Compensation for seasonal changes in eggshell conductance and hatchability of goose eggs by dynamic control of egg water loss

1. The water loss for optimal hatchability of goose eggs was 12% of initial egg mass.

2. Mass specific eggshell water vapour conductance, G_sp, increased by approximately 50% over about 13 weeks during the winter breeding cycle. A similar increase occurred over 8 weeks during summer.

3. Constant setting of humidity in goose incubators and changes in mean G_sp may cause sub‐optimal egg water loss which increases late mortality.

4. Mean G_sp was measured for every batch from each flock. Humidity was changed accordingly in order to reach optimal water loss. A significant improvement of 6% in hatchability and of 8% in Class‐A goslings was noted during 14 successive weeks compared with the previous 11 weeks.

5. Dynamic humidity control for optimising water loss according to mean batch G_sp thus increases hatchability.     

Inhibitory effects of epidermal growth factor on progesterone production of ovarian granulosa cells in Tsaiya duck (Anas platyrhynchos var. domestica)

1.?The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of epidermal growth factor (EGF) on progesterone (P₄) secretion from ovarian granulosa cells in Tsaiya ducks (Anas platyrhynchos var. domestica).

2.?We obtained the largest (F1) follicle from Tsaiya duck, the granulosa layer was separated and the cells were isolated according to their proximity to the germinal disc.

3.?The granulosa cells were cultured in vitro, the culture media and the cells were used to determine P₄ and steroidogenic enzyme concentrations, respectively.

4.?P₄ concentrations were decreased in cultured granulosa cells taken proximal to the germinal disc (GD) compared to those distal to the germinal disc (NGD).

5.?EGF inhibited both basal and ovine luteinising hormone (oLH)-induced P₄ concentrations. It also inhibited the P₄ secretion via protein kinase A (PKA) pathway when cultured with GD and NGD granulose cells (mixed together) in vitro.

6.?Western blot results showed decreased concentrations of cytochrome P450 side-chain cleavage (P450scc) enzyme, 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3β-HSD) enzyme and steroid acute regulatory (StAR) protein expression, when the cells were co-treated with EGF and oLH.

7.?The inhibitory effect of oLH-induced P₄ production was attenuated by EGF by the addition of MAP-erk kinase (MEK) inhibitor (PD98059) suggests EGF may inhibit P₄ production by affecting via the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway.     

Comparison of nutritive values of groundnut oil cake and Niger oil cake for laying pullets

1. The nutritive value of Niger oil cake (Guizotia abyssinica, Cass.) as a protein supplement for layers’ diets has been assessed.

2. Replacing groundnut oil cake (GNC) by Niger oil cake (NC) on an isonitrogenous basis, did not affect egg production, egg weight or the amount of food required per dozen eggs.

3. The percentage retention of nitrogen from diets containing 30% GNC or 30% NC was similar.

4. The ME value of NC used was 3025 kcal/kg.

5. It is concluded that NC can replace GNC in layers’ diets.     

Influence of ultimate pH,sarcomere length and cooking loss on the textural variability of cooked M. pectoralis major from free range and standard broilers

1. An experiment was conducted to quantify the extent of variability in the texture of cooked poultry breast meat and to attempt to identify which intrinsic and extrinsic factors contribute to this.

2. Free range (FR) and standard (STD) broilers were killed and processed under commercial conditions and the M. pectoralis major muscle assessed for ultimate pH (pH_u), sarcomere length, cooking loss and texture 24 h and 7 d after slaughter.

3. Although FR broilers were females with an average age of 60 d, whereas the STD broilers were 45 d old and predominantly male, there were no significant differences in mean values obtained for pH_u, sarcomere length, cooking loss and shear force results between the two bird types.

4. While aging for 7 d increased the pH_u and cooking loss means, sarcomere length means remained unchanged and shear force values decreased by 6% and 9% for FR and STD birds respectively.

5. Variability in shear force values also decreased on aging for 7 d, no birds having values above 4 kg/cm² on day 7 whereas 16% were above this value on day 1.

6. There were significant correlations between the results for shear force, pH_u and sarcomere length, indicating that increased shear force values were associated with a decrease in both pH_u and sarcomere length.

7. These correlations suggest that variability in the texture of cooked M. pectoralis major from FR and STD chickens is strongly influenced by those post‐mortem biochemical changes which lead to the development of rigor during the early stages of processing.     

Prevalence of and risk factors for Campylobacter colonisation in broiler flocks at the end of the rearing period in France

1. A study was conducted to estimate the prevalence and quantification by species of Campylobacter infection in broiler flocks at the end of the rearing period and to identify associated risk factors.

2. A questionnaire about the rearing period was completed and caecal samples were collected from 121 broiler flocks in Brittany, France, during 2008.

3. Campylobacter was isolated in 87 out of 121 flocks – a prevalence of 71.9% (95% CI, 63.7–80.1%), including 40.5% of Campylobacter jejuni and 29.8% of Campylobacter coli.

4. The average concentration, in positive flocks, was 7.96 log₁₀ cfu/g and ranged from 3.15 to 10.32 log₁₀ cfu/g.

5. The average concentration by species was: 7.57 log₁₀ cfu/g for C. jejuni and 8.44 log₁₀ cfu/g for C. coli.

6. There was a seasonal effect, with increased risk of Campylobacter colonisation in June, July and August (odds ratio (OR) = 9.59, 95% CI 1.15–79.75).

7. The other factors, associated with lower risk of Campylobacter colonisation, were the acidification of drinking water (OR = 0.33, 95% CI 0.13–0.86), antibiotic treatment at the beginning of the rearing period (OR = 0.20, 95% CI 0.07–0.55) and rodent control around the house (OR = 0.18, 95% CI 0.03–0.95).

8. The results show that hygiene practices and biosecurity measures could lead to a reduction in Campylobacter colonisation.     

Long‐term selection for increased egg production 1

1. Results are presented of a closed White Leghorn flock selected for increased egg production over a period of 17 years.

2. During the last 7 years a random breeding sample of the production flock served as a genetic control.

3. Regressions of deviations of the production flock from the control flock on years, were highly significant for age at sexual maturity (‐2.18 d), egg production up to 275 d old (3.04 eggs), egg production to 500 d old (5.04 eggs) and egg weight at 14 months old (October) ( — 0.79 g).

4. The heritability of egg production up to 275 d old declined significantly from 0.35 to 0.19.

5. The realised heritability of egg production up to 275 d old was estimated to be 0.14.

6. The genetic correlation between egg production up to 275 d old and production in the residual part of the year was 0.48.

7. The rate of inbreeding in the production flock was 0.515% per generation and the expected rate of inbreeding in the control flock 0.21% per generation.     

Growth and laying performance of light‐hybrid pullets subjected to quantitative food restriction

1. Three degrees of quantitative food restriction producing body weights 88, 76 or 64% of controls at 20 weeks and three times of starting restriction 3, 6 or 9 weeks of age were compared with ad libitum‐fed pullets in a factorial experiment with 1800 light‐hybrid hens. Restrictions were applied such that the target weights were produced irrespective of time of starting.

2. Food intake was least when restrictions were started at 3 weeks.

3. Sexual maturity was delayed in proportion to the severity of restriction and resulted in lower percentages of small eggs.

4. Egg numbers decreased as restriction increased.

5. Mortality in restricted groups during rearing and laying was higher.

6. Optimal restriction was apparently intermediate between treatments producing 88 or 76% of ad libitum‐fed body weight. Body weight was so excessively affected by the most severe restriction that total production was adversely affected.

7. Restriction from 3 weeks was more profitable than restriction from 6 or 9 weeks, resulting in lower food cost during rearing and higher total egg production.     

Traits influencing the hatching performance of Japanese quail eggs

1. Japanese quail eggs from moderately heavier sires showed superior fertility; while fertile eggs from moderately heavier dams hatched slightly better than the eggs from lighter dams.

2. Higher rates of fertility and hatchability of Japanese quail eggs were observed from parents of 10 to 19 weeks of age, with peak fertility and hatchability at 14 and 12 weeks of age, respectively.

3. Sex ratios of 1:2 to 1:5 gave comparable fertility and hatchability results.

4. The hatching performance of quail eggs from cage and deep litter reared breeders was comparable.

5. Fertility and hatchability were directly proportional to the egg weight.

6. Quail egg shell colour, tints and blotches were found to influence hatching performance.

7. Storing quail eggs at 16 ± 2°C and 75 ± 5% relative humidity for more than 4 d reduced hatchability.

8. Hatchability of eggs stored at room temperature was improved if they were sealed in polyethylene bags.

9. Provision of light during the first 14 d of incubation resulted in a photo‐acceleration of about 3.2 h.     

Short‐term stressor effects of propranolol

1. The effects of propranolol (10 mg/kg) on plasma cholesterol, glucose, corticosterone and free fatty acids, on adrenal mass and cholesterol content and on body temperature were determined over a 24‐h period in 3‐week‐old Light Sussex chicks.

2. Changes in plasma cholesterol were equivocal, though there was perhaps a trend towards hypercholesteraemia.

3. Birds became hypoglycaemic within an hour but were hyper‐glycaemic between 2 and 4 h. At 24 h they were normoglycaemic.

4. Plasma corticosterone was increased markedly at 1 h but was decreased compared with the control at 2 h (P<0.01). Thereafter the concentration was in the normal range.

5. There was an enhanced hyperlipacidaemia in the treated birds after 1 h.

6. Adrenal cholesterol stores were decreased by 10% at 4 h but were unaffected at all other times.

7. Colonic temperature decreased by 1–6 °C after 2 h but was normal by4h.

8. It is concluded that propranolol has mild stressor activity which is lost within 24 h.     

Molecular weight and amino acid composition of fowl delta‐globulin

1. The molecular weight of delta‐globulin was estimated chromato‐graphically to be about 10,700 daltons.

2. Ultracentrifuge experiments at 2.7 × 10⁵ g gave values of s _{20, W} = (1.49 + 0.16C) × 10^?13 s for the sedimentation coefficient and D_{20 w} = (1.12 + 0.19c) × 10^?6 cm² s^?1 for the diffusion coefficient, c being the protein concentration (g/100 ml).

3. According to the Svedberg equation, these imply a molecular weight of 12,470 daltons, assuming [v_bar] = 0.74 ml/g.

4. Using refractometer measurements of protein concentration it was found that E ^1% _1cm (278 nm) = 5.57 at pH 7.8.

5. From the ultraviolet absorption spectrum of the protein in 0.1 N NaOH it was concluded that the molecule probably contains four tyrosine residues and no tryptophan.

6. On this basis a revised amino acid composition is given.     

Inheritance of the plumage pattern of the double‐laced Barnevelder bantam

1. An investigation was conducted among the progeny from crosses between Gold‐Laced Wyandotte and Double‐Laced Barnevelder bantams into the genotype of the plumage pattern of the latter.

2. The double‐laced phenotype has been shown to depend upon homozygosity of the linkage of a eumelanin intensifier melanotic Ml with a pattern gene Pg in the presence of either wheaten e^Wh or brown e^b alleles at the E‐locus.

3. Examination of the female F₂ generation demonstrated that the plumage pattern phenotype of the Double‐Laced Barnevelder depended upon homozygosity of e^b(Ml‐Pg).     

Plasma disposition and tissue residue of Moxifloxacin in Japanese quails (Coturnix japonica) following different routes of administration

1. The disposition kinetics and the plasma availability of moxifloxacin were investigated in Japanese quails (Coturnix japonica) following different routes of administration at 5 mg/kg body weight.

2. Tissue residue profiles (liver, kidney, lung and muscle) and plasma were also studied after multiple intramuscular and oral administrations of 5 mg/kg body weight, once daily for 5 consecutive days.

3. Following intravenous injection, plasma concentration–time curves were best described by a two-compartment open model.

4. After intramuscular and oral administration of moxifloxacin, the peak plasma concentrations (C_max) were 2.14 and 1.94 μg/ml and were obtained at 1.40 and 1.87 h (T_max), post administration, respectively.

5. The systemic bioavailabilities following intramuscular and oral administration, respectively, of moxifloxacin were 92.48 and 87.94%.

6. Tissue concentrations following i.m. and p.o. administration were highest in liver and kidney, respectively, and decreased in the following order: plasma, lung and muscle. No moxifloxacin residues were detected in tissues and plasma after 120 h after i.m. or oral administration.     

Thermal panting and respiratory alkalosis in the laying hen

1. Changes in respiratory rate (f), rectal temperature (T_r ) and blood acid‐base values were measured in laying hens exposed to ambient temperatures (T_a) of 32, 35, 38 or 41 °G.

2. At T_a 32 °G there was no panting. At T_a 35 °G panting occurred without any increase in T_r but there was a slight alkalosis (pH 7.55).

3. At T_a 38 °G T_r increased and panting was accompanied by moderate alkalosis (pH 7.58).

4. At T_a 41 °G T_r increased considerably and severe alkalosis developed (pH 7.65).

5. From the relation between T_r , f and pH it is concluded that some degree of alkalosis is a normal response to panting in the laying hen.