Jan Niemiec

Nanoparticles of Copper Stimulate Angiogenesis at Systemic and Molecular Level

Copper is a key element affecting blood vessel growth and muscle development. However, the ions released from Cu salts are toxic. Given their specific physicochemical properties, nanoparticles of Cu (NanoCu) may have different bioactivity and affect the development of blood vessel and muscles in a different manner than Cu salts. The objective of the study was to evaluate the influence of NanoCu on embryo development and angiogenesis at the systemic and molecular level, in experiments using a chick embryo model. Fertilized chicken eggs were divided into a control group, and groups injected with a placebo, CuSO4 or NanoCu. Embryo development at the whole body level and molecular indices using an embryo chorioallantoic membrane model were measured during embryogenesis. The present study indicated for the first time that NanoCu have pro-angiogenic properties at the systemic level, to a greater degree than CuSO4 salt. The properties of NanoCu were confirmed at the molecular level, demonstrating significant effects on mRNA concentration and on mRNA gene expression of all pro-angiogenic and pro-proliferative genes measured herein.

In ovo administration of copper nanoparticles and copper sulfate positively influences chicken performance.

BACKGROUND Copper (Cu) is a key trace mineral involved in a variety of physiological processes, and is commonly used in poultry production. However, regardless of the inclusion level the majority of Cu is excreted with poultry faeces. We hypothesise that in ovo administration will allow for better utilisation of Cu during embryo development than when supplied post-natally with feed to growing chickens. Thus, the objective of this study was to evaluate effects of in ovo administration of NanoCu and copper sulfate (CuSO4 ) on broiler chicken performance. RESULTS The study showed the positive influences of Cu nanoparticles and CuSO4 on broiler chickens performance. Body weight, at the end of the rearing period (day 42) was significantly higher in NanoCu (2206 g) and CuSO4 (2402 g) groups compared to the control group (2000 g). Both treatment groups had significantly lower feed conversion rate and mortality, and higher percentage of breast and leg muscles in the carcass versus control. CONCLUSION The in ovo application of Cu colloids may ensure an efficient penetration of Cu into the embryonic tissue with long lasting effects on postnatal growth. The method may provide a successful alternative to using Cu as a feed additive.

Comparison of Selected Quality Attributes of Chicken Meat as Affected by Rearing Systems

Abstract The objective of this study was to establish the effect of rearing conditions of slowly-growing Hubbard JA 957 chickens on selected quality attributes of their meat. Birds from the control group (C) were kept on litter over the entire rearing period, whereas these from the experimental group (E) - with access to free range since the 4th week of life. The birds were slaughtered on day 63, and collected samples of breast muscles were assayed for proximate chemical composition, technological properties, and fatty acid profile in intramuscular fat. The study demonstrated no significant differences in the chemical composition of muscles depending on rearing systems. Meat of chickens using free range was characterized by higher shear force (P≤0.01), which shows that it is tougher than the meat of chickens which do not use the free range. No significant differences were seen in physicochemical values when it comes to different systems of rearing. The access to free range has no influence on fatty acid formation either. The lack of significant differences indicates that the system of rearing has a minor effect on the quality of poultry meat.

Feeding Wheat Distillers Dried Grains with Solubles (DDGS) to Laying Hens and its Effect on Performance and Egg Quality

Feeding Wheat Distillers Dried Grains with Solubles (DDGS) to Laying Hens and its Effect on Performance and Egg Quality The purpose of this experiment was to determine the effect of wheat DDGS as a feed ingredient on the performance of laying hens and their egg quality. ISA Brown laying hens were administered a feed mixture containing 15% (E1) or 20% (E2) wheat DDGS for 12 weeks. The hens from the control group (C) received a standard diet based on soybean meal as the main protein source only. Laying performance (laying %), average egg weight (g), average daily feed intake (g/hen), and feed conversion ratio (kg/kg eggs) were recorded over the study period. Egg quality traits (egg weight, thick albumen quality, yolk colour, yolk percentage, shell percentage and shell thickness) were evaluated twice: before the start and at the end of the experiment. There was no effect of dietary DDGS on laying performance or on feed intake. The average egg weight was significantly lower in both experimental groups and the feed conversion ratio was lower compared to the control group. Dietary wheat DDGS did not affect the main egg quality parameters except for thick albumen quality. Eggs from hens fed the diet with DDGS had higher values of Haugh unit than those from the control hens. These results suggest that wheat DDGS can be used in amounts of up to 20% as a component of feed mixtures for flocks of laying hens. Zastosowanie pszennego wywaru gorzelnianego (DDGS) w żywieniu kur niosek a wyniki produkcyjne i jakość jaj Celem doświadczenia było określenie wpływu pszennego wywaru gorzelnianego zastosowanego jako składnik paszy dla niosek na wydajność nieśną kur i jakość jaj. Kury nioski ISA Brown przez 12 tygodni były żywione mieszanką zawierającą 15% (E1) i 20% (E2) wywaru pszennego. Kury z grupy kontrolnej (C) otrzymywały typową paszę bez udziału DDGS, w której główne źródło białka stanowiła poekstrakcyjna śruta sojowa. W okresie doświadczenia kontrolowano wydajność nieśną (% nieśności), średnią masę jaja (g), średnie dzienne spożycie paszy (g/szt./dzień) oraz wykorzystanie paszy (kg/1 kg jaj). Jakość jaj (masa jaja, jakość białka gęstego, kolor żółtka, procent żółtka, procent skorupy i grubość skorupy) oceniano dwukrotnie: przed rozpoczęciem i na koniec doświadczenia. Nie stwierdzono wpływu DDGS w paszy na wydajność nieśną ani na spożycie paszy. Średnia masa jaj była istotnie niższa w obydwu grupach doświadczalnych, a zużycie paszy na 1 kg jaj wyższe w porównaniu do grupy kontrolnej. Udział DDGS w paszy nie wpłynął na główne cechy jakości jaj z wyjątkiem białka gęstego. Jaja od kur żywionych paszą z udziałem wywaru pszennego charakteryzowała wyższa wartość jednostek Haugha niż jaja z grupy kontrolnej. Uzyskane wyniki sugerują, że DDGS z pszenicy w ilości do 20% może być stosowane jako komponent paszy dla kur niosek.

Early and 24 h post-mortem changes in breast muscle quality traits of two turkey genotypes and their reciprocal crosses raised under semi-confined conditions.

Abstract An experiment was conducted to determine the effect of reciprocal crossing of turkeys on early and 24 h post-mortem changes in quality traits of their breast muscles. The turkeys of slow-growing (SG) and fast-growing (FG) lines as well as SF (SG × FG) and FS crosses (FG × SG) were reared with access to free range. After slaughter turkey breast muscles were examined in the following terms: 5 min, 45 min, 2 h and 24 h post-mortem, for: temperature, pH, glycogen content (G), lactate content (L) and electrical conductivity (EC). Quality attributes of the breast meat were evaluated based on chemical composition, water holding capacity (WHC), cooking loss (%), shear force (N) and colour (L*, a*, b*). Despite differences in the rate of post-mortem changes, the genotype of turkeys had no significant effect upon many quality traits assessed 24 h post-mortem. Meat of lighter birds (SG and SF) was characterised by a lower fat content but a similar protein content compared to meat of FS and FG turkeys. In addition, meat of males from these groups was darker. Meat from the breast muscles of heavier birds (FS and FG) was harder. Significant negative maternal effects were determined for temperature of meat of both male and female turkeys, for pH2 and EC24 of males as well as for L2, L24 and cooking loss of female meat. Positive heterosis was confirmed only for pH2 of female meat and for G2 of male meat. In summary, the direction of fast- and slow-growing turkey crossing may affect the quality of their meat. However, meat of both types of hybrids reared under semi-confined conditions (with the possibility of using free range) was characterised by appropriate quality parameters.

Meat quality and the histological structure of breast and leg muscles in Ayam Cemani chickens, Ayam Cemani × Sussex hybrids and slow-growing Hubbard JA 957 chickens

BACKGROUND The purpose of this study was to determine the quality of meat and the histological structure of muscles of Ayam Cemani chickens, Ayam Cemani × Sussex hybrids and slow-growing Hubbard JA 957 chickens and to examine whether crossing generally available Sussex chickens with little available Ayam Cemani gives a good quality product of interest to the poultry industry and in food technology. RESULTS The size of breast and leg muscle fibers varied among genotypes. The breast and leg muscles of slow-growing Hubbard JA 957 chickens had the largest fiber diameter. The histological and biochemical properties of muscles, including the type, number, proportions, diameter and metabolic profile of fibers, had a significant effect on the pH and water-binding capacity of meat, thus affecting its quality. The muscle fibers of Ayam Cemani chickens were approximately half the size of the muscle fibers of Hubbard JA 957 chickens. Ayam Cemani and Ayam Cemani × Sussex gave a product of as good quality as Hubbard JA 957 chickens. CONCLUSION Meat from Ayam Cemani chickens is a rich source of protein and could be highly valued by gourmet consumers, connoisseurs and dieticians for its rarity and originality. The results of this study show that genotype (Ayam Cemani, Ayam Cemani × Sussex, Hubbard JA 957) affected the quality and color of meat and the histological profile of chicken breast and leg muscles.

Feeding Corn Distillers Dried Grains With Solubles (Ddgs) And Its Effect On Egg Quality And Performance Of Laying Hens / Zastosowanie DDGS z kukurydzy w żywieniu kur niosek i jego wpływ na jakość jaj i wyniki produkcyjne

Abstract The purpose of this experiment was to determine the effect of corn DDGS as a feed ingredient on egg quality and performance of laying hens. The experiment was conducted in three feeding groups of 100 hens each (10 replicates of 10 layers). ISA Brown laying hens were administered a feed mixture containing 15% (E1) or 20% (E2) corn DDGS for 18 weeks. The hens from the control group (C) received a standard diet based on soybean meal as the main protein source only. Laying performance, average egg weight, average daily feed intake and feed conversion ratio were recorded over the study period. Egg quality traits (egg weight, thick albumen quality, yolk colour, yolk content, shell content and shell thickness) were evaluated twice: at the start and at the end of the experiment. On both dates, all daily laid eggs from each group were analysed, i.e. 90, 93 and 92 eggs from groups C, E1 and E2, respectively at 31 weeks, and 92, 94 and 81 eggs, respectively at 48 weeks of age. Compared to the other groups, the hens from group E2 (20% DDGS) were characterized by a slight - though statistically significant (P≤0.01) - decrease in laying performance and by a higher FCR value. The content of DDGS in the feed mixture had no significant effect on mean egg weight nor on daily feed intake. At the end of the experiment, the eggs laid by the hens from group E2 were characterized by significantly poorer (P≤0.01) albumen and shell quality. Yolk colour in both experimental groups was significantly darker (P≤0.01) than in the C group. The 15% addition of corn distillers dried grains with solubles to feed mixtures for commercial flocks of laying hens is advisable. At corn DDGS addition exceeding 15%, a slight decrease in production results and deterioration in selected parameters of egg quality shall be expected. Celem doświadczenia było określenie wpływu kukurydzianego DGGS (distillers dried grains with solubles) zastosowanego jako zamiennik śruty sojowej w paszy dla niosek na jakość jaj i wydajność nieśną kur. Kury nioski ISA Brown (podzielone na 3 grupy po 100 szt.: 10 powtórzeń po 10 kur w każdej) przez 18 tygodni były żywione mieszanką zawierającą 15% (grupa E1) i 20% (grupa E2) DDGS z kukurydzy. Kury z grupy kontrolnej (C) otrzymywały typową paszę bez udziału DDGS, w której główne źródło białka stanowiła poekstrakcyjna śruta sojowa. W okresie doświadczenia kontrolowano wydajność nieśną (% nieśności), średnią masę jaja (g), średnie dzienne spożycie paszy (g/szt./dzień) oraz wykorzystanie paszy (kg/1 kg jaj). Jakość jaj: masa jaja (g), jakość białka gęstego (jH), kolor żółtka (RFC), udział żółtka w jaju (%), udział skorupy w jaju (%) i grubość skorupy (mm) oceniano dwukrotnie – przed rozpoczęciem i na koniec doświadczenia. W obydwu terminach analizie poddano cały dzienny zbiór jaj z każdej grupy, tj. 90, 93 i 92 jaja odpowiednio z grupy C, E1, E2 w wieku 31 tygodni oraz 92, 94 i 81 jaj w 48. tygodniu, odpowiednio z tych samych grup. W okresie objętym doświadczeniem w żadnej z grup nie odnotowano padnięć. Nie stwierdzono wpływu żywienia DDGS na masę ciała niosek. W grupie E2 (20% DDGS) stwierdzono, w porównaniu do pozostałych grup, niewielkie obniżenie nieśności i wyższą wartość FCR. Odnośnie obu cech różnice potwierdzono statystycznie (P≤0,01). Nie stwierdzono istotnego wpływu udziału DDGS w paszy na średnią masę jaja i dzienne spożycie paszy. Jaja pochodzące od kur z grupy E2 charakteryzowała pod koniec doświadczenia istotnie gorsza (P≤0,01) jakość białka i istotnie gorsza jakość skorupy (P≤0,01). Kolor żółtka w obu grupach doświadczalnych był istotnie ciemniejszy (P≤0,01) w porównaniu do grupy C. Na podstawie przedstawionych wyników można uznać, że wprowadzenie DGGS z kukurydzy w ilości 15% do mieszanek przeznaczonych dla stad towarowych kur nieśnych jest zasadne. Po przekroczeniu 15% udziału DDGS należy liczyć się z możliwością niewielkiego obniżenia wskaźników produkcyjnych i pogorszenia niektórych cech jakości jaj.

Effect of copper nanoparticles administered in ovo on the activity of proliferating cells and on the resistance of femoral bones in broiler chickens

ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to evaluate bone resistance after in ovo administration of copper nanoparticles (NanoCu) and to determine the number of cells positive for proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) in the femoral bones of broiler chickens (n = 12 per group). The study demonstrated that femoral bones from the NanoCu group were characterised by a higher weight and volume and by significantly greater resistance to fractures compared to the Control group. NanoCu promoted the proliferation of PCNA-positive cells in the long bones of chickens. A significantly higher number of PCNA-positive cells in the bones of birds in the NanoCu group compared with the Control group (137 and 122, respectively) indicate a stimulatory effect during embryogenesis. Considering the improvement in bone resistance to fractures and the effect of NanoCu on the number of PCNA-positive cells in femoral bones, NanoCu may be an alternative agent to minimise the ever-present problem of weak bones in broiler chickens.

Influence of indoor and outdoor systems on meat quality of slow-growing chickens

ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to determine the effect of rearing system (with and without outdoor access) on carcass composition and meat quality in slow-growing chickens. The highest shear force was found for the breast muscles of chickens from the outdoor group. Breast (P < 0.05) and leg (P < 0.01) muscles of the birds from the outdoor group were characterized by the highest content of vitamin E. Therefore, differences were observed in fatty acid composition. A lower level of saturated fatty acid (SFA) (P < 0.01), a higher level of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) (P < 0.05), and a lower n-6/n-3 PUFA ratio (P < 0.01) were found in breast and leg muscles of chickens from the outdoor group. The breast muscles of chickens from the outdoor group were characterized by a higher level of monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) (P < 0.01) and a lower level of n-6 PUFA (P < 0.05). The rearing system may modify the health-promoting properties of meat.

Dietary vitamin E supplementation on cholesterol, vitamin E content, and fatty acid profile in chicken muscles

Abstract: The aim of the study was to determine the effect of dietary vitamin E level on cholesterol and vitamin E content and fatty acid profile in broiler chicken breast and leg muscles. Chickens (420 cocks) were randomly divided into two feeding groups (210 birds each). The control group was fed with standard diet containing 44 mg kg-1 of vitamin E, whereas the experimental group was supplemented with extra 200 mg kg-1 of vitamin E. The dietary addition of vitamin E caused a significant increase in its content in the muscles, with a higher value noted in the leg muscles. Meat of chickens fed with the higher dose of vitamin E was also characterized by a lower cholesterol level. The addition of vitamin E as well as type of the muscles had a significant effect on the fatty acid profile and values of atherogenicity (AI) and thrombogenicity (TI) indices. The recorded increase in the content of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and a decrease in the n-6/n-3 fatty acid ratio indicate a positive effect of vitamin E on the fatty acid profile. In turn, lower values of AI and TI in leg muscles of chickens with a high intake of vitamin E prove the beneficial fatty acid profile in these muscles upon such supplementation.