Daily rhythm of prolactin and corticosterone in unrestrained, incubating turkey hens

Plasma concentrations of prolactin and corticosterone were determined in hourly samples collected over a 25-hr period from unrestrained turkey hens exhibiting incubation (broody) behavior. Hens were maintained in cages on a 14 hr light: 10 hr dark photoperiod. Mean plasma prolactin concentration increased significantly late in the dark period to reach maximum daily levels of 496 ng/ml at the start of the photophase. However, a well-defined daily rhythm in prolactin secretion was not evident. Plasma corticosterone concentration showed a significant daily rhythm characterized by a major secretory peak (7.14 ng/ml) in the middle of the light period and a smaller, less well-defined peak (4.11 ng/ml) during the dark period. Both prolactin and corticosterone secretion ranged widely throughout the day in individual hens in a manner suggestive of pulsatile hormone secretion. This study demonstrates that the extremely high prolactin concentrations characteristic of the incubating turkey hen reflect large, dynamic changes in plasma prolactin concentrations occurring throughout the photoperiod, rather than a constantly high level of prolactin secretion.     

Plasma prolactin concentrations in broody turkeys: Lack of agreement between homologous chicken and turkey prolactin radioimmunoassays

1. Plasma concentrations of prolactin, measured using homologous chicken or turkey prolactin radioimmunoassays, increased 2‐ and 9‐fold, respectively in somatically mature turkey hens transferred from short (6 h light (L) :18 h dark (D)) to long (14 L:10 D) photoperiods.

2. A further increase in plasma prolactin was observed in laying hens 2 to 3 weeks before the onset of incubation. This increase was detected using the turkey prolactin assay but not the chicken prolactin assay.

3. The onset of incubation was not always associated with the cessation of egg production. Egg laying stopped in incubating hens only after plasma concentrations of prolactin were approaching their maximal values. These were 10‐fold higher than the prolactin concentrations at the onset of lay.

4. The removal of clutches of eggs from incubating hens resulted in a decrease in plasma concentrations of prolactin, which was associated with the cessation of incubation in two hens which had been incubating for 52 and 47 d. The decrease was only temporary in two hens which had been incubating for 8 and 32 d. The latter two hens continued to show incubation behaviour although they were not sitting on eggs.

5. In four turkey hens which did not become broody, egg production ceased after 12 weeks exposure to 14 L: 10 D. The concentration of plasma prolactin, as measured using the turkey prolactin assay, increased 2‐fold during the 2 weeks before these hens stopped laying.     

LH responses to chicken luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone I and II in laying,incubating, and out of lay turkey hens

An experiment was conducted to assess the relative in vivo and in vitro activities of chicken LH-RH-I and -II in laying, incubating and out-of-lay turkey hens. The highest plasma concentrations of LH were measured in laying turkey hens, whereas hypophyseal concentrations were highest in incubating hens (I) and lowest in the laying hens at the end of the laying period (EL). Hypophyseal and plasma concentrations of LH decreased with aging in laying hens (L) and the greater decrease occurred in the hypophyses. An in vitro hypophyseal acute challenge with 2-min pulses of cLHRH I or II (10⁻⁷ M) using a perifusion technique resulted in an increase in the release of LH in out-of-lay (OL) and incubating (I) hens, but not in laying (L) hens. Although both peptides elicited comparable responses in I hens, cLHRH II was more effective in OL hens. This difference was attributable to a greater amplitude of the response, whose duration was unchanged. Hypophyseal desensitization to a subsequent stimulation was observed in OL hens when the interval between stimulations was 30 min, but this did not occur at 60- or 120-min intervals. In vivo, the injection of cLHRH I or II, at doses of 10⁻⁸ and 10⁻¹⁰M/kg B.W. stimulated increases in the plasma concentrations of LH, which were initiated within 1 min of injection in OL and I hens but from 5 to 20 min postinjection in L hens. The responses were dose-related and greater immediate responses were measured with cLHRH I than with cLHRH II. Also, after the injection of cLHRH II at the 10⁻⁸ M/kg B.W. dose, the shape of the LH response consisted of an initial increase, followed by a more sustained phase during which LH concentrations were either stable (I hens) or continued to increase (L and OL hens) from 20 to 60 min after injection. In contrast, the injection of cLHRH I at doses of 10⁻⁸ or 10⁻¹⁰ M/kg or cLHRH II at a dose of 10⁻¹⁰ M/kg in I and OL hens, produced a peak of LH concentrations in plasma within 5 min and thereafter declined gradually. The difference in the in vivo responses to LHRH I and II could not be attributed to a greater potency of cLHRH II, but to a more prolonged action. In summary, the responses to both forms of chicken LH-RH varies markedly with the stage of the reproductive cycle (L, I, and OL) and differs between the in vivo and in vitro situations. Although cLHRH II may be more active than cLHRH I, controversy still surrounds its precise physiological role.     

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.     

Pulsatile secretion pattern of vasopressin under basal conditions, after water deprivation, and during osmotic stimulation in dogs

Measurement of plasma osmolality (Posm) and plasma vasopressin (VP) concentration in response to hypertonicity is regarded as the gold standard for the assessment of VP release in polyuric conditions. Yet the interpretation of the VP curve as a function of Posm may be hampered by the occurrence of VP pulses. To determine whether VP is secreted in a pulsatile fashion in the dog and whether stimulation of VP release changes the secretion pattern of VP, we measured VP at 2-min intervals for 2 h under basal conditions, after 12 h of water deprivation, and during osmotic stimulation with hypertonic saline (20%) in eight healthy dogs. Vasopressin was secreted in a pulsatile fashion with a wide variation in number of VP pulses, VP pulse duration, and VP pulse amplitude and height. After water deprivation, total and basal VP secretion, the number of significant VP pulses, as well as the pulse characteristics did not differ from the basal situation. During osmotic stimulation, there was a large increase in both basal and pulsatile VP secretion, and the number of VP pulses and VP pulse height and amplitude were significantly increased. The VP pulse amplitude correlated significantly with the basal plasma VP concentration during osmotic stimulation. It is concluded that VP is secreted in a pulsatile manner in healthy dogs. The basal and pulsatile VP secretion increases during osmoreceptor-mediated stimulation. The VP pulses may occur to the magnitude that they may be interpreted as erratic bursts, when occurring in the hypertonic saline infusion test.     

Effect of environment on the intake of food and water, body weight, egg production and plasma concentrations of corticosterone and prolactin in turkey hens

During the first 4 weeks of egg production, there were no differences in the plasma concentrations of prolactin and corticosterone, egg production, body weight and the consumption of food and water between turkey hens which were maintained in cages or in floor pens. The plasma concentration of prolactin increased to the same extent in both environments during the period of peak egg production. A further rise in concentration of prolactin occurred in association with the termination of oviposition in 15 of the 19 hens which stopped laying eggs. Prolactin appeared to be progonadal and then antigonadal, once a threshold concentration was exceeded. This threshold value was higher in caged turkey hens. After laying ended, high concentrations of prolactin in hens maintained in cages were not maintained in the absence of a stimulus or stimuli associated with the nests.     

Development and validation of a homologous radioimmunoassay using a biologically active recombinant turkey prolactin

1. A new homologous radioimmunoassay has been developed for the measurement of turkey prolactin.

2. A 25000 kDa purified recombinant derived turkey prolactin (rtPRL), the biological activity of which was tested using a crop sac assay, was used as immunogen for the production of rabbit antiserum. In this biological test, the rtPRL was as active as the ovinePRL.

3. The radioligand (rtPRL) was labelled with ¹²⁵I and the assay allowed the detection of standard doses of rtPRL ranging from 400 pg/tube to 50 ng/tube.

4. No cross reaction with chicken luteinising hormone and recombinant chicken growth hormone was detected.

5. The within and between assay coefficients of variability were 5.0 ± 2.7% and 16.3%, respectively. The overall mean recovery ratio was 1.01.

6. The dose‐response curves obtained with serial dilution of plasma and pituitary from turkey hens at different physiological stages and from male turkeys were parallel to those obtained with standard rtPRL.

7. The measured concentration of prolactin was 5 times higher in plasma from incubating than laying turkey hens, and the pituitaries from incubating hens contained 2 and 4 times more prolactin than those of laying and out of lay hens or males, respectively.

8. To further assess the validity of the assay, we measured changes in plasma concentration of prolactin in turkeys following stimulation with chicken vasointestinal peptide (cVIP). A single injection of 1 or 10 μg/kg body weight of cVIP to laying hens produced a large and rapid increase in plasma prolactin.

9. This new radioimmunoassay appears to be highly specific and sensitive for the measurement of turkey prolactin.     

Pulsatile secretion pattern of growth hormone in dogs with pituitary-dependent hyperadrenocorticism

The amplitude and frequency of growth hormone (GH) secretory pulses are influenced by a variety of hormonal signals, among which glucocorticoids play an important role. The aim of this study was to investigate the pulsatile secretion pattern of GH in dogs in which the endogenous secretion of glucocorticoids is persistently elevated, i.e. in dogs with pituitary-dependent hyperadrenocorticism (PDH). Blood samples for the determination of the pulsatile secretion pattern of GH were collected at 10-min interval between 08:00 and 14:00 h in 16 dogs with PDH and in 6 healthy control dogs of comparable age. The pulsatile secretion patterns of GH were analyzed using the Pulsar program. GH was secreted in a pulsatile fashion in both dogs with PDH and control dogs. There was no statistical difference between the mean (+/-S.E.M.) basal GH level in dogs with PDH (0.7+/-0.1 microg/l) and the control dogs (0.6+/-0.1 microg/l). The mean area under the curve (AUC) for GH above the zero-level in dogs with PDH (4.6+/-0.6 microg/l per 6 h) was significantly lower than that in the control dogs (7.3+/-1.0 microg/l per 6 h). Likewise, the mean AUC for GH above the base-level in dogs with PDH (0.6+/-0.1 microg/l per 6 h) was significantly lower than that in the control dogs (3.7+/-1.0 microg/l per 6 h). The median GH pulse frequency in the dogs with PDH (2 pulses/6 h, range 0-7 pulses/6 h) was significantly lower (P = 0.04) than that (5 pulses/6 h, range 3-9 pulses/6 h) in the control group. The results of this study demonstrate that PDH in dogs is associated with less GH secreted in pulses than in control dogs, whereas the basal plasma GH concentrations were similarly low in both groups. It is discussed that the impaired pulsatile GH secretion in dogs with PDH is the result of alterations in function of pituitary somatotrophs and changes in supra-pituitary regulation.     

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.     

Prolactin plays a stimulatory role in ovarian follicular development and egg laying in chicken hens

The aim of this study was to show a stimulatory role in ovarian follicle development by prolactin (PRL) in chicken hens. In experiment 1, anti-PRL antibodies were generated in hen plasma by intramuscular administrations of recombinant PRL antigen. Egg laying remained at levels lower (P < 0.05) in the PRL-immunized group than in the BSA-immunized group of hens, whereas development of incubation was depressed in the former but not the latter group. Throughout the experiment, plasma PRL concentrations were lower in the PRL-immunized hens than in non-incubating control hens; LH concentrations were similar between the PRL- and BSA-immunized hens until the end of the experiment when LH was lower in the BSA-immunized hens (P < 0.05). In experiment 2, anti-PRL receptor (PRLR) antibodies were raised in hens with the use of immunizations against recombinant PRLR extracellular domain. Immunization against PRLR initially increased the egg-laying rate when measured under the short photoperiod (12 h) but blocked the laying rate increase that occurred in the BSA-immunized control hens when the photoperiod was extended from 12 to 16 h. The development of incubation behavior was not affected by immunization against PRLR nor was plasma PRL or LH concentration. In experiment 3, when the egg-laying rate was depressed in PRL immunization hens, developmental speed of large white follicles was found to be slower than in the BSA-immunized control hens (P < 0.05). These results indicate that immunization against PRL slows down ovarian follicular development and reduces hen egg-laying performance, suggesting that PRL plays a stimulatory role in ovarian follicular development in chicken hens.     

The increase in prolactin-secreting cells in incubating chicken hens can be mimicked by extended treatment of pituitary cells in vitro with vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP)

Incubation of eggs by birds and lactation in mammals are regulated by pituitary prolactin (PRL) and associated with an increase in pituitary PRL-producing cells or lactotrophs. However, the mechanisms controlling this increase in lactotroph numbers are not known. PRL secretion in birds is regulated by vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP). This study was designed to determine whether VIP treatment could modulate lactotroph abundance in culture. Anterior pituitary cells were isolated from laying Japanese White Silkie hens and cultured for 2 or 6 days in the absence or presence of VIP. PRL-secreting cells were identified by reverse hemolytic plaque assay. Treatment with VIP for 6 days substantially increased the abundance of PRL-secreting cells from 47.5% under basal conditions to 70.6% of all pituitary cells following VIP stimulation. However, 2-day VIP treatment had no effect. Furthermore, the extent to which the hens were allowed to accumulate eggs in a clutch prior to isolation of the pituitaries did not affect the lactotroph response to VIP in vitro. These findings indicate that chronic VIP stimulation may be responsible for the increased abundance of lactotrophs found in the pituitary glands of incubating hens.     

Effects of photoperiod on the secretion of growth hormone and prolactin during nighttime in female goats

The aim of the present study was to clarify the effect of photoperiod on nighttime secretion of growth hormone (GH) in goats. Adult female goats were kept at 20°C with an 8 h or 16 h dark photoperiod, and secretory patterns of GH for 8 h in the dark period were examined with the profile of prolactin (PRL) secretion. GH was secreted in a pulsatile manner in the dark period. There were no significant differences in pulse frequency between the 8‐ and 16‐h dark photoperiods; however, pulse amplitude tended to be greater in the group with the 16‐h dark photoperiod (P = 0.1), and mean GH concentrations were significantly greater in the same photoperiod (P < 0.05). PRL secretion increased quickly after lights off under both photoperiods. The PRL‐releasing responses were weaker in the 8‐h than 16‐h dark photoperiod. The secretory response to photoperiod was more obvious for PRL than GH. The present results show that a long dark photoperiod enhances the nighttime secretion of GH in female goats, although the response is not as obvious as that for PRL.     

Organic matrix composition and ultrastructure of eggshell: a comparative study.

1. The avian eggshell is a biomineralised composite ceramic consisting of calcium carbonate embedded in an organic matrix. Matrix components are supposed to be involved in the control of mineralisation, crystallographic texture and biomechanical properties of eggshell. 2. The structure and eggshell matrix composition of various domesticated bird species were compared to gain insight into the universality of the eggshell mineralisation process. 3. The SDS-PAGE profiles of soluble eggshell matrix were specific within groups of birds (a: laying hen, breeder hen, quail, pheasant and possibly turkey; b: guinea fowl; c: duck and goose) but some of the protein bands were common to all groups. 4. Analogies between species were confirmed by Western blotting using hen protein antibodies. Ovocleidin-17 (OC-17) and ovalbumin were revealed in all species (except quail for OC-17). Lysozyme was present only in hen eggshell. Another egg white protein: ovotransferrin showed a positive signal in hens, turkey and quail. Osteopontin was observed in laying and breeder hens and quail. 5. Different proteoglycans were localised to discrete regions within the eggshell. Dermatan sulphate was observed within the matrix of the calcified shell of all species except quail which contained chondroitin-6-sulfate. Keratan sulphate was observed in mammillary bodies of breeder and laying hen, quail, pheasant and turkey while chondroitin sulphate was also present in guinea fowl and duck. 6. The general structural organisation of the different avian eggshells was similar but specific differences were observed in the ultrastructure of the mammillary layer. Species of the same taxonomic family could be grouped according to their structural analogies: breeder hen, turkey and pheasant resembled that of the domestic fowl. Guinea fowl was unique. Goose and duck were quite similar with large and confluent mammillary bodies. 7. Some matrix components are therefore common to eggshells of various species but more information is needed to relate differences in matrix composition between taxonomic groups with differences in ultrastructure.     

Plasma prolactin responses to serial bleeding in turkeys

Changes in plasma prolactin (PRL) in response to serial bleeding by venipuncture were measured in turkeys of varying age, sex and reproductive condition. Serial bleeding increased plasma PRL levels in immature, ovariectomized (OVX), laying and non-laying females, but depressed PRL levels in broody (incubating) females. Immature males showed a positive PRL response, while mature males showed no significant response to serial bleeding. The effective stressor was shown to be repeated capture and restraint for serial bleeding and not blood loss. The pattern of the PRL response in OVX hens was not significantly influenced by variations in time required for capture and restraint or by variation in the fear reaction to capture. Habituation of OVX hens to serial capture and handling on 14 consecutive days did not significantly blunt the PRL response to serial bleeding. These results reaffirm the importance of understanding the role of physiological and psychological factors influencing PRL secretion in birds as well as the need to avoid undue stress in birds used for studies of PRL secretion.     

Temporal Secretory Patterns of Growth Hormone in the Danish Broiler Lines Selected for High Body Weight or for Improved Food Efficiency

Abstract

Plasma growth hormone (GH) secretory profiles of 8-week-old male and female broiler chickens selected for high body weight at 42 days of age (GL line) or for improved food efficiency between 18 and 39 days of age (FCR line) were compared. A pulsatile GH secretory pattern was still present for all the 8-week-old chickens examined. Overall mean GH levels, and to a lesser extent GH baseline and GH amplitude values, were higher for FCR chickens compared with GL chickens. Mean GH concentrations, baseline and amplitudes were slightly, but not significantly, superior in males. Length and frequency of pulses were not influenced by line or sex. In view of the current knowledge on age- and sex-related changes in pulsatile GH secretion, it is argued that the line and sex differences would have been more pronounced in younger chickens. Based on this, the hypothesis that the amplitude of the pulsatile GH release is related to protein conversion efficiency and protein deposition rather than to average body weight gain is corroborated.     

Changes in plasma luteinizing hormone concentration in Turkey hens after switching from short-day to long-day photoperiods

Luteinizing hormone (LH) has been reported to increase in plasma shortly after switching photosensitive turkey hens from short-day (SD) photoperiods (6 hr light: 18 hr dark) to long-day (LD) photoperiods (14 hr light: 10 hr dark). An experiment was conducted to determine the timing and nature of these changes in plasma LH concentrations after the photostimulation of photosensitive turkey hens. The turkey hens were cannulated (jugular vein) to allow serial bleeding every 15 min for 48 hr. One group (controls) was continued under the SD photoperiod, and one group (treated) was switched to the LD photoperiod by the addition of 8 hr of light to the end of the photoperiod. In the control hens, no changes were seen in the observed or calculated baseline concentrations of LH or in the frequency and amplitude of LH peaks during the 48 hr of serial bleeding. In the treated hens, the observed and baseline concentrations of LH increased during the first LD scotoperiod, with a further increase during the second LD scotoperiod. This rapid increase was due to an increase in the baseline LH concentration, whereas no consistent changes were detected in the frequency and amplitude of LH peaks.     

饲粮粗蛋白质水平对济宁百日蛋种鸡生产性能的影响

本试验通过研究饲粮粗蛋白质水平对济宁百日蛋种鸡生产性能的影响,建立蛋白质需要量析因模型,确定济宁百日蛋种鸡饲粮粗蛋白质的需要量。采用单因素完全随机试验设计,饲粮粗蛋白质水平分别为13%、14%、15%、16%、17%,其他营养指标保持一致。选取40周龄、体重接近的健康济宁百日蛋种鸡525只,随机分为5组,每组5个重复,每个重复21只。预试期7 d,试验期56 d。结果表明:1)饲粮粗蛋白质水平对济宁百日蛋种鸡平均日粗蛋白质摄入量(ADCPI)有极显著的影响(P0.01),随着饲粮粗蛋白质水平的升高,ADCPI显著升高(P0.05)。2)饲粮粗蛋白质水平对济宁百日蛋种鸡41~48周龄的产蛋数、产蛋率、平均蛋重、平均日产蛋量(ADEM)均有显著影响(P0.05),对料蛋比有极显著影响(P0.01);高粗蛋白质水平组(16%、17%)的产蛋数、产蛋率、ADEM均高于低粗蛋白质水平组(13%、14%、15%)。在一定的饲粮粗蛋白质水平(13%~16%)范围内,蛋重有随着饲粮粗蛋白质水平的升高而升高的趋势。3)以ADCPI为因变量,以平均日增重(ADG)、ADEM和代谢体重(BW0.75)为自变量,拟合济宁百日蛋种鸡粗蛋白质需要析因模型为:ADCPI=0.268 0 ADG+0.271 1 ADEM+3.299 3 BW0.75(R2=0.993 4)。满足济宁百日蛋种鸡41~48周龄时最佳生产性能的适宜饲粮粗蛋白质水平为15.49%。     

Effects of photoperiod on secretory patterns of growth hormone in adult male goats

The aim of the present study was to clarify the effect of photoperiod on secretory patterns of growth hormone (GH) in male goats. Adult male goats were kept at 20°C with an 8‐h or 16‐h light photoperiod, and secretory patterns of GH secretion were compared. In addition, plasma profiles of prolactin (PRL), insulin‐like growth factor‐I (IGF‐I) and testosterone (T) were also examined to characterize GH secretion. GH was secreted in a pulsatile manner. There was no significant difference in pulse frequency between the 8‐h and 16‐h photoperiods. However, GH pulse amplitude tended to be greater in the group with the 16‐h photoperiod (P = 0.1), and mean GH concentrations were significantly greater in the 16‐h photoperiod (P < 0.05). The GH‐releasing response to GH releasing hormone was greater in the 16‐h than 8‐h photoperiod (P < 0.05). Plasma PRL and IGF‐I levels were higher in the 16‐h than 8‐h photoperiod (P < 0.05). In contrast, plasma T levels were lower in the 16‐h photoperiod (P < 0.05). These results show that a long light photoperiod enhances the secretion of GH as well as PRL and IGF‐I, but reduces plasma T concentrations in male goats.     

Features of eggshell formation in guinea fowl: kinetics of shell deposition, uterine protein secretion and uterine histology

1. Rate of calcium carbonate deposition, duration of eggshell formation, organic composition of the uterine fluid, morphology of the egg shells and histochemistry of the uterus were studied in guinea fowl to analyse the origin of such thick, strong egg shells. 2. The egg shell was linearly deposited from 6.4 h to 21.8 h after the oviposition of the previous egg. The rate of egg shell deposition was similar to that in laying hens. However, the duration of linear shell deposition was increased by 2.1 h relative to that in hens. This explained the increased egg shell weight observed in the guinea fowl. 3. Intervals between oviposition of intra-clutch eggs were 24 h throughout the laying period. Ovulation occurred just after oviposition of the previous egg in the guinea fowl, as previously observed in hens but the duration of egg white protein deposition, of plumping and of initiation of shell mineralisation were all 1.5 h shorter than in domestic hen. 4. Uterine fluid can only be collected during the growth and terminal phase of shell formation. The electrophoretic profiles of the uterine fluid differed between phases and were somewhat different from those previously observed in the hen. Ovalbumin and ovocleidin-17 were both present in the uterine fluid and also in egg shell extract. Ovocleidin-17 was predominant during the growth phase. 5. The histology of the uterus differed slightly in guinea fowl compared to hens. Ovocleidin and ovalbumin are both secreted by the tubular glands. 6. Examination of radial ultrathin sections of eggshell showed, above the mammillary layer, intricate interlacing of adjacent exospherite in guinea fowl in contrast to the continuous columnar microstructure in hens. 7. The kinetics of egg shell deposition largely explains the increased egg shell weight of guinea fowl. The organic matrix proteins may be associated with the contrast between the structural organisation of the guinea fowl egg shell and that of the hen egg shell.     

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)。