Effects of NPY Gene on Total Number of Eggs at 300 Days of Age in Donglan Black-bone Chicken

In this study, PCR-RFLP technique was employed to detect the genetic polymorphism of NPY gene and analyze the effects of various genotypes on the total number of eggs at 300 days of age in 135 Donglan black-bone chicken. According to the results, there were three genotypes （AA, AB and BB） of NPYgene in Donglan black-bone chicken group. Different genotypes exhibited significant effects （P 〈 0. 05 ） on the total number of eggs at 300 days of age. The total number of eggs at 300 days of age of AA genotype was significantly higher than that of BB genotype （P 〈 0. 05）. Therefore, the polymorphic site of NPY gene could be used as a candidate molecular marker that affects egg laying in Donglan black-bone chicken.

A Review of Chinese Herb Medicine Additives on Chicken Growth Performance

Researches showed that many Chinese herb medicines can improve chicken growth performance not only by their pharmacological function, but also by the improvement of antioxidant function, immunity and disease resistance of chicken. The menace to human health and environment has occurred since too much antibiotics have been used as growth-promoting additives in long term in chicken industry. Therefore, research on replacement of antibiotics by Chinese herb medicines as additives for chicken growth is underway. This paper summarized some research results in the topic briefly to provide information for researchers and readers.

Effects of Diet with Picria fel-tarrae Lour Particle on the Growth Performance, Blood Biochemical Indexes, Immune and Antioxidant Function of Hongguang Yellow Chickens

[Objectives]To investigate the effect of diet with Picria fel-tarrae Lour particle(PFLp)on growth performance,blood biochemical indexes,immune and antioxidant function of Hongguang yellow chickens(HYC).[Methods]80 HYC in age of 1 d were divided into 4 groups randomly and each group was assigned to 5 replicates with 24 chicks in each replicate.Group A was control group fed only basal diet.Group B,C and D were treatment groups and fed diets with 0.125%,0.25%and 0.50%of PFLp respectively during the trial of 49 d.Serum samples were taken from 10 chicks in each group in the age of 21,35 and 49 d respectively and analyzed for biochemical,immune and antioxidant parameters in blood.[Results]ADG from group C in 21 d was increased significantly than that from group A,B and D(P<0.01),and ADG in 35 d from group C was also significantly greater than that from group A,B and D(P<0.05),but not much difference was found on ADG among the 4 groups in 49 d(P>0.05);ADFI from group C in 35 d was significantly higher than that from group A,B and D(P<0.05).ADFI from group C in 21 and 49 d were also higher than that from group A(P>0.05).FCR from group C in 21 d was much better than that from the other three groups(P<0.01).Death rate of group C was 50 percent lower than group A;There was no difference occurred in serum biochemical and immune parameters among the 4 groups during the trial(P>0.05).However,the T-AOC from group C and D in 21 d was enhanced significantly than that from group A and B(P<0.01),and the one from group C in 35 d was also increased greatly than that from group A,B and D(P<0.05).GSH from group C and D in 21 d was much higher than that from group A and B(P<0.05),and the ones from group C and D in 35 d were also significantly higher than those from group A and B(P<0.01).T-SOD in three stages trended up also in group C and D(P>0.05).[Conclusions]The diet with 0.25%PFLp in 21 and 35 d could dramatically improve the growth performance,significantly increase the antioxidant capacity and effectively reduce death rate.Diet with 0.25%PFLp is the most appropriate among the three different additions.

The interaction mechanism between zein and folic acid in alkaline aqueous solutions:an experimental and molecular simulation study

Objectives:Folic acid is a vitamin that is not highly soluble in water and is sensitive to the environment.Therefore,it is important to find suitable carriers.This study aimed to exemplify the interaction of folic acid with zein in alkaline aqueous solutions and shed light on how zein can be used as a carrier for folic acid.Materials and Methods:Zein and folic acid were separately dissolved in NaOH solutions with a PH of 11.5.Zein solution and folic acid solution were combined in specific ratios.Various methods including multi-spectroscopy,dynamic light scattering,and electron microscopy combining with molecular dynamics simulations were used to study the interaction mechanism between zein and folic acid in alkaline aqueous solutions.Results:Fluorescence spectroscopy showed that the quenching of zein by folic acid was mainly static,and the main driving force behind this interaction was van der Waals forces and hydrogen bonds.The formation of zein–folic acid complexes was confirmed by ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy,Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy,and circular dichroism spectroscopy.The results also showed that the structure of zein changed when it interacted with folic acid.Dynamic light scattering analysis revealed that the addition of folic acid caused proteins to aggregate.The aggregates of the complexes had an irregular shape and were large,as observed by scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy.Molecular simulation was used to further investigate the interaction mechanisms.According to these findings,the folic acid molecule interacted with zein in a shallow recess near the protein surface.The dominant forces at play in the zein–folic acid interaction were van der Waals forces and electrostatic forces,including hydrogen bonding.Conclusion:The zein alkali-soluble system is very suitable for folic acid delivery.