Peculiar properties of pea plant selection for a high content of amylose in the starch for mature seeds

To produce biodegradable polymers and dietary food, the concept of the selection of pea plant for a high content of amylose in the starch of seeds was developed. The key parameters of the high-amylose varieties and specific indicators for selection were determined. The sources and donors of economically valuable signs were displayed, and the first in Russia variety of a new type—the Amior—was created. For dietetic therapy, the authors developed the recipes for the preparation of the functional grades of bread and macaroni with the addition of an enzyme-resistant starch.     

Ensiling high-protein perennial grasses using enzyme preparations

The paper studies the effect of the wilting regime on ensilability of high-protein gramineous and leguminous grasses, as well as on the quality of the forage resulting from them when using enzyme preparations Ferkon and CelloLux-F as preservatives.     

Use of ACP‐104 at Different Dilutions for Sperm Cryopreservation of Dourado,Salminus brasiliensis

The dourado, Salminus brasiliensis, is an important fish in South American river basins. The fish‐farming potential and concerns for its conservation in watersheds has stimulated studies with this species. This study compared the effect of different dilutions of two cryoprotectant solutions on the quality of cryopreserved dourado sperm (duration of motility/motility rate) post‐thawing using three different activating solutions. The cryoprotectant solution ACP‐104 was compared with the cryoprotectant solution most commonly used for dourado, which consists of a mixture of dimethyl sulfoxide, glucose, egg yolk, and distilled water. The semen was mixed following dilutions of semen : cryoprotectant solution: 1:3, 1:9, 1:15, 1:21, and 1:27. The cryopreserved samples were activated using distilled water, 0.45% NaCl or 1% NaHCO₃. The results showed differences in thawed semen using the different activating solutions and cryoprotectant solutions. The glucose‐based cryoprotectant not only resulted in sperm motility equal to or better than that produced by ACP‐104, but the quality was not affected by the dilution. However, the sperm quality improved with increasing dilutions for ACP‐104. Under the conditions tested, the standard cryoprotectant solution is recommended for the cryopreservation of dourado semen because it requires a lower solution volume and, therefore, reduced storage space for the same volume of semen.     

Ontochronic index for assessing and predicting growth of birds

An ontochronic index has been developed to evaluate biological patterns of growth in birds, which takes into account the ratio between the structural features of the body and the appearance of an individual. A high correlation and regression dependence of the index of intensity of birds’ growth during early ontogenesis has been discovered.     

Fertility of Holstein cows and heifers submitted to timed artificial insemination and receiving one or two doses (12 h apart) of semen

The objective of this retrospective study was to assess the effect of receiving a single (n = 50,285) or double (n = 4392) artificial insemination (AI), 12 h apart, within a timed artificial insemination protocol on pregnancy per AI (P/AI) in nulliparous heifers (inseminated with either sex-sorted or conventional semen) and pluriparous Holstein cows in a commercial dairy herd. Also, this study aimed to investigate the relationship between temperature-humidity index (THI) and time of the first AI and fertility. Fertility of cows receiving two AI with normothermia (THI <68) was higher (p < .05) than cows receiving a single AI (42.9% vs. 36.4%). P/AI of cows receiving two AI with severe heat stress (THI >85) was higher (p < .05) than cows receiving a single AI (21.0% vs. 12.6%). Regardless of heat stress conditions, applying the first AI in the morning increased (p < .05) P/AI in cows with double AI than in cows whose first AI occurred in the afternoon (38.4 vs. 33.3%). With moderate heat stress, and sexed-sorted semen, P/AI to timed AI was higher (65.0 vs. 51.9%; p < .05) in heifers receiving double AI than those serviced once. It was concluded that double AI, 12 h apart, enhanced fertility at timed AI than herd mates with a single AI, particularly with heat stress at breeding.     

Influence of high dose of phytase and an emulsifier on performance,apparent metabolisable energy and nitrogen retention in broilers fed on diets containing soy oil or tallow

1. The effects of high dose of microbial phytase and an emulsifier on the performance, apparent metabolisable energy (AME) and nitrogen (N) retention in broilers fed on diets containing different fat sources were examined in a 5-week trial. Two fat sources (soy oil and tallow), two inclusion levels of E. coli phytase (500 or 1000 phytase units (FTU)/kg diet) and two inclusion levels of lysolecithin emulsifier (0 or 3.5 g/kg of diet) were evaluated in a 2 × 2 × 2 factorial arrangement of treatments.

2. Throughout the 5-week trial, soy oil supplementation improved weight gain and feed per gain compared with tallow, but had no effect on feed intake.

3. The high dose of phytase increased the weight gain and feed intake and lowered the feed per gain during d 1–21, but had no effect on performance parameters over the whole trial period.

4. An effect of emulsifier was observed for feed intake during d 1–21 and over the whole trial period. Addition of emulsifier increased feed intake compared with diets without emulsifier.

5. During weeks 1, 2, 3 and 5, birds fed on soy oil–based diets had higher nitrogen-corrected AME (AME_N) compared with those fed on tallow-based diets. During weeks 2, 3 and 5, the effect of phytase was significant for AME_N, with the high dose increasing the AME_N. During week 2, AME_N was increased with emulsifier addition.

6. During weeks 1, 2, 3 and 5, birds fed on soy oil–based diets had higher fat retention compared with those fed on tallow-based diets. The high dose of phytase improved the retention of fat during week 5 and the addition of emulsifier resulted in higher fat retention during week 1.

7. During weeks 2, 3 and 5, an interaction between fat source × phytase × emulsifier was observed for N retention. In soy oil–based diets, emulsifier plus 1000 FTU/kg phytase increased N retention compared with other groups, while in tallow-based diets, emulsifier addition increased N retention in diets with 500 FTU/kg, but not in 1000 FTU/kg diet.

8. Overall, the present data suggest that the dietary fat source influenced performance, AME_N and fat retention in broiler chickens. There is opportunity to improve bird performance during d 1–21, AME_N and fat retention with higher doses of microbial phytase. Addition of the emulsifier increased the AME_N during week 2 and tract retention of fat during week 1, but this effect was not translated into improvements in performance.

     

A longitudinal observational study of Salmonella shedding patterns by commercial turkeys during rearing and fattening,showing limitations of some control measures

1. The onset and progression of Salmonella infections was investigated in commercial turkey flocks from placement at 1 d old until slaughter in “brood and move” systems using a longitudinal observational approach based on faeces and environmental sampling with subsequent culture of Salmonella.

2. Persistent Salmonella Newport contamination was found within rearing houses and on their external concrete aprons after cleaning and disinfection between crops of heavily shedding young birds.

3. Salmonella shedding was often detected by 5 d of age and the frequency of positive samples peaked at 14–35 d. Thereafter Salmonella isolations declined, especially in the later (fattening) stages. Samples were still Salmonella-positive at low prevalence in half of the intensively sampled houses at slaughter age.

4. A number of management interventions to combat Salmonella infection of flocks, including sourcing policy, competitive exclusion cultures and cleaning and disinfection, were inadequate to prevent flock infection, although improved disinfection on one unit was associated with a delay in the onset of flock infection.