1
|
Chang X, Wang B, Zhang H, Qiu K, Wu S. The change of albumen quality during the laying cycle and its potential physiological and molecular basis of laying hens. Poult Sci 2024; 103:104004. [PMID: 39067125 PMCID: PMC11331942 DOI: 10.1016/j.psj.2024.104004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2024] [Revised: 06/15/2024] [Accepted: 06/19/2024] [Indexed: 07/30/2024] Open
Abstract
To elucidate the regulatory mechanisms that impact variability in albumen quality of laying hens from the peak of lay to the late production phase. A 60-wk study was conducted on a cohort of 20,000 Hy-Line Brown laying hens from 20 to 80 wk old. Before commencement at 20 wk, the 10-wk-old hens were acclimatized for 10 wk. This study examined changes in albumen quality, serum, and liver antioxidant capacity, magnum morphology, and expression of albumen-protein-related genes in the magnum. To reduce sampling error, we collected eggs (n = 90) from pre-determined cages at every sampling point (5-wk intervals), and 8 hens were selected at 10-wk intervals for blood and tissue collection. Our findings revealed that age significantly affected most evaluated parameters. Albumen gel properties, including hardness, gumminess, and chewiness, increased significantly with age (P < 0.05). With the increasing of hens' age from 20 to 80 wk, the albumen proportion of eggs was decreased, but eggshell proportion, yolk proportion, thick albumen proportion, thick to thin ratio, thick albumen solid content, albumen height, Haugh units (HU), and yolk color were increased and then decreased (P < 0.05). Compared to hens aged 20 to 60 wk, the hens (70-80 wk) had significantly reduced total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and glutathione levels (GSH) in the liver and lower serum TAC and superoxide dismutase levels (SOD) (P < 0.05). The magnum mucosal folds were highest in 40 to 60 wk-old hens, and the luminal diameter increased with age (P < 0.05). In the magnum, the mRNA expression levels for OVA, CPE, and NUP205 increased significantly between 30 and 40 wk, while FBN1 expression was higher between 30 and 50 wk (P < 0.05). At 70 to 80 wk, the expression of BRCA2 was significantly downregulated (P < 0.05). Albumen height, thick albumen proportion with protein secretion-related genes, enhanced antioxidant function, and luminal diameter correlated positively. However, the thick-to-thin albumen ratio negatively correlated with BRCA2, downregulated in aged laying hens. We used principal component and cluster analysis to deduce albumen quality changes during 3 phases: 25 to 35, 40 to 55, and 60 to 80 wk. The decline in albumen quality in aging hens is linked with decreased antioxidant capacity, magnum health, and downregulation of key genes involved in protein synthesis and secretion. These findings emphasize critical albumen quality changes in laying hens and suggest molecular pathways underlying age-related albumen quality alterations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xinyu Chang
- Laboratory of Quality & Safety Risk Assessment for Animal Products on Feed Hazards (Beijing) of the Ministry of Agriculture & Rural Affairs, Institute of Feed Research, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China
| | - BeiBei Wang
- Laboratory of Quality & Safety Risk Assessment for Animal Products on Feed Hazards (Beijing) of the Ministry of Agriculture & Rural Affairs, Institute of Feed Research, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China; College of Animal Science and Technology, Hebei Agricultural University, Baoding 071001, China
| | - Haijun Zhang
- Laboratory of Quality & Safety Risk Assessment for Animal Products on Feed Hazards (Beijing) of the Ministry of Agriculture & Rural Affairs, Institute of Feed Research, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Kai Qiu
- Laboratory of Quality & Safety Risk Assessment for Animal Products on Feed Hazards (Beijing) of the Ministry of Agriculture & Rural Affairs, Institute of Feed Research, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China.
| | - Shugeng Wu
- Laboratory of Quality & Safety Risk Assessment for Animal Products on Feed Hazards (Beijing) of the Ministry of Agriculture & Rural Affairs, Institute of Feed Research, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Morland F, Ewen JG, Santure AW, Brekke P, Hemmings N. Demographic drivers of reproductive failure in a threatened bird: Insights from a decade of data. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2024; 121:e2319104121. [PMID: 39186647 PMCID: PMC11388365 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2319104121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2023] [Accepted: 07/10/2024] [Indexed: 08/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Hatching failure affects up to 77% of eggs laid by threatened bird species, yet the true prevalence and drivers of egg fertilization failure versus embryo mortality as underlying mechanisms of hatching failure are unknown. Here, using ten years of data comprising 4,371 eggs laid by a population of a threatened bird, the hihi (Notiomystis cincta), we investigate the relative importance of infertility and embryo death as drivers of hatching failure and explore population-level factors associated with them. We show that of the 1,438 eggs that failed to hatch (33% of laid eggs) between 2010 and 2020, 83% failed due to embryo mortality, with the majority failing in the early stages of embryonic development. In the most comprehensive estimates of infertility rates in a wild bird population to date, we find that fertilization failure accounts for around 17% of hatching failure overall and is more prevalent in years where the population is smaller and more male biased. Male embryos are more likely to die during early development than females, but we find no overall effect of sex on the successful development of embryos. Offspring fathered by within-pair males have significantly higher inbreeding levels than extra-pair offspring; however, we find no effect of inbreeding nor extra-pair paternity on embryo mortality. Accurately distinguishing between infertility and embryo mortality in this study provides unique insight into the underlying causes of reproductive failure over a long-term scale and reveals the complex risks of small population sizes to the reproduction of threatened species.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fay Morland
- Department of Biosciences, University of Sheffield, Sheffield S10 2TN, United Kingdom
- Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of London, London NW8 7LS, United Kingdom
- Department of Anatomy, University of Otago, Dunedin 9016, New Zealand
| | - John G Ewen
- Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of London, London NW8 7LS, United Kingdom
| | - Anna W Santure
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland 1010, New Zealand
| | - Patricia Brekke
- Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of London, London NW8 7LS, United Kingdom
| | - Nicola Hemmings
- Department of Biosciences, University of Sheffield, Sheffield S10 2TN, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Mason C, Tschirren B, Hemmings N. Effects of female-specific selection for reproductive investment on male fertility traits. J Evol Biol 2024; 37:1113-1124. [PMID: 39110095 DOI: 10.1093/jeb/voae095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2024] [Revised: 07/05/2024] [Accepted: 08/02/2024] [Indexed: 08/29/2024]
Abstract
Despite sharing an autosomal genome, the often divergent reproductive strategies of males and females cause the selection to act in a sex-specific manner. Selection acting on one sex can have negative, positive, or neutral fitness consequences on the opposite sex. Here, we test how female-limited selection on reproductive investment in Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica) affects male fertility-related traits. Despite there being no difference in the size of males' testes from lines selected for high female reproductive investment (H-line) or low female reproductive investment (L-line), in both lines, the left testis had a greater volume of sperm-producing tissue. Since H-line females have a larger left-side restricted oviduct, this suggests a positive genetic correlation between male and female gonad function and that internal testis structure is a target of sexual selection. However, despite H-line males having previously been found to have greater fertilization success in a competitive scenario, we found little evidence of a difference between the lines in sperm number, motility, velocity, length, or the number of sperm that reached the ova. Precopulatory cues and/or the role of seminal fluid in sperm motility may thus be more likely to contribute to the H-line male fertilization advantage in this species.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chloe Mason
- School of Biosciences, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - Barbara Tschirren
- Centre for Ecology and Conservation, University of Exeter, Penryn, United Kingdom
| | - Nicola Hemmings
- School of Biosciences, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Luo W, Huang X, Li J, Gu L. Investigating the genetic determination of duration-of-fertility trait in breeding hens. Sci Rep 2024; 14:14819. [PMID: 38937575 PMCID: PMC11211418 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-65675-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2024] [Accepted: 06/24/2024] [Indexed: 06/29/2024] Open
Abstract
The duration-of-fertility (DF), which was defined as the number of days when breeding hens lay fertile eggs following copulation or artificial insemination (AI), is an important economic trait in chick production when it has strong effects on fertile egg output and production costs. Little is known about the underlying genes and molecular markers related to DF trait to date. Here, we measured the DF of 701 Chinese Jinghong hens and 408 Jingfen hens. The DF showed high individual variability and potential for genetic improvement. Then, 192 Jinghong breeding hens were provided for a genome-wide association study, 27 SNPs respectively located in three genomic linkage regions (GGA1:41Kb; GGA3:39Kb and GGA8:39Kb) were suggested to be significantly associated with DF. Particularly, 6 of these 27 SNPs were further verified to be associated with DF in the 701 Jinghong and 408 Jingfen hens using PCR-RFLP genotyping method. These 27 SNPs were also mapped to 7 genes according to their genomic position. Furtherly, 5 of these 7 genes were tested using qPCR. Results show that the CYP2D6, WBP2NL, ESR1 and TGFBR3 mRNA expression levels of hens with long DF were significantly higher than the hens with short DF (P < 0.05). Overall, findings in our research provide new insight into the genetic basis of duration-of-fertility in breeding hens while providing new clues for further functional validation on the DF-related genetic regulation mechanism and improvement of DF through chicken breeding.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wei Luo
- Institute of Biotechnology of Guilin Medical University, Guilin, Guangxi, China
| | - Xishi Huang
- Institute of Biotechnology of Guilin Medical University, Guilin, Guangxi, China
| | - Jingxuan Li
- Institute of Biotechnology of Guilin Medical University, Guilin, Guangxi, China
| | - Lantao Gu
- Institute of Biotechnology of Guilin Medical University, Guilin, Guangxi, China.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Assersohn K, Richards JP, Hemmings N. The surprising complexity and diversity of sperm storage structures across Galliformes. Ecol Evol 2024; 14:e11585. [PMID: 38911493 PMCID: PMC11190584 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.11585] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2024] [Revised: 05/25/2024] [Accepted: 05/31/2024] [Indexed: 06/25/2024] Open
Abstract
In internal fertilisers, the precise timing of ovulation with the arrival of sperm at the site of fertilisation is essential for fertilisation success. In birds, mating is often not synchronised with ovulation, but instead females utilise specialised sperm storage tubules (SSTs) in the reproductive tract, which can ensure sperm are always available for fertilisation at the time of ovulation, whilst simultaneously providing a mechanism of post-copulatory sexual selection. Despite the clear importance of SSTs for fertilisation success, we know little about the mechanisms involved in sperm acceptance, storage, and release. Furthermore, most research has been conducted on only a small number of species, based on which SSTs are usually assumed to look and function in the same way across all species. Here, we conduct a comparative exploration of SST morphology across 26 species of Galliformes. We show that SSTs, and the surrounding tissue, can vary significantly in morphology across species. We provide observational evidence that Galliformes exhibit at least 5 distinct categories of tubule types, including distinctive coiled and multi-branched tubules, and describe 2 additional features of the surrounding tissue. We suggest functional explanations for variation in tubule morphology and propose next steps for future research. Our findings indicate that SSTs are likely to be far more variable than has previously been assumed, with potentially important consequences for our understanding of sperm storage in birds and post-copulatory sexual selection in general.
Collapse
|
6
|
Santos MJ, Ludke MC, Silva LM, Rabello CB, Barros MR, Costa FS, Santos CS, Wanderley JS. Complexed amino acid minerals vs. bis-glycinate chelated minerals: Impact on the performance of old laying hens. ANIMAL NUTRITION (ZHONGGUO XU MU SHOU YI XUE HUI) 2024; 16:395-408. [PMID: 38371472 PMCID: PMC10874725 DOI: 10.1016/j.aninu.2023.11.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2023] [Revised: 10/31/2023] [Accepted: 11/17/2023] [Indexed: 02/20/2024]
Abstract
The present study was to evaluate the effect of trace minerals (Zn, Mn, and Cu) from complexed amino acid minerals (ZMCAA) and bis-glycinate chelated minerals (ZMCGly) in laying hen diets on performance, internal and external egg quality, yolk mineral deposition, intestinal morphometry, and bone characteristics. From 78 to 98 weeks of age, 400 White LSL-Lite strain laying hens were distributed in a randomized design with 4 treatments with 10 replicates per treatment. Treatments were distributed in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement using either Zn, Mn, and Cu of ZMCAA or ZMCGly source at 2 levels: low (20, 20, and 3.5 mg/kg of Zn, Mn, and Cu, respectively) or high (40, 40, and 7 mg/kg of Zn, Mn, and Cu, respectively). The analysis of variance was performed, and in cases where differences were observed, the means were compared using Tukey's test (P < 0.05). The source and level of trace mineral supplementation had a significant impact on the performance of laying hens. Hens fed ZMCAA had higher egg production (P = 0.01), egg weight (P = 0.02), egg mass (P = 0.01), and lower feed conversion ratio (P = 0.05) compared to those fed ZMCGly. The ZMCAA supplementation showed higher albumen height (P = 0.01), albumen weight (P = 0.01), and eggshell thickness (P < 0.01). The deposition of Zn (P < 0.01), Mn (P < 0.01), and Cu (P < 0.01) in the egg yolk was greater for hens received ZMCAA. Tibia weight (P = 0.04) and bone densitometry (P < 0.01) in the tibia were higher with ZMCAA supplementation. In the small intestine, ZMCAA resulted in longer villi (P = 0.02) and shorter crypt depth (P = 0.01) in the duodenum. Jejunum and ileum measurements were influenced by the level and source of trace minerals (P < 0.05). Laying hens fed ZMCAA exhibited superior performance, egg quality, deposition of trace minerals in the egg yolk, and bone density compared to hens fed ZMCGly. In this study, older laying hens supplemented with ZMCAA at lower levels demonstrated adequate levels of supplementation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marcos J.B. Santos
- Department of Animal Science, Rural Federal University of Pernambuco, Recife, PE, Brazil
| | - Maria C.M.M. Ludke
- Department of Animal Science, Rural Federal University of Pernambuco, Recife, PE, Brazil
| | - Leandro M. Silva
- Department of Animal Science, Rural Federal University of Pernambuco, Recife, PE, Brazil
| | - Carlos B.V. Rabello
- Department of Animal Science, Rural Federal University of Pernambuco, Recife, PE, Brazil
| | - Mércia R. Barros
- Department of Veterinary Science, Rural Federal University of Pernambuco, Recife, PE, Brazil
| | - Fabiano S. Costa
- Department of Veterinary Science, Rural Federal University of Pernambuco, Recife, PE, Brazil
| | - Clariana S. Santos
- Department of Animal Science, Rural Federal University of Pernambuco, Recife, PE, Brazil
| | - Jamille S.S. Wanderley
- Department of Animal Science, Rural Federal University of Pernambuco, Recife, PE, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Barbosa-Moyano H, Zacariotti RL, de Oliveira CA. Validation of enzyme immunoassays for quantifying sex steroid hormones in tropical screech owls (Megascops choliba). Gen Comp Endocrinol 2024; 345:114386. [PMID: 37748527 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2023.114386] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2023] [Revised: 09/19/2023] [Accepted: 09/20/2023] [Indexed: 09/27/2023]
Abstract
Androgens and estrogens are steroid hormones that regulate reproductive processes in both males and females. Monitoring plasma levels of these steroids or their metabolites present in feces, offers diagnostic support for assessing the reproductive status of animals. Immunoassays are commonly used methods for quantifying these hormones, but their protocols require species-specific validation to ensure reliability. The objective of this study was to perform analytically and biologically validation of enzyme immunoassay (EIA) kits for measuring testosterone (T), estradiol (E2), faecal androgen metabolites (fAM), and faecal estrogenic metabolites (fEM) in the tropical screech owl (Megascops choliba). Serum and fecal samples were collected from six adult females and six males both before and during breeding season, with males' gonadal activity assessed using electroejaculation (EE). The parallelism test confirmed the immunogenic similarity of the antigens in the estradiol and testosterone standards and the antigens in the serum samples and fecal extracts of M. choliba. Additionally, the EIA kits displayed nearly 100% recovery rates, and showed coefficients of variation ranging from 8% to 14% at the intra-assay level and from 10% to 16% at the inter-assay level, underscoring result reliability and consistency. In males, the highest serum T and fAM levels were recorded concurrently with the presence of spermatozoa in samples collected via EE. Although females did not exhibit oviposition events, significantly higher E2 and fEM levels were observed in August compared to May, suggesting potential seasonal variations in estrogenic hormone production. Fecal androgen and estrogen levels were significantly different between sexes in August, with males having higher fAM and females having higher fEM levels. Overall, the immunoassays validated in this study were found to be efficient in diagnosing reproductive activity in owls.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Heriberto Barbosa-Moyano
- Departamento de Reprodução Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
| | | | - Claudio Alvarenga de Oliveira
- Departamento de Reprodução Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Damaziak K, Marzec A, Riedel J, Wójcik W, Pstrokoński P, Szudrowicz H, Gozdowski D. Effect of pearl guinea fowl eggshell ultrastructure and microstructure on keets hatchability. Poult Sci 2023; 102:102733. [PMID: 37210948 PMCID: PMC10209024 DOI: 10.1016/j.psj.2023.102733] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2023] [Revised: 04/12/2023] [Accepted: 04/14/2023] [Indexed: 05/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Variability in shell structure is an evolutionary mechanism in birds that enables them to adapt to specific environmental conditions. This variability may also occur within the same species under the influence of individual indicators, such as the age or health status of females. While interspecies variation is quite obvious and easy to interpret, the reasons for intraspecies variation remain unclear. In this study, we examined the ultra- and microstructure of guinea fowl eggshells to identify the association between variations in shell structure and hatchability outcomes. We analyzed the visual differences between shells with low (L), intermediate (I), and high (H) external porosity using scale invariant feature transform analysis with NaturePatternMatch software. We found that the external pore image was closely related to the overall porosity of the shell before incubation. The total pore area, total porosity, and diffusion index (GH2O) were highest in group H shells (P < 0.001). Posthatching shells were characterized by an increased diameter and total surface area, decreased pore number (P < 0.001), as well as shortened mammillary layer (P < 0.001) and decreased total consumption of mammillary knobs (P < 0.001). The porosity indices of posthatching H shells had intermediate values between L and I. Although the effect of shell structure parameters on hatching was not confirmed, we assumed that all categories (L, I, and H) of shells were ideal for incubation. This suggests that the shell structure adapts to the metabolic rate of developing embryos; however, differences in shell structure affect the duration of incubation and synchronization of hatching. Both L and H shells showed delayed and prolonged hatching. Therefore, we recommended that guinea fowl eggs with different external porosity parameters should be incubated separately for better hatching synchronization. Differences in GH2O between L, I, and H eggs suggest that the shell porosity characteristics of guinea fowl eggs may be a key determinant of the rate of water loss during storage before incubation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Krzysztof Damaziak
- Department of Animal Breeding, Institute of Animal Sciences, Warsaw University of Life Sciences, Warsaw 02-786, Poland.
| | - Agata Marzec
- Department of Food Engineering and Process Management, Institute of Food Sciences, Warsaw University of Life Sciences, Warsaw 02-776, Poland
| | - Julia Riedel
- Department of Animal Breeding, Institute of Animal Sciences, Warsaw University of Life Sciences, Warsaw 02-786, Poland
| | - Wojciech Wójcik
- Department of Animal Breeding, Institute of Animal Sciences, Warsaw University of Life Sciences, Warsaw 02-786, Poland
| | - Paweł Pstrokoński
- Department of Animal Breeding, Institute of Animal Sciences, Warsaw University of Life Sciences, Warsaw 02-786, Poland
| | - Hubert Szudrowicz
- Department of Ichthyology and Biotechnology in Aquaculture, Institute of Animal Sciences, Warsaw University of Life Sciences, Warsaw 02-786, Poland
| | - Dariusz Gozdowski
- Department of Biometry, Faculty of Agriculture and Biology, Institute of Agriculture, Warsaw University of Life Sciences, Warsaw 02-786, Poland
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Marshall AF, Balloux F, Hemmings N, Brekke P. Systematic review of avian hatching failure and implications for conservation. Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc 2023; 98:807-832. [PMID: 36635252 DOI: 10.1111/brv.12931] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2022] [Revised: 12/21/2022] [Accepted: 12/30/2022] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Avian hatching failure is a widespread phenomenon, affecting around 10% of all eggs that are laid and not lost to predation, damage, or desertion. Our understanding of hatching failure is limited in terms of both its underpinning mechanisms and its occurrence across different populations. It is widely acknowledged that rates of hatching failure are higher in threatened species and in populations maintained in captivity compared to wild, non-threatened species, but these differences have rarely been quantified and any broader patterns remain unexplored. To examine the associations between threat status, management interventions, and hatching failure across populations we conducted a phylogenetically controlled multilevel meta-analysis across 231 studies and 241 species of birds. Our data set included both threatened (Critically Endangered, Endangered, and Vulnerable) and non-threatened (Near Threatened and Least Concern) species across wild and captive populations, as well as 'wild managed' ('free-living') populations. We found the mean overall rate of hatching failure across all populations to be 16.79%, with the hatching failure rate of wild, non-threatened species being 12.40%. We found that populations of threatened species experienced significantly higher mean hatching failure than populations of non-threatened species. Different levels of management were also associated with different rates of hatching failure, with wild populations experiencing the lowest rate of hatching failure, followed by wild managed populations, and populations in captivity experiencing the highest rate. Similarly, populations that were subject to the specific management interventions of artificial incubation, supplementary feeding, and artificial nest provision displayed significantly higher rates of hatching failure than populations without these interventions. The driver of this correlation between hatching failure and management remains unclear, but could be an indirect result of threatened species being more likely to have lower hatching success and also being more likely to be subject to management, indicating that conservation efforts are fittingly being focused towards the species potentially most at risk from extinction. This is the most comprehensive comparative analysis of avian hatching failure that has been conducted to date, and the first to quantify explicitly how threat status and management are associated with the rate of hatching failure in a population. We discuss the implications of our results, focusing on their potential applications to conservation. Although we identified several factors clearly associated with variation in hatching failure, a significant amount of heterogeneity was not explained by our meta-analytical model, indicating that other factors influencing hatching failure were not included here. We discuss what these factors might be and suggest avenues for further research. Finally, we discuss the inconsistency in how hatching failure is defined and reported within the literature, and propose a standardised definition to be used in future studies which will enable better comparison across populations and ensure that the most accurate information is used to support management decisions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ashleigh F Marshall
- Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of London, Outer Circle, Regent's Park, London, NW1 4RY, UK
- Department of Genetics, Evolution and Environment, University College London, London, WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - François Balloux
- UCL Genetics Institute, University College London, London, WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Nicola Hemmings
- Department of Animal & Plant Sciences, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, S10 2TN, UK
| | - Patricia Brekke
- Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of London, Outer Circle, Regent's Park, London, NW1 4RY, UK
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Digby A, Eason D, Catalina A, Lierz M, Galla S, Urban L, Le Lec MF, Guhlin J, Steeves TE, Dearden PK, Joustra T, Lees C, Davis T, Vercoe D. Hidden impacts of conservation management on fertility of the critically endangered kākāpō. PeerJ 2023; 11:e14675. [PMID: 36755872 PMCID: PMC9901309 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.14675] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2021] [Accepted: 12/11/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Animal conservation often requires intensive management actions to improve reproductive output, yet any adverse effects of these may not be immediately apparent, particularly in threatened species with small populations and long lifespans. Hand-rearing is an example of a conservation management strategy which, while boosting populations, can cause long-term demographic and behavioural problems. It is used in the recovery of the critically endangered kākāpō (Strigops habroptilus), a flightless parrot endemic to New Zealand, to improve the slow population growth that is due to infrequent breeding, low fertility and low hatching success. Methods We applied Bayesian mixed models to examine whether hand-rearing and other factors were associated with clutch fertility in kākāpō. We used projection predictive variable selection to compare the relative contributions to fertility from the parents' rearing environment, their age and previous copulation experience, the parental kinship, and the number of mates and copulations for each clutch. We also explored how the incidence of repeated copulations and multiple mates varied with kākāpō density. Results The rearing status of the clutch father and the number of mates and copulations of the clutch mother were the dominant factors in predicting fertility. Clutches were less likely to be fertile if the father was hand-reared compared to wild-reared, but there was no similar effect for mothers. Clutches produced by females copulating with different males were more likely to be fertile than those from repeated copulations with one male, which in turn had a higher probability of fertility than those from a single copulation. The likelihood of multiple copulations and mates increased with female:male adult sex ratio, perhaps as a result of mate guarding by females. Parental kinship, copulation experience and age all had negligible associations with clutch fertility. Conclusions These results provide a rare assessment of factors affecting fertility in a wild threatened bird species, with implications for conservation management. The increased fertility due to multiple mates and copulations, combined with the evidence for mate guarding and previous results of kākāpō sperm morphology, suggests that an evolutionary mechanism exists to optimise fertility through sperm competition in kākāpō. The high frequency of clutches produced from single copulations in the contemporary population may therefore represent an unnatural state, perhaps due to too few females. This suggests that opportunity for sperm competition should be maximised by increasing population densities, optimising sex ratios, and using artificial insemination. The lower fertility of hand-reared males may result from behavioural defects due to lack of exposure to conspecifics at critical development stages, as seen in other taxa. This potential negative impact of hand-rearing must be balanced against the short-term benefits it provides.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Andrew Digby
- Kākāpō Recovery Programme, Department of Conservation, Invercargill, New Zealand
| | - Daryl Eason
- Kākāpō Recovery Programme, Department of Conservation, Invercargill, New Zealand
| | | | - Michael Lierz
- Clinic for Birds, Reptiles, Amphibians and Fish, Justus-Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Stephanie Galla
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand
- Department of Biological Sciences, Boise State University, Boise, ID, United States of America
| | - Lara Urban
- Genomics Aotearoa, Dunedin, New Zealand
- Department of Anatomy, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Marissa F. Le Lec
- Genomics Aotearoa, Dunedin, New Zealand
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Joseph Guhlin
- Genomics Aotearoa, Dunedin, New Zealand
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Tammy E. Steeves
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand
- Genomics Aotearoa, Christchurch, New Zealand
| | - Peter K. Dearden
- Genomics Aotearoa, Dunedin, New Zealand
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | | | - Caroline Lees
- IUCN SSC Conservation Planning Specialist Group, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Tane Davis
- Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu, Christchurch, New Zealand
| | - Deidre Vercoe
- Kākāpō Recovery Programme, Department of Conservation, Invercargill, New Zealand
| | - Kākāpō Recovery Team
- Kākāpō Recovery Programme, Department of Conservation, Invercargill, New Zealand
- Department of Computer Science, Aalto University, Espoo, Finland
- Clinic for Birds, Reptiles, Amphibians and Fish, Justus-Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand
- Department of Biological Sciences, Boise State University, Boise, ID, United States of America
- Genomics Aotearoa, Dunedin, New Zealand
- Department of Anatomy, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
- Genomics Aotearoa, Christchurch, New Zealand
- Unaffiliated, Auckland, New Zealand
- IUCN SSC Conservation Planning Specialist Group, Auckland, New Zealand
- Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu, Christchurch, New Zealand
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Obianwuna UE, Oleforuh-Okoleh VU, Wang J, Zhang HJ, Qi GH, Qiu K, Wu SG. Natural Products of Plants and Animal Origin Improve Albumen Quality of Chicken Eggs. Front Nutr 2022; 9:875270. [PMID: 35757269 PMCID: PMC9226613 DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2022.875270] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2022] [Accepted: 05/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Albumen quality is recognized as one of the major yardsticks in measuring egg quality. The elasticity of thick albumen, a strong bond in the ovomucin-lysozyme complex, and excellent biological properties are indicators of high-quality albumen. The albumen quality prior to egg storage contribute to enhance egg’s shelf life and economic value. Evidence suggests that albumen quality can deteriorate due to changes in albumen structure, such as the degradation of β-ovomucin subunit and O-glyosidic bonds, the collapse of the ovomucin-lysozyme complex, and a decrease in albumen protein-protein interaction. Using organic minerals, natural plants and animal products with antioxidant and antimicrobial properties, high biological value, no residue effect and toxicity risk could improve albumen quality. These natural products (e.g., tea polyphenols, marigold extract, magnolol, essential oils, Upro (small peptide), yeast cell wall, Bacillus species, a purified amino acid from animal blood, and pumpkin seed meal) are bio-fortified into eggs, thus enhancing the biological and technological function of the albumen. Multiple strategies to meeting laying hens’ metabolic requirements and improvement in albumen quality are described in this review, including the use of amino acids, vitamins, minerals, essential oils, prebiotics, probiotics, organic trace elements, and phytogenic as feed additives. From this analysis, natural products can improve animal health and consequently albumen quality. Future research should focus on effects of these natural products in extending shelf life of the albumen during storage and at different storage conditions. Research in that direction may provide insight into albumen quality and its biological value in fresh and stored eggs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Uchechukwu Edna Obianwuna
- National Engineering Research Center of Biological Feed, Feed Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Vivian U Oleforuh-Okoleh
- Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, Nigeria
| | - Jing Wang
- National Engineering Research Center of Biological Feed, Feed Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Hai-Jun Zhang
- National Engineering Research Center of Biological Feed, Feed Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Guang-Hai Qi
- National Engineering Research Center of Biological Feed, Feed Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Kai Qiu
- National Engineering Research Center of Biological Feed, Feed Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Shu-Geng Wu
- National Engineering Research Center of Biological Feed, Feed Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Wen C, Mai C, Cai R, Gou Q, Zhang B, Li J, Sun C, Yang N. Inheritance of the duration of fertility in chickens and its correlation with laying performance. Genet Sel Evol 2022; 54:41. [PMID: 35659242 PMCID: PMC9164397 DOI: 10.1186/s12711-022-00733-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2021] [Accepted: 05/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Duration of fertility (DF) is an important economic trait in poultry production because it has a strong effect on chick output. Various criteria or traits to assess DF on individual hens have been reported but they are affected by many nongenetic factors. Thus, a reliable definition and associated genetic parameters are needed. Because egg production is also vital in chicken breeding, knowledge of the relationship between DF and laying performance is needed for designing selection programs. Methods We used five traits that consider both fertility and embryonic livability to delineate DF. Phenotypic and genetic analyses were completed for 2094 hens, with measurements of DF at 35 and 60 weeks of age and hatching egg production at 400 days of age (HEP400). The selection differentials for DF and HEP400 were evaluated. Results DF is largely independent of the number of oviposited eggs in the peak laying period but both egg production and DF naturally decline with age. The heritability of the five DF traits ranged from 0.11 to 0.13 at 35 weeks of age and increased slightly in the later laying period, ranging from 0.14 to 0.17 (except for efficient duration, time between insemination and the first unhatched egg). Estimates of the genetic correlation for a given trait measured at the two ages were moderate (0.37–0.44), except for efficient duration. However, number of viable embryos depends strongly on egg production. Estimates of genetic correlations of fertility duration day (FDD) at both ages with HEP were weak. Selection for FDD improved DF but without a significant change in laying performance. Selection for increased HEP400 did not contribute to DF improvement. Conclusions Although estimates of heritability of the five traits related to DF were low, selection to improve DF based on any one of them is possible. Among these, FDD is an effective selection criterion when the eggs are collected for approximately two weeks after insemination. The best selection procedure for DF improvement would involve multiple measurements at various ages. FDD is independent of laying performance and can be incorporated into a breeding program with egg production to improve reproductive efficiency.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chaoliang Wen
- Department of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China.,National Engineering Laboratory for Animal Breeding and Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Chunning Mai
- Department of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China.,National Engineering Laboratory for Animal Breeding and Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Ronglang Cai
- Department of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China.,National Engineering Laboratory for Animal Breeding and Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Qinli Gou
- Department of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China.,National Engineering Laboratory for Animal Breeding and Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Boxuan Zhang
- Department of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China.,National Engineering Laboratory for Animal Breeding and Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Junying Li
- Department of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China.,National Engineering Laboratory for Animal Breeding and Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Congjiao Sun
- Department of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China.,National Engineering Laboratory for Animal Breeding and Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Ning Yang
- Department of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China. .,National Engineering Laboratory for Animal Breeding and Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China.
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Assersohn K, Brekke P, Hemmings N. Physiological factors influencing female fertility in birds. ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE 2021; 8:202274. [PMID: 34350009 PMCID: PMC8316823 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.202274] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2020] [Accepted: 07/12/2021] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
Fertility is fundamental to reproductive success, but not all copulation attempts result in a fertilized embryo. Fertilization failure is especially costly for females, but we still lack a clear understanding of the causes of variation in female fertility across taxa. Birds make a useful model system for fertility research, partly because their large eggs are easily studied outside of the female's body, but also because of the wealth of data available on the reproductive productivity of commercial birds. Here, we review the factors contributing to female infertility in birds, providing evidence that female fertility traits are understudied relative to male fertility traits, and that avian fertility research has been dominated by studies focused on Galliformes and captive (relative to wild) populations. We then discuss the key stages of the female reproductive cycle where fertility may be compromised, and make recommendations for future research. We particularly emphasize that studies must differentiate between infertility and embryo mortality as causes of hatching failure, and that non-breeding individuals should be monitored more routinely where possible. This review lays the groundwork for developing a clearer understanding of the causes of female infertility, with important consequences for multiple fields including reproductive science, conservation and commercial breeding.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Katherine Assersohn
- Department of Animal and Plant Sciences, University of Sheffield, Sheffield S10 2TN, UK
| | - Patricia Brekke
- Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of London, Regents Park, London NW1 4RY, UK
| | - Nicola Hemmings
- Department of Animal and Plant Sciences, University of Sheffield, Sheffield S10 2TN, UK
| |
Collapse
|