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In this study, comparative analysis of skeletal muscle transcriptome was carried out for four biological replicates of Aseel, a fighter type breed and Punjab Brown, a meat type breed of India. The profusely expressed genes in both breeds were related to muscle contraction and motor activity. Differential expression analysis identified 961 up-regulated and 979 down-regulated genes in Aseel at a threshold of log 2 fold change ≥ ±2.0 ( p <0.05). Significantly enriched KEGG pathways in Aseel included metabolic pathways and oxidative phosphorylation, with higher expression of genes associated with fatty acid beta-oxidation, formation of ATP by chemiosmotic coupling, response to oxidative stress, and muscle contraction. The highly connected hub genes identified through gene network analysis in the Aseel gamecocks were adj <0.05). Significantly enriched KEGG pathways in Aseel included metabolic pathways and oxidative phosphorylation, with higher expression of genes associated with fatty acid beta-oxidation, formation of ATP by chemiosmotic coupling, response to oxidative stress, and muscle contraction. The highly connected hub genes identified through gene network analysis in the Aseel gamecocks were HNF4A, APOA2, APOB, APOC3, AMBP, which are primarily associated with energy generating metabolic pathways. The up-regulated genes in Punjab Brown chicken were found to be related to muscle growth and differentiation. There was enrichment of pathways such as focal adhesion, insulin signaling pathway and ECM receptor interaction in these birds. The results presented in this study help to improve our understanding of the molecular mechanisms associated with fighting ability and muscle growth in Aseel and Punjab Brown chicken, respectively.ACOT13, which are primarily associated with energy generating metabolic pathways. The up-regulated genes in Punjab Brown chicken were found to be related to muscle growth and differentiation. There was enrichment of pathways such as focal adhesion, insulin signaling pathway and ECM receptor interaction in these birds. The results presented in this study help to improve our understanding of the molecular mechanisms associated with fighting ability and muscle growth in Aseel and Punjab Brown chicken, respectively.

The present study was undertaken to characterize the ultrastructural morphology of the blood cells of commonly reared chickens in the state of Mizoram, India under backyard poultry farming. For this study, 2 ml of whole blood was aseptically collected from the wings veins of 12 chickens of three different breeds namely the Zoar, Aseel and Rhode Island Red and processed for ultrastructural imaging under standard protocols. Under scanning electron microscopy (SEM) the matured erythrocytes of Zoar, Aseel and Rhode Island Red appeared elliptical in shape while the leukocytes and thrombocytes appeared round in shape with variable surface modifications. Under transmission electron microscopy (TEM) the granules of the heterophils of Zoar, Aseel and Rhode Island Red appeared predominantly fusiform in shape, the granules of the eosinophils appeared round in shape and that of the basophils appeared pleomorphic in shape. The cytoplasm of the monocytes, medium-to-large lymphocytes and thrombocytes of Zoar, Aseel and Rhode Island Red under TEM appeared to be vacuolated and granular while that of the small lymphocytes appeared to be granular but non-vacuolated. The study concluded that the ultrastructural characteristics of the blood cells of the three breeds of chicken studied were almost similar to the blood cells of other birds reported earlier., (© 2022 Wiley-VCH GmbH.)

Egg quality parameters are very crucial for the egg industry as egg configuration affects grading, price, hatchability, chick weight, and consumer preference. Current study was undertaken to assess and compare the egg quality parameters in 2 important Indian breeds Aseel and Kadaknath reared under backyard system. Different parameters of external and internal egg quality were measured. Biochemical parameters of egg yolk estimated were egg yolk cholesterol, high density lipoprotein (HDL), low density lipoprotein (LDL), and triacylglycerol. Means for external characters of Aseel eggs viz., egg weight, egg length, egg width, shape index, shell weight, shell thickness, and shell ratio were 41.7 g, 5.16 cm, 3.85 cm, 74.75%, 4.65 g, 0.35 mm, and 11.23%, and corresponding values for Kadaknath eggs were 40.59 g, 5.13 cm, 3.79 cm, 74.02%, 4.28 g, 0.34 mm, and 10.61%, respectively. Average albumin length, width, height, and albumin index were 83.73 mm, 65.4 mm, 6.02 mm, and 9.26% for Aseel eggs and 82.27 mm, 64.80 mm, 5.52 mm and 8.52% for Kadaknath eggs, respectively. Mean values for yolk length, width, height and yolk index were 43.32 mm, 40.10 mm, 15.30 mm, and 38.30% in Aseel and 42.15 mm, 38.97 mm, 14.26 mm and 36.66% in Kadaknath breed, respectively. Mean values for egg yolk cholesterol, HDL, LDL, and triacylglycerol were estimated as 9.38, 1.74, 0.17, and 1.94 mg/g in Aseel eggs and 8.38, 1.84, 0.11, and 1.76 mg/g in Kadaknath eggs, respectively. Biochemical analysis revealed that egg yolk quality of Kadaknath eggs was comparatively better than Aseel eggs., (Copyright © 2021. Published by Elsevier Inc.)

Aseel is an important native chicken breed of India, known for its martial qualities (aggressive fighting abilities), pugnacity, and majestic gait. The aim of the study is to conserve and characterize the Aseel germplasm, which is considered to be endangered. The birds were maintained on deep litter under a simulated backyard type of housing having night shelter and a free-range area. A total of 313 chicks produced in the second generation from the flock collected from native tract in Andhra Pradesh was characterized for morphological, growth, production, and meat quality parameters. Aseel birds were characterized by multicolored plumage (predominantly dark brown, black, golden, etc.) with solid feather patterns and normal distribution. Ear lobes were red (92%) and small in size, while 98% of the birds had red colored pea combs with variations in intensity of color. The shank color was yellow in the majority (65%) of the birds. The skin color was white (98%) with pinkish red coloration on exposed body parts, especially on the breast. The fertility and hatchability on total eggs were 67.2 and 41.4%, respectively. Cocks were heavier (P ≤ 0.05) with distinct sexual dimorphism in Aseel. The body weight of hens and cocks was 1,704.4 ± 23.2 and 2,702.5 ± 28.1 g at 40 wk and 2,333.7 ± 26.1 and 3,793.7 ± 20.8 g at 72 wk of age, respectively. The age at sexual maturity was 214.0 ± 6.0 days. The egg production up to 40, 52, and 64 wk of age was 18.0 ± 1, 30.0 ± 2.0, and 47 ± 3 eggs, respectively. The annual egg production (72 wk) was 64 ± 6 eggs. The proximate composition of breast muscle was; protein 21.5 ± 0.5%, fat 3.4 ± 0.1%, ash 2.0 ± 0.1%, and moisture 73.3 ± 0.5%. The pH of breast muscle was 6.0 ± 0.03 and the cholesterol content was 72.5 ± 6.7 mg/100 g. Efforts are on for improving the productivity in the flock without compromising the original breed characteristics., (© 2017 Poultry Science Association Inc.)

A study was conducted to evaluate the effect of dietary selenium (Se) sources (organic and inorganic Se at 0.30 ppm and basal diet at 0 ppm level of supplemented Se) on hatching traits in four varieties of Aseel chicken, Lakha, Mushki, Peshawari, and Mianwali. In total, 84 adult molted hens (50 wk old), 21 from each variety, were randomly assigned to 12 treatment groups in a 3 (Se diets) × 4 (Aseel varieties) factorial arrangement under a randomized complete block design. Each treatment was replicated 7 times with individual hens in each. Settable egg, fertility, hatch of fertile eggs, hatchability, A-grade chick, and embryonic mortality parameters were evaluated. The results indicated that the birds fed an organic Se supplemented diet had greater (P < 0.05) settable eggs, fertility, hatch of fertile eggs, hatchability, and A-grade chicks and reduced embryonic mortality than those fed inorganic or no Se. Among varieties, Mushki had lower (P < 0.05) fertility, hatch of fertile eggs, hatchability, and A-grade chicks than rest of three varieties. Interaction of Se sources and varieties indicated that dietary organic Se supplementation improved (P < 0.05) hatch of fertile eggs in Peshawari and Mianwali, whereas hatchability only in Peshawari variety and reduced embryonic mortality in Mianwali. It was concluded that dietary supplementation of organic Se could be used to improve hatching traits as well as reduce embryonic mortality in native Aseel chicken., (© 2016 Poultry Science Association Inc.)

Aseel, a popular breed of native chicken, characterized by its pugnacity, fighting strength and royal gait, is being used to create crosses for domestic chicken production. However, information on its growth models is scanty. An experiment was conducted to evaluate different non-linear models and to find out best fitting model in Aseel, being maintained at Central Avian Research Institute, Izatnagar, Bareilly. Data on body weights from 12-weeks of age to 20-weeks of age at biweekly intervals were recorded on a random bred single-hatched flock. Owing to the non-linear characteristic of growth, three non-linear models namely, Gompertz, Bertalanffy and Logistic models were evaluated. Goodness of fit for all the models were checked using coefficient of determination (R²), adjusted coefficient of determination (Adj-R²), mean square error (MSE), mean absolute error (MAE) and Akaike information criterion (AIC). The Bertalanffy model most accurately characterized the growth trend in males, females and pooled sex data. The study revealed that this model may be used to ascertain the average body weights in Aseel chicken under random mating. The investigation has generated baseline data on growth modelling of random bred groups and may be used in similar investigations on other native chicken breeds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study was conducted to assess and compare the performance of Aseel and Kadaknath chicken in addition to the estimation of genetic and phenotypic parameters of growth, production and reproduction traits in both indigenous breeds. Single-generation data (2018) were collected from the records maintained at Poultry Breeding Farm, Department of Animal Genetics and Breeding, LUVAS, Hisar. The least-squares means for different growth, reproduction and production traits, viz., body weights at 8 (BW8), 12 (BW12), 16 (BW16), 20 (BW20) and 40 (BW40) weeks of age, age at first egg (AFE), egg production up to 40 weeks of age (EP40) and egg weight at 40 weeks of age (EW40), were 461.41 ± 10.09 g, 683.64 ± 15.10 g, 886.01 ± 20.24 g, 1117.30 ± 22.68 g, 1772.02 ± 18.86 g, 182.66 ± 1.98 days, 64.89 ± 2.10 and 47.23 ± 0.42 g in Aseel breed. The corresponding figures in Kadaknath breed were 343.63 ± 5.67 g, 552.35 ± 6.97 g, 719.04 ± 9.02 g, 920.47 ± 11.20 g, 1581.13 ± 13.37 g, 169.83 ± 0.95 days, 55.48 ± 1.22 and 41.99 ± 0.29 g, respectively. Higher body weights were observed for Aseel breed compared to Kadaknath breed at different ages. The effect of the hatch was significant for all the growth traits and AFE in Kadaknath chicken, while it was significant only for BW12 in Aseel chicken. Genetic correlations among body weights at different ages and AFE in both the breeds were found to be negative, indicating that lower body weights of birds within a breed lead to delay in AFE. Heritability estimates for different performance traits ranged from moderate to high (0.26–0.70) in Aseel and low to moderate (0.12–0.37) in Kadaknath chicken, suggesting the scope of improvement through individual and family selection in both the indigenous breeds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Disease investigation was made in a native chicken farm with 150 numbers of 12 weeks old Aseel chickens kept in Iruvelpattu village, Villupuram district of Tamil Nadu. Clinical signs like dullness, inappetance, brownish diarrhoea in few birds and mortality of 5 birds within a span of 3 days were reported (3.33%). Necropsy examination of dead birds revealed that emaciated carcass, soiling of vent with reddish droppings, swelling of small intestine with haemorrhages and also duodenum with cylindrical worms. Examination of small intestinal contents and mucosal scrapings confirmed numerous unsporulated oocysts of Eimeria sp. and eggs of Ascaridia galli. The adult roundworms were identified as Ascaridia galli. Examination of droppings from live birds also confirmed of Eimeria (23.33%) and Ascaridia galli eggs (26.66%). Based on the lesions produced in mid-small intestine, oocysts morphometry and sporulation time involved, it was identified as Eimeria necatrix. The present study reports for concurrent parasitic infections of Eimeria necatrix and Ascaridia galli and importance of specific treatment and deworming for endoparasites in native chickens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gut microbiota plays an important role in the health and performance of the host. Characterizations of gut microbiota, core microbiomes, and microbial networks in different chicken breeds are expected to provide clues for pathogen exclusion, improving performance or feed efficiency. Here, we characterized the gut microbiota of “finishing” chickens (at the end of production life) of indigenous Indian Nicobari, Ghagus, and Aseel breeds, originating from the Nicobari island, coastal India, and the Indian mainland, respectively, as well as a global commercial broiler line, VenCobb 400, using 16S rDNA amplicon sequencing. We found that diversity, as well as richness of microbiota, was higher in indigenous breeds than in the broiler line. Beta diversity analysis indicated the highest overlap between Ghagus and Nicobari breeds and a very low overlap between the broiler line and all indigenous breeds. Linear discriminant analysis effect size (LEfSe) revealed 82 breed- or line-specific phylotype operational taxonomic unit (OTU) level biomarkers. We confirm the presence of breed specific and across-breed core microbiomes. Additionally, we show the existence of breed specific complex microbial networks in all groups. This study provides the first (and comprehensive) insight into the gut microbiota of three indigenous breeds and one commercial broiler line of chickens reared without antimicrobials, and underscores the need to study microbial diversity in other indigenous breeds.

A total of 90 birds comprising two native breeds viz. Aseel and Kadaknath and one synthetic broiler stock i.e. IBL-80 were utilized to evaluate and compare antibody response to Sheep Red Blood Cells by haemagglutination test at 0, 5 and 10 days post primary inoculation, to study in vivo cell mediated immune response to mitogen Phytohaemagglutinin (PHA-P) and to evaluate immune responsiveness to IBDV vaccine. The presence of natural antibodies against SRBC was evident in all the genetic groups. All groups showed an increase in HA titre upto 10 days post immunization. The HA titre on 10 day was significantly higher in Aseel (1.88±0.10) followed by IBL-80 (1.13±0.05) and Kadaknath (1.09±0.06). However, the differences among Kadaknath and IBL-80 at day 10 PPI were failed to attain statistical significance. The in vivo cell mediated response to mitogen was highest in Aseel (0.68 mm) followed by IBL-80 (0.59 mm) and Kadaknath (0.43 mm).There was significant difference between the layer breeds for response to phytoheamagglutinin but IBL-80 was not significantly differ from both Aseel and Kadaknath. The titre values for IBDV were lowest before immunization and got increased during 7, 14, 21 DPI. At 14 DPI the titre value were significantly different in all the breeds in which Aseel exhibited the highest titre value (2.96±0.04) followed by IBL-80 (2.77±0.09) and Kadaknath (2.64±0.06). It was found that at 21 DPI antibody response was highest in all the breeds, however differences in titre value at 21 DPI in different breeds were not significantly different. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was conducted to evaluate the impact of selenium sources on egg and hatching traits of native Aseel chicken. Selenium-treated 21-weeks-aged 84 pullets and 12 cockerels from Lakha, Mushki, Peshaweri and Mianwali varieties (21 pullets and 3 cockerels per variety) were divided into three treatment groups A, B and C (7 pullets and 1 cockerel per group). Group A and B were experimental and C was control. Ration for group A was included 0.3 mg/kg Se-yeast, B was included 0.3 mg/kg sodium selenite and C with No selenium. Se-yeast supplementation presented increased egg weight, shell thickness, yolk index, Haugh units; enhanced egg length, breadth, volume, shape index and surface area; decreased dead germ%, dead in shell%, clear egg% and enhanced hatchability%, the hatch of fertile% and chick weight. Present study concluded that Se-yeast is a superior supplement in improving egg quality, geometry and hatching features of indigenous Aseel varieties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The experiment to test the selenium impact on body measurements of Lakha, Mushki, Peshaweri and Mianwali varieties of Aseel was conducted. A total of 240 three-weeks-aged birds were selected and divided into four groups, 60 birds per variety (30♁ + 30♂). These birds were subdivided into three treatment groups A, B, and C with 10 birds from each sex. Birds of group A were fed the diet supplemented with 0.3 mg/kg Se-yeast, B with 0.3 mg/kg sodium selenite and C with No selenium. Improved body measurements in the birds fed Se-yeast included diet were recorded compared to those received sodium selenite incorporated or control diet. Interaction of varieties and selenium sources presented increased breast width, keel length, wing spread, shank length, shank circumference, drumstick length and drumstick circumference in the birds of Lakha got Se-yeast supplemented diet. The study concluded that Se-yeast was more effective in enhancing body measurements of Aseel. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study aimed to investigate immunocompetence in Aseel, Kadaknath and IWH line of White Leghorn chicken maintained at this institute. Five to six weeks aged pedigreed 75, 55 and 100 chicks progenies of 8, 8 and 20 sires of these respective genotypes were immunized against 1% (v/v) SRBC suspension. Five dpi sera were analyzed through haemagglutination (HA) test to assess humoral immune response. Serum lysozyme and immunoglobulin- G (IgG) concentrations were assessed through agarose lysoplate and single radial immunodiffusion assay, respectively. The data were analyzed by least squares analysis of variance. The estimated corresponding means of HA titre, serum lysozyme and serum IgG concentrations were 10.84±0.18, 21.28±0.78 μg/ml and 24.23±2.05 μg/ μl in Aseel, 11.62±0.21, 16.91±0.93 μg/ml and 15.70±2.44 μg/μl in Kadaknath, and 11.94±0.15, 9.42±0.68 μg/ml and 10.27±1.79 μg/μl in IWH line of White Leghorn chicken. The estimates significantly varied among the three genotypes. The HA titre mean was higher in IWH line of WLH followed by Kadaknath and Aseel chicken; whereas serum lysozyme and serum IgG concentration means were higher in Aseel followed by Kadaknath and IWH line. Sire within genotype or sire and sex of the birds had nonsignificant effect on the traits. This information could be important while selecting birds for improvement in general immune responsiveness and the high immunocompetence in Aseel and Kadaknath might be exploited by their selective introgression in high productive but less immunocompetent chicken germplasms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Foreign body in esophagus in birds is rarely reported in literature. Most common site of foreign body in birds is proventriculus and ventriculus. The purpose of this study is to discuss the diagnosis of a large sharp foreign body in the distal third of the neck by plain radiography and its retrieval through esophagotomy and subsequent survival of the fowl. Case description: An Aseel breed of domestic fowl (Gallus domesticus) was referred to the surgery department with a history of swelling in the neck and subsequent anorexia since 24 h, but normal water intake. Radiological examination revealed a large fish bone in esophagus. Because of the sharp edges of the foreign body esophagotomy was performed rather than per os (po) retrieval or milking of the foreign body into the crop and performing an ingluviotomy. Findings/treatment and outcome: Esophagotomy was performed under local infiltration using a diluted solution of lignocaine. Fish bone pieces were retrieved from the esophagus of the fowl. The esophagotomy incision was closed in two layers using polyglactin 910 no: 3-0. Postoperatively, the owner was advised to administer Enrofloxacin po at 10 mg/kg body weight (BW)/day for seven days and Tramadol (10 mg/kg BW, BID) for three days in water. This case was followed up for 8 months. There were no complications noticed by the owner. Conclusion: It could be concluded that prompt intervention and surgical management may be necessary for retrieval of sharp esophageal foreign bodies lodged in the distal cervical esophagus of domestic fowl. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aseel and Naked-neck chickens from various regions of Pakistan were studied (n=200; 100 (40$, 60$) in each) for phenotypic characterization based on head appearance; comb type; wattles size; colors and patterns of feathers on neck, breast, wing-bow, wing-bar, wing-bay, saddle and tail; shank color; spurs prevalence, and number of toes. Feather colors and patterns on the neck, breast, wing-bow, wing-bar, wing-bay, saddle and tail (P<0.000) and shank color (P<0.042) differed significantly between ecotypes. Both ecotypes had plain head. All Aseels had pea-comb, no wattles, fully feathered necks, predominantly dark-brown neck feathers (35%), pale-brown breast (32%), wing-bow (33%), wing-bar (35%), wing-bay (35%), saddle (32%) and black/gray tail feathers (44%). Majority (33%) had yellow shanks. Naked-necks possessed single-comb, predominantly medium sized wattles (53%), white/off-white neck (35%) and breast feathers (43%), dark-brown wing-bow feathers (21%), off-white wing-bar (26%) and pale-brown/orange-brown wing-bay (28%), black saddle (22%) and tail feathers (57%), yellow shanks (36%). Both ecotypes had four toes and normal spurs. Among Aseels, some hens also had spurs which is a unique feature not reported in previous studies to the knowledge of the authors. Predominantly both ecotypes had plain feathers but patterns were also present. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mx1 is an interferon induced gene which inhibits the proliferation of single stranded RNA viruses. The size of Mx1 gene of chicken (Gallus gallus) is 21289 bp, having 14 exons and the coding sequence is 2118 bp long. Differential antiviral activity of Mx protein has been proved in various species including chicken. Polymerase Chain Reaction and subsequent Single Stranded Conformation Polymorphism (PCR-SSCP) analysis of 284 bp fragment of this gene was conducted to screen 153 birds of Aseel breed of chicken. Three genotypes viz. AB (0.74), BC (0.12) and AC (0.14) with three different alleles viz. A (0.44), B (0.43) and C (0.13) were identified. The homozygous genotypes i.e. AA, BB and CC could not be found in this population. Nucleotide sequencing of different alleles was done and submitted to the NCBI GenBank data (Acc. No.-GQ912704, GQ912705 and GQ912706). Nucleotide sequences were aligned with that of the corresponding Mx1 gene sequences of different breeds of chicken using DNASTAR Lasergene Software which revealed variations at five positions (91st, 107th, 113th, 194th and 231st). There is an urgent need of wide search for detection of polymorphism in Mx1 gene of different breeds of chicken and its possible association with the traits of economic importance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study was conducted to characterize 2 important native chicken breeds from India and compare them on growth, .production, egg and semen quality, and welfare traits. The Aseel breed showed (P < 0.001) higher BW at different ages; higher shank, radius, and toe lengths at 40 wk of age; and greater egg weights at 28, 32, and 40 wk of age than did the Kadaknath breed. The Kadaknath breed reached sexual maturity at an early age, and it had higher 40-wk egg production (P < 0.001). Higher egg specific gravity (P < 0.05) and higher albumen (P < 0.00 1) and shell (P < 0.009) percentages in the Kadaknath were observed, whereas the Aseel breed had a higher yolk index (P < 0.004), higher yolk percentage (P < 0.001), and higher yolk-to-albumen ratio (P < 0.001). Concentration of sperm (P < 0.01), live sperm counts (P < 0.05), and semen appearance scores (P < 0.05) were higher in the Aseel breed than in the Kadaknath breed. The Aseel breed showed a greater incidence of feather-pecking behavior under floor rearing, and this was negligible or mild in the Kadaknath breed. Broodiness under cage rearing was observed (8.42%) in the Aseel breed. With regard to welfare traits, male Aseel birds had a significantly shorter (P < 0.05) duration of tonic immobility (TI) than did male Kadaknath birds. Furthermore, male Aseel birds had a shorter (P < 0.001) duration of TI than did female Aseel birds, whereas female Aseel birds had a longer (P < 0.05) duration of TI than did female and male Kadaknath birds. From this study, it was concluded that the breeds differed on various growth, production, egg and semen quality, and behavioral traits, but not on welfare traits, although female Aseel birds exhibited a greater fear response. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gut microbiota plays an important role in the health and performance of the host. Characterizations of gut microbiota, core microbiomes, and microbial networks in different chicken breeds are expected to provide clues for pathogen exclusion, improving performance or feed efficiency. Here, we characterized the gut microbiota of "finishing" chickens (at the end of production life) of indigenous Indian Nicobari, Ghagus, and Aseel breeds, originating from the Nicobari island, coastal India, and the Indian mainland, respectively, as well as a global commercial broiler line, VenCobb 400, using 16S rDNA amplicon sequencing. We found that diversity, as well as richness of microbiota, was higher in indigenous breeds than in the broiler line. Beta diversity analysis indicated the highest overlap between Ghagus and Nicobari breeds and a very low overlap between the broiler line and all indigenous breeds. Linear discriminant analysis effect size (LEfSe) revealed 82 breed- or line-specific phylotype operational taxonomic unit (OTU) level biomarkers. We confirm the presence of breed specific and across-breed core microbiomes. Additionally, we show the existence of breed specific complex microbial networks in all groups. This study provides the first (and comprehensive) insight into the gut microbiota of three indigenous breeds and one commercial broiler line of chickens reared without antimicrobials, and underscores the need to study microbial diversity in other indigenous breeds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two Aseel birds were brought for postmortem examination with the history of depression and sudden death. External gross examination revealed emaciated carcass, loss of feathers and pale mucus membrane. Internal numerous tapeworms and round worms were seen in the intestinal lumen. The worms were seen adherent to the mucosa. Congestion, haemorrhages and mucosal erosion were noticed in the intestine. The worms were identified as Ascaridia galli and Cotugnia sp. Histopathological examination of the proventriculas revealed the presence of Tetrameres mohtedai within the glandular lumen. The intestine revealed sub mucosal haemorrhages, degeneration and necrosis of the mucosal epithelium. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]