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The valorization of poultry byproducts, like feathers (processed to feather meal), in animal feed could contribute to the presence of veterinary drugs, including antibiotics. An animal study was carried out to study the fate of sulfadiazine, trimethoprim, and oxytetracycline in feathers, plasma, and droppings of broiler chickens. Cage and floor housing, different from current farm practices, were studied. Samples were analyzed by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). A longer presence of antibiotics was observed in feathers compared to plasma, with sulfadiazine being present the most. The internal presence (via blood) and the external presence (via droppings) of antibiotics in/on feathers were shown. Analysis of

The potential of herbal extracts containing bioactive compounds to strengthen immunity could contribute to reducing antimicrobial use in poultry. This study aimed at developing a reliable and robust methodological pipeline to assess the ability of herbal extracts to strengthen chicken innate defenses, especially concerning inflammation and oxidative stress. This methodology was applied to Melissa officinalis L. (MEL) extract, recognized for its biological activities including antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Different methods were used to (1). guarantee the quality of MEL extract and its capacity to stimulate the innate immune system; (2). evaluate the relevance of an ex vivo model to mimic inflammatory and oxidative stress challenges to replace LPS injection in chickens; (3). analyse the effects of feed supplemented with MEL extract on inflammation and oxidative stress induced ex vivo; (4). assess the effects of MEL extract on the redox balance, health, welfare and performance in broilers exposed to suboptimal starting conditions through a large-scale approach. The quality of MEL extract preparations, through phytochemical quantification of rosmarinic acid (RA), revealed varying concentrations of RA in the different MEL extracts. RA concentrations remained stable for at least 9 months and in feed three months after incorporating MEL extract. When incubated with chicken cell lines MEL extract showed potential metabolic activation and ability to stimulate immune functions but induced cytotoxicity at high concentrations. The original ex vivo model of inflammation developed on chicken blood cells enabled inflammation and oxidative stress biomarkers to be expressed and revealed antioxidative and anti-inflammatory properties of blood cells from chickens fed MEL extract. The experimental model of chicken suboptimal starting conditions validated beneficial effects of MEL extract on the redox balance and also evidenced improved performance during the growth phase, a tendency for fewer muscle defects but a higher severity of pododermatitis lesions without affecting other welfare indicators. This study grouped methods and tools that could be combined according to the plant extract, the needs of professionals working in poultry production systems and staff responsible for animal health, welfare and feeding.

Brominated flame retardants (BFR) are primarily used as flame retardant additives in insulating materials. These lipophilic compounds can bioaccumulate in animal tissues, leading to human exposure via food ingestion. Although their concentration in food is not yet regulated, several of these products are recognised as persistent organic pollutants; they are thought to act as endocrine disruptors. The present study aimed to characterise the occurrence of two families of BFRs (hexabromocyclododecane (HBCDD) and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE)) in hen eggs and broiler or pig meat in relation to their rearing environments. Epidemiological studies were carried out on 60 hen egg farms (34 without an open-air range, 26 free-range), 57 broiler farms (27 without an open-air range, 30 free-range) and 42 pig farms without an open-air range in France from 2013 to 2015. For each farm, composite samples from either 12 eggs, five broiler pectoral muscles or three pig tenderloins were obtained. Eight PBDE congeners and three HBCDD stereoisomers were quantified in product fat using gas chromatography–high-resolution mass spectrometry, or high-performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry, respectively. The frequencies of PBDE detection were 28% for eggs (median concentration 0.278 ng/g fat), 72% for broiler muscle (0.392 ng/g fat) and 49% for pig muscle (0.403 ng/g fat). At least one HBCDD stereoisomer was detected in 17% of eggs (0.526 ng/g fat), 46% of broiler muscle (0.799 ng/g fat) and 36% of pig muscle (0.616 ng/g fat). Results were similar in concentration to those obtained in French surveillance surveys from 2012 to 2016. Nevertheless, the contamination of free-range eggs and broilers was found to be more frequent than that of conventional ones, suggesting that access to an open-air range could be an additional source of exposure to BFRs for animals. However, the concentration of BFRs in all products remained generally very low. No direct relationship could be established between the occurrence of BFRs in eggs and meat and the characteristics of farm buildings (age, building materials). The potential presence of BFRs in insulating materials is not likely to constitute a significant source of animal exposure as long as the animals do not have direct access to these materials.

International audience; Toxic effects among fumonisins B (FB), deoxynivalenol (DON) and zearalenone (ZEN) administered alone and combined were investigated in 84-day-old ducks during force-feeding. 75 male ducks, divided into five groups of 15 animals, received daily during the meal a capsule containing the desired among of toxin. Treated animals received dietary levels of toxins equivalent to 20 mg FB1+FB2/kg (FB), 5 mg DON/kg (DON), 0.5 mg ZEN/kg (ZEN) and 20, 5 and 0.5 mg/kg of FB, DON and ZEN (FBDONZEN), respectively. Control birds received capsules with no toxin. After 12 days, a decrease in body weight gain accompanied by an increase in the feed conversion ratio was observed in ducks exposed to FBDONZEN, whereas there was no effect on performances in ducks exposed to FB, DON and ZEN separately. No difference among groups was observed in relative organ weight, biochemistry, histopathology and several variables used to measure oxidative damage and testicular function. A sphinganine to sphingosine ratio of 0.32, 1.19 and 1.04, was measured in liver in controls and in ducks exposed to FB and FBDONZEN, respectively. Concentrations of FB1 in liver were 13.34 and 15.4 ng/g in ducks exposed to FB and FBDONZEN, respectively. Together ZEN and its metabolites were measured after enzymatic hydrolysis of the conjugated forms. Mean concentrations of α-zearalenol in liver were 0.82 and 0.54 ng/g in ducks exposed to ZEN and FBDONZEN, respectively. β-zearalenol was 2.3-fold less abundant than α-zearalenol, whereas ZEN was only found in trace amounts. In conclusion, this study suggests that decreased performance may occur in ducks exposed to a combination of FB, DON and ZEN, but does not reveal any other interaction between mycotoxins in any of the other variables measured.

Previous studies using zearalenone (ZEN) and fumonisins (FB) revealed alpha-zearalanol (α-ZOL) and FB1 in the liver of turkeys and chickens with no sign of toxicity. The aim of the present study was to determine whether contamination persists after distribution of a mycotoxin-free diet for several days. Turkeys and broilers were fed for 14 days with a diet containing respectively, 7.5 and 0.6 mg/kg of FB and ZEN, then fed for 0, 2 or 4 days with a mycotoxin-free diet. FB1 and total α-ZOL were the most abundant metabolites found, and their concentration decreased with time. The decrease was linear for FB1 (P

Volatile organic Compounds (VOC)-based metabolomics, or volatolomics, was investigated for revealing livestock exposure to chemical contamination. Three farm animals, namely laying hens, broilers, and pigs, were experimentally exposed to 5 or 50 ng α-HBCDD g-1 feed. Liver and egg yolk for hens were analysed by headspace-SPME-GC-MS to reveal candidate markers of the livestock exposure to α-HBCDD. For hens, 2-butanol was found as marker in egg. In liver, twelve VOCs were highlighted as markers, with three aromatic VOCs – styrene, o-xylene, α-methylstyrene – highlighted for the two α-HBCDD doses. For broilers, six markers were revealed, with interestingly, styrene and phenol which were also found as markers in hen liver. For pigs, ten markers were revealed and the seven tentatively identified markers were oxygenated and sulfur VOCs. The candidate markers tentatively identified were discussed in light of previous volatolomics data, in particular from a γ-HBCDD exposure of laying hens.

International audience; Hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD) is a critical emerging brominated flame retardant to which consumers can be exposed at high doses through a single food intake. Based on an animal experiment involving 3 groups of laying hens fed during 70 days with a control diet or gamma-HBCD-contaminated diets at 0.1 or 10mug gamma-HBCD g-1 feed, this study aims to use the volatolome of biological samples for revealing markers of livestock exposure to HBCD. Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry was used to monitor the time-course of HBCD levels in bodily samples. Each liver was analyzed by solid-phase microextraction-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry for volatolome profiling. After 70 days, gamma-HBCD concentrations in egg yolk, fat, liver and serum reached 54±4, 85±6, 31±6, and 32±4ngg-1 lw, respectively, for the low exposure level and 4.6+/5.7, 7.8+/6.5, 3.9+/3.0 and 3.9+/6.1mugg-1 lw, respectively, for the high exposure level. Isomerization of gamma-HBCD into alpha- and beta-HBCD was observed in all tissues, at least for the high exposure level. Volatolome data allowed a significant discrimination between control and exposed animals whatever the feed contamination load, demonstrating a liver metabolic response to gamma-HBCD exposure. The relevance of the twenty nine volatile exposure markers tentatively identified was discussed in light of literature data.

International audience; Thermal manipulation during embryogenesis was previously reported to decrease the occurrence of ascites and to potentially improve cold tolerance of broilers. The objective of our study was to explore the effects of the interaction of cold incubation temperatures and cool ambient temperatures until 21 d of age on performance and body temperature. Ross 308 eggs were incubated either under control conditions I-0 (37.6A degrees C) or with cyclic cold stimulations I-1 (6 h/d at 36.6A degrees C from d 10 to 18 of incubation) or with 2 cold stimulations I-2 (30 min at 15A degrees C) at d 18 and 19 of incubation. These treatments were followed by individual rearing and postnatal exposure to either standard rearing temperature T-0 (from 33A degrees C at hatching to 21A degrees C at d 21) or continuously lower temperature T-2 (from 28A degrees C at hatching to 21A degrees C at d 21) or exposure to cyclically lower temperature T-1 (with circadian temperature oscillations). Treatments I-1 and I-2 did not significantly alter hatchability compared to control incubation (with 94.8, 95.1, and 92.3%, respectively), or hatching BW and overall chick quality. Hatching body temperature (Tb) was 0.5 and 0.3A degrees C higher in I-1 than in I-0 and I-2 groups, respectively (P = 0.007). A doubled occurrence of health problems was observed with T-2 condition, regardless of incubation or sex. At d 3, BW was 2% lower with treatment I-1 than with I-0 and I-2 and was 3% higher in T-1 and T-2 groups than in T-0, but these effects disappeared with age. Group T-2 presented a 5% higher feed intake than the control group T-0 between 3 and 21 d of age (P = 0.025). Feed conversion ratio (FCR) was affected by experimental conditions (P < 0.001), with low FCR values obtained with I-2 incubation in control or cyclically cold postnatal conditions. Maximal FCR values were observed in the continuously cold postnatal conditions, in males submitted to control incubation and in females submitted to I-1 incubation, revealing sex-dependent effects of the treatments on performance.

International audience; This study assessed the transfer of fumonisins B1 and B2 (FBs), zearalenone (ZEA) and zearalenone metabolites alpha-zearalanol (alpha-ZAL) and alpha-zearalenol (alpha-ZEL) to poultry tissues. Two experimental groups of 9 male chickens each were exposed for 8 weeks to a contaminated diet (FB group: 12.7 mg FB1 + FB2 kg(-1), ZEA group: 0.40 mg ZEA kg(-1)). To measure the carry-over from feed to animal tissues (liver and muscle), a sensitive and accurate SIDA-UHPLC-MS/MS method was developed and validated. For all mycotoxins, the limit of detection (LOD) was 0.3 mu g kg(-1) and the limit of quantification (LOQ) was 1.0 mu g kg(-1). Recoveries ranged from 92% to 107% and the intermediate precision coefficients of variation (CVIP) were between 4.3% and 13%. ZEA and alpha-ZAL were not detected in livers, whereas alpha-ZEL was detected in five out of eight samples at levels between LOD and LOQ. FBs were detected and quantified in the livers of all animals exposed to the contaminated diet (mean 30.3 mu g FB1 kg(-1) and 2.3 mu g FB2 kg(-1)). A significant correlation between the FB1 and the FB2 contents in the liver was demonstrated and FB carry-over factors (CFs) from feed to liver were determined (CFFB1: 0.003 and CFFB2: 0.001). Filet muscles from the same animals were also analysed. FB1 was quantified at trace levels in eight samples out of nine (mean 2.0 mu g kg(-1)) and was only detected in the remaining sample. FB2 was detected in only one muscle sample.

Although provisional maximum tolerable daily intake and recommended guidelines have been established for fumonisins (FB) in food, few data are available concerning levels of FB in edible animal tissues. Such data are of particular interest in avian species that can tolerate relatively high levels of fumonisins in their feed. Also, even if multiple contamination of animal feed by toxins produced by Fusarium is very frequent, little is known about the consequences of multiple contamination for FB levels in tissues. The aim of this study was to analyze the concentrations of FB in the muscle and liver of chickens and turkeys fed with FB alone and with FB combined with deoxynivalenol (DON), and with zearalenone (ZEN). Experimental diets were formulated by incorporating ground cultured toxigenic Fusarium strains in corn-soybean based feeds. Control diets were free of mycotoxins, FB diets contained 20 mg FB1+FB2/kg, and FBDONZEN diets contained 20, 5, and 0.5 mg/kg of FB1+FB2, DON, and ZEN, respectively. Animals were reared in individual cages with free access to water and feed. The feed was distributed to male Ross chickens from the 1st to the 35th day of age and to male Grade Maker turkeys from the 55th to the 70th day of age. On the last day of the study, the birds were starved for eight hours, killed, and autopsied for tissues sampling. No sign of toxicity was observed. A UHPLC-MS/MS method with isotopic dilution and immunoaffinity clean-up of samples has been developed for analysis of FB in muscle (n = 8 per diet) and liver (n = 8 per diet). Only traces of FB that were below the LOQ of 0.25 &micro, g/kg were found in most of the samples of animals fed with the control diets. Mean concentrations of FB1, FB2, and FB3 in muscle were 17.5, 3.39, and 1.26 &micro, g/kg, respectively, in chickens, and 5.77, 1.52, and 0.54 &micro, g/kg in turkeys, respectively. In the liver, the respective FB1, FB2, and FB3 concentrations were 44.7, 2.61, and 0.79 &micro, g/kg in chickens, and 41.47, 4.23, and 1.41 &micro, g/kg, in turkeys. Cumulated level of FB1+FB2+FB3 in the highly contaminated samples were above 60 and 100 &micro, g/kg in muscle and liver, respectively. The concentrations of FB in the tissues of animals fed the FBDONZEN diet did not greatly differ from the concentrations measured in animals fed the diet containing only FB.

International audience; A physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) model was developed to investigate the production-specific factors involved in the transfer of α-hexabromocyclododecane (α-HBCDD) to broiler meat. The model describes growth and lipid deposition in tissues of fast- (FG) and slow- (SG) growing broilers from hatching to slaughter and simulates the exposure through the ingestion of contaminated feed or expanded polystyrene insulation material. Growth parameters were obtained from the literature while parameters relative to uptake, distribution, and elimination of α-HBCDD were adjusted using results of a previous experiment involving broilers exposed through feed throughout the rearing period or allowed to depurate before slaughter. The model was used to compare the two main edible tissues, breast and leg meat, as well as skin, and to investigate the variability within strain. Between strains and within strain, α-HBCDD assimilation efficiency (AE) is higher when the animals are slaughtered young or heavy. However, increasing slaughter age will lower α-HBCDD concentration in tissues, due to dilution. Based on fresh weight, the concentration of α-HBCDD in breast muscles and skin tends to be lower in SG than in FG broilers (?30 to +10%), while it is 10% to 80% higher in leg muscles. Compared to breast muscles, consuming leg muscles would elicit an exposure 9 and 16 times higher in FG and SG broilers, respectively. The consumption of skin together with muscles would multiply the exposure by up to 36 times compared to breast muscle alone. In case of acute exposure, the α-HBCDD concentration in tissues increased sharply, all the more since the animals are lighter in weight, and then decreased rapidly. In FG broilers, dilution through growth contributed for up to 37%, 28% and 97% to the decontamination of breast muscles, leg muscles and skin, respectively, depending on the duration of depuration before slaughter.

International audience; Surveys of mycotoxins worldwide have shown that deoxynivalenol (DON), fumonisins (FB), and zearalenone (ZON) are the most abundant Fusarium mycotoxins (FUS) in European poultry feed, in both the level and the frequency of contamination. Previous studies reported that a combination of FUS at concentrations that individually are not toxic may negatively affect animals. However, although toxic thresholds and regulatory guidelines exist for FUS, none account for the risk of multiple contamination, which is the most frequent. The aim of this study was to compare DON, FB, and ZON toxicity, alone and in combination, in male turkey poults. Ground cultured toxigenic Fusarium strains were incorporated in corn-soybean-based feed in five experimental diets: control diet, containing no mycotoxins, DON diet (5 mg DON/kg), FB diet (20 mg FB1 + FB2/ kg), ZON diet (0.5 mg ZON/kg), and DONFBZON diet (5, 20, and 0.5 mg/kg of DON, FB1 + FB2, and ZON, respectively). Seventy male Grade Maker turkeys were reared in individual cages on mycotoxin-free diets from 0 to 55 days of age. On the 55th day, the turkeys were weighed and divided into five groups each comprising 14 birds. Each group was fed one of the five experimental diets for a period of 14 days. On the 70th day of age, feed was withheld for 8 hr, at which time a blood sample was collected, and then all the turkeys were killed, autopsied, and different tissues sampled. The weight of the different organs, analyses of performance, biochemistry, histopathology, oxidative damage, and testis toxicity revealed no significant effects attributable to FUS. Measurement of sphingolipids in the liver revealed an increase in the sphinganine to sphingosine ratio in turkeys fed diets containing FB, but had no apparent consequences in terms of toxicity. Finally, only slight differences were found in some variables and the results of this study showed no interactions between DON, FB, and ZON. Taken together, results thus suggest that the maximum tolerated levels established for individual contamination by DON, FB, and ZON can also be considered safe in turkeys fed with combinations of these FUS for a period of 14 days.

International audience; The present study investigated the developmental neurotoxicity of an early exposure to α-HBCDD through the ingestion of contaminated hen's egg in pregnant and lactating Wistar female rats. Hens were given α-HBCDD-contaminated feed (40 ng/g fresh matter) for 5 and 10 days, which produced eggs with HBCDD content of 33 and 102 ng/g lipid weight, respectively. Female rats were administered daily p.o. with an appropriate volume of the whole egg from the day of fertilization (GD0) to the weaning day for pups (PND21). Fetuses and pups were thus exposed continuously to α-HBCDD via the dam over a whole 42-day period that included both gestation and lactation. The administered egg volume was calculated on the basis of daily egg consumption in humans (0.7 egg/person/day) and duration of gestation and lactation in both species, which led animals to be exposed to α-HBCDD at levels of 22 and 66 ng/kg/day, respectively. Neurobehavioral development of pups was investigated from PND3 to PND25 using various tasks including the righting reflex (PND4), the grasping reflex (PND5), the negative geotaxis (PND9), the forelimb grip strength test (PND10) and the locomotor coordination test (PND20). Pup ultrasonic vocalizations were also recorded daily from PND4 to PND14. After weaning, behaviors related to spontaneous locomotor activity and anxiety were examined in the open-field (PND25) and in an elevated-plus maze (PND26), respectively. The results showed a significant decrease in body weight of pups exposed to the lower HBCDD level from PND3 to PND28, whereas the weight of rat pups given 66 ng/kg/day of HBCDD was not different from controls. During the first 3 weeks of life, impairments in motor maturation of pups were observed in a dose-dependent manner depending on the test, whereas no significant differences were reported between male and female pups. At PND26, the anxiety level of female rats exposed to the lowest dose of HBCDD (22 ng/kg/day) was significantly reduced whereas it remained unchanged in males. No significant variations were measured in rats exposed to the higher level of HBCDD (66 ng/kg/day). These results suggest the potent developmental neurotoxicity of an early chronic exposure to the HBCDD α-isomer through the ingestion of hen's eggs contaminated with this pollutant and question the long-lasting consequences of this exposure on behavior abilities and brain functioning in adulthood.

Overfed hens selected for their rapid growth become fatter and develop reproductive disorders. Herein, we aimed to demonstrate that food restriction leading to a weight reduction and/or a supplementation with fish oil may be effective in preventing reproductive disorders through the regulation of adipokine expression in broiler hens. This study included four groups of food restricted (Rt) orad libitumhens (Ad, feeding at a rate 1.7 times greater than Rt hens) supplemented or unsupplemented with fish oil (1%). The Rt diet significantly increased plasma chemerin (RARRES2) levels during the laying period, delayed sexual maturity by one week and improved egg quality and fertility. These effects were associated with higher progesterone production in response to IGF1 (or LH) in cultured granulosa cells andin vivoegg yolk, as compared with Ad hens. Fish oil supplementation had similar effects to the Rt diet on progesterone (P RARRES2levels were lower in theca cells of Rt hens andNAMPTlevels were increased by the fish oil supplementation. A significant positive correlation betweenRARRES2expression in granulosa cells and the weight of F1 preovulatory follicle was observed, as well as a negative correlation of plasma RARRES2 levels with hatchability. Thus, food restriction but not fish oil supplementation improved fertility, and this was associated with variations in RARRES2 plasma and ovarian expression in hens.

International audience; The aim of this work is to compare a novel exploratory chemometrics method, Common Components Analysis (CCA), with Principal Components Analysis (PCA) and Independent Components Analysis (ICA). CCA consists in adapting the multi-block statistical method known as Common Components and Specific Weights Analysis (CCSWA or ComDim) by applying it to a single data matrix, with one variable per block. As an application, the three methods were applied to SPME-GC-MS volatolomic signatures of livers in an attempt to reveal volatile organic compounds (VOCs) markers of chicken exposure to different types of micropollutants. An application of CCA to the initial SPME-GC-MS data revealed a drift in the sample Scores along CC2, as a function of injection order, probably resulting from time-related evolution in the instrument. This drift was eliminated by orthogonalization of the data set with respect to CC2, and the resulting data are used as the orthogonalized data input into each of the three methods. Since the first step in CCA is to norm-scale all the variables, preliminary data scaling has no effect on the results, so that CCA was applied only to orthogonalized SPME-GC-MS data, while, PCA and ICA were applied to the "orthogonalized", "orthogonalized and Pareto-scaled", and "orthogonalized and autoscaled" data. The comparison showed that PCA results were highly dependent on the scaling of variables, contrary to ICA where the data scaling did not have a strong influence. Nevertheless, for both PCA and ICA the clearest separations of exposed groups were obtained after autoscaling of variables. The main part of this work was to compare the CCA results using the orthogonalized data with those obtained with PCA and ICA applied to orthogonalized and autoscaled variables. The clearest separations of exposed chicken groups were obtained by CCA. CCA Loadings also clearly identified the variables contributing most to the Common Components giving separations. The PCA Loadings did not highlight the most influencing variables for each separation, whereas the ICA Loadings highlighted the same variables as did CCA. This study shows the potential of CCA for the extraction of pertinent information from a data matrix, using a procedure based on an original optimisation criterion, to produce results that are complementary, and in some cases may be superior, to those of PCA and ICA.

Laying hens are likely to be exposed to a wide range of persistent organic pollutants (POPs), including polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). To improve the safety of poultry farming systems in terms of POPs, the present research focused on assessing the impact of physiological characteristics of the hen on the transfer of ingested PCBs to eggs. Modeling was used as a research tool to explore the impact of some physiological characteristics on the transfer of PCBs in the laying hen. The mathematical model simulates the dynamics of the size of the lipid compartments in the animal and the frequency of laying, with the PCB concentrations in egg yolk and adipose tissue being model outputs. Simulations were run to assess effects of animal characteristics on the transfer of PCBs to eggs. Laying rate proportionally influenced the PCB level of eggs and adipose tissue at steady state. Body fat diluted absorbed PCBs in the absence of laying and significantly influenced the decontamination rate of tissues during depuration after an exposure period. Application of the present model to actual exposure cases highlights its value in improving the support of risk management in livestock farming. Environ Toxicol Chem 2015;34:173-183. (c) 2014 SETAC

Post-weaning feed restriction strategies have proved to reduce mortality and morbidity, but result in decreased growth and lower slaughter yield. To compensate for those deleterious effects without negatively impacting the health parameters, we have studied the possibility of increasing the dietary energy level of the feed. Four treatments differing in dietary digestible energy content (“low” energy content, LE=9.08 MJ/kg vs “high” energy content, HE=10.13 MJ/kg), and feeding level (ad libitum or restricted at 75%) were formed in a 2×2 factorial arrangement. Animals were fed the experimental diets from weaning (32–36 days of age) to slaughter age (70–74 days of age), and feed restriction was applied from weaning to 63–64 days of age. Digestive efficiency was assessed during feed restriction and after one week of ad libitum feeding in 48 animals housed in individual cages. A performance experiment was carried out in four different sites involving a total of 1888 animals housed in collective cages, including carcass and meat quality measurements in 400 animals. Feed restriction and the HE diet improved the faecal digestibility of organic matter (+0.04 and +0.06 respectively; P

A LC-ESI(−)-HRMS method dedicated to the analysis of 6 HBCDD enantiomers at trace levels in animal matrices was developed, using a cellulose based stationary phase with a particle size of 2.5 μm. This method was applied to a sample set derived from a kinetic study of α-HBCDD previously conducted in fast- and slow-growing chickens (Gallus gallus domesticus, n = 49, plus controls), in order to study the enantiomer specific accumulation and depuration of α-HBCDD in various tissues. Regarding abdominal adipose tissue, muscle and liver, the average enantiomeric fractions of α-HBCDD (EFα) for continuously exposed groups ranged between 0.434 and 0.467, with standard deviations below 0.014, showing a significant enrichment in (−)α enantiomer even accentuated for slow growing individuals during depuration with EFα reduced by about 0.020. Similar trends were observed for pooled plasma. Then, EFα of circulating plasma α-HBCDD appeared to closely reflect EFα in storage tissues and liver, suggesting some equilibrium. The racemic elimination of α enantiomer in excreta during the contamination phase indicated that no preferential gastrointestinal absorption took place. By contrast, preferential excretion of (−)α-HBCDD from the circulating compartment to the intestinal lumen occurred during the depuration. Finally, the method was applied to samples collected in three chicken farms, selected for total HBCDD levels in muscle in the ng/g range, as a tool to determine whether the contamination occurred ante- or post-mortem, according to the chiral signature. Ante-mortem contamination was hypothesised for 2 farms, with feed being excluded as contamination source.

The aim of the current study was to describe the fate of ingested a-hexabromocyclododecane (alpha-HBCDD) in fast-growing (FG) and slow -growing (SG) broilers, through an exposure to a dietary concentration of 50 ng alpha-HBCDD g(-1) feed during 42 and 84 days, respectively. Depuration parameters were assessed in SG broilers successively exposed during 42 days and depurated during 42 days. At market age, SG broilers had ingested 42% more feed than FG broilers, while their body weight gain per g of feed ingested was 34% lower. No isomerization of alpha- to beta or gamma-HBCDD forms occurred, while OH-HBCDD was identified as a product of alpha-HBCDD metabolism. Irrespective of the strain, abdominal fat displayed the highest a-HBCDD concentration on a lipid weight basis, followed leg muscles and then breast muscle, liver and plasma. The accumulation ratios of alpha-HBCDD were slightly higher in SG (6.7, 2.1, 2.6 and 9.9 in leg muscles, breast muscle, liver and abdominal fat, respectively) than in FG broilers (5.2, 2.2, 1.1 and 8.4, respectively). The elimination half-lives in SG broilers were 20,12 and 19 din leg muscles, breast muscle and abdominal fat, respectively, to which dilution through growth contributed for around 50%. The overall assimilation efficiency of alpha-HBCDD was estimated at 58 and 50% in FG and SG broilers, respectively, while 22 and 17% of alpha-HBCDD ingested were estimated to be eliminated in excreta as metabolites. (C) 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved

The overall concentration of hexabromocyclododecane (HBCDD) in eggs is low although abnormally high concentrations exceeding 3000 ng g −1 lw have been reported. In order to test whether these contaminations may originate from the ingestion of insulating materials in rearing buildings, a group of 55 hens raised in a collective cage was provided with a 64-g piece of extruded polystyrene (XPS, 2.59% HBCDD of which 75, 15 and 10% as α-, β- and γ-HBCDD, respectively). Hens entirely consumed the piece within 3 days, leading to a mean daily exposure of 4.7 mg HBCDD per kg body weight. Whole egg HBCDD concentration reached a maximum of 1037 ng HBCDD g −1 fresh weight (fw), recorded 2 days after the piece had disappeared, and decreased down to 86 ng g −1 fw within the 19 following days. In all these samples, HBCDD was made of 98.7 ± 0.7 and 1.3 ± 0.6% α- and β-HBCDD, respectively, and 0.1% γ-HBCDD when quantified; it was enriched in (−)α- and (+)β-HBCDD with enantiomeric fractions of 0.438 ± 0.009 and 0.579 ± 0.030, respectively. HBCDD was quantified in all the individual eggs collected the last day of experiment at concentrations ranging between 0.47 and 1361 ng g −1 fw, according to a lognormal distribution. The ingestion of XPS in degraded rearing buildings is thus a plausible cause of on-farm egg contamination by HBCDD which should be strictly avoided.

International audience

International audience; Starting from a critical analysis of a first "proof of concept" study on the utility of the liver volatolome for detecting livestock exposure to environmental micropollutants (Berge et al., 2011), the primary aim of this paper is to improve extraction conditions so as to obtain more representative extracts by using an extraction temperature closer to livestock physiological conditions while minimizing analytical variability and maximizing Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) abundancies. Levers related to extraction conditions and sample preparation were assessed in the light of both abundance and coefficient of variation of 22 candidate VOC markers identified in earlier volatolomic studies. Starting with a CAR/PDMS fiber and a 30min extraction, the reduction of SPME temperature to 40°C resulted in a significant decrease in the area of 14 candidate VOC markers (p

International audience

International audience; The chemical contamination levels of both conventional and organic meats were assessed. The objective was to provide occurrence data in a context of chronic exposure. Environmental contaminants (17 polychlorinated dibenzodioxins/dibenzofurans, 18 polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), 3 hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD) isomers, 6 mycotoxins, 6 inorganic compounds) together with chemical residues arising from production inputs (75 antimicrobials, 10 coccidiostats and 121 pesticides) have been selected as relevant compounds. A dedicated sampling strategy, representative of the French production allowed quantification of a large sample set (n=266) including both conventional (n=139) and organic (n=127) raw meat from three animal species (bovine, porcine, poultry). While contamination levels below regulatory limits were measured in all the samples, significant differences were observed between both species and types of farming. Several environmental contaminants (Dioxins, PCBs, HBCD, Zn, Cu, Cd, Pb, As) were measured at significantly higher levels in organic samples.

International audience

Post-weaning feed restriction strategies have proved to reduce mortality and morbidity in rabbits, but result in decreased growth and lower slaughter yield that can be partially compensated for with the use of a high energy diet. To further optimize the feeding strategies we have studied the possibility of substituting starch with digestible fibers in high energy diets fed restricted. In four experimental sites, rabbits were divided into four equal groups (n = 418/group) differing in digestible fiber to starch ratio (ST = 1.21 vs DF = 2.29), and feeding level (ad libitum or restricted at 75%) according to a 2 × 2 experimental design. Animals were fed the experimental diets from weaning (35 days of age) to slaughter (70–74 days of age), and feed restriction was applied from 35 to 63 days of age. Digestive efficiency was assessed during feed restriction in 48 animals and carcass and meat quality measurements were performed (n = 380). Restricted feeding reduced the growth by 9% on the whole fattening period (P

The aim of the current study was to describe the fate of ingested alpha-hexabromocyclododecane (alpha-HBCDD) in laying hens. Individuals were exposed to two dietary concentrations of a-HBCDD (50 and 5 ng g(-1) feed) for 18 or 11 weeks followed by a 7-week decontamination period. The results show that no isomerization of alpha- to beta- or gamma-HBCDD forms occurred, whereas OH-HBCDD was identified as a product of alpha-HBCDD metabolism. Irrespective of the level of feed contamination, estimates of steady-state accumulation ratios were 5.2, 3.6, and 9.2 and half-lives were estimated at 17.4, 22.8, and 35.3 days in egg yolk, liver tissue, and abdominal fat, respectively. The steady-state carry-over rate to eggs was 22.9%. Thus, alpha-HBCDD ingested by laying hens is readily transferred to eggs and significantly accumulates in adipose tissue.

La qualité de l’œuf se révèle fortement influencée par les modifications physiologiques liées à l’âge de la poule, à une mue ou par les conditions environnementales (température, lumière et système d’élevage). Le poids de l’œuf augmente avec l’âge des poules, du fait notamment d’un accroissement de la part de jaune. L’âge de la poule réduit la qualité de la coquille ainsi que les propriétés fonctionnelles des œufs. La mue restaure, pour un cycle plus court, les performances des poules et la qualité des œufs, dégradée en fin de premier cycle. L’augmentation de la température ambiante en élevage entraîne, dès 30°C, des perturbations de l’équilibre acido-basique et une chute de la consommation d’aliment. Celles-ci réduisent la production d’œufs, leur poids et leur qualité de coquille. Les programmes lumineux mis en place avant et après l’entrée en ponte, conditionnent la courbe de ponte. L’application de nycthémères supérieurs à 24h ou de programmes fractionnés symétriques augmente le poids d’œuf et l’épaisseur de coquille mais les directives européennes interdisent leur usage. La qualité sensorielle, nutritionnelle ou technologique de l’œuf est faiblement affectée et de manière inconstante par le système de production, volière ou cage. Certaines cages aménagées ont initialement engendré une détérioration de l’intégrité des œufs mais des modifications de leur conception, de la disposition des aménagements et de la taille du groupe aboutissent progressivement à l’obtention de résultats comparables à ceux obtenus en cages conventionnelles.

International audience; The objective of the current study was to investigate the impact of including whole wheat in broiler diets on the development of the digestive tract. Chickens were fed a standard feed containing 400 g ground wheat/kg or the same diet with a part of the wheat given separately as whole grains that increased progressively from 200 g/kg at 8 d to 400 g/kg at 22 d. Every week, from 16 to 44 d, growth performance, modifications of the size of the digestive tract organs and intestinal enzyme activities were investigated. Morphology of villi and crypts in the small intestinal segments (duodenum, jejunum, ileum) were analyzed at 23 and 44 d. Microbacterial counts were performed in jejunal, Real and caecal contents weekly from 16 to 44 d. During the adaptation period from 8 to 15 d, the birds fed the whole wheat diet had lower feed intake and lower weight gain. Thereafter, they showed improved growth performance so that by the end of the experiment, they had higher body weight compared to the standard-fed birds, 2430 +/- 29 versus 2331 +/- 36 g. Higher relative weights of gizzard (+26%) and pancreas (+12%) were observed from 16 to 44 d for whole wheat-fed birds compared to standard-fed birds. No differences in relative size of the different intestinal segments were observed, except that the jejunum was shorter. Increased villus to crypt length and surface ratios were observed at 23 d in the duodenum of whole wheat-fed birds, with no differences in morphometry between groups thereafter. Alkaline phosphatase activity was higher from 16 to 44 d in the duodenum and jejunum of whole wheat-fed birds. However, the activities of the digestive enzymes, leucine aminopeptidase and maltase, were similar between the two diets in the measured intestinal segments. A lower number of facultative anaerobic bacteria was found in the ileum of the whole wheat-fed birds, with no differences between treatments for Escherichia coli and for Lactobacillus counts. In the jejunum and the caeca, no differences in microflora counts were observed. The present results showed that feeding whole grains to broilers led mainly to modifications in the upper part of the digestive tract (gizzard, pancreas) and had little influence on the small and large intestine. (c) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

International audience

Mycotoxins are secondary metabolites produced by molds that can contaminate a wide variety of crops, such as cereals. In agriculture, their control is considered as a challenge because of their adverse effects on humans and animals. Although more than 400 mycotoxins have been identified only a few of them are of importance in poultry production. The European Union applies or recommends maximum levels for certain mycotoxins in cereals and feed for poultry, in order to protect both animal and human consumers. The objective of this review is to present the effects of acute and repeated exposure to mycotoxins on health and performances in the main poultry species. This analysis was carried out when possible, by comparing the effects observed in recent studies to regulated or recommended European levels. Particular attention was paid to factors related to species and production stage, in the sensitivity to various toxins. The last part of this review is devoted to the analysis of data available in cases of multi-contamination in terms of additive, synergistic or antagonistic effects., Les mycotoxines sont des métabolites secondaires produits par des champignons, qui peuvent être présents sur une large variété de cultures et en particulier les céréales. Leur maitrise est considérée comme un enjeu majeur dans le monde agricole en raison de leurs effets nocifs sur la santé des Hommes et des animaux. Bien que plus de 400 mycotoxines aient été identifiées, seules quelques-unes sont préoccupantes en production avicole. L’Union Européenne applique ou recommande des teneurs maximales pour certaines mycotoxines dans les matières premières et les aliments pour volailles, afin de protéger les animaux et le consommateur humain. L’objectif de cette revue, est de présenter les effets d’expositions aiguës ou réitérées aux mycotoxines, sur la santé et les performances dans les principales espèces avicoles. Cette analyse est notamment réalisée, lorsque cela a été possible, en comparant les effets observés lors d’études récentes aux seuils réglementés/recommandés au niveau européen. Une attention particulière a été portée sur l’importance des facteurs d’espèces et stades de productions, quant à la sensibilité aux différentes toxines. Le dernier paragraphe est consacré à l’analyse des données disponibles en cas de multi-contaminations en termes d’effets additifs, synergiques ou antagonistes.

International audience

International audience; Background: Short-term feed restriction strategies are used in rabbits to reduce postweaning digestive disorders, but little is known about the involvement of the immune system in these beneficial effects. Objective: In the present study, the consequences of feed and energy restriction on immune response were investigated. Methods: At weaning, 320 male and female rabbits were assigned to 4 groups differing in dietary digestible energy (DE) concentrations and intake levels: a low-energy ad libitum-feed (LE100) group, a low-energy restricted-feed (LE75) group, a high-energy ad libitum-feed (HE100) group, and a high-energy restricted-feed (HE75) group. The high-energy groups consumed 10.13 MJ DE/kg of feed, whereas the low-energy groups consumed 9.08 MJ DE/kg (formulated values). Intake amounts for the restricted groups were 75% those of the ad libitum groups. Rabbits consumed these diets until age 63 d, after which they consumed feed ad libitum for 9 d. Ten rabbits per group and per age were killed at ages 42, 50, 63, and 72 d. Spleens and appendixes were weighed; Peyer's patch surface area was determined by image analysis; plasma total immunoglobulin (Ig) G and anti-ovalbumin IgG; and fecal and plasma IgA concentrations were determined by ELISA; and ileal expressions of cytokines were measured by quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction at ages 50 and 63 d. Results: The relative weight and size of the lymphoid organs were not affected by treatments. Concentrations of plasma total IgA (-41% at 63 d and -29% at 72 d), IgG (-22% at 72 d), and anti-ovalbumin IgG (-41% at 63 d) were lower with feed restriction. Fecal IgA concentrations were lower with quantitative restriction (-40%, -52%, and -65% at age 42, 50, and 63 d, respectively) and energy restriction (-56%, -46%, and -73% at ages 50, 63, and 72 d, respectively). Feed-restricted rabbits tended to have greater expressions of interleukin (IL) 1 beta and IL-2 and lower expressions of tumor necrosis factor alpha (P < 0.1). Conclusion: These results demonstrated that, in rabbits, restriction and, to a lesser extent, dietary energy concentration modulate gut immunity.

National audience

Laying hens are likely to be exposed to a wide range of persistent organic pollutants (POPs), including polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). To improve the safety of poultry farming systems in terms of POPs, the present research focused on assessing the impact of physiological characteristics of the hen on the transfer of ingested PCBs to eggs. Modeling was used as a research tool to explore the impact of some physiological characteristics on the transfer of PCBs in the laying hen. The mathematical model simulates the dynamics of the size of the lipid compartments in the animal and the frequency of laying, with the PCB concentrations in egg yolk and adipose tissue being model outputs. Simulations were run to assess effects of animal characteristics on the transfer of PCBs to eggs. Laying rate proportionally influenced the PCB level of eggs and adipose tissue at steady state. Body fat diluted absorbed PCBs in the absence of laying and significantly influenced the decontamination rate of tissues during depuration after an exposure period. Application of the present model to actual exposure cases highlights its value in improving the support of risk management in livestock farming.

International audience; Transfer of indicator polychlorobiphenyls (PCBs) from soil into hen eggs may occur in hens reared outdoor, which ingest significant amounts of soil. This transfer depends on the bioavailability of the ingested compounds. The impact of soil on the bioavailability of indicator PCBs was assessed by means by a relative bioavailability (RBA) trial, in which their deposition in egg yolk and in abdominal fat, in response to their ingestion through contaminated-soil and through spiked-oil were compared. A sandy soil (709 jig indicator PCBs kg(-1) dry matter) was collected in the vicinity of a former fire involving treated wood. Twenty-eight laying hens were individually housed and fed one of the seven experimental diets during 14 d. The seven experimental diets were an uncontaminated control diet, three diets in which contaminated soil was introduced at levels of 3%, 6% and 9% and three diets in which spiked oil was introduced to achieve similar levels and profile of contaminants. Yolk, abdominal fat and liver were collected at the end of exposure. Indicator PCBs were extracted by ASE (Accelerated Solvent Extraction) and analyzed by GC-HMRS. Within each ingested matrix, the concentration of indicator PCBs in yolk and in abdominal fat linearly increased with the amount of indicator PCB ingested (P < 0.001). Except for PCB 28, the slopes of the responses to soil and to oil could not be differentiated (P > 0.1). RBA estimates did not differ from I for all indicator PCBs except for PCB 28, for which it was 0.58-0.59. Measurements performed on liver confirm these conclusions. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Egg production and quality are greatly influenced by the physiological status of the laying hen. In this chapter the effects of bird age, moulting, temperature, lighting and housing system are discussed in relation to how consistency in lay and egg quality can be optimised and maintained. The environmental conditions experienced by a freshly laid egg during transport and storage are also critical if the freshness of the egg is to be maintained throughout the logistical chain. Optimal conditions for egg handling and storage of eggs are therefore discussed in the final section of this chapter along with new technologies which may be implemented to ensure and extend the shelf-life of eggs in the future.

National audience; The current paper reviews current knowledge on the organic chemical contaminants that may be present in hen eggs. They originate either from veterinary drugs or feed additives, from pesticides used for cereals production or from persistent pollutants of the environment. Carry-over studies are carried out before veterinary drugs and additives are allowed. For these compounds, official surveys reveal concentrations that are barely over the maximal residues limits. Excessive concentrations may be detected only in cases of inappropriate use of veterinary drugs or of cross contamination during feed processing, especially for coccidiostats. Carry-over experiments are also conducted before allowing pesticides to be used for cereal production. Effective control against environmental contaminants for animals raised outdoors is not easy. In fact, concentrations of dioxins, furans and polychlorobiphenyls exceeding the maximum concentrations permitted in eggs have been rarely recorded. The worst cases arise in home-produced eggs, probably as a result of practices that stimulate ingestion of environmental matrices, especially soil. In order to prevent the risk of the presence of such contaminants in eggs, factors affecting soil ingestion in animals raised outdoors should be better understood, and the impact of soil on the carry-over of ingested contaminants to eggs should be quantified.; Le présent article fait le point sur les contaminants chimiques organiques potentiellement présents dans les œufs de poules pondeuses. Ils ont pour origine soit des médicaments vétérinaires, des additifs introduits dans les aliments, des pesticides utilisés pour la production des matières premières entrant dans l’alimentation des animaux ou encore des polluants rémanents de l’environnement. Les médicaments vétérinaires et additifs alimentaires font l’objet d’études strictes de transfert avant d’être autorisés et les résultats d’enquêtes ou de contrôles officiels montrent que les limites maximales de résidus sont très rarement dépassées dans les œufs. Les non conformités ont en général pour origine une utilisation inadéquate de la molécule, ou des contaminations croisées lors de la fabrication des aliments, notamment pour les anticoccidiens. Les pesticides utilisés pour la production de matières premières entrant dans l’alimentation des animaux font également l’objet d’une étude d’évaluation du risque de transfert avant leur autorisation. L’exposition des animaux aux contaminants de l’environnement est plus difficilement contrôlable, notamment dans les élevages en plein air, et des dépassements importants des teneurs maximales autorisées pour les dioxines, furanes ou polychlorobiphényles sont parfois rencontrés dans ce type d’élevage. Les cas les plus préoccupants émanent d’élevages de particuliers, dans lesquels certaines pratiques semblent favoriser l’ingestion de matrices, notamment de sol, en quantités importantes. Afin de prévenir le risque de transfert de ces contaminants, il est important d’évaluer l’impact de ces pratiques sur l’exposition des animaux et de quantifier l’impact de la matrice sol sur le transfert des contaminants ingérés vers l’œuf.

International audience; Catala-Gregori, P., Mallet, S., Travel, A., Orengo, J. and Lessire, M. 2008. Efficiency of a prebiotic and a plant extract alone or in combination on broiler performance and intestinal physiology. Can. J. Anim. Sci. 88: 623-629. A 36-d trial was conducted to evaluate two potential alternatives to antibiotic growth promoters in broilers. The products tested were a prebiotic (PROFEED (R)) and a plant extract (XTRACT (TM)). Ross mate broiler performance and digestive tract function responses were studied. To evaluate the effect of these potential alternatives alone or in combination, seven diets were tested: positive control avilamycin 10 ppm (PC);negative control antibiotic-free (NC); NC+PROFEED (R) 600 ppm (P); NC+XTRACT (TM) 100 ppm (X); NC+PROFEED (R)/XTRACT (TM) 600/100 ppm (XPH); NC+PROFEED (R)/XTRACT (TM) 450/75 ppm (XPM); NC+PROFEED (R)/XTRACT (TM) 300/50 ppm (XPL). From 22 to 36 d of age, body weight gain (BWG) was improved by P, X, and XPM compared with NC (P < 0.05). Throughout the trial, broilers fed PC, P, X and XPL had a better feed conversion ratio (FCR) than those fed NC (P < 0.1). No relevant negative effect was observed for the parameters relative to the digestive tract function:ileal histomorphometry, anaerobic sulphite-reducing bacteria count (ASR), intestinal and caecal pH, caecal volatile fatty acids production (VFA) and litter score (LS). With the higher mixture dose (XPH), no improvement in broiler performance was observed, suggesting no synergistic effect of the two additives.

International audience

International audience; Cold stimulations during egg incubation were reported to limit the occurrence of ascites in broilers subjected to cold temperature after 14 d of age. However, data are lacking on the impacts of such strategy in case of cold temperature conditions at start. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of incubation and posthatch cold challenge on performance, breast muscle integrity, and meat processing quality in broiler chickens. Ross 308 eggs were incubated under control temperature (I0, 37.6°C) or subjected to 15°C during 30 min on day 18 and 19 of incubation (I1). Chicks from each group were reared in floor pens either at standard rearing temperature (T0), from 32°C at 0 d to 21°C at 21 d of age, or exposed to colder rearing temperature (T1), from 29°C at 0 to 21°C at 21 d of age. All birds were then kept at 21°C until slaughter (day 40), when body weights (BW), feed conversion ratio (FCR), breast muscle yield, meat processing quality, and the occurrences of meat defects, hock burns, and pododermatitis were recorded. No significant impact of incubation conditions on hatchability was observed. At day 40, BW was more under T1 than under T0 conditions, with T0 females (but not males) presenting more BW after I1 than after I0 conditions. In the whole period, T1 chickens presented lower FCR than T0 chickens and higher breast meat yields at day 40. The occurrence of white striping was more in I1T1 males than in all other groups, except for the I0T1 males. Hock burns were more frequent in I1T1 males than in all females and I0T0 males, whereas the occurrence of pododermatitis was lower in T0 males than in other groups. Despite some positive effects of I1 incubation on growth after starting under low ambient temperature, this study reveals the limits of such strategy concerning chicken health and welfare, demonstrating that early thermal environment is a major component of the quality and sustainability of chicken meat production.