Day-old Males Research Articles

LPS-induced NLRP3 gene expression in chicken.

Background:NOD-, LRR-, and pyrin domain-containing protein 3 (NLRP3) is a cytosolic sensor that detects many microbial pathogen-associated molecular patterns and damage-associated molecular patterns. It works as a pro-inflammatory cytokine that is encoded in the NLRP3 gene. This protein is profoundly expressed in macrophage and other innate immune system cells, and participates in the assembly of NLRP3 inflammasome. NLRP3 inflammasome activates caspase-1, which in turn renders the inactive precursors of the pro-inflammatory cytokines, the interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and the IL-18, into active forms. This cytokine may trigger many inflammatory responses and cell signaling pathways as well. Little is known about this cytokine in chickens, especially its role in vaccines or induced immune responses.Aim:In this article, we sought to determine the presence of this gene mRNA in selected organs of male and female commercial, brown leghorn egg-type chickens. In addition, we sought to determine this gene’s potential expression in these organs upon stimulation.Methods:Using real-time polymerase chain reaction, first we tested the presence of the NLRP3 gene in the chickens. Second, the levels and the time course of NLRP3 gene expression have been tested after stimulation with bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) for 12, 24, and 48 hours postinoculation (pi). One-hundred twenty, day-old males and females egg-type brown leghorn chickens were used for the study.Results:Our results showed that the gene mRNA is actually present in chickens solely. Also, there were no significant differences in the density of the expression and the distribution of the expression of the NLRP3 between male and female chickens and among different organs. Upon stimulation with LPS administration, however, there were marked elevations in the gene expression rates in small intestine, large intestine, gizzard, liver, lung, spleen, and Peyer’s patches 12 hours pi. This elevation continued to elevate 24 hours pi. However, the significance of the expression was only recorded in the small intestine, large intestine, and with less significance, in Peyer’s patches and spleen. This elevation in expression subsided and almost returned to normal within these organs 48 hours pi.Conclusion:The results suggest that there were no significant differences in the NLRP3 gene expression between male and female. Upon stimulation, the course of the gene expression showed a time-dependent response. First, the dominance in the NLRP3 gene mRNA expression was in the small intestine and gizzard. Similarly, but less profoundly, the large intestine, Peyer’s patches, and spleen expressed NLRP3 mRNA 12 and 24 hours pi with LPS. Secondary immune organs, lungs, small intestine, and large intestine expressed the NLRP3 mRNA significantly 24 hours pi. All the levels had diminished and almost returned to normal 48 hours pi.

Sodium bisulfate feed additive aids broilers in growth and intestinal health during a coccidiosis challenge

Sodium bisulfate (SB) was evaluated on its ability to improve broiler growth and intestinal structure with(out) a coccidia challenge. One thousand two hundred Cobb500 day-old males were randomly assigned within 4 experimental groups with a 2 × 2 factorial design, with (out) SB in the diet and with(out) a day 0 coccidia challenge using a 10× dose of a commercial vaccine. At day 7, oocysts per gram of feces were determined. At day 0, 14, 28, and 41, BW and feed consumption were measured. At day 21, 20 birds per treatment were subjectively scored for coccidia lesions, and jejunal histologic samples were collected for villi measurements. Twenty additional birds were given fluorescein isothiocyanate-dextran to determine gut permeability. At day 41, 10 birds per treatment had histologic samples collected. Statistical analysis was conducted in JMP Pro 14 using GLM procedure to compare disease state and diet. Means were separated using Dunnett's test (P ≤ 0.05) with the nonchallenged standard diet treatment that is considered the control. All parameters measured indicated an effect due to the coccidia inoculation. Therefore, effects of diet on (non)challenged treatments were determined using a Student t test (P ≤ 0.05). Limited differences due to diet were seen for the nonchallenged production data. Sodium bisulfate had a thinner villi base width (P = 0.04) on day 21 and greater villi height (P = 0.03), smaller base width (P = 0.04), thicker muscularis (P = 0.03), and lower crypt: height ratio (P = 0.01) on day 41. Challenged SB had similar gut permeability to the nonchallenged control (P = 0.94) on day 21. There was no difference in flock uniformity, feed intake, oocysts per gram of feces, or lesion scores between challenged treatments. Challenged SB had greater BW on day 14 (P < 0.0001), 28 (P < 0.0001), and 41 (P = 0.02). Feed conversion ratio from day 0 to 14 was also lower (P = 0.0002). Challenged SB had smaller crypts (P = 0.02) and therefore a smaller crypt: height ratio (P = 0.03) on day 21. Challenged control had a larger apical width (P = 0.03) and thicker muscularis (P = 0.04) on day 41. Overall, the addition of SB during coccidial enteropathy aided in BW, feed conversion ratio, and villi health with no observed effects on parasite cycling.

Storage of male Glossina palpalis gambiensis pupae at low temperature: effect on emergence, mating and survival.

BackgroundProcurement of sterile tsetse flies (Glossina palpalis gambiensis) from Burkina Faso for an eradication programme in Senegal that incorporates the sterile insect technique (SIT) required the development of transport and handling protocols that would allow retaining the female flies in the rearing facility and transport of the male flies as irradiated pupae. The proposed handling scheme included the chilling of the male pupae after the female emergence and transport to Senegal under low temperatures. The effect of exposing male pupae of G. p. gambiensis to low temperature immediately prior to emergence was investigated.MethodsThe parameters of interest were emergence rate, insemination potential, survival of adult male, male ability to participate in mating activities and productivity of females mated with these males. Production was assessed in laboratory rearing cages and mating behaviour in field cages. Male flies that emerged after the female emergence flush from pupae stored at 10°C or 12.5°C for 5 or 7 days were used in the investigations with flies that emerged under standard colony conditions as control. Males that were 3, 6 or 9 days old competed for mating opportunities with 3 day old females.ResultsThe emergence of males after storage of pupae at low temperature (10°C and 12.5°C) for 3, 5, or 7 days was similar to those kept under standard colony conditions while emergence of flies stored at 15°C started before the storage period was over. Survival of males that emerged from pupae stored at low temperature for varying periods was more than 60% at 30 days post emergence (control more than 75%). The fecundity of females inseminated by males that emerged from pupae stored at low temperature for varying periods ranged from 0.33±0.16 to 0.73±0.04 pupae per female per 10 days (control 0.60±0.16). The older males, irrespective of treatment, out-competed the younger males and 3 day- old males transferred lower amounts of seminal contents to the females.ConclusionsStorage of male pupae at low temperature for periods up to 7 days at the end of the male pupal period could not be directly associated with impairment of mating activity.

Study of some Impact Of Enterococcus faecium As Probiotic On Chick 1- Body Weight And Pathological Changes In Air Sacs And Intestine

To investigate the impact of Enteococcus faecium as probiotic in layer chicks,this bacteria was given in feed at a dose rate of 1.5 gm per kg feed, each kg offeed contained 5×1011 cfu along the period of the study (57 days). 150 one dayold males were divided into five groups, 30 males each. The 1st group was giventhe probiotic only in the feed, the 2nd group was given the probiotic and exposedto high temperature and bad ventilation as a stress, and the third group wasgiven the probiotic with chlortetracycline in feed while the fourth group wasgiven the probiotic and then infected with E. coli on 21 day of age and the fifthgroup was given feed with out probiotic as the control group. The resultsshowed that there was increase in body weight especially in the last weeks of theexperiment. Turbidity of the air sacs was mild in the four group compared withcontrol. Intestinal villi became elongated due to using of probiotic and there wasless sloughing compared with control, and those groups showed resistancetoward E. coli infection.

The influence of age on reproductive performance of the predatory ladybird beetle, Propylea dissecta

The influence of age on reproductive performance of an aphidophagous ladybird beetle, Propylea dissecta was examined using male and female beetles of varying ages (1–30 days) after a single mating stimulus. All the intermediate (10 to 20 days old) and old (30 days old) age females mated with all intermediate and old age males, while only a fraction (0.29%) of younger females, 1 to 5 days old, mated with males of similar or older age. The willingness to mate was male age dependent. It increased sigmoidally with increase in adult age. Adult males were more willing to mate with females irrespective of age. Mating duration was longest amongst older adults (30 day-old males and 20 day-old females). Male age did not contribute to shaping the fecundity of the female ladybird. Fecundity was female age dependent and it increased with age up to 20 days and thereafter decreased. 20 day-old females were most fecund producing 867 eggs after a single mating. Progeny production was male age dependent and eggs sired by 20–30 day-old males had significantly higher viability than those sired by younger males. Prolonged mating increased fecundity and egg viability. The results reveal that males of intermediate age were better mates. This information may improve our understanding of the effect of aging on reproduction in ladybirds and may help mass-multiplication of the ladybird beetles using adults of optimal age.

The influence of age on reproductive performance of the predatory ladybird beetle, Propylea dissecta.

The influence of age on reproductive performance of an aphidophagous ladybird beetle, Propylea dissecta was examined using male and female beetles of varying ages (1-30 days) after a single mating stimulus. All the intermediate (10 to 20 days old) and old (30 days old) age females mated with all intermediate and old age males, while only a fraction (0.29%) of younger females, 1 to 5 days old, mated with males of similar or older age. The willingness to mate was male age dependent. It increased sigmoidally with increase in adult age. Adult males were more willing to mate with females irrespective of age. Mating duration was longest amongst older adults (30 day-old males and 20 day-old females). Male age did not contribute to shaping the fecundity of the female ladybird. Fecundity was female age dependent and it increased with age up to 20 days and thereafter decreased. 20 day-old females were most fecund producing 867 eggs after a single mating. Progeny production was male age dependent and eggs sired by 20-30 day-old males had significantly higher viability than those sired by younger males. Prolonged mating increased fecundity and egg viability. The results reveal that males of intermediate age were better mates. This information may improve our understanding of the effect of aging on reproduction in ladybirds and may help mass-multiplication of the ladybird beetles using adults of optimal age.

Avaliação da Polpa de Citros Peletizada como Material para Cama de Frangos de Corte

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a utilização da polpa de citros peletizada (PCP) como cama de frango, bem como analisar a composição bromatológica desse material. O experimento foi constituído de 1.792 pintos de um dia-machos e dividido em duas fases: 1 a 21 e 35 a 49 dias. Foi utilizado o delineamento em blocos ao acaso, com quatro repetições, em esquema fatorial 2x2x2, sendo os fatores tipo de cama: PCP e maravalha x altura de cama: 7 e 10 cm x densidade: 10 e 14aves/m². Foram avaliados os parâmetros: gsnho de peso(GP), consumo de ração (CR), conversão alimentar (CA),viabilidade (V), incidência de lesões no coxim plantar e de calo de peito, matéria seca (MS) e pH da cama aos 21 e 49 dias. Para verificar as possíveis alterações bromatológicas na cama foram feitas análises de Weende e Van Soest, bem como de energia bruta. Independentemente da altura da cama, as aves criadas em PCP numa densidade de 14 aves/m² apresentaram piores resultados de GP e CR no período de 35 a 49 dias. Em geral, os resultados de GP e CR foram mais influenciados pelas densidades do que pelos materiais utilizados. Não houve diferença significativa entre os tratamentos para ambas as lesões. De uma maneira geral, a MS da cama de PCP foi maior enquanto o pH foi menor quando comparados com a maravalha. Nas análises bromatológicas, observou-se um efeito significativo dos tratamentos para todas as variáveis, com exceção da MM, a qual não apresentou diferença entre as médias (p&gt;0,05). Melhores valores de PB, FDN e FDA foram obtidos com a cama de PCP.

Sex differences in age development of a mouse inbred strain: body composition, adipocyte size and organ weights of liver, heart and muscles

The mouse inbred strain HLG has only recently been submitted for international registration. It has been widely used in radiological studies. Since these mice tend to become obese, they may be of interest for studies concerning fat metabolism. Therefore, the present ageing study examines the sex-specific development of body weight, body composition, adipocyte size as well as the organ weight of liver, heart and thigh muscles of the inbred strain HLG (54 males/53 virgin females) between day 40 and 360 of life. The body weight development showed a distinct sexual dimorphism, quickly increasing in the case of males but comparatively protracted in females until maturity. Significantly higher values for body and fat-free dry weight as well as body water were found in males of all ages. Body fat and adipocyte diameter were only higher in the 80 and 120 day-old males. Thus, the increase in female body weight resulted largely through a rise in body fat as additionally evidenced by the sex-specific correlation of characteristics. A 2-fold analysis of variance showed sex differences in the relative weights of liver and muscle, but not of the heart. A sex-specific close correlation was observed between body and liver weights in males until day 180. Correlations between body fat and other characteristics were only rarely found. Differences in coefficients of variation largely depended on the characteristics. A higher variability was also found for some characteristics in the youngest groups (40 days). A sex-specific difference was only seen in the case of body fat content for 60 day-old mice (female > male).

Diazapam: Endocrine effects and hypothalamic binding sites in the developing male and female rat

The ontogeny of diazepam's endocrine effects in male and female rats, and of 3H-diazepam binding in the hypothalami of both sexes was studied. Diazepam inhibited basal prolactin levels in 38 day-old male rats and, if prolactin levels were stimulated by Haloperidol the inhibition occurred in 28 day-old males, indicating that the hypoprolactinemic effect of the drug could be evidenced earlier if prolactin titers were high. The prolactin inhibition in females did not reach statistical significance at any studied age. Diazepam significantly released LH only in male rats at 12 days, showing thus, a period of special sensitivity of LH release to the drug. Benzodiazepine-hypothalamic binding sites increased in number from birth to puberty, reaching a plateau at 20 days of age. No sexual differences or changes in affinity were found throughout the studied period. These results suggest that the maturtion of diazepam's hypoprolactinemic effect could be partially related to the increase in hypothalamic binding sites, whereas the sexual differences observed in diazepam's endocrine actions could be due to sexual differentiation of endocrine control mechanisms.

Mating behaviour in relation to sexual maturation of male Glossina morsitans centralis (Machado 1970) (Diptera: Glossinidae)

The mating behaviour, with emphasis on the sexual maturation, of male tsetse, Glossina morsitans centralis (Machado, 1970) reared at the Uganda Trypanosomiasis Research Organization (UTRO) was investigated. Mating behaviour of 2–15 day-old males and 3-day-old females was observed. Three mating phases were recognized as courtship, mounting and genital interlocking (coupling), and jerking in most male flies tested. The efficiency in coupling increased with age. Most males mounted the female mates after one attempt. The mating period in most males tested was between 1 and 3 hr, while the jerking period was on average 2.5 min. Most of the matings resulting in insemination lasted longer than 1 hr in all the age groups tested. The ability to inseminate and the degree of insemination produced by the older male flies were better than those by the younger ones. These results are discussed in relation to laboratory rearing of Glossina .

An Improved Method of Sexing Ring-Necked Pheasant Chicks

An Improved Method of Sexing Ring-Necked Pheasant Chicks

Reproduction inhibition in house flies with triphenyl tin acetate and tripheny tin chloride alone and in combination with other compounds.

Inhibition of reproduction in Musca domestica L. with triphenyl tin acetate and triphenyl tin chloride alone and in combination with other chemosterilants is reported. Both test compounds produced excessive mortality when offered in the diet at rates above 0.25 mg per gram diet. Male flies were less affected than females at tolerable dosage rates. Longevity of females treated for 24 hours was normal, life of males was shortened slightly. When offered in the diet to ovipositing females both test compounds reduced the number of eggs produced and percent hatch. Only a few viable eggs were deposited after the 1st day of treatment. Both compounds compared favorably with tepa in reducing hatch when offered to mated sexually mature females. Combinations of either compound with apholate or tepa when offered in the diet to day-old males did not reduce male competitiveness for virgin females. Tepa and triphenyl tin chloride offered free choice with non treated diet to a large cage population of reproducing flies completely inhibited reproduction. The population was completely eliminated in 35 days.

Cytogenetic investigations on radiation and chemically induced dominant lethal mutations in oocytes and sperm of the screw-worm fly

Adult females containing oocytes in early prophase or early anaphase of the first meiotic division, and day-old males containing mature sperm were exposed to γ-radiation or the alkylating agent, 2,4,6-tris (1-aziridinyl)-s.-triazine (= tretamine). The doses used induced nearly 100% dominant lethals in the reproductive cells. Treated insects were crossed with untreated ones. Eggs were collected and fixed after different periods of development at room temperature. Stained whole-mounts of the embryos were studied to determine: (1) The kind of chromosome aberrations associated with dominant lethal mutations, (2) the stage of development at which the chromosome aberrations appeared, (3) the stage at which development ceased in embryos containing dominant lethal mutations of either maternal or paternal origin, (4) whether damage induced by tretamine was cytologically similar to that induced by ionizing radiations. Dominant lethal mutations are characterized by the presence of chromosome bridges and fragments between dividing nuclei in the embryo, but the stage of development at which these first appear differs with the type of mutagen used. The damage produced by irradiation of meiotic oocytes is evident during the first and second meiotic divisions (which are completed after oviposition) and continues into the early cleavage divisions, at which time development ceases. After treatment of meiotic oocytes with tretamine, the majority of the subsequent meiotic divisions appear normal and the detection of most of the chromosomal damage is first possible in cleavage divisions, or after the treated nucleus undergoes one replication of chromatin material. Treatment of mature sperm with either γ-rays or tretamine does not prevent syngamy. Chromosome aberrations become evident at the first cleavage division. It is obvious that chromosome-breakage phenomena formed the basis of dominant lethality in these cells. Each of these treatments stops embryonic development generally after only a few cleavage divisions. Various types of abnormalities were observed in the embryos. The relevance of these observations to the mode of action of the mutagens, the chromosomal basis of dominant lethality, and the differential sensitivity of the three types of germ cells to these mutagens are discussed.