Sexual and age variations of organ iron content in Shaver chickens

1. Haematological values and iron content in liver, spleen, kidneys and intestine were determined in Shaver chickens of both sexes at 4, 8, 13 and 18 weeks and in females at 24 weeks (the beginning of the laying period). 2. The haematocrit decreased significantly in laying compared with non-laying females and the haemoglobin concentration was similar to that in the prelaying state. Plasma iron in laying females increased to four times the basal value at 13 weeks. 3. Females of 13 and 18 weeks (prelaying state) stored more iron than males at the same age. A simultaneous liver and spleen mobilisation of stored iron and increased intestinal iron accumulation took place in the laying process. The haematological variables examined were minimally altered. 4. The iron contents of both heart and kidneys were influenced by age and followed a linear trend, except that in the heart of females where a quadratic response was observed.     

Spiramycin, oxytetracycline and sulphamonomethoxine contents of eggs and egg-forming tissues of laying hens

Spiramycin (SP), oxytetracycline (OTC) or sulphamonomethoxine (SMM) was fed to laying hens at a dietary level of 400 p.p.m. for 7 successive days. After 7 days of medicated feed, the concentrations of SP, OTC and SMM were determined in the blood, liver, ovary, oviducts (magnum and isthmus plus shell gland) and eggs (albumen and yolk) by high-performance liquid chromatography. Of the three drugs, OTC showed the lowest content in the above tissues and eggs, while the reverse was true for SMM. Low concentrations of SP were measured in the blood, whereas contents in the liver and the oviducts were relatively much higher.     

饲粮铁水平对山麻鸭产蛋性能、蛋品质及肝脏和血液指标的影响

本试验通过研究饲粮铁水平对山麻鸭产蛋性能、蛋品质及肝脏和血液指标的影响,旨在探讨产蛋期(17~30周龄)蛋鸭对饲粮铁的需要量。选用15周龄的山麻鸭432羽,随机分为6个组,每组6个重复,每个重复12羽,单笼饲养。试验蛋鸭饲喂不添加铁的基础饲粮(含铁52.2 mg/kg)2周后,分别在基础饲粮中添加0、15、30、45、60、75 mg/kg的一水合硫酸亚铁(FeSO_4·H_2O),试验饲粮铁水平分别为52.2、67.2、82.2、97.2、112.2和127.2 mg/kg。试验期14周。结果表明:1)产蛋初期(17~18周龄),随着饲粮铁水平的提高,平均蛋重先升高后降低,其中饲粮铁水平为67.2、82.2和97.2 mg/kg组的平均蛋重显著高于112.2 mg/kg组(P0.05)。产蛋高峰期(19~30周龄)和试验全期(17~30周龄),饲粮铁水平对蛋鸭日采食量、产蛋率、平均蛋重、日产蛋重和料蛋比均无显著影响(P0.05)。2)随着饲粮铁水平的提高,蛋黄色泽呈先升高后下降趋势,饲粮铁水平为97.2 mg/kg组蛋黄色泽最高。3)肝脏铁含量随饲粮铁水平的提高而呈上升趋势,其中饲粮铁水平为127.2 mg/kg组的铁含量显著高于52.2 mg/kg组(P0.05)。4)随着饲粮铁水平的提高,肝脏过氧化氢酶(CAT)活性呈先升高后下降趋势,其中饲粮铁水平为67.2 mg/kg组CAT活性显著高于97.2、112.2和127.2 mg/kg组(P0.05)。饲粮铁水平对肝脏琥珀酸脱氢酶(SDH)活性无显著影响(P0.05)。5)血红蛋白浓度和红细胞压积随饲粮铁水平的提高而上升;饲粮铁水平为97.2、112.2和127.2 mg/kg组的血红蛋白浓度显著高于52.2 mg/kg组(P0.05),饲粮铁水平为112.2和127.2 mg/kg组的红细胞压积显著高于52.2 mg/kg组(P0.05)。6)以平均蛋重为指标,通过二次曲线模型的回归方程可获得产蛋初期山麻鸭饲粮适宜铁水平为73.9 mg/kg。综合考虑,建议产蛋初期山麻鸭饲粮铁水平为73.9 mg/kg,产蛋高峰期为52.2 mg/kg。     

利用血液生化指标多辅助性状综合选择指数对蛋鸡进行早期选种的研究

国内外畜牧工作者都十分重视利用雏鸡血液生化指标进行早期选种的研究。然而有关利用雏鸡血液生化指标综合选择指数对产蛋量进行早期选种的研究,在国内外均未见报道。为此,我们进行了蛋鸡早期选种血液生化指标多辅助性状综合选择指数的研究,制订出蛋鸡血液生化指标多辅...     

Observations on the patterns of embryonic mortality over the laying season of pheasants.

1. Embryonic mortality of domestic pheasant (Phasianus colchinus) eggs was recorded for a 10-week laying season for two groups of laying hens maintained under mating ratios of 8:1 and 12:1 (females:males). 2. Mating ratio had no significant effect on embryonic mortality between 1 and 4 or 5 and 20 d but values for these categories doubled as the laying season progressed, both rising to 8% to 9% of fertile eggs. 3. Higher embryonic mortality was observed between 21 and 25 d for the eggs from the 8:1 mating ratio (14.5% of fertile eggs compared with 12.1%) but this was unaffected by week of setting. 4. Reasons for these patterns of embryonic mortality were not clear and further research is needed to determine the factors affecting embryonic mortality in pheasants.     

Morphology and chemical composition of turkey eggs

The objective of this study was to evaluate selected morphological characteristics and the chemical composition of turkey eggs of different weight classes. The percentage of eggs weighing ≥100 g increased to 46.66% in wk 23. Eggs weighing 95 and 110 g had lower yolk content (3.05 and 4.86%) and higher albumen content (by 3.16 and 5.21%) compared with eggs weighing 80 g. The total protein content of the albumen increased (from 9.93 to 10.71%) and the water content of the albumen decreased (from 88.30 to 87.59%) with an increase in egg weight. Albumen weight per gram of yolk increased from 1.87 to between 2.18 and 2.42 g in larger eggs. The energy density of the egg decreased from 5.68 to 4.90 kJ/g with an increase in egg weight, and the energy density of the yolk remained at a similar level in all egg weight classes. The other analyzed yolk and shell parameters were not affected by egg weight. The highest energy and total protein content of the yolk was observed in wk 14 of the laying season. No correlations were found between the progress of the laying cycle and eggshell percentage and the water content of the yolk. The values of the remaining egg parameters varied over the laying season.     

Lead contamination of chicken eggs and tissues from a small farm flock.

Twenty mixed-breed adult laying hens from a small farm flock in Iowa were clinically normal but had been exposed to chips of lead-based paint in their environment. These chickens were brought to the Iowa State University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, Ames, Iowa, where the concentration of lead in blood, eggs (yolk, albumen, and shell), and tissues (liver, kidney, muscle, and ovary) from 5 selected chickens was determined over a period of 9 days. Blood lead levels ranged from less than 50 to 760 ppb. Lead contamination of the yolks varied from less than 20 to 400 ppb, and shells were found to contain up to 450 ppb lead. Albumen contained no detectable amount. Lead content of the egg yolks strongly correlated with blood lead levels. Deposition of lead in the shells did not correlate well with blood lead levels. Mean tissue lead accumulation was highest in kidneys (1,360 ppb), with livers ranking second (500 ppb) and ovarian tissue third (320 ppb). Muscle contained the lowest level of lead (280 ppb). Lead contamination of egg yolks and edible chicken tissues represents a potential public health hazard, especially to children repeatedly consuming eggs from contaminated family-owned flocks.     

洪江雪峰乌骨鸡和罗曼粉蛋鸡鸡蛋营养成分和蛋品质比较

试验旨在比较洪江雪峰乌骨鸡和罗曼粉蛋鸡的鸡蛋营养成分和蛋品质,为洪江雪峰乌骨鸡蛋用新品系选育提供依据。随机选取40周龄的洪江雪峰乌骨鸡(绿壳)、洪江雪峰乌骨鸡(粉壳)和罗曼粉壳蛋鸡各100只,每品种鸡随机分为5个重复,每个重复20只,在相同饲粮和饲养管理方式下进行饲养,45周龄收集鸡蛋检测营养成分和蛋品质指标。结果表明:洪江雪峰乌骨鸡绿壳蛋的蛋黄比例极显著高于罗曼粉壳蛋(P<0.01),蛋重、蛋壳厚度、哈氏单位极显著低于罗曼粉壳蛋(P<0.01),洪江雪峰乌骨鸡粉壳蛋的蛋重和蛋壳厚度极显著低于罗曼粉壳蛋(P<0.01);洪江雪峰乌骨鸡蛋中的多不饱和脂肪酸和硒元素含量均极显著高于罗曼粉壳蛋(P<0.01),洪江雪峰乌骨鸡绿壳蛋胶原蛋白含量极显著高于罗曼粉壳蛋(P<0.01)。综上所述,洪江雪峰乌骨鸡鸡蛋蛋黄比例高,蛋黄多不饱和脂肪酸、胶原蛋白、硒和锰含量高,适合作为优质禽蛋开发。     

The distribution of orally administered 14C-aniline HCl in tissues of dairy cattle, swine and laying pullets

Single or chronic daily (30 d) doses of 14C-aniline (an aromatic amine) were administered to dairy cattle, swine and laying pullets to determine the amount of an ingested synfuel-related chemical that would remain in consumable animal products. The 14C-residues were found in muscle, liver, other edible organs and fat, as well as in milk and eggs. The predominant site of deposition in acute- and chronic-exposed pullets was kidney, followed by internal yolk (immature ovum of ovary) and then liver. Egg yolk was the major site of 14C-radioactivity in whole eggs. Liver, then kidney, were the major sites of deposition in acutely exposed swine; when chronically exposed, only liver showed preferential deposition with other tissues surveyed yielding similar concentration values. Dairy cattle yielded tissue distribution patterns similar to chronic swine. Within 8 h after an acute exposure, 14C-residue was detected in milk which reached its maximum at 24 to 32 h. Our data demonstrate that derived concentration values of 14C-residue in tissues was dependent upon the species studied as well as on the mode of exposure, acute versus chronic. Although the concentration values were variable, sufficient amounts of 14C-aniline and (or) its metabolites were found in consumable products.     

三种喹诺酮类药物在鸡蛋中残留消除规律的研究

建立了一种检测三种喹诺酮类药物在鸡蛋中残留的高效液相色谱-荧光检测法。利用建立的方法对三种喹诺酮类药物在产蛋期蛋鸡用药后鸡蛋中的浓度进行了测定,并根据测定值研究了鸡蛋中药物的残留消除规律。400kg水中分别添加不同含量的诺氟沙星、氧氟沙星、恩诺沙星．连续给药3d,使用高效液相色谱法对鸡蛋中三种喹诺酮类药物残留进行分析。结果表明,停药8d时,鸡蛋中检出的诺氟沙星和氧氟沙星的浓度均低于10μg/kg;停药12d时,鸡蛋中检出的恩诺沙星的浓度低于10μg／蚝。建议诺氟沙星和氧氟沙星在临床上蛋鸡产蛋前10d左右停用,恩诺沙星在临床上蛋鸡产蛋前14d左右停用。     

Tissue concentrations of sulphaquinoxaline administered in the food of laying hens

1. Sulphaquinoxaline (SQ) was fed to laying hens at a dietary level of 400 mg/kg for 3 successive days. SQ contents (mg/kg) in the blood, kidney, liver, ovary, muscle (thigh) and adipose tissue collected on 1, 2, and 3 d after the start of feeding were determined by HPLC. The relationship between the SQ content in the tissues and times (d) of SQ feeding was analyzed statistically. 2. Dietary SQ was distributed throughout the whole body. 3. Contents in tissues, except the kidney, had already reached a plateau by day 1 after the start of administration whereas in the kidney it increased linearly throughout the 3 days. 4. The plateau values of SQ in the tissues were much greater than those of sulphamonomethoxine and sulphadimethoxine.     

Effects of Observed Incubation Behavior on Egg Production in Laying Hens of a Commercial Chicken Breed and Detection of Single-Nucleotide Polymorphisms Associated with the Incubation Behavior

Upon contact with laid eggs, avians initiate incubation behavior and stop laying additional eggs. This phenomenon suggests that the productivity of laying hens in free-range facilities may decrease because of frequent contact with laid eggs. Here, we examined whether hens of a commercial breed exhibit incubation behavior in a free-range facility and whether egg productivity subsequently decreases. One-hour observations were performed twice weekly for 3 weeks, during which 9 of 129 hens (7.0%) exhibited incubation behavior (i.e., sitting on eggs) in the free-range facility and were defined as incubating hens. During 4 d of continuous behavioral observation, incubating and non-incubating hens laid the same number of eggs statistically (4.6 and 3.6, on average, respectively); however, incubating hens spent significantly more time on average incubating the eggs (2071.9 min) than did the non-incubating hens (20.9 min; P<0.05), indicating a clear behavioral difference. Subsequently, the incubation behavior and egg productivity of incubating hens and a Silkie Fowl breed hen, which is known to exhibit typical incubation behavior and cessation of laying, were continuously compared for 27 d. The average minutes spent incubating eggs during the observation period increased in both the incubating hens and Silkie Fowl hen and the total time was almost the same (18,088.5 and 23,092 min, respectively). However, the Silkie Fowl hen stopped laying on day 17 after laying 17 eggs, whereas the incubating hens continued laying throughout the observation period. Incubating hens laid an average of 24.5 eggs, indicating that some hens (at least those of the commercial breed used in our study) can continue laying while exhibiting incubation behavior. A single-nucleotide polymorphism associated with incubation behavior was detected on chromosome 4 through genome-wide association analysis.     

Influence of the Laying Date on the Fertility and Hatchability of Red-Legged Partridge (Alectoris rufa) Eggs

In several countries, there is a well-developed market for Red-Legged partridge (Alectoris rufa) eggs for incubation. Although Red-Legged partridge eggs produced at game farms are sold with a guaranteed average hatchability, there is a marked seasonal variation in fertility and hatchability. Therefore, an average incubating hatchability value cannot be generalized across the whole breeding season. In this research, the influence that the laying date has upon the fertility and hatchability of incubated eggs and the hatchability of the fertile eggs incubated at a farm of Red-Legged partridge was analyzed. It was found that the laying date did indeed influence the fertility and hatchability of the incubated eggs. Fertility and hatchability were greater in the eggs set in the incubator between mid February and late March than those of the eggs set in late April and early May. Hatchability of fertile eggs was greater in the eggs set in the incubator in mid March and lower in the eggs set in late April. The higher values obtained during the middle of the laying period and the lower ones obtained at the end of the laying period cause the game farms’ need to inform their potential customers of the eggs’ expected hatchability as a function of their laying date.     

Effect of macroalgae enriched with microelements on egg quality parameters and mineral content of eggs, eggshell, blood, feathers and droppings

This study presents results obtained from feeding experiment on laying hens, which were fed with the diet supplemented with two marine macroalgae: Enteromorpha prolifera and Cladophora sp., enriched with microelements [Cu(II), Zn(II), Co(II), Mn(II), Cr(III)]. The applicability of the preparation was tested on five experimental groups of laying hens and one control group. In the control group, microelements were supplemented in the inorganic form, whereas in experimental groups, Cu, Zn, Co, Mn and Cr were replaced by macroalgae enriched with a given microelement ion. During feeding experiment, weight of laying hens, weight of eggs, eggshell thickness and mineral content of blood, feathers, droppings, eggs content (separately yolk and egg white) and eggshell were measured. Also egg number was counted and microclimate (temperature and relative humidity) was monitored. Supplementing bio-metallic feed additives to the diet of laying hens resulted in higher microelement transfer to eggs and enhanced the colour of yolk. It was also found that the presence of Enteromorpha prolifera and Cladophora sp. in laying hens diet influenced advantageously eggs weight, eggshell thickness as well as body weight of hens. On the basis of these results, it could be concluded that Enteromorpha prolifera and Cladophora sp. enriched with microelement ions could be potentially used as mineral feed additives in laying hens feeding.     

高钙日粮对蛋鸡生产性能及出壳雏体内锌含量的影响

生长期日粮钙>3.11%,可使蛋鸡性成熟期明显延缓,开产日龄推迟;其蛋锌及子代出壳雏血锌和多数组织锌含量明显降低,但胚胎及出壳雏鸡未见畸变.出壳雏血锌含量能反映体内锌状态,可作为其评价指标.产蛋期高钙(6.11%)或低钙(0.83%)日粮均可使产蛋性能及孵化率降低.     

耐镉乳酸菌对蛋鸡组织和鸡蛋中镉残留及部分矿物元素沉积的影响

试验旨在探明耐镉乳酸菌对蛋鸡的脏器系数、镉在蛋鸡组织及鸡蛋中的残留及钙、铁、锌、锰、铜和硒在组织和鸡蛋中沉积的影响。试验分为5组：对照组,饲喂基础日粮;镉组,基础日粮+5 mg/kg镉（以氯化镉的形式添加）;乳酸菌组,基础日粮+1×10¹⁰ CFU/kg耐镉乳酸菌;镉+低剂量乳酸菌组,基础日粮+5 mg/kg镉+1×10¹⁰ CFU/kg耐镉乳酸菌;镉+高剂量乳酸菌组,基础日粮+5 mg/kg镉+1×10¹¹ CFU/kg耐镉乳酸菌,试验期6周。试验期末,采集各组蛋鸡血液,测定总抗氧化力（T-AOC）和超氧化物歧化酶（SOD）活力;采集各组蛋鸡内脏组织和鸡蛋,计算脏器系数,同时测定组织和鸡蛋中镉、钙、铁、铜、锌、锰及硒元素含量。结果显示,与对照组相比,镉及乳酸菌组显著提高了蛋鸡总抗氧化能力（P<0.05）。各处理组中,镉组脾脏指数最低,镉加乳酸菌组脾脏指数显著高于镉组（P<0.05）;与对照组相比,乳酸菌组显著提高心脏指数（P<0.05）。镉组致蛋鸡肝脏和肾脏中镉残留量远高于其他组织,补加耐镉乳酸菌显著减少了心脏的镉残留量（P<0.05）。与对照组相比,镉组显著降低肾脏钙、脾脏和卵黄的锰含量（P<0.05）;与对照组相比,镉加低剂量耐镉乳酸菌显著增加肾脏锰含量、卵黄铁含量及肾脏和脾脏铜含量（P<0.05）;镉在鸡蛋中的残留量较低,与对照组相比,镉组显著降低鸡蛋铁、锰元素含量（P<0.05）,补加耐镉乳酸菌显著增加铁、锌、锰和硒元素含量（P<0.05）。结果表明,在蛋鸡日粮中添加1×10¹⁰ CFU/kg的耐镉乳酸菌,可显著提高蛋鸡血清总抗氧化力水平和蛋鸡的心脏指数,显著改善镉暴露导致的脾脏萎缩和心脏镉的残留量;同时显著增加锰、铜、铁在肾脏、脾脏及卵黄中的含量及铁、锌、锰和硒在鸡蛋中的含量。     

Studies on reducing the crude protein content of feeds fed to chicks and young hens (laying stock)]

2 rearing trials were carried out on a total of 8550 hybrid chicks (White Leghorn) to investigate in which way food mixtures containing reduced levels of crude protein (supplemented or unsupplemented with amino acids) might influence the growth of chicks and young hens. Decreases from 21.5% to 16.5% in the crude protein content of chicken feed and from 15% to 13% in feeds feed to young hens (greater than 8 weeks of life) did not reduce the live weight of birds at the end of the rearing period to any appreciable extent. No clearly defined differences were found to exist between the different types of feed tested concerning the amount of food and energy consumed per unit of weight gain and the mortality rate among the birds; it was shown, however, that the demand for crude protein per unit of weight gain was clearly reduced in birds reared at the lower crude protein level. For young hens receiving the diet poorer in protein the date when the birds began laying was slightly delayed. Otherwise, no statistically significant differences were found to exist between the young birds fed varying levels of crude protein, concerning the age at 50% laying performance and other parameters that are characteristic of the entire laying period (laying performance, weight of individual eggs, food consumption, mortality, fertilization of hatching eggs, hatchability of eggs). It appears that the feeding of a reduced protein diet to chicks and young hens (laying stock) did not have any detrimental effect on the growth and later laying performance of the birds. Apart from the fact that the demand for protein feeds is considerably reduced during the rearing period the costs of feeding per bird can also be cut down.     

Choline requirement of the laying hen. 2. Effect of methionine and fat content of rations on choline requirement

165 laying hens per group received 3.0, 3.5, or 4.0 g methionine, 29 or 59 g fat and supplements of 0, 108, 217, 434 or 868 mg choline per kg feed resp. (3 X 2 X 5) over a period of 336 days. The average laying performance was 70% and was not influenced values by the content of the feed. The methionine supplements significantly increased the weight of the eggs by 0.6 and 1.1 g resp. The higher fat content increased the weight of the eggs by 0.6 g. Feed expenditure was not influenced by the subject of the experiment. The results of the experiment show that laying hens do not require choline as feed supplement and that therefore no interactions between choline and the fat and methionine content of the ration are to be expected.     

Effect of selenium and vitamin E content of the maternal diet on the antioxidant system of the yolk and the developing chick

1. The effects of selenium and vitamin E supplementation of the maternal diet on their transfer to the egg yolk and tissues of the newly hatched chick and on the development of the antioxidant system in the chick liver in early postnatal life were investigated. 2. One hundred Cobb broiler breeder hens were divided into 10 equal groups and housed in pens at 25 weeks of age. Each hen received 1 of the treatment diets which included 0.2 or 0.4 mg/kg selenium, 40, 100, 200 mg/kg vitamin E or their combination. After 6 weeks, the hens were artificially inseminated once per week. From week 8, eggs were collected and placed in an incubator. After hatching, chicks from each group were reared (under standard commercial conditions) to 10 d of age. The chicks were fed on a standard starter commercial broiler diet. At the time of hatching, and at 5 and 10 days old, 4 chicks from each group were sacrificed and blood, liver and brain were collected for the subsequent biochemical analyses. 3. The inclusion of organic selenium or vitamin E in the commercial diet significantly increased their concentration in the egg and in the liver of 1-d-old chicks obtained from the eggs enriched with these substances. A positive effect of such dietary supplementation was seen at d 5 and d 10 of postnatal development. 4. There was a positive effect of selenium supplementation of the maternal diet on glutathione concentration in the liver of 1-d-old and 5-d-old chicks. A combination of a dietary selenium supplementation with high vitamin E doses further increased glutathione concentration in the liver. Dietary selenium supplementation significantly increased selenium-dependent glutathione peroxidase (Se-GSH-Px) activity in the liver of the 1-d-old and 5-d-old chicks and decreased liver susceptibility to peroxidation. 6. It is concluded that the nutritional status of the laying hen determines the efficiency of the antioxidant system throughout embryonic and early postnatal development of the offspring.     

不同品种蛋鸡鸡蛋营养成分的比较研究

为研究不同品种蛋鸡鸡蛋的营养成分,随机抽取43周龄的拉萨白鸡、藏鸡和柳红谷香鸡3个品种蛋鸡的鸡蛋各40枚,进行蛋品质的营养成分测定。结果表明,3个品种蛋鸡鸡蛋的营养成分存在差异,除蛋白质、16种氨基酸、脂肪酸（C18∶3）在3个品种间差异不显著（P>0.05）外,拉萨白鸡蛋、藏鸡蛋与柳红谷香鸡蛋的水分、脂肪酸（C14∶0）存在显著差异（P<0.05）,拉萨白鸡蛋、柳红谷香鸡蛋与藏鸡蛋的C17∶0、C22∶6、矿物质元素（Mg、Na）间存在极显著差异（P<0.01）,脂肪、C16∶0、C16∶1、C18∶0、C18∶1、C18∶2、C19∶0、矿物质元素（Zn、Cu、Fe、Mn、Ca）在3个品种间存在极显著差异（P<0.01）,拉萨白鸡蛋与藏鸡蛋、柳红谷香鸡蛋的矿物质元素（K）相互间存在极显著差异（P<0.01）,3个品种的鸡蛋在磷脂、胆固醇、矿物质元素（P）相互间存在显著（P<0.05）或极显著差异（P<0.01）。