Early heat acclimation during incubation improves Japanese quail performance under summer conditions

Effects of exposing quail eggs to high temperature on the heat tolerance ability and productivity of birds were investigated. Four groups of 600 fertile eggs were randomly selected; the first group was incubated under 37.5 °C and the hatched chicks were reared under a gradual decrease in temperature from 35 to 24 °C (Control). The second group was exposed to 39.1 °C for 2 h/day during 4–14 days of embryogenesis and the hatched chicks were reared under a gradual decrease in temperature from 35 to 24 °C. The third group was incubated under 37.5 °C and the hatched chicks were exposed to 39?±?1 °C for 2 h/day during 4–14 days of age. The fourth group was exposed to 39?±?1 °C for 2 h during 4–14 days of embryogenesis and the hatched chicks were exposed to 39?±?1 °C for 2 h/day during 4–14 days of age. The temperature applied changed (P?<?0.01) embryo weight and incubation period. Birds exposed to high temperature during brooding had superior growth performance, dressed carcass, body temperature and health traits. Birds subjected to 39?±?1 °C during brooding exhibited decreased feed consumption and body weight gain. Finally, this work suggests that thermal acclimation during embryogenesis might offer a practical method for easing heat stress.

     

Performance Behavior of Chitosan Based Water Dispersible Polyurethanes: Physicochemical Properties

The research work was carried out to synthesize a series of novel chitosan based water dispersible polyurethanes (CS-WDPUs). The three step synthesis involves the formation of end capped PU-prepolymer was formed through the reaction between polyethylene glycol (PEG) (Mn=600 g/mole, dimethylolpropionic acid (DMPA) and isophorone diisocyanate (IPDI) followed by the preparation of neutralized NCO terminated PU-prepolymer, which lead to the chain extension by using the chitosan. The dispersion of the obtained product was carried out by adding proper proportion of water. The synthesized CS-WDPUs were applied onto the different qualities of plain weave poly-cotton printed and dyed textile swatches by employing pad-dry-cure procedures. The textile assets of the treated and untreated textile swatches were assessed, as color fastness, pilling resistance, tear and tensile strength. The results showed that the chitosan incorporation into PU backbone has significant effect on the assets of treated textiles. These synthesized CS-WDPUs are eco-friendly bio-based finishes with potential applications for polyester/cotton textiles.     

Microbial use of organic amendments in saline soils monitored by changes in the C/C ratio

An incubation experiment was carried out to investigate whether salinity at high pH has negative effects on microbial substrate use, i.e. the mineralization of the amendment to CO₂ and inorganic N and the incorporation of amendment C into microbial biomass C. In order to exploit natural differences in the ¹³C/¹²C ratio, substrate from two C₄ plants, i.e. highly decomposed and N-rich sugarcane filter cake and less decomposed N-poor maize leaf straw, were added to two alkaline Pakistani soils differing in salinity, which had previously been cultivated with C₃ plants. In soil 1, the additional CO₂ evolution was equivalent to 65% of the added amount in the maize straw treatment and to 35% in the filter cake treatment. In the more saline soil 2, the respective figures were 56% and 32%. The maize straw amendment led to an identical immobilization of approximately 48 μg N g⁻¹ soil over the 56-day incubation in both soils compared with the control soils. In the filter cake treatment, the amount of inorganic N immobilized was 8.5 μg N g⁻¹ higher in soil 1 than in soil 2 compared with the control soils. In the control treatment, the content of microbial biomass C₃-C in soil 1 was twice that in soil 2 throughout the incubation. This fraction declined by about 30% during the incubation in both soils. The two amendments replaced initially similar absolute amounts of the autochthonous microbial biomass C, i.e. 50% of the original microbial biomass C in soil 1 and almost 90% in soil 2. The highest contents of microbial biomass C₄-C were equivalent to 7% (filter cake) and 11% (maize straw) of the added C. In soil 2, the corresponding values were 14% lower. Increasing salinity had no direct negative effects on microbial substrate use in the present two soils. Consequently, the differences in soil microbial biomass contents are most likely caused indirectly by salinity-induced reduction in plant growth rather than directly by negative effects of salinity on soil microorganisms.     

Soya-lecithin in extender improves the freezability and fertility of buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) bull spermatozoa

Egg yolk is routinely used as a cryoprotectant in semen extenders. However, it may contain cryoprotective antagonists, and there are hygienic risks associated with its use. Proteins of plant origin, like soya-lecithin, lack these hazards. The aim of this study was to use soya-lecithin as a cryoprotectant in extender and to investigate its effects on in vitro quality and in vivo fertility of buffalo semen. Semen from three buffalo bulls was frozen in tris-citric extender containing 5.0%, 10% or 15% soya-lecithin or 20% egg yolk. Sperm motility, plasma membrane integrity and viability were assessed post-dilution, pre-freezing and post-thaw. In Post-dilution and pre-freezing, the values for motility, plasma membrane integrity and viability remained higher (p ≤ 0.05) in extenders containing 10% soya-lecithin and control compared with extender containing 5% and 15% soya-lecithin. However, motility, plasma membrane integrity and viability were higher (p < 0.05) in extender containing 10% soya-lecithin compared with control and extenders containing 5% and 15% soya-lecithin. Semen from two buffalo bulls was frozen in tris-citric extender containing either 10% soya-lecithin or 20% egg yolk. Higher (p < 0.05) fertility rate was recorded in buffaloes inseminated with semen containing 10% soya-lecithin (56%) compared with 20% egg yolk (41.5%). The results suggest that 10% soya-lecithin in extender improves the freezability and fertility of buffalo bull spermatozoa and can be used as an alternate to egg yolk in cryopreservation of buffalo semen.     

The effect of feeding three anabolic steroids in different combinations on the growth,food conversion efficiency and protein and nucleic acid levels of liver,kidney, brain and muscle of mirror carp (Cyprinus carpio)

A study on the effect of three different anabolic-androgenic steroids on the growth, food conversion efficiency and nucleic acid contents of liver, kidney, brain and muscle of carp,Cyprinus carpio was undertaken. The three steroids, methyltestosterone (MT), ethylestrenol (EE) and oxandrolone (ON), were fed in different combinations at final concentrations of 5 or 6 mg/kg diet for 60 days. No effect on the growth was observed in any of the experimental groups. A decrease in the specific growth rate (11–21%) and food conversion efficiency (20–29%) was noted. Feeding of drugs increased the cranio-somatic and reno-somatic index in all except one group. Hepatosomatic (ON+MT) and viscero-somatic (ON+MT; EE+MT+ON) indices decreased. Protein increased and RNA/DNA decreased in only one group while a decrease in protein/DNA was observed in the liver of all experimental groups. RNA/DNA increased and protein/RNA decreased only in one group while no effect was seen in protein and protein/DNA contents in any of the treated kidneys. Proteins, protein/RNA and protein/DNA decreased in certain groups in brain tissue. In muscle, no effect was seen in proteins or protein/DNA. Protein/RNA decreased in all but one group while RNA/DNA was higher only in the group fed all the three steroids together.     

Environmental and genotypic effects on bulb development in onion – a review

Environmental and genetic factors influence growth and bulb development of onions by affecting their physiology. Photoperiod plays critical a role in bulb development and determines the suitability of a cultivar for a particular region. Long days and high temperatures promote onion bulbing. Bulbing is regulated more by temperature than photoperiod, as determined by growing degree days. Far-red light promotes bulbing most effectively. High-temperature storage of sets (above 20–25°C) results in increased total bulb yields, while very high temperature (25.5–31°C) or temperature below 0°C depresses yield. Plant density has an impact on bulb size: the higher the plant density the smaller the bulb size. Onion is more sensitive to water stress during bulb formation and enlargement than during the vegetative stage. Nitrogen improves bulb development, but too much nitrogen promotes excessive vegetative growth and delays maturity. Growth hormones (gibberellins and ethrel) promote the growth and development of bulbs. Flowering and bulb formation in onion is regulated by different (Flowering Locus T) FT genes. Two antagonistic FT-like genes regulate bulb formation. AcFT1 promotes bulb formation, while AcFT4 prevents AcFT1 up-regulation and inhibits bulbing. There is a need to link our research with the genetics and physiology of onions, to enhance bulb yield.     

First Isolation of Rotavirus Associated with Neonatal Diarrhoea in Guanacos (Lama guanicoe) in the Argentinean Patagonia Region

Group A rotavirus (RV) and coronavirus (CV) are common viral pathogens associated with neonatal diarrhoea in numerous animal species. The purpose of this work was to investigate the presence of these viral agents in two farm populations of captured guanacos (Lama guanicoe) in the Argentinean Patagonia region, that developed severe diarrhoea outbreaks. Stool and serum samples were analysed for RV and bovine CV antigen and antibody by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. Rotavirus was detected in faeces from two new‐born guanacos with acute diarrhoea, one in each farm. After electrophoretic analysis, each isolated strain, showed a distinctive long dsRNA electropherotype characteristic of group A rotaviruses (4:2:3:2). In addition, 95% (38 of 40) of the sampled animals were positive for RV antibodies, suggesting a high prevalence of RV infection in the populations tested. No evidence of CV circulation by antigen or antibody analysis was observed. To our knowledge, this is the first report of the detection and isolation of RV associated with neonatal diarrhoea in Lama guanicoe.     

Immune response of pregnant cows to bovine rotavirus immunization

Fifteen pregnant Holstein cows were freely assigned to 3 experimental groups (5 cows in each group). Cows in group I were inoculated IM and intramammarily (IMm) with Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center (OARDC) tissue culture-propagated modified-live Nebraska calf diarrhea bovine rotavirus with added adjuvant (OARDC vaccine-immunized cows). Group II cows were given IM injections of a commercial modified-live rotavirus-coronavirus vaccine (commercial vaccine-immunized cows), and the remaining 5 cows were noninoculated controls (group III). Rotavirus antibody in colostrum and milk was mainly associated with immunoglobulin (Ig)G1, and less so with IgG2, IgA, and IgM, as analyzed by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), using monospecific anti-bovine IgG1, IgG2, IgM, and IgA sera. In serum, the rotavirus antibody was distributed almost equally between IgG1 and IgG2. The same relationships appeared in both immunized and nonvaccinated cows. All OARDC vaccine-injected cows had virus-neutralization (VN) and ELISA IgG1 rotavirus antibody titers in serum and mammary secretions at significantly increased levels (at least 100-fold; P less than 0.05) compared with the titers in groups II (commercial vaccine-immunized cows) and III (controls). Serum, colostrum, and milk antibody titers from these latter 2 groups did not differ statistically. The ELISA IgG2, IgA, and IgM rotavirus antibody titers also were significantly greater in mammary secretions from OARDC vaccine-immunized cows than in groups II and III cows. There was a high correlation between ELISA IgG1 and VN rotavirus antibody titers for all samples tested (r = 0.97, P less than 0.001), but ELISA IgG1 antibody titers were consistently higher than VN titers. The ELISA IgG1 and VN antibody titers of milk samples collected from cows 30 days after parturition were higher from the OARDC vaccine-immunized cows (ELISA IgG1, geometric mean titer (GMT) = 3,511; VN GMT = 1,689) than were titers from the group II cows (ELISA IgG1 GMT = 39; VN GMT = 33) or group III cows (ELISA IgG1 GMT = 21; VN GMT = 19). These results indicate that IM plus IMm immunization of pregnant cows, using modified-live bovine rotavirus with added adjuvant, may significantly enhance serum, colostrum, and milk rotavirus antibody titers, whereas IM vaccinal inoculation of pregnant cows with a commercial modified-live rotavirus-coronavirus vaccine may not.     

Soybean (Glycine max) Extracts Impact on Plant and Soil Biology

The aim of the present investigation was to determine the phytotoxic effect of aqueous extract from fresh and oven-dried leaves and roots of soybean plants on maize growth and on rhizosphere soil. The extract prepared from fresh leaves of drought-stressed soybean plants significantly increased the accumulation of proline, soluble sugar, and endogenous abscisic acid (ABA) content of maize-treated plants. Increase in antioxidant activity like superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), ascorbate peroxidase (APX), catalase (CAT), and endogenous ABA was recorded in treated plants. The soybean leaf extracts prepared from drought-stressed plants significantly decreased the soil pH and electrical conductivity (EC) of maize cultivated soil. The soybean drought-stressed leaf extracts prepared plants were found more effective in modulating the physiology of maize, indicating the higher allelopathic potential of soybean.     

Immunogenicity of infectious bursal disease viruses in chickens.

Cross-protective properties of infectious bursal disease viruses (IBDVs) were studied. Viruses represented different subtypes of serotype 1, including recently isolated viruses (variants), and a serotype 2 virus. Chickens were vaccinated at 3 weeks of age with inactivated vaccines containing 10(5), 10(6), 10(7), or 10(8) mean tissue-culture infectious dose of a given virus and challenged 2 weeks later using either 10(2) or 10(3.5) mean embryo infectious dose (EID50) of either a standard virus or a variant serotype 1 virus. Protection was evaluated at 5 and 10 days post-challenge, based on gross and microscopic lesions, body weight, and bursa/body-weight ratios. The serotype 2 virus did not confer protection on birds challenged with the serotype 1 viruses. Vaccines made of variant viruses at the low doses protected chickens challenged with the high or low doses of either the standard or the variant viruses. Vaccines made of the standard or variant strains at low doses protected against high or low challenge doses of the standard strain. Vaccines made of the high dose of any of the standard strains protected chickens against the variant virus when the low challenge dose (10(2) EID50) was used, but not when the high challenge dose (10(3.5) EID50) was used. The lowest dose of the standard viruses vaccines required to confer protection against the variant virus varied depending on the strain. Results indicated that protection depended on the strain and dose of both the vaccine and challenge viruses and that the variant strains and standard strains share a common protective antigen(s).