NMR-based metabolic characterization of chicken tissues and biofluids: a model for avian research

Introduction Poultry is one of the most consumed meat in the world and its related industry is always looking for ways to improve animal welfare and productivity. It is therefore essential to understand the metabolic response of the chicken to new feed formulas, various supplements, infections and treatments. Objectives As a basis for future research investigating the impact of diet and infections on chicken’s metabolism, we established a high-resolution proton nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR)-based metabolic atlas of the healthy chicken (Gallus gallus). Methods Metabolic extractions were performed prior to 1H-NMR and 2D NMR spectra acquisition on twelve biological matrices: liver, kidney, spleen, plasma, egg yolk and white, colon, caecum, faecal water, ileum, pectoral muscle and brain of 6 chickens. Metabolic profiles were then exhaustively characterized. Results Nearly 80 metabolites were identified. A cross-comparison of these matrices was performed to determine metabolic variations between and within each section and highlighted that only eight core metabolites were systematically found in every matrice. Conclusion This work constitutes a database for future NMR-based metabolomic investigations in relation to avian production and health

Fumonisins affect the intestinal microbial homeostasis in broiler chickens, predisposing to necrotic enteritis

Fumonisins (FBs) are mycotoxins produced by Fusarium fungi. This study aimed to investigate the effect of these feed contaminants on the intestinal morphology and microbiota composition, and to evaluate whether FBs predispose broilers to necrotic enteritis. One-day-old broiler chicks were divided into a group fed a control diet, and a group fed a FBs contaminated diet (18.6 mg FB1+ FB2/kg feed). A significant increase in the plasma sphinganine/sphingosine ratio in the FBs-treated group (0.21 +/- 0.016) compared to the control (0.14 +/- 0.014) indicated disturbance of the sphingolipid biosynthesis. Furthermore, villus height and crypt depth of the ileum was significantly reduced by FBs. Denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis showed a shift in the microbiota composition in the ileum in the FBs group compared to the control. A reduced presence of low-GC containing operational taxonomic units in ileal digesta of birds exposed to FBs was demonstrated, and identified as a reduced abundance of Candidatus Savagella and Lactobaccilus spp. Quantification of total Clostridium perfringens in these ileal samples, previous to experimental infection, using cpa gene (alpha toxin) quantification by qPCR showed an increase in C. perfringens in chickens fed a FBs contaminated diet compared to control (7.5 +/- 0.30 versus 6.3 +/- 0.24 log10 copies/g intestinal content). After C. perfringens challenge, a higher percentage of birds developed subclinical necrotic enteritis in the group fed a FBs contaminated diet as compared to the control (44.9 +/- 2.22% versus 29.8 +/- 5.46%)

Humoral immunological response in broilers vaccinated against newcastle disease and supplemented with dietary zinc and vitamin E

The humoral immune response of broilers fed diets supplemented with Zinc (Zn) (0, 40, and 400mg/kg) and vitamin E (0, 12, and 120mg/kg), separately or combined, was evaluated. A completely randomized design was used according to a 3x3 factorial arrangement, with nine treatments and four repetitions per treatment. Sexed birds (n=1440) were distributed in 36 boxes with 40 chicks each and reared until 41 days of age. Vaccination against Newcastle Disease (ND) was performed when birds were 14 days old. ELISA and HI tests were used to assess antibody levels before vaccination and at 28, 35 and 41 days of age. The results were analyzed using Proc Mixed from SAS. The interaction between the highest dietary levels of Zn and vitamin E resulted in higher antibody levels in ELISA at 14, 28, 35 and 41 days of age. Increasing levels of Zn and vitamin E supplemented separately in the diets provided greater levels of hemagglutinating antibodies in HI at 14, 28, 35 and 41 days old. The interaction between the highest levels of Zn and vitamin E resulted in greater antibody levels at 41 days of age

Serovars of Salmonella spp isolated from broiler chickens and commercial breeders in diverse regions in Brazil from July 1997 to December 2004

Avian salmonellosis is a worldwide problem to the poultry industry, from the point of view of animal health and public health as well. The aim of the present study was to survey the most common Salmonella serovars in commercial breeders or broiler flocks from several regions in Brazil. The results of the present study indicated a high incidence of S enterica subspecies enterica serovar Enteritidis in breeders (57.5%) and broilers flocks (84.0%). The importance of these findings lies in the fact that S. Enteritidis has become the most frequent serovar responsible for foodborne outbreaks and sporadic cases of salmonellosis in humans

Molecular Characterization of Brazilian Infectious Bursal Disease Virus Isolated from 1997 to 2005

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)This retrospective study concerned 41 infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV) isolates obtained from Brazilian broiler and layers flocks by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. Twenty-five of them were identified as very virulent (vv) by restriction enzyme analysis and by further nucleotide and phylogenetic analysis. All of them had the typical amino acid residues, and all clustered in a phylogenetic tree with the vvIBDV strains. Four amino acid substitutions, at positions D213N, G254D, S317R, and D323E, were common to 3 vv isolates, Br/03/DB, Br/03/CK, and Br/04/CR, and differed from other vv isolates and strains. These isolates came from the same locale, but were collected in different years, indicating that the vvIBDVs circulating on Brazilian farms are undergoing slight but continuous exchanges.533449454Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)FAPESP [02/10110-3