Investigation of Egg Weight, Ovarian Follicles Morphology and Growth Differentiation Factor 9 mRNA Expression in Potchefstroom Koekoek Chicken Breed

The growth differentiation factor 9 (GDF9) gene plays a vital role in the growth and maturation of ovarian follicles in laying hens. However, its messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) expression levels in preovulatory ovarian follicles of indigenous chickens remain poorly understood. The study aimed to identify the association between egg weight and egg quality traits, ovarian follicles morphology, and mRNA expression levels of the GDF9 gene in pre-ovulatory ovarian follicles of the South African Potchefstroom Koekoek chicken breed. The correlation results showed that egg weight (EW) had a positively high significant correlation (p<0.01) with egg width (EWD), yolk weight (YW), shell surface area (SSA), albumen weight (AW), albumen ratio (AR) and egg volume (EV), and a positive significant correlation (p<0.05) with egg length (EL). The Student's T-test results revealed that the numbers of large yellow follicles were significantly lower (p<0.05) than those of small yellow follicles. ANOVA findings showed that there was a significant difference (p<0.05) in the average weight of the large yellow follicles. The quantitative Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-qPCR) findings indicated that there were significant differences (p<0.05) in the mRNA expression levels of the GDF9 gene in preovulatory ovarian follicles of the Potchefstroom Koekoek chicken breed. The mRNA expression was more abundant in F1 and F4 than in other ovarian follicles.(AU)

Farelo de algodão na dieta de codornas japonesas / Cottonseed meal in the diet of Japanese quail

O objetivo do trabalho foi avaliar diferentes níveis de inclusão de farelo de algodão na alimentação de codornas japonesas. Foram utilizadas 240 codornas japonesas distribuídas em delineamento inteiramente casualizado com cinco tratamentos e seis repetições, com oito codornas por repetição. Os tratamentos utilizados foram: dieta basal com 0% de farelo de algodão; inclusão de 4% de farelo de algodão; 8% de farelo de algodão; 12% de farelo de algodão e 16% de farelo de algodão. Foram avaliados o consumo de ração individual (g/ave/dia), taxa de postura (%), conversão alimentar por dúzia de ovos (kg/dz), conversão alimentar por massa de ovos (kg/kg), viabilidade das aves, ganho de peso. As variáveis para a qualidade do ovo foram: peso do ovo (g), peso da gema (g), peso da casca (g) peso do albúmen, participação percentual da gema, casca e albúmen, gravidade específica (g/cm3). Para consumo individual de ração (g/ave/dia), peso de gema (g), albúmen, percentual da gema, casca e albúmen houve influência (P<0,05) do farelo de algodão na dieta, para as demais variáveis não foi observada diferença significativa (P>0,05). O farelo de algodão pode ser adicionado na dieta de codornas japonesas, sem prejudicar o desempenho e a qualidade dos ovos.(AU)

The objective of this study was to evaluate different levels of inclusion of cottonseed meal in the diet of Japanese quail. Twenty Japanese quails were used in a completely randomized design consisting of five treatments and six replicates, with eight quails per replicate. The treatments used were: basal diet with 0% cottonseed meal; inclusion of 4% cottonseed meal, 8% cottonseed meal, 12% cottonseed meal, and 16% cottonseed meal. Feed intake per egg mass (kg/dz), feed conversion per egg mass (kg/kg), viability of birds, and weight gain were evaluated. The egg quality variables were: egg weight (g), yolk weight (g), eggshell weight (g) albumen weight, percentage of yolk, eggshell and albumen, and specific gravity (g/cm3). Cottonseed meal in the diet influenced (P<0.05) individual feed intake (g/bird/day), yolk weight (g), albumen, and percentage of yolk, eggshell and albumen. No significant difference was observed for the other variables (P>0.05). Cottonseed meal can be added to the diet of Japanese quail without compromising performance or egg quality.(AU)

Farelo de algodão na dieta de codornas japonesas / Cottonseed meal in the diet of Japanese quail

O objetivo do trabalho foi avaliar diferentes níveis de inclusão de farelo de algodão na alimentação de codornas japonesas. Foram utilizadas 240 codornas japonesas distribuídas em delineamento inteiramente casualizado com cinco tratamentos e seis repetições, com oito codornas por repetição. Os tratamentos utilizados foram: dieta basal com 0% de farelo de algodão; inclusão de 4% de farelo de algodão; 8% de farelo de algodão; 12% de farelo de algodão e 16% de farelo de algodão. Foram avaliados o consumo de ração individual (g/ave/dia), taxa de postura (%), conversão alimentar por dúzia de ovos (kg/dz), conversão alimentar por massa de ovos (kg/kg), viabilidade das aves, ganho de peso. As variáveis para a qualidade do ovo foram: peso do ovo (g), peso da gema (g), peso da casca (g) peso do albúmen, participação percentual da gema, casca e albúmen, gravidade específica (g/cm3). Para consumo individual de ração (g/ave/dia), peso de gema (g), albúmen, percentual da gema, casca e albúmen houve influência (P0,05). O farelo de algodão pode ser adicionado na dieta de codornas japonesas, sem prejudicar o desempenho e a qualidade dos ovos.

The objective of this study was to evaluate different levels of inclusion of cottonseed meal in the diet of Japanese quail. Twenty Japanese quails were used in a completely randomized design consisting of five treatments and six replicates, with eight quails per replicate. The treatments used were: basal diet with 0% cottonseed meal; inclusion of 4% cottonseed meal, 8% cottonseed meal, 12% cottonseed meal, and 16% cottonseed meal. Feed intake per egg mass (kg/dz), feed conversion per egg mass (kg/kg), viability of birds, and weight gain were evaluated. The egg quality variables were: egg weight (g), yolk weight (g), eggshell weight (g) albumen weight, percentage of yolk, eggshell and albumen, and specific gravity (g/cm3). Cottonseed meal in the diet influenced (P0.05). Cottonseed meal can be added to the diet of Japanese quail without compromising performance or egg quality.