Impact of Storage Period on Fertility and Mortality in Chabro Breeds of Poultry

An investigation was conducted to study the effect of storage period on fertility and hatchability in large, medium and small sized eggs of Chabro breed. The study was conducted at poultry farm of SKN College of Agriculture, Jobner. For the present study, a total of 297 eggs were collected for this study. These eggs were grouped into three egg size categories i.e. Small (38-44 g), medium (45-52 g) and large (53-59 g). To study the impact of incubation period, eggs were stored at 21 ̊C temperature for three different time periods (fresh, 3 day and 6 day). It was observed that egg fertility was increased on 3rd day and decreased on 6th day as compared to 0 day. For small egg class, egg fertility was 95.55, 96.02 and 92.13% respectively, on 0, 3 and 6 day of storage. Similarly, for medium-sized egg class, fertility was 95.17, 95.64 and 90.28% and for large sized egg class, it was 91.11, 92.15 and 87.41% respectively, on 0, 3 and 6 day of storage. Embryonic mortality increased with increase in storage duration. For small egg class, egg mortality was 20.95, 17.56 and 24.87% respectively, on 0, 3 and 6 day of storage. Similarly, for medium-sized eggs class, mortality was 10.15, 8.45 and 12.63% and for large sized egg class, it was 29.30, 20.14 and 33.41% respectively, on 0, 3 and 6 day of storage. The egg fertility and mortality are affected by the storage period. For best hatchability, egg storage should not exceed 3 days.

Effect of Exogenous Enzymes on Egg Fertility Traits, Egg Production and Oviduct Micro-structure of Layer Birds

The effect of two classes of exogenous enzymes on the egg fertility traits, egg production efficiency and oviduct micro-structure of laying hens was evaluated. Forty-five laying hens (30-weeks old, 1.32-1.40 kg) were randomly allotted into three dietary treatments with fifteen birds per treatment (five birds each in three replicates per treatment) in a completely randomized design. Diet one served as the control diet. Diet two (FS diet) contained a nutrient-targeted exogenous enzyme preparation (Fullzyme®) at 200 g/ton, while diet three (DS diet) contained a mycotoxin-targeted exogenous enzyme preparation (Detoxizyme®) at 500 g/ton. Data on fertility traits (egg volume, length and breadth, weight, yolk diameter, albumen height, air cell, shell thickness, Haugh’s unit, and egg-lay), and egg production (feed intake, egg lay, egg lay efficiency, and feed cost per egg laid) were collected for 42 days. At the end of the experiment, three randomly selected birds per group were euthanized, and their oviducts were harvested and processed for histopathology. Hens fed enzyme supplemented diets had significantly (p < 0.05) better egg fertility traits. Feed intake in the control group did not vary (p > 0.05)from feed intake in the DS or FS group. However, feed cost per egg laid and egg-lay efficiency was higher in the control diet group than in the FS group or DS diet group. No pathologies were observed in the oviduct of birds fed enzymes supplemented or control diet. Exogenous enzymes in diet improved egg fertility traits and production without altering the oviduct micro-structure of Layer hens.

Effect of cryoprotectant on the motility, viability, fertilization, and DNA integrity of naleh fish Barbonymus sp. (Cyprinidae) sperm

Naleh fish Barbonymus sp. is a commercial freshwater fish, which is indigenous to Aceh, Indonesia. The population of this species has declined over the years as a result of habitat perturbations and overfishing. Hence, the crucial need to develop a cryopreservation method to support breeding programs. This involved the use of a cryoprotectant as an important component. The objective of this study, therefore, was to explore the best cryoprotectant for naleh fish spermatozoa, and a total of five types were tested. These include the DMSO, Methanol, Ethanol, Glycerol, and Ethylene Glycol at a similar concentration of 10%, which were individually combined with 15% egg yolk, and every treatment was performed in three replications. Conversely, Ringer’s solution was adopted as an extender, and the sperm was cryopreserved in liquid nitrogen for 15 days. The results showed significant influence on sperm motility and viability, as well as egg fertility of naleh fish (P <0.05), although the DMSO provided the best outcome, compared to others at 47.17%, 50.13%, and 45.67%, respectively. Furthermore, DNA fragmentation had not occurred in the fresh and cryopreserved sperm samples, indicating the protective effect of tested cryoprotectants. It is concluded that the 10% DMSO and 15% egg yolk is the best cryoprotectant for naleh fish spermatozoa.

The Status of Laying Traits in Indigenous Chicken of Bangladesh: A Review

This paper covers the review of diversified performance of laying traits of Bangladeshi indigenous chicken in both in situ and ex situ including few global studies. Indigenous chicken constitutes about 80% of the total chicken population in Bangladesh and their different genotypes distribute throughout the country having distinct morphological and productive characteristics. The common native genotypes (usually non-descript or deshi) provide 35-45 eggs annually with 83-96% egg fertility and 75-88% hatchability in free range while better performance is observed in extensive system. Although Naked Neck and Hilly chicken genotypes perform superior but they are not available like common deshi. The genetic improvement of laying traits is a challenging work for the village chicken in Bangladesh, however, the planned breeding strategies along with improvement management system could enhance the activity. The results presented in this review would be a guideline for selection of indigenous chicken to improve further its productivity and conservation aspect. Thus, a conceptual breeding strategy is proposed here for the improvement of laying traits in village chicken in-situ as uncontrolled mating occurs there compared to ex-situ condition.

КРЕАМИНО® И АРГИНИН: ВЗАИМОЗАМЕНЯЕМОСТЬ, РОЛИ В ОРГАНИЗМЕ И ВЛИЯНИЕ НА ПРОДУКТИВНОСТЬ ПТИЦЫ

Брылина М.А. КЛЮЧЕВЫЕ СЛОВА: СЕЛЬСКОХОЗЯЙСТВЕННАЯ ПТИЦА, ЭНЕРГОДЕФИЦИТНЫЕ СОСТОЯНИЯ, КРЕАТИН, АРГИНИН, ГУАНИДИНУКСУСНАЯ КИСЛОТА, КРЕАМИНО®, ПРОДУКТИВНОСТЬ АННОТАЦИЯ: В период интенсивного роста, яйценоскости и активной работы иммунной системы у птицы возникает дефицит энергии. Ключевую роль в энергетическом обмене играет креатин, участвующий в ресинтезе АТФ. Креатин особенно необходим для активного роста бройлеров и удержания пика яйценоскости, для повышения оплодотворенности и выводимости яиц и улучшения качества семени петухов; для поддержания иммунного ответа на оптимальном уровне при стрессах, высоком давлении инфекции и насыщенных программах вакцинаций. Обычно креатин поступает в организм птицы с кормами в недостаточном количестве, особенно с комбикормами растительного типа, к тому же, он разрушается при тепловой обработке кормов; его дефицит лишь частично восполняется биосинтезом из аргинина. Более метаболически выгодным предшественником в биосинтезе креатина является гуанидинуксусная кислота (ГУК). Препарат Креамино® на основе термостабильной формы ГУК обеспечивает птицу необходимым количеством креатина, позволяет сократить нормы ввода в корма синтетического аргинина и способствует решению проблемы дефицита энергии, необходимой для эффективного роста и высокой продуктивности. CREAMINO® AND ARGININE: INTERCHANGEABILITY, METABOLIC ROLES AND EFFECTS ON THE PRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCE IN POULTRY BRYLINA M.A.1 1 “Provet” Co., Ltd The intense growth and egg production as well as the periods of intense load on the immune systems are resulting in the energy deficit in poultry. Creatine participating in the cyclic ATP re-synthesis plays a crucial role in energy metabolism. It is especially important for the active growth of broilers and maintenance of peak egg production in layers, for the improvement of semen quality in males and egg fertility and hatchability in hens, for the maintenance of optimal immune responses during stresses, infections, and vaccinations. The standard commercial diets (especially vegetable) for poultry are frequently creatine-deficient; in addition, creatine tends to decompose during the thermal processing of the compound feeds. The deficit of creatine can be only partially compensated by biosynthesis with arginine as its precursor. Guanidine-acetic acid (GAA) is more metabolically advantageous precursor in compare to arginine. Preparation Creamino® based on the thermally stable form of GAA can provide the necessary amounts of creatine to poultry, decrease the level of supplementation of feeds with synthetic arginine, and contribute to the solution of the problem of energy deficits with resulting improvements in the growth efficiency and productivity. Keywords: POULTRY, ENERGY DEFICIENT CONDITIONS, CREATINE, ARGININE, GUANIDINE-ACETIC ACID, CREAMINO®, PRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCE

Egg fertility and hatchability in Avians broiler-breeder hens under humid tropical conditions

Impact of temperature and humidity in different month of lay was evaluated on fertility and hatchability in broiler breeder hens reared in Sapele, Nigeria. Six million, six hundred and nineteen thousand, seven hundred and forty six eggs from flocks of Avians broiler-breeder hens reared between 2005 and 2006 in a farm located in Sapele were used. Egg fertility and hatchability (P<0.001) were significantly affected by month of lay. The month of June recorded the highest egg fertility were the highest in hatchability of set eggs and fertile eggs was in May. However, fertility and hatchability for all months between May and October were not different from each other but significantly higher than the values obtained in January - April and November-December. Months of May-October were the rainy season in Sapele while dry spell covers November to April. Temperature had significant (P<0.05) but negative correlation with egg fertility (r= -0.31), hatchability of set eggs (r= -0.26) and fertile eggs (r = -0.12) respectively. Correlation of amount of rainfall with egg fertility (r = 0.29), ability of set eggs (r = 0.22) and of fertile eggs (r = 0.06) was positive (P<0.05). Relative humidity had positive (P<0.05) correlation with egg fertility (r = 0.25), hatchability of set eggs (r= 0.17) and fertile eggs (r= 0.48). Correlation of number of rainy day with egg fertility (r = 0.40), hatchability of set eggs (r = 0.34) and fertile eggs (r = 0.71) was positive and strong (P<0.05). It can be concluded that high pen temperature especially during dry season does adversely affect egg fertility and hatchability in Avians broiler-breeder hens under humid tropical conditions.

Effects of Saccharides Supplementation in the Extender of Cryopreserved Rooster (Gallus domesticus) Semen on the Fertility of Frozen/Thawed Spermatozoa

The aim of this study was to create balanced media for the cryopreservation of rooster semen in pellets to maintain the functional state of the sperm after thawing. Fructose was replaced by trehalose in experimental media in proportions of 10% (LCM-T10) and 20% (LCM-T20), while LCM was used as a control. After artificial insemination of the hens, the eggs were incubated (n = 400). To determine the functional safety of spermatozoa in the genital tract of hens after 5, 10, and 15 days from the last insemination, we used a method for assessing the interaction of sperm with the perivitelline membrane. Significantly higher rates of egg fertilization (82–86%) were obtained when using LCM-T10 and LCM-T20 compared to control (79%, p < 0.05). Egg fertility on the 5th day from the last insemination with the LCM-T20 diluent reached 100% versus 86% in the control; on the 10th day, the fertility rates were 55% versus 20%, respectively. The best results for fertility duration were obtained by freezing spermatozoa with LCM-T20 medium. The numbers of interaction points of spermatozoa with the perivitelline membrane were as follows: on the 5th day from the last insemination with LCM-T20—461.5 ± 11.5 holes/cm2 (LCM-control—13.7 ± 2.7 holes/cm2), p < 0.01; on the 10th day with LCM-T20—319.3 ± 12.9 holes/cm2 (LCM-control—14.9 ± 3.5 holes/cm2); and on the 15th day with LCM-T20—345.2 ± 11.1 holes/cm2 (LCM-control—0 holes/cm2). In conclusion, the use of trehalose in LCM diluent medium can increase the fertility of frozen/thawed sperm and the duration of their fertility in the genital tract of hens.

Immunoprotection evaluation of the recombinant N-terminal domain of Cys-loop receptors against Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus tick infestation

Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus ticks are obligatory hematophagous ectoparasites of cattle and act as vectors for disease-causing microorganisms. Conventional tick control is based on the application of chemical acaricides; however, their uncontrolled use has increased resistant tick populations, as well as food and environmental contamination. Alternative immunological tick control has shown to be partially effective. Therefore, there is a need to characterize novel antigens in order to improve immunological protection. The aim of this work was to evaluate Cys-loop receptors as vaccine candidates. N-terminal domains of a glutamate receptor and of a glycine-like receptor were recombinantly produced in Escherichia coli. Groups of BALB/c mice were independently immunized with four doses of each recombinant protein emulsified with Freund’s adjuvant. Both vaccine candidates were immunogenic in mice as demonstrated by western blot analysis. Next, recombinant proteins were independently formulated with the adjuvant Montanide ISA 50 V2 and evaluated in cattle infested with Rhipicephalus microplus tick larvae. Groups of three European crossbred calves were immunized with three doses of each adjuvanted protein. ELISA test was used to evaluate the IgG immune response elicited against the recombinant proteins. Results showed that vaccine candidates generated a moderate humoral response on vaccinated cattle. Vaccination significantly affected the number of engorged adult female ticks, having no significant effects on tick weight, egg weight and egg fertility values. Vaccine efficacies of 33% and 25% were calculated for the glutamate receptor and the glycine-like receptor, respectively.

Light Optimization for an LED-Based Candling System and Detection Combined with Egg Parameters for Discrimination of Fertility

HighlightsAn LED-based candling system was designed to automatically judge egg fertility.LEDs of six different colors were tested for light optimization.Relative absorptivity (RA) was negatively correlated with the L* value and positively correlated with the a* value.The results combined with egg parameters produced higher accuracy than the results without egg parameters.Abstract. Removal of infertile eggs could increase the efficiency of commercial hatcheries by saving space, ensuring the hatching rate, and decreasing costs. In this study, an LED-based candling system was designed to automatically judge egg fertility by measuring photo-resistance, which was converted into the relative absorptivity (RA) of light through the egg. In the first experiment, 85 eggs were used to test LEDs of six different colors (red, yellow, green, blue, warm white, and cold white) during days 0 to 13 of incubation. In the second experiment, 170 eggs were detected with warm white LEDs during days 0 to 10 of incubation to further study whether egg parameters (weight, dimensions, and shell color) affected the accuracy of logistic regression. The detection results of the first experiment indicated that the RA of fertile eggs increased rapidly throughout the first 13 days of incubation, while the RA of infertile eggs increased little. Comparing the detection results for all LEDs, it was found that the warm white LEDs achieved the best results, with an accuracy of 94.9% on day 7. The second experiment showed that the RA was negatively correlated with the L* value (lightness or darkness) and positively correlated with the a* value (color in the red or green direction). Furthermore, on most days of incubation, the results of logistic regression combined with the egg parameters produced higher accuracy than the results without egg parameters. The accuracy was 100% on day 10. This study provides an automatic and non-destructive method to discriminate fertile eggs from infertile eggs for current hatcheries. Keywords: Egg parameters, Fertility, LED, Light optimization.