Journal of World's Poultry Research

01-11

Authors: Liu Y, Zhao J, Wang F, Zhou J, Yang X and Yang X

Folic acid had been reported to develop much metabolic regulation function in animals and human beings due to its roles in one carbon metabolism. The current study was conducted to explore folic acid regulation function in primary chicken hepatocytes via supplement and deprivation culture models based on proteomic analysis. Results have shown that folic acid supplement significantly increased intracellular folic acid, 5-Me-THF and SAM contents when compared with folic acid free group (P < 0.05). Whereas, there was no difference about genome 5mC levels and DNMTs mRNA expression between these two groups. Proteomic analysis found 85 differential expressed proteins with 35 down and 50 up regulation. COG and KEGG pathway analysis revealed that amino acid metabolism, carbohydrate metabolism and antioxidant function were affected by folic acid. Posttranslational modification, protein turnover, chaperones and transcription were gathered by COG analysis in relative high proportion. PRMT7 and ARID4B which were associated with histone methylation were up-regulated in the folic acid supplement group, suggesting that folic acid was likely to take part in metabolism regulation of hepatocytes via histone methylation manner in the study. In conclusion, proteomic analysis found 85 differential expressed proteins in hepatocytes with folic acid free and supplementation medium. Folic acid might be involved in amino acid and carbohydrate metabolism and oxidation resistance by its epigenetic modifications functions. Our study also provided fundamental differential protein profiles mediated by folic acid, which can facilitate the understanding of folic acid regulation function in hepatic metabolism.

17-27

Authors: Rasheed AR, Al-Ajeeli KS and Al-Azawy AKh.

A local isolate of low pathogenic Avian Influenza Virus (AIV) H9N2 subtype was used in experimental infection of 50 domestic and 50 feral pigeons (Columba livia domestica) to determine the susceptibility of these birds to H9N2 infections and to study its histopathological effects on vaccinated and unvaccinated pigeons with H9N2 commercial vaccine. The birds were divided into five groups. Groups A and C contained 20 feral pigeons, B and D contained 20 domesticated pigeons. Group E contained 10 feral and 10 domesticated pigeons that were used as unvaccinated controls. Groups A and B were vaccinated with H9N2 and Newcastle disease virus commercial vaccines. Group C and D were vaccinated with Newcastle disease virus vaccine only. All groups except E were challenged with a local isolate of H9N2 serotype. Antibodies titers against AIV were estimated pre and post-vaccination using ELISA. The results indicated low antibody titers against AIV in all groups in pre-vaccination that ranged between 152.83 ± 42.01 and 337.00 ± 150.76 with no significant differences between groups. Post-vaccination antibody evaluation indicated high titers of anti-AIV antibodies in groups A and B (740.13 ± 214.38 and 673.00 ± 242.40, respectively) in comparison to pre-vaccination levels. Clinical signs appeared on 5th day post-vaccination that included mild respiratory signs, digestive disorders, and conjunctivitis in some birds of all groups. Histopathological changes in affected tissues appeared as moderate to severe multifocal necrosis diffused in the parenchymal cells of lung tissues. Infiltration with mononuclear inflammatory cells was detected in some lung tissue areas. Necrotic foci and mononuclear cell infiltration were also observed in trachea and liver of infected pigeons but mild changes were observed in intestine. The challenge virus was re-isolated in embryonated hen's eggs of nine days old by inoculation in allantoic cavity using samples collected from tissues and cloaca of infected pigeons showing clear clinical signs. The re-isolated virus was detected by the haemagglutination test using chicken RBCs and identified by haemagglutination inhibition test using a locally prepared hyperimmune serum to H9N2 in rabbits. In conclusion, pigeons are susceptible to AIV (H9N2) that might facilitate the transmission of the virus to other bird species.

36-40

Authors: Erwan E, Adelina T, Koto A and Maslami V.

L-citrulline (L-Cit) is considered one of the potential amino acids that are able to reduce body temperature in layer chicks. However, there are no reports on functions of L-Cit in KUB chicks. Therefore, the present study aimed to evaluate the effects of oral administration of L-Cit on feed intake, body temperature and plasma biochemical parameters of KUB chicks over two hours post-administration. Neonatal KUB chicks were orally administered with different doses of L-Cit (0, 3.75, 7.5 and 15 mmol/kg body weight). At 30, 60 and 120 min, feed intake was determined, also rectal temperature of chicks was measured by using a digital thermometer. At 120 min after administration, the blood samples were immediately collected through the jugular vein, then biochemical parameters of plasma (total cholesterol, triacylglycerol and total glucose) were analyzed. The obtained results indicated that feed intake, body temperature, and plasma metabolites were not significantly influenced by different doses of L-Cit. In conclusion, L-Cit could not able to improve feed intake, decrease body temperature and change plasma metabolites in KUB chicks.

52-56

Authors: Al-Shadeedi ShMJ.

The present study was carried out to compare the physicochemical characteristics of eggs of guinea fowl, turkeys and domestic chickens outdoor reared in traditional farms in Baghdad, Iraq. A total of 166 fresh eggs; 32 eggs from guinea fowls (Numida meleagris), 44 eggs from turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo) and 90 eggs from domestic chickens; were collected. Egg weight, percentage of egg components, chemical composition (protein, lipids, and ash), and lipid profile were determined. Results revealed the significant differences in egg weight among studied birds. The average egg weights for guinea fowl, turkey, and indigenous chicken were 83.15 ± 0.72, 92.41 ± 0.78 and 61.28 ± 0.62 g, respectively. No significant differences were found in egg components and the chemical composition of the edible portions of the eggs among studied birds. However, the lipid profile of egg yolk indicated that egg cholesterol and LDL levels were significantly higher in guinea fowl and turkey compared with those in indigenous chickens, whereas native chicken has high values of HDL compared to guinea fowl and turkey. There were no significant differences in the triglyceride level in egg yolks among the studied fowls. In conclusion, although egg weight was significantly different among studied birds, eggs of guinea fowl, turkeys, and domestic chickens were similar in nutritional components.

63-70

Authors: Al-Ajeeli KS, Al-Azawy AKh and Ghazuan H.

Chicken Anemia Virus (CAV) infects many bird species worldwide and causes immunosuppression. This condition can facilitate the infection of affected birds with other pathogens including bacteria, viruses, and fungi. No data were available on detection or isolation of CAV from birds in Iraq, therefore this study was designed to detect CAV antibodies in broilers and layers in some poultry farms. Accordingly, 200 samples were collected from broiler and layer farms (100 samples each) from different districts of Diyala province and subjected to the ELISA test. Also, 50 tissue samples from embryonated eggs from different hatcheries, four commercial viral vaccines, and 30 ELISA positive samples were subjected to PCR assay to detect the CAV DNA. The results showed that all of broiler and layer farms sampled were serologically positive for CAV antibodies. The overall seropositivity for CAV antibodies for both chicken breeds was 51.5%. In broilers, 43 out of 100 serum samples were positive for CAV antibodies, whereas 60 out of 100 serum samples from layers were CAV antibody-positive. According to age groups, significant differences were observed among one-week-old broilers (30.2%) compared to other age groups. In layers, the age group of 30 weeks showed a seropositivity rate of 33.3%. Conventional PCR test indicated that all tissue samples collected from suspected birds and embryonated eggs were negative for CAV DNA, but only 2 out of 30 serum samples were PCR positive. It is concluded that CAV is endemic in poultry farms of Iraq and may facilitate the vaccination failure against other viruses.

81-86

Authors: Hilmi M, Prastujati UA, Khusnah A, Khirzin MH and Yannuarista D.

Cheese production waste contains carbon source, one of which is lactose as an energy source in the development of fermentation, especially in the manufacture of probiotics for poultry. The research method used 3% fermented cheese whey in 17-week-old laying hen drinking water to analyze the productivity of laying hens and microbiology. The purpose of the research is to determine the effective concentration of fermented whey cheese to improve productivity, physical and chemical composition of eggs, and evaluate fat metabolism in laying hens. The present study used 120 laying hens aged 17 weeks. The experimental method was designed using the T-test method of control (P0), fermented whey cheese (P1). The observed variables were productivity (feed consumption, water consumption, daily egg production, feed conversion ration), and microbiology of small intestine and excreta (lactate acid bacteria, salmonella, Escherichia coli.). The effect of adding fermented whey cheese into drinking water decreased feed consumption and FCR in contrast to the control group (P0) but increased egg production, egg weight, and egg mass weight. The effect of adding fermented whey cheese into drinking water decreased the number of, Escherichia coli bacteria and increases lactic acid bacteria in the digestive tract of broiler chickens, especially in the ileum, caeca, so also with those in the stool. The number of Salmonella Bacteria was significantly decreased and very significantly increased lactic acid bacteria in the feces during the fermentation of whey cheese. The decrease in ammonia in the stool was very significant compared to the control group. In conclusion, adding fermented whey cheese into drinking water can reduce feed consumption, feed conversion ratio (FCR), Escherichia coli, salmonella, ammonia (NH3), and increase egg production, egg weight, egg mass weight, final body weight, and lactate acid bacteria. The use of fermented whey cheese can be used as a nutraceutical feed additive to inhibit pathogenic bacteria in the intestine and increase lactic acid bacteria.

96-101

Authors: Nuraini N, Shafan Nur Y and Djulardi A

Improving the quality of cocoa pods through fermentation with Pleurotus ostreatus reduced its crude fiber content, especially for lignin and cellulose. Fermentation of cocoa pods product increased their utilization in poultry diet. An experiment was conducted to determine the effect of feeding cocoa pods waste fermented by Pleurotus ostreatus on the laying performance and egg quality of quail. This experiment employed completely randomized design with five dietary treatments: 0%, 5%, 10%, 15% and 20% cocoa pods fermented by Pleurotus ostreatus in the diets and four replications. 200 laying quail (7 weeks of age) were randomly allocated into 5 treatments (10 birds per treatment) and 4 replications. Diets included iso nitrogen 20% and iso metabolism energy 2800 kcal/kg. The results of the experiment indicated that feed intake, hen-day egg production, egg weight, egg mass production, and feed conversion were not affected but egg cholesterol was affected by increasing cocoa pods fermented products in the diet. In this experiment, a diet which utilized 15% cocoa pods fermented using Pleurotus ostreatus maintained the laying performance of quail and reduced egg yolk cholesterol (20.30%).

109-117

Authors: Mousa MR, Mohammed FF, Abdel reheem FA, El-deeb AH and Ahmed KA

Velogenic Newcastle disease virus (VNDV) shows systemic dissemination and it affects the histological structure and function of the kidneys. Present study is an novel attempt to correlate the changes in renal biochemical functions and gene expression of different inflammatory cytokines with related renal pathology induced by VNDV in experimentally infected broilers in different ages. One hundred broiler chickens were divided into 4 groups: group 1 served as control (non-infected group), and groups 2, 3 and 4 were inoculated with 106 EID50 of NDV on the 10th, 20th and 30th days of age, respectively. Serum samples were collected to evaluate uric acid and creatinine levels. Kidney specimens were collected for virus detection using real time RT-PCR, evaluation of gene expression of IL-6 and IFN-γ as well as histopathological, histochemical and immunohictochemical analysis. The highest concentration of uric acid and creatinine profile were found in Group 4 (12.06 ± 1.25 and 2.16 ± 0.12, respectively) on 7 dpi. IL-6 and IFN-γ were significantly elevated at the 7th dpi in Group 4 compared to other infected groups. The renal histopathological lesions included tubulointerstitial nephritis and glomerulopathy with expression of virus antigen in different areas of renal tissue. histopathology was the hallmark of VNDV infection in broiler chickens; their severity was related to the increased expression of inflammatory cytokines genes (IL-6 and IFN-γ) and virus antigen residence in renal tissue.