Effect of supplementary choline on the performance of broiler breeders fed on different energy sources

1. Laying performance, egg quality, fertility and hatchability, and fat deposition in liver and abdomen were recorded in broiler breeders (29 to 48 weeks of age) fed on diets containing perarl millet (Pennisetum typhoides) (PM), broken rice (BR) or yellow maize (YM) (600 g/kg diet). Constant ratios of metabolisable energy (ME) to other nutrients were maintained in all the diets. Food grade choline chloride (50%) was added to the diets at 3 concentrations (0, 760 and 1,520 mg/kg). Each diet was offered to 3 replicate groups of 15 birds (12 hens and 3 cockerels), maintained in deep litter pens, to provide 1.46 MJ ME/bird/d. 2. Neither the source of energy nor dietary choline content had any influence on hen-d egg production, fertility or hatchability. Food efficiency and egg weight were significantly reduced in BR-fed groups compared to those fed on the other energy sources. 3. The efficiency of energy and protein utilisation increased and liver fat content was decreased significantly by dietary choline supplementation. 4. Haugh unit score, egg shell weight, liver weight and intestinal weight were not influenced by either supplementary choline or the source of energy. However, the yolk colour index was significantly reduced in PM- or BR-fed groups compared to those fed on the maize-based diet. 5. Deposition of abdominal fat was significantly greater in BR-fed birds compared to those fed on the YM-based diet, while liver fat content was significantly greater in the birds fed on the PM-or BR-based diets than those based on YM. Although supplementation of the diet with choline had no influence on abdominal fat deposition, liver fat content was significantly reduced in birds given diet containing 760 mg supplemental choline/kg diet. 6. The present study indicates that PM or BR can be used as principal energy sources in place of YM in broiler breeder diets without affecting egg production, fertility or hatchability. Liver fat content can be reduced by adding choline at 760 mg/kg to diets based on different energy sources.     

Utilisation of different phosphorus sources in relation to their fluorine content for broilers and layers

1. The relative utilisation of different phosphorus sources in relation to their fluorine (F) content was studied in commercial broilers (5 to 40 d) and White Leghorn layers (252 to 364 d). The phosphorus (P) sources tested were bonemeal (BM), low fluorine (LFRP) and high fluorine (HFRP) rock phosphates and a commercial mineral mixture (CMM). The P sources were incorporated in broiler and layer diets by replacing dicalcium phosphate (DCP) on a P basis. 2. The F contents of diets based on BM, LFRP, CMM and HFRP were 53, 365, 622 and 1383 mg/kg in the broiler experiment and 34, 242, 437 and 967 mg/kg in the layer experiment, respectively. F was not detected in DCP based diets. 3. In broilers, body weight gain, food intake, gain: food, P retention and serum inorganic P content on P sources (BM and LFRP) containing F up to 365 mg/kg diet were similar to those on DCP. Body weight gain, food intake, serum calcium and inorganic P contents and retention of P were depressed in groups fed on CMM and HFRP, which may have been due to the toxic effects of F (622 and 1383 mg/kg) present in diets based on these P sources. 4. Bone ash and its P content were not affected by feeding diets containing F up to 1383 mg/kg from various P sources. The amount of F deposited in tibia increased significantly with increases in dietary F concentration. 5. In layers, egg production and food intake were not affected by F up to 437 mg/kg in diets containing BM, LFRP or CMM as the sole source of supplemental P. Egg production and food intake were depressed significantly in layers given the diet containing 967 mg F/kg from HFRP. 6. Egg mass: food, egg weight, shell quality (shell thickness and shell weight) and serum calcium and inorganic P levels were not affected by F up to 967 mg/kg in diets containing different P sources. 7. It may be concluded that the performance of broilers and layers was not affected by feeding various P supplements with dietary levels of F up to 365 and 437 mg/kg, respectively. The reduced performance in broilers and layers observed with some of the P sources may have been due to poor availability of P and/or toxic effects of F (622 and 967 mg/kg, respectively).     

Histopathological findings,phenotyping of inflammatory cells,and expression of markers of nitritative injury in joint tissue samples from calves after vaccination and intraarticular challenge with Mycoplasma bovis strain 1067

Background

The pathogenesis of caseonecrotic lesions developing in lungs and joints of calves infected with Mycoplasma bovis is not clear and attempts to prevent M. bovis-induced disease by vaccines have been largely unsuccessful. In this investigation, joint samples from 4 calves, i.e. 2 vaccinated and 2 non-vaccinated, of a vaccination experiment with intraarticular challenge were examined. The aim was to characterize the histopathological findings, the phenotypes of inflammatory cells, the expression of class II major histocompatibility complex (MHC class II) molecules, and the expression of markers for nitritative stress, i.e. inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and nitrotyrosine (NT), in synovial membrane samples from these calves. Furthermore, the samples were examined for M. bovis antigens including variable surface protein (Vsp) antigens and M. bovis organisms by cultivation techniques.

Results

The inoculated joints of all 4 calves had caseonecrotic and inflammatory lesions. Necrotic foci were demarcated by phagocytic cells, i.e. macrophages and neutrophilic granulocytes, and by T and B lymphocytes. The presence of M. bovis antigens in necrotic tissue lesions was associated with expression of iNOS and NT by macrophages. Only single macrophages demarcating the necrotic foci were positive for MHC class II. Microbiological results revealed that M. bovis had spread to approximately 27% of the non-inoculated joints. Differences in extent or severity between the lesions in samples from vaccinated and non-vaccinated animals were not seen.

Conclusions

The results suggest that nitritative injury, as in pneumonic lung tissue of M. bovis-infected calves, is involved in the development of caseonecrotic joint lesions. Only single macrophages were positive for MHC class II indicating down-regulation of antigen-presenting mechanisms possibly caused by local production of iNOS and NO by infiltrating macrophages.     

Thermochemistry and aqueous solubilities of hydrotalcite-like solids

Hydrotalcites are used in technology as catalysts and anion exchangers and are important sinks for environmental contaminants. Their compositional variability makes it important, but difficult, to estimate their aqueous solubility. We report calorimetric measurements of the heats of formation of cobalt-aluminum hydrotalcite phases. The heat and free energy of formation from the elements are equal to those of mechanical mixtures of binary compounds, namely hydroxides and carbonates. The interlayer anion is much more important than the cation in determining the solubility of the hydrotalcite phase and its ability to contain or release heavy metals to the environment. Because hydrotalcites do not have an unreactive polymer as a structural core, their aqueous stability will change dramatically with composition, particularly with anion content. This simple mechanical mixture model allows prediction of aqueous solubilities and trace metal retention in a variety of geochemical settings.     

Development of an agricultural crops spectral library and classification of crops at cultivar level using hyperspectral data

In the context of a growing interest in remote sensing for precision agriculture applications, the utility of space-borne hyperspectral imaging for the development of a crop-specific spectral library and automatic identification and classification of three cultivars for each of rice (Oryza sativa L.), chilli (Capsicum annuum L.), sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.) and cotton (Gossipium hirsutum L.) crops have been investigated in this study. The classification of crops at cultivar level using two spectral libraries developed using hyperspectral reflectance data at canopy scale (in-situ hyperspectral measurements) and at pixel scale (Hyperion data) has shown promising results with 86.5 and 88.8% overall classification accuracy, respectively. This observation highlights the possible integration of in-situ hyperspectral measurements with space-borne hyperspectral remote sensing data for automatic identification and discrimination of various crop cultivars. However, considerable spectral similarity is observed between cultivars of rice and sugarcane crops which may pose problems in the accurate identification of various crop cultivars.     

Effect of feeding diet with alternate protein sources and quality protein maize on performance and nutrient utilization in broiler chickens

Tropical Animal Health and Production - The experiment was conducted to study the effect of feeding diets with quality protein maize (QPM) along with cottonseed meal (CSM) and guar meal (GM) on...     

Anti-viral activity of methyl 1-chloro-7-methyl-2-propyl-1h-benzo[d] imidazole-5-carboxylate against white spot syndrome virus in freshwater crab (Paratelphusa hydrodromous)

Shrimp farming industries are subjected to severe economic loss due to a disease called white spot syndrome, a viral disease caused by white spot syndrome virus (WSSV) in penaeid shrimp. Numerous active compounds in the market possess anti-viral activity against the white spot syndrome virus, yet the issue remains unsolved. The present study was carried out to determine the anti-viral activity of methyl 1-chloro-7-methyl-2-propyl-1h-benzo[d] imidazole-5-carboxylate (C₁₃H₁₅N₂O₂Cl) against WSSV. The anti-viral activity of the synthetic compound was determined in freshwater crabs. Crabs were divided into three different experimental groups: healthy control groups (N.C.) received NTE buffer, positive control group (P.C.) crabs received WSSV, and treatment group crabs received WSSV along with synthetic weight compound. Experimental groups were observed for 30 days post-infection. Three different organs (gills, muscles, and head soft tissue (HST)) were dissected from all three groups and analyzed using molecular-based techniques, including polymerase chain reaction (PCR), Western blot, and histopathology. Clinical signs of WSSV were observed in the positive and N.C. groups; however, the treatment group showed a 100% survival rate. Confirmation was done using PCR, Western blot, and histopathology. These results demonstrated that the given synthetic compound has significant anti-viral activity against WSSV.

     

Genetic transformation of pigeonpea with rice chitinase gene

With a long‐term plan to develop transgenic pigeonpea with resistance to fungal disease, the transfer of a rice chitinase gene to pigeonpea [Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.] is reported here. The rice chitinase gene harboured in the plasmid pCAMBIA 1302:RChit was delivered via the Agrobacterium‐mediated method to the cotyledonary node explants followed by subsequent regeneration of complete plants on selection media containing hygromycin. Putative transformed pigeonpea plants were recovered with stringent selection pressure and confirmed using molecular techniques. Stable integration and expression of the chitinase gene has been confirmed in the T0 and T1 transgenics through molecular analysis.