White Leghorn Research Articles

Effect of replacing groundnut seedcake by brewers’ yeast-noug seed cake mixture in ration on laying performance of white leghorn chicken

Effect of replacing groundnut seedcake by brewers’ yeast-noug seed cake mixture in ration on laying performance of white leghorn chicken

Comparative evaluation of myogenic potential of purebred chicken muscle stem cells

We evaluated the myogenic potential of muscle stem cells (MuSCs) derived from three distinct chicken purebreds—Rhode Island Red (RIR), White Leghorn (WL), and Cornish (CN). Chicken MuSCs were isolated from the breast muscles of chicken embryos on embryonic day 18 using a pre-plating method. Subsequently, the cells underwent a three-day proliferation period, followed by a three-day differentiation phase. WL MuSCs exhibited higher myogenic potential initially compared to RIR and CN. Despite a relatively lower proliferation rate, WL demonstrated a higher proportion of PAX7-positive cells and showed higher expression of myogenic regulatory factor genes than the other breeds. During differentiation, MuSCs from WL formed thicker muscle fibers and showed the highest proportion of myosin-heavy chain-positive cells than MuSCs from other breeds. Additionally, the expression of MYH1, associated with muscle maturation, was highest in WL. Overall, this finding suggests that the myogenic potential of MuSCs from WL surpasses those of RIR and CN. Given the fact that WL is primarily used for egg laying with a low growth rate in the traditional poultry industry, the present study highlights the crucial distinction between selecting production characteristics in conventional animal husbandry and those desirable for cultured meat production.

Delineating maternal influence in regulation of variance in major economic traits of White Leghorns: Bayesian insights.

Proper variance partitioning and estimation of genetic parameters at appropriate time interval is crucial for understanding the dynamics of trait variance and genetic correlations and for deciding the future breeding strategy of the population. This study was conducted on the same premise to estimate genetic parameters of major economic traits in a White Leghorn strain IWH using Bayesian approach and to identify the role of maternal effects in the regulation of trait variance. Three different models incorporating the direct additive effect (Model 1), direct additive and maternal genetic effect (Model 2) and direct additive, maternal genetic and maternal permanent environmental effects (Model 3) were tried to estimate the genetic parameters for body weight traits (birth weight, body weight at 16, 20, 40 and 52 weeks), Age at sexual maturity (ASM), egg production traits (egg production up to 24, 28, 40, 52, 64 and 72 weeks) and egg weight traits (egg weight at 28, 40 and 52 weeks). Model 2 and Model 3 with maternal effects were found to be the best having the highest accuracy for almost all the traits. The direct additive genetic heritability was moderate for ASM, moderate to high for body weight traits and egg weight traits and low to moderate for egg production traits. Though the maternal heritability (h2mat) and permanent environmental effect (c2mpe) was low (<0.1) for most of the traits, they formed an important component of trait variance. Traits like egg weight at 28 weeks (0.14±0.06) and egg production at 72 weeks (0.13±0.07) reported comparatively higher values for c2mpe and h2mat respectively. Additive genetic correlation was high and positive between body weight traits, between egg weight traits, between consecutive egg production traits and between body weight and egg weight traits. However, a negative genetic correlation existed between egg production and egg weight traits, egg production and body weight traits, ASM and early egg production traits. Overall, a moderate positive genetic correlation was estimated between ASM and body weight traits and ASM and egg weight traits. Based on our findings, we can deduce that maternal effects constitute an important source of variation for all the major economic traits in White Leghorn and should be necessarily considered in genetic evaluation programs.

Effect of addition of ginger (Zingiber officinale), and black cumin (Nigella Sativa L.) on feed conversion ratio of white leghorn layer

Effect of addition of ginger (Zingiber officinale), and black cumin (Nigella Sativa L.) on feed conversion ratio of white leghorn layer

Requirements of metabolisable energy, crude protein and methionine for growing white leghorn chicken under tropical condition

Requirements of metabolisable energy, crude protein and methionine for growing white leghorn chicken under tropical condition

Economic Importance of Backyard Poultry in Taluka Jhando Mari, District Tando Allahyar, Sindh

Present study was carried out to observe the economic importance of backyard poultry birds in rural areas of Taluka Jhando Mari district Tando Allahyar during the 2022. Objective: To determine the profitability of backyard poultry production in rural areas of Tando Allahyar. Methods: Our study was divided into two different parts (i) primary and (ii) secondary part. Primary category was based on collection of data by interview from respondents by filling questionnaire. Results: The results revealed that 70% of household poultry kept by female and 30% were males. The cost function was estimated using the OLS method. The model of study suggested that price of egg and price of per bird were recorded statistically significant whereas per bird cost was observed non-significant statistically. It was concluded that high egg producing poultry breeds such RIR, Playmouth, White leghorn must be raised in order to increase the production of household backyard poultry birds. Conclusions: It is also concluded that improvement in rural poultry germplasm will be highly effective in rural poultry production system in future and will be major business for completing the food security and nutritional diet in middle class population of our country. Government of Sindh should also encourage private sector poultry by providing loan and poultry feed on cheapest prices to improve the production of backyard poultry farmers and their livelihood.

Prevalence of Poultry Coccidiosis and its Associated Risk Factors in and around Haramaya District, Ethiopia

Aim To determine the prevalence of poultry coccidiosis and identify the risk factors associated with the occurrence of the disease. Method A cross-sectional study was conducted on poultry coccidiosis of local and Rhode Island Red, White Leghorns, Koekoek, and bovine brown exotic breeds from November 2017 to April 2018 in and around Haramaya district, Ethiopia. Fecal examination using flotation and McMaster counting techniques were used for qualitative and quantitative studies, respectively. The study also involved a questionnaire survey for the assessment of possible risk factors. Results From 450 chickens examined by floatation method to detect Eimeria oocysts the result revealed 122 (27.1%) of the chickens were found positive for coccidiosis. The prevalence of coccidiosis among different age groups shows (68/214=31.8%), (54/236=22.9%) of young and adults were positive respectively. The prevalence is found statistically significant with p&lt;0.05 (p=0.034, χ2=4.493) between different age groups. Regarding the breed prevalence (61/333=18.3%), (61/117=52.1%) Chefe and Gebsima (barley plumage color); Horro, Jarso, and Keyi (red plumage color); Naked Neck and Netch (white plumage color); Tepi and Tikur (black plumage color). Local and exotic breeds were positive respectively and the difference is statistically significant p&lt;0.05 (p=0.00, χ2=50.109) between breeds. The study indicated also (46/168=27.4%) male and (76/282=27%) female chickens were positive but the difference between sex groups is no statistically significant difference p&gt;0.05. The prevalence of coccidiosis in chickens kept in different management systems showed that (62/305=20.3%), (60/145=41.4%) were positive from extensive and intensive systems respectively. The difference is a statistically significant p&lt;0.05 (p=0.00, χ2=22.040) among managements. From all the infected chickens most of them (96.7%) were lightly infected (&lt;10,000 oocysts). Conclusion Coccidiosis is a major problem in the farm with inadequate hygienic measures and factors such as age, breed, body conditions, and biosecurity which are the most common factors that contribute for the occurrence of coccidiosis. Therefore, appropriate control strategies should be designed considering important risk factors and focus should be given to biosecurity practices in the prevention and control of coccidiosis, and in addition, further studies are needed to be conducted to identify the prevalent Eimeria species for strategic control.

Genetic parameters, reciprocal cross differences, and age-related heterosis of egg-laying performance in chickens

BackgroundEgg-laying performance is economically important in poultry breeding programs. Crossbreeding between indigenous and elite commercial lines to exploit heterosis has been an upward trend in traditional layer breeding for niche markets. The objective of this study was to analyse the genetic background and to estimate the heterosis of longitudinal egg-laying traits in reciprocal crosses between an indigenous Beijing-You and an elite commercial White Leghorn layer line. Egg weights were measured for the first three eggs, monthly from 28 to 76 weeks of age, and at 86 and 100 weeks of age. Egg quality traits were measured at 32, 54, 72, 86, and 100 weeks of age. Egg production traits were measured from the start of lay until 43, 72, and 100 weeks of age. Heritabilities and phenotypic and genetic correlations were estimated. Heterosis was estimated as the percentage difference of performance of a crossbred from that of the parental average. Reciprocal cross differences were estimated as the difference between the reciprocal crossbreds as a percentage of the parental average.ResultsEstimates of heritability of egg weights ranged from 0.29 to 0.75. Estimates of genetic correlations between egg weights at different ages ranged from 0.72 to 1.00. Estimates of heritability for cumulative egg numbers until 43, 72, and 100 weeks of age were around 0.15. Estimates of heterosis for egg weight and cumulative egg number increased with age, ranging from 1.0 to 9.0% and from 1.4 to 11.6%, respectively. From 72 to 100 weeks of age, crossbreds produced more eggs per week than the superior parent White Leghorn (3.5 eggs for White Leghorn, 3.8 and 3.9 eggs for crossbreds). Heterosis for eggshell thickness ranged from 2.7 to 6.6% when using Beijing-You as the sire breed. No significant difference between reciprocal crosses was observed for the investigated traits, except for eggshell strength at 54 weeks of age.ConclusionsThe heterosis was substantial for egg weight and cumulative egg number, and increased with age, suggesting that non-additive genetic effects are important in crossbreds between the indigenous and elite breeds. Generally, the crossbreds performed similar to or even outperformed the commercial White Leghorns for egg production persistency.

Pathological effects of feeding aflatoxin-contaminated feed on immune status and reproductive performance of juvenile white leghorn males and its mitigation with ∝-tocopherol and Moringa oleifera.

This study was planned to detect the adverse pathological consequences of aflatoxin B1 in White Leghorn (WLH) layer breeder males. Eight-week-old male layer cockerels were separated into six experimental categories: A group was kept as negative control, offered with normal feed only; group B was fed with 400ppb amount of aflatoxin, while groups F and D fed with normal feed and supplemented with vitamin E 100ppm and 1% Moringa oleifera, respectively, whereas groups E and C were fed with 400ppb aflatoxin containing feed and ameliorated with vitamin E 100ppm and 1% Moringa oleifera, respectively. This study was continued for 2months and immunologic disorders and reproductive parameters were observed during the trial. To find out immunological status lymphoproliferative response to phytohemagglutinin-P (PHA-P), antibody titers against sheep red blood cells (SRBCs) and carbon clear assay were performed by collecting samples from five birds from each group. The whole data was measured by ANOVA test, and group means were compared by DMR test by using M-Stat C software. Regarding the reproductive status, spermatogenesis, blood testosterone level, testes weight, testes histology, sperm motility, and morphology were negatively affected by aflatoxins, but these deviations positively ameliorated by vitamin E and Moringa. Vitamin E and Moringa found advantageous in boosting the immune status of affected bird.All the immunological parameters including antibody titers against sheed red blood cells, lymphoproliferativeresponse to avian tuberculin and phagocytic potential of macrophages were suppressed by AFB1 however incontrol, Moringa and vitamin E groups these immunological responses were significantly higher.

Identification of 3 neutralizing linear epitopes on the VP8 outer capsid protein of group A equine rotavirus.

To identify protective equine rotavirus group A (ERVA) VP8 epitopes and demonstrate that immunizing hens with synthetic peptides based on these epitopes would yield high-titered, neutralizing egg yolk antibodies for potential application in foals. 26 rotavirus-positive, client-owned foals were included in the study. Five white leghorn hens were used for antibody production. Chicken antibodies were raised against 3 synthetic epitope peptides from the VP8 protein of the common ERVA P-type, P4[12] using CD40-targeted streptavidin-peptide complexes. Antipeptide serum- and egg yolk antibodies were subject to ELISA and in vitro virus neutralization assays to evaluate binding and neutralization activities. Lyophilized anti-VP8 egg yolk antibodies were orally administered (30 g; q 24 h for 5 days) to foals with rotaviral diarrhea. Physical examinations were performed daily. The duration of diarrhea and any adverse effects were recorded. CD40-targeted vaccination of hens generated high titers of anti-VP8 serum and egg yolk antibodies after just 3 immunizations. These antibodies prevented in vitro infection of ERVA with titers of 128 in the serum and 94.5 in the yolk. Oral administration (30 g; q 24 h for 5 days) of lyophilized hyperimmune egg yolk to foals with rotaviral diarrhea did not reveal any adverse effects of the treatment. This study demonstrated that antibodies raised against neutralizing epitopes of the ERVA VP8 protein could prevent ERVA infection in vitro. Based on these results and previous work in other animals, in vivo evaluation of the therapeutic efficacy of anti-VP8 egg yolk antibodies is warranted.

Sperm replacement in sperm-storage tubules causes last-male sperm precedence in chickens

ABSTRACT 1. This study elucidated the last-male sperm precedence (LMSP) mechanism in chickens by examining replacement in storage tubules (SSTs) after multiple artificial inseminations (AI) and the effects of seminal plasma (SP) and male breed on sperm replacement in SSTs. 2. Hens were artificially inseminated with fluorescent dye-labelled spermatozoa from White Leghorn (WL) chickens. Secondary AI was conducted 3 d later with sperm labelled with different nuclear fluorescent dye. Percentage of first and second inseminated sperm in SSTs and their logarithmic odds were calculated. The effect of SP on LMSP was examined using (1) Lake’s solution-washed sperm before second insemination, and (2) SP injected continuously after first insemination. Effect of breed difference on sperm replacement was investigated using Barred Plymouth Rock (BP) sperm. 3. Successive WL-sperm inseminations at three-day intervals caused > 70% stored sperm replacement in SSTs. Although SP removal from sperm from second insemination significantly decreased replacement, its intra-vaginal injection did not affect release. Secondary insemination using BP sperm significantly increased replacement. 4. Sperm replacement is a major factor favouring LMSP in domestic chickens. Two fluorescent staining of sperm, and intra-vaginal multiple AI technique have enabled visualisation, differentiation, and quantification of multiple inseminated sperm stored in the SSTs.

Evaluating the Ileal and Cecal Microbiota Composition of a 1940 Heritage Genetic Line and a 2016 Commercial Line of white Leghorns Fed Representative Diets from 1940 to 2016

This study identified and evaluated differences between microbiome compositions of the ileum and ceca of 1940 and 2016 white leghorn genetic strains fed representative contemporary diets from those times. Ileal and cecal samples were collected at 69 weeks of age. Alpha and beta diversity metrics were generated, and the Analysis of Composition of Microbiomes (ANCOM) was utilized to determine significantly different taxa. Ileum and ceca alpha diversity were significantly different (p = 0.001; Q = 0.001); however, no differences between genetic lineage were observed (p &gt; 0.05; Q &gt; 0.05). Beta diversity between the ileum and ceca and the genetic lines was significantly different (p = 0.001; Q = 0.001). The ANCOM of the ileum showed significant differences between Proteobacteria and Actinobacteriota phyla (p ˂ 0.05) and significant differences between Pseudomonas, Rhizobiaceae, Leuconostoc, and Aeriscardovia genera (p ˂ 0.05). For ceca ANCOM, Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, Actinobacteriota, and Euryarchaeota phyla were significantly different (p ˂ 0.05), with Firmicutes having the highest relative abundance across all groups, and there were significant differences in genera Pseudomonas, Leuconostoc, Alloprevotella, and Aeri scardovia, with Alloprevotella having the highest relative abundance. The results suggest that genetic makeup in conjunction with the nutritional composition influences the cecal and ileal microbiota of corresponding hens.

Effect of four eggshell repair materials on weight loss during incubation of white leghorn chicken eggs.

Egg weight loss during incubation is a key indicator used to monitor successful egg development and is closely related to hatchability and chick survival. Artificial incubation is one of the most important captive breeding techniques used in conservation efforts to bolster avian populations. To repair damage to the eggshell and ensure embryonic viability during incubation, a variety of repair coverings can be applied. This study tested the impact of four repair materials (nail polish, synthetic glue, medical dressing, and molten wax film) on egg weight loss during incubation. We found no impact on weight loss for coverings smaller than 35% of the eggshell surface, nor did we find any differences between covering types. The average egg weight loss decreased as the coverage area increased, and the weight loss did not differ when blunt versus sharp-end coverings were compared. Given the relative insensitivity of egg weight loss and survival to the type of patch material used, we concluded that the selection of material for the purpose of weight loss management could be based on practical considerations, such as ease of application and availability.

The mRNA-lncRNA landscape of multiple tissues uncovers key regulators and molecular pathways that underlie heterosis for feed intake and efficiency in laying chickens

BackgroundHeterosis is routinely exploited to improve animal performance. However, heterosis and its underlying molecular mechanism for feed intake and efficiency have been rarely explored in chickens. Feed efficiency continues to be an important breeding goal trait since feed accounts for 60 to 70% of the total production costs in poultry. Here, we profiled the mRNA-lncRNA landscape of 96 samples of the hypothalamus, liver and duodenum mucosa from White Leghorn (WL), Beijing-You chicken (YY), and their reciprocal crosses (WY and YW) to elucidate the regulatory mechanisms of heterosis.ResultsWe observed negative heterosis for both feed intake and residual feed intake (RFI) in YW during the laying period from 43 to 46 weeks of age. Analysis of the global expression pattern showed that non-additivity was a major component of the inheritance of gene expression in the three tissues for YW but not for WY. The YW-specific non-additively expressed genes (YWG) and lncRNA (YWL) dominated the total number of non-additively expressed genes and lncRNA in the hypothalamus and duodenum mucosa. Enrichment analysis of YWG showed that mitochondria components and oxidation phosphorylation (OXPHOS) pathways were shared among the three tissues. The OXPHOS pathway was enriched by target genes for YWL with non-additive inheritance of expression in the liver and duodenum mucosa. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis revealed divergent co-expression modules associated with feed intake and RFI in the three tissues from WL, YW, and YY. Among the negatively related modules, the OXPHOS pathway was enriched by hub genes in the three tissues, which supports the critical role of oxidative phosphorylation. Furthermore, protein quantification of ATP5I was highly consistent with ATP5I expression in the liver, which suggests that, in crossbred YW, non-additive gene expression is down-regulated and decreases ATP production through oxidative phosphorylation, resulting in negative heterosis for feed intake and efficiency.ConclusionsOur results demonstrate that non-additively expressed genes and lncRNA involved in oxidative phosphorylation in the hypothalamus, liver, and duodenum mucosa are key regulators of the negative heterosis for feed intake and RFI in layer chickens. These findings should facilitate the rational choice of suitable parents for producing crossbred chickens.

Evaluation of reciprocal F1 crosses of Fayoumi with two exotic chicken breeds 2: additive and non-additive effects on egg quality traits

The current study evaluates additive and non-additive genetic variances for egg quality traits in six genotypes generated through pure mating and reciprocal crossing of Fayoumi (FM) with Koekoek (KK) and White Leghorn (WL). For each genotype, measurements were taken on 30 eggs randomly sampled at 32, 36, and 40 weeks of age to evaluate both external and internal egg quality parameters. The results revealed significant differences (P < 0.001) among the genotypes in all external quality traits and most internal quality traits, including yolk weight (YW), albumen weight (AW), and yolk height (YH). The results also showed that variations due to purebred effect (PE), general combining ability (GCA), maternal effect (ME), and specific combining ability (SCA) were significant in most traits, which reflects that both additive and non-additive variances are important for the inheritances of the parameters investigated. In most of the traits, the ME and PE were higher in KK and WL, while GCA was higher in KK and FM. The FM x WL had higher SCA than FM x KK. The results suggest the likelihood of genetic improvement in these genotypes through selection and crossbreeding strategies and/or a combination of the two.

Rayless goldenrod (Isocoma pluriflora) poisoning in chicks (Gallus gallusdomesticus)

Rayless goldenrod (Isocoma spp.) and white snakeroot (Ageratina altissima) poison livestock, wildlife and humans. The suggested toxin for both plants is tremetone, a mixture of benzofuran ketones. However, plant tremetone concentrations often do not correlate with poisoning, and they have not been identified in contaminated milk that poisons nursing neonates. This suggests there may be unidentified metabolites or toxins. Previous studies using various cell culture and large animal models have been inconsistent with varying animal response that often require large doses. The objective of this work is to document the toxicity of rayless goldenrod in California white leghorn chicks, a susceptible small animal model, that would require relatively small amounts of plant material or purified toxins. Four groups of 15 chicks were gavaged with finely ground I. pluriflora at rates of 0, 1%, 2% or 3% of their bodyweight per day for 7 days. After 7 exposure days the chicks were euthanized, necropsied and tissues were collected, fixed and examined microscopically. Myocyte damage was evaluated using clinical signs, weight gain, serum biochemical changes, and histologic lesions and scores. The 3% group had focally extensive myocyte degeneration and necrosis most severely affecting leg muscles (semitendinosus, iliotibialis, peroneus longus and gastrocnemius). This was supported by serum biochemical changes and reduced weight gains. These findings indicate young chicks are a sensitive model of toxicity that may be useful to better identify the rayless goldenrod and white snakeroot toxins, including those unidentified toxins of transmammary poisoning.

Estimation of crossbreeding parameters for growth and feed efficiency traits in exotic chicken breed crosses with Fayoumi under reciprocal mating

A better understanding of genetic parameters is required to evaluate the combining abilities of different genotypes. The current experiment aimed to estimate crossbreeding parameters for body weight (BW), body weight gain (BWG), and feed conversion ratio (FCR) in genetic groups generated through reciprocal mating between Fayoumi (FM) and three other exotic breeds, namely, Koekoek (KK), Sasso (SS), and White Leghorn (WL) at different growth stages. Birds were weighed individually at hatch and every four weeks until 20 weeks, and BWG was determined. The FCR was estimated based on the feed intake of each genetic group. Purebred effect (PE), general combining ability (GCA), maternal effect (ME), specific combining ability (SCA), and heterosis were highly significant for BW, BWG, and FCR at different ages. Purebred SS had the highest PE and GCA for BW and BWG but the lowest estimate for FCR; in some instances, KK showed values slightly closer to SS's. Closely followed by KK, purebred SS had the highest ME for BW. Crosses of FM with WL and KK exhibited the highest SCA for BW and BWG and the lowest value for FCR, whereas reciprocal crosses between FM and KK had positive heterosis for BW and BWG but negative heterosis for FCR. The results generally suggest the importance of additive (PE, GCA, and ME) and non-additive (SCA and heterosis) genetic effects for the inheritance of growth and feed efficiency traits. In crossbreeding programs involving these genetic groups, synthetic breeds with different breed combinations could be developed using genotypes showing the highest additive effects (SS and KK) as male parents and those having the highest non-additive effects (FM x KK, KK x FM, and FM x WL) as female parents.

Effect of cage space allowance on egg production, egg quality, immune responses and anti-oxidant variables in White Leghorn layers

A comprehensive study was conducted to optimise cage space allowance (CSA) for White Leghorn (WL) layers (65-80 weeks of age). For the purpose, a total of 900 layers were housed in California colony cages in an open sided poultry house at three different CSA (422, 563, 844 cm2/bird). Each of the CSA was studied with 20 replicates. The daily egg production (EP), feed intake (FI), feed efficiency (FE, FI/egg mass) and egg quality traits were recorded at the end of each 28d interval. Anti-oxidant responses like lipid peroxidation (LP) and glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase and superoxide dismutase in blood were measured at 80 weeks of age. Similarly, the antibody titres against ND vaccine and cell mediated immune response (CMI) against PHA- P were measured at 80 weeks of age. The variation in CSA did not influence EP, egg mass, weight gain and egg shell thickness. The FI reduced and FE improved with reduction in CSA. However, the egg density and egg shell percentage increased with increase in CSA. The LP was higher and the activities of anti-oxidant enzymes were lower at 422 cm2/bird as compared to the higher space allowances. No effect of CSA on ND titre was observed, while the CMI response was higher at 844 cm2/ bird than the other two CSA. It could be concluded that, though the FE was better at 422 cm2/b, the trends of shell quality traits and antioxidant variables indicated 546 cm2/bird as requirement for WL layers in open sided poultry house under tropical regions.

Impact of functional diet and basil leaf (Ocimum sanctum) meal on layer egg’s fatty acid level and layer’s production performance

A total of 144 single comb ‘Forsgate’ strain white leghorn (SCWL) pullets of 27 weeks of age, belonging to the same hatch, and of uniform body size were randomized into 24 groups of 6 hens each in a 2 × 3 factorial design consisting of two types of layer feeds namely, standard layer mash (control) and functional diet (designer egg layer mash-DELM); each with three levels of basil leaf meal (BLM) i.e. 0, 1 and 2 g/kg diet levels, viz. T1 to T6. Four replicates were randomly assigned to each of the six dietary treatments. One egg yolk from each replicate was used for the fatty acid estimation. The layer’s body weight gain, per cent hen-day egg production, feed/egg parameter did not show any variations between diets and basil leaf meal dosage level. The feed consumption was significantly different between diets and not between BLM levels. The diets and BLM levels had highly significant effect on Myristic acid (C14:0), Palmitic acid (C16:0), Stearic acid (C18:0), Oleic acid (C18:1); n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids, viz. Linoleic acid (C18:2), Arachidonic acid (C20:4) and n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, viz. α-Linolenic acid (C18:3), Eicosapentaenoic acid-EPA (C20:5) and Docosahexaenoic acid-DHA (C22:6) levels. Both DELM and BLM significantly increased the n-3 PUFA levels in egg yolk.

Changes in Some Haematological Parameters of Two Breeds of Chicken Inoculated with Eimeria Oocyst

Coccidian parasites, especially those in the genus Eimeria, are intestinal parasites common in poultry. They cause coccidiosis in infected birds. The effect of the parasites on the haematology of infected chickens was studied using broilers and white-leghorns. A total of 30 day-old chicks, fifteen each from the two breeds, were procured for the experiment. They were grown to three weeks old, and confirmed to be free from any intestinal parasite, before inoculating 10 birds each, randomly selected from the two breeds, with Eimeria oocyst. The packed cell volume (PCV), thrombocyte number, leukocyte number and proportion of leukocyte types were determined from blood samples obtained from the birds within ten days after inoculation and confirmation of infection. Infected broilers (B) and white-leghorns (WL) both had packed cell volumes that were lower than the control (C) (B. 31.8±2.2, WL. 32.8±1.8, C. 34.3±2.6). However, estimates of the effect sizes suggested that coccidiosis accounted for only about 5% of the observed variance in the PCV of broilers and 2% in white-leghorns. The disease significantly affected the thrombocyte number of infected broilers only (B. 7.0±0.5, WL. 10.4±1.1, C. 10.0±0.8). A remarkable difference was found in the leukocyte numbers of infected birds (B. 13.4±2.2, WL. 21.4±3.2, C. 14.9±2.0). However, the infection increased the proportion of circulating monocytes from 1% in control to 5% in the infected birds regardless of their breed. The observation that broilers are prone to parasite induced thrombocytopaenia, supported by the wide disparity in the leukocyte numbers of the two breeds of chicken during an infection, suggest that white-leghorns are better adapted to withstand the effects of coccidiosis when compared with broilers reared under the same environmental conditions.