Prevalence of some common bacterial diseases in commercial poultry farm

Bacterial disease of poultry is one of the major constraints to the expansion of poultry industry. The study was undertaken to investigate some common bacterial diseases in commercial poultry farm. A total of 100 sick and dead chickens (67 broilers, 26 layers and 7 sonali) were collected from different poultry farms which were subjected to postmortem examination for tentative diagnosis. After the post-mortem examination, out of 100 collected dead chickens, bacterial diseases were confirmed 58 %. Among them 52 % of the chickens were diagnosed tentatively to be the case of colibacillosis, 4 % salmonellosis, and 2 % of fowl cholera. In post-mortem examination, some pathological lesions like: omphalitis, fibrinopurulent fluid accumulation in peritoneal cavity, air sacculitis, pericarditis and perihepatitis, extreme congestion and septicemia in intestine for colibacillosis infection; unabsorbed yolk mass, bronze discoloration and friable liver, hemorrhages in spleen, misshaped ova for salmonellosis as well as swollen and hardening of comb, congestion of skin, multiple pin point pale color necrotic lesion on liver, pin point hemorrhage on fat muscle of heart were observed for fowl cholera infection. Hence, this study will definitely help to perceive the prevalence of common bacterial diseases like colibacillosis, salmonellosis and fowl cholera infection in commercial poultry farm.

PRODUCTIVE QUALITIES OF CROSS-BED CROSS OF DECALB WHITE ON THE BACKGROUND OF APPLICATION OF IMMUNOFLOR PROBIOTIC PREPARATION

Проведено научное исследование с целью реализации продуктивных качеств яйценоской породы кур кросса Декалб Уайт. Нами использован отечественный комплексный пробиотический препарат Иммунофлор, разработанный ООО «ПК КРОС Фарм». На фоне применения указанного препарата установлено, что среднесуточный показатель яйценоскости в 1-й и 2-й опытных группах превосходил таковой в контроле: на 150-е сутки – на 9,66 и 8,48 %, на 180-е сутки – 8,8 и 5,04 %, на 210-е сутки – 8,16 и 6,44 %, на 240-е сутки –11,68 и 3,8 %, на 270-е сутки – 7,72 и 4,84 %, на 300-е сутки – на 8,34 и 5,86 % соответственно. Кроме этого, средний показатель массы яиц в 1-й и 2-й опытных группах оказался выше, нежели в контроле: на 1-е сутки хранения – на 7,38 и 5,77 %; на 7-е сутки – на 7,53 и 5,87 %; на 14-е сутки – на 8,18 и 6,12 % соответственно. Установлено, что в контрольных образцах воздушная камера была меньше на 0,1 мм, чем в образцах опытных групп. Масса белка яиц контрольной группы была меньше на 7,12 и 4,88 %, чем в первой и второй опытных группах соответственно. Масса желтка в контроле была ниже, чем в первой и второй опытных группах на 9,96 и 9,12 % соответственно. Показатели массы скорлупы в первой и второй опытных группах были выше, чем в контрольной группе, на 0,94 и 1,70 % соответственно. Установлено, что на 7-е сутки хранения потеря в массе яиц в 1-й и 2-й опытных группах составила 1,50 и 1,56 % соответственно, что ниже, чем в контроле. На 14-е сутки хранения потеря в массе яиц в 1-й и 2-й опытных группах составила 1,95 и 2,36 %, что также оказалась ниже, нежели в контрольной группе. Следует отметить, что наиболее выраженный соответствующий эффект получен на фоне введения препарата в рацион суточных цыплят с водой. A scientifi c study was conducted in order to realize the productive qualities of the egg-bearing breed of Dekalb White cross hens. We used the domestic complex probiotic preparation of Immunofl or, developed by PK CROS Pharm LLC. Against the background of the use of this drug, it was found that the average daily rate of egg production in the 1 and 2 experimental groups exceeded that in the control: on the 150 day-9.66 and 8.48 %, on the 180 day-8.8 and 5.04%, on the 210 day – 8.16 and 6.44 %, on the 240 day -11.68 and 3.8 %, on the 270 day – 7.72 and 4.84 %, on the 300 day – 8.34 and 5.86 %, respectively. In addition, the average weight of eggs 1 and 2 experimental groups were higher than control at 1 day of storage – by 7.38 and 5,77 %; on day 7 – 7.53 and of 5.87 %; for 14 days – 8.18 and 6.12 %, respectively. It was found that in the control samples, the air chamber was smaller by 0.1 mm than in the samples of the experimental groups. The protein mass of the eggs of the control group was less by 7.12 and 4.88 % than in the fi rst and second experimental groups, respectively. The yolk mass in the control was lower than in the fi rst and second experimental groups by 9.96 and 9.12 %, respectively. The shell mass indicators in the fi rst and second experimental groups were higher than in the control group, by 0.94 and 1.70 %, respectively. It was found that on the 7th day of storage, the loss in egg mass in the 1 and 2 experimental groups was 1.50 and 1.56 %, respectively, which is lower than in the control group. On the 14th day of storage, the loss in egg mass in the 1 and 2 experimental groups was 1.95 and 2.36 %, which was also lower than in the control group. It should be noted that the most pronounced corresponding effect was obtained against the background of the introduction of the drug into the diet of daily chickens with water.

Spawning induction and embryonic development of Salminus hilarii (Characiformes: Characidae)

SummaryThe present study aimed to evaluate two different methods of artificial reproduction induction, and characterize the embryonic development of Salminus hilarii. Different than observed for other tropical fish species, artificial reproduction induction followed by hand-stripping of gametes was considered unfeasible for S. hilarii, as no gamete fertilization was observed. However, females that were induced and spawned naturally presented a fertilization rate of 65.64 ± 0.54%. With a mean temperature of 26.20 ± 0.90ºC it was possible to clearly distinguish a large perivitelline space at 14 min after fertilization (AF) and at 49 min AF more than 50% of the embryos presented two blastomeres, and these cleavages occurred until 1 h 54 min AF. The gastrula phase was characterized at 3 h 56 min AF, and blastopore closure was observed at 8 h 31 min AF. At 9 h 1 min, organogenesis started, with a clear distinction of the yolk mass, embryonic axis, cephalic and caudal regions; at 11 h 51 min AF the embryos already had advanced segmentation and a free tail. Total hatching occurred at 21 h 17 min and after opening the mouth, which occurred at 33 h 9 min, the larvae of S. hilarii presented a strong and characteristic cannibalism. This information can be considered fundamental to improving S. hilarii production in captivity and for collaboration with a conservation programme in the upper Tietê river basin.

The yolk syncytial layer of loach, Misgurnus fossilis (Teleostei) during early development

SummaryThe yolk syncytial layer (YSL) of Teleostei is a dynamic multifunctional temporary system. This paper describes the YSL structure of Misgurnus fossilis (Cobitidae) during its early developmental stages, studied using histological methods. YSL formation is prolonged. From the late blastula stage, the basal surface of the YSL is uneven and has protuberances, but becomes smoother during development. There are syncytial ‘islands’ with 1–2 yolk syncytial nuclei in the yolk mass. During epiboly, gastrulation and early segmentation, loach YSL is of different thickness in different regions along the dorso-ventral and antero-posterior axes of an embryo. The YSL is thickened in the dorsal region of gastrulae compared with the ventral region. Although the development of M. fossilis is similar to the development of zebrafish, there are important differences in YSL formation and organization that await further study and analysis. The study of YSL organization contributes to our knowledge of teleost developmental diversity and to the biology of temporary structures.

The corn snake yolk sac becomes a solid tissue filled with blood vessels and yolk-rich endodermal cells

The amniote egg was a key innovation in vertebrate evolution because it supports an independent existence in terrestrial environments. The egg is provisioned with yolk, and development depends on the yolk sac for the mobilization of nutrients. We have examined the yolk sac of the corn snake Pantherophis guttatus by the dissection of living eggs. In contrast to the familiar fluid-filled sac of birds, the corn snake yolk sac invades the yolk mass to become a solid tissue. There is extensive proliferation of yolk-filled endodermal cells, which associate with a meshwork of blood vessels. These novel attributes of the yolk sac of corn snakes compared with birds suggest new pathways for the evolution of the amniote egg.

Retention of carotenoids in egg yolks of laying hens supplemented with heterotrophic Chlorella

The present study investigated the effect of 1 and 2% feed supplementation with biomass of Chlorella grown through heterotrophic fermentation on the concentration of total and individual carotenoids in egg yolks. A total of twenty-four Hisex Brown laying hens aged 56 weeks were included in the experiment. The layers were kept individually in cages. They were divided into three groups of eight birds and fed a diet typical for laying hens. Control birds (C) received only a basal diet, while experimental diets (P1 and P2) were supplemented with 1 and 2% (i.e. 10 and 20 g/kg) dry disintegrated Chlorella biomass. Egg yolk deposition of total carotenoids was significantly (P < 0.01) increased by 46% (P1) and 119% (P2). The rising curves of total carotenoids reached their plateau during the fourth experimental week. The respective values oscillated around 25 mg (P1) and 40 mg (P2) per g of yolk during the following weeks. Lutein and zeaxanthin were equally deposited and they represented more than 90% of total carotenoids in yolk. The deposition of carotenoids significantly (P < 0.01) increased the colour characteristics of yolks measured using the Roche Yolk Colour Fan scale. Supplementation with Chlorella biomass significantly decreased the egg yolk weight of P2 in comparison with P1 (P < 0.05) and C (P < 0.01). These effects were probably related to lower feed consumption in these hens. The daily feed intake per hen, as well as its consumption per egg, was lower by 5–7 g in both supplemented groups. Recalculation of the diet consumption per kg of egg and yolk mass eliminated these differences. There were no differences among laying hens in plasma concentrations of triacylglycerol and cholesterol.

First report of developmental changes inside the eggs of the Chinese freshwater crab, Sinopotamon yangtsekiense Bott, 1967 (Potamoidea, Potamidae), with comments on its evolutionary significance

This paper focuses on the developmental changes that take place inside the eggs of the semi-terrestrial freshwater crab, Sinopotamon yangtsekiense, from Qiantang River in Zhejiang Province, China. The egg consists of two layers, a thick outer membrane and a thin inner membrane that encloses the fluidfilled embryonic sac. Development in this species took up to 77 days, after which the free-living juvenile hatchling crab emerged from the egg. During development the embryo underwent a series of morphological changes that corresponded to the free-living larval stages of marine crabs, and the yolk mass decreased in size and changed color (from creamy pale yellow, to orange, and finally grey). The eggs remained attached to the pleopods in the female’s abdominal brood pouch during development and showed a great deal of independence from water. Embryos developed normally whether they were immersed in water or in air. The implications of this adaptation for freshwater crab evolution are discussed.

Oxygen profile in zebra fish embryo (Danio rerio) elucidated by theory and experiment

We present a numerical-experimental diffusion study in which we elucidate the spatial oxygen profile around and inside a zebra fish embryo in the pre-circulation stage (24-28 hpf). Lowest oxygen partial pressures are found in the head with a gradient of posteriorly increasing pressure along the midline of the embryo. Furthermore, this study shows the yolk mass to have a relatively high oxygen permeability as compared to the surrounding medium and the respiring tissue. The oxygen permeability of the respiring tissue in this stage is close to that of water. Knowledge of the details of the oxygen distribution are important for an understanding of vasculogenesis and angiogenesis, since oxygen levels influence the expression of endothelial growth factors.