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At least 541 records · Page 30Linked to original sources
PubMed1995

Intracytoplasmic sperm injection facilitates fertilization even in the most severe forms of male infertility: pregnancy outcome correlates with maternal age and number of eggs available.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate, in a prospective study, the fertilization and pregnancy rates after intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) in infertile couples with severe male infertility. DESIGN: Intracytoplasmic sperm injection was performed in 229 consecutive IVF cycles on 190 couples with rigorously defined severe male infertility or proven failure of fertilization in prior IVF cycles. Neither male nor female partners were chosen from a waiting list or on any other selective basis, including age, prior or anticipated ovarian response, or oocyte number or quality. There were no upper age limits, in no instance was donor sperm used for ICSI, and cycle cancellation rate was minimal. SETTING: Private genetics and fertility center in Fairfax, Virginia. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Fertilization, transfer, and pregnancy rates were measured in ICSI-treated couples, and comparisons were made regarding both female age and strictly defined semen categories. RESULTS: Two hundred six cycles (90%) resulted in ETs, with initiation of 52 pregnancies (25% per transfer, 23% per cycle). Thirty-eight of 52 (18% per transfer) were clinical pregnancies with established gestational sacs or were ongoing or delivered. Pregnancies were achieved even in older women but were more readily established in younger women producing larger numbers of metaphase II oocytes. The severity of semen abnormalities had some small effect on fertilization rate, but only actual necrospermia was associated with markedly decreased frequency of embryo formation. Pregnancy per transfer was similar across groups. In some cases, pregnancy was initiated with fewer than 100 viable sperm in the ejaculate. CONCLUSIONS: Intracytoplasmic sperm injection is a very powerful new treatment for severe male infertility. Paradoxically, egg number and probably egg quality are now the main determinants of success in treating male infertility.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Optimal dietary level of 1 alpha,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol for eggshell quality in laying hens.

The optimal dietary level of 1 alpha,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol [1,25-(OH)2D3] for eggshell quality was established. White Leghorn hens, 59 wk of age, were fed one of eight diets that contained the same basal ingredients, including 3.1% calcium, but different levels (microgram/kg) or forms of calciferol supplements: no calciferol supplement of any form (56 hens); 27.5 (control) or 55.0 micrograms of cholecalciferol (56 hens each); 3, 5, or 7 micrograms of 1,25-(OH)2D3 (28 hens each); 5 micrograms of 24,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol [24,25-(OH)2D3] with 28 hens; 5 micrograms each of 1,25-(OH)2D3 and 24,25-(OH)2D3 (28 hens). All groups were fed the control diet prior to the 21-wk treatment. The group fed 5 micrograms 1,25-(OH)2D3/kg diet ranked first in specific gravity (SG), e.g., 1.081 versus 1.077 for the control group at Week 21 (P less than .05). The group fed 7 micrograms 1,25-(OH)2D3/kg consumed 30% less feed and laid 20% fewer eggs than the control, but shell quality was not affected. The groups receiving no calciferol supplement or receiving only 24,25-(OH)2D3 laid eggs with significantly lower SG than the control after 2 wk of treatment (1.072 or less versus 1.082 at Week 2). The rest of the treatment groups mentioned were comparable to the control in eggshell quality and egg production. Groups fed the combination of 1,25-(OH)2D3 and 24,25-(OH)2D3 per kilogram of feed, or 1,25-(OH)2D3 alone at 5 micrograms/kg, had significantly higher tibial weights relative to the control group. All groups receiving the diets without cholecalciferol supplementation had markedly reduced hatchability. It was concluded that the optimal dietary level of 1,25-(OH)2D3 for improving eggshell quality without affecting egg production was approximately 5 micrograms/kg and the toxic level was 7 micrograms/kg.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

[External quality control of the parasitological diagnosis of Cryptosporidium parvum].

Between 1991 and 1994, eight external quality assessments of Cryptosporidium parvum infection diagnosis were performed. Stool specimens were sent to 74 laboratories, to be stained and examined. In 40 laboratories (54.1%), the diagnosis was correct in all evaluations, whereas in 34 (46%), the diagnosis disagreed with the parasitology reference laboratory in one occasion or more. The mean correlation of diagnoses with the reference laboratory was 88% (range 79-96%). Ninety-three percent of negative samples and 87% of positive samples were correctly diagnosed. These figures are similar to those obtained abroad. These results lead to the development of a quality control network for the diagnosis of Cryptosporidium parvum infections along the country, aiming to improve its reliability.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Experimental infection of laying chickens with egg-drop syndrome 1976 virus.

Brown layer hens (BC and HC strains) and white layer hens (WL strain) orally infected with the H-162 strain of the egg-drop syndrome 1976 virus developed few clinical signs except for abnormal egg production. Depressed and/or aberrant-egg production was observed for 3 days or longer in 17 of 18 BC hens, 13 of 15 HC hens, and 10 of 17 WL hens. On the average, abnormal egg production began 8.8, 10.3, and 12.2 days after infection of the BC, HC, and WL hens, respectively. Egg production was depressed in the WL hens, but little depression was observed in the BC and HC hens. Aberrant-egg production was much less frequent in the WL hens than in the BC and HC hens. Aberrant eggs were shell-less, soft-shelled, thin-shelled, and/or discolored. No eggs of abnormal internal quality or shape were observed. The virus spread from infected BC and WL hens to contact hens.

Adenoviridae Infections↗
PubMed2000

Ovarian dynamics and host use.

Oviposition behavior in herbivorous and frugivorous insects and parasitoids is dynamic at the level of the individual, responding to variation in host quality and availability. Patterns of variation in egg load in response to host presence and quality suggest that ovarian development also responds to variation in the host environment. Ovarian dynamics are mediated by feedback from oviposition, by host feeding, and by sensory input from the host. The last of these mechanisms, host sensory cuing, is known to occur in three major orders and provides strong evidence that ovarian dynamics are adaptive by design. Conditions favoring host effects on ovarian development include trade-offs between egg production and either survival or dispersal, uncertainty in the host environment, and a correlation in host conditions between the time that oogenesis is initiated and the time that eggs are laid. Some host defenses block ovarian development, suggesting that ovarian dynamics in host-specific insects should be viewed from a coevolutionary perspective.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Layer performance of four strains of Leghorn pullets subjected to various rearing programs.

Two experiments were conducted using four strains of Leghorn pullets, namely Babcock, DeKalb, H & N, and Shaver. Pullets were grown on conventional or low protein diets fortified with additional amino acids. At 18 wk of age, 64 pullets from each strain and diet treatment were transferred to individual laying cages, using eight replicate groups of four adjacently caged birds. In a second experiment, pullets from the four strains were selected based on body weight at 18 wk of age (approximately 1,270 vs 1,650 g). Each weight group and strain was again represented by eight replicate groups of four birds. In Experiment 1, there were no strain or rearing diet effects on egg production (P > 0.05). Rearing diet had little long-term effect on any adult characteristics. There were significant (P < 0.01) strain effects on body weight, feed intake, and egg weight, although these were independent of rearing diet. In Experiment 2, regardless of bird strain, the pullets with smaller body weight matured more slowly (P < 0.01) and produced less total egg mass to 70 wk age (P < 0.05). These smaller birds ate less feed and produced smaller eggs (P < 0.01). There were strain effects, independent of 18-wk body weight, for egg weight and eggshell quality (P < 0.01). It is concluded that minor strain differences exist with respect to response to juvenile nutrition, although such effects are only evident in early lay. All strains of bird remain small, 18-wk body weight is reduced, and these birds subsequently eat less feed and produce smaller eggs.

Aging↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Methodological assurance of natural and drinking water parasitic control].

The paper shows it necessary to exercise control over the quality of natural, waste, and portable water in terms of parasitological indices. The standard techniques of sampling and sanitary and parasitological studies of water, which allow water quality control to be effectively exercised in accordance with the current sanitary regulations, are considered.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

Quality control in schistosomiasis programmes.

The evaluation of a schistosomiasis control programme requires regular monitoring of the performance of technicians responsible for measuring prevalence rates and intensities of infection; simple quality control measures are the most effective form of monitoring. Quality control of microscopy has usually been carried out immediately after primary examination of fresh microscope specimens or by transport of preserved urine or stool samples to a central laboratory; the first method was impossible in Madagascar, and the second involved severe loss and breakage of specimen containers. A new method involving the transport of dried filters fixed on plastic sheets with adhesive tape was therefore used. Essential requirements of the quality control methods were simplicity, effectiveness, acceptability to field technicians, and the production of results valuable to the control programme. Acceptable limits of error (ALE) were determined by a combination of trial-and-error assessment of technicians' capabilities, and the application of a rule-of-thumb derived from quality control studies in clinical chemistry. Results were prepared in the form of simple 2 x 2 tables and easily understood charts for visual assessment of results. Technicians' work varied from excellent to poor; false negative rates (FNR) were usually higher than false positive rates (FPR) and technicians' field counts of eggs were most often lower than control counts. Control proved very useful in motivating technicians, in maintaining high work standards, and in identifying technicians needing further training.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

The effect of dietary protein level and total sulfur amino acid:lysine ratio on egg production parameters and egg yield in Hy-Line W-98 hens.

A 3 x 3 treatment arrangement varying in dietary protein and TSAA:Lys was used to evaluate the effect of low-protein diets fed to Hy-Line W-98 laying hens. Phase I was 20 to 43 wk of age with 18.9, 17.0, and 14.4 g of protein/hen per day and 0.97, 0.85, and 0.82 TSAA:Lys, whereas phase II was 44 to 63 wk of age with 16.3, 14.6, and 13.8 g of protein/hen per day and 0.92, 0.82, and 0.72 TSAA:Lys. Egg production and feed consumption decreased from 83.7 to 82.2% and 98.8 to 95.6 g, respectively. Feed efficiency improved from 1.680 to 1.645 g of feed/g of egg mass with decreasing dietary protein. Body weight gain was similar for hens fed high or medium protein diets. In phase II, hens consuming 13.8 g of protein/day had significantly reduced egg weight compared with hens consuming 14.6 or 16.3 g of protein/day. Wet and dry albumen percentage, albumen solids, and albumen and yolk protein percentages were significantly decreased with feeding low-protein diets. Yolk protein percentage was increased from 14.85 to 15.11% when decreasing the ratio from 0.97 to 0.82. Hens consuming a low-protein diet produced eggs with the lowest specific gravity. An interaction was observed for protein retention during phase I, feeding 14.4 g of protein/day or a ratio of 0.97 improved protein retention by 9 and 16%, respectively. Overall, hens consuming 16.3 or 14.6 g of protein/hen per day performed similar to hens consuming 18.9 and 17.0 g of protein/hen per day during P1 and P2, respectively. Also, hens consuming diets containing 0.97 and 0.92 TSAA:Lys produced eggs with improved shell quality as compared with other ratios during P1 and P2, respectively.

Amino Acids, Sulfur↗
PubMed2005

Emergence of Salmonella serotype Enteritidis phage type 4 in Hawaii traced to locally-produced eggs.

OBJECTIVES: In August 1998, the Hawaii Department of Health observed a nine-fold increase in human Salmonella Enteritidis (SE) infections. Isolates were phage type 4 (PT4). An investigation was initiated to determine the source of the outbreak. METHODS: A matched case-control study enrolled 38 cases. Cases were Hawaii residents with diarrhea and a stool culture yielding SE. RESULTS: Eating eggs was associated with SE illness; 28 cases (74%) ate eggs in the three days before illness compared to 34 (45%) of 76 controls (MOR=3.0, 95% CI=1.4-7.4). Eighteen (47%) of 38 case patients ate eggs from Farm A compared to 11 (14%) of 76 controls (MOR=12.0, 95% CI=3.1-78.0); the eggs were not properly handled or refrigerated. Cultures from Farm A yielded SE. Human illness subsided following selective flock depopulation. CONCLUSIONS: This outbreak highlights the importance of proper handling and refrigeration of eggs. The egg industry must implement quality assurance programs to prevent the spread of SE PT4 and human SE illness.

Animal Husbandry↗
PubMed2000

Influence of egg load and oviposition time interval on the host discrimination and offspring survival of Anagyrus pseudococci (Hymenoptera: encyrtidae), a solitary endoparasitoid of citrus mealybug, ++Planococcus citri (Hemiptera: pseudococcidae).

Oviposition and host discrimination behaviour of unmated Anagyrus pseudococci (Girault), an endoparasitoid of the citrus mealybug Planococcus citri (Risso), were investigated in the laboratory. Female parasitoids were able to discriminate between parasitized hosts and healthy ones. The mean number of ovipositions was significantly higher in unparasitized than in parasitized hosts. Conspecific-superparasitism occurred more often than self-superparasitism. Changes in consecutive ovipositions over three hours by A. pseudococci suggested that egg load influenced the discrimination behaviour of the parasitoids, with females which had low egg loads mostly avoiding oviposition in already parasitized hosts at time intervals ranging from 0 h to 96 h, and distributing their eggs in the high quality (unparasitized) hosts. The parasitized hosts were rejected more commonly through antennal perception of external markers than during ovipositor probing which could have encountered internal markers but this relationship changed with increasing time after oviposition. The parasitoid's oviposition rate in unparasitized and conspecific-parasitized hosts varied at the different oviposition time intervals when the females had fewer eggs in the ovaries. Percentage emergence of parasitized offspring was not significantly influenced by whether they developed in single or superparasitized mealybugs. The significance of host discrimination by A. pseudococci is discussed.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Food safety: a global perspective.

The health of the population of the U.S. is affected by many factors, not the least of which is its food supply. A major source of high quality animal protein comes from poultry, eggs, and meat. The major effect of personal habits and the environment, diet, tobacco, alcohol, are considered, along with the microbiological effect on foodborne illness and health. The inspection system for meat and poultry is reviewed, in light of the publication of significant revisions being instituted at this time. The role of research, regulatory reform, and political science is considered as supportive of food service and consumer education. Education of food service workers, institutional employees, and consumers is a responsibility that the land grant universities should take very seriously. Networking with associations like the National Restaurant Association and its regional affiliates will be invaluable in improving the health of the people of the U.S.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Effects of strain, hen age and transferring eggs from turning to stationary trays after 15 to 18 days of incubation.

1. A total of 39,000 eggs (260 incubation batches) produced by Hybro, Cobb and Ross were studied. They were transferred from incubators to hatchers at day 15,16,17 or 18 of incubation. 2. Hatchability increased in proportion to the day of transfer and it was higher when the transfer occurred at day 18, whereas the differences between hatchability for days 15, 16 and 17 were not significant. 3. The hatchability of the Hybro eggs was more affected by the transfer time, as were the eggs of the older flock (51 weeks and more). 4. The percentage of unhatched embryos increased with the age of the breeders and decreased with the day of transfer. In addition, the percentage of unhatched embryos was affected by the strain of hen. 5. It was concluded that transfer time has to be considered in order to optimise hatchability and chick quality, especially if the eggs from older flocks are incubated.

Age Factors↗
PubMed2001

Effects of dietary 1, 4-diaminobutane (putrescine) on eggshell quality and laying performance of older hens.

We conducted an experiment to evaluate the potential for dietary 1,4-diaminobutane (putrescine) to promote eggshell quality and overall laying hen performance. A total of 128, 60-wk-old Barred Rock hens were fed a corn and soybean meal-based layer diet supplemented with 0.0 (control), 0.2, 0.4, and 0.6% free base 1,4-diaminobutane for 4 wk. The feeding of supplemental putrescine decreased feed consumption (P < or = 0.05) and egg mass (P < or = 0.05) and tended to decrease egg production (P < 0.08). Albumen quality was not significantly affected (P < 0.09) by the end of the experiment, as determined by Haugh units. Eggshell thickness was not significantly improved with lower levels of dietary putrescine (P < 0.08). Although dietary putrescine did not have any effect on the relative weights of duodenum, jejunum + ileum, or pancreas, there was a linear increase in putrescine concentrations in tissues (P < or = 0.05). Supplementation of dietary putrescine also resulted in increased putrescine and spermidine concentrations in egg (P < or = 0.05). Egg weight and eggshell deformation increased over time; however, eggshell weight, eggshell weight as percentage of egg weight, and eggshell thickness decreased (P < or = 0.05). It appeared that eggshell quality declined regardless of diet over the 4-wk experimental period. It was concluded that the lack of effect of dietary putrescine on egg parameters, with the exception of albumen quality and eggshell thickness, was due to putrescine toxicity. Hens transferred excess dietary putrescine and metabolites to eggs.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

A review on reproduction in South American camelids.

In this paper, aspects of reproductive physiology and endocrinology, as well as sexual behaviour in South American camelids are reviewed. Because of the many unique features of reproduction in these animals, the application of advanced breeding techniques that are routinely used in other domestic species has been slow and, in some cases, are not applicable. Relatively high embryonic loss and the capacity to carry only one offspring at a time limit production in females. Furthermore, some 20% of females do not conceive following mating. Research is needed to elucidate the causes of embryonic loss, particularly in relation to the preferential location of embryos in the left uterine horn and the apparent differential luteolytic activity of the two uterine horns. A fuller understanding of the endocrine changes and mechanisms accompanying folliculogenesis, estrus, induction of ovulation and luteal regression may led to treatments that provide better control of ovulation and enhance the quality and viability of eggs shed. In the male, the hormonal interactions involved in facilitating libido need to be established and the underlying causes of declining libido resulting from continued exposure to estrous females, identified. More importantly, there is a need to develop a routine method to collect semen from animals on farm, or in studs. Deficiencies in this area have long hampered the evaluation of sires through proper assessment of their semen quality and in the application of artificial insemination. In addition, establishment of techniques to freeze semen from these species has obvious advantages for breeding, including crossbreeding between species to improve products such as fibre and to assist in preservation of some of the more endangered New World camelids.

Animals↗
PubMed1981

[Effect o the lighting regimen on breeding chickens of the Plymouth Rock strain].

Studied was the effect of various illumination regimes on breeding birds of the Plymouth line 33. Examined were some hematologic and biochemical indices (vitamin content, erythrocyte count, hemoglobin amount, total protein, calcium and inorganic phosphorus in the blood serum, and alkali reserves of the blood). The liveweight, morbidity rate, development of internal genitalia, egg laying, hatchable eggs and their incubation quality, and the intake of feed per unit of produce were also followed up. Established were the contents of vitamin A, total protein, and alkali reserves of the blood under the effect of light intensity. Besides, some changes in the level of hemoglobin, erythrocytes, calcium, and inorganic phosphorus in the blood serum were noted. Data are given with regard to the changes in the development of the internal genital organs, egg laying capacity, incubation properties, and forage intake per unit of produce as they set in under the influence of illumination intensity.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Effect of feeding diets containing corn treated with a commercial mold inhibitor (Myco Curb) on broiler-breeder performance.

Corn purchased from commercial sources was split at delivery and was left untreated or treated with a commercial mold inhibitor. Feed was prepared from these two lots of corn from within 1 wk to as much as 20 wk after delivery over the course of two experiments. There was evidence of reduced mold growth due to the mold inhibitor, particularly in the second experiment where initial mold populations were higher. Mycotoxins were evident in feed samples, regardless of the corn treatment. There was no significant effect from the treatment of corn on growth, livability, egg production, feed conversion, egg weight, or the eggshell quality of broiler breeders. Treatment of corn with a mold inhibitor significantly increased hatchability of fertile eggs in both experiments. Fertility was also significantly improved in the second experiment. These data suggest that using corn treated with a mold inhibitor results in significantly better hatchability in broiler breeders than untreated corn, although there were no observed differences in the incidence of mycotoxins in the samples taken.

Animal Feed↗