Abstract
Egg production in battery cage systems in commercial poultry farms promotes uncontrolled growth of poultry ectoparasite Dermanyssus gallinae. Intermittent lighting regimens provided a promising alternative for controlling D. gallinae invasions. The study analysed the influence of D. gallinae invasions on selected blood protein fractions (albumin, α-, β-, γ-globulin), corticosterone levels and egg production in Hy-Line Brown layer hens exposed to two lighting regimens: A (16 L:8D) and B (intermittent (4 L:2D); L-light, D-dark). Blood samples were collected from a total of 48 hens (divided into uninfested - UF, and infested - IF groups for each lighting regimen). The concentrations of protein fractions were analysed by electrophoresis on Cormay Gel Protein 100, and corticosterone levels were determined in a radioimmunoassay. The results of the study revealed concentrations of β-globulin and corticosterone levels were significantly higher in IF than UF groups in both lighting regimens. However, both parameters were higher in hens exposed to lighting regimen B than lightening regimen A. Gamma-globulin concentrations were significantly lower in IF than UF groups in both lighting regimens. Egg production was significantly lower in all groups than commercial standard. D. gallinae and intermittent lightening regimen had interaction effect on the corticosterone level in hens. Strong decreasing (negative) linear relationship between corticosterone levels and egg production (r = −0.911) was reported.
Highlights
Dermanyssus gallinae (De Geer, 1778) (D. gallinae) commonly known as poultry red mite (PRM) is a temporary, haematophagous parasite of birds (Chmielewski 1982; Roy and Chauve 2007)
Corticosterone levels were approximately 1.5-fold higher in the IF group than in the UF group exposed to lighting regimen A, and 2.5-fold higher in the IF group than in the UF group exposed to lighting regimen B and 4-fold higher in IF B than in the IFA group
The study showed an increase in levels of the corticosterone and β-globulin; and decrease in levels of γ- globulin and egg production in hens infested with Dermanyssus gallinae comparing with hens non infested
Summary
Dermanyssus gallinae (De Geer, 1778) (D. gallinae) commonly known as poultry red mite (PRM) is a temporary, haematophagous parasite of birds (Chmielewski 1982; Roy and Chauve 2007). The mite is widely dispersed throughout the world and is a major problem in commercial poultry production, mainly in laying hens flocks. D. gallinae invasions have been reported in different systems of rearing: battery cage, barn, free-range, backyard and organic poultry breeding systems (Sparagano et al 2009). It is estimated that losses caused by the invasion of D. gallinae and eradication costs. Vet Res Commun (2019) 43:31–36 by the poultry red mite show distress, poor feed conversion and decreased egg production and inferior shell quality (Chauve 1998; Pilarczyk et al 2004; Mul et al 2009). The PRM can infect humans and mammals and causes pruritus and skin lesions (Auger et al 1979; Rosen et al 2002; Mignon and Losson 2008; Akdemir et al 2009; Haag-Wackernagel and Bircher 2010)
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