搜索结果：British poultry science

1. Glycerol is the standard cryoprotectant for avian sperm, yet adding 2% reduces chicken fertility by half. Sperm co-cultured with sperm storage tubules in advanced DMEM/F-12 (adDF12) medium decreased glycerol damage. The following study tested whether adDF12 itself protects sperm from glycerol toxicity compared to conventional Lake PC (LPC) extender.2. Pooled rooster semen was diluted in either LPC or adDF12 with 2% glycerol. Fertility was assessed via artificial insemination (100 × 106 sperm per hen, n = 10 per group). Sperm motility, membrane integrity and mitochondrial activity were evaluated at 4°C and 41°C using computer-assisted analysis and flow cytometry.3. Using adDF12 achieved 56.6% fertility versus 36.3% with LPC, a 55.9% improvement (p = 0.012). This protection operated through enhanced sperm motility at 41°C, total motility increased from 55.2% to 64.9% (p = 0.044) and progressive motility increased from 19.5% to 33.2%. No differences were seen at 4°C. Membrane integrity and mitochondrial activity remained unchanged across treatments.4. The selective motility enhancement seen without mitochondrial changes suggested that adDF12 supported glycolytic rather than oxidative metabolism. Using adDF12 provided glucose (17.5 mM), pyruvate (0.5 mM) and 21 amino acids, substrates largely absent in LPC, which likely enabled flexible ATP generation under glycerol stress.5. These findings established adDF12 as a potential post-thaw resuspension medium for cryopreserved avian semen, directly supporting genetic conservation programmes.

Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) viruses, particularly subtypes such as H5N1 and H7N9, have caused widespread outbreaks in wild birds, poultry, livestock and occasionally humans, raising concerns about cross-species transmission and pandemic potential. Effective control and surveillance strategies require a thorough understanding of HPAI transmission dynamics, which can be supported by mathematical modelling. This scoping review aimed to identify mechanistic models used to study HPAI transmission. Specifically, we sought to categorize model types, describe their application contexts (e.g., wild birds, poultry, livestock, and humans), and highlight modelling gaps relevant to understanding and mitigating the risks of HPAI spread. Following PRISMA guidelines and the PRISMA extension for scoping reviews (PRISMA-ScR), we conducted systematic searches of PubMed and Web of Science to identify peer-reviewed studies employing deterministic and stochastic models to analyze HPAI transmission. Eligible articles published between January 2023 and June 2025 were screened and grouped by model structure, host populations, transmission pathways, and modelling objectives. After screening, 30 studies published after 2023 were included in this scoping review. Compartmental models were the most common (26 studies), with 16 deterministic and 10 stochastic approaches. These models were primarily used to describe transmission among wild birds, poultry, livestock, and humans and to evaluate interventions such as culling, vaccination, and movement restrictions. Agent-based models (2 studies) captured individual-level interactions and spatial heterogeneity, while network models (2 studies) represented contact structures and transmission pathways between farms or species. Currently, mechanistic modelling of HPAI is dominated by compartmental approaches, including both deterministic and stochastic formulations, whereas agent-based and network models remain relatively underused. Although most studies focus on transmission in wild birds and poultry, and in some cases spillover infections to humans, few explicitly examine infection dynamics in livestock or in transmission between livestock and humans, despite the importance of livestock (e.g., cattle) as potential intermediaries in human infection. Key gaps persist in the integration of empirical data, representation of multi-host interactions, and evaluation of realistic intervention strategies. Addressing these limitations is essential to improve predictive accuracy and to strengthen the role of modelling in informing HPAI surveillance and control.

The Ixworth chicken is a British dual-purpose breed and mostly maintained by small-scale farmers. Due to legislation regarding the ban on male chick culling in European countries, such as in Germany, renewed interest has arisen in rearing dual-purpose chickens that provide both meat and eggs from the same genetic line. This dataset was generated within the scope of projects aiming to evaluate the viability of dual-purpose breeds for sustainable and welfare-oriented poultry production. One of the objectives was to characterize the genetic potential of the Ixworth chicken as a model for breeding programs that combine conservation and practical use in ecological farming systems. Liver samples from 49 male Ixworth chickens were collected after scheduled slaughter at the Campus Frankenforst of the Faculty of Agricultural, Nutritional and Engineering Sciences of the University of Bonn, Germany. Genomic DNA was extracted and subjected to whole-genome resequencing using the Illumina NovaSeq 6000 platform. The dataset provides high-resolution genomic information on a rare breed with a pure dual-purpose background. This resource represents the first public sequencing dataset of the Ixworth chicken and thus offers a valuable foundation for future studies on genetic diversity, conservation genomics, and breeding strategies for sustainable poultry production.

Intensive genetic selection in commercial poultry has greatly enhanced productivity, but it has also caused substantial genetic erosion, affecting long-term sustainability. Body weight and growth rate as well as egg production are considered antagonistic traits, leading to highly specialized broiler and layer lines with further loss of diversity. Local breeds, such as the British Ixworth dual-purpose chicken, are vital reservoirs of biodiversity, yet the genomic basis of their balanced traits remains poorly understood. At the same time, ethical concerns regarding male chick culling have led several European countries to ban the practice in recent years, renewing interest in dual-purpose systems in which both sexes can be viably utilized. By addressing both genetic erosion and chick culling, dual-purpose chickens can contribute to more sustainable poultry production. To investigate the genetic architecture of the Ixworth chicken, we conducted high-resolution whole-genome sequencing, and compared it with its wild progenitor and specialized commercial lines for layers and broilers. Our analyses identify the Ixworth chicken as genetically distinct, with moderate nucleotide diversity, low inbreeding, and rapid decay of linkage disequilibrium, suggesting limited historical selection despite possible recent bottlenecks associated with its critical status. Its genetic architecture further revealed distinguished selection signatures balancing meat productivity (chromosomes 1, 6, 28) with egg-laying performance (chromosomes 1, 3, 10), contrasting with the narrow selection for growth in broilers and reproductive efficiency in layers. Notably, we discovered a distinct selective sweep on chromosome 4 (90.10–90.30 Mb) that harbors the developmental regulator CYP26B1, the exocytosis regulator EXOC6B, regulatory long non-coding RNAs, and co-localizes with QTLs for cooking loss and fatty acid composition. This alignment provides a compelling genomic basis for the breed’s historical reputation for superior table quality, a trait likely selected either deliberately or as a fortunate consequence of selection on a linked developmental pathway. This study uncovers the complex genetic legacy of the British Ixworth dual-purpose breed, offering insights into population parameters and positive selection signatures that may help to enhance biodiversity and animal welfare in future breeding programs and guide conservation efforts of the breed. The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12864-026-12732-9.

The overuse of antibiotics in both veterinary and human medicine has resulted in the emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, prompting a search for effective alternatives. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are short, often cationic, peptide-based molecules with antimicrobial and immunomodulatory activity, which makes them promising alternatives to conventional antibiotics in poultry production. From a prior machine-learning-guided screen of 875 candidate AMPs against a wide bacterial panel, 62 exhibited activity against avian pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC) and low in vitro hemolytic and cytotoxic activity. We selected three lead AMPs from this list (named TeRu4, TeBi1, and PeNi4), and evaluated their in vitro and in vivo efficacy, safety, and immunomodulatory potential for use in poultry farming. In animal experiments, AMPs were administered via in ovo injection on d 18 of embryonic development. In APEC challenge trials, yolk sacs were inoculated with APEC post-hatch to assess early chick mortality, while in pen trials, birds were raised in a commercial production setting for 35 d. For challenged birds, TeBi1 (10 μg/egg) significantly reduced culture-positive rates for APEC in the air sac and pericardium, increased body weight by 50% and reduced cytokine transcript levels by 10%-30% on d 7 post hatch. In HD11 chicken macrophage-like cultured cells, TeRu4 (16 μg/mL) suppressed lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced pro-inflammatory cytokine transcript levels. In pen trials, TeRu4 (20 μg/egg) increased the survival probability of female birds by 4.9%, while TeBi1 (20 μg/egg) increased the survival probability of all birds by 4.4%, by d 35. Gene expression analysis revealed AMP- and sex-specific cytokine responses. In pen trials, no significant differences were observed in mean weights, feed conversion ratio (FCR), and flock uniformity on d 35. By integrating high-throughput in ovo automation with large-scale commercial pen trials, this study provides a systematic translational bridge from in silico AI discovery to field-relevant poultry production interventions. These findings demonstrate that TeBi1 and TeRu4 are promising antibiotic alternatives that improve survival, modulate immune responses, and maintain normal growth performance in broiler chickens in this experimental setting.

1. Since 2020, H5 high pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI) viruses of clade 2.3.4.4b have spread rapidly to all continents except Oceania. This panzootic presents an unprecedented threat to global poultry health, with severe uncertainties as to when it will peak or resolve. The complex epidemiology across multiple ecosystems creates unparallelled challenges following the spread of virus to and within multiple orders of wild birds.2. Sustained infection in numerous species of wild mammals, together with a substantial outbreak in US dairy cattle, increases the animal health threat and elevates risk for increased zoonotic infections. In developed commercial production systems, biosecurity can still be deficient and, if not addressed, can exacerbate the problem further.3. The virus is currently phenotypically stable but continually evolving at the genetic level and these changes need continual tracking to understand future risk and adaptive interventions. This disease not only threatens poultry production and food security worldwide but has a significant impact on biodiversity and improved tracking and knowledge of ecology in wild populations is required.4. Vaccination is a single tool that has potential utility as part of a holistic control plan. In some countries, vaccination has been used successfully to control the disease, but global success remains limited. Improved use of best practice, tailored to practical use in multiple production systems is required for future prevention and control.

1. This study investigated the transcriptomic expression of the pigeon retina and pineal gland when exposed to red light (RL). Light is a crucial environmental factor influencing poultry production, physiology and behaviour. Different wavelengths of light have distinct effects on photoreceptors, including those in the retina and pineal gland, ultimately regulating various production benefits.2. Using transcriptome sequencing, this trial examined the gene expression profiles of the retina and pineal gland of White King pigeons exposed to either red light (RL; 660&#x2009;nm) or White light (WL; 400-760&#x2009;nm) for 6 months. In total, 12 RNA-seq libraries were constructed and sequenced on an Illumina Novaseq 6000 platform. This identified 2305 and 635 differentially expressed genes (DEG) in the retinal and pineal gland, respectively. Gene Ontology (GO) analysis showed a total of 466 and 235 GO terms were identified in retina and pineal gland (p&#x2009;<&#x2009;0.05).3. In these two tissues, three common GO terms were identified, including nervous system development, glutamatergic synapse and structural constituent of ribosome. Functional enrichment analysis revealed that DEG in retina were enriched in pathways related to metabolism, genetic information processing and environmental information processing. However, DEG in the pineal gland were enriched for hormone metabolism and retinol binding.4. Through integrated analysis of a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network and Kyoto Encyclopaedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway maps, four DEG (optic protein-related genes OPN5 and EGR1 in retina, melatonin-related genes SNAT and ASMT in pineal gland) were identified, which play crucial roles and affected breed performance between RL and WL. These findings provide insights into the molecular mechanisms by which RL modulates the transcriptome of pigeon retina and pineal gland, potentially influencing poultry production and physiology.

1. Indigenous poultry breeds, like Kadaknath and Aseel, represent invaluable genetic resources, combining unique nutritional and cultural traits. The Kadaknath breed is famed for its black, lean, iron-rich meat with high protein and antioxidant content, while Aseel is a muscular breed prized for endurance, stress tolerance and fighting abilities. Despite their economic and nutritional value, the genetic and metabolic underpinnings of their distinct traits remain underexplored.2. This study conducted a comparative transcriptomic analysis of liver tissue from Kadaknath and Aseel chickens using RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) to uncover the molecular mechanisms driving their phenotypic diversity. The results identified 435 differentially expressed genes (DEG) linked to key processes such as lipid metabolism, oxidative phosphorylation and stress response.3. In Kadaknath chickens, up-regulated genes, including CPT1A, PCK1, TXNRD3 and PPARGC1A, were associated with efficient triglyceride breakdown, strong antioxidant defence and optimised energy metabolism. This likely contributes to the characteristic lean, nutrient-rich meat with high protein and low fat content.4. In contrast, Aseel birds showed elevated expression of stress response genes (MRPL18 and RPL11) and mitochondrial genes (NDUFA1, NDUFA8, NDUFB9 and PTPMT1), supporting its high energy requirements and resilience to stress, crucial for its endurance as a fighter breed. Gene co-expression network analysis highlighted critical hub genes driving these breed-specific adaptations.

1. Wooden breast (WB) is a common muscle abnormality in the pectoralis major (PM) muscle of broilers that results in significant economic losses for the poultry industry, although its incidence varies in different broiler lines. However, there are few reports on the genes and pathways involved in WB using RNA-seq or microarray data across multiple lines.2. The current study obtained three datasets (GSE127806, GSE144000 and GSE79276) from different broiler lines in the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) was then performed using GSE127806 and GSE144000 datasets and identified consensus modules significantly correlated with WB (p&#x2009;&#x2264;&#x2009;0.05). Preservation analysis showed that one consensus module was strongly preserved (Zsummary&#x2009;<&#x2009;2), and two others were moderately preserved (2 < Zsummary&#x2009;<&#x2009;10) in the GSE79276 dataset.3. Functional enrichment analysis revealed seven key genes (FN1, SPP1, CD44, TNC, BAK1, TNFRSF1A and CTSK) related to WB were significantly enriched in the extracellular matrix (ECM)-receptor interaction pathway and in the apoptosis pathway in one consensus module. The genes ACO2, MDH2 and SUCLG1 were significantly enriched in the tricarboxylic acid cycle (TCA) cycle pathway. From the protein-protein interaction analysis, hub genes linked to WB were identified. Seven of these genes are known to participate in muscle contraction (TNNI1, TNNT1, TNNT2, TNNT3, TPM3, TMOD3 and TMOD4) and three others in the TCA cycle (ACO2, MDH2 and SUCLG1).4. This study identified key genes and pathways associated with WB, deepening the understanding of the mechanism by which fibrosis (mediated by genes such as FN1) influences WB. It further revealed the important role of the TCA cycle and apoptosis in the pathogenesis of WB.

1. The Sonic Hedgehog (Shh) gene expresses a highly conserved signalling molecule essential for cell-to-cell communication, which regulates key biological processes, such as embryonic development (as embryo days; ED) and organogenesis. Although feathering is a critical aspect of skin development in poultry, particularly in Chinese indigenous breeds such as the Jilin white goose, its molecular mechanisms remain poorly understood.2. In this study, 150 fertilised Jilin white goose eggs were analysed to investigate embryonic skin morphological changes. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) was applied to determine the localisation of Shh protein, while qPCR and Western blotting were conducted to examine the temporal dynamics of mRNA and protein expression.3. The results revealed that Shh mRNA expression increased initially and then declined between ED8 and ED13, with the highest level observed at ED12. In contrast, Shh protein expression demonstrated a biphasic rise with an intervening decline, peaking at ED9.4. In vitro skin tissue culture experiments indicated that Shh may contribute to feather bud initiation and development by modulating the WNT signalling pathway.5. This study elucidated the temporal and spatial expression patterns of Shh and its interaction with the WNT signalling pathway during early embryonic skin development in Jilin white geese.

1. Three experiments were conducted to evaluate the predictive value of pepsin digestibility for estimating apparent metabolisable energy corrected for nitrogen balance (AMEn) and true ileal digestibility coefficients of amino acids (TIDCAA) in animal-origin meals (AOM) for broilers.2. Two poultry offal and bone meals (POBM1 and POBM2) and one swine offal and bone meal (SOBM) were assessed using in vivo and in vitro methods.3. In vivo trials determined AMEn and TIDCAA using a completely randomised design with 16 treatments, 8 replicates and 10 birds per replicate, while pepsin digestibility was measured in vitro.4. Pepsin digestibility showed variable correlations with nutrient values. In POBM1, only arginine showed a significant negative correlation with AMEn and TIDCAA. For POBM2, significant positive correlations with TIDCAA were observed only for lysine, histidine and glycine and for SOBM, a quadratic pattern was observed for TIDCAA, with no significant effect on AMEn.5. The results indicated that pepsin digestibility may be a useful predictor of amino acid digestibility in AOM, but its reliability for estimating AMEn was limited and dependent on ingredient type.

1. A total of 450 male chickens were individually housed and assessed for residual feed intake (RFI) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) over a 28 d feeding trial, with subsequent phenotypic measurements and breast muscle samples collected from selected high- and low-efficiency groups for metabolomic and lipidomic profiling.2. Residual FI had significant correlations with faecal volume, behavioural activity and head temperature, while FCR showed only a negative correlation with head temperature. Meat quality analysis revealed that residual FI correlated with breast muscle shear force, while FCR was associated with thigh muscle colour parameters.3. Multi-omics profiling of breast muscle showed distinct metabolite and lipid compositions between efficiency groups, and FCR was linked to triacylglycerol content and residual feed intake (RFI) to glycerophospholipid levels.4. This trial demonstrated that feed efficiency influences both physiological processes and meat quality, providing a basis for balanced breeding strategies in slow-growing poultry.

1. The demand for natural alternatives to antibiotic growth promoters in poultry has led to growing interest in bioactive compounds, such as polysaccharides derived from algae. This study evaluated the effects of algae (Spirulina platensis)-derived polysaccharides (ADP) on growth performance, blood profiles, carcase characteristics, meat quality, amino acid composition and antioxidant status in broilers.2. A total of 320, 1-d-old Ross 308 mixed-sex broilers were randomly allocated to one of the five dietary treatments; a control diet (0% ADP) and diets supplemented with 0.15%, 0.30%, 0.45% and 0.60% of ADP. Each treatment included four replicates containing 16 birds each. The feeding trial was conducted over 42 d and was divided into three phases, including starter (1-14 d), grower (15-28&#x2009;d) and finisher (29-42&#x2009;d).3. Dietary inclusion of ADP at 0.30% significantly improved body weight gain and feed conversion ratio during the finisher (1.77 kg and 1.71, respectively) and overall (2.82&#x2009;kg and 1.56, respectively) periods. There were no adverse effects observed on haematological, serum biochemistry or carcase characteristics.4. Supplementation with 0.45-0.60% ADP reduced cooking loss to 34-40% and improved meat cohesiveness by about 5%. Its inclusion elevated the levels of key amino acids, such as threonine, histidine, isoleucine, arginine and glutamic acid in the breast muscle. Additionally, ADP linearly increased hepatic antioxidant enzyme activities, including total superoxide dismutase (317.60-337.12&#x2009;U/mg protein), glutathione peroxidase (39.98-48.70&#x2009;U/mg protein), catalase (7.09-7.71&#x2009;U/mg protein) and decreased malondialdehyde concentrations (0.63-0.68&#x2009;nmol/mg protein) demonstrating enhanced oxidative status. These improvements were attributed to the prebiotic and antioxidant properties of Spirulina-derived polysaccharides, which enhance nutrient utilisation, maintain gut integrity and strengthen redox balance.5. This study provides preliminary evidence that polysaccharides derived from S. platensis, particularly at 0.30-0.45%, can be used as safe and effective feed additives in broiler diets. These compounds have the potential to enhance performance, oxidative stability and certain aspects of meat quality without adverse effects.

1. Light wavelength is a key environmental factor influencing broiler growth, feed efficiency and meat quality. This study evaluated the effects of monochromatic (white, blue, green) and combined (white-blue-green, blue-green-blue, green-blue-green) LED lighting regimens on growth performance, carcase yield and breast meat characteristics in Ross 308 broilers. White (400-770&#x2009;nm), blue (450-470&#x2009;nm) and green (520-570&#x2009;nm) LED lamps were used throughout the 42-d trial. Light intensity was standardised at 20 lux photopic illuminance at bird-head level and verified daily using a calibrated digital luxmeter.2. A total of 216 male chicks were allocated to 6 treatments (three replicates; 12 birds/pen). Growth traits were monitored across the starter, grower and finisher phases; carcase yield and meat quality (pH, colour, cooking loss and water-holding capacity) were assessed post-slaughter.3. Sequential green-blue lighting regimens (GBG and BGB) significantly improved body weight and FCR compared with monochromatic white light (p&#x2009;<&#x2009;0.001). Although breast yield decreased under blue light alone, this effect was not observed under combined regimens. Meat quality traits were largely unaffected, although redness increased and cooking loss decreased under green-blue combinations.4. Phase-specific green-blue LED lighting programmes can enhance broiler productivity and energy efficiency without compromising carcase yield or meat quality, representing a practical and welfare-compatible strategy for sustainable poultry production.

Clade 2.3.4.4b highly pathogenic avian influenza A(H5N1) (HPAI H5N1) viruses are widespread globally and have transmitted from birds to dairy cattle at least four times in the United States, including once by a genotype B3.13 virus and three times by genotype D1.1 viruses. Despite their prevalence and known ability to infect humans, only a few studies have examined respiratory droplet transmission capabilities of clade 2.3.4.4b viruses in mammalian models of influenza infection. Here, we aimed to further evaluate this. We assessed respiratory droplet transmission of two recent human clade 2.3.4.4b HPAI H5N1 viruses-A/Michigan/90/2024 ('MI90-H5N1'), a B3.13 isolate, and plaque-purified A/British Columbia/PHL2032/2024 ('BC2032-H5N1'), a D1.1 isolate-in the ferret model. We found that MI90-H5N1, in contrast to earlier findings, causes severe disease and partial lethality in ferrets, with virus spread to extra-respiratory organs and no respiratory droplet transmission. BC2032-H5N1 caused less severe disease with no lethality in ferrets and, consistent with a recent report, failed to transmit via respiratory droplets. Together with other reports, our results suggest that respiratory droplet transmissibility of clade 2.3.4.4b viruses is variable. Therefore, continued monitoring and risk assessment for emerging HPAI H5N1 viruses is essential to better understand their pandemic potential. This work was supported by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Centers of Excellence for Influenza Research and Response (contract 75N93021C00014) and by grants from the Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development (JP25wm0125002, JP253fa627001, and JP24fk0108626).

1. This study investigated predicting the live weights of 48-week-old Lohmann Sandy breed laying hens using non-stationary thermal images and CNN image processing and deep learning algorithms. A training set was created using a specially designed platform, consisting of 2,116 thermal images, with at least 10 frames for each of the 203 laying hens. The test set consisted of 50 images from four hens, which were completely excluded from the training phase. This allowed the deep models to reflect their true ability to predict novel live weights for laying hens, rather than memorising patterns from known subjects.2. To ensure data consistency and quality, thermal images were resized to 224&#x2009;&#xd7;&#x2009;224, 299&#x2009;&#xd7;&#x2009;299 and 380&#x2009;&#xd7;&#x2009;380 pixels before being added to the deep learning framework. Because resolution varies depending on camera settings and distance, standardisation of image dimensions was used to ensure consistency in the neural network's input layer.3. Standardised thermal images of laying hens were built on a convolutional neural network (CNN) architecture and used the EfficientNetB1, Xception, DenseNet121 and InceptionResNetV2 deep learning algorithms to predict live weight. The training process used Google's comprehensive deep learning framework, TensorFlow and its high-level API, Keras, which simplifies model building and training workflows.4. The test set prediction performance for live weight of laying hens using DenseNet121-Linear were RMSE (0.046), MAPE (2.154%), ME (0.022%), RAE (2.739%) and R2 ;(0.71), when using non-normalised data.5. The study demonstrated that the DenseNet121 deep learning model can effectively predict laying hen weights using only thermal imaging and it is anticipated that this will lead to numerous practical applications in the poultry industry.

1. The objective of this trial was to examine the effect of Sacha inchi oil (SIO), extracted from local nut sources common to the Amazon region, in broiler diets. The oil was substituted for soybean oil (SBO) within diets of slow-growing broilers and the effects on growth performance, carcass traits, serum biochemistry, objective meat quality and meat fatty acid profile were assessed.2. A total of 400, mixed sex, 56 d old, crossbred Ho&#x2009;&#xd7;&#x2009;Luong Phuong broilers were randomly allocated to one of four experimental diets: a control diet (CON) containing 4.5% SBO and three experimental diets with SIO at substitution levels of 33.3% (SI1), 66.7% (SI2) and 100% (SI3) instead of SBO for a feeding period of 56&#x2009;days. Each diet was replicated in four replicated pens of 25 birds, comprising two pens of males and two pens of females.3. Growth variables were recorded every two weeks. Blood samples were collected via puncture of the brachial vein one day prior to the completion of the experiment to determine serum biochemical indices. At the end of the study, four birds per pen were humanely slaughtered to evaluate carcass traits and breast samples were collected for assessments of meat technological quality and fatty acid profile.4. The inclusion of SIO increased the proportion of n-3 PUFA, lowered the n-6/n-3 PUFA ratio and cholesterol content in breast muscle and reduced serum triglyceride and low-density lipoprotein levels, without detrimental effects on growth, carcass traits or meat quality variables.5. The results demonstrated that SIO is a promising alternative lipid source for improving the nutritional value of poultry meat without adversely affecting productive performance or carcass characteristics.

1. This study assessed the efficacy of supplementing sawdust litter with the inorganic compounds, zeolite and gypsum, on quality, ammonia emissions and the production performance of Japanese quail.2. A total of 144-day-old Japanese quail were randomly assigned to three treatment groups (control, zeolite or gypsum) with six replicates of eight birds each, reared over a 13-week period. Parameters observed included growth performance, litter quality indices (pH, moisture, water holding capacity, ammonia emission and nitrogen content), microbial/parasitic load and bird welfare indicators.3. Both zeolite and gypsum treatments significantly improved litter quality compared to the control. Specifically, treated groups exhibited lower moisture content, reduced pH, decreased cake formation and significantly lower ammonia emissions, alongside higher nitrogen retention.4. These improved environmental conditions translated to superior bird welfare, evidenced by reduced footpad lesions and lower parasitic and microbial loads. Birds reared on treated litter had better feed conversion and egg production compared to the control group.5. The study showed that both zeolite and gypsum serve as effective sawdust litter treatments, enhancing both the performance and welfare of Japanese quail.

1. The correct development of follicles is essential for feather quality in geese, yet the role of STAT3 in feather follicle formation during geese embryogenesis remains unclear.2. In this study, 140 Jilin White Goose (Anser cygnoides) embryos were used as the experimental subjects. Feather follicle morphology at different developmental stages was examined using H&E staining and STAT3 expression was assessed by RT-qPCR and Western blotting. Building on these observations, an in ovo injection experiment was performed at embryo day (ED)18 and an ex vivo skin-culture system was established at ED23.3. The STAT3 gene expression peaked at ED23, coinciding with a critical phase of feather follicle structural maturation. Following Stattic treatment, both STAT3 and phosphorylated STAT3 (p-STAT3) levels were markedly reduced, whereas the Wnt/&#x3b2;-catenin signalling genes &#x3b2;-cateninand LEF1 were up-regulated. This suggested that STAT3 may function as a negative regulator of this pathway.4. The ex vivo culture assay showed increased expression of PCNA and Bcl-2 and reduced Caspase-3. This showed that STAT3 gene inhibition promotes cell proliferation and suppresses apoptosis. These findings supported a regulatory role of STAT3 in feather follicle development.5. The STAT3 gene serves as an important regulatory factor in feather follicle formation during goose embryonic development.