Influence of thermal stimulation during the late phase of incubation on hatching results and post-hatch broiler performance under commercial conditions

1. Two experiments, which differed in breeder age, strain and season, were conducted to study the influence of low-intensity, short-duration thermal stimuli during the late phase of incubation on hatchability and performance. The first experiment conducted in April–June used eggs from Cobb × Ross broiler breeders at 35–41 weeks of age and the second experiment performed in February–April used eggs from Hubbard × Cobb broiler breeders at 49–53 weeks of age.

2. Eggs in the test group had the same physical environment as eggs in the control group except that incubation temperature was increased by 1?C for 2 h/d above the control group from 18 to 20 d of incubation (DI).

3. The results demonstrated that thermal stimulation of 1?C for 2 h/d above control incubation temperature during 18–21DI did not have any adverse effects on hatch and post-hatch performance of broilers.

4. In both experiments, treatment did not significantly alter the secondary sex ratio in hatched chickens, but hatch residue showed that the proportion of unhatched male embryos was significantly lower in the test groups than in the control groups.

5. In the first experiment, thermal stimulation improved feed conversion by 1.82% compared with the control.

     

北京油鸡快慢羽公鸡鉴定及羽毛发育、生长和繁殖性能的对比分析

试验通过开展快慢羽群体的鉴定,并对比其在羽毛发育、生长和繁殖性能方面的差异,旨在为北京油鸡种鸡选育和科学养殖提供数据支持。选用北京油鸡纯系公鸡,出雏时,按照主翼羽与覆主翼羽的羽长差值将其分为快慢羽亚群,其中快羽包括K1（主翼羽长于覆主翼羽>5 mm）和K2（主翼羽长于覆主翼羽2~5 mm）,慢羽包括M1（主翼羽与覆主翼羽等长或主翼羽长于覆主翼羽<2 mm）和M2（主翼羽短于覆主翼羽）和M3（主翼羽未长出）。1~7日龄每隔1 d测量1次主翼羽与覆主翼羽羽长,7~42日龄每隔1周测量1次;1~8周龄每周测量体重,9~18周龄每隔1周测定体重;10周龄时,观测公鸡全身羽毛发育情况;47周龄时,测定公鸡常规精液品质性状、精子动力学参数、受精率及孵化率。结果显示,快羽公鸡占北京油鸡公鸡总数的11.60%,慢羽占88.40%,慢羽又以M2型为主,有少量M1型和M3型。育雏育成期（1~18周）北京油鸡快慢羽公鸡各周龄体重均无显著差异（P>0.05）。在育雏育成期,慢羽公鸡主翼羽和覆主翼羽生长均慢于快羽公鸡。其10周龄时,背部和腿部羽毛生长完全的鸡的比例仅为44%,且不同类型的慢羽公鸡的比例也不一,其中等长型或微长型慢羽最高,超过90%,未长出型慢羽最低,仅为17%左右。47周龄时快羽鸡和慢羽鸡的常规精液品质无差异,但是快羽公鸡精子直线性显著高于慢羽鸡（P<0.05）,直线速率高于慢羽公鸡（P=0.06）,快羽北京油鸡公鸡受精率显著高于慢羽公鸡（P<0.05）,且入孵蛋孵化率和受精蛋孵化率有高于慢羽公鸡的趋势,但差异不显著（P>0.05）。本研究结果表明,快慢羽北京油鸡公鸡的羽毛生长和繁殖性能有一定差异,需要加强慢羽公鸡羽毛发育缓慢原因和鉴定方法的研究,也需加强慢羽公鸡精液品质选育。     

Supplementation of graded levels of organic zinc in the diets of female broilers: effects on performance and carcase quality

Zinc is an essential trace element. The objective of this research was to investigate the effects of various levels of organic zinc (OZ) supplementation on growth performance and carcase quality of female broiler chickens. A total of 3200 1-d-old female broiler chicks were randomly allotted to 16 floor pens with 200 birds per pen. A maize-wheat-soyabean meal basal diet (Control) was formulated and 20 mg/kg OZ (20 OZ), 40 mg/kg OZ (40 OZ), and 80 mg/kg OZ (80 OZ) were added to the basal diet to form 4 dietary treatments with 4 replicates per treatment. The OZ source was zinc proteinate which contained 15% zinc. Results showed no significant difference between the treatments in growth performance. A significant increase in thigh skin epidermis and dermis thickness was shown in the OZ supplementation groups; however, no effect was found on the thickness of back skin epidermis and dermis. Collagen contents in breast and thigh meats were not influenced by OZ supplementation but a significant increase in collagen content was found in the back and thigh skin. This increase in collagen content was significantly greater in the back and thigh skin of OZ 80 than with OZ 20. Shear force value and zinc concentration in skins and meat were not significantly influenced by supplementation with OZ. It is concluded that dietary OZ does not improve growth performance of broilers; however, it could increase skin thickness by increasing collagen content in skin, thereby improving carcase quality.     

Glycerol in ovo feeding as an energy substrate improves performance of broilers from young breeders

Glycerol is one of the substrates used for glycogen production by the chicken embryo, which is the predominant energy source during the last days of incubation and during hatching. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the in ovo feeding (IOF) of glycerol in the light and heavy broiler eggs derived from breeders of two different ages. Two experiments, with 672 eggs each, were carried out. The only difference between the experiments was breeder age: 32 weeks old in Exp. I and 60 weeks old in Exp. II. A completely randomized experimental design in a 3 × 2 factorial arrangement was applied. Treatments consisted of three glycerol IOF doses (0, 6, or 12 mg/ml) and two egg weights (light or heavy). Incubation parameters, glycogen reserves and live performance parameters (1–7 days of age) were evaluated. Hatch of fertile eggs, embryo mortality after IOF and the number of early‐hatching chicks were not affected by the treatments in both experiments. Hatchlings from heavy eggs (68.03 ± 0.64 g) laid by young breeders and receiving 6 mg glycerol/ml showed higher liver glycogen levels than those injected with 0 or 12 mg/ml. Glycerol IOF of embryos from young breeders increased feed intake and weight gain at 7 days of age, independently of egg weight. However, different glycerol dosages had no effect on the performance of the progeny of 60‐week‐old breeders. These results show that glycerol may be used as an IOF ingredient without affecting incubation parameters. The chickens from young breeders had greater glycogen deposition with inoculation of 6 mg/ml of glycerol and better performance with glycerol administration. However, glycerol IOF did not improve the performance of the progeny of 60‐week‐old breeders. Therefore, glycogen IOF may be recommended for eggs laid by young breeders.     

Vertical induction of the inclusion body hepatitis/hydropericardium syndrome with fowl adenovirus and chicken anemia virus

The hypothesis that fowl adenovirus (FAV) and chicken anemia virus (CAV), transmitted vertically and simultaneously, induce the inclusion body hepatitis (IBH)/hydropericardium (HP) syndrome in progeny chickens was tested. Thus, 35-wk-old light brown layer breeders, showing absence of antibodies against FAV and variable titers against CAV, were intramuscularly singly infected with the FAV serotype 4 isolate 341 or dually infected with CAV (isolate 10343) and FAV. All hens (groups A [FAV alone], B [FAV + CAV], and C [noninfected]) were clinically healthy throughout the experimental period. Both infectious viruses FAV and CAV were isolated from progenies obtained as early as 5 days after infection of their breeders. Hematocrit, serum proteins, and aspartate-aminotransferase values showed a few statistical differences between the progeny groups. Most of these differences were detected in the progeny chickens of group B. However, almost all values met reference values for the species. The pathologic findings showed that progeny chickens obtained from both singly and dually infected breeders developed macroscopic and histopathologic changes of IBH/HP. The pathologic findings shown by progeny chickens of group A (FAV) were not expected because neither synergism nor prior immunodepression by CAV was concurrent. Chickens of group B (CAV + FAV) also developed IBH/HP. Although not many differences in the evaluated parameters between groups A and B were statistically significant, most pathologic findings of group B indicated a more severe manifestation of the disease. However, because FAV alone did reproduce the syndrome, the results shown by group B would not allow a definitive confirmation of the hypothesis that the association of FAV and CAV is necessary for the successful induction of the IBH/HP syndrome in chickens when transmitted vertically.     

快慢羽品系贵妃鸡体尺性状及屠宰性能的比较分析

对20周龄的6只快羽贵妃鸡与6只慢羽贵妃鸡的体尺性状与屠宰性能进行比较分析.结果表明,两品系间的体尺性状与屠宰性能均为慢羽鸡大于快羽鸡,且髋宽、半净膛率两品系间差异显著(P<0.05).两品系间的内脏器官的体积大小和骨架结构大小存在一定的规律性,骨架指数与睾丸重慢羽鸡均大于快羽鸡,器官指数则是慢羽鸡小于快羽鸡.     

Experimental study to determine if low-pathogenicity and high-pathogenicity avian influenza viruses can be present in chicken breast and thigh meat following intranasal virus inoculation

Two low-pathogenicity (LP) and two high-pathogenicity (HP) avian influenza (AI) viruses were inoculated into chickens by the intranasal route to determine the presence of the AI virus in breast and thigh meat as well as any potential role that meat could fill as a transmission vehicle. The LPAI viruses caused localized virus infections in respiratory and gastrointestinal (GI) tracts. Virus was not detected in blood, bone marrow, or breast and thigh meat, and feeding breast and thigh meat from virus-infected birds did not transmit the virus. In contrast to the two LPAI viruses, A/chicken/Pennsylvania/1370/1983 (H5N2) HPAI virus caused respiratory and GI tract infections with systemic spread, and virus was detected in blood, bone marrow, and breast and thigh meat. Feeding breast or thigh meat from HPAI (H5N2) virus-infected chickens to other chickens did not transmit the infection. However, A/lchicken/Korea/ES/2003 (H5N1) HPAI virus produced high titers of virus in the breast meat, and feeding breast meat from these infected chickens to other chickens resulted in Al virus infection and death. Usage of either recombinant fowlpox vaccine with H5 AI gene insert or inactivated Al whole-virus vaccines prevented HPAI virus in breast meat. These data indicate that the potential for LPAI virus appearing in meat of infected chickens is negligible, while the potential for having HPAI virus in meat from infected chickens is high, but proper usage of vaccines can prevent HPAI virus from being present in meat.     

大围山微型鸡与科宝肉鸡免疫球蛋白含量及CATH-2基因表达差异研究

试验以相同条件下饲养的4、8、12周龄的大围山微型鸡和科宝肉鸡为研究对象,分别测定其免疫球蛋白含量(IgA、IgG、IgM)及胸肌、肝脏、小肠中的CATH-2 mRNA表达量,比较二者之间的差异。结果显示:大围山微型鸡血液中免疫球蛋白含量总体上低于科宝肉鸡,两个鸡种随着日龄的增加IgA、IgG含量均呈现先下降后上升趋势,IgM含量呈现下降趋势,且两个试验鸡种在4周龄时IgA、IgM、IgG含量均不同程度的高于8、12周龄。CATH-2 mRNA表达量在两个鸡种间存在差异,大围山微型鸡胸肌和肝脏中CATH-2 mRNA表达量均低于科宝肉鸡,而小肠中CATH-2 mRNA表达量显著高于科宝肉鸡。结果表明:在相同饲养条件下,大围山微型鸡免疫机能强于科宝肉鸡,具有潜在的较强的抗感染能力。     

母体日粮低能量对后代肉仔鸡生长性能、胴体品质和肉质的影响

本文旨在研究母体日粮低能量对后代肉仔鸡生长性能、胴体品质及肉质的影响.试验选用低脂系肉种鸡120羽,随机分成2组,每组60个重复,每个重复1羽,即单笼饲养.在肉种鸡产蛋期产蛋率达到5%进行试验处理,试验分试验组和对照组,试验组代谢能量为对照组的80%孵化后的肉仔鸡按照母体不同能量处理各挑选健康仔鸡,在相同的试验条件下进行饲养,试验期为56 d.结果表明:1)与对照组相比,母体日粮低能量有降低1日龄肉仔鸡体重的趋势,对全期日增重和料重比影响不显著(P＞0.05);2)与对照组相比,母体日粮低能量对后代肉仔鸡胸肌和腿肌的水分、脂肪和蛋白质含量,胸肌率和腹脂率均无显著影响(P＞0.05),但显著增加腿肌率(P＜0.05);3)与对照组相比,母体日粮低能量对后代肉仔鸡胸肌和腿肌的pH、红度、黄度、滴水损失和蒸煮损失均无显著影响(P＞0.05),但pH、红度和黄度值有升高趋势,滴水损失和蒸煮损失有降低趋势,胸肌和腿肌剪切力显著降低(P＜0.05);4)与对照组相比,母体日粮低能量显著提高后代肉仔鸡胸肌和腿肌肌纤维密度(P＜0.05),显著降低后代肉仔鸡胸肌和腿肌肌纤维直径(P＜0.05).本试验的研究结果表明:母体日粮低能量对后代肉仔鸡的胴体品质及肉质能产生一定的影响.     

Prevention of inclusion body hepatitis/hydropericardium syndrome in progeny chickens by vaccination of breeders with fowl adenovirus and chicken anemia virus

The hypothesis that an effective protection of progeny chickens against inclusion body hepatitis/hydropericardium syndrome (IBH/HP) can be achieved by dual vaccination of breeders with fowl adenovirus (FAV) serotype 4 and chicken anemia virus (CAV) was tested. Thus, 17-wk-old brown leghorn pullet groups were vaccinated by different schemes including single FAV (inactivated), single CAV (attenuated), FAV and CAV dually, or were not vaccinated (controls). Subsequent progenies of these breeders were challenged with the virulent strains FAV-341 and CAV-10343 following three strategies: 1) FAV-341 intramuscularly (i.m.) at day 10 of age (only FAV-vaccinated and control progenies); 2) FAV + CAV i.m. simultaneously at day 10 of age (all progenies); 3) CAV i.m. at day 1 and FAV orally at day 10 of age (all progenies). The induction of IBH/HP in these progenies was evaluated throughout a 10-day period. Both breeder groups vaccinated against FAV and those vaccinated against CAV increased virus neutralizing specific antibodies. Challenge strategy 1 showed 26.6% mortality in control progeny chickens and 13.3% in the progeny of FAV-vaccinated breeders. Presence of lesions in the liver of these groups showed no significant differences (P > 0.05), suggesting a discreet protective effect of the vaccine. Challenge strategy 2 showed 29.4% mortality in controls and 94% of chickens showed hepatic inclusion bodies (HIB). Single CAV vaccination of breeders did not demonstrate a beneficial effect, with both mortality and liver lesions resembling the nonvaccinated controls. FAV vaccination of breeders significantly reduced both mortality (7.4%) and liver lesions (26% HIB) (P < 0.05), providing protection against this challenge strategy. Dual vaccination of breeders with FAV and CAV proved to be necessary to achieve maximum protection of the progeny (no mortality and 7% HIB). Challenge strategy 3 produced no mortality but consistent liver damage in controls (96% HIB). In this case, both CAV and FAV + CAV-vaccinated breeders showed best protection results in terms of liver histopathology (8% and 0% HIB, respectively). FAV vaccination alone produced 24% HIB, similar to challenge strategy 2, demonstrating a lower protective effect.     

北京油鸡快慢羽母鸡鉴定以及羽毛发育、生长和产蛋性能的对比分析

试验旨在为北京油鸡品系选育、配套利用和科学养殖提供基础数据。选用北京油鸡纯系母雏534只,开展快慢羽群体的鉴定,并对比快慢羽母鸡羽毛发育、生长和繁殖性能的差异。北京油鸡保种群出雏时按照主翼羽与覆主翼羽的相对长度表型特征鉴别,将其分为快慢羽亚群,其中快羽包括K1（主翼羽长于覆主翼羽5 mm以上）和K2（主翼羽长于覆主翼羽2~5 mm）,慢羽包括M1（主翼羽与覆主翼羽等长或主翼羽长于覆主翼羽2 mm以内）、M2（主翼羽短于覆主翼羽）和M3（主翼羽未长出）。6周龄时通过PCR方法进行再次鉴定快慢羽。7 d内每隔1 d测量1次主翼羽与覆主翼羽羽长;7~42 d每隔1周测量1次;1~8周每周测定体重,9~18周每隔1周测定体重;产蛋期根据个体产蛋记录统计群体开产日龄、个体产蛋数以及连产相关性状等产蛋性能。结果表明,北京油鸡初生雏鸡快慢羽表型鉴定结果与通过PCR方法鉴定的结果一致,快羽鸡占总数的25%,慢羽鸡占75%,慢羽鸡又以M2为主,有少量M1和M3。21日龄以内快羽鸡的主翼羽羽长显著高于慢羽鸡（P<0.05）;28日龄时,M1和M2型慢羽鸡的主翼羽长度与快羽鸡差异不显著（P>0.05）,但是M3仍显著短于快羽鸡（P<0.05）。与慢羽鸡相比,快羽鸡70日龄后体重显著增加（P<0.05）,且开产日龄显著提前（P<0.05）,但是43周产蛋数较低（P<0.05）;快羽鸡除蛋形指数显著高于慢羽鸡外（P<0.05）,其他蛋品质指标均无显著差异。综上,快慢羽北京油鸡在生长和产蛋性能上有一定差异,在选育方向和生产管理中应有所差异化,包括加强慢羽品系早熟性即开产日龄的选育和调整快羽品系育成期饲料能蛋水平等。     

Onset of progeny immunity against viral arthritis/tenosynovitis after experimental vaccination of parent breeder chickens and cross-immunity against six reovirus isolates

Immunization of breeder chickens by eyedrop with viral arthritis/tenosynovitis vaccine strain S1133 (73rd egg passage) gave no immunity against day-old oral challenge of their progeny at 1 week postvaccination of the breeders, but progeny immunity was observed at 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 weeks postvaccination of the breeders. Oral cross-challenge of immune progeny with viral isolates from Connecticut, West Virginia, California, Indiana, Pennsylvania, and Minnesota showed that in vitro neutralization of an isolate by anti-S1133 antiserum correlated with in vivo immunity of the progeny against oral day-old challenge with such an isolate.     

Carcase characteristics and qualitative meat traits of three Italian local chicken breeds

1. An experiment involving 60 male chickens reared in an organic production system was carried out in order to investigate carcase characteristics and qualitative meat traits of three slow-growing Italian local breeds of chicken (Ermellinata, Padovana and Pepoi). 2. Chicks were randomly selected at hatch, raised together under the same conditions, slaughtered at 190 d of age, dissected for carcase traits, and meat (breast and thigh) stored for subsequent analysis of quality parameters. 3. Ermellinata (EA) chickens were significantly different from Padovana (PA) and Pepoi (PI) chickens for live, carcase and thigh weights. Breeds were also different for breast muscle protein content (EA > PI and PA), shear force (PA < EA and PI) and cooking loss (PI > PA and EA) values. 4. The CIE system values of lightness (L*), redness (a*), and yellowness (b*) evidenced a distinctive darker meat and lighter skin colour of PA breast meat. 5. Polyunsaturated fatty acids composition of breast meat was similar among the analysed breeds. EA had significantly higher saturated but significantly lower monounsaturated fatty acid contents than the other two breeds.     

清远麻鸡快慢羽系羽速与生产性能的研究

试验选取清远麻鸡快慢羽群体共200只,通过对初生羽毛长度、体重、鸡冠高度和羽毛成熟性等指标的测定,并对初生羽毛长度和羽毛成熟性进行相关性分析,探讨清远麻鸡快慢羽系各阶段生产性能的差异,解析初生羽毛长度与早熟性状之间的关系。结果表明:(1)1日龄快羽R2型的主翼羽长度和平均羽毛长度均极显著长于慢羽倒长型(L2)(P<0.01),但其主翼羽和覆主翼羽长度差值极显著短于慢羽倒长型(L2)(P<0.01);(2)42日龄时,慢羽倒长型(L2)公鸡体重极显著大于快羽R2型(P<0.01);110日龄时,快羽R2型母鸡的冠高显著高于慢羽母鸡(P<0.05),同时,快羽R2型母鸡羽毛成熟性也极显著优于慢羽倒长型(L2)母鸡(P<0.01);(3)快羽R2型鸡羽毛成熟性与初生翼羽长度呈中度正相关(r=0.264~0.322),分别达到显著水平(P<0.05)或极显著(P<0.01)。研究结果提示,清远麻鸡快慢羽系中最常见的快羽R2型和慢羽倒长型(L2)的各阶段的生产性能具有一定的差异,快羽R2型的初生羽毛长度可对羽毛成熟性实施间接选育。     

Expression profiles and associations of FGF1 and FGF10 with intramuscular fat in Tibetan chicken

ABSTRACT

1. FGF1 and FGF10, two paracrine members of the fibroblast growth factor (FGF) gene family, play critical roles in the development, structural and metabolic remodelling of adipose tissue.

2. The objective of this study was to investigate the expression profiles of FGF1 and FGF10 genes in breast muscle and thigh muscle in 5 developmental stages (1, 81, 119, 154 and 210 d old) in Tibetan chickens. The possible relationships between expression of these genes and intramuscular fat (IMF) content were analysed in Tibetan chickens.

3. Expression profiles showed that FGF1 and FGF10 mRNA were ubiquitously expressed in various tissues of 154-d-old Tibetan chickens. Lung tissue contained the highest amount of FGF1 and FGF10 mRNA while breast muscle and thigh muscle exhibited lower levels of FGF1 and FGF10 mRNA in both males and females compared with other tissues (P < 0.05). Temporal expression of FGF1 and FGF10 in breast and thigh muscle showed similar tendencies in males and females, respectively, with peaks in thigh muscle at 119-d-old and breast muscle in 1-d-old males and females, respectively.

4. Correlation analysis suggested that gender had an influence on the relationships of FGF1 and FGF10 expression with IMF content in thigh muscle. The RNA levels of FGF1 and FGF10 genes in male thigh muscle were positively related to IMF content of Tibetan chickens (P < 0.01), while the correlations were shown to be negative in female thigh muscle (P > 0.05).

5. These results provide a basis for functional elucidation of FGF1 and FGF10 genes on adipocyte development and intramuscular fat deposition, as well as selective breeding and resource exploration of local poultry breeds.     

Performance of early and late feathering broiler breeder females with different feeding regimens.

1. Growth, reproductive characteristics and immunocompetence were evaluated in a line of broiler breeder females segregating at the sex-linked feathering locus when maintained on three feeding regimens with two forms of food in a factorial design. 2. Long-term obesity but not short-term weight gain had deleterious consequences for reproductive characteristics, response to sheep red blood cell antigen, resistance to Escherichia coli and livability. 3. Reproductive performance of early feathering females was superior to that of late feathering ones. Differences were attributed to an association between the allele for late feathering and an endogenous viral locus ev21, which encodes for avian leucosis virus. 4. Reproductive performance of breeders fed crumbles was superior to that of breeders fed a combination of crumbles and fines.     

Experimental exposure of broiler chickens to boric acid to assess clinical signs and lesions of toxicosis.

One-day-old broiler chicks were housed on litter treated with 0, 0.9, 3.6, or 7.2 kg of boric acid per 9.3 m2 of floor space. After 15 days, average body weights were 340.7 g, 278.1 g, and 213.2 g for chickens exposed to 0, 3.6, and 7.2 kg boric acid/9.3 m2, respectively (P < or = 0.05). Feed conversion was 1.68 and 2.29 in chickens exposed to 0 and 7.2 kg boric acid/9.3 m2 (P < or = 0.05). In a second experiment, after birds ingested feed treated with 2500 and 5000 ppm of boric acid for 2 weeks, body weights were 254.8 g and 149.6 g, respectively. The chickens in the control group weighed an average of 285.0 g (P < or = 0.05). The 5000 ppm treatment group had a feed conversion of 1.70, vs. 1.45 in the controls (P < or = 0.05). A dose-related feathering abnormality was evident in treated chickens. No significant histopathologic changes were observed. Livability, weight gain, and feed conversion were not adversely affected in broilers as a result of exposure to litter treated with boric acid at recommended levels of 0.4-0.9 kg/9.3 m2.     

Marek's disease virus-induced skin leukosis in scaleless chickens: tumor development in the absence of feather follicles

Marek's disease virus (MDV) is an oncogenic cell-associated herpesvirus that causes T-cell lymphoma in chickens. Lymphoproliferative neoplasms in Marek's disease (MD) occur in various organs and tissues, including the viscera, peripheral nerves, skin, gonads, and musculatures. MDV is restrictively produced in the feather follicle epithelial (FFE) cells, and it gains access to the external environment via infected cells or as infectious enveloped cell-free virus particles. The goals of the present study were to 1) determine whether the MDV-induced skin lesions are neoplastic in nature or inflammatory reactions to viral infection, 2) determine whether physical presence of feather follicles (FF) is necessary for skin tumor development, and 3) study the role of skin epithelial cells not associated with feathers or FF in the replication and dissemination of infectious virus particles. Scaleless chickens that produce only a few scattered feathers and no sculate scales along the anterior metatarsi were used as a unique model to study the pathogenesis of dermal lesions. Histologic and immunohistochemical analysis revealed that the cutaneous lesions were tumorous as was manifested by massive accumulation of lymphoblasts and extensive activation of meq oncoprotein, the hallmark of MDV oncogenesis, within the skin lesions. Neoplastic cutaneous lesions in the scaleless chickens indicate that feather follicles are not necessary for skin tumor development. Finally, our preliminary data indicate that inoculation with supernatant fluid from homogenized and sonicated skin samples of MDV-infected scaleless chickens induces MD in susceptible birds, suggesting that skin epithelial cells not associated with FF also harbor infectious viral particles.     

珍禽贵妃鸡自别雌雄系的选育——二世代慢羽公鸡的测交试验

针对贵妃鸡在国内外珍禽市场上不可估量的发展前景,为了选育出贵妃鸡自别雌雄配套系,本研究根据伴性遗传基因的遗传原理和羽速基因的遗传特点,采用现代家禽育种方法对贵妃鸡第二世代表型慢羽公鸡进行了测交试验。采用人工授精,所产种蛋分别孵化。其中用13只表型为慢羽公鸡,与52只快羽母鸡组成第1类测交试验,结果每只公鸡的后代中都有快羽雏出现,且快慢羽比例几乎为1:1(217:232);由20只表型慢羽公鸡与80只慢羽母鸡组成的第2类测交试验,结果每只公鸡的后代中,也都有快羽雏出现,而且快慢羽比例几乎接近1:3(197:520)。可见,所用的33只公鸡经测交证明全为杂合体,同时表明两个不同质量性状测交结果完全符合孟德尔遗传定律。     

Vitamin and trace mineral content in feed of breeders and their progeny: effects of growth, feed conversion and severity of malabsorption syndrome of broilers

1. A study was conducted to investigate the effects of several vitamins and trace elements chickens and in chickens experimentally infected with malabsorption syndrome (MAS). 2. Vitamins and trace minerals in feed were varied. Breeders received either a basal amount of vitamins and trace minerals (low mix) or an increased amount (high mix). Their progeny also received either a low mix or a high mix. Effects of different breeder and broiler mix combinations on broiler performance, heamatology, spleen weight and humoral response were examined in control chickens. The effects of the different feeds and breeder, broiler combinations at the severity and recovery of MAS infection were also studied. 3. In general, the immune system can be stimulated by addition of vitamins and trace minerals, without affecting the growth potential of the controls. The number of leukocytes increased on d 1 in the broilers descended from breeders receiving high mix. The response to Newcastle disease virus boost was affected by the different amount of vitamins. 4. When breeders received a high mix the number of infiltrating polymorphonuclear leukocytes in the intestine was higher compared with breeders receiving basal amounts of minerals and vitamins. Also the recovery rate of intestinal lesions, cystic crypts of Lieberkühn and villus atrophy, as observed by histopathology, was faster in the groups where the breeders received high mix.