Isabella Romboli

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...

Histochemical features of the Muscovy duck small intestine during development

We demonstrated for the first time the distribution and morphology of argyrophil and of goblet cells in the mucosa of the small intestine of the Muscovy duck during development using the Grimelius silver staining and alcian blue/periodic acid-Schiff (AB/PAS) staining technique. The argyrophil cells distribution was variable over the length of the small intestine from embryonic day 24 (24E) to post-hatching day 13 (13d). In the villi most argyrophil cells belonged to the open-type, while in the crypts they belonged to the closed-type. In the duodenum the density of argyrophil cells was highest at hatching, while in the jejunum and in the ileum the highest density value was at hatching and 13d. AB/PAS-positive goblet cells appeared on the villi and crypts of the duodenum and jejunum at 30E, and in the ileum at hatching. The density of AB/PAS-positive cells was the highest in the three segments at hatching. The AB-positive cells, compared with the PAS-positive cells, predominated in villi and crypts of the three segments, moreover the rate of AB-positive cells to PAS-positive cells significantly decreased from 30E to 9d. An increase in argyrophil and goblet cells number during the later incubation and at hatching, could indicate the small intestine in that period is being prepared to face a new diet.

Effect of dietary vitamin E supplementation on fertilising ability of pheasant semen following artificial insemination

Two major constraints, monogamy and seasonality, prompted the development of reproductive technology for the emu industry in which artificial insemination technology will be an important main tool in achieving faster genetic progress. Prior to the development of an emu semen diluent for storage and preservation of emu spermatozoa, we measured the concentration of the major inorganic ions (potassium, sodium, magnesium and calcium) in the seminal plasma of emu ejaculates. We hypothesised that, due to species differences in the metabolic requirements of spermatozoa, the concentrations of these ions in emu seminal plasma would vary from those reported for other avian species. Secondly, we anticipated that, as the production of semen changes with season, the concentration of those ions could be affected. Semen was collected by artificial cloaca from six trained male emus between end of July and September (last 8 weeks of the season, southern hemisphere) twice daily and twice per week. Following collection, semen volume and number and concentration of spermatozoa were determined. The seminal plasma was separated from spermatozoa by double centrifugation (1250 r.p.m./min for 10 min at 20°C) and then stored at –20°C. The concentrations of potassium, sodium, calcium and magnesium were determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The data were synchronised to the last ejaculate of the season and then subjected to analysis of variance. The mean concentrations (± standard error of the mean) of potassium (15·8 ± 0·6 mM/l), magnesium (1·8 ± 0·2) and calcium (2·1 ± 0·1) varied widely between males, but those of sodium did not (118·2 ± 1·6). The production of semen and spermatozoa declined over the 8 weeks of collection. The concentrations of magnesium, calcium and sodium did not change as the production of semen decreased, but the concentration of potassium decreased in parallel with the decline in sperm production. When compared with the domestic fowl and turkey, the major difference observed was that emu seminal plasma contained less sodium but more calcium. The mean concentrations of potassium and magnesium were lower than in the turkey but higher than in the fowl, yet within the ranges reported for those species. Except for potassium, it appears that, despite a decline in sperm production, the concentrations of major inorganic ions are maintained. These data will be considered in defining emu semen diluents.

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.

The Small Intestine of the Adult New Hampshire Chicken: an Immunohistochemical Study

With 3 figures

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.

Semen characteristics of pheasants during the first reproductive season

1440–1445. KELSO, K.A., CEROLINI, S., NOBLE, R.C., SPARKS, N.H.C. & SPEAKE, B.K. (1996) Lipid and antioxidant changes in semen of broiler from 25 to 60 weeks of age. Journal of Reproduction and Fertility, 106: 201–206. RAVIE, O. & LAKE, P.E. (1985) The phospholipid bound fatty acids of fowl and turkey spermatozoa. Animal Reproduction Science, 9: 189–192. SURAI, P., KUTZ, E., WISHART, G.J., NOBLE, R.C. & SPEAKE, B.K. (1997a) The relationship between the dietary provision of a -tocopherol and the concentration of this vitamin in the semen of chicken: effect on lipid composition and susceptibility to peroxidation. Journal of Reproduction and Fertility, 110: 47–51. SURAI, P., WISHART, G.J., SPEAKE, B.K., NOBLE, R.C., MACPHERSON, A., SPARKS, N.H.C., IONOV, I. & KOSTYUK, I. (1997b) Effect of vitamin E and selenium in the cockerel’s diet on lipid peroxidation in the spermatozoa. British Poultry Science, 38 (suppl.): S54–S55. SURAI, P., BLESBOIS, E., GRASSEAU, I., CHALAH, T., BRILLARD, J.-P., WISHART, G., CEROLINI, S. & SPARKS, N. (1998) A comparative study of fatty acid composition, glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase activity and total antioxidant activity of avian semen. Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology, 120: 527–533.

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.