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Browsing by Author "Barri, Adriana"

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    Effects of Incubation Temperature and Transportation Stress on Yolk Utilization, Small Intestine Development, and Post-Hatch Performance of High-Yield Broiler Chicks
    Barri, Adriana (Virginia Tech, 2008-11-21)
    Growth and performance parameters of broiler chicks depend on adequate development of the small intestine. Stressors such as elevated or decreased temperatures during incubation and post-hatch transportation may have an effect on the gastrointestinal development of the broiler chick. The objective of the first study was to investigate the effects of elevated embryonic incubation temperature (IT) on post-hatch relative nutrient transporter gene expression, integrity of the intestinal epithelium, organ development, and performance in Ross 308 broiler chickens. Nine hundred fertile eggs were incubated at different egg-shell temperatures during development. Body weights and performance parameters were measured at day of hatch (DOH), d 7, 14, 21, 30, and 42. Small intestine and residual yolk were collected at DOH, d 2, 4, 6, and 10 and weighed individually. The small intestine was evaluated for mucosal morphology measurements and relative nutrient transporter (SGLT1, GLUT2, GLUT5, EAAT3, and PepT1) gene expression. The objective of the second study was to evaluate the effects of embryonic incubation, simulating a multi-stage incubation system, and post-hatch transportation temperatures on post-hatch performance, yolk free body weights, relative nutrient transporter gene expression, yolk utilization, intestinal morphology, and organ development of broiler chickens. Cobb 500 eggs (n=5200) were incubated with egg-shell temperatures, which were combined depending on the early and late development incubation periods as found in multi-stage incubators: Low (L): 36.7°C, Standard (S): 37.5°C, and High (H): 39°C. After hatch, chicks were further separated into 2 transportation groups: control (C; 34°C), and heat-stressed (D; 40°C). The eight resulting experimental groups were: LS-C, SS-C, LH-C, SH-C, LS-D, SS-D, LH-D, and SH-D. Three and two way interactions (P<0.05) were observed and discussed in both studies for all the parameters analyzed. These studies present for the first time the effects of altered embryonic IT and stress during transportation of newly hatched chicks, on small intestine morphology, digestive organ development, and expression of nutrient transporters mRNA in high-yield broiler chicks. These results contribute to the understanding of mechanisms by which either low or high temperatures, as compared to standard recommendations, during incubation and transportation can affect embryonic development and subsequent performance of broiler chicks.
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    Eimeria Species and Genetic Background Influence the Serum Protein Profile of Broilers with Coccidiosis
    Gilbert, Elizabeth R.; Cox, Chasity M.; Williams, Patricia M.; McElroy, Audrey P.; Dalloul, Rami A.; Ray, W. Keith; Barri, Adriana; Emmerson, Derek A.; Wong, Eric A.; Webb, Kenneth E. Jr. (PLOS, 2011-01-31)
    Background Coccidiosis is an intestinal disease caused by protozoal parasites of the genus Eimeria. Despite the advent of anti-coccidial drugs and vaccines, the disease continues to result in substantial annual economic losses to the poultry industry. There is still much unknown about the host response to infection and to date there are no reports of protein profiles in the blood of Eimeria-infected animals. The objective of this study was to evaluate the serum proteome of two genetic lines of broiler chickens after infection with one of three species of Eimeria. Methodology/Principal Findings Birds from lines A and B were either not infected or inoculated with sporulated oocysts from one of the three Eimeria strains at 15 d post-hatch. At 21 d (6 d post-infection), whole blood was collected and lesion scoring was performed. Serum was harvested and used for 2-dimensional gel electrophoresis. A total of 1,266 spots were quantitatively assessed by densitometry. Protein spots showing a significant effect of coccidia strain and/or broiler genetic line on density at P<0.05−0.01 (250 spots), P<0.01−0.001 (248 spots), and P<0.001 (314 spots) were excised and analyzed by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization tandem time-of-flight mass spectrometry. Proteins were identified in 172 spots. A total of 46 different proteins were identified. Of the spots with a corresponding protein identification, 57 showed a main effect of coccidia infection and/or 2-way interaction of coccidia infection×broiler genetic line at P<0.001. Conclusions/Significance Several of the metabolic enzymes identified in this study are potential candidates for early diagnostic markers of E. acervulina infection including malate dehydrogenase 2, NADH dehydrogenase 1 alpha subcomplex 9, and an ATP synthase. These proteins were detected only in Line A birds that were inoculated with E. acervulina. Results from this study provide a basic framework for future research aimed at uncovering the complex biochemical mechanisms involved in host response to Eimeria infection and in identifying molecular targets for diagnostic screening and development of alternative preventative and therapeutic methods.