Effect Of Cage Type Research Articles

Effects of cage type and the light-dark cycle on the behavior of hens subjected to forced molting.

In this study, the effects of cage type and the light-dark cycle on the behavior of hens before, during, and after forced molting were determined. For this purpose, 73-week-old hens were placed in the two different cage types used in the experiment. The barley method was used to induce molting at 75 weeks of age. The molting period lasted 35 days in total. The frequencies of walking, feeding, comforting, and preening behaviors were affected by the forced molting period. The addition of enrichment materials to the cage did not cause any changes in hen behavior. The light-dark cycle was important for the frequency of all examined behaviors except fighting behavior. No interaction was found among forced molting period, cage type, and light-dark cycle regarding behaviors. It is thought that there is a decrease in welfare-related behaviors at the end of the laying period and this decrease does not increase with forced molting using barley; on the contrary, appropriate forced molting applied to hens during this period will increase welfare. It was observed that cage type did not cause a significant difference in hen behavior during the forced molting period.

The Effect of Cage Type and Age on the Blood Profile of Broiler Chicken at the University Teaching Farm

This study aimed to investigate the blood profile of broilers at the University Teaching Farm with different type of cages, namely stage, postal, and closed house cages. In this study, 36 blood samples from boilers aged 10 days and 25 days old were collected. Blood samples were collected from the jugular vein using a 3 mL syringe. The blood obtained was homogenized with an anticoagulant solution and analyzed using hematology Analyzer at Research Laboratory. The results showed that the highest number of erythrocytes of 10-day old broilers was found in stage cage, and at the age of 25 days, the highest erythrocytes was found in closed house cage. The highest number of leukocytes of broilers aged 10 days and 25 days were found in postal cage. The highest hemoglobin levels of broilers aged 10 days and 25 days old were detected in postal cage. The highest hematocrit value in 10-day-old broilers was found in closed house cage, while the highest hematocrit value of 25 days old broilers was in postal cage. It can be concluded that different type of cages and age have no impact on blood profile of broilers kept at the University Teaching Farm

The effect of cage type on local and total cervical lordosis restoration and global spine alignment in single-level anterior cervical discectomy and fusion based on EOS® imaging: A comparison between standalone conventional interbody polyether ether ketone cage and integrated cage and plate (Perfect-C®).

There is a small level of evidence regarding the alterations in global spine alignment following the restoration of cervical lordosis using anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF). Different cage types are available to restore cervical lordosis through ACDF. In this study, we evaluate the impact of two types of these cages on local and global spine alignments. Thirty-two patients with a mean age of 46 ± 10 who underwent ACDF for cervical disc herniation were included in this retrospective study. Patients were divided according to their cage type into two groups, 17 patients with standalone conventional polyether ether ketone cages and 15 patients with integrated cage and plate (ICP) (Perfect-C®). Cervical alignment and global spine alignment were evaluated on the pre- and post-operative EOS® images. Three months after the ACDF, total cervical lordosis correction was higher in patients with ICP (P = 0.001), while the local cervical lordosis correction was not significantly different between conventional cages and prefect-C cages (P = 0.067). Lumbar lordosis and pelvic tilt change were significantly higher among patients with Perfect-c cages (P = 0.043). In patients undergoing ACDF, alignment of the global spine changes along with the restoration of the cervical spine. Cage type affects this association, mainly through the compensatory alteration of pelvic tilt.

Effects of cage type on performance, welfare, and microbiological properties of laying hens during the molting period and the second production cycle.

As most of the unenriched cages will soon switch to enriched cages, it is important to characterize all the effects in the laying hens for sustainable production. Laying hens can be used in several production periods by applying molting. The aim of this study was to determine the cage type (unenriched and enriched) on performance, welfare, and microbiological properties of laying hens during the molting period and the second production cycle. Overall, 840 brown laying hybrids were used in the experiment. Laying hens were reared on two different cage types (unenriched cage (UEC) and enriched cage (EC)) in the same poultry house. When the hybrids were 75weeks old, they were subjected to force molting with whole grain barley. Performance, welfare, microbiological, and serological data of laying hens were obtained from 73 to 107weeks of age. Egg production, egg weight, feed conversion ratio, breaking strength, albumen and yolk index, Haugh unit, feather condition, and breaking force of femur and metatarsus were better in the post-molting period. However, keel bone deformities and Newcastle disease virus antibody titers are the worst in the post-molting period. Stiffness of femur and metatarsus was increased with period. These results indicate that necessary precautions should be taken against the problems that may occur in the direction of bone and health. During the molting period, hens kept in EC had lower egg production but they returned to egg production at a high rate. EC type had a positive effect on egg production, feed conversion ratio, feather and foot condition, and breaking force of metatarsus.

Effect of Cage Type on Short-Term Radiographic Outcomes in Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion

The effect of expandable versus static cage type on radiographic outcomes in transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) has not been well studied in the literature. We studied the effect of 3 cage types on change in foraminal height (FH), disk height (DH), subsidence, and segmental lordosis (SL). We conducted a retrospective review of patients who underwent TLIF in a single institution from 2014 to 2019. The following 3 cage types were identified: banana cage, bullet, and expandable cage. Computed tomography (CT) scans of the lumbar spine or lumbar radiographs (when CT scan was not available) with 6-week follow-up time were used for radiographic assessment. One hundred patients with 133 fused segments were identified. The average age was 60.9 years, and 40% were men. A banana cage was used in 19 segments (14.3%), a bullet cage was used in 47 (35.4%), and an expandable cage was used in 67 segments (50.4%). There were no significant differences in FH (average increase, 0.7 mm; P= 0.771), subsidence (average, 2.3 mm; P= 0.554), DH (average decrease, 1.0 mm; P= 0.769), or clinically significant subsidence (>4 mm; P= 0.174). Expandable cages demonstrated a positive 1.2° gain in SL, whereas both other cages demonstrated a decrease in SL on average (P= 0.05). This result held up on multivariate analysis (P= 0.031). The average increase in the foraminal height in TLIF is small (0.7 mm) and is not different between the cage types; therefore, direct decompression is crucially important in this procedure. Although TLIF is often considered to be a kyphotic procedure, an expandable cage demonstrated superiority in terms of segmental lordosis improvement.

Effect of Cage Type on Immediate Postoperative Radiographic Outcomes in Single-Level Minimally Invasive Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion (MI-TLIF)

Abstract INTRODUCTION The type of cage used in minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (MI-TLIF) can impact several goals of the procedure, including optimizing disc and foraminal height, interbody fusion, and sagittal balance. METHODS Segmental lordosis (SL), lumbar lordosis (LL), posterior disc height (PDH) were compared using upright lateral radiographs obtained pre- and postoperatively. Impact of demographic (age, sex, and BMI), preoperative radiographic (SL, LL, and PDH) and operative factors (cage-type, cage-width, and cage-position) on radiographic outcomes were assessed. RESULTS Of the 154 patients included, 55 received a static oblique, 63 a static articulating, and 36 an expandable articulating cage. There was no significant difference in SL pre- (P = .389) or postoperatively (P = .613). A difference was seen in change in SL (P = .023), with the expandable articulating cage showing the greatest increase, and an improvement from pre- to postoperatively (P = .033). A significant difference was seen in change in LL (P = .050), with the static oblique and expandable articulating groups maintaining LL (P = .238 and P = .873), but the static articulating group showing decrease in LL (P < .0001). There was a significant difference in PDH pre- and postoperatively (P < .0001 and P = .045). All three cages increased in PDH (P < .0001), with the expandable articulating cage showing the greatest increase (P = .009). Regressions showed that preoperative SL was the only significant predictor of postoperative SL (P < .0001; R2 = 0.418) and change in SL (P < .0001; R2 = 0.247); preoperative LL of postoperative LL (P < .0001; R2 = 0.609) and change in LL (P < .0001; R2 = 0.227); and preoperative PDH of postoperative PDH (P < .0001; R2 = 0.360) and change in PDH (P < .0001; R2 = 0.299). Cage-type, cage-position, and cage-width were not significant predictors of radiographic parameters. CONCLUSION Preoperative radiographic parameters were predictors of postoperative parameters. While the static cages maintained SL, the expandable cage increased SL. The expandable cage had the lowest preoperative PDH, likely reflective of the expandable technology allowing for cage-insertion even in collapsed disc spaces. The expandable articulating cage demonstrated benefit in increasing SL, maintaining LL and causing the greatest increase in PDH.

Effect of Cage Type on Fecal Corticosterone Concentration in Buck Rabbits During the Reproductive Cycle

Fecal corticosterone concentration (FCC) was measured in 14 buck rabbits individually housed in standard-dimension cages (SC) or in bigger cages (BC; with a volume more than double that of SC and equipped with a plastic foot mat) during 4 consecutive reproductive cycles. Cage type and reproductive phase (estrous synchronization of doe rabbits, artificial insemination, partum, preweaning, and postweaning) were not statistically significant but tendentially affected FCCs (.05 < p < .10). Buck rabbits housed in SC showed higher FCCs than those housed in BC (27.42 pg g− 1 dried feces and 25.57 pg g− 1, respectively; SEM = 2.952). The highest FCC values were detected at artificial insemination (BC, 27.91 pg g− 1; SC, 30.45 pg g− 1; SEM = 3.520), highlighting that the phase of semen collection could be one of the most critical moments for buck rabbits, although further investigations are needed. These preliminary results suggest that measurement of FCC could be used as an indicator of chronic stress in buck rabbits.

Effect of cage type on the behaviour patterns of rabbit does at different physiological stages

Interest in commercially farmed rabbit welfare has increased in recent years. As a result, new alternative housing systems have been developed, although they require evaluation in order to demonstrate their potential for improving welfare. The aim of this trial was to study the behavioural traits of rabbit does housed in 2 different types of cage (TC): conventional vs. alternative with an elevated platform, at different physiological stages (PS); lactation and gestation. Behavioural observations were carried out on 12 rabbit commercial does using continuous 24 h video recording. Independently of PS and TC, rabbit does spent most of their time on foot mats (on av. 57.7%). However, due to the use of platforms (on av. 23.0% of time), lactating does spent 36.6% less time on foot mats (P<0.001) and gestating does spent 27.0% less time on wire mesh (P<0.001) in alternative cages than in conventional cages. Alternative cages allowed for standing posture, but this behaviour was only observed in gestating does (on av. 4.6 times a day). Frequency of drinking was higher in conventional than in alternative cages (24.6 vs. 19.1 times a day; P<0.05). Gestating does housed in conventional cages reached the highest duration and frequency of interacting with neighbours (276 s/d and 4.6 times/d; P<0.05). The frequency of interacting with kits was lower in alternative than in conventional cages (2.4 vs. 8.6 times a day; P<0.01). Doe behaviour was influenced by the time of day, with less activity during the midday hours. During dark hours, rabbit does more frequently performed restless behaviour such as hyperactivity or nursing, matching the time at which rabbit does spent more time on the platform. The platform was frequently used by rabbit does, regardless of their physiological stage, and during late lactation phase, when mothers were not receptive to nursing, does housed in alternative cages used the platform as a mean to flee from kits trying to suckle. Use of the platform might lead to hygienic problems due to retained faeces on the platform and faeces and urine falling onto animals located in the lower part of the cage. The absence of stereotypies in rabbit does of this trial, suggested that animal welfare was not compromised by the type of housing (conventional or alternative cages).

Effects of cage type and adsorption face on the cage–methane adsorption interaction: Implications for hydrate nucleation studies

The adsorption interaction between a water cage and a methane molecule, shown by the cage–methane PMF (potential of mean force), is key to understanding hydrate formation mechanisms. We investigate how the cage type and adsorption face affect the PMF. The PMF is found to depend on the face size rather than the cage type, and the adsorption interaction becomes stronger as the face size increases. However, once the face becomes 7-membered, it no longer adsorbs methane but allows methane crossing it to enter the cage. The results suggest that a preferential direction may exist during hydrate nucleation and growth.

Effects of stocking density, cage and floor type on the meat quality of growing rabbits

The experiment was carried out with Pannon White growing rabbits, which were divided into four experimental groups: 1. rabbits were reared in pens, on wire net floor, at 16 rabbits/m² stocking density; 2. rabbits were reared in pens, on wire net floor, at 12 rabbits/m² stocking density; 3. rabbits were reared in pens, on straw litter, at 12 rabbits/m² stocking density; 4. rabbits were reared in conventional cages (2 rabbits/cage, 16 rabbits/m²). The experiment took place between 5 and 11 weeks of age. At the end of the trial animals were slaughtered, and the following meat quality parameters were measured: pH 24 hours after slaughter in the m. Longissimus dorsi and in the thigh muscle, dry matter content in the m. Longissimus dorsi and in the thigh muscle, meat color (L, a*, b*) in the m. Longissimus dorsi, drip, cooking and thawing loss in the m. Longissimus dorsi and the shear force also in the m. Longissimus dorsi. The effects of cage type, floor type and stocking density on the meat quality parameters were evaluated by means of multi-factor analysis of variance. For testing the significance of differences between the meat quality of rabbits reared in pens or in conventional cages (control) the Dunnett-test was used. Based on the results it was established, that the pH was not affected by the cage type, floor type and stocking density. The dry matter content of the thigh muscle was significantly higher in the conventional cages, on the wire net floor and at 12 rabbits/m² stocking density. The drip and thawing loss of the m. Longissimus dorsi was the highest in rabbits reared on the straw litter floor. The cooking loss was affected significantly only by the type of cage. The shear force was significantly affected by the cage type and stocking density. Based on our results it could be concluded that compared to the conventional cages rearing rabbits in pens on wire net or straw bedded floor had no substantial effect on the rabbits’ meat quality.

Effect of cage type on effective generation interval in continuous populations of Drosophila melanogaster

Developmental time of Drosophila melanogaster was estimated for population cages with stable age distributions in a replicated experiment using 12-bottle cages. This estimate was used to fix the lower limit for ‘effective generation interval’ and was combined with other estimates for 8- and 12-bottle cages to estimate parameters in a negative exponential model relating effective generation interval to number of food bottles. The results indicate that for practical purposes the ‘effective generation interval’ becomes a constant for population cages with 4 or more bottles, assuming a uniform cycle of media replacement and a controlled environment of 23 C, and 70% R.H. This interval was estimated to be 22.5±4.9 days with 95% confidence.