Search Results (296)

This study aimed to identify anatomical regions and developmental stages in broiler chickens that serve as reliable thermographic indicators of acute heat stress. Broilers aged 14, 21, 35, and 39 days were exposed to controlled heat stress, and surface temperatures across 12 anatomical regions were recorded using infrared thermography. Thermal response metrics (maximum, minimum, and mean peak variation) were analyzed with repeated-measures ANOVA and eta squared (η²) to quantify the strength of physiological responses. Principal component and cluster analyses grouped body regions based on their thermal sensitivity. The comb and wattle consistently showed the highest temperature increases (ΔT = 2.3–4.1 °C) and strongest effect sizes (η² ≥ 0.70), establishing them as primary thermoregulatory markers. As age increased, more body regions—especially peripheral zones like the drumstick and tail—exhibited strong responses (η² > 0.40), indicating an expansion of thermoregulatory activity. Cluster analysis identified three distinct sensitivity groups, confirming anatomical differences in thermal regulation. Thermographic responses to heat stress in broilers depend on age and region. The comb and wattle are the most reliable biomarkers, while peripheral responses grow more prominent with maturity. These findings support the use of targeted, age-specific infrared thermography for monitoring poultry welfare. Full article

The conservation of poultry biodiversity is a growing global priority, yet it necessarily relies on the scientific valorization of specific local breeds. This study aimed to characterize the lipid composition and cholesterol content of eggs from three native Sicilian chicken breeds (Cornuta, Valplatani, and Siciliana) reared under semi-extensive conditions, in order to evaluate their nutritional potential and support biodiversity preservation strategies. A total of 170 eggs from 11 farms were analyzed. Fatty acid composition and nutritional indices (atherogenic index, thrombogenic index, n-6/n-3 ratio, HH index) were determined according to ISO and AOAC standards. Results showed that Cornuta eggs exhibited the most favorable lipid profile, with the lowest saturated fatty acid (SFA) content (38.55%), the lowest n-6/n-3 ratio (7.35), and the best values for AI (0.52), TI (1.22), and HH (2.02), compared to Valplatani and Siciliana. Conversely, the lowest cholesterol content was found in Siciliana eggs (1463.58 mg/kg), significantly lower than Cornuta (1789 mg/kg; p < 0.05). Although no commercial hybrids were included, the literature data were used for contextual comparison. These findings suggest that native breeds may produce eggs with functional nutritional properties, supporting both healthier food choices and local genetic conservation. Moreover, this study provides a replicable framework for the nutritional valorization of underutilized poultry breeds, reinforcing the role of biodiversity in sustainable food systems. Full article

(1) Background: The escalating issue of soil degradation caused by excessive chemical fertilizer application poses significant threats to the sustainable development of Chinese flowering cabbage (Brassica campestris L. ssp. chinensis (L.) var. utilis Tsen et Lee) production. This research aimed to identify the impacts of reduced chemical fertilizer application integrated with organic amendments on cabbage yield and rhizosphere soil microenvironment characteristics. (2) Methods: A biennial field experiment was conducted during the 2022–2023 growing seasons at Lijun Town, Yinchuan City, Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region. Five treatments were tested: (i) Control (CK, no fertilizer); (ii) Conventional chemical fertilization (CF1, chemical fertilizer only); (iii) Reduced chemical fertilization (CF2, 30% less chemical fertilizer); (iv) CF2 + Well-decomposed chicken manure (FCM, 30% less chemical fertilizer + rotted chicken manure); and (v) CF2 + Vermicompost (FEM, 30% less chemical fertilizer + vermicompost). (3) Results: In 2023, the FCM treatment reduced electrical conductivity (EC) by 24.80% and pH by 2.16%, while the FEM treatment decreased EC by 31.13% and pH by 3.84% compared to controls. The FEM treatment significantly enhanced total nitrogen content by 12.71% and 8.85% relative to CF1 and FCM treatments, respectively. Compared to CF1, FEM increased soil organic matter content by 10.49% in 2022 and 11.24% in 2023. Organic fertilizer amendments elevated available nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium levels while enhancing sucrase activity: FCM and FEM treatments increased sucrase activity by 23.62% and 32.00%, respectively, in 2022. Organic fertilization improved bacterial diversity and richness, optimized microbial community structure, and increased the relative abundance of Bacillus. It also upregulated microbial metabolic pathways related to carbohydrate and amino acid metabolism. Soil nutrients and bacterial community structure showed positive correlations with yield, whereas soil enzyme activities exhibited negative correlations. Key factors influencing yield were identified as Proteobacteria, Chloroflexi, available potassium, organic matter, available nitrogen, Actinobacteria, Firmicutes, total nitrogen, pH, and sucrase activity. (4) Conclusions: Integrated analysis of yield and soil microenvironmental parameters demonstrates that the fertilization regimen combining 30% chemical fertilizer reduction with vermicompost amendment (FEM) constitutes a more efficient fertilization strategy for Chinese flowering cabbage, making it suitable for regional promotion in the Ningxia area. Full article

Background: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a growing global concern in poultry production, where antibiotic use can disrupt gut microbiota and enrich antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs). Objectives: This study aimed to assess the in vivo effects of a veterinary-approved amoxicillin formulation on gut microbiome composition and ARG profiles in broiler chickens. Methods: A total of 120 Ross-308 broiler chickens were randomly allocated into 12 experimental groups (n = 10 per group), with three replicates per treatment. Birds received either full-dose (1×), a subtherapeutic quarter-dose (¼×) of amoxicillin, a placebo (starch), or no treatment. Cloacal swabs were collected on days 0, 14, and 28 for shotgun metagenomic sequencing. One-way ANOVA was used to evaluate treatment effects on body weight, with significant differences observed from day 14 onward (p < 0.0001). Results: The ¼× dose caused a more pronounced microbiome shift than the 1× dose, with a marked reduction in Pseudomonadota and increase in Bacillota and Bacteroidota. ARG abundance declined in the ¼× group (from 1386 to 1012). While TEM-type ESBL genes were ubiquitous, CTX-M-1 emerged only after ¼× treatment. Worryingly, 20 types of vancomycin resistance genes were detected across all samples. Plasmid-borne ARGs and mobile genetic elements decreased in the ¼× group. Conclusions: Even subtherapeutic antibiotic exposure significantly reshapes the gut microbiota composition and ARG landscape, highlighting the need for refined risk assessments and microbiome-conscious antimicrobial policies in poultry farming. Full article

There are growing health concerns regarding high-fat meat products. This study systematically evaluated the quality of reformulated chicken sausages through progressive substitution (30%, 60%, and 90%) of traditional pork-back fat with an Agaricus bisporus–soybean oil complex. The 60% substitution optimized texture, fatty acids, and sensory properties: hardness increased from 4332.38 N (control) to 5810.04 N, and chewiness from 3048.55 N to 3896.93 N. Linoleic acid (C18:2n6) rose from 13.00 to 32.81 g/100 g and α-linolenic acid (C18:3n3) from 0.60 to 3.05 g/100 g, improving the PUFA/SFA ratio from 0.40 to 1.15). Sensory scores (flavor/taste/overall) increased from 6.0/5.1/6.6 to 7.2/5.6/7.4. After 35-day storage, TBARS values (0.161, 0.147, 0.126 mg/100 g for 30%/60%/90% groups) remained below the control (0.232 mg/100 g). Meanwhile, the reduced-fat sausages exhibited a deeper, less saturated red hue. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed an enhanced network structure in the sausage matrix. The reformulated sausages maintained essential product characteristics such as cooking yield, moisture retention, protein content, and amino acid profile while achieving a 9.5–16.1% reduction in energy value. These findings collectively demonstrate that the A. bisporus–soybean oil complex effectively enhances the product quality, nutrition, antioxidant capacity, and sensory quality of reduced-fat chicken sausages, demonstrating this plant-based composite as a promising functional ingredient for developing healthier meat products. Full article

The creation of transgenic chickens holds significant promise for the agricultural and biotechnological sectors, offering potential improvements in disease resistance and production efficiency. The preferred method for generating gene-edited chickens involves the genetic manipulation of primordial germ cells (PGCs), making the identification and isolation of these cells a growing focus of research. PGCs are the precursors to sperm and oocytes, responsible for transmitting genetic material to the next generation. In humans, PGCs are characterized by their large size, round nuclei, and refractive lipids in the cytoplasm, and can be identified using periodic acid–Schiff (PAS) staining and the surface marker stage-specific embryonic antigen 1 (SSEA1). Similarly, chicken PGCs express SSEA1, but their most specific marker is the chicken vasa homologue (CVH), the avian equivalent of the RNA-binding factor gene vasa. However, SSEA1, along with other known surface markers, does not bind to all PGCs or lacks specificity, while CVH, although highly specific to PGCs, is intracellular and unsuitable for isolating viable cells. This study aims to develop an antibody targeting a PGC surface marker with the same specificity as CVH. Despite the importance of identifying surface markers for PGC characterization, to date, such reagents are limited. To address this, whole chicken PGCs were injected into mice, leading to the generation of a panel of monoclonal antibodies. One antibody was found to bind cultured chicken PGCs and showed reduced expression upon differentiation with retinoic acid, indicating its specificity to PGCs. Immunoprecipitation followed by mass spectrometry identified the antigen as myosin heavy chain-like (MYH9) protein. The antibody, αMYH9, was further characterized and shown to bind circulating PGCs and embryonic gonadal PGCs (Hamburger Hamilton (H-H) stage 30, embryonic day 6.5–7). Whilst our primary aim was to determine the binding to PGCs, further investigation is required to determine potential binding to somatic cells. In conclusion, this study provides the characterization of a surface marker for chicken PGCs, with significant implications for advancements in avian genetic preservation, agriculture, and biotechnology. Full article

The growing demand for cost-effective, high-quality protein ingredients in the meat industry highlights the need for advanced processing methods capable of producing uniform, functional meat–bone pastes from poultry by-products. This study investigates the optimization of colloid milling parameters for the fine grinding of chicken meat–bone by-products, with a focus on improving particle size distribution, rheological properties, and processing efficiency. A modified rotor–stator system with teeth inclined at 20° and a reduced pitch (0.5 mm) was compared to a conventional configuration (45° inclination, 1.5 mm pitch). Experiments were conducted at rotor speeds ranging from 1000 to 4000 rpm, with a fixed clearance of 0.1 mm. The results showed that the modified design significantly enhanced grinding efficiency, reducing the proportion of bone fragments > 1 mm and yielding over 70% of particles under 0.1 mm at 3000 rpm. Viscosity and shear stress measurements indicated that grinding at 3000 rpm yielded a dynamic viscosity of 71,507 Pa·s and a shear stress of 43,531 mPa·s, values that were significantly lower (p < 0.05) than those observed at other tested speeds, thereby producing a paste consistency with the most favorable balance of elasticity and flowability. At 4000 rpm, the temperature rise (up to 32 °C) led to partial denaturation of muscle proteins, accompanied by emulsion destabilization and disruption of the protein gel matrix, resulting in reductions in the viscosity and water-binding capacity of the paste. Comparative analysis confirmed that tool geometry and rotor speed have critical effects on grinding quality, energy use, and thermal load. The optimal operating parameters, 3000 rpm with modified rotor–stator teeth, achieve the finest, most homogeneous bone paste while preserving protein functionality and minimizing energy losses. These findings support the development of energy-efficient grinding equipment for the valorization of poultry by-products in emulsified meat formulations. Full article

The stability of collagen, the most abundant protein in humans and many animals, is related to the hydroxylation of L-proline, a post-translational modification occurring at carbon 3 and 4 on its pyrrolidine ring. Collagens of different origins have shown different proline hydroxylation levels, making hydroxyprolines useful biomarkers in structure characterizations. The presence of two chiral carbon atoms, 3-hydroxyproline and 4-hydroxyproline, results in eight stereoisomers (four pairs of enantiomers) whose quantitation in collagen hydrolysates requires enantioselective analytical methods. Capillary electrophoresis was applied for the separation and quantitation of the eight stereoisomers of 3- and 4-hydroxyproline and D,L-proline in collagen hydrolysates. The developed method is based on the derivatization with the chiral reagent (R)-(-)-4-(3-Isothiocyanatopyrrolidin-yl)-7-nitro-2,1,3-benzoxadiazole, enabling the use of a light-emitting diode-induced fluorescence detector for high sensitivity. The separation of the considered compounds was accomplished in less than 10 min, using a 500 mM acetate buffer pH 3.5 supplemented with 5 mM of heptakis(2,6-di-O-methyl)-β-cyclodextrin as the chiral selector. The method was fully validated and showed the adequate sensitivity for the application to samples of collagen hydrolysates. The analysis of samples extracted from chicken Pectoralis major muscles affected by growth-related myopathies showed different stereoisomer patterns compared to those from the unaffected control samples. Full article

Bacterial chondronecrosis with osteomyelitis (BCO) is a major cause of lameness in broiler chickens. This condition arises when bacteria from the gastrointestinal or aerosol tract migrate to infect bone microfractures, often exacerbated by rapid growth, reduced blood flow, and mechanical stress. As concerns about antibiotic resistance grow, probiotics have gained attention for their potential to improve gut health and reduce systemic bacterial load. This study evaluated the efficacy of a probiotic program comprising an Enterococcus faecium-based spray (2 × 10⁹ CFU/bird at hatch) and a triple-strain Bacillus-based feed additive (B. subtilis 597, B. subtilis 600, and B. amyloliquefaciens 516 at 500 g/t feed from day 1 to 56), applied individually or in combination. A wire-flooring challenge model was used to simulate BCO transmission. A total of 1560 Cobb 500 broilers were randomly assigned to five groups: T1 (positive control), T2 (negative control), T3 (E. faecium spray only), T4 (Bacillus feed supplement only), and T5 (combined treatment). Lameness was evaluated daily from day 21 to 56 through clinical observation and necropsy. The challenge model was validated with >70% lameness in T1. All probiotic treatments significantly reduced lameness compared to T2 (p < 0.05): 35.4% in T3, 36.7% in T4, and 47.6% in T5. The combined treatment resulted in the statistically highest reduction in lameness incidence, indicating a synergistic rather than merely additive effect compared to individual treatments. These findings support the use of targeted probiotic strategies to reduce BCO lameness and enhance skeletal health and welfare in broilers. Full article

The Lueyang black-bone chicken represents a distinct indigenous avian breed native to China and it is a slow-growing broiler breed. The gut, whose primary function is to digest food and absorb nutrients, is also home to a large and diverse microbial community. The intestinal morphology, intestinal metabolites, and gut microbiota are critical determinants of nutrient utilization efficiency and immune health in poultry. This study investigates the impact of two distinct rearing modalities—cage-raised (CR) and cage-free (CF)—on the intestinal morphology, intestinal metabolites, and gut microbiota of the duodenum and cecum in Lueyang black-bone chickens. Additionally, we have integrated metabolomics and microbiome analyses. Morphological assessments revealed that, in comparison to the CR group, the CF group exhibited a significant increase in duodenal villi height (VH) and crypt depth (CD) (p < 0.01). Furthermore, there was a notable increase in the number of intestinal inflammatory cells within the CF group. Non-targeted metabolomics indicated an upregulation of omega-3 series polyunsaturated fatty acids and bile acid metabolites in the CR group. Conversely, the CF group demonstrated significantly elevated levels of lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC) and phosphatidylcholine (PE) in the intestine. Microbiome analysis revealed that in the duodenum, beneficial bacteria (e.g., Lactobacillus) were the dominant genera in the CF group, while the Bacteroides predominate in the CR group. Correlation analyses indicated a positive association between LPC levels and the presence of eight bacterial genera, including Ureaplasma. The omega-3 series polyunsaturated fatty acids were positively correlated with three bacterial genera, such as Flavobacterium. Notably, bile acid metabolites exhibited a significant positive correlation with Rikenellaceae_RC9_gut_group. In conclusion, this study provides novel insights into how rearing methods influence intestinal morphology, intestinal metabolites, and gut microbiota, offering a new perspective for the scientific management of poultry with the premise of ensuring animal health and welfare. Full article

The Argentine Campero-INTA slow-growing chicken, a widely used breed in family poultry farming, faces high coccidiosis prevalence, impairing productivity. Control often relies on management and drugs due to vaccination costs. This pilot study assessed the breed’s susceptibility to local Eimeria and the impact of good animal welfare practices (AWPs) and an organic fermented additive, locally produced, combined with AWPs (OF-AWPs). Two trials evaluated productive (body weight gain and feed conversion), infection (oocyst excretion and lesion score), and histopathological parameters (villus height and crypt depth). The productivity (PI) and anticoccidial (ACI) indexes were calculated. Metagenomic analysis of the additive was also conducted. Mild to moderate coccidiosis significantly reduced PI (7.99–16.83 vs. 29.29 in unchallenged controls). In the second trial, AWPs showed good anticoccidial efficacy (ACI 173.9), while OF-AWPs demonstrated high efficacy, especially in birds of 28 days (ACI 180.6), improving productive parameters, reducing oocyst shedding, and enhancing the villus height to crypt depth ratio. Over a 75-day cycle, the OF-AWP increased the PI by 24.44% compared to untreated chickens (108.8 vs. 87.43). Lactic acid bacteria were the main component of the organic fermented additive. This research highlights the potential of an agroecological strategy to manage coccidiosis in Campero-INTA chickens. Full article

Objectives: Linezolid resistance among Enterococcus species poses a growing clinical and public health concern, especially due to the dissemination of transferable resistance genes, such as optrA. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of linezolid resistance and to characterize the molecular epidemiology and genetic contexts of optrA-positive linezolid-resistant Enterococcus (LRE) isolates from clinical and animal sources in South Korea. Methods: A total of 2156 Enterococcus isolates, collected through nationwide surveillance from hospitalized patients and healthy livestock (pigs, cattle, and chickens) between 2017 and 2019, were retrospectively analyzed. Phenotypic susceptibility testing, optrA gene screening, and whole-genome sequencing were performed to investigate genetic environments and phylogenetic relationships. Results: The prevalence of linezolid resistance was 0.2% in clinical isolates, 3.3% in pigs, 4.3% in cattle, and 1.4% in chickens. optrA-positive linezolid-resistant isolates were less frequent, with rates of 0.1%, 1.4%, 0.9%, and 1.0%, respectively. Multilocus sequence typing identified sequence types (STs) 330 and ST476 in E. faecalis from humans, with no shared STs between human and livestock isolates. The optrA gene was located either chromosomally, frequently associated with transposon Tn6674, or on multidrug resistance plasmids. Notably, optrA variants exhibited host-specific distribution patterns. Phylogenetic analysis demonstrated considerable genomic diversity, and Korean ST476 isolates were genetically related to international strains reported from livestock, poultry products, and wild birds, suggesting potential global dissemination. Conclusions: This study provides a comprehensive, nationally representative assessment of linezolid resistance in South Korea. The findings highlight the zoonotic potential and possible international dissemination of optrA-carrying ST476 lineages, underscoring the need for integrated One Health surveillance to monitor and control the spread of transferable resistance genes. Full article

Worldwide, there is a growing need to valorize agri-food waste containing bioactive compounds to fit into the circular economy action plan approved in Europe. In this paper, the carotenoids of peel powder of pumpkins (PPP) of five varieties (Hokkaido, Lunga di Napoli, Mantovana, Moscata di Provenza, and Violina rugosa) were characterized by spectrophotometric (antioxidant activity) and chromatographic analyses. PPP from the Hokkaido variety showed high levels of carotenoids (2993.90 μg β-carotene equivalents/g). They were mainly composed of mono- (9065.35 μg zeaxanthin dipalmitate equivalents/g) and di-esterified (1832.74 μg zeaxanthin dipalmitate equivalents/g) xanthophylls. It also showed high antioxidant activity (ABTS 2036.02 μg Trolox equivalents/g). Therefore, it was used as a functional plant ingredient (4%) to prepare chicken burgers (100, 70, and 50% chicken meat). Physical-chemical, microbiological, color, and sensorial analyses of fortified chicken burgers were carried out. The product with 70% chicken meat and 4% PPP obtained the highest overall acceptability score (5.95 ± 0.25). The results confirm that the addition of PPP could represent a valid approach to increasing the health properties and acceptability of burgers, even if a larger assessor size is necessary. Full article

The global food industry primarily relies on synthetic preservatives and additives to extend shelf life and enhance product quality. The growing demand for clean-label meat products has prompted interest in natural preservatives. This study aimed to evaluate the antimicrobial effect of thyme (Thymus vulgaris), oregano (Origanum vulgare) and clove (Syzygium aromaticum) essential oils’ physicochemical and organoleptic characteristics in chicken sausages. In vitro, assays assessed antimicrobial activity at concentrations ranging from 40 µg kg⁻¹ to 600 µg kg⁻¹, while in vivo trials evaluated the effects of encapsulated and non-encapsulated essential oils during 30 days of refrigerated storage. The treatments differed in terms of essential oil, dose, combination and method of application. The results showed that the essential oils, at different doses and in combination, controlled the growth (28%) and presence of the evaluated microorganisms (C. perfringens, S. aureus, E. coli and Salmonella) in the chicken sausages. Moreover, the non-encapsulated application of essential oils demonstrated greater antimicrobial effectiveness compared to the encapsulated form. Overall, the results support the potential of these plant essential oils as safe, effective alternatives to synthetic preservatives in chicken sausage, without negatively affecting nutritional or sensory attributes. Full article

Interest in indigenous and dual-purpose chicken breeds for sustainable poultry farming is growing. Additionally, incorporating local feed resources into their diets may enhance the nutritional value of their products while reducing environmental impact. This study investigated the ability of Echium oil (EO), rich in stearidonic acid (SDA, 18:4n-3) compared to linseed oil (LO) and high in alpha-linolenic acid (ALA, 18:3n-3), to increase long-chain n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFAs) in breast meat. Sixty Canarian cockerels were fed for six weeks with diets supplemented with 1.5% soybean oil (SO), 1.5% LO, or 2% EO. Final body weight and carcass traits showed no significant differences among groups (p > 0.05). However, EO-fed birds exhibited slightly higher breast meat lightness (L*) than LO-fed ones (p < 0.05). Total lipid content and lipid class composition remained unchanged (p > 0.05). Both LO and EO increased eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, 20:5n-3) compared to SO, with EO further enhancing SDA, 20:3n-3, 20:4n-3, docosapentaenoic acid (DPA, 22:5n-3), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, 22:6n-3), resulting in meat with a healthier thrombogenic index (TI). Importantly, EO inclusion up to 2% did not negatively impact meat sensory qualities. These findings suggest that EO outperforms LO in enriching poultry meat with beneficial n-3 LC-PUFAs and holds great potential for poultry production. Full article