Comparative Study on Nitrogen Metabolism and the Nitrogen Maintenance Requirement in Lohmann Brown Roosters and Layers

The objective of this study was to in- vestigate the effect of dietary protein level on nitrogen retention and compare nitrogen metabolism in Lohm- ann Brown adult roosters and layers. The nitrogen ma- intenance requirement （Nm ） was determined based on the nitrogen balance. Thirty Lohmann Brown adult roosters and 30 laying hens at 27 weeks of age were randomly divided into five groups of six birds per group. The birds were fed with one of five diets con- taining 10.46%, 11.77%, 13.79%, 16.77% or 18.29% of crude protein. Nitrogen intake, nitrogen retention and nitrogen retention efficiency were higher in roost- ers than in laying hens, and the average nitrogen re- tention rate for groups fed with CP level of 11.77%, 13.79%, 16.77% and 18. 29% was improved by9.14%. The nitrogen maintenance requirement for Lohmann Brown roosters and laying hens at 27 weeks of age were 0.4245 g/d and 0.5059 g/d, respective- ly, and Nm based on average body weight （BW） and metabolic body weight （ BW^Ts ） was 0.2364 g/kg BW and 0. 2739 g/kg BW~＇75 for laying hens and 0. 2754 g/kg BW and 0. 3208 g/kg BW^72 for roost- ers, respectively. The regression equations for daily N gain （NB, protein accretion） vs. daily N intake （NI ） for Lohrnann Brown layers and roosters were NB = 0.3743NI -0.1589（R2 =0.79） and NB =0.6228NI - 0.3151 （ R2 = 0.85 ）, respectively. The results of this study indicate that nitrogen intake and nitrogen reten- tion at the same dietary CP level were higher in roost- ers than in laying hens.

Effects of Different Dietary Crude Protein Levels on Reproductive Performance in Breeder Roosters

[Objective] To investigate effects of different dietary crude protein levels on reproductive performance and find out the optimal additive proportion of crude protein. [Method] A total of 45 New Yangzhou breeder roosters at 21 weeks old were sampled and divided into three groups, namely, low-protein diet group, medium-protein diet group and high-protein diet group. They were fed with diets respectively at crude protein levels of 17.23%, 13.04% and 11.32%. The sperm volume, testicular traits and levels of reproductive hormones were analyzed during the whole repro- ductive period. [Result] The sperm volume, sperm motility and sperm density of the medium-protein diet group were higher than that of the other two groups, and the sperm deformity rate of the medium-protein diet group was lowest. The rooster＇s testicular traits including weight, volume and testis indexes were not significantly affected by different protein levels, but the testis shrank slowly with aging （ P 〈 0.05）. The levels of testosterone （T）, luteinizing hormone （LH） and follicule stimulating hormone （FSH） in plasma were respectively 6.34%, 19.64% and 3.88% higher in the lowprotein diet group than in the medium-protein diet group, and these indexes were respectively 7.20%, 17.54% and 9.84% higher in the low-protein diet group than in the high-protein diet group. But all these differences were not significant. [ Conclusion] The breeder roosters fed with the diet at the crude protein level of 13.04% show better reproductive performance and economic efficiency.

Roosters Algorithm:A Novel Nature-Inspired Optimization Algorithm

Some species of females,e.g.,chicken,bird,fish etc.,might mate with more than one males.In the mating of these polygamous creatures,there is competition between males as well as among their offspring.Thus,male reproductive success depends on both male competition and sperm rivalry.Inspired by this type of sexual life of roosters with chickens,a novel nature-inspired optimization algorithm called Roosters Algorithm(RA)is proposed.The algorithm was modelled and implemented based on the sexual behavior of roosters.13 well-known benchmark optimization functions and 10 IEEE CEC 2018 test functions are utilized to compare the performance of RA with the performance of well-known algorithms;Standard Genetic Algorithm(SGA),Differential Evolution(DE),Particle Swarm Optimization(PSO),Cuckoo Search(CS)and Grey Wolf Optimizer(GWO).Also,non-parametric statistical tests,Friedman and Wilcoxon Signed Rank Tests,were performed to demonstrate the significance of the results.In 20 of the 23 functions that were tested,RA either offered the best results or offered similar results to other compared algorithms.Thus,in this paper,we not only present a novel nature-inspired algorithm,but also offer an alternative method to the well-known algorithms commonly used in the literature,at least as effective as them.

Effects of L-Arginine supplementation on semen quality, testosterone concentration and testes histological parameters of Ross 308 breeder roosters

Objective:To assess the effects of dietary L-Arginine (L-Arg) supplementation on testes histological parameters and semen quality of male broiler breeder.Methods: Twenty male broiler breeders at 37 wk of age were distributed in a completely randomized design with 4 treatments and 5 replicates each. The treatments consisted of 4 dietary levels of L-Arg (0.00, 1.35, 2.33 and 3.22 g/kg of the diet) and fed to birds for 8 wk. At the end of the experiment semen samples were collected by abdominal massage to determination of semen quality. The blood samples were used to determination of serum testosterone concentration at the end of the experiment. Furthermore, testes from each rooster were used to evaluation of their weights and histological parameters.Results:The results of the experiment showed that dietary L-Arg at 2.33 g/kg improved testes weight, semen volume and sperm forward motility in roosters (P<0.05). Besides, serum concentration of testosterone was increased in roosters fed 2.33 g/kg L-Arg (P<0.05). The results of testes histology indicated that seminiferous tubules lumen diameter, leydig cells, spermatides and sperm cells counts were greater in birds received 3.22 g/kg dietary L-Arg (P<0.05). However, the birds fed diet supplemented with 2.33 g/kg L-Arg had greater seminiferous tubules diameter, sertoli and spermatogonia cell counts than other groups (P<0.05).Conclusion:According to the results of this experiment, it is concluded that dietary L-Arg had positive effects on reproductive traits in roosters.

Natural astaxanthin enhanced antioxidant capacity and improved semen quality through the MAPK/Nrf2 pathway in aging layer breeder roosters

Background:Natural astaxanthin(ASTA)has strong antioxidant properties and has been widely used as a health product to improve human health.However,the effects of ASTA on the reproductive performance of aging roosters have been poorly studied.We aimed to investigate the effects of dietary ASTA on semen quality and antioxidant capacity in aging roosters and to explore the potential mechanism of semen quality change via antioxidation defense system.Methods:In the present study,9653-week-old Jinghong No.1 layer breeder roosters were fed a corn-soybean meal basal diet containing 0,25,50,or 100 mg/kg ASTA for 6 weeks.Results:Semen quality in the ASTA groups remarkably improved than that in the control group,and antioxidant activities,the abilities to scavenge hydroxyl radicals and superoxide anions,increased gradually with ASTA addition(P<0.05).In addition,the mRNA levels of antioxidant enzymes as well as the mRNA and protein levels of the mitogen-activated protein kinase(MAPK)and nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor 2(Nrf2)were markedly increased in the 50-100 mg/kg ASTA group(P<0.05).Conclusions:Collectively,these results demonstrate that dietary ASTA may improve semen quality by increasing antioxidant enzyme activities and the ability to scavenge hydroxyl radicals,which may be related to upregulation of the MAPK/Nrf2 pathway.

A Histological Study on Subacute Toxicity of "Baikening" in Hy-Line Brown Roosters

[ Objective] A histological study was conducted to investigate the toxicity of ＂Baikening＂ and the toxic effect of ＂Baikening＂ on roosters after longer- term administration at different dose levels. [ Method] Thirty 21-day-old Hy-Line Brown roosters were administered with 0.5 and 1.0 ml of ＂Balkening＂ aqueous extract through drinking water once a day for continuous 14 d. Roosters in control group and experimental groups after drug administration for 14 d and drug with- dmwal for 7 d were euthatfized; livers, kidneys, thymuses, spleens and bursas of Fabricius were collected and weighed for comparative analysis. Various tissues were prepared into paraffin-embedded slices and stained by H. E. , to observe histological changes of various organs under an optical microscope. [ Result ] After drug administration for 14 d, all the roosters in experimental groups survived; there was no visible pathological change in various organs of Hy-Line Brown roosters in each group; organ weights of Fly-Line Brown roosters in various groups showed no significant difference; observation results of tissue slices indicated that there was no pathological change in fine structures, nuclei and cytoplasm of various organs of Hy-Line Brown roosters in different groups ; various blood vessels in different organs also presented no change in blood circulation or other pathological changes. [ Conclusion] ＂Baikening＂ aqueous extract （oral administration） has no toxic and side effect on roosters in the subacute toxicity experiment.

Removal of roosters alters the domestic phenotype and microbial and genetic profile of hens

Hens are raised apart from roosters in modern poultry production, a substantial change from their natural social structure. We compared productivity, injuries, behavior, physiology, microbiome and transcriptome of hens housed with(R+) or without(R–)roosters to quantify the effects of this change in social structure. Hens were raised free-range from 70 to 280 days when 30 birds per treatment were assigned to battery cages until Day 315(R+C vs. R–C), while 30 birds per treatment remained in free-range pens(R+F vs. R–F). Response to a novel environment and object, behavioral time budgets, cecum microbiome, blood composition and transcriptomic sequencing of thigh muscle and spleen were analyzed. Hens housed without roosters showed better survival, consumed less food, produced more eggs and had better feed conversion. R+F hens clustered around the rooster and were less mobile in the novel environment and object tests. R+F hens displayed the richest microbiome, and the presence of roosters resulted in differentially expressed genes related to muscle development, cellular processes, environmental information processing and immune function. Removing roosters from housed hens intensified desirable characteristics favored by domestication probably operating by deprivation of mating behavior and reduced fear, along with altered microbial and genetic function.

The correlationship between the metabolizable energy content,chemical composition and color score in different sources of corn DDGS

Background： This study was conducted to evaluate the apparent metabolizable energy （AME） and true metabolizable energy （TME） contents in 30 sources of corn distillers dried grains with solubles （DDGS） in adult roosters, and establish the prediction equations to estimate the AME and TME value based on its chemical composition and color score. Methods： Twenty-eight sources of corn DDGS made from several processing plants in 11 provinces of China and others imported from the United States. DDGS were analyzed for their metabolizable energy （ME） contents, measured for color score and chemical composition （crude protein, crude fat, ash, neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber）, to predict the equation of ME in DDGS. A precision-fed rooster assay was used, each DDGS sample was tube fed （50 g） to adult roosters. The experiment was conducted as a randomized incomplete block design with 3 periods. Ninety-five adult roosters were used in each period, with 90 being fed the DDGS samples and 5 being fasted to estimate basal endogenous energy losses. Results： Results showed that the AME ranged from 5.93 to 12.19 MJ/kg, TME ranged from 7.28 to 13.54 MJ/kg. Correlations were found between ME and ash content （-0.64, P 〈 0.0]） and between ME and yellowness score （0.39, P 〈 0.05） of the DDGS samples. Furthermore, the best-fit regression equation for AME content of DDGS based on chemical composition and color score was AME = 6.57111 ＋ 0.5]475 GE - 0.10003 NDF ＋ 0.1 3380 ADF ＋ 0.07057 fat - 0.57029 ash - 0.02437 L （R^2 = 0.70）. The best-fit regression equation for TME content of DDGS was TME = 7.92283 ＋ 0.51475 GE - 0.10003 NDF ＋ 0.13380 ADF ＋ 0.07057 fat - 0.57029 ash - 0.02437 L （R2 = 0.70）. Conclusions： This experiment suggested that measuring the chemical composition and color score of a corn DDGS sample may provide a quality parameter for identifying corn DDGS sources energy digestibility and metabolizable energy content.

A Contrastive Study of Chicken between Chinese and English from the Perspective of Metaphor

As a phenomenon of language, metaphor has profound cultural connotations. It is not merely a matter of language, but a mode of thought and an effective cognitive tool for human to perceive things. This paper focuses on HUMAN BEINGS ARE AMIMALS metaphor to elaborate, especially from the perspective of chicken.

Numerical Analysis of Meat Quality Traits of Ningdu Yellow Rooster

In order to study the meat quality characteristics of Ningdu yellow rooster, the 7 indexes of 120 healthy Ningdu yellow roosters after slaughter at the age of 16 weeks were determined, and correlation analysis, regression analysis and principal component analysis were carried out among the indexes. The results showed that the variation coefficient of PH value was smaller than that of water drop rate and meat colorimetric, and the lactic acid produced by anaerobic glycolysis of glycogen in chicken meat was slower. Through correlation analysis, the 24-hour drip rate was strongly correlated with the 48-hour drip rate (coefficient ≥ 0.7, p ≤ 0.05), and the other indicators were independent of each other. By means of regression analysis, the regression equation (fitting degree R2 = 0.984) of 24- and 48-hour drip rate was established. Principal component analysis synthesized 7 indicators into 3 principal components, with a cumulative contribution rate of 70.13%, indicating that the meat quality of Ningdu Yellow chicken rooster is mainly selected by water drop rate, PH value and meat color test.

Ruling the Rooster

WHAT do Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan, American pop star Beyonce Giselle Knowles and Russian Empress Catherine the Great have in common？ The answer is anyone＇s guess, you might say But any well-read Chinese person would probably tell you in the blink of an eye： all were born in their respective Year of the Rooster, and thus all share the same Chinese astrological sign.