In ovo feeding of carbohydrates for broilers-a systematic review.

The purpose of this systematic review was to evaluate the evidence that the injection of carbohydrate-based solutions into embryonated eggs improves broiler performance. A literature search was conducted in April 2017 using the keywords broiler, carbohydrate, in ovo, nutrition and poultry. Only papers that involved in ovo carbohydrate injections in poultry were used in this study. After specific selection criteria, 17 papers were selected. The quality scoring system of the selected studies was based on the injection methodology, use of control groups, type of solution injected, period of injection, egg and hens characteristics, number of variables analysed and the statistical design. Among papers, there was no standardised procedure in to inoculate the solutions. Nevertheless, in general, in ovo feeding of carbohydrates decreases the hatch rate, improves the hatch weight, but it does not seem to influence the post-hatch performance of broilers. The inoculation of 75 mg of glucose in the albumen seems to bring better results. Further studies are needed to improve the technical methodology of in ovo injections for commercial use.

Effects of in ovo feeding with glycerol for broilers.

The objective was to evaluate the effect of in ovo feeding with glycerol on post-hatch development in broiler chicks. A total of 408 fertile eggs were divided into six experimental groups consisting of five 0.9% saline solutions containing various concentrations of glycerol (12.5, 25.0, 37.5 and 50.0 nmol/ml), and a placebo group (inoculation with saline only) and a control group (without inoculation). Inoculations were performed at 17 days of incubation for the evaluation of hatchability, embryo mortality, body and viscera weights, intestinal epithelium morphometry, blood glucose and liver glycerol kinase activity of chicks at hatching. Inoculation of solutions containing glycerol did not influence body weight at hatching and relative weights of liver, pancreas, intestine and breast. There was a quadratic effect of glycerol levels on the weights of yolk residue and gizzard and on blood glucose, and an increasing linear effect on spleen and heart weights. Higher duodenum and ileum villous height and deeper jejunum and ileum crypts were obtained with 50.0 nmol/ml of glycerol. A linear increasing effect was also observed in liver glycerol kinase activity; however, lower blood glucose was observed with 37.5 and 50 nmol/ml of glycerol. It is therefore concluded that glycerol may be used at doses of 25 nmol/ml as a substrate in in ovo feeding of broiler chickens. However, further studies must be conducted not only to establish an optimal dose but also to evaluate the combination of this substrate with other nutrients used in the in ovo feeding.

Effect of different light sources on reproductive anatomy and physiology of Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica).

Artificial lights are essential for controlling the reproductive tract development of birds during puberty and therefore influence reproductive quality. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of different light sources on reproductive anatomic and physiological characteristics of female Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica). A total of 270 birds from one day of age were housed in a masonry shed divided into six rooms with light isolation. Each room was equipped with a different type of light bulb and contained seven cages with five birds in each. The light bulbs tested were: incandescent; compact fluorescent; and light-emitting diode (LED) in the colors white, blue, red and green. The experimental design was completely randomized with six treatments and seven replications of individual birds each. The anatomic and physiological condition of the birds was evaluated at four, eight and 12 weeks of age. The white LED bulb advanced (P<0.05) the sexual maturity by one week, resulted (P<0.05) in higher live weights and greater weight and relative percentage of ovarian stroma, oviduct and ovarian tissue at eight weeks of age. Higher plasma concentrations of estradiol and lipids were also observed (P<0.05) at eight weeks under the white LED bulb. At 12 weeks of age, the magnum and isthmus folding characteristics were better (P<0.05) with the red LED bulb. In conclusion, the photostimulation with the white LED bulb was more efficient at activating the reproductive cycle, hastening the onset of sexual maturity and increasing the development of reproductive organs after puberty.

Dificuldades encontradas pelos pecuaristas na implantação da rastreabilidade bovina / Difficulties encountered by farmers in the implementation of traceability bovine

Esta pesquisa teve como objetivo realizar o levantamento das dificuldades encontradas pelos pecuaristas que aderiram ao Serviço de Rastreabilidade da Cadeia Produtiva de Bovinos e Bubalinos (Novo SISBOV). Elaborou-se um formulário qualitativo semiestruturado, contendo 37 questões. Foram entrevistados 130 produtores de gado de corte em três grandes exposições agropecuárias durante o ano de 2009. Desses, aproximadamente 17% (22 produtores) haviam aderido ao novo SISBOV. Foram entrevistados mais 49 pecuaristas em suas respectivas fazendas rastreadas, totalizando assim 179 entrevistas. As principais dificuldades encontradas pelos pecuaristas foram: mudanças frequentes nas normas do novo SISBOV, perda de elemento de identificação, remuneração inadequada pelos animais rastreados por parte dos frigoríficos e instabilidade de mercado.

This research aimed to conduct a survey of the difficulties encountered by farmers who joined the Service of Supply Chain Traceability of Cattle and Buffaloes (New SISBOV). A semi-structured qualitative form containing thirty-seven questions was elaborated. We interviewed 130 beef cattle farmers farming in three major exhibitions during year 2009, among which 17% (22 farmers) had joined the new SISBOV. We interviewed over 49 farmers in their screened farms, thus totaling 179 interviews. The main difficulties encountered by farmers were: frequent changes in new SISBOV rules, loss of proof of identity, inadequate remuneration for animals tracked by the stores and market instability.