Central Avian Research Institute

This study examined the effect of adding herbal supplements in the diets of post-partum crossbred cows (Vrindabani cattle; 59.6 ± 0.73 days post-partum) of second to fourth parity (3.1 ± 0.15) on milk yield, milk quality, immune function and antioxidant status. Twenty-four cows were randomly assigned to four groups in a completely randomized design. While the cows in HP, HPL and HEX groups received diets blended with herbal powder (200 gd- 1), herbal pellets (200 gd-1) and methanolic herbal extract (equal to 200 g herbal powder d-1), respectively, the cows in the CON group fed a diet consisting of green fodder, concentrate and wheat straw to meet the requirements for maintenance and milk production (ICAR 2013). The total duration of the experiment was of 120 days. Milk samples were collected fortnightly from each cow to study the udder health, milk composition and quality parameters. Serum antioxidant indices, immunity and mRNA expression of genes (LEP and GHRL) were ascertained. Daily milk yield, 4% Fat corrected milk (FCM), Energy corrected milk (ECM), total milk yield, fat, protein yields and pH were analogous irrespective of treatments, while Diphenyl Picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) value of milk was higher (p < 0.01) in treatment groups. Total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and flavonoids of milk were higher (p < 0.01) in HEX and HP group relative to CON, however, HPL has transitional position. Somatic cell counts in milk were noticeably (p < 0.05) lower in HPL and HEX than CON. The clinical scoring of milk was noticeably (p < 0.05) lower in HP and HPL groups. The cell mediated (CM) immunity was higher (p < 0.05) in HPL. Serum Glutathione Peroxidase (GSH-Px), Glutathione-S-Reductase (GSR) and Superoxide dismutase (SOD) and Catalase (CAT) were noticeably (p < 0.01) higher in HPL, HEX and HP groups relative to CON. LPO was decreased (p < 0.05) in HPL and HP groups relative to CON. The serum TAC (%) was higher (p < 0.01) in treatment groups than CON. The expression of LEP and GHRL gene remained unaffected. It can be deduced that herbal feed supplements in HPL and HP forms in the diet of post-partum cows were found to be promising as a strategy to bolster their overall health status, strengthen immune function and potentially elevate milk quality.

The study was conducted to assess the effects of a postbiotic, Saccharomyces cerevisiae fermentation product (SCFP) and a commercial phytogenic feed additive (PFA) as alternative to antibiotic growth promoter(AGP) on growth performance, gut microbiota, intestinal morphology, and immune response of commercial broiler chickens at a Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) classified sector 3 commercial poultry farm. One-day-old mixed sex Vencobb 430 Y chicks (n=4800) were randomly divided into four dietary treatment groups for 35 days experimentation encompassingT1 (positive control, PC) basal diet supplemented with bacitracin methylene disalicylate as an AGP at 500 g/MT; T2 (negative control, NC) basal diet without a growth promoter; T3 basal diet supplemented with commercial PFA at 500 g/MT; T4 basal diet supplemented with SCFP at 1.25 kg/MT.At day 35, ADG and FCR were significantly improved in PFA and SCFP groups compared to the NC group. The levels of blood glucose, total protein, albumin, triglyceride, cholesterol, and uric acid in serum showed no significant variation across different dietary treatments. From day 21 of the study, log cfu count and DNA concentration of pathogens (Enterohaemorrhagic Escherichia coli, Salmonella) decreased significantly in the AGP, PFA, and SCFP groups compared to the NC group. Whereas the log cfu count and average DNA concentration of Lactobacillus was significantly increased in PFA and SCFP groups, but not in AGP group. Increased Lactobacillus concentration in PFA and SCFP groups downregulated the virulence gene expression of pathogens (Enterohaemorrhagic E. coli and Salmonella). The duodenal and jejunal villi height was significantly higher in PFA and SCFP groups, although ratio of villi height to crypt depth in the duodenum, jejunum and ileum did not show significant differences among the groups. On day 28, antibody titers against the IBDV and NDV were significantly higher in SCFP groups than other groups. The present study did not identify any modulation of the cell mediated immune response in the chickens. In conclusion, addition of SCFP at 1.25 kg/MT or PFA at 500 g/MT in diet could produce better nutrient utilization ability, reduction of pathogens and their virulence gene expression, increased Lactobacillus count, but incorporation of SCFP increased antibody titre against two fatal viral infections such as NDV and IBDV which was not detected with PFA.

Abstract Long-distance avian migration is thought to be under strong natural selection. Facing geographical barriers, migrants display various patterns considered to be adaptive. For example, they may detour along either side around the barrier or cross it, requiring specialized behavioral adaptations. Variations within closely related taxa are excellent sources for understanding the evolutionary background of migration and how barriers are shaping migration routes. In Asia, some species are assumed to have a migratory divide in response to the major geographical barrier, the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau (QTP), including the stonechat taxa (Siberian Stonechat Saxicola maurus maurus and Amur Stonechat S. stejnegeri). As they detour along either side of the QTP, these taxa are believed to disfavor a crossing over the highland. However, the more southernly distributed Tibetan Stonechat (S. m. przewalskii) breeds on the QTP, suggesting adaptation to high elevation. To investigate migration patterns and the potentially associated genetic differences, we studied migration routes and population genetics of four populations around the assumed migratory divide in Russia and Mongolia, and of one from the QTP in China. Our results confirmed the existence of a migratory divide between maurus and stejnegeri, albeit with extensive hybridization. We observed both the hypothesized western and eastern routes, but also found individuals employing intermediate routes crossing the QTP, of which two-thirds were clear hybrids. Meanwhile, przewalskii followed a highland-crossing route and was genetically differentiated from maurus and stejnegeri. The diverse migration routes among Asian stonechats show differential responses towards the geographical barrier. The intermediate route may be associated with hybridization, and its conditional viability may facilitate gene flow between maurus and stejnegeri. The Asian stonechat complex thus offers great opportunities for novel research of the genetics and evolution of migration. The specific evolutionary background associated with inhabiting and crossing the QTP can offer new perspectives in this field. Teaser text Migratory divides can arise in birds because alternative routes around migratory barriers would select for behaviors to restrict hybridization. Hybrids of parental types that employ alternative routes are hypothesized to embark on intermediate routes that would expose them to suboptimal conditions, resulting in post-zygotic reproductive isolation. However, this hypothesis is challenged when a sister taxon actually breeds on the geographical barrier. This is the case in the Asian stonechat complex that breeds near or on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau (QTP), the roof of the world. We demonstrated a migratory divide in central Siberia to Mongolia for race maurus and stejnegeri, yet showed also evidence for extensive hybridization. Hybrids migrated along a newly discovered intermediate route, seemingly viable and overlaps with the migration trajectory of race przewalskii over the eastern part of the QTP. The Asian migratory divide relative to the QTP thus provided new insights to the evolution of landbird migration.

Maternal diet plays a vital role in the development of the offspring and their post-hatch performance. The present study was conducted to evaluate the effect of supplementary organic zinc to the basal diet of broiler breeder chickens on the bird’s fertility, hatchability, production performance of the progenies and their intestinal morphological attributes. Broiler breeders (128) were grouped into four as control, fed basal diet containing 40 mg inorganic Zn/kg feed and groups of T1, T2 and T3 fed control diet with 20, 40 and 60 mg/kg organic Zn respectively, fed according to the breeder’s nutrient specifications except zinc content. The organic zinc was supplemented as zinc-methionine. Group-wise fertility and hatchability of the breeder birds were determined. The group-wise hatched chicks were reared for 42 days to assess their production performance, intestinal length and histo-morphology including villi length, diameter, crypt depth and corresponding absorptive surface. The hatchability was higher in 40 and 60 mg/kg supplemented groups. The hatch weight (g) and post-hatch growth performance of chicks were similar (P > 0.05) among the groups and were not influenced by the level of organic zinc supplementation. However, the intestinal histo-morphological attributes (villi length, diameter and mucosal cells) showed significant (P < 0.05) improvement in chicks hatched from the breeder’s fed with organic Zn supplemented (60 mg/kg of Zn) birds followed by 20, 40 mg and control group. The results indicated that the maternal zinc supplementation had positive impact on breeder’s fertility, hatchability, and intestinal histo-morphological attributes of the offspring but not on the performance of the offspring’s.

Abstract Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) has become a critical threat to wildlife, shifting from a seasonal epizootic to a persistent, year-round panzootic with global consequences. Here, we summarize the origin, evolutionary mechanisms, and expanding host range of the current H5N1 virus (clade 2.3.4.4b) and assess its impact on wildlife. Over the past five years, HPAI has caused the deaths of millions of wild birds, causing dramatic population declines in several seabird species. However, comprehensive quantitative mortality data remain scarce, as existing records are often anecdotal, focus on localized mass die-offs, and thus represent only a fraction of the true magnitude of mortality. This gap in data limits the ability to predict outbreak dynamics and mitigate long-term consequences. Using the Northwestern European Sandwich Tern ( Thalasseus sandvicensis ) population as a case study, we demonstrate the value of integrating mortality data with ecological, serological and genetic data before, during and after an outbreak. This approach uncovered age-specific vulnerability, selective mortality, and population immunological responses. In addition, insights gained with respect to the role of breeding density, carcass removal, and host adaptation in modulating outbreak dynamics are likely to be generalizable across seabird species. The absence of a centralized and standardized wildlife mortality monitoring framework, on the other hand, remains a major barrier to effective outbreak forecasting and conservation planning. We argue that integrating field-based mortality data, population monitoring, serological assays, and genetic analyses within a One Health framework is essential to enable early detection, targeted mitigation, and robust evaluation of outbreak impacts. Without a proactive and data-driven approach to conservation, HPAI will continue to threaten global wildlife populations, with cascading ecological, economic and public health consequences.

Context Poultry farming is challenged by various stressors, particularly transportation stress, which negatively impacts the health and productivity of birds. Aims This study explores the outcomes of transportation stress and resting period on the expression of Superoxide dismutase, Caspase-6 and Glucocorticoid-related genes in broilers, both with and without the use of anti-stressor supplements. Methods An entirety of 240 Cobb broilers (40 days old) were divided into six treatment groups as follows. All groups were transported for 8 h. T1: control group; T2: 1-h rest after transport in a ambient room temperature; and T3: 1-h rest after transport in a cool environment (20–25°C). For the last three groups: T4, T5, T6: received an anti-stressor solution (4.2 g/L) twice daily for three straight days before transport. After transport, T5: 1-h rest in ambient room temperature; T6: 1-h rest in a cool environment (20–25°C). Following transport, bodyweight changes were measured, and liver and jejunum tissues were harvested for RNA extraction purposes. The samples were analysed using real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction to assess the expression of genes. Key results Results showed that those broilers supplemented with an anti-stressor package had a significant reduction in bodyweight loss (P &amp;lt; 0.001), with the lowest weight loss (−6.37%) noted in the T6 group. Gene expression analyses revealed significant (P &amp;lt; 0.05) down-regulation of Superoxide Dismutase, Caspase-6, and Glucocorticoid genes in liver and jejunum tissues of supplemented and cooled birds, with T6 exhibiting a pronounced reduction. Conclusions This study confirms that using an anti-stressor supplement along with suitable lairage environments effectively alleviates transport-induced oxidative stress in broilers, and offers a promising solution for reducing transportation stress in broilers. Implications The formulated anti-stressor package is designed for use in broiler birds prior to transport, across all climatic conditions, effectively minimising stress and enhancing profitability for stakeholders.

Continuous use of antibiotics in poultry feed as growth promoters poses a grave threat to humanity through the emergence of antibiotic resistance, necessitating the exploration of novel and sustainable alternatives. The present study was carried out to evaluate the performance of postbiotics derived from Lactobacillus acidophilus in broiler birds. The postbiotics were harvested by culturing probiotic bacteria from the stock cultures at the required temperature and duration under laboratory conditions and supplemented to broilers via feed. For experimentation, 480-day-old CARI-Bro Dhanraja (slow-growing broiler) straight-run chicks were randomly split up into six groups. Treatment groups diets are as follows: T1- Basal diet (BD)+0.2%(v/w) MRS Broth/ uninoculated media; T2 – BD + Antibiotic (CTC); T3- BD + Probiotic; T4, T5 & T6 – BD + postbiotics supplementation of 0.2%, 0.4% and 0.6% (v/w) respectively. The chicks were raised under an intensive, deep litter system with standard protocol for 6 weeks. Results showed that 0.2% of postbiotics (T4) had significantly (P < 0.001) higher body weight (1677.52 g) with better FCR (1.75) and immune response. Postbiotic supplementation altered various serum attributes positively, in this study. Significant (P < 0.001) reductions in total plate counts (TPC), coliform counts, and maximum Lactobacillus counts were recorded in all postbiotic-supplemented groups. The villus height (1379.25 μm), width (216.06 μm) and crept depth (179.25 μm) showed significant (P < 0.001) improvement among the treatment groups on the 21st and 42nd day of the experimental trial, with the highest value in the T4 group (0.2% postbiotic supplementation). Jejunal antioxidant values also noted significantly (P < 0.001) higher values in T4 group. The study concludes that 0.2% postbiotic supplementation can act as a substitute to antibiotic growth promoters and also combat the disfavour activity of probiotics in broilers.