THE ADAPTIVITY OF BEES TO HIGH ENVIRONMENTAL TEMPERATURE

Учитывая важность пчел как составляющей биоценоза живой природы растет вероятность исчезновения на Земле многих видов растений и животных, а, соответственно, и человечества. Только за улучшение экологии, углубление исследований, связанных с влиянием негативных факторов на пчел, разработкой путей снижения их воздействия на этот вид насекомых можно предупредить существующие угрозы и те, которые могут возникнуть в будущем.

Effects of Alchemilla vulgaris on growth performance, carcass characteristics and some biochemical parameters of heat stressed broilers

This study aimed to investigate the effects of Alchemilla vulgaris (A. vulgaris) on growth performance, carcass characteristics, and biochemical parameters in broilers exposed to high environmental temperature conditions. A total of 45 broilers of 21 days of age (Ross 308) were used and grouped as the control group (C), and the groups with the addition of 1% (G1), or 3% (G2) A. vulgaris to chicken diet, respectively. In this study, the body weights of heat stressed broilers were significantly different on the 35th day and onwards. Feed intake was higher in the control group. Feed conversion ratio (FCR) was better in groups G1 and G2 compared to control on the 36th and 42nd day, the FCR was better on the 21st- 42nd days. The highest hot and cold carcass performance were observed in group G2 (79.72±0.93% and 78.02±0.99, respectively), and the lowest values were observed in group C (76.26±1.13% and 75.70±1.20%, respectively). A. vulgaris, reduced serum malondialdehyde (MDA) levels as numerically, and suppressed lipid peroxidation in a dose-dependent manner. It had significant effects on monocytes (MON %, MON count), platelets (PLT), and plateletcrit (PCT) parameters only. In conclusion, the deleterious effects of high environmental temperature in broilers could be partially reversed by A. vulgaris addition to the diets between days 21 and 42.

Assessment of Residual Feed Intake and Its Relevant Measurements in Two Varieties of Japanese Quails (Coturnixcoturnix japonica) under High Environmental Temperature

Three hundred and ten 12-week-old laying Japanese quails (Coturnixcoturnix japonica) from gray and white varieties (155 each) were randomly selected from the initial population and kept in individual battery cages. The measurements of growth and egg production were determined to derive residual feed intake (RFI). The relationship between RFI and egg quality, blood parameters, and carcass characteristics was also determined. The results indicated that the gray quails had significantly higher egg mass and lower broken eggs compared to the white quails. A significant increase of eggshell strength and shell percentage was found in eggs produced from gray quails compared to their white counterparts, although their shell thickness means weresimilar. The results of multiple regression analysis clearly identified a significant effect of metabolic body weight and egg mass for the computation of expected feed intake, rather than body weight gain, in both varieties of Japanese quails. A strong positive correlation between RFI and feed intake in both gray and white quail varieties was found. The same trend was also observed for feed conversion ratio (FCR). Therefore, including RFI in the selection criteria of Japanese quails in order to improve FCR under high environmental temperature is highly recommended.