EXAMINATION BY ELISA OF SERA OBTAINED FROM CHICKEN BREEDER AND LAYER FLOCKS SHOWING EVIDENCE OF FOWL TYPHOID OR PULLORUM DISEASE

An indirect ELISA using soluble whole cell antigen was used to screen serum samples obtained from breeder and layer flocks some of which had shown clinical or bacteriological evidence of infection with Salmonella Gallinarum or S. Pullorum. There was good correlation between Salmonella infection and the presence of serum samples showing high optical density (OD) values. Sera from seven flocks showing high values were retested using group D (0-1, 9, 12) lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and g,m-H flagella as detecting antigens. Sera from six flocks produced high OD values with LPS and low values with flagella confirming infection with a non-flagellate, group D Salmonella while one produced high values with both antigens indicating mixed infection with another group D serotype.

Determination of malic acid in real samples by using enzyme immobilized reactors and amperometric detection

The malate dehydrogenase (MDH) and ascorbate oxidase were immobilized independently, onto silanized controlled porous silica and packed in a tygon tube. The reactors were inserted in the flow system, and the malic acid was determined by measurement of NADH produced by enzymatic reaction. The NADH was reoxidized in a wall jet cell that consisted of spectrographic graphite, Ag/AgCl, KCl(sat), and steel needle as work, reference, and counter electrodes, respectively. The current intensities were measured at 390 mV. The malate calibration curve shows a linear range from 5.0 x 10(-6) to 1.0 x 10(-4) molL(-1), the lifetime was 40 analyses, after that a decrease of 20% on the response is observed. Three different citric juices were analyzed and a good correlation between the proposed method and spectrophotometric commercial kit were obtained.

Highly swollen liquid crystals as new reactors for the synthesis of nanomaterials

Synthesis and self-assembly of nanomaterials can be controlled by the properties of soft matter. on one hand, dedicated nanoreactors such as reverse microemulsions or miniemulsions can be designed. on the other hand, direct shape control can be provided by the topology of liquid crystals that confine the reacting medium within a specific geometry. In the first case, the preparation of micro- or miniemulsions generally requires energetic mechanical stirring. The second approach uses thermodynamically stable systems, but it remains usually limited to binary (water + surfactant) systems. We report the preparation of different families of materials in highly ordered quaternary mediums that exhibit a liquid crystal structure with a high cell parameter. They were prepared with the proper ratios of salted water, nonpolar solvent, surfactant. and cosurfactants that form spontaneously swollen hexagonal phases. These swollen liquid crystals can be prepared from all classes of surfactants (cationic, anionic, and nonionic). They contain a regular network of parallel cylinders, whose diameters can be swollen with a nonpolar solvent, that are regularly spaced in a continuous aqueous salt solution. We demonstrate in the present report that both aqueous and organic phases can be used as nanoreactors for the preparation of materials. This property is illustrated by various examples such as the synthesis of platinum nanorods prepared in the aqueous phase or zirconia needles or the photo- or gamma-ray-induced polymerization of polydiacetylene in the organic phase. In all cases, materials can be easily extracted and their final shapes are directed by the structure-directing effect imposed by the liquid crystal.

Effects of broiler breeder genetic, diet type, and feeding program on maternal antibody transfer and development of lymphoid tissues in chicken progeny

Maternal antibody (MatAb) transfer is important for early chicken survivability. Diet composition and the amount of feed given to breeder pullets during rearing may affect the development of immunity and the transfer of MatAb to progeny, and could affect progeny performance and resistance to disease. The effects of broiler breeder nutrition and feeding management practices were evaluated for the transfer of MatAb to progeny and for spleen and bursa development at hatching in 2 genetic strains (A and B). In this experiment, the levels of MatAb against Newcastle disease virus were assessed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays in serum samples taken of pedigreed chicken progeny from hatching to 13 d of age. Chickens were fed corn-and wheat-based diets, as were their parents. The breeder feeding program and diet type altered the Newcastle disease virus MatAb found in progeny at hatching and affected how long these antibodies were maintained in circulation. Bursal follicle size at hatching was influenced by an interaction among all factors evaluated. Percentage of white pulp in the spleen was affected mainly by genetic strain and diet type, but responses varied according to the breeder feeding program. It was concluded that breeder feeding programs influence MatAb transfer and half-life, and may also affect the early development of lymphoid tissues.

Broiler breeder trace mineral nutrition and feeding practices on embryo progeny development

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Modeling metabolizable energy utilization in broiler breeder pullets

The objective of this study was to determine models for ME requirements for broiler breeder pullets using the factorial method. The influence of the temperature on maintenance ME requirements was determined by experiments conducted in three environmental rooms with temperature kept constant at 15, 22, and 30°C, using the comparative slaughter technique. The energy requirements for weight gain were determined based on the body energy content and efficiency of energy utilization for weight gain. Two ME requirement models for each age were developed using the coefficients for maintenance and weight gain. The models for 3 to 8 wk were ME = W 0.75 (186.52 - 1.94T) + 2.47WG, and ME = W 0.75 (174 - 1.88T) + 2.83WG; for 9 to 14 wk, ME = W 0.75 (186.52 - 1.94T) + 2.69WG, and ME = W 0.75 (174 - 1.88T) + 2.50WG; and 15 to 20 wk, ME = W 0.75 (186.52 - 1.94T) + 2.76WG, and ME = W 0.75 (174 - 1.88T) + 3.24WG. In these equations, W is BW (kg), T is temperature (°C), and WG is daily weight gain (g). These models were compared to the breeder's recommendations in a feeding trial from 5 to 20 wk of age. Models 1 and 2 provided energy intakes that promoted BW smaller than the breeder's recommendation. However, all breeder pullets had weights above the standard recommendation. Model 2 gave the smallest ME intake and BW close to the standard recommendation and provided the best prediction of ME requirements.

Digital monitoring of broiler breeder behavior for assessment of thermal welfare

The assessment of welfare issues has been a challenge for poultry producers, and lately welfare standards needs to be reached in order to agree with international market demand. This research proposes the use of continuous behavior monitoring in order to contribute for assessing welfare. A software was developed using the language Clarium. The software managed the recording of data as well as the data searching in the database Firebird. Both software and the observational methodology were tested in a trial conducted inside an environmental chamber, using three genetics of broiler breeders. Behavioral pattern was recorded and correlated to ambient thermal and aerial variation. Monitoring video cameras were placed on the roof facing the used for registering the bird's behavior. From video camera images were recorded during the total period when the ambient was bright, and for analyzing the video images a sample of 15min observation in the morning and 15 min in the afternoon was used, adding up to 30 min daily observation. A specific model so-called behavior was developed inside the software for counting specific behavior and its frequency of occurrence, as well as its duration. Electronic identification was recorded for 24h period. Behavioral video recording images was related to the data recorded using electronic identification.. Statistical analysis of data allowed to identify behavioral differences related to the change in thermal environment, and ultimately indicating thermal stress and departure from welfare conditions.

Broiler breeder behavior and egg production as function of environmental temperature

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Pathological and molecular analysis of Turkey coronavirus replication in captive wild Turkey embryos (broad-breasted bronze breeder)

The degree of genetic and pathologic variation exhibited by a turkey Coronavirus (TCoV) strain was investigated after nine serial passages in 25-day-old turkey embryos obtained from wild broad-breasted bronze breeders. In spite of spleen, liver, kidneys, cloacal bursa and thymus have been collected and analysed, the main histopathological changes were only documented in the intestine sections. Microscopic lesions were characterized as mild enteritis, low degree of enterocyte vacuolization and detachment of the intestinal villous after five consecutive passages and were considered absent in the last passages. Genealogic analysis based on S1 and S2 DNA sequences suggested that Brazilian isolate might be considered as originated from TCoV strains circulating in the United States, as 100% identity with TCoV-Gl strain. Although S1 S2 sequences from each passage revealed no significant point mutations, and no correlation could be speculate between S2 nucleotide changes and pathologic features in infected embryos. This is the first demonstration of wild turkey embryos as a model for TCoV isolation and propagation.

Broiler breeder feeding programs and trace minerals on maternal antibody transfer and broiler humoral immune response

Breeder feed restriction may negatively affect broiler progeny immunity. Sources of trace minerals (TM) with higher bioavailability in breeder diets have been reported to enhance humoral and cellular immunity in broiler progeny. An experiment was conducted to examine the effects of breeder feeding programs and TM dietary sources on maternal antibody transfer and humoral immune response of progeny to a live vaccine against Newcastle disease virus (NDV). Cobb 500 breeders were fed according to 2 feed allocation programs, sigmoid late fast and sigmoid late slow, from 14 to 29 wk of age. From 56 to 62 wk of age, breeders were fed with either inorganic TM or an organic source (OTM) to replace 30% of Cu, Zn, and Mn. Progeny broilers were vaccinated intraocularly with La Sota NDV vaccine at 7 d of age. Blood samples were collected at hatching, 4, and 14 d postvaccination. Serum antibody levels against NDV were assessed by ELISA and cytokine expression by real time PCR. At hatching, late slow breeder progeny fed diets with 30% OTM had higher antibody titers as compared with progeny of breeders fed 100% inorganic TM. Similar results were observed 2 wk postvaccination. Breeder feeding programs and TM sources affected the expression level of IL-4 in NDV vaccinated broiler progeny. It was concluded that breeder feeding programs influenced humoral immune response to NDV vaccine in the broiler progeny, and 30% OTM may increase these responses. © 2013 Poultry Science Association, Inc.