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.

Dietary Inclusion of Scent Leaf Meal (Ocimum Gratissimum) Affects Immune Genes Expression in Chicken Spleen at 28 and 56 Days

This study was conducted to examine the effects of scent leaf meal (Ocimum gratissimum) on expression of inflammatory cytokines in the spleen of two chicken strains. A total of 150birds (75 of each strain) were randomly allotted into five dietary treatments at fifteen birds per treatment. Birds were fed diet containing varying levels of Ocimum gratissimum leaf meal. Treatment one (T1) had 0% OG, while treatment two (T2), treatment three (T3), treatment four (T4) and treatment five (T5) had 0.5% OG, 1.00% OG, 1.5% OG and 2% OG respectively. Feed and water was provided adlibitum throughout the feeding trial. Three birds were slaughtered from each treatment at day 28 and day 56, spleen samples were collected and stored using RNALater in a -20oc freezer prior to RNA extraction. Real-time qPCR was performed in 40cycles using the PowerUp SYBR Green reagent and analyzed with the 2-∆∆Ct method. Gene expression data were subjected to two-way analysis of variance. Strain effect was significantly different (P<0.05) at both time points. All the genes studied significantly differed (P<0.05) in their expression patterns at 28 and 56days of age. Increased inclusion rate of the test ingredients significantly (P<0.05) reduced IL1β and NF-KB1, while increasing IL10 and NF-KB2. Ocimim gratissimum leaf meal shows promise in the regulation of inflammation in chickens and can be used to efficiently replace antibiotics in broiler production.

Competency Assessment of Veterinary Medicine Students Who are Trained in Basra Veterinary Hospital - 2017

This study designated to evaluate the competency of veterinary students who are trained in Basra Veterinary Hospital-Basra governorate- Iraq. In the student life, performance evaluations should revealed areas of excellence. Very little research has considered in training evaluation in a veterinary sciences. The test was carried out by the students of the Veterinary Medicine College- Basra University from the third and fourth stages who succeeded to the fourth and fifth stages. One hundred and two students participated in the performance evaluation, 47 students from the fourth stage and 55 from the third stage. Totally, there were 100 multiple questions presented to the participants. The questions included 13 aspects of veterinary sciences disciplines. The results of this study revealed that the evaluation of the competency of veterinary students in the fourth stage was higher compared to the third stage by comparing the percentage of correct answers for both groups (65.86 and 60.95) respectively. In addition, the two groups recorded high percentage in physiology correct answers and low percentage in animal hygiene for the fourth year students and infectious diseases for the third year.