​Response of In ovo Supplementation of Amino Acid and Minerals on Egg Hatchability of Broiler Chicken

Background: In ovo supplementation of nutrients either amino acids or minerals in broiler chicken has been common more often individually or few nutrients with positive results. In view of the above, in ovo supplementation with combination of amino acids and minerals as a complete nutrient capsule for the gut and immune system development was tested for hatchability since the modern commercial broilers are very fragile to any changes in the internal environment. Methods: Four trials were conducted to study the response of in ovo supplementation of combinations of Lys, Met, Arg, Thr, Glu, Zn, Se and Cu on hatchability of broiler eggs. In trial I, the fertile eggs on day 18 were divided into five groups of 32 eggs in each group. Group I served as control without any amino acids and mineral supplementation. Group II, III, IV and V supplemented with Lys, Met, Arg, Thr, Glu, Zn, Se and Cu @ 2.2, 1, 2.5, 1.6, 2.5 mg, 80, 0.3, 16 µg; 4.4, 2, 5, 3.2, 5 mg, 80, 0.3, 16 µg; 11, 5, 12.5, 8, 12.5 mg, 80, 0.3, 16 µg and 22, 10, 25, 16, 25 mg, 80, 0.3, 18 µg respectively. In trial II, seventy fertile eggs were divided into seven groups, Group I served as control. Group II, III, IV, V, VI and VII were supplemented with graded levels (1x to 6x) of amino acids. The 1x consisted of Lys, Met, Arg, Thr and Glu @ 2.2, 1, 2.5, 1.6 and 2.5 mg, respectively. On day 18, 10 eggs per group were supplemented with graded levels of AA combination into the amniotic fluid. In trail III and IV it was similar to trial II but was without Lys and Met, respectively. Result: Results indicated that hatchability (Trial 1) in Group V, IV, III, II and I were 0, 18, 21.8, 71 and 90.6%, respectively. The Combination of five amino acids (Trial II) (Lys, Met, Thr, Arg, Glu) for in ovo supplementation reduced the hatchability, whereas, combination of four amino acids (Trial III) (Met, Thr, Arg, Glu) without Lys at lower doses resulted in good hatchability (86.6%). In ovo supplementation of amino acid or mineral-amino acid combinations in commercial broiler eggs should be restricted to few amino acids.

Reproductive biology of the Rote Snake-necked Turtle Chelodina mccordi (Rhodin, 1994) in Oelsonbai Captivity, Kupang

The Rote snake-necked turtle (Chelodina mccordi Rhodin, 1994) or Kura-kura Leher Ular Rote is an endangered species endemic to Rote Island, East Nusa Tenggara. It is listed as Critically Endangered by the IUCN. However, based on surveys in recent years, C. mccordi was presumed extinct in the wild. Ex-situ conservation is one alternative to conserve C. mccordi. The purpose of this paper is to describe the reproductive biology of the Rote snake-necked turtle in captivity. Three (one male and two female) C. mccordi were observed in Oelsonbai captivity, Kupang, from 2009 to 2020 to obtain data on the species’ reproductive biology. The first mating behaviour was observed when the turtles were six years old. Hatches occurred two or three times a year, with clutch size varied from five to twenty eggs. Egg hatchability was 75-100 percent, with an incubation period of 76 to 102 days. Female size when mature straight-line carapace length (SCL) 178 mm, carapace width 145 mm, and plastron length 142 mm. Male size straight-line carapace length (SCL) 190 mm, carapace width 150 mm, and plastron length 143 mm.

Effect of Pre-Storage Heating and Period of Storage on Hatchability Traits of Dokki-4 Eggs

This study investigated the effects of pre-storage heating and storage period of hatching eggs on hatchability traits and chick quality of Dokki-4 (Egyptian local strain of chickens) laying hens. A total of 3600 eggs were collected from 46-week-old laying hens. Eggs were distributed in a 3x4 factorial arrangement, with three storage times (4, 8 and 12 days at 18°C and 75% RH) and four heat treatments prior to storage (0, 3, 6 and 9 hours at 37.5°C and 56% RH). Eggs were distributed to twelve treatments of 20 replicates. After storage, eggs were incubated under the normal conditions of incubation at the same time. The results showed that the long storage period increased egg weight loss. Hatchability and chick quality results from 8-12 days stored eggs were lower than eggs stored for 4 days. The 6-hour pre-storage heating system substantially improved egg hatchability and chick quality relative to non-heated or 9-hour heating. Important interactions were observed during pre-storage heating × egg storage time for loss in egg weight, hatchability of total and fertile eggs, embryonic mortality and chick quality. When eggs were stored for more than four days, pre-storage heating of hatching eggs for six hours improved hatchability and chick quality compared to unheated eggs or heated for 9 hours. Conclusively, pre-storage heat treatment beneficially affects hatchability traits and chick quality, especially when hatching eggs are stored for long periods.

Pengaruh Kedalaman Sarang Terhadap Daya Tetas Telur Penyu Lekang (Lepidochelys olivacea Escholtz, 1829) di Kawasan Penangkaran Penyu Kota Pariaman

This study aims to determine the hatchability of Olive Ridley Sea Turtle eggs at different nest depths. This is an experimental research that used a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with four nest depths P1:30 cm, P2:40 cm, P3:50 cm, P4:60 cm and 4 repetition with each nest filled with 10 eggs. Environmental nest temperatureair and air humidity were measured during the incubation period. The number of hatched eggs collected on day 60 incubation or when the moment hatchlings reveal at nest surface. Data collected after 60 days incubation as the average percentage of hatched eggs and test by ANOVA, with Duncan New Multiple Range Test (DNMRT). The result showed the average of percentage hatchability P1 92.5%, P2 90.0%, P3 82.5% and P4 60%. Based on statistical analysis the P1, P2, and P3 increased hatchability significantly higher (p<0,05) compared to P4. From the results studied it can be concluded that the nest depth has influenced egg hatchability of Olive Ridley Sea Turtle in Turtle Breeding of Pariaman City.

Biology of Zygogramma Bicolorata Pallister on Parthenium hysterophorus Linn. under Laboratory Conditions

Parthenium hysterophorus Linn. is one of the most aggressive, invasive weeds threatening natural and agricultural ecosystems in the world including Nepal. Augmentative release of host-specific, leaf feeding beetle, Zygogramma bicolorata Pallister (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) is one of the sustainable management approaches of parthenium weed. Successful mass rearing program requires knowledge on biology of Z. bicolorata for augmentative release. Thus, life cycle and biology of Z. bicolorata were studied in lab at 26±2 °C temperature and 70±10% relative humidity at NARC, Lalitpur, Nepal during March to September, 2016. The average incubation, larval and pupal periods of the insect were 4.33, 12.20, and 11.00 days, respectively. A single female could lay 1,837 eggs in 58.80 days oviposition period with 73.01% egg hatchability. The insect completed its life cycle in 108.40 and 105.50 days with adult longevity of 91.90 and 75.00 days for females and males, respectively. The average length of egg, pupa, adult female and male was 1.19 mm, 5.90 mm, 6.58 mm and 5.32 mm and breadth 0.51 mm, 3.74 mm, 3.94 mm and 3.20 mm, respectively. The average lengths of the first, second, third and fourth instar larvae were found 1.30 mm, 3.02 mm, 4.96 mm and 8.08 mm and breadth of 0.44 mm, 1.13 mm, 2.02 mm and 3.16 mm, respectively. These findings will help in mass multiplication of Z. bicolorata for biological control of parthenium weed.

Management of Root-knot Nematode Meloidogyne incognita on Mulberry with Passiflora foetida

Background: The root knot nematode Meloidogyne incognita Chit wood infesting mulberry is economically important in silk industry as it affects the leaf yield both quantitatively and qualitatively which in turn affects the silkworm Bombyx mori L., growth and cocoon yield because its foliage is the sole food source of silkworm. Methods: Hence a pot experiment was conducted for the evaluation of efficacy of eco-friendly formulate like botanical extract from Passiflora foetida L., to manage nematode disease severity applied as soil amendment and aqueous leaf extract on nematode egg hatching. Result: After treatment, nematode infestation reduced significantly in terms of number of root knots/ g root weight and nematode egg masses / g root weight in mulberry plants and the treated plants showed better growth in shoot and root length compared to control plants. The aqueous extract of P. foetida showed maximum inhibition of egg hatchability with an increase in the concentration of plant extract.

Features of embryonic development of meat quails

The influence of breed and storage period of hatching eggs on the duration and results of incubation and the development of quail was studied. It has been noted that in breeding quail farms, the collection period for hatching eggs can be as long as 2-3 weeks. Storage time has a negative effect on incubation time, embryo development, egg hatchability and hatchability of young chicks, which consequently reduces the economic efficiency of the poultry farm. The study was carried out on the eggs of the Pharaoh and Texas White quail breeds. It was found that storage of quail eggs for more than 7 days reduces the hatchability of eggs by 8.3-38.2% and the hatchability of young quail eggs by 15.7-41.4%. Reduced fertilization of eggs correlated with the loss of egg weight during storage (r = 0.974-0.995, p < 0.05). Extending the shelf life of quail eggs to 14-21 days increased the average incubation hour of the Pharaoh breed by 6.3-12.1 hours, and the Texas white breed by 2.5-9.7 hours, had a significant effect during the embryogenesis period on the live weight of day-old quails of both breeds, utilization of yolk sac nutrients and development of the heart, liver and gizzard (η2 = 0.541-0.902, p <0.05-0.01). Hatchery eggs of the meat quail breeds Pharaoh and Texan White should be stored for no more than 7 days before incubation. The results of this study can be used in breeding, industrial and farm quail farms for planning sampling times, the number of eggs laid for incubation and places for planting day-old chicks, the number of future layers, the amount of feed needed; in the educational process of agrarian educational institutions.

Efficacy and side effects of bio-fabricated sardine fish scale silver nanoparticles against malarial vector Anopheles stephensi

Mosquitoes are a great menace for humankind since they transmit pathogenic organisms causing Malaria, Dengue, Chikungunya, Elephantiasis and Japanese encephalitis. There is an urgent need to discover new and novel biological tools to mitigate mosquito-borne diseases. To develop bioinsecticides through newly developed nanotechnology is another option in the present research scenario. In this study we synthesize and characterize sardine fish scales with silver nitrate by adopting various instrumental techniques such as UV- and FTIR-spectroscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray (EDAX), X-ray diffraction analyses (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Toxicity bioassays were conducted with young developmental stages of mosquito vectors. Significant mortality appeared after different life stages of mosquito vectors (young larval and pupal instars were exposed to the nanomaterials). LC50 values were 13.261 ppm for young first instar larvae and 32.182 ppm for pupae. Feeding and predatory potential of G. affinis, before and after exposure to nanoparticles against mosquito larval (I & II) instars of the mosquitoes showed promising results in laboratory experiments. Feeding potential of mosquito fish without nanoparticle treatment was 79.7% and 70.55% for the first and second instar larval populations respectively. At the nanoparticle-exposed situation the predatory efficiency of mosquitofish was 94.15% and 84.3%, respectively. Antioxidant enzymes like (SOD), (CAT), and (LPO) were estimated in the gill region of sardine fish in control and experimental waters. A significant reduction of egg hatchability was evident after nanoparticle application. It became evident from this study that the nano-fabricated materials provide suitable tools to control the malaria vector Anopheles stephensi in the aquatic phase of its life cycle. This finding suggests an effective novel approach to mosquito control.

Impact of feed glyphosate residues on broiler breeder egg production and egg hatchability

Glyphosate is the active substance in glyphosate-based herbicides, e.g. Roundup. Its widespread application on feed crops leaves residues in the feed. Glyphosate has antimicrobial and mineral chelating properties and we investigated whether there is an association between feed residues of glyphosate on the one side and broiler breeder egg laying percent and egg hatchability on the other side. Twenty-six feed samples from five conventional flocks producing hatching eggs were analysed for glyphosate. Data on laying percent and egg hatchability from periods following each feed sampling were then associated with feed residues of glyphosate. The average glyphosate residue level was 0.09 mg/kg, maximum was 0.19 and minimum was 0.004 mg/kg. Average laying percent over observation days was 65% (SD = 5.4%) and average hatchability was 79% (SD = 5.8%). We found a negative association between feed glyphosate residue level and hatchability (P = 0.03) when adjusted for breeder age, storage time of eggs on farm before delivery and storage time at hatchery before incubation start. No association was found with laying percent (P = 0.59) adjusted for breeder age. The range of glyphosate concentrations in feed was narrow and should be kept in mind when interpreting both significant and non-significant associations with glyphosate residue concentrations. In nine of 24 analysed conventional eggs the concentration of glyphosate in yolk was above the detection limit however below the quantification limit indicating that traces of glyphosate are common in conventional eggs.

Wider Angle Egg Turning during Incubation Enhances Yolk Utilization and Promotes Goose Embryo Development

We aimed to investigate how wide-angle turning of eggs during incubation affected yolk utilization and the associated molecular mechanism, along with improved goose embryonic development. In total, 1152 eggs (mean weight: 143.33 ± 5.43 g) were divided equally and incubated in two commercial incubators with tray turning angles adjusted differently, to either 50° or 70°. Following incubation under the standard temperature and humidity level, turning eggs by 70° increased embryonic days 22 (E22), embryo mass, gosling weight at hatching, and egg hatchability, but reduced E22 yolk mass compared with those after turning eggs by 50°. Lipidomic analyses of the yolk revealed that egg turning at 70° reduced the concentrations of 17 of 1132 detected total lipids, including diglycerides, triglycerides, and phospholipids. Furthermore, the 70° egg turning upregulated the expression of genes related to lipolysis and fat digestion enzymes, such as lipase, cathepsin B, and prosaposin, as well as apolipoprotein B, apolipoprotein A4, very low-density lipoprotein receptor, low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 2, and thrombospondin receptor, which are genes involved in lipid transportation. Thus, a 70° egg turning angle during incubation enhances yolk utilization through the upregulation of lipolysis and fat digestion-related gene expression, thereby promoting embryonic development and improving egg hatchability and gosling quality.