Effect on physiological and production parameters upon supplementation of fermented yeast culture to Nicobari chickens during and post summer.

Nicobari is an indigenous bird reared for meat and eggs. This study evaluated the effect of heat stress on plasma levels of leptin, growth hormone and their receptors, liver AMP kinase, plasma cholesterol and lipid peroxide (MDA). The laying period coincided with the post summer period. The birds were equally divided into three groups, control group was offered ad libitum feed and treatment groups were supplemented with fermented yeast culture at 700 mg (T1) and 1.4 g/kg (T2) of feed/day. The levels of plasma Leptin and GH hormones were higher (p < 0.05) in the control group when compared to the treatment groups. The expression of the hormone receptors was higher in the brain, and MMP3 gene expression in the magnum was lower in the treatment group. Plasma cholesterol, MDA and AMP kinase were significantly higher (p < 0.05) in the control group. Fermented yeast culture supplementation decreased feed intake and increased egg production parameters, which indicates a greater efficiency of supplementation. Supplementation reduced the severity of necrosis of villi in the jejunum when compared to control. In conclusion, higher ambient temperature during summer had negative effect on production parameters through modulation of physiological parameters which could be ameliorated by supplementation of FYC.

Cryopreservation of Ghagus chicken semen: Effect of cryoprotectants, diluents and thawing temperature.

The present study evaluated the effects of cryoprotectants, semen diluents and thawing temperature during Ghagus chicken semen cryopreservation. Four different experiments were conducted; Experiment 1-semen was cryopreserved using 6% dimethylacetamide (DMA) and 2% dimethylsulphoxide (DMSO) in Sasaki diluent (SD) and Lake and Ravie diluent (LR), Experiment 2 and 3-semen was cryopreserved using 8% ethylene glycol (EG) in SD, LRD and Red Fowl Extender (RFE), Experiment 4-semen was cryopreserved using 6% dimethylformamide (DMF) in SD, LR and Beltsville poultry semen extender (BPSE). Semen was cryopreserved in 0.5 ml French straws. Thawing was done at 5°C for 100 s in ice water in Experiments 1, 2 and 4, whereas in Experiment 3 thawing was done at 37°C for 30 s. The post-thaw sperm motility, viable sperm and acrosome-intact sperm were significantly (p < .05) lower in cryopreserved samples in all the experiments. No fertile eggs were obtained from cryopreserved samples in Experiments 1 and 2, except for 8% EG RFE treatment where the fertility was 0.83%. In Experiments 3 and 4, highest fertility was obtained in LR treatment 48.12 and 30.89%, respectively. In conclusion, using cryoprotectant EG (8%) and thawing at 37°C for 30 s, and DMF(6%) resulted in acceptable level of fertility in Ghagus chicken. Though the diluents influenced post-thaw in vitro semen parameters, the fertility was not affected. In addition, results indicated that thawing temperature may be a critical stage in the cryopreservation protocol.

Investigation of work-related musculoskeletal disorders among male kitchen workers in South India.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to quantify the prevalence of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) and risks among male kitchen workers in the catering industry. METHOD: Data were collected with the help of the Nordic musculoskeletal questionnaire and by direct observations. RESULTS: In total, 114 male kitchen workers from various hostels of a college in South India were considered for this study. The average age and mean years of employment of the workers are 26.4 (SD 7.7) and 7.8 respectively. The statistical analysis carried out reveals that 67.5% of male kitchen workers reported MSDs during the past 12 months. The highest prevalence rate has been found in the lower back (65.8%) and shoulder region (62.3%). Among different categories of kitchen work analyzed, it is evident that chief cooks suffer more from MSDs (79.2%) than assistant cooks (74.3%) and kitchen aides (30.0%). Workers in the older group, i.e., ≥ 41 years, and workers with 6-10 years of experience suffer with higher risk of MSDs, i.e., 93.9% and 87.5%, respectively. CONCLUSION: The male kitchen workers who participated in this research were found to possess both MSDs and ergonomic hazards.

Expression analysis of turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) toll-like receptors and molecular characterization of avian specific TLR15.

Toll-like receptors (TLRs) constitute a multi-gene family, which plays a pivotal role in sensing invading pathogens by virtue of conserved microbial patterns. TLR repertoire of chicken and zebra finch has been well studied. However TLR family of other avian species is yet to be characterized. In the present study, we identified TLR repertoire of turkey, characterized avian specific receptor TLR15 in turkey and profiled the TLRs expressions in a range of tissues of turkey poults. All ten TLR genes orthologous to chicken TLR repertoire were found in turkey. Turkey TLR genes showed 81-93 % similarity at amino acid level to their chicken counter parts. Phylogenetic analysis confirmed the orthologous relationship of turkey TLRs with chicken and zebra finch TLRs. Open reading frame of turkey TLR15 was 2,607 bp long encoding 868 amino acids similar to that of broiler chicken and showed 92.4, 91.1 and 69.5 % identity at amino acid levels with chicken, Japanese quail and zebra finch TLR15 sequences respectively. Overall TLR expression was highest for TLR4 and lowest for TLR21. TLR1A, 2A, 2B and 21 were significantly higher in liver than other tissues investigated (P < 0.01). TLR3 expression was significantly higher in bone marrow (BM) and spleen in comparison to other tissues studied (P < 0.01). Furthermore, no significant differences in the expression levels of TLR1B, 4, 5, 7 and 15 genes were detected among the tissues studied. Our findings contribute to the characterization of innate immune system of birds and show the innate preparedness of young turkey poults to a range of pathogens.

Assessment of shoulder and low back muscle activity of male kitchen workers using surface electromyography.

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to assess muscle fatigue for kitchen workers during various tasks in a kitchen. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This study consists of 2 phases: a) surface electromyography (EMG) to determine muscle fatigue of trapezius and erector spinae muscles bilaterally for 12 healthy male volunteers during 30 min of Indian flatbread (chapati) preparation, b) self-administered questionnaire study after 30 min preparation to determine the impact on performance. RESULTS: Surface EMG results show that the right trapezius muscle had significantly higher fatigue during kneading, rolling and roasting tasks. Similarly, right erector spinae muscle showed significantly higher fatigue during rolling and roasting tasks. CONCLUSIONS: Both phases of the study conclude that, even though the dynamic postural adjustment may reduce fatigue during the work schedule; the combination of risk factors like the repetitive task, forceful exertion and prolonged standing during working results in a high risk of developing muscle fatigue. Int J Occup Med Environ Health 2018;31(1):81-90.

Toll-like receptor mRNA expression, iNOS gene polymorphism and serum nitric oxide levels in indigenous chickens.

Toll-like receptor (TLR) family is one of the important members of innate immune system that recognizes conserved microbial patterns and induces innate immune response. They also act as a link to adaptive immune response. Nitric oxide (NO) is a multi-functional mediator with diverse physiological and immunological roles. In the present study TLR mRNA expression in heterophils, serum nitric oxide level and iNOS (inducible Nitric Oxide Synthase) gene polymorphism were investigated in cockerels of two Indian native chicken breeds, Aseel and Kadaknath. TLR (4 and 5) mRNA expression as quantified by real time RT-PCR revealed Kadaknath males expressed significantly (P < 0.01) higher TLR4 mRNA than Aseel males. iNOS gene polymorphism analyzed by PCR-RFLP method revealed difference in allele frequency. Kadaknath males had higher allele B frequency (0.81) than Aseel males (0.56). However, there were no genotype and breed effect on serum nitric oxide level. Based on the present study we conclude that Kadaknath has comparatively higher innate immunity levels than Aseel, however further investigations are needed.

Differential expression of Toll-like receptor mRNA in White Leghorn and indigenous chicken of India.

In the present experiment, the expression profile of Toll-like receptor mRNA in indigenous and pure line chickens was studied. The expression of TLR3, TLR4, TLR5 and TLR7 were quantified in heterophils of Aseel, Kadaknath, Naked neck, Dwarf and White Leghorn lines by Quantitative Real-time PCR. White Leghorns expressed significantly (P < 0.01) higher levels of TLR3 mRNA compared to other lines. TLR4 and TLR5 mRNA were significantly highly expressed in Kadaknath line. Among the TLRs investigated TLR5 was more expressed in all lines studied. TLR7 was highly expressed in indigenous chicken Aseel and Kadaknath than other lines. Dwarf chicken expressed significantly (P < 0.01) lower levels of all TLRs investigated. On the basis of the present study we conclude that the differential expression of TLR mRNA in the heterophils of indigenous and other chicken breeds might contribute to their variable disease resistance/susceptibility.