Search

A large amount of poultry blood is annually generated, and currently underutilized or largely disposed of as waste, resulting in environmental pollution and waste of protein resources. As one of the main by-products during the poultry slaughter process, the produced poultry blood can serve as a promising food ingredient due to its excellent functional properties and abundant source of essential amino acids, bioactive peptides and functional components. This work provides a comprehensive summary of recent research progress in the composition, functional and bioactive properties, as well as the functional components of poultry blood. Furthermore, the main preparation methods of poultry blood-derived peptides and their bioactivities were reviewed. In addition, their potential applications in the food industry were discussed. Overall, poultry blood is characterized by excellent functionalities, including solubility, gelation, foaming, and emulsifying properties. The major preparation methods for poultry blood-derived peptides include enzymatic hydrolysis, ultrasound-assisted enzymatic methods, macroporous adsorbent resins, and subcritical water hydrolysis. Poultry blood-derived peptides exhibit diverse bioactivities. Their metallic off-flavors and bitterness can be improved by exopeptidase treatment, Maillard reaction, and plastein reaction. In addition, poultry blood is also abundant in functional components such as hemoglobin, superoxide dismutase, immunoglobulin, and thrombin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The potential of anaerobic digestion for the treatment of poultry blood has been evaluated in a co-digestion process. The organic fraction of municipal solid waste (OFMSW) was employed as the co-substrate to avoid digestion inhibition by dilution of nitrogen content and improvement of biodegradability. A semi-continuous mesophilic anaerobic digester was studied with a hydraulic retention time (HRT) of 36 days and an organic loading (OLR1) of 1.5 kg VSSfeed m-3 d-1. The normal operational conditions of the reactor were altered with the application of an OLR2 of 2.0 kg VSSfeed m-3 d-1 for a short period causing an imbalance in the process. The reduction of the OLR to initial conditions allowed the recovery of the system. The digestion process reached a final specific gas production (SGP) and a methane yield of 0.33 and 0.20 m3 kg-1 VSSfeed, respectively, maintaining low total and free ammonia concentrations. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) were used to gain an insight into transformations experimented by the organic matter at the end of the stabilization process. Furthermore, these analytical techniques were used for evaluating the transformations undergone by the nitrogen-rich protein components of blood after digestion. It was proved that a reduction in volatile content and aliphatic structures of biowastes along with an increase in the degree of aromaticity occurred during the digestion process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Medicinal leeches are one of the neglected organisms in animal reproduction studies. In this study, the effects of feeding two different types of blood, mammalian (cattle blood) and poultry (chicken blood), on the reproductive efficiency, growth performance and survival of the southern medicinal leech, Hirudo verbana, were investigated. The type of blood fed did not have a significant effect on the growth performance and survival of leeches, but the leeches fed chicken blood had a 2.5-fold greater performance compared to those fed cattle blood in terms of the gravidity process and reproductive efficiency. The final weight and survival for the cattle group was 10.79 ± 4.80 g and 87% and for the chicken group was 10.12 ± 5.26 g and 85%. Gravidity was initiated in the 7th month in both groups; however, while all gravidities in the leeches fed with chicken blood occurred in 1-month period, the gravidity of the leeches fed cattle blood occurred in a 3-month period. The cocoon efficiencies were 6.67 ± 1.50 cocoons/broodstock and 2.67 ± 3.37 cocoons/broodstock in the chicken and cattle groups, respectively. There were larger cocoons in the chicken compared to the cattle group. The offspring efficiencies were 12.59 ± 4.17 offspring/cocoon and 9.81 ± 3.67 offspring/cocoon in the chicken and cattle groups, respectively. The results of this study indicate poultry blood can be used in the management of broodstock with greater reproductive efficiency in medicinal leech aquaculture., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

The present study was conducted to establish a sandwich ELISA for the determination of prolactin (PRL) concentrations in the plasma of domestic fowls. The assay uses a recombinant goose PRL as the reference standard, expressed in a eukaryotic system, and as the antigen for raising a polyclonal antibody in rabbit. This rabbit anti-goose PRL polyclonal antibody was used for coating the wells of the ELISA plate, and its biotinylated form served as the detection antibody. An avidin-conjugated horseradish peroxidase was used to bind the detection antibody and to catalyze the chromogenic reaction using 3,3',5,5'-tetramethylbenzidine as the substrate. The assay showed a linear relationship between the optical density and concentration of the standard PRL in the 0 to 12.5 ng/mL range, and the assay was sensitive to a concentration as low as 0.39 ng/mL. The intra- and inter-assay CVs were <7% and 11%, respectively. The response curves of the serially diluted plasma samples from goose, duck, and chicken exhibited similar parallel relationships to that observed for the reference standards. Consistent with previous findings, the assay effectively detected differences in PRL concentration in plasma samples from chicken, duck, and goose at various reproductive stages., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Here, we describe a rapid, efficient and noncomplicated method for extracting poultry genomic DNA. This simple method obtains excellent qualities of molecular biology grade DNA in a matter of only about 15 min. A straightforward protocol is followed in this extraction procedure, in which, when the blood cells are placed in a distilled water alone, water rapidly disrupts red blood cells (RBCs) membranes and alleviate chickens' undesired high blood viscosity without being aided by any other chemicals. Moreover, the time, cost and efforts were hugely reduced since the step of leukocytes lysis was successfully mixed with the protein precipitation. The isolated genomic DNA, in terms of its quantity and quality, is satisfying and is proved to be suitable for restriction endonucleases digestion, polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP). Thus, instead of extracting a limited amount of DNA using expensive or relatively expensive kits, this guaranteed procedure can be utilized alternatively to accurately extract genomic DNA (gDNA) from minimal starter quantities of the chicken's blood that do not exceed 50 μ L. By relying on this technique, all the practical handover steps are reduced to the extreme limits. This pilot study may provide a high yield gDNA extraction that minimizes labour, expense, and steps in very high competency and reproducibility.

Infectious laryngotracheitis (ILT) is a highly contagious acute respiratory disease of chickens with outbreaks resulting in high economic losses due to increased mortality and drop in egg production. This study reports a survey of ILT virus antibody conducted in nine local government areas (LGAs) of Plateau State involving 67 randomly selected commercial poultry flocks. In all, 938 sera were tested using the Agar Gel Immuno-diffusion (AGID) technique. Overall prevalence of 1.2% (N = 11) was recorded. ILT virus antibody was found in 2.5% (n = 9) and 7.1% (n = 2) of the tested sera from Jos South and Langtang North LGAs, respectively. No detectable ILT virus antibody was found from the other seven LGAs. This is the first report of ILT infection in poultry from the North central part of Nigeria. It is therefore recommended that the economic implication of ILT infection in Nigerian poultry population be conducted in order to know if vaccination should be adopted for control.

The aim of this work was to fabricate a novel nano-fiber modified electrode, involving Lake Red C (LRC) pigments doped into electrospun polyacrylonitrile (PAN) fibrous films. Cyclic voltammetry (CV), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) techniques were used for electrochemical and morphological characterization of the composite fibers. This sensor responds to Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) over the concentration range of 40-120 nM with high accuracy and precision in analysis. The modified electrode exhibited an excellent electrocatalytic ability (α = 0.42, log K(s) = 4.21 s(-1), and Γ = 1.49 × 10(-5) mmol cm(-2)) for reduction of AFB1 at the optimum pH of 6 and working potential of -0.75 V (vs. SCE). The common substances accompanying AFB1 had no serious interferences on the response of the modified electrode to AFB1. The modified electrode indicated reproducible behavior and a high level stability during the experiments, making it particularly suitable for the analytical determination of AFB1 in poultry feed and serum samples.

Due to the incompleteness of animal genome sequencing, the analysis and characterization of serum proteomes of most farm animals are still in their infancy, compared to the already well-documented human serum proteome. This review focuses on the implications of the farm animal serum proteomics in order to identify novel biomarkers for animal welfare, early diagnosis, prognosis and monitoring of infectious disease treatment, and develop new vaccines, aiming at determining the reciprocal benefits for humans and animals.

This study was conducted to determine the effect of feeding three differently processed mixtures on health status of broilers. A total of 1080 day-old Marshal broilers were fed; discarded vegetable-fresh bovine blood-fresh rumen digesta (P1), discarded vegetable-ensiled bovine blood-fresh rumen digesta (P2) and discarded vegetable-fresh bovine blood-ensiled rumen digesta (P3) at three levels of inclusion (0, 3 and 6%). Data on blood parameters was taken and were subjected to 3 x 3 factorial arrangements in a completely randomized design. Birds fed P1 had least values (p < 0.05) of serum glucose, total protein, globulin, uric acid and creatinine at starter phase. Birds fed diets containing 3 and 6% level of inclusion recorded the highest (p < 0.05) Packed cell volume, Haemoglobin, White blood cell and Red blood cell values. However, those fed at 0% level of inclusion recorded the highest albumin value. At finisher phase, birds fed P2 and P3 had the highest glucose, uric acid and creatinine values. 6% level of inclusion significantly (p < 0.05) increased the total protein and albumin values. Therefore, for enhanced performance and without comprising the health condition of birds; broiler chickens could be fed diets containing discarded vegetable-fresh bovine blood-ensiled rumen digesta (P3) up to 6% level of inclusion.

The hemagglutinin gene of an avian influenza virus (AIV) A/duck/NC/674964/07 (H5N2) was cloned and expressed in a baculovirus system (H5-Bac). In parallel, a recombinant hemagglutinin of A/Vietnam/1203/04 (H5N1) was expressed in mammalian cells, purified, and used for generation of H5-specific monoclonal antibodies (MAb). The purified H5-Bac was used to develop a competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (cELISA) to detect H5 antibodies in a species-independent approach using one of the established H5-specific MAbs as the competitor antibody. The cELISA performed with influenza antibody-free sera or with sera of animals infected with other than H5-encoding AIV showed no significant inhibition of H5-MAb binding, indicating high test specificity. In contrast, sera of poultry (chickens, turkeys, ducks) experimentally infected with H5-encoding AIV were able to significantly inhibit the binding of the MAb in a species-independent approach. Comparison of the results of the cELISA with results obtained by a hemagglutination inhibition assay showed a gradient of the sensitivity (turkeys > ducks > chicken). The described results show that H5-specific antibodies in sera can be detected in a species-independent approach by using a recombinant protein.

The operational experience on liquidation of the centers of the avian flu in separate region of Novosibirsk is considered. From 32 settlements in 7 (22%) have been registered the centers of a case of a bird. Despite of undertaken measures under the prevention of distribution of an infection and occurrence of the new centers, during first time the case of a bird proceeded because of proceeding free ride out of poultry on lakes. Carrying out quarantine and actions on mass depopulation of birds appeared effectual measures on liquidation of the foci. Taking into account features of this area (a plenty of lakes) with nesting a wild waterfowl and accepted free ride out for poultry, the conclusion about an opportunity of occurrence and development new epizootia of bird's flu is made during spring-autumn of 2006.

The erythrocyte surface sialic acid levels of 200 apparently healthy indigenous Nigerian poultry species (pigeons, guinea fowls, ducks and chickens, n = 50 for each species) presented for slaughter at a poultry abattoir in Zaria, Nigeria was determined. Other parameters determined were packed cell volume (PCV) and plasma total protein (TP) concentration. The mean erythrocyte surface sialic acid concentration of pigeons, guinea fowls, ducks and chickens were 7.88 +/- 2.51, 14.6 +/- 2.51, 17.6 +/- 2.51 and 14.2 +/- 2.51 mg mg(-1) respectively. There was a statistically significant difference between the mean erythrocyte surface sialic acid concentration of all the species of poultry sampled (P < 0.05). The high erythrocyte surface sialic acid concentration in the indigenous Nigerian poultry species could be responsible for their resistance to infectious diseases, whose aetiologic agents produce neuraminidases. The mean PCV of the pigeons, guinea fowls, ducks and chickens were 46.22 +/- 6.91, 38.24 +/- 6.91, 36.50 +/- 6.91 and 36.46 +/- 6.91% respectively. The difference between the mean PCV values of pigeons on the one hand and guinea fowls, ducks and chickens on the other was statistically significant (P < 0.05). A negative correlation (r = -0.36, P < 0.05) between mean erythrocyte surface sialic acid concentrations and PCV was observed, i.e. the birds with the highest mean PCV values had the lowest levels of erythrocyte surface sialic acid. There was no correlation between TP concentration and either erythrocyte surface sialic acid concentration or PCV values. It is suggested, based on this study, that erythrocyte sialic acid types in these species should be determined, as the results may be vital in selective breeding., (Copyright 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.)

We investigated the serotypes, distributions, and antimicrobial resistance of Campylobacter jejuni isolates from humans and animals as a source of infection in poultry between 2002 and 2003. A total of 50 C. jejuni isolates from humans and 29 C. jejuni isolates from poultry were studied for serotype using the Penner serotyping scheme and the drug susceptibilities of the isolates which were determined for 7 antimicrobial drugs using the disk diffusion method. Serotype B (10%), serotype E (8%) and serotype R (8%) were found in humans isolates, while serotype A (27%) was most freguently isolated from poultry, followed by serotype K (21%) and serotype C (13%). Resistance in human isolates to cephalothin was high (100%). Resistance to trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole, ciprofloxacin, and nalidixic acid were observed in 90, 82 and 78% of isolates, respectively. Most of the isolates (88%) were susceptible to erythromycin. High levels of resistance to drugs (ciprofloxacin and nalidixic acid) were observed in the isolates from poultry. These results indicate the importance of poultry as a reservoir of C. jejuni infection in Thailand is limited. In addition, a high proportion of the isolates were resistant to antimicrobial drugs, particularly the quinolone group.

Haemato- biochemical and immuno-pathophysiological changes following feeding of broiler chicks with 20 ppm fenvalerate (synthetic pyrethroid, SP), 2 ppm monocrotophos (organophosphate, OP) and 2 ppm endosulfan (chlorinated hydrocarbon, CH) were studied. Four groups of broiler birds (30 each) were fed poultry mash without (control) or mixed with pesticides for 8 weeks. Blood glucose, serum globulin and acetyl cholinesterase (AChE) activity level were decreased (P<0.01) in all treated groups compared to control, but not the serum albumin and BUN. The total ATPase activity was enhanced (P<0.01) in fenvalerate and monocrotophos than birds in control group. Body weight, total erythrocyte count, packed cell volume, haemoglobin, eosinophil and monocyte count did not show any changes. Total leucocytes and T-lymphocyte count was lower (P<0.01) in all treated groups as compared to control group. B-cell count (P<0.01), mean 2-4-dinitrofluorobenzene (DNFB) dermal sensitivity score and splenic indices from graft vs. host reaction (P<0.05) were decreased in fenvalarate and endosulfan but the values for monocrotophos were intermediate between control and other treated groups. Pesticide intoxication reduced nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT) positive cells (active splenic macrophages) (P<0.05) and spleen weight (P<0.01). Whereas bursal weight was reduced only with endosulfan, thymic weight was reduced on endosulfan and fenvalerate-treated feed. Microscopic examination of these organs further revealed atrophy/hypoplasia, decrease in the size of follicles with depletion of lymphocytes and haemorrhages in thymus. The study concludes that the chronic exposure of chicks to small amount of SP, OP and CH pesticide leads to deleterious effects on metabolism and immune system of birds.

1. The effects of sex and dietary composition were investigated in 48 male and 48 female 16-week old chukar partridges. 2. Sixteen starter and 16 grower diets were arranged in a 4 x 4 factorial design with 4 concentration of crude protein (CP) and 4 concentration of metabolizable energy (ME). 3. Blood samples were collected at 16 weeks of age and analysed for total protein, triglycerides, uric acid, total cholesterol, glucose, calcium, phosphorus, sodium, potassium and chlorine. 4. There were no significant effects of sex on the measured parameters. 5. Serum total protein was highest in partridges fed on a diet containing 200/175 g CP/kg (starter grower). Serum cholesterol concentrations of partridge fed the diet with 240/200 or 280/225 g CP/kg were significantly higher than that for partridge fed diets containing a lower gCP/kg. 6. Serum total protein and glucose levels significantly decreased as dietary energy level was increased. Serum triglycerides and calcium were highest in partridge fed on the diets containing 13.39/13.81 and 11.71/12.55 ME MJ/kg, respectively. Serum phosphorus and chloride levels were highest in partridges given the diet containing 10.88/11.92 ME MJ/kg. 7. There were significant interactions between the effects of CP and ME on serum triglycerides, sodium and potassium levels. 8 The results of this study suggested that dietary CP, and especially ME concentration, significantly affect blood parameters in chukar partridge.

The effect of low dose T-2 toxin was investigated in chicken, duck and goose. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effect of T-2 toxin on the lipid peroxidation and on the activity of glutathione redox system (amount of reduced and oxidised glutathione and the activity of glutathione peroxidase) in blood and liver. The treatment lasted days and two samples were taken, first at the time of lowest feed intake and second when the intake was the same as the control. It was found, that lipid per oxidation as detected by the amount of malondialdehyde increased in all of the species and tissues but the changes varied by species. The most sensitive species was goose followed by duck and chicken, and the most sensitive tissue was the liver followed by blood plasma and red blood cells.

1. Two experiments were conducted to examine the Heterophil/Lymphocyte ratio (H/L) as criterion for selection for resistance to heat stress and some aspects of general resistance in domestic fowls. 2. The first experiment on a small sample (n = 64) of light breed Iraqi local fowls showed that this ratio could be used as an indicator of heat stress resistance. 3. The second experiment on a large sample (n = 1160) of heavy parent stock confirmed the results. It showed that there was a different H/L ratio for the two strains and that there was much individual variability in the H/L ratio within-strain that could be utilised for individual selection for heat resistance. 4. The H/L ratio was highly heritable; Resistant and Sensitive groups, defining all individuals with an H/L ratio over the upper 95% confidence limit as 'Sensitive' and those below as 'Resistant' produced progeny with significantly different H/L ratios. 5. There were indications of differences in mortality between the progeny of the Resistant and the Sensitive groups. 6. The H/L indicator could be used as a criterion to select for heat stress resistance.

1. Studies were conducted to determine the effects of anticoagulants and storage (4 degrees C) on the PCV of blood samples from Nigerian domestic fowl (DF) and the guinea fowl (GF). 2. Citrate significantly reduced pre-storage PCV of the DF in comparison with the effect of ethylenediamine tetra-acetic acid (EDTA). 3. It further decreased (P < 0.05) the PCV of the blood of DF and GF over 3 d of storage; this was similar to the effect of EDTA on the PCV of the GF blood. 4. Citrate and oxalates induced haemolysis of blood of the DF and the GF in storage faster than EDTA, but overall the haemolysis was more pronounced from red cells of the GF than from those of the DF. 5. The mean fall in the PCV of the DF was significant at 3.0 mg EDTA/ml of blood in contrast to the fall in the PCV of the GF blood.

Isoenzyme patterns of lactate dehydrogenase (EC 1.1.1.27) in avian sera are described and compared with those of carp and some mammals. The predominant portion of lactate dehydrogenase in avian sera was concentrated in the muscular form of the enzyme (lactate dehydrogenase 5). Most mammalian sera (with the exception of rat serum) showed a different pattern, in which the main portion of lactate dehydrogenase activity migrated in the first three anodic fractions. Fish serum lactate dehydrogenase isoenzymes were distributed similarly to those of mammals. The electrophoretic mobility of bird lactate dehydrogenase isoenzymes in a pH gradient of 3 to 9 was different from that of carp, cattle and rabbit. Bird lactate dehydrogenase isoenzymes were localized in the pH region of 5.8 to 8.1. In contrast, the mammalian isoenzymes were more acidic, with pI values in the range of 4.5 to 7.3. Lactate dehydrogenase isoenzymes of carp migrated in a narrow pH range of 5.2 to 6.5.

Arad and Skadhauge (1986) correlated plasma sodium to calcium ratio and body temperature in domestic fowl (Gallus domesticus) during increased dietary sodium chloride intake which increased plasma sodium concentration. During acclimation to high dietary NaCl, body temperature should increase in proportion to the increase in plasma sodium concentration, and body temperature should increase less in gulls than in chickens because salt gland secretion of NaCl by gulls should prevent elevation of plasma sodium concentration. Plasma osmolality, plasma sodium concentration, plasma concentrations of total calcium and ionized calcium, and body temperature and panting threshold were measured in domestic roosters and Glaucous-winged gulls before and after exposure to high NaCl diets. Gull body temperature (40.4 +/- 0.2 degrees C) increased significantly (P < 0.05) during salt acclimation. Rooster body temperature (41.0 +/- 0.2 degrees C) did not increase significantly. Plasma sodium concentration increased in gulls (5.4 +/- 0.5%, P < 0.01) and was correlated with body temperature (r = 0.497, P < 0.05); the 3.8 +/- 1.0% increase in plasma sodium concentration in roosters (P < 0.01) was not, suggesting that change in body temperature might be a response to the magnitude of increase in plasma sodium concentration. Plasma ionized calcium concentration increased by 12.9 +/- 4.6% (P < 0.01) in gulls and by 5.3 +/- 1.0% (P < 0.01) in roosters. Plasma sodium concentration was correlated with calcium ion concentration in both gulls (r = 0.635, P < 0.05) and roosters (r = 0.664, P < 0.05). In neither species were ratios of sodium to total calcium plasma concentration or sodium to ionized calcium concentration altered or related to body temperature.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

The effects of temperature and pH on the osmotic behaviour of erythrocytes of the domestic fowl and guinea-fowl were studied. Erythrocytes of the guinea-fowl were observed to be more osmotically fragile than those of the domestic fowl at 29 degrees C and pH 7.7. The osmotic fragility of erythrocytes of both species decreased as the temperature (at constant pH of 7.7) or pH (at constant temperature of 29 degrees C) increased. The erythrocyte count, packed cell volume, haemoglobin concentration and mean corpuscular volume were identical in both species.

Glutamic acid was the major free amino acid in guinea seminal plasma, representing 90.00% of the total amino acids. Threonine comprised 3.74%, aspartic acid 3.23%, and serine 1.50%. Others were detected at less than .50% of the total free amino acids. Blood plasma protein concentration and SE were 2.68 +/- .35 g/100 ml, and the proteins were fractionated by disc acrylamide electrophoresis into seven major bands: albumin, alpha-1, a dense beta fraction, and four postbeta, or gamma, proteins. Seminal plasma protein concentration and SE were .45 +/- .03 g/100 ml, and the proteins separated into nine fractions: albumin, alpha-1 and -2, beta-1, -2, and -3, and three postbeta, or gamma, bands.

The levels of luteinizing hormone (LH) and androgens were measured in sterile avian hybrids. Guinea fowl-chicken and peafowl-guinea fowl hybrids were bled before and after injection with LH- releasing hormone (LHRH). The preinjection LH levels for the guinea fowl-chicken hybrids were below or at the very lower limit of the assay sensitivity and the peafowl-guinea fowl hybrids averaged 1.3 ng/ml. Within 10 min after LHRH injection, LH had increased dramatically in both hybrids and then began to slowly decline. Androgen levels in the guinea fowl-chicken hybrids increased from 16.2 pg/ml to 95.2 pg/ml and continued to increase, reaching 287 pg/ml at the last bleeding 60 min after injection.

1. Alkaline phosphatase activity in the plasma of different strains of guinea fowls showed considerable variation both within and between sexes as well as within and between strains. 2. The enzymes from different strains of wild guinea fowls had different mobilities on disc polyacrylamide electrophoresis but each was characterised by a single band. 3. When the enzyme was purified 163-fold from the plasma of a domesticated grey breasted strain, both ion-exchange chromatography and gel-filtration purification steps yielded a single band of enzyme. 4. The purified enzyme had a molecular weight of 79,400 +/- 3,000 and was stable up to 60 degrees C at the optimum pH of 9.6. 5. Evidence is provided that guinea fowl alkaline phosphatase is a metalloenzyme.

The luteinizing hormone-releasing activities of synthetic chicken luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (chLH-RH), synthetic porcine LH-RH (pLH-RH), and an analogue of LH-RH (buserelin, D-Ser-(But)6-des-Gly10-LH-RH ethylamide) were compared in the domestic fowl. In adult cockerels, intravenous injections of 0.5 or 1 microgram chLH-RH/kg released the same amount of LH as the same doses of pLH-RH; subcutaneous injections of 0.5 or 1 microgram buserelin/kg were about twice as effective as the same doses of pLH-RH. In laying hens, injections of 1, 10, 20, and 50 micrograms buserelin induced more sustained releases of LH than the corresponding doses of pLH-RH. Daily injections of 1 or 10 micrograms buserelin/bird or of 10 micrograms pLH-RH/bird for 12 days synchronized the timing of most ovipositions showing that the injections of releasing hormone could induce preovulatory surges of LH. In contrast with mammals, daily injections of buserelin in laying hens did not reduce pituitary responsiveness to the analogue. It is concluded that the structural difference between mammalian and chicken LH-RH does not affect their LH-releasing activities in the domestic fowl. Although the LH-releasing activity of buserelin in the hen is greater than that of pLH-RH, the difference in activity is not as great as that observed in most mammals. This view is strengthened by the finding that chronic treatment with buserelin, which exerts an antagonistic effect on ovulation in mammals, does not do so in the domestic hen.

Studies were carried out with all kinds of farm animals and birds with regard to the quantitative determination of methemoglobin in their blood in connection of seasonal changes. Blood was immediately treated upon sampling. Methemoglobin determination was carried out spectrophotometrically. Evaluated was also the percent of nitrates in the rations of the animals and birds. It was found that during the winter the amound of methemoglobin in the blood of both animals and birds varied from 0.25 to 4.4 of the total amount of methemoglobin. Its percent content during the summer varied from 0.25 to 4.17 with animals, and from 9.5 to 15.7 with birds of the total amount of methemoglobin. The amount of blood methemoglobin was found to correlate directly with the percent of nitrates in the ration. Except for birds, the seasons had no effect on the values of methemoglobin. The breed, weight, age, and physiologic status (pregnancy, barrenness) did not either affect the amount of methemoglobin. There were individual variations of the methemoglobin values with animals of one and the same species.

The ultrastructure of eosinophil granules from various aquatic and terrestrial birds has been described. Granules of three basic types were found. The first had a crystalline internum and was found only in the order Anseriformes, which included the black-necked screamer, ducks, geese and swans. The crystals occurred in three morphological forms. The second and least common granule examined contained a non-crystalline internum which was either homogeneous or composed of microfilaments or microtubules. The largest and most common group of birds had a homogenous granule with no internum shown. Homogeneous granules occurred less frequently than did those with interna.

Erythrocyte (RBC) count, packed cell volume (PCV) and haemoglobin (Hb) values were found to be higher in Nigerian domestic fowls than those in Hubbard fowls. PCV and Hb values were higher in males than in females in both breeds. Erythrocytes of the Nigerian fowl were observed to be more susceptible to osmotic haemolysis than were erythrocytes of the Hubbard fowl. Erythrocytes of male fowls were osmotically more fragile than were those of female fowls in both breeds.

The comparison of the content of electrolytes and proteins in the serum of guinea fowl and Nigerian fowl showed that the former had significantly higher values for sodium, potassium, and albumin. The Nigerian fowl on the other hand exhibited higher values for calcium, chloride, bicarbonate, inorganic phosphate, total proteins, and globulins, which were also significant.

A population of known species composition (mainly Simulium damnosum s.s. with some S. sirbanum), was fed on chicken, guinea-fowl, rabbit, goat, sheep, and man, using simple techniques under similar conditions. Significant differences in feeding rates were found between the different host species, on different parts of the body, at times also between different individuals of the same species, and between techniques employed. On less favoured hosts wild-caught flies usually gave better results than laboratory emerged females. Taking both wild-caught and laboratory emerged flies into consideration, rabbit, man and guinea-fowl gave the best results, with the latter being particularly suitable.

The effect of TRH on growth in 4-week-old cockerels was examined in two separate experiments. Daily injection of TRH via the brachial vein stimulated growth in 4-week-old cockerels over 17 days of treatment in the first experiment and over 25 days in the second. In the first experiment, TRH at 1.0 micrograms and 10.0 micrograms/bird caused significant (P less than 0.05) increases of 12.0% and 12.4%, respectively, in growth rate, whereas in the second experiment, only the 1.0 micrograms/bird level of TRH caused an increase (P less than 0.05). In each experiment, the increase in body weight gain was not TRH dose dependent, and neither feed consumption nor feed efficiency was affected. Possible involvement of pituitary hormones in TRH-stimulated growth in cockerels was studied in a separate experiment, and the effects of TRH on plasma T3, T4, and GH were examined. TRH was given iv at 0.1, 1.0, and 10.0 micrograms/bird daily for 5 days, and plasma T3, T4, and GH concentrations were measured 15, 60, and 180 min postinjection by RIA on days 1, 3, and 5. The responses of T3 and T4 to TRH were greatest on day 1, were diminished by days 3 and 5, and were not dose-related. Significant, not dose-related, elevations of plasma GH concentrations were obtained at all doses of TRH. Based on these results, we suggest that TRH has the ability to promote a significant increase in body weight gain in 4-week-old cockerels, and the stimulatory effects may be mediated through GH and/or thyroid hormones.

In avian species' common sites for blood sampling include the basilic, jugular, and superficial plantar metatarsal veins, heart and occipital sinus. The lateral thoracic vein is also used in the turkey. The sites with the least trauma to the animal are the basilic, superficial plantar metatarsal, and lateral thoracic veins from which adequate volumes of blood can be obtained. Heart puncture and occipital sinus sampling procedures are expedient and large volumes of blood can be obtained however these sites are the most traumatic. The superficial plantar metatarsal vein was the site for best repeat sampling in the duck and the chicken and the basilic in the turkey.