Effect of temperature manipulation during incubation on body weight, plasma parameters, muscle histology, and expression of myogenic genes in breast muscle of embryos and broiler chickens from two commercial strains

Traditional selection has led to remarkable differences in allele frequencies among various chicken breeds. Indigenous and broiler-type chicken populations were genotyped for polymorphisms in thyroid hormone responsive Spot14α, prolactin (PRL), IGF-binding protein 2 (IGFBP2), and somatostatin (SST) genes in order to determine potential utilisation type-associated allele frequencies. Significant (P < 0.05) differences were detected between Hungarian Yellow and broiler populations for Spot14α, PRL, and IGFBP2 allele frequencies, whereas the same SST allele (A) was fixed in both groups. In this study, the most significant associations (P < 0.05) were found between the IGFBP2 genotypes and the measured traits (body weight, carcass weight, breast muscle weight with or without skin, breast muscle weight as a percentage of carcass weight) in the broiler population. The results can be applied for the evaluation of polymorphism effects in the analysed populations; however, contradictory allele effects in different breeds and hybrids indicate the need for cautious marker utilisation in selection programmes.

Download Full-text

Effect of Dietary Microalgae on Growth Performance, Profiles of Amino and Fatty Acids, Antioxidant Status, and Meat Quality of Broiler Chickens

Animals ◽

10.3390/ani10050761 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (5) ◽

pp. 761 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Sabry El-Bahr ◽

Saad Shousha ◽

Ahmed Shehab ◽

Wassem Khattab ◽

Omar Ahmed-Farid ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Amino Acids ◽

Body Weight ◽

Meat Quality ◽

Broiler Chickens ◽

Basal Diet ◽

Breast Muscle ◽

Plate Count ◽

Performance Profiles ◽

And Control

The study used 96 broiler chickens to evaluate the impact of three species of microalgae on performance, profiles of fatty and amino acids, antioxidants, and meat quality of breast muscles. Birds were divided into four groups (24 birds/each) with 4 replicates (6 birds each). Birds in the first group were fed basal diet and served as a control (C). Birds of 2–4 groups were fed basal diet mixed with same dose (1 g/kg diet) of Chlorella vulgaris (CV), Spirulina platensis (SP), and Amphora coffeaformis (AC). At the age of 36 days, performance parameters were reported, and breast muscle samples were collected and stored frozen at −80 °C. AC shared CV in the superiority of increasing final body weight and body weight gain compared to SP and control. AC shared SP in the superiority of increasing the level of essential fatty and amino acids and decreasing the microbial growth in breast muscle compared to CV and control. All studied microalgae reduced malondialdehyde (MDA) and protein carbonyl (PC) levels, cooking loss, and aerobic plate count (APC) and increased the superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities in breast muscle compared to control. The current study indicated that studied microalgae, notably AC, can be used to enhance performance and meat quality in broilers chickens.

Download Full-text

Transmissible Viral Proventriculitis Caused by Chicken Proventricular Necrosis Virus Displaying Serological Cross-Reactivity with IBDV

Animals ◽

10.3390/ani11010008 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

pp. 8

Author(s):

Marcin Śmiałek ◽

Michał Gesek ◽

Daria Dziewulska ◽

Jowita Samanta Niczyporuk ◽

Andrzej Koncicki

Keyword(s):

Body Weight ◽

Broiler Chickens ◽

Elisa Test ◽

Cross Reactivity ◽

Infected Group ◽

Feed Conversion ◽

Necrosis Virus ◽

Bursal Disease ◽

Group A ◽

Potential Factor

Transmissible viral proventriculitis (TVP) of chickens is manifested in decreased body weight gains, poor feed conversion and weight diversity. Although TVP etiology has not been defined, a Birnaviridae family member, named chicken proventricular necrosis virus (CPNV) is considered as a potential factor of a disease. This study was undertaken in order to reproduce TVP and to evaluate its etiology. Broiler chickens of the TVP-infected group were inoculated with TVP positive proventriculi homogenate on the 24th day of life. Samples were collected, on infection day and 14 days post-infection (dpi). The 14 dpi anatomo- and histopathological evaluation, revealed that we have succeeded to reproduce TVP. TVP-infected birds gained 30.38% less body weight. In the TVP-infected group a seroconversion against picornaviruses, fowl adenoviruses (FAdV) and infectious bursal disease viruses (IBDV) was recorded with an ELISA test. Using RT-PCR and PCR, CPNV was detected in proventriculi and FAdV in spleens and livers of infected birds, 14 dpi. Our study supports that CPNV is involved in the development of TVP. We did not record the presence of IBDV in TVP or control birds, despite our recording of a seroconversion against IBDV in TVP infected birds. CPNV and IBDV belong to the same family, which allows us to assume serological cross-reactivity between them. The role of FAdV needs further evaluation.

Download Full-text

Dietary sophorolipid accelerates growth by modulation of gut microbiota population and intestinal environments in broiler chickens

Journal of Animal Science and Biotechnology ◽

10.1186/s40104-021-00606-x ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Min-Jin Kwak ◽

Min-Young Park ◽

Yong-Soon Choi ◽

Junghwan Cho ◽

Duleepa Pathiraja ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Body Weight ◽

Barrier Function ◽

Broiler Chickens ◽

Pathogenic Bacteria ◽

Inflammatory Cytokine ◽

Intestinal Inflammation ◽

Defense System ◽

Villus Height ◽

Treatment Groups ◽

Gut Barrier Function

Abstract Background Gut is a crucial organ for the host’s defense system due to its filtering action of the intestinal membrane from hazardous foreign substances. One strategy to strengthen the gut epithelial barrier function is to upregulate beneficial microflora populations and their metabolites. Sophorolipid (SPL), which is a glycolipid bio-surfactant, could increase beneficial microflora and decrease pathogenic bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract. Therefore, herein, we conducted an experiment with broiler chickens to investigate the fortifying effects of SPL on the host’s gut defense system by modulating the microbiota population. Methods A total of 540 1-day-old chicks (Ross 308) were used, and they were immediately allotted into three treatment groups (6 replications with 30 chicks/pen) according to their initial body weight. The dietary treatments consisted of CON (basal diet), BAM (10 mg/kg bambermycin), and SPL (10 mg/kg SPL). During the experiment, birds freely accessed feed and water, and body weight and feed intake were measured at the end of each phase. On d 35, birds (one bird/pen) were sacrificed to collect jejunum and cecum samples. Results Dietary SPL and BAM supplementation significantly accelerated birds’ growth and also significantly improved feed efficiency compared to CON. Intestinal microbial community was significantly separated by dietary SPL supplementation from that of CON, and dietary SPL supplementation significantly increased Lactobacillus spp. and Akkermansia muciniphila. Moreover, birds fed with dietary SPL also showed the highest concentration of cecal butyrate among all treatment groups. Gut morphological analysis showed that dietary SPL significantly increased villus height, ratio of villus height to crypt depth, goblet cell numbers, and the gene expression levels of claudin-1 and mucin 2. Additionally, dietary SPL significantly decreased the mRNA expression level of pro-inflammatory cytokine, interleukin-6, and increased that of anti-inflammatory cytokine, interleukin-10, compared to other treatments. Conclusions Dietary SPL increases the beneficial bacterial population and butyrate concentration, which leads to a strengthened gut barrier function. In addition, the intestinal inflammation was also downregulated by dietary SPL supplementation.

Download Full-text

The Use of Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) Essential Oil as an Additive to Drinking Water for Broiler Chickens and Its In Vitro Reaction with Enrofloxacin

Animals ◽

10.3390/ani11061535 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (6) ◽

pp. 1535

Author(s):

M. Adaszyńska-Skwirzyńska ◽

D. Szczerbińska ◽

S. Zych

Keyword(s):

Escherichia Coli ◽

Drinking Water ◽

Body Weight ◽

Essential Oil ◽

Water Consumption ◽

Broiler Chickens ◽

Lavender Oil ◽

Resistant Strains ◽

Synergistic Reaction

Biological activity of lavender essential oil is a property that can potentially find an application in poultry nutrition. Nowadays, the use of bioactive compounds is encouraged in many areas of industry and agriculture, since these substances have similar properties as withdrawn antibiotic growth promoters. Additionally, antibiotic resistance bacteria are one of the most important current threats to animal health. The purpose of the study was to determine the influence of lavender essential oil on the production parameters and blood parameters in broiler chickens and to assess the lavender oil’s in vitro reaction in a combination with enrofloxacin towards Escherichia coli. One-day-old non-sexed chicks (Ross 308) were divided into three experimental groups, each consisting of 100 individuals (five replicate of 20 boiler chicken each). The chickens in the control group received drinking water with no addition of lavender essential oil. In the experimental groups, lavender oil was added to the drinking water at a concentration of 0.4 mL/L, in the LEO1–42 from 1 to 42 days of age and the LEO22–42 group from the 22 to 42 days of age. The chickens’ body weight, feed consumption, water consumption, deaths and elimination due to health reasons were determined in the experiment. On day 42 of the chickens’ lives, blood samples were collected based on which selected parameters were identified. An in vitro experiment of lavender oil in combination with enrofloxacin was investigated with a checkerboard method. The results of the experiment showed the antimicrobial and antioxidant activity of lavender essential oil and its positive effect on the production results of broiler chickens. The study results proved that the addition of lavender oil positively impacted the chickens’ final body weight and feed conversion ratio (p < 0.01). No differences were observed between the groups for water consumption, death rate and the examined biochemical and immunological blood serum indices. Lavender essential oil was demonstrated to increase the blood serum’s total antioxidant status. A synergistic reaction in vitro was observed for lavender oil combined with enrofloxacin against resistant strains of Escherichia coli. Based on our study, a health-promoting effect of adding LEO to water for broiler chickens was found. Moreover, in vitro studies indicate a significant effect of lavender essential oil on the inhibition of the resistant strains of Escherichia coli growth and synergistic reaction with enrofloxacin.

Download Full-text

The Effect of Dietary Halloysite Supplementation on the Performance of Broiler Chickens and Broiler House Environmental Parameters

Animals ◽

10.3390/ani11072040 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (7) ◽

pp. 2040

Author(s):

Małgorzata Nadziakiewicz ◽

Marcin Wojciech Lis ◽

Piotr Micek

Keyword(s):

Body Weight ◽

Broiler Chickens ◽

Body Weight Gain ◽

Environmental Parameters ◽

Feed Consumption ◽

Feed Additive ◽

Feed Conversion ◽

Daily Body Weight ◽

Daily Water ◽

Broiler House

The aim of the study was to determine the effect of supplementing broiler chickens’ diets with halloysite on daily body weight gain (BWG), feed conversion ratio (FCR), daily water consumption (DWC), and some broiler house hygiene parameters. The trial was conducted on 18,000 broiler chickens divided into two groups throughout the 42-day (D) rearing period. The birds were fed complete diets without (group C) or with halloysite addition (1%, group E) from D8 of rearing. No difference in the mortality rate was observed between groups C and E. Birds from group E had a tendency (0.05 < p < 0.10) towards a higher body weight at D32 and D42, a higher BWG, and a lower FCR compared to group C during the entire rearing period. Average DWC differed only in the finisher period, with a tendency towards lower overall DWC in group E. The concentration of ammonia in the air from D21 to D35 was increased more than 5-fold in group C but only 1.5-fold in group E. In conclusion, the use of halloysite as a feed additive in the diet of broiler chickens resulted in a reduction in feed consumption per unit of BWG and higher utilisation of crude protein, which led to improved environmental conditions.

Download Full-text

Growth Performance, Serum Biochemical Indices, Duodenal Histomorphology, and Cecal Microbiota of Broiler Chickens Fed on Diets Supplemented with Cinnamon Bark Powder at Prestarter and Starter Phases

Animals ◽

10.3390/ani11010094 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

pp. 94

Author(s):

Mohammed M. Qaid ◽

Saud I. Al-Mufarrej ◽

Mahmoud M. Azzam ◽

Maged A. Al-Garadi ◽

Hani H. Albaadani ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Body Weight ◽

Broiler Chickens ◽

Body Weight Gain ◽

Basal Diet ◽

Positive Control ◽

Negative Control ◽

Broiler Chicks ◽

Feed Conversion ◽

Serum Globulin ◽

Maximum Improvement

Ross 308 broiler chicks (n = 240) aged 1 day were assigned to five groups for eight replicates (six chicks for each) (3♂ and 3♀). Basal dietary groups were supplemented by 2000, 4000, and 6000 mg/kg cinnamon (CN) for 21 days. Basal diet alone was used as a negative control, and basal antibiotic diet (Colimox) was used as a positive control. At 10, 14, and 21 days of age, chicks that received 2000 mg CN and Colimox had a higher body weight, resulting in an increase in body weight gain. CN also resulted in the maximum improvement in the feed conversion ratio and feed efficiency over 1–21 days at the level of 2000 mg/kg. At days 10, the maximum relative breast weight was 2000 mg/kg of CN. Mean serum albumin concentrations, duodenal villus height, and goblet cell density increased (p < 0.05) by 2000 mg/kg of CN, and mean serum globulin and total protein concentrations and crypt depth increased (p < 0.05) by 6000 mg/kg of CN compared with control. Increased cecal Escherichia coli number was CN dose-dependent. In conclusion, dietary inclusion of 2000 mg/kg CN can be applied as an alternative to in-feed antibiotics for broiler starter diet.

Download Full-text

Optical Characterization of Alternaria spp. Contaminated Wheat Grain and Its Influence in Early Broilers Nutrition on Oxidative Stress

Sustainability ◽

10.3390/su13074005 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (7) ◽

pp. 4005

Author(s):

Nikola Puvača ◽

Snežana Tanasković ◽

Vojislava Bursić ◽

Aleksandra Petrović ◽

Jordan Merkuri ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Oxidative Stress ◽

Body Weight ◽

Broiler Chickens ◽

Basal Diet ◽

Feed Consumption ◽

Control Treatment ◽

Second Phase ◽

Wheat Grain ◽

Color Properties ◽

Dietary Treatments

The aim of this research was the visual characterization and investigating the effects of Alternaria spp. contaminated wheat grains in the starter stage of broilers nutrition on productive parameters and oxidative stress. The research was divided into two phases. Bunches of wheat in post-harvest period of year 2020 was collected from a various locality in Serbia and Albania. In the first phase, collected samples were visual characterized by Alternaria spp. presence by color measurement methods. Gained results are conferred in the range of the color properties of grain color properties of Alternaria toxins. Wheat grain samples were significantly different (p < 0.05) in terms of all measured color parameters (L*, a*, b*). Classification of field fungi in analyzed wheat grain samples showed that the significant field fungi were Rhizopus spp., followed by Alternaria spp., and Fusarium spp. In the second phase, biological tests with chickens were carried out during the broiler chickens’ dietary starter period in the first 14th days of age. At the beginning of the experiment, a total of 180-day-old Ross 308 strain broilers were equally distributed into three dietary treatments, with four replicates each. Dietary treatments in the experiments were as follows: basal diet without visual contamination of Alternaria spp. with 25% wheat (A1), a basal diet with visual contamination of Alternaria spp. with 25% wheat from Serbia (A2), basal diet with visual contamination of Alternaria spp. with 25% wheat from Albania (A3). The trial with chickens lasted for 14 days. After the first experimental week, wheat infected with Alternaria spp. in treatment A2 and A3 expressed adverse effects. The highest body weight of chickens of 140.40 g was recorded in broilers on control treatment A1 with statistically significant differences (p < 0.05) compared to treatments A2 (137.32 g) and A3 (135.35 g). At the end of the second week of test period, a statistically significant (p < 0.05) difference in body weight of broiler chickens could be noticed. The highest body weight of 352.68 g was recorded in control treatment A1, with statistically significant differences compared to other Alternaria spp. treatments. The lowest body weight of chickens was recorded in treatment A3 (335.93 g). Results of feed consumption and feed conversion ratio showed some numerical differences between treatments but without any statistically significant differences (p > 0.05). Alternaria spp. contaminated diet increased glutathione (GSH), glutathione reductase (GR), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and decreased peroxidase (POD) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) serum levels, respectively. Built on the achieved results, it can be concluded that the wheat contaminated with Alternaria spp. in broilers nutrition negatively affected growth, decreased oxidative protection and interrupted chicken welfare in the first period of life.

Download Full-text