broiler

Estimating the genetic parameters for liver fat traits in broiler lines divergently selected for abdominal fat

M. J. Liang, Wang, Z. P., Xu, L., Leng, L., Wang, S. Z., Luan, P., Cao, Z. P., Li, Y. M., and Li, H., Estimating the genetic parameters for liver fat traits in broiler lines divergently selected for abdominal fat, vol. 14, pp. 9646-9654, 2015.

Intensive selection of broilers for improved growth rate is known to exert a negative effect on broiler health, such as an increase in body fat (and its related diseases). Excessive fat deposition in the liver can cause fatty liver hemorrhagic syndrome (FLHS); in addition, traits associated with liver fat have also been associated with FLHS. This study explored the genetic relationships among liver fat-related traits. Data was collected from 462 birds derived from 16th generation Northeast Agricultural University broiler lines divergently selected for abdominal fat content.

Identification of polymorphisms associated with production traits on chicken (Gallus gallus) chromosome 4

F. Pértille, Zanella, R., Felício, A. M., Ledur, M. C., Peixoto, J. O., and Coutinho, L. L., Identification of polymorphisms associated with production traits on chicken (Gallus gallus) chromosome 4, vol. 14, pp. 10717-10728, 2015.

Genetic selection for production traits has resulted in a rapid improvement in animal performance and development. Previous studies have mapped quantitative trait loci for body weight at 35 and 41 days, and drum and thigh yield, onto chicken chromosome 4. We investigated this region for single nucleotide polymorphisms and their associations with important economic traits. Three positional candidate genes were studied: KLF3 (Krüeppel-like factor 3), SLIT2 (Slit homolog 2), and PPARGC1A (peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma, coactivator 1 alpha).

Ammonia concentration and relative humidity in poultry houses affect the immune response of broilers

F. X. Wei, Hu, X. F., Xu, B., Zhang, M. H., Li, S. Y., Sun, Q. Y., and Lin, P., Ammonia concentration and relative humidity in poultry houses affect the immune response of broilers, vol. 14, pp. 3160-3169, 2015.

To investigate the effect of ammonia (NH3) and humidity on the immune response of broilers, broilers were exposed to 30 or 70 mg/kg atmospheric NH3 for 21 days. Additionally, birds were exposed to 35, 60, and 85% relative humidity (RH). The relative weights of lymphoid organs, serum total protein, serum globulin, serum albumin, serum lysozyme, proliferation index of peripheral blood lymphocytes, and splenic cytokine gene expression were determined.

Antioxidant capacity and meat quality of broilers exposed to different ambient humidity and ammonia concentrations

F. X. Wei, Hu, X. F., Sa, R. N., Liu, F. Z., Li, S. Y., and Sun, Q. Y., Antioxidant capacity and meat quality of broilers exposed to different ambient humidity and ammonia concentrations, vol. 13, pp. 3117-3127, 2014.

To investigate the effect of humidity and ammonia on the antioxidative capacities and meat qualities of broilers, 192 broilers were divided into 2 groups: high (H, 70 ppm) and low (L, 30 ppm) ammonia concentration. These groups were divided into 30% (Treatment humidity, T) and 60% (Control humidity, C) humidity, giving 4 treatments: C+L, C+H, T+L, and T+H. Blood and muscle antioxidative capacities and meat quality were measured.

Dietary methionine effects on IGF-I and GHR mRNA expression in broilers

A. P. Del Vesco, Gasparino, E., Neto, A. R. Oliveira, Guimarães, S. E. F., Marcato, S. M. M., and Voltolini, D. M., Dietary methionine effects on IGF-I and GHR mRNA expression in broilers, vol. 12, pp. 6414-6423, 2013.

This study aimed to evaluate liver and breast muscle insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) and growth hormone receptor (GHR) gene expression between broilers fed different methionine levels and sources. Broiler chicks were 22 to 42 days old, distributed in 5 treatments (control diet, DL1 - 0.08% DL-methionine, DL2 - 0.24% DL-methionine, MHA-FA1 - 0.11% methionine hydroxy analogue-free acid, and MHA-FA2 - 0.33% methionine hydroxy analogue-free acid). The broilers were euthanized by cervical dislocation.

Genetic trend estimates of meat quality traits in a male broiler line

G. B. Mourão, Gaya, L. G., Ferraz, J. B. S., Mattos, E. C., Costa, A. M. M. A., T. Filho, M., Neto, O. C. Cunha, Felício, A. M., and Eler, J. P., Genetic trend estimates of meat quality traits in a male broiler line, vol. 7, pp. 749-761, 2008.

The present research was conducted to estimate the genetic trends for meat quality traits in a male broiler line. The traits analyzed were initial pH, pH at 6 h after slaughter, final pH, initial range of falling pH, final range of falling pH, lightness, redness, yellowness, weep loss, drip loss, shrink loss, and shear force. The number of observations varied between 618 and 2125 for each trait. Genetic values were obtained by restricted maximum likelihood, and the numerator relationship matrix had 107,154 animals.

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