Influence of age and sex on the blood biochemical constituent values of broiler breeders during the egg-laying stage.

This study aimed to evaluate the influence of age and sex on the blood biochemical constituents of broiler breeders during the egg production stage. The analysis was performed in an industrial broiler breeder farm, and blood samples were collected from males and females at five different ages. Biochemical elements analysed in each serum sample were total proteins, albumin, globulins, uric acid, total cholesterol and triglycerides, alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST), gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT), creatine kinase (CK), alkaline phosphatase (PAL), calcium and phosphorus, beside the glycaemic status. At most ages, females had higher values of total proteins, albumin, globulins, triglycerides, cholesterol, glucose, calcium, phosphorus, Ca/P (calcium and phosphorus) ratio and gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT). The values of uric acid, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), creatine kinase (CK) and alkaline phosphatase (PAL) were higher in males. The lowest protein values were found at 28 and 60 weeks old. The mean albumin values were significantly higher at 44 and 52 weeks old in males and females. A trend of increasing globulin values with increasing age up to 52 weeks old was observed. Although calcium and phosphorus did not vary according to age, the Ca/P ratio was lowest at 36 weeks old. Comparing the means of both sexes, the AST and GGT values were significantly higher in 60-week-old birds. The highest serum levels of CK occurred at 28 and 52 weeks old. The physiological levels of serum biomarkers presented in this work are important for evaluating productivity performance, welfare and disease indication in breeding flocks.

First Report of Genetic Variability of Erysipelothrix sp. Strain 2 in Turkeys Associated to Vero Cells Morphometric Alteration.

Erysipelas is a disease caused by the Erysipelothrix genus, whose main species is the E. rhusiopathiae, the causative agent of animal erysipelas and human erysipeloid. We isolated Erysipelothrix sp. strain 2 (ES2) from turkey's organs during an outbreak in Brazilian commercial and breeder flocks with sepsis and high mortality levels. We studied 18 flocks, accounting for 182 samples, being eight flocks (84 samples) as ES2 positive with individuals demonstrating clinical symptoms and high mortality. We obtained the genetic variability of 19 samples with PFGE and found two clones, both from the same flock but different samples, and two clusters. Interestingly, we found 15 strains with high genetic variability among and within flocks. We have found a positive association between the proximity of ES2 positive turkey flocks and commercial swine sites through epidemiological analysis. We infected Vero cells with two different isolates and three distinct concentrations of ES2. After performing the morphometry, we recorded enlargement of the nucleus and nucleolus. Moreover, we performed fluorescence assays that resulted in apoptotic and necrotic cells. We demonstrated that ES2 could multiply in the extracellular medium and invade and survive inside Vero cells. For the first time, our finds show that ES2 may have similar behavior as E. rhusiopathiae as a facultative intracellular microorganism, which may represent a hazard for humans.