Expression of TRPV6 and CaBP-D28k in the egg shell gland (uterus) during the oviposition cycle of the laying hen

1. The aim of this study was to investigate the localisation of the transient receptor potential vanilloid channel type 6 (TRPV6) in egg shell gland (ESG) and examine the dynamic expression of TRPV6 and Calbindin-d28k (CaBP-D28k), as well as the changes in concentration of total calcium (Ca), total inorganic phosphorus (P), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), parathyroid hormone (PTH) and calcitonin (CT) in plasma during the oviposition cycle.

2. The plasma ALP activity was notably increased at 8 h. In addition, plasma CT was highest at 0 h and significantly lower at 8 h. The change of plasma PTH concentration increased slightly post-oviposition and reached a maximum at 16 h.

3. Immunohistochemical analysis indicated that TRPV6 was strongly localised to the apical luminal epithelium of the mucosa. The mRNA levels of TRPV6 and CaBP-D28k in the ESG remained very low from 0 to 4.5 h, but were significantly increased at 16 h. Furthermore, Western blotting analysis showed that the expression of TRPV6 and CaBP-D28k also reached a maximum at 16 h and was different from the concentration of CaBP-D28k.

4. In conclusion, the epithelial Ca²⁺ channel TRPV6 is strongly expressed in the epithelial cells of the eggshell gland, and the increase of TRPV6 and CaBP-D28k mRNA and protein expression during eggshell formation suggests that active Ca²⁺ transcellular transport exerts significant effects in delivering active calcium in the ESG.     

Localisation and expression of TRPV6 in all intestinal segments and kidney of laying hens

1. The aim of this study was to investigate the localisation and expression of the epithelial Ca2+ channel TRPV6 (transient receptor potential vanilloid channel type 6) in different intestinal segments and kidney of laying hens during peak lay. 2. Immunohistochemical analysis of the intestine indicated that TRPV6 was localised to the brush-border membranes of the duodenum, jejunum, ileum, caecum, and rectum. Expression was weaker in the rectum, and little or no expression was found in crypt and goblet cells. In addition, TRPV6 mRNA was quantified amongst different intestinal segments, and expression was highest in the duodenum and jejunum. Furthermore, Western blotting indicated that the duodenum expressed the greatest amount of TRPV6 and the rectum the least with the other segments expressing intermediate levels. 3. In the kidney, distinct immunopositive staining for TRPV6 was detected at the apical domain of the distal convoluted tubules (DCT) and medullary connecting tubules (CNT). Interestingly, distribution of TRPV6 extended to the proximal convoluted tubules (PCT). Furthermore, the kidney expressed lower TRPV6 mRNA and protein levels compared with that in the duodenum. 4. In conclusion, the epithelial Ca2+ channel TRPV6 is strongly expressed in the apical cells of the entire intestine and the renal tubules, suggesting that active Ca2+ transcellular transport plays a crucial role in dietary calcium (re)absorption in laying hens.     

Ionic constituents and osmolality of the small intestinal fluids of the laying hen

1. The osmotic pressure of the liquid phase of the contents of the small intestine is always hypertonic to plasma and not affected by egg formation.

2. Chloride concentration is higher during shell calcification, sodium and potassium concentrations increases at the end of shell deposition while calcium concentration shows a cyclic variation with a maximum 18 h after ovulation.

3. The relationships between the ions and water of the duodenum and upper jejunum are modified by egg formation: the apparent reduction of Na⁺ and K+ is compensated by an increase in Ca²⁺.

4. It is concluded that egg formation acts on the intestinal composition via the proventriculus and gizzard rather than through a direct effect on the intestine.     

Changes of calbindin D-28k immunoreactivity in the hippocampus after adrenalectomy in the seizure sensitive gerbil

Calbindin D-28k (CB), a calcium-binding protein, containing neurons in the hippocampus plays an important role in hippocampal excitability in epilepsy. In the present study, we investigated changes of CB immunoreactivity after adrenalectomy (ADX) in the hippocampus and dentate gyrus of the seizure sensitive gerbil, which is susceptible to seizure to identify roles of CB in epileptogenesis. The changes of the CB immunoreactivity after ADX were significant in the hippocampal CA1 region. By 24 h after ADX, CB-immunoreactive CA1 pyramidal cells and CB immunoreactivity increased. At this time, well-stained dendrites projected to the stratum radiatum. Thereafter, the CB immunoreactivity decreased time dependently by 96 h after ADX. In the dentate gyrus, the changes of CB-immunoreactive neurons were mainly observed in the granule cell layer. The number and immunoreactivity of CB-immunoreactive neurons was high at 24 h after ADX, thereafter, those decreased by 96 h after ADX. These results suggest that glucocorticoid has an important role in modulating the seizure activity and CB serves an inhibitory function, which regulates the seizure activity and output signals from the hippocampus.     

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.     

微生态益生菌粉在蛋鸡日粮中应用效果

在蛋鸡日粮中加入2～8％生物饲料添加剂——兹生态益生茵粉等量替代豆粕,以61周龄海兰褐鸡群为试验鸡群,通过7周的饲喂试验观察结果如下：饲料成本略有下降;鸡群料蛋比下降2．79～4．57％;能明显改善蛋鸡的产蛋性能,延迟蛋鸡产蛋后期产蛋率的下降速度,使只鸡每周可多盈利0．036～0．06元;能增加鸡蛋壳的颜色和硬度,加深鸡蛋黄的颜色和弹性;对去除鸡舍中的臭味有一定的效果。微生态益菌粉在蛋鸡饲料中的添加量以5～8％为宜。     

产蛋鸡卵母细胞卵黄生成受体(OVR)的研究进展

OVR介导大量的血浆蛋白被产蛋鸡吸收到生长的卵母细胞中,是卵黄前体进入卵母细胞的瓶颈。到目前为止发现它不仅与最丰富、最重要的卵黄前体极低密度脂蛋白(VLDL)、卵黄蛋白原(VTG)结合,还结合丛生蛋白、α2-巨球蛋白(α2-M)、受体相关蛋白(RAP)、乳铁蛋白、核黄素结合蛋白(ribBP)等,这些成分占蛋黄干物质的绝大部分。OVR发生突变的蛋鸡,不能繁殖,并且具有严重的高脂血症。它所内吞的VLDL的数量是蛋黄胆固醇含量的决定因素,因此期望通过调控OVR来控制蛋黄胆固醇的含量。     

The metabolism of labelled progesterone in the laying hen

Eight hours after administering 4–14C‐progesterone to laying hens four radioactive metabolites could be detected in the droppings. Excretion of labelled steroid products was still continuing 192 h after the injection. In blood a relatively high level of labelled progesterone was found 8 to 24 h after application. The last traces disappeared from blood after 72 h. Compared with mammals the hen metabolises progesterone at a slower rate.

Certain tissues were also examined 24 h after treatment. The adrenals showed a high level of labelled progesterone metabolites. The liver contained similar steroids as were found in the droppings. In the ovary, pituitary and skeletal muscle low or trace amounts of radioactive steroids were detected.     

Voluntary food and calcium intake by the laying hen

Two experiments, each of 40 d duration, are described in which a diet rich in calcium (3.5% Ca) or one deficient in calcium (1% Ca), but with oyster shell offered separately, were fed ad libitum to four laying hens. The voluntary consumption of food and oyster shell was automatically recorded every 2 h. The hourly consumption of the high Ga diet increased during the afternoon while the daily pattern of consumption was modified by the position of the egg in the clutch.

When the low Ca diet was fed with oyster shell, the daily consumption was increased but the effect of the position of the egg in the clutch was reduced. The ingestion of oyster shell was very high between 16.00 and 20.00 h when egg calcification was in progress; after the last oviposition of the clutch this elevated level of intake remained though to a lesser degree. In relation to the stage of egg formation, the voluntary intake of oyster shell increased sharply between 4 and 12 h after the former oviposition.

These results confirm that the laying hen can discriminate between food and calcium intake. It seems that appetite for calcium is firstly related to light‐dark cycles with a modulation of the afternoon peak by ovulation and then egg shell calcification.     

Composition of crop and gizzard contents in the laying hen.

Crop and gizzard contents were analysed at six stages of egg formation. 2. The crop was empty during the day and full during the night while the gizzard contained a constant amount of dry matter. The water content of the crop did not change but that of the gizzard was at a minimum just after the ovulation and at a maximum 18 h later. 3. The osmotic pressure of the gizzard contents remained constant and close to that of the blood; that of the crop contents was almost isotonic at oviposition but hypertonic 18 h later. In both organs the pH of the liquid phase varied cyclicly with the egg formation and was lowest during egg shell deposition. 4. The Na+, K+ and Cl- contents of the crop liquid phase did not vary but Ca2+ increased with decreasing pH.Na+ and K+ were also constant in the gizzard liquid phase but Cl- and Ca2+ increased during shell formation. 5. It is concluded that the amount of HCl secreted by the proventiculus is related to egg shell deposition and that calcium solubilisation depends on microbial fermentation in crop and HCl secretion by proventriculus.     

Genetic variation in the time of oviposition in the laying hen

1. The distribution of oviposition times in modern layers is relatively narrow. Consequently, in management systems where hens have to compete for nestboxes, some eggs will be laid on the floor. 2. The purpose of this study was to investigate the possibility of using genetic methods to change oviposition time while maintaining a high production rate. 3. The mean oviposition times of 464 hens from three selection lines were calculated using time-of-lay records for every egg laid until the hens reached 51 weeks of age. 4. Heritability estimates for mean oviposition time were high for each of the three lines: 0.38, 0.68 and 0.78. 5. The three lines differed in terms of the genetic correlations between mean oviposition time and certain important production traits. It should, however, be possible to shift the mean oviposition time while maintaining a high production rate. 6. It is suggested that the spread in oviposition times be increased by performing divergent selection for mean oviposition time and by mixing the different genotypes in the same commercial flock, kept on the floor or in other non-cage systems.     

蛋鸡应激综合征的分析与应对

2006年7月份丹东市动物疫病预防控制中心接到一养殖大户蛋鸡死亡病例的报告,经现场观察和实验室检验、诊断,确诊为蛋鸡猝死性应激综合征。现将情况报告如下。     

夏季笼养蛋鸡疲劳症的预防

笼养蛋鸡疲劳症，又叫蛋鸡猝死症、夏季病、青年母鸡病，是近十年来笼养产蛋鸡出现的一种疾病。１发病特点本病多在炎热的夏季发生，高产蛋鸡在产蛋上升期到高峰期（１５０～３００日龄）发病，产蛋上升快的鸡群多发，产蛋高峰过后不再出现。发病时鸡群表现正常，采食、饮水、产蛋、精神都无明显异常变化，在晚上关灯时也无病鸡，而在早晨喂料时发现有死鸡，或有病鸡瘫在笼子里，若发现早，将病鸡放在舍外，自行产出一枚蛋或人工助产后便恢复正常，也不再发病。在其它季节多为慢性，表现骨脆、产蛋下降。２症状和病理变化病鸡表现伏卧，喘，…     

卵黄抗体的提纯及应用

卵黄抗体因具有价格便宜、制备方便等其它抗体无可比拟的优点,而成为当今生物科学领域研究的一个热点。卵黄抗体已被越来越广泛地应用于许多疾病,尤其是家禽传染病的防治,并获得了显著的效果。此外,它还被应用于免疫学技术和疾病的监测等方面,显示出多方面的应用价值。本文对其提纯方法及应用作一综述。     

植酸酶对产蛋鸡生产性能和代谢的影响

磷酸氢钙是饲料中最主要的磷来源之一 ,无机磷资源不仅在我国 ,就是在全世界范围内 ,已经处于匮乏状态 ,磷资源的匮乏使饲用磷产品价格上升 ,增加了饲料成本。植物性饲料中有 65 %～86 %的磷以植酸磷的形式存在 ,这些磷源不仅不能为单胃动物有效利用 ,而且会对环境造成严重的污染。如果能将植酸磷中的磷释放出来供动物利用 ,减少磷酸氢钙的用量 ,可缓解供求矛盾 ,并减轻粪磷污染。本试验旨在应用植酸酶迈特 -5 0 0 0以减少产蛋鸡日粮中的磷酸氢钙用量 ,观察其对产蛋鸡生产性能和代谢的影响。1　材料与方法试验在南京市青龙山养鸡场进行 ,选…     

Influence of deoxynivalenol on the D-glucose transport across the isolated epithelium of different intestinal segments of laying hens

Deoxynivalenol (DON) decreases glucose absorption in the proximal jejunum of laying hens in vitro and this effect is apparently mediated by the inhibition of the sodium D-glucose co-transporter. DON could modulate the sugar transport of other intestinal regions of chickens. For this purpose, we have measured the effects of DON on the Na(+) D-glucose co-transporter, by addition of DON after and before a glucose addition in the isolated epithelium from chicken duodenum, jejunum, ileum, caecum and colon by using the Ussing chamber technique in the voltage clamp technique. The data showed in all segments of the gut that the addition of D-glucose on the mucosal side produced an increase in the current (Isc) compared with the basal values, the Isc after glucose addition to the small intestine was greater than the Isc of the large intestine compared with the basal values, specially of the jejunum (p < 0.002), indicating that the jejunum is the segment that is the best prepared for Na(+)-D-glucose co-transport. Further addition of 10 microg DON/ml to the mucosal solution decreased the Isc in all segments and the Isc returned to the basal value, especially in the duodenum and mid jejunum (p < 0.05). In contrast, the addition of 5 mmol D-glucose/l on the mucosal side after incubation of the tissues with DON in all segments had no effect on the Isc (p > 0.05), suggesting that DON previously inhibited the Na(+)D-glucose co-transport. The blocking effects of DON in duodenum and jejunum were greater than the other regions of the gut. It can be concluded that the small intestine of laying hens has the most relevant role in the carrier mediated glucose transport and the large intestine, having non-significant capacity to transport sugars, appears to offer a minor contribution to glucose transport because the surface area is small. The effect of D-glucose on the Isc was reversed by DON in all segments, especially in the duodenum and jejunum, suggesting that DON entirely inhibited Na(+)-D-glucose co-transport. This finding indicates that the inhibition of Na(+) co-transport system in all segments could be an important mode of action for DON toxicity of hens.     

Ovarian laying hen follicular maturation and in vitro Salmonella internalization

Transovarian transmission of paratyphoid Salmonella is well documented and occurs at a low incidence in chickens. However, the exact mechanism of follicular invasion is not well understood. The following study investigates the ability of Salmonella to invade ovarian follicles at different stages of follicular maturity in vitro. Ovarian follicles were collected from Leghorn hens and separated into three stages of maturity: (1) large yellow follicles or F follicles (LYF), (2) small yellow follicles (SYF), and (3) small white follicles (SWF). All follicles were incubated at 37 degrees C in RPMI 1640 medium. Follicles were incubated with 1 x 10(6) CFU/mL of Salmonella typhimurium and Salmonella enteritidis sensitive to gentamicin for 2 h. Samples were then removed from the bacterial culture, and placed in medium containing gentamicin sulfate for 5 h to kill any S. typhimurium or S. enteritidis, which had not invaded the follicular membrane. After the 5 h incubation, follicles were stomached in phosphate buffered saline. Serial dilutions were made of each follicle and viable S. typhimurium and S. enteritidis cells were enumerated on brilliant green agar. Two identical trials were conducted. Data suggest that Salmonella may differentially invade ovarian follicles depending on maturity of the follicle, and that SWF may be more susceptible to S. typhimurium and S. enteritidis invasion than either the SYF or the LYF.     

The nutritive value of triticale and rye for the laying hen

1. The crude compositions of samples of triticale and rye are given together with more detailed analyses for the protein and carbohydrate fractions.

2. By regression analysis of absorption on intake, the true digestibilities of the crude protein, using colostomised birds, were calculated to be 85.2 and 72.0%, those of the crude fat 94.4 and 89.7% and those of the carbohydrate 82.0 and 75.5% for triticale and rye respectively.

3. The classical metabolisable energy values of the triticale and rye samples were found to be 14.08 and 12.51 MJ/kg (3.36 and 2.99 Mcal/kg) respectively.

4. It is concluded that triticale is a better food source for the chicken than either wheat or rye.     

不同日龄乳鸽肠道CaBP-D28k基因表达的变化规律研究

为了解乳鸽肠道钙吸收规律,以满足乳鸽生产中钙的营养需要,试验将48对健康种鸽随机分为8个重复,每个重复6对,产蛋后由种鸽自然孵化和哺育乳鸽,在乳鸽7、14、21、28日龄时称量体重,平均体重分别为(120.27±31.37)g、(264.35±88.77)g、(399.22±75.04)g和(454.16±38.39)g,分别从每个重复选取1只体重适中的乳鸽,取其嗉囊内容物(鸽乳),并对其十二指肠和空肠肠段进行采样,测定鸽乳钙含量和肠道CaBP-D28k的相对表达量。结果表明:7日龄鸽乳钙含量显著低于21、28日龄鸽乳钙含量(P<0.01);7日龄时十二指肠和空肠中CaBP-D28k的表达量显著高于14、21、28日龄的表达量(P<0.01);且CaBP-D28k在7～28日龄乳鸽十二指肠的表达量显著高于在空肠的表达量(P<0.05)。由此可见:鸽乳的钙含量随着乳鸽日龄的增大而增加,乳鸽肠道CaBP-D28k基因表达量随着日龄增大而减少,十二指肠是鸽进行钙载体吸收的主要部位。