• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.29-35
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• 2016

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of single nucleotide polymorphisms in the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II gene on resistance to Newcastle disease virus and body weight of the Thai indigenous chicken, Leung Hang Khao (Gallus gallus domesticus). Blood samples were collected for single nucleotide polymorphism analysis from 485 chickens. Polymerase chain reaction sequencing was used to classify single nucleotide polymorphisms of class II MHC. Body weights were measured at the ages of 3, 4, 5, and 7 months. Titres of Newcastle disease virus at 2 weeks to 7 months were determined and the correlation between body weight and titre was analysed. The association between single nucleotide polymorphisms and body weight and titre were analysed by a generalized linear model. Seven single nucleotide polymorphisms were identified: C125T, A126T, C209G, C242T, A243T, C244T, and A254T. Significant correlations between log titre and body weight were found at 2 and 4 weeks. Associations between single nucleotide polymorphisms and titre were found for C209G and A254T, and between all single nucleotide polymorphisms (except A243T) and body weight. The results showed that class II MHC is associated with both titre of Newcastle disease virus and body weight in Leung Hang Khao chickens. This is of concern because improved growth traits are the main goal of breeding selection. Moreover, the results suggested that MHC has a pleiotropic effect on the titre and growth performance. This mechanism should be investigated in a future study.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.438-443
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• 2006

This trial was designed to study the caponization effects on the appearance, carcass characteristics, blood constituents and lipid metabolism of Taiwan country chicken cockerels. Cockerels were caponized at 8 weeks of age. Sixteen-week-old chickens, including 10 capons, 5 slips (incomplete caponized male chickens) and 20 normal chickens of equal sexes were selected for a 10 week ad libitum feeding trial. Results showed that the testosterone concentrations in the capons and females were lower (p<0.05) than that of intact males. The comb length, height and weights were also lower (p<0.05). The weight of the slips was between that of the capons and intact males, but was heavier (p<0.05) than that of the capon. The live-weight, carcass weight and shank perimeter in the capons were higher than those of the other groups (p<0.05). Hepatic lipogenic enzyme activity analyses showed that NADP-malic dehydrogenase (MDH) activity in the capons and female chickens was higher than that in intact male chickens (p<0.05). The MDH activity in the slips was between that for the capon and intact male chickens (p>0.05). The abdominal fat weight and relative abdominal fat weight of the capons and females were heavier than that for intact males (p<0.05); the slips were between the capons and intact males. The blood lipid content results showed that the triacylglycerol and cholesterol in the capons were higher than that for intact males (p<0.05). However, the percentage of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) was lower than that in intact male chickens (p<0.05). It appears that the increase in lipid accumulation in caponized male chickens is attributed mainly to an increase in MDH activity and the changes in lipid transportation in the capons.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.341-349
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• 2019

Objective: Internal organs indirectly affect economic performance and well-being of animals. Study of internal organs during later layer period will allow full utilization of layer hens. Hence, we conducted a genome-wide association study (GWAS) to identify potential quantitative trait loci or genes that potentially contribute to internal organ weight. Methods: A total of 1,512 chickens originating from White Leghorn and Dongxiang Blue-Shelled chickens were genotyped using high-density Affymetrix 600 K single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) array. We conducted a GWAS, linkage disequilibrium analysis, and heritability estimated based on SNP information by using GEMMA, Haploview and GCTA software. Results: Our results displayed that internal organ weights show moderate to high (0.283 to 0.640) heritability. Variance partitioned across chromosomes and chromosome lengths had a linear relationship for liver weight and gizzard weight ($R^2=0.493$, 0.753). A total of 23 highly significant SNPs that associated with all internal organ weights were mainly located on Gallus gallus autosome (GGA) 1 and GGA4. Six SNPs on GGA2 affected heart weight. After the final analysis, five top SNPs were in or near genes 5-Hydroxytryptamine receptor 2A, general transcription factor IIF polypeptide 2, WD repeat and FYVE domain containing 2, non-SMC condensin I complex subunit G, and sonic hedgehog, which were considered as candidate genes having a pervasive role in internal organ weights. Conclusion: Our findings provide an understanding of the underlying genetic architecture of internal organs and are beneficial in the selection of chickens.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.34 no.7
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• pp.1157-1168
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• 2021

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of different amounts of wheat bran (WB) inclusion and postbiotics form by Saccharomyces cerevisiae and phytase co-fermented wheat bran (FWB) on the growth performance and health status of broilers. Methods: Study randomly allocated a total of 300 male broilers to a control and 4 treatment groups (5% WB, 5% FWB, 10% WB, and 10% FWB inclusion, respectively) with each pen having 20 broilers and 3 pens per treatment. Results: The WB does not contain enzymes, but there are 152.8, 549.2, 289.5, and 147.1 U/g dry matter xylanase, protease, cellulase and β-glucanase in FWB, respectively. Furthermore, FWB can decrease nitric oxide release of lipopolysaccharide stimulated chicken peripheral blood mononuclear cells by about two times. Results show that 10% FWB inclusion had significantly the highest weight gain (WG) at 1 to 21 d; 5% FWB had the lowest feed conversion rate at 22 to 35 d; 10% WB and 10% FWB inclusion have the highest villus height and Lactobacillus spp. number in caecum; and both 5% and 10% FWB can increase ash content in femurs. Compared to control group, all treatments increase mucin 2, and tight junction (TJ), such as occludin, claudin-1, zonula occludens-1, and mRNA expression in ileum by at least 5 folds. In chicken peripheral blood mononuclear cells, nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate-oxidase-1 mRNA expression decreases from 2 to 5 times, and glutamate-cysteine ligase catalytic subunit mRNA expression also increases in all treatment groups compared to control group. The mRNA expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines, including interleukin-6 (IL-6), nuclear factor-κB, and IL-1β, decreases in 5% and 10% FWB groups compared to control group. Conclusion: To summarize, both WB and FWB inclusion in broilers diets increase TJ mRNA expression and anti-oxidation and anti-inflammation, but up to 10% FWB groups have better WG in different stages of broiler development.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.47 no.4
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• pp.199-210
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• 2020

Footpad dermatitis (plantar surface footpad lesions) is an increasing problem in the global poultry industry, affecting foot quality, overall welfare, and production performance. The growing consumer demand for chicken feet in Asian markets has given poultry companies interest in reducing footpad dermatitis. The lesions are multiply associated with various factors affecting the moisture content of litter such as nutrition, drinker type and management, environmental conditions (e.g., temperature, relative humidity, ammonia levels, ventilation rate), and flock health. This review addresses footpad dermatitis characteristics, causes, and the assessment system to provide a guide for future research.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.35 no.11
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• pp.1771-1786
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• 2022

Objective: Inosine monophosphate (IMP) is a key factor that imparts of meat flavor. Differences in the IMP content in the muscles were evaluated to improve chicken meat quality. Methods: For this study, the IMP content was detected by high performance liquid chromatography. The gene expression profiles of Jingyuan chickens with different feeding patterns and different sexes were analyzed by RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq). Results: Breast muscle IMP content in free-range chickens was extremely significantly higher than that of caged chickens (p<0.01). Breast muscle IMP content in hens was also higher than that of cocks, but the difference was not significant. Correlation analysis showed that the breast muscle IMP content in caged hens and cocks was negatively correlated with the shear force, and the breast muscle IMP content in free-range hens was significantly negatively correlated with the shear force (p<0.05). The two key genes associated with IMP synthesis in chickens with different feeding patterns were glutamate-ammonia ligase (GLUL) and phosphodiesterase 10A (PDE10A). Bioinformatics analysis revealed that the GLUL and PDE10A genes are involved in glutamine biosynthesis and purine salvage pathways respectively. In addition, GLUL expression was positively correlated with the IMP content in caged and free-range chickens, and PDE10A expression was significantly positively correlated with the IMP content in caged and free-range chickens (p<0.05). Conclusion: These findings will facilitate the comprehension of the deposition of IMP in the muscles and thereby aid the process of selection and breeding of good quality local chickens.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.65 no.1
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• pp.113-131
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• 2023

The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of supplementing clay minerals and organic chromium in feed on broiler chicken under heat stress (HS). A total of 90 one-day-old broiler chicken (Arbor Acres) with an initial body weight of 45.0 ± 0.2 g were assigned to five treatment groups (six replications, three birds each cage): 1) NC group, basal diet under room temperature environment; 2) PC group, basal diet under high temperature (HT) environment; 3) ILT group, basal diet + 1% illite + HT; 4) ZLT group, basal diet + 1% zeolite + HT; 5) OC group, basal diet + 400 ppb/kg organic chromium + HT. The ILT and ZLT groups had significantly higher body weight than the PC group in 4 weeks. Apparent total tract digestibility of gross energy was increased in the ILT, ZLT, and OC groups compared to the PC group. The NC group had lower foot-pad dermatitis score than other groups. Escherichia coli population in the cecum and feces was decreased in the ZLT group than in the PC group. Lactobacillus in cecum and feces was significantly increased in the ZLT group than in the PC group. Regarding blood profiles, blood cortisol was decreased in the NC and ILT groups compared to the PC group. Water holding capacity and pH were increased in the ZLT group than the PC group. In conclusion, according to the results of growth performance, nutrients digestibility, bacteria counts, and meat characteristics, supplementation of the ZLT in broiler diet can alleviate HS.

• Food Science of Animal Resources
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.472-478
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• 2010

The effects of rosemary and $\alpha$-tocopherol, added individually or in combination, on broiler performance, thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS), total plate count (TPC) and meat color of chicken thigh meat were investigated. Three hundred broiler chicks divided into five groups were fed a basal diet (control) or basal diet supplemented with 5 g rosemary/kg (T1), 10 g rosemary/kg (T2), 200 mg $\alpha$-tocopherol/kg (T3), or 5 g rosemary/kg + 200 mg $\alpha$-tocopherol/kg (T4) for 5 weeks. Following slaughter, chicken meat was stored at $4^{\circ}C$ for 10 days. All treatments did not influence the performance. Rosemary supplementation delayed lipid oxidation in thigh meat during refrigerated storage. T2 was significantly (p<0.05) more effective in delayed lipid oxidation compared to T1, but was inferior to T3. Samples containing a combination of antioxidant had lower TBARS values than those containing the individual antioxidants, indicating a synergistic effect. TPC was significantly increased (p<0.05) in thigh meat of all groups throughout the refrigerated storage. The T3 and control groups showed TPC counts that did not differ from each other during the entire storage period. However, rosemary supplementation was associated with bacterial counts that were significantly lower (p<0.05) than the control and $\alpha$-tocopherol groups at day 3 of storage and thereafter. For this period, T1 presented TPC counts that were significantly higher than the T2 group (p<0.05). At all storage times, the thigh meat of rosemary-fed chickens was redder than control (higher $a^*$), while no differences in $L^*$ and $b^*$ values were found. A synergistic effect was obtained from the combination of rosemary with $\alpha$-tocopherol, whereas individual use of the antioxidants significantly improved color stability compared to the control.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.57 no.7
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• pp.26.1-26.5
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• 2015

Background: Rice bran is a by-product of the rice-milling process, which remains largely underutilized; however, efficient processing treatments may improve its feeding value for chickens. This is of great economic and environmental importance, as this can lower the production costs, and offer an opportunity for valorization of a low-quality agricultural by-product, to a high-value feed source. Methods: This experiment was conducted to study the effect of extruded rice bran on performance and phosphorous (P) bioavailability in broiler chickens. In a completely randomized design, 200 seven-day-old broilers (Cobb 500) were allotted to five treatments with five replicates per treatment and 8 chicks per replicate, and fed with their respective diet during the starter (8 to 21 days) and grower (22 to 42 days) periods. Diets were a basal corn-soybean based diet (T1), or diets containing 20 % rice bran (T2), 30 % rice bran (T3), 20 % extruded rice bran (T4), or 30 % extruded rice bran (T5). Results: Birds feeding on T4 and T5 diets had a higher body weight gain and lower feed-to-gain ratio compared to those feeding on T2 and T3 diets (p < 0.05). Birds receiving diets containing extruded rice bran had higher total P availability and tibia ash content, as compared with those receiving diets containing un-extruded rice bran (p < 0.05). Relative weight of the pancreas was higher in birds receiving T2 and T3 diets. Conclusions: The results confirmed the beneficial effect of extrusion treatment of rice bran on performance and P availability in broilers. Up to 30 % extruded rice bran may be included in the broiler diet without apparent adverse effects on the performance.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.20 no.12
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• pp.1880-1886
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• 2007

This study was conducted to examine the effects of different soy-oil and soy-lecithin levels on growth performance, nutrient utilization and serum parameters in broiler chickens. Two hundred and forty 1-day-old Arbor Acres chicks were randomly divided into 4 groups and treated as follows: basal diet with 2% soy-oil (SO); soy-oil and soy-lecithin mixture in proportion of 75/25 (SOL1), 50/50 (SOL2) and 2% lecithin (SL). At the end of the trial (42 d), birds in SOL1 group grew faster (p<0.05) and had better feed conversion efficiency (p<0.05) than other groups while SL group had the lowest performance (p<0.05). The utilization of ether extract was improved in SOL1 group (p<0.05) but apparent metabolizable energy (AME) and utilization of other nutrients decreased in SOL2 and SL group from 19 to 21 d. No significant effects were observed in apparent metabolizable energy, dry matter, crude protein and ether extract but the utilization of calcium and phosphorus was significantly improved in SL group (p<0.05) during 39 to 42 d. The birds fed with lecithin had lower serum total cholesterol and triglyceride than the control group (SO). Broilers fed with 2% lecithin (SL) had the highest insulin level (p<0.05). The results implied that soy-lecithin and soy-oil in a proportion of 25:75 had the highest growth performance and that soy-lecithin had cholesterol lowering capacity.