Effects of zinc oxide nanoparticles on the egg quality,immune response,zinc retention,and blood parameters of laying hens in the late phase of production

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of dietary supplementation with zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO‐NPs) on the performance, egg quality, Zn retention, immunity responses, superoxide dismutase activity (SOD), egg malondialdehyde (MDA) content, and serum parameters in laying hens in the late phase of production. A total of 288 laying hens at 64 weeks of age were randomly assigned to 4 treatments with 6 replicates, and 12 birds within each group. Experimental diets included a corn‐soybean meal‐based diet (without Zn supplementation) and a basal diet supplemented with 80 mg/kg of Zn‐oxide, ZnO‐NPs, and Zn‐methionine. The results indicated that egg production and egg mass were significantly higher in the Zn‐methionine and ZnO‐NPs groups (p < .05). Also, eggshell thickness and shell strength increased in the ZnO‐NPs group as compared with the other groups (p < .05). Moreover, Zn supplementation decreased egg loss (p < .05). There were significant differences among treatments in Zn deposition in tibiotarsus, liver, pancreas, eggs, and excreta (p < .01). Antibody titre, heterophil (%(, and phytohemagglutinin (PHA) were significantly higher in birds fed with Zn‐supplemented diets (p < .05). In treatments supplemented with ZnO‐NPs and Zn‐methionine, the SOD activity in the liver, pancreas, and plasma was greater as compared with the other treatments (p < .05). The MDA content in eggs was significantly reduced in groups supplemented with Zn (p < .01). Moreover, dietary Zn supplementation significantly affected serum total protein, albumin, glucose, alkaline phosphatase activity, carbonic anhydrase activity, and Zn level (p < .05). In conclusion, this study demonstrated that dietary supplementation with ZnO‐NPs can improve the performance of laying hens. Therefore, ZnO‐NPs can enhance zinc absorption in the intestine of aged layers and can be a more suitable source of zinc than regular Zn‐oxide in diets.     

Integrated pest management of Tuta absoluta: practical implementations across different world regions

Journal of Pest Science - The South American tomato pinworm, Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae), has invaded most Afro-Eurasian countries and is threatening worldwide tomato...     

Structure of Vomeronasal Organ (Jacobson organ) in Male Camelus Domesticus Var. dromedaris persica

The vomeronasal organ (VNO) is a tubular structure in the roof of nasal cavity. The important role of this organ is olfaction of sexual odour. In this study, position, anatomical structure and histology of VNO in Iranian camels (camelus domesticus var. dromedaris persica) were determined. Fourteen healthy male camel heads were collected from an industrial slaughterhouse in Tehran, Iran, for anatomical and histological studies (seven each). The length of VNO and width of dental pad and the number and width of palatine crests were measured. For anatomical studies, the mandible was removed, and maxilla and nasal cavity was cut longitudinally and transversely. For histological studies, the mandible was removed, and first 0.5 cm of initial part of VNO was cut. Then, nasal cavity was cut in some segments with 2 cm thickness. The width of VNO was 3.85 ± 0.31 cm and 1.57 ± 0.18 cm in front and distal parts, respectively. The length of VNO was 15.61 ± 0.59 cm. In histological examinations, VNO was surrounded by J‐shape hyaline cartilage. The lining epithelium of lateral wall of VNO was originated from respiratory epithelium, while it had an olfactory epithelium origin in the medial wall. Lamina propria and tunica submucosa were a cavernous connective tissue with seromucous gland with abundant of serous secretory units. The lumen of VNO opens into nasal cavity. The presence of olfactory epithelium found in our study indicates an important role for VNO in pheromone perception and beginning of sexual behaviour.     

Formation of a Reservoir of Sperm in the Oviduct

A reservoir of sperm in the initial segment of the oviduct has been found in several species of domestic and laboratory mammals. Evidently, the reservoir serves to ensure successful fertilization by providing the appropriate number of sperm in the appropriate physiological state for fertilizing oocytes soon after they enter the oviduct. Recent evidence indicates that sperm are trapped in the reservoir by binding to specific carbohydrate moieties on the surface of the mucosal epithelium of the oviduct. A bovine seminal plasma protein has been identified that associates with sperm and confers on them the capacity to bind to the carbohydrate moiety.     

Effect of nano SrTiO3 supporting nano TiO2 on self-cleaning of cotton fabric

This study reports the results of an investigation aiming at finding what affect nano titania (TiO₂) and nano strontium titanate (SrTiO₃) on self-cleaning of cotton fabrics. The photocatalytic activity of nano strontium titanate has been examined on cotton fabric under UV irradiation in various concentrations in mixing of nano titania. The amount of loaded nano titania and nano strontium titanate particles on cotton fabrics were investigated using X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (XRF) and crystallinity of coatings by X-ray diffraction spectroscopy (XRD). The treated cotton fabrics, which were stained with two common synthesized dyes, were exposed to 400 W UV radiation for 30 hours and their self-cleaning property was investigated by a reflectance spectrophotometer. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) images show pervasion of nano materials on the surface of the treated cotton. Adding nano strontium titanate to nano titania showed the most promising photocatalytic activity toward dye degradation.     

Effect of various parameters on the chemical grafting of amide monomers to poly(lactic acid)

Radical melt graft copolymerizations of poly (lactic acid) (PLA) with amide monomers using benzoyl peroxide as an initiator during reactive extrusion is studied. The effects of two monomer types at various concentrations, reaction temperatures and initiator concentrations on the grafting yield are investigated. The results showed that percentage of grafting was significantly enhanced by increasing benzoyl peroxide concentrations up to 12 mpm and then decreased by an increase in the initiator concentration. Furthermore, increasing each monomer concentration up to 450 mpm, improved the grafting yield significantly. Further increase brings about a marked fall in the grafting yield. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), back titration and nitrogen analyses confirmed that monomers of acrylamide and methacrylamide were successfully grafted onto PLA. The Gel Permeation Chromatography (GPC) data showed that the molecular weight of the grafted PLA samples under optimum conditions does not show any dramatic drop of PLA molecular weight by thermal degradation or hydrolysis of polyester chains, while the polydispersity index is poorly affected by the chemical modification of PLA. Also, the monomer structures affected the grafting yield as well as polymer chain combination. In addition under the same conditions, the grafting yield of acrylamide was more than that of methacrylamide. Thermal properties, molecular weight, density, moisture regain and tensile properties of the samples were also measured.     

Evaluation of bone healing in canine tibial defects filled with cortical autograft,commercial-DBM,calf fetal DBM,omentum and omentum-calf fetal DBM

The present study was conducted to compare the effects of xenogenic bovine fetal demineralized bone matrix (DBM), commercial DBM, omentum, omentum-calf fetal DBM, cortical autograft and xenogenic cartilage powder on the healing of tibial defects in a dog model to determine the best material for bone healing. Seven male adult mongrel dogs, weighing 26.2 ± 2.5 kg, were used in this study. Seven holes with a diameter of 4-mm were created and then filled with several biomaterials. Radiographs were taken postoperatively on day 1 and weeks 2, 4, 6, 8. The operated tibias were removed on the 56th postoperative day and histopathologically evaluated. On postoperative days 14, 42 and 56, the lesions of the control group were significantly inferior to those in the other group (p < 0.05). On the 28th postoperative day, the autograft group was significantly superior to the control and omentum groups (p < 0.05). Moreover, calf fetal DBM was significantly superior to the control group. There was no significant difference between the histopathological sections of all groups. Overall, the omentum and omentum-DBM groups were superior to the control group, but inferior to the autograft, commercial-DBM, calf fetal DBM and calf fetal cartilage groups.     

Estimating the level of disease risk and biosecurity on commercial poultry farms in New Zealand

ABSTRACT

Aims: To collect baseline data on the contact risk pathways and biosecurity practices of commercial poultry farms in New Zealand, investigate the relationship between the farm-level disease contact risks and biosecurity practices, and identify important poultry health concerns of producers.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey of all registered New Zealand commercial poultry operations was conducted in 2016 collecting information on farm demographics, biosecurity practices, and contact risk pathways. Survey responses were used to generate an unweighted subjective disease risk score based on eight risk criteria and a subjective biosecurity score based on the frequency with which producers reported implementing seven biosecurity measures. Producer opinions towards poultry health issues were also determined.

Results: Responses to the survey response were obtained from 120/414 (29.0%) producers, including 57/157 (36.3%) broiler, 33/169 (19.5%) layer, 24/55 (44%) breeder, and 6/32 (19%) other poultry production types. Median disease risk scores differed between production types (p?<?0.001) and were lowest for breeder enterprises. The greatest risk for layer and broiler enterprises was from the potential movement of employees between sheds, and for breeder enterprises was the on- and off-farm movement of goods and services. Median biosecurity scores also differed between production types (p?<?0.001), and were highest for breeder and broiler enterprises. Across all sectors there was no statistical correlation between biosecurity scores and disease risk scores. Producers showed a high level of concern over effectively managing biosecurity measures.

Conclusions: The uptake of biosecurity measures in the commercial poultry farms surveyed was highly variable, with some having very low scores despite significant potential disease contact risks. This may be related to the low prevalence or absence of many important infectious poultry diseases in New Zealand leading farmers to believe there is a limited need to maintain good biosecurity as well as farmer uncertainty around the efficacy of different biosecurity measures. Further research is needed to understand barriers towards biosecurity adoption including evaluating the cost-effectiveness of biosecurity interventions.