Search Results (5,225)

The poultry industry struggles with oxidative stress affecting gut health and productivity. This study examined using 1-Deoxynojirimycin (DNJ) extracts from mulberry leaves as an antioxidant in broilers feed to combat this issue. We divided 240 broilers, aged 16 days, into six groups, including a control and groups exposed to oxidative stress through H₂O₂ injections, with different supplement levels of DNJ-E (40, 80, 120, and 160 mg/kg of the basal diet) lasting until the broilers reached 42 days old. We evaluated intestinal morphology, ultrastructure, oxidative stress markers, the tight junction, and inflammatory cytokines. Adding 40 mg/kg DNJ-E improved villus height, the villus-to-crypt ratio, and cellular ultrastructure, and increased SOD levels in the jejunum and ileum, as well as CAT levels in the duodenum and jejunum (p < 0.05), compared to the H₂O₂ group. The addition of DNJ had differential effects on oxidative stress, the intestinal barrier, and immune-related genes. Importantly, the dosages of 40 mg/kg and 80 mg/kg resulted in an upregulation of MUC2 mRNA expression (p < 0.05). These findings suggest that DNJ-E holds potential as a beneficial feed additive for enhancing broiler health, particularly at supplementation levels below 80 mg/kg, as higher concentrations may negatively influence intestinal health. Future investigations should aim to elucidate the underlying mechanisms through which DNJ-E operates within the avian gastrointestinal system. Full article

Necrotic enteritis (NE), caused by Clostridium perfringens, represents a major economic challenge to poultry production. This study evaluated the effects of four plant extracts—Astragalus, pomegranate peel, Sophora flavescens, and Artemisia annua—in combination with B. subtilis, as potential antibiotic alternatives for controlling NE. Using an experimentally induced NE model produced by coinfection with Eimeria maxima and C. perfringens, 288 chickens were divided into 12 groups to assess growth performance, intestinal lesions, and inflammatory markers. Compared with the enramycin group, the pomegranate peel extract group had a 9.9% increase in body weight gain (BWG), significant enhancement in claudin-2 expression, and reduced production of inflammatory factors. Compared with the infected control group, the combination of A. annua extract and B. subtilis resulted in the lowest intestinal lesion scores. The claudin-2, occludin, and zonula occludens-1 expression levels in the group treated with S. flavescens extract combined with B. subtilis increased to the highest levels compared to those in the healthy control group. These findings emphasize the potential of plant extracts, particularly pomegranate peel and A. annua with B. subtilis, as natural alternatives for NE management in poultry, providing a promising approach to reducing reliance on antibiotics. Full article

A fluorescent probe composed of 2-mercaptopyridine–copper nanoparticles (2MP-CuNPs) was synthesized through a hydrothermal method utilizing CuCl₂ and 2-mercaptopyridine (2MP). The experimental results indicate that the 2MP-CuNPs probe exhibited an excellent fluorescence emission peak at 525 nm with an excitation wavelength of 200 nm. Furthermore, this emission peak was accompanied by a substantial Stokes shift of 325 nm, which effectively minimized the overlap between the excitation and emission spectra, thereby enhancing detection sensitivity. In tetracycline (TC) detection, the dimethylamino group on TC undergoes protonation in acidic conditions, resulting in a H⁺ ion. Consequently, the nitrogen atom within the pyridine moiety of the 2MP-CuNPs probe forms a coordination complex with H⁺ via multi-toothed n-bonding interactions, leading to a significant reduction in fluorescence intensity at 525 nm. Based on this mechanism, a quantitative detection method for TC was successfully established with a linear range spanning from 0.1 to 240 µM and an impressive detection limit of 120 nM. Furthermore, during actual sample analyses involving milk and chicken feed, this analysis method based on the 2MP-CuNPs probe achieved absolute recovery rates ranging from 94% to 98%, underscoring its considerable potential for practical applications. Full article

Currently, the UK has ambitious plans to reach net zero by 2050, despite other countries such as Russia and India targeting 2060 and 2070, respectively. Assuming that the UK emissions unceasingly decline at a given rate annually towards achieving net zero by 2050, its economy would need to ensure a reduction of 105 MtCO2 per year of its emissions from the current 2021 levels. Given that global greenhouse gas emissions have not peaked and continue to rise, the UK seeks to implement costly and aggressive emission reduction policies towards fulfilling commitments under the 2021 Glasgow Climate Pact. This paper investigates the effect of environmental taxes on environmental degradation in the UK between 2000Q1 and 2019Q4 using novel Fourier approaches. Using the novel Fourier ARDL estimator, the long-run equilibrium estimates indicate that gross domestic product and environmental tax cause a fall in carbon emissions. However, in trade and primary energy use, a unit change caused rising carbon emissions in the UK. Especially, the results indicate that environmental taxes have a negative effect on environmental degradation in the UK, and ecological tax policy could be considered as an effective channel to attain environmental sustainability. The outcome provides the following policy insights: (i) The government of the UK should support international environmental tax coordination mechanisms, especially on carbon pricing, to avoid relocation of carbon-intensive investments. (ii) The UK government must note that imposing more taxes to encourage emissions reductions could bring complexity to the tax system and unnecessarily bring costly ways to deal with climate change. Higher domestic electricity prices could disproportionately hit low-income households and create distributional cost concerns, which require benefit payouts or compensation schemes. (iii) Switching to electric vehicles simultaneously requires investments in charging infrastructure and battery technologies. To avoid this chicken-and-egg problem, the government of the UK could play a coordinating role, including deploying targeted subsidies, regulations, direct government involvement, or setting higher carbon prices in special cases. Full article

Newcastle disease virus (NDV), known as avian paramyxovirus-1, poses a significant threat to poultry production worldwide. Vaccination currently stands as the most effective strategy for Newcastle disease control. However, the mesogenic vaccine strain Mukteswar has been observed to evolve into a velogenic variant JS/7/05/Ch during poultry immunization. Here, we aimed to explore the mechanisms underlying virulence enhancement of the two viruses. Pathogenically, JS/7/05/Ch mediated stronger virulence and pathogenicity in vivo compared to Mukteswar. Comparative transcriptome analysis revealed 834 differentially expressed genes (DEGs), comprising 339 up-regulated and 495 down-regulated genes, in the spleen, and 716 DEGs, with 313 up-regulated and 403 down-regulated genes, in the thymus. Gene Ontology (GO) analysis indicated that these candidate targets primarily participated in cell and biological development, extracellular part and membrane composition, as well as receptor and binding activity. Furthermore, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analysis unveiled a substantial portion of candidate genes predominantly involved in cellular processes, environmental information processing, metabolism, and organismal systems. Additionally, five DEGs (TRAT1, JUP, LPAR4, CYB561A3, and CXCR5) were randomly identified through RNA-seq analysis and subsequently confirmed via quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). The findings revealed a marked up-regulation in the expression levels of these DEGs induced by JS/7/05/Ch compared to Mukteswar, with CYB561A3 and CXCR5 exhibiting significant increases. The findings corroborated the sequencing accuracy, offering promising research directions. Taken together, we comprehensively evaluated transcriptomic alterations in chicken immune organs infected by NDV strains of diverse virulence. This study establishes a basis and direction for NDV virulence research. Full article

Background: In broiler chickens, the efficient utilization of macro- and micronutrients is influenced by various metabolic pathways that are closely linked to feed efficiency (FE), a critical metric in poultry industry, with residual feed intake (RFI) as the preferred proxy. Feed restriction is considered an approach to address the underlying molecular mechanisms of feed conversion. We hypothesized that broiler chickens with divergent RFI subjected to quantitative feed restriction differ in their pattern of molecular pathways for efficient nutrient utilization in liver as post-absorptive tissue. Methods: Cobb 500FF broiler chickens divergent for RFI (n = 112) were feed-restricted from day 9 until market weight at day 33–37 post-hatch. Based on a previous trial, feed restriction levels were set at 92% (low-RFI birds) and 80% (high-RFI birds) relative to the control groups. Transcriptomic analyses of the liver were conducted. Results: Due to the interaction of the RFI group and feeding regimen, a total of 140 to 507 differentially expressed genes were identified for the respective contrasts, with implications for hepatic metabolism and cellular stress response. Although the broilers did not realize their full growth potential under restrictive feeding (12.4% reduced body weight vs. controls, p = 0.094), the gene expression patterns indicate a lower susceptibility to blood coagulation (KNG1, FGG, and FGB), suggesting that controlled and mild feed restriction could lead to health benefits in less feed-efficient broilers. Moreover, FE traits are shown to be linked to cellular detoxification processes (MGST3 and CYP2AC2) and triacylglycerol syntheses (MOGAT1 and LPIN1). Conclusions: Divergent transcriptional profiles between broiler groups under varied caloric conditions indicate potential for optimizing nutritional management strategies. Full article

Gizzard erosion and ulceration (GEU) is characterized by defects and necrosis in the koilin layer, particularly in broilers. This condition has been associated with growth retardation, runting, and economic implications for poultry producers; nevertheless, its influence on gut microbiota remains unknown. This study investigated the compositional changes in the bacterial community of the ileum of seven-day-old broiler chicks with GEU using next-generation sequencing (NGS) technology. Twenty-two samples were obtained from the ileal mucosa and contents of sixteen chicks with GEU and six without GEU raised in a conventional system located on a farm in southeast Brazil. The results revealed that bacterial phyla in both groups exhibited a similar composition, with Firmicutes representing the most abundant. Porphyromonas, Candidatus Arthromitus, and Limosilactobacillus were statistically more abundant in the group without GEU. The most prevalent genera in the group with GEU were Lactobacillus and Enterococcus, and the relative abundance of Enterococcus in the ilea of some chicks with GEU was considerable. Based on the results of the current study, necrosis in the koilin layer can change the composition of ileal microbiota. Therefore, further studies should be carried out to clarify whether GEU and consequently poor digestibility of the feed cause significant changes in the intestinal microbiota. Full article

The utilization of mangosteen biomass not only solves environmental problems but also raises the value of agricultural waste. The current study aimed to evaluate the potential of mangosteen pericarp extract (MPE) for enhancing the immunity and productivity of Thai native crossbred chickens on-farm. A total of 180 three-week-old chickens were divided into negative control and supplemented groups, with 1000 mg MPE/kg of diet. The safety of MPE was further confirmed by the absence of noticeable differences in mortality and biochemical parameters during the entire study period. The MPE-supplemented group displayed significant differences in the relative transcription levels of IL-10 compared to the basal diet group (p ≤ 0.01). Preslaughter body weight, average daily gain, and carcass weight in the MPE-supplemented group were higher than those in the basal diet group (p ≤ 0.05). Furthermore, MPE supplementation improved meat quality by enhancing the nutritional composition of protein and fat (p ≤ 0.05), as well as improving water-holding capacity, lowering boiling, and lowering grilling losses (p ≤ 0.01). These findings indicate that MPE can be an effective supplement for enhancing flock immunity, growth performance, and meat quality in poultry. This contributes to more sustainable agriculture and food security within agroecosystems. Full article

This study delved into the interaction between corn starch and ethyl maltol during innovative repeated continuous heat-moisture treatment (RCHMT) and its impact on the quality of fried chicken nuggets. The results reveal that the complexation ratio of ethyl maltol is about 31.6%, and the complex creates dense microporous structures. Native starch and complex samples exhibited an A-type crystal structure, while the physical mixture sample showed superposition peaks of starch and ethyl maltol. Additionally, the peak of C-O-H def., CH₂ of the complex sample was blue-shifted to the larger wave number, and the hydrogen bond structure was enhanced. Moreover, the complex exhibited a higher resistant starch content and lower hydrolysis rate and amylose content than the physical mixture sample. The starch–ethyl maltol complex has been demonstrated to be a non-inclusion compound. It has been shown to reduce oil absorption and enhance the crispness of fried chicken nuggets, matching that of commercial products. This finding provides a direction for the development of innovative coating powders. Full article

Background/Objectives: Avian pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC) infection is a significant problem for the global chicken industry, as it decreases animal welfare and is associated with substantial economic losses. Traditionally, APEC infections have been controlled through the use of antibiotics, which has led to an increased prevalence of antibiotic-resistant E. coli. Therefore, developing alternative treatments for APEC infection is crucial. Methods: In this study, an Escherichia phage specific to multidrug-resistant (MDR) APEC, designated as phage vB_EcoP_PW8 (phage vECPW8), was isolated. The morphology, phage adsorption to host cells, one-step growth curve, thermal stability, pH stability, whole-genome sequencing, antibacterial ability, and antibiofilm efficacy of phage vECPW8 were evaluated. Results: The results demonstrated that phage vECPW8 has a Podoviridae morphology and is effective at lysing bacteria. Phage vECPW8 exhibited a high absorption rate to bacterial cells (more than 85% within 10 min) and had a latent period of 20 min, with a burst size of 143 plaque-forming units per cell. Additionally, phage vECPW8 showed good temperature and pH stability. The phage displayed strong antibacterial activity in vitro, and its efficacy in controlling bacteria was confirmed through scanning electron microscopy. Whole-genome sequencing revealed that the phage has a linear genome with 69,579 base pairs. The genome analysis supported the safety of the phage, as no toxin, virulence, or resistance-related genes were detected. Phage vECPW8 was identified as a novel lytic phage in the Gamaleyavirus genus and Schitoviridae family. The phage also demonstrated antibiofilm efficacy by reducing and preventing biofilm formation, as evidenced by biofilm biomass and bacterial cell viability measurements. Conclusions: These results indicate that phage vECPW8 is a promising candidate for the effective treatment of MDR APEC infections in poultry. Full article

The Australian White Ibis (Threskiornis molucca) is an Australian native bird species whose traditional habitat is inland wetlands. Environmental factors have seen the species steadily relocate to the eastern coast of Australia over the last few decades, primarily settling in cities. In 2016, McKiernan and Instone identified that 70% of Australian newspaper reports about the urban ibises from 1998 to 2012 presented the birds as either pests or victims. Since then, the ibis populations have grown, leading to the ibis being voted one of the top ten most commonly seen urban backyard birds in 2019. Media representation both reflects and shapes public perception and understanding, so it is timely for a contemporary investigation into how the ibis is represented in Australian newspapers. Has newspaper representation of the Australian White Ibis changed since 2013? If so, what new narratives have emerged? A content analysis of 68 Australian newspaper items from 2013 to 2024 was conducted with results showing a decrease in pest and victim narratives and the introduction of two new positive narratives-survivor and hero. This finding evidences changes in media representation pointing to potential changes in public understanding of the ibis and the possibility of improved relations between humans and the native bird species. Full article

Highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses (HPAIVs) of the H5N1 subtype (clade 2.3.4.4b) have been detected in raw milk from infected cows. Several studies have examined the time and temperature parameters to ascertain whether influenza viruses in milk can be inactivated completely under commercial pasteurization conditions, yielding conflicting results. This study aimed to investigate whether milk could help protect influenza viruses from heat treatment. After heat treatment at 49 °C for one hour, the titer reduction of the influenza A/WSN/1933 (A/H1) virus in milk was approximately 1.6 log₁₀TCID₅₀/mL, which was significantly lower than that (3 log₁₀TCID₅₀/mL) observed in the Dulbecco’s Modified Eagle Medium (DMEM) control media. The influenza D/bovine/CHN/JY3002/2022 (D/Yama2019) virus in milk retained a high residual infectivity (4.68 × 10³ log10TCID₅₀/mL) after treatment at 53 °C; however, the virus in DMEM completely lost its infectivity under the same conditions. Moreover, the influenza A/chicken/CHN/Cangzhou03/2023 (A/H5) virus in DMEM could be inactivated completely using any of the three heat treatment methods: 63 °C for 30 min, 72 °C for 15 s, or 80 °C for 15 s. For the virus present in milk, only heat treatment at 80 °C for 15 s completely inactivated it. These results suggest that milk prevents influenza viruses from pasteurization inactivation. Full article

Inappropriate antimicrobial use in food animal farming propels antimicrobial resistance (AMR) that affects all health domains. Colistin is a ‘Reserve’ antibiotic for human treatment to be conserved for multidrug-resistant pathogens; however, it is being used as an animal growth promoter in many developing countries. The evolution of mobilized colistin resistance (mcr) gene-mediated colistin resistance has been reported to be associated with rampant colistin use. This study investigated the current variants of the mcr gene in chicken gut contents in Bangladesh. A cross-sectional study was designed to assess the mcr-1 to mcr-5 genes in 80 fresh poultry droppings from commercial poultry farms and 40 poultry droppings from household farms. DNA was extracted from each poultry dropping using commercial kits (Qiagen GmbH, Hilden, Germany). Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) was employed using the qTOWER3 thermal cycler (Analytik Jena GmbH, Jena, Germany) to analyze the mcr gene variants in the extracted DNA. This study observed that 47.5% (57/120) of the samples exhibited the presence of at least one mcr gene out of the five variants investigated. The individual detection rates of the mcr-1, mcr-2, mcr-3, mcr-4, and mcr-5 genes were 42.5% (51/120), 2.5% (3/120), 1.7% (2/120), 5% (6/120), and 9.2% (11/120), respectively. The co-carriage of two or more genes was found in over 10% (10/57) of the samples. The triple occurrence of mcr genes was identified in three samples with the combination of mcr-1+mcr-2+mcr-4, mcr-1+mcr-3+mcr-5, and mcr-1+mcr-4+mcr-5. Overall, a significantly higher number of mcr genes were identified in the commercial farm chicken droppings compared to the household chicken droppings (p = 0.007). The existence of mcr genes in poultry feces in Bangladesh emphasizes the importance of proper poultry waste disposal and good hygiene practices in poultry livestock and its value chain. The potential impact of environmental ARGs should be considered in national and global policy documents. An integrated and combined approach to the One Health concept should be applied in all domains to understand and control the environment’s role in the evolution and transmission of AMR. Full article

The pre-transport phase induces stress, fear, and injury in poultry, but management choices greatly influence this. Pre-transport practices for spent hens and broilers in Flanders (Belgium) were studied. Poultry farmers (31 of 156 layers and 48 of 203 broiler farmers completed the survey) were surveyed on the selection of unfit chickens, catching and crating, and farmer opinion. A minority of farmers made a specific selection of chickens unfit for transport prior to catching (layers 25%: 5.1 ± 5.9 h, broilers 39%: 6.8 ± 7.0 h). More layer (69%) than broiler farmers (19%) withdrew feed too early (EU regulations stipulate max. 12 h before expected slaughter time). Layer farmers withdrew water earlier than broiler farmers (47.9 ± 51.1 min vs. 20.6 ± 23.3 min). More broiler than layer farmers believed that the container type affects the birds’ welfare (48% vs. 27%; p < 0.05). On broiler farms, mechanical catching was preferred for catchers’ well-being, while upright catching was considered better for animal welfare than catching more than three chickens by one/two legs, wings, or mechanically. Poultry farmers should be sensitized about the need for additional selection before catching, including clear guidelines about judging which birds are fit for transport. Full article

Changes in leukocyte populations and immune gene expression associated with attenuated vaccine (SA2) or field (Class 9) strains of infectious laryngotracheitis virus in chicken pullets were observed primarily in the trachea and conjunctiva, while no substantial changes were detected in the Harderian gland. Although there were no significant differences in cellular infiltration in the tissues exposed to Class 9 and SA2, Class 9 induced greater changes in immune gene expression than SA2 in the trachea and conjunctiva and significantly upregulated CD4, CD8A, IRF1, STAT4 and downregulated CXCL12 expression in the trachea. Meanwhile, SA2 significantly upregulated CD14 and downregulated MPO, CCR6 and RAG1 expression in the conjunctiva. In conclusion, gene expression in pullets infected with SA2 and Class 9 were mostly related to inflammatory and tissue-repairing responses in the trachea and conjunctiva. Compared to SA2, Class 9 inoculation was associated with a more robust gene expression of immune markers; however, a larger infiltration of Kul01+, Bu1+ and CD8a+ cells was observed in trachea and conjunctiva after SA2 inoculation. Full article