Sex-Specific Effects of Dietary Methionine Restriction on the Intestinal Microbiome

Dietary methionine restriction is associated with improved health outcomes and an increase in lifespan in animal models. We have previously shown that an increase in dietary methionine induces alteration in the intestinal microbiome. The composition of the intestinal microbiota is a determinant of health and we, therefore, hypothesized that dietary methionine restriction would also induce changes in the murine microbiome. After one month on a methionine-restricted diet, five-month-old male and female C57BL/6 mice had decreased levels of serum methionine, without changes in body weight. We identified a decrease in the hepatic methylation status of animals fed a methionine-restricted diet compared to controls. This decrease was not associated with changes in DNA or protein methylation in the liver. In males, we saw an increase in families Bacteroidaceae and Verrucoccaceae (mostly A. mucinophila) and a decrease in Rumminococcaceae in animals fed a methionine-restricted diet compared to controls. In females, Bacteroidales family S24-7 was increased two-fold, while families Bacteroidaceae, Verrucoccaceae, Rumminococcaceae, and Rikenellaceae were decreased compared to controls. In summary, feeding a methionine-restricted diet for one month was associated with significant and sex-specific changes in the intestinal microbiome.

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Sodium Humate And Glutamine Combined Supplementation Alleviate Diarrhea of Weaned Calves Via Alter Intestinal Microbiota And Metabolites

10.21203/rs.3.rs-593416/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Dong Wang ◽

Yuanyi Du ◽

Haotian Jia ◽

Siqi Huang ◽

Lei Lei ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Body Weight ◽

Growth Performance ◽

Intestinal Microbiota ◽

Basal Diet ◽

Intestinal Microbiome ◽

Control Group ◽

Diarrhea Incidence ◽

Combined Supplementation ◽

Similar Body ◽

Fecal Score

Abstract Background: Weaning is one of the most stressful periods that cause gastrointestinal tract dysfunction and diarrhea in calves. HNa and Gln were reported to exert beneficial effects on promoting growth performance, decreasing diarrhea incidence, and modulating intestinal microbiota in animals. Therefore, this study investigated the effect of HNa and Gln combined supplementation on growth performance, diarrhea incidence, serum parameters, intestinal microbiome, and metabolites of weaned calves.Results: In Exp. 1, 40 calves at 51±3 days of age with similar body weight (66.82±4.31 kg) were randomly assigned to 4 treatments fed with a basal diet (NC group), and a basal diet supplemented with 100 mL of 1%, 3%, or 5% HNa+1% Gln, twice daily, respectively. In a 21-day trial, calves on the 5% HNa+1% Gln group had higher ADG and lower fecal score and diarrhea incidence than those in the control group (P < 0.05). In Exp. 2, 20 calves at 51±3 days of age with similar body weight (69.37±6.28 kg) were randomly assigned to 2 treatments fed with a basal diet (NC group) and a basal diet supplemented with 100 mL of 5% HNa+1% Gln, twice daily (H+G group, the dose was obtained from Exp. 1). In a 21-day trial, calves supplemented with HNa and Gln had higher final BW and ADG, serum IgG concentration and GSH-Px and T-AOC activities, but lower fecal score, diarrhea incidence, as well as serum DAO, D-lac, TNF-α, and MDA concentrations compared to NC group (P < 0.05). Analysis of intestinal microbiota indicated that supplemented with HNa and Gln significantly increased the abundance of phyla Firmicutes and genus of Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus, Olsenella, Ruminiclostridium 9, Howardella, and uncultured organism, whereas the abundance of phyla Bacteroidetes, genus of Helicobacter and Lachnoclostridium were decreased as compared with NC group. Moreover, untargeted metabolomics analysis revealed that supplemented with HNa and Gln altered 18 metabolites and enriched 6 KEGG pathways (primary fatty acid biosynthesis) compared to the NC group. Conclusions: This study showed that combined supplemented with HNa and Gln could decrease diarrhea of weaned calves, which may be associated with improved intestinal microbial ecology and altered metabolism profile.

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INTESTINAL MICROFLORA ON THE BACKGROUND OF BACTERIAL VAGINOSIS ON VULVOVAGINAL CANDIDIASIS IN OVERWEIGHT AND OBESE WOMEN

Wiadomości Lekarskie ◽

10.36740/wlek202110122 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 74 (10) ◽

pp. 2482-2488

Author(s):

Karine A. Hasparian ◽

Valentina K. Kondratiuk ◽

Olha V. Trokhymovych ◽

Kateryna O. Kondratiuk ◽

Iryna M. Nikitina ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Body Weight ◽

Bacterial Vaginosis ◽

Intestinal Microbiota ◽

Intestinal Microflora ◽

Overweight And Obesity ◽

Vulvovaginal Candidiasis ◽

Intestinal Microbiome ◽

Excess Body Weight ◽

Obese Women

The aim of our work was to study the intestinal microbiome in obese women and further develop differentiated patterns of exposure to the intestinal microbiota to improve metabolism and reduce excess weight. Materials and methods: Surveyed 120 overweight and obese women. For comparison, 60 women without overweight and obesity were examined. Group I – women with vulvovaginal candidiasis and overweight and obesity (60 women); group II – women with vulvovaginal candidiasis without overweight and obesity (30 women); group III – women with bacterial vaginosis and overweight and obesity (60 women); ІV – women with bacterial vaginosis without overweight and obesity (30 women). The study of the intestinal microbiocenosis included the determination of the species and quantitative composition of the microflora. Quantitative indicators of intestinal microflora were studied by seeding 1 ml from each dilution on differential diagnostic media: Endo, Ploskireva, ICA (bismuth – agar sulfide) to detect pathogenic enterobacteria; ZhSA (yellow – salt agar) for determination of staphylococci. To study the hemolytic activity of bacteria was used agar with 5% erythrocyte content of sheep. The presence of bifidobacteria in the test material was studied on Blaurok medium, and lactobacilli – on MRS medium. Statistical analysis of the obtained research results was performed using standard computer packages “Data Analysis” Microsoft Excel for Windows 2002. Results: Based on the results of studies, we can summarize the nature of changes in the intestinal microbiome on the background of vulvovaginal candidiasis and bacterial vaginosis in women with overweight and obesity. In all women with excess body weight and obesity, intestinal microflora disorders have been registered, which are characterized by the replacing the lactobacilli and bifidum bacteria to opportunistic pathogens. A significant increase in Firmicutes phylum microorganisms and a significant decrease in Bacteroidetes phylum were found. The obtained data prove that changes in the species composition of the intestinal microbiota play an important role in the pathogenesis of obesity. Conclusions: The results indicate the feasibility of monitoring the intestinal microbiota in women with vulvovaginal candidiasis and bacterial vaginosis, especially in the presence of excess body weight and obesity to determine the degree of violations of its components, and timely correction of the detected changes.

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The Intestinal Microbiome Predicts Weight Loss on a Calorie-Restricted Diet and Is Associated With Improved Hepatic Steatosis

Frontiers in Nutrition ◽

10.3389/fnut.2021.718661 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 8 ◽

Author(s):

Tien S. Dong ◽

Kayti Luu ◽

Venu Lagishetty ◽

Farzaneh Sedighian ◽

Shih-Lung Woo ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Weight Loss ◽

Body Weight ◽

Clinical Response ◽

Hepatic Steatosis ◽

Calorie Restriction ◽

Intestinal Microbiome ◽

Composition Analysis ◽

Rrna Gene ◽

Restricted Diet

Background: The microbiome has been shown in pre-clinical and epidemiological studies to be important in both the development and treatment of obesity and metabolic associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD). However, few studies have examined the role of the microbiome in the clinical response to calorie restriction. To explore this area, we performed a prospective study examining the association of the intestinal microbiome with weight loss and change in hepatic steatosis on a calorie-restricted diet.Methods: A prospective dietary intervention study of 80 overweight and obese participants was performed at the Greater West Los Angeles Veterans Affair Hospital. Patients were placed on a macronutrient standardized diet for 16 weeks, including 14 weeks of calorie restriction (500 calorie deficit). Body composition analysis by impedance, plasma lipid measurements, and ultrasound elastography to measure hepatic steatosis were performed at baseline and week 16. Intestinal microbiome composition was assessed using 16S rRNA gene sequencing. A per protocol analysis was performed on all subjects completing the trial (n = 46).Results: Study completers showed significant reduction in weight, body mass index, total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein, and triglyceride. Subjects who lost at least 5% of their body weight had significantly greater reduction in serum triglyceride and hepatic steatosis than those with <5% body weight loss. Enterococcus and Klebsiella were reduced at the end of the trial while Coprococcus and Collinsella were increased. There were also significant baseline microbiome differences between patients who had at least 5% weight loss as compared to those that did not. Lachnoclostridium was positively associated with hepatic steatosis and Actinomyces was positively associated with hepatic steatosis and weight. Baseline microbiome profiles were able to predict which patients lost at least 5% of their body weight with an AUROC of 0.80.Conclusion: Calorie restriction alters the intestinal microbiome and improves hepatic steatosis in those who experience significant weight loss. Baseline microbiome differences predict weight loss on a calorie–restricted diet and are associated with improvement in hepatic steatosis, suggesting a role of the gut microbiome in mediating the clinical response to calorie restriction.

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ESTIMASI NILAI HERITABILITAS BOBOT IKAN MAS VARIETAS PUNTEN DALAM PROGRAM SELEKSI INDIVIDU

Jurnal Riset Akuakultur ◽

10.15578/jra.11.3.2016.217-223 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 11 (3) ◽

pp. 217

Author(s):

Estu Nugroho ◽

Budi Setyono ◽

Mochammad Su’eb ◽

Tri Heru Prihadi

Keyword(s):

Body Weight ◽

Selection Response ◽

Base Population ◽

Breeding Programs ◽

Male And Female ◽

Body Weight Trait ◽

Population Selection ◽

Selection For ◽

Weight Trait ◽

Selection Of

Program pemuliaan ikan mas varietas Punten dilakukan dengan seleksi individu terhadap karakter bobot ikan. Pembentukan populasi dasar untuk kegiatan seleksi dilakukan dengan memijahkan secara massal induk ikan mas yang terdiri atas 20 induk betina dan 21 induk jantan yang dikoleksi dari daerah Punten, Kepanjen (delapan betina dan enam jantan), Kediri (tujuh betina dan 12 jantan), Sragen (27 betina dan 10 jantan), dan Blitar (15 betina dan 11 jantan). Larva umur 10 hari dipelihara selama empat bulan. Selanjutnya dilakukan penjarangan sebesar 50% dan benih dipelihara selama 14 bulan untuk dilakukan seleksi dengan panduan hasil sampling 250 ekor individu setiap populasi. Seleksi terhadap calon induk dilakukan saat umur 18 bulan pada populasi jantan dan betina secara terpisah dengan memilih berdasarkan 10% bobot ikan yang terbaik. Calon induk yang terseleksi kemudian dipelihara hingga matang gonad, kemudian dipilih sebanyak 150 pasang dan dipijahkan secara massal. Didapatkan respons positif dari hasil seleksi berdasarkan bobot ikan, yaitu 49,89 g atau 3,66% (populasi ikan jantan) dan 168,47 g atau 11,43% (populasi ikan betina). Nilai heritabilitas untuk bobot ikan adalah 0,238 (jantan) dan 0,505 (betina).Punten carp breeding programs were carried out by individual selection for body weight trait. The base population for selection activities were conducted by mass breeding of parent consisted of 20 female and 21 male collected from area Punten, eight female and six male (Kepanjen), seven female and 12 male (Kediri), 27 female and 10 male (Sragen), 15 female and 11 male (Blitar). Larvae 10 days old reared for four moths. Then after spacing out 50% of total harvest, the offspring reared for 14 months for selection activity based on the sampling of 250 individual each population. Selection of broodstock candidates performed since 18 months age on male and female populations separately by selecting based on 10% of fish with best body weight. Candidates selected broodstocks were then maintained until mature. In oder to produce the next generation 150 pairs were sets and held for mass spawning. The results revealed that selection response were positive, 49.89 g (3.66%) for male and 168.47 (11.43%) for female. Heritability for body weight is 0.238 (male) and 0.505 (female).

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Discovery of novel community-relevant small proteins in a simplified human intestinal microbiome

Microbiome ◽

10.1186/s40168-020-00981-z ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Hannes Petruschke ◽

Christian Schori ◽

Sebastian Canzler ◽

Sarah Riesbeck ◽

Anja Poehlein ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Microbial Communities ◽

Intestinal Microbiota ◽

De Novo ◽

Bacterial Species ◽

Intestinal Microbiome ◽

Single Strain ◽

Small Proteins ◽

Human Intestinal Microbiota ◽

Wide Range

Abstract Background The intestinal microbiota plays a crucial role in protecting the host from pathogenic microbes, modulating immunity and regulating metabolic processes. We studied the simplified human intestinal microbiota (SIHUMIx) consisting of eight bacterial species with a particular focus on the discovery of novel small proteins with less than 100 amino acids (= sProteins), some of which may contribute to shape the simplified human intestinal microbiota. Although sProteins carry out a wide range of important functions, they are still often missed in genome annotations, and little is known about their structure and function in individual microbes and especially in microbial communities. Results We created a multi-species integrated proteogenomics search database (iPtgxDB) to enable a comprehensive identification of novel sProteins. Six of the eight SIHUMIx species, for which no complete genomes were available, were sequenced and de novo assembled. Several proteomics approaches including two earlier optimized sProtein enrichment strategies were applied to specifically increase the chances for novel sProtein discovery. The search of tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) data against the multi-species iPtgxDB enabled the identification of 31 novel sProteins, of which the expression of 30 was supported by metatranscriptomics data. Using synthetic peptides, we were able to validate the expression of 25 novel sProteins. The comparison of sProtein expression in each single strain versus a multi-species community cultivation showed that six of these sProteins were only identified in the SIHUMIx community indicating a potentially important role of sProteins in the organization of microbial communities. Two of these novel sProteins have a potential antimicrobial function. Metabolic modelling revealed that a third sProtein is located in a genomic region encoding several enzymes relevant for the community metabolism within SIHUMIx. Conclusions We outline an integrated experimental and bioinformatics workflow for the discovery of novel sProteins in a simplified intestinal model system that can be generically applied to other microbial communities. The further analysis of novel sProteins uniquely expressed in the SIHUMIx multi-species community is expected to enable new insights into the role of sProteins on the functionality of bacterial communities such as those of the human intestinal tract.

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New Developments in Microbiome in Alcohol-Associated and Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

Seminars in Liver Disease ◽

10.1055/s-0040-1719174 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Phillipp Hartmann ◽

Bernd Schnabl

Keyword(s):

Liver Disease ◽

Fatty Liver ◽

Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease ◽

Intestinal Microbiota ◽

Fatty Liver Disease ◽

Randomized Clinical Trials ◽

Fecal Microbiota Transplantation ◽

Fecal Microbiota ◽

Intestinal Microbiome ◽

Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver

AbstractAlcohol-associated liver disease (ALD) and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) are important causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. The intestinal microbiota is involved in the development and progression of both ALD and NAFLD. Here we describe associated changes in the intestinal microbiota, and we detail randomized clinical trials in ALD and NAFLD which evaluate treatments modulating the intestinal microbiome including fecal microbiota transplantation, probiotics, prebiotics, synbiotics, and antibiotics. Finally, we discuss precision medicine approaches targeting the intestinal microbiome to ameliorate ALD and NAFLD.

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NIMG-37. DELAYED PSEUDOPROGRESSION IN TWO PATIENTS UNDERGOING TTFIELDS TREATMENT FOR NEWLY DIAGNOSED GLIOBLASTOMA

Neuro-Oncology ◽

10.1093/neuonc/noaa215.650 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 22 (Supplement_2) ◽

pp. ii155-ii156

Author(s):

Allison Lowman ◽

Sarah Hurrell ◽

Samuel Bobholz ◽

Jennifer Connelly ◽

Elizabeth Cochran ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Dna Methyltransferase ◽

Radiographic Progression ◽

Methylation Status ◽

Underlying Mechanism ◽

Recurrent Glioblastoma ◽

Newly Diagnosed ◽

Methylguanine Dna Methyltransferase ◽

Specific Effects ◽

Newly Diagnosed Glioblastoma ◽

Associated Risk Factors

Abstract PURPOSE Tumor treatment fields (TTFields) are approved by the FDA for newly diagnosed as well as recurrent glioblastoma (GBM). TTFields have been shown to extend survival by 4.9 months in newly diagnosed GBM, and a landmark overall survival rate of 13% at 5 years. However, the specific effects remain widely unknown, which has prevented widespread clinical use of this treatment. METHODS This case study examines two glioblastoma patients, IDH-1 wildtype, MGMT unmethylated, that received TTFields (Optune) in addition to maintenance temozolomide (TMZ) following radiation (RT). Both cases were followed using standard MR imaging. Second resections were performed due to radiographic progression of contrast enhancement. RESULTS Although imaging was concerning for tumor progression, pathology showed only treatment effect, ultimately leading to the diagnosis of pseudoprogression. Both patients fell outside the normal expected timeline for chemo-radiation induced pseudoprogression. Based on the pathology, both patients resumed treatment with TMZ/TTFields. One patient expired at 25 months and one is still alive. CONCLUSIONS Pathologic confirmation was essential for guiding further treatment and allowed patients to continue treatment that was effective despite contrary indications on imaging. These findings suggest that pathological confirmation should be strongly considered in patients receiving TMZ/TTFields who develop radiographic progression, potentially with a less invasive biopsy procedure. Future studies should look to characterize the underlying mechanism of interaction between TTFields/TMZ and quantify the prevalence, associated risk factors and whether there is a genotype more susceptible. Both patients reported here had O(6)-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) unmethylated GBM, and while about 60% of glioblastomas are diagnosed likewise, it is possible that MGMT methylation status plays a role in TTFields response. Better characterization of this phenomenon will improve treatment guidance, potentially reducing unnecessary surgeries and the discontinuance of successful therapies.

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A Review of the Role of the Intestinal Microbiota in Age-Related Macular Degeneration

Journal of Clinical Medicine ◽

10.3390/jcm10102072 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (10) ◽

pp. 2072

Author(s):

Phoebe Lin ◽

Scott M. McClintic ◽

Urooba Nadeem ◽

Dimitra Skondra

Keyword(s):

Macular Degeneration ◽

Intestinal Microbiota ◽

Retinal Disease ◽

Age Related Macular Degeneration ◽

Intestinal Microbiome ◽

Age Related ◽

Intestinal Dysbiosis ◽

Apo E ◽

Dry Amd

Blindness from age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is an escalating problem, yet AMD pathogenesis is incompletely understood and treatments are limited. The intestinal microbiota is highly influential in ocular and extraocular diseases with inflammatory components, such as AMD. This article reviews data supporting the role of the intestinal microbiota in AMD pathogenesis. Multiple groups have found an intestinal dysbiosis in advanced AMD. There is growing evidence that environmental factors associated with AMD progression potentially work through the intestinal microbiota. A high-fat diet in apo-E-/- mice exacerbated wet and dry AMD features, presumably through changes in the intestinal microbiome, though other independent mechanisms related to lipid metabolism are also likely at play. AREDS supplementation reversed some adverse intestinal microbial changes in AMD patients. Part of the mechanism of intestinal microbial effects on retinal disease progression is via microbiota-induced microglial activation. The microbiota are at the intersection of genetics and AMD. Higher genetic risk was associated with lower intestinal bacterial diversity in AMD. Microbiota-induced metabolite production and gene expression occur in pathways important in AMD pathogenesis. These studies suggest a crucial link between the intestinal microbiota and AMD pathogenesis, thus providing a novel potential therapeutic target. Thus, the need for large longitudinal studies in patients and germ-free or gnotobiotic animal models has never been more pressing.

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Abstract 228: Alterations of Cardiac Morphology and Function Caused by Cardio-Thoracic Surgery in Small Animal Models of Heart Disease

Circulation Research ◽

10.1161/res.113.suppl_1.a228 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 113 (suppl_1) ◽

Author(s):

Peter Nordbeck ◽

Leoni Bönhof ◽

Karl-Heinz Hiller ◽

Sabine Voll ◽

Paula Arias ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Body Weight ◽

Heart Disease ◽

Animal Models ◽

Right Ventricular ◽

Small Animal ◽

Cardiac Morphology ◽

Small Animal Models ◽

And Function

Background: Surgical procedures in small animal models of heart disease, such as artificial ligation of the coronary arteries for experimental myocardial infarction, can evoke alterations in cardiac morphology and function. Such alterations might induce artificial early or long term effects in vivo that might account for a significant bias in basic cardiovascular research, and, therefore, could potentially question the meaning of respective studies in small animal models of heart disease. Methods: Female Wistar rats were matched for weight and distributed to sham left coronary artery ligation or untreated control. Cardiac parameters were then investigated in vivo by high-field MRI over time after the surgical procedure, determining left and right ventricular morphology and function. Additionally, the time course of several metabolic and inflammatory blood parameters was determined. Results: Rats after sham surgery showed a lower body weight for up to 8 weeks after the intervention compared to healthy controls. Left and right ventricular morphology and function were not different in absolute measures in both groups 1 week after surgery. However, there was a confined difference in several cardiac parameters normalized to the body weight (bw), such as myocardial mass (2.19±0.30/0.83±0.13 vs. 1.85±0.22/0.70±0.07 mg left/right per g bw, p<0.05), or enddiastolic ventricular volume (1.31±0.36/1.21±0.31 vs. 1.14±0.20/1.07±0.17 µl left/right per g bw, p<0.05). Vice versa, after 8 weeks, cardiac masses, volumes, and output showed a trend for lower values in the sham operated rats compared to the controls in absolute measures (782.2±57.2/260.2±33.2 vs. 805.9±84.8/310.4±48.5 mg, p<0.05 for left/right ventricular mass), but not normalized to body weight. Matching these findings, blood testing revealed prolonged metabolic and inflammatory changes after surgery not related to cardiac disease. Conclusion: There is a small distinct impact of cardio-thoracic surgical procedures on the global integrity of the organism, which in the long term also includes circumscribed repercussions on cardiac morphology and function. This impact has to be considered when analyzing data from respective studies and transferring the findings to conditions in patients.

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Early sex determination of Turkey by observation of differences in body weight between male and female

Progressive Agriculture ◽

10.3329/pa.v31i3.52126 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 31 (3) ◽

pp. 218-226

Author(s):

S Akter ◽

SC Das ◽

AS Apu ◽

T Ahmed ◽

A Lahiry ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Body Weight ◽

Male And Female ◽

Live Body Weight ◽

Commercial Broiler ◽

Percent Accuracy ◽

Similar Body ◽

Black Color ◽

Average Body ◽

Average Body Weight

The present study was conducted to determine the early sex in turkeys by observation of the differences in body weight between male and female birds. A total of 30-day old black color unsexed poults having almost similar body weight at hatching were considered for the experimentation and housed at the Poultry Farm of Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh-2202, Bangladesh. All birds were reared up to 12 weeks of age under intensive management with supplementation of commercial broiler starter and grower feeds. Birds were reared under similar management conditions. Significantly higher (p<0.01) body weight was attained in male poults (104g/bird) than the female (90g/bird) at the end of 1st week of age. Similarly, at the end of 2nd week of age higher (p<0.01) body weight attained by male poults (198.31g/bird) than the female (162.13g/bird). At the end of 3rd weeks of age male poults attained higher (p<0.01) body weight (307.23g/bird) than the female (251.33g/bird). After 4 weeks of rearing, male turkeys attained significantly higher (p<0.01) live body weight (424.46g/bird) than the female turkeys (347.87g/bird). The weekly average body weight gains of male and female birds were 94.18g/bird and 76.5g/bird, respectively. Thus, the male and female birds were successfully identified on the basis of differences in their body weight. Weekly feed intake for both the male and female birds was also increased with their age. Up to 4 weeks of age, both the male and female poults consumed same amount of feed (753.46g/bird). The FCR of male and female poults differed non-significantly in 1st, 3rd and 4th week. On the contrary, in 2nd week of age the FCR of male poults (1.60) was significantly lower (p<0.01) than female (2.11). Survivability was 100% up to 4th week of age irrespective of sex of the poults. The birds were reared up to 12 weeks of age until to confirm their sex by observation of the phenotypic appearance. Results of the phenotypic observation of male and female birds correspondence hundred percent accuracy with the results obtained in body weight based differences between male and female birds. It is therefore concluded that farmers can identify male or female poults as early as first week of age on the basis of body weight differences. Progressive Agriculture 31 (3): 218-226, 2020

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