Towards Tabula Gallus

The Tabula Gallus is a proposed project that aims to create a map of every cell type in the chicken body and chick embryos. Chickens (Gallus gallus) are one of the most recognized model animals that recapitulate the development and physiology of mammals. The Tabula Gallus will generate a compendium of single-cell transcriptome data from Gallus gallus, characterize each cell type, and provide tools for the study of the biology of this species, similar to other ongoing cell atlas projects (Tabula Muris and Tabula Sapiens/Human Cell Atlas for mice and humans, respectively). The Tabula Gallus will potentially become an international collaboration between many researchers. This project will be useful for the basic scientific study of Gallus gallus and other birds (e.g., cell biology, molecular biology, developmental biology, neuroscience, physiology, oncology, virology, behavior, ecology, and evolution). It will eventually be beneficial for a better understanding of human health and diseases.

Saffron (Crocus sativus L.) Flower Water Extract Disrupts the Cecal Microbiome, Brush Border Membrane Functionality, and Morphology In Vivo (Gallus gallus)

Saffron (Crocus sativus L.) is known as the most expensive spice. C. sativus dried red stigmas, called threads, are used for culinary, cosmetic, and medicinal purposes. The rest of the flower is often discarded, but is now being used in teas, as coloring agents, and fodder. Previous studies have attributed antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective, neuroprotective, anti-depressant, and anticancer properties to C. sativus floral bio-residues. The aim of this study is to assess C. sativus flower water extract (CFWE) for its effects on hemoglobin, brush boarder membrane (BBM) functionality, morphology, intestinal gene expression, and cecal microbiome in vivo (Gallus gallus), a clinically validated model. For this, Gallus gallus eggs were divided into six treatment groups (non-injected, 18 Ω H2O, 1% CFWE, 2% CFWE, 5% CFWE, and 10% CFWE) with n~10 for each group. On day 17 of incubation, 1 mL of the extracts/control were administered in the amnion of the eggs. The amniotic fluid along with the administered extracts are orally consumed by the developing embryo over the course of the next few days. On day 21, the hatchlings were euthanized, the blood, duodenum, and cecum were harvested for assessment. The results showed a significant dose-dependent decrease in hemoglobin concentration, villus surface area, goblet cell number, and diameter. Furthermore, we observed a significant increase in Paneth cell number and Mucin 2 (MUC2) gene expression proportional to the increase in CFWE concentration. Additionally, the cecum microbiome analysis revealed C. sativus flower water extract altered the bacterial populations. There was a significant dose-dependent reduction in Lactobacillus and Clostridium sp., suggesting an antibacterial effect of the extract on the gut in the given model. These results suggest that the dietary consumption of C. sativus flower may have negative effects on BBM functionality, morphology, mineral absorption, microbial populations, and iron status.

Histomoníase em galinhas (Gallus gallus domesticus) de criações coloniais no sul do Brasil

Relata-se a ocorrência de histomoníase em galinhas domésticas (Gallus gallus domesticus) de criações coloniais no sul do Brasil. Os casos ocorreram em duas propriedades, localizadas nos municípios de Santa Vitória do Palmar (propriedade 1) e Pelotas (propriedade 2). As aves afetadas, em ambas as propriedades, eram jovens e apresentaram emagrecimento, apatia e anorexia com taxa de mortalidade de aproximadamente 35% nos plantéis. Na propriedade 1, de um total de 35 aves, 12 apresentaram sinais clínicos evoluindo para morte, já na propriedade 2, de um total de 19 aves, 7 tiveram sinais clínicos e morreram. Na necropsia das aves, foram observados na superfície capsular e parênquima hepático nódulos branco-amarelados, multifocais a coalescentes, por vezes, com área central deprimida e circundados por halo pálido medindo até 2,0 mm. O ceco estava dilatado, com lesões elevadas, amareladas e multifocais, estendendo-se da mucosa à serosa, exibindo ainda com parede espessada contendo material caseoso na luz do órgão. Microscopicamente observou-se hepatite e tiflite piogranulomatosa necrosante com numerosos trofozoítos de Histomonas meleagridis intralesionais. O diagnóstico de histomoníase foi confirmado através dos achados macroscópicos e histopatológicos. Destaca-se a ocorrência de histomoníase como causa de mortalidade em aves de criação colonial na região sul do Brasil.

Survey on Avian Malaria Parasites in Village Chickens (Gallus gallus domesticus) in Gombe Local Government Area, Gombe State, Nigeria

Reports of avian malaria parasites in village chicken in Nigeria generally remain fragmentary and scarce. The study was conducted in Gombe Local Government Area of Gombe State, Nigeria to investigate avian malaria parasites in Village Chickens (Gallus gallus domesticus) and to determine the risk factors associated with the prevalence of the haemoparasites. A total of 530 village chickens blood samples were obtained from apparently healthy village chickens' brachial veins using sterile 2mls syringes and 23 gauge needles. Thin blood smear was made from each blood sample, and Giemsa stained and examined for the presence of avian haemoparasites under an electro-microscope. The result indicates 23.8% overall prevalence rate of three species of avian malaria parasites consisting of Plasmodium, Haemoproteus and Leucocytozoon species.Plasmodium spp. has the highest prevalent rate of 13.0% followed by Haemoproteus spp. (5.1%), mixed Plasmodium spp. + Haemoproteus spp. (4.9%) infection and Leucocytozoon spp. (0.8%). Prevalence of avian malaria parasites was significantly higher in cocks compared to hens (p < 0.05), as well as higher in adults compared to growers chickens (p < 0.05). This study also showed a higher prevalence of avian malaria parasites during the rainy season compared to the dry season of the study period. It was concluded that haemoparasites of Plasmodium, Haemoproteus and Leucocytozoon species that occur in both single and mixed infections are prevalent among village chickens that are apparently healthy in Gombe Local Government Area of Gombe State, Nigeria.

Karakteristik Semen Segar dan Motilitas Spermatozoa Ayam Hutan Merah (Gallus Gallus) dalam Pengencer yang Mengandung Air Tebu

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui level air tebu terbaik untuk ditambahkan dalam pengencer semen ayam hutan merah berbasis ringer laktat kuning telur. Semen dikoleksi menggunakan metode pemijatan dan semen segar dievaluasi secara makroskopis dan mikroskopis. Semen dibagi ke dalam lima tabung yang masing-masing berisi pengencer ringer laktat kuning telur , ringer laktat kuning telur air tebu 10% , ringer laktat kuning telur air tebu 20% , ringer laktat kuning telur air tebu 30% , ringer laktat kuning telur air tebu 40% . Semen disimpan dalam refrigerator selama 24 jam kemudian dilakukan evaluasi motilitas spermatozoa (progresif, reverse, vibrator, total). Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa perlakuan level air tebu dalam pengencer berpengaruh sangat nyata (P<0.01) terhadap motilitas progresif, motilitas reverse dan motilitas total. Penambahan level air tebu 10% dan 20% menghasilkan motilitas total paling tinggi yaitu 86.24-88.79%. Namun, motilitas progresif tertinggi didapatkan pada penggunaan level air tebu 20% yaitu 77.67%. Kesimpulan penelitian ini adalah air tebu 20% dapat ditambahkan dalam pengencer ringer laktat kuning telur untuk mempertahankan motilitas total dan motilitas progresif spermatozoa ayam hutan merah selama penyimpanan 24 jam.

In vitro behavior of Mycoplasmagallisepticum live-type nosode

As a step of a doctoral research project, in this study a live-type nosode was prepared from microorganism Mycoplasmagallisepticum strain R (ATCC 93-08/19610) according to Costa model and the rules by Brazilian Homeopathic Pharmacopoeia. Live nosode was tested in vitro to assess safety when used to immunize domestic fowl (Gallus gallus) against infection by this microorganism and to investigate its behavior under laboratory conditions. M. gallisepticum was not shown to grow in fluid (broth) and solid (plate) modified Frey medium with dilutions 11d, 12d, 20d and 30d. Inhibition halos about 2.0 mm were observed around paper disks impregnated with live-type nosode in microorganism-sown Petri dishes, whereas disks impregnated with conventional antibiotic oxytetracycline exhibited 8.0 mm inhibition halos. Protein assessment by Folin-Lowry method showed protein absence in dilutions 12d and 30d and neither microbial DNA traces were found in PCR assay in dilutions 12d, 20d and 30d.

Chicken Coccidiosis: From the Parasite Lifecycle to Control of the Disease

The poultry industry is one of the main providers of protein for the world's population, but it faces great challenges including coccidiosis, one of the diseases with the most impact on productive performance. Coccidiosis is caused by protozoan parasites of the genus Eimeria, which are a group of monoxenous obligate intracellular parasites. Seven species of this genus can affect chickens (Gallus gallus), each with different pathogenic characteristics and targeting a specific intestinal location. Eimeria alters the function of the intestinal tract, generating deficiencies in the absorption of nutrients and lowering productive performance, leading to economic losses. The objective of this manuscript is to review basic concepts of coccidiosis, the different Eimeria species that infect chickens, their life cycle, and the most sustainable and holistic methods available to control the disease.

Calidad microbiológica y fisicoquímica y sabor de huevos de gallina de producción convencional o pastoreo

Introducción. El huevo de gallina (Gallus gallus domesticus) es un alimento nutritivo de la dieta de millones de personas. Su producción mundial se obtiene con el empleo de jaulas convencionales, aunque existen sistemas alternativos como el pastoreo. Objetivo. Comparar la calidad microbiológica, fisicoquímica y el sabor de huevos provenientes de granjas con sistemas productivos convencionales o de pastoreo en Costa Rica. Materiales y métodos. El trabajo se realizó en Alajuela, Costa Rica de octubre del 2016 a mayo del 2017. Se muestrearon superficies y huevos de gallinas Isa Brown en granjas con sistemas productivos convencionales o de pastoreo y se determinó el recuento de coliformes totales, Escherichia coli, mohos y levaduras y ausencia/presencia de Salmonella sp. Además, se analizaron parámetros fisicoquímicos (unidades Haugh, índice de yema, pH, color de yema y dureza de cáscara) y se realizó una prueba sensorial de discriminación con consumidores. Resultados. Los sistemas de producción de pastoreo tienen superficies en contacto con los huevos con recuentos de coliformes totales y E. coli significativamente mayores que las superficies del sistema convencional. Los huevos de pastoreo presentaron recuentos de coliformes totales (3,2 log10 UFC huevo-1) significativamente mayores que los huevos convencionales (2,3 log10 UFC huevo-1). Salmonella sp. estuvo presente en 8 % de las muestras de pastoreo (incidencia no diferente de 0) y ausente en las convencionales. Se encontró diferencia en el color de la yema (más oscura en los huevos convencionales). Además, hubo diferencia significativa en el sabor de ambos tipos de huevo. Conclusión. En general, existió diferencia en la calidad microbiológica, fisicoquímica y el sabor de huevos producidos en granja de tipo convencional o pastoreo.