Feeding fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) seed as a potential appetite stimulant for Holstein dairy calves: Effects on growth performance and health.

This experiment was conducted to determine the effect of increasing dietary doses of fennel seed powder (FSP) on growth performance and health status in calves. Holstein calves (n = 48; 3 d of age; 36.3 ± 1.06 kg BW; mean ± SE) were allocated randomly to diets containing 0 (FSP0), 1.5 (FSP1.5), or 3 g/d (FSP3) FSP in milk (morning feeding; during the first month) and then in the starter feed (top-dressed; from d 31 until weaning on d 71). The calves remained in the trial until d 81. Weight gain and final BW were greater in FSP-supplemented calves compared with control calves. Heart girth and hip width gained more in FSP-supplemented calves compared with control calves. Body weight gain and frame growth were not affected by calf sex. The calves receiving FSP had a lower chance of having elevated rectal temperature (≥39.4°C) and a lower probability of suffering from diarrhea or pneumonia. The chance of having diarrhea, but not pneumonia, was greater in female calves. The chance of medication occurrence for diarrhea and pneumonia was not affected by FSP and calf sex. The FSP3 calves had shorter days with elevated rectal temperature (≥39.4°C) compared with the FSP1.5 (1.2 d; SEM = 0.10) and FSP0 (2.9 d; SEM = 0.10) calves. Days with diarrhea but not its frequency and medication days was shorter (4 d; SEM = 0.10) in the FSP-supplemented calves. Control calves experienced more days with pneumonia compared with calves fed FSP1.5 (3.1 d; SEM = 0.08) and FSP3 (5.4 d; SEM = 0.08). Calves fed FSP3 experienced shorter days (2.3 d; SEM = 0.08) with pneumonia compared with calves fed FSP1.5. Feeding FSP tended to decrease (1.6 d; SEM = 0.10) medication days for pneumonia compared with control group. The duration (2.2 d; SEM = 0.10) and medication days (1.3 d; SEM = 0.15) for diarrhea were higher in female calves compared with the male calves. Compared with the control calves, feeding 3 g/d of FSP may be more beneficial in improving the weight gain and skeletal growth (heart girth and hip width) and in reducing the susceptibility to and duration of diarrhea and pneumonia in dairy calves.

Potential benefits of early-life supplementation of liquid feed with fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) seeds or oregano (Origanum vulgare) leaves on growth, health, and blood metabolites in Holstein dairy calves.

This study was performed to determine the early-life (first month of age) supplementation of liquid feed with fennel seed powder (FSP) or oregano leaf powder (OLP) on growth performance, health, and blood biochemical attributes in preweaning dairy calves. Holstein female calves (n = 57; 1 d of age; 34.1 ± 0.97 kg of BW; mean ± SE) were assigned randomly to receive liquid feed (colostrum and milk) with no added herbal plants (CON) or supplemented with FSP (3 g/d) or OLP (30 g/d) during the first month of age. The calves received pooled colostrum (4.5 kg/d on the first 2 d of life; total solids = 25.0% ± 1.24; mean ± SD) and then pooled waste milk (6 kg/d from d 3 to 44, 5 kg/d from d 45 to 46, 4 kg/d from d 47 to 48, and 3 kg/d from d 49 to 50 of the trial; total solids = 12.54% ± 0.50) to ensure they receive same mixed liquid feed daily. The calves had unlimited access to the starter feed and fresh water and remained in the study until weaning on d 51 of age. The average mean temperature-humidity index was 70.1 units (ranging between 61.9 to 78.2) during the experiment, indicating a borderline degree of environmental heat-load. The amount of starter feed offered and refused was recorded daily. The calves were weighed immediately after birth and every 10 d thereafter, before the morning feeding. Jugular blood samples were taken immediately before and 24 h after colostrum feeding, at first month of age, and at weaning to quantify serum concentrations of glucose, urea N, cholesterol, triglycerides, total proteins, albumin, globulin, aspartate transferase, alanine transferase, total antioxidant status, and malondialdehyde. Health checks including rectal temperature, general appearance (on a 1-5 score system), fecal score (on a 1-5 score system), and bovine respiratory disease (BRD; scored using the University of Wisconsin Calf Health Chart) were performed daily, by a veterinarian who was unaware of the calf treatment allocations, for all calves over the study period. A repeated-measures ANOVA was used to compare growth performance and blood metabolites among treatment groups, and a logistic regression model using a binomial distribution (PROC GLIMMIX, SAS v. 9.4, SAS Institute Inc.) was used to assess the chance of elevated rectal temperature (≥39.4°C), general appearance (≥2), diarrhea (≥3), and BRD. A Poisson regression model (PROC GENMOD) was also used to test group differences in the experience of days with elevated rectal temperature and general appearance, and frequency and duration of diarrhea or BRD. Total nutrient intake (DM, CP, and ME, but not ether extract) originating from milk and starter feed was greater in OLP- (but not FSP-) supplemented calves compared with CON group, being partially associated with difference in milk refusal. Calves receiving FSP and OLP had greater average daily gain, BW gain, skeletal gain (withers height or heart girth, respectively), and feed efficiency compared with CON animals with no difference between FSP and OLP. Rectal temperature was lower in FSP- (but not OLP-) supplemented calves compared with CON animals. The CON animals had a greater chance of experiencing higher rectal temperature (≥39.4°C; odds ratio = 1.55 and confidence interval = 1.12-2.15 and odds ratio = 1.33 and confidence interval = 0.92-1.90, respectively, compared with FSP and OLP) and general appearance (≥2; odds ratio = 1.99 and confidence interval = 1.45-2.74 and odds ratio = 1.45 and confidence interval = 1.03-2.05), and diarrhea (odds ratio = 1.47 and confidence interval = 1.11-1.97 and odds ratio = 1.49 and confidence interval = 1.07-2.08) compared with those receiving FSP or OLP; with the chance of BRD being lower in FSP- (but not OLP-) supplemented versus CON animals (odds ratio = 1.59 and confidence interval = 1.13-2.23). As compared with OLP and CON groups, FSP treatment resulted in shorter days with elevated rectal temperature and general appearance. Supplementing FSP or OLP decreased the duration of diarrhea and BRD but not their frequency compared with CON. Duration of diarrhea was not different between FSP- or OLP-supplemented calves but calves supplemented with FSP had shorter days with BRD compared with OLP-supplemented calves. Of the blood constituents measured on d 30, concentration of aspartate transferase was higher in FSP- (but not CON) versus OLP-supplemented calves, indicating a transient liver tissue damage or dysfunction which was subsequently ameliorated. At weaning, blood concentration of triglycerides was higher in FSP and OLP groups compared with CON group. Supplementation of the liquid feed with FSP or OLP, especially FSP, had beneficial effects on calf growth performance and health. Further experiments are warranted for optimizing the dosage and duration of feeding FSP or OLP as feed additives for dairy calves.

Novel and recurrent mutations in keratin 1 cause epidermolytic ichthyosis and palmoplantar keratoderma.

Mutations in keratin genes underlie a variety of epidermal and nonepidermal cell-fragility disorders, and are the genetic basis of many inherited palmoplantar keratodermas (PPKs). Epidermolytic PPK (EPPK) is an autosomal dominant disorder that can be due to mutations in the keratin 1 gene, KRT1. Epidermolytic ichthyosis (EI), the major keratinopathic ichthyosis, is characterized by congenital erythroderma, blistering and erosions of the skin. Causative mutations in KRT1 and KRT10 have been described, with PPK being present primarily in association with the former. We report four unrelated cases (one with sporadic EI and three with autosomal dominant PPK), due to two novel and two recurrent KRT1 mutations. Mutations in KRT1 are not only scattered throughout the keratin 1 protein, as opposed to being clustered, but can result in a range of phenotypes as further confirmed by these mutations, giving a complex genotype/phenotype pattern.

Mutations in desmoglein 1 cause diverse inherited palmoplantar keratoderma phenotypes: implications for genetic screening.

The inherited palmoplantar keratodermas (PPKs) are a heterogeneous group of genodermatoses, characterized by thickening of the epidermis of the palms and soles. No classification system satisfactorily unites clinical presentation, pathology and molecular pathogenesis. There are four patterns of hyperkeratosis - striate, focal, diffuse and punctate. Mutations in the desmoglein 1 gene (DSG1), a transmembrane glycoprotein, have been reported primarily in striate, but also in focal and diffuse PPKs. We report seven unrelated pedigrees with dominantly inherited PPK owing to mutations in the DSG1 gene, with marked phenotypic variation. Genomic DNA from each family was isolated, and individual exons amplified by polymerase chain reaction. Sanger sequencing was employed to identify mutations. Mutation analysis identified novel mutations in five families (p.Tyr126Hisfs*2, p.Ser521Tyrfs*2, p.Trp3*, p.Asp591Phefs*9 and p.Met249Ilefs*6) with striate palmar involvement and varying focal or diffuse plantar disease, and the recurrent mutation c.76C>T, p.Arg26*, in two families with variable PPK patterns. We report one recurrent and five novel DSG1 mutations, causing varying patterns of PPK, highlighting the clinical heterogeneity arising from mutations in this gene.

Oral administration of supplementary biotin differentially influences the fertility rate and oviductal expression of avidin and avidin-related protein-2 in low- and high-fertility broiler line hens.

Probable involvement of avidin and avidin-related protein-2 (AVR2) in sperm viability in the sperm storage tubules of turkeys has been suggested. The high affinity of biotin to avidin and its analogs is also well documented. The present study aimed to determine the effect of oral biotin on reproductive performance and oviductal mRNA expression of avidin and AVR2 in 2 broiler hen lines with different fertility rates. Low-fertility (line B) and high-fertility (line D) hens (n=144) were randomly allotted to receive 0 (T0), 0.30 (T1), or 0.45 (T2) mg/L biotin in drinking water from 30 through 33 wk of age. The reproductive performance of the hens was evaluated using artificial insemination. At the end of the treatment period, 24 hens per line were killed to assay the expression of avidin and AVR2 in the uterovaginal junction. Supplementary biotin increased egg production from 73.5% for T0 to 87.8% for T2. Hens administered with biotin in line B, but not in line D, showed an increase (8.4%) in fertility rate. Hatchability, chick quality, and overall embryonic mortality were not different among the experimental groups. Real-time PCR data showed that both avidin (P=0.0013) and AVR2 (P<0.0001) expressions were influenced by a biotin×line interaction effect, where low-fertility line B hens receiving the high biotin level recorded respectively a 3.9 and 15.3% increase in avidin and AVR2 mRNA expression, although biotin did not affect these traits in line D hens. Control hens in line D had a dramatically higher AVR2 expression record (7.4-fold) compared with the control hens in line B. The correlation coefficients of fertility rate and avidin expression were 0.73 and 0.66 in lines B and D, respectively. However, the correlation of fertility and AVR2 (r=0.65) was significant for line D hens only. Overall, fertility rate and oviductal expression of avidin and AVR2 were dichotomously affected by oral biotin in low- and high-fertility line hens, where only low-fertility birds showed improvements in these attributes.

Reproductive performance and oviductal expression of avidin and avidin-related protein-2 in young and old broiler breeder hens orally exposed to supplementary biotin.

Published data on the probable involvement of avidin and avidin-related protein-2 (AVR2) in sustaining sperm viability in sperm storage tubules in 38-wk-old turkeys, and the high affinity of avidin or its analogs to biotin suggest that supplementary biotin may increase oviductal avidin and AVR2 expression, thereby attenuating the adverse effect of aging on hen reproductive performance. Broiler breeder hens (n = 120) were randomly assigned to receive 0 (T0), 0.30 (T1), or 0.45 (T2) mg of biotin/L of drinking water from 30 to 33 (young) and 53 to 56 (old) wk of age, and artificially inseminated to determine their reproductive performance. At the end of each period of biotin administration, 8 hens from each treatment group were killed for RNA extraction from the uterovaginal junction. Egg production was lower in the old hens (44%) compared with the young ones (82%), and biotin supplementation increased egg production only in the latter. Administering supplementary biotin to young hens increased their oviductal expression of AVR2, which was much higher in the old hens (1.0 and 4.6 for young and old groups, respectively). Fertility rate was not different between young and old hens, and was increased (4.4%) at the higher level of biotin supplementation. Hatchability and hatchling quality were not affected by biotin supplementation. Embryonic mortality between 17 to 21 d of incubation was higher in young (5.2%) compared with old (1.4%) birds. Egg fertility rate showed a moderate correlation (P < 0.05) with avidin (r = 0.59) and AVR2 (r = 0.55) expression in the young-age group, and very low correlations in old-age group (0.04 and 0.17). Regardless of the hen's age, the correlation coefficient of hatchability with avidin or AVR2 expression was very low (-0.16 and 0.18). Overall, the effect of biotin supplementation on AVR2 expression, and the relationship between biotin administration and oviductal expression of avidin and AVR2 was dependent on the hen's age, being higher in the young hens.

Association between dry period length and lactation performance, lactation curve, calf birth weight, and dystocia in Holstein dairy cows in Iran.

In this study, 65,971 lactations on 41,842 cows in 64 herds were used to determine the association between dry period length (DPL) and lactation performance, lactation curve, calf birth weight, and the incidence of calving difficulty during the subsequent parity in Holstein dairy cows in Iran. The length of the dry period was classified into 7 categories: 0 to 35d, 36 to 50d, 51 to 60d, 61 to 70d, 71 to 85d, 86 to 110d, and 111 to 160d. Cows with the standard DPL (51 to 60d) produced more 305-d milk, fat, and protein over the next lactation compared with those with shorter dry periods. Shorter dry periods (0 to 35d and 36 to 50d) were associated with lower initial milk yield, steeper inclining and declining slopes of the lactation curve, and higher milk persistency compared with dry period length of 51 to 60d. Peak lactation was achieved later in cows with 0- to 35-d and 36- to 50-d dry period length than in those with dry period length of 51 to 60d. We also observed a relationship between DPL and calf birth weight: smaller calf birth weight was recorded with a dry period of 51 to 60d compared with longer dry periods. The incidence of calving difficulty did not differ in cows with 51- to 60-d dry period compared with cows with 0- to 35-d and 36- to 50-d dry periods. In conclusion, the results of this study did not support previous findings that suggested a shorter dry period could be beneficial to dairy production.

Oral exposure of broiler breeder hens to extra thyroxine modulates early adaptive immune responses in progeny chicks.

Based on the findings of a recent study suggesting a decreased cold-induced ascites incidence in broiler progeny from hyperthyroid (HYPER) breeder hens, and a controversy on the effects of hyperthyroidism on immunocompetence, the present study was conducted to determine the probable adverse effect of induced maternal hyperthyroidism on immune function in progeny chicks. Breeder hens (n = 88) were randomly allotted to the control or HYPER groups and received common or thyroxine (T4)-added (1 mg/L) water, respectively. The hens were artificially inseminated, and hatching eggs (n = 924) were incubated. Thereafter, the male hatchlings (n = 288) were reared for 42 d, and several cellular and humoral immune responses were evaluated at standard or low ambient temperature. Prevaccination antibody titers to Newcastle disease, infectious bronchitis, and infectious bursal disease virus were higher in HYPER chicks during 1 wk of age, although not different in their dams. For primary response to SRBC administered at 7 d of age, HYPER chicks recorded higher total, IgM (d 14), and IgG (d 21) anti-SRBC antibody titers. Higher cutaneous basophilic hypersensitivity response in HYPER chicks (d 10) was not observed at 35 d of age. Carbon clearance assay showed no difference, but in vitro lymphoproliferative response to concanavalin A was higher in 19-d-old HYPER chicks, independent of temperature treatment. An increase in lymphocyte percentage coincided with a decreased heterophil percentage and heterophil to lymphocyte ratio (d 14) in the HYPER group. The weight of lymphoid organs in progeny was not influenced by the oral exposure of dams to extra T4. Independent of T4 treatment, cold exposure was generally associated with decreased immune functions at early stages. The data suggested that oral exposure of broiler breeder hens to 1 mg/L of T4 not only had no adverse effect on immune function, but also modulated early adaptive immune responses in progeny chicks for which the causal mechanisms remain to be unraveled.

Effects of extended transition milk feeding on blood metabolites of female Holstein dairy calves at 3 weeks of age: a liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry-based metabolomics approach.

Transition milk (TRM) is a rich source of bioactive components that promotes intestinal development and growth, and reduces the susceptibility to diarrhoea in calves. The objective of this study was to characterise the effects of replacing pasteurised waste milk (none-saleable milk containing antibiotic and/or drug residues) with pasteurised TRM for 3 wk on blood metabolites of dairy calves at 21 d of age. A total of 84 healthy newborn female Holstein calves was blocked by birth order and assigned randomly to four treatment groups with partial replacement of pasteurised waste milk by TRM (second milking after parturition) at 0 (0 L/day TRM + 6 L/day milk), 0.5 (0.5 L/day TRM + 5.5 L/day milk), 1 (1 L/day TRM + 5 L/day milk), or 2 L (2 L/day TRM + 4 L/day milk) for a 21-day period. Serum metabolome was determined by liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry-based metabolomics analysis on a subset of 26 randomly selected individuals from calves fed pasteurised waste milk (CON, 6 L/d milk; n = 13) or TRM (2 L/d TRM + 4 L/d milk; n = 13) at 21 d of age. The identified metabolites (194 out of 265) were categorised according to chemical class and the number of metabolites per class in the serum, amongst which glycerophospholipids 16% (n = 43), fatty acyls 7% (n = 19), organic acids 7% (n = 18), organic heterocyclic compounds 5% (n = 13), benzenoids 5% (n = 12), sphingolipids 5% (n = 12), organic oxygen compounds 4% (n = 11), and nucleic acids 3% (n = 9), were the predominant types. Significant differences in metabolites were determined by the volcano plot. Applying the volcano plot, only two metabolites (ceramide and phosphatidylserine) were significantly different between CON and TRM. Overall, our results suggested that prolonged TRM feeding for 3 wk had little effect on the serum metabolome of the dairy calves. We speculate that the potential effects of feeding TRM for 3 wk compared with waste milk were spatially limited to affect the composition of the local gut microbial community and the growth or function of the intestinal epithelium, not allowing detection of the likely effects in the serum through a metabolomic approach.

Genetic relationship of conformation traits with average somatic cell score at 150 and 305 days in milk in Holstein cows of Iran.

Genetic, environmental, and phenotypic correlations among average somatic cell score (SCS) at different stages of lactation and conformation traits were estimated. Data consisted of the lactational average of SCS at 150 (SCS(150)) and 305 (SCS(305)) d in milk and 19 conformation traits recorded on 57,154 primiparous Holstein cows, that calved from 1996 to 2009 in 119 herds in Iran. Variance components were estimated using the restricted maximum likelihood procedure based on multiple-trait animal models. Udder depth (-0.32), fore udder attachment (-0.22), and udder width (0.34) showed moderate genetic correlation with SCS(150). Heart girth (0.17), body depth (0.14), chest width (0.26), and angularity (0.19), showed modest genetic correlation with SCS(150). The estimated heritabilities for SCS(150) and SCS(305) were 0.06 and 0.08, respectively. The heritability of the conformation traits ranged from 0.09 to 0.29. Genetic and environmental correlations between SCS(150) and SCS(305) were very high (means ± SE; 0.99±0.01 and 0.89±0.01, respectively), which indicates that recording SCS over a shorter period of lactation is an alternative approach for involving many herds in SCS data collection. The low heritability of SCS indicated that indirect selection for some of udder and body traits might be helpful to reduce the SCS. Additionally, selection for udder traits may help reduce SCS in developing countries where SCS data are sparsely recorded.

Does preincubational in ovo injection of buffers or antioxidants improve the quality and hatchability in long-term stored eggs?

A hypothesis was tested that providing buffer solutions or antioxidants during egg storage may help embryos in combating the harmful effect of longer holding periods. Hatching eggs were obtained from a breeder flock (35 wk) and stored for 13 d before setting. In experiment 1, the eggs were injected (d 4) with bicarbonate buffer solution (BBS) or PBS. For experiment 2, l-carnitine (LC), vitamin E (VE), and vitamin C (VC) were injected (d 7) at 3 different doses. The egg internal quality characteristics were evaluated at 2-d intervals after injection and the remaining eggs were incubated for 21 d under standard conditions. At 21 d, hatchability was recorded and unhatched eggs were broken open to assess the fertility and stage of embryonic mortality. No differences were noted in albumen pH due to using buffer solutions or antioxidants except for a decreased pH at 2 d postinjection of the high dose of VC (75 mg). In ovo injection of BBS increased the albumen index and Haugh unit at d 6 postinjection; however, the response to PBS was not different from that in the control group. In ovo injection of antioxidants did not influence the albumen index, Haugh unit, and yolk index; however, the yolk percentage was partly affected. Irrespective of the dosage, hatchability was greatly decreased following in ovo injection of buffers or antioxidants (as low as 4.3 vs. 87.5% in control), with the highest mortality percentage recorded at early embryonic stages (d 0 to 6). Data suggested that, despite improvement in certain egg internal qualities, preincubational in ovo injection of BBS, PBS, LC, VE, or VC was associated with a profoundly decreased hatchability for which the underlying mechanism(s) remain(s) to be clarified.

Dietary inclusion of dried tomato pomace improves the seminal characteristics in Iranian native roosters.

Because of a paucity of information on the effect of tomato pomace in male chickens, a study was undertaken to determine the influence of dietary inclusion of dried tomato pomace (DTP) on seminal characteristics in Iranian native breeder roosters. Fifty-four roosters (24 wk old) were randomly allotted to 3 treatment groups and received either a basal diet without DTP (T(0)), or a diet containing 15% (T(15)) or 30% (T(30)) DTP for an 8-wk-long experimental period. Semen samples were obtained weekly by abdominal massage to evaluate the seminal characteristics. Dietary inclusion of DTP increased sperm concentration, accompanied by a decreased seminal volume (P ≤ 0.05). The percentage of live sperm in ejaculate was increased in T(15) and T(30) groups, but sperm forward motility was not affected by DTP inclusion. A decreased percentage of abnormal sperm and improved membrane integrity (as determined by the hypoosmotic swelling test) were observed in T(15) and T(30) groups. Lower concentration of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (as an index of sperm membrane lipid peroxidation) was recorded in roosters fed DTP. A diet × time (wk) interaction was also found for most of seminal characteristics, except for the sperm forward motility (P ≤ 0.05). The results indicated that dietary inclusion of DTP up to 30% improved seminal quality attributes within 4 to 5 wk in roosters; however, the underlying mechanism(s) warrants further study.

Maternal hyperthyroidism is associated with a decreased incidence of cold-induced ascites in broiler chickens.

A hypothesis was tested that providing the breeder hens with exogenous thyroxine (T(4)) would help their offspring to better survive the ascites-inducing condition during the growing period. In total, 132 broiler breeder hens were randomly assigned to one of 3 treatments: control (CON), hypothyroid [HYPO; 6-N-propyl-2-thiouracil (PTU)-treated], and hyperthyroid (HYPER; T(4)-treated). The hens were artificially inseminated, and the hatching eggs (n = 1,320) were incubated. No eggs in the HYPO group hatched. The 1-d-old male chicks (n = 288) from other groups were reared for 42 d under standard or low ambient temperature to induce ascites. Blood samples were drawn from the hens, embryos, and broilers for determination of T(4) and triiodothyronine (T(3)). The hematocrit was also determined in broilers. The PTU-treated hens had an increased BW along with lower plasma T(3) and T(4) concentrations. Plasma T(4) was higher in the HYPER hens compared with CON hens, but T(3) concentration was not different between these groups. The fertility rate was not affected by either hypo- or hyperthyroidism. The embryos in the HYPO group had lower plasma T(3) and T(4) concentrations at d 18 of embryonic development and internal pipping. Higher plasma T(4) was recorded in the HYPER birds at internal pipping, although plasma T(3) concentration was not affected at this stage. Maternal hyperthyroidism decreased the overall incidence of ascites in the cold-exposed chickens (10.0 vs. 33.4% for HYPER and CON groups, respectively). Although the effect of maternal PTU or T(4) treatment on plasma thyroid hormones and on the right ventricle-to-total ventricular weight ratio in the broilers was not significant, the cold-exposed healthy CON chicks showed higher hematocrit values, compared with the HYPER birds. It was concluded that maternal hyperthyroidism could decrease the incidence of cold-induced ascites in broiler chickens; however, probable causal mechanisms remain to be elucidated.

Reproductive performance, expression of TRAP6 and TGF-ß4 genes in utero-vaginal junction mucosa, and indicators of liver function in female Chukar partridge (Alectoris chukar) breeders fed with fish oil and calcitriol during the egg-laying period.

Reproductive attributes, expression of TRAP6 and TGF-ß mRNA in the mucosa of the utero-vaginal junction (UVJ) of oviduct, and liver function were evaluated in Chukar partridge (Alectoris chukar) breeders subjected to long-term oral administration of fish oil (FO) and/or calcitriol (CT). A total of forty-eight 1.5-year-old laying Chukar partridges and 16 age-matched males (female:male ratio of 3:1) were randomly allocated to four groups (4 replicates of 3 female birds and one male bird each). Breeder females in groups 1, 2, and 3 were orally administered daily with 0.2 mL (0.24 g)/500 g body weight FO, 0.2 mL solution containing 10 µg CT, or their combination (FO + CT) for 42 successive days, respectively. Pure crystalline calcitriol was dissolved in ethanol (30%) prior to administration. The control group (CON), received a similar volume of a 30% solution of ethanol only. Eggs were collected and incubated to evaluate the reproductive performance. Blood samples were taken on days 0, 21, and 42 of the trial for the quantification of serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and aspartate aminotransferase (AST). On day 43, one bird per replicate was killed by cervical dislocation to assess the expression of TRAP6 and TGF-ß genes in the UVJ mucosa. Administration of CT or FO + CT increased the egg production rate, fertility rate, and hatchability rate of the set eggs. Fertility duration and sperm penetration rate were higher in partridges receiving FO and (or) CT, but chick quality, and embryonic mortality were not affected by the treatment effect. Administration of CT or FO + CT decreased the serum ALT and AST levels. Administration of FO or CT was associated with a lower expression of TGF-ß mRNA in the UVJ mucosa. Oral administration of FO resulted in a reduction in the expression of TRAP6 in the UVJ mucosa. However, the birds fed with CT or FO + CT recorded a higher mRNA expression for TRAP6. Although the reproductive performance and TRAP6 expression were higher following the feeding of FO or FO + CT, expression of TGF-ß was decreased, suggesting plausibly that TGF-ß may not have a determinant effect on the reproductive attributes in female Chukar partridges. Further studies are required to understand the mechanisms underlying the effects of TRAP6 and TGF-ß on other reproductive criteria in partridges.

The localization and expression of gonadotropin inhibitory hormone in the hypothalamus of turkey hens during the prepubertal, pubertal and postpubertal phases.

Gonadotropin inhibitory hormone (GnIH), initially discovered in birds as a hypothalamic neuropeptide, inhibits the synthesis and release of gonadotropins by affecting GnRH neurons and gonadotropes. Therefore, it may be a key neuropeptide in reproduction in birds. The aim of the present study was to investigate the prepubertal, pubertal, and postpubertal localization of GnIH and changes in hypothalamic GnIH expression in British United Turkey hens. In prepubertal, pubertal, and postpubertal periods, the brains of turkey hens (n = 15) were removed after fixation. Sections (30 µm) were prepared from the entire hypothalamus and stained immunohistochemically against GnIH antibody. Gonadotropin inhibitory hormone-immunoreactive neurons were observed in the paraventricular nucleus. These neurons were significantly more abundant in the prepubertal turkeys than pubertal and postpubertal turkeys (P < 0.05). The results suggested that GnIH neurons have an important role in regulating the pubertal events in British United Turkey hens.