Effect of DGAT1 gene polymorphisms in coarse-haired fat-tailed lambs of different genotypes.

The aim of this study was to investigate the DGAT1 gene polymorphism and its effects on lamb weight in kazakh and tajik sheep breeds. A total of 97 blood samples were collected from purebred (еdilbay х еdilbay) and crossbred lambs (еdilbay x gissar) breеd by the Baiserke Agro Scientific and Production Center in the Talgar District of the Almaty Region of Kazakhstan. Animals were genotyped for DGAT1-AluI polymorphism using the polymerase chain reaction-restriction length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method. The result of PCR-RFLP showed that purebred (еdilbay х еdilbay) sheep had three genotypes (CC, CT and TT) and crossbred sheep had two genotypes (CC and CT). The predominant genotype was CC with a frequency of 0.70 and 0.58 in purebred sheep and crossbred sheep breeds, respectively. The DGAT1 gene showed no significant association with live weight of lambs at different times in both breeds studied. However, the study showed that the CC genotype produced higher live weight at day 60 in purebred sheep (CC: 33,668 kg and CT: 32,444) and at day 120 (CC: 41,487 and CT: 40,929) in crossbred lambs. The present study was the first to investigate the polymorphism and relationships between genotypes and lamb live weights for DGAT1 gene in sheep breeds, purebred and crossbred. We conclude that further comprehensive investigations should be done for the exact evidence of the effects of DGAT1/Alui polymorphism on lamb live weights.

Effects of different storage time on hatching results and some egg quality characteristics of rock partridge (A. graeca) (management and production).

In this research, partridge eggs were stored during zero to 7, 8 to 14, 15 to 21, 22 to 28, 29 to 35 and 36 to 42 d, respectively. The effect of different egg storage periods on egg protein and moisture rates, mineral contents, and some egg quality and hatching characteristics were investigated. The extension of egg storage times didn't affect the external quality features like shell weight, shell thickness, and albumen rate, but it affected the yolk weight, yolk index, albumen index, and Haugh unit (P < 0.05). Yolk weight was increased and yolk index, albumen index, and Haugh unit values were decreased with the extension of storage time. Different storage times of partridge eggs did not have important effects on the protein rates. Protein and humidity rate of the eggs were 14.21 and 67.64%, respectively. There were some elements such as S, P, Na, K, and Ca, but Al, Cd, Co, Mo, and Pb could not be found in the partridge eggs. There is no effect of the storage time on the mineral content of the egg. Storage time had negative effect on fertility and hatchability after 21 d of storage d, but no effect on hatchability of fertile eggs. As this study showed, partridge eggs are resistant to long storage times, as partridge egg proteins can resist degradation in the optimum storage times. To determine egg degradation, the study should be focused on partridge eggshell features, which are responsible for degradation. As a result of this research, partridge eggs can be stored for 21 d under optimum storage conditions without any negative hatchability results.

Sunflower oil supplementation alters meat quality but not performance of growing partridges (Alectoris chukar).

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of sunflower oil supplementation (0%, 3%, 6% and 9%) to partridge chicks (Alectoris chukar) on growth performance, nutrient digestibility and carcass characteristics. Feed consumption and live weight gain were responsive to dietary sunflower oil inclusion during the starter period, but not during the grower period. Increasing sunflower oil level linearly increased crude protein and fat digestibilities. Except for abdominal fat, weights of inedible parts and edible organs remained unchanged by the diets. The treatments linearly decreased weight and efficiency of carcass and weights of wings and breast and did not alter weights of thighs and neck. Breast meat saturated fatty acids decreased linearly by 17.9% and unsaturated fatty acids increased linearly by 10.6%, as sunflower oil level increased in the diets. Monounsaturated fatty acids decreased linearly by 27.3%, whereas polyunsaturated fatty acids increased linearly by 51%. Overall, n-3 (0.78% vs. 0.59%) and n-6 (42.6% vs. 29.8%) were greater in breast meat in treatment groups than in control group. In conclusion, sunflower addition into diets has minimal effects on performance of growing partridges, but significantly alters meat fatty acid composition.

Effect of different egg storage periods on some egg quality characteristics and hatchability of partridges (Alectoris graeca).

The effect of 1 to 2-, 3 to 4-, 5 to 6-, 7 to 8-, 9 to 10-, 11 to 12-, and 13 to 14-d storage periods on quality characteristics and hatchability of partridge (Alectoris graeca) eggs was studied. There was no significant effect of storage period on egg weight, shell weight, shell ratio, and shell thickness as external quality characteristics of partridge eggs (P > 0.05). Storage periods affected internal quality characteristics of partridge eggs (P < 0.05). An increase in yolk ratio (P < 0.05) and decrease in albumen ratio, yolk index, albumen index, and Haugh unit (P < 0.001) occurred when storage periods were lengthened. However, storage period had no significant effect on hatchability (P > 0.05). This study shows that long storage periods do not have negative effects on hatchability of partridge eggs to the extent that occurs in other poultry species. Because of a lack of knowledge about this subject, these studies will be useful in terms of successful intensive partridge breeding.

Effect of different egg storage times on some egg quality characteristics and hatchability of pheasants (Phasianus colchicus).

In this study, some quality characteristics and hatchability characteristics of 1 to 2, 3 to 4, 5 to 6, 7 to 8, 9 to 10, 11 to 12, and 13 to 14 d stored pheasant eggs were investigated. Although it was determined that the effect of storage time on egg weight, shape index, and albumen weight was not significant, the effect of storage time on eggshell weight, shell thickness, yolk weight, albumen index, yolk index, Haugh unit, shell percentage, albumen percentage, and yolk percentage was significant (P<0.05). It was determined that prolonged storage time caused a decrease in the albumen index and Haugh unit value but an increase in the yolk index of pheasant eggs. There was no positive or negative effect of storage time on the fertility rates and hatchability of fertile eggs, but there was a negative effect of storage time on hatchability on d 8 (P<0.05). Pheasant eggs should not be stored more than 8 d.

The effect of stocking density on growth performance and average cost in partridge rearing (Alectoris graeca).

In this study, stocking density and economic evaluation of partridge rearing was investigated. Experimental design was constructed as 576.9 cm(2)/chick (group I), 384.6 cm(2)/chick (group II), 288.5 cm(2)/chick (group III), and 230.8 cm(2)/chick (group IV). Live weights of the first, second, third, and fourth groups at 12 wk of age were determined as 376.46, 367.95, 371.07, and 358.80 g, respectively. Additive feed consumption and feed conversion ratio of the groups were determined as 1,781.74 g and 4.93, 1,805.13 g and 5.13, 1,830.51 g and 5.15, and 1,720.09 g and 5.02, respectively. Total mortality rates of the groups at the end of the feeding time were determined as 3.5, 3.75, 6.75, and 13.00%, respectively (P < 0.05). As a result, it was concluded that rearing in 288.5 cm(2)/chick was suitable according to live weights of partridges, feed conversion ratio, and mortality rates. Also, it was concluded that decreasing costs and increasing profitability in partridge rearing could be achieved.

Effect of hen weight on egg production and some egg quality characteristics in the partridge (Alectoris graeca).

A study was conducted to determine the effect of live weight of partridges on egg production and egg quality characteristics. A total of 144 Rock Partridges were divided into control, heavy, middle, and light BW groups at 32 wk of age. Live weights averaged 512.78 g for the control group, 576.18 g for the heavy group, 523.49 g for the middle group, and 473.83 g for the light group. Egg production rates of these groups were 41.44, 45.78, 32.38, and 24.67%, respectively, over an 8-wk period (P < 0.05). Live weight significantly affected egg weight, specific gravity, albumen index, shell weight, shell thickness, Haugh unit, and albumen weight (P < 0.05). Live weight did not affect the shape index, membrane weight, or yolk weight. As a result, the live weights of partridges used for breeding should not be under the average live weights of hens of the stock. On the other hand, other important factors that affect the egg quality of partridges should be investigated.

Effects of egg mass and percentage mass loss during incubation on hatchability of eggs of the rock partridge (Alectoris graeca).

1. The effects of initial egg mass (IEM) and percentage mass loss during incubation (%ML) on hatchability of rock partridge eggs were investigated. 2. Eggs at the extremes of IEM had lower fertility and embryonic mortality. 3. Eggs at the extremes of %ML also had low fertility and hatchability was disproportionately reduced in eggs that had lost less mass during incubation. 4. Chick mass was a function of both IEM and mass lost during incubation. 5. In these respects rock partridge eggs are similar to that of other domesticated species of poultry.