Neochloris aquatica induces larval mortality, molting defects, and unstable flightless adults in the Asian tiger mosquito.

The Asian tiger mosquito, Aedes albopictus, is a highly invasive and aggressive species capable of transmitting a large number of etiological agents of medical and veterinary importance, posing a high risk for the transmission of emerging viruses between animals and humans. In this work, we evaluated the mosquitocidal activity of Neochloris aquatica against A. albopictus throughout its development and analyzed whether this effect was potentiated when the microalga was cultivated under stress conditions due to nutrient deprivation. Our results suggest that N. aquatica produces metabolites that have negative effects on these insects, including larval mortality, interruption of pupal development, and incomplete emergence of adults when fed on microalgae in the larval stages. When microalgae were cultured under stress conditions, an increase in molting defects was recorded, and the number of healthy adults emerged drastically decreased. Histological studies revealed severe signs of total disintegration of different tissues and organs in the thorax and abdomen regions. The muscles and fat bodies in the midgut and foregut were severely distorted. In particular, larval intestinal tissue damage included vacuolization of the cytoplasm, destruction of brush border microvilli, and dilation of the intercellular space, which are distinctive morphological characteristics of apoptotic cells. Evidence suggests that N. aquatica produces metabolites with mosquitocidal effects that affect development and, therefore, the ability to vector etiological agents of medical and veterinary importance.

Natural Trypanosoma cruzi Infection and Climatic Season Influence the Developmental Capacity in Field-Caught Mepraia spinolai Nymphs.

In this study, we evaluated the effect of the climatic season and infection by Trypanosoma cruzi, etiological agent of Chagas disease, on the molting capacity of the triatomine vector Mepraia spinolai endemic to Chile. We used wild-caught first-to-fourth instar nymphs during cooling (fall and winter) and warming (spring) periods. After capturing, nymphs were fed at the laboratory, and maintained under optimal rearing conditions. Feeding was repeated 40 days later. We followed-up the molting events on 709 nymphs, recording one, two or the absence of molts after two feeding opportunities. Within the same climatic period, only infected second- and fourth-instar nymphs from the warming period showed a larger proportion of double molting compared to uninfected nymphs. Regarding the climatic period, infected and uninfected first- and fourth-instar nymphs exhibited a larger proportion of double molting in the warming and cooling periods, respectively. The pattern of non-molting nymph occurrence suggests they probably reach diapause by environmental stochasticity. The effect of the climatic period and T. cruzi infection on the development of M. spinolai is an instar-dependent phenomenon, highlighting the occurrence of finely synchronized processes at different moments of the life cycle of such an hemimetabolous insect as triatomines.

Can hypoosmotic shock and calcium influx lead to translocation of aquaporin-1 in shrimp muscle cells?

The physiological variations during the crustacean molting cycle have intrigued researchers for many years. Maintaining osmotic homeostasis in the face of hemolymph dilution and dealing with dynamic intracellular and extracellular calcium fluctuations are challenges these animals continuously confront. It has recently been shown that water channels present in the cell membrane (aquaporins) are essential for water uptake during premolt and postmolt. This study aims to investigate whether hypoosmotic shock and intracellular and extracellular calcium variations can lead to translocation of Aquaporin 1 (AQP-1) from the intracellular region to the plasma membrane during premolt and postmolt, thus allowing increased water flow in these stages. For this, we investigate in vitro the rapid change of AQP-1 positions in the abdominal muscle cells in the freshwater shrimp, Palaemon argentinus. Using cell volume analysis and immunohistochemistry, we show that hypoosmotic conditions and an elevation of the intracellular and extracellular calcium concentrations are concurrent with the translocation of AQP-1 to the plasma membrane. These results indicate that calcium flux and hypoosmotic shock may be regulators of AQP 1 in the translocation process.

Short communication: Effects of acute copper exposure on ionic regulation of the freshwater crab Aegla castro.

Aeglids are unique freshwater decapods whose habitats are being impacted by metallic compounds, such as copper (Cu). Thus, we investigated the effects of acute Cu exposure on ionic regulation of Aegla castro. For this, male specimens in intermolt were collected from a reference stream and acclimated for 5 days in laboratory. After which, crabs were exposed to 11 µg L-1 Cu (Cu11) or only to water (CTR) for 24 h. Hemolymph samples were withdrawn for the determination of Na+, K+, Ca2+, and Mg2+ concentrations and the posterior gills removed for the analysis of Na+/K+-ATPase, Ca2+-ATPase, H+-ATPase, and carbonic anhydrase (CA) activities. Increased Ca2+ and Mg2+ hemolymph concentrations were observed in animals from Cu11, when compared with CTR group. In addition, decreased activity of CA was observed in animals exposed to Cu. In the current study, alterations in Ca2+ and Mg2+concentrations probably indicate that animals activated exoskeleton reabsorption mechanisms, characteristic of the premolt. Therefore, increased Ca2+ and Mg2+ concentrations in hemolymph may indicate that a biochemical signal associated with the molting cycle was triggered by Cu exposure. Despite the known harmful effects of Cu on osmoregulatory enzymes, here we observed decreased activity only in CA. However, decreased activity of CA could trigger both acid-base imbalance and ionic disruption, since CA provides H+ and HCO3- for intracellular pH maintenance, and underpins Na+ and Cl- for ionic regulation. Therefore, understanding how aeglids respond to metal contamination in laboratory conditions is crucial to assess their potential as an alternative biological model for aquatic ecotoxicology.

Cloning and Expression of NADPH-cytochrome P450 Reductase Gene in Chinese Mitten Crab, Eriocheir sinensis

Abstract NADPH-cytochromeP450 reductase (CPR) is one of the most important components of the cytochrome P450 enzyme system. In this study, a gene encoding CPR (named EsCPR) was isolated from Eriocheir sinensis using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE) methods. Analysis of the nucleotide sequence revealed a cDNA full-length of 3717 bp with an open reading frame of 2046 bp, a 5′-untranslated region of 42 bp, and a long 3′-untryganslated region of 1628bp, which encodes a protein of 681 amino acids with a predicted molecular weight of 30.7 kDa and an estimated pI of 4.82. The mature peptide shares amino acid of E. sinensis identity 82 % - 89 % to the CPR from Penaeus vannamei and Chionoecetes opilio. Tissues and developmental stage-dependent expression of EsCPR mRNA was investigated by real-time quantitative PCR. EsCPR mRNA was markedly expressed in the hepatopancreas and stomach. These results would provide valuable information for further study on the interactions between CPR and cytochrome P450 enzyme systems.

Is the development of Daphnia magna neonates affected by short-term exposure to polyethylene microplastics?

The study presents responses of D. magna newborns exposed during 96 h to polyethylene microplastics (MP) of size 40-48 µm in the concentrations of 20; 40; 80; 160 and 320 mg/L. The experimental design consisted of two exposure scenarios: the first group was fed at the beginning and after 48 h (3x10-5 cells/mL of Raphidocelis subcaptata and fermented solution) and the second group was not fed as an additional stressor. The mobility of the organisms was not significantly affected in the presence of microplastics for both exposure groups. Nevertheless, the qualitative analysis showed that neonates promptly ingested microplastics in the first 24 h of the test, independently of the treatment. Polyethylene microplastics did not influence the molting process, however, significant differences were observed between the number of molts of the exposure without feed and with feed in 24 h (p = 0.0007), 48 h (p = 2.4 x 10-10), 72 h (p = 3.6 x 10-10) and 96 h (p = 0.003). The final body length of D. magna also showed that the food administration model in the tests contributes to the differentiation in responses.

Progesterone inhibits the in vitro L3/L4 molting process in Haemonchus contortus.

We evaluated the direct effects of progesterone on the morphology, maturation and behavior of Haemonchus contortus larvae in vitro. The presence and location of possible progesterone receptors in these larvae were also determined. The addition of 8ng/mL of progesterone to larval cultures over 10days reduced larval enlargement, while the addition of 160ng/mL of the hormone increased the enlargement. Up to 62% and 65% of the H. contortus larvae molted from third-stage larvae (L3) to fourth-stage larvae (L4) when cultured in RPMI-1640 media without hormone for 5 and 10days, respectively. The addition of different progesterone concentrations (1, 8, 16, 80 and 160ng/mL) to the larval cultures significantly inhibited the molting process within the same periods. The addition of 8ng/mL or higher progesterone concentrations to the cultures significantly increased larval motility (p<0.05) compared with unstimulated larvae. Flow cytometry showed the expression of progesterone receptors (P4-R) in 15% of the cells from newly isolated H. contortus larvae. When the larvae were cultured for 5days in the presence of the hormone, the percentage of P4-R+ cells remained the same. In contrast, unstimulated larvae showed a significant reduction in the number of P4-R+ cells. Using confocal microscopy, a greater concentration of P4-Rs was immunolocated in the anterior portion of the alimentary tract of the larvae, suggesting that the cells in this region are targeted by the hormone. The results of the present study show that H. contortus larvae have possible P4-Rs and respond to this hormone by inhibiting their molting process, thereby suggesting the participation of progesterone in the larval arrest phenomenon.

Elevated expression of neuropeptide signaling genes in the eyestalk ganglia and Y-organ of Gecarcinus lateralis individuals that are refractory to molt induction.

Molting is induced in decapod crustaceans via multiple leg autotomy (MLA) or eyestalk ablation (ESA). MLA removes five or more walking legs, which are regenerated and become functional appendages at ecdysis. ESA eliminates the primary source of molt-inhibiting hormone (MIH) and crustacean hyperglycemic hormone (CHH), which suppress the production of molting hormones (ecdysteroids) from the molting gland or Y-organ (YO). Both MLA and ESA are effective methods for molt induction in Gecarcinus lateralis. However, some G. lateralis individuals are refractory to MLA, as they fail to complete ecdysis by 12weeks post-MLA; these animals are in the "blocked" condition. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction was used to quantify mRNA levels of neuropeptide and mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling genes in YO, eyestalk ganglia (ESG), thoracic ganglion (TG), and brain of intact and blocked animals. Six of the seven neuropeptide signaling genes, three of four mTOR signaling genes, and Gl-elongation factor 2 (EF2) mRNA levels were significantly higher in the ESG of blocked animals. Gl-MIH and Gl-CHH mRNA levels were higher in the TG and brain of blocked animals and levels increased in both control and blocked animals in response to ESA. By contrast, mRNA levels of Gl-EF2 and five of the 10 MIH signaling pathway genes in the YO were two to four orders of magnitude higher in blocked animals compared to controls. These data suggest that increased MIH and CHH synthesis in the ESG contributes to the prevention of molt induction by MLA in blocked animals. The up-regulation of MIH signaling genes in the YO of blocked animals suggests that the YO is more sensitive to MIH produced in the ESG, as well as MIH produced in brain and TG of ESA animals. Both the up-regulation of MIH signaling genes in the YO and of Gl-MIH and Gl-CHH in the ESG, TG, and brain appear to contribute to some G. lateralis individuals being refractory to MLA and ESA.

Regulation of cuticular hydrocarbon profile maturation by Drosophila tanning hormone, bursicon, and its interaction with desaturase activity.

Shortly after emergence the exoskeleton (cuticle) of adult insects is rapidly expanded, hardened (sclerotized), and pigmented (melanized). In parallel with this process, the oenocytes, which are large polyploid cells located below the abdominal epidermis, secrete onto the cuticle a cocktail of cuticular hydrocarbons (CHs) and waxes. These improve the waterproofing of the cuticle, and also provide important chemosensory and pheromonal cues linked with gender, age, and species differentiation. The hardening and pigmentation of the new cuticle are controlled by the neurohormone, bursicon, and its receptor, encoded by the DLGR2 receptor, rickets (rk); by contrast, little is known about the timecourse of changes in CH profile and about the role of bursicon in this process. Here we show in Drosophila that rk function is also required for the normal maturation of the fly's CH profile, with flies mutant for rk function showing dramatically elevated levels of CHs. Interestingly, this effect is mostly abrogated by mutations in the Δ9 desaturase encoded by the desaturase1 gene, which introduces a first double bond into elongated fatty-acid chains, suggesting that desaturase1 acts downstream of rk. In addition, flies mutant for rk showed changes in the absolute and relative levels of specific 7-monoenes (in males) and 7,11-dienes (in females). The fact that these differences in CH amounts were obtained using extractions of very different durations suggests that the particular CH profile of flies mutant for rk is not simply due to their unsclerotized cuticle but that bursicon may be involved in the process of CH biosynthesis itself.

Biochemical parameters and histopathological findings in the forced molt laying hens

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of forced molting using biochemical parameters and histopathological findings in laying hens. 36 Hyline W36 strain laying hens, 90 weeks old were chosen for this research. Eight of these chickens were randomly selected and placed in a cage as the control group before the molting program began. All the others 28 chickens were used for the forced molting program. Eight laying hens were slaughtered at the end of the molting program named as molting group. The remaining 20 hens were fed for 37 days, weighted and slaughtered when they reached the maximum egg production (80%) as postmolting group. Then, blood was analyzed for malondialdehyde, glutathione, catalase, glucose, calcium, phosphorus, albumin, globulin, total protein, triiodothyronine, thyroxine and Vitamin C. The malondialdehyde and glutathione levels of the thyroid and liver tissues were also analyzed along with an examination of the histopathological changes of the liver, ovarium and thyroid glands; and live body, liver, ovarium, thyroid weights and thyroid lengths. In conclusion, it was found that forced molting produces stress and notable side effects in hens, like the oxidant and antioxidant status of the organs, tissue weights and sizes, hormon profiles, blood biochemical and histopathological parameter changes. The activities of thyroid malondialdehyde (p 0.05), liver glutathione (p 0.01), plasma catalase (p 0.001) were significantly decreased in molting group compared to control values, while liver malondialdehyde levels were significantly increased (p 0.001) and thyroid glutathione levels had nonsignificant effect. These levels in molting hens were the first study for veterinary science.(AU)

Biochemical parameters and histopathological findings in the forced molt laying hens

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of forced molting using biochemical parameters and histopathological findings in laying hens. 36 Hyline W36 strain laying hens, 90 weeks old were chosen for this research. Eight of these chickens were randomly selected and placed in a cage as the control group before the molting program began. All the others 28 chickens were used for the forced molting program. Eight laying hens were slaughtered at the end of the molting program named as molting group. The remaining 20 hens were fed for 37 days, weighted and slaughtered when they reached the maximum egg production (80%) as postmolting group. Then, blood was analyzed for malondialdehyde, glutathione, catalase, glucose, calcium, phosphorus, albumin, globulin, total protein, triiodothyronine, thyroxine and Vitamin C. The malondialdehyde and glutathione levels of the thyroid and liver tissues were also analyzed along with an examination of the histopathological changes of the liver, ovarium and thyroid glands; and live body, liver, ovarium, thyroid weights and thyroid lengths. In conclusion, it was found that forced molting produces stress and notable side effects in hens, like the oxidant and antioxidant status of the organs, tissue weights and sizes, hormon profiles, blood biochemical and histopathological parameter changes. The activities of thyroid malondialdehyde (p 0.05), liver glutathione (p 0.01), plasma catalase (p 0.001) were significantly decreased in molting group compared to control values, while liver malondialdehyde levels were significantly increased (p 0.001) and thyroid glutathione levels had nonsignificant effect. These levels in molting hens were the first study for veterinary science.

Genetic analysis of Eclosion hormone action during Drosophila larval ecdysis.

Insect growth is punctuated by molts, during which the animal produces a new exoskeleton. The molt culminates in ecdysis, an ordered sequence of behaviors that causes the old cuticle to be shed. This sequence is activated by Ecdysis triggering hormone (ETH), which acts on the CNS to activate neurons that produce neuropeptides implicated in ecdysis, including Eclosion hormone (EH), Crustacean cardioactive peptide (CCAP) and Bursicon. Despite more than 40 years of research on ecdysis, our understanding of the precise roles of these neurohormones remains rudimentary. Of particular interest is EH; although it is known to upregulate ETH release, other roles for EH have remained elusive. We isolated an Eh null mutant in Drosophila and used it to investigate the role of EH in larval ecdysis. We found that null mutant animals invariably died at around the time of ecdysis, revealing an essential role in its control. Further analyses showed that these animals failed to express the preparatory behavior of pre-ecdysis while directly expressing the motor program of ecdysis. Although ETH release could not be detected, the lack of pre-ecdysis could not be rescued by injections of ETH, suggesting that EH is required within the CNS for ETH to trigger the normal ecdysial sequence. Using a genetically encoded calcium probe, we showed that EH configured the response of the CNS to ETH. These findings show that EH plays an essential role in the Drosophila CNS in the control of ecdysis, in addition to its known role in the periphery of triggering ETH release.

Experimental infection of Salmonella Enteritidis in quails submitted to forced molting by feed fasting

This study aimed at evaluating bacterial shedding, as detected in swabs, feces, and eggs of quails submitted to forced molting by feed fasting and experimentally infected with a Salmonella Enteritidis (SE) strain. In the experiment, 84 40-week-old Italian female quails were distributed in the following groups: FI (quails induced to molt by fasting and inoculated with Salmonella Enteritidis - SE); CI (quails fed with a laying diet and inoculated with SE); FNI (quails induced to molt by fasting and not inoculated with SE); and CNI (quails fed with a laying feed and not inoculated with SE). Feces, cloacal swabs, and eggs were collected on day 1, 3, 7 and 14 post-inoculation (dpi) and submitted to bacteriological analyses. All samples obtained from cloacal swabs were negative for SE. None of the quails of the non-inoculated groups (FNI and CNI) were positive for SE in the fecal samples. Among the inoculated quails, the FI group presented significantly higher (p 0.05) SE shedding in the feces on 1 dpi than the CI group. On 4 dpi, no significant difference was observed (p 0.05) in SE shedding between the inoculated quail groups. On 7 dpi, only the FI group shed SE in the feces, whereas on 14 dpi, none of the groups shed SE. According to the results, we concluded that quails submitted to molting by fasting have higher possibility of shedding SE in the feces.(AU)

Experimental infection of Salmonella Enteritidis in quails submitted to forced molting by feed fasting

This study aimed at evaluating bacterial shedding, as detected in swabs, feces, and eggs of quails submitted to forced molting by feed fasting and experimentally infected with a Salmonella Enteritidis (SE) strain. In the experiment, 84 40-week-old Italian female quails were distributed in the following groups: FI (quails induced to molt by fasting and inoculated with Salmonella Enteritidis - SE); CI (quails fed with a laying diet and inoculated with SE); FNI (quails induced to molt by fasting and not inoculated with SE); and CNI (quails fed with a laying feed and not inoculated with SE). Feces, cloacal swabs, and eggs were collected on day 1, 3, 7 and 14 post-inoculation (dpi) and submitted to bacteriological analyses. All samples obtained from cloacal swabs were negative for SE. None of the quails of the non-inoculated groups (FNI and CNI) were positive for SE in the fecal samples. Among the inoculated quails, the FI group presented significantly higher (p 0.05) SE shedding in the feces on 1 dpi than the CI group. On 4 dpi, no significant difference was observed (p 0.05) in SE shedding between the inoculated quail groups. On 7 dpi, only the FI group shed SE in the feces, whereas on 14 dpi, none of the groups shed SE. According to the results, we concluded that quails submitted to molting by fasting have higher possibility of shedding SE in the feces.

Torta de mamona não destoxificada na indução da muda forçada em poedeiras comerciais / Non-detoxified castor bean for molt induction in laying hens

Avaliou-se o uso de dietas com diferentes porcentagens de torta de mamona não destoxificada (TM) na indução da muda forçada, sendo utilizadas 120 poedeiras Lohman LSL de 81 semanas, distribuídas ao acaso em quatro tratamentos, com cinco repetições de seis aves. Um dos tratamentos consistiu na indução da muda pelo método do jejum por 11 dias, e os demais no uso de dietas de muda, compostas pela mistura de dieta de postura e TM nas quantidades de 20, 30 e 40 por cento, por até 21 dias ou até quando as aves atingissem 23 por cento de perda do peso. Diferenças significativas foram observadas nos eritrócitos, no hematócrito, na concentração média de hemoglobina globular, na proteína total do plasma, nos leucócitos e na alanina aminotransferase, medidos durante a indução da muda, bem como no desempenho das aves após a muda, no que diz respeito ao consumo de ração, à porcentagem de postura, ao peso do ovo, à massa do ovo e à conversão alimentar. A qualidade dos ovos não variou estatisticamente entre os métodos avaliados. A utilização da dieta de muda forçada contendo 40 por cento de TM promoveu resultados semelhantes aos obtidos com o método do jejum, tanto para consumo de ração, porcentagem de postura, peso do ovo, massa do ovo, e conversão alimentar, como inerentes à qualidade dos ovos, quanto para densidade específica, unidade Haugh, porcentagens de gema, casca e albúmen. No entanto, menores alterações nos valores de eritrócitos, hematócrito e alanina aminotransferase foram observadas nesse método supracitado. O uso da dieta de muda contendo 40 por cento de TM mostrou-se uma alternativa viável ao uso do método do jejum.(AU)

We evaluated diets with different percentages of non-detoxified castor bean (TM) in the induction of molt, with 120 Lohman LSL hens at 81 weeks of age being used, randomly allotted to four treatments with five replicates of six birds each. One of the treatments consisted in the induction of changes by the method of fasting for 11 days, and the others used diet switches, composed by mixing posture and TM diet in the amounts of 20, 30 and 40 percent for up to 21 days or until when the birds reach 23 percent weight loss. Significant differences were observed in erythrocytes, hematocrit, mean concentration of corpuscular hemoglobin, total protein in plasma, leukocytes and alanine aminotransferase measured during induction of changes, and the performance of birds after moulting, such as feed intake, percentage of laying, egg weight, egg mass and feed conversion. The quality of the eggs did not vary significantly among the methods evaluated. The use of forced molting diet containing 40 percent of TM promoted results similar to those obtained with the method of fasting, both feed intake and the percentage of egg, egg weight, egg mass, and feed conversion, as inherent quality of eggs, as the specific gravity, Haugh unit, yolk percentage, albumen and shell. However, minor changes in the values of erythrocytes, hematocrit and alanine aminotransferase were observed in the method above. The use of diets containing 40 percent change TM proved to be a viable alternative to the use of the fasting method.(AU)

Torta de mamona não destoxificada na indução da muda forçada em poedeiras comerciais / Non-detoxified castor bean for molt induction in laying hens

Avaliou-se o uso de dietas com diferentes porcentagens de torta de mamona não destoxificada (TM) na indução da muda forçada, sendo utilizadas 120 poedeiras Lohman LSL de 81 semanas, distribuídas ao acaso em quatro tratamentos, com cinco repetições de seis aves. Um dos tratamentos consistiu na indução da muda pelo método do jejum por 11 dias, e os demais no uso de dietas de muda, compostas pela mistura de dieta de postura e TM nas quantidades de 20, 30 e 40 por cento, por até 21 dias ou até quando as aves atingissem 23 por cento de perda do peso. Diferenças significativas foram observadas nos eritrócitos, no hematócrito, na concentração média de hemoglobina globular, na proteína total do plasma, nos leucócitos e na alanina aminotransferase, medidos durante a indução da muda, bem como no desempenho das aves após a muda, no que diz respeito ao consumo de ração, à porcentagem de postura, ao peso do ovo, à massa do ovo e à conversão alimentar. A qualidade dos ovos não variou estatisticamente entre os métodos avaliados. A utilização da dieta de muda forçada contendo 40 por cento de TM promoveu resultados semelhantes aos obtidos com o método do jejum, tanto para consumo de ração, porcentagem de postura, peso do ovo, massa do ovo, e conversão alimentar, como inerentes à qualidade dos ovos, quanto para densidade específica, unidade Haugh, porcentagens de gema, casca e albúmen. No entanto, menores alterações nos valores de eritrócitos, hematócrito e alanina aminotransferase foram observadas nesse método supracitado. O uso da dieta de muda contendo 40 por cento de TM mostrou-se uma alternativa viável ao uso do método do jejum...

We evaluated diets with different percentages of non-detoxified castor bean (TM) in the induction of molt, with 120 Lohman LSL hens at 81 weeks of age being used, randomly allotted to four treatments with five replicates of six birds each. One of the treatments consisted in the induction of changes by the method of fasting for 11 days, and the others used diet switches, composed by mixing posture and TM diet in the amounts of 20, 30 and 40 percent for up to 21 days or until when the birds reach 23 percent weight loss. Significant differences were observed in erythrocytes, hematocrit, mean concentration of corpuscular hemoglobin, total protein in plasma, leukocytes and alanine aminotransferase measured during induction of changes, and the performance of birds after moulting, such as feed intake, percentage of laying, egg weight, egg mass and feed conversion. The quality of the eggs did not vary significantly among the methods evaluated. The use of forced molting diet containing 40 percent of TM promoted results similar to those obtained with the method of fasting, both feed intake and the percentage of egg, egg weight, egg mass, and feed conversion, as inherent quality of eggs, as the specific gravity, Haugh unit, yolk percentage, albumen and shell. However, minor changes in the values of erythrocytes, hematocrit and alanine aminotransferase were observed in the method above. The use of diets containing 40 percent change TM proved to be a viable alternative to the use of the fasting method...

Effect of Forced Molting on body characteristics and post-molting egg production performance of Layers in Quetta, Pakistan

White leghorn layer (n=2740), with 85weeksof age, were submitted to forced molting by fasting for 13 days and changes in body characteristics and subsequent laying performance during second laying cycle were evaluated. Live body weight (LBW),ovary weight (OW), oviduct weight (OvW) and oviduct length (OvL) were measured before and after fasting. Post-fasting restricted feeding was applied, initially feeding crushed corn with added 2% Ca for 20 days and thereafter layer crumble feed was offered. Layers lost 632.16g (36%) of their LBW and significant reductions of 45.32, 47.53 and 54% were observed in post-fasting/molt OW, OvW and OvL, respectively (p 0.05). Resting period was 49 days and birds consumed 4.79kg feed during resting period. Egg production reached 50% in the 3rd week and peak mean egg production (87%) was recorded between 13 to16th weeks of production. Hence, it is concluded that while molting exhausted layers, the procedure adapted to induce molting and season would be a core factor in the subsequent laying cycle egg production and gain.

Effect of Forced Molting on body characteristics and post-molting egg production performance of Layers in Quetta, Pakistan

White leghorn layer (n=2740), with 85weeksof age, were submitted to forced molting by fasting for 13 days and changes in body characteristics and subsequent laying performance during second laying cycle were evaluated. Live body weight (LBW),ovary weight (OW), oviduct weight (OvW) and oviduct length (OvL) were measured before and after fasting. Post-fasting restricted feeding was applied, initially feeding crushed corn with added 2% Ca for 20 days and thereafter layer crumble feed was offered. Layers lost 632.16g (36%) of their LBW and significant reductions of 45.32, 47.53 and 54% were observed in post-fasting/molt OW, OvW and OvL, respectively (p 0.05). Resting period was 49 days and birds consumed 4.79kg feed during resting period. Egg production reached 50% in the 3rd week and peak mean egg production (87%) was recorded between 13 to16th weeks of production. Hence, it is concluded that while molting exhausted layers, the procedure adapted to induce molting and season would be a core factor in the subsequent laying cycle egg production and gain.(AU)

Bacteriological investigation of microorganisms (Salmonella sp. and other Enterobacteriaceae) in common quails (Coturnix coturnix) submitted to different forced-molting procedures

The aim of this study was to investigate the presence of Salmonella in common quails submitted to forced molting. A total of 240 quails were divided at 40 weeks of age into four groups: CG (control, quails not submitted to molting); FM (fasting method); WM (fed wheat midds ad libitum); and ZM (zinc oxide method). From each group, 10 cloacal swabs, 10 fecal samples, and 20 egg samples were collected before molting (two weeks) and after molting (two weeks). The microbiological procedures for Salmonella spp. identification were performed in four steps. The agglutination test, using somatic and flagellar antigens, was used to confirm Salmonella-suspected colonies. According to the methodology applied, none of the samples was positive for Salmonella spp. The results showed that 20.0% of the egg samples from birds submitted to forced molting were contaminated with enterobacteria. It was concluded that, under the conditions of the present experiment, the stress caused by forced molting did not induce infection by Salmonella spp. or increased Enterobacteriaceae contamination levels in the eggs.

Bacteriological investigation of microorganisms (Salmonella sp. and other Enterobacteriaceae) in common quails (Coturnix coturnix) submitted to different forced-molting procedures

The aim of this study was to investigate the presence of Salmonella in common quails submitted to forced molting. A total of 240 quails were divided at 40 weeks of age into four groups: CG (control, quails not submitted to molting); FM (fasting method); WM (fed wheat midds ad libitum); and ZM (zinc oxide method). From each group, 10 cloacal swabs, 10 fecal samples, and 20 egg samples were collected before molting (two weeks) and after molting (two weeks). The microbiological procedures for Salmonella spp. identification were performed in four steps. The agglutination test, using somatic and flagellar antigens, was used to confirm Salmonella-suspected colonies. According to the methodology applied, none of the samples was positive for Salmonella spp. The results showed that 20.0% of the egg samples from birds submitted to forced molting were contaminated with enterobacteria. It was concluded that, under the conditions of the present experiment, the stress caused by forced molting did not induce infection by Salmonella spp. or increased Enterobacteriaceae contamination levels in the eggs.(AU)