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The aim of this study was to determine serological values of lysozyme, hemolytic complement levels (alternative pathway), and bactericidal activ- ity of serum in turkeys kept in different rearing sys- tems (industrial, backyard, and experimental). Results showed that the values for serum bactericidal activity and hemolytic complement levels increased with age, and their values were higher in experimental and in industrial turkeys than in turkeys reared in backyard. Lysozyme concentration showed a similar pattern; its value was higher in the industrial and experimental groups than in the backyard group. Data obtained sug- gest that rearing system can have an influence on the natural immune parameters considered; experimental and industrial groups showed a similar trend, differenti- ated from that observed in the backyard group. In the backyard group, the values observed may suggest that hybrid turkeys, selected for high production, have dif- ficulty with being reared outside where predators (foxes and weasels) and weather conditions could be respon- sible for a stress situation.

The progression of some parameters of natural immunity in meat turkey reared outdoors was investigated. The levels of the haemolytic complement were lower than those obtained in commercial turkeys and in turkeys reared in a controlled environment during one of our previous investigations. The weather conditions could have influenced the trend of the haemolytic complement in turkeys selected for high meat production and kept outside, underlining the possible importance of the rearing system.

The aim of the present work was to compare the effect of organic production vs standard cage system on welfare and performance of a pure breed (Ancona) vs a commercial strain (Brown Hy-Line) of laying hens through a multifunctional approach (behaviour, tonic immobility, feathers score, antioxidant status of the body, blood parameters, innate immunity and mortality). The trial was carried out in farm of the Dpt. of Applied Biology (University of Perugia), where 17-weeks-old females of Ancona breed (n=200) and Brown Hy-Line (n=200) were divided in 2 homogenous groups of 100 birds each and assigned to cage or organic rearing systems. The genotype of the hens affected in a degree which depends on rearing system almost all the variables. The feeding and resting activities were higher in caged whereas moving activities were higher in organic hens and especially in Ancona birds. Social relationships showed genotype and rearing system effects being higher in Brown Hy-Line hens particularly when reared in cage. The TI duration was affected by genotype and rearing system being the immobility time longer in Brown Hy-Line. The plumage condition showed a great rearing system effect and genotype effects was observed only between organic groups where Ancona hens showed the better feathers condition. Regarding native immune status serum bactericidal activity showed the highest values in organic hens and mainly in Ancona ones. On the contrary, lysozyme showed greater value in caged hens. The haptoglobin value was lower in organic Ancona group, the same hens showed about 30% greater reactive oxygen substances, but accompanied by highest the antioxidant power. Organic rearing system, mainly in the Ancona hens, induced the highest red blood cells, haemoglobin and hematocrite values. Lymphocytes were higher in Organic birds thus reducing the H/L ratio in Organic hens. As expected, organic birds showed the worst feed efficiency and percentage of deposition, but the lowest mortality rate. In conclusion, on the basis of all these information together with the low mortality rate, Ancona hens showed the better welfare status, mainly when they were organically reared.

[EN] The evaluation of animal welfare through innate immunity (Serum Bactericidal Activity - SBA, Hemolytic Complement Assay - HCA, lysozyme) and the antioxidant status of the body (Reactive Oxygen Substances - ROS and Antioxidant Power of plasma, AP) offers a reliable prognostic and diagnostic tool. The aim of the present study was to investigate trends and correlations between some traits of innate immunity and the oxidative status of fattening rabbits at different ages. Blood samples from 120 New Zealand White fattening rabbits at 45, 55, 65, and 75 d of age were collected and analyzed. The results showed that SBA did not have a normal distribution because of numerous 0 values. Data distribution was normal when only SBA > 0 values were considered. Lysozyme (mean value 27.19 microg/mL) and HCA (mean value 50.84 CH50% ) had stable trends at different ages and showed a tendency that was comparable to that obtained in other animal species. On the contrary, SBA (mean value 42.15%) showed an unexpected positive correlation with lysozyme (P, Funded by Ricerca Corrente 2006 Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell’Umbria e Marche

A serological survey of Rhodococcus equi infection was carried out on 602 blood samples collected from foals in central Italy. The assay was performed with an ELISA test using two different antigens prepared with reference strains of R. equi, ATCC 33071 and ATCC 6939. A positive reaction was obtained on 81 serum samples (13.45%) (OD > or = 0.3) using antigen ATCC 33071, and on 73 serum samples (12.12%) using antigen ATCC 6939. Although the frequency of the disease was not high, the serological positivity was about 13%. There was no statistically significant difference between males and females. The ELISA test using either Antigen 33071 or Antigen 6939 is a rapid and reliable tool for detecting antibodies against R. equi in foals.

The aim of this paper was to provide a longitudinal evaluation of the effects of physical enrichments on the behaviour and physiology of intensive stock-farming pigs. Twenty-eight crossbred pigs of both sexes, were exposed to four types of enrichments (hemp ropes, steel chains, plastic balls, rubber hoses) over a period of eleven weeks. This investigation was based on specific abnormal behaviours and physiological indicators, including hematologic parameters. For behavioural score, focal sampling was used with recording of abnormal behaviours (body-, tail- and ear-biting), belly nosing, running, and interaction with objects (for Enriched pigs). The presence of skin injuries was also recorded. In general, the frequency of abnormal behaviours was significantly reduced in the Enriched group. A timerelated profile appeared in the use of the enrichments. Males showed higher occurrence of skin injuries than females. Physiological measurements, such as levels of complement system, white blood cells and neutrophils, were lower in pigs from the Enriched group. Enriched pigs, as a whole, presented much lower levels of serum DHEA-S concentration over two weeks. The findings of this study show the successful provision of appropriate enrichments to encourage behaviours which may result in satisfactory animal oral interaction with the enriching objects, preventing them biting pen-mates. In this respect, the objects proposed were strongly effective in producing changes in behaviour which could mitigate inadequate conditions, such as the relationship between animal body weight and the available space allowance.

Animal fear of stock people is directly related to chronic stress which can progressively limit the animal’s growth and reproductive performance. The object of the study was to evaluate the relationship between production performance, non-specific immune system function and fear of stock people in a group of sows. Sixty sows between 30 and 90 days of gestation were studied in a modern swine production farm with poor husbandry and handling practices. Three groups were defined and classified as described by Hemsworth: fearful, timorous and trusting. The following parameters were evaluated