Production performance,immune response and blood biochemical parameters in broiler chickens fed diet incorporated with prebiotics

This experiment was conducted to identify the suitable replacer of broiler feed antibiotics with prebiotics (mannan oligosaccharides‐MOS or fructooligosaccharide‐FOS). Two hundred and forty (240)‐day‐old chicks were randomly divided into 30 groups (6 treatments x 5 replicates/treatment x 8 chicks/replicate). Six experimental diets T₁, T₂, T₃, T₄, T₅ and T₆ were formulated to contain an additional 0, antibiotic, that is, bacitracin methylene di‐salicylate (BMD) @20 mg/kg, MOS (0.1% and 0.2%) and FOS (0.1% and 0.2%) respectively. Body weight gain was significantly (p < 0.05) increased in MOS‐0.2% supplemented group at 0–21 d and 0–42 d of broiler chicken. Humoral and in vivo cell‐mediated immune response were significantly improved (p < 0.05) in BMD, MOS @0.1% or 0.2% treated group. Significant (p < 0.05) increase was recorded in total protein (except 21 d), albumin and aspartate amino transferase (AST) and decrease (p < 0.05) in alanine amino transferase (except 42 d), cholesterol and uric acid concentration. The weight of breast, thigh, back, drumstick bursa of Fabricius and thymus were higher (p < 0.05) in the birds given the MOS @0.2% (T₄). It is concluded that MOS @0.2% may be suitable replacer of antibiotic growth promoter, and it has a beneficial effect on production performance, immune responses, blood biochemical parameters and cut up parts in broiler chickens.     

Traits influencing the hatching performance of Japanese quail eggs

1. Japanese quail eggs from moderately heavier sires showed superior fertility; while fertile eggs from moderately heavier dams hatched slightly better than the eggs from lighter dams.

2. Higher rates of fertility and hatchability of Japanese quail eggs were observed from parents of 10 to 19 weeks of age, with peak fertility and hatchability at 14 and 12 weeks of age, respectively.

3. Sex ratios of 1:2 to 1:5 gave comparable fertility and hatchability results.

4. The hatching performance of quail eggs from cage and deep litter reared breeders was comparable.

5. Fertility and hatchability were directly proportional to the egg weight.

6. Quail egg shell colour, tints and blotches were found to influence hatching performance.

7. Storing quail eggs at 16 ± 2°C and 75 ± 5% relative humidity for more than 4 d reduced hatchability.

8. Hatchability of eggs stored at room temperature was improved if they were sealed in polyethylene bags.

9. Provision of light during the first 14 d of incubation resulted in a photo‐acceleration of about 3.2 h.     

粗甘油在动物饲料中的应用前景

虽然甘油是动物饲料中一种颇具吸引力的能量饲料的替代物,但因其能量含量低于油脂和脂肪,且含有杂质以及可能会影响动物的代谢活动,而有其自身的应用局限性。     

Enhanced mucosal immune response in cattle persistently infected with foot-and-mouth disease virus

The mucosal immune response to foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) type Asia 1 was examined in experimentally infected cattle by assaying antibodies by the virus-neutralizing test (VNT) and IgA ELISA in two secretory fluids, oesophageal pharyngeal fluid (OPF) and oro-nasal fluid (ONF). Out of 17 animals infected by the intradermo-lingual route, 12 became persistently infected (carriers), as defined by positive antigen capture RT-PCR reactions for FMDV RNA in OPF samples collected at 28 days or later after exposure. This proportion of carriers (71%) with FMDV Asia 1 is comparable to other serotypes of the virus. When the two groups were examined, the carriers and non-carriers showed no difference in the serum antibody titre until the end of the experiment at 182 days post-infection (DPI). However, despite an initial similarity significantly higher neutralizing antibody titres and FMDV-specific IgA response were detected among the carriers than the non-carriers in both of the secretory fluids. The response was higher and more stable in ONF compared to OPF. Thus, mucosal antibody assays have the potential to be used as a means of differentiating carrier from non-carrier cattle. Furthermore, the findings are consistent with the higher mucosal antibody response in carriers being an effect of persistent infection rather than the cause.     

Comparative study of experimental Foot-and-Mouth Disease in cattle (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Bos indicus</Emphasis>) and buffaloes (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Bubalis bubalus</Emphasis>)

Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is one of the most contagious diseases affecting wide range of host species with variable severity and decreased productivity. The present study was undertaken to compare the clinical and leucocytic changes in indigenous Indian cattle and buffaloes experimentally infected with FMD virus (FMDV) Asia 1. A mild type of disease was observed in the cattle, more so in buffaloes infected with FMDV. Difference in terms of type, site and healing of lesion was observed between cattle and buffaloes. Foot lesions were more common than tongue in buffaloes, which were mainly evident in bulb of the heel in contrast to interdigital foot lesions in cattle. Further, FMDV infection induced a transient moderate leucopenia with lymphopenia in both cattle and buffaloes, but monocyte levels diverged. Relationship between the raised body temperature, leucocytic changes and lesion development was observed. Microscopic changes were observed in the keratinized epithelium of tongue and foot. The findings of the present study indicated the need to investigate the early leucocytic changes in cattle and buffaloes in depth for better understanding of the disease process.     

Isolation and cultivation of equine corneal keratocytes, fibroblasts and myofibroblasts

Objective  To establish an in vitro model for the investigation of equine corneal wound healing. To accomplish this goal, a protocol to isolate and culture equine corneal keratocytes, fibroblasts and myofibroblasts was developed.
Animal material  Equine corneal buttons were aseptically harvested from healthy research horses undergoing humane euthanasia for reasons unrelated to this study. Slit-lamp biomicroscopy was performed prior to euthanasia by a board-certified veterinary ophthalmologist to ensure that all samples were harvested from horses free of anterior segment disease.
Procedure  Equine corneal stroma was isolated using mechanical techniques and stromal sub-sections were then cultured. Customized media at different culture conditions was used to promote growth and differentiation of corneal stromal cells into keratocytes, fibroblasts and myofibroblasts.
Results  Cell culture techniques were successfully used to establish a method for the isolation and culture of equine corneal keratocytes, fibroblasts and myofibroblasts. Immunohistochemical staining for alpha-smooth muscle and F-actin was used to definitively differentiate the three cell types.
Conclusion  Equine corneal stromal keratocytes, fibroblasts and myofibroblasts can be predictably isolated and cultured in vitro using this protocol.     

Changes in endogenous estrogens and expression of behaviors associated with estrus during the periovulatory period in Heatsynch treated Murrah buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis)

The objective of this study was (1) to establish the duration of behavioral estrus signs and timing of ovulation in Murrah buffaloes (n = 10) and (2) to determine relationship between behavioral estrus signs with change in plasma estrogen concentrations in animals treated with Heatsynch protocol. Estrus and its behavioral signs were detected at hourly intervals by visual observations per rectal examination of genitalia and bull parading four times in a day for 30 min each. Among the behavioral signs of estrus, swollen vulva was the best indicator of estrus followed by excitement and chasing by bull (90%). Among the duration of behavioral estrus signs, the first and longest duration of estrus signs was swollen vulva, which was seen up to 21.6 ± 1.1 h after onset of estrus. The mean total duration of estrus symptoms from appearance to disappearance of all the behavioral estrus symptoms was 40.2 ± 1.8 h. Endocrine profile during the periestrus period showed that the mean peak concentrations of total estrogen 330.9 ± 108.3 pg/ml occurred at 9.6 ± 1.0 h after estradiol benzoate injection. The average number of estrus symptoms observed per animal during Heatsynch treatment was 7.1. Ovulation occurred after 50.0 ± 2.0 h after estradiol benzoate treatment and 26.7 ± 2.0 h after end of total estrogen surge, respectively. In conclusion, our results suggest that all signs of behavioral estrus occurred after the preovulatory rise in estrogens. The first sign of estrus was swollen vulva, and this symptom persisted the longest.     

Analysis of genetic diversity and phylogeny in Saccharum and related genera using RAPD markers

Molecular diversity in Saccharum complex was studied using 195 RAPD markers generated by 12 random primers. Among the Saccharum species, S. officinarum showed a low level of genetic diversity while S. sinense was found to be more diverse. Six taxonomical groups were clearly resolved in the cluster analysis. S. officinarum, S. robustum, S. spontaneum and Erianthus spp. formed discrete groups. S. barberi and S. sinense formed a single cluster, so also Narenga and Sclerostachya. S. officinarum was found to be closer to S. robustum and distant from S. spontaneum. Among the related genera, Sclerostachya was closer to Saccharum while Erianthus was found to be highly divergent from all the Saccharum species. Six of the primers used generated RAPD fragments unique to Erianthus. It is suggested that the Erianthus spp. can contribute substantially towards sugarcane varietal improvement in view of its greater divergence with Saccharum.