Search

Red junglefowl are regarded as the primary wild ancestor of domestic fowl and are thought to have been domesticated in multiple regions. The osteological microevolution of red junglefowl and domestic fowl during domestication, especially at the earliest stage, has still not been thoroughly investigated, despite the fact that a proper understanding of this process is required to chart the progress of domestication. In this paper, the major long bones of the modern wild red junglefowl, captive red junglefowl in cages, and domestic fowl from various breeds were measured and the data were compared using t-tests and analysis of covariance. The results showed that captive red junglefowl were generally smaller than wild red junglefowl but the distal part of tibiotarsus was relatively thicker in the former. In addition, parts of the wing bone were thinner in captive red junglefowl than in wild red junglefowl. Assuming the morphological difference between extant wild and captive red junglefowl is analogous to that between ancient wild and captive red junglefowl, these differences suggest that body size reduction and other morphological changes occurred in the earliest stage of the domestication process. These results will be useful for estimating the progress of domestication in red junglefowl archaeological remains and making comparisons with domestic fowl bones.

Fat added to poultry and swine feeds often contains abundant free fatty acids (FFA) that can impair digestible energy (DE). Placement of the fatty acid (FA) hydrocarbon chain in the helix core reformed from amylose creates a complex of both nutrients. Resulting modifications create a new structure termed the V-helix that becomes resistant to α-amylase. Granules in grain naturally contain minimal amounts of these complexes with more being generated during food manufacturing when moisture and heat release amylose in the presence of FFA. A paucity of FFA usually exists in complete feeds without sources of poor-quality fat. Animal fats and by-product meals from rendering are prominent in their saturated FFA content which favorably complex within the helix. V-helix-FA complexes may arise during their concurrent encounter of FFA together with amylose during feed manufacture, particularly pelleting. FFA in the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) are speculated to further form complexes when present together with amylose. Although amylose may be dissolved in the gastric and small intestinal milieu, FFA separately coalesce into hydrophobic fat droplets along with other dietary lipids. Formation of complexes is likely restricted until FFA are released into the aqueous phase during fat digestion. Although α-amylase may be prominent, V-helix-FA complexes being resistant to enzymic attack pass into the large intestine. Subsequent microbial catabolism of V-helices may generate volatile fatty acids that are absorbed by the mucosa; however, an inability to use FFA once released leads to their excretion and basis for decreased DE. Immature microbial populations with young animals usually lack the capacity to fully catabolize the V-helix, further extending the loss in DE.

We examined the weight distribution of skeletal muscles of the red jungle fowl, then compared these values with those of domesticated populations to determine how muscle distribution has changed by selecting breeding. Sonia, Fayoumi, and Rhode Island Red were selected for comparison from livestock breeds, while Japanese Shamo and Thai fighting cocks were selected from cockfighting groups. Principal component analysis was applied using body size-free data. The mass distribution of muscles clearly differed between the wild, livestock, and cockfighting groups, demonstrating that muscle distribution has changed after selecting breeding, coupled with functional demands of each group. The red jungle fowl, which has the ability to fly, could be clearly distinguished from the flightless domesticated populations due to differences in flight pectoral muscle size. The cervical muscles in the wild population were smaller than in the domesticated groups; these do not contribute to flight. The gluteal muscles were larger in the fighting cock group, functionally coupled to their traditionally preferred upright posture. Wild bird populations typically exhibit reduced weight of their hind limbs, associated with flight, but as the red jungle fowl displays largely terrestrial behavior, these muscles are similar in arrangement and relative size to those of the livestock groups. We showed that the mass distribution pattern of skeletal muscles expresses selecting breeding strategy and clearly reflects the specific traits for each group.

Introduction: In Indian GDP, veterinary sector plays a major role in contribution wherein poultry meat plays good protein source. But the health status is less studied in case of country fowl. Aims and Objectives: Indian country fowl are highly infected with producing emaciation, reduced growth rate, highly morbidity with enteritis. After confirmation by gross and microscopy, samples undergone histopathology study using Haematoxylin and Eosin stain (H&E). Thereafter, the samples also processed for detection of carbohydrate by McManus method using PAS stain and mucoprotein was detected using congo red method. Results: Adult possesses carbohydrate, protein and fat. Histologically the mature, immature and gravid segments were differentiated whereas the histochemical techniques qualifies the biomacromolecules. The lipid droplet showed a clear vacuole preferably in and around the periphery portion. The glycogen distributed in an even manner. Subsequently, the protein was deposited mostly at the periphery in the body surfaces as well as in the egg. Keywords: Gallus domesticus, Cestode (Raillietina sp.), Bio-macromolecules, Histochemistry, Histopathology.

The study was aimed to ascertain the pathology of fowl paratyphoid and molecular detection of its causal agent (Salmonella spp) in chickens. Pathological and swab samples were collected from layers in Gazipur district, Bangladesh. For observing the gross and microscopic lesions of different organs necropsy and histopathology were done, and to isolate and identify the Salmonella spp, different bacteriological tests and Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) were performed. Swabs from 150 chickens showed 66% of salmonellosis. Gram’s staining of isolated bacteria showed pink colored rod shaped bacilli. In biochemical tests, Salmonella fermented dextrose, maltose, xylose, arabinose, dulcitol, mannitol except lactose and sucrose. Investigation of gross lesions at necropsy revealed hemorrhage and congestion in intestine, liver, spleen and ovaries. Necrotic foci were found in liver and spleen, and button like ulceration in cecal tonsils as well. Microscopic lesions included hemorrhage and focal necrosis in liver and spleen. Congestion and infiltrations of inflammatory cells were observed in small intestine. Ovary was hemorrhagic and there was infiltration of heterophils. Biochemically positive and isolated Salmonella organisms were confirmed by PCR method using invA and IE1 primers. The final results showed that a total of 91.7% Salmonella suspected cultures were confirmed as Salmonella Enteritidis. Ann. Bangladesh Agric. (2020) 24(2) : 47-57

Avian adenoviruses are an extremely diversified group of pathogens that recently triggering a variety of problems for poultry production. In particular, Inclusion Body Hepatitis-Hydropericardium Syndrome (IBH-HPS), which has been observed in broiler birds from 3 to 6 weeks of age and is associated with anemia, hemorrhagic disorders, hydropericardium, and high mortality. The disease has been reported worldwide, and recently it was reported in many Egyptian farms, causing severe economic losses. Therefore, the current study aimed to isolate, and genetically type the most common Adenovirus serotypes associated with this syndrome in Egyptian farms. A total of 50 broiler chicken farms (3-6 weeks old) located in different Egyptian governorates were examined. Macroscopically, the diseased flock revealed hydropericardium, enlarged friable livers with ecchymotic hemorrhages, and varying mortality rates (1 to 7.5%). Histopathologically, severe diffuse necrotizing enteritis, hepatitis, pericarditis, and diffuse lymphoid depletion of the spleen were the most prominent lesions. Liver tissues and cloacal swabs were collected from all examined flocks for FAdVs detection by conventional polymerase chain reaction (PCR) targeting the L1 loop in the hexon gene. The PCR products were sequenced for typing of the detected viruses. It was found that 10 out of 50 flocks examined were PCR positive for FAdVs (20%). Phylogenetic analysis of the sequenced genes revealed that the obtained viruses clustered with reference strains belonging to FAdV type D and E serotype 2, 11, and 8a respectively. The isolation of both FAdV type D and FAdV type E were carried out on a primary cell culture chicken embryo liver cell (CEL) and the presence of these viruses was confirmed by PCR after the appearance of cytopathic effect (CPE). From this study, it could be concluded that both FAdVs types D and E are the most common adenoviruses circulating in poultry farms suffering from hydropericardium and inclusion body hepatitis.

Poultry eggs are perishable, hence could lose their quality rapidly between storage and consumption. Maintaining fresh quality is a major problem which is aggravated by temperature, humidity, storage method and time. Several methods of altering these environmental conditions to prolong the shelf-life of the eggs have been reported, yet little is known about kiln, solar and oven methods of drying boiled fowl eggs. This study was targeted at creating awareness, evaluating the organoleptic properties and determining the shelf-life of kiln-, solar- and oven-dried fowl eggs, stored under different environmental conditions. A total of 160 Isa brown freshly laid eggs were obtained and weighed, and were divided into four different groups of 40 eggs each, designated as control, kiln-, solar- and oven-dried. The eggs were boiled for 30 minutes and dried at 100 – 120oC overnight (kiln dried), 45 – 50oC for 5 days (solar dried) and 100oC for 24 hours (oven dried), but those in the control group were not dried. Panelists were used in obtaining information on awareness of fowl eggs drying/drying methods and organoleptic evaluation. Twenty-seven eggs each from the control, kiln-, solar- and oven-dried groups were kept in locally fabricated egg packs and stored for 30 days in a sales outlet, deep freezer and kitchen for shelf-life determination. Results showed that egg weight loss was highest (52.3%) in the kiln-dried, followed by oven-dried (38.9%), solar-dried (27.4%) and control (20.6%) groups. All the panelists (100%) were aware of the different forms of storing boiled fowl eggs and have eaten fowl eggs in different forms, but none (0.0%) was aware of kiln, solar and oven method of drying fowl eggs, or has eaten kiln-, solar- and oven-dried fowl eggs before then. Some of the panelists liked the appearance, taste, aroma, mouth feel, after-taste and overall acceptability of the dried eggs. All (100%) of the eggs in the sales outlet spoilt, but none (0.0%) among the dried eggs stored in the deep freezer was spoilt. In the kitchen, all the control eggs (100%), 22.2% (kiln dried), 88.9% (solar dried) and 66.7% (oven dried) spoilt. Kiln- and oven-dried eggs had more water loss, apparently implying better effectiveness of the drying methods. Therefore, fowl eggs could be boiled, dried and refrigerated to elongate their shelf-lives.

The effectiveness of formaldehyde egg disinfection is well documented in literature despite its reported toxicity. This study focused on the need for an optimum formaldehyde concentration (FC) that significantly reduces microbial load with minimal damaging effect on egg viability and hatchability. Using a true experimental design, bacterial load on formaldehyde-treated (FT) and control groups of eggs and hatchability were compared. Gram-staining and biochemical tests identified five bacterial species: Escherichia coli, Enterobacter sp., Bacillus cereus, Staphylococcus aureus and Micrococcus sp. with the two coliform bacteria, E. coli and Enterobacter sp., dominating. Comparison of median differences of bacterial load on eggs before and after formaldehyde treatment by Wilcoxon Signed-Rank Test showed marginal significance in bacterial load reduction (Z = -2.016, P = 0.044). This difference was observed for bacterial load between the control group (CG) and the FT group with FC 30/20 ml/g (U = 3.0, P = 0.047). The hatchability of the CG differed significantly from four FT groups of eggs with FC 30/20 ml/g showing the highest level of significance [χ² (1) = 14.71; P = 0.0001]. A FC of 30/20 ml/g produced the best domestic fowl egg disinfection compared to other FCs and hatchability decreased with increasing formalin volume.

A FOUNDATION stock of 1171 male and 1210 female indigenous fowl supplied a breeding population which increased from 858 — 1627 over a period of seven generations (about 71 years) During the first three generations 30-38 % of males and females and subsequently about 2.4 — 2.7% males and 25 % females were selected positively for 12 weeks body weight. A non-selected flock mated population of 455 — 615 females and 53 — 70 males per generation provided basis for determining the response to selection. This amounted to 40.1 ± 0.37g, 36.9 ± 0.37g and 39.4 ± 0.37g per generation for male, female and the sexes combined respectively. The realised heritability estimates 0.27 ± 0 03 — 0.28 ± 0.03 appeared close to values obtained by within generation hierachial classification and suggested, no sex-linked effects for the selected trait in this population. The relatively low ultimate male and female mean weights, 760.0 ± 63.1g and 673.5 1 ± 79.0g respectively combined with the marked reduction in the variation of body weight that occurred as selection progressed indicate that the Nigerian indigenous fowl is not a potential broiler strain.

Fertility and hatchability rates were studied in two breeds - A and B - of the domestic fowl, composed of sire (As and Bs) and dam (Ad and Bd) grandparent strains respectively. The dam strain (Ad) of A had the highest percent hatchability of 73.18%. The sire strain (Bs) of B had the highest proportion of eggs with dead germ followed by both the Ba and As lines whose values were significantly the same. Chick embryo mortality was most critical between the 18th and 21st day of incubation in all strains. The results further show that the A breed had higher rates of fertility and hatchability than the B breed, and that the dam and sire strains of both breeds performed differently with regards to the traits examined.

A study was conducted to determine the chemical elements of the egg shell of exotic commercial pullets (Lohmann) in their first laying year. A total of 160 eggs from eighty pullets were randomly selected at three-monthly intervals during the production year for the ddermination of chemical elements or the eggshell. The average concentrations of calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, nitrogen, potassium, sodium, zinc, and iron were 90.36%, 0.87%, 0.90%, 3.85%, 0.51 %, 0.10%, 0.002%, · and 0.005% respectively. Most of the paired variates of the miaeral elements showed significant (P < 0.01) inter-relationship as depicted by measures of correlation coefficients. There were no significant relationships between Ca and most mineral elements and on the other hand mg was signficantly correlated with phosphorus, N, K, and Zn. Correlation coefficients between P and Fe, N and Na, Zn or Fe and between Na and Zn were not significant. Key Words : Egg shell, chemical elements, Tropical environment.

Locally obtained dried pulp of the fruit of African locust bean (Parka filicoidea) was included at the rates of 2.5, 5.0, 7.5, 10.0%, at the expense of maize , in the diets of chicks and of pullets whose basal diets contained 25.5% and 18.0% respectively. The chicks were White Rock X Cornish (WRXC)and the Nigeria indigenous (Ind.). The six week body weight of the chicks were reduced to 648.2g (WRXC) on 2.5% and 425.3g (Ind.) on 5.0% dietary pulp, pulp. Beyond thee respective dietary levels of pulps, the body weight of the strains were significantly (P < 0.05) depressed. The feed conversion ration (2.8 – 3.1) mortality (1.7 – 2.5%), nitrogen retention (59.7 – 69.5) of the chicks and the metabolizable energy of the diets, (12.1 -12.9 MJ/kg., ME) were not significantly (P > 0.05) affected by dietary treatments. However, the better values with these traits were associated with the basal diets and were in respect of the WRXC chicks. The hen day production, egg weight and liveweight gain of the layers were significantly (P < 0.05) depressed when dietary pulp attained 7.5% (50.8%), 10.0% (53.5g) and 10.0% (132.1g) respectively. The yolk colour score (9 - 14) was significantly (P < 0.05) improved at 7.5 – 15.0% dietary pulp while feed conversion ration (2.7 – 4.9) and Haugh Unit (76.1 – 78.1) were not significantly (P > 0.05) affected by dietary treatment. The price of the pulp in relation to that of maize suggested that it was economic to replace maize to at least 2.5%and 5.0% in the diets of chicks and of the layers respectively

The physical charactersstics of 338 indigenous helmeted guinea fowls at 28 and 52 weeks of age were described. Four main colour types or varieties recognised were Ash (Lavender), Black, Pearl (Grey) and pure White. Body weights averaged 1.15 ± 0.03kg and l.34 ± 0.05kg at 28 and 52 weeks of age respectively for the guinea cocks and 1.07 re 0.04kg and 1.29 re 0.06kg at 28 and 52 weeks respectively for the guinea hens. The overall mean body weight for the entire population was 1.1 ± 0.4kg at 28 weeks of age and 1.31 ±0.07kg at 52 weeks of age. Body weights were significantly (P < .05) bigger at end of laying (52 weeks) than at point of Jay. The males at each age and in each variety also had larger body weights than the females. The guinea cocks had slightly longer body ( 43.1 vs 42.6cm), keel (14.8 vs 14.4cm), wing-(20.3 vs 20.2cm), sha11k (8.4 vs 7.9cm), drum stick (13.1 vs 12.4cm), thigh (9.9 vs 9.6crn), toes and claws, wattle (3.0 vs 2.6cm), jhelmet (3.7 vs 3.2cm), beak (2.7 vs 2.Scm) and larger body girth (30.3 vs 29.4cm) than the guinea hens. About. 21.14 and 24.16% of the neck of the males and females respectively were devoid of feathers. Colour of the naked portion of the neck was bluish-black and bear long hair like filoplumes on the dorsal region. The colour of the beak was light brown in all the birds. All the Black and White birds had light brown shanks while 28.9 and 37 .5% of the Ash and Pearl birds, respectively had partly brown and partly grey shank. 62.5 and 28.6% of the Pearl and Ash birds respectively, had brown shanks while 42.6% of the Ash birds ha dgrey shank. The colour of the wattle was red in all the birds. The great variation in the various parameters measured and weighed suggests that they can probably be used in selection and hence genetic improvement of the local helmeted guinea fowl. Keywords : Guinea fowls, body weight, plumage, conformation.

Melanin is the key functional ingredient of silky fowl that has nutritional and medicinal benefits. Chishui silky fowl has unique black feather, black skin, green shell egg and black claws, while the melanin deposition of main tissues in the Chishui silky fowl remains unknown. This study aimed to investigate the pigmentation in four tissues of Chishui silky fowls compared with Taihe silky fowl from the lightness value of different tissues black degree, melanin content and the mRNA expression levels of pigmentation related genes such as ASIP, MC1R, MITF, TYR and TYRP1 by using colorimeter, enzymatic hydrolysis and RT–PCR, respectively. The results revealed that the lightness values of the chest muscle and liver, and the melanin content of leg muscle in the Taihe silky fowl were significantly higher than Chishui silky fowl hens (P

The study examined effects seasons have on diseases frequency and mortality of poultry birds in Owerri urban south-eastern Nigeria. The study therefore employed the use of secondary and primary data. Climatological data on rainfall, temperature, relative humidity and mortality of birds was collected from Nimet, Sam Mbakwe International cargo Airport, Imo State and ministry of livestock development Owerri respectively for a period of 16 years (2004-2019). Also 83 copies of questionnaire were used in the analysis. Results showed positive correlation between rainfall and relative humidity (0.517 and 0.747) and an R² of 39.98% with implies that, the higher the rainfall the higher the relative humidity, and by extension the higher the frequency of deadly poultry diseases (Coccidiosis, Gumboro, Fowl cholera, Fowl typhoid) and mortality especially for broilers as the cell immune response of layer birds in defending itself against diseases and viruses are greater than that of broilers. While Newcastle diseases, Fowl pox, Fowl typhoid, chronic respiratory diseases mostly affect birds in the dry season (November- March). While Newcastle diseases, Fowl pox, Fowl typhoid, chronic respiratory diseases mostly affect birds in the dry season (November- March).In conclusion, seasons of the year affect poultry and its production in particular in Owerri urban. It is recommended that farmers should make sure they adopt proper roofing methods, as well as maintain good sanitation/hygiene practices to minimize heat and the occurrence and spread of diseases which may adversely affect birds across seasons.

The Green-legged Partridgelike fowl is an old Polish indigenous breed of chicken. Primordial germ cells (PGCs) are one of the best sources of precursor cells that can be used for the conservation and proliferation of the endangered breeds of bird. Initially, the chicken PGCs colonize at the anterior extraembryonic region called “germinal crescent,” and after the establishment of blood vascular circulation, they temporally circulate via the embryonic blood vascular system along with embryonic blood cells. They further colonize at the microcapillary networks of both right and left future gonadal regions. Subsequently, they migrate interstitially to reach gonadal anlages, where they begin to differentiate and eventually develop into the future ova or sperm. The basic knowledge regarding the concentration and the total number of circulating PGCs (cPGCs) throughout their circulating phase in the early embryonic stages is crucial for providing an insight into the mechanisms by which they circulate and colonize at the capillary networks of left and right future gonadal regions in each developmental stage. The present study aims to determine the most efficient developmental stage that is suitable to collect cPGCs. The concentration of cPGCs was directly measured, and total volume of embryonic blood was calculated based on the concentration of PKH26-stained embryonic blood cells which were injected 10 min before the blood sampling process in the same embryo during each stage of embryonic development from stage 13 Hamburger and Hamilton (HH; Hamburger and Hamilton, 1951 ) to 16 HH. Analysis of whole embryonic bloodstream revealed that at stage 14 HH of embryonic development, peak total number of cPGCs (386.3 cells/μL) and peak concentration of cPGCs (18.6 cells/μL) were observed. Later, there was a decrease in concentration, suggesting that the cPGCs might be trapped gradually by the capillary networks at the future gonadal regions after stage 15 HH.

The quail and indigenous domestic fowl (IDF) are purebred birds that have received little or no genetic manipulation and intensive husbandry in Nigeria. Recently awareness is being created of the potential health value and functional properties of their eggs in industry. This necessitated the interest to examine the indices of egg quality by physical measurements and by chemical analysis of the eggs of the two species. Results showed higher values in IDF eggs for indices of egg size - longitudinal and latitudinal circumference and shell thickness. Weight indices – whole egg weight, albumen weight, and yolk weight, albumen height and yolk height recorded higher values in the IDF eggs. Whole egg weight was 36.51±3.25g for IDF egg, significantly (p0.05) for the two sets of eggs. La caille et la volaille domestique indigène (le 'IDF') sont des oiseaux de race pure qui ont subi peu ou pas de manipulation génétique et un élevage intensif au Nigeria. Récemment, on a pris conscience de la valeur potentielle pour la santé et des propriétés fonctionnelles de leurs oeufs dans l'industrie. Ceci a nécessité l'intérêt d'examiner les indices de qualité des oeufs par des mesures physiques et par analyse chimique des oeufs des deux espèces. Les résultats ont montré des valeurs plus élevées dans les oeufs 'IDF' pour les indices de taille des oeufs - circonférence longitudinale et latitudinale et épaisseur de la coquille. Les indices de poids - le poids de l'oeuf entier, le poids de l'albumen et le poids du jaune, la hauteur de l'albumen et la hauteur du jaune ont enregistré des valeurs plus élevées dans les oeufs 'IDF'. Le poids de l'oeuf entier était de 36.51 ± 3.25 g pour l'oeuf de la 'FIL', significativement (p 0.05) pour les deux ensembles d'oeufs.

The avian alimentary tract has evolved into different histologic structures to accommodate the physical and chemical features of several food types and flight requirements. We compared the esophagus, proventriculus, and gizzard of the domestic fowl,Gallus gallus domesticus(GGD) and kestrels,Falco tinnunculus(FT) using immunohistochemistry and scanning electron microscopy with various stains and lectins [Dolichos biflorusagglutinin (DBA) andRicinus communisagglutinin I (RCA120)], andα-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA). The esophagus of GGD demonstrated thickened epithelium, muscularis mucosae, and inner circular longitudinal tunica muscularis layers; moderate outer longitudinal tunica muscularis layers; and a true crop. In contrast, the esophagus of FT showed a thin epithelium, no muscularis mucosae, moderate inner longitudinal and thick outer circular tunica muscularis layers, and no true crop. In the proventriculus, the nature of the secretion in GGD was neutral, but that of FT was acidic and neutral. In the gizzard, the muscle coat of GGD byα-SMA had no muscularis mucosae, unlike FT, which had muscularis mucosae. In summary, there are many histologic differences between GGD and FT to meet their different physiologic needs, such as feeding.

We have developed a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay to facilitate detection of the major disease-associated serotypes of fowl adenovirus (FAdV) including serotypes 1, 2, 4, 8a and 8b; primers were designed based on serotype-specific sequences of the hexon gene. We tested field isolates from chickens diagnosed with inclusion body hepatitis, gizzard erosion and hydropericardium syndrome together with reference FAdV strains characterized in Japan. We found that the primers were serotype specific; appropriate amplification of serotype-specific hexon genes was confirmed by sequence analysis of the PCR products. This PCR assay will be useful for detection of FAdV and for differentiation between disease-associated serotypes.

The purpose of the research is analyzing ways and factors of trichinellosis causative agent Trichinella pseudospiralis transmitted in the Russian Federation. Materials and methods. The main trichinellosis monitoring stages, methods of veterinary and sanitary examination for trichinellosis, and parameters for neutralization of the pathogen are given. Results and discussion. The most likely circulation patterns of trichinellosis pathogen T. pseudospiralis in natural and synanthropic biocenoses, and the key links that ensure the activity of infection foci are presented.

Aim: The study was designed to elucidate the effects of quercetin in an extender on oxidative stress, mitochondrial activity and quality of Indian red jungle fowl (Gallus gallus murghi) sperm durin...

In fact, Free radical oxidation is one of the required factors of homeostasis as far as the active forms of oxygen, which have unpaired electron, perform useful functions, they are necessary intermediaries of numerous processes of normal cells’ functioning such as biosynthesis of prostaglandins and leukotriene as well as other biologically active substances. Also, they take part in pathological processes such as: inflammation, fever and others. Free radical oxidation is the process of direct oxygen transferring to the substrate forming peroxide, ketones, aldehydes, etc. Some amino acids, proteins, water and carbohydrates prone to the processes of peroxidation, but crucial place is granted to lipids at the expanse of fatty acids which are included to their composition. The article highlights the information concerning the analysis of the state of antioxidant system of hens in the process of feeding them with subtoxic doses of fungicide of Derosal (BAYER, Germany) (0.1 LD50 for a fowl, 900 mg/kg of the body mass) which active ingredient is benzimidazole carbamate (carbendazim, BMC). It presents the changes of these indicators in the process of using pharmacological and natural antioxidants. The analysis has figured out that giving Derosal to the hens without corrections (II group) has been followed with the activation of the process of lipids’ peroxidation (POL) in the blood plasma, that is followed with the increase of concentration of primary and secondary lipoperoxidation products – diene conjugates (DC) and TBA-active products on the average up to 21.0–25.0 %, catalase activity – up to 38.5 % and decrease of superoxide dismutase activity (SOD) up to 21.8 % and АОА – up to 17.8 %, that shows the adverse effects of pesticides on the system of antioxidant protection of the organism. In the fowls’ groups III, IV and V the adding of antioxidant E-selenium, ascorbic acid and thermally untreated buckwheat seeds as the source of quercetins and anthocyanins has led to the induction of antioxidant resources that is shown by the decrease in comparison with the control of content of diene conjugates, malonic dialdehyde and catalase (in average up to 13.6–33.6–18.0 % accordingly) and compensatory strengthening of superoxide dismutase activity and general activity of antioxidant (АОА) on the average up to 44.9–72.1–76.5 % and 15.3–13.4–21.7 % accordingly. In comparison with group II the activity of catalase has been lower as well as the activity of superoxide dismutase has been higher in all the groups almost in 1.5–2 times (Р ≤ 0.001).

This study presents a local isolate of fowl pox virus (FPV) isolated and propagated from backyard naturally infected laying hens in El-Sharkia Governorate, Egypt, during the period of January to November 2017. Isolation and propagation were carried out from collected skin lesions on the chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) and chicken embryo fibroblast (CEF) with obtained 4th passage virus titers 4.0 Log10 EID50/ml at the in CAM and 3.5 Log10 TCID50/ml in CEF respectively. They showed characteristic pock lesions of FPV and cytopathic effect (CPE) of FPV at the 3rd passage on CAM and CEF, respectively. Virus neutralization test (VNT) results confirmed that the obtained isolate is FPV. Molecular characterization of (Sharkia2017/VSVRI) was performed with Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to amplify 578 bp of P4b (fpv167) gene and 1150 bp of fpv140 gene. Sequence and phylogenetic analysis of both genes confirmed the relatedness of (Sharkia2017/VSVRI) isolate to sub-clade A1 of fowl pox viruses with 99.7-100% identity to fowl pox virus sequences published in GenBank.This study reports the antigenic and genomic characterization of the locally isolated FPV (Sharkia2017/VSVRI) using VNT and PCR confirmed by sequence analysis to help in the production of FPV tissue culture vaccine from the obtained local FPV after confirming its immune response as a candidate vaccine.

A serious problem for the development of industrial avian diseases is the emergence of viral diseases, in particular fowl pox virus. Improvement of dysfunctional farms for fowl pox, elimination of foci of pathogens are the most difficult problems facing modern veterinary science and practice. Outbreaks in poultry farms, leading to the need for veterinary and sanitary measures, are a way to protect the poultry from infection on the farm, which is very expensive. In recent years, attempts have been made to improve the means for specific prophylaxis of avian fowl pox diseases. This article describes the widespread use of the cultural vaccine in poultry farming, notes the promise of a cultured cell system, quail embryos, characteristic of economy, the absence of extraneous contaminants, the stability of biological properties, which facilitates the work with them, and is of no small importance in the production of vaccines. The article describes the analysis of the possible cultivation of the strain "Baku". It is also shown that embryos of Japanese origin are more convenient and advantageous tissues for the cultural production of primary cell systems, as well as for biological mass, vaccine production, simplicity, economy, lack of extraneous contaminants and biological properties. It is shown that the culture of the cells of Japanese quail embryos is a promising system for creating highly immunogenic agents that provide special protection against diseases lacking extraneous contaminants and stable biological properties.

Background/objectives: Ascaridia galli (Schrank) is a well-known nematode parasite of poultry birds. Heavy infection causes an economic loss to the poultry farmers. Information related to its detailed morphological and anatomical structure is inadequate. A study of ultrastructure has revealed the possibility of differentiating the nematodes. Methodology: Ascaridia galli were collected from the domestic fowl (Gallus gallus domesticus) from Lucknow, UP. Scanning electron microscopy was used for the detailed identification of Ascaridia galli. Findings: Scanning electron microscopy exposed that mouth was surrounded with three trilobed lips. Internal rim of each lip was surrounded with fine teeth, and sensory papillae on the outside. Annulations of cuticle occur on the body surface, which is further divided into subannuli. Posterior end of male was pointed and curved having a precloacal sucker and anus. Females had a blunt and straight tail with an anus at ventral side. Caudal papillae and the lateral caudal alae are the tiny outgrowths which surrounds the each side of posterior opening. A sclerotized ring bounded to precloacal sucker was present. These signs of Ascaridia galli attained in the present study could be helpful in the taxonomical studies of nematode worms. Development of control strategies is very essential by understanding the host–parasite relationships. For this purpose, identification of nematode parasite will be very useful. Novelty/ contribution: The present study was designed to understand the morphology of A. galli. Therefore, these markers could be helpful in the taxonomical status of ascaridia nematode worms in domestic fowl. Keywords: Domestic fowl; A galli; Precloacal sucker; Trilobed lips; Caudal papillae; Scanning electron microscopy

The prototype fowl glioma-inducing virus (FGVp) causes fowl glioma and cerebellar hypoplasia in chickens. In this study, we investigated whether a strain of avian leukosis virus (ALV), associated w...

As trees are the dominant biotic component of any forest ecosystem it plays an important role in the plant kingdom and greatest contributors of food, shelter, fuel, medicine along with friendly environment for sustaining life on earth. The aim of the present study is to explore the medicinal tree wealth in Choolannur Pea Fowl Sanctuary, Kerala, India. Frequent field trips were made for the exploration and identification of tree species present in the deciduous forest of the sanctuary. It was observed that the nearby villagers of the study area have been used 45 plants belonging to 22 families as a remedy for various illnesses. The plant species used against different human ailments have been enumerated in the present paper and each species has been provided with botanical name followed by voucher number, family name, local name, plant part used and medicinal properties.

The reticuloendotheliosis virus (REV) group of retroviruses infects a wide range of avian species, including chickens, turkeys, ducks, geese, quail, and prairie chickens. The infection can result in immunosuppression, runting syndrome, high mortality, acute reticular cell neoplasia, or T- and/or B-cell lymphoma. One PCR positive chicken spleen sample obtained in a previous study in addition to one Marek's disease and three fowl pox (FP) vaccine samples were investigated in this study. A PCR assay was performed to detect the presence of REV provirus DNA in these samples. The results indicated the contamination of fowl pox virus and Marek's disease vaccines with REV. In addition, detection of integration of REV inside the genome of fowl pox vaccine was confirmed using primers corresponding to the FPV DNA regions flanking the REV integration site. Alignments of two sequences, one from the spleen tissue and the other from contaminated FP vaccine with REV, with other REV (env) gene sequences obtained from GenBank indicated their high similarity. Furthermore, phylogenetic analysis indicated that the partial part of (env) gene of our two isolates was closely related to variants from India, USA, Taiwan, and China. These results confirmed the contamination of commercial fowl pox and Marek's disease vaccines used in Sudan with REV. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that the partial part of (env) gene sequences from Sudan was closely related to variants from India, USA, Taiwan, and China.

Many studies have been carried out to investigate the morphological structure of the syrinx in many bird species. However, the cellular organization of the syrinx in the fowls and pigeons is still unclear. The current study revealed that in fowl and pigeon, the syrinx is formed of three main parts including tympanum (cranial) part, intermediate syringeal part, and bronchosyringeal (caudal) part, in addition to pessulus and tympaniform membranes. A great variation in the structural characteristics of syrinx of fowl and pigeon was recorded. In fowl, the tympaniform membranes showed a characteristic distribution of elastic and collagen fibers which increase the elasticity of tympaniform membranes. Moreover, the bony pessulus helps the medial tympaniform membranes to be stiffer, vibrate more strongly so that louder sound will be generated. In pigeon, the lateral tympaniform membrane is of greater thickness so that the oscillation of this membrane is reduced and the amplitude is lower. Moreover, the pessulus is smaller in size and is formed mainly of connective tissue core (devoid of cartilaginous or bony plates), resulting in the failure of stretching and vibrating of the medial tympaniform membranes, that leads to the generation of deeper sound. Electron microscopic examination of the syringes of fowls and pigeons revealed numerous immune cells including dendritic cells, plasma cells, mast cells, and lymphocytes distributed within syringeal mucosa and invading the syringeal epithelium. Telocytes were first recorded in the syrinx of fowls and pigeons in this study. They presented two long telopodes that made up frequent close contacts with other neighboring telocytes, immune cells, and blood capillaries.

The domestic fowl, as a species, is considered a unique experimental model in immunological research where the humoral and cellular components of the immune response can be delineated by selective surgical bursectomy of newly hatched chicks combined with sublethal whole-body X-irradiation. Search for an effective, safe, and a short-acting general anesthetic for application in such young birds is, therefore, essential. Ketamine is a phencyclidine derivative with analgesic and anesthetic properties in both mammalian and avian species. Studies on its efficacy on young or naturally small birds, however, are apparently lacking. Our previous studies indicated that dose levels as high as 51 mg/kg and 37.2 mg/kg are not lethal to 2-day- and 6-day-old Hisex White domestic fowl chicks when given intramuscularly, respectively. Results of the present study show that the onset of ketamine anesthesia varied between 40 - 98 seconds in 2-day-old chicks of this breed depending upon dose level. The dose and response are inversely related (y = -19.3x + 107.5) where “y” is the time for onset of anesthesia in seconds and “x” is the dose as mg/bird. The time for recovery from anesthesia also varied (6.6 - 74.7 min) depending upon dose level. The dose and response, however, are positively correlated (y = 20.92x - 21.15). Doses ranging between 43.77 to 47.74 mg/kg are considered optimum to produce anesthesia with onset in 74 - 77 sec and recovery within 12 - 15 min. It is concluded that Ketamine has the potential for application as a general anesthetic for domestic fowl chicks for bursectomy. Critical clinical tests are necessary to evaluate further the performance of this drug when administered to young chicks.

Hydro-Pericardium Hepatitis (HPH) is an emerging infectious disease of commercial poultry, caused by different serotypes of Fowl Adeno Virus. The vertical transmission of the virus into the progeny may results in devastating damage, causing huge economic losses to its farmers. In present study, molecular typing is performed on basis of partially conserved hexon gene sequences, using a unique set of primers having common reverse oligo for simultaneous detection of FAdV1, FAdV-4 and FAdV-11. A total of 14 fowl adeno virus strains were isolated from 100 suspected adeno virus liver samples, collected from different districts in Pakistan, between 2018 and 2019. FASTA’s sequence alignment and phylogenetic analysis revealed that out of the 14, one isolate which belonged to group A showed 27% similarity with FAdV-1, while three isolates showed 99%, 95% & 45% similarity to FAdV-4 (Group C). Whereas, ten isolates showed more than 99% similarity to FAdV-11 (Group D). The serotypes FAdV1, FAdV-4 and FAdV-11 are prevailing in the breeder and broilers. These results hold great importance in rapid, reliable and simultaneous detection of the three FAdV serotypes. Therefore, fowl adeno virus vaccine production for commercial poultry shall be according to the prevalent field serotypes.

The rapid emergence of virulent and multidrug-resistant (MDR) non-typhoidal Salmonella (NTS) enterica serovars are a growing public health concern globally. The present study focused on the assessment of the pathogenicity and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) profiling of NTS enterica serovars isolated from chicken processing environments at wet markets in Dhaka, Bangladesh. A total number of 870 samples consisting of carcass dressing water (CDW), chopping board swabs (CBS), and knife swabs (KS) were collected from 29 wet markets. The prevalence of Salmonella was found to be 20% in CDW, 19.31% in CBS and 17.58% in KS, respectively. Meanwhile, the MDR Salmonella was found to be 72.41%, 73.21% and 68.62% in CDW, CBS, and KS, respectively. All isolates were screened by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for eight virulence genes, namely invA, agfA, IpfA, hilA, sivH, sefA, sopE, and spvC. The S. Enteritidis and untyped Salmonella isolate harbored all virulence genes while S. Typhimurium isolates carried six virulence genes except sefA and spvC. Phenotypic resistance revealed decreased susceptibility to ciprofloxacin, streptomycin, ampicillin, tetracycline, gentamycin, sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim, amoxicillin-clavulanic acid and azithromycin. Genotypic resistance showed higher prevalence of plasmid mediated blaTEM followed by tetA, sul1, sul2, sul3, and strA/B genes. Harmonic and symmetrical trend was observed among the phenotypic and genotypic resistance patterns of the isolates. The research findings anticipate that MDR and virulent NTS enterica serovars are prevailing in the wet market environments which can easily enter into the human food chain. There was a resilient and significant correlation existent among the phenotypic and genotypic resistance patterns and virulence genes of Salmonella isolate recovered from carcass dressing water, chopping board swabs, and knife swabs (p < 0.05), respectively.

Since 2015, outbreaks of hepatitis-hydropericardium syndrome (HPS) caused by a novel genotype of fowl adenovirus 4 (FAdV-4) infection have created serious economic losses in China. Given that other serotypes of hypervirulent FAdVs have also been reported in poultry around the world, a common ELISA for all serotypes within the group I fowl adenoviruses (FAdV-I) is urgently needed, especially for clinical epidemic serotypes. In this study, we used high purity and concentration virions of FAdV-4 and developed a common ELISA for detecting antibodies against 12 FAdV-I serotypes. The developed ELISA was able to distinguish between antibodies against FAdV-I, FAdV-III, and other heterologous viruses without any cross-reaction. Furthermore, the ELISA showed higher sensitivity than the FAdV-1-based ELISA to the novel FAdV-4 found in China. Moreover, since there are no commercial vaccines against FAdVs in China, the ELISA was applied to detect sera samples from specific pathogen-free chickens inoculated with inactivated FAdV-1, FAdV-4, and FAdV-8a. The assay showed high sensitivities for all three detected serotypes within FAdV-I. In conclusion, a novel, common ELISA for FAdV-I was developed in this study and could be a powerful tool for seroepidemiological investigations and FAdVs vaccine development.

Fowl adenoviruses (FAdVs) are a large group of viruses of different serotypes. They are responsible for inclusion body hepatitis, adenoviral gizzard erosion, and hepatitis hydropericardium syndrome. The present study presents a comprehensive overview of FAdVs in Egypt, with a focus on the epidemiological features of virus serotypes across the country. We conducted molecular investigation of multiple FAdV species based on the genetic signature of hypervariable regions 1–4 in the loop1 (L1) region of the hexon gene. Epidemiologically, the Nile Delta governorates showed high positivity of FAdVs, which were more commonly found in broilers than in layers. Genetically, species D and serotype 8a/E dominated, and the findings also revealed the emergence of new FAdV serotypes 1, 3, and 8b. The comparative analysis of hypervariable regions in the L1 region of the hexon gene revealed variables specific to each virus serotype. In silico predictions of L1 region revealed variations in the molecular structure and predicted the antigenic epitopes which may affect the cross-antigenicity between the different FAdV species and serotypes., Fowl adenovirus, Loop1, HVRs, Egypt.

Fowl adenoviruses (FAdVs), which are distributed worldwide, have caused considerable economic losses to poultry farms. Co-infection with FAdVs and other avian pathogens has been reported previously. However, the pathogenicity of different serotypes of FAdVs causing co-infection remains unclear. Herein, strain HN from FAdV species C serotype 4 (FAdV-4) and strain AH720 from species E serotype 8a (FAdV-8a) were used to assess the pathogenicity of their co-infection in specific-pathogen-free (SPF) chickens. Compared with chickens infected with FAdV-4 alone, those co-infected with FAdV-4 and FAdV-8a showed similar clinical symptoms, mortality rates and degree of tissue lesions, and notably decreased viral loads of HN. Conversely, the viral loads of AH720 increased markedly in the co-infection group compared with that in chickens infected with AH720 strain alone. Increased viral loads of AH720 in the liver were suspected to contribute to the pathogenicity of chickens co-infected with the HN and AH720 strains. This was further investigated by histopathology and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL) staining analyses. Collectively, these data indicated that co-infection with FAdV-4 and FAdV-8a suppresses the replication and proliferation of FAdV-4 but enhances the replication and proliferation of FAdV-8a in chicken liver. This study will provide valuable information for the further investigation of the interactions between FAdV-4 and FAdV-8a during co-infection.

Red grape (Vitis vinifera L.) pomace’s (RGP) beneficial bioactive compounds could improve growth and meat quality traits in chickens and thus valorize RGP waste that is usually disposed in landfills to the detriment of the environment. This study investigated the effect of RGP inclusion in diets of Hy-line Silver Brown cockerels on physiological and meat quality responses. Five isonitrogenous and isocaloric diets were formulated by mixing a standard grower diet with RGP at 0 (G0), 15 (G15), 30 (G30), 45 (G45) and 60 g/kg (G60). A total of 250, 5-week-old cockerels (304.6 ± 6.57 g live-weight) were evenly allocated to 25 pens replicated 5 times per experimental diet. No linear and quadratic trends (P > 0.05) were observed for overall feed intake, body weight gain, feed conversion ratio, and meat quality traits as dietary RGP levels increased. Erythrocytes linearly decreased (P < 0.05), whereas mean corpuscular hemoglobin and urea linearly increased (P < 0.05) with RGP levels. There were significant quadratic effects for glucose, phosphorus, total protein, albumin, globulin, and cholesterol, from which a maximum RGP inclusion level was calculated to be 43 g/kg. In conclusion, dietary red grape pomace had no adverse effect on physiological parameters and meat quality traits of Hy-line Silver Brown cockerels. However, including red grape pomace beyond 43 g/kg could compromise serum biochemical parameters of the birds.

Determining the age of bird remains after the cessation of growth is challenging due to the absence of techniques such as tooth eruption and wear available for mammals. Without these techniques, it is difficult to reconstruct hunting strategies, husbandry regimes, and wider human–animal relationships. This paper presents a new method, developed from a collection (n = 71) of known-age specimens of domestic fowl (Gallus gallus domesticus L. 1758), for assessing age based on the fusion and size of the tarsometatarsal spur. Using this method, we reconstruct the demographics of domestic fowl from Iron Age to Early Modern sites in Britain to reveal the changing dynamics of human–domestic fowl relationships. We highlight the advanced age that cockerels often attained in their early history and how their life expectancies have subsequently declined.

In this study fowl poxvirus has been isolated from naturally infected birds. This virus induced respiratory distress, 2, 3 and 4 days post inoculation, in intratracheally inoculated 8 week old chickens, these respiratory distress include congestion of tracheal mucosa, increased tracheal secreation and whitish-yellowish pastules appeared at ninth day post inoculation in the upper part of the trachea forming diphtheritic or pseudodiphtheritic membrane. Using scanning electron microscopy to study the changes that occurs in the epithelial surface of trachea. It was found that the virus causes proliferation of epithelial cells forming cluster like papilloma, deciliation and activation of goblet cells.

7 Pág. Departamento de Reproducción animal., During cryopreservation sperm encounter oxidative stress due to higher production of ROS molecules and insufficient natural antioxidant defence system. Therefore, present study was designed to identify the effects of various glutathione (GSH) concentrations on Indian red jungle fowl (Gallus gallus murghi) sperm quality and fertility pre-freezing and post-thaw incubation hours. Semen was collected from eight cocks and qualified semen ejaculates having motility >65% were pooled after initial evaluation. Semen was divided in four aliquots, diluted with red fowl extender (1:5) at 37 °C having GSH 0 mM (control), 0.1 mM, 0.5 mM and 1.0 mM, cryopreserved and stored at (-196 °C) in liquid nitrogen. Semen quality was assessed at post dilution, cooling, equilibration, and freeze-thawing at 0, 2 and 4 h of incubation at 37 °C. Sperm motility, plasma membrane integrity, viability, acrosome integrity and mitochondrial function were recorded highest (P

A total of 763 domestic fowls in Maiduguri a domestic fowl towns in the Arid Zone of Nigeria were examined for the presence in them of ectoparasites. The study revealed that 92.20% of the birds were of Nigeria. infested with ectoparasites. Major types of ectoparasites found were lice, ticks and mites and their incidence was high in this area. A total of seven hundred and sixty three Management systems however influenced the incidence of the parasites and they were more flocks were prominent in July and least in January.

International audience; The depth of intravaginal insemination to achieve optimum fertility with frozen-thawed semen is highly species specific in birds and differ even in breed and/or strains of a species. Therefore, study was designed to evaluate the influence of intravaginal insemination depths (2 and 4 cm) on fertility outcome in Indian red jungle fowl. Semen collected from eight mature cocks was pooled, diluted in extender and cooled to 4 degrees C. Glycerol (20%) was added to chilled semen, equilibrated for 10 min and cryopreserved. After 3 days of storage, frozen semen was thawed in water bath at 37 degrees C for 30 s. After glycerol removal, intravaginal Inseminations were performed at the depth of 2 and 4 cm. The no. of fertilized eggs (31.4 +/- 1.6 vs. 27.7 +/- 1.8), fertility rate (65.7 +/- 3.6 vs. 58.8 +/- 4.0), no. of hatched chicks (27.8 +/- 1.9 vs. 23.5 +/- 1.6), hatchability of set eggs (58.8 +/- 4.3 vs. 49.7 +/- 3.2) and hatchability of fertilized eggs (88.4 +/- 2.8 vs. 84.3 +/- 2.2) were recorded higher with intravaginal depth of 4 cm compared to 2 cm. It is concluded that intravaginal insemination at the depth of 4 cm enhances the fertility outcomes of the frozen-thawed Indian red jungle fowl semen.

The scarce information about breeding sites of phlebotomines limits our understanding of the epidemiology of tegumentary leishmaniasis. Identifying the breeding sites and seasons of immature stages of these vectors is essential to propose prevention and control strategies different from those targeting the adult stage. Here we identified the rural breeding environments of immature stages of Ny. whitmani, vector species of Leishmania braziliensis in the north of Misiones province, Argentina; then we determined and compared the environmental and structural characteristics of those sites. We also identified the season of greatest emergence and its relationship with adult abundance. During a first collection period, between 28 and 48 emergence traps were set continuously for 16 months in six environments of the farm peridomicile and domicile: below house, chicken shed, experimental chicken shed, forest edge, pigsty and under fruit tree. Traps were checked and rotated every 40 nights. A total of 146 newly emerged individuals were collected (93.8% of them were Ny. whitmani), totaling an effort of 23,040 emergence trap-nights. The most productive environments were chicken shed and below house, and the greatest emergence was recorded in spring and summer. During a second collection period, emergence traps and light traps for adult capture were placed in the chicken shed and below house environments of eight farms. Emergence traps were active continuously during spring, summer, and early autumn. Environmental and structural characteristics of each environment were recorded. A total of 84 newly emerged phlebotomines (92.9% Ny. whitmani; 72,144 emergence trap-nights) and 13,993 adult phlebotomines (147 light trap-nights) were recorded in the chicken shed and below house environments. A positive correlation was also observed between trap success of newly emerged phlebotomines and of adults after 120 days. A high spatial variability was observed in the emergence of Ny. whitmani, with the number of newly emerged individuals being highest in soils of chicken sheds with the highest number of chickens and closest to forest edge. Moreover, below house was found to be as important as chicken sheds as breeding sites of Ny. whitmani. Management of the number of chickens in sheds, soil moisture and pH, and the decision of where to localize the chicken sheds in relation to the houses and the forest edge, might contribute to reduce the risk of human vector exposure and transmission of Leishmania., Author summary Phlebotomines are the subject of much research because of the role of their females as the only proven natural vectors of Leishmania species, the parasitic protozoans that are the causative agents of the neglected tropical disease leishmaniasis. The lack of ecology knowledge of immature stages of this vector limits their prevention and control strategies. We identified the rural breeding environments of immature stages of Ny. whitmani, that is the vector of tegumentary leishmaniasis in the north of Misiones province, Argentina, and compared the environmental and structural characteristics of those sites. We also identified the season of greatest emergence and its relationship with adult abundance. These results open the possibility of experimental evaluation of environmental management practices for prevention and control of the immature stages through strategies different from the ones usually conducted for adults.

Hunters in Europe gather non-survey game species population estimates to inform wildlife management, however, the quality of such estimates remains unclear. We compared estimates of game density, realized annual intrinsic growth rates, and period mean growth rates between hunter obtained data and data obtained by targeted survey methods for four species in Poland from 1960 to 2014. Raw hunter estimates were strongly positively correlated to spotlight counts of red fox (18 years of monitoring), strip counts of brown hare (21 years) and grey partridge (25 years), male call counts of partridge (24 years), and complete counts of roe deer (49 years), and not related to spotlight counts of brown hare (15 years). Realized annual intrinsic growth rates derived from hunter estimates were strongly positively related to annual intrinsic growth rates derived from strip counts of grey partridge and complete counts of roe deer, but only weakly or not related to strip counts of brown hare, spotlight counts of red fox and brown hare, and male call counts of grey partridge. The period length at which the period mean growth rates derived from hunter estimates and estimates from other methods were strongly correlated was largely variable among methods and species. In the roe deer, correlation between these variables was strong across all years, while in smaller game species the period mean growth rates based on hunter estimates and other methods had the strongest association in period lengths of 6 to 11 years. We conclude that raw hunter estimates convey largely similar information to that provided by other targeted survey methods. Hunter estimates provide a source of population data for both the retrospective and prospective analysis of game population development when more robust estimates are unavailable.

The avian influenza virus H13 subtype circulates primarily in waterfowl. To explore the ability of the H13 virus to cross the host barriers, we genetically analysed two H13 isolates from wild birds in China and evaluated the infectivity of these subtypes in chickens. Genetic and molecular analyses showed differences in the lineages and amino acid sequences between the two subtypes; A/mallard/Dalian/DZ-137/2013 (H13N6) belonged to Group I, while A/Eurasian Curlew/Liaoning/ZH-385/2014 (H13N8) belonged to Group III. The nucleotide sequence results showed high homology (approximately 96.9%-100%) to sequences in GenBank. Neither H13 isolate replicated in adult chickens or 20-day-old chicks; however, the H13N8 strain replicated in 1- and 10-day-old chicks. Viruses were recovered from the nasal turbinate, tracheal, lung and colon tissues of chicks at 1, 3 and 5 days post-inoculation. The H13N6 isolates replicated inefficiently in 1-day-old chicks and did not replicate in 10-day-old chicks. Serological surveillance results showed that domestic chickens had a 4.6%-10.4% (15/328-34/328) positive antibody titre to the H13 virus. H13N6 and H13N8 isolates replicated in mammalian cell lines, including 293T, Madin-Darby canine kidney and chicken embryo fibroblast cells. Our results suggest that the AIV H13 subtype may cross the host barrier from wild waterfowl to land fowl.

Infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV), a double-stranded RNA virus, causes immunosuppression and high mortality in 3–6-week-old chickens. Innate immune defense is a physical barrier to restrict viral replication. After viral infection, the host shows crucial defense responses, such as stimulation of antiviral effectors to restrict viral replication. Here, we conducted RNA-seq in avian cells infected by IBDV and identified TRIM25 as a host restriction factor. Specifically, TRIM25 deficiency dramatically increased viral yields, whereas overexpression of TRIM25 significantly inhibited IBDV replication. Immunoprecipitation assays indicated that TRIM25 only interacted with VP3 among all viral proteins, mediating its K27-linked polyubiquitination and subsequent proteasomal degradation. Moreover, the Lys854 residue of VP3 was identified as the key target site for the ubiquitination catalyzed by TRIM25. The ubiquitination site destroyed enhanced the replication ability of IBDV in vitro and in vivo. These findings demonstrated that TRIM25 inhibited IBDV replication by specifically ubiquitinating and degrading the structural protein VP3., Author summary Owing to the immunosuppression and high mortality caused by infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV) in chickens, hosts urgently boost their antiviral immune responses to resist IBDV infection. Here, we identified the host antiviral factor TRIM25, which defended against IBDV infection by direct targeting the viral protein VP3 for subsequent ubiquitination and degradation. To our knowledge, this is the first report of host TRIM25 restricting IBDV replication. Additionally, we found that Lys854 of VP3 was the target site ubiquitinated by TRIM25. Mutation in the ubiquitination site of VP3 abrogated the degradation of VP3 and further enhanced IBDV replication, but did not influence its virulence. Our work not only uncovers an all-important molecular mechanism of chicken TRIM25 against IBDV but also provides new insights for developing high-titer live IBDV vaccines.