Genotype-dependent development of cellular and humoral immunity in the spleen and cecal tonsils of chickens stimulated in ovo with bioactive compounds

Prebiotics, probiotics, and synbiotics, delivered in ovo influence the colonization and development of the peripheral immune system in poultry. This study aimed to investigate the influence of the host genotype (broiler chickens [Ross 308] and old native Polish breed Green-legged Partridgelike [GP] chickens) on the number of B and T cells in the spleen and cecal tonsils (CT). The solution of a bioactive compound was injected in ovo on day 12 of egg incubation: prebiotics (galactooligosaccharides [GOS]), probiotics (Lactococcus lactis subsp. cremoris IBB477), and synbiotics (GOS + L. lactis). The samples were collected on day 7, day 21, and day 42 after hatching (n = 8). The number of Bu-1⁺ (B) cells, CD4⁺ cells, and CD8⁺ cells in the spleen and CT was estimated using immunohistochemistry. The number of germinal centers (GC) was determined in the spleen. In broilers, probiotics increased (P < 0.05) the number of CD4⁺ cells in the CT on day 7. On day 21, prebiotics raised (P < 0.01) the number of cells involved in cellular immunity in the CT (CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ cells) and spleen (CD8⁺ cells). On day 42, it was synbiotics that stimulated the colonization of both the CT and spleen by B cells, but colonization of the spleen only by CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ cells. In GP chickens, synbiotics enforced the cellular immunity (CD4⁺ or CD8⁺ cells) in the spleen at all time points. Synbiotics also stimulated the GC appearance on day 21 and day 42. In GP chickens, the influence of bioactive compounds on colonization of the CT was very limited. In broilers, we determined pronounced and age-dependent effects of prebiotics and synbiotics on the number of B and T cells in both the CT and spleen. In GP chickens, the most potent compound was synbiotics, which stimulated cellular immunity in the spleen but not in the CT. However, given the long-term effects on adaptive immune cells, synbiotics were the most potent compounds in both chicken genotypes.

Stage of goose embryo development at oviposition depending on genotype, flock age, and period of laying

Embryo development and chick quality are influenced by parental genotype, age, nutrition, environment, and flock management. The aim of study was to determine if genotype, age of goose or eggs laid near the onset of egg production vs. eggs laid near the end of reproduction influence the stage of embryo at oviposition. Three experiments were undertaken. To compare genotypes (Experiment 1) 150 eggs were collected from 3-year-old commercial line White Koluda (WK) geese and from two breeds involved in a genetic resources conservation program, Zatorska (Za) and Bilgoraj (Bi). Age comparison (Experiment 2) was conducted with 200 eggs collected from 1-, 2-, 3-, and 4-year-old WK geese. To compare laying periods (Experiment 3), 150 WK eggs were collected at the first week of March and 100 at the second half of June. Eggs were stored for 72 h at 16°C, staged using Eyal-Giladi and Kochav (EGK, Roman numerals) and Hamburger and Hamilton (HH, Arabic numerals) procedures. Experiment 1: Individual breed differences were evident with Stage X EGK embryos comprising 42.4, 33.3, and 38.7% in the eggs examined from the WK, Bi, and Za, respectively. For all breeds combined, 38.8% of the embryos were in Stage X, but in the next order in WK there was stage XI (18.2%), while in geese from the genetic reserve it was stage XIII (Bi - 33.3; Za - 29.0%). Experiment 2: In eggs of 1-, 2-, and 3-year-old WK geese, the majority of embryos (38.7, 32.4 and 42.2%, respectively) were in Stage X. In contrast, in 4-year-old geese the embryos were in Stage XI (36.1%). Experiment 3: In eggs collected in March and in June most of embryos were in Stage X (33.7% and 43.6%, respectively). In addition, more developmentally advanced stages (XI-XIII) were similar in both periods. However, embryos in Stage 2 HH were only observed in eggs collected at the end of laying season. Interestingly, earlier stages (VI-IX) were observed exclusively in the eggs collected in March.

Effect of in ovo injected prebiotics and synbiotics on the caecal fermentation and intestinal morphology of broiler chickens

Manipulations of the intestinal microbiota composition may improve the health and performance of chickens. In ovo technology allows the administration of a bioactive substance to enter directly into the incubating egg. The objective of the present study was to investigate the effect of in ovo administered prebiotics or synbiotics on microbial activity products in the caeca and the development of the small intestine of broiler chickens. Ross 308 male chickens hatched from eggs injected in ovo with prebiotics or synbiotics were used in this study. Five experimental groups were formed: C (Control) – injected with 0.9% NaCl, the Pre-1 and Pre-2 groups – injected with prebiotics: inulin or Bi2tos, respectively, and the Syn-1 and Syn-2 groups – injected with synbiotics: inulin with Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis IBB SL1 or Bi2tos with Lactococcus lactis subsp. cremoris IBB SC1, respectively. At the age of 7, 21 and 35 days, 10 chicks of each group were randomly selected, weighed and slaughtered, and the jejunal samples were collected for histological examinations, whereas caecal samples were collected to analyse the end products of microbial fermentation. Synbiotic treatment increased bodyweight, as observed in the Syn-1 group (P < 0.05). The propionate molar proportion was highest in the groups treated with synbiotics, especially in the Syn-1 group (P < 0.01). Furthermore, the molar proportion of acetate was also lowest in the Syn-1 group (P < 0.05). In ovo synbiotics treatment increased the villus length : crypt depth ratio in the jejunal mucosa, which might improve nutrient absorption and contribute to the increased weight of chickens. These effects suggest that the in ovo administration of synbiotics may be an effective method to increase bodyweight, improve the short-chain fatty acid caecal profile and increase the villus length : crypt depth ratio in the jejunal mucosa. These effects were more pronounced in the Syn-1 group than the Syn-2 group.

Growth parameters and meat quality of Pekin ducks fed on different level of dried distillers grains with solubles

Abstract. The experiment was carried out on 160 commercial Pekin ducks, strain P55. At the day of hatching birds were sexed, marked individually, weighed and divided randomly into four equal groups (four sup-groups, each). From Day 1 to Day 21 all birds received the same commercial feed, while from 4th to 8th week of rearing were fed in the following feeding groups: control, fed with commercial feed and experimental: with 15 %, 25 % and 30 % inclusion of dried distillers grains with solubles (DDGS). At 8th week of rearing from every group five males and five females were selected semi-randomly, slaughtered conventionally and slaughter yield, carcass composition and physicochemical meat characteristics were evaluated. Results from this study showed that Pekin ducks can be fed on diets containing up to 25 % DDGS without any significant decrease in slaughter yield, muscles contents and breast meat quality. Higher DDGS level (30 %) caused significant (P<0.05) decrease in final body weight and slaughter yield of females, however, the percentage of skin with subcutaneous fat and abdominal fat contents were lower (P<0.05).

HRGC/HRMS analysis of chloronaphthalenes in several batches of Halowax 1000, 1001, 1013, 1014 and 1099

Chloronaphthalene (CN) congeners and homologue groups have been quantified in up to three batches of several types of technical CN formulations of the Halowax series (Halowax 1031, 1000, 1001, 1013, 1014 and 1099), to elucidate possible batch-to-batch compositional variations. Using isotope dilution and HRGC/HRMS a relatively large variation in CN congeners and homologues composition among the batches of particular types of the Halowax formulations could be noted, and also when compared to the composition declared by the manufacturer. Depending on the type of the Halowax formulation and its batch in total up to 54 peaks from chloronaphthalenes (Agilent Ultra 2 liquid phase), which represented 70 of 75 CN congeners theoretically possible, could be found in these mixtures. These congeners represented all CN homologue groups from mono- to octaCN but some co-eluted. A co-eluting congeners were such as: 1,4-/1,6- (nos. 5/7), 1,5-/2,7- (nos. 6/12), 2,6-1,7- (nos. 11/8) of diCNs; 1,3,6-/1,3,5- (nos. 20/19), 1,3,7-/1,4,6- (nos. 23/24), 1,6,7-/2,3,6- (nos. 25/26) of triCNs; 1,2,5,7-/1,2,4,6-/1,2,4,7- (nos. 37/33/34), 1,3,6,8-/1,2,5,6- (nos. 45/36), 1,2,3,5-/1,3,5,8- (nos. 28/43), 1,2,3,4-/1,2,3,7- (nos. 27/30), 1,2,5,8-/1,2,6,8- (nos. 38/40) of tetraCNs; 1,2,3,5,7-/1,2,4,6,7- (nos. 52/60), 1,2,3,5,8-/1,2,3,6,8- (nos. 53/55) of pentaCNs; 1,2,3,4,6,7-/1,2,3,5,6,7- (nos. 66/67), 1,2,3,4,5,7-/1,2,3,5,6,8- (64/68) and 1,2,4,5,6,8-/1,2,4,5,7,8- (nos. 71/72) of hexaCNs. Absent in the Halowaxes were CN congeners such as 1,3,8-triCN (no. 22) (<0.0002 mg/g), 1,3,6,7-tetraCN (no. 44), 1,2,3,6-TetraCN (no. 29), 1,2,3,6,7-pentaCN (no. 54) and 1,2,3,6,7,8-hexaCN (no. 70) (<0.0005 mg/g).

Attempts on freezing the Greylag (Anser anser L.) gander semen

Semen of Greylag (Anser anser L.) ganders was frozen according to a method previously elaborated by the authors for freezing the White Koluda gander semen. Semen was collected from five to eight Greylag ganders, twice a week during three succeeding reproductive cycles, by dorso-abdominal massage. Semen samples were diluted in the ratio of 1:1 or 2:1 (two parts semen: one part diluent) with EK diluent, supplemented by 6% DMF, equilibrated and pre-frozen to -140 degrees C at a rate 60 degrees C/min, before being transferred into liquid nitrogen container. Semen samples thawed in a water bath of 60 degrees C were used for twice a week insemination in a volume of 200 microl. Three Greylag and three White Koluda geese were involved in frozen-thawed semen fertilizing ability test. The reproductive cycle of wild geese lasts usually about 6-7 weeks. The ejaculate volume (30-140 microl) and sperm concentration (10x10(6) to 150x10(6) ml(-1)) are much lower than these of domestic ganders, but spermatozoa morphology is similar, particularly while compared to 1-year-old White Koluda ganders semen. There are about 90% of live spermatozoa and about 30% of live morphologically normal cells in Greylag gander fresh semen. The Greylag gander spermatozoa susceptibility to cryopreservation procedure is as high as in domestic ganders. Dilution ratio 2:1 resulted in higher number of live spermatozoa, which withstood cryoinjury stress. In relation to fresh semen about 60% of spermatozoa remained intact (on the basis of light microscope examination) in the frozen-thawed semen. Insemination of frozen-thawed semen resulted in 37.5% of fertile eggs in Greylag and 25.0% in White Koluda geese. Low fertility rate was caused by an insufficient number of live normal spermatozoa used for insemination (about three million in every dose).