Journal of World's Poultry Research

81-94

Authors: Arya Kh, Gupta R and Laxmi Saxena V.

This Review aims to understand the present status of influenza viruses and its epidemiology. The first case in India has been reported in the Dasarahalli village near Bangalore after six months of India’s declaration that it is free from H5N1 and H5N8 from world organization for animal health. The recent controversy regarding outbreaks and cross-species barrier resulted in highly contagious infection with fatal outcomes, triggered menace all over India with remarkable economic consequences. Thus, we had reviewed epidemiology, virology, surveillance, transmission, detection, treatment and associated control measures to depict the current perspective of Influenza epidemic. We also studied different Quails and its comprehensive portal susceptible to influenza and in-depth genetic characterization of virus due to new viral mutant causing host-virus complications, virus mutation, and vaccination with its prompt administration as it is the urgency of the era. Addressing aspects of the epidemiology of the H5N1 and drug resistance genomic signatures infecting poultry and Humans helps to frontier our ability to minimize data gaps and maximize the better results of the available H5N1 studies.

100-104

Authors: Kumar R, Brar RS, Banga HS and Sodhi S.

Vitamin D3 is ten times more biologically active than vitamin D2, over supplementation of vitamin D3 causes hypercalcemia with deposition of calcium and phosphate as crystals in the visceral organs. Birds are considered more resistant to endotoxin and information on inflammation and homeostasis in birds supplemented with higher dose of vitamin D3 when suffer endotoxic shock is lacking. The present study was conducted to compare the effect on hemoglobin concentration and biochemical parameters of broiler chicks by administering toxic dose of vitamin D3 for 21 days concomitantly challenged with endotoxin. The chicks were randomly divided into four groups viz. A, B, C and D. Hemoglobin concentrations of control groups (A and B) and treatment groups (C and D) did not differ significantly (P< 0.05). Hypercalcemia and hyperphosphatemia was observed in both treatment groups in comparison to the control group. No significant (P< 0.05) change was observed in the concentrations of total protein and albumin and in the activity of plasma Alanine Aminotransferase, Aspartate Aminotransferase and Alkaline Phosphatase on day 28 of control (A and B) and treatment (C and D) groups. Vitamin D3 supplementation causes immunomodulation; hence acute endotoxic shock does not incite inflammatory response and disturb the homeostasis in broiler chicks.

111-119

Authors: Rasol Al-Kafajy F, Sahib Al-Shuhaib MB, Salah Al-Jashami Gh, Mohammed Al-Thuwaini T.

The study was conducted to compare body weight, egg, and carcass characteristics, as well as several biochemical parameters amongst three lines of plumage color of quails, including, black, white, and brown (n= 200 each). Body weight was analyzed on a weekly basis throughout the study period (third– 13th week of age). Eggs were collected for seven consecutive weeks of sexual maturity (seventh – 13th week of age). In addition to egg quality measurements, 16 serum biochemical parameters were also determined. The brown line had exerted significantly higher values of body weight in most analyzed weeks of sexual maturity. It had given higher values of albumen height and shell thickness, as well as carcass dressing than other lines. Simultaneously, a significantly high number of eggs in the white line were observed in the most analyzed weeks. Besides, it had given higher values in terms of shell and yolk weights, as well as several carcass characteristics, such as the heart, thigh, breast, and back. The biochemical analyses had shown no significant differences amongst the analyzed populations with exception of a higher concentration of amylase in the brown line. In conclusion, our study revealed the presence of a clear superiority of the brown and white lines in terms of the meat and egg productivity, respectively. Therefore, we recommend breeders to raise brown and white lines for a better production of meat and eggs, respectively, whereas the black line has shown the least productive characteristics than other two lines throughout the study period.

127-133

Authors: Sedeik M El-S, Elshal NA, Awad AM and Kandil N.

Avian influenza (AI) disease still threat poultry industry in Egypt causing great economic losses. In order to identify and characterize the agent of suggestive clinical cases of AI disease, 28 flocks showing clinical signs suspected to be due to AI infections have been investigated. By slide Haemagglutination (HA), the positive samples were 14/28 and concerning the results of real time- reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RRT-PCR), 2/14 samples were positive to AI H5, 7/14 to New castle disease virus (NDV), 1/14 to H9 and 4/14 co-infected (2 samples had NDV + AI H5 and others had NDV + AI H9). These positive PCR samples were subjected to further characterization by genotyping and sequencing analysis. The two isolated of H5 AI strain were classified to H5N8 which, related to Russian strains (clade 2.3.4.4) and the genetic analysis approved little relationship between these two H5N8 strain and the commercial AI vaccines with percent (80- 91.7%). So, the researchers should have more monitoring for these viral diseases with effective biosecurity and quarantine measures to minimize the disease occurrence.

50-58

Authors: Sayed RH, Ahmed HA, Shasha FA and Ali AM.

Mycoplasma gallisepticum is an economically important pathogen of poultry worldwide, causing chronic respiratory disease in chickens and turkeys. Vaccination of poultry with Mycoplasma gallisepticum live vaccines is an approach to reduce susceptibility to infection and to prevent economic losses. The goal of this study was to develop an alternative method for evaluation of live and killed vaccine using quantitative differential real time PCR (rt-PCR) assay. Real time PCR assay was implemented for titration and identification of three types of Mycoplasma gallisepticum (F, ts-11 and field strain). Three groups of chicks were vaccinated by using F- strain, ts-11 and killed vaccine and the forth group was considered control. Challenge test was appliedby using Mycoplasma gallisepticum field strain (108 CFU) at three weeks post vaccination. Antibody ELISA titers against Mycoplasma gallisepticum were 319, 259 and 1009 for F, t-11 and killed vaccine respectively at 3 weeks post vaccination. The protection rates were 81.5%, 74%, and 66.6% for F- strain, ts-11 and killed vaccine respectively that was determined by air sac lesion scour. Using quantitative differential rt-PCR for necropsied birds at 5 days post challenge 7days post challenge and 14 days post challenge demonstrated that the F-strain vaccine had ability to prevent shedding of field strain at 14 days post challenge mean while the ts-11 and killed vaccine decreased shedding of field strain from 108.1 and 108.6 to 105.1 and 105.8 CFU respectively at 14 days post challenge. In this study, rt-PCR had ability to identify and quantify of two types of vaccines (F and ts-11) and field strain.

66-73

Authors: Qureshi S, Musadiq Khan H, Saleem Mir M, Ahmad Raja T, Alam Khan A, Ali H and Adil Sh.

A biological trial was conducted on commercial chicks during the winter months (December and January). Day old commercial meat type broiler chicks (273) were procured from a reputed source. Cold conditioning (20C to 80C) at third and fourth day of age for 3-4 hours was provided to 78 birds. These early cold conditioned birds were kept separate until distributed into respective treatment groups (fifth and sixth). At the end of second week, the chicks were individually weighed, distributed into 7 treatment groups of 3 replicates with 13 chicks in each replicate. Cold challenge @ 20C to 80C for 8 hours was provided from third week of age to sixth week of their age for all treatment groups except first and fifth treatment groups. The broiler birds in the treatment groups T1 and T5 were reared under normal temperature conditions (250C). Treatment group first (T1) was kept as control group. Antioxidant Vitamin E 250 mg per kg of feed was supplemented to the basal diet in the third treatment group. Chromium 0.1 gram per kg of feed was supplemented to the basal diet in the fourth treatment group. Chromium 0.2 gram per kg of feed was supplemented to the basal diet in the seventh treatment group. The data on individual body weight of the experimental birds and the cumulative feed consumption and feed conversion ratio on group basis were recorded at weekly intervals. Deaths were recorded daily and all dead birds were necropsied to identify ascites syndrome. There was no significant (p< 0.05) difference in the average body weight and body weight gain among various treatment groups throughout the experiment period. The cumulative feed consumption showed significant (p< 0.05) difference among various treatment groups throughout the experiment period. Highest feed consumption (p< 0.05) was observed in broiler chickens reared under cold conditions when compared with broiler birds reared under normal temperature conditions. Among the cold challenge treatment groups (T2, T3, T4, T6 and T7), there was significant (p< 0.05) improvement in feed conversion ratio (FCR) in the treatment groups T6 (early cold conditioning birds exposed to cold stress) and T7 (supplementation of chromium 0.2 g/kg of feed to birds exposed to cold stress). Among different treatment groups in general best FCR was observed in treatment group T5 (early cold conditioning group reared under normal conditions) followed by T1 (control group reared under normal conditions). At the end of the biological trial ascites linked mortalities showed significant (p< 0.05) difference among various treatment groups. There was no mortality reported in treatment groups kept under normal temperature conditions (T1 and T5). Highest ascites related mortality (23.07%) was observed in treatment group in which cold stress was provided and no measures were taken to alleviate the effect of cold stress on broiler birds (T2). The Vitamin E supplementation in the diet of broiler birds reared under cold stress (T3) showed significant (p< 0.05) reduction in ascites related mortality (10.25%).

25-30

Authors: Rasooli R, Sheibani H, Kheirandish R and Rohollahzadeh H.

Hepatic damage in poultry occurs either due to metabolic or nutritional disturbances or chemical intoxication. The absence of reliable liver protective drugs and also consumption of broiler meat, limit us in usage of chemical hepatoprotective agents. The aim of this study is to evaluate the protective effects of CichoriumIntybus (CI) extract in paracetamol-induced hepatotoxicity in broiler chicks. One-day-old Ross chicken broilers were divided into four groups. One group was kept as normal and liver damage were induced in other 3 groups by oral administration of 1 ml/kg body weight of paracetamol for four successive days. Of 3 intoxicated groups one was kept as control and two different medicinal plants extracts were administered 0.2 g/kg of CI and 0.4 g/kg of CI extract. The medicinal plant was administered orally for 14 days after paracetamol administration. Then the blood samples were collected and the chicks sacrificed to histopathological examination. Serum liver markers and histopathological assessment of the livers revealed that Cichoriumintybus has protective activity against hepatic damage specially at a dose of 0.4 g/kg body weight and exhibited anti-hepatotoxic activity in broilers. The present study showed that administration of Cichoriumintybus extract at the doses of 0.2 g/kg/day and 0.4 g/kg/day respectively to Paracetamol intoxicated broilers, mitigates liver toxicity and liver histopathological changes.

37-43

Authors: Jabbar A, Riaz A and Allah Ditta Y.

Eggs weight loss during storage has been documented well due to water loss. The single stage incubators are designed to use egg water loss as humidity source during incubation. In this experiment one week old eggs (n=430840) were collected in Salman hatchery, Pakistan and divided into two groups, group A was (eggs n=215420) immediately shifted to incubators before 10 hours of incubation to avoid further weight loss) and eggs from group B (n=215420) was stored in eggs room at 23.80 C and 65% humidity with 2cfm/1000 eggs ventilation for 10 hours. After 10 hours of storage both groups were pre-heated at 80 0F for 5 hours leading to incubation conditions. Hatchability % (84.502±2.9221, 84.217±3.0279) candling% (6.5418±0.5605, 6.7682±0.5705) dead in shell% (6.5418±2.3112, 6.7682±2.3702) and hatch window (hours) (22-24±0.142, 26-28±0.1324) were significantly better for A compare to B respectively, Water loss% (11.556±0.1399, 11.545±0.1486), chick yield% (68.835±0.0926, 68.818±0.0928) and chick waste (gram) (19.67±1.721, 19.69±1.7653) were insignificant due to same incubation conditions inside incubator. The water loss from eggs of group A retained inside incubator have an impact on embryonic mortality including the duration of first and the last chick that hatches out. So, the deleterious effects of storage can be avoided by shifting the eggs inside a single stage incubator before 10 hours of incubation including pre-heating.

01-07

Authors: Setta A, Salem HM, Elhady M, El-Hussieny A and Arafa AS.

Infectious Bronchitis is one of the major viral diseases affecting poultry causing severe economic losses. The prevalence of Infectious Bronchitis viruses was studied in commercial chicken farms in Egypt between 2014 and 2016. A total of 1722 organ samples (trachea, kidney, caecal tonsils and lungs) were collected from 246 problematic flocks, showing respiratory signs and considerable mortalities, from 13 governorates throughout the examination period and were then subjected to molecular analysis using real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. Data from this study have shown a high prevalence (75.6%) of Infectious Bronchitis virus in Egyptian farms. Infections mixed with other respiratory viruses were frequently observed, including very virulent Newcastle disease, Low pathogenic avian influenza, H9N2 and High pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 with 27.9%, 25.7% and 17.1%, respectively with higher detection percentages observed in the winter season. Phylogenetic analysis of 19 selected positive Infectious Bronchitis virus has revealed Infectious Bronchitis virus genotypes closely related to variant II strains Eg/12120S/2012, IS/885, IS/1494, with 4 isolates was clustered in a new group. In conclusion, the present study provides further updates on the circulation and co-circulation of Infectious Bronchitis virus in commercial Egyptian flocks. The continuous existence of field variant Infectious Bronchitis virus in commercial chicken's farms in Egypt emphasizes the need for regular monitoring of Infectious Bronchitis with updating the control and vaccination strategies.

18-24

Authors: Keambou TC, Vukiesu TC, Toukala JP, Tedongmo AMY, Soares RJ, Lisita F, Hako TBA , Kana JR, Defang FH and Ndamunkong KN

The continuous rising price of maize due to an increasing competition between humans and livestock requires palliative measures to sustain animal production. cassava-sweet potato meal combination can be used as a substitute for maize in feeding chicken. This study aimed at improving poultry productivity through the enhancement of the reproductive performances of Cameroon Kabir chickens fed pelleted diets of graded levels inclusion of cassava-sweet potato meal as an energy substitute for maize.315 Kabir chickens (270 hens and 45 rosters) of 23 weeks of age, were randomly allocated to five treatments T1, T2, T3, T4 and T5 with graded levels of cassava-sweet potato meal as energy substitute for maize, and eggs were collected for the evaluation of laying performances and characteristics. Fertility and hatchability were also evaluated across four successive batches of incubations. The eggs’ weight was significantly (P < 0.05) different between treatments at weeks 2, 4, 5 and 12, highly significant (P < 0.01) at week 9, and very highly significant (P < 0.001) at week 6, 7, 8 and 10. The highest number of eggs laid, egg weight and mass were recorded in chicken receiving 25% (T2) replacement of maize with cassava and sweet potato meal, followed by T4 (75%), T5 (100%), T3 (50%) while T1, receiving control diet without cassava and sweet potato meal performed less for all the parameters. Generally, the trend of the feed conversion ratio was decreasing with increasing the inclusion level of cassava and sweet potato meal. The egg index showed significant differences in weeks 6 and 12, while week 2 showed high significant difference between the treatments. T2 (25%) recorded the highest fertility, while animals receiving control ration without maize substitution recorded the highest hatchability. In general, incorporation of 25% of fifty-fifty percent weight to weight of cassava and sweet potato meal can be recommended for reproduction in chicken without affecting neither the hatchability nor the physical characteristics of the eggs, though hatchability will require better attention.