Risk factors for Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica infection in senegalese broiler-chicken flocks

Our objective was to assess the association of managerial practices, general hygiene and Salmonella infection in Senegalese broiler flocks. Seventy broilers farms were studied from January 2000 to December 2001 around Dakar. A questionnaire was submitted to the farmers and samples of fresh broiler droppings were taken. A 28.6% of the flocks were infected by Salmonella (mainly Hadar and Brancaster serovars). Salmonella infection of the previous flock (OR=6.82) and of day-old chicks (OR=3.73), frequent poultry farmers’ visits (OR=5.38) and keeping sick birds inside the farm (OR=5.32) increased the risk of Salmonella infection. But, using antibiotics on day-old chicks (OR=0.17) and a detergent for cleaning (OR=0.16) decreased the risk.     

Identification of Salmonella spp. isolates from chicken abattoirs by multiplex-PCR

The present study was carried out to report the occurrence Salmonella spp., Salmonella Enteritidis, and Salmonella Typhimurium in chicken abattoirs. Samples of feces; feathers; scald, evisceration, and chiller water; and rinse water of non-eviscerated, eviscerated, and chilled carcass were collected from six chicken abattoirs. Salmonella isolates were identified by a multiplex-PCR using three sets of primers targeting the invA, pefA, and sefA gene sequences from Salmonella spp., S. Typhimurium and S. Enteritidis, respectively. Salmonella spp. was detected in 10% (29/288) of the samples, whereas serovars Enteritidis and Typhimurium were identified in 62% (7/288), respectively. The results indicate the need to improve hygiene and sanitary standards in poultry slaughter lines, besides the education of food handlers and information to consumers.     

西双版纳斗鸡胫、趾色的研究

云南西双版纳斗鸡是近年引进的鸡新品种选育种质资源.为了利用好该鸡种优良的种质特性,试验采用其他优良鸡种与其杂交,以期使更多的优良性状组合在一起,甚至超过双亲,将杂交优势在生产中加以应用.试验结果表明,选育的青脚白羽鸡作母本、西双版纳斗鸡作父本的杂交组合,其经济性状效果较好,杂交后代的胫、趾颜色效应奇特.认真研究该效应,对于丰富西双版纳斗鸡遗传育种理论和指导育种实践有着重要的意义.     

高压蒸气灭菌的普通鸡饲料与SPF鸡专用饲料的营养差异及其对血清果冻样的影响

对普通鸡饲料、SPF鸡专用饲料采用高压蒸气或钴60辐照灭菌,对其灭菌后的灭菌效果、营养成分指标进行分析比较来探讨引起育成SPF鸡血清果冻样的原因。结果表明:高压蒸气灭菌的普通的鸡饲料蛋白质含量和脂肪含量分别比钴60辐照灭菌的SPF鸡专用饲料高2.94%和2.48%,而种鸡多维采用高压蒸气灭菌可导致维生素B1缺失。本试验的结果提示饲喂经高压蒸气灭菌的普通饲料与种鸡多维可能会因营养物质配比不协调导致育成SPF鸡容易出现果冻样血清。     

Chicken leptin: properties and actions

Chicken leptin cDNA shows a high homology to mammalian homologous, with an expression localized in the liver and adipose tissue. It is noteworthy, that the hepatic expression is most likely associated with the primary role that this organ plays in lipogenic activity in avian species. As in mammals, chicken leptin expression is regulated by hormonal and nutritional status. This regulation is tissue-specific and with a high sensitivity in the liver compared to adipose tissue. The blood leptin levels are regulated by the nutritional state with high levels in the fed state compared to the fasted state. The recombinant chicken leptin markedly inhibits food intake as reported in mammals, suggesting the presence of an hypothalamic leptin receptor. The chicken leptin receptor has been identified and all functional motifs are highly conserved compared to mammalian homologous. Chicken leptin receptor is expressed in the hypothalamus but also in other tissues such as pancreas, where leptin inhibits insulin secretion and thus may have a key role in regulating nutrient utilization in this species.     

The stimulatory effect of TLRs ligands on maturation of chicken bone marrow-derived dendritic cells

Dendritic cells (DCs) are crucial for initiation of both innate and adaptive immune responses. TLR ligands combine with Toll-like receptors (TLRs) expressed on the DC surface and induce DC maturation. The potential effect of three types of TLR ligands (Bacillus subtilis (B. subtilis) spores, polyinosinic–polycytidylic acid and CpG oligodeoxynucleotides) on chicken bone marrow-derived DCs (chBM-DCs) maturation was studied. The chBM-DCs cultured in presence of recombinant chicken granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) and interleukin (IL)-4 displayed the typical morphology of DCs after 7 days of culture. These immature chBM-DCs up-regulated the expression of MHC-II and of the putative CD11c, but had yet low to moderate levels of the CD40 and CD86 co-stimulatory molecules. After stimulation by the TLR ligands, the chBM-DCs displayed a more mature morphologic phenotype, significantly increased the CD40 and CD86 cell surface expression levels and gained the ability to stimulate proliferation of naive T cells in the allogeneic mixed lymphocyte reaction, compared to the immature chBM-DCs. In conclusion, our data demonstrated that all three TLR ligands were strong stimuli for driving chBM-DCs maturation in vitro, with B. subtilis spores being the most efficient.     

Correlation analysis of the total IgY level in hen serum,egg yolk and offspring serum

The correlation between IgY levels of the serum and the yolk has been well documented in wild and domestic birds. The levels of total yolk IgY can be an index of the general health status of birds and may contribute to breeding programs when fitness of the offspring is a concern. We measured the levels of total serum IgY and yolk IgY in three different breeds （White Leghorn, Silkie and Dongxiang blue-shell） using indirect ELISA, and found that there was a significantly positive correlation between the levels of total serum IgY and total yolk IgY in all three breeds （White Leghorn： r = 0.404, P 〈 0.001, n = 100; Silkie： r = 0.561, P 〈 0.001, n = 70; Dongxiang blue-shell： r = 0.619, P 〈 0.001, n = 30）. We also measured the total serum IgY levels in the 3-day-old offspring hatched from the Silkie hens and results were significantly correlated for serum IgY levels （r = 0.535, P 〈 0.001, n = 70） and the yolk IgY levels （r = 0.481, P 〈 0.001, n = 70）. The regression analysis showed simple linear regression between IgY levels in hen serum, yolk and offspring serum. Our results suggest that total IgY level could be used as an index for chicken fitness.     

杨树皮类脂对感染鸡传染性贫血病毒鸡外周血T细胞亚群含量的影响

[目的]从细胞免疫学角度探讨杨树皮类脂(PBL)对改善感染鸡传染性贫血病毒(CIAV)鸡的免疫器官的细胞免疫水平的影响。[方法]以人工感染与未感染CIAV的1日龄SPF鸡作为试验模型,分别连续饲喂PBL 7 d,在第7、27、47天采用流式细胞术检测外周血中CD4+和CD8+的含量,并计算CD4+/CD8+。[结果]PBL能够增加健康SPF雏鸡外周血的CD4+T淋巴细胞的数量,提高非特异性细胞免疫功能和体液免疫功能。[结论]杨树皮类脂对CIAV诱导的免疫抑制雏鸡外周血的CD4+和CD8+T细胞水平的降低具有一定抑制作用。     

大骨鸡快慢羽群体系谱完整性分析

利用系谱完整性指数(Pedigree Completeness Index,PCI)统计分析辽宁庄河大骨鸡快慢羽群体系谱的完整情况。结果显示,庄河大骨鸡的系谱完整性较好(PCI为0.92±0.18);对于系谱的完整性,快羽群体(PCI为0.88±0.23)与慢羽群体(PCI为0.94±0.15)之间不存在明显差异。