Analysis of performance, bone characteristics, and expression of genes involved in the balance of ionic concentrations in broilers subjected to dietary electrolyte balance levels.

1. Sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3), potassium carbonate (K2CO3), and ammonium chloride (NH4Cl) are commonly used to correct dietary electrolyte balance (DEB) in birds. However, there are many gaps in the knowledge of their effects when used simultaneously. This study investigated the effect of DEB levels on performance, femur bone characteristics and the expression of genes related to the balance of ionic concentrations in broilers at 21 days of age.2. Male Cobb broiler chickens (n = 245), aged 1-21 d, were divided into groups based on a completely randomised design with five DEB levels (110 mEq/kg, 175 mEq/kg, 240 mEq/kg, 305 mEq/kg, and 370 mEq/kg).3. The performance characteristics measured included body weight (BW), body weight gain (BWG), feed intake (FI), feed conversion (FCR) and body weight birds slaughtered (BWS).4. The bone variables assessed in the femur were weight (WE), relative bone weight (RBWE), length (L), width (WI), maximum load supported (MLS), bone-breaking resistance (BR), and Seedor index (SI). In addition, the expression of CHP1, SLC9A1, and SLC24A3 in the livers, intestines and kidneys of birds was evaluated.5. The DEB level of 370 mEq/kg, at Na+ content of 0.48%, resulted in the highest averages for L, MLS, and BR of the femur. This DEB level increased the expression of SLC9A1 in the liver and SLC24A3 in the intestine. A 240 mEq/kg DEB level decreased the expression of CHP1 in the liver, while supplementation with 110 mEq/kg increased the expression of SLC24A3 in the kidney.6. In conclusion, 370 mEq/kg DEB improved FCR and increased the mean bone characteristics of the femur (L, MLS, and BR) and the expression of SLC9A1 and SLC24A3 in the liver and intestine, respectively. These findings should be considered in future assessments of the effects of DEB levels on broilers.

Comparison between infrared and hot-blade beak trimming methods in white and brown pullets: performance, organ and bone development / [Comparativo entre debicagem infravermelha e por lâmina-quente em linhagens de frangas leves e semi-pesadas: desempenho, desenvolvimento ósseo e de órgãos]

The purpose of this study was to evaluate infrared beak trimming versus hot-blade beak trimming on performance, organ and bone development of laying pullets, using 240 birds, at 0-16 weeks of age, from two strains (white layer - Hy-Line W36 and brown layer - Hy-Line Brown). Infrared debeaking was performed on the first day of life in the hatchery, whereas hot-blade beak trimming was performed at eight days of age. Zootechnical performance at 6, 9, 12 and 15 weeks of age was analyzed. At the end of the trial, one Bird per experimental unit was euthanized for liver, gizzard, proventriculus, heart and small intestine relative weight evaluation. Both tibiotarsus were collected to measure bone breaking resistance, bone mineral content and bone densitometry. There was higher body weight and feed intake in both bird strains submitted to infrared beak trimming. Additionally, hot-blade white layers presented lower body development and feed intake. The debeaking methods did not influence relative organ weights or tibiotarsus parameters evaluated. We conclude that the infrared beak trimming method promotes better pullet body development than the conventional hot-blade method, improving feed intake, without compromising organ and bone development, being a more adequate debeaking method to be used in layer production.(AU)

Para avaliar a debicagem infravermelha versus a debicagem pelo método da lâmina quente no desempenho, no desenvolvimento de órgãos e na qualidade óssea de poedeiras em recria, foram utilizadas 240 aves, entre zero e 16 semanas de idade, em duas linhagens (branca - Hy-Line W36 e vermelha - Hy-Line Brown). A debicagem por infravermelho foi realizada no primeiro dia de vida no incubatório, enquanto a debicagem com lâmina quente foi realizada aos oito dias de idade. Analisou-se o desempenho zootécnico na sexta, nona, 12ª e 15ª semanas de idade. No final do estudo, uma ave por unidade experimental foi eutanasiada para avaliação do peso relativo do fígado, da moela, do proventrículo, do coração e do intestino delgado, e ossos do tibiotarso foram coletados para avaliação da resistência à ruptura, do conteúdo mineral e da densitometria óssea. Houve maior peso corporal e consumo alimentar nas aves pertencentes às duas linhagens quando submetidas à debicagem por infravermelho, sem haver influência sobre o peso relativo dos órgãos e a qualidade óssea. Conclui-se que o método de debicagem por radiação infravermelha promove melhor desenvolvimento corporal das frangas em relação à debicagem por lâmina quente, melhorando consumo de ração, sem comprometer o desenvolvimento de órgãos e ossos, sendo mais adequada para utilização na avicultura de postura comercial.(AU)

Rate of feed passage in Japanese quail.

The rate of passage (ROP) in the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) influences the exposure time of food to the digestion and absorption processes. Consequently, ROP affects the efficiency of nutrient utilization and energy from the diet. This study aimed to determine the physiological parameters that characterize the digestive response, such as first appearance time (FAT), ROP, mean retention time (MRT) and transit time (TT) in adult Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica), and to evaluate the effects of sex, apparent metabolizable energy corrected for nitrogen balance (AMEn) content in the diet and different types of markers on these parameters. In the first trial, we investigated the effects of sex and AMEn level (high- and low-energy diet) on the FAT parameter. Thirty-two male and 32 female Japanese quail were randomly allocated to 8 battery cages and assigned to 4 treatments in a 2 × 2 factorial design with 4 replicates of 4 birds for each treatment. To determine the FAT, ferric oxide (1%) was added to the diet, and the excreta of the quail was monitored until the first appearance of the marker. The results indicated significant differences (P < 0.05) in the FAT between males (100 min) and females (56 min), regardless of the AMEn content. In the second trial, thirty-two 32-week-old female Japanese quail in the laying phase were assigned to four treatments in a 2 × 2 factorial design, in which the main independent variables were type of marker (Cr or Ti) and AMEn level (high- and low-energy diets). In order to determine ROP (ET1%), MRT and TT (ET100%), the markers (0.5%: Cr2O3 and 0.5%: TiO2) were added to the diets, and the excreta were collected for 750 min. The excretion times for 1% (ET1%), 25% (ET25%), 50% (ET50%), 75% (ET75%) and 100% (ET100%) were estimated using cumulative excretion curves. No effect was detected for the AMEn level (P > 0.05); however, the effect of different marker types was significant (P < 0.05). This difference increased with time and ET100% was estimated to occur at 59 min. The ROP was estimated to be 68 min. The TT was estimated to be 540 min using Cr and 599 min using Ti, with an average MRT value of 0930 h. Taken together, our findings support the hypothesis that Japanese quail digestion through the GIT can be dynamic and differ based on sex or marker type.

Metabolisable energy partition for Japanese quails.

Knowing how energy intake is partitioned between maintenance, growth and egg production (EP) of birds makes it possible to structure models and recommend energy intakes based on differences in the BW, weight gain (WG) and EP on commercial quail farms. This research was a dose-response study to re-evaluate the energy partition for Japanese quails in the EP phase, based on the dilution technique to modify the retained energy (RE) of the birds. A total of 300 VICAMI® Japanese quail, housed in climatic chambers, were used from 16 weeks of age, with averages for BW of 185 g and EP of 78%, for 10 weeks. To modify the RE in the bird's body, a qualitative dilution of dietary energy was used. Ten treatments (metabolisable energy levels) were distributed in completely randomised units, with six replicates of five quails per experimental unit. Metabolisable energy intake (MEI), egg mass (EM) and RE were expressed in kJ/kg0.67. The utilisation efficiency (kt) was estimated from the relationship between RE and MEI. The metabolisable energy for maintenance was given by RE = 0. The net energy requirement for WG was obtained from the relationship between RE in the BW as a function of the BW. The utilisation efficiency for EP (ko) was obtained from the relationship between EM and RE corrected MEI for maintenance and WG. Based on these efficiencies, the requirements for WG and EM were calculated. The energy intake by Japanese quails was partitioned according to the model: MEI = 569.8 × BW0.67 + 22 × WG + 13 × EM. The current study provides procedures and methods designed for quails as well as a simple and flexible model that can be quickly adopted by technicians and poultry companies.

Morphology and biometric of the vesicular and bulbourethralglands in castrated and non-castratedSanta Inesbreed sheep

Introduction: The purpose of this paper is to determine the topography, biometry and light microscopyimage of the vesicular and bulbourethral glands in order to analyze morphologic features of the accessorysexual glands in castrated and non-castrated animals.Materials and Methods:The morphology of theaccessory sexual glands was investigated in 14 adult Santa Inesbreed sheep, weighing 32 kg, on average.Six of them were castrated, and eight, non-castrated. For macroscopic study, the description of these twoglands was carried out, as well as dissection and biometry study. Moreover, weight, length, height andwidth measurements were evaluated. For histological analysis, the vesicular and bulbourethral glands weresampled.Results:The topography of the reproductive glands was similar to bovine species. However, lowermacroscopic measurements (p < 0,05) in the glands of the castrated sheep were evidenced when comparedwith the non-castrated ones. Characteristics such as shape of the glands, composition of the layer mucosa,the lamina propria, muscular, the excretory ducts and the adventitia were determined.Conclusion:Sheepcastration promoted changes in the biometric measures of the glands, which were lower in castrated animals.The morphological and biometric characteristics of the vesicular and bulbourethral glands in sheep weredetermined.

Ultrastructure of the spermatozoa of the domestic duck (Anas platyrhynchos sp.).

The ultrastructure of the spermatozoa of the domestic duck (Anas platyrhynchos sp.) was analysed by transmission and scanning electron microscopies and compared with the results obtained in preliminary studies involving other non-passerine birds. The spermatozoa were characterised by the presence of a short head, short midpiece and long principal piece. The head consisted of a reduced acrosome that contained moderately electron-dense homogenous material. The implantation fossa was observed between the base of the nucleus and the proximal centriole. The midpiece contained electron-dense material associated with the proximal centriole and nuclear membrane, and a long distal centriole surrounded throughout its length by 11-12 elliptical mitochondria. A dense annulus separating the midpiece from the principal piece was visible. Posterior to the annulus, the axoneme was formed surrounded by a dense fibrous sheath, representing the principal piece or flagellum, which was a long segment with a smooth surface and a smaller diameter than the midpiece. The spermatozoon of the domestic duck resembles that of other non-passerine birds, corresponding to a basic type of spermatozoon similar to that of reptiles, called sauropsid type.

Dimorfismo sexual da traquéia e siringe de periquito (Touist sp. ) / Sexual dimorphism of the parakeet (Touist sp. ) trachea and syrinx

Investigaram-se as diferenças morfológicas da siringe do periquito Touist sp, cinco machos e cinco fêmeas. A traquéia e a siringe foram dissecadas com o auxílio de uma lupa estereoscópia e avaliaram-se o número de anéis, o comprimento da traquéia e da siringe e o comprimento e espessura do músculo traqueolateral. A traquéia do macho apresentou maior número de anéis e maior comprimento que a das fêmeas. O músculo traqueolateral dos machos é mais vigoroso e origina-se no 43º anel traqueal enquanto o das fêmeas origina-se no 30º anel traqueal e se insere no primeiro anel bronquial. A siringe do piriquito é constituída por anéis craniais, cinco nos machos e três nas fêmeas, anéis intermediários, com formato semelhante a uma bolha sulcada ventralmente, anéis caudais, quatro em ambos os sexos, e pessulo. O dimorfismo sexual está presente na morfometria da musculatura e das cartilagens, o que reflete no canto mais vigoroso dos machos

The morphologic differences of the trachea and syrinx of five male and five female Touist sp. parakeets were studied. Trachea and syrinx were dissected with the aid of a stereoscopic magnifying glass and the number of rings, the length of trachea and syrinx were evaluated, as well as the length and thickness of the tracheolateral muscle. Trachea of male parakeets had larger amount of rings and was lengther than the female. Tracheolateral muscle of the males was more vigorous and arised in the 43rd tracheal ring while in the females it originated in the 30th tracheal and inserted in first bronchi ring. The syrinx was constituted by cranial rings (five in males and three in females), intermediate rings (resembly a bubble furrowed ventrally), caudal rings (four in both sexes) and the pessule. Sexual dimorphism directly influenced on the syrinx, concerning the morfometry of the musculature and cartilages, making males sound more vigorously