Myocardial calcium levels in furazolidone-induced cardiomyopathy in turkey poults

Myocardial calcium levels were measured in control turkey poults and in poults with furazolidone (FZ)-induced cardiomyopathy. FZ at a dose of 700 ppm added to the feed of poults from 2 to 5 weeks post-hatching produced the typical round-heart syndrome but had little effect on the calcium levels in the myocardium. Data suggest that the mechanism of FZ cardiotoxicity is not associated with calcium overload.     

Characterization of glycogen in selected tissues of turkey poults with spontaneous round heart disease and furazolidone-induced cardiomyopathy.

Furazolidone (FZ) at 700 ppm was added to feed mixtures fed turkey poults 2--5 weeks after hatching to induce acute experimental cardiomyopathy. Poults in the control pen received the same ration but without FZ. From EKG data obtained at weekly intervals, poults were selected for sacrifice at 5 and 10 weeks of age. Poults were sacrificed by cervical dislocation and appropriate samples of tissue from the left ventricle, liver, pectoralis and tibialis cranialis muscles were removed for glycogen assays. Character of glycogen, as determined by percent of branching and number of glucose units per segment, was not significantly altered in poults with spontaneous round heart disease or FZ-induced cardiomyopathy. This suggests that the glycogen accumulation noted in these conditions most closely resembles type II glycogenosis.     

Production of gliotoxin during the pathogenic state in turkey poults byAspergillus fumigatus Fresenius

Turkey poults were given either of two different dosages of two different gliotoxin-producing strains ofAspergillus fumigatus. Infected lung tissue was examined postmortem for the presence of gliotoxin. Gliotoxin was found in lung tissue of ten poults infected with one strain and in seven of ten poults infected with the other strain. Concentrations of gliotoxin in the tissue exceeded 6 ppm in some of the infected tissues. The concentration of gliotoxin found in infected tissue did not appear to be correlated with the dosage of organism given. Considering the pathologic changes observed in turkey poults with aspergillosis and the production of gliotoxin during the pathogenic state in turkey poults, gliotoxin is considered likely to be involved in avian aspergillosis. Disclaimer: Names are necessary to report factually on available data; however, the USDA neither guarantees nor warrants the standard of the product, and the use of the name by USDA implies no approval of the product to the exclusion of others that may also be suitable.     

Early post-hatch fasting induces satellite cell self-renewal

Early post-hatch satellite cell kinetics are an important aspect of muscle development, and understanding the interplay between fasting and muscle development will lead to improvements in muscle mass following an illness, and optimal meat production. The objective of this experiment was to test the influence of immediate post-hatch fasting on satellite cells in the poult. Male Nicholas poults (Meleagris gallopavo) were placed into two treatments: a fed treatment with immediate access to feed and water upon placement and a fasted treatment without access to feed and water for the first three days post-hatch. 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine (BrdU) was injected intra-abdominally in all poults to label mitotically active satellite cells. The pectoralis thoracicus muscle was harvested two hours following the BrdU injection. Immunohistochemistry for BrdU, Pax7, Bcl-2, Pax7 with BrdU, and determining myofiber cross-sectional area along with computer-based image analysis was used to study muscle development. Fed poults had higher body masses throughout the experiment (P< or =0.01), and they had higher pectoralis thoracicus muscle mass (P< or =0.01) at ten days of age than the fasted poults. Fed poults had higher satellite cell mitotic activity at three days and four days of age (P< or =0.01) compared to the fasted poults. However, Pax7 labeling index was higher in the fasted poults (P< or =0.01) at three days, four days, and five days post-hatch than the fed group. Similarly Bcl-2 labeling was higher in the fasted than in the fed group at three days post-hatch. Therefore, fasting depleted proliferating satellite cells indicated by the lower BrdU labeling in the fasted poults compared to the fed poults, and conserved the satellite cell proliferative reserve indicated by the higher level of Pax7 labeling for the fasted poults compared to the fed poults.     

High levels of dietary carbohydrate increase glucose transport in poult intestine

The hypothesis was proposed that the carbohydrate in the first diet fed to turkey hatchlings upregulates the glucose transport system. Heavy and light body mass poults were observed to determine differences in glucose transport and carbohydrate digestion. Poults were weighed immediately posthatching. Heavy poults were at least +/-2 S.D. above the mean whereas light poults were at least +/-S.D. below the population mean (62.5 +/- 0.4). Each group was randomly assigned to one of two diets. One diet contained 50% carbohydrate and the remaining diet had 15% carbohydrate. Although the diets were isocaloric, differing carbohydrate (corn starch) and fat (cottonseed oil) content had significant effects on body masses within 3 days. Poults fed low carbohydrate weighed more than those on high carbohydrate perhaps because fat is a preferred energy substrate in the neonatal turkey. Greater carbohydrate in the diet increased glucose uptake and maltase activity compared to diets containing more fat. Heavier poults at hatching remained heavier at 3 days posthatching. No differences between body mass categories were noted in glucose uptake measurements. Thus, differences seen in growth rates may not be attributed to glucose transport in the jejunum. It is concluded that turkeys belong to the class of birds in which the poults respond to more carbohydrate in the diet by increasing plasma T(3) concentrations, upregulating the glucose transport system, and increasing enzymatic activity as with maltase.     

Myocardial levels of calcium, glycogen and triglycerides in ethanol-fed turkey poults treated with allopurinol

Effect of allopurinol treatment on myocardial levels of calcium, glycogen and triglyceride and on plasma levels of triglyceride was evaluated in turkey poults during a period of chronic ethanol consumption and following a period of ethanol abstinence. Allopurinol treatment had no significant effect on myocardial levels of calcium. Allopurinol treatment plus abstinence was slightly more effective than abstinence alone in restoring myocardial levels of glycogen and triglyceride and plasma levels of triglyceride in ethanol-fed poults to that seen in control poults.     

Effect of Bile on Infectivity of Histomonas meleagridis of Liver Origin

SYNOPSIS After 30 min exposure to fresh turkey bile at 99 F, 100,000 Histomonas meleagridis of turkey liver origin failed to infect any of 20 poults inoculated rectally. Only one of 20 poults similarly inoculated with histomonads exposed to fresh turkey bile for only 5 min at 99 F became infected. Fifteen of 20 poults became infected following rectal inoculation with 100,000 H. meleagridis of liver origin held in physiologic saline for 30 min at 99 F. All infected birds developed liver lesions and died. Altho H. meleagridis was very abundant in the livers of all potential donor poults and all infected recipient poults, histomonads were never found in the gall bladders of any of these birds. In some such birds, a few apparently degenerating histomonads were detected in the duodenum near the entrance of the bile ducts. Histomonads of liver origin are regarded as of little or no consequence in the transmission of this protozoon.     

Effects of stressors on blood glucose and hepatic glycogen concentrations in turkey poults.

1. The putatively stressful procedures of sexing, toe trimming, snood removal, beak trimming and injection of antibiotic solution, as performed in a commercial hatchery, elevated blood glucose levels and depressed hepatic glycogen levels in newly-hatched turkey poults. 2. The first procedure performed, cloacal sexing, was sufficient to elevate blood glucose, but all procedures were required before depression of hepatic glycogen occurred. 3. Blood glucose levels declined in both untreated (INITIAL) and fully-treated (FINAL) poults over a 24 hr holding period. 4. Hepatic glycogen declined with 24 hr holding of INITIAL poults but increased with holding of FINAL poults.     

Comparison of media for isolation of poultry intestinal bacteria

The effects of medium composition, incubation temperature, and length of incubation were determined for recovery of the predominant intestinal bacteria from turkey poults. Incubation of recovery media at 41 degrees C resulted in significantly higher counts than at 37 degrees C. In 2- and 3-week-old turkey poults. RGCAP-30, RGCAP-10, and RGCA-30 gave the highest recoveries of cecal bacteria. M98-5 was less effective and brain heart infusion agar was definitely inadequate. However, there was no significant difference between RGCAP-30 and brain heart infusion agar for recovery of duodenal bacteria. In older birds (6 weeks of age), M98-5 was equal or superior to the RGCA-based media. The choice of a primary isolation medium is thus dependent on the site to be sampled and the age of the bird.     

Comparison of media for isolation of poultry intestinal bacteria.

The effects of medium composition, incubation temperature, and length of incubation were determined for recovery of the predominant intestinal bacteria from turkey poults. Incubation of recovery media at 41 degrees C resulted in significantly higher counts than at 37 degrees C. In 2- and 3-week-old turkey poults. RGCAP-30, RGCAP-10, and RGCA-30 gave the highest recoveries of cecal bacteria. M98-5 was less effective and brain heart infusion agar was definitely inadequate. However, there was no significant difference between RGCAP-30 and brain heart infusion agar for recovery of duodenal bacteria. In older birds (6 weeks of age), M98-5 was equal or superior to the RGCA-based media. The choice of a primary isolation medium is thus dependent on the site to be sampled and the age of the bird.     

Effect of turkey (Meleagridis gallopavo) breeder hen age and egg size on poult development. 1. Intestinal growth and glucose tolerance of the turkey poult

Three experiments were conducted to determine if turkey (Meleagridis gallopavo) hen age and egg weight affect poult intestinal development and glucose tolerance during the first week after hatching. Differences in glucose tolerance were not consistent across the experiments. In experiment 1, 4-day-old poults from the younger hens and lightest egg weight class had significantly greater fasting plasma glucose concentrations (P<0.04) and were also higher at 30 and 60 min post-injection of 250 mg glucose. In experiment 2, egg weight class had no significant effects on plasma glucose concentrations of 4-day-old poults (after injection of 2.5 mg glucose/g body weight). In experiment 3, plasma glucose concentrations were not different between groups at 0 or 30 min post-injection (3.75 mg glucose/g body weight), however, poults from the younger hens had 79–90 mg/dl higher plasma glucose concentrations 60 min post-injection versus poults from the older hens. Neither egg weight class or hen age consistently affected small intestinal weight, length, or density (g/cm) measures across experiments.     

Plasma uric acid levels in ethanol-fed turkey poults treated with allopurinol

Plasma uric acid levels were determined in ethanol-fed poults following administration of allopurinol. In young poults, allopurinol at a dose of 50 mg/kg significantly depressed plasma uric acid levels 6 hr post-dosing. At 11 hr post-dosing, plasma uric acid levels were significantly elevated in the allopurinol-treated poults when compared with control poults. During a period of ethanol abstinence, allopurinol at a dose of 40 mg/kg significantly depressed plasma uric acid levels up to 8 hr post-dosing. At a dose of 30 mg/kg, plasma uric acid levels were similar to control values at 4 and 6 hr post-dosing. Data suggest that plasma uric acid levels can be depressed in ethanol poults when allopurinol is administered every 8 hr at a dose of 40-50 mg/kg of body weight.     

Changes in fatty acid composition of lipids from birds, rodents, and preschool children exposed to lead

Chronic treatment with inorganic lead (Pb) has been shown to increase the proportion of arachidonic acid (ArA), as well as the arachidonate/linoleate (ArA/LA) ratio, in the fatty acids of lipids from a variety of avian tissues. Changes in two fatty acid-mediated phenomena, peroxidation of membrane lipids and synthesis of eicosanoid cytokines, are associated with this enhanced ArA content. The authors are not aware of any reports in the literature in which these effects of Pb have been described for any animals other than birds. In the current study, the authors investigated the effect of Pb on lipid metabolism in three species: avian, rodent, and human. The group of children identified as suffering environmental Pb exposure were from a Pb-surveillance program and had blood Pb concentrations (PbB) averaging 23 μg/dL. Turkey poults fed 100 ppm dietary Pb as Pb acetate-trihydrate for 19 d had a PbB of 46 μg/dL. Gastric intubation of rats with 80 mg Pb/kg/d for 10 d resulted in a PbB of 74 μg/dL. We analyzed fatty acid composition of whole blood from children, poults, and virgin rats. Low-dose (nongrowth inhibitory) Pb exposure resulted in significantly increased ArA concentration and ArA/LA ratio in blood from all species. Also analyzed were plasma and liver of poults, virgin rats, and pregnant rats and their fetuses. In plasma and liver from Pb-treated poults and virgin rats, ArA and the ArA/LA ratio were again enhanced. Pb intoxication also affected ω3 composition, increasing the concentrations of all long-chain ω3 fatty acids of fetuses from Pb-treated pregnant dams. The authors propose that altered fatty acid metabolism may be responsible for some indications of Pb poisoning. Possible consequences mediated through lipid peroxidation and production of ArA-derivative eicosanoids are considered.     

Rye Affects Bacterial Translocation,Intestinal Viscosity,Microbiota Composition and Bone Mineralization in Turkey Poults

Previously, we have reported that rye significantly increased both viscosity and Clostridium perfringens proliferation when compared with corn in an in vitro digestive model. Two independent trials were conducted to evaluate the effect of rye as a source of energy on bacterial translocation, intestinal viscosity, gut microbiota composition, and bone mineralization, when compared with corn in turkey poults. In each experiment, day-of-hatch, turkey poults were randomly assigned to either a corn or a rye diet (n = 0 /group). At 10 d of age, in both experiments, 12 birds/group were given an oral gavage dose of fluorescein isothiocyanate dextran (FITC-d). After 2.5 h of oral gavage, blood and liver samples were collected to evaluate the passage of FITC-d and bacterial translocation (BT) respectively. Duodenum, ileum and cecum gut sections were collected to evaluate intestinal viscosity and to enumerate gut microbiota. Tibias were collected for observation of bone parameters. Broilers fed with a rye diet showed increased (p<0.05) intestinal viscosity, BT, and serum FITC-d. Bacterial enumeration revealed that turkey poults fed with rye had increased the number of total lactic acid bacteria (LAB) in all three sections of the gastrointestinal tract evaluated when compared to turkey poults fed with corn. Turkey poults fed with rye also had significantly higher coliforms in duodenum and ileum but not in the ceca, whereas the total number of anaerobes increased only in duodenum. A significant reduction in bone strength and bone mineralization was observed in turkey poults fed with rye when compared with corn fed turkey poults. In conclusion, rye evoked mucosal damage in turkey poults that increased intestinal viscosity, increased leakage through the intestinal tract, and altered the microbiota composition and bone mineralization. Studies to evaluate dietary inclusion of selected Direct-Fed Microbial (DFM) candidates that produce exogenous enzymes in rye fed turkey poults are currently being evaluated.     

Segregation of Two Alleles for Color of down in Parthenogenetic and Normal Turkey Embryos and Poults

Data were collected on the down color of 1,386 parthenogenetic embryos and poults from eggs of 306 young virgin and older nonmated bronze turkey hens. Each hen involved was heterozygous (Cc) for alleles which affect feather pigmentation. Six hundred and sixty nine white and 717 colored parthenogenetic embryos and poults were observed, a 1:1 ratio. Subsequently, 89 of these 306 heterozygous bronze hens were inseminated with semen from BSW (cc) males and down color of embryos and poults from fertilized eggs recorded. the 89 females produced a total of 233 white and 239 colored normal embryos and poults. The 1:1 ratio for down color among both parthenogenetic and normal embryos and poults shows that, in both instances, the two alleles at a locus on an autosome segregated equally. Four possible cytological routes which would lead to diploidy were discussed.     

Anti-coccidial activity of 2-picoline, 6-amino-4-nitro-, 1-oxide

An investigational drug (2-picoline, 6-amino-4-nitro-, 1-oxide) was evaluated to characterize the anti-coccidial spectrum of the compound. Two concentrations of the drug (125 and 250 ppm) were evaluated for bioactivity; weight gain, survival, dropping, and lesion scores were the response variables utilized to ascertain activity. The activities of the picoline derivative were compared with monensin, maduramicin, and a narasin/nicarbazin (1:1) combination. The investigational drug had significant activity against Eimeria tenella and Eimeria necatrix, and the 250-ppm level was significantly more active than 125 ppm. At 250 ppm, the E. tenella activity of the picoline derivative was comparable to both monensin (120 ppm) and the 50-ppm narasin/nicarbazin combination, significantly less effective than maduramicin (6 ppm), and significantly more efficacious than 30 ppm narasin/nicarbazin. At the same level (250 ppm), the picoline derivative had significantly less E. necatrix activity than monensin (120 ppm), maduramicin (6 ppm), and narasin/nicarbazin (50 ppm), and significantly greater activity than 30 ppm narasin/nicarbazin. At best, only extremely weak Eimeria acervulina, Eimeria brunetti, and Eimeria maxima activities were noted with the investigational drug; higher concentrations of the picoline derivative may achieve greater anti-coccidial activity against these species. The efficacy of narasin/nicarbazin compared favorably with monensin and maduramicin; the 50-ppm level of the combination appeared significantly more efficacious than 30-ppm.     

Effects of growth hormone injection to embryos on growth and myosin heavy chain isoforms in growing turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo)

Effects of embryonic imprinting with growth hormone (GH) on growth and myosin heavy chain (MyHC) isoforms in pectoralis muscle were determined by injecting turkey embryos with ovine growth hormone (oGH) at a dose of 10 μg three times a day. Injections were made on days 20 and 26 (Treatment 1), days 14 and 20 (Treatment 2) or days 14 and 26 (Treatment 3) of incubation. In Treatement 1 poults, plasma GH concentrations were elevated at 3 days posthatch and in Treatment 3 poults, plasma GH concentrations were elevated at 15 days posthatch, as compared to control poults. At 4 weeks of age, in males, body weights, shank length and weights of pectoralis, gastrocnemius and sartorius muscles were increased in Treatment 3, and in females, body weights, shank length and weights of gastrocnemius muscle of female turkeys were increased in Treatment 1. The growth rate of female turkeys from 4 weeks through 16 weeks was increased by Treatment 1. Treatment 1 resulted in a delay in the transition from the embryonic MyHC isoform to the neonatal MyHC isoform and to the adult MyHC isoform. Treatment 3 induced an earlier appearance of the adult MyHC isoform. No effects on body and muscle growth and MyHC isoforms were observed by Treatment 2.     

Pilot study on the efficacy of paromomycin as a histomonostatic feed additive in turkey poults experimentally infected with Histomonas meleagridis

Paromomycin is an aminoglycoside antibiotic with activity against protozoa. Currently, paromomycin is registered for food producing animal species. In a pilot study we evaluated the efficacy of different doses of paromomycin in the feed against Histomonas meleagridis in experimentally challenged turkey poults. Groups consisting of 30 birds each were given feed with 100, 200 and 400 ppm paromomycin, respectively, starting on day 1 through to day 42. One group of 30 birds was left untreated. On day 21 all birds were infected intracloacally with H. meleagridis. Additionally, 10 birds were kept as a non-infected and non-treated control group. Before the challenge there was no significant difference between untreated and treated groups with regards to feed consumption and feed conversion rate. After the challenge, mortality was 80% in the infected non-treated birds. In the treated groups the mortality rate was 73.3%, 43.3% and 20%, respectively. No histomonal DNA was found in caeca and livers of the surviving birds. In addition, higher doses of paromomycin (200 and 400 ppm) led to reduced counts of Clostridium perfringens in the droppings. In conclusion, a prophylactic application of paromomycin as a feed additive was effective against the challenge with H. meleagridis under experimental conditions.     

Effect of turkey (Meleagridis gallopavo) breeder hen age and egg size on poult development. 2. Intestinal villus growth, enterocyte migration and proliferation of the turkey poult

Villus growth, enterocyte migration and proliferation were measured in the small intestine of poults (Meleagridis gallopavo) to determine if hen age and/or egg size influences these characteristics during the first week after hatching. At hatching, distal jejunal villi were 22.8 μm longer in poults from the older (48 weeks) versus the younger (34 weeks) hens (P<0.05). Similarly, labeled enterocytes in distal jejunal sections from poults from the older hens had migrated 28 μm (10%) farther along the crypt-villus axis at hatching, as compared to poults from the younger hens (P<0.05). Villus growth differences and enterocyte migration were not consistently affected by hen age or egg weight class in poults from 1 to 7 days old. These results suggest that even though intestinal villi may be more advanced developmentally at hatch in poults from the older hens, however post-hatch growth of the intestine or the poult is not affected by hen age or egg weight class.     

Tryptophan 2,3-dioxygenase activity in turkey poults infected with Bordetella avium

1. Liver tryptophan 2,3-dioxygenase (TPO) activity was depressed significantly by the Bordetella avium infection localized in the trachea of the turkey poult. 2. Tryptophan, given orally, induced a significant increase in TPO activity in both control and infected poults. 3. Hydrocortisone induced TPO activity in the turkey in a dose dependent manner.