Comparison of Chick Quality, Health, and Inflammation from Two Hatchery Environments

Hatchery contamination can result in ingested or inhaled microbes that may modify colonization of the intestinal and respiratory tract, with potential to influence early growth, inflammation, and overall health. Six experiments were completed to compare chick quality, inflammation, and health between two hatcheries (H1 and H2). On embryonic d0, 45 eggs from the same breeder flock were set at each hatchery. On d0, length, abdominal height, navel and leg abnormalities, and self-righting were measured for 36 chicks/hatchery, yolk sacs were weighed, and crop/cloaca swabs were cultured from 12 chicks/hatchery. On d7, mid-ileum and ceca were cultured from 12 chicks/hatchery. On d0 and d7, body weight (BW) and intestinal weight were measured, lung/air sac swabs and liver were cultured, and liver and air sacs were scored for health. Blood was collected on d0 and d7 for serum alpha-1-acid glycoprotein concentrations in Exp 1 and 2. Data was analyzed using Student’s t-test or χ2, significance p < 0.05. On d0, BW, length, yolk free BW, and intestinal weight were greater for H2 chicks (p < 0.05). Liver bacterial recovery was decreased in H2 on d0 (p < 0.05) and there were fewer average leg and righting abnormalities in H2 (p < 0.05). Decreased lactase positive Enterobacteriaceae were noted in H2 in crop/cloaca and lung/air sac swabs (p < 0.05), and of alpha and beta hemolysis in crop/cloaca swabs, and alpha and gamma hemolysis in lung/air sac swabs (p < 0.05) on d0. By d7, only alpha hemolytic bacteria were increased in lung/air sac swabs of H2. Based on factors measured, chicks from H2 showed favorable microbial colonization, starting quality, and improved health on d0. While not sustained through d7, differences in d0 microbial recovery may have shifted microbial development and potentially influenced immune response development. These experiments elucidated the importance of hatchery environment on early chick quality, microbial colonization, overall inflammation, and chick health.

Hatching egg polyunsaturated fatty acids and the broiler chick

Transgenerational effects of certain nutrients such as essential fatty acids are gaining increased attention in the field of human medicine and animal sciences as a new tool to improve health and animal performance during perinatal life.Omega-3(n-3)and omega-6(n-6)fatty acids are denoted by the position of the first double bond from methyl end of the hydrocarbon chain.Alpha-linolenic acid(18:3 n-3)and linoleic acid(18:2 n-6)are essential n-3 and n-6 fatty acids and cannot be synthesized by the vertebrates including chickens.Alpha-linolenic acid and linoleic acid are the parent fatty acids of long chain(>20–22C)n-3 and n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids(PUFA)such as eicosapentaenoic acid(20:5 n-3,EPA),docosapentaenoic acid(22:5 n-3/or 22:5 n-6,DPA),docosahexaenoic acid(22:6 n-3,DHA)and arachidonic acid(20:4 n-6).As components of cell membrane phospholipids,PUFA serves as precursors of eicosa-noids,act as ligands for membrane receptors and transcription factors that regulate gene expression and are pivotal for normal chick growth and development.Considering the role of egg lipids as the sole source of essential fatty acids to the hatchling,dietary deficiencies or inadequate in ovo supply may have repercussions in tissue PUFA incorpora-tion,lipid metabolism,chick growth and development during pre and early post-hatch period.This review focus on studies showing how maternal dietary n-3 or n-6 fatty acids can lead to remodeling of long chain n-3 and n-6 PUFA in the hatching egg and progeny chick tissue phospholipid molecular species and its impact on chick growth and PUFA metabolism during early life.

Effects of Combined Application of NRTUAs and ABP on Growth and Humoral Immunity of Chicks

[Objectives]The paper was to study the effects of combined application of nonreplicating Toxoplasma uracil auxotrophs(NRTUAs)and Agaricus blazei Murill polysaccharide(ABP)on growth and humoral immunity of chicks.[Methods]A total of 120 one-day old female Hyline brown laying hens were randomly divided into 4 groups,30 hens for each group.The chicks in group 1 were subcutaneously injected with NRTUAs and fed on the diet containing with ABP;the chicks in group 2 were subcutaneously injected with NRTUAs;the chicks in group 3 were subcutaneously injected with equal volume of PBS,and fed on the diet containing with ABP;the chicks in group 4 were subcutaneously injected with equal volume of PBS.The body weight of chicks in each group was counted at the 21^(st),42^(nd),84^(th)and 112^(th)week.During this period,blood samples were collected from chicks in each group at 0,7,14,21,28 and 35 d post immunization against Newcastle disease(ND),and serum was separated to detect the antibody titer of ND.[Results]The combined application of NRTUAs and ABP had no effect on growth of chicks,but promoted the humoral immune response of chicks,significantly improved the ND antibody level of chicks,and could maintain high levels of antibodies in the body for a long time.[Conclusions]The study lays a theoretical foundation for further developing the clinical application of NRTUAs and ABP.

饲粮污染串珠镰刀菌对雏鸡生长性能、脏器发育、抗氧化能力和免疫功能的影响

为探索饲粮污染串珠镰刀菌对雏鸡生长性能、脏器发育、抗氧化能力和免疫功能的影响,试验选取1日龄海兰褐雏母鸡320只,随机分成4组,每组8个重复,每个重复10只;对照组饲喂基础日粮,2~4组分别饲喂低、中、高剂量串珠镰刀菌污染饲粮,黄曲霉毒素B1(AFB1)浓度为5μg/kg、8μg/kg、10μg/kg,试验期42 d。结果显示:与对照组相比,中、高剂量串珠镰刀菌污染饲粮能显著降低雏鸡平均日采食量、末重、平均日增重(P<0.05),显著提高料重比(P<0.05),显著提高雏鸡肌胃指数、腺胃指数(P<0.05),引起消化和免疫器官病变,显著降低血浆总抗氧化能力(T-AOC)、超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、干扰素-γ(IFN-γ)、白细胞介素-6(IL-6)、免疫球蛋白M(IgM)、免疫球蛋白G(IgG)、传染性法氏囊病病毒抗体与新城疫病毒抗体水平(P<0.05)。研究表明饲粮污染中、高剂量串珠镰刀菌(AFB1≥8μg/kg)能引起雏鸡消化和免疫器官损伤,导致机体生长性能、抗氧化能力和免疫功能下降。

常山散对雏鸡感染柔嫩艾美耳球虫不同发育阶段的防治效果

旨在研究中药常山散对雏鸡感染柔嫩艾美耳球虫不同发育阶段抗球虫效果和免疫功能的影响。试验设置6大组,分别为攻虫前1天、攻虫当天、第2天、第3天、第4天和第5天给药时间点设计组,每个设计组包括3个处理组,分别为Ⅰ组(健康对照组)和Ⅱ组(感染对照组),饲喂基础饲粮;Ⅲ组(常山散推荐剂量组),按照0.1g·kg^(-1)在基础饲粮中拌料饲喂,连续给药4 d,每组10只鸡,共180只。16日龄时,Ⅱ组和Ⅲ组每只鸡口服5×10^(4)个柔嫩艾美耳球虫孢子化卵囊。结果表明:与Ⅰ组相比,Ⅲ组的日均增重(average dialy gain, ADG)在球虫发育前期(攻虫前1天、攻虫当天)差异不显著(P>0.05),发育后期显著降低(P<0.05),Ⅱ组在球虫发育的整个时期ADG均显著降低(P<0.05),降低幅度大于Ⅲ组。与Ⅰ组相比,Ⅱ组和Ⅲ组的日均采食量(average daily feed intake, ADFI)有所下降,其中Ⅱ组下降最为明显,Ⅲ组有所改善。与Ⅱ组相比,中药常山散显著(P<0.05)降低感染雏鸡每克粪便卵囊数(oocysts per gram, OPG)。球虫感染破坏盲肠黏膜的完整性,使盲肠肌膜增厚。中药常山散可减轻球虫感染引起的肠黏膜损伤。与Ⅱ组相比,饲粮中添加常山散可降低盲肠病变评分(P<0.05)。攻虫前1天、攻虫当天和第2天试验组中Ⅲ组的抗球虫指数(anticoccidial index, ACI)分别为198.83、190.23、165.49,攻虫第3、4和5天试验组中Ⅲ组的ACI分别为150.53、155.00和146.18,说明在球虫发育的前期给药,常山散具有良好的抗球虫效果,后期随着球虫在鸡体内的发育,常山散的治疗效果降低。与Ⅱ组相比,常山散增加血液中免疫球蛋白IgA、IgM、IgG含量,提高脾脏指数和法氏囊指数。综上所述,常山散可改善感染雏鸡的生长性能,显著降低感染雏鸡OPG和盲肠病变评分,增强感染雏鸡免疫功能。

铁过量致雏鸡脾氧化应激及病理组织学观察

为探究过量铁对雏鸡脾脏病理损伤和氧化应激的影响,将75只15日龄健康白羽肉鸡随机分为3组,每组雏鸡基础日粮中分别添加硫酸亚铁50、500、1000 mg/kg,连续饲喂3 d,于铁过量后1、3、7、14、21 d取各组雏鸡脾脏,测定铁含量、丙二醛(malondialdehyde,MDA)、过氧化氢(H_(2)O_(2))、过氧化氢酶(catalase,CAT)、谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(glutathione peroxidase,GPx)和总抗氧化能力(total-antioxidant capacity,T-AOC),计算脾脏器官指数并进行病理组织学观察。结果显示,过量铁刺激雏鸡脾脏肿大,铁过量后1~14 d雏鸡脾脏铁含量明显增加(P<0.01);铁过量后1~21 d CAT、GPx活力和T-AOC水平显著降低(P<0.05或P<0.01),但MDA和H_(2)O_(2)含量显著提高(P<0.05或P<0.01)。病理组织学观察显示,铁过量后雏鸡脾脏淋巴细胞排列混乱,红细胞及嗜中性粒细胞散在分布,脾小体数量增多且结构模糊,红髓占比增加,红髓内含铁血黄素沉积。表明过量铁导致脾脏发生氧化应激,组织结构损伤,从而影响脾脏免疫功能,导致免疫功能下降。

二氢杨梅素对蛋雏鸡生长性能的影响

为研究二氢杨梅素(DHM)对蛋雏鸡生长性能的影响,选用7日龄海兰白蛋雏鸡150只随机分成5个组,每组30只。对照组给予基础日粮,给药组分别在基础日粮添加0.25、0.5、1、2 g/kg的DHM,试验期为35 d。结果显示,与对照组相比,42日龄时1 g/kg和2 g/kg的DHM组雏鸡平均体重显著增加(P<0.05);28和35日龄时0.5、1、2 g/kg DHM组平均日采食量显著或极显著增加(P<0.05或P<0.01);35和42日龄时0.5、1、2 g/kg DHM组平均日增重显著或极显著增加(P<0.05或P<0.01),肉料比显著增加(P<0.05);此外,DHM对雏鸡心脏指数、肝脏指数、肾脏指数和存活率均无明显影响。由此可见,DHM能够促进蛋雏鸡生长发育并对心脏、肝脏和肾脏无不良作用,可作为养禽业中一种绿色安全的饲料添加剂。

孵化期紫外线和绿光照射对茶花鸡胚胎及雏鸡生长的影响

试验旨在揭示孵化期中波紫外线和绿光照射对茶花鸡胚胎及雏鸡生长的影响。试验选择茶花鸡种蛋450个,随机分为对照组、紫外线组和绿光组,每组150个种蛋。在种蛋孵化0~18 d,对照组不作任何光照处理,紫外线组每天连续接受30 min中波紫外线(照射剂量12.75μW·h/cm^(2))照射,绿光组每天连续接受12 h绿光(光照强度523 lx)照射,测定并分析各处理组孵化后期胚胎和出壳后2周内雏鸡的生长指标差异。结果显示:在孵化期内,紫外线组14 d、16 d、18 d胚胎重和体长以及14 d、16 d心脏重显著高于对照组(P<0.05),14 d和18 d残余卵黄重显著低于对照组(P<0.05),而紫外线组和绿光组各项指标差异均不显著(P>0.05);绿光组仅16 d心脏重和18 d胚胎体长显著高于对照组(P<0.05)。出壳后,紫外线组雏鸡的0、7、14日龄体重、体长、胫骨长、跖骨长、胸宽和胸深显著高于对照组(P<0.05或P<0.01),0日龄体长和胫骨长,7日龄体重、胫骨长、跖骨长和胸深,14日龄体重和胫骨长显著高于绿光组(P<0.05或P<0.01);绿光组雏鸡3个日龄体重、0日龄胸宽和胸深、7日龄体长及14日龄胸宽显著高于对照组(P<0.05或P<0.01)。综上可见,孵化期接受适量中波紫外线或绿光照射可促进鸡胚和雏鸡生长,且紫外线照射的效果总体上优于绿光。

柔嫩艾美耳球虫重组Profilin蛋白对鸡的免疫保护效果评价

【目的】通过对柔嫩艾美耳球虫(E.tenella)Profilin基因进行原核表达和纯化,探明重组Profilin蛋白对鸡的免疫保护效果。【方法】设计合成Profilin基因特异性引物,提取E.tenella孢子化卵囊总RNA,反转录成cDNA,用PCR扩增获得Profilin基因后连接至pET-32a(+)载体构建重组质粒pET-32a(+)-Profilin,在IPTG诱导下进行表达并纯化。用重组Profilin蛋白免疫雏鸡,随后经口服感染柔嫩艾美耳球虫卵囊,测定和统计雏鸡存活率、平均增重、血便计数、每克粪便卵囊数、卵囊产量、盲肠病变,计算抗球虫指数,观察盲肠组织病理学变化并测定血清中IL-2、IL-10、TNF-α、sIgA的水平以评估重组Profilin蛋白的免疫保护效果。【结果】成功表达了重组Profilin蛋白,大小为39.1 kDa。免疫保护试验表明:Profilin重组蛋白组鸡只存活率、鸡只血便数和OPG相对于感染不免疫攻虫组显著减少(P<0.05);50μg重组蛋白免疫组的体增重效果最好,达93%,卵囊产量最少,ACI效果最好;100μg重组蛋白免疫组的盲肠损伤最小,而免疫器官指数未见显著差异(P>0.05)。在攻虫后7 d,感染不免疫攻虫组血清中IL-2、TNF-α、IL-10以及sIgA水平相比于空白对照组均极显著升高(P<0.01),而重组蛋白免疫组血清中IL-2、TNF-α、IL-10以及sIgA水平极显著低于攻虫不免疫组(P<0.01)。【结论】柔嫩艾美耳球虫重组Profilin蛋白可减少感染雏鸡的增重损失和卵囊排出,引发雏鸡体内的细胞免疫和体液免疫,具有一定的免疫保护效果。

牛膝多糖对雏鸡免疫功能的影响

文章旨在研究牛膝多糖对雏鸡免疫功能的影响。试验将120只1日龄雏鸡随机分为4组,每组3个重复,每个重复10只鸡(公母各半)。在常规饲料中分别添加200、150、100、0 mg/kg牛膝多糖。所用雏鸡连续饲喂至30日龄,每组取10只进行取样。计算动物机体免疫器官指数,MTT检测T细胞增殖活性,Griess检测巨噬细胞释放NO能力,ELISA检测血清总IgG水平。结果表明,在雏鸡饲料中添加中剂量(150 mg/kg)的牛膝多糖能显著提高雏鸡免疫器官指数、T细胞增殖活性、巨噬细胞释放NO能力和血清总IgG水平(P<0.05)。结论:牛膝多糖在一定程度上对雏鸡的免疫功能具有增强作用,从而提高机体抗病能力,饲料中牛膝多糖最适添加量为150 mg/kg。

镉诱导雏鸡肝脏的损伤作用

目的:旨在观察镉对雏鸡肝脏的损伤作用,为预防、治疗和诊断镉致雏鸡肝损伤提供依据。方法:200只1日龄健康爱拨益加雏鸡随机分为空白对照组、CdCl_(2)处理组(低、中、高剂量),每组5个重复,每个重复10只。CdCl_(2)处理组分别灌服35、70、140 mg/kg·BW的CdCl2溶液。雏鸡染镉24 h后,心脏采血处死动物并分离肝组织,利用苏木精-伊红染色观察肝组织病理变化,测定血清中转氨酶活性与肿瘤坏死因子α(Tumor necrosis factor-α,TNF-α)、白细胞介素-6(IL-6)、白细胞介素-1β(Interleukin-1β,IL-1β)含量,比色法测定肝组织中氧化应激指标。结果:35、70 mg/kg CdCl_(2)处理可引起雏鸡血清中转氨酶活性显著提高(P<0.01),雏鸡肝细胞出现空泡变性、炎性浸润和细胞坏死等病理改变;GSH含量、SOD活性显著降低(P<0.01),MDA含量急剧升高(P<0.01),血清中炎性细胞因子IL-1β、IL-6与TNF-α含量显著升高(P<0.01)。结论:CdCl_(2)可导致雏鸡肝组织出现氧化应激,并伴随炎症反应。

“Chick Flicks”影视热的原因探析

近年来,"Chick Lit"作为女性流行读物的代名词,在国外甚为风行并逐渐渗透和影响到国内文学界。该类题材的文学作品不断地被搬上银幕,在影视圈受到广泛的关注,掀起了"Chick Flicks"影视热。"Chick Lit"作品的热销与"Chick Flicks"作品热播的良性互动、原生态职场现状的呈现与现实生存状态的吻合、时尚的影像化与当前流行趋势的吻合,以及女性主义与传统价值的冲突与当前时代风格的吻合是其影视热的根本原因。

湖南省1日龄雏鸡肌胃腺胃炎流行病学调查及其致病因素研究

为探究湖南省1日龄雏鸡肌胃腺胃炎的流行情况及其致病原因,本研究于2023年对湖南省11个不同种鸡场进行了15次1日龄雏鸡的肌胃腺胃炎流行病学调查及肌胃腺胃样品采集,进行病理剖检、病理评分、病理切片观察、炎症因子基因表达测定和霉菌毒素含量测定,并收集血清测定免疫球蛋白含量。结果表明,15次流行病学调查肌胃腺胃炎患病率为62.1%,病理剖检和病理切片观察发现患病雏鸡肌胃腺胃都出现了比较明显的溃疡和病灶以及黏膜层破损溃烂、炎性细胞浸润和肌层肌纤维疏松。患病雏鸡肌胃腺胃内炎症因子(IL-1β、IL-6和TNF-ɑ)基因表达和肌胃腺胃组织内玉米赤霉烯酮和T-2毒素的含量均显著高于正常雏鸡(P<0.05),血清中IgA、IgM和IgG含量均显著低于正常雏鸡(P<0.05)。综上所述,湖南省内1日龄雏鸡肌胃腺胃炎流行程度较为严重,种蛋中的霉菌毒素对肌胃腺胃的毒性作用及其所导致的鸡胚免疫能力下降可能是导致1日龄雏鸡肌胃腺胃炎的重要因素。

中草药复方添加剂对蛋雏鸡生长性能、血清免疫因子及肠道菌群的影响

试验旨在探讨以桑叶、女贞子、麦冬、蒲公英及马齿苋配伍而成的中草药复方添加剂对蛋雏鸡生长性能、血清免疫因子及肠道菌群的影响。选取960只1日龄健康、体重相近的海兰褐蛋雏鸡随机分成2组,每组5个重复,每个重复96只。对照组饲喂基础日粮,试验组饲喂添加0.2%中草药复方添加剂的基础日粮。试验期42 d。结果显示:与对照组相比,试验组蛋雏鸡22~42日龄平均日增重提高8.53%(P<0.05),平均日采食量与料重比降低6.51%与13.50%(P<0.01);1~42日龄平均日增重提高8.68%(P<0.01),料重比与死淘率分别降低10.37%和55.47%(P<0.01);血清免疫因子IFN-γ与IL-2水平提高33.35%和46.37%(P<0.01);试验组盲肠变形菌门丰度降低31.84%(P<0.05),放线菌门丰度升高82.61%(P<0.05),试验组粪杆菌属丰度升高128.08%(P<0.05);脱硫弧菌属丰度降低53.66%(P<0.01)。综上所述,0.2%中草药复方添加剂可促进蛋雏鸡生长,提高血清免疫因子水平,优化蛋雏鸡的盲肠菌群结构组成。

Long-term trends in the abundance and breeding performance in Adélie penguins:the Argentine Ecosystem Monitoring Program

In this work,we report long-term trends in the abundance and breeding performance of Adélie penguins(Pygoscelis adeliae)nesting in three Antarctic colonies(i.e.,at Martin Point,South Orkneys Islands;Stranger Point/Cabo Funes,South Shetland Islands;and Esperanza/Hope Bay in the Antarctic Peninsula)from 1995/96 to 2022/23.Using yearly count data of breeding groups selected,we observed a decline in the number of breeding pairs and chicks in crèche at all colonies studied.However,the magnitude of change was higher at Stranger Point than that in the remaining colonies.Moreover,the index of breeding success,which was calculated as the ratio of chicks in crèche to breeding pairs,exhibited no apparent trend throughout the study period.However,it displayed greater variability at Martin Point compared to the other two colonies under investigation.Although the number of chicks in crèche of Adélie penguins showed a declining pattern,the average breeding performance was similar to that reported in gentoo penguin colonies,specifically,those undergoing a population increase(even in sympatric colonies facing similar local conditions).Consequently,it is plausible to assume a reduction of the over-winter survival as a likely cause of the declining trend observed,at least in the Stranger Point and Esperanza colonies.However,we cannot rule out local effects during the breeding season affecting the Adélie population of Martin Point.

蛋重对雏鸡初生重和器官发育的影响

试验旨在研究不同蛋重对雏鸡初生重和器官发育的影响。选取90枚种鸡蛋按蛋重分为5组,每组18枚:Ⅰ组(59~62 g)、Ⅱ组(62~65 g)、Ⅲ组(65~68 g)、Ⅳ组(68~71 g)、Ⅴ组(71~74 g)进行为期21 d的孵化。出雏后对雏鸡进行称重、采血和屠宰,记录并分析数据。结果表明:①雏鸡初生重与蛋重呈显著正相关;②雏鸡的心脏、肝脏、脾脏、肺脏、肾脏、小肠、肌胃重量与蛋重呈正相关,Ⅴ组的腺胃指数显著低于Ⅰ组(P<0.05),其余器官指数各组间无显著差异(P>0.05);③Ⅴ组雏鸡血清中三酰甘油的含量显著高于Ⅰ、Ⅱ组(P<0.05),Ⅴ组高密度脂蛋白含量显著低于Ⅰ、Ⅱ组(P<0.05),Ⅴ组胆固醇的含量显著高于Ⅰ、Ⅱ、Ⅲ组(P<0.05)。综上,蛋重与雏鸡的健康水平相关,且蛋重较大不利于雏鸡的健康。

苯乳酸对雏鸡沙门氏菌感染模型的治疗

为验证苯乳酸(PLA)对鸡白痢沙门氏菌的抑杀能力,利用活化的鸡白痢沙门氏菌对雏鸡灌胃,直至雏鸡排便出现白痢等典型感染症状,以此为标准确定鸡白痢沙门氏菌感染模型构建成功,然后进行治疗,发现苯乳酸干预后实验组鸡白痢沙门氏菌感染症状明显改观,相比阴性对照组半数致死,阳性对照组15%的死淘率,实验组死淘率仅为5%。因此苯乳酸可以取代硫酸新霉素等传统鸡白痢沙门氏菌敏感型抗生素,治疗禽类沙门氏菌感染引起的疾病。

Influence of different levels of humic acid and esterified glucomannan on growth performance and intestinal morphology of broiler chickens

A study was under taken to investigate the effect of dietary supplementations of humic acid and esterified glucomannan) on broiler performance and the morphological measurements of small intestine. Two hundred and ten day old broiler chicks were weighed and randomly assigned to seven treatment groups in triplicate. The dietary treatments included T1) control (basal diet without any additives), T2) basal diets supplemented with 0.1% humic acid, T3) basal diets supplemented with 0.2% humic acid, T4) basal diets supplemented with 0.3% humic acid, T5) basal diets supplemented with 0.1% esterified glucomannan, T6) basal diets supplemented with 0.2% esterified glucomannan and T7) basal diets supplemented with 0.3% esterified glucomannan. Different parameters including body weight gain (BWG), feed intake (FI), feed conversion ratio (FCR) and morphology of small intestine were evaluated during six weeks of experimental period. According to the results, at the end of experimental period, the highest average BWG were recorded in T4 group (fed with 0.3% humic acid), compared to control (T1) and other experimental groups (p < 0.05). Where as, the highest body weight gain were observed during starter period in treatment 7 (fed with 0.3% esterified glucomannan) as compare to other experimental groups (p < 0.05). Statistically, feed intake remained unaffected during the experimental period in all the treatment groups. However, the lowest and the highest feed intake were observed numerically within treatments T4 and T1 with 4229.70 g and 4362.30 g, respectively. Addition of dietary supplements used in the study appeared to have significant effect on the morphology of the small intestine (jejunum mucosal development) of the broilers in different treatment groups. Compared to control group, the inclusion of either humic acid or esterified glucomannon decreased (p < 0.01) the crypt depth and increased villus height respectively (p < 0.05). More ever, the diet supplements with humic acid 0.3% (T4) decreased crypt depth compared to esterified glucomannan and control. The dietary supplementations resulted in an increase in the villus height of intestinal mucosa of broilers. The increase in the villus height was associated with improvement of growth performance for both humic acid and esterified glucomannan. Based on our results it appeared that humic acid and esterified glucomannan can be used as a growth promoter in broiler diets and they can improve the gut health too.

Introduction of DT40 cells into chick embryos

Aim: To examine the transfection of exogenous genes into chick embryos, applying the characteristics of avianleukosis vires (ALV)-induced chicken B cell line DT40 to the production of chimeric birds. Methods: The DT40cells incorporated with exogenous gene (lacZ constructs encoding Escherichia coli β-galactosidase: β-gal) were intro-duced into chick embryos by the injection of cells into stage X blastoderm. Manipulated eggs were incubated for 3 (trial1) or 6 (trial 2) days, and the expression of lacZ DNA was detected by a histochemical staining method of β-galactosi-dase and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis. Results: The survival rates of the manipulated embryos incu-bated for 3 days (stage 18-20: trial 1) and 6 days (stage 28, 30: trial 2) were about 42% and 38%, respectively.The expression rates of the lacZ gene in the embryos in the trials 1 and 2 were about 60% and 23%, respectively, forthe survived embryos. Conclusion: The rate of embryonic viability and expression rate of introduced genes were notso high, but it suggested the possibility of utilizing the DT40 cells as a vector for carrying exogenous genes into chickembryos. (Asian J Androl 2001; 3: 49-53)

Proliferation of exogenously injected primordial germ cells (PGCs) into busulfan-treated chicken embryos

Aim: This study was designed to investigate the effect of busulfan treatment on the proliferation of chicken primordialgerm cells (PGCs) in vivo, focusing on the preferential settlement of PGCs onto the germinal ridges of chicken em-bryos. Methods: Busulfan (250 ng/egg) was injected into the egg white of freshly oviposited fertilized eggs, whichwere then incubated. Embryonic development and viability were examined, and exogenous PGCs collected from embry-onic blood vessels were injected into the germinal crescent region of recipient embryos. The number of PGCs residedonto germinal ridges of the right and left sides were compared. Results: Busulfan had a slight harmful effect on theembryo viability and the PGCs proliferation. The number of PGCs resided onto the left side of germinal ridges wasslightly higher as compared with the right side. Conclusion: Busulfan suppressed the viability of embryos and the pro-liferation of endogenous PGCs in the recipient embryos. However, the number of exogenous PGCs proliferated washigher in embryos treated with busulfan than those without busulfan. Data also suggest the possibility of a preferentialresidence of PGCs toward the left side of the germinal crescent region as compared with the fight, which may be due toa more advanced functional development of the left gonad than the right. (Asian J Androl 1999 Dec; 1: 187-190)