A. Castillo

Breast meat traits of Muscovy ducks fed on a microalga (Crypthecodinium cohnii) meal supplemented diet

1. A trial was conducted in order to increase the docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) content in the meat of Muscovy ducks (Cairina moschata domestica L.) fed on a diet supplemented with the microalga Crypthecodinium cohnii. 2. Two diets were provided to 48 male and 48 female ducks, belonging to an Italian rural strain during the last 3 weeks of life: a maize–soybean based diet as the control diet and the same diet supplemented with 5 g/kg microalga meal. 3. Dietary treatment did not induce differences in growth performances and slaughter traits. Similarly, chemical composition, colour, pH, oxidative stability and sensory characteristics of breast muscle were not influenced by the diet. 4. A significant increase of DHA content in breast meat of ducks fed on the Crypthecodinium cohnii enriched diet was observed.

A proteomic approach to identify seminal plasma proteins in roosters (Gallus gallus domesticus)

Considering the interest in avian semen processing and storage, the objective of this study was to identify the domestic fowl seminal plasma proteins using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE) and mass spectrometry MS/MS. For three times in a 4-month period, seminal plasma was obtained from semen collected from four local male chickens (Gallus gallus domesticus) and prepared for two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. A total of 83 spots were detected across all gels and analyzed by MALDI-TOF/TOF. Among these spots, 17 have been successfully identified. The most intensely stained spots were recognized as serum albumin, ovotransferrin, alpha-enolase, fatty acid binding protein, thioredoxin, trypsin inhibitor CITI-1 and gallinacin-9. From these proteins, two are characteristic of avian seminal plasma, the ovotransferrin and gallinacin-9, and one is specific of the Gallus species, the chicken trypsin inhibitor CITI-1.

Dietary lipid sources and vitamin E affect fatty acid composition or lipid stability of breast meat from Muscovy duck

A trial was conducted in order to assess the fatty acid composition and lipid stability of breast meat from Muscovy ducks (Cairina moschata domestica L.) fed a basal diet supplemented with 20 g kg-1 of soybean oil or fish oil and 30 or 230 mg kg-1 α-tocopheryl acetate (α-TA). A total of 120 one-day-old female muscovy ducklings were distributed over 12 pens (10 birds/pen). Growth performance traits were measured through the study. Each dietary treatment was randomly administered to three replicates when birds were 43 d until the slaughtering age of 66 d. Dietary treatments did not induce differences in growth performances and slaughter traits. Similarly, proximate composition and pH of breast muscle were not influenced by the diets. Significant increases in eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) contents in breast meat of ducks fed fish-oil-supplemented diets was observed. Lipid oxidation, expressed as thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), of breast meat from birds fed 230 mg...

Histological observations in testes of hybrids of Gallus gallus x Phasianuns colchicus

This study performed a histological and morphometric investigation of testes in Gallus gallus x Phasianus colchicus hybrids during the seasonal reproductive period of pheasants. The trial was conducted on seven 4-year old birds originated from the mating between New Hampshire cocks and female common pheasants. After sacrifice, testes were removed, macroscopically evaluated and routinely processed for light microscopic investigations. Mean testis weight was 0.85 g and a great variability was observed between birds. Only one bird out of seven developed heavier testes each weighing almost 3g. Relative volume occupied by seminiferous tubules was 75%. Approximately 39m of seminiferous tubules were found per testis and around 96 m per gram of testis. A high correlation was observed between the number of Sertoli cells and germ cells with testis weight. Seminiferous epithelium comprised Sertoli cells and germ cells at different stages of development. Three birds presented tubules with a multilayered epithelium and germ cells developed until the stage of round spermatids. Surprisingly, one bird presented some elongated forms as well.

Preliminary investigation on fertility and hatchability by the use of cryopreserved cock semen

The IFRG meeting 2010 was held in the beautiful city of Tours in France. The topics now reported included the storage and early embryo development; new developments in incubation temperature; and the influence of glucose application to poultry embryos. Two aspects of cryopreservation were considered: primordial germ cells, and in vivo cryopreserved cock semen. The latter was tested to assess its feasibility for use in commercial production or preservation of genetic stocks. With regard to commercial poultry production, the data recorded in one study supported the hypothesis that fertility would be higher and would persist for longer in pens where the birds were able to find a physical refuge from other birds. Other factors affecting the production of turkeys, ducks, pheasants, ostriches, chickens and ducks were discussed, thus fulfilling the meetings objective of reporting research into the incubation and fertility of all avian species.

Karyotype of chicken-pheasant hybrids

The karyotype of the Gallus gallus × Phasianus colchicus mongolicus hybrid was studied in mitoses obtained from peripheral blood leucocytes cultures. The culture method provided high numbers of well spread metaphase chromosomes, without overlapping and suitable for chromosome counts. The modal diploid number of chromosomes found was 78, the same as in the chicken. The hybrid constitution was confirmed by the presence of a macrochromosomal set derived from each parental species, the chicken and the pheasant. In particular, the hybrid origin of metaphases was easily determined by the morphology of two pairs of homologous chromosomes, numbers 2 and 4. The nucleolar organiser regions (NOR) encoding the 18S–5.8S–28S ribosomal DNA, were detected by the silver nitrate staining in one pair of chromosomes, as in the chicken.

Pheasant semen cryopreserved in pellets: effect of drop volume on spermatozoa viability and mobility

A wide variety of subjects was covered in this conference from the importance of eggshell temperature for hatching success to techniques for freezing pheasant semen. Some of the most interesting papers were on the use of new technology to understand what is happening during the incubation process. The use of MRI technology to image embryo development was described while a the potential use of thermal imaging cameras to solve hatchery problems was also discussed. Poultry were not the only avian species covered in the conference, also discussed was the occurrence and pattern of embryo mortality in wild birds and the relationship between egg mass and shape across all bird species was also considered.

Some advices to breed common pheasants used as donors of good quality semen

A wide variety of subjects was covered in this conference from the importance of eggshell temperature for hatching success to techniques for freezing pheasant semen. Some of the most interesting papers were on the use of new technology to understand what is happening during the incubation process. The use of MRI technology to image embryo development was described while a the potential use of thermal imaging cameras to solve hatchery problems was also discussed. Poultry were not the only avian species covered in the conference, also discussed was the occurrence and pattern of embryo mortality in wild birds and the relationship between egg mass and shape across all bird species was also considered.

In vivo responses of cryopreserved Pheasant semen

A wide variety of subjects was covered in this conference from the importance of eggshell temperature for hatching success to techniques for freezing pheasant semen. Some of the most interesting papers were on the use of new technology to understand what is happening during the incubation process. The use of MRI technology to image embryo development was described while a the potential use of thermal imaging cameras to solve hatchery problems was also discussed. Poultry were not the only avian species covered in the conference, also discussed was the occurrence and pattern of embryo mortality in wild birds and the relationship between egg mass and shape across all bird species was also considered.