Glycerol is not suitable for the cryopreservation of quail semen

International audienceThis study investigated the potential use of glycerol as a cryoprotectant for quail sperm cells. Its role in maintaining sperm fertilising ability in vivo and in vitro quality parameters, such as motility, was assessed.The data showed that the presence of glycerol in semen samples was associated with infertility, which suggested that removal prior to insemination is mandatory. Removal through serial dilution centrifugation was associated with fewer than 5% of motile sperm cells and resulted in no fertility.In conclusion, glycerol alone is not suitable for quail semen cryopreservation, and other approaches need to be investigated to develop cryobanking programmes for this species

Semen biotechnology optimization for successful fertilization in Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica)

International audienceAmong the reproductive biotechnologies needed to improve Japanese quail conservation and valorization, optimized conditions of semen methodologies including sampling, treatment, and artificial insemination are a prerequisite. However, they have been poorly developed due to specific physiological and behavioral features of the species. The aim of the present study was to optimize them, from semen collection/treatment up to artificial insemination procedures. We studied different parameters including semen preparation (individual/pooled, presence of foam, type and pH of extender) and zootechnical parameters (depth of insemination in the female tract, number of sperm inseminated, insemination frequency). We showed that the separation of semen from individual males was required to optimize fertility, as a prerequisite for future semen cryopreservation. The deleterious effect of mixed foam extract addition on the fertility level was demonstrated. These results highlight parameters involved in male copulatory competitions and in sperm post copulation selection. Furthermore, we took into account extender effects and standardized the zootechnical conditions of insemination. The depth of intravaginal insemination (1 cm) was a key factor, but not the number of sperm inseminated (15-60 million sperm/female). Finally, artificial inseminations with optimized conditions led to successful fertility rates (up to 80%) and a duration of the fertile period equivalent to that obtained by natural mating. (C) 2019 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved

Consommation spontanée d’huiles essentielles pendant la phase de démarrage du poussin de chair

To mitigate effects of stressful factors during the post-natal period in broiler chicks, we have tested the chickability to self-medicate when essential oils (EO) are provided. Chicks were either immediately placed in theexperimental rearing facility after hatching (group T), or submitted to a delayed period before their placement(group MEE-R) mimicking transport delay in commercial conditions. In experiment 1, half of them had onlyaccess to water and the other half to water and one EO (cardamom, marjoram or verbena) during the earlyrearing phase (13 days). In experiment 2, half of the chicks had only access to water and the other half wereoffered water and the 3 EO simultaneously.In experiment 1, the intake of the EO in groups MEE-R was higher than in groups T from D1 to D6 whatever theEO. The reduction of growth induced by the MEE-R was not mitigated by EO intake. In experiment 2, from D1to D6, the marjoram intake was the highest compared to the other EO in the groups T and MEE-R. Between D6and D12, cardamom EO tended to be less drunk in MEE-R groups than in groups T. EO intake did not allow toovercome the reduced growth in groups MEE-R, but tended to overcome the reduction of the relative percentageof Pectoralis major muscles. The EO intake did not reduce the prevalence of health disorder.In conclusion, chicks are able to make spontaneous choices for EO according to their post-natal experience.These choices had a few beneficial effects on their performances, but their health was not improved in thepresent experimental conditions.la capacité des poussins à s’automédiquer en leur mettant à disposition des huiles essentielles (HE). Pour mimer le stress du transport du couvoir en bâtiment d’élevage, des poussins ont été mis en élevage, soit directement après l’éclosion (lot T), soit exposés à une mise en élevage retardée de 24h (MEE-R).Dans l’expérience 1, la moitié des poussins avait accès uniquement à l’eau et l’autre moitié à l’eau et une HE (cardamome ou marjolaine à coquille ou verveine) pendant la phase de démarrage (13j). Dans l’expérience 2, la moitié des poussins avait accès uniquement à l’eau et l’autre moitié à l’eau et simultanément aux trois HE distribuées dans 3 biberons différents. Dans l’expérience 1, la consommation de chacune des HE dans les lots MEE-R était supérieure aux lots T de J1 à J6, quelle que soit l’HE. La réduction de la croissance des poussins induite par la MEE-R n’a pas été améliorée par la consommation des HE. Dans l’expérience 2, l’HE de marjolaine était la plus consommée de J1 à J6, quel que soit le lot. Entre J6 et J12, l’HE de cardamome tend à être moins consommée dans les lots MEE-R que dans les lots T. La consommation des HE n’a pas permis de pallier la réduction de croissance des poussins des lots MEE-R, mais a tendance à pallier la réduction du pourcentage relatif des muscles Pectoralis major. Elle n’a pas eu d’effet bénéfique sur la prévalence des troubles de santé des animaux. En conclusion, les poussins sont capables de faire des choix spontanés de consommation d’HE en fonction de leur expérience post-natale. Ces choix ont eu quelques effets bénéfiques sur les performances des poussins, mais aucun effet significatif sur leur santé dans les conditions de nos expérimentations

Spontaneous intake of essential oils during the early rearing phase of chicks and long-term effects on performance and transcriptome regulation

PosterSpontaneous intake of essential oils during the early rearing phase of chicks and long-term effects on performance and transcriptome regulation. 65th GA Congress. Society for Medicinal Plant and Natural Product Research