Journal of Applied Poultry Research最新文献

Bacterial chondronecrosis with osteomyelitis (BCO) lameness is a leg disorder in broilers leading to huge economic losses, food safety concerns, and animal welfare issues in the poultry industry. The active metabolite of vitamin D₃, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D_3, plays pivotal roles in mineral homeostasis, bone health, and immune systems which are essential for protection against BCO. Thus, we hypothesized that supplementation with a Solanum glaucophyllum-derived source of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D₃ (1,25(OH)₂D₃-glycosides) would be an effective measure to control lameness. Here, we report the optimum concentration of 1,25(OH)₂D₃-glycosides supplementation in reducing BCO by comparing the inclusions of 0 µg/kg, 0.5 µg/kg, 1.0 µg/kg, and 2.0 µg/kg of 1,25(OH)₂D₃-glycosides. The application of 1.0 µg/kg of 1,25(OH)₂D₃-glycosides reduced lameness by 53.7%, which reciprocally differed (P < 0.05) from 0 µg/kg and 0.5 µg/kg but was similar (P > 0.05) to 2.0 µg/kg. The second aim was to assess the timing for 1,25(OH)₂D₃-glycosides feeding by comparing the applications of 1.0 µg/kg of 1,25(OH)₂D₃-glycosides for the entire 56 d, the first 28 d, and the last 28 d. Feeding the broilers with 1.0 µg/kg of 1,25(OH)₂D₃-glycosides for the first 28 d alleviated BCO incidence by 53%, which significantly differed (P < 0.05) from the application for the last 28 d but was without significant difference (P > 0.05) from the supplementation for the entire 56 d. Therefore, feeding 1.0 µg/kg 1,25(OH)₂D₃-glycosides in the first 28 d is the optimum 1,25(OH)₂D₃-glycosides administration and provides equal protection to the supplementation for the entire production cycle. This early feeding strategy would minimize feed additive costs without compromising bone health while promoting protection against BCO lameness.

The administration of drugs via the oral route is challenging due to the presence of physiologic barrier. BCRP, which can actively transport substrates from intra- to extracellular environment, has an important functional role in the composition of physiologic barrier. Therefore, overcoming BCRP efflux is a strategy to improve the absorption of substrate drugs. Curcumin is a natural feed additive for poultry health and production. However, it is unknown whether curcumin affects the expression of BCRP. The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of curcumin in the regulation of BCRP and its influences on pharmacokinetics of BCRP substrate florfenicol. Results showed that curcumin (60 μM) inhibited the expression of BCRP mRNA by 58% and BCRP protein by 52% in primary chicken hepatocytes. Moreover, intracellular mitoxantrone (a selective BCRP substrate) fluorescence was 1.58-fold higher in cells pretreated with 60 μM curcumin than in untreated cells, indicating that curcumin inhibited the transport function of BCRP. In vivo experiments showed that curcumin reduced BCRP expression in the liver, kidney, duodenum, jejunum and ileum of chicken. Coadministration of curcumin (150 mg/kg) significantly changed the pharmacokinetic behavior of orally administered florfenicol (substrate of chicken BCRP), with a higher area under the curve (35.51 vs. 25.81 h·ug/L) and a higher C_max values (9.94 vs. 7.61 μg/mL). The bioavailability of orally administered florfenicol was increased from 51.6 to 72.8% by curcumin. Together, our results indicate that curcumin inhibited the expression and efflux function of BCRP in chicken and improved the bioavailability of BCRP substrate florfenicol.

Because of the side effects of growth stimulant antibiotics employed for poultry nutrition the poultry industry attempts to substitute them with a safer one like as phytogenic or organic acids. Thus, the objective of this study was to determine the influence of single and double supplementation of broiler chickens diet with eugenol (0, 500, and 1,000 ppm) and butyric acid glycerides (BAG) (0 and 0.2% w/w) on the chemical, technological and sensory traits of the chicken breast during 60 d of storage. The biological trial was carried out on a total of 300 mixed-sex one-day-old Ross 308 chicks, which were randomly distributed into 6 dietary treatments, with 5 replicates and 10 birds each. The results revealed that L* and b* color values of the fillet samples changed significantly (p < 0.05). The pH values reduced significantly from 5.79 to 5.69 as an effect of eugenol supplementation in the diet (p < 0.05). Water binding ability of the fillet samples evaluated by drip loss, cooking loss and water holding capacity assays was not influenced by addition of BAG and eugenol to the diet of broilers. Sensorial traits of the meat samples were not negatively affected by the dietary supplementation process. Thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and total volatile basic nitrogen (TVBN) values of the fillets were not influenced meaningfully by treatments. Overall, dietary supplementation of broiler chickens by eugenol and BAG did not result in important modifications of the physicochemical characteristics of chicken's breast.

The primary proteins in egg whites are glycoproteins, which are hydrolyzed by digestive enzymes to produce substantial egg white glycopeptides (EWGs). However, the potential role of EWG has not been reported. In this study, EWG was obtained through simulated digestion in vitro and affinity chromatography enrichment, and we further examined the effect of EWG on protein expression in mouse macrophages (RAW264.7) through quantitative proteomic analysis. Compared to the control group, 149 differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) were upregulated, and 35 DEPs were downregulated in RAW264.7 cells by treatment with EWG (125 µg/mL). These DEPs were related to 76 KEGG pathways (such as “NF-kappa B signaling pathway,” “TNF signaling pathway,” “C-type lectin receptor signaling pathway”) and 12 protein domains (such as “Lectin C-type domain,” “Immunoglobulin domain,” “Immunoglobulin V-set domain”), which suggested that EWG could exert immunomodulatory effects through immune signaling pathways and protein domains. Our findings provide promising signaling pathways for in-depth exploration of the immunomodulation of EWG and contribute to the development of EWG as a potential immunoactivity ingredient.

Recent broiler experiments have demonstrated that the macrostructure defined as the diameter and length of pellets can be larger, and that the tolerance for fines in the diet is higher than currently assumed. In a first experiment, broiler performance till 10 d of age was not affected when a 3 mm pelleted diet was replaced with a 5 mm pelleted and crumbled diet (35% particles > 3.6 mm). Preference tests indicated either no particle size preference, or a preference for particles > 2.8 mm. In a second experiment, reducing pellet quality of 5 mm pellets to increase the amount of fines had no effect on weight gain and FCR from 10 to 34 d of age, but when diets consisted of finely ground wheat as compared to coarsely ground wheat, the feed intake was higher and FCR was poorer. When offered feed with particles > 4.0 mm, 2.8 to 4.0 mm, 1.6 to 2.8 mm and < 1.6 mm, broilers ate more particles 1.6 to 2.8 mm than > 4.0 mm at 12 d of age, while no clear particle size preferences were observed at older ages. These data confirm that diets pelleted through a 5 mm die can be used even from day-old, and that broilers can handle a moderate reduction in pellet quality of 5 mm pellets without compromising performance. A high versatility of broiler chickens to particle size variations, and a preference for larger particles than currently assumed even at a very young age, may explain these results.

Understanding the influence of feed processing on early broiler growth is essential for maintaining production and increasing profit. The purpose of this research was to assess the effects of 3 retention times (RT) during the conditioning process prior to pelleting on broiler performance, AME, and apparent ileal digestibility (AID) of nutrients from 1 to 21 d of age. During 2 repeated studies, broilers were fed crumbled starter diets differing only in RT (40, 80, or 120 s). Targeted RT were achieved by utilizing a variable speed feed hygieniser. Varying RT did not influence AME during early broiler growth. Early FCR (d 7–14) was decreased with RT of 40 and 80 s compared to 120 s. Opposingly, phosphorus digestibility was observed to increase with longer RT (80 and 120 s). Overall, RT during the conditioning process did not substantially influence broiler growth nor nutrient AID during the starter phase.

Avian pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC) cause colibacillosis in commercial poultry resulting in significant flock health and economic burden. Evolving production practices and antimicrobial resistance may challenge traditional colibacillosis prevention and management, emphasizing the need for nonantibiotic solutions promoting resiliency against or amelioration of infections. This study evaluated the effect of a feed additive prototype (Diamond V, Cedar Rapids, IA) containing a Saccharomyces cerevisiae fermentation product with a Quillaja saponaria ingredient (SCFP+), alone or in combination with vaccination, to ameliorate the severity of clinical colibacillosis in broilers intratracheally challenged with APEC O78 at d 28. Necropsy on ds 35 and 42 included lesion scoring for perihepatitis, pericarditis, and air sacculitis with sample collections from liver, lung, heart, and airsac tissues for microbiological analysis. All treatment groups resulted in numerical improvements in mean lesion scores and livability when compared to the challenged control during acute infection at d 35. SCFP+ treatment alone resulted in mean lesion score improvements equivalent to or slightly enhanced when compared to the vaccine alone and co-administration did not reveal any adverse effects. SCFP+ application in feed was observed to have some corresponding reductions in APEC tissue loads. Select blood cytokine levels (pg/mL) were generally lower in all treated groups. By d 42, lesion scores and microbiological data suggested live birds had largely recovered from challenge. This study indicates the SCFP+ prototype, alone or in combination with vaccination, may be a viable, nonantibiotic solution to support reduction in the severity of clinical colibacillosis in broilers.

Sonali chicken farming in the northern part of Bangladesh has been rapidly progressing. One of the major problems in rearing Sonali chicken in this area is considered the occurrence of various diseases although there are no data. The research was designed to determine the proportionate prevalence of the diseases and their associated risk factors including prescribed antimicrobials against each diseased Sonali chicken case presented at Upazila Livestock Office and Veterinary Hospital, Ullahpara, Sirajgonj, Bangladesh for a period of 2 mo. A total of 73 clinical cases were examined for the diagnosis of different diseases based on history, clinical findings, and postmortem lesions. This study revealed that most of the farmers were male (74%), middle-aged group (31–yr) (49.3%), were poorly educated (74.1% up to secondary level), and were relatively new in farming (1–4 yr) (72.6%). The flock size (501–2500) of most of the farms was medium (52.1%). Classic Sonali chicken dominated the farms (60.3%). Results also demonstrated that the prevalence of viral diseases was the highest (39.3%) in Sonali chicken followed by protozoal (31.0%), and bacterial diseases (20.2%). Among the diseases, Coccidiosis (31.0%), Newcastle Disease (14.3%), Infectious Bursal Disease (13.1%), Colibacillosis (11.9%), Low Pathogenic Avian Influenza (4.8%), and Necrotic enteritis (4.8%) were more predominant diseases observed in studied birds. The odds of coccidiosis being positive were significantly higher in male-operated farms (OR = 6.8) and farms with flock sizes of 501 to 5100 (OR = 2.93) in the Sonali chicken farm (P ≤ 0.05). The odds of colibacillosis being positive were significantly higher in day-old chick (DOC) sourced from feed and chick dealers (OR = 10.00) and significantly lower occurrences 29 to 70 d of age (OR = 0.23) in the Sonali chicken (P ≤ 0.05). Sulfa-quinoxaline (27.4%), Enrofloxacin (16.4%), Levofloxacin (13.7%), and Colistin (6.9%) were commonly prescribed antibiotics for different Sonali chicken cases. Ciprofloxacin and gentamicin were included in the category critically important for veterinary and human use. Proper farm management and good quality chicks should be taken into consideration for effective control of coccidiosis and colibacillosis with decreased antimicrobial usage.

Commercial turkeys are traditionally reared in floor barns, however, like most poultry species, turkeys display a natural desire to perch when given the opportunity. Perch use has typically been evaluated in laying hens, however due to size, weight, and postural differences, turkeys may have different preferences in perch design. The objectives were to examine perching preferences of turkey hens reared to 11 wk, as well as to examine the impact of perch use on hen health and performance. Nicholas Select (n = 620) 11-d old turkey hens were randomly allocated to 20 pens (4 pen replicates/treatment) and assigned 1 of 5 perch design treatments (no perch [NP], 5 cm round dowel [5Rnd], 5 × 5 cm [5Sq], 10 × 5 cm [10Rec], or 15 × 5 cm [15Rec]). Data were analyzed via ANOVA as a complete randomized design, with significance declared when P ≤ 0.05. Perch design did not affect hen performance or keel bone deviations and no fractures were found. Perching treatment had no effect on gait or footpad score at wk 7. At wk 11 gait scores were poorer in NP hens compared with 5Rnd (P = 0.04) and footpad scores were poorer in NP hens compared with 15Rec (P = 0.02). There were more turkey hens on the perch, as perch width increased at both 9 and 11 wk of age, demonstrating a preference for wider and flat perches. The results of this study demonstrate that turkeys will utilize perches when given the opportunity, with no detrimental effects seen on performance or bird health.

Dietary CP reductions in broilers can result in increased FCR when 6 or 7 feed-grade amino acids are allowed to enter formulation, and a partial explanation may be a dietary limitation of His. Histidine requirement data are sparce in the current body of literature, especially beyond 3 wk post-hatch. Therefore, a His dose-response experiment (expressed as a percentage of Lys) was conducted with male Cobb 500 broilers from 15 to 35 d post-hatch. A His deficient test diet was formulated to contain a digestible His to digestible Lys (dHis:dLys) ratio of 28.0%. Graded increments of L-His were added to the test diet to produce additional diets containing dHis:dLys ratios of 30.5, 33.0, 35.5, 38.0, 40.5, and 43.0%. A positive control (PC) diet was formulated to contain a dHis:dLys ratio of 38.0% met solely with intact protein. The PC diet outperformed the test diet in all live performance parameters and had a reduced peritoneal cavity fat yield. Linear responses to His were observed for final BW, BW gain, and FCR. In addition, a linear His response was observed for carcass yield and both linear and quadratic responses were observed for breast filet and tender yields. The 95% quadratic max method was used to derive the optimal dHis:dLys ratios of 39 and 37% for breast filet and tender yields, respectively. To accurately estimate quadratic asymptotes for live performance parameters, future His dose-response experiments may need to incorporate dHis:dLys ratios higher than 43%.