Europe PMC

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Abstract 


1. This study aimed to investigate the effect of the first and third parities and one male: four females (1 M:4F) and 1 M:6F sex ratios of White Roman geese on their reproductive performance and biochemical parameters in an environmentally controlled house.2. Ganders (n = 136) and geese (n = 656) from the first and third parity were randomly placed into eight pens. These eight pens were assigned to one of four treatments in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement (two sex ratio groups × two parity groups). The first and third parity treatment groups had 1 M:4F (each pen containing 20 ganders and 80 geese) and 1 M:6F (each pen containing 14 ganders and 84 geese) sex ratio treatment groups, respectively, replicated twice.3. Blood samples were collected from the geese at different time points: upon entering the house (ST), the beginning of the lighting regime of 7 L:17D for six weeks (LC6W), lighting adjustment to 9 L:15D for 6 weeks (9C6W), the peak of egg production (PEP) and the end of egg production (EEP).4. The first parity group had a longer laying period than the third parity (274 vs.191 days). First parity had a lower egg production rate than third parity during whole stage (18.7 vs. 25.4%). Fertility in 1 M:4F group was significantly higher than in 1 M:6F rate group (54.7 vs. 45.1%) at all periods.5. Plasma levels of total protein, albumin, globulin, triglycerides, calcium and phosphorus concentrations were significantly higher for whole laying period in first parity geese compared to third parity birds.