Male Fowl Research Articles

Effects of extenders and cryoprotectants on cryopreservation of Thai red junglefowl (Gallus gallus gallus) spermatozoa

Semen cryopreservation is crucial maintain genetic diversity of avian species. Little is known about suitable extenders for post-thaw survival of spermatozoa from Thai red junglefowl (Gallus gallus gallus). Therefore, the present study aimed to compare the suitability of the modified Thai red junglefowl extender (TRJFE) for cryopreservation of Thai red junglefowl spermatozoa with other extenders, including the Schramm extender, the red junglefowl extender (RFE), and the HS1 extender, in terms of sperm viability, motility, and fertility. First, the effects of adding 6% and 9% (v/v) N,N-dimethylacetamide, N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF), or N-methyl acetamide to these extenders on the post-thaw sperm quality of pooled ejaculates from 25 male fowls. The viability of thawed sperm was assessed by using nigrosin–eosin staining and sperm motility was determined by using computer-assisted sperm analysis. Fertility was assessed by inseminating 144 laying hens. The TRJFE +6% DMF combination significantly improved post-thaw viability (64.88 ± 0.51%) and motility (68.58 ± 1.13%) of Thai red junglefowl sperm, and the semen had the highest fertility (60.97 ± 0.72%). The findings suggest that TRJFE +6% DMF is a suitable freezing medium to conserve Thai red jungle fowl genetic resources.

The Effect of Heavy Metal Pollution on Some Haematological Parameters in Domestic Birds: A Study in Camp2 Village, Akamkpa Local Government Area of Cross River State, Nigeria

This study was conducted to evaluate the concentrations of heavy metals in the blood of birds reared for food in Camp2 Community of Akamkpa, Cross River State, Nigeria. Twelve (12) male indigenous jungle fowls (Gallus domestica), six each from the control site (Ugep) and from Camp2 were sampled for the studies. Venous blood samples from the wings of the blood were collected and used for hematological and metal analysis. After digestion of the blood, heavy metals [cadmium (Cd), Lead (Pb), Mercury (Hg), Chromium (Cr), Arsenic (As), and Nickel (Ni)] were detected using atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS). The results indicated that Cd, Pb, As and Hg) levels in birds from camp2 village was significantly higher (p<0.05; p = 0.0070) than those of the Ugep control site. The average value of nickel in the blood of Camp2 birds (4.72+1.32mg/L) was significantly higher (p>0.05; p= 0.003) than that of the Ugep control site (4.22+1.07mg/L). The result shows that nickel, lead and Cadmium in blood samples were significantly (p<0.05; p = 0.023) higher in Camp2 compared to the control site. Hence, these values were above WHO standard (0.1mg/l) and FAO/WHO standards of (0.2mg/kg) while others were within joint FAO/WHO standard limit. The studies show that domestic birds can bioaccumulate heavy metals in their blood, which in turn, presents serious health risks to humans who consume these birds within the communities.

Effects of social experience, aggressiveness and comb size on contest success in male domestic fowl.

The ability to dominate conspecifics and thereby gain access to resources depends on a number of traits and skills. Experience of dominance relationships during development is a potential source of learning such skills. We here study the importance of social experience, aggressiveness and morphological traits for competitiveness in social interactions (contest success) in male domestic fowl (Gallus gallus domesticus). We let males grow up either as a single (dominant) male or as an intermediately ranked male in a group of males, and measured their success in duels against different opponents. We found that single-raised males had lower contest success than group-raised males, and that aggression and comb size correlated positively with contest success. This indicates that experience of dominance interactions with other males increases future success in duels. We similarly studied the consequences of growing up as a dominant or subordinate in a pair of males, finding no statistically significant effect of the dominance position on contest success. Finally, we found that males were consistent over time in contest success. We conclude that social experience increases contest success in male domestic fowl, but that certain behavioural and morphological characteristics have an equal or even stronger covariation with contest success.

Comparative morphological studies of the pelvic limb bones in ostrich (Struthio camelus), emu (Dromaius novaehollandiae), domestic fowl (Gallus gallus domesticus) and duck (Anas platyrhynchos domesticus)

Morphological and morphometrical study of pelvic limb bones from adult birds viz., ostrich (n=4), emu (n=6), domestic fowl (n=8) and duck (n=8) were carried out. Pubic symphysis was a distinctive feature of os coxae in ostrich. Medial surface of ilium was united to lumbosacral mass in ostrich and emu, whereas, only medial border made fusion in domestic fowl and duck. Post acetabular ilium was an elongated triangle in ostrich and emu, whereas, quadrilateral plate in domestic fowl and duck. Iliac fossae for kidneys were lacking in ostrich and emu. Ischium was a long rod in ostrich and emu. Ilio-ischiatic notch was present in ostrich and emu, while, ilio-ischiatic foramen was found in domestic fowl and duck. Caudal extremity of pubis was free in all the species studied excluding ostrich. Ostrich and emu exhibited a distinct pneumatic foramen on femur which was lacking in domestic fowl and duck. Length ratio of femur to tibiotarsus was 1:1.75, 1:1.88, 1:1.38 and 1:1.69 in ostrich, emu, domestic fowl and duck correspondingly. Lateral cnemial crest was a large tuberosity in ostrich; whereas, in other species it was a thick curved spine. Hypotarsus was in the form of spine in ostrich and emu. Bony spur of tarsometatarsus observed in male domestic fowl was lacking in the other species. Distal extremity showed two trochleae in ostrich, whereas, three trochleae, in the other species. Ostrich is the only didactyl bird with two digits. Emu possessed three digits, while, domestic fowl and duck possessed four. Our present study revealed pneumatic femur, longer tibiotarsus and tarsometatarsus and less number of digits in ostrich and emu. Reduction in number of phalanges also led to reduce the number of muscles and tendons associated to digits. The above mentioned features may aid ostrich and emu for high-speed locomotion.

58 Histomorphological Study of Epididymis, ductus deferens and phallus in Adult Male Guinea Fowl (Numida meleagris)

This study was conducted to investigate the anatomical, histological characteristic features of epididymis, ductus deferens and phallus of male guinea fowl (Numidia meleagris ). Fifteen healthy male guinea fowl aged between 18-24 months, weighing 1280 - 1405 gram were used in current study which brought from local market in Baghdad governorate. The epididymis of guinea fowl consisted from rete testis, efferent ductless, connecting duct and epididymal duct. The study revealed that the mean diameter of epididymal ducts was 285.17± 2.43µm lined with pseudostratified columnar epithelium. The epididymal duct continuous with ductus deferens which become wider caudally towards the cloaca, the length of right and left ductus deferens were 9.16±1.20 cm and 9.80±1.24cm respectively. The copulatory organ (phallus) of guinea fowl was not well developed and non-intermittent type consist from right and left lateral lymphoid bodies with median eminences, the transverse width 5.01±0.24mm, the cranio-caudal width 3.51±0.07mm and dorso- ventral width 4.32±0.25mm. The lining epithelium of coprodeum was pseudo stratified columnar epithelium. This study concluded that the epididymis of male guinea fowl located on dorsomedial surface of the testes and without definite parts as in domestic animals, the ductus deferens of guinea fowl was tortuous, the phallus of guinea fowl is non - intermittent type.

Surface morphology of epididymis of Guniea fowl (Numida meleagris)

The study was about surface morphology of epididymis in 28 weeks old male guinea fowl. The tissue samples were fixed in Karnovsky's fluid and then processed as per the standard procedure for ultrastructural studies. Under scanning electron microscopy, the study revealed that, the epididymis was highly coiled, ductular organ, which covered by thick capsule and contained extratesticular part of rete testis, irregular shaped efferent ductules, connecting ductules and ductus epididymis. These ductules were lined by pseudostratified epithelium with or without cilia on the luminal surface. The inner luminal surface of efferent ductules was thrown into mucosal folds. The connecting ductules and ductus epididymis were almost similar, which lumens were fully packed with spermatozoa.

PEMANFAATAN TANAMAN GULMA KAYAMBANG (Salvinia Molesta) SEBAGAI BAHAN PAKAN AYAM BURAS MELALUI ENERGI METABOLISMENYA

Kayambang is water seed from Indonesia which can be used for animal feed. In village it is usually used for duck and village fowl (kampong chicken). Kayambang grows very much on water surface and have hight nutrition include energy and protein. Animal feed are used for growth requirement and to support sintetics reactionsform its body. Energy from the feed is not used for animal infull. In each ingredient at least has 4 kind of energy : Gross Energy, Digestible energy, Metobalic energy and netto energy. Metabolic energy is impotant to measure form each ingredient because it is used for all requirement such as maintanance, growth, feedlot and layer. This research has goal for knowing about metabolic energy which can be used for animal especially for village fowl.The methodology was done by 14 male village fowl (11 chicken for metabolic energy, 3 chicken for endogenous nitrogen). Individual was caged to collect feces. Kayambang was used as meal and given to the chicken. The results showed that Kayambang has energy contains potentially for village fowl. Total metabolic energy is 2857,56 and apparent metabolic energy is 2433,66 Kkal/kg.Key words : kayambang, village fowl, animal feed, nutrition.

Effect of Age and Sex on Haematological Profile of Kadaknath Fowl Reared Under Intensive System

The study was designed to investigate the haematological parameters at different age groups of male and female Kadaknath fowl, maintained in the poultry unit of College of Veterinary Science & Animal Husbandry, Anjora, Durg Chhattisgarh, reared under intensive farming system using standard feeding and management practices. For this study the blood samples were taken from 15 male and 15 female birds at 8, 12, 24, 40 and 48 weeks of age. The values for packed cell volume (PCV), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), total erythrocyte count (TEC), total leucocytes count (TLC), Haemoglobin (Hb), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH), mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC) and differential leukocyte count (DLC) were assessed. Effect of age in PCV, TEC, TLC, Lymphocyte, Heterophil, Monocyte, Eosinophil, Hb, MCV, MCH and MCHC were significant (p0.05) age difference was observed in basophil. In general in all the haematological parameters there is an increasing trend with advancement of age. Effect of sex was found significant for eosinophil, lymphocyte, Hb, MCHC, PCV and heterophil. In general, these values are higher in males than in females.

Personality remains: no effect of 3-week social status experience on personality in male fowl

Behavioral responses of male fowl did not depend on social rank after 3 weeks in stable groups, but were consistent over time for an individual. Theory suggests that stable social states, for examp ...

Individual aggression, but not winner–loser effects, predicts social rank in male domestic fowl

Many factors can affect the probability for an individual to obtain a high social rank, including size, weaponry, and behavioral attributes such as aggression. Recent experiences of winning or losi ...

Semen Characteristics and Spermatozoa Biometry of Different Varieties of Guinea Fowls

A total of twelve male guinea fowls, from each of pearl, white, white breasted and lavender varieties aged eight months were selected based on their phenotypic characters, and trained for semen collection by abdominal massage technique. The semen was analyzed for colour, volume, spermatozoa motility (%), spermatozoa concentration, live and abnormal spermatozoa(%).

Analysis of long term outcome and identification of the predictors of recurrence in patients with resectable pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors

It is most probable that during natural copulation the semen of the fowl is ejaculated into a shallow position in the vagina of the hen, but during the commercial application of artificial insemination it is generally considered necessary to evert the distal vagina and deposit semen to a depth of at least 5 cm to produce optimal fertilisation of the succession of eggs laid daily by a female for a week post-insemination. Aspects of the artificial insemination technique in relation to the types of semen that are obtained from the male fowl artificially are re-appraised in relation to their effect on fertility. It was confirmed that a smaller number of spermatozoa (50 × 106) than is normally used in commercial practice (>80 × 106) produced good fertility, even when inseminated within 0.5 cm of the vaginal opening in the cloaca. The results were achieved whether or not glucose was present in the inseminate. When semen was deposited in the cloaca, a better fertilisation rate was obtained if ductus-deferens semen was diluted with transparent fluid, which is produced by tumescent tissue in the cloaca during semen collection. However, the same advantageous effect was shown by dilution with synthetic aqueous fluids with and without glucose. The likely role of transparent fluid during natural copulation is discussed. On the basis of the number of spermatozoa found to maintain good fertility by artificial insemination, only 10 μl semen would be required to be ejaculated into each hen during copulation. This may account for the well-known ability of the male fowl to copulate frequently in a day, because the small volume of semen would be replenished, naturally, very quickly in the ductus deferens.

Individual recognition based on communication behaviour of male fowl

Correctly directing social behaviour towards a specific individual requires an ability to discriminate between conspecifics. The mechanisms of individual recognition include phenotype matching and familiarity-based recognition. Communication-based recognition is a subset of familiarity-based recognition wherein the classification is based on behavioural or distinctive signalling properties. Male fowl (Gallus gallus) produce a visual display (tidbitting) upon finding food in the presence of a female. Females typically approach displaying males. However, males may tidbit without food. We used the distinctiveness of the visual display and the unreliability of some males to test for communication-based recognition in female fowl. We manipulated the prior experience of the hens with the males to create two classes of males: S+ wherein the tidbitting signal was paired with a food reward to the female, and S − wherein the tidbitting signal occurred without food reward. We then conducted a sequential discrimination test with hens using a live video feed of a familiar male. The results of the discrimination tests revealed that hens discriminated between categories of males based on their signalling behaviour. These results suggest that fowl possess a communication-based recognition system. This is the first demonstration of live-to-video transfer of recognition in any species of bird.

Effect of Semen Diluents, Dilution Rates, and Storage Periods on Spermatozoa Motility of Different Varieties of Guinea Fowl

Twelve number of healthy male guinea fowls from each variety of pearl, white, white breasted and lavender were selected based on the phenotypic characters and trained for semen collection by abdominal massage technique. Pooled semen from each variety, were diluted with the lakes semen extender, Modified Beltsville poultry semen extender, and Beltsville poultry semen extender each in the ratio of 1:3, 1:4 and 1:5. The spermatozoa motility was assessed at 0,1,2,4 and 6 hours of storage. Maximum percent motility of 83.33, 86.67 and 79.19 were observed in the semen of pearl, white breasted and lavender varieties of guinea fowl diluted Beltsville poultry semen extender in the ration 1:4 at maximum storage period. Maximum spermatozoa motility in white guinea fowl variety was observed with the semen diluted with BPSE at the ratio of 1:3 (81.67). The current study will be of immense useful for the selection of semen diluents for better fertility through artificial insemination in guinea fowls.

Assessment of certain indices of lipid peroxidation in blood of guinea fowl (Numida meleagris L.)

An assessment of the level of primary products of lipid peroxidation, diene conjugates, in blood plasma and one of the secondary products, malonodialdehyde, in guinea fowl erythrocytes revealed their significantly higher level in male guinea fowl compared to other investigated guinea groups.

Personality predicts social dominance in male domestic fowl.

Individuals in social species commonly form dominance relationships, where dominant individuals enjoy greater access to resources compared to subordinates. A range of factors such as sex, age, body size and prior experiences has to varying degrees been observed to affect the social status an individual obtains. Recent work on animal personality (i.e. consistent variation in behavioural responses of individuals) demonstrates that personality can co-vary with social status, suggesting that also behavioural variation can play an important role in establishment of status. We investigated whether personality could predict the outcome of duels between pairs of morphologically matched male domestic fowl (Gallus gallus domesticus), a species where individuals readily form social hierarchies. We found that males that more quickly explored a novel arena, or remained vigilant for a longer period following the playback of a warning call were more likely to obtain a dominant position. These traits were uncorrelated to each other and were also uncorrelated to aggression during the initial part of the dominance-determining duel. Our results indicate that several behavioural traits independently play a role in the establishment of social status, which in turn can have implications for the reproductive success of different personality types.

Social status and personality: stability in social state can promote consistency of behavioural responses

Stability of ‘state’ has been suggested as an underlying factor explaining behavioural stability and animal personality (i.e. variation among, and consistency within individuals in behavioural responses), but the possibility that stable social relationships represent such states remains unexplored. Here, we investigated the influence of social status on the expression and consistency of behaviours by experimentally changing social status between repeated personality assays. We used male domestic fowl (Gallus gallus domesticus), a social species that forms relatively stable dominance hierarchies, and showed that behavioural responses were strongly affected by social status, but also by individual characteristics. The level of vigilance, activity and exploration changed with social status, whereas boldness appeared as a stable individual property, independent of status. Furthermore, variation in vocalization predicted future social status, indicating that individual behaviours can both be a predictor and a consequence of social status, depending on the aspect in focus. Our results illustrate that social states contribute to both variation and stability in behavioural responses, and should therefore be taken into account when investigating and interpreting variation in personality.

The effect of season, sex, and portion on the carcass characteristics, pH, color, and proximate composition of Egyptian Goose (Alopochen aegyptiacus) meat

The carcass yield, physical characteristics, and proximate composition of Egyptian geese (Alopochen aegyptiacus), a southern African gamebird species, have been studied. A total of 69 geese were harvested during 2 seasons: summer (n = 36) and winter (n = 33). This total group of geese consisted of 27 female birds and 42 male birds. Sex alone affected (P ≤ 0.05) the live and carcass weights, and the average muscle weight (g) of each portion was higher for the male fowl. The data does not indicate differences between the meat's physical characteristics on account of sex; however, the meat from the female birds did have a higher intramuscular fat content. Season (winter vs. summer) did not influence the average muscle weights (g) of the breast, thigh, and drumstick portions, but the intramuscular fat content content of the birds hunted in winter was higher. Muscle color and pH differed as a result of season with the summer meat having a higher pH and more vivid red color compared with winter. The physical characteristics and the proximate composition of the breast, thigh, and drumstick portions varied considerably. This is essentially connected to a difference in physical activity of the muscles in the portions. Overall, this study revealed that to ensure a consistent eating quality the harvesting periods of Egyptian geese should be considered.

Fowl communicate the size, speed and proximity of avian stimuli through graded structure in referential alarm calls

Many animals produce alarm calls that warn conspecifics about predators. In some species, alarm calls communicate continuous traits associated with a predator encounter, such as its level of threat. In other species, alarm calls communicate categorical traits, such as predator class (e.g. avian versus terrestrial), and are consequently considered functionally referential. In theory, functionally referential alarm calls can simultaneously communicate continuously distributed traits, though examples of such calls are rare. Such dual-function calls could be adaptive because they would enable receivers to tailor their responses to a specific predator class, as well as to more subtle characteristics of individual attacks. Here, we tested whether male fowl (Gallus gallus) communicate continuous variation in avian stimuli through graded structure in their functionally referential aerial alarm calls. In the first experiment, we held male fowl in an indoor test cage and allowed them to view wild birds flying past a window. We recorded their alarm calls and compared the structure to the size, speed, and proximity of the eliciting stimuli. Stimuli that appeared closer, larger, and faster elicited alarm calls that were shorter, louder, clearer, and lower in frequency. In the second experiment, we broadcast alarm calls to foraging females and compared their responses to the graded structural changes documented earlier. Females exhibited greater initial responses and finished feeding later in response to louder alarm calls. Together, these results show that fowl communicate the size, speed and proximity of avian stimuli through graded variation in their functionally referential aerial alarm calls.

Tactical multimodal signalling in birds: facultative variation in signal modality reveals sensitivity to social costs

The presence of eavesdroppers within a communication network can increase the costs associated with signalling. Hence, selection should favour the ability to vary signal structure with social context. One possible mechanism is the flexible combination of the components that form a multimodal signal. This phenomenon clearly occurs in social mammals, particularly primates, and has been identified as one of the foundation elements for the evolution of complex communication. However, this flexibility in signal component composition in relation to social context has not previously been demonstrated in other taxa. Here we show that subordinate male fowl, Gallus gallus, show facultative variation in the structure of their multimodal signals. Intriguingly, signallers were not sensitive to the behaviour of the intended receivers (hens) but rather to the attentional state of eavesdropping rival males. Subordinates switched from multimodal displays (movements and calls) to unimodal (silent) displays when the alpha male was attentive. Unimodal and multimodal displays had equivalent efficacy in attracting hens, but multimodal signals were associated with more rapid approach by the alpha male and increased probability of severe attack. Variation in signal type is hence driven by social costs. This is the first demonstration of facultative multimodal signalling in birds.