• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.305-312
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• 2020

Objective: The present trial was conducted to determine the influence of different dietary fatty acid (omega-3 and omega-6) sources on reproductive performance of female broiler breeders and growth performance and carcass traits of their progeny. Methods: Two hundred and twenty, 25 weeks old Ross-308 male (20) and female (200) broiler breeders were used in the experiment for the period of 6 weeks. All birds were randomly divided into four dietary treatments (containing 2% soybean oil, 2% sunflower oil, 2% flaxseed oil, and 2% fish oil) each with five replicates of one male and ten females. Throughout this experiment hatching performance of broiler breeders, progeny growth performance and carcass parameters were recorded. Results: The results showed that the inclusion of different fatty acid sources in female broiler breeders diet had no significant effects (p>0.05) on number of fertile eggs, post-hatch mortality, and fertility rate. The soybean oil supplemented group had significantly (p<0.05) higher late embryonic mortality compared to other three treatments. Conclusion: It was concluded that inclusion of 2% of different sources of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids (especially 2% flax seed oil) in broiler breeders' diet can reduce late embryonic mortality. The other reproductive characteristics of parents and growth and carcass characteristics of progeny remained unaltered by dietary sources of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.118-125
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• 2019

Objective: This study investigated the effects of soapnut (Sapindus mukorossi) shell powder (SSP) on serum hormone level, egg quality, semen characteristics and reproductive performance of broiler breeders fed with a maize-soybean meal based diet. Methods: Ninety six female and twenty four male CARIBRO-VISHAL broiler breeders, 38-week old, were individually caged and randomly allocated to four treatment groups (24 female breeders/treatment and 6 male breeders/treatment): an un-supplemented control (T1) and three groups with 0.0176% SSP (group T2), 0.026% SSP (group T3) and 0.0528% SSP (group T4), to have supplementary saponin at 0, 50, 75, and 150 ppm, respectively, for 42 days. Results: The results indicated that serum (p<0.001) and seminal plasma (p<0.05) testosterone level, semen volume (p<0.001), mass motility (p<0.001), and live spermatozoa count (p<0.001) was increased in groups T3 and T4 compared to T2 and control groups. Compared with control group, total sperm count was increased (p<0.001) and dead spermatozoa count was decreased (p<0.001) in SSP supplemented groups. Supplementation of SSP did not affected the quality of egg lay. Compared with control group, fertility (p<0.01) and hatchability (total eggs set and fertile eggs set) (p<0.001) were significantly improved in SSP supplemented groups with the highest improvement in T3 treatment group. Embryonic death was decreased (p<0.001) in SSP supplemented groups compared to control; lowest embryonic death was recorded in T3 treatment group. Conclusion: Thus, it was concluded that dietary supplementation of 0.026% SSP (saponin equivalent 75 ppm) improved the reproductive performance of broiler breeders.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.31 no.12
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• pp.1939-1945
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• 2018

Objective: This study was conducted with the objectives to examine the impacts of inorganic selenium (Se) and different types and levels of organic selenium on the serum and tissues Se status and antioxidant capacity in broiler breeders. Methods: Five hundred and forty 48-wk-old Lingnan Yellow broiler breeders were randomly assigned to 6 dietary treatments, provided same basal diet (0.04 mg/kg of Se) with 0.15 mg/kg, or 0.30 mg/kg of Se from sodium selenite (SS) or from selenium-enriched yeast (SY) or from selenomethionine (SM). The broiler breeders were slaughtered after an 8-wk experiment. Results: The results showed that SM was better than SY and SS, 0.30 mg/kg level was better than 0.15 mg/kg level in Se deposition (p<0.05) in serum, liver, kidney, pancreas and muscle; in antioxidant status, organic selenium had better effects than SS in broiler breeders (p<0.05), but SM and SY had a similar result, and 0.15 mg/kg level was better than 0.30 mg/kg (p<0.05). Conclusion: The results demonstrated the evident advantage of supplementation of broiler breeders with 0.15 mg/kg SM, which improved tissue Se concentrations and antioxidant status, and can be considered as the best selenium source.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.237-243
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• 2019

Avian reovirus (ARV) is the pathogenic agent of tenosynovitis and malabsorption syndrome in broiler, which has caused significant economical losses due to poor feeder efficiency and stunting. In order to determine the prevalence of ARV infection in poultry farms in Jeonbuk province, Korea, we performed a surveillance study by testing 179 cecal samples from 131 broiler farms for virus detection, and 1,181 serum samples from 33 broiler farms (n=292) and 22 broiler breeder farms (n=1,525) for antibody detection in the province. Virological examination using RT-PCR showed that ARV were detected in 26.0% of the tested farms (34/131),with the highest positive rates in broilers of 6 days old or more in summer season. In serological test using ELISA, broiler and broiler breeder farms examined were all ARV antibody positive. In broiler, the positive rate and antibody titers showed a tendency to decrease with age in contrast to those of broiler breeders. Our results indicate that ARV is ubiquitous in broilers and broiler breeders in the province.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.34 no.11
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• pp.1829-1838
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• 2021

Objective: The effects of maternal dietary energy levels on breast muscle fibre development in offspring of broiler breeders were investigated. Methods: A total of 480 20-week-old Arbor Acres (AA) healthy female broiler breeders, with an average body weight of 2.33±0.01 kg, were randomly divided into 4 treatment groups with 6 replicates and 20 broiler breeders for each replicate and fed a corn and soybean meal diet with 100%, 80%, 70%, and 50% energy levels, respectively. Approximately 300 eggs per treatment were collected for incubation for 6 days. Then, 120 0-day-old female broilers at each energy level were randomly selected and divided into 6 replicates with 20 broilers for each replicate, with this experimental phase with the offspring lasting for 49 days. Results: Compared with the 100% energy group, the breast muscle fibre diameter at embryonic day 21 in the 80% energy group was significantly reduced (p<0.05). In the 80% energy group, the muscle fibre density of the breast increased significantly (p<0.05) at embryonic days 15 and 21. The breast muscle fibre diameter of the offspring in each group was significantly decreased (p<0.05) on the 1st day. The breast muscle sarcomere length of the embryos in the 80% energy group was significantly higher (p<0.05) than those in the 70% and 50% energy groups. Compared with the 100% energy group, the expression of the myostatin gene in the offspring was significantly decreased (p<0.05). Conclusion: In conclusion, the effects of a maternal dietary energy level of 80% in this study were found to be optimal for breast muscle fibre development in offspring, which indicated that the metabolic energy level of AA broilers of 9.36 MJ/kg for the mid-term diet for laying eggs has a more practical significance.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.91-94
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• 2003

Artificial insemination of cryopreserved semen is not practiced in broiler breeder industry although its benefit has been recognized for years. Thus, the present study explored the possibility of artificial insemination with cryopreserved semen in Ross broiler breeders. Sixty Ross female broiler breeders were artificially inseminated either with fresh or with cryopreserved semen pooled from five male Ross broiler breeders. On.e hundred eighty eggs were collected from each semen treatment and hatched. Fertility and hatchability of fertilized eggs collected from hens artificially inseminated with cryopreserved semen were 68.0 and 47.1％, respectively, compared to 88.3 and 87.2％ with fresh semen. Both unfertilized eggs and dead embryos during hatch were significantly (P<0.05) higher in the cryopreserved semen­treated group by approximately 2.7­ and 3.2­fold than the fresh semen­treated counterparts. the moderately low fertility and markedly low hatchability of fertilized eggs obtained from cryopreserved semen observed in this study may be of practical interests in broiler breeder industry and deserves further study.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.95-99
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• 2003

A total of 112 male and 1208 female Ross broiler breeders (30-wk-old) were used in this study to investigate whether a male to female (M/F) ratio of broiler breeder chickens may influence fertility and hatchability of hatching eggs. There were three treatments, each consisting of four pens with a size of 3.2 m ${\times}$ 6.4 m. Each pen housed approx. 100 females and 10 males to give the M/F ratio as follows: T1, 1/9; T2, 1/11; and T3, 1/13, respectively. The fertility of broiler breeder eggs ranged between 93 to 94％ at 30 wk of age. At 35 wk of age, breeder eggs from T3 tended to be less fertile (P>0.05) than those from T1 and T2. The low fertility observed in T3 at 35 wk of age further reduced to reach a statistical significance at 46 wk of age (P<0.05) when compared to those of T1 and T2. Hatchability of breeder eggs among treatments tended to follow a similar trend as shown in fertility, keeping hatchability of breeder eggs from T3 low when compared to the groups of T1 and T2. Our results indicated that the M/F ratio influenced fertility and consequently hatchability of breeder eggs. Furthermore, our study suggests that either 1/9 or 1/11 M/F ratio, but not 1/13 M/F ratio, seems suitable to sustain reproductive performance of broiler breeders throughout the laying periods.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.30 no.6
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• pp.828-833
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• 2017

Objective: The study was conducted to evaluate the effects of different methionine (Met) sources on production performance, reproduction performance, egg quality and serum biochemical indices in broiler breeders. Methods: After receiving a basal diet (containing 0.25% Met) for a 2-wk pretreatment period, a total of 360 39-wk-old Lingnan yellow broiler breeders were randomly allocated to four treatments with six replicates each (15 birds per replicate). Breeders were fed with basal diets (control) or diets supplemented with DL-methionine (DLM), DL-2-hydroxy-4-methylthio butytric calcium (MHA-Ca) and coated DL-Met (CME) respectively. Results: The results showed that CME supplementation promoted laying rate and decreased feed-to-egg ratio (F/E) (p<0.05), DLM and MHA-Ca supplementation decreased F/E (p<0.05) when compared with control group. The rate of fertility, hatchability and birthrate were higher (p<0.05) in DLM, MHA-Ca, and CME groups than control group. Compared with control group, CME increased the eggshell thickness (p<0.05); MHA-Ca improved the eggshell thickness, shell ratio and eggshell strength (p<0.05). Results also showed that CME elevated the concentration of total protein in serum (p<0.05); MHA-Ca improved the concentration of calcium in serum (p<0.05). The concentration of serum uric acid in DLM, MHA-Ca, and CME groups was lower than that in control group (p<0.05). Besides, CME had higher concentrations of serum taurine, cysteine and cystanthionine (p<0.05) while MHA-Ca and DLM promoted the serum taurine concentration (p<0.05) compared with control group. Conclusion: Based on the results, it was concluded that Met supplementation could enhance the production and reproduction performance as well as the antioxidant status and egg quality of broiler breeders. In terms of improving the production performance, reproduction performance and antioxidant performance, CME was superior to DLM and MHA-Ca; but in regard to the enhancement of eggshell quality and serum Ca concentration, MHA-Ca was superior to DLM and CME.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.240-245
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• 2010

The effects of controlled energy restriction and duration of pre-incubation egg holding on fertility, hatchability and hatch losses were evaluated in aged broiler breeders (64 wk). The energy (ME) required for maintenance, activity, growth and anticipated egg production was calculated and offered to a control group (283-471 kcal/kg) from 21-64 weeks of age. In three other groups, ME was quantitatively reduced either by 20% (SER; severe energy restriction) or 10% (MER; moderate energy restriction) and increased by10% (EEF; excess energy feeding) over the control group (CER; controlled energy restriction). Each diet was offered to 130 pullets in individual cages, and the quantity of ME increased with age. At the end of 64 weeks, fertile eggs were collected from each dietary group for 11 consecutive days and grouped under 4 holding periods based on the length of storage (2, 5, 8 or 11 d). The influence of energy regimes, egg holding intervals and their interaction was evaluated on fertility, hatch losses and hatchability. Broiler breeders maintained on SER regime (231-419 kcal/d) produced maximum number of eggs (993) followed by MER (819), CER (624) and EEF (438) during the 11-day period. The percent fertility and hatchability was significantly (p$\leq$0.05) higher in SER and MER groups compared to CER and EEF. However, energy regimes did not influence the loss in egg weight during pre-incubation storage, shell weight, shell thickness or hatch losses as dead germs and dead in shell. The improvement in hatchability in SER and MER groups appeared to be closely related to higher fertility and lower embryonic mortality. Holding of eggs for 11 days showed a linear loss in egg weight with the length of storage, but did not influence the fertility and hatch losses. The percent hatchability on eggs set was maximum when storage period was restricted to 5 days. The interaction between energy regimes and egg holding periods exhibited better hatchability results with SER regime when eggs were held for 5 days. Response to MER was not different from SER. It was obvious that energy restriction during production period had a positive influence on egg number, fertility and hatchability in aged breeders. At 64 weeks of age, holding of fertile eggs for 5 days prior to incubation was adequate for optimum hatchability in breeders.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.277-284
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• 1998

Serum samples were collected from 100 breeders and their progeny 600 broilers. The breeders and broilers were vaccinated against infectious bronchitis(IB), infectious bursal disease(IBD) and Newcastle disease(ND) viruses according to general vaccination program. The antibodies in serum samples against IB, IBD and ND viruses were detected by ELISA using commercial ELISA kit. Geometric mean titer(GMT) of ELISA was monitored from 1-day-old to 35-day-old broilers and compared to that of breeder chickens. The GMT of ELISA to IB, IBD and ND was declined half level of the day old broiler's antibody titers at about 4, 9 and 4 days of age. The GMT of ELISA to IB, IBD and ND was declined than that of protective antibody titer at about 12, 11, and 15 days of age. Thereafter, the GMT of ELISA to IB, ND were declined and disappeared according to age of broilers. The GMT of ELISA to IBD was declined according to age of broilers, but at 25 days of age increased and 31 days of age increased than that of protective antibody titer. Taken together, these studies led to conclusion that time-course of antibody titers of broilers from vaccinated breeders and that of progeny broliers which vaccinated according to vaccine program. Those are very important data to design vaccine program to breeders and broilers.