Using light and melatonin in the management of New Zealand White rabbits

Lighting system is a stimulant for reproduction in some species (Horses) and an inhibitor for others (Sheep). This study started on September 1st and planned to study the effects of different lighting regimes and melatonin treatment on the receptivity and performance of 78 (60-does and 18-bucks) New Zealand White rabbits, which were reared in a private Rabbitary in Menuofia Governorate, Egypt. These rabbits were randomly assigned to six treatment groups of 10 does and three bucks for each (8, 10, 12, 14 and 16 hours light (HL) and melatonin- treated). Ejaculate traits, sexual activity of bucks, sexual receptivity and reproductive performance of does were recorded. Results revealed that exposure of rabbits to long photoperiods (14 and 16HL) or treatment with melatonin improved the quantity and quality of ejaculate traits and buck sexual activity. Moreover, does sexual receptivity, feed intake, litter size and weight at birth and weaning were increased by long photoperiods (14 and 16HL) or treatment with melatonin. On the other hand, gestation period and pre-weaning mortality rate were decreased. It can be concluded that application of long photoperiods is beneficial to rabbit producers and 14 HL : 10 hours dark is optimal for satisfying the biological requirements of the rabbits. Finally, the light schedules can be used for biostimulation instead of melatonin

Evaluation of Some Management Procedures for Controlling Broodiness in Turkey and Muscovy Duck

The objective of this study was to evaluate pens switching, closing nest boxes after egg laying and nest boxes switching inside the same pen as management procedures for controlling broodiness in turkey and Muscovy duck breeders and their role in circulating prolactin. Black bronze turkey (n.= 350) and Muscovy duck (n.= 700) were randomly selected and housed on deep litter. The results showed a significant (P ≤ 0.05) increase in egg production in turkey and Muscovy duck breeders in response to pens switching and closing nest boxes after end of egg laying. While, there was no significant (P > 0.05) difference in egg production in response to switching of nest boxes in turkey hens but a significant (P ≤ 0.05) result was found in Muscovy ducks. On the other hand, there were significant (P ≤ 0.05) decreases in circulating prolactin level and broodiness in both turkey and Muscovy duck breeders in response to pen switching, closing nest boxes after egg laying and nest boxes switching. In conclusion, application of these management procedures was associated with increased egg production while decreased expression of broodiness (incubation behaviour) and circulating prolactin in turkey hens and Muscovy ducks

Impact of Boiler Breeders Hatching Eggs Disinfection Time on Some Hatchability Parameters

(Control of microorganisms on hatching eggshell surface requires an effective disinfectant to kill the pathogens without injury to the live chick embryo. The present experiment was carried out to study the effect of hatching egg sanitization time by different disinfectants on some hatchability parameters

Coliform Bacteria and Hatching Egg Disinfectants

(This study aimed to monitoring the microbial status of broiler breeder hatching eggs through isolation of coliform bacteria, especially Salmonella and E coli from eggs and hatched chicks and identification of isolated microorganism by PCR. Besides, the reduction of the contamination rate by using different egg disinfectants. A total of 600 broiler breeder Saso fertile eggs was purchased from a commercial broiler breeder flock aged 27 wk, which reared on a deep litter system at a private farm in Gharbiya Governorate, Egypt. The eggs were allocated randomly into four equal treatment groups (n?150) according to the disinfectant used. The eggs in the first group were kept as a control without treatment. While, the eggs in the second group were disinfected by 1.4% H2O2. The eggs in the third group were disinfected by 0.5

Using light and melatonin in the management of New Zealand White rabbits

Lighting system is a stimulant for reproduction in some species (Horses) and an inhibitor for others (Sheep). This study started on September 1st and planned to study the effects of different lighting regimes and melatonin treatment on the receptivity and performance of 78 (60-does and 18-bucks) New Zealand White rabbits, which were reared in a private Rabbitary in Menuofia Governorate, Egypt. These rabbits were randomly assigned to six treatment groups of 10 does and three bucks for each (8, 10, 12, 14 and 16 hours light (HL) and melatonin- treated). Ejaculate traits, sexual activity of bucks, sexual receptivity and reproductive performance of does were recorded. Results revealed that exposure of rabbits to long photoperiods (14 and 16HL) or treatment with melatonin improved the quantity and quality of ejaculate traits and buck sexual activity. Moreover, does sexual receptivity, feed intake, litter size and weight at birth and weaning were increased by long photoperiods (14 and 16HL) or treatment with melatonin. On the other hand, gestation period and pre-weaning mortality rate were decreased. It can be concluded that application of long photoperiods is beneficial to rabbit producers and 14HL:10 hours dark is optimal for satisfying the biological requirements of the rabbits. Finally, the light schedules can be used for biostimulation instead of melatonin.Keywords: Light schedules, Melatonin, New Zealand White rabbits, Sexual receptivit

Relationship between plasma melatonin levels and the efficacy of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors treatment on premature ejaculation

Objectives: To examine the relationship between premature ejaculation and plasma melatonin levels, and assess the efficacy of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors in treating premature ejaculation