Abstract in English:

ABSTRACT Studying the molecular mechanism of light regulation in goose reproduction can provide an important reference for domestic goose breeding. In this study, 2720 geese (first 18 weeks 2720, last 13 weeks 255) were divided into 12-h and 13-h light groups. The entire egg laying process was recorded and blood samples were taken at three times. The transcriptome was analysed on day 150. The results showed that melatonin and oestradiol increased gradually. On day 150, 17 genes were differentially expressed in the hypothalamus, pituitary and ovary. At this time, gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) in the blood directly or indirectly inhibited the expression of GnRH in the pituitary and ovaries. The high oestradiol concentration in the blood suppressed the expression of neuropeptide Y in the hypothalamus, pituitary, and ovary tissues, and promoted the differentiation of ciliated epithelial cells in the oviduct. This study may provide a reference for light regulation of reproduction in poultry.

Abstract in English:

ABSTRACT Numerous alternative methods have already been evaluated to avoid the side effects of chemical insecticides for pest control, including plant extracts with insecticidal potential. This research aimed to evaluate the insecticidal potential (using the degree of lethality (DL%) as the parameter) of different plant extracts: timbó root (Derris urucu), neem (Azadirachta indica), cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum), garlic (Allium sativum), Persicaria lapathifolia, pyroligneous extract, neem+andiroba, and azadirachtin concentrate. For comparison, negative control (water) and commercial positive control, Termidil 200 SC (imidacloprid) were used. Statistical analysis demonstrated the existence of three distinct groups in terms of their efficiency in controlling red mites in laying hens. The group with the highest efficiency (DL>80) includes the alcoholic extract of timbó (86.10%), neem essential oil (84.20%), neem+andiroba in combination (85.36%), and Azadirachtin concentrate (81.06%). The medium efficiency group (80<DL<60) comprised Persicaria lapathifolia (66.79%), and cinnamon (61.81%); while the low efficiency group (DL<50) included garlic (44.60%), pyroligneous extract (43.10%) and the positive control (38.50%). Based on these results, alcoholic extract of Timbó root, Neem essential oil, Neem + Andiroba in combination and Azadirachtin concentrated extract are recommended, due to their DL>80%. Garlic and pyroligneous extracts as well as chemical insecticides are not recommended due to their low efficiency. Moreover, it was demonstrated that there is the possibility of resistance against commercial chemical insecticide due to its continuous use on the farm where the insects were collected. Persicaria lapathifolia and cinnamon can be used, but their efficiency is between 60-80%.

Abstract in English:

ABSTRACT (1) Background: Vaccine programs have been failing to provide complete immunity against the Newcastle disease virus (NDV). This study examines the immunological responses to the live LaSota and Avinew (VG/GA) vaccines given through spray or drinking water to broiler chickens; (2) Methods: The experimental vaccination included one unvaccinated control group and four other groups of the same size. There were three duplicates, each with 30 birds, with each group amounting to ninety birds. In addition to the status of the cellular and humoral immunity, we examined the weights and histology of the bursa and spleen; (3) Results: The bursa weight index (BWI) significantly increased on days 28 and 42 in the vaccinated groups, regardless of the vaccination method (p≤0.05). The spleen weight index (SWI) significantly increased on day 42 in VG/GA vaccinated birds, and on day 28 in chicks vaccinated with the LaSota strain (p≤0.05). T cell proliferation in response to stimulation with PHA was significantly higher across all vaccinated groups compared to the unvaccinated ones. Serum IgG was significantly elevated on days 21, 28, and 42 post-vaccination with VG/GA or LaSota strain for both vaccination routes (p≤0.05); (4) Conclusions: The data generated from this study demonstrated that significant immune responses can be generated with the two examined Newcastle vaccine strains using the spray and drinking water vaccination routes.

Abstract in English:

ABSTRACT The aim of this work was to study the growth performance, gastrointestinal tract traits, and cecal short chain fatty acid (SCFA) concentration in response to insoluble fiber in two broiler strains from 0 to 42 days of age. The experiment had a completely randomized design (CRD) with four treatments and four replicates (17 birds per replicate) arranged as a 2 × 2 factorial with two broiler strains (Ross 308 vs. Cobb 500) and two processed wheat straw (PWS) levels (0 vs. 3%). Average daily feed intake (ADFI) (p<0.0001), and body weight gain (BWG) (p=0.0025) were greater and feed conversion ratio (FCR) (p<0.0001) was poorer in Cobb than in Ross birds from 0 to 21 days of age. In contrast, higher BWG was observed in the Ross birds from 22 to 42 days of age (p=0.0448). Processed wheat straw did not affect performance from 0 to 21 days; however, BWG was lower from 22 to 42 days of age (p=0.0098). The concentration of acetate (p<0.0001), propionate (p<0.0001) and butyrate (p=0.0063) in the cecum was higher in Ross birds fed with PWS. Overall, broiler strains responded similarly to dietary insoluble fiber. Moreover, the inclusion of PWS had no negative effect on carcass yield at marketing weight, while also improving gastrointestinal tract development and cecal SCFA concentration.

Abstract in English:

ABSTRACT Mathematical models based on regression equations are an important tool for the interpretation of data generated by the serological monitoring of poultry flocks. The present study aimed to evaluate the serological monitoring of breeders and commercial laying hens by several poultry companies, and to develop mathematical models for seven different poultry diseases. Data from serological tests for seven diseases (chicken infectious anemia, infectious bronchitis, infectious bursal disease, Newcastle disease, avian encephalomyelitis, avian metapneumovirus, and avian reovirus) were selected for analysis in this study. The variables “age of birds at the time of blood collection” was considered as the independent variable (x), while “antibody titer” was set as the dependent variable (y). Analysis of variance and coefficient of multiple determination (R²) were used to select the model with the highest capacity to adequately describe the analyzed data. Data from serological monitoring generated 166 linear and non-linear regression equations, but only 1.2% of them yielded an R²≥0.8 and more than 25 serum collections. The low number of suitable models may be related to the lack of standardization of the sample collection. In summary, serological monitoring of breeders and commercial laying hen flocks can be performed using mathematical models, but the lack of standardization of sample collections may have led to limited results.

Abstract in English:

ABSTRACT Avian coccidiosis, caused by Eimeria protozoan parasites, inflicts significant economic losses to the poultry industry. The host-species specificity and the resilient nature of Eimeria oocysts demand efficient prophylactic and therapeutic management programs. To enhance control strategies, several metric indices are used to measure the level of coccidial infection, but serious challenges exist in their applicability and interpretation in commercial settings. A combination of lesion scores (LS) and direct micro-quantification of E. maxima oocyst (Micro-q Em) in the broiler gastrointestinal tract offers a comprehensive approach to understanding the population dynamics of Eimeria species during the broiler rearing period (RP). One hundred and three integrated broiler companies in various states of Brazil over a ten-year period (2012-2022) were sampled, in a longitudinal study that included 8,423 broiler chicks aged from 14 to 42 days. The results indicated differences in Eimeria sp. LS and Micro-q Em incidence throughout the RP. E. acervulina exhibited a prevalence of 56.4%, E. maxima 28.0%, and E. tenella 15.6%. The LS of E. maxima showed an unexpected peak of incidence at the beginning and end stages of the RP, while the LS of E. acervulina displayed a prevalence in the epidemiological coccidiosis curve after 32 days of age, suggesting an extraordinary dynamic oocysts reproduction. A very strong correlation (0.958) was observed between the LS of Eimeria sp. and Micro-q Em scoring. This monitoring strategy offered useful information for the accurate incidence analysis of Eimeria species throughout the RP. These findings help optimize control methods for unexpected outbreaks of Eimeria infections at the farm level in Brazil.

Abstract in English:

ABSTRACT The study evaluated the efficacy of a bioproduct based on andiroba oil (BBAO) applied to eggs stored with or without treatment, at room temperature or refrigerated for up to 35 days. The product’s impact on physical quality, bacteriological concentrations, chemical composition, and lipid oxidation of yolks was analyzed. The results showed that eggs treated with the BBAO maintained better physical quality, with lower water loss and lower lipid oxidation compared to untreated eggs. Refrigerated storage further enhanced preservation, resulting in higher albumen contents and lower microbial contamination. Eggs stored without the bioproduct at room temperature exhibited higher bacterial growth, including Salmonella spp., which was absent in treated and refrigerated eggs. The findings suggest that combining the BBAO with refrigeration extends the shelf life of eggs by protecting against microbial contamination and oxidative degradation, offering a sustainable method to improve egg quality, particularly in regions with limited access to refrigeration.

Abstract in English:

ABSTRACT This study evaluates the effectiveness of machine learning algorithms in predicting quail egg quality based on nine key parameters, including egg weight, egg width, egg length, yolk height, yolk width, yolk weight, albumen height, albumen width, and albumen length. A dataset comprising 350 eggs from 18-week-old Japanese quails was analyzed using Logistic Regression, Naive Bayes, Support Vector Machines, k-Nearest Neighbors, Random Forest, and Gradient Boosting. The findings revealed that models combining internal and external quality parameters achieved significantly higher accuracy compared to models based solely on external attributes. Notably, Random Forest and Gradient Boosting algorithms achieved accuracies exceeding 97%, while predictions based only on external parameters exhibited lower accuracy but presented a promising starting point for non-invasive evaluations. This study strongly highlights the applicability and flexibility of machine learning in evaluating quail egg quality. The ability of algorithms to integrate various quality parameters and analyze complex relationships provides both rapid and scalable solutions. These findings demonstrate that machine learning technologies have the potential to drive innovative approaches in the poultry industry and inspire future research focusing on larger datasets and additional parameters to further enhance accuracy.