Genetic parameters of egg quality traits in long-term pedigree recorded Japanese quail.

This study was conducted to determine the genetic parameters of internal and external quality traits of Japanese quail eggs. Two statistical models were used in the calculation of genetic parameters and variance components. While 286 eggs were used based on model 1, 1,524 eggs were used based on model 2. Genetic parameters of the first eggs were calculated with direct genetic effect included in the analysis as random factors by using model 1. Model 2 was used for all eggs (5 to 6 eggs from each hen for six rearing groups). As different from model 1, their permanent environmental effects were also included in the model 2. Heritability of egg weight, egg length, egg width, shape index, shell weight, shell thickness, and shell ratio among the external quality traits of the eggs was respectively found to be 0.44, 0.53, 0.51, 0.70, 0.19, 0.16, and 0.05, respectively, according to model 1. These values were found to be 0.46, 0.40, 0.74, 0.48, 0.60, 0.28, and 0.21, respectively, according to model 2. Yolk weight, yolk diameter, yolk height, yolk index, yolk ratio, albumen weight, albumen height, albumen ratio, and Haugh unit values among the internal quality traits of the egg were found to be 0.22, 0.32, 0.02, 0.16, 0.19, 0.34, 0.19, 0.17, and 0.17, respectively, according to model 1. These internal quality traits were found to be 0.27, 0.18, 0.38, 0.06, 0.20, 0.41, 0.15, 0.15, and 0.12, respectively, according to model 2. Consequently, in this study, strong genetic correlations were detected between albumen height and Haugh unit, and also between albumen height and albumen weight. Additionally, a high and positive correlation was observed between some yolk traits (yolk weight and diameter) and albumen traits (weight and height). All these genetic correlations can be used to improve egg quality with a selection according to albumen weight.

Genetic parameters of slaughter and carcase traits in Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica).

1. Genetic parameters of slaughter and carcase traits were estimated for 5-week-old Japanese quail reared under the one-to-one sire and dam pedigree recorded system. Data were analysed using restricted maximum likelihood (REML) with relationship matrix. Records of 1244 animals from 119 sires and 156 dams were analysed. 2. An individual animal model was used which had the animals' genetic effect as the only random factor. Heritability and standard errors of slaughter, cold carcase, breast, leg, wing, others, liver weights and dressing percentage were 0·40 ± 0·07, 0·55 ± 0·07, 0·58 ± 0·07, 0·54 ± 0·07, 0·49 ± 0·07, 0·42 ± 0·06, 0·13 ± 0·04 and 0·21 ± 0·05 respectively. Moderate to high heritability for most of the studied traits suggested that selection to increase or decrease these traits will be successful. 3. The strongest genetic correlation was found between slaughter, carcase and breast weights (0·97-0·87). These high genetic correlations provide an opportunity to select for breast weight on the basis of 5-week weight. 4. It can be concluded that carcase weight and 5-week weight of quail can be included in a selection index to increase the weights of valuable carcass parts.

Genetic parameters from univariate and bivariate analyses of egg and weight traits in Japanese quail.

Fully pedigreed records of a Japanese quail population were analyzed for genetic parameters of egg and BW traits. A restricted maximum likelihood (REML) procedure was applied in univariate and bivariate analyses. Quantitative genetic analyses, including maternal effects, were carried out on the records of 947 male and 861 female birds (total = 1,808). The traits were analyzed with bird as a random factor to fit the additive direct effect, bird being the individual for which the trait was recorded, namely hen (dam) for egg traits and chick (progeny) for BW. Permanent environmental effects (0.29 to 0.35) on egg traits were higher than corresponding heritabilities (0.18 to 0.25). Significant maternal genetic and maternal permanent effects were measured for hatching BW. The heritabilities of weekly BW were low, and decreasing by 5 to 6 wk of age. They were 0.07, 0.18, 0.19, 0.18, 0.19, 0.13, and 0.15 from hatching to 6 wk, respectively. Strong correlations were detected between direct genetic effects for egg traits and maternal genetic effect for BW traits. Applying such detailed analyses in the study of both egg and BW traits provides procedures to specifically evaluate Japanese quail and poultry in general. The results illustrated that the maternal permanent environmental effects made larger contributions to the variability of egg traits than did direct genetic effects. This situation implies that rearing of birds, healthcare, and feeding are very important determinants of egg characteristics.

Effects of L-carnitine administration on growth performance, carcass traits, blood serum parameters and abdominal fatty acid composition of ducks.

Effects of L-carnitine administration via drinking water on growth performance, carcass traits, blood serum parameters and abdominal fatty acid composition of ducks was examined. One hundred day-old Turkish native duck chicks were divided into two groups, each with five replicates and given the same diets with 0 and 200 mg/l carnitine chlorhydrate via drinking water. The study lasted 8 weeks, with the first 4 weeks as a starter and the last 4 weeks as grower period. At the end of the study five ducks were randomly selected from each subgroup for slaughter. Growth performance parameters of ducks were not affected significantly by L-carnitine administration. Live weight, daily weight gain, cumulative feed consumption and average feed conversion efficiency were found to be 1490 and 1621 g, 26.0 and 28.1 g, 5386 and 5662 g, 3.75 and 3.54 kg/kg in the control and in the carnitine groups respectively. L-carnitine administration did not effect carcass traits and serum cholesterol, total lipid, triglyceride and glucose levels. Total saturated fatty acid content of abdominal fat significantly decreased, mono- and polyunsaturated fatty acid content were not affected by L-carnitine administration. In conclusion, L-carnitine administration by drinking water did not affect growth performance, carcass traits and blood parameters in ducks.

Effects of short-term high carbohydrate or fat intakes on leptin, growth hormone and luteinizing hormone secretions in prepubertal fat-tailed Tuj lambs.

The aim of the current study was to evaluate the effects of high carbohydrate or fat diets, fed for 15 days at the end of breeding season, on leptin, GH and LH secretions in prepubertal fat-tailed Tuj lambs. For that purpose, 9-month-old ram-lambs were divided into three groups as control group (fed with basal ration, n = 4), high carbohydrate (HC) group, basal ration plus barley, n = 4), or high fat (HF) group (basal ration plus by-pass fat, n = 4). For the measurement of leptin and GH, blood plasma samples were collected on days 1, 4, 9 and 14 of the experiment. For the measurement of LH pulse frequency, serial blood samples were collected every 15 min for 6 h on day 14. Lambs were weighed and body condition scored (BCS) on days 1 and 15. Body weight and BCS increased towards the end of the study (p < 0.05). The BCS was higher in high energy groups at the end of the experiment (p < 0.05). Diet affected plasma leptin concentrations (p = 0.002) but time did not. The GH concentrations were not affected by diet or time. The LH pulse frequency appeared to be higher in HC and HF groups but there were no statistical difference between the groups. There was a significant positive relationship between overall BCS and corresponding leptin concentrations (R2 = 0.263; p = 0.010) and between LH pulse frequency and leptin concentrations (R2 = 0.594; p = 0.003). In conclusion, the present study suggests that rather than type of energy, amount of energy intake and body energy reserves are much important regulators of plasma leptin concentrations and LH pulse frequency in fat-tailed Tuj lambs.

Effects of ram introduction after the second prostaglandin F2 alpha injection on day 11 on the LH surge characteristics in fat-tailed ewes.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of ram introduction after the second prostaglandin F2alpha (PG F2alpha) injection on day 11 on the secretion characteristics of pre-ovulatory LH surge of fat-tailed ewes. Multiparous Morkaraman ewes (n=12) were divided into three groups by balancing the groups for liveweight (BW) and body condition score (BCS). On the day of second PGF2 alpha injection (0 h), performance tested rams (n=2) were either introduced to the ewes at 0 h (ram 0 group, n=4) or at 18 h (ram 18 group, n=4) or were not introduced (control group, n=4). Blood samples were collected at 6, 18, 42, 48, 56, 62, 66, 70, 74, 78 and 90 h for the determination of pre-ovulatory LH surge. BCS and BW during the experimental period were 2.2 +/- 0.2 units and 50.9 +/- 2.3 kg, 2.4 +/- 0.4 units and 49.2 +/- 6.2 kg, 2.1 +/- 0.3 units and 45.9 +/- 4.4 kg, respectively for the ram 0, ram 18 and control groups (p > 0.05). No significant difference was observed in LH surge characteristics for the experimental groups. Peak LH concentrations were also not different between groups (p > 0.05) and they were 12.2 +/- 8.3, 29.1 +/- 9.9 and 15.8 +/- 9.5 microg/l for the ram 0, ram 18 and control groups, respectively. There was, however, a significant correlation between peak LH concentrations and BCS (p < 0.05, R2=0.373). In conclusion, it appears that, compared with ram introduction, variability in body condition of the ewe has much pronounced effect on the amount of LH secreted after the usage of two PGF2 alpha injections (11 days apart) as a tool for oestrus synchronization.

Otolaryngological findings in congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction and implications for prognosis.

AIM: To investigate otolaryngological abnormalities associated with congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction (CNLDO) and their effect on the prognosis. METHODS: 65 consecutive cases of CNLDO were followed up with routine otorhinolaryngological examination with tympanometry. RESULTS: Otitis media with effusion (OME) and uvula bifida were detected in 44.6% and 9.2% of the children, respectively. Medical treatment and probing were less effective in patients with OME (p<0. 05). CONCLUSIONS: OME and uvula bifida are significant anomalies associated with CNLDO and the former has a marked effect on the prognosis. This finding may help to determine the patients who will need further treatment after massage and probing.

Intraglandular toxoplasmosis lymphadenitis of the parotid gland.

Toxoplasmosis is a protozoan infection manifested by systemic findings as well as generalized or localized lymphadenopathy. Although lympadenitis is the most common clinical form, involvement of the intraglandular nodes within the parotid gland found is a rare occurrence during the course of the disease. This unusual form may mimic a parotid mass, and can cause difficulties in differential diagnosis. In this article, a case of intraglandular parotid lymphadenitis which developed due to toxoplasmosis is presented, and the relevant literature is reviewed.

Electronystagmographic findings following cervical whiplash injuries.

A group of 262 patients suffering from the after-effects of an acceleration trauma of the neck were subjected to an extensive vestibular examination. 85% of the patients complained of some type of vertigo. The visual suppression test conducted during rotation showed pathology in 37% of the cases. Visual pursuit movements were affected in 43% of the cases. In a group of 41 patients the results obtained respectively 1 and 2 years after the accident were compared. There was no significant improvement of the findings. No oculomotor system pathology was found in 99 cases (38%), and no electronystagmographic pathology at all in 55 cases (21%). The study emphasized the fact that nystagmographic examinations are able to detect central vestibular dysfunction and is therefore a suitable method to prove pathology.