Histological Identification and Quantification of Eosinophils and Ascites in Leghorn Chickens Treated with High Oral Concentrations of NaCl-Pilot Study.

The purpose of this pilot study was to determine the role played by eosinophils in NaCl poisoning and right cardiac hypertrophy (ascitic syndrome) in Leghorn chickens, as well as the histological findings in the central nervous system (CNS), liver, and kidney. Moreover, the hypertrophy of the right ventricle index (HRVI) as an indicator of ascites was evaluated. Male SPF Leghorn birds at 28 days of age were submitted to two experiments. Food and water (FW) experiment: birds were treated with food plus 3.3% NaCl for the next 27 days and 1% NaCl in their drinking water from days 22 to 27. Water experiment (W): birds were treated with 1% NaCl in their drinking water for 5 days. In both experiments, the chickens exhibited loss of appetite, diuresis, and watery, green diarrhea during treatment days; at 24−27 td-FW and experiment W, the birds showed nervous signology (prostration, running movements, tremors, and comatose state). In the leukogram at 28 td-FW, an increase (p < 0.05) in heterophiles and basophils was observed. CNS eosinophilia was not observed in birds intoxicated with NaCl, though they did present demyelination in the brain and spinal cord, hepatic degeneration, mesangial proliferative glomerulopathy, and acute proximal renotubular necrosis.

Evaluation of curcumin and copper acetate against Salmonella Typhimurium infection, intestinal permeability, and cecal microbiota composition in broiler chickens.

BACKGROUND: Interest in the use of natural feed additives as an alternative to antimicrobials in the poultry industry has increased in recent years because of the risk of bacterial resistance. One of the most studied groups are polyphenolic compounds, given their advantages over other types of additives and their easy potentiation of effects when complexes are formed with metal ions. Therefore, the objective of the present study was to evaluate the impact of dietary supplementation of copper acetate (CA), curcumin (CR), and their combination (CA-CR) against Salmonella Typhimurium colonization, intestinal permeability, and cecal microbiota composition in broiler chickens through a laboratory Salmonella infection model. S. Typhimurium recovery was determined on day 10 post-challenge by isolating Salmonella in homogenates of the right cecal tonsil (12 chickens per group) on Xylose Lysine Tergitol-4 (XLT-4) with novobiocin and nalidixic acid. Intestinal integrity was indirectly determined by the fluorometric measurement of fluorescein isothiocyanate dextran (FITC-d) in serum samples from blood obtained on d 10 post-S. Typhimurium challenge. Finally, microbiota analysis was performed using the content of the left caecal tonsil of 5 chickens per group by sequencing V4 region of 16S rRNA gene. RESULTS: The results showed that in two independent studies, all experimental treatments were able to significantly reduce the S. Typhimurium colonization in cecal tonsils (CT, P < 0.0001) compared to the positive control (PC) group. However, only CA-CR was the most effective treatment in reducing S. Typhimurium counts in both independent studies. Furthermore, the serum fluorescein isothiocyanate dextran (FITC-d) concentration in chickens treated with CR was significantly lower when compared to PC (P = 0.0084), which is related to a decrease in intestinal permeability and therefore intestinal integrity. The effect of dietary treatments in reducing Salmonella was further supported by the analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequences using Linear discriminant analysis effect size (LEfSe) since Salmonella was significantly enriched in PC group (LDA score > 2.0 and P < 0.05) compared to other groups. In addition, Coprobacillus, Eubacterium, and Clostridium were significantly higher in the PC group compared to other treatment groups. On the contrary, Fecalibacterium and Enterococcus in CR, unknown genus of Erysipelotrichaceae at CA-CR, and unknown genus of Lachnospiraceae at CA were significantly more abundant respectively. CONCLUSIONS: CR treatment was the most effective treatment to reduce S. Typhimurium intestinal colonization and maintain better intestinal homeostasis which might be achieved through modulation of cecal microbiota.

First report of Boydaia falconis (Trombidiformes: Ereynetidae: Speleognathinae) in a Merlin (Falco columbarius) (Falconiformes: Falconidae) in Veracruz, Mexico.

The report presented herein documents the finding of mites in the nares of a Merlin (Falco columbarius) (Linnaeus, 1758; Falconiformes: Falconidae) during its capture for identification and ringing at the conservation reserve area in the municipality of Cansaburro, state of Veracruz, Mexico.The mites were collected from the nostril of the bird and identified as Boydaia falconis (Fain, 1956; Trombidiformes: Ereynetidae: Speleognathinae). There are few records of nasal mites in Faconiforms in North America. This is the first report of Boydaia falconis in falconiform hosts from Mexico. Further study is required on these mites to aid in our understanding of the biology, ecology and symbiotic relationships of speleognathine nasal mites.

Assessment of Fermented Soybean Meal on Salmonella typhimurium Infection in Neonatal Turkey Poults.

This study's objective was to evaluate the effect of the fermented soybean meal (FSBM) on Salmonella typhimurium (ST) to turkey poults using two models of infection. In the prophylactic model, one-day-old turkeys were randomly allocated to one of four different groups (n = 30 turkeys/group): (1) Control group, (2) FSBM group, (3) Control group challenged with ST (Control + ST), and (4) FSBM group challenged with ST (FSBM + ST). On day 9 of age, all poults were orally challenged with 106 colony forming units (CFU) ST and 24 h post-inoculation, intestinal samples were collected to determine ST recovery and morphometric analysis. Blood samples were collected to evaluate serum fluorescein isothiocyanate-dextran (FITC-d). In the therapeutic model, a similar experimental design was used, but turkeys were orally gavaged 104 CFU ST on day 1, and samples were collected at day 7. FSBM improved performance and reduced leaky gut in both experimental infective models. In the prophylactic model, FSBB induced morphology changes in the mucosa. Although the strains (Lactobacillus salivarius and Bacillus licheniformis) used for the fermentation process showed in vitro activity against ST, no significant effect was observed in vivo. The fermentation with different beneficial bacteria and different inclusion rates of FSBM requires further investigation.

Clinical evaluation, serological response and lesions generated by the A/Mexico/La Gloria-3/2009/H1N1 and A/swine/New Jersey/11/1976/H1N1 influenza viruses in colostrated and non-colostrated pigs.

Influenza A viruses cause respiratory disease in piglets, and maternal immunity plays an important role in protecting against Influenza virus infection. Nevertheless, in the presence of high levels of maternal antibodies against influenza, an adequate immune response is not developed. In this study, the effect of maternal antibodies against the swine influenza A/swine/New Jersey/11/1976/H1N1 virus (swH1N1) on clinical presentation, serological response, and lesions produced in colostrated and non-colostrated pigs was evaluated in pigs infected with the human influenza A/Mexico/La Gloria-3/2009/ H1N1 (pH1N1) and swH1N1 viruses. Our results indicated that between 2 and 4 days post-challenge, sneezing and mild nasal discharge were observed in all pigs. Body temperature in pigs from all treatment groups ranged between 39.2 and 39.3 °C. Pigs inoculated with the pH1N1 virus (421 g) exhibited a significantly lower daily weight gain than those inoculated with the swH1N1 virus (524 g). HI antibody titers against the pH1N1 virus were significantly different between colostrated (1.62) and non-colostrated (0.43) pigs. Significant differences in antibody titers were detected between pigs inoculated with the pH1N1 (1.28) or the swH1N1 virus (0.77) (P < 0.05). The highest percentage of pulmonary lesions was observed in non-colostrated/pH1N1 pigs (11.88%) at 6 days post-challenge. Cross reactivity was observed between the pH1N1 and swH1N1 viruses, as the maternal antibodies against the swH1N1 virus successfully neutralized the pH1N1 virus infection.

Efecto del butirato de sodio sobre algunos parámetros productivos de gallinas de postura en semilibertad / Effect of sodium butyrate on productive performance of laying hens in a semi-free range system

An experiment was conducted with 32 week-old 470 ISA-Babcock B380 laying hens, housed in floor pens with wheat-straw litter, to study the replacement of the antibiotic growth promoter (bacitracin zinc 30 ppm) with sodium butyrate (300 g/ton) in the diet. Results in 24 weeks of experimentation were similar between treatments (P > 0.05), in: egg production (92.6 and 91.9%), egg weight (63.0 and 62.9 g), egg mass / bird / day (58.4 and 57.7 g), feed consumption / bird / day (123.6 and 124.3 g), feed conversion (2.11 and 2.15), egg albumen quality (Haugh Units 82.9 and 83), yolk color DSM fan (10.3 and 9.9), shell thickness (0.392 and 0.394 mm) and weight of the shell (6.26 and 8.03 g). According to information obtained in 24 weeks with 32 week old hens, the addition of sodium butyrate to feed as a substitute for the growth promoter (bacitracin zinc), was similar in the productive performance and egg quality.

Se realizó un experimento con 470 gallinas de la estirpe ISA-Babcock B380 de 32 semanas de edad, alojadas en pisos con cama de paja de trigo, para estudiar la sustitución del antibiótico promotor de crecimiento (bacitracina cinc 30 ppm) por butirato de sodio (300 g/ton) en la dieta. Los resultados obtenidos en 24 semanas de experimentación fueron similares (P > 0.05) entre tratamientos, en: porcentaje de postura (92.6 y 91.9%), peso del huevo (63.0 y 62.9 g), masa del huevo/ ave/día (58.4 y 57.7 g), consumo/ave/día (123.6 y 124.3 g), conversión alimenticia (2.11 y 2.15), calidad de la albúmina del huevo (82.9 y 83 Unidades Haugh), color de la yema con el abanico DSM (10.3 y 9.9), grosor de cascarón (0.392 y 0.394 mm) y peso del cascarón (6.26 y 8.03 g). De acuerdo con la información obtenida en 24 semanas de experimentación, con gallinas de 32 semanas de edad, la adición de butirato de sodio en el alimento, como sustituto del promotor de crecimiento (bacitracina cinc), fue similar en el comportamiento productivo y la calidad del huevo.

Efecto del butirato de sodio en dietas para gallinas sobre el comportamiento productivo, calidad del huevo y vellosidades intestinales / Effect of sodium butyrate on diets for laying hens on the productive performance, egg quality and intestinal villi

In this study, productive performance, quality of eggs and histological analysis of intestinal villi of the duodenum (length and width) was evaluated in Bovans laying hens of 63 weeks of age, with the addition of butyrate in the diet ( 0, 300, 500 ppm). The results obtained in ten weeks of experimentation showed a response (P < 0.05) on egg production percentaje (86.4, 92.2 and 89.6), egg weight (63.4, 63.4 and 64.1 g), feed consumption/bird/day (111.4, 111.9 and 113.4 g), feed conversion (2.09, 1.95 and 2.03), micro-fractures percentaje (20.8, 14.9 and 12.9), broken eggs percentaje (2.6, 2.1 and 0.6), length of villi (1.15, 1.22 and 1.32 mm) and villi width (0.467, 0.500 and 0.532 mm) to the addition of butyrate. These results indicate the beneficial effect of butyrate in laying hens in the last third of its first production cycle. From information obtained in this study, it is concluded that sodium butyrate on diets at 500 ppm for Bovans laying hens of 63 weeks of age, improves the productive performance, shell quality and intestinal villi integrity.

En el presente estudio se evaluó el comportamiento productivo, calidad del huevo y análisis histológico de vellosidades intestinales de duodeno (largo y ancho) en gallinas de la estirpe Bovans, de 63 semanas de edad, con adición de butirato en la dieta (0, 300, 500 ppm). Los resultados obtenidos en diez semanas de experimentación mostraron respuesta (P < 0.05) en porcentaje de postura (86.4, 92.2 y 89.6), peso del huevo (63.4, 63.4 y 64.1 g) consumo/ave/día (111.4, 111.9 y 113.4 g), conversión alimentaria (2.09, 1.95 y 2.03), de microfracturas (20.8, 14.9 y 12.9), de huevos rotos (2.6, 2.1 y 0.6), longitud de vellosidades (1.15, 1.22 y 1.32 mm) y ancho de vellosidades (0.467, 0.500 y 0.532 mm) a la adición de butirato. Los resultados indican el efecto benéfico del butirato en gallinas ponedoras en el último tercio de su primer ciclo de producción. De la información obtenida en el presente estudio se concluye que el butirato de sodio en dietas a 500 ppm para gallinas Bovans, de 63 semanas de edad, mejora el comportamiento productivo, la calidad del cascarón y la integridad de las vellosidades intestinales.

Shrimp head meal in laying hen rations and its effects on fresh and stored egg quality

Para conocer el efecto de la harina (HCC) de cabezas de camarón (Penaeus spp.) sobre las variables productivas, la calidad física y evaluación sensorial del huevo fresco y almacenado, se utilizaron 120 gallinas Leghorn blancas de 42 semanas de edad, distribuidas en 5 tratamientos (0, 10, 15, 20 y 25 por ciento de HCC) con 4 repeticiones cada uno. A los 28 días del ensayo se recolectaron huevos de cada tratamiento para evaluar la calidad física a los 0, 15 y 30 días de almacenamiento a 4 y 20ºC, con un diseño factorial de 5x3x2. No hubo diferencias estadísticas (P>0,05) en las variables productivas. El peso promedio del huevo fue mayor (64,08g) con 15 por ciento de HCC, sin encontrarse efecto por el tiempo de almacenamiento. Las Unidades Haugh (UH) de los huevos almacenados a 20ºC por 15 y 30 días disminuyeron, pero no a 4ºC. El color de la yema fue menor en los tratamientos con HCC respecto al testigo y se vio afectado por el tiempo de almacenamiento a 20ºC. El peso del cascarón no varió con las condiciones de almacenamiento ni los tratamientos. En grosor de cascarón y en la evaluación sensorial (sabor y color de la yema), no hubo diferencias (P>0,05). Se concluye que las diferencias encontradas se debieron al tiempo y temperatura de almacenamiento y no a la inclusión de HCC en las raciones para gallinas ponedoras

Inclusión de la harina de cabezas de camaron / Density and population structure of the red land crab gecarcinus lateralis in a tropical semi-deciduous forest in Veracruz-México

El uso de colorantes sintéticos en la industria alimentaria es cada vez más riguroso en la forma de obtención del pigmento sobre todo por la toxicidad, por lo que se busca la sustitución de pigmentos sintéticos por naturales. La utilización del camarón interesa por la abundancia del recurso y la contaminación en las zonas de captura, donde se desecha el exoesqueleto, acumulándose en las costas. Se evaluó el efecto de la inclusión de la harina de cabezas de camarón Panaeus sp. (HCC) en las raciones de las gallinas ponedoras, sobre la concentración de pigmento rojo de la yema y la calidad del huevo. La HCC reemplazó en 10,20 y 25 por ciento a la soya. se utilizaron 240 gallinas Leghorn blancas de 52 semanas, asignadas al azar en los diversos tratamientos, con 5 repeticiones cada uno, con 60 gallinas por tratamiento y 12 por repetición. Se registró diariamente la producción de huevo, consumo de alimento, peso del huevo y conversión alimenticia. La pigmentación de la yema y la evaluación sensorial se registraron a la cuarta semana del ensayo. La Hcc en la dieta no afectó de manera significativa las variables de producción, calidad de huevo y evaluación sensorial (P>0,05). La pigmentación de la yema del huevo aumentó de manera significativa (P<0,05) en todas las dietas con HCC. La harina de cabezas de camarón puede reemplazar hasta en 25 por ciento a la de soya en las dietas sin causar efectos perjudiciales en el rendimiento de gallinas ponedoras.