Morphometric Assessment of Common Guinea Fowl (Numida meleagris) in Cameroon

A survey was conducted in the Sudano-Sahelian, High Savannah, and Western Highlands agroecological zones of Cameroon to assess the morphometric features and to determine the population structure of the native common guinea fowl breed. A total of 1021 adult common guinea fowls were sampled in the dominant pastoral production system. The main results showed that there was a phenotypic variability (p < 0.01) of the morphometric characteristics of common guinea fowls with a dominance of pearl gray coloring of the plumage (23.02%), bluish red barbels (29.09%), black eyes (36.04%) and tarsi (39.18%). The development of the barbels and the shape of the comb are determinants of the sex (p < 0.01), as well as the live weight which presents a dimorphism in favor of the females (p < 0.01). The average measurements (in cm) were: Crest height (2.07 ± 0.03), Crest length (2.79 ± 0.03), Barbel length (3.35 ± 0.04), Barbel height (2.28 ± 0.02), Spout length (2.11 ± 0.01), Caruncle length (0.69 ± 0.01), Baleen length (4.32 ± 0.04), Chest circumference (31.81 ± 0.99), Wing length (25.99 ± 0.18), wingspan (41.82 ± 0.32), Thigh diameter (9.17 ± 0.10), Thigh length (11.30 ± 0.07), Tarsus length (6.62 ± 0.04), Tarsus diameter (1.20 ± 0.07), Body length (40.13 ± 0.15), and Live weight (1.68 ± 0.02 kg). The highest positive correlation (r < 0.70) was observed between thigh and ridge length. The PCR revealed that three (3) components (F1, F2 and F3) make it possible to better explain phenotypic variability (50.21%). The variables that contributed most to the explanation of the observed total variability are the length of the crest (0.70%), the beak (0.61%), the wattle (0.70%), the body (0.44%), the wing (0.35%), thigh (0.68%), tarsus (0.29%) and wing span (0.41%) for the main component F1 while the F2 and F3 components mainly concern the length of the barbel (0.43%) and the height of the crest (0.48%) respectively. The F1 factor constitutes the most discriminating variable (89.40%). The AFD and the CAH made it possible to detect 03 sub-populations (T1, T2, and T3) which can be grouped into 2 subgroups on the basis of intra/inter population variations and genetic distances. Morphometric assessment coupled with genomics would increase the efficiency of selection, improvement, and conservation of common guinea fowl in Cameroun.

Indigenous Breeding Practices in Guinea Fowl (Numida meleagris) as Influenced by Plumage Features in Northern Cameroon

The objective of this work was to draw up an inventory of environmental and anthropogenic factors linked to indigenous breeding practices of guinea fowl (Numida meleagris) influenced by plumage characteristics. The information was collected using the snowball technique and using a formal questionnaire developed (AU-IBAR, 2015). The dominant plumage is pearl gray with a frequency of 38.89% followed by black (13.85%). In total, 154 adult animals were lost by operators with a frequency of 22.95%. According to plumage, white comes first with a frequency of 51.61% followed by Lavender plumage (36.58%). Predation is the major constraint with a frequency of 35.72%. The guinea fowl most targeted by predators are the white guinea fowl with a frequency of 56.25%, while predation is low for black plumage (25%), royal purple (33.34) and pearl gray (34.69). The pearl gray guinea fowl and the royal purple guinea fowl appear to have a more developed wild instinct, which explains the frequency of recorded escapes. White plumage is perceived as being more docile during breeding and tends to exhibit better resistance to heat stress compared to other phenotypes, making it more valued for traditional rituals. Dark plumage seems more sought after in breeding for its supposed prolificacy, its resistance to infections and its weight. According to breeders, the dominance relationship mainly depends on the number of individuals of the same plumage. Dark plumage in significant numbers in most flocks seems to have dominance in terms of food and choice of sexual partners, which would explain their large numbers.

Studies on the Inactivated Oil Emulsion Binary Vaccine against Newcastle Disease and Fowl Cholera(Ⅲ)——Safety and Immune Efficacy Test of Vaccine on Duck and Goose

[Objective] The aim of this study is to provide theoretical basis for immunizing waterfowls(duck and goose)with the inactivated oil emulsion binary vaccine against Newcastle Disease(ND)and Fowl Cholera(FC).[Method]Bacterial liquid from solid culture media inoculated avian Pasteurella multocida(APM)type A and allantoic fluid from embryonic eggs infected with Newcastle Disease Virus(NDV)attenuated strain La Sota were mixed and inactivated by formalin to prepare 5 batches of inactivated oil emulsion binary vaccine,which were then used for the safety and immune efficacy test on duck and goose.[Result]Immunized ducks and geese didn't performed any adverse reactions in the safety test of the 5 batches of vaccine;the immune efficacy test showed that ND-HI antibody titers of ducks and geese were no less than 4 log2 three weeks after inoculation,and the protection rates against NDV and APM were 100% and 66.7%-83.3%,respectively.[Conclusion]The binary vaccine against ND and FC is safe and reliable for duck and goose,and can provide them with sufficient immunity protection against ND and FC.

Study on Inactivated Vaccine in Oil Emulsion Against Newcastle Disease and Fowl Cholera IV——Field Test of Vaccine

[ Objective] The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical effect of the inactivated vaccine in oil emulsion against Newcastle disease and Fowl cholera, and provide conditions for combined prevention and control of Newcastle disease and Fowl cholera. [ Method] The mixture of avian pasteurella multocida （type A） virulent strain 1502 and Newcastle disease virus attenuated strain La Sota was prepared into five batches of the inactivated vaccine in oil emulsion to use in the field test for assessing its safety and effects on immune protection of chicken, duck and goose. [ Result] The field safety test showed that there was no adverse reaction in the vaccinated chickens, ducks and geese. The field test of immune effect for chickens suggested that the titers of hemagglutination inhibition antibody for Nescastle disease virus （ ND-HI ） in 7 - 14 day- old chickens and 60 -90 day-old young chickens were 2 -3 log2 higher than the control group after being vaccinated for 3 weeks, which could last for more than 4 months. The protection rate against avian pasteurella multocida was over 75.0% and its immune effect could last for 6 months. The field test of immune effect for duck and goose indicated that the titers of ND-HI antibody were all higher than 4.2 log2 in vaccinated ducks and geese while lower than 2 log2 in the control group after being vaccinated for 3 weeks. The protection rate against avian pasteurella multocida in vaccinated ducks and geese was higher than 75.0% and 62.5% respectively. [ Conclusion] The binary vaccine is safe for poultry and has good immune effects.

一类二阶Emden-Fowler型微分方程的若干振动条件

利用Riccati变换技术,借助Bernoulli不等式和Yang不等式以及数学分析技巧,研究了具有非线性中立项的二阶广义Emden-Fowler型微分方程的振动性,考虑非正则情形■,建立了该方程的若干振动准则。最后用2个例子说明,这些准则推广并改进了一些已有的结果,且具有较好的实用性和可操作性。

Fowler－Nordheim公式应用于实际场发射体的修正

Ｆｏｗｌｅｒ－Ｎｏｒｄｂｅｉｍ公式是一个在理想条件下推导的计算场致发射电流的公式。对场发射体的实验测量表明：实验结果往往比根据Ｆｏｗｌｅｒ－Ｎｏｒｄｈｅｉｍ公式计算的结果大得很多，说明这一理想化了的公式应用于实际场发射体时，必需得到修正。本文讨论了产生这一问题的原因，并提出了合理的定量修正方法。

Molecular Characterization of Peruvian Fowl Adenovirus (FAdV) Isolates

Forty seven clinical samples of Fowl adenovirus (FAdV) associated with Inclusion Body Hepatitis (IBH) from Peruvian broilers received between July 2006 and April 2013 were genotyped using sequencing of L1 Loop of Hexon gene. All 47 clinical samples presented macroscopic and histopathology lesions consistent with IBH, and amplified a specific fragment of Hexon gene by Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). A unique nucleotide sequence of 789 base pairs of Hexon gene (position 273 to 1061) was obtained in all 47 clinical samples analyzed. This sequence showed a high level of conservation in amino acid and nucleotide sequence (>99%) with a Fowl Adenovirus C serotype 4 previously identified. Sequence and phylogenetic analysis indicate no genotypic variation in Peruvian isolates. The presence of a unique genotype very closely related with genotype C1 previously reported in Peru and Ecuador (>99%), suggests the presence of FAdV C serotype 4 genotype C1 in clinical cases of IBH from Peruvian broilers.

Aluminum-Magnesium Silicate enhances release of virions of cultured <i>Fowl Pox Virus</i>and inhibits the virus

Antiviral effects of a synthetic Aluminum-Magnesium Silicate (AMS) were tested on Fowl Pox Virus (FPV). Five batches of the Nigerian brand of FPV vaccine were used as sources of the virus. The reconstituted vaccines were mixed with The Synthetic AMS on equal volume to weight basis and incubated at room temperature for one hour. They were centrifuged for 10 minutes at 2000 revolutions per minute. The incubation and centrifugation were repeated on a portion of each vaccine supernatant. The two sets of supernatants were tested by the Modified Passive Haemagglutination test, for FPV titres. Portions of the vaccines, not incubated with the AMS, were served as controls. Fowl Pox Virus titres of the vaccines increased from a mean of 2.8 ± 1.10 to 11.2 ± 4.38 when incubated with the AMS once. When incubation with the AMS was repeated, the titres reduced (P< 0.05) to zero in each sample.

Comparative Laying Performance, Egg Quality, Fertility and Hatchability of Guinea Fowl with Tilili, Horro and Potchefstroom Koekoek Chicken Breeds

A study was conducted to compare laying performance, fertility, hatchability, and egg quality of guinea fowl (GF) with Horro (HR) and Tilili (TL) local chicken and Potchefstroom Koekoek (PK) exotic chicken. Forty five layers from each genotype and 6 cocks from each chicken genotype and 9 cocks from GF were used in 3 replications in a completely randomized design. Commercial layer feed was used ad libitum for the study that lasted 29 weeks. Daily DM intake per hen was 85, 114, 103 and 137 g (SEM = 3.1) for GF, HR, TL and PK, respectively, and was in the order of GF < TL < HR < PK. Final body weight of hens was highest for PK (2490 g), intermediate for HR (1983 g) and lowest for TL (1671 g) and GF (1641 g). Egg number per production week followed a similar trend like that of DM intake and was 71, 101, 75 and 121 (SEM = 0.5) for GF, HR, TL and PK, respectively. Both fertility and hatchability of fertile eggs for GF were 57%, which were lower than the mean of chicken genotypes by 41% and 34%, respectively. Embryonic mortality was higher for GF (early, middle and late was 15.8%, 10.0%. and 17.4% respectively) compared to chicken genotypes. Chick weight was highest for PK, intermediate for HR and TL and lowest for GF;while chick length was in the order of PK > HR > TL > GF. Average egg weight was higher for PK eggs (46.4 g), intermediate for HR (43.5 g) and TL (42.3 g), and lowest for GF (35.9 g). Eggshell weight and thickness were higher for GF than chicken genotypes. Haugh unit was similar among genotypes. Such differences among poultry genotypes could be reflection of previous selection and breeding interventions, which are apparently more in chicken genotypes than GF. A possible more stressful condition of the confined environment for GF versus chicken genotypes could have also contributed to such differences. This study highlighted the need of implementing future selection and breeding schemes to improve the performance of GF and TL birds to the level achieved by other genotypes.

Establishment of Indirect ELISA Method for Detection of Penton Protein of Fowl Adenovirus GroupⅠ

[ Objective] To establish an indirect ELISA method which can detect fowl adenovirus group I （FAVI） antibody easily and rapidly. [ Method] The expressed and purified FAVI penton recombinant protein was used to be an antigen, optimized the reaction conditions, and then estab- lished the FAVI indirect penton-ELISA antibody detection method. [ Result] The optimal coating concentration of antigen was 1.5 μg/hole, the opti- mal coating condition was 37℃ 2 h and 4 ℃ overnight; the optimal dilution of serum was 1：100; the optimal working concentration of anti-chicken IgG-HRP was 1：2 000; the positive and negative critical value of ELISA was 0.335. Detected the 100 chicken serum samples by the established penton-ELISA method, the positive rate was 41%. [ Conclusion] Through the study, ~e established penton-ELISA method has a good specificity, sensitivity and reproducibility. And it offers an effective tool for the diagnosis of FAVI, the survey of antibody and epidemiology survey.

Isolation,Identification and Immunogenicity of a Chicken-derived Strain of Fowl Avidenovirus Type 4

In order to obtain a fowl avidenovirus type 4 strain with good immunogenicity,chicken liver tissues suspected of adenovirus infection in a chicken farm in Binzhou were treated and then inoculated to chicken liver hepatocellular carcinoma cells(LMH).The cell cultures were extracted for DNA,which was subjected to PCR identification and sequencing analysis,and animal regression test and immunogenicity test were also carried out.The results showed that one fowl avidenovirus strain was successfully isolated.The isolated strain was inoculated to LMH cells,and the first generation showed obvious cytopathic changes.The PCR identification result of the 8^(th)generation cell culture of the isolated virus strain on LMH cells was positive.The sequencing result and NCBI sequence alignment analysis showed that the isolated virus strain had the highest nucleotide similarity with fowl avidenovirus type 4,reaching 100%,indicating that the isolated strain was of fowl avidenovirus type 4.The strain could cause the death of 21-day-old SPF chickens,with a mortality rate of 100%,and could completely replicate the same symptoms as clinically infected chickens after being challenged.The three batches of oil vaccine prepared with the isolated strain had a protection rate of 100%,and the geometric mean values of serum agar expansion titers were 1∶4.6,1∶4.9,and 1∶4.6,respectively.It can be seen that the isolated virus is of fowl avidenovirus type 4 in group I,and has good immunogenicity.

Carcass Characteristics of Guinea Fowl Raised under Intensive System and Fed Diets Containing Yellow Maize, Millet and White Sorghum as Energy Sources

This study investigated carcass characteristics of guinea fowl reared under intensive system and fed diets containing yellow maize, millet and white sorghum as energy sources compared to commercial broiler diets (control). A completely randomized design was used where 160 guinea fowl keets were randomly assigned to four dietary treatments. Data were analyzed using Procedure General Linear Model in Statistical Analysis Software (version 9.0). Results showed that dietary treatment did not (p > 0.05) influence carcass characteristics of guinea fowl at the same age. However, carcass characteristics significantly (p < 0.05) increased with age. From 6 to 16 weeks of age carcass dressed weight of guinea fowl increased from 301.73 ± 9.49 g to 1003.65 ± 26.77 g;288.18 ± 9.49 g to 952.58 ± 26.77 g;305.00 ± 9.49 g to 976.55 ± 26.77 and 292.81 ± 9.49 g to 970.08 ± 26.77 g for control, maize, millet and sorghum diets, respectively. Carcass yield slightly increased from 69.93% ± 3.67% to 72.81% ± 2.67%;73.85% ± 3.67% to 76.31% ± 2.67% and 70.55% ± 3.67% to 72.37% ± 2.67% for control, millet and sorghum diets, respectively. Carcass yield of guinea fowl on maize diet decreased with age (76.18 ± 3.67 to 71.68 ± 2.67). Other parameters including empty gizzard, heart, liver, drumstick, thigh, back and breast increased with guinea fowl age for all the dietary treatments. Maize, sorghum or millet diets can be used in guinea fowl diets without affecting carcass characteristics. Further studies on the acceptance of meat by consumers and cost-benefit analysis of the dietary treatments should be conducted to enable formulation of guinea fowl diets using local feed resources.

Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Three Methods of Protecting Guinea Fowl from Mortalities Used in Traditional Breeding in Northern Togo

A study on the evaluation of the effectiveness of three traditional methods of protecting guinea fowl from mortality was carried out at CRA-SS （Centre de Recherche Agronomique de la Savane S6che） in northem Togo. Guinea fowl were divided into 5 batches, of which 3 batches received prophylactic medical treatment including plant decoctions, the 4th batch was followed by a medical prophylaxis program as a control group and the 5th batch considered as a negative control, has not received any prophylactic treatment. The results showed that a mortality rate of 25% for the reference lot and two other batches which received plant decoctions （Euphorbia poissonii or Khaya senegalensis） were recorded against a rate of 87.5% in the batch of guinea fowl which received the decoction of Pteleopsis suberosa. Meanwhile, regardless of weight growth, daily average gain （GMQ） or food consumption, no significant difference was observed （p 〉 0.05） between the guinea fowl that received a baseline health monitoring and those having taken the decoction orE. poissonii. On the other hand, the values recorded in these two batches of guinea fowl differed statistically from those in the guinea fowl that received the decoction of K. senegalensis. Although the decoction of K. senegalensis has a protective effect in guinea fowl, the growth of guinea fowl has been slowed down. On the basis of these results, it appears that two endogenous practices tested （K. senegalensis or E. poissonii） have positive effects. However, it would be desirable to carry out a toxicity test in order to determine the recommended doses.

Analysis of the Technical and Sanitary Constraints of the Traditional Breeding of Guinea Fowl in ＂Region des Savanes＂ of Northern Togo

A survey to determine the causes of mortality of guinea fowl and the technical and sanitary constraints of the traditional breeding of guinea fowl was carried out among 106 poultry farmers from the Savannah Region in North Togo. The survey also made it possible to identify the breeding constraints and the endogenous practices of rearing of the guinea fowl. The results obtained from the investigations are： （i） the high rate （69.81%） of illiterates is not conducive to the def＇mition or control of plans for prophylaxis and rationing. （ii） Breeders are unaware of disease-resistant strains of guinea fowl. （iii） Guinea fowl breeding starts with traditional methods, with 33.96% of the breeders who leave the guinea fowl in the wilderness and 13.21% who breed them in conflagration pell-mell. （iv） The formulations of food rations in order to satisfy the nutritional requirements of guinea fowl are virtually non-existent. The sources of proteins sometimes supplemented are only termites. However, food imbalance leads to growth lags. （v） Prophylaxis plans are not followed by breeders. Fifty two percent （52%） of the breeders self-medicate and other breeders （9.43%） do not treat. Several plants are used alone or in combination to control poultry diseases. （vi） biosecurity measures are non-existent in the farms （48.11% of the farmers give the dead guinea fowl to the children for consumption and 66% of the breeders throw the dead guinea fowl in the wild）. （vii） The major constraints identified in this investigation are the remoteness of the veterinary supply centers, the lack of access to quality veterinary services, the low rate of training of farmers, the inadequate support ofpastoralists livestock equipment; （viii） the problem of predators （93.40%） and the problem of access to effective veterinary products （79.25%） were noted.

Polymorphism in Mitochondrial DNA of Six Fowl Breeds Revealed by Restriction Endonuclease

The patterns of cleavage of mtDNA by restriction endonucleases was analysed for six fowl breeds and of. Hyline White, Hyline Brown, ISA Brown, Hisex Brown, Lohmann White, Abor Acres and mtDNA polymorphisms were detected in the restriction patterns with the following eight enzymes, Ava Ⅰ, Ava Ⅱ, EcoR Ⅰ, Hind Ⅲ, Bam HI, Pvu Ⅱ, Pst Ⅰ, Hinc Ⅱ. The restriction cleavage patterns were identical among these breeds. Hyline White, Hyline Brown, ISA Brown, Hisex Brown, Lohmann White—A type. The patterns of Abor Acres were B type. Based on their mtDNA restriction types, all the breeds were classified into two groups. Genetic distances among these groups were calculated in order to define their phylogenetic relationships. The relationship among five egg line breeds is close, while Abor Acres (Broiler fowl) is relatively far from them. The results suggest that the difference of mtDNA could result from the different origins. The polymorphic sites in mtDNA of Hyline White has been located on a restriction map.

A Comparative Study of the Karyotypes from Four Egg-type Fowl Breeds

By adopting the method based on colchicine-hypotonic-air drying technique with bone marrow cells, the paper presents the chromosome of four egg-type fowl breeds. The diploid chromosome 2n=78, chromosomal morphology are very similar and sex chromosome type are ZZ (♂) and ZW(♀) in four egg-type fowl breeds. According to standard of Leven in 1964, the euchromosome and sex chromosome of four breeds are measured and compared in relative length arm ratio and centromere index of each chromosome including all the microchromosome. The morphology of these chromosome is described as follows: pair1, 2, 8 and ZW are metacentric, pair 4 and 6 are submetacentric, and the rest is telocentric.

基于Penton蛋白禽腺病毒血清4型间接ELISA抗体检测方法的建立

Penton蛋白是构成禽腺病毒血清4型(Fowl adenovirus serotype 4,FAdV-4)衣壳的主要结构蛋白,具备高度保守性与良好的免疫原性。以纯化的Penton蛋白为包被抗原,建立一种基于禽腺病毒血清4型Penton蛋白的间接ELISA抗体检测方法。结果显示,Penton蛋白最佳包被质量浓度为2μg/mL,血清稀释倍数为200倍,酶标抗体稀释倍数为1∶5000,阳性临界值为0.222,敏感性可达到1∶6400,与鸡传染性支气管炎病毒、鸡传染性法氏囊病病毒、鸡传染性喉气管炎病毒均无交叉反应,特异性良好,批间批内重复性变异系数均<10%,在100份临床血清中阳性检出率为77%,与商品化试剂盒检出符合率可达98%。综上,建立的ELISA抗体检测方法可以用于禽腺病毒4型临床抗体检测。

一株鹅源禽腺病毒4型的分离及致病性

2023年,昆明一朗德鹅场部分雏鹅出现软脖子症状,伴有零星死亡,病变疑似禽心包积液综合征(hydropericardium syndrome,HPS)。本研究旨在对本次雏鹅病因进行分子病毒学诊断和病原的致病性研究。采集肝病料接种鸡肝癌细胞(leghorn male hepatocellular cells,LMH):1)观察细胞病变效应(cytopathic effect,CPE),取培养液负染、电镜观察病毒粒子形态;2)靶标4型禽腺病毒(serotype 4 fowl adenovirus,FAdV-4)的衣壳蛋白编码基因hexon基因进行PCR诊断,对扩增基因序列进行遗传演化分析;3)以5×10^(5.5)TCID_(50)/羽的剂量皮下注射感染10日龄健康泰州鹅,进行动物回归感染以确证其致病性。结果显示,将病料上清接种LMH细胞48~72 h后CPE明显,细胞圆缩、间隙变大、随后碎裂、逐渐脱落,电镜观察见二十面体无囊膜病毒粒子;PCR检测FAdV-4阳性,分离纯化病毒,命名为YNKM2023株;hexon基因的遗传演化分析显示,分离株与国内已有的鸡、鸭FAdV-4流行毒株相似性高达99.8%~99.9%,与印度分离株相似性为99.5%~99.6%。接种感染后,泰州鹅未出现典型的临床症状,但感染后3 d开始出现HPS的特征性病变,感染后6 d检测到中和抗体。综上,本研究成功分离到鹅源FAdV-4/YNKM2023株,该毒株与国内已有的鸡鸭流行毒株高度同源,尚未发生明显的基因漂移。分离株可以感染鹅,病毒可以在雏鹅体内复制引起组织器官病变并产生免疫应答,对鹅表现出一定的致病性,这有助于了解FAdV-4在鹅群的流行情况及其对雏鹅的致病性。

一类二阶广义Emden-Fowler型微分方程的振动性

研究了具非线性中立项的一类二阶广义Emden-Fowler型泛函微分方程的振动性,考虑方程是非正则的情形(即∫t0^+∞a^-1/β(t)dt<+∞的情形),利用广义黎卡提变换技术及不等式技巧,获得了方程振动的几个新型的判别准则.

血清4型禽腺病毒胶体金免疫层析检测方法的建立

为建立对血清4型禽腺病毒(FAdV-4)进行快速检测的胶体金免疫层析法,将FAdV-4的hexon-L1蛋白进行原核表达,免疫兔制备多克隆抗体,将多抗包被在检测(T)线,将羊抗兔IgG包被在质控(C)线,用胶体金标记的多抗作为示踪剂,制备胶体金免疫层析检测卡,用于检测FAdV-4抗原,并对其敏感性和特异性进行评价,用其检测临床样本并与PCR检测结果相比较。结果显示,制备的胶体金检测卡可检出FAdV-4含量为10^(2.094)^(5)EID_(50),FAdV-8、新城疫病毒、禽白血病病毒等均不出现特异性条带,对临床样本的检测与PCR检测的符合率达98%。建立的胶体金检测方法可用于FAdV-4感染的快速检测。