Breast Weight Research Articles

Dietary inclusion of marama bean (Tylosema esculentum) in broiler chicken diets compromises feed utilization, growth performance, and carcass traits

Orphan legumes that are native to semi-arid areas of southern Africa, such as marama (Tylosema esculentum) bean, hold promise as sustainable nutrient sources in conventional broiler diets. Yet, their nutritive value remains largely unexplored, and the presence of antinutrients could potentially compromise their nutritional quality. Therefore, this study evaluated the effect of full-fat marama bean meal (MBM) on growth performance and physiological and meat quality parameters of growing broiler chickens. Fourteen-day-old male Ross 308 broilers (n = 385; 359.7 ± 25.48 g live-weight) were randomly assigned to five experimental diets formulated by including MBM in a standard broiler grower diet at 0 (MBM0), 16.25 (MBM16), 32.49 (MBM32), 48.74 (MBM49), and 64.98 g/kg (MBM65). Each diet was randomly allocated to 7 replicate pens (experimental units). Diets had no effect on feed intake, but body weight gain and final body weight showed negative linear responses, while feed conversion ratio showed linear and positive quadratic responses (P < 0.05) to increasing MBM levels. There were negative quadratic effects (P < 0.05) for eosinophils, lymphocytes, and alanine transaminase, whereas linear and quadratic responses (P < 0.05) were recorded for alkaline phosphatase. Hemoglobin, neutrophils, monocytes, and albumin:globulin ratio linearly decreased (P < 0.05), whereas red blood cells, symmetric dimethylarginine, cholesterol, and lipase increased linearly with MBM levels. Linear increases (P < 0.05) were recorded for shear force and proventriculus, gizzard, pancreas, duodenum, jejunum, and ileum sizes. In contrast, linear decreases were observed for carcass weights, breast weight, and breast meat pH. In conclusion, higher levels of MBM resulted in poor growth performance, low carcass weights, and heavier visceral organs, possibly due to anti-nutritional compounds in MBM.

Productive performance, pH, bone and intestinal morphometry and their relationships in broilers fed with protected and unprotected acidifiers and antibiotics

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of supplementation with protected (POA) and non-protected organic acids (UOA) on growth performance, pH of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT), bone and intestinal morphometry in diets with antibiotics and their relationships. The study included 200 1-day-old Cobb 500 male broilers. The birds were randomly distributed in 5 treatments with 4 repetitions and 10 birds per replicate. The diets were: T1: control diet; T2: T1 + zinc bacitracin (50 ppm); T3: T2 + unprotected acidifier (500 g/t); T4: T2 + protected acidifier (500 g/t); T5: T2 + protected acidifier (1000 g/t). On day 42 two birds were slaughtered per unit. The data were analysed under a completely randomized design, the comparison of means with the Tukey test and the Pearson correlation test to establish relationships between variables. The results indicated that both POA and UOA did not influence the productive response. The pH of the cecum was higher in T4 over T2. In bone morphometry, T5 presented a better internal diameter than T2 and bone width than T2 and T3. Intestinal morphometry was significant in the jejunum in the crypt height/depth ratio favourable to T3, T4 and T5 over T2 (p&lt;0.05). Negative relationships were found between crop pH and live weight, breast weight, tibia width and crypt height/depth ratio (-0.37, -0.34, -0.36, -0.36 respectively; p&lt;0.05), as well as between the pH of the cecum and the area of the villi of the ileum (-0.41) and the pH of the gizzard and the height of the villi of the ileum (-0.34). It is concluded that no influence was evident in the addition of POA and UOA on the productive parameters, pH of the GIT, bone and intestinal morphometry in broiler chickens fed with antibiotics. Furthermore, moderate negative relationships were found in the pH of the anterior and posterior GIT with production parameters and intestinal morphometry, respectively.

Polymorphisms and expressions of ADSL, MC4R and CAPN1 genes and their effects on economic traits in Egyptian chicken breeds

In recent years, strategic plans for poultry production have emphasized quantitative traits, particularly body weight and carcass traits (meat yield), in response to overpopulation challenges. Candidate genes such as adenylosuccinate lyase (ADSL), melanocortin-4-receptor (MC4R), and calpain 1 (CAPN1) have played vital roles in this context due to their associations with muscle growth and body composition. This study aims to investigate the influence of polymorphisms and gene expressions of the aforementioned genes on body weight (BW), growth rate (GR), breast weight (BrW), and thigh weight (TW) across four distinct chicken breeds: Fayoumi, Matrouh, Mamourah, and Leghorn. The use of PCR-SSCP analysis revealed genetic polymorphisms through the identification of various patterns (genotypes) within the three examined genes. The ADSL, MC4R, and CAPN1 genes exhibited five, three, and two different genotypes, respectively. These polymorphisms displayed promising connections with enhancing economically significant production traits, particularly BW, BrW and TW. Furthermore, gene expression analyses were conducted on breast and thigh tissues obtained from the chicken breeds at 60 days of age, where ADSL and MC4R exhibited a noteworthy up-regulation in Fayoumi and Matrouh breeds, and down-regulation in Mamourah and Leghorn. In contrast, CAPN1 expression decreased across most breeds with a slight increase noted in Fayoumi breed. In conclusion, this investigation underscores the substantial impact of ADSL, MC4R, and CAPN1 genes on economically important production traits within Egyptian domestic chicken breeds. Consequently, these genes emerge as significant molecular markers, holding potential utility in avian selection and breeding programs aimed at enhancing productive performance.

Effects of genetic selection for fast growth on the development of wooden breast myopathy in broilers

ABSTRACT 1. This study investigated the physiological and molecular mechanisms leading to wooden breast (WB) by comparing growth parameters, oxygen consumption rate, thyroid hormone and gene expression patterns in fast- versus slow-growing broiler lines (Cobb500 and L1986, respectively). 2. WB was observed in Cobb500 broilers only and was first diagnosed on d 21 post-hatch. Compared to the slow-growing L1986, Cobb500 showed a significantly higher growth rate, relative breast weight, breast thickness, meat pH and water-retention capacity (drip loss). Correspondingly, there was significantly lower relative heart weight, relative right ventricular weight, triiodothyronine and thyroxine concentrations and oxygen consumption rate. 3. Compared to No-WB Cobb500, the WB-affected samples exhibited higher relative breast weight, breast thickness and drip loss and lower plasma total thyroxine (T4) concentrations. 4. Selection for fast growth was associated with differential expression of genes involved in hypoxia (PLOD2), energy metabolism (FABP3, FABP4, CD36, and LPL), endoplasmic reticulum stress, muscle regeneration (CSRP3) and fibre-type switching (ANKRD1). WB-affected samples exhibited an upregulation of CSRP3, PLOD2 and ANKRD1, while CD36 was downregulated. Taken together, selection for fast growth and muscle gain is not matched by adequate cardiac and metabolic support systems.

Dried Date (Phoenix dactylifera L.) Meal Inclusion in the Diets of Broilers Affects Growth Performance, Carcass Traits, Nutrients Digestibility, Fecal Microbiota and Economics

The availability of suitable feedstuffs for poultry nutrition is a significant challenge faced by the global poultry production industry. This issue has been exacerbated by the shift towards using grains for biofuel production, leading to a subsequent rise in feedstuff prices. The study aimed to assess the impact of different levels of dried date wastes in the diet of broiler chicks on their growth, carcass characteristics, nutrient digestibility, fecal microbiota and economics. A total of 240 day-old broiler chicks (Ross 308/Ross 308 FF) were divided into five experimental groups and fed 0, 3, 6, 9 and 12% of dietary date meal (DDM). The formulated diets were provided to chicks for a duration of 35 days. The findings of the study indicated that chicks fed with a diet containing 9% dried dates exhibited a significantly (p &lt; 0.05) higher increase in body weight compared to the control group by the end of the study period. Additionally, dressing percentage, carcass weight, leg weight and breast weight were notably higher (p &lt; 0.05) among birds that consumed the 9% dried dates diet. Moreover, the digestibility of dry matter, crude protein and ether extract showed a significant (p &lt; 0.05) increase in birds that were fed a 9% dried dates diet. Furthermore, DDM at 9% experienced significantly (p &lt; 0.05) higher levels of Lactobacillus and decreased (p &lt; 0.05) the level of E. coli count. Similarly, economically, birds supplemented with 9% DDM exhibited significantly (p &lt; 0.05) higher profit compared to the control. In conclusion, the results of this study suggest that broiler chicks fed with a diet including 9% dried date waste experienced improved growth performance, enhanced carcass quality, supported digestibility of nutrients, elevated the count of fecal Lactobacillus, reduced E. coli count and economics.

Combined superior and inferior dermoglandular flaps for projection enhancement in giantic breast amputation and free nipple areola graft

Giantomastia has been a pathological condition in which excised breast tissue weighs more than1.5 kg per breast or when breast weight surpasses three percent of body weight. epidermis &amp; Cooper's ligaments, which support breast tissue, expand as a result of breasts becoming heavier &amp; larger, which causes breast ptosis. Numerous methods for correcting gigantomastia have been discovered. amputation for decreased studied cases who complain of gigantomastia &amp; severe ptosis (space among nipple &amp; inframammary fold exceeds twenty-five cm) are only eligible for mammaplasty with free nipple-areola grafting. purpose of that surgery is to achieve breast shape size that is acceptable while also relieving pain &amp; suffering brought on by excessive breast tissue hypertrophy. flat, boxy breasts with poor projection is the main drawback of that treatment. Several flaps, including superior, inferior, medial, superomedial,&amp; lateral-based flaps combined with wise-pattern skin excision, are employed to address this drawback.

The Effect Of Giving Amino Acid Solutions Based On Maggot Bsf (Hermetia Illucians) With Different Concentrations Into The Feed On The Percentage Of Breast And Back Of Kub Chickens

JIRFAN DAWANTO (4517035005). The Effect of Giving Amino Acid Solutions Based on BSF Maggots (Hermetia Illucians) with Different Concentrations into the Feed on the Percentage of Breast and Back of KUB Chickens. (Under the guidance of Asmawati Mudarsep as the main guide and Muhammad Idrus as the aggota guide).&#x0D; KUB chickens are widely kept by farmers because they have fast growth. The current constraint on native chicken farming is the high price of feed raw materials. Therefore, Maggot from the Black Soldier Fly fly (Hermetia Illucens) is one of the best alternatives as a mixture of chicken feed because it has a nutrient composition that is almost the same as fish meal. Based on this, this study aims to determine the Effect of Giving Amino Acid Solutions Based on BSF Maggot (Hermetia Illucians) with Different Concentrations into Feed on the Percentage of Breast and Back of KUB Chickens.&#x0D; This study used the DOC of 96 KUB chickens and was kept for 60 days with a cage map of 16 plots and each plot consisted of 6 KUB chickens. Feed used at the age of 1-30 days is given BP-11 granules, then at the age of 31-60 days using mixed feed by adding a fermented Maggot-based amino acid solution arranged according to treatment.&#x0D; The treatment used is the administration of BSF maggot-based amino acid solutions , namely: P0, P1 (15 ml), P2 (30 ml), P3 (45 ml)&#x0D; The results of the analysis of various doses of Maggot amino acid solution as an additive to mixed feed showed results that had no real effect (P&gt;0.05) on the percentage of breast and back of KUB chickens. However, the administration of Maggot amino acid solution as an additive to mixed feed did not reduce the weight of KUB chicken breasts and buttocks and showed good performance

Influence of modified feed troughs on performance and feed cost of finisher broilers

An experiment was conducted to study the influence of modified feed troughs on the performance and cost of production of finisher broilers. A total of ninety (90) 4 weeks old birds were used for the experiment. They were divided into three treatments of thirty (30) birds each and replicated three times with ten (10) birds each, using a completely Randomized Design (CRD). The treatment groups were assigned with different feed troughs such that treatment 1 had the Conventional Feed Trough (CFT), treatment 2 had Beveled Edge Feed trough (BEF) and treatment 3 had the Partitioned Feed Trough (PFT). The birds were fed isonitrogenous and isocaloric commercial diet. Feed and water were provided ad libitum. Data were collected on initial body weight, final body weight, body weight gain, feed intake, feed conversion ratio. Carcass characteristics and economics of production were further used to calculate the performance of finisher broilers under the three treatments. The data obtained were subjected to analysis variance and significant means were separated using Duncan multiple range test. Birds fed with the (BEF) showed highest significant (p&lt;0.05) final body weight of 2853.33 g, total body weight gain of 1814.4 g per bird, total feed intake of 3122.96 g and best feed conversion ratio of 1.75 compared with birds under CFT and PFT. The results obtained for carcass analysis indicated that birds under BEF and PFT had significantly (p&lt;0.05) higher weights of breast, wing, back, shank, heart and gizzard than CFT. The BEF gave the lowest unit cost of production of the finisher broiler (N1185.60) against the N1329.84 and N1324.47 for CFT and PFT respectively. The BEF is therefore adjudged best and recommended in controlling feed wastage and improving the performance of finisher broilers.

Peformance of Broiler Chickens Fed Differntly Processed Red Kidney Beans Seed Meal (Phaseoulus Vulgaris) as Poultry Feed Resource

An 8 weeks feeding trial was conducted to evaluate the nutritive contribution of red kidney bean (phaseoulus vulgaris) seed meal on growth performance, carcass and internal organ characteristics and economics of production of broiler chickens. Two hundred (Anak-2000) white strain day old broiler chicks were weight and assigned to five groups of forty chicks each. Each group was further divided into four groups of ten birds per replicate in completely randomized design. Five diets were formulated using differently processed Red kidney bean seed meal (Phaseoulus vulgaris) at 0% in the control (T1) and 25% levels of inclusion for Raw (RRKBSM), Toasted (TRKBSM), boiled (BRKBSM) and Dehaulled (DRKBSM) respectively. Feed and water were given ad-libtum daily throughout the feeding trial. The growth performance showed significant (P&lt;0.05) difference for all the parameters. However, there were significance (P&lt;0.05) for live weight, dressed weight, plucked weight, breast weight, back, thigh, drumstick, shank, kidney and lungs. Similarly cost/kg feed was higher in T4 (N 449.91) and lowest in T2 (N 424.20). Feed cost/kg weight gain was higher in T5 (N 440.93/kg) gain and lowest feed cost/kg gain was on T4 (N 308.14/kg) gain. From the foregoing, it implies that RKBSM is a potential feed resource and could be included in diets of broiler chickens when differently processed up to 25% inclusion level as protein source in broiler chicken diet for growth and performance.

Estimation of Carcass Yield from Morphometric Traits of ROSS 308 Strain of Broiler Chicken Raised in Humid Zone of Nigeria

Carcass yield is an important trait in broiler production which determines the profitability of the enterprise. This research was done to establish the correlation between morphometric traits and carcass yield as well as estimate carcass yield from morphometric traits of ROSS 308 broiler chicken. A total of 50 mixed - sex 8 weeks broiler was used for this study. Morphometric traits studied were wing length (WL), keel length (KL), thigh length (TL), body girth (BG), and body height (BH) whereas carcass yield traits were dress weight, thigh weight, and breast weight being customers most preferred parts. Data collected were subjected to correlation and regression analysis to establish the relationship between morphometric traits and carcass yield as well as the estimation of carcass yield. Results of the relationship between morphometric traits and carcass yield indicated that all the morphometric traits were significantly (p&lt;0.05) and positively correlated with all the carcass yield measured, with the highest correlation being between wing length and breast weight (r= 0.932) while the lowest was the correlation between dressed weight and keel length (r= 0.201) while the simple linear regression indicated that carcass traits could be predicted accurately with all the morphometric traits. However, multiple regression analysis indicated a higher accuracy (using R2 value) when more than one variable was included in the equation. It was concluded that the high and positive correlation between the studied morphometric traits and carcass yield in the ROSS 308 strain of broiler indicates that these morphometric traits are good indicators of carcass traits. It was also revealed that the inclusion of more than one variable gave a better prediction of the carcass traits.

Effect of Dietary Supplementation of L-Valine on Growth, Immunocompetence Traits, Carcass Quality and Meat Composition of Turkey Poults

Background: Valine is an important amino acid and its deficiency may result in reduced growth and immunity. However, studies in turkeys are limited. Hence a study was conducted to assess the effect of supplemental L-valine (L-val) on growth performance, immunocompetence traits, carcass quality and meat composition of turkey poults. Methods: Day old turkey poults (n= 96) were distributed into four dietary treatment groups:T1-basal diet, T2-T1+0.04% L-val, T3- T1+0.08% L-val , T4- T1+0.12% L-val, having three replicates of 8 birds each. Result: No significance difference observed in average weekly body weight (BW), body weight gain (BWG) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) of birds throughout experimental period except at 7th week where T2 and T3 poults had a significantly higher (P less than 0.05) BW, BWG and significantly better (P less than 0.05) FCR. HA titre was significantly higher (P less than 0.05) in T3. Per cent breast weight was significantly higher (P less than 0.05) in T3. Percent crude protein level in breast muscle of turkey poults was significantly higher (P less than 0.05) in T3. Thus, supplementation of L-val @ 0.08% in turkey poults resulted in significantly better humoral immune response, higher percent breast yield and higher percent crude protein in breast meat.

Effect of Palm Oil, Linseed Oil and Vitamin E on some Production Parameters of Broilers

This study was conducted in the poultry field of the Livestock Research Station in Mosul of the Iraqi Ministry of Agriculture during the period 27/12/2021 to 8/2/2022 for the purpose of studying the effect of adding some plants oils and vitamin E on some productive traits of broiler chickens. where (480) one-day-old Roos-308 broiler chicks were used, they were distributed randomly by six experimental treatments for each treatment of 80 birds, and each treatment included four replications, and each repetition had 20 birds. the treatments were as follows: T1 (standard ration without addition) T2 (palm oil addition 2%) T3 (flax oil addition 2%) T4 (vitamin E supplementation 300 mg/kg feed) T5 (palm oil addition 2% and vitamin E 300 mg/kg feed) T6 (add flax oil 2% and vitamin E 300 mg/kg feed). we obtained significant differences (P≤0.05) in weight, weight gain, production index, feed consumption rate, feed conversion coefficient, and a decrease in mortality, as it was found that there was a significant improvement in the breast weight criterion.

In-feed Salmonella-specific phages alter the physiology, intestinal histomorphology, and carcass and meat quality parameters in broiler chickens

The use of antibiotic growth promoters (AGP) in broiler production leads to the emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacterial pathogens. To mitigate this challenge, biocontrol agents such as phages are being investigated as sustainable alternatives to AGP in commercial broiler production systems. This study aims to investigate the effect of different levels of an in-feed encapsulated Salmonella-specific phage cocktail (SPC) on various parameters, including growth performance, blood indices, carcass characteristics, intestinal histomorphology, and meat quality traits in broiler chickens. A total of 400-day-old Ross 308 male chicks (49.84 ± 1.03 g live weight) were reared on five experimental diets. The diets were formulated as follows: 1) a negative control diet without zinc bacitracin and SPC (NC), 2) a positive control diet with 0.5 g/kg zinc bacitracin but without SPC (PC), and 3) NC with 0.075 (SP75), 0.1 (SP100), and 0.175 g/kg SPC (SP175). During the feeding trial, phages were added on days 1 – 2; 11 – 12; 21 – 22; and 29 – 30 for the SPC treatments. Feed intake, bird weight, and blood parameters were determined during the feeding trial. Birds were slaughtered at the end of the feeding trial (5 weeks) to evaluate carcass characteristics, intestinal histomorphology, and meat quality traits. Five-week-old birds reared on SP100 had lower weight gains (555.7 g/bird) than those reared in the other treatment groups (p < 0.05). The inclusion of SPC in diets induced positive quadratic effects on overall feed intake (R2 = 0.169; p = 0.048) and meat chroma (R2 = 0.184; p = 0.024) but resulted in negative quadratic effects for breast weight (R2 = 0.418; p = 0.046) and linear effects for meat pH 1-h post-mortem (R2 = 0.161; p = 0.040) and proventriculus weight (R2 = 0.195; p = 0.024). A positive quadratic effect was noted for duodenal villus height (R2 = 0.935; p = 0.003), width (R2 = 0.882; p = 0.009), and area (R2 = 0.929; p = 0.001); jejunal villus height (R2 = 0.914; p = 0.001), width (R2 = 0.917; p = 0.002), area (R2 = 0.903; p = 0.001), and muscle thickness (R2 = 0.970; p = 0.001); ileal villus width (R2 = 0.747; p = 0.006), and crypt depth (R2 = 0.916; p = 0.001). Compared to the negative control, SPC induced positive changes in the jejunal and ileal villus height and VH:CD, however, this did not improve growth performance of broiler chickens. It can be concluded that periodic SPC inclusion has the potential to replace subtherapeutic antibiotic use in poultry production.

Efficacy of Dietary Fenugreek and Kalonji Seed Powder on Carcass Traits of Guinea Fowls

A study was conducted on 100, day old guinea fowls (Pearl variety) for 12 weeks to study the efficacy of fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum) and kalonji (Nigella sativa) seed powder supplementation on carcass traits and meat composition of thigh and breast. The experimental guinea fowls were randomly divided into five treatment groups viz. T1 control, T2 (2.0% fenugreek seed powder), T3 (1.0% kalonji seed powder), T4 (2.0% fenugreek +1.0% kalonji seed powder) and T5 (1.0% fenugreek + 0.5% kalonji seed powder), with two replications of ten guinea fowls each. The supplementation was done for 84 days. On 84th day, three guinea fowls from each replicate (6 guinea fowls/treatment) were sacrificed for study of carcass yield, cut up parts, organ weights and processing losses. The results indicated that dietary fenugreek and kalonji seed powder supplementation in guinea fowls improved dressed yield in T4 group of guinea fowls. Cut up parts in terms of thigh weights were improved in fenugreek and kalonji seed powder supplemented groups with maximum weight observed in T5 group of guinea fowls whereas breast weight was significantly increased in T4 group of guinea fowls. From the results of present study, it can be concluded that combination of fenugreek (2%) and kalonji (1%) seed powder through feed may be advised to improve carcass yield in guinea fowls.

A Meta-analysis of Optimum Level of Dietary Nanoselenium on Performances, Blood Constituents, Antioxidant Activity, Carcass, and Giblet Weight of Broiler Chickens.

Contradictory reports regarding the effects of nanoselenium (NanoSe) on the performance of broiler chickens may occur. Therefore, the optimum supplementation of NanoSe doses needs to be determined. The current meta-analysis study was aimed at evaluating the effectiveness and the optimum doses of NanoSe supplementation in broiler diets on performance, blood constituents, carcass, and giblet weight by considering breed and sex. The database was obtained from online scientific publications by searching through search engines such as Scopus, Web of Science, Google Scholar, and PubMed by entering the keywords nanoselenium, performance, antioxidants, and broiler. A total of 25 articles were included in the meta-analysis database. The study group was treated as a random effect while NanoSe dose, breed, and sex were treated as fixed effects. Daily body weight gain, carcass weight, and breast weight increased quadratically (P < 0.05), and FCR decreased quadratically (P < 0.05) in the starter and cumulativeperiods with increasing NanoSe supplementation. NanoSe supplementation tended to decrease cumulative feed intake linearly (P < 0.1) and decreased (P < 0.05) abdominal fat, albumin, red blood cells, ALT, and MDA levels. In contrast, levels of total protein, globulin, glucose, AST, white blood cells, cholesterol, triglyceride, and the weight of the liver, heart, gizzard, bursa of Fabricius, thymus, and spleen were not affected by NanoSe supplementation. Increasing the dose of NanoSe increased (P < 0.05) the GSHPx enzyme and Se concentration in breast muscle and liver and tended to enhance (P < 0.01) the CAT enzyme. It is concluded that a proper dose of NanoSe supplementation in a broiler diet improves body weight gain, feed efficiency, carcass, and breast weight without adverse effects on giblets. Dietary NanoSe elevates Se concentration in the breast muscle and liver and antioxidant activity. The current meta-analysis shows that the optimum dose for body weight gain and FCR is 1 to 1.5mg/kg.

Association Between Body Weight and Removed Weight in Women Undergoing Reduction Mammaplasty-A 17-year Retrospective Study of 1777 Breasts.

Breast hypertrophy causes physical and psychological symptoms. Reduction mammaplasty is a surgical procedure to lessen discomfort. However, there is a dispute about whether the weight of breast resection is related to body weight. This study aims to provide Chinese data and assess the association between body weight and removed weight in women undergoing reduction mammaplasty. Retrospective data were collected from 1777 breasts in a single center in 17 years. Simple linear regression analysis was performed to establish whether removed weight and removed weight ratio (removed weight/body weight) correlated with the body weight. The correlations were then analyzed again after grouping according to the removed weight. For all breasts included, removed weight or ratio positively correlates with body weight. When the removed weight is more than 1000g, there is no statistically significant correlation between body weight and removed breast weight. When removed per breast weight is more than 600g, there is no correlation between body weight and removed breast weight ratio. The correlation between body weight and removed weight or ratio decreased with increasing removed weight. When removed weight >600g, the degree of breast hypertrophy is not related to body shape. This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these evidence-based medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 . Therapeutic study.

Effect of Feed Supplementation with Probiotics and Antimicrobial Agents on Meat Quality of Broiler Chickens

Background: This study was conducted to determine the effect of supplementing probiotics and antimicrobial agents on the meat quality of broiler chickens. Methods: A complete randomized design was used and 90 male chickens were randomly assigned to five treatments which were replicated 3 times with each replicate having 6 chickens. The treatments had the same nutrients (20% CP and 12MJ/kg) but different supplementation levels of the probiotics and antimicrobial agents. Result: Antimicrobial and effective microorganism supplementations did not have any effect (p greater than 0.05) on feed intake, growth rate and live weights. A significantly lower (p less than 0.05) feed conversion ratio was observed with supplementation of the antimicrobial. Blood glucose levels were optimized at an effective microorganism supplementation level of 29.00 ml of EM/l of drinking water. Supplementation with 100 ml of EMs per litre of drinking water reduced significantly (p less than 0.05) the pH of ileum. Effective microorganism supplementation level of 85.00 ml per litre of drinking water optimized the crop pH value. Antimicrobial and effective microorganism supplementations did not have any influence (p greater than 0.05) on live weight, carcass weight, breast weight, drumstick weight ad thigh weight. Similarly, antimicrobial and effective microorganism supplementations did not have influence on meat tenderness, juiciness and flavour. There were no antibiotic and effective microbe residues in the meat. It is, therefore, concluded that effective microorganism supplementation did not have much effect on production parameters, carcass characteristics and meat quality of Ross 308 broiler chickens.

In ovo probiotic supplementation promotes muscle growth and development in broiler embryos

In chickens, muscle development during embryonic growth is predominantly by myofiber hyperplasia. Following hatch, muscle growth primarily occurs via hypertrophy of the existing myofibers. Since myofiber number is set at hatch, production of more muscle fibers during embryonic growth would provide a greater myofiber number at hatch and potential for posthatch muscle growth by hypertrophy. Therefore, to improve performance in broilers, this study investigated the effect of in ovo spray application of probiotics on overall morphometry and muscle development in broiler embryos. For the study, fertile Ross 308 eggs were sprayed with different probiotics; Lactobacillus paracasei DUP 13076 (LP) and L. rhamnosus NRRL B 442 (LR) prior to and during incubation. The embryos were sacrificed on d 7, 10, 14, and 18 for embryo morphometry and pectoralis major muscle (PMM) sampling. Muscle sections were stained and imaged to quantify muscle fiber density (MFD), myofiber cross-sectional area (CSA), and nuclei density. Additionally, gene expression assays were performed to elucidate the effect of probiotics on myogenic genes. In ovo probiotic supplementation was found to significantly improve embryo weight, breast weight, and leg weight (P < 0.05). Further, histological analysis of PMM revealed a significant increase in MFD and nuclei number in the probiotic-treated embryos when compared to the control (P < 0.05). In 18-day-old broiler embryos, myofibers in the treatment group had a significantly smaller CSA (LP: 95.27 ± 3.28 μm2, LR: 178.84 ± 15.1 μm2) when compared to the control (211.41 ± 15.67 μm2). This decrease in CSA was found to be associated with a concomitant increase in MFD (fibers/mm2) in the LP (13,647 ± 482.15) and LR (13,957 ± 463.13) group when compared to the control (7,680 ± 406.78). Additionally, this increase in myofibrillar hyperplasia in the treatment groups was associated with upregulation in the expression of key genes regulating muscle growth including MYF5, MYOD, MYOG, and IGF-1. In summary, in ovo spray application of probiotics promoted overall embryo growth and muscle development in broilers.

Effect of Corn Origin on Broiler Performance, Processing Yield, and Nutrient Digestibility from 1 to 35 Days of Age

This experiment studied the effect of feeding corn from the United States (USA), Argentina (ARG), and Brazil (BRA) on broiler performance, processing yield, and nutrient digestibility from 1 to 35 d of age. A total of 900-day old YPM × Ross 708 male broilers were randomly sorted in 36 floor pens, each containing 25 chicks and subjected to three experimental diets, resulting in 12 replications per dietary treatment. Starter, grower, and finisher diets were formulated to be only different in corn origin. Data were analyzed as a one-way ANOVA and means were separated using Tukey's HSD test, with statistical significance considered at p ≤ 0.05. No significant differences (p > 0.05) were found in body weight, body weight gain, and feed intake from 1 to 35 d of age among the treatments. However, broilers fed diets with the inclusion of corn from the USA and BRA had a lower feed conversion ratio (FCR) compared with broilers fed diets with corn from ARG from to 1 to 35 d of age (1.434 and 1.434 vs. 1.452 g:g; p = 0.002). Broilers fed diets with the inclusion of corn from BRA had a higher breast weight compared with broilers fed diets with the inclusion of corn from ARG (575 vs. 553 g; p = 0.036), but did not differ in breast weight of broilers fed diets with corn from the USA (575 vs. 556 g; p > 0.05). Corn origin did not influence (p > 0.05) crude protein and fat digestibility. However, broilers fed diets with corn from the USA and BRA had greater phosphorus (P) (63.37, 62.23 vs. 55.26%; p = 0.0003), calcium (Ca) (41.59, 43.85 vs. 30.23%; p = 0.0003), and potassium (K) (88.98, 87.97 vs. 86.04%; p = 0.001) digestibility compared with broilers fed diets with corn from ARG. Overall, corn origin influenced FCR, breast weight, and P, Ca, and K digestibility of broilers from 1 to 35 d of age.

Three-Dimensional Surface Analysis for Preoperative Prediction of Breast Volume: A Validation Study.

Few studies have examined whether preoperative three-dimensional surface imaging can accurately predict breast volume. Reliably predicting breast volume preoperatively can assist with breast reconstruction planning, patient education, and perioperative risk stratification. The authors conducted a review of patients who underwent mastectomy from 2020 to 2021 and included all patients who had preoperative VECTRA XT three-dimensional imaging. VECTRA Analysis Module (VAM) and VECTRA Body Sculptor (VBS) were used for volumetric analysis using standard anatomical breast borders. Breast weights were obtained intraoperatively. Predictive accuracy was defined as VAM estimates ±10% of mastectomy specimen weight or ±100 g of mastectomy weight. The study included 179 patients (266 breasts). There was no significant difference ( P = 0.22) between mean mastectomy weight of 620.8 ± 360.3 g and mean VAM estimate of 609.5 ± 361.9 g. Mean VBS estimate was 498.9 ± 337.6 g, which differed from mean mastectomy weight ( P < 0.001). When defining predictive accuracy as ±100 g, 58.7% of VAM and 44.4% of VBS estimates were accurate. Body mass index, body surface area, and ptosis grade significantly affected VAM and VBS breast volume predictions. VAM is more accurate at predicting mastectomy weight than VBS, likely because of VAM's analysis of surface topography rather than discrete surface landmarks. Discrepancies between VECTRA estimates and mastectomy weight were likely attributable to differences between surgical mastectomy borders and breast borders used in volumetric analysis. Surgeons should consider the physical characteristics of patients when using three-dimensional imaging. Diagnostic, I.