Brown Genotypes Research Articles

Factors associated with keel bone damage – a longitudinal study of commercial layer flocks during the laying period

ABSTRACT 1. Keel bone damage, such as deformations and fractures, is a severe problem regarding animal welfare in layers. To identify risk factors under commercial conditions, 33 layer flocks (22 barn, 11 free range) with white (n = 18), brown (n = 11) and mixed (n = 4) genotypes were examined. 2. Keel bone status was frequently scored by palpation throughout the laying period. Data on housing and management conditions were collected. Multiple regression and Generalized Estimating Equations procedure were used for analysis. 3. At 65–74 weeks of age, the prevalence of keel bone damage ranged between 26% and 74%. White genotypes and those kept in multi-tier systems developed significantly (p < 0.05) more keel bone damage than brown genotypes or those kept in single-tier systems. Wing feather condition was associated with keel bone damage (p < 0.05), while other investigated variables regarding health, housing and management were not associated. 4. In conclusion, housing and management should be adapted to meet the birds’ specific needs in multi-tier systems, which may vary for brown and white genotypes. Whether those differences result from genotype associated predispositions or other individual traits remains to be determined.

Chemosensitivity analysis of tiger nuts (Cyperus esculentus L.) using ethyl methanesulfonate (EMS) and colchicine mutagens

Four hundred tubers of four genotypes, two brown and two black tiger nuts were subjected to Ethyl Methanesulfonate (EMS) and Colchicine treatments at concentrations of 0 %, 0.1 %, 0.25 %, 0.5 % and 1.0 % for 24 h. Each genotype had twenty tubers treated with each of the five different concentrations and were planted using Complete Randomized Design (CRD) in a greenhouse. Quantitative data was collected and LD50 and RD50 were analysed using Excell 2016 and Genstat 11.2. A general decreasing trend in percentage germination and plant height was observed with increasing concentrations of mutagens applied. An EMS treatment had LD50 and RD50 values of 0.97 % and 1.49 % for black and 0.63 % and 1.63 % for brown genotypes.Similarly, the percentage colchicine treatment had LD50 and RD50 values of 1.65 % and 19.51 % concentrations for black and 0.91 % and 1.71 % concentrations for brown genotypes.

Influence of Biosteel on the reproductive ability of American Mink, the Standard dark brown genotype with different defensive response to humans

The article presents the results of studies on the effect of different doses of Biosteel, when administered orally, on the reproductive ability of American mink females of the Standard dark brown (+/+) genotype with a positive and negative defensive reaction to humans. The studies were carried out at the Department of Obstetrics, Anatomy and Histology of the Federal State Budgetary Educational Institution of Higher Education of the Novosibirsk State Agrarian University and based on the Mustelidae Genetics Sector of the Center for Collective Use “Gene Pools of Fur and Agricultural Animals” of the Institute of Cytology and Genetics of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences. In the technology of reproduction of animals of the experimental and control groups, the system of conducting the rut, generally accepted on fur farms, was used. Biosteel was applied to females and males of Standard dark brown (+/+) American mink of manual and aggressive types of behaviour at a dose of 0.05 ml/kg and 0.025 ml/kg of body weight before mating for five days and during mating for five days. The effectiveness of using Biosteel to improve the reproductive function of females depended on its dose and the type of animal behaviour. Compared with the minks of the control groups, the females of the experimental groups showed higher rates of reproductive ability. In the group of tame females that received the drug with food at a dose of 0.05 ml/kg of body weight, there were no dead females, the survival of puppies in the first seven days of life increased by 3.8 times, and there was a tendency to reduce stillbirths. Biosteel had a pronounced beneficial effect on the reproduction of females with an aggressive type of behaviour at a dose of 0.025 ml/kg of body weight: the integral reproduction index increased by 1.13 heads. And the number of females that successfully whelped by 17%, the number of females without offspring decreased by 5.9 times, and the mortality of minnows in the first seven days of life declined by 3.9%. The absolute body weight of the offspring of females by the time of jigging increased by 19.2 – 24.5%, and by 6 – 7 months of age – by 4 – 11%.

Cytological structure of a vaginal stroke in American mink during estrus

The article presents the data of domestic and foreign authors on the features of the oestrous process of American minks. The results of studies of the cytological structure of the vaginal smear in American minks during estrus are presented. The study was conducted on clinically healthy American mink females of the Standard dark brown (+/+) genotype in 92 animals before the technological rut (February 20-28). A vaginal smear was taken at different periods of changes in the external genital organs - the genital loop, taking into account the scoring of its development (from 0 to 5 points). Microscopic examination of smears taken during this period showed a predominance of superficial, intermediate, and parabasal cells and a small number of basal and spindle cells. The analysis of the nuclear-cytoplasmic ratio made it possible to indicate the specificity of the morphometric parameters of the cells of the vaginal integumentary epithelium. Surface epitheliocytes and intermediate cells have a sizeable cytoplasmic area and a low nuclear-cytoplasmic ratio of 0.034. Parabasal cells have the minimum size of the nucleus and cytoplasm but a high value of the nuclear-cytoplasmic percentage, seven times higher than that of superficial cells and three times intermediate. Quantitative proportions of epithelial cells of the vaginal smear cytogram from February 20 to 28 correspond to the proestrus-estrus stage. The data obtained indicate significant features of the morphological changes in the integumentary epithelium of the vagina and the difference in the cytological dynamics of the oestrous cycle in American minks from other mammals. The cytogram of the vaginal smear of minks with a 4-5 point assessment of the readiness of females for mating does not contain the predominant number of keratinized epithelial cells, which is characteristic of most mammals during the period of ovulation. An important morphological criterion in the analysis of the vaginal smear cytogram in minks is the value of the ratio of superficial and parabasal cells and scales and parabasal cells.

Nutraceutical profiling of elite onion germplasm and breeding hybrids with improved nutraceutical quality.

Onion (Allium cepa L) is a major reservoir of important nutraceutical ingredients. Herein, nutraceutical profiling of elite germplasm was assessed and hybrids with improved nutraceutical quality were selected. The nutraceutical components were screened through Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis (scan range 4000-400cm-1) followed by spectrophotometric/colorimetric quantification in oven dried bulb samples. Line × Tester (L×T) analysis was used to identify potential hybrids with better nutraceutical quality. Based on common functional groups obtained from FTIR analysis, as well as bulb color, the onion genotypes were categorized into six groups viz., white, yellowish brown, light brown, dark brown, brown and purplish brown. Results indicated that the purplish brown, yellowish brown and dark brown genotypes had maximum concentration of pyruvic acid, total flavonoids and total phenolic content, while vitamin C content showed weak association with color pigmentation. The onion variety ‘Onion Swat’ contained the highest level of pyruvic acid (17.18 μM) and ‘MKS8823GO’ had the highest vitamin C content (13.83mg/100mL). The L×T analysis revealed that out of 35 crosses, ‘MKS-77127 × Onion Swat’ and ‘MKS-77127 × MKS777’ were the best hybrids with improved nutraceutical quality. Further, observations for specific combining ability, general combining ability, genetic versus environmental variance, heritability and heterosis indicated that the studied parameters were genetically inherited and could be improved significantly by adopting an appropriate breeding strategy.

PHENOTYPIC, GENETIC AND ENVIRONMENTAL CORRELATIONS BETWEEN BODY WEIGHT AND LINEAR BODY TRAITS OF CHICKEN GENOTYPES

Data from 123, 49, 116, 137, 42 and 64 chickens belonging to Isa Brown x frizzle feathered (IBxF), Isa Brown x naked neck (IBxNa), Isa Brown x normal feathered (IBxN), frizzle feathered x Isa Brown (FxIB), naked neck x Isa Brown (NaxIB) and normal feathered x Isa Brown (NxIB) genotypes, respectively were used to establish phenotypic (rP), genetic (rG) and environmental (rE) correlations between body weight and linear body traits at 2, 10 and 20 weeks of age. Phenotypic correlations were analyzed by Pearson’s Product Moment method. Genetic and environmental correlations were estimated by covariance analysis. The highest rP estimates were obtained between body weight and shank length (SL) in IBxF (0.84) and NxIB (0.87) at 10 weeks, body width (BW) in IBxNa (0.84) and IBxN (0.72), drumstick length (DL) in FxIB (0.71) and NaxIB (0.88) at 20 weeks. Body weight had highest rG estimates with SL in NxIB (0.99), BW in IBxF (2.40), wing length (WL) in BxNa (0.91) and FxIB (7.39) at 10 weeks, body girth (BG) in IBxN (0.97) and BW of NaxIB (4.73) at 20 weeks. However, SL of IBxNa (-5.15), BG of NaxIB (-0.53), keel length (KL) of NxIB (0.35), WL of IBxF (-0.38) and FxIB (-1.41) at 2 weeks and WL of IBxN (-0.43) at 20 weeks had the least rE with body weight. Indirect selection of body weight using the highest phenotypic, genetic and lowest environmental correlated linear traits will result in rapid genetic improvement in these chickens.

Molt of the American mink, depending on the genotype and nature of the behavior

The object of research was the American mink, a predator, a semi-aquatic representative of the mustelidae family. The study was carried out on an adult population of males and females of the 22nd generation of different behavioral types and genotypes at the Experimental Fur Farm of the Institute of Cytology and Genetics of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences. The total number of studied animals was 547 ones of the Standard dark brown (+/+), Hedlund-white (h/h) and black crystal (CR/ +) genotypes. All animals were kept in the same conditions and received food edlibitum (lat. – full) on a unified ratio once a day in the afternoon. The research results were processed using a standard biometric method. The comparison was carried out according to the Student’s test. The aim of this work was to study the course of molting of the American mink depending on the genotype, behavioral character and gender of animals. At the end of August, a visual assessment of the course of molt along the tail was carried out. Points were assigned individually to each animal (from 0 to 5 points). During the study of the molting process of the American mink, it was found that in male aggressors of the black crystal and headlund genotypes, molting proceeded much more intensively than in animals of the standard genotype (by 1.9 and 1.3 points), and in females of the aggressive type of behavior of the standard genotype it was faster than in females of genotypes headlund and black crystal (by 1.8 and 1.6 points). When comparing gender data in animals of different genotypes and behavioral reactions, the best molt course was found in male aggressors of the Hedlund and Black Crystal genotypes in comparison with females of the same genotypes (by 0.6 and 0.5 points, respectively). Due to domestication and selection, changes occur in the economically useful traits of animals. Research in this area makes it possible to study these processes and apply them in practice. Ignoring the biological characteristics of minks creates a threat to the emergence and development of serious abnormalities in metabolism, which can lead to a decrease in productivity and even death.

Characterization of phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity in sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] grains

Among cereals, sorghum, a gluten-free cereal is a rich source of bioactive polyphenols and dietary antioxidants. Sorghum polyphenolic compounds were characterized and quantified in five sorghum genotypes by high performance liquid chromatography. Grain samples of five sorghum genotypes were grounded and subjected top extraction for profile of polyphenols via High Performance Liquid Chromotography. Results showed that red and brown pericarp genotypes had higher total proanthocyanidin and total phenolic content, therefore, resulting in overall high antioxidant activities. The phenolic acids that showed the higher antioxidant activity in red (SSG 59-3) and brown (G-46) genotypes were caffeic acid, taxifolin and apigeninidin. SSG 59-3 (20.55 ± 0.11a, 45.66 ± 0.23b, 15.34 ± 0.10c) had higher antioxidant activity evaluated by DPPH, ABTS and FRAP assay. The concentrations of the sorghum-specific 3-deoxyanthocyanidins luteolinidin and apigeninidin were higher in red sorghum. Correlation analysis showed that antioxidant activity had a linear relationship with their polyphenols. Thus, our findings indicated that there is cumulative effect of both high antioxidant activity and phenolic compounds which may be exploited for human food to improve the nutritional value and health properties.

The impact of management, husbandry and stockperson decisions on the welfare of laying hens in Australia

The present review examines the impact of management and husbandry decisions on the welfare of laying hens in Australia. The literature on many of these aspects is lacking for the Australian egg industry, and, indeed, for the egg industry in general. Management decisions that can affect hen welfare relate to the initial farm design, husbandry routines, and staff selection and training. As modern laying houses represent a considerable financial investment, the decisions made during the design phase are likely to affect both the hens and stockpeople for substantial periods. Hens in cage systems may benefit from fewer tiers and greater space allowances. In non-cage systems, the brown genotypes used in the Australian egg industry may benefit from lower structures that accommodate their heavier and less agile bodies. Keel fractures can be reduced by improving the skeletal health and spatial cognition of laying hens during the rearing period, in addition to minimising the distances they need to jump when navigating aviary structures. The addition of a wintergarden to fixed free-range systems appears to be beneficial. Housing hens in mobile units on free-range farms may challenge their welfare, particularly in relation to heat stress. There is also room for improvement in biosecurity practices and health monitoring of hens, as these appear to be lacking at some farms. The current strains of hen used in free-range systems may not be best suited to these conditions, on the basis of their body condition and flock uniformity. Feed quality may also need to be monitored for quality assurance and optimal hen nutrition. Hen welfare during depopulation can be improved through staff training and by reducing staff fatigue. Euthanising spent hens on farm offers welfare benefits over transporting spent hens to an abattoir. Both hen welfare and working conditions for stock people should be considered when designing laying houses to provide suitable conditions for both hens and stockpeople. This will help improve the job satisfaction of stockpeople, which may translate into better care for the hens and may aid in retaining quality staff. Stockpeople must be recognised as vital contributors to hen welfare in the egg industry, and it is important for the egg industry to continue to attract, train and retain skilled stockpeople to ensure that they enjoy their job and are motivated to apply best-practice care for their flocks. Promoting the animal-care aspect of stockmanship in combination with a supportive managerial environment with optimal working conditions may increase the attractiveness of the egg industry as a place to work.

Effect of Breed and Diet Type on the Freshness and Quality of the Eggs: A Comparison between Mos (Indigenous Galician Breed) and Isa Brown Hens.

Eggs are a nutritious food, offering a balanced source of essential amino and fatty acids, minerals, and vitamins. Genetic and diet factors can modify hen egg traits. Thus, the effects of breed and feed on egg quality using two laying hens, Mos (autochthonous breed) and Isa Brown (commercial hybrid), and three feeds, commercial fodder (CF), corn/pea/triticale (CPT) and corn/wheat (CW), were investigated. Freshness parameters (egg weight, eggshell weight and thickness, albumen height, Haugh units and yolk color), chemical composition, color and textural parameters, as well as fatty acid profile, were assessed on a total of 288 eggs, from the two breeds. The samples were divided in 96 eggs, corresponding to each of the three dietary treatments. There were significant differences (p < 0.001) in albumen height and Haugh units, obtaining the highest values for Isa Brown genotype; meanwhile, laying hens fed with CF had the highest weight, as well as the greatest eggshell thickness. Cooked yolks of Isa Brown eggs presented the highest values of luminosity, while the yellowness was higher for Mos eggs. Regarding the texture of eggs, genotype was again the parameter having the greatest impact, obtaining higher values in hardness, gumminess and chewiness in those eggs from the Mos breed. Concerning egg chemical composition, it was affected by breed and diet type, but Mos eggs were characterized by a significantly (p < 0.001) higher contents of fat (9.53% vs. 7.58%), protein (12.31% vs. 11.66%) and ash (1.10% vs. 1.04%) than Isa Brown ones. Finally, diet type influenced the fatty acid profile, mainly affecting oleic and linoleic acids, which showed significantly (p < 0.05) highest values (42.90 and 14.66 g/100 g of total fatty acids) in CW and CF diets, respectively. Overall, breed and bird diet factors had a strong effect on egg quality and nutritional profile. Moreover, eggs from Mos hens had more attractive nutritional indices, and they could even be improved more by changing the diet.

Factors related to free-range use in commercial laying hens

Free-range use is expected to contribute to the welfare of laying hens, and more so if a high proportion of the hens in a flock uses the range. In the Netherlands and Switzerland, data were collected about free-range use, genotype, rearing conditions, housing system, management, performance, health, welfare and behaviour in 169 free-range and organic layer flocks by farm visits at an age between 45 and 66 weeks. The aim of this study was to identify which factors are related to free-range use. We analysed the % of hens seen outside when conditions for ranging were optimal (% Hens Out). Based on literature and expert knowledge, 26 potential correlating factors were subjected to preselection. Pearson correlation, independent samples t-tests and one-way ANOVA’s were performed to investigate correlation between the factors and % Hens Out one by one. Twelve factors appeared to be related significantly to % Hens Out and these were entered in a linear regression model: country, production system, genotype, flock size, stocking density, presence of roosters, feather damage, keel bone damage, health at 60 weeks, outside access during rearing, type of ventilation, and amount of daylight in the house. The final model for the total sample explained 47% of the variation in % Hens Out and contained 5 variables. A higher % Hens Out was associated with brown genotype, smaller flock size, roosters in the flock, better feather cover and natural ventilation. Further analyses were done with subsets of the database for either free-range or organic flocks in either the Netherlands or Switzerland. No factors could be found that explained % Hens Out in Dutch free-range flocks. A better feather score and higher amount of daylight explained 44% of the variation in % Hens Out in Dutch organic flocks. Roosters and rearing on the laying farm explained 41% of the variation in % Hens Out in Swiss free-range flocks. Les fearfulness and brown genotypes or more than one genotype per flock explained 33% of the variation in % Hens Out in Swiss organic flocks. The results may contribute to improving range use by laying hens.

Feather-pecking and injurious pecking in organic laying hens in 107 flocks from eight European countries

AbstractFeather-pecking and cannibalism may reduce the potential of organic husbandry to enhance the welfare of laying hens. We report risk factors for these issues based on a large survey of 107 commercial flocks in eight European countries. Information was collected regarding housing, management and flock characteristics (age, genotype). Near the end of lay, 50 hens per flock were assessed for plumage condition and wounds. Potential influencing factors were screened and submitted to a multivariate model. The majority of the flocks (81%) consisted of brown genotypes and were found in six countries. Since white genotypes (19%) were found only in the two Scandinavian countries, a country effect could not be excluded. Therefore, separate models were made for brown and white genotypes. Feather damage in brown hens could be explained by a model containing a lower dietary protein content and no daily access to the free range (30% of the variation explained). For feather damage in white hens, no model could be made. Wounds in brown hens were associated with not having daily access to free range (14% of the variation explained). Wounds in white hens were explained by a model containing not topping-up litter during the laying period (26% of the variation explained). These results suggest that better feeding management, daily access to the free-range area and improved litter management may reduce incidence of plumage damage and associated injurious pecking, hence enhancing the welfare of organic laying hens. Since this was an epidemiological study, further experimental studies are needed to investigate the causal relationships.

Relationship between eggshell thickness and other eggshell measurements in eggs from litter and cages

The objective of the present study was to determine the relationship between eggshell thickness and other eggshell characteristics in eggs produced in litter housing system and enriched cages. Eggs were collected from 200 birds of ISA Brown genotype at 40–42 weeks of age. Half of the birds were housed in enriched cages (750 cm2/hen, 10 hens/cage) and the other half were housed in littered pens (9 hens/m2, 10 hens/pen). Eggs in each housing system were split into three categories varying in shell thickness: the first category (thin shells 0.28–0.30 mm), the second category (medium shells 0.33–0.36 mm) and the third category (thick shells 0.39–0.41 mm). Results indicated that eggshell parameters differ significantly according to eggshell thickness. Significant interaction of shell category and housing system were observed in eggshell strength. As expected, the eggshell strength was increased with eggshells becoming thicker. Moreover, eggs with the thickest shells from enriched cages had significantly stronger shells than those from litter system. Eggshell weight was significantly increased in the thick eggshell category being higher in enriched cages (7.23 g) than in litter system (5.14 g). The Pearson’s correlation coefficients showed a positive correlation between eggshell parameters and eggshell thickness in both housing systems. Moreover, the correlation between eggshell thickness and eggshell strength was higher on litter (0.64, p < 0.001) in comparison with enriched cages (0.48, p < 0.001). Results of the present study indicated that in thin shells, housing system plays an important role in determining the eggshell strength.

Metabolic and clinical response to Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide in layer pullets of different genetic backgrounds supplied with graded dietary L-arginine

L-arginine (Arg) is an essential amino acid in birds that plays a decisive role in avian protein synthesis and immune response. Effects of graded dietary Arg supply on metabolic and clinical response to Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS) were studied over 48 hours after a single intramuscular LPS injection in 18-week-old genetically diverse purebred pullets. LPS induced a genotype-specific fever response within 4 hours post injectionem. Whereas brown genotypes showed an initial hypothermia followed by longer-lasting moderate hyperthermia, white genotypes exhibited a biphasic hyperthermia without initial hypothermia. Furthermore, within 2 hours after LPS injection, sickness behavior characterized by lethargy, anorexia, intensified respiration, and ruffled feathers appeared, persisted for 3 to 5 hours and recovered 12hours post injectionem. The varying grades of Arg did not alter the examined traits named above, whereas insufficient Arg reduced body growth and increased relative weights of liver and pancreas significantly. At 48hours post injectionem, increased relative weights of liver and spleen were also found in LPS treated pullets, whereas LPS decreased those of pancreas, bursa, thymus, and cecal tonsils. Moreover, LPS lowered the sum of plasma amino acids and decreased plasma concentrations of Arg, citrulline, glutamate, methionine, ornithine, phenylalanine, proline, tryptophan, and tyrosine, and increased those of aspartate, glutamine, lysine, 1- and 3-methyl-histidine. Elevating concentrations of dietary Arg led to increasing plasma concentrations of Arg, citrulline, ornithine, and 3-methyl-histidine subsequently. As quantitative expression of LPS-induced anorexia, proteolysis, and the following changes in plasma amino acids, pullets showed a significant decrease of feed and nitrogen intake and catabolic metabolism characterized by negative nitrogen balance and body weight loss in the first 24 hours post injectionem. Pullets recovered from the challenge within the second 24 hours post injectionem and changed to anabolism with re-increased feed and nitrogen intake, positive nitrogen retention, and weight gain. To conclude, present results confirmed that LPS induced numerous metabolic and physiological changes in pullet's genotypes, whereas dietary Arg affected the examined traits only slightly.

Development and evaluation of early maturing white-grained finger millet (Eleusine coracana L.) genotypes for cultivation in sub-mountain Himalayan region of India

White grained finger millet genotypes has become a thrust area in finger millet breeding due to increased demand of non-glutinous food products and lesser acceptability of brown grained finger millet. Sixteen white grain finger millet lines were developed by crossing extra early maturing brown grained finger millet genotypes including adapted varieties with late maturing white grained finger millet genotypes. The quantitative data of 16 lines along with parents were subjected to multivariate analysis. A wide range of variation was observed for all the studied traits. The parental lines of brown and white grained finger millet genotypes exhibited extreme values for grain yield and days to maturity whereas, the developed white grained genotypes showed moderate values. Projections of genotypes in PCA biplot showed close association of newly developed white grain genotypes VL 427, VL 360, VR 485, VR 443, VL 366, VR 425B, VR 425A and VL 356 with VL 201 (brown type) because of earliness and high yield potential. The cluster analysis further indicated that white grained genotypes from second cluster are probable candidates for further testing and release, and further refinement in breeding strategy by hybridizing white genotypes from second cluster with brown genotype in third cluster for incorporating earliness and high yield.

Genetic variation for worm burdens in laying hens naturally infected with gastro-intestinal nematodes

Genetic parameters were determined for the worm burden of the most common gastro-intestinal nematodes in two chicken genotypes after being exposed to free-range farming conditions for a laying period.Seventeen-week-old hens of 2 brown genotypes, Lohmann Brown (LB) plus (n = 230) and LB classic (n = 230), were reared for a laying period and subjected to post-mortem parasitological examinations at 79 weeks (LB plus) or 88 weeks (LB classic) of age.There was no significant difference in faecal egg counts between the genotypes. Almost all hens (>99%) were infected with at least one nematode species. Species-specific nematode prevalence ranged from 85.8% to 99.1% between the two genotypes. Heterakis gallinarum was the most prevalent nematode (98.5%), followed by Ascaridia galli (96.2%) and Capillaria spp. (86.1%). Capillaria spp. were composed of C. obsignata (79%), C. caudinflata (16%) and C. bursata (5%).All phenotypic and genetic correlations among worm counts of different parasite species were positive in combined genotypes (rP ranged from 0.05 to 0.30 and rG ranged from 0.29 to 0.88). A strong genetic correlation (rG = 0.88 ± 0.34) between counts of A. galli and H. gallinarum was quantified. Heritability for total worm burden for LB plus and LB classic, respectively, were 0.55 ± 0.18 and 0.55 ± 0.34. Across both genotypes, the heritability of total worm burden was 0.56 ± 0.16.In conclusion, there is a high variation attributable to genetic background of chickens in their responses to naturally acquired nematode infections. The high positive genetic correlation between counts of closely related worm species (e.g. A. galli and H. gallinarum) may indicate existence of similar genetically determined mechanism(s) in chickens for controlling these nematodes.

Variation in Popping Quality Related to Physical, Biochemical and Nutritional Properties of Finger Millet Genotypes

Finger millet (Eleusine coracana) has an immense potential as a wonder crop in the fast emerging arena of nutraceuticals due to its high nutritional profile. Being gluten free and rich in fibre, finger millet can prove to be a boon for people with Celiac disease and can be utilized as preventive drug entities for osteoporosis due to its exceptionally high calcium content. In the present investigation, six finger millet genotypes differing in grain colour viz. Brown, golden and white were evaluated for their popping quality to select the appropriate genotype for developing ready to eat products and for studying the relationship of their physical, nutritional and biochemical properties with popping quality. Grain hardness, hydration capacity and moisture content showed a significant relationship with the popping quality. Maximum solubility at acidic pH was shown by brown genotypes. Interestingly, grain hardness also showed substantial relationship with protein solubility. Grain hardness and protein solubility might thus serve as markers for better popping quality. Considerable difference in properties was found at genotype level. However, the brown genotypes, particularly PRM-6107 having considerably good biochemical and nutritional properties (moisture 10.65 %, crude protein 9.92 % and crude fibre 3.6 %), greater protein solubility and greater grain hardness seems to have better popping quality.

PRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCE AND MOLECULAR GENETIC CHARACTERIZATION OF BROWN AND WHITE JAPANESE QUAIL GENOTYPES USING RAPD AND ISSRs-PCR MARKERS

The aims of the present study were to characterize the possible genetic and productive traits differences associated with the plumage colour in two genotypes of Japanese quail. Productive performance and DNA markers were used to identify these genotypes. Genotype effect showed that the brown genotype had significantly heavier body weight (BW) at 7, 14 and 21 days of age and longer shank length (SL) at all studied ages, except for 1 and 14 days than the white genotype. Sex effect on BW and SL was significant at all studied ages, except for one day old, females had significantly higher BW and SL than males. The interaction effect between genotype and sex on BW was significant at all studied ages except for one day old. The interaction effect between genotype and sex on SL was significant at all studied ages, except for 1 and 14 days. Brown genotype had significantly heavier BW at first egg than the white genotype. The white genotype had significantly higher shape index than brown genotype. The brown genotype matured at earlier age (P≤0.05) than the white genotype and had shorter days (P≤0.05) to produce the first 30 eggs, and had shorter days (P>0.05) to produce the first 10 eggs than the brown genotype. Brown genotype laid significantly more number of eggs during the first, the second and the first two months than the white genotype and had significant higher egg mass during the different study periods. From the present results, it can be concluded that brown genotype had favored growth traits and most of egg production related traits during annual egg production. The level of polymorphism among two Japanese quail genotypes brown and white, was estimated using two PCR-based marker techniques RAPD and ISSRs. Six RAPD and six ISSRs primers were employed to find out genetic variations and relationships among these genotypes of quail. RAPD and ISSRs analysis generated a total number of 442 and 467 amplicons representing a level of polymorphism of 74.24% and 72.86%, and an average number of polymorphic fragments/ primer of 8.17 and 8.5, respectively. The genetic relationships among the 10 individuals of quail were estimated in terms of similarity using Dice coefficients. The genetic similarity ranged from 0.00-1.00 for RAPD, ISSRs, and RAPD and ISSRs combination. The intergenotype relationships among the two quail genotypes based on RAPD, ISSRs, and RAPD and ISSRs combination revealed the highest genetic similarity between the genotype brown male (5) and brown female (2), white female (7) and brown female (1), and white female (6) and brown female (1), respectively. The intergenotype relationships among the two quail genotypes based on RAPD, ISSRs, and RAPD and ISSRs combination revealed the lowest genetic similarity between the genotype brown female (2) and brown female (1), white female (7) and white female (6), and white female (7) and white female (6), respectively. The RAPD based dendrogram clustered the brown genotype female and male, and white genotype females and males in the same group while, brown female and brown male genotypes were in separate clusters. The ISSRs based dendrogram clustered the white genotypes female and male, and brown genotypes females and males in the same group while, brown female was delimited in separate one cluster. The RAPD and ISSRs combination based dendrogram clustered the brown genotype females in the same group, and female and male white genotypes, and brown male and brown female genotypes in separate clusters. However, the reshuffling in the position of the brown and white genotypes belonging to the individuals in the different dendrograms revealed that they share common genetic background. They might share some genes between brown and white genotypes through mutation in brown color genotype. Moreover, each of the RAPD and ISSRs was successful in identifying genotype-specific markers characterizing 10 individuals of quail. The productive performance and molecular genetic analysis used in the present study successfully distinguished between the two genotypes of quail, brown and white colures, males and females.

Physicochemical properties of expanded extrudates from colored sorghum genotypes

The diversity of sorghum grains is related to their intrinsic properties, which include starch type, non-starch components and phenolic compounds. The latter are genotype dependent and affect the pericarp characteristics such as color and presence of a pigmented testa. This diversity can be valuable for developing new food products by thermoplastic extrusion intended for human consumption. Flours from sorghum grains from the genotypes of varied pericarp color: white (CMSXS180; 9010032), red (BRS 310; BRS 308) and light brown (BRS 305; 9929034) were processed in a co-rotating twin-screw extruder. Changes promoted by extrusion cooking were evaluated via specific mechanical energy (SME), die pressure, apparent density, sectional expansion index (SEI), water absorption index (WAI) and water solubility index (WSI). Pericarp color affected die pressure, apparent density and WSI values of extrudates. Light brown genotypes, rich in tannin and fiber content, generated the lowest die pressure and SEI values. Red genotypes presented the lowest SME and the highest WAI values. White genotypes presented intermediate SME and the highest die pressure values. These results reflect differences in starch conversion induced by the pericarp type. These results further suggest the potential use of pigmented sorghum extrudates for human consumption.

Spatial distribution pattern analysis of Dof1 transcription factor in different tissues of three Eleusine coracana genotypes differing in their grain colour, yield and photosynthetic efficiency

In the present study Dof1 gene of finger millet was cloned and sequenced. In silico analysis reveals 61% identity with the Sorghum bicolor and 57% identity with the Oryza sativa Dof1 sequence. A comparative analysis of gene sequences from different crops and three finger millet genotypes {Brown (PRM-1), Golden (PRM-701) and White (PRM-801)} differing in grain colour, yield and photosynthetic efficiency showed a high degree of sequence identity of Dof1 sequence gene ranging from 22 to 70% as evident from distance matrix of the built phylogenetic tree showing two major clusters. A total of five conserved motifs were observed in Dof1 sequences of different cereals. Motif 1 with multilevel consensus sequence CKNCRRYWTKGGAMRNVPVG contains zinc finger Dof domain. Motif 3 and motif 5 contains protein kinase phosphorylation site. Motif 2 contains Dof domain and zinc finger N-glycosylation site while motif 4 is involved in Zinc finger type profiling. Further, we studied the spatial distribution of Dof1 gene in three vegetative tissues (root, stem and flag leaf) as well as four stages of developing spikes (S1, S2, S3 and S4) of the three finger millet genotypes using qualitative and quantitative PCR based approaches. Physiological parameters (plant height, leaf area, chlorophyll content, SPAD value and photosynthetic efficiency) at the time of flowering was found to be highest in white (PRM-801) genotype followed by golden (PRM-701) and brown (PRM-1) genotype. Semi-quantitative RT-PCR and quantitative real-time PCR analysis revealed that the expression of Dof1 is highest in leaves and lowest in roots, which suggests its role in regulation of photosynthesis-related genes and carbon skeleton synthesis. Also at grain maturity stage, expression of Dof1 was higher in white (PRM-801) genotype followed by golden (PRM-701) and brown (PRM-1) genotype. The result is suggestive of Dof1 role in the accumulation of grain protein and yield attribute through regulation of key enzymes involved in source to sink relationship during grain filling stage.