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Madeddu M, Zaniboni L, Marelli SP, Tognoli C, Belcredito S, Iaffaldano N, Di Iorio M, Cerolini S. Selection of Male Donors in Local Chicken Breeds to Implement the Italian Semen Cryobank: Variability in Semen Quality, Freezability and Fertility. Vet Sci 2024; 11:148. [PMID: 38668416 PMCID: PMC11054041 DOI: 10.3390/vetsci11040148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2023] [Revised: 02/29/2024] [Accepted: 03/21/2024] [Indexed: 04/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Native breed conservation is an important component of poultry biodiversity. The aim of this work is to describe different steps that lead to donor selection for the implementation of the Italian Semen Cryobank of Autochthonous Chicken and Turkey Breeds. The variability within and between breeds was evaluated, and the stored semen reproductive capacity was in vivo tested using artificial insemination. Semen from Bionda Piemontese, Bianca di Saluzzo and Pepoi roosters was collected and processed. Concentration, volume, sperm membrane integrity, total motile sperm, progressive motile sperm and kinetic parameters were analyzed; sperm parameters accounting for bird variability were used to select male donors. Fresh semen quality parameters measured in donor ejaculates showed significant differences between breeds; no differences were found after cryopreservation. Variability in the fertilizing ability of cryopreserved semen was found within a breed (5-16%) and between birds within a breed (BP = 3-7%; BS = 7-31%; PP = 6-22%); only sperm quality parameters measured in fresh ejaculates, not frozen/thawed, may be associated with in vivo fertility results. In conclusion, sperm concentration and progressive motility were successfully used as selection parameters to identify chicken male donors with improved sperm quality for sperm cryobanking. However, new reliable sperm markers to predict cryopreserved semen's fertilizing ability are required.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuela Madeddu
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of Milan, via dell’Università 6, 26900 Lodi, Italy; (M.M.); (S.P.M.); (C.T.); (S.B.); (S.C.)
| | - Luisa Zaniboni
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of Milan, via dell’Università 6, 26900 Lodi, Italy; (M.M.); (S.P.M.); (C.T.); (S.B.); (S.C.)
| | - Stefano Paolo Marelli
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of Milan, via dell’Università 6, 26900 Lodi, Italy; (M.M.); (S.P.M.); (C.T.); (S.B.); (S.C.)
| | - Cristina Tognoli
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of Milan, via dell’Università 6, 26900 Lodi, Italy; (M.M.); (S.P.M.); (C.T.); (S.B.); (S.C.)
| | - Silvia Belcredito
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of Milan, via dell’Università 6, 26900 Lodi, Italy; (M.M.); (S.P.M.); (C.T.); (S.B.); (S.C.)
| | - Nicolaia Iaffaldano
- Department of Agricultural, Environmental and Food Science, University of Molise, 86100 Campobasso, Italy; (N.I.); (M.D.I.)
| | - Michele Di Iorio
- Department of Agricultural, Environmental and Food Science, University of Molise, 86100 Campobasso, Italy; (N.I.); (M.D.I.)
| | - Silvia Cerolini
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of Milan, via dell’Università 6, 26900 Lodi, Italy; (M.M.); (S.P.M.); (C.T.); (S.B.); (S.C.)
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Stefanetti V, Mancinelli AC, Pascucci L, Menchetti L, Castellini C, Mugnai C, Fiorilla E, Miniscalco B, Chiattelli D, Franciosini MP, Proietti PC. Effect of rearing systems on immune status, stress parameters, intestinal morphology, and mortality in conventional and local chicken breeds. Poult Sci 2023; 102:103110. [PMID: 37852051 PMCID: PMC10591014 DOI: 10.1016/j.psj.2023.103110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2023] [Revised: 09/04/2023] [Accepted: 09/08/2023] [Indexed: 10/20/2023] Open
Abstract
The majority of poultry meat used to be sourced from intensively housed birds. However, consumer preference has since demanded poultry producers develop more sustainable farming systems. Although free-range farming is considered beneficial for animal welfare, it is not as easy to standardize as an intensive system, which makes the choice of bird genotype appear crucial for alternative systems. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the effect of conventional and free-range rearing systems on the immune status, stress parameters, intestinal morphology and mortality in commercial hybrids (Ross 308) and local poultry strains, Bionda Piemontese (BP), Robusta Maculata (RM), BP x Sasso (BPxS), and RM x Sasso (RMxS). RNA was extracted from the jejunum and spleen to assess the mRNA expression of IL-2, IL-6, IL-10, IL-18, IL-1β, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), toll-like receptor (TLR)-4, and interferon gamma (IFN-γ). The heterophil:lymphocyte (H/L) ratio and intestinal histomorphometric evaluation were also calculated. We found that compared to the conventional system, the rearing system significantly affected the jejunum expression of IL-10, iNOS, IL-2, and IL-6, where these genes were upregulated in free-range system. A significant interaction between the rearing system and the genotype was also shown. More specifically, local breeds showed a significantly higher expression (P < 0.001) of IL-6 in the free-range system compared to the same genotypes in the conventional system. Moreover, IL-6 is constantly upregulated in local breeds within the free-range system compared to Ross hybrids. We also found significantly increased H/L and mortality rates in the latter, compared to the local breeds in the free-range reared system. The jejunum morphology also demonstrated a significantly higher villus height in BP and BPxS compared to the Ross hybrids. Overall, the results of our study confirm that the intense selection for growth in broiler chickens may have reduced their ability to react to the environmental stimuli related to free-range systems, resulting in a lower adaptability to a free-range environment, thus making them inappropriate for any farming system other than the conventional one. On the contrary, local chicken breeds are able to adapt and survive in the free-range system of rearing, and represent a genetic resource especially when adaptability to free-range conditions is required.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Alice Cartoni Mancinelli
- Department of Agricultural, Environment and Food Science, University of Perugia, 06124 Perugia, Italy
| | - Luisa Pascucci
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Perugia, 06124 Perugia, Italy
| | - Laura Menchetti
- School of Biosciences and Veterinary Medicine, University of Camerino, 62024 Matelica, Italy
| | - Cesare Castellini
- Department of Agricultural, Environment and Food Science, University of Perugia, 06124 Perugia, Italy
| | - Cecilia Mugnai
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Turin, 10095 Grugliasco, Torino, Italy.
| | - Edoardo Fiorilla
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Turin, 10095 Grugliasco, Torino, Italy
| | - Barbara Miniscalco
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Turin, 10095 Grugliasco, Torino, Italy
| | - Diletta Chiattelli
- Department of Agricultural, Environment and Food Science, University of Perugia, 06124 Perugia, Italy
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Calik J, Obrzut J. Influence of Genotype on Productivity and Egg Quality of Three Hen Strains Included in a Biodiversity Program. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:1848. [PMID: 37889805 PMCID: PMC10251836 DOI: 10.3390/ani13111848] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2023] [Revised: 05/25/2023] [Accepted: 05/31/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of genotype on the productivity and egg quality of three hen strains included in the genetic resource protection program in Poland. The study encompassed populations of laying hens, i.e., Rhode Island Red/RIR (R-11 and K-22) and Rhode Island White (A-33). The analysis over five generations included the basic production traits, i.e., the weight of the birds at 20 weeks (g), egg weights at 33 and 53 weeks, sexual maturity, the number of eggs laid up to 56 weeks of age, and hatchability parameters. In addition, the effective population size (Ne) and flock homozygosity coefficient (Fx) were calculated for each breed. Population health during the rearing and production periods was also recorded. The study also determined egg content and shell quality traits in relation to the age of the hens. The birds were kept on litter at a stocking rate of 5 hens/m2 and fed ad libitum with a standard feed mixture for hens. Based on the results, it was concluded that the evaluated hen populations (R-11, K-22, and A-33) are valuable strains, representing a reservoir of unique phenotypic and egg quality traits. It was shown that the random mating system used in the reproduction of flocks effectively protects the populations from an increase in the degree of inbreeding. An influence of hens' origin (genotype) and age on the performance results, as well as egg quality traits, was found. Over five generations, the evaluated hen strains were characterized by high survival rates (above 98%). The study also found a large variation between the R-11 and K-22 strains and the A-33 strain in terms of the evaluated performance traits, especially in the body and egg weights, sexual maturity age, and laying performance of hens. The earliest to start laying were hens from the K-22 strains, which also showed significantly (p ≤ 0.05) higher laying performances compared to R-11 hens. The results also indicate that the quality of eggs from hens of the compared strains varied. This was particularly true for such traits as shell color; egg, shell, and yolk weight; and shell quality. It was also shown that many egg and shell quality traits change with the age of the hens. The analysis of the obtained data indicates that the adopted methods of conservative breeding for these populations have influenced the success of the conservation program.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jolanta Calik
- Department of Poultry Breeding, National Research Institute of Animal Production, Krakowska Street 1, 32-083 Krakow, Poland;
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Mancinelli AC, Menchetti L, Birolo M, Bittante G, Chiattelli D, Castellini C. Crossbreeding to improve local chicken breeds: predicting growth performance of the crosses using the Gompertz model and estimated heterosis. Poult Sci 2023; 102:102783. [PMID: 37269793 PMCID: PMC10242636 DOI: 10.1016/j.psj.2023.102783] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2023] [Revised: 05/02/2023] [Accepted: 05/13/2023] [Indexed: 06/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The present study aims to validate the Gompertz model to predict the growth performance of chicken crosses according to growth curve parameters of the parental lines and the estimated heterosis for each curve parameter. A total of 252 one-day-old chicks of both sexes belonging to 6 genotypes, including Ross 308, Sassò (SA), Bionda Piemontese (BP), and Robusta Maculata (RM), and the crosses between these local breeds and SA (BP × SA and RM × SA) were randomly allocated in 18 pens (3 pens/genotype) in mixed-sex groups (14 animals/pen; 7 females and 7 males). The individual body weight (BW) of all birds was recorded once a week from hatching until slaughtering (81 d for Ross 308; 112 d for SA, 140 d for the other genotypes). We drew up our final dataset with 240 birds (40 birds/genotype; 20 females and 20 males). The growth curve of each genotype was described using the Gompertz model, and the heterosis for each growth curve parameter was calculated as the difference between F1 crosses and the average of parental breeds. The predicted growth curve parameters were evaluated by cross-validation. The Gompertz model accurately estimated the growth curves of all the genotypes (R2 > 0.90). Heterosis was significant for almost all growth curve parameters in both crosses (P < 0.05). Heterosis ranged from -13.0 to +11.5%, depending on parameters, but varied slightly between the crossbreeds (BP × SA and RM × SA). The predicted values of adult BW, weight at the inflection point, and maximum growth rate were overestimated for BP × SA and underestimated for RM × SA, with a mean error between observed and predicted values <│2.7│% for all the curve parameters. In conclusion, the growth performance of chicken crosses between local breeds and commercial strains can be accurately predicted with Gompertz parameters of the parental lines adjusting for heterosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alice Cartoni Mancinelli
- Department of Agricultural, Environmental and Food Science, University of Perugia, 06121 Perugia, Italy
| | - Laura Menchetti
- School of Biosciences and Veterinary Medicine, University of Camerino, 62024 Matelica, Macerata, Italy
| | - Marco Birolo
- Department of Agronomy, Food, Natural Resources, Animal and Environment (DAFNAE), University of Padova, 35020 Legnaro, Padova, Italy.
| | - Giovanni Bittante
- Department of Agronomy, Food, Natural Resources, Animal and Environment (DAFNAE), University of Padova, 35020 Legnaro, Padova, Italy
| | - Diletta Chiattelli
- Department of Agricultural, Environmental and Food Science, University of Perugia, 06121 Perugia, Italy
| | - Cesare Castellini
- Department of Agricultural, Environmental and Food Science, University of Perugia, 06121 Perugia, Italy
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Mastrangelo S, Ben-Jemaa S, Perini F, Cendron F, Biscarini F, Lasagna E, Penasa M, Cassandro M. Genome-wide mapping of signatures of selection using a high-density array identified candidate genes for growth traits and local adaptation in chickens. Genet Sel Evol 2023; 55:20. [PMID: 36959552 PMCID: PMC10035218 DOI: 10.1186/s12711-023-00790-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2022] [Accepted: 02/21/2023] [Indexed: 03/25/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Availability of single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) genotyping arrays and progress in statistical analyses have allowed the identification of genomic regions and genes under selection in chicken. In this study, SNP data from the 600 K Affymetrix chicken array were used to detect signatures of selection in 23 local Italian chicken populations. The populations were categorized into four groups for comparative analysis based on live weight (heavy vs light) and geographical area (Northern vs Southern Italy). Putative signatures of selection were investigated by combining three extended haplotype homozygosity (EHH) statistical approaches to quantify excess of haplotype homozygosity within (iHS) and between (Rsb and XP-EHH) groups. Presence of runs of homozygosity (ROH) islands was also analysed for each group. RESULTS After editing, 541 animals and 313,508 SNPs were available for statistical analyses. In total, 15 candidate genomic regions that are potentially under selection were detected among the four groups: eight within a group by iHS and seven by combining the results of Rsb and XP-EHH, which revealed divergent selection between the groups. The largest overlap between genomic regions identified to be under selection by the three approaches was on chicken chromosome 8. Twenty-one genomic regions were identified with the ROH approach but none of these overlapped with regions identified with the three EHH-derived statistics. Some of the identified regions under selection contained candidate genes with biological functions related to environmental stress, immune responses, and disease resistance, which indicate local adaptation of these chicken populations. CONCLUSIONS Compared to commercial lines, local populations are predominantly reared as backyard chickens, and thus, may have developed stronger resistance to environmental challenges. Our results indicate that selection can play an important role in shaping signatures of selection in local chicken populations and can be a starting point to identify gene mutations that could have a useful role with respect to climate change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Salvatore Mastrangelo
- Department of Agricultural, Food and Forest Sciences, University of Palermo, 90128, Palermo, Italy
| | - Slim Ben-Jemaa
- Laboratoire des Productions Animales et Fourragères, Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique de Tunisie, Université de Carthage, 2049, Ariana, Tunisia
| | - Francesco Perini
- Department of Agricultural, Food and Environmental Sciences, University of Perugia, 06121, Perugia, Italy
- Department of Agronomy, Food, Natural Resources, Animals and Environment, University of Padova, 35020, Legnaro, Italy
| | - Filippo Cendron
- Department of Agronomy, Food, Natural Resources, Animals and Environment, University of Padova, 35020, Legnaro, Italy.
| | - Filippo Biscarini
- Institute of Agricultural Biology and Biotechnology (IBBA), National Research Council (CNR), 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Emiliano Lasagna
- Department of Agricultural, Food and Environmental Sciences, University of Perugia, 06121, Perugia, Italy
| | - Mauro Penasa
- Department of Agronomy, Food, Natural Resources, Animals and Environment, University of Padova, 35020, Legnaro, Italy
| | - Martino Cassandro
- Department of Agronomy, Food, Natural Resources, Animals and Environment, University of Padova, 35020, Legnaro, Italy
- Federazione delle Associazioni Nazionali di Razza e Specie, 00187, Rome, Italy
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Partyka A, Niżański W. Advances in storage of poultry semen. Anim Reprod Sci 2022; 246:106921. [PMID: 34996657 DOI: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2021.106921] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2021] [Revised: 12/29/2021] [Accepted: 12/31/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Semen cryopreservation is a key biotechnological strategy used to preserve and protect genetic resources, which are subject to increasingly serious reductions in some species, and to protect animal biodiversity. Assisted reproductive techniques, however, are still not utilized to the same extent in avian species to the extent that occurs in mammals. The reasons for this situation are described in this review. The content of this paper is focused on current poultry preservation systems, published since 2010, and new strategies that are very promising for preserving avian genetic resources. Two major types of storage technologies which are utilized for avian sperm preservation, liquid storage and cryopreservation, are emphasized. The issues on which there is a focus includes supplementation of avian extenders with various compounds prior to the preservation period, use of cryoprotectants and fertility results when there were in vitro sperm evaluations. Results from recent studies indicate there are opportunities to improve the quality of bird semen after preservation. It is obvious that cryo-diluent composition may be the most important factor for development of efficacious cryopreservation methods for avian semen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agnieszka Partyka
- Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Reproduction and Clinic of Farm Animals, pl. Grunwaldzki 49, 50-366 Wroclaw, Poland.
| | - Wojciech Niżański
- Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Reproduction and Clinic of Farm Animals, pl. Grunwaldzki 49, 50-366 Wroclaw, Poland
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Mannelli F, Franzoni A, Galigani I, Nistri V, Daghio M, Scicutella F, Marzoni M, Minieri S, Salvucci S, Cerolini S, Iaffaldano N, Schiavone A, Cassandro M, Castellini C, Buccioni A. Characterization of morphological, reproductive, and productive performances of Mugellese breed: an update of knowledge. Poult Sci 2022; 102:102259. [PMID: 36413899 PMCID: PMC9679384 DOI: 10.1016/j.psj.2022.102259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2022] [Revised: 10/12/2022] [Accepted: 10/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
The recovery, safeguarding, and valorization of autochthonous poultry breeds may contribute toward the preservation of animal biodiversity and utilization of marginal lands that otherwise offer little agricultural or industrial value. A key strategy in promoting local breeds involves the characterization of morphological traits and productive performances, which are influenced by the breed's genetic make-up as well as its environment. The Mugellese breed is an Italian local poultry breed originating in the Mugello area of north-east Tuscany. It is characterized by frugality, resilience and resistance to disease, cold, and heat stress. Moreover, these birds are particularly suitable for free-range farming. The Mugellese chicken is described as a dwarf breed with a medium neck, broad shoulders, fairly long and horizontal wings, wide, and well-developed breast (especially in the hen). Over the course of a 1-yr observation and data collection period, involving 23 breeders and 405 adult chickens, the Mugellese breed showed the following performances: 1) a hen-day egg production characterized by 2 major peaks: the first in the spring time (March-April, 65.75%), and the second in the late summer period (August-September, 51.86%); 2) high true fertility values (94.35%) throughout the entire breeding season; 3) a weight gain of 732.44 ± 117.06 g and a feed conversion ratio of 3.94 ± 2.42 at an age of 140 d; 4) a slaughter yield of 77.80% (± 3.91); v) a respective protein, fat, and mineral content in the yolk and albumen were: 27.21 ± 4.21 g, 57.77 ± 1.03 g and 3.47 ± 0.40 g per 100 g of yolk; and 82.50 ± 0.57 g, 0.12 ± 0.01 g and 5.43 ± 0.34 g per 100 g of albumen. More data are needed to validate the data obtained in this trial.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federica Mannelli
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Agrarie, Alimentari, Ambientali e Forestali, Università degli studi di Firenze, 50144 Firenze, Italy,Corresponding author:
| | - Alessandro Franzoni
- Centro di Ricerca Politiche e Bioeconomia, Consiglio per la Ricerca in Agricoltura e l'Analisi dell'Economia Agraria, Firenze, Italy
| | - Ilaria Galigani
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Agrarie, Alimentari, Ambientali e Forestali, Università degli studi di Firenze, 50144 Firenze, Italy
| | - Virginia Nistri
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Agrarie, Alimentari, Ambientali e Forestali, Università degli studi di Firenze, 50144 Firenze, Italy
| | - Matteo Daghio
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Agrarie, Alimentari, Ambientali e Forestali, Università degli studi di Firenze, 50144 Firenze, Italy
| | - Federica Scicutella
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Agrarie, Alimentari, Ambientali e Forestali, Università degli studi di Firenze, 50144 Firenze, Italy
| | - Margherita Marzoni
- Dipartimento di Scienze Veterinarie, Università di Pisa, 56124, Pisa, Italy
| | - Sara Minieri
- Dipartimento di Scienze Veterinarie, Università di Pisa, 56124, Pisa, Italy
| | - Sonia Salvucci
- Dipartimento di Scienze Veterinarie, Università di Pisa, 56124, Pisa, Italy
| | - Silvia Cerolini
- Dipartimento di Scienze Veterinarie, Università di Milano, 20134 Milano, Italy
| | - Nicolaia Iaffaldano
- Dipartimento di Agricoltura, Ambiente e Alimenti, Università del Molise, 86100 Campobasso, Italy
| | - Achille Schiavone
- Dipartimento di Scienze Veterinarie, Università di Torino,, 10095, Grugliasco, Torino, Italy
| | - Martino Cassandro
- Dipartimento di Agronomia, Alimenti, Animali, Risorse Naturali e Ambiente, DAFNAE, Università di Padova, 35020 Legnaro, Padova, Italy
| | - Cesare Castellini
- Dipartimento di Scienze Agrarie, Alimentarie ed Ambientali, Università di Perugia, 06121 Perugia, Italy
| | - Arianna Buccioni
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Agrarie, Alimentari, Ambientali e Forestali, Università degli studi di Firenze, 50144 Firenze, Italy,Centro Interdipartimentale di Ricerca per la Valorizzazione degli Alimenti, 50134, Firenze, Italy
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González Ariza A, Arando Arbulu A, Navas González FJ, León Jurado JM, Delgado Bermejo JV, Camacho Vallejo ME. Data mining-based discriminant analysis as a tool for the study of egg quality in native hen breeds. Sci Rep 2022; 12:15873. [PMID: 36151264 PMCID: PMC9508079 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-20111-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2021] [Accepted: 09/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite the wide biodiversity of avian species of zootechnical interest in Spain, projects aimed at characterizing these genotypes and their products are necessary. External and internal egg quality traits were measured in 819 eggs laid by hens of 10 different genotypes: White, Franciscan, Black and Partridge varieties of Utrerana, Blue Andalusian, Spanish White-Faced, Andalusian Tufted White and Black varieties, Araucana; and Leghorn Lohmann LSL-Classic lineage (commercial hybrid line) hen breeds. After multicollinearity analysis of egg quality-related traits was performed (VIF ≤ 4), major diameter, minor diameter, egg weight, and albumen height were deemed redundant explanatory variables and discarded. A stepwise discriminant canonical analysis was developed to cluster eggs across hen genotypes considering egg quality attributes. Shell a* and b* variables reported the highest discriminant power (Wilks' lambda: 0.699 and 0.729, respectively). The first two discriminant functions captured 60.48% of the variance across groups (F1: 39.36%; F2: 21.12%). Clear quality differentiation signs are evidenced for Mediterranean native breeds' eggs when compared to Leghorn's eggs. Consequently, this evidence of egg quality differentiation may favor the standardization of breed- and variety-linked distinctive products, which may open new market opportunities based on the existence of a wide spectrum of diet or culinary applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio González Ariza
- Department of Genetics, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, University of Córdoba, 14071, Córdoba, Spain
| | - Ander Arando Arbulu
- Department of Genetics, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, University of Córdoba, 14071, Córdoba, Spain.,Animal Breeding Consulting S.L., 14014, Córdoba, Spain
| | - Francisco Javier Navas González
- Department of Genetics, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, University of Córdoba, 14071, Córdoba, Spain. .,Andalusian Institute of Agricultural and Fisheries Research and Training (IFAPA), Alameda del Obispo, 14004, Córdoba, Spain.
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Multifactorial Evaluation of Regrouping Effects on Performance and Welfare in Two Italian Dual-Purpose Chicken Breeds: Bianca di Saluzzo and Bionda Piemontese. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12182355. [PMID: 36139215 PMCID: PMC9495003 DOI: 10.3390/ani12182355] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2022] [Revised: 09/05/2022] [Accepted: 09/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Local chicken breeds Bionda Piemontese (BP) and Bianca di Saluzzo (BS) are promising for use in small-scale poultry farms, which adopt free-range and/or organic farming practice. However, in practical conditions, it can happen that animals are subjected to regrouping, creating a new flock by mixing different groups. Such situations may provoke a stressful response in birds, compromising their welfare. To evaluate the resilience of BP and BS breeds to adverse management practices (regrouping), the present study aimed to assess the birds’ welfare status through a multifactorial approach. As a result, the practice of regrouping immediately compromised the welfare status and the productive performances in both BP and BS hens, but, in the following weeks, birds displayed a reliance, which help them adapt to the new stressful conditions. Abstract The aim of the present study was to investigate the ability of two Italian slow-growing poultry breeds (namely, Bionda Piemontese, BP, and Bianca di Saluzzo, BS) to cope with a stressful event, such as collective grouping, using a multifactorial approach. A total of 120 hens of BP and BS breeds were homogenously distributed, according to breed, in 12 pens (10 hens/pen; 6 pens/breed), from 18 to 49 weeks of age. At 50 weeks of age, hens were regrouped (Stressful Farm Practice, SFP), by removing separators, both in indoor and outdoor areas. At 49 weeks of age, 24 hens/breed were randomly selected for the evaluation of welfare (ethological and physiological) parameters, at different time points: T0: 1-week pre-SPF; T1: 1-week post-SFP; T2: 3-week post-SFP; T3: 5-week post-SFP. Egg production was recorded from 38 to 56 weeks of age. Grouping produced a social stress in both BS and BP-laying hens, which was expressed in terms of productive traits (reduction of oviposition), behavioral modification (worsening of plumage condition due to feather peaking and extension of the duration of the tonic immobility test) and physiological modification (increased heterophil/lymphocyte ratio and corticosterone metabolites in droppings). Both breeds reacted in a similar way; in fact, no differences were attributed to the breed. At the end of the observation period, the egg rate fully recovered, while the behavioral and physiological parameters partially recovered but failed to recover to those recorded prior to the stressful event.
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Morphological Characterization of Two Light Italian Turkey Breeds. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12050571. [PMID: 35268140 PMCID: PMC8909484 DOI: 10.3390/ani12050571] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2022] [Revised: 02/17/2022] [Accepted: 02/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Genetic resources on turkeys are scarce, considering both domestic and wild birds. Smaller, dark-colored Italian heritage breeds such as Brianzolo and Nero d’Italia have been selected for centuries in outskirt areas due to their coping ability in poor environments and high brooding ability. However, they are in danger of extinction. EC Council Regulations on organic farming strongly recommend using local genetic resources and conserving biodiversity. Phenotypical characterization is a basic step in biodiversity conservation; therefore, in this article, we present morphometric and colorimetric analysis results of 46 birds belonging to each of the considered breeds. We considered 18 parameters: morphometries, morphological indexes, linear evaluation, and colorimetric indexes as characterizing factors in breeds differentiation. Differences in weight with clear sexual dimorphism were recorded. Massiveness indexes were in favor of the slightly more compact Brianzolo breed. The extremely fair skin and dark shank of the Nero d’Italia turkey were revealed by colorimetric analysis. The effectiveness of morphological analysis in breeds differentiation, useful data in heritage breeds conservation, and characterization were considered control parameters in classifying animal products. Abstract We aimed to investigate the variability within turkeys’ phenotypical traits in two Italian heritage breeds: Brianzolo (BRZ) and Nero d’Italia (NIT), as analyzed through morphometry, morphometrical indexes, linear scoring, and colorimetric indexes. A total of 92 birds were measured, weighed, and scored (46 NIT: M/F = 19/27; 46 BRZ: M/F = 19/27). Live weight (LW), total body length (BL, excluding feathers), keel length (KL), chest circumference (BC), wingspan (WS), shank length (SL), shank diameter (SD), and shank circumference (SC). Massiveness (MASS), stockiness (STOCK), and long-leggedness (LLEG) indexes were also calculated. The body condition score (BCS) applied a linear evaluation to nutritional status and muscular development. Colorimetric indexes (L*, a*, b*) were recorded, sampling skin and shank. Data were analyzed using GLM procedures and PCA. NIT was the heaviest breed (4.89 vs. 4.07 kg; p ≤ 0.05). In both breeds, sexual dimorphism was visible in the LW trait with males (M) weighing significantly heavier than females (F) (p ≤ 0.05). NIT birds recorded the highest BL values: 58.44 vs. 57.15 cm (p ≤ 0.05). MASS was higher in NIT (8.26 vs. 7.0; p ≤ 0.05), and STOCK was higher in BRZ (82.62 vs. 85.37; p ≤ 0.05). Colorimetric indexes revealed significant differences in skin lightness (L*) and redness (a*). For shank color, the breed significantly affected differences in the indexes. This study characterizes these breeds at high risk of genetic erosion and extinction, which will help the morphological standardization of birds and the enhancement of genetic variability
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11
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Bongiorno V, Schiavone A, Renna M, Sartore S, Soglia D, Sacchi P, Gariglio M, Castillo A, Mugnai C, Forte C, Bianchi C, Mioletti S, Gasco L, Biasato I, Brugiapaglia A, Sirri F, Zampiga M, Gai F, Marzoni M, Cerolini S, Dabbou S. Carcass Yields and Meat Composition of Male and Female Italian Slow-Growing Chicken Breeds: Bianca di Saluzzo and Bionda Piemontese. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12030406. [PMID: 35158729 PMCID: PMC8833521 DOI: 10.3390/ani12030406] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2021] [Revised: 02/06/2022] [Accepted: 02/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Bionda Piemontese and Bianca di Saluzzo are two slow growing breeds from northwest Italy, specifically from the Piedmont region. Their low input requirements make them suitable in organic and free-range rearing contexts for both meat and egg production. This research, part of a conservation program for these two breeds, aims to define the meat properties and qualitative attributes of these two breeds, comparing them at different slaughter ages in order to identify the most profitable slaughter period. The results show significant benefits associated with slaughtering at 7 months of age, which outperformed the shorter rearing periods in terms of both better slaughter performances and meat properties. Abstract The slaughter performance and meat quality of two native Italian chicken breeds, Bionda Piemontese (BP, n = 64) and Bianca di Saluzzo (BS, n = 64), were investigated. Two-way ANOVA, considering breed, sex, and their interaction, was used to compare the properties of birds slaughtered at 5, 6, 7, and 8 months of age. Subsequently, data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA and the Duncan test to evaluate the differences between slaughter ages. The BP breed produced a better carcass yield than BS at 5, 7, and 8 months of age (p < 0.05). Breast moisture and crude protein contents were influenced by gender, and were higher in males than in females (p < 0.05). By contrast, the crude fat content was higher in females than in males (p < 0.05). The saturated fatty acid content of breast meat increased as the birds aged in both breeds (p < 0.05). The polyunsaturated fatty acid content of both breast and thigh meat was higher in males than in females (p < 0.001 and p < 0.05, respectively). In general, slaughtering at 7 months was associated with the best slaughter and meat quality characteristics in both breeds. Moreover, from a nutritional point of view, the characteristics of the meat from male birds were preferable to those of meat from females.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Bongiorno
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Torino, 10095 Grugliasco, TO, Italy; (V.B.); (A.S.); (M.R.); (S.S.); (D.S.); (P.S.); (A.C.); (C.M.); (C.F.); (C.B.); (S.M.)
| | - Achille Schiavone
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Torino, 10095 Grugliasco, TO, Italy; (V.B.); (A.S.); (M.R.); (S.S.); (D.S.); (P.S.); (A.C.); (C.M.); (C.F.); (C.B.); (S.M.)
| | - Manuela Renna
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Torino, 10095 Grugliasco, TO, Italy; (V.B.); (A.S.); (M.R.); (S.S.); (D.S.); (P.S.); (A.C.); (C.M.); (C.F.); (C.B.); (S.M.)
| | - Stefano Sartore
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Torino, 10095 Grugliasco, TO, Italy; (V.B.); (A.S.); (M.R.); (S.S.); (D.S.); (P.S.); (A.C.); (C.M.); (C.F.); (C.B.); (S.M.)
| | - Dominga Soglia
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Torino, 10095 Grugliasco, TO, Italy; (V.B.); (A.S.); (M.R.); (S.S.); (D.S.); (P.S.); (A.C.); (C.M.); (C.F.); (C.B.); (S.M.)
| | - Paola Sacchi
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Torino, 10095 Grugliasco, TO, Italy; (V.B.); (A.S.); (M.R.); (S.S.); (D.S.); (P.S.); (A.C.); (C.M.); (C.F.); (C.B.); (S.M.)
| | - Marta Gariglio
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Torino, 10095 Grugliasco, TO, Italy; (V.B.); (A.S.); (M.R.); (S.S.); (D.S.); (P.S.); (A.C.); (C.M.); (C.F.); (C.B.); (S.M.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Annelisse Castillo
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Torino, 10095 Grugliasco, TO, Italy; (V.B.); (A.S.); (M.R.); (S.S.); (D.S.); (P.S.); (A.C.); (C.M.); (C.F.); (C.B.); (S.M.)
| | - Cecilia Mugnai
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Torino, 10095 Grugliasco, TO, Italy; (V.B.); (A.S.); (M.R.); (S.S.); (D.S.); (P.S.); (A.C.); (C.M.); (C.F.); (C.B.); (S.M.)
| | - Claudio Forte
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Torino, 10095 Grugliasco, TO, Italy; (V.B.); (A.S.); (M.R.); (S.S.); (D.S.); (P.S.); (A.C.); (C.M.); (C.F.); (C.B.); (S.M.)
| | - Chiara Bianchi
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Torino, 10095 Grugliasco, TO, Italy; (V.B.); (A.S.); (M.R.); (S.S.); (D.S.); (P.S.); (A.C.); (C.M.); (C.F.); (C.B.); (S.M.)
| | - Silvia Mioletti
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Torino, 10095 Grugliasco, TO, Italy; (V.B.); (A.S.); (M.R.); (S.S.); (D.S.); (P.S.); (A.C.); (C.M.); (C.F.); (C.B.); (S.M.)
| | - Laura Gasco
- Department of Agricultural, Forest and Food Sciences, University of Torino, 10095 Grugliasco, TO, Italy; (L.G.); (I.B.); (A.B.)
| | - Ilaria Biasato
- Department of Agricultural, Forest and Food Sciences, University of Torino, 10095 Grugliasco, TO, Italy; (L.G.); (I.B.); (A.B.)
| | - Alberto Brugiapaglia
- Department of Agricultural, Forest and Food Sciences, University of Torino, 10095 Grugliasco, TO, Italy; (L.G.); (I.B.); (A.B.)
| | - Federico Sirri
- Department of Agricultural and Food Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, 40064 Bologna, BO, Italy; (F.S.); (M.Z.)
| | - Marco Zampiga
- Department of Agricultural and Food Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, 40064 Bologna, BO, Italy; (F.S.); (M.Z.)
| | - Francesco Gai
- Institute of Science of Food Production, National Research Council, 10095 Grugliasco, TO, Italy;
| | - Margherita Marzoni
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Pisa, 56124 Pisa, PI, Italy;
| | - Silvia Cerolini
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Milano, 26900 Lodi, LO, Italy;
| | - Sihem Dabbou
- Center Agriculture Food Environment (C3A), University of Trento, 38010 San Michele all’Adige, TN, Italy;
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12
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Iaffaldano N, Di Iorio M, Rusco G, Antenucci E, Zaniboni L, Madeddu M, Marelli S, Schiavone A, Soglia D, Buccioni A, Cassandro M, Castellini C, Marzoni M, Cerolini S. Italian semen cryobank of autochthonous chicken and turkey breeds: a tool for preserving genetic biodiversity. ITALIAN JOURNAL OF ANIMAL SCIENCE 2021. [DOI: 10.1080/1828051x.2021.1993094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Nicolaia Iaffaldano
- Dipartimento Agricoltura, Ambiente e Alimenti, Università degli Studi del Molise, Campobasso, Italia
| | - Michele Di Iorio
- Dipartimento Agricoltura, Ambiente e Alimenti, Università degli Studi del Molise, Campobasso, Italia
| | - Giusy Rusco
- Dipartimento Agricoltura, Ambiente e Alimenti, Università degli Studi del Molise, Campobasso, Italia
| | - Emanuele Antenucci
- Dipartimento Agricoltura, Ambiente e Alimenti, Università degli Studi del Molise, Campobasso, Italia
| | - Luisa Zaniboni
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Milano, via dell’Università 6, Lodi, Italia
| | - Manuela Madeddu
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Milano, via dell’Università 6, Lodi, Italia
| | - Stefano Marelli
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Milano, via dell’Università 6, Lodi, Italia
| | - Achille Schiavone
- Dipartimento di Scienze Veterinarie, Università degli Studi di Torino, Grugliasco, Italia
| | - Dominga Soglia
- Dipartimento di Scienze Veterinarie, Università degli Studi di Torino, Grugliasco, Italia
| | - Arianna Buccioni
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Agrarie, Alimentari, Ambientali e Forestali, Università degli Studi di Firenze, Firenze, Italia
| | - Martino Cassandro
- Dipartimento di Agronomia Animali Alimenti Risorse Naturali e Ambiente, Università degli Studi di Padova, Viale dell’Università 16, Legnaro, Italia
| | - Cesare Castellini
- Dipartimento di Scienze Agrarie, Alimentari e Ambientali, Università degli Studi di Perugia, Perugia, Italia
| | | | - Silvia Cerolini
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Milano, via dell’Università 6, Lodi, Italia
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13
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Soglia D, Sartore S, Lasagna E, Castellini C, Cendron F, Perini F, Cassandro M, Marzoni M, Iaffaldano N, Buccioni A, Dabbou S, Castillo A, Maione S, Bianchi C, Profiti M, Sacchi P, Cerolini S, Schiavone A. Genetic Diversity of 17 Autochthonous Italian Chicken Breeds and Their Extinction Risk Status. Front Genet 2021; 12:715656. [PMID: 34594362 PMCID: PMC8477013 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2021.715656] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2021] [Accepted: 07/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The preservation of genetic variability of autochthonous poultry breeds is crucial in global biodiversity. A recent report revealed small breed size and potential risk of extinction of all native Italian poultry breeds; therefore, a correct assessment of their genetic diversity is necessary for a suitable management of their preservation. In this work, we provided an overview of the contribution to poultry biodiversity of some Italian autochthonous breeds reared in conservation centers devoted to local biodiversity preservation. The level of genetic diversity, molecular kinship, inbreeding, contribution to overall genetic diversity, and rate of extinction of each breed were analyzed with a set of 14 microsatellite loci in 17 autochthonous chicken breeds. To evaluate genetic variability, total number (Na), and effective number (Ne) of alleles, observed (Ho) and expected (He) heterozygosity, and F (Wright’s inbreeding coefficient) index were surveyed. The contribution of each analyzed breed to genetic diversity of the whole dataset was assessed using MolKin3.0; global genetic diversity and allelic richness contributions were evaluated. All the investigated loci were polymorphic; 209 alleles were identified (94 of which private alleles). The average number of alleles per locus was 3.62, and the effective number of alleles was 2.27. The Ne resulted lower in all breeds due to the presence of low-frequency alleles that can be easily lost by genetic drift, thus reducing the genetic variability of the breeds, and increasing their risk of extinction. The global molecular kinship was 27%, the average breed molecular kinship was 53%, and the mean inbreeding rate 43%, with a self-coancestry of 78%. Wright’s statistical analysis showed a 41% excess of homozygous due to breed genetic differences (34%) and to inbreeding within the breed (9%). Genetic variability analysis showed that 11 breeds were in endangered status. The contribution to Italian poultry genetic diversity, estimated as global genetic diversity, and ranged from 30.2 to 98.5%. In conclusion, the investigated breeds maintain a unique genetic pattern and play an important role in global Italian poultry biodiversity, providing a remarkable contribution to genetic variability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dominga Soglia
- Dipartimento di Scienze Veterinarie, Università degli Studi di Torino, Turin, Italy
| | - Stefano Sartore
- Dipartimento di Scienze Veterinarie, Università degli Studi di Torino, Turin, Italy
| | - Emiliano Lasagna
- Dipartimento di Scienze Agrarie, Alimentari e Ambientali, Università degli Studi di Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Cesare Castellini
- Dipartimento di Scienze Agrarie, Alimentari e Ambientali, Università degli Studi di Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Filippo Cendron
- Department of Agronomy, Food, Natural Resources, Animals and Environment (DAFNAE), Università di Padova, Viale dell'Università, Legnaro, Italy
| | - Francesco Perini
- Dipartimento di Scienze Agrarie, Alimentari e Ambientali, Università degli Studi di Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Martino Cassandro
- Department of Agronomy, Food, Natural Resources, Animals and Environment (DAFNAE), Università di Padova, Viale dell'Università, Legnaro, Italy
| | | | - Nicolaia Iaffaldano
- Dipartimento Agricoltura, Ambiente e Alimenti, Università degli Studi del Molise, Campobasso, Italy
| | - Arianna Buccioni
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Agrarie, Alimentari, Ambientali e Forestali, Università di Firenze, Florence, Italy
| | - Sihem Dabbou
- Center Agriculture Food Environment (C3A), University of Trento, Trento, Italy.,Research and Innovation Center, Fondazione Edmund Mach, San Michele all'Adige, Italy
| | - Annelisse Castillo
- Dipartimento di Scienze Veterinarie, Università degli Studi di Torino, Turin, Italy
| | - Sandra Maione
- Dipartimento di Scienze Veterinarie, Università degli Studi di Torino, Turin, Italy
| | - Chiara Bianchi
- Dipartimento di Scienze Veterinarie, Università degli Studi di Torino, Turin, Italy
| | - Margherita Profiti
- Dipartimento di Scienze Veterinarie, Università degli Studi di Torino, Turin, Italy
| | - Paola Sacchi
- Dipartimento di Scienze Veterinarie, Università degli Studi di Torino, Turin, Italy
| | - Silvia Cerolini
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Milano, Lodi, Italy
| | - Achille Schiavone
- Dipartimento di Scienze Veterinarie, Università degli Studi di Torino, Turin, Italy
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14
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Genetic Diversity and Identification of Homozygosity-Rich Genomic Regions in Seven Italian Heritage Turkey ( Meleagris gallopavo) Breeds. Genes (Basel) 2021; 12:genes12091342. [PMID: 34573324 PMCID: PMC8470100 DOI: 10.3390/genes12091342] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2021] [Revised: 08/24/2021] [Accepted: 08/26/2021] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Italian autochthonous turkey breeds are an important reservoir of genetic biodiversity that should be maintained with an in vivo approach. The aim of this study, part of the TuBAvI national project on biodiversity, was to use run of homozygosity (ROH), together with others statistical approaches (e.g., Wright's F-statistics, principal component analysis, ADMIXTURE analysis), to investigate the genomic diversity in several heritage turkey breeds. We performed a genome-wide characterization of ROH-rich regions in seven autochthonous turkey breeds, i.e., Brianzolo (Brzl), Bronzato Comune Italiano (BrCI), Bronzato dei Colli Euganei (CoEu), Parma e Piacenza (PrPc), Nero d'Italia (NeIt), Ermellinato di Rovigo (ErRo) and Romagnolo (Roma). ROHs were detected based on a 650K SNP genotyping. ROH_islands were identified as homozygous ROH regions shared by at least 75% of birds (within breed). Annotation of genes was performed with DAVID. The admixture analyses revealed that six breeds are unique populations while the Roma breed consists in an admixture of founder populations. Effective population size estimated on genomic data shows a numeric contraction. ROH_islands harbour genes that may be interesting for target selection in commercial populations also. Among them the PTGS2 and PLA2G4A genes on chr10 were related to reproduction efficiency. This is the first study mapping genetic variation in autochthonous turkey populations. Breeds were genetically different among them, with the Roma breed proving to be a mixture of the other breeds. The ROH_islands identified harboured genes peculiar to the selection that occurred in heritage breeds. Finally, this study releases previously undisclosed information on existing genetic variation in the turkey species.
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15
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González Ariza A, Arando Arbulu A, Navas González FJ, Nogales Baena S, Delgado Bermejo JV, Camacho Vallejo ME. The Study of Growth and Performance in Local Chicken Breeds and Varieties: A Review of Methods and Scientific Transference. Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:2492. [PMID: 34573456 PMCID: PMC8466095 DOI: 10.3390/ani11092492] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2021] [Revised: 08/23/2021] [Accepted: 08/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
A review of the scientific advances in the study of the growth and performance in native chicken breeds and varieties over the past 20 years was performed. Understanding the growth patterns of native breeds can only be achieved if the constraints characterizing these populations are considered and treated accordingly. Contextually, the determination of researchers to use the same research methods and study designs applied in international commercial poultry populations conditions the accuracy of the model, variability capturing ability, and the observational or predictive performance when the data of the local population are fitted. Highly skewed sex ratios favouring females, an inappropriate census imbalance compensation and a lack of population structure render models that are regularly deemed effective as invalid to issue solid and sound conclusions. The wider the breed diversity is in a country, the higher the scientific attention paid to these populations. A detailed discussion of the most appropriate models and underlying reasons for their suitability and the reasons preventing the use of others in these populations is provided. Furthermore, the factors conditioning the scientific reception and impact of related publications used to transfer these results to the broad scientific public were evaluated to serve as guidance for the maximization of the success and dissemination of local breed information.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio González Ariza
- Department of Genetics, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cordoba, 14014 Cordoba, Spain; (A.G.A.); (A.A.A.); (S.N.B.); (J.V.D.B.)
| | - Ander Arando Arbulu
- Department of Genetics, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cordoba, 14014 Cordoba, Spain; (A.G.A.); (A.A.A.); (S.N.B.); (J.V.D.B.)
- Animal Breeding Consulting, S.L., University of Cordoba, 14014 Cordoba, Spain
| | - Francisco Javier Navas González
- Department of Genetics, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cordoba, 14014 Cordoba, Spain; (A.G.A.); (A.A.A.); (S.N.B.); (J.V.D.B.)
- Institute of Agricultural Research and Training (IFAPA), 14004 Córdoba, Spain;
| | - Sergio Nogales Baena
- Department of Genetics, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cordoba, 14014 Cordoba, Spain; (A.G.A.); (A.A.A.); (S.N.B.); (J.V.D.B.)
| | - Juan Vicente Delgado Bermejo
- Department of Genetics, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cordoba, 14014 Cordoba, Spain; (A.G.A.); (A.A.A.); (S.N.B.); (J.V.D.B.)
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16
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Franzoni A, Gariglio M, Castillo A, Soglia D, Sartore S, Buccioni A, Mannelli F, Cassandro M, Cendron F, Castellini C, Mancinelli AC, Cerolini S, Sayed AA, Iaffaldano N, Di Iorio M, Marzoni M, Salvucci S, Schiavone A. Overview of Native Chicken Breeds in Italy: Small Scale Production and Marketing. Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:ani11030629. [PMID: 33673450 PMCID: PMC7996916 DOI: 10.3390/ani11030629] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2021] [Revised: 02/15/2021] [Accepted: 02/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary The loss of biodiversity is a matter of great concern worldwide. In the agricultural sector, the industrialization of livestock farming and the wide-spread use of highly selected hybrids, especially in developed countries, has led to the progressive extinction of many native breeds in these contexts. Nowadays, safeguarding poultry biodiversity is a key objective in all developed countries, Italy included. As a part of a large cross-sectional national project called ‘Conservation of biodiversity in Italian poultry breeds’, a questionnaire was designed to evaluate the diffusion of native chicken breeds and their relative product markets. The data reveal the poor diffusion of native breeds despite the existence of a niche market for their products. Indeed, increasing consumer concern about conventional production practices and the growing demand for alternative poultry products, which can fetch high retail prices, should be leveraged to encourage the diffusion of native chicken breeds in alternative poultry farming. An important knock-on effect would be the preservation of biodiversity. Abstract The intensive use of high-performing strains in poultry production has led to the extinction of several autochthonous chicken breeds and, consequently, loss of genetic variability. Interest in saving biodiversity is growing rapidly and has become a major objective worldwide. The aim of this study was to shed light on the production trends of native Italian poultry breeds and the related market. A questionnaire, which asked about the production cycles, the number of animals and table eggs produced per year and their retail prices was completed by 121 breeders across Italy. The surveyed breeders were divided into two categories: breeders conducting an agrozootechnical farm, referred to as ‘farmers’ (F); and breeders keeping chickens as backyard poultry, referred to as ‘fancy breeders’ (FB). Analysis of the data acquired indicated that animals were mainly slaughtered between 6 and 12 months of age, with F processing more animals per year. The same production trend was observed for table eggs. The recorded retail prices of native chicken products were higher than those for conventional products, but similar to those reported for valuable niche poultry products, such as the Poulet de Bresse in France and organic eggs. Knowledge about these highly valuable markets should be used to encourage the use of local breeds in alternative poultry farming and help protect biodiversity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandro Franzoni
- Dipartimento di Scienze Veterinarie, Università degli Studi di Torino, Largo Paolo Braccini 2, 10095 Grugliasco, Italy; (A.F.); (M.G.); (A.C.); (D.S.); (S.S.)
| | - Marta Gariglio
- Dipartimento di Scienze Veterinarie, Università degli Studi di Torino, Largo Paolo Braccini 2, 10095 Grugliasco, Italy; (A.F.); (M.G.); (A.C.); (D.S.); (S.S.)
| | - Annelisse Castillo
- Dipartimento di Scienze Veterinarie, Università degli Studi di Torino, Largo Paolo Braccini 2, 10095 Grugliasco, Italy; (A.F.); (M.G.); (A.C.); (D.S.); (S.S.)
| | - Dominga Soglia
- Dipartimento di Scienze Veterinarie, Università degli Studi di Torino, Largo Paolo Braccini 2, 10095 Grugliasco, Italy; (A.F.); (M.G.); (A.C.); (D.S.); (S.S.)
| | - Stefano Sartore
- Dipartimento di Scienze Veterinarie, Università degli Studi di Torino, Largo Paolo Braccini 2, 10095 Grugliasco, Italy; (A.F.); (M.G.); (A.C.); (D.S.); (S.S.)
| | - Arianna Buccioni
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Agrarie, Alimentari, Ambientali e Forestali, Università di Firenze, Via delle Cascine 5, 50144 Firenze, Italy; (A.B.); (F.M.)
| | - Federica Mannelli
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Agrarie, Alimentari, Ambientali e Forestali, Università di Firenze, Via delle Cascine 5, 50144 Firenze, Italy; (A.B.); (F.M.)
| | - Martino Cassandro
- Department of Agronomy, Food, Natural Resources, Animals and Environment (DAFNAE), Università di Padova, Viale dell’Università 16, 35020 Legnaro, Italy; (M.C.); (F.C.)
| | - Filippo Cendron
- Department of Agronomy, Food, Natural Resources, Animals and Environment (DAFNAE), Università di Padova, Viale dell’Università 16, 35020 Legnaro, Italy; (M.C.); (F.C.)
| | - Cesare Castellini
- Dipartimento di Scienze Agrarie, Alimentari e Ambientali, Università di Perugia, Borgo XX Giugno 74, 06121 Perugia, Italy; (C.C.); (A.C.M.)
| | - Alice Cartoni Mancinelli
- Dipartimento di Scienze Agrarie, Alimentari e Ambientali, Università di Perugia, Borgo XX Giugno 74, 06121 Perugia, Italy; (C.C.); (A.C.M.)
| | - Silvia Cerolini
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via dell’Università 6, 26900 Lodi, Italy; (S.C.); (A.A.S.)
| | - Ahmad Abdel Sayed
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via dell’Università 6, 26900 Lodi, Italy; (S.C.); (A.A.S.)
| | - Nicolaia Iaffaldano
- Dipartimento Agricoltura, Ambiente e Alimenti, Università degli Studi del Molise, Via Francesco De Sanctis, 86100 Campobasso, Italy; (N.I.); (M.D.I.)
| | - Michele Di Iorio
- Dipartimento Agricoltura, Ambiente e Alimenti, Università degli Studi del Molise, Via Francesco De Sanctis, 86100 Campobasso, Italy; (N.I.); (M.D.I.)
| | - Margherita Marzoni
- Dipartimento di Scienze Veterinarie, Università di Pisa, Viale delle Piagge 2, 56124 Pisa, Italy; (M.M.); (S.S.)
| | - Sonia Salvucci
- Dipartimento di Scienze Veterinarie, Università di Pisa, Viale delle Piagge 2, 56124 Pisa, Italy; (M.M.); (S.S.)
| | - Achille Schiavone
- Dipartimento di Scienze Veterinarie, Università degli Studi di Torino, Largo Paolo Braccini 2, 10095 Grugliasco, Italy; (A.F.); (M.G.); (A.C.); (D.S.); (S.S.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-011-6709208
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