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Copyright of Anbar Journal of Agricultural Sciences is the property of Republic of Iraq Ministry of Higher Education & Scientific Research (MOHESR) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Control of meat quality traits is an important goal of any farm animal production, including poultry. A better understanding of the biochemical properties of muscle fiber properties that drive muscle development and ultimately meat quality constitutes one of the major challenging topics in animal production and meat science. In this paper, the existing classification methods of skeletal muscle fibers in poultry were reviewed and the relationship between contractile and metabolic characteristics of muscle fibers and poultry meat quality was described. Finally, a comprehensive review of multiple potential factors affecting muscle fiber distribution and conversion is presented, including breed, sex, hormones, growth performance, diet, muscle position, exercise, and ambient temperature. We emphasize that knowledge of muscle fiber typing is essential to better understand how to control muscle characteristics throughout the life cycle of animals to better manage the final quality of poultry meat., Competing Interests: DISCLOSURES The authors declare no conflicts of interest., (Copyright © 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Improving the habitat of farmed chickens through environmental enrichment is considered advantageous compared to barecages, sincean outdoor or free-range environment enables and encourages chickens to express their behaviour. In addition, chickens that are kept outdoors or in a free-range environment can incidentally ingest sand, especially if they frequently bath in soil or sand. As a result, the daily diet of chickens fed outdoors or in free-range housing contains an average of 10-20% sand. In the field of poultry science, various enrichment strategies (visual, auditory, olfactory, and tactile) have been applied. In this study, sand and perch structures were used as environmental enrichment because (1) they are less expensive than other forms of enrichment, (2) they are mainly made of local materials, and (3) they can form the basis for a comprehensive system of environmental enrichment for chickens. Thus, in our studies, experiments were carried out in 3 stages to determine the effect of environmental enrichment methods on the well-being of chicken breeds specialized for egg production. In the first stage, when the living environment of chickens was enriched with sand and perch structure, basic microbiological variables and physico-chemical blood parameters (blood count, haemoglobin, viscosity, erythrocytes sedimentation rate, and pH) were improved (p=0,05). The second stage of our experiment consisted of four treatment: 1-sand (S), 2-perch (P), 3 both -sand and a perch (SP), and 4- control (C) condition with no enrichment. We determined the ratio of heterophils to lymphocyte in chickens aged 22, 30 and 38 weeks, and we also observed that total egg production was increased by the experimental conditions (p=0.05). In the third stage, the effect of chicken breeds in the egg direction on productivity (egg production, egg mass) and nutrient absorption in laying-breed chickens was determined (p=0.01). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: In chickens, the effect of host genetics on the gut microbiota is not fully understood, and the extent to which the heritable gut microbes affect chicken metabolism and physiology is still an open question. Here, we explored the interactions among chicken genetics, the cecal microbiota and metabolites in breast muscle from ten chicken breeds in China. We found that different chicken breeds displayed distinct cecal microbial community structures and functions, and 15 amplicon sequence variants (ASVs) were significantly associated with host genetics through different genetic loci, such as those related to the intestinal barrier function. We identified five heritable ASVs significantly associated with 53 chicken muscle metabolites, among which the Megamonas probably affected lipid metabolism through the production of propionate. Our study revealed that the chicken genetically associated cecal microbes may have the potential to affect the bird’s physiology and metabolism.

Poultry are deprived of water when transported to slaughter, beginning shortly prior to catching of the first bird and lasting through catching and loading, the journey on the vehicle, time spent in lairage, and up until time of death. Our aim was to review existing knowledge on variables which may be useful in determining the length of time that poultry may go without water in connection with transport before their welfare begins to deteriorate. During transport, it is likely that birds experience a motivation to drink, which may transition into the negative emotional state of thirst if water is unavailable. Determining when drinking motivation reaches a threshold where welfare is negatively impacted is challenging. In the absence of water, birds may over time experience dehydration which may be detected through physiological indicators as their body attempts to maintain homeostasis. In poultry, plasma osmolality, arginine vasotocin, and chloride have been suggested as being most suitable for assessing dehydration resulting from periods of water deprivation that correspond with typical transport durations, due to their particular sensitivity during this period. While initial dehydration may not be associated with negative emotional states, it is likely that it eventually leads to discomfort, but additional behavioral and motivational studies are necessary to infer when this begins. Impacts of thermal conditions, genetics, and the condition of the individual bird on the development of a dehydrated state were also assessed, though more information is needed to fully understand these interactions. With the available literature, this review concludes that total transport (i.e., from the initial deprivation from water until time of slaughter) durations of longer than 6 h are likely associated with measurable physiological indicators of dehydration and may potentially be associated with negative emotional states, although more research is needed to clarify this. Current available knowledge and assessment tools are not sufficient to detect the degradation of welfare derived from thirst itself, which should be further examined to protect poultry welfare during transport., (Copyright © 2023 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

In this study, the local Iraqi chickens were used to detect some genetic changes in some QTL region (C33379782T) and its effect on productive and physiological performance of local Iraqi chickens. PCR-RFLP technology was used to detect this mutation using the restriction enzyme (Alu1). C and T Alleles were obtained as wild C allele and mutant T allele. high significant differences (P < 0.01) in the percentage of allelic frequency as C allele over T allele It was observed that no significant differences were shown between C and T allele in (sexual maturity age, sexual maturity weight, mean feed consumption, egg mass). the number of egg allele T had significantly effects (p < 0.05) in egg production at 2, 6, 100 days productive periods and C had allele significant effect (p < 0.05) in the conversion factor in the fifth production period. in mean egg weight T allele had significantly effects (p < 0.05) over C allele in productive periods 3, 5, 6. In egg quality, significant differences (p < 0.05) were observed in yolk weight and egg white diameter as T allele exceeded C. There were no differences in (egg shell weight, shell thickness, yolk diameter, yolk height, egg white weight, egg white diameter). In physiological characteristics there was significant (P < 0.05) effect for T allele over C allele in (cholesterol, HDL, VLDL) concentrations. In the concentration of triglycerides, the allele C significantly (P < 0.05) exceeded T and there were no significant effects in the concentration of (glucose, LDL, albumin, total protein, globulin. According to the results obtained, the different alleles of QTL can be used as a genetic indicator in the selection programs in local Iraqi chickens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The impact of global warming on poultry production has gained significant attention over the years. However, our current knowledge and understanding of the mechanisms through which heat stress (HS) resulting from global warming affects the welfare, behavior, immune response, production performance, and even transgenerational effects in poultry are still incomplete. Further research is needed to delve deeper into these mechanisms to gain a comprehensive understanding. Numerous studies have investigated various biomarkers of stress in poultry, aiming to identify reliable markers that can accurately assess the physiological status and well-being of birds. However, there is a significant amount of variation and inconsistency in the results reported across different studies. This inconsistency highlights the need for more standardized methods and assays and a clearer understanding of the factors that influence these biomarkers in poultry. This review article specifically focuses on 3 main aspects: 1) the neuroendocrine and behavioral responses of poultry to HS, 2) the biomarkers of HS and 3) the impact of HS on poultry production that have been studied in poultry. By examining the neuroendocrine and behavioral changes exhibited by poultry under HS, we aim to gain insights into the physiological impact of elevated temperatures in poultry., Competing Interests: DISCLOSURES The authors do not declare any conflicts of interest., (Copyright © 2023 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Copper nanoparticles (nCu) have a wide range of applications in many different fields of life. In poultry farming, nCu is well-known as a feed additive to stimulate the development, a good antimicrobial agent and a suppressor of diarrhea. The aim of this study is to perform the analysis of biosafety of nCu. In this study, chickens were treated with drinking water containing 2 mg/L or 1,000 mg/L nCu. After 5 weeks of treatment, the survival rate, dry body weight, Cu content in serum and liver tissues of chickens were examined. Liver and kidney functions were also determined by measuring serum levels of ALT, AST, and creatinine. As a result, chickens treated with drinking containing 2 mg/L nCu had no changes in liver and kidney functions as well as their body weights. However, treatment of chickens with 1,000 mg/L nCu caused accumulationof Cu in the serum and liver and increase of the serum levels of ALT and AST compared with control group. Apparently they sick and did not develop properly. In conclusion, nCu concentration at 2 mg/L may be recommended for the agricultural, feed and medicine formulations to meet biological safety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

1. FGF1 and FGF10, two paracrine members of the fibroblast growth factor (FGF) gene family, play critical roles in the development, structural and metabolic remodelling of adipose tissue. 2. The objective of this study was to investigate the expression profiles of FGF1 and FGF10 genes in breast muscle and thigh muscle in 5 developmental stages (1, 81, 119, 154 and 210 d old) in Tibetan chickens. The possible relationships between expression of these genes and intramuscular fat (IMF) content were analysed in Tibetan chickens. 3. Expression profiles showed that FGF1 and FGF10 mRNA were ubiquitously expressed in various tissues of 154-d-old Tibetan chickens. Lung tissue contained the highest amount of FGF1 and FGF10 mRNA while breast muscle and thigh muscle exhibited lower levels of FGF1 and FGF10 mRNA in both males and females compared with other tissues (P < 0.05). Temporal expression of FGF1 and FGF10 in breast and thigh muscle showed similar tendencies in males and females, respectively, with peaks in thigh muscle at 119-d-old and breast muscle in 1-d-old males and females, respectively. 4. Correlation analysis suggested that gender had an influence on the relationships of FGF1 and FGF10 expression with IMF content in thigh muscle. The RNA levels of FGF1 and FGF10 genes in male thigh muscle were positively related to IMF content of Tibetan chickens (P < 0.01), while the correlations were shown to be negative in female thigh muscle (P > 0.05). 5. These results provide a basis for functional elucidation of FGF1 and FGF10 genes on adipocyte development and intramuscular fat deposition, as well as selective breeding and resource exploration of local poultry breeds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The anatomical structure and function of beaks, bills and tongue together with the mechanics of deglutition in birds have contributed to the development of a taste system denuded of macrostructures visible to the human naked eye. Studies in chickens and other birds have revealed that the avian taste system consists of taste buds not clustered in papillae and located mainly (60 %) in the upper palate hidden in the crevasses of the salivary ducts. That explains the long delay in the understanding of the avian taste system. However, recent studies reported 767 taste buds in the oral cavity of the chicken. Chickens appear to have an acute sense of taste allowing for the discrimination of dietary amino acids, fatty acids, sugars, quinine, Ca and salt among others. However, chickens and other birds have small repertoires of bitter taste receptors (T2R) and are missing the T1R2 (related to sweet taste in mammals). Thus, T1R2-independent mechanisms of glucose sensing might be particularly relevant in chickens. The chicken umami receptor (T1R1/T1R3) responds to amino acids such as alanine and serine (known to stimulate the umami receptor in rodents and fish). Recently, the avian nutrient chemosensory system has been found in the gastrointestinal tract and hypothalamus related to the enteroendocrine system which mediates the gut–brain dialogue relevant to the control of feed intake. Overall, the understanding of the avian taste system provides novel and robust tools to improve avian nutrition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • Escherichia coli was isolated from birds with clinical signs of cellulitis from 13 broiler flocks with unusual high condemnation rates due to cellulitis during a period of approximately one year • One dominating PFGE type (A) was found to cause cellulitis on all 13 flocks (67% of all isolates) • The clone belonged to ST117, which is well described as a pathogen in poultry • Whole genome sequencing of eight E. coli isolates confirmed the close genetic relationship between isolates from the outbreaks and showed the presence of genes predicted to encode for the autotransporter proteins aatA , pic and upaG , reported to be of importance for adhesion of E. coli to eukaryotic cells. Abstract The aim of the study was to investigate cellulitis caused by Escherichia coli which has been responsible for economic and welfare problems in Danish broiler production between 2014 and 2016. The study included 13 flocks with unusually high condemnation rates due to cellulitis during a period of approximately one year. From six flocks, 126 condemned carcasses were collected at a Danish slaughterhouse. Further 272 broilers dead on their own were collected on nine broiler farms from flocks with increased mortality and cellulitis (2 farms included both birds from the rearing period and broilers subsequently condemned). All broilers were subjected to post mortem investigation including bacteriology and 247 E. coli isolates were obtained in pure culture from typical lesions of cellulitis. Two-hundred-thirty six E. coli isolates were investigated by pulsed field gel electrophoresis for clonality and 21 selected strains representing major clones were subsequently multi locus sequence typed allowing comparison to sequence types (ST) in the databases. One dominating PFGE type (A) was found to cause cellulitis on all 13 flocks (67% of all isolates). The clone belonged to ST117, which is well described as a pathogen in poultry, and was the primary agent responsible for cellulitis. Whole genome sequencing of eight E. coli isolates confirmed the close genetic relationship between isolates from the outbreaks and showed the presence of genes predicted to encode for the autotransporter proteins aatA , pic and upaG , reported to be of importance for adhesion of E. coli to eukaryotic cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To investigate the effects of dietary supplementation of star anise oil (SAO) on performance and antioxidant status of laying hens, a total of 864 Hy-Line brown laying hens at 26 wk of age were randomly allocated to 4 treatments with 6 replicates of 36 birds. Dietary treatments were non-star anise oil supplementation and supplemented with SAO at the level of 200, 400, and 600 mg/kg diet. The birds were fed the diets for 56 d. Average egg weight, average daily feed intake (ADFI), egg mass, laying rate, and feed conversion of each replicate were measured. Blood and liver samples from 12 birds were obtained, 72 eggs were picked out, per treatment at day 28 and day 56 of the experiment, and eggs stored for 56 d, to determine antioxidant status in serum, liver, and yolk. All laying hens had similar average egg weight, egg mass, laying rate, and feed conversion in day 29 to day 56 or the entire period of the experiment but significant difference on ADFI in day 1 to day 56. However, increasing diet concentration of SAO tended to improve (P < 0.10) egg mass, average egg weight, and ADFI in day 1 to day 28. Supplementation of SAO linearly increased (P < 0.05) activities of total superoxide dismutase (T-SOD) (day 28 and day 56) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX) (day 56) in serum, GSH-PX (day 28 and day 56) in liver and total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) (day 56) in serum and liver, but linearly reduced (P < 0.05) concentrations of malondialdehyde (MDA) (day 28 and day 56) in liver. Supplementation of SAO linearly increased (P < 0.05) T-SOD activity at day 14 and day 28, reduced (P < 0.05) MDA concentration at day 42 and day 56 of the experiment in yolk. Increasing content of SAO linearly (P < 0.05) increased T-SOD activity in yolk of eggs stored at day 0, 14, 28, 42, and 56, decreased MDA content of eggs stored at day 42 and 56, whether laying hens fed diets for 28 or 56 d. Dietary supplementation of SAO enhanced laying performance and overall antioxidant status of laying hens in a dose-dependent manner. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study evaluated the impacts of Bacillus subtilis (BAS) inclusion in broiler diets with standard nutrient content or nutrient deficiency (ND) on growth performance (GP) and nutrient digestibility. The 42 d experiment consisted of 6 experimental diets, a diet with standard nutrient content, and 2 diets with different levels of energy and protein deficiency, without or with BAS. At the end of experiment, apparent ileal digestibility coefficients (AIDC) of starch, crude protein (CP), and gross energy (GE) were determined. Furthermore, impacts of BAS supplementation in standard diets on gut histomorphology, bacterial metabolic activity, and composition were evaluated. Performance and AIDC data were subjected to ANOVA using GLM procedure with a 3 (nutrient levels) × 2 (BAS presence/absences) factorial arrangement of treatments. Gut histomorphology and microbiology data, obtained from broilers fed standard diets without (S) and with BAS (SB), were assessed by an independent Student's t -test. The ND in diets was effective enough to cause nutritional stress and negatively affect performance. Inclusion of BAS in both types of diet improved GP, which was due to the fact that adding BAS in these diets led to improvements in AIDC of CP, starch, and GE (P ≤ 0.05). Comparing only 2 experimental groups, S and SB, revealed no impact on bacterial composition and metabolism in the ileum and cecum, except a reduction in ileal lactobacilli number for SB group. Adding BAS to standard diet reduced crypt depth (CD) and increased villus length to CD ratio in the duodenum, whereas it had no impact on other histomorphological variables in the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum. In conclusion, supplementation of broiler diets with probiotic BAS can positively affect growth performance and nutrient digestibility and this positive impact might even be more pronounced in nutrient-deficient diets. However, the extent of the alleviating ability of BAS in nutrient-deficient diets as well as the biological mechanisms for such a phenomenon needs to be studied further. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bioactive substances may constitute an alternative to antibiotics. Probiotics are mixtures of microorganisms that enhance the effectiveness and yield of nutrient absorption by competing for the substrate against pathogens that may cause intestinal infections. Prebiotics are organic substances which include complex carbohydrates and have an influence on the growth and activity of desirable intestinal microflora. Synbiotics are a combination of both of them. The aim of this study was to analyze the impact of synbiotics added to commercial feed on Pectoralis major muscle microstructure in broiler chickens. Research material consisted of 240 one-day-old Ross 308 female chicks. Birds were divided into 2 groups, 12 broilers each (replicated 10 times). The control group (C) was fed a commercial diet, and the SYN group was fed the same diet with added synbiotic: 0.8% of prebiotic RFO (raffinose family oligosaccharides) extracted from lupin seeds and 1% of probiotic Lavipan®. Birds were slaughtered at day 42. Immediately after slaughter, samples of the Pectoralis major muscle for histological analysis were taken and frozen in liquid nitrogen. The staining procedures performed were: hematoxylin and eosin staining to evaluate fibre diameter and histopathological changes, oil red staining to determine intramuscular fat content, NADH-TR (tetrazolium reductase) activity to distinguish muscle fibre types and alkaline phosphatase reaction for counting the number of capillaries. The tendency to reduced muscle fibre diameter in chickens supplemented with synbiotics indicates an increase in muscle fibre density, which gives meat a more delicate structure. When assessing the occurrence of histopathological changes, significantly more fibre splitting was observed in the control group. Moreover, the positive effect of feed supplementation with synbiotics on muscle microvascularization could have an important practical meaning, because low physical activity of chickens during rearing may lead to ischemic muscles, increased changes in the structure of muscle fibres, and reduction of meat quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Objective] This trial was to investigate the effect of dietary Picria felterrae Lour extracts on serum biochemical indexes and immune function of Guangxi Partridge chickens. [Method] Totally 500 individuals of 1-day-old Guangxi Partridge chickens were randomly divided into five groups, five replicates each group and 20 chicks each replicate. Groups A, B and C were treatment groups supplemented with 0.70%, 0.35% and0.175% P. felterrae extracts in the basal diet, respectively; group D was a medical control group supplemented with 0.01% colistin sulfate premix in the basal diet; and group E was a control group with basal diet. Serum samples were collected from 10 chickens in each group at 21, 35 and 49 days of age, to analyze the biochemical and immune indexes. [Result] It had no significant impact on serum TP and GLU contents of chickens by adding different levels of P. felterrae extracts in the basal diet(P >0.05). However, at 21 and 35 days of age, the TBILI content of chickens in groups A, B and C were extremely lower or significantly lower than that in group E( P<0.01; P<0.05). At 35 days of age, the serum AKP activities in groups A, B and C were extremely higher than that in group E(P<0.01), and the serum GOT activities at 21 and 35 days of age in group C were significantly higher than that in group E(P<0.05). At 49 days of age, the serum Ig G content in groups A, B and C and the IL-2 content in group B and group C were significantly lower or extremely lower than that in group E( P<0.05; P<0.01); the T-AOC content in group B was significantly higher than that in group E(P<0.05); the GSH content in groups A, B and C were significantly higher than that in group E( P<0.05). Adding different levels of P. felterrae extracts in the diet significantly decreased the TBILI content, reduced the Ig G, IL-2 and IL-6 contents, and improved the AKP and GOT activities and the T-AOC and GSH contents of Guangxi Partridge chicken. [Conclusion] Adding 0.35% P. felterrae extracts in the basal diet received the best effort. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

1. The growth performance of squabs reared solely by male or female parent pigeons was measured, and the changes of lipid content of crop milk and the expression profiles of genes potentially involved in lipid accumulation by crop tissues of parent pigeons were evaluated during incubation and chick rearing. 2. Squabs increased in body weight during 25 d of rearing, whereas both male and female pigeons lost weight after finishing rearing chicks, and the weight loss of male pigeons was significantly greater than that of female parent pigeons. Lipid content of crop milk from both parent pigeons gradually decreased to the crude fat level in the formulated diet after 10 d (R10) of chick rearing. 3. The gene expression of fatty acid translocase (FAT/CD36), fatty acid-binding protein 5 (EFABP) and acyl-CoA-binding protein (ACBP) in male pigeon crop tissue were the greatest at 17 d (I17) of incubation. In female pigeons, FAT/CD36 expression was the highest at I14, and both EFABP and ACBP expression peaked at I14 and R7. The expression of acetyl-CoA carboxylase and fatty acid synthase in male pigeons reached the maximum level at R1, while they peaked at I14 and I17, respectively in female pigeons. The gene expression of peroxisome proliferators-activated receptor-gamma (PPARγ) was the greatest at I17 in the male, while it was at I14 in the female. However, no regular changing pattern was found in PPARα gene expression in male pigeons. 4. These results indicated that male and female pigeons may make different contributions in rearing squabs. The gene expression study suggested that fatty acids used in lipid biosynthesis of crop milk probably originated from both exogenous supply andde novosynthesis. The sex of the parent pigeon affected the lipid content of crop milk and the expression profiles of genes involved in fatty acid transportation and lipogenesis. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The small intestinal mucosa acts to recover nutrients from the lumen while providing a barrier against potential hazards. Its unstirred water layer (USWL) at the lumen interface involves membrane associated mucin linearly protruding from underlying microvilli that entangles secretory mucin released from local goblet cells. Both mucin sources are dominated by repetitive O-glycosylated areas dependant on threonine, serine, glycine, and proline. Secretory mucin differs from membrane attached mucin by further employing multiple cystines that interconnect these areas into a net-like molecular sieve. All of the glycosylated areas have ionizable acidic groups credited with reducing pH from that in the lumen to create a micro environment favoring enzymes finalizing digestion while optimizing nutrient terms for absorption. Erosion of the USWL and/or abuse of the membrane due to lumen threats require continuous repair. The aforementioned amino acids are necessary in substantial amounts while vitamin B6 collaborates with vitamin A as meaningful cofactors for mucin synthesis. Marginal inadequacies of these nutrients during inordinate demand are expected to impair mucin replacement. In turn, marginal increases in feed conversion likely occur while fostering the probability of necrotic enteritis together with gizzard erosions. Abuse of the absorptive membrane is of particular concern from fatty acid hydroperoxides because of their continual presence in feed and inability of the USWL to provide protection. These hydroperoxides threaten membrane integrity by their inclusion in micelles during digestive events with fat thereby permitting transit through the USWL. Once coalesced with membrane phospholipids, structural aberrations are visualized as interfering with nutrient recovery while enabling leakage of cell contents to potentiate wet excreta. Inclusion of dietary vitamin E along with vitamin A into micelles with fatty acid hydroperoxides provides relief by quenching further peroxidation. Assuring cystine, threonine, glycine, and serine that are directly available as such together with vitamins A, E, and B6 represents one approach toward optimizing maintenance of the intestinal mucosa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The heavy demand for cereal grains and legumes by industries, humans and animals has given rise to increase in their prices and consequently in the costs of livestock feeds. There is a need therefore for the exploitation of other alternative noncompetitive feed resources in other to replace cereal grains and legumes in poultry diets. Many tropical plants produce leaves and seeds that are little known in poultry nutrition. The identification, processing and use of such leaves and seeds in poultry diets will go a long way in reducing the dependence on conventional feedstuffs. Neem is a tropical tree plant that yields heavily in fruits/seeds. The leaves and other parts of the plant are used in local medicine, and the leaf and seed have been reported to be moderate in protein, digestible fibre, carbohydrates and ash and could contribute significantly to the needs of poultry. The seed kernel has an amino acid profile similar to soybeans that are commonly used as protein feedstuff in poultry diets. However, neem contains a variety of toxic substances that are harmful to poultry. Efforts have been made to processed neem and remove toxic substances by toasting and autoclaving with great success. Research to date has studied the effects of neem leaf and seed on physiology and organ anatomy of poultry. The use of neem in poultry diets and their effects on blood chemistry and haematology have been reported. This review will cover the nutrient composition of neem leaf and seed meals and their effects on growth, laying performance, organ weight and blood constituents of broilers and laying birds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In China, consumers sometimes get special eggs, which are characterized by the pasty, firm, and elastic texture of yolk from hard-boiled eggs and are usually called "rubber eggs" by Chinese customers. Consumers do not like the texture of rubber eggs and often associate the odd texture of the yolk to food safety risks. The objective of this study was to assess the physical and chemical characteristics of these eggs. A total of 200 46-week-old Hy-Line Brown laying hens were divided into 2 groups and were fed for 2 weeks. One group was fed on a cornsoybean meal based diet (BD) and served as control whereas the second group's diet contained 6% cottonseed meal (CSM), which was in replacement of the SBW. The yolks of hard-cooked eggs of the CSM group had harder and more elastic yolks than those of the control group (P < 0.05). Also, the levels of stearic and myristic acids in the yolk of the CSM group also were increased (P < 0.01), while the myristoleic, pentadecanoic, arachidic, cis-11-eicosenoic and cis-11, 14-eicosadienoic acids and crude protein, fat, phospholipids, chloride, calcium, and iron were decreased (P < 0.05). In conclusion, hens fed a diet that was incorporated with 6% cottonseed meal laid eggs that had unique physical and chemical characteristics and lower nutritional values. These results might help to guide limited incorporation of CSM in laying hen diet, and provide some evidences on the mechanism of the observed physical and chemical changes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tunnel ventilation has been adopted as an effective approach to combatting heat stress in poultry. Setting tunnel air velocity to levels that ensure bird comfort, while optimizing performance is an important goal. In recent years, biotelemetry has provided a way to effectively evaluate the impact of management practices on poultry physiology. In this study, we present an approach for evaluating the effects of heat stress and tunnel ventilation on poultry deep body temperature (DBT) using biotelemetry. Three consecutive experiments were conducted using 6 broilers, each at the ages of 8.6, 9.0, and 9.4 wk. Experiments spanned approximately 12 h each and led to 18 data sets. DBT responses of birds under no ventilation rose by as much as 3°C as a result of step increases in ambient temperature. Birds exposed to tunnel ventilation maintained a lower DBT by as much as 0.9°C. During experiment days, birds exposed to tunnel ventilation consistently gained weight with a percentage weight gain ranging from 1% to 11%. Birds not exposed to tunnel ventilation behaved less consistently with some gaining as much as 14% while others lost as much as 9%. Although further studies are required to derive more comprehensive and more statistically significant results, this study provided preliminary data that is needed to warrant such studies, and a stepping stone for making optimal management and risk assessment decisions that are based on physiological needs of the birds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to increase in awareness of poultry welfare and concomitant legislation, it has become necessary to determine poultry's response to stress, with minimal harm and maximum reliability. Several methods to determine the response to physiological stress were developed throughout the years to identify stressors and to measure stress in poultry. The most commonly used are plasma corticosterone levels and peripheral blood heterophil/lymphocyte ratio (H/L ratio). However, the value of these responses to determine a state of stress has been questioned in several instances, as these parameters are increased during the process of bird handling and blood sampling irrespective of the general state of stress. Due to these limitations, it appears that the classic stress markers might be sub-optimal in evaluating stress in poultry, particularly those encountered in high-stress environments. Thus, there is a continuing need for stress indicators, preferably indicators that are quantitative, highly repeatable, not influenced by handling and sampling, determined in peripheral blood, represent an initial response to the stressor, and do not daily fluctuate. As the immune system has been shown to rapidly respond to stress, we assessed pro-inflammatory gene expression in peripheral blood cells as an indicator for stress. We initially show that while corticosterone plasma levels and the H/L ratio were responsive to handling and blood sampling, pro-inflammatory gene expression (lysozyme, IL-1β, IL-6, and HSP-70) was not. We then determined the expression of the same pro-inflammatory genes during acute stress (transit) in layer pullets (hen and turkey) and during chronic stress (different caging densities of layers utilizing 2, 3, and 4 hens/cage). While gene expression was significantly and highly elevated during transit, the effect of differing caging densities on gene expression was minimal; collectively, this might indicate that expression of pro-inflammatory genes is more responsive to acute stress than to chronic stressors. We propose to use pro-inflammatory gene expression in peripheral blood cells to measure responses to stress in poultry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the study was to estimate an effect of extruded and raw linseed supplementation to feed mixtures on the quality of turkey hen muscles. Phase 1 of the experiment included 480 1-week-old turkey hens divided into four groups of 120 each (6 replications with 20 birds each). In phase 1 of this experiment turkey hens in groups L2, L4 and L6 received the complete mixture with 2%, 4% and 6% linseed, respectively. On the basis of the results obtained in phase 1, we selected the most effective proportion of linseed, which was given to the birds in group L4. Phase 2 was conducted on 360 birds divided into three groups of 120 each (6 replications with 20 birds each). The birds in group L4-E received linseed in the same amount as group L4, but in this variant linseed was extruded. In terms of modification of fatty acids the most beneficial was the 4% raw linseed supplement in the mixtures for turkey hens (ω-3/ω-6 in breast muscle - 5.96; in thigh muscle-1.34). However, the use of this amount of raw linseed slightly increased oxidation processes in the muscles analysed (increased MDA and LOOH). Replacing 4% raw linseed with 4% extruded linseed reduced the intensification of oxidation processes (increase LOOH about 27±2%), but resulted in a decrease in the total quantity of PUFA in the muscles of the turkey hens. In view of the highly beneficial effect of the 4% raw linseed supplement on the proportion of PUFA, as well as the high production cost of extrudate, which reduces meat quality in terms of PUFA, it seems to be advisable to use 4% raw linseed in feed mixtures for turkey hens, regardless of the small degree of oxidation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A macroscopic examination of the huge leg of the Dong Tao breed from North Vietnam was conducted. Bone and muscular tendon morphometric data demonstrated that the Dong Tao breed was equipped with the extraordinarily thick and large tarsometatarsal bone and distal parts of the related tibiotarsus regions. Morphological differences between dorsal and plantar sides were clearly observed. First, on the dorsal side, fleshy bundles were extended effectively using the enlarged dorsal surface of tarsometatarsal bone shown as Musuculus extensor digitorum brevis, M. extensor digiti I brevis and M. adductor digiti IV. The strong and fleshy extensor bellies ofM. tibialis cranialis and M. extensor digitorum longus were enlarged in the crural region, functioning to dorsally pull the heavy tarsometatarsal region through the ankle joint. Second, on the plantar side, the flexor tendon groups around the ankle joint were wider and thicker than those of other ordinary breeds, possibly to stabilize the tarsometatarsal bone and to flex the phalange as observed in M. flexor perforatus digiti II, M. flexor perforans et perforatus digiti II, M. flexor perforatus digiti III, M. flexor perforans et perforatus digiti III, M. flexor perforatus digiti IV, and M. flexor perforans digitorum profundus. The mass of the huge tarsometatarsal region does not contribute to effective locomotion in the Dong Tao fowl in comparison with that associated with normal breeds. However, we suggest that these morphological changes in the musculoskeletal system may functionally compensate for the physical disadvantages of the large weight of the distal part of the hindlimb in the Dong Tao fowl. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dietary lysine content in poultry diets is critical to improve feed utilization efficiency, body protein deposition rate, and carcass traits of growing and finishing poultry. The objective of the current study was to estimate the optimum digestible lysine requirements for maximum growth performance, efficient utilization of nitrogen, and carcass traits of male Korean native ducklings for 3 wk after hatch. A total of 720 one-day-old male Korean native ducklings were used in a completely randomized design having 8 dietary treatments to provide a range of digestible lysine content from 0.44 to 1.07%. Ducklings were randomly allotted to 24 floor pens (6 replicates per treatment and 15 ducklings per pen) and were offered the respective diets on an ad libitum basis for the period of study. Body weight and feed intake were measured weekly to calculate feed conversion ratio. At the termination of the experiment, 2 ducklings per pen were euthanized via cervical dislocation to weigh empty body and drumsticks. The digestible lysine requirement was determined by taking a mean value after fitting the data to both linear-plateau and quadratic-plateau models. Digestible lysine requirements for Korean native ducklings for 3 wk after hatch were estimated to be 0.71, 0.74, 0.65 and 1.01% for maximum body weight, daily gain, and daily feed intake, and for minimum feed conversion ratio, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of provitamin A biofortified maize (PABM) diet inclusion on meat quality in male and female Ovambo chickens at 18 and 21 wk of age was evaluated. A total of 96 13-week-old Ovambo chickens were randomly distributed into 2 treatment groups and fed on white maize (WM) diet, the control, and PABM diet, a high provitamin A carotenoid maize. There was no significant effect of PABM, sex, and age on meat pH, drip loss (%), cooking loss (%) and shear force. The PABM fed chickens had higher redness (a*) and yellowness (b*) and lower lightness (L*) in the meat and skin color. Female birds had higher (P < 0.05) L* values than males on the skin. The a* value of the PABM fed male birds increased with age (P < 0.05). The PABM diet improved the skin and muscle color of the Ovambo chicken. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The impact of mild hot-blade beak trimming on welfare and performance in 2 strains of White Leghorn pullets was examined. During the pullet phase, 960 pullets were designated to one of 4 trimming treatments: control (untrimmed, C), trimmed at a commercial hatchery (T0d), or trimmed on farm at 10 d (T10d) or 35 d (T35d) of age. During the hen phase, 720 of the original 960 hens were housed in conventional cages at 17 wk of age (6 replications per strain x treatment group) and data were analyzed as a 2 x 4 (performance and beak length data), 2 x 2 (behavior data, blocked by observer) factorial arrangement or a Chi-Squared analysis (beak healing). Total hen-day production tended to be lower for C birds, but hen-housed production did not differ. Feed intake was not affected by trimming treatments, but feed efficiency was poorer for C birds. Treatment did not statistically affect mortality. Cannibalism, although not significantly different among treatments, occurred in C birds only. The C pullets displayed more head/vent pecking, but no differences were noted in adult birds. There was no behavioral or histological evidence of chronic pain or neuroma formation, and healing occurred quicker when trimming occurred at zero or 10 d of age. To conclude, trimming mildly at zero, 10, or 35 d of age caused no long-term effect on welfare or performance, but trimming at younger ages resulted in faster healing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study was to examine the effects of enzymatic treatment and shell content of palm kernel expeller meal (PKE) on the performance, nutrient digestibility, and ileal bacteria population in broiler chickens. Part of the PKE sample was sieved (3 mm) to remove the shell (lower shell PKE) and part was used as is. The primary mannan-oligosaccharides in the experimental diets were determined using HPLC analysis. During the finisher phase, one hundred male broiler chickens (Cobb-500) were fed a control diet or the diets containing 200 g/kg of normal PKE (70 g/kg shell), low shell PKE (30 g/kg shell), enzymatically (cellulase and mannanase) treated PKE, or low shell, enzymatically treated PKE. The DM, CP, and ether extract digestibility coefficients were measured using acid insoluble ash as an insoluble marker. The quantitative rea-time PCR was used to determine the ileal bacteria populations. The enzymatic treatment significantly increased the mannose and also mannan-oligosaccharides content of PKE. Feed intake was not affected by dietary inclusion of PKE. In the birds fed the low shell PKE diet the average daily weight gain was lower and the feed conversion ratio was higher than those in the control and other PKE fed groups. The digestibility coefficients of dry matter and ash were lower in PKE containing diets than the control diet. However, there were no differences in the crude protein and ether extracts digestibility coefficients between the diets containing the enzymatic treated PKE (normal or low shell) and the control diet. The lowest ileal Lactobacilli population was found in the chickens fed the low shell PKE diet. Dietary normal PKE or low shell-enzymatic treated PKE decreased the Escherichia coli population compared to the control diet. The results suggested that PKE could be included up to 200 g/kg in the finisher diet without any apparent adverse effect on performance in broilers; however, any screening practice to reduce the shell content of PKE without enzymatic degradation of β-mannan, decreased its nutritive value. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Currently ground limestone and oyster shell are the common sources of calcium for laying hens. Processed whelk (Buccinum undatum) shell contains approximately 34.8% calcium, very similar to the 38% value for commercial oyster shell and ground limestone. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of feeding whelk shells to laying hens on performance, egg and bone quality, and calcium balance. White Leghorn hens were fed a basal diet and either one-third large particle oyster shell (>1.4-4 mm) + two-thirds ground limestone (OS/GL), one-third large particle whelk shells (>1.4-4 mm) + two-thirds ground whelk (W/GW), 100% ground limestone (GL), or 100% ground whelk shells (GW) starting at 20 wk of age for 14 28 d periods. Production data were comparable among calcium sources for the first 8 periods of production. During periods 9 to 14, feed consumption for hens fed GW was lower (P < 0.05) than for hens fed OS/GL. For periods 12 to 14, hens fed W/GW consumed less feed (P < 0.05) than those fed OS/GL and GL. Body weights were less (P < 0.05) for hens fed both forms of whelks at the end of periods 12 to 14. Egg production was not affected (P < 0.05) by treatment up to period 10. During period 11, egg production was lower (P < 0.05) for the hens fed GW compared to OS/GL and GL. For periods 12 to 14, hens fed both forms of whelks produced lower (P < 0.05) numbers of eggs than those fed OS/GL and GL. Hens fed GW produced fewer (P < 0.05) eggs than those fed W/GW. Feed conversions for hens fed W/GW and GW were less efficient (P < 0.05) during periods 12 to 14. Higher environmental temperatures occurred during periods 12 to 13, which may have negatively affected the performance of hens fed whelks. However, there were no differences (P < 0.05) among treatment means for egg weight, egg specific gravity, and shell breaking strength. GW resulted in a lower (P < 0.05) calcium balance than the other treatments for period 14. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A study was conducted to determine the effects of feeding dried broccoli floret residues on growth performance, apparent ileal digestibility (AID) and apparent total tract nutrient digestibility (ATTD) coefficients, and intestinal microbial populations in broiler chickens. One thousand two hundred day-old male Ross 508 broilers were randomly allotted to 4 dietary treatments and were grown over a 35-d experimental period. Dietary treatments included 4 levels of dried broccoli floret residues: 0, 3, 6, and 9%. Results showed that inclusion of dried broccoli floret residues increased body weight gain (quadratic effect, P = 0.004) and feed conversion ratio (quadratic effect, P = 0.002) with no effect on feed intake. Apparent ileal crude protein (CP, quadratic effect, P = 0.003) and dry matter (DM, quadratic effect, P = 0.002) digestibility for younger birds (25 d of age) increased as the level of dried broccoli floret residues in the diet increased. However, apparent ileal CP (linear effect, P = 0.022), DM (linear effect, P = <0.001) and gross energy (linear effect, P = 0.001) digestibility for older birds (35 d of age) decreased as a result of dried broccoli residue inclusion. Nitrogen (N) corrected apparent metabolizable energy decreased (linear effect, P < 0.001) as the level of dried broccoli floret residues in the diet increased. However, N retention was not influenced by dried broccoli floret residue inclusion. It was concluded that incorporation of dried broccoli floret residues in broiler diet at moderate levels (i.e., 3 to 6%) may improve the growth of broiler chickens with no detrimental effects on nutrient digestibility and retention. However, at high levels (i.e., 9%), dietary dried broccoli floret residues may compromise ileal and total tract nutrient digestibility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective of the work was to develop a three-way cross for egg-type backyard chicken using male and female lines developed from exotic chickens. To improve the egg production further and to get colour plumage pattern, the two-way cross PD1 X IWI males were crossed with PD3 females to produce three-way cross (PD1 X IWI X PD3). The crossbred was evaluated for different traits upto 72 weeks of age. Sexual dimorphisms were evident from two weeks onwards for body weights and shank length differ significantly (P < .05) between male and female at 8, 12 and 16 weeks of age. Male were reared upto 16 weeks of age, and at 16 weeks, body weight of male and female were 1670 and 1096 g, respectively. Carcass quality measured at 16 week of age recorded 66.12% eviscerated carcass yield, 4.84% giblet and 0.30% abdominal fat. Egg production performance recorded from 17 to 72 weeks of age at 4 weeks interval showed significant (P < .05) difference between different periods, and peak egg production was recorded during 29–32 weeks. At 69–72 weeks period, the egg production per bird was 14.78 eggs. Egg production upto 40, 52, 64 and 72 weeks of age were 91.71, 105.84, 204.88 and 233.28 eggs, respectively. Age and weight at sexual maturity were 163.14 days and 1702 g, respectively. Egg weight recorded at 4 weeks interval starting from 20 weeks of age showed linear increase upto 56 weeks of age with significant differences at different ages. The results indicate that the cross may be of use for egg-type poultry in the backyard. However, before large-scale propagation, the cross has to be evaluated in the field. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

This study aimed to estimate the essential amino acid profile and the ideal ratio for the maintenance of poultry by deletion method. A nitrogen balance (NB) trial was conducted using 198 adult roosters, housed individually in metabolic cages. The treatments were 33 purified diets being 11 diets with an amino acid mixture providing high protein intake of 500 mg N/BWkg0.75 per day, 11 diets providing medium protein intake of 250 mg N/BWkg0.75 per day (in each diet, one amino acid tested was diluted 50%) and 11 diets providing low protein intake of 125 mg N/BWkg0.75 per day (made by omitting the amino acid tested). Each treatment had six replicates. After 48 h of fasting receiving water plus sucrose, the roosters were fed 40 g of the diets by tube once a day for 3 days. The excreta were collected within 72 h after the first feeding. The diets and excreta were analysed for nitrogen content. For each amino acid studied, a linear regression was fitted by NB and amino acid intake (AAI). The maintenance requirements were estimated as the AAI to maintain the NB equal to zero. The daily amino acid requirements for maintenance were estimated to be Lys 11, Met 29, Thr 23, Trp 5, Arg 50, Val 29, His 6, Gly 54, Phe 49, Leu 78 and Ile 21 mg/BWkg0.75 per day. Therefore, the amino acid ratio for maintenance was concluded to be Lys 100, Met 276, Thr 220, Trp 48, Arg 467, Val 275, His 60, Gly 511, Phe 467, Leu 735 and Ile 198% independent of the scale. The essential amino acid profile and the ideal ratio for the maintenance of poultry estimated in this study contributed to improve the factorial model for estimating essential amino acid requirements for poultry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Influenza A subtype H9N2 is widespread and prevalent in poultry. It has repeatedly transmitted zoonotically to cause mild influenza-like illness in humans and is regarded as a potential pandemic candidate. In additon, the six internal genes of H7N9 and H10N8 viruses which caused infection in human in China as well as some of the highly pathogenic H5N1 strains are origined from H9N2. Previous studies have shown that the mammalian adaptation PB2-Q591K contributes to the pathogenicity of H5N1 and H7N9 viruses. However, the role of the PB2-Q591K mutation in H9N2 subtype is still not well understood. Methods: To define and compare the individual role of PB2-Q591K substitution in the PB2 gene segment of H9N2 in relation to polymerase activity, replication competence and the pathogenicity using in vitro and in vivo models. Results: The PB2-Q591K mutation in H9N2 virus enhanced the polymerase activity and virus replication in human NHBE cells when compared to the wild type strain. Mice infected with the PB2 mutant showed significant weight loss, higher virus replication and immune responses in the lungs. Conclusions: Our evidences suggest that the PB2-Q591K, in addition to the -E627K mutation in H9N2 enhanced the pathogenicity in mammalian host. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The impact of graded levels of day length on turkey health and behavior was determined in hens and toms raised to 18 wk of age. Birds were allocated to one of 4 lighting treatments (trt) providing 14 (14L), 17 (17L), 20 (20L), and 23 (23L) h of day length. Two time-replicated trials were completed with each, providing 2 rooms per lighting trt and each room having 3 hen (n = 720) and 3 tom (n = 480) pens. Data collection included gait score (GS), the incidence of footpad dermatitis (FPD), breast buttons and blisters, ocular size and pressure (males only), and behavioral observations (males only). Data were analyzed using SAS 9.3 based on a completely randomized design nested within 4 lighting trt. Regression analysis established relationships between response criteria and day length. Differences were considered significant at P ≤ 0.05 and trends noted at P ≤ 0.10. Gait score, FPD, and the incidence of breast buttons and blisters were assessed on 5 birds per pen at 11 and 17 wk of age. Average GS increased linearly with day length at 11 and 17 wk for both hens and toms, but the effect was larger in toms. Day length did not affect FPD, but more lesions and severe scores were found for hens than toms. The presence of breast buttons and blisters increased linearly with day length (11 wk) with the effect on blisters predominately seen in toms. Eye weight and size increased with increasing day length at 12 and 18 wk. Ocular pressure was not affected by day length. Infrared cameras recorded tom behavior over a 24 h period, and behaviors were classified over 10-min intervals using a scan sampling technique at 11 and 17 wk. Alterations in behavioral repertoire were observed with a linear increase in inactive resting and a linear decrease in standing, walking, preening, and environmental and feather pecking behaviors with increased day length. To conclude, day length affected bird mobility and incidence of breast blisters in an age- and gender-specific manner, and time spent inactive increased with longer day length. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An experiment was conducted to investigate the comparative efficacy of two probiotics of different origins (yeast and bacterial based) on the growth performance, immune response, carcass characteristics and nutrient digestibility of broilers. One hundred and twenty day old chicks were purchased from local hatchery and were randomly divided into 4 groups and each group had 3 replicates of 10 chicks. Four (A, B, C and D) iso-caloric and iso-nitrogenous (ME 2850 kcal/ kg and CP 20%) broiler starter and finisher (ME 2880 kcal/ kg and CP 18%) diets were formulated containing yeast (Saccharomyces Cerevisiae), toyocerine (Bacillus cereus toyoi) and mixture of both @ 0.2 % except group A which was control. Birds were raised for first week on commercial diet. Broiler starter and finisher diets were fed from 8-28 and 2942 days, respectively. A significant (P<0.05) effect was observed on overall performance of the birds fed diet containing probiotics (yeast and bacteria). Growth performance, immune response, carcass characteristics and nutrient digestibility were significantly (P<0.05) higher in birds fed diet (B) containing yeast (followed by those fed diet (C) containing toyocerine and those fed diet (D) containing both yeast and toyocerine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Partial ablation of the uropygial gland is being used in the poultry industry as a new way to enhance body performance of chickens. However, limited data are available estimating the efficacy of partial uropygialectomy (PU) to improve body organ activity. The present study evaluated the effect of partial ablation of the uropygial gland on the serum growth hormone concentration level and digestive system histology of 120 Akar Putra chickens in 5 trials with 3 replicates per trial. The experimental treatments consisted of a control treatment T1; partial ablation of the uropygial gland was applied in the T2, T3, T4, and T5 treatments at 3, 4, 5, and 6 wk of age, respectively. Feed and water were provided ad libitum. All treatment groups were provided the same diet. Venous blood samples were collected on wk 7, 10, and 12 to assay the levels of growth hormone concentration. On the last d of the experiment, 4 birds per replicate were randomly isolated and euthanized to perform the necropsy. Digestive system organs' cross sections were measured by a computerized image analyzer after being stained with haematoxylin and eosin. In comparison with the control group, surgical removal of the uropygial gland, especially at wk 3, had a greater (P < 0.01) effect on the total duodenum, jejunum, and ilium wall thickness. In addition, effects (P < 0.05) were observed on the wall thickness of males' cecum and colon. Moreover, the wall layers of the esophagus, proventriculus, gizzard, and rectum were not affected by the treatment. However, removing the uropygial gland showed significant impact (P < 0.05) in males' growth hormone concentration level at wk 7 and (P < 0.01) effects at wk 12 in both sexes. This study provides a novel and economic alternative to enhance the body performance of poultry in general and Akar Putra chickens particularly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of two incubation temperature profiles (TEM) and two trace mineral (TM) sources with their inclusion levels on performance and footpad skin development of Ross 708 chickens. A total of 1,000 eggs from 29-wk-old breeders were incubated following two TEM profiles: a standard (S) eggshell temperature (37.8 ± 0.2°C) for 21 d of incubation and an early-low late-high (LH) TEM. The second profile had low (37.2 ± 0.2°C) temperature for the first 3 d, and S until the last 3 d when eggshell temperature was 39.2 ± 0.2°C. At hatch, 15 male and 15 female chicks from each TEM were selected, and footpads sampled. Additionally, 168 males per TEM were placed in 24 battery cages with 7 chickens each. The 48 cages were assigned to two TM dietary treatments: one with inorganic (ITM) sources of Zn (120 ppm), Cu (10 ppm), and Mn (120 ppm) and the other with chelated (CTM) mineral sources using lower inclusion levels of Zn (32 ppm), Cu (8 ppm), and Mn (32 ppm). At 7 and 21 d, BW gain and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were obtained and chicks sampled for footpads. Histological analysis assessed thickness and area of stratus corneum (SC), epidermis, and dermis. Data were analyzed as a completely randomized block design in a 2 x 2 factorial arrangement of treatments with TEM and sex as main factors for hatch data and TEM and TM diets for 7 and 21 d data. The LH chicks were heavier than S chicks at hatch, but had more residual yolk. However, S TEM male chickens were heavier at 7 and 21 d. The S TEM had better FCR than LH TEM. Papillae dermis parameters at hatch were higher in the S TEM. At 7 d, SC height and area were increased by the S TEM. At 21 d CTM increased dermis height and area. In conclusion, TEM affected footpad skin development and broiler performance. Replacing ITM with reduced levels of CTM increased dermis development without affecting live performance or other skin layers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fats and oils possess the highest caloric density of all known nutrients. In recent years, because of the ever-increasing energy costs, there is greater interest in maximising the use supplemental fats as nutritionists strive to increase the dietary energy density to meet the requirements of high-performing contemporary birds. To maximise their energy yielding potential, there is a need to better understand the physiological basis and factors affecting fat digestion. Compared to other macronutrients, the digestion and absorption of fats is a complex process and involve sequence of physicochemical events requiring breakdown to fat droplets, emulsification, lipolysis and micelle formation. Current knowledge of the principles of fat digestion and absorption in poultry is reviewed, along with factors influencing available energy content of supplemental fats. The supplemental fats are one of the most difficult ingredients to evaluate in terms of available energy. Important variables influencing the energy content of fats include age of the birds, degree of fat saturation, chain length, free fatty acids and fat inclusion level. Potential strategies to improve fat utilisation in poultry diets are also examined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Only a few years ago, the poultry industry began to face a recent abnormality in breast meat, known as wooden breast, which frequently overlaps with white striping. This study aimed to assess the impact of wooden breast abnormality on quality traits of meat. For this purpose, 32 normal (NRM), 32 wooden (WB), and 32 wooden and white-striped (WB/WS) Pectoralis major muscles were selected from the same flock of heavy broilers (males, Ross 708, weighing around 3.7 kg) in the deboning area of a commercial processing plant at 3 h postmortem and used to assess histology, proximate (moisture, protein, fat, ash, and collagen) and mineral composition (Mg, K, P, Na and Ca), sarcoplasmic and myofibrillar protein patterns, and technological traits of breast meat. Compared to the normal group, WB/WS fillets showed more severe histological lesions characterized by fiber degeneration, fibrosis, and lipidosis, coupled with a significantly harder texture. With regard to proximate and mineral composition, abnormal samples exhibited significantly (P < 0.001) higher moisture, fat, and collagen contents coupled with lower (P < 0.001) amounts of protein and ash. Furthermore, increased calcium (131 vs. 84 mg kg-1; ; P < 0.05) and sodium (741 vs. 393 mg kg-1; ; P < 0.001) levels were found in WB/WS meat samples. The SDS-PAGE analysis revealed a significantly lower amount of calcium-ATPase (SERCA, 114 kDa), responsible for the translocation of Ca ions across the membrane, in normal breasts compared to abnormal ones. As for meat quality traits, fillets affected by wooden abnormality exhibited significantly (P < 0.001) higher ultimate pH and lower water-holding/ water-binding capacity. In particular, compared to normal, abnormal samples showed reduced marinade uptake coupled with increased drip loss and cooking losses as well. In conclusion, this study revealed that meat affected by wooden breast or both wooden breast and white striping abnormalities exhibit poorer nutritional value, harder texture, and impaired water-holding capacity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study was conducted on blood cells of thirty healthy domestic fowl, duck and quail, ten birds of each group. Small lymphocytes were almost round in all the three species. Their size was 6.12 ±0.09 µm in fowl, 7.18 ± 0.09 µm in duck and 8.13 ± 0.08 µm in quail. Medium sized lymphocytes were almost round in all the three species. Their size was 7.65 ± 0.13 µm in fowl, 8.55 ± 0.14 µm in duck and 9.35 ±0.13 µm in quail. Large lymphocytes were almost round in all the three species. Their size was 8.95 ± 0.14 µm in fowl, 9.79 ± 0.10 µm in duck and 10.12 ± 0.05 µm in quail. Small and Medium lymphocytes had almost rounded nuclei surrounded by a thin zone of peripheral cytoplasm in all three species. The nucloi of large size lymphocytes were almost irregular shaped in fowl and Duck while it was almost round shaped in quail. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Objective] The paper was to study the effects of lentinan on production performance and some immune indexes of broilers. [Method]Totally 200 1-day-old AA+ broilers were randomly divided into four groups, five repeats each group and 10 broilers each repeat. The broilers in control group, low dose group, middle dose group and high dose group were supplemented with the diet containing 0, 200, 350 and 500 mg/kg lentinan, respectively. The trial lasted 35 d. [Result] The average daily gains of broilers in low dose group, middle dose group and high dose group were significantly higher than that in control group at 14-21 days of age, 21-28 days of age and 28-35 days of age( P<0.05); the feed/gain ratios of broilers in low dose group, middle dose group and high dose group were significantly lower than that in control group at 21-28 days of age and 28-35 days of age(P<0.05); the immune organ indexes of broilers in low dose group, middle dose group and high dose group were significantly higher than that in control group at 35 days of age(P<0.05). [Conclusion] Adding lentinan in the diet could promote the production performance and immune organ index of broiler, and the addition amount of 350 mg/kg received the best effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Objective] The paper was to isolate and identify probiotics in the intestine of laying hens. [Method] The intestinal probiotics in laying hens at peak period were isolated using conventional separation methods; the physical and chemical properties of target strains and in vitro antibacterial effects were measured. Moreover, the safety test of chicks was conducted. [Result] Four strains of lactobacillus were isolated from the jejunum of laying hens, including Lactobacillus plantarum, Bacillus acidophilus, L. delbrueckii subsp. Delbrueckii and L. delbrueckii subsp. Lactis, and their inhibition zone diameters were 18.30, 16.07, 11.45, 17.26 mm, respectively. One strain of Lactobacillus, L. brevis, was isolated from the cecum, with the inhibition zone diameter of 10.26 mm. Three strains of bacillus were isolated from the cecum, including Bacillus subtilis, B. cereus and B. licheniformis, and their inhibition zone diameters were 9.25, 8.46 and 8.37 mm, respectively. Daily drinking 2 billion units of viable bacteria was the safe dosage for chicks. [Conclusion] Eight strains of probiotics had certain inhibitory effect on Escherichia coli O2, and had no toxic side effects to chicks. Lactobacillus had strong antibacterial effect on E. coli O2, while the antibacterial effect of bacillus was relatively weak. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although Campylobacter is the leading cause of bacterial foodborne gastroenteritis in the world and the importance of poultry as a source of infection is well understood we know relatively little about its infection biology in the broiler chicken. Much of what we know about the biology of Campylobacter jejuni is based on infection of inbred or SPF laboratory lines of chickens with a small number of isolates used in most laboratory studies. Recently we have shown that both the host response and microbial ecology of C. jejuni in the broiler chicken varies with both the host-type and significantly between C. jejuni isolates. Here we describe heterogeneity in infection within a panel of C. jejuni isolates in two broiler chicken breeds, human intestinal epithelial cells and the Galleria insect model of virulence. All C. jejuni isolates colonised the chicken caeca, though colonisation of other parts of the gastrointestinal tract varied between isolates. Extra-intestinal spread to the liver varied between isolates and bird breed but a poultry isolate 13126 (sequence type 21) showed the greatest levels of extra-intestinal spread to the liver in both broiler breeds with over 70% of birds of the fast growing breed and 50% of the slower growing breed having C. jejuni in their livers. Crucially 13126 is significantly more invasive than other isolates in human intestinal epithelial cells and gave the highest mortality in the Galleria infection model. Taken together our findings suggest that not only is there considerable heterogeneity in the infection biology of C. jejuni in avian, mammalian and alternative models, but that some isolates have an invasive and virulent phenotype. Isolates with an invasive phenotype would pose a significant risk and increased difficulty in control in chicken production and coupled with the virulent phenotype seen in 13126 could be an increased risk to public health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While there are many accepted "facts" within the field of poultry science that are in truth still open for discussion, there is little debate with respect to the tremendous genetic progress that has been made with commercial broilers and turkeys (Havenstein et al., 2003, 2007). When one considers the changes in carcass development in poultry meat strains, these genetic "improvements" have not always been accompanied by correlated changes in other physiological systems and this can predispose some birds to developmental anomalies (i.e. ascites; Pavlidis et al., 2007; Wideman et al., 2013). Over the last decade, there has been increased interest in intestinal growth/health as poultry nutritionists have attempted to adopt new approaches to deal with the broader changes in the overall nutrition landscape. This landscape includes not only the aforementioned genetic changes but also a raft of governmental policies that have focused attention on the environment (phosphorus and nitrogen excretion), consumer pressure on the use of antibiotics, and renewable biofuels with its consequent effects on ingredient costs. Intestinal morphology has become a common research tool for assessing nutritional effects on the intestine but it is only one metric among many that can be used and histological results can often be interpreted in a variety of ways. This study will address the broader body of research on intestinal growth and development in commercial poultry and will attempt to integrate the topics of the intestinal: microbial interface and the role of the intestine as an immune tissue under the broad umbrella of intestinal physiology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Responses to the parenteral administration of a live aroA deletion Salmonella serovar Typhimurium vaccine given to three brown egg layer strains and two broiler strains were studied. Twentyfive birds of each strain were reared together in floor pens to 6 weeks of age and then moved as individual strains to new floor pens and injected with 108 colony forming units (CFU) per bird of the vaccine bacteria intramuscularly or subcutaneously, 106 CFU per bird subcutaneously, or phosphate buffered saline (PBS) subcutaneously as a vaccination control. Three birds of one layer strain were injected intramuscularly with 0.5mg/ bird S. Typhimurium lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to evaluate whether response was similar for vaccine and endotoxin. Birds were weighed, and rectal temperatures recorded at the time of injection, then observed over 24 hours. Rectal temperatures were measured and blood samples collected for serum IL-6 assay at 3 hours post injection (PI). At 12 hours PI blood samples were drawn for analyses for plasma phosphorus (P), glucose (Glu), cholesterol (Cho), aspartate transaminase (AST), total protein (Ptn) and creatinine kinase (CK). Blood was sampled 14 days PI and tested for serum antibody to S. Typhimurium. Vaccination resulted in significant seroconversion by 14 days PI in all strains compared to the controls. The three layer strains exhibited a clinical malaise, evident within 90 minutes of injection, lasting for 12 hours, with complete recovery by 24 hours PI. Only the 108 CFU dose given subcutaneously produced an increase in rectal temperature 3 hours PI. Vaccination had no effect on IL-6 or Ptn. All vaccine doses increased P and the higher dose by either route decreased Cho in all bird strains. The 108 vaccine dose increased Glu and intramuscular injection markedly elevated CK only in the layer strains. The response was not completely congruous with that to LPS alone. The results highlight the need for consideration of differences in response of bird strain when consideration is given to the parenteral administration of live Salmonella vaccines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Atypical plasmacytes having distinctive cytoplasmic vacuoles (Mott cells) were detected in 77/1,000 (7.7%) of commercial hens housed conventionally, in aviaries, or in enriched environments. The earliest Mott positive peripheral blood samples were at placement (18 wk) from 2 consecutive commercial flocks. Additional samples obtained at 32, 48, 56, and 77 wk were positive. Most Mott cells came from hens with high total white blood cell counts as a component of leukocytosis. However, Mott cells were found in hens with low total white blood cell counts, and low heterophil/ lymphocyte ratios. Phagocytosis of bacteria by some Mott cells was a remarkable feature. Many of the Mott positive hens had polymicrobial bacteremia and a few had fungemia likely accounting for the leukocytosis. In other cases, free-swimming bacteria were located near to a Mott cell. These atypical cells were in the peripheral blood samples from other poultry; a tom at slaughter (17 wk), experimental toms (10 wk), and experimental ducklings. Examples are included. As descriptions of avian Mott cells are few, the purpose of describing these cells is their contribution to hematology, immunology, and cytology. Mott cells like other atypia are sentinels, frank cytological indicators of an unusual hemogram, and consequently infer stress. Therefore, they bear directly on welfare issues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study investigated the effect of egg exposure to three light and dark regimes: 00D: 24L; 24D: 24L; and 12D: 12L on hatching and early growth of Clarias gariepinus larvae. Incubation was carried out in 30L black cylindrical plastic bowls. Hatching rates were determined 24hours post incubation while growth and survival were determined every three days for two weeks. Results obtained reveal no significant difference (P>0.05) in fertilization rate of eggs assigned to various photoperiods and no effect of photoperiod on mean final weight, mean weight gain, and specific growth rate of fry. However hatching rate and survival rate were significantly affected by light regime (P<0.05) with fry raised under the light regimes of 12L: 12D and 24L: 00D having significantly higher hatching (84%) and survival (54%) rates. A favorable temperature as well as better vision in search and capture of food aided fish under these treatments to perform better. Photoperiod can therefore be used to enhance incubation, hatching and early growth of C. gariepinus with potential to maximize hatching from egg batches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was conducted to compare welfare indicators and some serum biochemical parameters of two different slow-growing genotypes (Hubbard S757; S757 and Hubbard Grey Barred JA; GB-JA) under organic housing system. A total of 240 day-old chicks were allocated randomly into 2 experimental group with 6 replicates and 20 chicks was reared in each replicate. The tonic immobility was a significant difference between genotypes and sex at 10 and 14 weeks, respectively (P<0.05). Overall duration of tonic immobility was similar (P>0.05) in genotypes and sex. The effect of sex was significant for width of tarsometatarsus at the joint with tibiotarsus; males had greater fluctuating and relativite asymmetry than females (P<0.05). There were positively correlations between fluctuating and relative asimetry values of the third phalanx of the mid toe length and the fourth phalanx of the outer toe length from specific feet trait measurements. Serum cholesterol and uric acid had significant differences between genotypes (P<0.01). Cholesterol levels was significantly (P<0.01) higher in male than in female slow-growing broiler. It is concluded that slow-growing genotypes and sex had no effect on measures of welfare, such as the fluctuating asymmetry, relativite asymmetry, tonic immobility and rectal temperatures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have previously shown that, under thermoneutral conditions, the growth performance of chicks fed a rice-based diet containing 6% soybean oil [metabolizable energy (ME): 2,800 kcal/kg] for 28 days was comparable to that obtained with a corn-based diet containing 6% soybean oil (ME: 3,100 kcal/kg). However, there is no information available concerning how such diets compare with respect to growth performance under heat stress conditions. The present study was therefore conducted to clarify differences in dietary effectiveness between corn-based and whole-grain paddy rice-based diets [formulated to be equivalent in terms of fat (6%), but not iso-caloric] under the two conditions of acute and chronic heat stress (Experiment 1 and Experiment 2, respectively). In Experiment 1, the body weight gain of a com- and rice-fed group of chickens exposed to acute heat (33°C~12 h) were significantly decreased compared with that of a corn-fed control group (24°C), with similar results obtained for the two heat-treated groups. Malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in the M. pectoralis superficialis were significantly increased in com-fed birds exposed to acute heat stress, but not in the rice-fed group (33°C-12h). In Experiment 2, body weight gains in the com- and rice-fed groups exposed to chronic heat (33°C~6 d) were significantly decreased, and to a similar extent, compared with the com-fed control group (24°C). Muscle MDA levels in the com- and rice-fed groups were similarly increased by the chronic heat exposure compared with the control group. These results suggest that, in response to acute heat stress (but not chronic heat stress) conditions, the feeding of whole-grain paddy rice diet to chickens may attenuate skeletal muscle oxidative damage compared with that in com-fed chickens. The possible involvement of intestinal morphology (such as the villus height: crypt depth ratio observed here) on growth performance is also discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A nutritional trial was carried out to investigate the effect of supplementing Turmeric powder different levels of (0, 0.25, 0.5 and 1%) on the egg production and serum metabolites of layer chicken (Nandanam Chicken-4). Data on hen day and hen housed egg production, feed conversion ratio, livability, serum and yolk cholesterol were recorded, statistically analysed and reported. Results revealed that the supplementation of turmeric powder in layer diets significantly (P<0.05) increased hen day and hen housed egg production, FCR, livability and significantly (P<0.05) decreased serum total cholesterol, VLDC, LDC, triglycerides but increased HDL cholesterol at 0.5 per cent level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]