Phenotypic correlations between feed efficiency, growth, and meat quality of slow-growing chickens.

1. Korat (KR) chicken is a new meat-type chicken breed established with the purpose of developing Small and Micro Community Enterprise Production. This slow-growing chicken has been recognised for its good texture and flavour, but its low feed efficiency is associated with high cost of production which can hamper the development of local production. This has highlighted the importance of studying the trade-off between feed efficiency and meat quality in KR chicken.2. This study investigated the phenotypic correlations between feed efficiency, growth performance, and meat quality in KR chicken. Individual body weight and feed intake were recorded weekly for 75 male KR chickens for the calculation of feed conversion ratio (FCR) and residual feed intake (RFI). The growth curve was modelled by Gompertz function and meat quality evaluated at 10 weeks of age, through the measurement of pH (pHu), water-holding capacity (WHC) and drip loss (DL) in breast and thigh muscle.3. Faster growth rate at young age appeared favourable, regarding feed efficiency, since a moderate negative correlation was found between FCR and initial growth rate. Chickens with a higher initial growth and maturation rates were characterised by lower water-holding capacity in meat. This was not associated with acidic meat, since a higher speed of growth (especially in the first weeks) was positively associated with final pH in breast meat. Relationships between RFI and meat quality traits appeared to be weak. While better FCR could be achieved by increased initial growth rate, this seemed to negatively impact water-holding capacity of the meat.4. RFI appeared as an interesting alternative as a compromise between FCR and meat quality.

Candidate genes of the transcellular and paracellular calcium absorption pathways in the small intestine of laying hens.

To meet the high calcium (Ca) demand during eggshell biomineralization (2 g of Ca per egg), laying hens develop specific metabolic regulations to maintain Ca homeostasis. The intake of Ca, its solubilization, and absorption capacity are enhanced at sexual maturity (SM). A better knowledge of the intestinal Ca transporters involved in their variations at this stage could indicate new nutritional strategies to enhance Ca digestive utilization. Transcellular Ca absorption pathway and its major player calbindin-D 28 K (CALB1) mediate a saturable transport, which has been extensively described in this model. Conversely, a contribution by the paracellular pathway involving non-saturable Ca transport through intercellular tight junction has also been suggested. The aim of the present study was to identify candidate genes of these two pathways and their patterns of expression, in immature pullets (12, 15, and 17 wk old) and mature laying hens (23 wk old) in the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum. Using RT-qPCR, this study identifies 3 new candidate genes for transcellular, and 9 for paracellular Ca transport. A total of 5 candidates of the transcellular pathway, transient receptor potential cation channels subfamily C member 1 (TRPC1) and M member 7 (TRPM7); CALB1 and ATPase plasma membrane Ca2+ transporting 1 (ATP2B1) and ATPase plasma membrane Ca2+ transporting 2 (ATP2B2) were enhanced with age or after SM in the duodenum, the jejunum or all 3 segments. A total of 4 candidates of the paracellular pathway Claudin 2 (CLDN2) and tight junction proteins 1, 2, and 3 (TJP1, TJP2 and TJP3) increased in the small intestine after SM. Additionally, CALB1, ATP2B2, and CLDN2 were overexpressed in the duodenum or the jejunum or both segments after SM. The enhanced expression of candidate genes of the paracellular Ca pathway after SM, supports that the non-saturable transport could be a mechanism of great importance when high concentrations of soluble Ca are observed in the intestinal content during eggshell formation. Both pathways may work cooperatively in the duodenum and jejunum, the main sites of Ca absorption in laying hens.