Plasma 1,25 dihydroxycholecalciferol and its free index are potentiated by ovulation dependent factors and shell formation induced hypocalcemia in the laying hens.

The time-course of the changes in blood ionized calcium, and in plasma 1,25 dihydroxycholecalciferol (1,25(OH)2D3) concentrations and its free index were studied in hens following suppression and resumption of shell formation and throughout the laying cycle in hens laying hard-shelled eggs, in hens fed a low or normal calcium diet and in hens laying shell-less eggs. The respective roles of the calcium needs for shell formation and of the reproductive status in regulation of 1,25(OH)2D3 production were analysed. Plasma 1,25(OH)2D3 decreased 3 hr after suppression of shell formation following premature egg expulsion and remained lower than that of hens laying hard-shelled eggs when premature expulsion of the eggs was continued for several days. Circulating 1,25(OH)2D3 tended to increase progressively when shell formation was resumed. Ablation of the parathyroid glands abolished this increase. In hens laying hard-shelled eggs, the plasma 1,25(OH)2D3 was higher during the period of shell secretion. Feeding hens a low calcium diet (1.2%) caused a marked increase in the plasma 1,25(OH)2D3. Ionized calcium levels tended to show reciprocal changes to plasma 1,25(OH)2D3 decreasing when calcification took place and increasing after its suppression. In hypercalcemic hens laying shell-less eggs and fed a 3.5% Ca diet, the plasma 1,25(OH)2D3 was at a high level 4 hr after ovulation and diminished thereafter. This additive stimulation does not, therefore, involve the parathyroid gland and may involve hormonal changes induced by ovulation. Vitamin D binding protein (DBP) in the plasma was at a high level in mature hens and was not affected by shell formation. Consequently, the free 1,25(OH)2D3 index fluctuated in parallel with total level of this hormone in mature hens. It is concluded that the calcium demand for shell formation modulates, in the short term, plasma 1,25(OH)2D3, via the homeostatic regulation of blood calcium by PTH, but that a large part of its increase is independent of PTH and is associated with the endocrine events concomitant with ovulation.     

The effect of a foreign object in the shell gland on egg production of hens on a calcium-deficient diet

When fed a calcium‐deficient diet normal hens stopped laying within 10 days, but hens with a thread in the shell gland continued to lay soft‐shelled eggs for about 9 weeks. This finding supports the hypothesis that calcium loss is an important factor in the regulation of reproductive activity in the domestic fowl.     

The adverse effects of nicarbazin on reproductive activity in the hen.

The effects of the anticoccidial agent nicarbazin on reproductive activity in the female fowl have been studied. 2. The drug had no effect on the plasma concentration of luteinising hormone, but treated hens showed a reduced hypothalamic sensitivity to exogenous progesterone, whilst the capacity of the pituitary to respond to luteinising hormone releasing hormone was unimpaired. 3. It is suggested that nicarbazin not only prevents yolk deposition within the ovary but also adversely affects the stimulatory function of the hypothalamus, possibly through an unsuitable hormonal environment.     

Influence of dietary calcium stress on lethality of avian influenza viruses for laying chickens

The effect of calcium stress was studied in an attempt to reproduce lethal infections in laying chickens with A/Chicken/Alabama/75 (H4N8) influenza virus and with two nonpathogenic H5N2 influenza viruses from the 1983-84 outbreak in the eastern United States. Hens were fed calcium-deficient or standard diets for 7 to 14 days; then the calcium-deficient feed was replaced with standard feed supplemented with ad libitum oyster shell, and both groups of hens were inoculated with virus. When hens were infected with the H4N8 virus, respective mortalities of those on the calcium-deficient and standard diets were 19% (27/141) and 5% (7/143). The H5N2 viruses did not kill hens fed either diet. In standard pathogenicity tests, Alabama H4N8 viruses reisolated from the hens that died generally were more lethal for 4-week-old chickens than the stock virus. These results argue for characterization of the Alabama H4N8 virus as pathogenic rather than nonpathogenic as originally determined.     

Effects of cholecalciferol or calcium deficiency on oestrogen metabolism in the laying hen

1. Seventeen 32-week-old White Leghorn laying hens were induced to become deficient in calciferol or in calcium (laying thin or soft shelled eggs) by withdrawing either cholecalciferol (27.5 micrograms/kg diet) or calcium (31 g/kg diet) supplements from the control diet. 2. The metabolic fate and metabolic clearance rate (MCR) of intravenously injected 3H-oestradiol-17 beta were then monitored for 40 min. 3. In both the calciferol and calcium-deficient groups a major oestrogen sulphate pathway was particularly affected, resulting in a decreased conversion of oestradiol-17 beta-3-sulphate to oestradiol-17 alpha-3-sulphate, with a concomitant reduced MCR of oestradiol-17 beta from plasma. 4. The metabolic defect was corrected by feeding the control diet. 5. Because the metabolic defect observed in calciferol deficiency occurred in Ca deficiency in a more severe form, we conclude that the more immediate cause was calcium rather than calciferol deficiency. To our knowledge, this is the first observation of a calcium-deficient effect on oestrogen sulphate metabolism in vivo.     

Mussel shells as an environment enrichment and calcium source for floor-housed laying hens

Feather pecking is still a behavioral problem in laying hen flocks, resulting in impaired welfare and economic losses. Environment enrichment, e.g., providing access to litter, to increase foraging behavior in laying hens has been shown to decrease feather pecking. This study investigated the effect of spreading crushed mussel shells (particle size 10 to 20 mm) in the litter area as an environment enrichment and source of calcium for layers receiving a commercial feed and for layers given a feed with 40% less calcium. These treatments were compared with a control involving hens given the commercial feed, but no mussel shells in the litter. The study included 900 Dekalb White layers housed in a single-tier floor system during a production cycle (20 to 72 wk of age). The mussel shells were consumed to a lower extent than predicted, resulting in calcium deficiency in hens fed the low-calcium diet. This in turn was evident as increased degree of keel bone deviations and lower eggshell breaking strength. Daily addition of crushed mussel shells to the litter for laying hens on a balanced or calcium-deficient diets did not generate any positive effects on bird feather cover, eggshell quality, production performance, or fearfulness. Hence, with the particle size of mussel shells used in this study, there was no indication of improved welfare due to environment enrichment.     

光照对新扬州鸡连产周期血浆激素水平的影响

本研究以新扬州鸡为试验素材,测定了不同光照制度下母鸡连产周期生殖激素、促黄体激素(LH)、雌二醇(E2)和睾酮(T)水平的变化.结果发现在间隙光照(14L-10D)连续光照和自然光照下,连产鸡(连产2天或连产3天的鸡)产蛋前血浆LH、E2浓度高于非连产鸡.同一连产状态的鸡,自然光照和间隙光照组血浆LH、E2的浓度高于连续光照组.     

Influence of food restriction and of the presence of chicks on the reproductive system of the domestic hen

An experiment was conducted with 4 groups of hens: a control group of laying hens, a group subjected to food deprivation for 7 d, a group subjected to food deprivation for 7 d, then re-fed for 10 d and a group subjected to food deprivation for 7 d then re-fed for 10 d with two chicks per hen introduced during the last 7 d of refeeding. Food deprivation provoked the involution of the oviduct and ovarian regression, as well as a decrease in the plasma concentrations of luteinising hormone (LH) and sex steroids (progesterone, testosterone and oestradiol). After 3 d of re-feeding, there was a significant increase in the plasma concentrations of LH and steroid hormones. This phenomenon was even more marked after 10 d of re-feeding; most of the hens of the third group which were not given chicks, were at the point of lay. The presence of chicks resulted in the expression of maternal behaviour and suppressed a rapid return to laying. This was especially marked in hens showing typical maternal behaviour traits, for which the morphological and endocrine measurements indicated a decrease in the activity of the hypothalamo-hypophyseal-gonadal axis.     

Comparison of the coagulation profile of fatty liver haemorrhagic syndrome-susceptible laying hens and normal laying hens

1. The rate of thrombin generation in plasma from Fatty Liver Haemorrhagic Syndrome-susceptible laying hens (FLHS, UCD-003) is more rapid than in plasma from age-matched normal Single Comb White Leghorn (SCWL) laying hens. 2. The rate of thrombin generation in plasma was determined by measuring the biological activity of the specific coagulation proteins, Factors V, VII, VIII, IX and X. 3. The higher activity of Factors V, VII and X in FLHS-susceptible laying hens compared with normal SCWL hens remained consistent after plasma lipid concentrations were reduced. 4. Analysis of the fatty acid composition of plasma phospholipids showed that in normal SCWL laying hens phosphatidylethanolamine contained C18:3n3 whereas it contained C20:3n3 in FLHS-susceptible laying hens. 5. The results suggest that alterations in the composition of the phospholipids that are essential cofactors in the biochemical reactions involved in thrombin generation may be a contributing factor in the development of FLHS.     

Ovarian follicular growth and maturity and follicular production of progesterone and oestradiol in response to porcine luteinising hormone and porcine follicle stimulating hormone in albino (S*AS) hens in vivo and in vitro

The effects of the SAS gene on follicular growth were studied by feeding Sudan IV and Sudan Black B, on follicular maturity by measuring P4 and E2 output of the 5 largest follicles (F1 to F5) in vitro, and on ovarian response (plasma progesterone, P4, and oestradiol, E2) to administration of porcine follicle-stimulating hormone (pFSH) and porcine luteinising hormone (pLH) in old laying hens. Albino hens had fewer dye rings in the yolks of their eggs than non-albinos (8.32 compared to 8.59) and the yolks from albinos weighed less. The numbers of normal and atretic follicles larger than 3 mm in diameter did not differ between the two genotypes. The P4 outputs from the F1 and F2 follicles were significantly greater for albino hens, but P4 production of other follicles was not different for the two genotypes. The P4 output of the F1 follicle in response to pLH was dose-dependent and greater for albino hens than for non-albinos. Porcine LH did not increase the follicular E2 output in either genotype. Administration of pLH, but not pFSH, increased plasma P4 and E2 concentrations, with no difference between genotypes. These data suggest that the F1 follicles for albino hens are precocious, resulting in a reduced growth period and a smaller weight at ovulation.     

Comparison of the basal and luteinising hormone-releasing hormone induced luteinising hormone release by perifused hypophyses from turkey hens (Meleagris gallopavo) at different physiological stages.

1. An experiment was performed to investigate the weight of the ovary, the oviduct, the pituitary gland, the plasma concentrations of luteinising hormone (LH), progesterone, oestradiol and the responsiveness of the pituitary gland in vitro to doses of Luteinising Hormone-Releasing Hormone (LH-RH) ranging from 10(-10) to 10(-5) M in laying (L), incubating (I) and out-of-lay (OL) turkey hens. 2. Pituitary weights did not differ between the groups but the weights of the ovary and oviduct and the plasma concentrations of progesterone and oestradiol were lower in I and OL than in L hens. The plasma concentrations of LH were lower in I than in L hens. 3. In vitro, the basal release of LH was similar in L and I hens, but significantly higher in OL hens. A slow and linear increase in basal LH release by the glands from I and OL hens was observed throughout the experiment. 4. No clear dose-response relationship was found in any of the reproductive states with respect to LH release in vitro following LH-RH stimulation, probably as a result of partial cell desensitisation. On the other hand, the amount of LH released over basal level in responses to stimulation with different doses of LH-RH were not significantly different between L and I hens, but they were between 5- to 10-fold higher in OL hens, except at the lowest dose. 5. These findings confirm that there is no correlation between circulating LH in turkey hens and the capacity of the hypophysis to release LH in vitro passively or in response to LH-RH. Therefore, the low circulating concentrations of LH in I and OL turkey hens cannot be accounted for by decreased adenohypophyseal responsiveness to LH-RH. They may indicate a low level of hypothalamic secretion of LH-RH and/or to the existence of an inhibitory mechanism on LH secretion in vivo in both OL and I hens.     

凝结芽孢杆菌对感染沙门氏菌蛋鸡生产性能、蛋品质和血浆生化指标的影响

本试验旨在研究凝结芽孢杆菌对感染沙门氏菌前后蛋鸡生产性能、蛋品质的影响,并探究其对感染沙门氏菌蛋鸡血浆生化指标的影响。将400只沙门氏菌阴性、体况健康的京红商品代蛋鸡根据产蛋率无显著差异(P0.05)原则随机分成4组(A组、B组、C组和D组),每组5个重复,每个重复20只鸡。对照组(A组和C组)饲喂基础饲粮,凝结芽孢杆菌组(B组和D组)在基础饲粮中添加2.5×1010CFU/kg凝结芽孢杆菌;饲喂1周后,C组和D组连续2 d定量口服肠炎沙门氏菌悬浮液(1×108CFU/mL),A组和B组口服等量无菌磷酸盐缓冲液(PBS),继续饲养3周。结果表明:1)感染沙门氏菌前,凝结芽孢杆菌对蛋鸡生产性能无显著影响(P0.05)。感染沙门氏菌后,沙门氏菌显著降低了蛋鸡平均日采食量(P0.05);凝结芽孢杆菌极显著降低了蛋鸡料蛋比(P0.01),显著降低了平均日采食量(P0.05)。2)感染沙门氏菌前,凝结芽孢杆菌极显著增加了蛋鸡蛋壳重/蛋重(P0.01)。感染沙门氏菌后,沙门氏菌和凝结芽孢杆菌对蛋鸡蛋品质指标均无显著影响(P0.05)。3)感染沙门氏菌后,凝结芽孢杆菌显著降低了血浆总胆固醇和甘油三酯含量(P0.05);沙门氏菌显著降低了血浆总胆固醇、甘油三酯和钙含量,显著提高了血浆谷草转氨酶活性(P0.05),极显著提高了血浆碱性磷酸酶活性(P0.01);凝结芽孢杆菌与沙门氏菌对血浆总蛋白含量、钙/磷及谷草转氨酶活性有显著交互作用(P0.05)。综上,凝结芽孢杆菌可改善蛋鸡生产性能和蛋品质,在蛋白质代谢、脂质代谢、肝功能和钙磷吸收上都具有一定程度的改善作用。     

小麦-DDGS型饲粮中钙水平对京红蛋鸡产蛋后期产蛋性能、蛋品质的影响

本试验旨在研究京红1号商品代蛋鸡产蛋后期在小麦-DDGS(玉米酒精糟及可溶物)型饲粮中钙的适宜需要量,在充分利用非常规饲料资源的同时为京红1号商品代蛋鸡营养标准的制定提供科学依据。试验采用360只52周龄京红1号商品代蛋鸡,随机分成4个处理,每个处理6个重复,每个重复15只鸡。试验基础饲粮为小麦-DDGS型日粮,各组钙水平分别为3.50%、3.89%、4.28%、4.67%。试验期6周。结果表明:与3.50%钙水平组相比,4.28%钙水平组料蛋比显著降低,而3.89%、4.28%、4.67%钙水平组间的料蛋比无显著差异;4.28%钙水平组的蛋壳厚度显著高于3.50%钙水平组,蛋黄颜色显著高于3.50%、3.89%钙水平组;不同钙水平对其他生产性能和蛋品质指标均无显著影响。饲粮钙水平和蛋壳厚度回归方程为y=-0.0528x^2+0.4668x–0.676(R^2=0.9862),据此方程计算得到日粮最佳钙水平为4.59%。结果提示,京红1号蛋鸡产蛋后期小麦-DDGS型饲粮中钙水平推荐量为4.28%~4.59%。     

增蛋散对蛋鸡内分泌及消化作用的影响

将768只421日龄海兰白蛋鸡随机均分为2组,分别饲喂添加0和1.5%中药增蛋散的2种饲料,于饲养30、60d时采血和屠宰,测定血样中卵泡刺激素(FSH)、促黄体素(LH)、三碘甲状腺原氨酸(T3)、甲状腺素(T4)、雌二醇(E2)、孕酮(P4)、甲状旁腺素(PTH)、环磷酸腺苷(cAMP)等的含量及饲料中粗蛋白和钙的消化率,探讨该散剂促产蛋的作用机制.结果显示,当日粮中添加增蛋散饲喂30、60 d时,蛋鸡血清中FSH、LH、T3、T4、E2、P4、PTH的含量,下丘脑和腺垂体中cAMP含量及饲料中粗蛋白和钙的消化率均有显著提高(P＜0.05或P＜0.01).本试验结果为该散剂提高产蛋后期鸡的产蛋率,推迟其淘汰期的药理作用提供了实验依据.     

应用Triton WR-1339测定不同日粮产蛋鸡血脂分泌量方法的研究

Triton WR-1339(TWR)能抑制血清脂蛋白的降解,被广泛用于测定实验动物肝脂分泌量。试验拟研究翅静脉注射TWR对不同日粮饲养的绝食产蛋鸡血液脂肪(血脂)分泌量的影响,建立所需的测定时间。选用24周龄、平均体重1.5kg已饲喂基础日粮和添加4.0%α-亚麻酸(ALA)日粮2周的罗曼粉壳产蛋鸡,按2因子试验设计,分别从翅静脉注射4mL生理盐水或TWR250mg/kg体重。饥饿12h后正试12h。在注射TWR前及注射后0.5、1、2、4、6、8、10h和12h从翅静脉采血,测定血清甘油三酯(TG)含量。结果表明:普通日粮注射TWR后从6h起TG显著高于注射生理盐水的蛋鸡(P<0.05),添加ALA日粮注射TWR蛋鸡则从8h后,TG极显著高于注射生理盐水的蛋鸡(P<0.01)。采食产蛋鸡血脂分泌量分别为:普通日粮0.1181mmol/(min·kg体重),添加ALA日粮0.1070mmol/(min·kg体重)。     

葡萄原花青素对产蛋后期蛋鸡生产性能和抗氧化能力的影响

本试验旨在研究葡萄原花青素(grape procyanidins,GPC)对产蛋后期蛋鸡生产性能、蛋品质及血浆、肝脏和蛋黄抗氧化能力的影响。选取产蛋率、体重相近,健康状态良好的64周龄罗曼蛋鸡288只,随机分为4组,每组6个重复,每个重复12只鸡。对照组:饲喂基础饲粮;GPC50组和GPC100组:分别在基础饲粮中添加50和100 mg/kg的GPC;抗氧化剂特丁基对苯二酚(tert-butyl hydroquinone,TBHQ)组:基础饲粮+200 mg/kg TBHQ。预试期7 d,正试期56 d。结果表明:1)GPC显著抑制了产蛋后期蛋鸡产蛋率和鸡蛋哈夫单位下降(P0.05),显著增加了蛋壳厚度(P0.05)。2)GPC50组蛋鸡血浆和肝脏总超氧化物歧化酶(T-SOD)活性和总抗氧化能力(T-AOC)均显著提高(P0.05),血浆和肝脏丙二醛(MDA)含量显著降低(P0.05);TBHQ显著提高了蛋鸡血浆T-SOD活性(P0.05),显著降低了肝脏M DA含量(P0.05)。3)GPC显著提高了蛋黄T-SOD活性(P0.05),显著降低了蛋黄M DA和胆固醇含量(P0.05);TBHQ显著降低了蛋黄M DA含量(P0.05)。综上,饲粮添加GPC可改善产蛋后期蛋鸡产蛋率和哈夫单位,增加蛋壳厚度,改善机体抗氧化能力,其中以50 mg/kg GPC添加效果较好,优于200 mg/kg TBHQ。     

腐植酸对蛋鸡产蛋后期产蛋性能、抗氧化及促产蛋激素分泌的影响

试验旨在探究天然腐植酸和合成腐植酸对蛋鸡产蛋后期生产性能、蛋品质、血清生化指标、抗氧化指标和激素水平的影响。选取52周龄体重、产蛋率相近的海兰白蛋鸡405羽,随机分成3个组,每组9个重复,每个重复15羽。对照组饲喂基础饲粮(CON组),试验组在基础饲粮中分别添加1 000 mg/kg的天然腐植酸A(HAA组)和合成腐植酸B(HAB组),预试期2周,正试期8周。结果表明:与CON组相比,添加腐植酸均可提高平均蛋重(P<0.05),降低不合格蛋率(P<0.05)和料蛋比(P<0.01),其中HAA组产蛋率极显著提高,HAA组的料蛋比低于HAB组(P<0.01);饲粮添加腐植酸对蛋品质无显著影响;与CON组相比,HAA组血清中白蛋白含量降低(P<0.05),HAB组乳酸脱氢酶活性提高(P<0.05),HAA组与HAB组血清中甘油三酯含量均降低(P<0.01);相比于CON组,添加HAB可提高谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶活性(P<0.05);与CON组相比,饲粮中添加腐植酸提高了血清中促黄体素水平(P<0.01),对促卵泡素水平有升高趋势(P=0.060),且HAA组中促卵泡素水平高于HAB组(P<0.01)。结果提示,腐植酸可促进机体促性腺激素分泌,改善机体抗氧化水平,显著提高产蛋后期蛋鸡的生产性能,且天然提取的腐植酸作用效果更佳。     

Astaxanthin Z-isomer-rich diets enhance egg yolk pigmentation in laying hens compared to that in all-E-isomer-rich diets

The effects of feeding diets containing astaxanthin with different Z-isomer ratios to laying hens on egg qualities, such as astaxanthin concentration in egg yolk and yolk color, were investigated. As the astaxanthin source, a natural microorganism Paracoccus carotinifaciens was used. Astaxanthin with different Z-isomer ratios was prepared by thermal treatment with different conditions and then added to the basal diet at a final astaxanthin concentration of 8 mg/kg. We found that, as the Z-isomer ratios of astaxanthin in the diet increased, the astaxanthin concentration in egg yolk and the yolk color fan score also increased significantly. Importantly, feeding a 50.6% Z-isomer ratio diet increased astaxanthin concentration in egg yolk by approximately fivefold and the color fan score by approximately 2 compared to that in hens fed an all-E-isomer-rich diet. Moreover, we showed that feeding Z-isomer-rich astaxanthin to laying hens increased plasma astaxanthin concentration by more than five times in comparison to that in hens fed an all-E-isomer-rich diet. These results indicate that Z-isomers of astaxanthin have higher bioavailability than that of the all-E-isomer and thus they exhibit greater egg yolk-accumulation efficiency.     

Effects of dietary chromium picolinate supplementation on performance and plasma concentrations of insulin and corticosterone in laying hens under low ambient temperature

This experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of chromium (chromium picolinate) on performance and plasma concentrations of insulin and corticosterone of laying hens (Ross Brown) under a low ambient temperature (6.9 °C). One hundred and twenty laying hens (46 weeks old) were divided into four groups, 30 hens per group. The laying hens were fed either a control diet containing 710.3 p.p.b. chromium or the control diet supplemented with 100, 200 or 400 μg chromium/kg diet. Increasing supplemental chromium increased live weight change (p ≤ 0.001, linear) and egg production (p ≤ 0.001, linear) and also improved feed efficiency linearly (p ≤ 0.001). Live weight change and egg production also had quadratic responses (p ≤ 0.001) to increasing chromium supplementation. Plasma insulin concentration increased linearly (p ≤ 0.001), whereas corticosterone concentration decreased linearly (p ≤ 0.001) as dietary chromium supplementation increased. The results of this study indicate that supplemental dietary chromium, 200 p.p.b. in particular, had a positive effect on performance and increased the plasma insulin concentration of laying hens under cold stress.     

Relationship between plasma concentration of luteinising hormone and intensity of lay in the domestic hen

1. The concentration of plasma luteinising hormone (LH) in samples taken at frequent intervals from 6 weeks of age until the onset of lay, and also at 9 months after the onset of lay, was significantly greater in hens with a high rate of egg production than in comparatively poor layers.

2. The difference was most marked during the period 7 to 9 weeks of age when there was a transient increase in plasma LH in hens that subsequently had a high rate of egg production, while LH concentration remained stable in comparatively poor layers.

3. The concentration of LH in plasma, particularly at 7 to 9 weeks of age, before gonadal growth, or during the prepubertal peak of LH secretion, at about 2 to 4 weeks before the onset of lay, may be a useful criterion in the selection of laying strains.