Department of Clinical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104-6010 and Department of Poultry Science, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, Mississippi 39762
ABSTRACT
Preliminary studies were performed to develop a method for using real-time, B-mode ultrasonography (US) to directly image the internal morphology of the chicken egg and developing embryo. Different soft tissue interfaces will reflect US waves differentially. These reflected waves, or echoes are then converted into a two-dimensional image of internal morphology. A major limitation of diagnostic US is its inability to penetrate through gas or hard tissue (bone, shell) interfaces. Methodology development to overcome the acoustic obstacle presented by the eggshell and air cell constituted the initial part of the preliminary study. An acoustical window was achieved by creating a 2-cm fenestration through the large end of the eggshell, then filling the air cell with sterile saline. Morphological features of the yolk and embryo were recorded at 0, 2, 6, 9, 14, and 17 days of incubation.
The second part of the preliminary study explores whether the acoustic window, once created, could then be closed, and if closed, whether egg viability could be maintained. A second concurrent trial was conducted with 32 eggs that were fenestrated, imaged, recorded, reclosed, and incubated. Two methods of closure were attempted: one using dialysis membrane and tape; the other using an eggshell allograft. Hatchability was partially retained with both window closure methods.
Key words: Ultrasound, Egg, Chicken embryogenesis, Incubation, Hatchability
Poultry Science, 1993. 72:2236-2246
© [1993], by the Poultry Science Association. All rights reserved.
Department of Poultry Science, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, MS 39762
ABSTRACT
The influence of creating and closing acoustic windows on embryonic and posthatch development for the purpose of chicken embryogenesis monitoring by real-time ultrasonography (US) was evaluated at 2, 6, 9, 14, and 17 days of incubation. Acoustic windows were closed using either a porous dialysis film and tape (FM) or an eggshell allograft attached with collodion (CF). Results from eggs closed in each manner with and without concurrent nonsterile US examination were compared with two control groups. Window creation reduced hatchability. The hatchability reduction was caused primarily by bacterial contamination. Contamination was more common in the FM eggs than in the CF eggs and was greater in eggs that also underwent US. Hatchability increased and contamination decreased when US was performed closer to hatch. Egg weight loss was increased after Day 6 of incubation in FM + US eggs treated on Day 2 and after Day 9 in all eggs with windows except CF eggs treated on Day 9 and CF + US eggs treated on Days 6 and 9. Hatch weight decreased in chicks from eggs that had windows, particularly in FM eggs.
Key words: Chicken embryogenesis, Hatchability, Body weight, Incubation, Ultrasonography
Poultry Science, 1993. 72:2247-2253
© [1993], by the Poultry Science Association. All rights reserved.
Evaluations of Whole Chopped Kenaf and Kenaf Core Used as a Broiler Litter Material
Department of Poultry Science, Department of Agricultural Economics, and College of Veterinary Medicine, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, Mississippi 39762
ABSTRACT
Various physical and chemical properties of a mixture of pine shavings and sawdust (PS), kenaf core (KC), and whole chopped kenaf (WK) were determined in two successive broiler trials. In Trial 1, each material was placed into pens at a depth of approximately 11 cm. Litter from four replicate pens of each material was analyzed periodically for pH, N, and moisture. Body weight, feed consumption, breast blisters, manure burns, and litter caking scores were determined at the end of each trial. Prior to Trial 2, all litter was turned and WK and KC were topdressed to attain similar litter weights in pens among treatments. In both trials, litter N and moisture increased at each sampling time. The WK and KC had higher moisture and N content throughout both trials. Litter pH increased throughout Trial 1 and reached a maximum value of 8.75 at the end of the trial. In Trial 2, pH values were inconsistent but values over 8.0 were maintained. Litter type had no effect on body weight, feed conversion, breast blister, and manure burn scores in either trial. The WK and KC exhibited significantly more caking than PS.
Key words: Litter, Pine shavings, Kenaf, Broiler growth, Carcass grade
Poultry Science, 1993. 72:2079-2083
© [1993], by the Poultry Science Association. All rights reserved.
Department of Poultry Science, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, Mississippi 39762
ABSTRACT
The effects of thyroid suppression induced during the rearing period by providing various dietary thiouracil (TU) regimens on plasma thyroxine (T4) concentrations, growth, and subsequent egg production (EP) and eggshell quality were determined in Single Comb White Leghorn chickens. Thiouracil was provided in the feed at levels of 0, .1, and .2% from 0 to 6 wk of age in Experiment 1, and at levels of 0, .05, and .1% from 6 to 16 wk of age in Experiment 2. In both experiments, T4 concentrations were reduced during TU treatment. However, T4 later became elevated at 12 and 20 wk in both dosage level groups in Experiment 1. Additionally, BW and egg weights were suppressed by both TU treatments, and EP was reduced up to Week 23 in the .1% TU-treated birds and through Week 25 in the .2% TU-treated birds. No effects on EP were noted in Experiment 2, but feed consumption (FC) was reduced during Week 6 in birds fed .05% TU and during Weeks 6,10, and 19 in birds fed .1% TU. Both liver and thyroid weights were increased in .1% TU-treated birds relative to controls at Week 16. Eggshell quality was affected only in Experiment 2, in which birds given .05% TU had a higher relative conductance, or maximum rate of water loss, at Week 38 than 0 and .1% TU dosage levels, and .1% TU-treated birds had a higher breaking strength than 0 and .05% TU-treated birds at Week 22. Without associated effects on eggshell quality, EP may be altered through prior changes in FC, BW, and T4 concentration by using TU at a dosage appropriate for the type and age of bird.
Key words: Dietary thiouracil, Eggshell quality, Egg production, Layer, Plasma thyroxine
Poultry Science, 1994. 73:1829-1837
© [1994], by the Poultry Science Association. All rights reserved.
Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, Miss., USA
Abstract
Broiler chicks were given a standard commercial starter diet from day 0 (day of hatch) to 9 days of age. Body weight and concentrations of the following serum constituents were measured daily: glucose (GLU), triglycerides (TRI), corticosterone (CORT), cholesterol (CHOL), and high (HDL) and low (LDL) density lipoproteins. Serum GLU and TRI increased at each sampling day to reach a peak on days 3 and 4, respectively, and then decreased thereafter. However, CHOL, HDL, and LDL decreased sharply by day 1 and then gradually decreased to day 5. Conversely, CORT peaked on day 1 and then decreased to day 4. It peaked again on day 5 and remained at that level throughout the remainder of the experiment. In summary, serum concentrations of all constituents measured fluctuated drastically between 1 and 5 days of age, with few changes occurring between days 6 and 9.
Key Words: Chicks, Broiler corticosterone, Lipid, Lipoprotein
Biology of the Neonate, 1995; 67:381-386
Poultry Science Department and College of Veterinary Medicine, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, Mississippi 39762
ABSTRACT
In two experiments broiler chicks were fed nonisocaloric diets with either 0, 3, or 7% added lard. Megacaloric percentages of all major nutrients were the same in all diets. In Experiment 1 (broiler chicks 0 to 5 d of age), added dietary lard did not affect body, heart, spleen, or pancreas weight. Liver weight was suppressed by the inclusion of lard in the diet, yet liver composition changed, becoming higher in protein and lower in fat. Yolk sac weight decreased during the first 5 d posthatch, with the decrease being most pronounced by 3 d of age. There were no differences in feed consumption due to treatment in Experiment 1. In Experiment 2 (broiler chicks 6 to 11 d of age), added dietary fat resulted in differences in liver, body, and fecal excreta composition. Chicks given 7% added lard had lower liver fat throughout the trial than chicks fed no added lard. Additionally, these chicks had a higher body protein content at 6 and 7 d of age. However, body fat only increased in chicks fed 7% added lard by 11 d of age. Furthermore, chicks receiving 7% added lard had elevated fecal fat at Day 6, but did not consume more feed than chicks receiving 0 or 3% added lard. Additionally, chicks fed lard had lower liver weights than those fed 0% added lard.
Key words: Broiler chick, Dietary fat, Yolk sac, Liver, Composition
Poultry Science, 1994. 73:1362-1369
© [1994], by the Poultry Science Association. All rights reserved.
Broiler Performance, Yield, and Bone Characteristics as Affected by Starter Diet Fat Level
Poultry Science Department, P.O. Box 5188, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, MS 39762 Phone: (662) 325-3379 FAX: (662) 325-8292
ABSTRACT
Lard has become more available as a cheaper fat source for increasing the energy of broiler starter diets. Non-isocaloric starter diets were formulated to contain either 0,3, or 7% added lard, with megacaloric percentages of all major nutrients held constant. Broilers received either 0, 3, or 7% added lard in starter diets to 10 days of age (S1), when they were changed to either 3 or 7% added lard starter diets (S2). At 21 days of age, all birds were changed to a common grower diet. Body weights (BW) and calorie conversions (CC) at 42 days of age were determined. Carcass yield was determined on day 44. Fat-free bone ash analyses were conducted on the left tibia of all broilers used for yield. The 3 and 7% added fat SI diets increased BW in males and females. The S1 and S2 diets had no effect on CC, bone ash, or female carcass characteristics. However, as fat level increased in the S1 diet, percentage fat pad and carcass yield increased in males. Lard added at the 3 or 7% levels to broiler starter diets between 11 and 21 days of age may be a cost-effective energy source with no adverse effects on 42-day BW and carcass fat at 44 days.
Key words: Broiler, Carcass yield, Starter fat level
Journal of Applied Poultry Research, 1997. 6:325-330
Effects of Oral Ethanol on Serum Lipoprotein Cholesterol in Juvenile Meat-Type Chickens
Poultry Science Department, Mississippi State University, Box 9665, Mississippi State, MS 39762 and
Department of Internal Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO and
Department of Animal Science, Iowa State University, Ames, IA
ABSTRACT
The effects of moderate, short-term ethanol (EtOH) intake on various physiological parameters in growth-selected, juvenile, meat-type chickens were determined. Ethanol (20%) was administered orally at 2 ml per kg of body weight three times daily between 21 and 28 days of age. Feed consumption, body weight, rectal temperature, relative weights of the thyroid, adrenal, pancreas, and liver, serum triglycerides, cholesterol, glucose, and high-density, low-density, and very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations were determined. Serum cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, glucose, and relative liver weight peaked across all treatments at 23 days of age. Males exhibited higher cholesterol and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations than females. Ethanol did not affect feed consumption, body weight, or relative liver weight, but decreased elevated concentrations of serum low- and very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglycerides at 23 days of age. Short-term, oral administration of EtOH may be used to suppress elevated concentrations of low- and very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglycerides in male and female growth-selected, juvenile, meat-type chickens without gross changes in the liver or in growth.
Key words: Alcohol, Broilers, Chickens, Ethanol, Lipoproteins, Serum and Lipids
Alcohol, Vol.13, No.2, pp. 111-115, 1996.
Copyright © 1996, Elsevier Science Inc.
Effects of Breeder Dietary Fat and Eggshell Cuticle Removal on Broiler Growout Performance
Poultry Science Department, Mississippi State University, Box 9665, Mississippi State, MS 39762, Phone: (662)325-3416 FAX: (662)325-8292 and
College of Veterinary Medicine, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, MS 39762 and
Department of Animal Science, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907-1151 and
Experimental Statistics Unit, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, MS 39762
ABSTRACT
Broiler breeder hens were fed isocaloric diets containing one of three different types and levels of added fat. Eggs collected when hens were 52 and 62 wk of age were either left intact or were washed to remove the eggshell cuticle prior to set. Chicks hatched from each breeder diet and eggshell cuticle treatment were reared through 22 days to assess effects on broiler performance. An increase in feed consumption in broilers from 52-wk-old breeders was associated with cuticle removal. It was concluded that eggshell cuticle removal in eggs from hens during post-peak production may lead to subsequent increases in feed consumption of broiler offspring.
Key words: Broiler breeder, Broiler chick, Dietary fat, Eggshell cuticle
Journal of Applied Poultry Research, 1998. 7:337-383
Department of Animal Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN.; Poultry Science Department, Mississippi State University, Mississippi, Miss.; and Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Mo., USA
ABSTRACT
The purpose of this experiment was to investigate the effects of breeder flock age (30 vs. 39 weeks) and sex of the newly hatched chicks on lipoprotein composition and apolipoprotein Al (apoAI) and B (apoB) concentrations. Additionally, fast protein liquid chromatography (FPLC) was used to evaluate which lipoprotein fraction (VLDL vs. LDL vs. HDL) carried the bulk of cholesterol in newly hatched chicks. Other lipoproteins were separated by density gradient ultracentrifugation to determine their chemical composition. Serum apoAI and apoB were compared by density scanning of VLDL, IDL, LDL and HDL fractions from sequential ultracentrifugation spins. The lipoprotein profile and apolipoprotein concentrations were similar for all chicks, so samples were pooled across both sexes and age groups to strengthen the data. For the lipoproteins, VLDL had the highest level of triglycerides followed by IDL, whereas the LDL particles had the highest levels of cholesterol esters compared to all other fractions. After separating the lipoprotein particles by size (FPLC) it was determined that both LDL and HDL carried approximately equal levels of cholesterol. These data suggest that lipoproteins in newly hatched chicks are not effected by sex or flock age chosen. In addition, LDL and HDL cholesterol are carried equally in newly hatched chicks.
Key Words: Lipoprotein, Newly hatched chick, Lipids, Hen age
Biology of the Neonate, 1997. 72:380-388
Poultry Science Department and College of Veterinary Medicine, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, Mississippi 39762
ABSTRACT
In two experiments, the effects of dietary fat and breeder hen age on relative yolk sac weight (RYSW) and total serum cholesterol (CHOL), high (HDLC) and low (LDLC) density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides (TRI), and glucose (GLU) were monitored in broiler embryos and chicks. In Experiment 1, embryos at 18 d of incubation and chicks at hatch were sampled from eggs laid by breeder hens at 26 (young), 36, and 48 wk of age. No dietary effects were noted in either experiment; however, chicks from young hens exhibited elevated serum CHOL, HDLC, LDLC, and lower GLU when compared with chicks from hens at either 36 or 48 wk of age. Additionally, embryos from young breeders displayed a lower RYSW at 18 d of incubation. Conversely, by hatch there was no difference in RYSW among offspring from different aged hens. In Experiment 2, newly hatched chicks were sampled from breeder hens at 36, 51, and 64 wk of age. Dietary effects were also not evident in this experiment; however, chicks from 51-wk-old breeders displayed the highest and lowest serum HDLC and TRI, respectively, compared to the other two age groups, whereas chicks from either 51- or 64-wk-old breeders exhibited higher levels of CHOL than those at 36 wk. Chicks from 64-wk-old breeders displayed an increase in LDLC when compared with the other two ages. These data suggest that serum concentrations of lipids and GLU, and RYSW in 18 d embryos and newly hatched chicks are influenced by hen age and not by added dietary fat.
Key words: Age, Chick, Lipids, Lipoproteins, Cholesterol
Poultry Science, 1996. 75:695-701
© [1996], by the Poultry Science Association. All rights reserved.
Poultry Science Department and College of Veterinary Medicine, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, Mississippi 39762
ABSTRACT
Changes in serum lipids, serum glucose, and gonadal development during maturation of Colinus virginianus were determined in two trials. In Trial 1, sex, BW, and serum concentrations of total cholesterol, high, low, and very low density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides, and glucose were determined every 2 d from 2 to 14 d and weekly from 21 to 49 d. Relative ovary or testis weights between 14 and 49 d were determined weekly. Body weight increased and all measured serum constituents changed in males and females between 2 and 49 d; however, relative testis weight decreased between 14 and 49 d. In Trial 2, sex, BW, cholesterol, and relative ovary and testis weights were determined in birds at 56 and 63 d of age. The distinctness of external sexual phenotype and its relationship to BW, cholesterol, and relative gonadal weight were also determined at 56 and 63 d. Body weight increased and serum cholesterol decreased in both sexes between 56 and 63 d, but had no association with the distinctness of external sexual phenotype. It was concluded that the development of external sexual identity in male and female Northern Bobwhite quail prior to sexual maturity was not related to changes in BW, gonad weight, serum lipids, or serum glucose before 63 d of age.
Key words: Bobwhite quail, Gonad size, Serum lipids
Poultry Science, 1996. 75:1411-1416
© [1996], by the Poultry Science Association. All rights reserved.
Poultry Science Department and College of Veterinary Medicine, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, Mississippi 39762
ABSTRACT
The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effects of elevated corticosterone (CORT) on circulating lipoprotein cholesterol during a 1-wk period. For this study, 15 commercial broilers were randomly assigned to one of three treatment groups. Group 1 served as the control (CON) and received no treatment, whereas Groups 2 and 3 received subcutaneous mini-osmotic pumps containing either physiological saline (PS) or adrenocorticotropin (ACTH), respectively. The ACTH was delivered at a rate of 8 IU/kg of BW/d. Blood samples were taken at Time 0 (before implants) and on Days 2, 4, and 7 postimplantation. Continuous infusion of ACTH increased plasma glucose, cholesterol, triglycerides, very low density lipoprotein cholesterol, low density lipoprotein cholesterol, high density lipoprotein cholesterol, and CORT during the postimplantation period. The group treated with ACTH also exhibited a decrease in BW during the last 2 sampling d. There were no differences in any of the serum constituents measured between CON and PS birds, which suggest that CON birds can serve as useful controls. These data suggest that birds given a continuous infusion of ACTH at 8 IU/kg of BW/d can experience changes in plasma lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations along with changes in other blood parameters and may serve as a useful model in accelerated lipoprotein production.
Key words: Chicken, Cholesterol, Corticosterone, Serum lipoprotein cholesterol
Poultry Science, 1996. 75:1428-1432
© [1996], by the Poultry Science Association. All rights reserved.
Poultry Science Department, and College of Veterinary Medicine, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, Mississippi 39762
ABSTRACT
The effects of dietary lard on serum glucose (GLU) and lipids were determined in Athens-Canadian randombred broiler chickens. Birds were provided either 0, 3, or 7% added lard in nonisocaloric starter diets through 10 d of age (S1), followed by either 3 or 7% added dietary lard through 21 d of age (S2). A common grower diet was fed to all birds after 21 d. Body and organ weights, feed conversion, and concentrations of various blood constituents, including serum GLU and lipids, were determined weekly from 14 to 42 d of age. Constant levels of added fat in both S1 and S2 diets generally led to higher BW in males at 42 d. Relative testes weight at 14 d was higher in males fed 3% than in those fed 7% S2 diets, whereas 7% added lard in S2 diets preceded by no added fat in S1 diets resulted in higher relative spleen weights in males at 42 d. Serum GLU concentrations were highest in males that received 3% lard rather than no added lard in the 51 diet. Serum low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDLC) concentrations at 14 d were highest in females fed constant levels of lard at either 3 or 7% in both starter periods. It was concluded that added lard fed to randombred chickens at various times and levels in starter diets elicited responses in organ weight and serum LDLC and GLU concentrations that varied with the sex and age of the bird and were not consistently related to BW.
Key words: Chick, Dietary fat, Growth, Randombred chicken, Serum lipids
Poultry Science, 1997. 76:29-36
© [1997], by the Poultry Science Association. All rights reserved.
Department of Poultry Science and College of Veterinary Medicine, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, Mississippi 39762
ABSTRACT
The effects of consecutive exposures to dietary thiouracil (TU) in juvenile and adult Single Comb White Leghorn chickens on plasma thyroxine (T4) concentrations, egg production (EP), egg weight (EW), and eggshell quality were determined. Thiouracil was provided in the feed at levels of 0, 0.1, or 0.2% (PTRT) from 0 to 6 wk of age and at levels of 0 or 0.1% (TRT) from 32 to 38 wk of age. Body weight gain was stimulated but T4, EW, EP, and eggshell quality were generally reduced by 0.1% TU TRT. However, TU PTRT alleviated a latent depressing effect of TU TRT on BW after 38 wk of age. Thiouracil PTRT, particularly at the 0.2% level, induced significant decreases in EW but increased EP between 32 and 50 wk. The effects of early thyroid suppression in juveniles with TU PTRT on the subsequent reproduction of adults were primarily in response to a delay in the onset of sexual maturity, and not directly to prolonged responses in T4 or BW that extended into lay.
Key words: Dietary thiouracil, Eggshell quality, Egg production, Layer, Plasma thyroxine
Poultry Science, 1997. 76:236-243
© [1997], by the Poultry Science Association. All rights reserved.
Poultry Science Department, Center for Environmental Health Sciences, and Animal and Dairy Sciences Department, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, Mississippi 39762
ABSTRACT
The effects of exogenous naloxone and adrenocorticotropin (ACTH) on circulating concentrations of corticosterone and glucose in broilers were determined. Birds were injected i.m. at 0 and 2 h with either saline or naloxone, then i.v. at 2.5 h with either saline or ACTH. Control birds received saline at each injection. Blood samples were taken before the experiment started (0 mm) and 30, 60, and 90 min after the last injection. Intramuscular injections of naloxone significantly reduced subsequent ACTH-stimulated increases in serum corticosterone; however, when followed by saline, naloxone elevated corticosterone by 90 min after the final injection of saline. Glucose levels were significantly elevated at 60 min in birds receiving ACTH i.v., but remained elevated through 90 min in birds pretreated with naloxone. Naloxone pretreatment attenuated serum corticosterone but augmented serum glucose concentrations in ACTH-stimulated broilers.
Key words: Adrenocorticotropin, Broiler, Corticosterone, Glucose, Naloxone
Poultry Science, 1997. 76:511-515
© [1997], by the Poultry Science Association. All rights reserved.
Poultry Science Department and College of Veterinary Medicine, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, Mississippi 39762
ABSTRACT
The effects of added lard in starter diets on BW, selected organ weights, feed conversion, hematological indices, and serum glucose were determined weekly in broiler chickens between 14 and 42 d of age. Nonisocaloric starter diets were formulated to contain either 0, 3, or 7% added lard, where the megacaloric percentages of all major nutrients were held constant. Broiler chickens received either 0, 3, or 7% added lard in starter diets through 10 d of age (S1), followed by either 3 or 7% added dietary lard through 21 d of age (S2). All possible combinations of the three S1 diets and two S2 diets yielded six total dietary treatments. A common grower diet was provided after 21 d. Body weight was not affected by diet and feed conversion did not increase between 21 and 42 d when birds were fed 3 or 7% added lard in the S1 diet. The effects of the S1 and S2 diets on relative liver weight were inconsistent over time and were not influenced by sex. Hematocrits were increased across time in birds fed 3% S1 diets and plasma protein concentrations were increased at 14 d in birds fed 7% S1 diets. It was concluded that the response of broiler chickens between 14 and 42 d to different levels of dietary lard was influenced by age of feeding during the starter period.
Key words: Broiler, Chick, Dietary fat, Lard, Feed conversion
Poultry Science, 1997. 76:1641-1647
© [1997], by the Poultry Science Association. All rights reserved.
Effects of Added Lard Fed to Broiler Chickens During the Starter Phase. 2. Serum Lipids
Poultry Science Department and College of Veterinary Medicine, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, Mississippi 39762
ABSTRACT
The effects of lard added to starter diets on various serum lipids were determined in broiler chickens between 14 and 42 d of age. Nonisocaloric starter diets were formulated to contain either 0, 3, or 7% added lard, where the megacaloric percentages of all major nutrients were held constant. Birds received either 0, 3, or 7% added lard in starter diets through 10 d of age (S1), followed by either 3 or 7% added dietary lard through 21 d of age (S2). All possible combinations of the three S1 diets and two S2 diets yielded six total dietary treatments. A common grower diet was provided after 21 d. Concentrations of various serum lipids were determined weekly from 14 to 42 d of age. The effects of both the S1 and S2 diets on total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDLC), and high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLC) were inconsistent and were influenced by sex between 14 and 42 d of age. However, serum triglycerides and very low density lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations showed progressive increases over the 14 to 42 d period in birds that received dietary lard at either level in the S1 diet. These same serum constituents also increased to the greatest extents over the same period when birds were provided 3% added lard in the S2 diet. It was concluded that the response of broiler chickens between 14 and 42 d to different levels of dietary lard were influenced by age of feeding during the starter period. Furthermore, the specific effects of the diets on serum cholesterol, LDLC, and HDLC concentrations between 14 and 42 d varied with the sex and age of the bird.
Key words: Broiler, Chick, Dietary fat, Lard, Serum lipids
Poultry Science, 1997. 76:1648-1654
© [1997], by the Poultry Science Association. All rights reserved.
Department of Poultry Science; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology; College of Veterinary Medicine; Experimental Statistics Unit; Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, Mississippi 39762
ABSTRACT
India ink and radioactive 51Cr-labeled microspheres were used in separate trials to examine the role of the yolk stalk lumen as a distinct pathway between the yolk sac and gut through the first 5 d of posthatch growth in broiler chicks. Throughout this period, India ink was able to pass from the yolk sac through the yolk stalk and into the intestine, but was not able to pass from the intestine into the yolk stalk or yolk sac. Furthermore, labeled microspheres moved from the yolk sac via the yolk stalk into the gut; which caused the total counts per minute of the intestine, yolk stalk, and excreta to progressively increase. It was concluded that India ink and 51Cr-labeled microspheres were useful materials in establishing that the yolk stalk provides a direct one-way passage by which material in the yolk sac may move into the intestine of broiler chicks during the first 5 d after hatching.
Key words: Chick, India ink, Radioactive chromium, Yolk sac, Yolk stalk
1998 Poultry Science 77:722-727
© [1998], by the Poultry Science Association. All rights reserved.
Department of Poultry Science; College of Veterinary Medicine; and Experimental Statistics Unit; Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, Mississippi 39762
ABSTRACT
The effects of dietary fat and eggshell cuticle removal on egg water loss, embryo growth, and hatchability were determined in eggs from broiler breeder hens at different ages. Hens were fed isocaloric diets containing one of three different types and levels of added fat. In addition, eggs were either left intact or washed to remove the eggshell cuticle prior to set. Cuticle removal increased egg water loss between 43 and 62 wk. Cuticle removal increased relative wet embryo weight at Week 52 and relative dry embryo weight at 52 and 62 wk. Furthermore, at 62 wk, diet and day of incubation interacted to affect wet embryo weight, and diet variably affected dry embryo weight. No treatment differences were observed for cumulative hatchability, rate of hatch, and relative yolk sac weight at Day 19 of incubation. It was concluded that cuticle removal and the addition of fat to breeder diets may influence embryonic growth without having any subsequent effects on hatchability.
Key words: Broiler breeder, Dietary fat, Eggshell cuticle, Embryo, Hatchability
Poultry Science, 1998. 77:1522-1530
© [1998], by the Poultry Science Association. All rights reserved.
Last modified: Monday, March-20-2000.
URL: http://www.msstate.edu/dept/poultry/respub01.htm
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