Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
P. Yin, Q. Tong, B. M. Li, W. C. Zheng, Y. Wang, H. Q. Peng, X. L. Xue, S. Q. Wei
Summary: This study investigated the welfare and health of laying hens in a multitier system. The results showed that the spatial distribution of hens changed with increasing age, and lower-ranking hens preferred to stay in lower tiers to avoid competition but still had access to resources. This improved the welfare and health of the hens near the end of the laying cycle.
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Longlong Li, Ze Lu, Yulei Wang, Ying Yang, Huihui Wang, Haitian Ma
Summary: The study investigated the preventive effects and mechanisms of genistein (GEN) on production performance and metabolic disorders in broilers under chronic heat stress (HS). The results showed that GEN improved growth performance and hormone secretion in broilers under HS, reduced liver index and abdominal fat rate, and alleviated excessive lipid accumulation in the liver and serum. GEN also effectively regulated gene expression related to lipid metabolism and improved hepatic mitochondrial energetic dysfunction. Therefore, GEN can be used as a feed additive to alleviate heat stress in broilers.
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Mengjie Liu, Rong Chen, Tianze Wang, Yiqing Ding, Yinwen Zhang, Gengxiong Huang, Jieyi Huang, Qian Qu, Weijie Lv, Shining Guo
Summary: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of Chinese herbs on the production performance, immunity, and intestinal health of broiler breeders. The results showed that supplementation with an appropriate amount of Chinese herbs can improve laying rate, reproductive hormone levels, antioxidant capacity, immunity, and intestinal health of broiler breeders. These findings provide new insights into the potential of Chinese herbs as feed additives.
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Yanyan Ma, Bohan Cheng, Sitong Zhou, Youdong Wang, Yang Jing, Li Leng, Shouzhi Wang, Yumao Li, Peng Luan, Zhiping Cao, Hui Li
Summary: The deposition of high levels of fat in broiler breeder hens can have significant effects on follicular development and egg production, which are stage-dependent. Lean hens reach first egg earlier than fat hens, and from approximately 35 weeks of age, lean hens lay more eggs compared to fat hens, while fat hens produce more eggs between weeks 36-42 and 43-50. There are no differences in ovarian morphology and SYF histological characteristics between the two chicken lines at 27 weeks of age. However, at 35 and 52 weeks of age, lean hens have lower ovarian weight, hierarchical follicle numbers, and SYF granulosa layer thickness, along with an increase in the number of prehierarchical follicles compared to fat hens. Gene expression analysis suggests impaired follicle selection in fat hens during the early laying stage, and impaired selection and maturation in lean hens during the middle and late laying stages.
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Usuk Jung, Minjeong Kim, Presley Dowker-Key, Simon Noe, Ahmed Bettaieb, Elizabeth Shepherd, Brynn Voy
Summary: Breast muscle myopathies in broilers compromise meat quality and this study found that localized hypoxia disrupts the ability of satellite cells to differentiate and form myotubes, leading to impaired muscle repair. The findings demonstrate that localized hypoxia may influence muscle cell behavior and promote the formation of myopathies.
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Tingting Li, Haidong Wei, Shijie Zhang, Xiaotao Liu, Lu Xing, Yuanyuan Liu, Rixin Gong, Jianhong Li
Summary: The study investigated the effect of intermittent cold stimulation on cardiac energy metabolism and cold resistance of broilers. It found that 5 hours of cold stimulation at a temperature 3 degrees Celsius lower than the normal feeding temperature did not impair performance but increased the resistance of broilers to acute cold stress by promoting lipid metabolism.
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Vanessa Viterbo Velasco, Takayuki Ochiai, Masaoki Tsudzuki, Naoki Goto, Akira Ishikawa
Summary: Understanding the genetic mechanisms underlying innate fear behavior has important implications for the poultry industry. This study identified significant QTL associated with innate fear responses in chickens, providing valuable insights for improving management and breeding strategies.
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Milan K. Sharma, Guanchen Liu, Dima L. White, Woo K. Kim
Summary: The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of different levels of Eimeria infection on the performance, intestinal health, oxidative status, and egg production of Hy-Line W-36 pullets and laying hens. The results showed that increased Eimeria challenge dosage led to a linear reduction in growth performance and a decrease in average daily feed intake. Infection also affected gastrointestinal health, causing upregulation of certain markers and downregulation of key nutrient transporters. The oxidative balance shifted towards oxidative stress, and proinflammatory and inflammatory cytokines were upregulated. Furthermore, infection delayed egg production in the challenged groups. Overall, coccidiosis negatively affected the performance of pullets and laying hens.
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Yu Lu, Xiaotong Guo, Fengge Xu, Fengyi Wang, Hongsong Wu, Yongjiang Bai, Wenhua Li, Guisheng Zhang, Jinbao Yuan, Quanhai Pang
Summary: The study investigated the effects of puerarin on Salmonella enterica-infected chickens. Puerarin treatment significantly altered the serum activities and contents of various indicators, reduced liver damage, and regulated inflammation and oxidative stress. Proteomic analysis revealed metabolic disorders in the liver caused by Salmonella infection, which were effectively alleviated by puerarin treatment. The findings suggest that puerarin has the potential to replace antibiotics in controlling Salmonella infection in poultry and improving food safety.
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
F. Frers, J. Delarocque, K. Feige, K. Huber, T. Warnken
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the relationship between insulin dysregulation and the expression and phosphorylation of key proteins in the insulin signaling cascade in different tissues of horses. The results showed enhanced phosphorylation of the insulin receptor and protein kinase B in response to stimulation, while phosphorylation of adenosine monophosphate protein kinase alpha decreased after glucose administration. Interestingly, horses with insulin dysregulation had significantly higher phosphorylation of mechanistic target of rapamycin in muscle tissue. These findings suggest that insulin signaling is maintained in horses, but post-receptor alterations may occur.
DOMESTIC ANIMAL ENDOCRINOLOGY
(2024)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Mina Han, Munhui Chae, Seongtae Han
Summary: This study evaluated fungal contamination in domestic duck farm environments and analyzed biosecurity risk factors associated with fungal infection incidence. The findings showed that fungal infections were influenced by stocking density, duck age, and fungal concentration in the wall surface samples.
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Q. Zhang, C. L. Walk, A. J. Cowieson, K. Stamatopoulos, J. L. Wu, J. O. B. Sorbara
Summary: This study evaluated the efficacy of a novel phytase in terms of phytate hydrolysis and the digestibility of phosphorus and calcium in broiler chickens fed low and high phytate diets. The results showed that the phytase effectively hydrolyzed phytate and increased digestible phosphorus and calcium. The response to dietary phytate varied in terms of age and the specific nutrient being evaluated.
ANIMAL FEED SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
(2024)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Dong-Hwan Kim, Joonbum Lee, Boin Lee, Kichoon Lee
Summary: Sexual dimorphism refers to the phenotypic differences between males and females in the same species. This study focused on the reversed sexual dimorphism observed in quail, where females have larger body size and greater muscle mass than males. The researchers compared the weights and characteristics of different muscles between male and female quail and found that female quail had significantly heavier bodies and larger muscles. Further analysis revealed that the increased muscle size in female quail can be attributed to muscle hypertrophy rather than increased cell number. These findings provide insights into the understanding of sexual dimorphism in quail.
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Mohamed Salah Ayyat, Ahmed Mohamed Nabil Ayyat, Mohamed S. Abdel-Rahman, Adham A. Al-Sagheer
Summary: This study evaluated the impact of replacing fish meal with sugar beet and carrot leaf protein concentrate in Nile tilapia. The results showed that replacing 75% of fish meal with leaf protein concentrate had no adverse effects on growth and health, and it was more efficient in terms of economic benefits.
ANIMAL FEED SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
(2024)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Fan Tan, Li Zhang, Liyang Yin, Liming Wang, Honghui Zhang, Longlong Zheng, Xiaozhen Cui, Xiaoling Lv, Rui Bai, Mingxue Zheng
Summary: In this study, it was found that using a recombinant plasmid as an adjuvant could enhance the anticoccidiosis effect of a chicken coccidia live vaccine. The results showed that the recombinant plasmid adjuvant enhanced the immune response by upregulating the expression of IL-2, IL-4, TNF-alpha, and IFN-gamma, and promoting the proliferation of T, B lymphocytes, and antigen presenting cells (APCs) in chicken intestines and immune organ sites.
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Junqin Zhang, Zimin Xie, Yanlin Pan, Zuoxin Chen, Yunzhen Huang, Linlin Li, Jiawen Dong, Yong Xiang, Qi Zhai, Minhua Sun, Xingying Li, Shujian Huang, Ming Liao
Summary: In recent years, there has been an increase in the occurrence of fowl adenovirus 2 (FAdV-2) in China, posing a significant threat to the poultry industry. This study investigated the epidemiology, phylogenetic relationship, genomic characteristics, and pathogenicity of FAdV-2. The results showed that FAdV-2 was the most commonly detected serotype among various FAdV serotypes. Genetic analysis revealed that these FAdV-2 strains formed a distinct branch within the FAdV-D group and had a high nucleotide similarity with reference strains. Recombination analysis identified recombination events between FAdV-2 and FAdV-11 in some strains. Pathogenicity experiments demonstrated that a recombinant FAdV-2 strain caused a high mortality rate and more severe disease in chickens. These findings contribute to our understanding of FAdV-2 and provide a basis for vaccine development.
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Yong Liu, Mingxin Song, He Bai, Chunhua Wang, Fei Wang, Qi Yuan
Summary: Dietary curcumin supplementation can significantly improve egg quality of quails in the late laying period, primarily by improving lipid metabolism and selectively regulating the intestinal microbial community.
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Jiayu Wu, Yanan Wang, Yu An, Changyu Tian, Lingfeng Wang, Zuhong Liu, Desheng Qi
Summary: This study compared the gene expression differences in liver tissues of laying hens at different ages using RNA sequencing, and found that the transport and metabolism of amino acids changed during the growing period, which influenced the growth and development of the hens.
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
J. Raabe, G. Raveendran, W. Otten, K. Homeyer, T. Bartels
Summary: This study investigated the effects of different flicker frequencies on the behavior, performance, and stress response in male turkeys. The results showed that flicker frequencies of 165 Hz or higher had no detrimental effect on growth performance, injurious pecking, or endocrine stress response in the turkeys.
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Zhepeng Wang, Qiu Chen, Yiwei Wang, Yulu Wang, Ruifang Liu
Summary: The study investigates the functional variants associated with chicken eggshell color in the SLCO1B3 gene by measuring the eggshell color of Lueyang black-boned chickens and analyzing the genetic data. It identifies 15 variants in SLCO1B3 that are significantly associated with eggshell color. However, the functional analysis shows that one specific variant, 1B3_SNP108, does not have a significant effect on promoter activity. This study highlights the importance of SLCO1B3 and its variants in breeding eggshell color.
