Supplementary nucleosides improve the performance through enhanced enzyme activity, intestinal development and transporter genes in broiler chickens.

A biological experiment was carried out to evaluate dietary nucleoside supplementation on growth performance, digestive enzymes activities, immune response, and intestinal transporter genes expression in broiler chicken. A total of 720 newly hatched CARIBRO VISHAL broiler chicks were weighed and randomly divided into eight groups with nine replicates. The dietary treatments were as follows: Group I: diet without antibiotic supplement (control), group II: diet supplemented with antibiotic (positive control), groups III, IV and V: diet supplemented with combination of nucleosides at 0.5, 1.0 and 1.5 g/kg feed, respectively, for 14 days, groups VI, VII and VIII: diet supplemented with nucleosides at 0.5, 1.0 and 1.5 g/kg feed, respectively, for 21 days. The combination of nucleosides (equal proportion (1:1:1:1) adenosine, guanosine, cytosine, and uridine with 99% purity) were used in the study. Body weight was significantly higher in the birds fed diets containing antibiotics and 1.5 g/kg nucleosides fed groups. The supplementation had positive effect on the activity of amylase and lipase enzymes and the absorptive surface (villi length). It could be concluded that, the dietary supplementation of nucleosides improved the performance of broilers with better cellular and humoral immunity than control. The study further confirmed that nucleosides supplementation improved gut development and could be an alternative to antibiotic growth promoters in broiler production.

Seasonal variations on semen quality attributes in turkey and egg type chicken male breeders.

A biological experiment was carried out in twenty-four adult healthy breeder males each in turkey (Beltsville small white) and egg type chicken (White Leghorn Babcock) in order to assess the seasonal influence on semen production and quality. The birds were maintained in individual cages under uniform husbandry conditions throughout the year. The birds were fed with breeder ration and water ad libitum was offered with a constant photoperiod of 14 h/day. Physical and biochemical characteristics of semen, serum hormones (testosterone and thyroxine), and antioxidant activity (catalase and lipid peroxidation) were evaluated throughout the year (January-December). Based on the THI calculations, the observations were classified under three different seasons, namely, winter (November-February), spring (March, April, and October), and summer (May-September). Semen physical parameters, sperm concentration, motility, live sperm percentage, and sperm plasma membrane integrity were superior during the winter season. In seminal plasma, biochemical parameters (phosphorus, ALT, ALP, AST, and uric acid) had a significant (P < 0.05) difference between seasons. There was a significant difference (P < 0.05) among serum hormones (testosterone and thyroxine) that were higher during the winter season. Significant variation was observed in catalase and lipid peroxidation antioxidant enzyme activities (seminal and blood plasma) in winter than in the other two seasons. Both the turkey and egg type chicken breeders exhibited superior seminal characteristics, sex hormone profile, and antioxidant enzyme activity during winter seasons.

Effects of Spirulina (Arthrospira platensis) as a drinking water supplement during cyclical chronic heat stress on broiler chickens: Assessing algal composition, production, stress, health and immune-biochemical indices.

Spirulina, the blue green algae is considered to exhibit multifaceted benefits on both human health and animal production. Three hundred sixty day old unsexed broiler chicks of CARIBROVISHAL strain were assigned to five treatment groups each comprising nine replicates of 8 chicks. The experiment was carried out during the hot humid summer season (Mid-April to May) under deep litter rearing system with uniform managemental conditions. Birds were administered orally with Spirulina through drinking water in the morning (06:00-12:00 PM) on daily basis throughout the experimental period at 5, 10, 15 and 20 gL-1 concentration. Spirulina supplementation neither improved nor compromised production performance of broilers reared during hot climatic condition. Results based on one way analysis of variance indicated a significant effect on haemoglobin and total red blood cell count. Serum lipid content and transaminases were reduced, while serum protein concentration was higher (P < 0.01) in the groups administered with 15 and 20 gL-1 of Spirulina. The extent of imparting shank pigmentation was improved in all the supplemented groups. Cell mediated and humoral immunity against Phytoheamagglutunin-P and Newcastle disease vaccination respectively were maximized (P < 0.05) at 20 gL-1. These findings provide direct evidence of dose-related modulation of production, physiological and immunological attributes by Spirulina engendering its further investigation as a potential source of drinking water supplement for stress alleviation in broilers. From the results, it may concluded that Spirulina can be incorporated at 15 or 20 gL-1 for achieving optimal improvement of health and welfare attributes in broilers reared during hot summer without compromising production.

Impact of heat stress on broilers with varying body weights: Elucidating their interactive role through physiological signatures.

Physiological determinants of different body weight (BW) broiler chickens under heat stressed conditions were investigated to compare the performance at market age considering medium body weight group as standard. At 5 weeks, broilers were categorized randomly into 3 treatments (N = 24 per group) as high (HBW) (>1050 g), medium (MBW) (900-1050 g) and low (LBW) (<900 g) followed by simultaneous exposure to normal and heat stress (HS) conditions at 40 ± 1 °C and 45 ± 5% RH for 4 h/day for a period of 7 days (D) and sample collection was employed at D0, D3 and D7. Physiological and stress responses, haematological and biochemical profile, intestinal gross and histological aspects were estimated using standard protocols. Heart rate and mean arterial blood pressure were significantly (P = 0.000) higher in HBW broilers followed by low and medium ones. Heat stress exposure indicated significant (P = 0.000) increase in heart rate, arterial blood pressure, respiration rate and comb temperature while cloacal temperature remained unaffected. Lymphocytes, eosinophils, total red blood cell count, haemoglobin, and haematocrit were reduced (P = 0.000) whereas mean corpuscular volume and mean corpuscular hemoglobin, heterophil count and heterophil to lymphocyte ratio were increased (P = 0.000) in response to HS. Circulating corticosterone and tri-iodothyronine concentrations showed inverse relationship with respect to BW variation and HS duration respectively with significant interaction (P = 0.000). Higher protein in LBW was observed on D3. Serum triglycerides remained unaffected till D3 exposure but significantly (P = 0.017) reduced on D7 with lowest content in HBW group. Serum alkaline phosphatase increased in LBW group with significant heat stress interaction (P = 0.000) on D3. HS reduced villi length and crypt depth; but their corresponding ratio increased. In conclusion, HBW broilers are more affected than MBW or LBW groups. This study established interactive roles of BW and HS on physiological responses in broilers.

Transcriptomic analysis to infer key molecular players involved during host response to NDV challenge in Gallus gallus (Leghorn & Fayoumi).

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are the transcripts of length longer than 200 nucleotides. They are involved in the regulation of various biological activities. Leghorn and Fayoumi breeds of Gallus gallus were known to be having differential resistance against Newcastle Disease Virus (NDV) infection. Differentially expressed genes which were thought to be involved in this pattern of resistance were already studied. Here we report the analysis of the transcriptomic data of Harderian gland of Gallus gallus for studying the lncRNAs involved in regulation of these genes. Using bioinformatics approaches, a total of 37,411 lncRNAs were extracted and 359 lncRNAs were differentially expressing. Functional annotation using co-expression analysis revealed the involvement of lncRNAs in the regulation of various pathways. We also identified 1232 quantitative trait loci (QTLs) associated with the genes interacting with lncRNA. Additionally, we identified the role of lncRNAs as putative micro RNA precursors, and the interaction of differentially expressed Genes with transcription factors and micro RNAs. Our study revealed the role of lncRNAs during host response against NDV infection which would facilitate future experiments in unravelling regulatory mechanisms of development in the genetic improvement of the susceptible breeds of Gallus gallus.

Research Note: Indian poultry industry vis-à-vis coronavirus disease 2019: a situation analysis report.

Originating in Wuhan city, Hubei province of China, and rapid spread to multiple countries, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 has emerged as a novel public health emergence. During early February, spread of misinformation and rumors driven by the fear of linking chicken meat and eggs in the transmission of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) among human population is witnessed in India. This resulted drastic reduction in consumption of poultry products with subsequent fall in demand thereby prices. The COVID-19-driven lockdown during March in the country has further accentuated the crippling poultry industry following the arrest of feed and healthcare essentials and destruction of eggs, chicks, and birds. Here, we have analyzed the impact of COVID-19 on the poultry industry and showed the realistic flow of events that resulted in its economic fallout by disruption of poultry protein chain during pandemic crisis. The projected loss caused because of these events for the Indian poultry industry is around USD 3053 million. The economic impact is not uniform across the country owing to regional differences in consumption pattern and percent non-vegetarians.

Effect of Supplementation of Zinc-Methionine on Egg Production, Semen Quality, Reproductive Hormones, and Hatchability in Broiler Breeders.

A biological study was conducted to explore the effect of zinc-methionine (Zn-Met) supplementation on productive, reproductive, and immunological response in broiler breeders. Adult healthy 45-week breeder males (192) and females (288) were used in a completely randomized design. Birds were randomly divided into four treatments consisting of six replicates and fed basal diet (control, 40 mg/kg), basal diet supplemented with Zn-Met 20 (T1), 40 (T2), and 60 mg/kg (T3). There was no effect (P > 0.05) on body weight and feed consumption among the breeders due to the supplementation of organic Zn. The T3 group had significantly (P < 0.05) higher semen volume, sperm motility, concentration, and live sperm count. The seminal plasma calcium and alkaline phosphatase activity were higher (P < 0.05), and total cholesterol and aspartate transaminase levels were low in the T3 group. Birds fed with additional supplementation of Zn (60 mg/kg) had improved both cellular and humoral immunity. Throughout the experimental period, the hen day egg production was comparable (P > 0.05) among the experimental groups. Organic Zn-supplemented group showed significant difference in both the internal and external egg qualities-albumen, yolk index, and shell thickness. The higher dose of organic Zn-fed groups had a significant difference in estrogen and progesterone concentration, and the highest testosterone concentration was observed in the T2 group. Supplementary organic Zn had a significant effect on the concentration of Zn and Cu in the seminal plasma. Serum Zn and Cu concentration was significantly increased due to the supplementation of organic zinc in both male and female breeders. The fertility and hatchability percentage were higher (P < 0.05) in the T2 group. It could be concluded that the additional supplementation of organic Zn (zinc-methionine) at 40 mg/kg to the basal diet improved the reproductive performance in broiler breeders.

Baruscapillaria obsignata: a serious cause of enteropathy and high mortality in turkeys (meleagris gallopavo).

BACKGROUND: Capillariasis, an important parasitic disease of birds is caused at least by seven different genera of trichurid nematodes with clinical outcome ranging from mild enteritis to high mortality. OBJECTIVE: This study was aimed to investigate the causative agent involved in high mortality associated with severe enteric illness among turkey flocks in an organized commercial poultry farm at Bareilly, India. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Turkey carcasses (n = 119) and fecal samples from the affected deep litter pen constituted as the study materials. The disease was investigated by systematic necropsy, direct microscopy and histopathology. Representative samples were screened for other enteric pathogens. RESULTS: Microscopic examination of mucosal scraping revealed capillarid worms and their eggs in all the samples. The morphological features of adult worms were typically consistent to Baruscapillaria obsignata. Histopathology exhibited thickened muscular and mucosal layers, mononuclear and heterophilic infiltration in the lamina propria, blunting and clubbing of villi, epithelial denudation and sections of capillarid worms. Administration of levamisole at 80 ppm in drinking water reduced the mortality, clinical illness and worm load after three days of therapy. CONCLUSIONS: The capillarid worms in different avian hosts can cause different clinical manifestations and outcomes. From India, this is the first report describing intestinal pathology caused by B. obsignata in turkeys. We conclude that the B. obsignata infection is capable of causing life threatening enteropathy in turkeys and, hence, routine screening, scheduled deworming and good litter management are crucial to control the infection and its associated loss.

Bisphenol A reduces fertilizing ability and motility by compromising mitochondrial function of sperm.

Bisphenol A (BPA) acts as an endocrine disruptor, affects animal reproductive success in vivo and affects sperm functions in vitro at environmentally relevant concentrations, leading to reduction in sperm motility and fertilizing ability in fish. The effect of in vitro BPA on avian sperm functions has not been explored. The present study examined the effect of environmentally relevant concentrations of BPA (0 mM, 0.18 mM, 0.37 mM, and 0.74 mM) on sperm functions in chicken in vitro. Sperm were exposed to concentrations of BPA for 30 min and analyzed for motility, fertilizing ability, live sperm percentage, and mitochondrial membrane potential (Δψm). Results showed that BPA at a concentration of 0.74 mM significantly decreased motility, fertilizing ability, live sperm count percentage, and sperm Δψm. Sperm motility was positively correlated with fertility (r = 0.73, p ≤ 0.01), live sperm percentage (r = 0.64, p ≤ 0.01), and high Δψm (r = 0.44, p ≤ 0.01). A dose-dependent and time-dependent effect of BPA was observed on sperm motility at all BPA concentrations. However, sperm's fertilizing ability was unaffected in low BPA concentration (0.18 mM and 0.37 mM). A significantly higher percentage of moribund sperm was observed at 0.37 mM and 0.74 mM BPA compared with at 0.18 mM BPA, in the negative control, and in the vehicle control. The present study confirms that environmentally relevant concentrations of BPA are capable of compromising sperm functions, leading to reduction in fertilizing ability of chicken sperm.

Influence of age, sex and rearing systems on Toll-like receptor 7 (TLR7) expression pattern in gut, lung and lymphoid tissues of indigenous ducks.

Abstract 1. The objective of the experiment was to determine the influence of age, sex and rearing system on Toll-like receptor 7 (TLR7) gene expression in gut, lung and lymphoid tissues and physiological responses to stress in male and female indigenous ducks of Tamil Nadu, India. 2. A total of 36 ducks (12 males and 24 females) were obtained from local farmers and tissue samples of gut tissues (duodenum, jejunum, ileum and caecum), lymphoid organs (spleen and bursa) and lungs were collected in RNAlater solution followed by RNA extraction. 3. After normalisation to ß-actin (endogenous control) qPCR analysis identified a significant effect of age, sex and rearing system on TLR7 expression in the ducks. 4. A significant up-regulation of TLR7 expression was observed in lungs, duodenum, jejunum, ileum and caecum of sexually mature (45 wk) compared with that of immature ducks (16 wk). Among sexes, male ducks had significantly higher TLR7 expression than female ducks. 5. Age and sex interactions were significant in lungs, duodenum, jejunum and caecum. Ducks reared in an extensive housing system showed significantly higher TLR7 expression in bursa, lungs, duodenum, ileum and caecum compared to intensively reared ducks. There were no effects of age, sex and rearing systems on TLR7 expression in the spleen. 6. The heterophil-to-lymphocyte ratio and serum corticosterone were higher in ducks reared on an intensive system compared with ducks from an extensive rearing system.