The Effect of Feed Restriction Programs and Growth Curves on Reproductive Performance, in vitro Lipogenesis and Heterophil to Lymphocyte Ratios in Broiler Breeder Hens
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.3923/ijps.2009.373.388Keywords:
Breeder, broilerized, feed restriction, growth curves, metabolism, performanceAbstract
An experiment was conducted to compare Everyday (ED) and Skip-a-day (SK) feeding programs and early Slow growth (SLOW) and Broilerized (BROIL) treatments. Feed restriction programs were implemented from 4 weeks to 5% production. The SLOW group was fed to reach 75% of standard BW by 12 weeks and then to reach standard BW by 21 weeks. The BROIL group was fed ad libitum till 7 weeks and then severely restricted to reach standard BW by 21 weeks. Parameters measured included BW, uniformity, age at Sexual Maturity (SM), total and settable egg production, body composition, liver size and composition, in vitro Lipogenesis (IVL) and Heterophil-Lymphocyte ratio (H/L). Breeder production performance was evaluated through 45 weeks of age. Birds fed ED grew more efficiently than SK or SLOW. The BROIL treatment resulted in significantly worse feed utilization than all other groups. Frame size was consistently greater in BROIL pullets and consistently smaller in SLOW pullets. Birds fed ED reached SM before SK, who in turn reached SM before SLOW or BROIL birds. Egg production was significantly higher in ED than SK, which in turn was higher than either SLOW or BROIL. The difference of nearly 17 total eggs per hen between ED and BROIL hens could not be explained by differences in BW or body composition. Liver weight and IVL was elevated in SK and SLOW pullets above ED pullets during rearing. Liver weight and IVL were lower in BROIL pullets than other groups during rearing, but after photostimulation dramatic increases in liver weight and IVL resulted in this trend being inverted by 27 weeks. As an indicator of stress, H/L ratios were elevated above ED pullets in SK, SLOW and BROIL pullets at various times during rearing. These times generally coincided with the periods of most severe feed restriction. Feeding regimens and growth curves have a major influence on efficiency and reproductive performance in broiler breeders. These effects were not attributable solely to differences in BW and body composition. The depression of IVL in broilerized pullets even after restricted feeding was implemented was of great interest and warrants further examination.
References
Akiba, Y., L.S. Jensen and C.X. Mendonca, 1983. Laboratory model wuth chicks for assay of nutritional factors affecting hepatic lipid accumulation in laying hens. Poult. Sci., 62: 143-151.
AOAC., 1990. Official Methods of Analysis. 15th Edn., Association of Official Analytical Chemists, Washington, DC., USA.
Boa-Amponsem, K., A. Yang, N.K. Praharaj, E.A. Dunnington, W.B. Gross and P.B. Siegel, 1997. Impact of alternate day feeding cycles on immune and antibacterial responses of white leghorn chicks. J. Applied Poult. Res., 6: 123-127.
Bornstein, S. and Y. Lev, 1982. The energy requirements of broiler breeders during the pullet-layer transition period. Poult. Sci., 61: 755-765.
Bornstein, S., I. Plavnik and Y. Lev, 1984. Body weight and/or fatness as potential determinants of the onset of egg production in broiler breeder hens. Br. Poult. Sci., 25: 323-341.
Brake, J., J.D. Garlich and E.D. Peebles, 1985. Effect of protein and energy intake by broiler breeders during the prebreeder transition period on subsequent reproductive performance. Poult. Sci., 64: 2335-2340.
Brody, T., Y. Eitan, M. Soller, I. Nir and Z. Nitsan, 1980. Compensatory growth and sexual maturity in broiler females reared under severe food restriction from day of hatching. Br. Poult. Sci., 21: 434-446.
Bruggeman, V., O. Onagbesan, E. D'Hondt, N. Buys and M. Safi et al., 1999. Effects of timing and duration of feed restriction during rearing on reproductive characteristics in broiler breeder females. Poult. Sci., 78: 1424-1434.
Burrows, W.H. and J.P. Quinn, 1937. The collection of spermatozoa from the domestic fowl and Turkey. Poult. Sci., 16: 19-24.
Cave, N.A.G., 1984. Effect of a high protein diet fed prior to the onset of lay on performance of broiler breeder pullets. Poult. Sci., 63: 1823-1827.
Donaldson, W.E., 1981. Lipid metabolism in chick embryos. Poult. Sci., 60: 1964-1970.
Dunnington, E.A., P.B. Siegel, J.A. Cherryand and M. Soller, 1983. Relationship of age and body weight at sexual maturity in selected lines of chickens. Arch. Geflugelkd, 47: 85-89.
Folch, J., M. Lees and G.H.S. Stanley, 1957. A simple method for the isolation and purification of total lipides from animal tissues. J. Biol. Chem., 226: 497-509.
Gross, W.B. and H.S. Siegel, 1983. Evaluation of the heterophil/lymphocyte ratio as a measure of stress in chickens. Avian Dis., 27: 972-979.
Hanks, J.H. and R.E. Wallace, 1949. Relation of oxygen and temperature in the preservation of tissues by refrigeration. Proc. Soc. Exp. Biol. Med., 71: 196-200.
Hermier, D., 1997. Lipoprotein metabolism and fattening in poultry. J. Nutr., 127: S805-S808.
Hillgartner, F.B., L.M. Salati and A.G. Goodridge, 1995. Physiological and molecular mechanisms involved in nutritional regulation of fatty acid synthesis. Physiol. Rev., 75: 47-76.
Hillgartner, F.B., T. Charron and K.A. Chesnut, 1996. Alterations in nutritional status regulate acetyl-CoA carboxylase expression in avian liver by a transcriptional mechanism. Biochem. J., 319: 263-268.
Hocking, P.M., M.H. Maxwell and M.A. Mitchell, 1993. Welfare assessment of broiler breeder and layer females subjected to food restriction and limited access to water during rearing. Br. Poult. Sci., 34: 443-458.
Hocking, P.M., M.H. Maxwell and M.A. Mitchell, 1996. Relationships between the degree of food restriction and welfare indices in broiler breeder females. Br. Poult. Sci., 37: 263-278.
Hocking, P.M., D. Waddington, M.A. Walker and A.B. Gilbert, 1987. Ovarian follicular structure of white leghorns fed ad libitum and dwarf and normal broiler breeders fed ad libitum or restricted to point of lay. Br. Poult. Sci., 28: 493-506.
Hocking, P.M., D. Waddington, M.A. Walker and A.B. Gilbert, 1989. Control of the development of the ovarian follicular hierarchy in broiler breeder pullets by food restriction during rearing. Br. Poult. Sci., 30: 161-174.
Hudson, B.P., R.J. Lien and J.B. Hess, 2000. Effects of early protein intake on development and subsequent egg production of broiler breeder hens. J. Applied Poult. Res., 9: 324-333.
Joseph, N.S., F.E. Robinson, D.R. Korver and R.A. Renema, 2000. Effect of dietary protein intake during the pullet-to-breeder transition period on early egg weight and production in broiler breeders. Poult. Sci., 79: 1790-1796.
Katanbaf, M.N., E.A. Dunnington and P.B. Siegel, 1989. Restricted feeding in early and late-feathering chickens. 1. Growth and physiological responses. Poult. Sci., 68: 344-351.
Katanbaf, M.N., E.A. Dunnington and P.B. Siegel, 1989. Restricted feeding in early and late feathering chickens. 3. Organ size and carcass composition. Poult. Sci., 68: 359-368.
Katanbaf, M.N., E.A. Dunnington and P.B. Siegel, 1989. Restricted feeding in early and late feathering chickens to reproductive responsive. Poult. Sci., 68: 352-358.
King, L.M. and A.M. Donoghue, 2000. Adaptation of the sperm mobility test for identification of turkey toms with low fertilizing potential. J. Applied Poult. Res., 9: 66-73.
Leeson, S. and J.D. Summers, 1983. Consequence of increased feed allowance for growing broiler pullets as a means of stimulating early maturity. Poult. Sci., 62: 6-11.
Leeson, S. and J.D. Summers, 1984. Influence of nutritional modification on skeletal size of leghorn and broiler breeder pullets. Poult. Sci., 63: 1222-1228.
Leeson, S. and J.D. Summers, 1985. Effect of cage versus floor rearing and skip-a-day versus everyday feed restriction on performance of dwarf broiler breeders and their offspring. Poult. Sci., 64: 1742-1749.
Leveille, G.A., 1966. Glycogen metabolism in meal-fed rats and chicks and the time sequence of lipogenic and enzymatic adaptive changes. J. Nutr., 90: 325-360.
Lilburn, M.S. and D.J. Myers-Miller, 1990. Effect of body weight, feed allowance and dietary protein intake during the prebreeder period on early reproductive performance of broiler breeder hens. Poult. Sci., 69: 1118-1125.
Maxwell, M.H., G.W. Robertson, S. Spence and C.C. McCorquodale, 1990. Comparison of haematological values in restricted-and ad libitum-fed domestic fowls: White blood cells and thrombocytes. Br. Poult. Sci., 31: 399-405.
McDaniel, G.R., J. Brake and R.D. Bushlong, 1981. Factors affecting broiler breeder performance. 1. Relationship of daily feed intake level to reproductive performance of pullets. Poult. Sci., 60: 115-200.
Muiruri, K.L., D.R. Romsos and G.A. Leveille, 1975. Influence of meal frequency on in vivo hepatic fatty acid synthesis, lipogenic enzyme activity and glucose tolerance in the chicken. J. Nutr., 105: 605-613.
Hea, E.K. and G.A. Leveille, 1969. Lipid biosynthesis and transport in the domestic chick (Galus domesticus). Comp. Biochem. Physiol., 30: 149-159.
Renema, R.A. and F.E. Robinson, 2004. Defining normal: Comparison of feed restriction and full feeding of female broiler breeders. World`s Poult. Sci. J., 60: 508-522.
Renema, R.A., F.E. Robinson and P.R. Goerzen, 2001. Effects of altering growth curve and age at photostimulation in female broiler breeders. 1. Reproductive development. Can J. Anim. Sci., 81: 467-476.
Renema, R.A., F.E. Robinson, P.R. Goerzen and M.J. Zuidhof, 2001. Effects of altering growth curve and age at photostimulation in female broiler breeders. 2. Egg production parameters. Can. J. Anim. Sci., 81: 477-486.
Richards, M.P., S.M., Poch, C.N. Coon, R.W. Rosebrough, C.M. Ashwell and J.P. McMurtry, 2003. Feed restriction significantly alters lipogenic gene expression in broiler chicken. J. Nutr., 133: 707-715.
Robblee, A.R., D.R. Clandinin, K. Darlington and G.R. Milne, 1979. The effects of restricted feeding and energy content of the ration on performance of broiler breeding chickens. Can. J. Anim. Sci., 59: 539-544.
Robinson, F.E., N.A. Robinson, R.T. Hardin and J.L. Wilson, 1995. Effects of 20-week body weight and feed allocation during early lay on growth, carcass composition and reproductive performance of female broiler breeders. J. Applied Poult. Res., 4: 203-210.
Rosebrough, R.W., 2000. Dietary protein levels and the responses of broilers to single or repeated cycles of fasting and refeeding. Nutr. Res., 20: 877-886.
Rosebrough, R.W. and N.C. Steele, 1985. Energy and protein relationships in the broiler 1. Effect of protein levels and feeding regimens on growth, body composition and in vitro lipogenesis of broiler chicks. Poult. Sci., 64: 119-126.
Rosebrough, R.W. and N.C. Steele, 1987. Measurement of glucose and lipid metabolism in avian liver explants. Comp. Biochem. Physiol., 88: 1041-1049.
Savory, C.J., E. Seawright and A. Watson, 1992. Stereotyped behavior in broiler breeders in relation to husbandry and opioid receptor blockade. Applied Anim. Behav. Sci., 32: 349-360.
Siegel, P.B. and E.A. Dunnington, 1985. Reproductive Complications Associated with Selection for Broiler Growth. In: Poltry Genetics and Breeding, Hill, W.G., J.M. Manson and D. Hewitt (Eds.). British Poultry Science Ltd., Harlow, UK., pp: 59-72.
Soller, M., Y. Eitan and T. Brody, 1984. Effect of diet and early quantitative feed restriction on the minimum weight requirement for onset of sexual maturity in White Rock broiler breeders. Poult. Sci., 63: 1255-1261.
Sun, J.M., M.P. Richards, R.W. Rosebrough, C.M. Ashwell, J.P. McMurtry and C.N. Coon, 2006. The relationship of body composition, feed intake and metabolic hormones for broiler breeder females. Poult. Sci., 85: 1173-1184.
Walsh, T.J. and J. Brake, 1997. The effect of nutrient intake during rearing of broiler breeder females on subsequent fertility. Poult. Sci., 76: 297-305.
Wilson, H.R., D.R. Ingram, F.B. Mather and R.H. Harms, 1989. Effect of daily restriction and age at initiation of a skip-a-day program for young broiler breeders. Poult. Sci., 68: 1442-1446.
Wilson, J.L., F.E. Robinson, N.A. Robinson and R.T. Hardin, 1995. Effects of feed allocation on female broiler breeders. J. Applied Poult. Res., 4: 193-202.
Yeh, Y. and G.A. Leveille, 1969. Effect of dietary protein on hepatic lipogenesis in the growing chick. J. Nutr., 98: 356-366.
Yeh, Y. and G.A. Leveille, 1972. Influence of intermittent fasting or protein-free feeding on lipid metabolism in young cockerels. J. Nutr., 102: 733-740.
Yu, M.W., F.E. Robinson, R.G. Charles and R. Weingardt, 1992. Effect of feed allowance during rearing and breeding on female broiler breeders. 2. Ovarian morphology and production. Poult. Sci., 71: 1750-1761.
Zelenka, D.J., P.B. Siegel, E.A. Dunnington and J.A. Cherry, 1986. Inheritance of traits associated with sexual maturity when populations of chickens reach 50% lay. Poult. Sci., 65: 233-240.
Zulkifli, I., E.A. Dunnington, A.S. Larsen, A. Martin and P.B. Siegel, 1993. Responses of dwarf and normal chickens to feed restriction, Eimeria tenella infection and sheep red blood cell antigen. Poult. Sci., 72: 1630-1640.
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2009 Asian Network for Scientific Information
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.
