White Leghorn Research Articles

Major Dermatological Disorders of Carthorses in Selected Towns of Central Ethiopia

Salmonella have been found to be the major food borne disease in the world with a serious public health problem. The current study was carried out to detect and to determine the prevalence and antibiotic susceptibility of Salmonella isolated from fresh raw chicken eggs collected at Haramaya University Poultry Farm in Eastern Ethiopia. Among the total 384 chicken eggs, Salmonella spp. was detected from 2.9% (11/384) of egg samples using culture technique and was confirmed by biochemical test, nine Salmonella spp. (2.4%) were detected from egg shell and two (0.5%) from egg contents; predominantly occurred in floor house system. The prevalence of Salmonella in eggs on the bases of chicken breed sources was 2.9%, 3.8% and 2% for Bovans, Fayoumi and White leg horn, respectively. The prevalence difference did not show statistical significance (P>0.05) between the rate of detecting Salmonella spp. among the egg shell and egg contents, and similarly, non-significant analytical situation was observed in eggs sampled from different chicken breeds. Among the sample sources, egg samples examined from cage and floor house were found Salmonella positive with the prevalence of 2.3% and 3.3%, respectively. However, there was no statistically significant difference (P>0.05) in the prevalence of Salmonella among the two house systems. All identified isolates were tested for susceptibility to a six commonly used antimicrobials by disk diffusion technique. Out of the 11 isolates tested 8(72.7%) were resistant to one or more of the tested antimicrobials. The most common resistance observed was to tetracycline (72.7%), ampicillin (72.7%) and amoxicillin (63.6%). However, spectinomycin, kanamycin and chloramphenicol were effective against most of the Salmonella isolates.

Prevalence and Antibiotic Resistance of Salmonella Species Isolated from Chicken Eggs by Standard Bacteriological Method

Salmonella have been found to be the major food borne disease in the world with a serious public health problem. The current study was carried out to detect and to determine the prevalence and antibiotic susceptibility of Salmonella isolated from fresh raw chicken eggs collected at Haramaya University Poultry Farm in Eastern Ethiopia. Among the total 384 chicken eggs, Salmonella spp. was detected from 2.9% (11/384) of egg samples using culture technique and was confirmed by biochemical test, nine Salmonella spp. (2.4%) were detected from egg shell and two (0.5%) from egg contents; predominantly occurred in floor house system. The prevalence of Salmonella in eggs on the bases of chicken breed sources was 2.9%, 3.8% and 2% for Bovans, Fayoumi and White leg horn, respectively. The prevalence difference did not show statistical significance (P>0.05) between the rate of detecting Salmonella spp. among the egg shell and egg contents, and similarly, non-significant analytical situation was observed in eggs sampled from different chicken breeds. Among the sample sources, egg samples examined from cage and floor house were found Salmonella positive with the prevalence of 2.3% and 3.3%, respectively. However, there was no statistically significant difference (P>0.05) in the prevalence of Salmonella among the two house systems. All identified isolates were tested for susceptibility to a six commonly used antimicrobials by disk diffusion technique. Out of the 11 isolates tested 8(72.7%) were resistant to one or more of the tested antimicrobials. The most common resistance observed was to tetracycline (72.7%), ampicillin (72.7%) and amoxicillin (63.6%). However, spectinomycin, kanamycin and chloramphenicol were effective against most of the Salmonella isolates.

Garlic (Allium sativum) and Amla (Emblica officinalis) Powder Addition in the Diet Affects Production Performance of White Leghorn Laying Hens

This study was carried out to investigate the effect of dietary supplementation of garlic (Allium sativum) and amla (Emblica officinalis) powder on egg production and egg quality in laying hens for 8 weeks (26–33 weeks of age). One hundred and twenty white leghorn layers (26 weeks of age) were divided randomly into 4 groups in a complete randomized design. Birds of control group were fed control diet while the layers of other groups were fed the control diet supplemented with amla powder (@ 5 g/kg or garlic powder (@ 2 g/kg or garlic and amla powder + garlic powder (@ 2.5 and 1 g/kg. Production performance was studied in 2 periods of 28 days each (26–29 wk and 30–33 wk). There was an increase (P<0.05) in feed intake, egg production and feed conversion ratio during period due to supplementation of garlic followed by combination of garlic and amla. The values of Hb, total erythrocyte count, total lecocyte count, PCV, serum total protein and albumin increased in response to garlic amla and both over the experimental period. The retention of CP, EE and OM increased (P<0.05). Also, there was increase in egg weight, yolk weight, egg crude protein due to supplementation of garlic in layers diet as compared to control. On the other hand, cholesterol and triglycerides levels in egg decreased (P<0.05) due to garlic powder supplementation. The values of shape index, yolk index and Haugh unit of egg were similar in all the treatments. Therefore, dietary supplementation of garlic powder @ 2 g/kg, amla powder @ 5 g/kg or their combination (amla powder @ 2.5 g and garlic powder @ 1 g/kg diet) to layer diet improved production performance, egg weight and quality of eggs in White Leghorn laying hens.

Effects of supplementation of different levels of garlic (Allium sativum) on selected blood profile and immunity of white leghorn chicken

The study was conducted to evaluate the effect of feeding different levels of garlic powder inclusion on selected blood profile and immunity of white leghorn chicken. A total of 180 chickens (156 layers and 24 cocks) were randomly distributed in to 12 pens and assigned to 4 treatments. Treatments were rations containing 0, 1, 2, and 3% garlic powder for T1, T2, T3 and T4, respectively. The CP and ME content of treatment rations were 16-16.6% and 3021.31-3244.4 kcal/kg DM, respectively. Blood profile parameters were determined using established laboratory methods. The value of hemoglobin (Hb) increased insignificantly due to supplementation of different levels of garlic powder. Total white blood cell count (TWBC), basophile, lymphocytes, heterophils and monocytes were not affected (P &gt; 0.05) by treatments. But, slight rise in lymphocyte and heterophil counts were observed in garlic supplemented groups which may be due to immuno-stimulatory effects of garlic. Packed cell volume (PCV) and eosinophils were affected (P &lt; 0.05) by treatments, PCV (38.1, 45,2,41.5 and 39. 2), eosinophils (4.9, 3.2, 3 and 2.8), for T1, T2, T3, and T4, respectively. Mean values of total protein (g/dl) was not affected (P &gt; 0.05) by treatment. The mean values of total immunoglobulin (gm/dl) (3.53, 4.09, 5.58, 3.04) was significantly (P&lt;0.05) higher in T3 compared to other treatments. Generally, inclusion of 2% garlic powder has significantly improved total immunoglobulin. But it significantly lowered eosinophils compared to control group. The present study revealed that mixing layer diets with 1-3% garlic powder could be used in practical layer diets to improve some haematological and immunoglobulin values which might consequently improve blood circulation and immunity of White Leghorns Chickens.

Genomic Variation between Genetic Lines of White Leghorns Differed in Resistance to Marek’s Disease

Genetic resistance to avian tumor virus-induced tumorigenesis and vaccine protective efficacy preventing such tumorigenicity are determined by multiple factors including host genetics, viral virulence, dose of challenge viruses, type of vaccine, vaccine dosage, and interval between vaccination and viral exposure time. Studies on human immune response to vaccination suggest host genetic variability has a strong effect and involves both genes within and outside of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC). Using chickens primarily from two highly inbred and specific pathogen free lines (63 and 72) sharing a common MHC (B*2) haplotype in challenge trials, we recently reported a striking difference in protective efficacy conveyed by HVT or CVI988/Rispens at either 500 PFU/bird or a commercial dosage. We also reported DNA methylation level that differs between the two lines of chickens at promoter regions of genes. Differential gene expression was also reported. This report documents Marek’s disease (MD) incidences of the two highly inbred lines and a series of Recombinant Congenic Strains (RCS) derived from the two lines, which were induced with a very virulent plus strain of MD virus, and illustrates genetic and epigenetic differences between the lines, which we anticipate, at least in part, are liable to the observed MD incidence and vaccine efficacy differences. The genetic and epigenetic mechanisms underlying both genetic resistances to MD and vaccine protective efficacy are complex. Therefore, continuous and systematic efforts on such study are warranted. A better understanding on genetic resistance to MD will empower the disease control through genetic or genomic selection, and a better understanding on the roles of host genetics in relation to immunogenicity in response to vaccination will serve as the touchstone for rational design and development of safer and more efficacious vaccines against infectious diseases.

The effects of Spirulina algae inclusion and conditioning temperature on feed manufacture, pellet quality, and true amino acid digestibility

Diet formulation and manufacturing techniques dictate pellet quality and in turn influence broiler chicken performance; however, the degree of improvement may be dependent on potential changes in nutrient digestibility. For example, high steam conditioning temperature has been shown to increase pellet quality but also decrease amino acid digestibility. Therefore anticipated broiler performance improvement due to increased pellet quality would be diminished. Formulating diets with ingredients that contribute to pellet binding may allow for low temperature conditioning and maintenance of pellet quality. The inclusion of Spirulina algae in broiler diet formulations has been shown to improve pellet quality. The objectives of this study were to describe the manufacture, quality, and true amino acid digestibility (TAAD) of pelleted corn and soybean meal based broiler diets produced with different Spirulina algae inclusions and steam conditioning temperatures. Treatments were arranged as a 5×3 factorial that varied in algae inclusion (0, 0.5, 1, 5, and 10%) and steam conditioning temperature (74, 82, and 91°C). The Spirulina algae was analyzed for mineral content, metabolizable energy, and digestible amino acids to balance treatment formulations. The manufacture of each treatment was replicated three times and blocked by time of manufacture. All treatments were steam conditioned for a 10s duration and extruded through a 4.7×38mm pellet die. Hot pellet temperature (HPT) and pellet mill motor amperage increased (P<0.05) with either increased algae inclusion or steam conditioning temperature. However, pellet production rate was not affected by treatment (P>0.05). Algae inclusion and conditioning temperature interacted to affect pellet durability (P<0.05). Algae inclusion and conditioning temperature increased pellet durability, with algae inclusion having a greater influence at low conditioning temperature. Single comb white leghorn cockerels were precision fed each dietary treatment to determine TAAD. Conditioning temperature, in general, affected TAAD of multiple tested amino acids (P<0.02), more specifically leucine, valine, isoleucine, alanine, and aspartic acid decreased in digestibility when conditioned at 91°C (P<0.05). Lysine TAAD tended to be similarly effected by conditioning temperature (P=0.06). Threonine, cystine, proline, and glutamic acid digestibility were affected by the interaction of conditioning temperature and algae inclusion (P<0.05), demonstrating that TAAD was reduced at either 82°C or 91°C depending on the inclusion of algae. The combination of Spirulina algae inclusion and low conditioning temperature may improve pellet quality without detriment to amino acid digestibility.

Cooled perch effects on performance and well-being traits in caged White Leghorn hens

We assessed the effects of chilled water cooling perches on hen performance and physiological and behavioral parameters under “natural” high temperatures during the 2013 summer with a 4-hour acute heating episode. White Leghorns at 16 wk of age (N = 162) were randomly assigned to 18 cages (n = 9) arranged into 3 units. Each unit was assigned to one of the 3 treatments through 32 wk of age: 1) cooled perches, 2) air perches, and 3) no perches. Chilled water (10°C) was circulated through the cooled perches when cage ambient temperature exceeded 25°C. At the age of 27.6 wk, hens were subjected to a 4-hour acute heating episode of 33.3°C and plasma corticosterone was determined within 2 hours. Egg production was recorded daily. Feed intake and egg and shell quality were measured at 5-week intervals. Feather condition, foot health, adrenal and liver weights, plasma corticosterone, and heat shock protein 70 mRNA were determined at the end of the study at 32 wk of age. The proportion of hens per cage perching, feeding, drinking, panting, and wing spreading was evaluated over one d every 5 wks and on the d of acute heat stress. There were no treatment effects on the measured physiological and production traits except for nail length. Nails were shorter for cooled perch hens than control (P = 0.002) but not air perch hens. Panting and wing spread were observed only on the day of acute heat stress. The onset of both behaviors was delayed for cooled perch hens, and they perched more than air perch hens following acute heat stress (P = 0.001) and at the age 21.4 wk (P = 0.023). Cooled perch hens drank less than control (P = 0.019) but not air perch hens at the age 21.4 wk. These results indicate that thermally cooled perches reduced thermoregulatory behaviors during acute heat stress, but did not affect their performance and physiological parameters under the ambient temperature imposed during this study.

The effect of dietary supplementation of salts of organic acid on production performance of laying hens.

Aim:An experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of supplementing different levels of salts of organic acid in the laying hen’s diet on their production performance and egg quality parameters during a period of 16-week.Materials and Methods:A total of 140 white leghorn laying hens at 24 weeks of age were randomly distributed to seven dietary treatment groups, i.e. T1 (control), T2 (0.5% sodium-butyrate), T3 (1.0% sodium-butyrate), T4 (1.5% sodium-butyrate), T5 (0.5% calcium-propionate), T6 (1.0% calcium-propionate) and T7 (1.5% calcium-propionate) consisting of 5 replications of 4 birds each in each treatment and housed in individual cages from 24 to 40 weeks of age. Feed intake, percent hen-day egg production, egg weight, egg mass production, feed conversion ratio (FCR), and economics of supplementation of salts of organic acids in layers’ ration were evaluated.Results:The dietary supplementation of salts of organic acids did not significantly affect the feed intake (g/day/hen) and body weight gain (g). Different levels of supplementation significantly (p<0.05) improved production performance (percent hen-day egg production and egg mass production) as compared to control group. FCR in terms of feed intake (kg) per dozen eggs was lowest (1.83±0.05) in T4 and feed intake (kg) per kg egg mass was lowest (2.87±0.05) in T5 as comparison to control (T1) group. Salts of organic acids supplementation resulted in significant (p<0.05) improvement in FCR. Egg weight was significantly (p<0.05) increased at 0.5% level of salts of organic acids in the diet. The cumulative mean values of feed cost per dozen egg production were Rs. 44.14, 42.40, 42.85, 43.26, 42.57, 43.29 and 43.56 in treatment groups T1, T2, T3, T4, T5, T6 and T7, respectively, and reduction in feed cost per kg egg mass production for Rs. 0.52 and 0.99 in groups T2 and T5, respectively, in comparison to T1 group.Conclusions:It can be concluded that supplementation of salts of organic acids may improve persistency of lay, egg weight, and FCR. From economical point of view, egg production was more profitable at 0.5% level of sodium butyrate and 0.5% level of calcium propionate which reduced the feed cost per dozen eggs and per kg egg mass production without affecting the egg quality.

Effect on chick embryos development after exposure to neonicotinoid insecticide imidacloprid

IntroductionWorldwide, Imidacloprid is one of the most commonly used insecticides belonging to the family of neonicotinoids. The discovery of neonicotinoids as important novel insecticides represents a milestone in insecticide research over the past three decades. Worldwide, it is insecticides. The objective of current study is to observe the effect on development of chick embryos after exposure to varying concentrations of neonicotinoid insecticide imidacloprid. MethodsThe current study was carried out on 400 fertile eggs of white leghorn chicken obtained from government poultry farm In experimental group chicken eggs were exposed to Imidacloprid with doses of 2.5μg, 5μg, 10μg and 20μg in a volume of 2.5μl, 5μl, 10μl and 20μl respectively and in control group matching volume of Normal Saline without Imidacloprid were used. The embryos were terminated on 21st day, eggs shell broken with a scalpel and embryos removed. The developmental and teratogenic effects were observed and recorded. ResultsThe results show that experimental group had comparatively more cases of developmentaleffects; growth retardation resulting into failure of retraction of yolk sac, limbs defects, head enlargement, ectopia viscerale and decrease weight of chick, crown rump length as compared to controls. DiscussionImidacloprid exposure increases the risks of teratogenic effects with increasing embryonic age. Comparatively higher doses proved more toxic to thedevelopment of chick embryos.

Influence of the structural development of bursa on the susceptibility of chickens to infectious bursal disease virus

Infectious bursal disease (IBD), caused by IBD virus (IBDV), is an acute, highly contagious immunosuppressive avian disease. Although age-dependent changes in susceptibility of chickens to IBDV have been established, the relationship between age-dependent structural changes in bursa of Fabricius and susceptibility of chickens to IBDV is still unclear. In the present study, we examined the bursa anatomical structure and pathological changes in specific-pathogen-free (SPF) white leghorn chickens 0 to 8 weeks post hatch (w.p.h.) and IBDV BC6/85-infected SPF chickens 2 to 6 w.p.h. respectively, by histology, histopathology, immunohistochemistry, and transmission electron microscopy. Almost all IBDV-exposed chickens (2 to 6 w.p.h.) were infected, with the severest bursal inflammation and complication in chickens at 3 w.p.h. Furthermore, the bursae of healthy chickens at 3 to 6 w.p.h. had decreased laminin immunoreactivities, lots of splits, and irregular shapes in basement membrane (BM) of cortico-medullary epithelium (CME), irregularly arranged CME, and large numbers of immunoglobulin M-bearing (IgM+) B lymphocytes in the medulla. The decreased barrier function of corticomedullary border and large amount of IgM+ B lymphocytes provide a chance for IBDV to easily contact and infect target cells at 3 to 6 w.p.h. By contrast, regular BM, neatly arranged CME, and few IgM+ B lymphocytes in healthy chickens younger than 2 w.p.h., as well as reduced IgM+ B lymphocytes and high immunoglobulin A (IgA) content in healthy chickens older than 8 w.p.h., were observed, suggesting that the integrity of corticomedullary border barrier, a small amount of target cells and high IgA content of the bursa could be the reasons for these chickens being less susceptible to IBDV. Although studies have shown how IBDV affects bursa, we focus first on the age-dependent changes of CME, BM of CME and IgA content, and our findings are the first to elucidate the structural development of bursa in relation to IBDV susceptibility from a morphological perspective.

Incubation relative humidity induces renal morphological and physiological remodeling in the embryo of the chicken (Gallus gallus domesticus)

The metanephric kidneys of the chicken embryo, along with the chorioallantoic membrane, process water and ions to maintain osmoregulatory homeostasis. We hypothesized that changes in relative humidity (RH) and thus osmotic conditions during embryogenesis would alter the developmental trajectory of embryonic kidney function. White leghorn chicken eggs were incubated at one of 25–30% relative humidity, 55–60% relative humidity, and 85–90% relative humidity. Embryos were sampled at days 10, 12, 14, 16, and 18 to examine embryo and kidney mass, glomerular characteristics, body fluid osmolalities, hematological properties, and whole embryo oxygen consumption. Low and especially high RH elevated mortality, which was reflected in a 10–20% lower embryo mass on D18. Low RH altered several glomerular characteristics by day 18, including increased numbers of glomeruli per kidney, increased glomerular perfusion, and increased total glomerular volume, all indicating potentially increased functional kidney capacity. Hematological variables and plasma and amniotic fluid osmolalities remained within normal physiological values. However, the allantoic, amniotic and cloacal fluids had a significant increase in osmolality at most developmental points sampled. Embryonic oxygen consumption increased relative to control at both low and high relative humidities on Day 18, reflecting the increased metabolic costs of osmotic stress. Major differences in both renal structure and performance associated with changes in incubation humidity occurred after establishment of the metanephric kidney and persisted into late development, and likely into the postnatal period. These data indicate that the avian embryo deserves to be further investigated as a promising model for fetal programming of osmoregulatory function, and renal remodeling during osmotic stress.

A novel method for sexing day-old chicks using endoscope system

Sexing day-old chicks is important for layer and broiler production. A novel method for sexing day-old chicks was developed using an endoscope system. The probe of the endoscope was inserted from the cloaca into the intestine of a chick, and the presence of testes or ovary was observed through the wall of the intestine. The picture image was displayed on the monitor. Sexing was performed in White Leghorn (WL) and Rhode Island Red (RIR) chicks using this new system. The accuracy of sexing was 91.1% in WL chicks and 88.3% in RIR chicks, confirmed by observing gonads after laparotomy or appearances at 80 d of age. Accuracy of sexing male chicks (95.0%) was higher than that of female chicks (86.0%). The overall accuracy of sexing was 90.2% in the present study, and the accuracy would be improved by continuous training in the handling of the endoscope. The endoscope system devised in this study requires no specific skills and anyone can perform sexing of chicks after short-term training.

Nutritional characteristics and quality of eggs from laying hens fed on a diet supplemented with chestnut tannin extract (Castanea sativa Miller)

The trial was performed with 80 laying hens belonging to two Tuscan autochthonous breeds: 40 birds of the Mugellese (MU) breed and 40 of the White Leghorn (WL) breed.The animals were allotted to 4 groups of individually caged 20 hens each: two groups were fed on a commercial diet and worked as the control groups (MUC and WLC); the other two groups received the same diet, integrated with 2 g of chestnut tannin (CT) extract per kg of diet (MUT and WLT).A sample of 70 eggs were randomly collected and analysed for cholesterol content, fatty acid (FA) profile, weight, thickness of shell and colour of yolk.Physical parameters, including yolk colour, and indices of egg quality were not affected by the treatments.The concentration of unsaturated FAs increased, whereas cholesterol was significantly decreased: −17% in WLT and −9% in MUT. Dietary supplementation with CT extract resulted in a modification of lipid composition, towards a more healthy quality of eggs.

A case of peripartum cardiomyopathy occurred at 9 days after giving birth

The aim of this study was to investigate the basic physiological mechanism involved in taking pauses between the sequences of egg laying in domestic hen to improve egg production by extending the sequence length and decreasing the intersequence pause days by modulating the prolactin concentration in birds. Fifty healthy female white leghorn birds were administered anti-prolactin agent (2-bromo-α-ergocriptine, Sigma, USA) subcutaneously at 100μg/kg body weight at weekly intervals from 17th to 36th week of age. Another group of fifty birds was given placebo in place of the modulating agent. The level of prolactin remained lower in the treated birds than in the control birds throughout the production cycle up to 72 weeks of age. The level of prolactin in the control group was found to decrease during the peak production period. The average percentage of egg production from 19 to 72 week period was 87.67 in the treatment group as compared to 83.56 in the control group. Oestradiol-17β and progesterone concentrations in the treated birds were significantly (P<0.01) higher than those in control birds, during and after withdrawal of the treatment. Prolactin level was negatively correlated with egg production (r=−0.02; r=−0.12) and with oestradiol-17β (r=−0.75; r=−0.38) and progesterone (r=−0.20; r=−0.83), respectively, in control and treatment groups. The total number of pause days during the production period decreased significantly (P<0.01) in the treatment group, resulting in a 4.11% increase in egg production. It is concluded that there is a consistent relationship between plasma prolactin in the physiological range and laying performance in domestic hen.

Northern fowl mite (Ornithonyssus sylviarum) effects on metabolism, body temperatures, skin condition, and egg production as a function of hen MHC haplotype

The northern fowl mite, Ornithonyssus sylviarum, is the most damaging ectoparasite on egg-laying hens in the United States. One potential strategy for management is breeding for mite resistance. Genes of white leghorn chickens linked to the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) were previously identified as conferring more (B21 haplotype) or less (B15 haplotype) mite resistance. However, immune responses can be energetically costly to the host and affect the economic damage incurred from mite infestations. We tested energy costs (resting metabolic rate) of mite infestations on egg-laying birds of both MHC B-haplotypes. Resting metabolic rates were documented before (pre-) mite infestation, during (mid-) infestation, and after peak (late) mite infestation. Mite scores, economic parameters (egg production, feed consumption), and physiological aspects such as skin inflammation and skin temperature were recorded weekly. Across experiments and different infestation time points, resting metabolic rates generally were not affected by mite infestation or haplotype, although there were instances of lower metabolic rates in infested versus control hens. Skin temperatures were recorded both at the site of mite feeding damage (vent) and under the wing (no mites), which possibly would reflect a systemic fever response. Ambient temperatures modified skin surface temperature, which generally was not affected by mites or haplotype. Feed conversion efficiency was significantly worse (4.9 to 17.0% depending on trial) in birds infested with mites. Overall egg production and average egg weight were not affected significantly, although there was a trend toward reduced egg production (2 to 8%) by infested hens. The MHC haplotype significantly affected vent skin inflammation. Birds with the mite-resistant B21 haplotype showed earlier onset of inflammation, but a reduced overall area of inflammation compared to mite-susceptible B15 birds. No significant differences in resting energy expenditure related to mite infestation or immune responses were detected. Potential breeding for resistance to mite infestation using these two haplotypes appears to be neutral in terms of impact on hen energy costs or production efficiency, and may be an attractive option for future mite control.

Effect of infection with mixed Eimeria species on T cells and T regulatory cell properties

An experiment was conducted to study the effect of a mixed Eimeria infection on chicken regulatory T cell (Treg) percentages, T-cell percentages, cell proliferation, and cytokine mRNA amounts. Specific-pathogen-free white leghorn birds were raised in battery cages and were challenged with and without coccidial oocysts at 21 d of age. At 6 d post challenge, birds inoculated with coccidial oocysts shed an average of 1.5 × 104 oocysts/gram of feces. At d 6 post challenge, both CD4+ and CD8+ cell percentages in the cecal tonsil were significantly (P < 0.01) increased in challenged birds compared to the control. At d 11, CD4+ cell percentages in the cecal tonsil were higher in the control birds. At 6 d post challenge there was a 6-fold increase (P = 0.18) in IL-10 mRNA content in the cecal tonsils of infected birds compared to the control. At 11 d post challenge there was a 4-fold increase (P = 0.09) in IL-10 mRNA content in the infected birds’ cecal tonsils. At 11 d post challenge there was half as much (P = 0.10) IFN-γ mRNA content in the spleen of infected birds compared to the control. At 6 d post challenge, the CD25 depleted cecal tonsils of infected birds had increased proliferation (P < 0.05) compared to the control. It could be concluded that a mixed Eimeria infection causes an up-regulation of IL-10, Tregs, and CD4+ cells in the cecal tonsils during the late stages of infection.

Craniosynostosis – A case study

Worldwide, Imidacloprid is one of the most commonly used insecticides belonging to the family of neonicotinoids. The discovery of neonicotinoids as important novel insecticides represents a milestone in insecticide research over the past three decades. Worldwide, it is insecticides. The objective of current study is to observe the effect on development of chick embryos after exposure to varying concentrations of neonicotinoid insecticide imidacloprid.The current study was carried out on 400 fertile eggs of white leghorn chicken obtained from government poultry farm In experimental group chicken eggs were exposed to Imidacloprid with doses of 2.5 μg, 5 μg, 10 μg and 20 μg in a volume of 2.5 μl, 5 μl, 10 μl and 20 μl respectively and in control group matching volume of Normal Saline without Imidacloprid were used. The embryos were terminated on 21st day, eggs shell broken with a scalpel and embryos removed. The developmental and teratogenic effects were observed and recorded.The results show that experimental group had comparatively more cases of developmentaleffects; growth retardation resulting into failure of retraction of yolk sac, limbs defects, head enlargement, ectopia viscerale and decrease weight of chick, crown rump length as compared to controls.Imidacloprid exposure increases the risks of teratogenic effects with increasing embryonic age. Comparatively higher doses proved more toxic to thedevelopment of chick embryos.

Coracoclavicular joint: A rare additional component of pectoral girdle

Worldwide, Imidacloprid is one of the most commonly used insecticides belonging to the family of neonicotinoids. The discovery of neonicotinoids as important novel insecticides represents a milestone in insecticide research over the past three decades. Worldwide, it is insecticides. The objective of current study is to observe the effect on development of chick embryos after exposure to varying concentrations of neonicotinoid insecticide imidacloprid.The current study was carried out on 400 fertile eggs of white leghorn chicken obtained from government poultry farm In experimental group chicken eggs were exposed to Imidacloprid with doses of 2.5 μg, 5 μg, 10 μg and 20 μg in a volume of 2.5 μl, 5 μl, 10 μl and 20 μl respectively and in control group matching volume of Normal Saline without Imidacloprid were used. The embryos were terminated on 21st day, eggs shell broken with a scalpel and embryos removed. The developmental and teratogenic effects were observed and recorded.The results show that experimental group had comparatively more cases of developmentaleffects; growth retardation resulting into failure of retraction of yolk sac, limbs defects, head enlargement, ectopia viscerale and decrease weight of chick, crown rump length as compared to controls.Imidacloprid exposure increases the risks of teratogenic effects with increasing embryonic age. Comparatively higher doses proved more toxic to thedevelopment of chick embryos.

Cell viability in X-ray irradiated human lens epithelial cell (HLEC) culture by using trypan blue dye exclusion test

Worldwide, Imidacloprid is one of the most commonly used insecticides belonging to the family of neonicotinoids. The discovery of neonicotinoids as important novel insecticides represents a milestone in insecticide research over the past three decades. Worldwide, it is insecticides. The objective of current study is to observe the effect on development of chick embryos after exposure to varying concentrations of neonicotinoid insecticide imidacloprid.The current study was carried out on 400 fertile eggs of white leghorn chicken obtained from government poultry farm In experimental group chicken eggs were exposed to Imidacloprid with doses of 2.5 μg, 5 μg, 10 μg and 20 μg in a volume of 2.5 μl, 5 μl, 10 μl and 20 μl respectively and in control group matching volume of Normal Saline without Imidacloprid were used. The embryos were terminated on 21st day, eggs shell broken with a scalpel and embryos removed. The developmental and teratogenic effects were observed and recorded.The results show that experimental group had comparatively more cases of developmentaleffects; growth retardation resulting into failure of retraction of yolk sac, limbs defects, head enlargement, ectopia viscerale and decrease weight of chick, crown rump length as compared to controls.Imidacloprid exposure increases the risks of teratogenic effects with increasing embryonic age. Comparatively higher doses proved more toxic to thedevelopment of chick embryos.

Anti-Trimeresurus albolabris venom IgY antibodies: preparation, purification and neutralization efficacy.

BackgroundSnakebite incidence in southwestern China is mainly attributed to one of the several venomous snakes found in the country, the white-lipped green pit viper Trimeresurus albolabris. Since antivenom produced from horses may cause numerous clinical side effects, the present study was conducted aiming to develop an alternative antivenom antibody (immunoglobulin Y - IgY) from leghorn chickens.MethodsIgY in egg yolk from white leghorn chicken previously injected with T. albolabris venom was extracted by water, precipitated by ammonium sulfate and purified by affinity chromatographic system. IgY was identified by SDS-PAGE, ELISA and Western blot, and its neutralizing assay was conducted on mice.ResultsChickens injected multiple times with T. albolabris venom elicited strong antibody responses, and from their egg yolk IgY was isolated and purified, which exhibited a single protein band on SDS-PAGE and two bands (about 65 and 35 kDa, respectively) under reduced conditions. Immunoblot analysis revealed that these IgY are polyclonal antibodies since they bind with most venom components. In the neutralizing assay, all mice survived while the ratios of IgY/venom reached up to 3.79 (50.0 mg/13.2 mg).ConclusionsIgY antibody response was successfully conducted in white leghorn chicken injected with T. albolabris venom. IgY against T. albolabris venom was obtained for the first time, and it exhibited strong neutralizing potency on mice. These results may lay a foundation for the development of IgY antivenom with clinical applications in the future.