Published in Scientific Papers. Series D. Animal Science, Vol. LXV, Issue 1
Written by Anca GHEORGHE, Ioan CUSTURĂ, Nicoleta LEFTER, Lavinia IDRICEANU, Minodora TUDORACHE, Mihaela DUMITRU, Mihaela HĂBEANU
This study assessed to compare the plasma metabolic status and intestinal microflora of different breeders’ genotypes. A total of 110 healthy female breeders (25-week-old) were divided into three groups: Transylvanians Barred Naked Neck (30 birds) and Black Naked Neck (30 birds) vs commercial Ross 308 breeders (50 birds). During a 5-weeks trial, the birds were reared on the floor system in climate-controlled conditions. They were fed a standard commercial laying breeder diet (15.26% crude protein and 11.30 MJ/kg metabolizable energy). Blood and intestinal content samples were collected at 30 weeks for analysis. Results revealed significant differences in plasma protein profile: total protein, albumin, globulin, total bilirubin increased, and uric acid decreased in the Naked Neck varieties vs Ross 308 breeds. Energy profile showed higher glucose and lower HDL-Cholesterol levels in Naked Neck varieties. Plasma mineral profile archive highest calcium and phosphorus values for Naked Neck varieties vs commercial breed, with no significant change in Ca/P ratio. There was no genotype effect on plasma enzyme activities. Cecum microflora was significantly affected by genotype, the Enterobacteriaceae (ENT) and Coliforms population count decreased, while the beneficial population Lactobacillus (LAB) spp. and LAB: ENT ratio increases in the Naked Neck breeds vs commercial breeds.
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