Effect of reovirus infection and dietary levels of selected vitamins on immunocompetence of chickens

The immunocompetence of 8-week-old reovirus WVU 2937-infected and uninfected chickens fed various dietary levels of biotin, niacin, choline, or folic acid was evaluated in four experiments. Antibody production to sheep red blood cells (SRBC), wattle responses to phytohemagglutinin-P (PHA-P), and wattle responses of tuberculin-sensitized chickens to bovine-purified protein derivative (PPD) were examined in five chickens per treatment. Dietary deficiencies had no effect on the in vivo T-cell immune responses to PPD, PHA-P, or humoral hemagglutinating-antibody production to SRBC. Reovirus-infected and uninfected chickens fed biotin at double the National Research Council (1977) requirement demonstrated decreased PPD responses. Lower hemagglutinating-antibody titers in the uninfected chickens and increased titers in the infected chickens were observed in those fed 200% of the requirement of biotin when compared with the chickens fed 20% and 100% biotin diets. Reovirus infection had no effect on PPD and PHA-P responses. However, in the choline experiment, reovirus-infected chickens had elevated titers. These data indicate that reovirus infection had no adverse effect on the immunocompetence of chickens 8 weeks postinfection. Dietary deficiencies also had no adverse effect on the immunocompetence of 8-week-old reovirus-infected and uninfected chickens.     

Studies of the energy and protein requirements of the growing guinea-fowl.

1. Guinea-fowl of both sexes and female chickens were fed from 1 to 12 weeks on diets the energy concentration of which was constant at either 2-6, 2-9 or 3-2 Mcal/kg (10-8, 12-1 or 13-4 MJ/kg) while the calorie to protein ratios were changed, for some groups, from 124 to 157 or 200 at 4 and 8 weeks. 2. Guinea-fowl, but not chickens, were unable to overconsume when the protein concentration was low with the result that the body fat content was not reduced when the protein concentration was increased. 3. In the second trial the ME level of the diets was fixed at 12-6 MJ/kg while the protein content was varied, from 21 to 28% in the diets fed to 6 weeks of age and from 15 to 24% in those fed from 6 to 12 weeks. 4. It is concluded that for the growing guinea-fowl the diet should contain 12-6 MJ ME/kg, the protein concentration reducing from 24 to 26% in the period 0 to 4 weeks to 19 to 20% in the period 4 to 8 weeks and to 16% or less in the period 8 to 12 weeks.     

Perinatal maternal feeding with an energy dense diet and/or micronutrient mixture drives offspring fat distribution depending on the sex and growth stage

Maternal nutrition during pregnancy and lactation influences offspring development and health. Novel studies have described the effects on next generation obesity‐related features depending on maternal macro‐ and micro‐nutrient perinatal feeding. We hypothesized that the maternal obesogenic diet during pregnancy and lactation programs an obese phenotype, while maternal micronutrient supplementation at these stages could partially prevent these features. Thus, the aim was to assess the influence of a perinatal maternal feeding with an obesogenic diet enriched in fat and sucrose and a micronutrient supplementation during pregnancy and lactation on offspring growth and obese phenotypical features during life course. Female Wistar rats were assigned to four dietary groups during pregnancy and lactation: control, control supplemented with micronutrients (choline, betaine, folic acid and vitamin B₁₂), high‐fat sucrose (HFS) and HFS supplemented. At weaning, the offspring were transferred to a chow diet, and weight and fat mass were measured at weeks 3, 12 and 20. At birth, both male and female offspring from mothers fed the obesogenic diet showed lower body weight (?5 and ?6%, respectively), while only female offspring weight decreased by maternal micronutrient supplementation (?5%). During lactation, maternal HFS diet was associated with increased body weight, while micronutrient supplementation protected against body weight gain. Whole body fat mass content increased at weeks 3, 12 and 20 (from 16 to 65%) due to maternal HFS diet. Maternal micronutrient supplementation decreased offspring fat mass content at week 3 (?8%). Male offspring showed higher adiposity than females at weeks 12 and 20. In conclusion, maternal HFS feeding during pregnancy and lactation was associated with a low offspring weight at birth and obese phenotypical features during adult life in a sex‐ and time‐dependent manner. Furthermore, maternal methyl donor supplementation protected against body weight gain in male offspring during lactation and in female offspring also during juvenile period.     

Amino acid,mineral and vitamin levels in hydrous faeces obtained from coprophagy-prevented rats

Amino acid, mineral and vitamin levels in hydrous faeces obtained from coprophagy-prevented rats were examined. Two experiments were conducted with rats of different age, 4 weeks and 10 weeks. Six rats each were fed under coprophagy-prevented and coprophagy-allowed (conventional feeding) conditions, respectively. In the first experiment using 4-week-old rats, amino acid values were determined for hydrous faeces and usual faeces obtained in the above-mentioned conditions. In the second experiment using 10-week-old rats, mineral values were determined for both types of faeces. Vitamin values were determined in both experiments. In a comparison of amino acid values and their patterns, specific kinds of amino acids in hydrous faeces were not recognized as growth factors. Sodium and potassium levels in hydrous faeces were significantly higher than those for usual faeces, but those levels were 1/(18-20) of those derived from feed. Although cyanocobalamin and folic acid levels in hydrous faeces were two to three times higher than those for usual faeces, folic acid supplements from coprophagy were 1/8 of those derived from feed. Cyanocobalamin supplements from hydrous faeces were five times larger than those from feed. Therefore, it appears that cyanocobalamin was supplied by the ingestion of hydrous faeces and that this cyanocobalamin supports conventional growth in rats.     

Purification of chicken carbonic anhydrase isozyme-III (CA-III) and its measurement in White Leghorn chickens

Background

The developmental profile of chicken carbonic anhydrase-III (CA-III) blood levels has not been previously determined or reported. We isolated CA-III from chicken muscle and investigated age-related changes in the levels of CA-III in blood.

Methods

CA-III was purified from chicken muscle. The levels of CA-III in plasma and erythrocytes from 278 female chickens (aged 1-93 weeks) and 68 male chickens (aged 3-59 weeks) were determined by ELISA.

Results

The mean level of CA-III in female chicken erythrocytes (1 week old) was 4.6 μg/g of Hb, and the CA-III level did not change until 16 weeks of age. The level then increased until 63 weeks of age (11.8 μg/g of Hb), decreased to 4.7 μg/g of Hb at 73 weeks of age, and increased again until 93 weeks of age (8.6 μg/g of Hb). The mean level of CA-III in erythrocytes from male chickens (3 weeks old) was 2.4 μg/g of Hb, and this level remained steady until 59 weeks of age. The mean plasma level of CA-III in 1-week-old female chickens was 60 ng/mL, and this level was increased at 3 weeks of age (141 ng/mL) and then remained steady until 80 weeks of age (122 ng/mL). The mean plasma level of CA-III in 3-week-old male chickens was 58 ng/mL, and this level remained steady until 59 weeks of age.

Conclusion

We observed both developmental changes and sex differences in CA-III concentrations in White Leghorn (WL) chicken erythrocytes and plasma. Simple linear regression analysis showed a significant association between the erythrocyte CA-III level and egg-laying rate in WL-chickens 16-63 weeks of age (p < 0.01).     

氯化胆碱对19~42周龄蛋鸡生产性能和蛋品质的影响

本试验旨在研究饲粮添加氯化胆碱对19~42周龄蛋鸡生产性能和蛋品质的影响。选取990只18周龄京红1号蛋鸡,随机分为6组,每组12个重复,每个重复15只鸡,分别饲喂在基础饲粮中添加0、1000、2000、4000、8000和16000 mg/kg氯化胆碱的试验饲粮。试验期24周。结果显示：1)19~42周龄,2000、4000、8000和16000 mg/kg组产蛋率显著低于0 mg/kg组( P<0.05);8000和16000 mg/kg 组产蛋率显著低于1000 mg/kg 组( P<0.05)。16000 mg/kg组蛋重和采食量显著低于0 mg/kg 组(P<0.05),各组料蛋比无显著差异(P>0.05)。2)2000 mg/kg组20、22周龄的蛋壳厚度显著高于0 mg/kg组(P<0.05),16000 mg/kg组22、38周龄蛋壳强度显著低于0 mg/kg组( P<0.05)。16000 mg/kg组26周龄蛋白高度和哈夫单位显著低于0 mg/kg组(P<0.05),8000 mg/kg组22周龄哈夫单位显著高于0 mg/kg组( P<0.05)。20、21、22和38周龄,1000、2000、4000、8000和16000 mg/kg组蛋黄颜色显著高于0 mg/kg组(P<0.05)。3)1000、2000、4000、8000和16000 mg/kg组24周龄全蛋磷脂酰胆碱含量显著高于0 mg/kg组( P<0.05),16000 mg/kg组27、38周龄全蛋磷脂酰胆碱含量显著高于0 mg/kg组( P<0.05)。16000 mg/kg组38周龄蛋黄磷脂酰胆碱含量显著高于0 mg/kg组( P<0.05)。由此可见,饲粮添加适量氯化胆碱能提高蛋壳厚度、蛋壳强度、蛋黄颜色,适宜添加量为1000 mg/kg。而饲粮添加高于1000 mg/kg 氯化胆碱能降低产蛋率;添加高于4000 mg/kg氯化胆碱能降低蛋重和采食量。     

硫辛酸对蛋鸡早期抗氧化及免疫功能的影响

为研究饲料中添加硫辛酸对蛋鸡开产阶段血液抗氧化及免疫功能的影响,本试验选用22周龄的雪山鸡288只,随机分为3组,每组设6个重复,每个重复16只鸡,分别饲喂不同浓度(0、300、500 mg/kg)的硫辛酸日粮。进行为期6周的饲养试验。结果表明:试验组血清中谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(GSH-Px)、超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)和免疫球蛋白M含量显著提高(P<0.05),血清总抗氧化能力(T-AOC)、免疫球蛋白G(IgG)和干扰素-γ(INF-γ)含量有升高趋势,但各组间差异不显著(P>0.05),试验2组白细胞介素-2(IL-2)、白细胞介素-4(IL-4)和γ-谷氨酰基转移酶(GGT)含量显著降低(P<0.05),肿瘤坏死因子-α(THF-α)、肌酐(CRE)和尿酸(UA)含量有降低趋势,各组间差异不显著(P>0.05)。由此可见,饲料中添加硫辛酸可以提高动物机体的健康水平。     

Effect of field beans and supplemental methionine on growth of turkey poults

Male poults housed at 10 and 15 birds/pen and female poults housed at 15 birds/ pen were fed, from 6 to 10 weeks, on diets containing o, 15, 30 and 30% field beans (Vicia faba L.). The difference between the last two diets was in the level of methio‐nine; one contained 1.6 and the other 1.9%. From 10 to 16 weeks of age birds were fed on diets containing 0 or 20% field beans. At 10 weeks birds given diets with 30% beans were significantly lighter than other poults. At 16 weeks only the poults previously given a diet with 1.9% methionine were significantly lighter than control birds. Males given 0.37 m² of floor space were significantly heavier at 16 weeks than those given 0.25 m².     

The influence of dietary calcium and phosphorus on tibial dyschondroplasia in broiler chickens

The incidence and severity of tibial dyschondroplasia in broiler chickens were increased by feeding rations containing high levels of phosphorus relative to the level of calcium. Tibial dyschondroplasia was not eliminated by feeding a ration containing 1.5% calcium and 0.5% available phosphorus. Before typical dyschondroplasia developed, chickens fed a high level of phosphorus had uniformly thickened growth plates at 2 weeks of age. The majority of this thickening was due to an increase in the zone of proliferation, identical to that which occurs in calcium-deficiency rickets.     

Characterization of the toxicity of the mycotoxins aflatoxin, ochratoxin, and T-2 toxin in game birds. I. Chukar partridge

Chukar partridges were fed diets containing 1.25, 2.5, or 5 ppm aflatoxin; 1, 2, or 4 ppm ochratoxin A (OA); or 4, 8, or 16 ppm T-2 toxin. Toxin-induced mortality was seen during the third week with 4 ppm OA (12.5%) and 16 ppm T-2 toxin (15%), compared with the mortality in control chukars fed no toxin (2.5%). Body weights were significantly decreased by the highest level of aflatoxin at 3 weeks of age, by the highest level of OA by 2 weeks of age, and by 8 and 16 ppm T-2 toxin by 1 week of age. Aflatoxin did not affect liver weight and OA did not increase kidney weight in 3-week-old chukars. There was a slight decrease in kidney weight in chukars fed 4 ppm OA; however, the decrease was related to the decrease in body weight produced by the toxin. Mouth lesions were seen at all levels of T-2 toxin fed.     

饲粮粗蛋白质水平对鲁西斗鸡生产性能及蛋品质的影响

本试验旨在研究饲粮不同粗蛋白质水平对26～41周龄的鲁西斗鸡生产性能及蛋品质的影响。试验选用26周龄(1.952±0.288)kg健康的鲁西斗鸡200只,随机分为4组,每组5个重复,每个重复10只。试验采取单因素试验设计,4个饲粮粗蛋白质水平依次为:14.0%、15.5%、17.0%和18.5%,各组均限饲,且投料量一致。试验期为16周。结果表明:在鲁西斗鸡产蛋期(26～41周龄),饲粮粗蛋白质水平对平均蛋重没有显著影响(P>0.05)。在试验前期(26～29周龄),饲粮粗蛋白质水平对平均周产蛋量、产蛋率和料蛋比均无显著影响(P>0.05);在试验中期(30～37周龄),30～33周龄17.0%饲粮粗蛋白质水平组平均周产蛋量显著高于其他各组(除30～31周龄15.5%饲粮粗蛋白质水平组外)(P<0.05),30～31周龄和36～37周龄产蛋率显著高于14.0%组和18.5%组(P<0.05),32～35周龄产蛋率显著高于15.5%组(P<0.05),但是各组间30～37周龄料蛋比差异不显著(P>0.05);在试验末期(38～41周龄),18.5%饲粮粗蛋白质水平组平均周产蛋量显著高于其他各组(P<0.05),产蛋率显著高于14.0%组和15.5%组(P<0.05),料蛋比显著低于15.5%组(P<0.05)。此外,33周龄时,随着饲粮粗蛋白质水平提高,蛋黄颜色有下降趋势(P=0.09);41周龄时,17.0%和18.5%饲粮粗蛋白质水平组蛋白高度和哈氏单位显著高于14.0%组和15.5%组(P<0.05)。综合以上结果,鲁西斗鸡产蛋期适宜的饲粮粗蛋白质水平:前期(26～29周龄)为14.0%;中期(30～37周龄)为17.0%;后期(38～41周龄)为18.5%。     

日粮锌水平对4~6周龄肉仔鸡生长性能、胴体性能及肉品质的影响

研究日粮锌水平对4~6周龄肉仔鸡生长性能、胴体性能和肉品质的影响。360只1日龄Arbor Acres(AA)肉公雏,0~3周龄统一饲喂同种日粮(含锌86.25 mg/kg),于22日龄从中选取288只鸡按体重随机分成8个处理,每个处理分6个重复笼饲养,每个重复笼6只鸡。分别饲喂不添加锌的玉米-豆粕型基础日粮(对照组,含锌27.66 mg/kg)和在基础日粮中分别添加20、40、60、80、100、120和140 mg/kg锌(试剂级硫酸锌)日粮。试验期21 d。研究结果表明,日粮锌水平对4~6周龄肉仔鸡生长和胴体性能均无显著影响(P>0.10),但日粮中添加适宜水平的锌可显著降低肉仔鸡胸肌、腿肌的滴水损失和胸肌丙二醛含量,提高胸肌L^*值(P<0.10)。     

Effect of taurine on intestinal morphology and utilisation of soy oil in chickens

1. The objective of the present study was to investigate the effect of taurine on intestinal morphology and utilisation of dietary fatty acids in chicken. One-day-old broilers chickens were fed with a maize- and soybean-based diet containing soy oil, and supplemented with taurine at either 0 or 0·5 g/kg. 2. Result showed that the total bile acid in blood and lipase activity in the small intestine were elevated in 3-week-old broilers given the taurine-supplemented diet. No differences were observed for total serum bile acid and lipase activity between the groups of 6-week-old broilers. 3. The development of the jejunum villus and ileum villus was inhibited, and the weight of jejunum and the relative height of intestinal mucosa were decreased in the chickens fed the taurine-supplemented diet. 4. The rate of diet fatty acid utilisation was not different between the groups of 3- and 6-week-old chickens. 5. Our results showed that dietary supplementation with taurine had no beneficial effect on intestinal morphology or utilisation of a soy oil diet in chickens.     

大豆抗营养因子对生长蛋鸡生产性能、氮代谢和小肠内胰蛋白酶活性的影响

为了观察不同梯度大豆抗营养因子（Ａｎｔｉｎｕｔｒｉｔｉｏｎａｌｆａｃｔｏｒｓ、简称ＡＮＦｓ）对不同生理阶段的生长蛋鸡的影响，本试验采用４８０只海兰褐蛋用雏鸡，以熟豆饼日粮为对照，从３或９周开始给饲３个水平的生大豆日粮（４％，９％和１３％），每期每个日粮４个重复。在３～８周和９～１８周观察雏鸡的采食量，日增重和饲料效率。在第８和１７周分别测定各组的粗蛋白质和干物质的代谢率。并于８、１３和１８周末每个重复随机抽取试鸡两只屠宰，观察小肠内胰蛋白酶活性的变化。结果表明，３个水平的大豆ＡＮＦｓ对育雏期雏鸡的增重没有影响，育成期对照组的增重明显高于采食生大豆组（Ｐ＜０．０５），大豆ＡＮＦｓ使饲料效率降低，但对氮和干物质的代谢影响不显著；８、１３和１８周龄雏鸡小肠内胰蛋白酶活性亦无显著变化。     

Effect of provitamin A biofortified maize inclusion on quality of meat from indigenous chickens

The effect of provitamin A biofortified maize (PABM) diet inclusion on meat quality in male and female Ovambo chickens at 18 and 21 wk of age was evaluated. A total of 96 13-week-old Ovambo chickens were randomly distributed into 2 treatment groups and fed on white maize (WM) diet, the control, and PABM diet, a high provitamin A carotenoid maize. There was no significant effect of PABM, sex, and age on meat pH, drip loss (%), cooking loss (%) and shear force. The PABM fed chickens had higher redness (a*) and yellowness (b*) and lower lightness (L*) in the meat and skin color. Female birds had higher (P < 0.05) L* values than males on the skin. The a* value of the PABM fed male birds increased with age (P < 0.05). The PABM diet improved the skin and muscle color of the Ovambo chicken.     

类黄酮对蛋鸡生产性能、蛋品质和血液生化特性的影响

试验选用864只39周龄海兰褐蛋鸡,随机分为3个处理,每个处理3个重复,每个重复96只鸡,采用单因素随机试验设计,分别饲喂添加0、30 mg/kg蜂胶黄酮（PF）和6 mg/kg大豆黄酮（DA）的玉米-豆粕型日粮8周。结果表明,日粮中添加PF和DA对蛋鸡产蛋率、破软壳率、料蛋比有改善的趋势;日粮中添加PF和DA能够显著降低蛋黄胆固醇的含量,在蛋保存的第7和14天两者均能不同程度降低蛋黄丙二醛的含量;在试验第4、8周,日粮中添加DA和PF能够显著提高血清HDL水平（P<0.05）,在试验第8周,DA显著降低血清TC和TG水平,而PF显著降低血清TC水平并显著提高血清胰岛素水平（P<0.05）;此外,日粮中添加DA和PF能够显著提高第4周时T、B淋巴细胞转化率（P<0.05）,且添加PF显著提高第8周时T淋巴细胞转化率（P<0.05）。     

Gallid-1 herpesvirus infection in the chicken. 3. Reinvestigation of the pathogenesis of infectious laryngotracheitis in acute and early post-acute respiratory disease

Specific-pathogen-free chickens were infected via the trachea when 4 weeks old with 2000 plaque-forming units (PFU) of the virulent Australian infectious laryngotracheitis (ILT) virus strain CSW-1. Titers of ILT virus in the trachea were greatest (10(7.0) PFU/ml in washings, 10(6.0) PFU/g of tissue) 2-4 days postinfection (PI). Infectivity then declined rapidly, to become undetectable by 7 days PI, although highly localized areas of ILT antigen in the tracheal epithelium were occasionally observed by fluorescent antibody staining at 7 and 8 days PI. Tracheal organ cultures established 7 and 8 days PI provided no evidence of latent ILT virus infection at this immediate post-acute stage of pathogenesis. ILT virus was not isolated from peripheral blood leukocytes or lymphoid organs (spleen, bursa, thymus). ILT virus was found in the trigeminal ganglia and/or brain in 14 of 36 chickens (40%) examined between 4 and 7 days after intratracheal inoculation, but it was not in these tissues in five chickens examined at 8 days PI. Virus was also detected at 6 days PI in the trigeminal ganglia in one of five chickens infected by the conjunctival route. These data indicate that the early pathogenesis of ILT (CSW-1) infection frequently involves the tissues of the nervous system. In acute ILT in 4-week-old chickens, interferon-alpha/beta activity was not detectable in serum or tracheal exudates within 14 days PI, but tracheal washings contained significant virus-neutralizing activity by 7 and 8 days PI. In 3-day-old chickens infected via the trachea with 200 PFU of ILT CSW-1, the clearance of ILT virus from the trachea was similar to that observed in 4-week-old chickens, but ILT virus spread systemically to the livers of 20% by 5-7 days PI.     

Carcase Composition of Taiwan Simulated Native Chickens

This study investigated the carcase composition of Taiwan simulated native chickens at different stages of growth. The results indicated that the carcases of male chickens exhibited significantly larger protein mass and water mass than those of females during weeks 7 to 20; as was the ash mass during weeks 8 to 20. However, the fat mass of the carcases of female chickens was larger than that of males during weeks 14 to 20. Separate regression equations were derived for the relationship between protein mass, fat mass, ash mass and water mass and both carcase weight and age of both male and female chickens.     

Effect of virginiamycin on serum carotenoid levels and long, segmented, filamentous organisms in broiler chicks.

Virginiamycin (Stafac 20) was mixed with feed at three levels recommended for chickens--5.5, 11, and 22 mg/kg (respectively 5, 10 and 20 g/ton)--and fed to broiler chicks. When fed from 1 day through 2 weeks of age, the drug appeared to retard infection of the lower small intestine by long, segmented, filamentous organisms (LSFOs), and at 2 weeks of age serum carotenoids in treated chicks were significantly higher than levels found in unmedicated chicks. However, as chicks were grown out to 4 and 6 weeks of age, the drug did not completely prevent eventual LSFO infection, even at the highest dose, and mean serum carotenoid levels in treated chicks were not significantly different from levels in control chicks. However, chicks fed at the level of 22 mg/kg had fewer LSFOs. Withdrawal of virginiamycin from treated chicks at 4 weeks of age allowed LSFO infection to occur but did not significantly affect serum carotenoid levels. When the drug was fed for 2 weeks at 22 mg/kg to 2-week-old chicks already infected with LSFOs, the bacteria could no longer be detected, suggesting that virginiamycin may aid the natural decline in LSFO population. Coincident with this treatment, serum carotenoids were higher, but not significantly so. Virginiamycin did not significantly increase the mean body weights of chicks in any of these experiments.     

Effect of lignin on oxidative stress in chickens fed a diet contaminated with zearalenone

The effect of lignin supplementation to a diet contaminated with zearalenone (ZEA) on antioxidant status was studied in female chickens of the ISA BROWN laying strain. From the day of hatching to 2 weeks of age, four groups of chickens were fed the same uncontaminated control diet. After 14 days, Group 1 (control) continued to receive the uncontaminated diet, while Group 2 was fed an identical diet enriched with 0.5% chemically modified lignin. Simultaneously, chickens of Group 3 were switched to a diet contaminated with 7.9 mg/kg ZEA and those of Group 4 to an identical contaminated diet supplemented with 0.5% lignin. At 6 weeks of age blood and tissue samples were collected. Feeding of a diet contaminated with a high level of ZEA resulted in elevated glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity in the duodenal mucosa and kidney tissues, and an increased γ-glutamyltransferase (GGT) activity in the plasma, indicative of oxidative stress. In the liver tissue, no mycotoxin-induced response in GPx and thioredoxin reductase (TrxR) activities occurred, and the malondialdehyde (MDA) level was even reduced. Neither the plasma levels of retinol and α-tocopherol nor the activities of superoxide dismutase in erythrocytes and GPx in blood were affected in birds fed the contaminated diet. The only effect of lignin supplemented to the contaminated feed was that it prevented the increase of GPx activity in the duodenal mucosa as an indicator of oxidative stress.