Effects of Compound Acidifier on Growth Performance and Serum Biochemical Parameters of Heat-stressed Wenchang Chickens

[Objective]The paper was to investigate the effects of compound acidifier on growth performance and serum biochemical parameters of heat-stressed Wenchang chickens.[Method]A total of 28881-day-old Wenchang chickens with the same genetic background and similar initial weight(985.63±20.35 g)were randomly divided into four groups,four replicates per group and 18 chickens per replicate.Birds were fed the basal diet supplemented with 0 g/kg(control group),1 g/kg(groupⅠ),2 g/kg(groupⅡ)and 3 g/kg(groupⅢ)compound acidifier.The trial lasted 35 d.[Result]The daily gain of experimental groupⅠwas significantly higher than those of control group and groupⅢ(P<0.05),and the feed intake of experimental groupⅠwas also markedly higher than that of control group(P<0.05),but the feed gain ratio of experimental groupⅠwas significantly lower than that of groupⅢ(P<0.05).Compared with control group,the serum total protein and albumin levels of experimental groupⅠincreased(P>0.05),but the serum uric acid concentration decreased(P>0.05).[Conclusion]Supplementing 1 g/kg compound acidifier could improve the growth performance of heat-stressed Wenchang chickens.

Effects of Additives of Traditional Chinese Medicine on Blood Biochemical Indices of Wenchang Chickens in Hainan

[Objective]The aim was to study on effects of additives of traditional Chinese medicines on biochemical indices of blood of Wenchang chickens in Hainan. [Method]About 180 female Wenchang chickens were divided into five groups at random with three repetitions for every group and twelve chickens for a repetition. Group 1 was control group and the chickens were fed with basic forages; the 2nd group was control group of antibiotics and the chickens were fed with basic forages and 600 mg /kg of aureomycin; group 3,4 and 5 contained 0. 1%,0. 2% and 0. 3% of the additives respectively,besides basic forages. Chickens at average weight were chosen six from every group on 35th and 56th days,respectively, to prepare serums for biochemical indices of bloods and analyze effects of additives on the indices. [Result]Serum cholinesterase activity and albu- min content were both improved by 0. 1%,0. 2% and 0. 3% of the additives （ P 〈0. 05） ; activity of alkaline phosphatase was enhanced,and serum cholesterol was lowered both by 0. 2% and 0. 3% of the additives （ P 〈0. 05） . [Conclusion]Additives of traditional Chinese medicines have an ac- tive effect on blood biochemical indices of Wenchang chickens.

Correlation between Polymorphism of Neuropeptide Y Gene and Traits at First Laying of Wenchang Chicken

[ Objective] The paper presents the polymorphism of neuropeptide Y gene （NPY） and its relationship with traits at first laying in Wen- chang chicken in order to provide information for breeding of high-yielding Wenchang chicken. [Method] The polymorphism of NPYgene at Dra I site was detected by PCR-RFLP, and the genotypes and the genetic stability were determined. The correlation between the polymorphism and traits at first laying （age, body weight and egg weight） was also analyzed. [Result] There were three kinds of genotype of NPYgene at Dra I site in Wenchang chicken, designated as AA, AB and BB; the distribution of these genotypes was consistent with the Hardy -Weinberg law; age and egg weight were not significantly different among the three genotypes （ P 〉0.05）, and body weight was extremely significantly different （ P 〈0.01 ）. [ Conclusion] The NPYgene of Wenchang chicken is in Hardy -Weinberg equilibrium at Dra I site, and its genetic polymorphism affects body weight at first laying.

Relationship between White-partridge Feather Trait and SLC45A2 Polymorphism in Wenchang Chicken

[Objective]The paper was to study the inheritance of white-partridge feather trait in Wenchang chicken and identify the related genetic variation,so as to provide references for the utilization of white-partridge population of Wenchang chicken and molecular marker-assisted selection of white-partridge feather trait.[Method]The inheritance of white-partridge feather trait was studied by reciprocal cross test.SLC45A2 was selected as a candidate gene based on the genetic characteristics of white-partridge feather and results of previous researches.The variation in the exon domain of SLC45A2 gene was analyzed by re-sequencing method.The relationship between missense mutation/nonsense mutation in the exon domain and white-partridge feather trait was verified.[Result]Reciprocal cross test showed that white-partridge feather trait was associated recessive inheritance compared with yellow-partridge feather.The amplification results indicated that there were five SNPs in SLC45A2 gene,in which three were located in exon domain,including two missense mutations(c.a74g and c.gll54c)and one synonymous mutation(c.c561t).The missense mutation was verified with Wenchang chicken Bawang chicken,Qingyuan partridge chicken,Xinghua chicken and red jungle fowl as materials.The results demonstrated that c.g1154c locus of SLC45A2 gene was completely linked with white-partridge feather trait.[Conclusion]The trait of white-partridge feathers showed recessive inheritance and c.g1154c locus might be the causation.

Comparison of Immune Effect of Four Commercial Marek's Disease Vaccines in Wenchang Chicken

Marek＇s disease（MD） is a lymphoproliferative disease of domestic chickens caused by a highly infectious,oncogenic alpha-herpesvirus known as Marek＇s disease virus（MDV）.The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of four commercial MDV vaccines in Wenchang chicken.The 1-day old Wenchang chickens tested were injected with one of four different vaccines or not unvaccinated as control;five days later,they were then challenged by virulent MDV strain MD5.The results showed that,in comparison with HVT vaccines,the CVI988 vaccine gave the immunized chickens more potent immunities against challenges of MDV strain MD5.