Abnormal morphology of skeletal muscles in meat-type chickens--ultrastructural observations.

In order to determine the effect of different production systems on muscle ultrastructure in meat-type chickens, we examined m. gastrocnemius and m. pectoralis superficialis in two lines of chickens (Anak Titan and Isa 215) raised in three different technological systems (indoors in a conventional facility, indoors with limited outdoor access and outdoors with an umbrella roof). Our previous study showed some abnormalities in the histological structure of these muscles. We hypothesized that electron microscopy, having a strategic position in muscle examination, would provide insight into changes in muscle tissue revealed by light microscopy. The results of the study indicate that the muscles examined undergo ultrastructural alterations regardless of the muscle type, chicken line and production system. The abnormalities observed in the present study were found to affect many aspects of fiber ultrastructure impairing function of the myofibrillar apparatus--the structure of mitochondria and sarcoplasmic reticulum, defects of the sarcolemma as well as the appearance of remnants resulting from fiber disintegration. Abnormal responses were found primarily in myofibrils and mitochondria, and--to a lesser extent--in other structures of muscle fibers. We suggest that the majority of the changes observed may lead to muscle damage followed by pathology. The severity of these changes was particularly evident in the muscles of chickens of the Isa 215 line (highly selected) kept outdoors with an umbrella roof. The observations point to a dependence of the above changes on the line of chickens and rearing conditions. Therefore, the limited potential of highly selected broilers to adapt to different environmental conditions should be taken into account while selecting a new production technology.

Studies on the effect of chlorinated hydrocarbons content in the compound animal feeding stuffs on the residues in turkey carcasses and efficiency of slaughter turkeys rearing.

An increasing demand for turkey meat requires intensification of rearing, while almost permanent presence of stable chlorinated hydrocarbons in the environment, feeds, living organisms, including humans, to force undertaking studies on the wholesome safety of food of animal origin. The objective of the present study was therefore to evaluate selected cereals of different origin in terms of the content of chlorinated hydrocarbons (DDT, DDE, DDD, and HCH) as well as to determine the content of these compounds in turkey carcasses and their effect as feed material on the rearing efficiency. The investigations were carried out in 2002 on 100 one-day-old Big-6 turkey hens randomly allocated to 4 groups. For the period of 16 weeks, the animals were fed ad libitum with diets based on wheat and barley originating from different regions and characterized by different agricultural and industrial properties. Chlorinated hydrocarbons were determined in: animal feeding stuffs compound (wheat, barley, meat meal, extracted soybean meal), turkey blood, breast muscles, skin with external fat, and in abdominal fat by means of gas chromatography with an electron capture detector (ECD). The results obtained confirmed high contents of the examined compounds in feed material and in fat obtained from carcasses of the birds investigated.

Biochemical characteristics and sperm production of turkey semen in relation to strain and age of the males.

The effect of turkey strain [BUT (Big-6), Hybrid Large White (HLW), and Nicholas (N-700)] on semen quantitative parameters (ejaculate volume, sperm concentration, and total number of sperm) and biochemical parameters (seminal plasma protein concentration, acid phosphatase activity in spermatozoa and seminal plasma, and antiproteinase activity of seminal plasma) was investigated over the reproductive period. The Big-6 strain had better quantitative parameters of semen compared with HLW and N-700 strains. Besides protein concentration, the Big-6 strain had the highest level of acid phosphatase activity in semen and antiproteinase activity in seminal plasma. The N-700 strain was characterized by reduced quantitative parameters and the lowest levels of all biochemical parameters in semen. While quantitative parameters of semen showed very little trend over the 21 wk of the reproductive season, the biochemical parameters increased several fold. Biochemical parameters of semen seemed to be more affected than quantitative parameters by age of the males. These changes may be related to decreasing semen quality with increasing age of male turkeys.

Acrosin activity in turkey spermatozoa: assay by clinical method and effect of zinc and benzamidine on the activity.

We optimized a clinical assay developed for measuring total acrosin activity for mammalian and fish semen for use in turkey spermatozoa. The main modifications included dilution of semen to a final concentration of 25 to 1000 x 10(3) spermatozoa, an increase of Triton X-100 concentration to 0.05% and 1 hr preincubation without substrate, Acrosin activity in turkey spermatozoa was much higher than in human spermatozoa (about 100-times) but similar to that of boar sperm. To optimize this assay for turkey spermatozoa, it was necessary to use higher Triton X-100 concentrations in the reaction mixture. There was a better catalytic efficiency at higher temperatures and a special requirement for a preincubation period for proacrosin activation. We observed high inhibition of acrosin activity by zinc added during preincubation (90% at 0.01 mM of zinc chloride). Benzamidine also inhibited turkey acrosin, and the extent of inhibition was similar for the incubation or preincubation period. When zinc ions were added during incubation, this inhibition was lower (24%). The results suggest that zinc influences proacrosin activation of turkey spermatozoa. This influence may be important for successful long-term storage of spermatozoa in the hen's oviduct.

[Suitability of coarse rapeseed meals from various procedures for fattening broiler chickens. 2. Goitrogenic effect of rapeseed meals]. / Uber die Eignung nach verschiedene Verfahren hergestellter Rapsextraktionsschrote für die Broilermast. 2. Mitt. Zur strumigenen Wirkung von Rapsextraktionsschrot.

In a fattening experiment with rapeseed meals produced by different techniques (cf. Part I) on broiler chickens, each experimental ration contained 10% of a variant rapeseed meal. The thyroid glands of the broiler chickens (allotted to 8 groups according to their diets) were examined for mass gain and submitted to various histopathological, biochemical and morphometric procedures. The variants of rapeseed meal applied to the animals in the groups IV, III and I have been found to be toxic. In contrast, the effects of the other variants of rapeseed meal on the morphology of the thyroid gland have been negligible.