed pellet, crumble or mash diets and within each group, half of birds (n = 60, starting from the 22nd day of age) were reared under two different temperatures: at 23°C (comfort) or at 14°C (cold), respectively. There were six treatments and four replicates including 15 broilers per replicate per treatment. Birds' growth performances and blood parameters as well the incidence of ascites were assessed. The haematocrit percentage, T3 and T4 hormones activity in pellet-fed group under cold temperature conditions were significantly higher (P < .05) than the other groups. Based on the results, the occurrence of AS under mash-fed regime was less than pellet and crumble dietary groups (P > .05). Further, feeding of mash diet reduced broilers' feed consumption per unit of time, especially by level of achieving energy that is reducing the growth and AS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated high mortality in broilers transported to slaughter in Norway by comparing data from flocks with normal and high mortality during transportation. The data sources consisted of necropsy findings in 535 broilers dead-on-arrival (DOA), production data and slaughterhouse data, along with average journey duration for the 61 associated flocks. The mean Norwegian DOA% for 2015 was 0.10. In this study, normal-mortality flocks were defined as flocks with a mean DOA% up to 0.30 and high mortality as flocks with a mean DOA% above 0.30. DOA% was calculated per flock. The most frequent pathological finding was lung congestion which was observed in 75.5% of the DOA broilers. This postmortem finding was significantly more common in broilers from high-mortality flocks (89.3%) than in DOA broilers from normal-mortality flocks (58%). The following variables had a significantly (P<0.05) higher median in the high-mortality flocks: flock size, 1st week mortality, foot pad lesion score, carcass rejection numbers and journey duration. The results indicate that high broiler mortality during transportation to the abattoir may be linked to several steps in the broiler production chain. The results suggest that preventive measures are to be considered in improvement of health and environmental factors during the production period and throughout the journey duration. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The objective of this experiment was to evaluate the effect of bee glue (BG) on the performance, relative visceral weights, some blood parameters, and immune status of broilers. A total of 200 male Ross 308 broiler chicks were randomly assigned to 5 dietary treatments: basal diet (BD), and basal diet supplemented with 600, 700, 800, and 900 mg kg−1of BG. Each of the 5 diets was fed to 4 replicates of 10 chicks each from 0 to 42 days of age. The results indicated that the highest body weight, average daily gain, average daily feed intake, carcass weight, and carcass yield were observed in broilers offered 800 mg kg−1of BG (P < .05). Inclusion of BG improved the feed conversion ratio compared with the control group (P < .01). The calculated European broiler index and crop percentage were greater for the birds received 800 and 900 mg kg−1of BG compared with that of the control birds (P < .05). Inclusion of 900 mg kg−1of BG significantly increased the relative weight of spleen and bursa, but reduced total triglycerides, cholesterol, LDL, and LDL: HDL ratio than the control group (P < .05). The serum IgG and IgM levels were increased for the birds received 700 to 900 mg kg−1BG (P < .01), and addition of BG to the basal diet significantly increased antibody response against sheep red blood cell at 35 days of age (P < .05). It was concluded that an addition of 800 mg kg−1BG to diet improves economic efficiency possibly by creating miniscule improvement in FCR and promoting immune response of broilers. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

To investigate the involvement of apoptosis in the pathogenesis of T3-induced pulmonary hypertension in broiler chickens, caspase-1, -2, and -3 gene expressions were evaluated by semiquantitative RT-PCR in the lungs and left and right heart ventricles. One-day-old fast-growing chickens were randomly divided into 2 equal groups with 3 replicates per group. Chicks were reared for 7 weeks under standard conditions. T3 as a thyroid hormone was added to the ration after week 1 of rearing. Pulmonary hypertension was induced at 49 days based on RV/T V ratio index. The caspase genes were constitutively expressed in the lung and right and left ventricles of intact and pulmonary hypertensive broiler chickens. The relative amount of caspase-1, -2, and -3 mRNA in the lung and right and left ventricles of the heart was higher in pulmonary hypertensive broilers than in control broilers (P < 0.05). It is speculated that increased mRNA levels of caspase in the lungs and hearts of pulmonary hypertensive broilers could be evidence of upregulated apoptosis, which is involved in the pathophysiology of broiler chickens with pulmonary hypertension. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two-factor experiment was designed to examine from lipid metabolism, proinflammatory eicosanoids, and lipid peroxidation for investigating the effects of dietary oils and zinc levels of cardiovascular system of broilers. One hundred sixty 1-d-old male broilers were divided into 4 groups with 8 replicates of 5 birds fed one of the diets containing either corn oil or fish oil with one of 2 levels (75 mg/kg, 150 mg/kg) of zinc. Fish oil significantly decreased the levels of serum total cholesterol, triglyceride, high density lipoprotein-cholesterol, low density lipoproteincholesterol of broilers, decreased the contents of plasma prostaglandin E2, thromboxane B2, and phospholipase A2 in broilers when compared with corn oil. Zn level did not alter lipid metabolism, but significantly affected eicosanoid synthesis and lipid peroxidation of broilers. Zinc at 150 mg/kg significantly decreased the contents of plasma prostaglandin E2, malondialdehyde, and phospholipase A2 in broilers when compared to zinc at 75mg/Kg. There were significant interactions between oil sources and zinc levels on production of serum triglyceride, high density lipoprotein-cholesterol, plasma 6-keto- prostaglandin F1a, phospholipase A2 and malondialdehyde. In conclusion, fish oil improved lipid profiles, reduced proinflammatory eicosanoid contents by inhibiting phospholipase A2 production in broilers; while zinc reduced the contents of plasma malondialdehyde, phospholipase A2, and then decreased the concentration of prostaglandin E2 of broilers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work examined the effects of three enzyme preparations (A,B,C) directed towards degradation of Non Starch Polysaccharides (NSP) and one targeting phytates (D) on performance traits in broilers fed maize meal basal diets containing 400 g/kg of yellow lupine seeds (LM). A soybean meal (SBM) based diet served as a reference control. Growth rate, coefficients of total tract apparent digestibility (CTTAD) of organic matter, protein and energy, as well as morphometric measurements of selected sections of gastrointestinal tract (GIT) were determined. In comparison to chickens fed the SBM diet, chickens fed the LM diet consumed less feed, had considerably lower body weight gain, as well as lower CTTAD of measured nutrients and energy. Also the GIT relative weight and length were increased within the group fed the LM diet. Addition of each NSP degrading enzymes (A,B,C) to the LM diet increased feed intake and decreased size of GIT organs (all p < 0.05). Addition of enzymes A or B increased ( p < 0.05) growth rate of chicks, whereas only enzyme B increased fed efficiency ( p < 0.05) and tended to slightly improve CTTAD of nutrients. The addition of enzyme D did not have any effect on feed intake, growth rate or CTTAD. This study indicates that a diet containing high levels of LM is detrimental to feed intake and condition of the digestive tract of young broilers, and thus affects their performance. However, when the LM diet is supplemented with suitable enzyme preparations, performance parameters are not different from those obtained with SBM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coliform cellulitis in broilers is caused by certain avian pathogenic Escherichia coli strains. Sixty-four E. coli samples were isolated in a slaughterhouse from broiler carcasses with cellulitis. The isolates were examined for the presence of selected virulence genes and phylogenetic determination by PCR assays. E. coli isolates belonged to A (51.56%), B1 (18.75%) and D (29.68%) phylogenetic groups. All of the isolates were positive for at least two virulence genes. The three most prevalent genes were csgA (92.18%), fimH (85.93%) and iucD (76.56%). F17 fimbrial family (f17A), P (papC) and S (sfa) fimbriae encoding genes were detected in one, nine and two isolates, respectively. The highest and the lowest number of virulence genes were found in D and A phylogenetic groups, respectively. Several combination of the virulence genes were detected; csgA, fimH, iucD was the most prevalent pattern. None of the isolates harboured the afa E-VIII, afaI B-C, eaeA, hly, stx1 and stx virulence genes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]