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Reproductive Performance of Broad Breasted White Turkeys in Relation to Dietary Phosphorus
REPRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCE OF BROAD BREASTED WHITE TURKEYS IN RELATION TO DIETARY PHOSPHORUS D. H. MILLER, 1 J. W. BRADLEY AND T. M. FERGUSON
Poultry Science Department, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843 (Received for publication June 4, 1976) ABSTRACT A strain of Broad Breasted White turkey hens in cages were fed diets containing supplemental phosphorus at the level of 0.1 or 0.4 percent (0.45 or 0.75 percent total) for a 16 week period. No statistically significant differences were found in regard to egg production, fertility or hatch of fertile eggs as a result of feeding diets containing 0.45 or 0.75 percent (total) phosphorus. POULTRY SCIENCE 55: 2481-2483, 1976
N a study of the phosphorus requirements of Broad White (B.W.), Broad Breasted Bronze (B.B.B.) and Beltsville Small White (B.S.W.) hens, Wilcox et al. (1961) found no significant effect on egg production, fertility or hatchability when inorganic phosphorus was removed from the diet. Significant improvements in egg production and hatch of fertile eggs from caged B.S.W. hens, but no effect on fertility was reported by Sewell et al. (1972), Ferguson et al. (1974) and Portal and Ferguson (1974) when supplemental phosphorus was added to the diet. Waldroup et al. (1974) found that supplemental inorganic phosphorus resulted in an increase in both egg production and fertility of caged hens originated from a Nicholas strain of birds. These reports indicate strain differences in the phosphorus requirement for turkeys. This report concerns the reproductive performance of a commercial strain of caged Broad Breasted White (B.B.W.) turkeys fed two levels of phosphorus, and the effects of semen dilution on fertility.
and housed in individual cages. One group was fed a diet similar to that reported by Ferguson et al. (1975) which supplied 0.4 percent inorganic phosphorus (0.75% total phosphorus). The diet of the second group contained a supplement of only 0.1 percent inorganic phosphorus, resulting in 0.45% total phosphorus. Hens were further subdivided within the house into groups of 7 or 8 birds each for insemination and dietary purposes. Hens were inseminated biweekly throughout a 16 week period with either 0.05 ml. of undiluted semen or 0.5 ml. of semen diluted 1:2 with 0.9% saline. Males were the same age and strain as the hens. Eggs were collected daily and incubated at weekly intervals. Eggs removed in candling at seven days and those which failed to hatch were broken open to determine fertility. Analysis of variance was applied to the egg production data, and Chi-square was used for fertility and hatch data, according to procedures in Snedecor and Cochran (1967). TABLE 1.—Reproductive performance of B.B.W. hens fed different phosphorus levels
PROCEDURE
Supplemental dietary phosphorus
Sixty B.B.W. hens from a commercial strain of turkeys were divided into two groups
1. Present address: Department of Agriculture, Stephen F. Austin State University, Nacogdoches, Texas 75961.
0.10% 0.40%
Hen day production
Fertility
Hatch of fertile eggs
%
%
%
37.5a 40.8a
90.6a 89.4a
73.5a 70.3a
Values with different letters in columns do not differ significantly (P < .05).
2481
Downloaded from http://ps.oxfordjournals.org/ at Simon Fraser University on April 23, 2015
I
2482
RESEARCH NOTES
TABLE 2.—Fertility of B.B.W. eggs as affected by semen dilution1 Dil
- seme"2 Fertile
Gp
Supp. P
%
%
1 la 3 3a 6 6a 8 8a
0.1 0.4 0.1 0.4 0.1 0.4 0.1 0.4
72.5 91.2 93.0 88.1 81.3 88.1 97.2 84.8 88T2b
Gp
Supp. P
%
%
2 2a 4 4a 5 5a 7 7a
0.1 0.4 0.1 0.4 0.1 0.4 0.1 0.4
94.4 87.9 95.0 94.3 87.5 94.6 95.5 82.4 92/2a
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION Egg production and hatch of fertile eggs during the 16 w e e k period were 3 7 . 5 % and 7 3 . 5 % , respectively, for the 0.45% P group, while corresponding values for the 0.75% P group were 4 0 . 8 % and 7 0 . 3 % ; differences were not statistically significant (Table 1). Similarly, fertility (90.6% and 89.4%) was not significantly affected by the dietary p h o s phorus level (Table 1). T h e lack of significant differences in production, fertility and hatch of fertile eggs in t h e present study with this B . B . W . strain is in agreement with that reported by Wilcox et al. (1951) for another strain of B . W . h e n s . W a l d r o u p et al. (1974) reported differences in production and fertility due to p h o s p h o r u s in the dr'et of a strain of hens developed originally from Nicholas birds. Studies by Sewell et al. (1974), Ferguson et al. (1974) and Portal and F e r g u s o n (1974) showed differences in production and hatch in relation to dietary p h o s p h o r u s in B . S . W . h e n s , but no effect on fertility. A relatively high fertility (88.2%) was o b tained using s e m e n diluted 1:2 with a 0.9% saline (Table 2). H o w e v e r , the use of 0.05 ml. of undiluted s e m e n resulted in a 9 2 . 2 % fertility which was significantly higher (P < .01) than that obtained with the diluted semen. T h e slightly lower fertility with diluted semen a p p e a r s to be related to the average fertility
Av!
of groups 1 and 3 which remained low throughout the study. M a r s d e n (1971) reported that excellent fertility in turkey hens could be obtained with as little as 0.01 ml. of undiluted semen w h e n semen was scarce, or w h e n semen was diluted 1:1 with 0 . 8 5 % saline and 0.025 ml. of the diluted semen injected promptly. Considering present results and the reports cited a b o v e , there are probable strain differences in reproductive r e s p o n s e to levels of dietary p h o s p h o r u s . It is also possible that housing environment may h a v e s o m e effect, since all the studies cited, except those of Wilcox el al. (1961), were c o n d u c t e d with the breeder h e n s in cages.
REFERENCES Ferguson, T. M., R. L. Atkinson, J. W. Bradley and D. H. Miller, 1975. Reproductive performance of caged Beltsville Small White turkeys as affected by choline, bird density and forced molting. Poultry Sci. 54: 1679-1684. Ferguson, T. M., C. E. Sewell, Jr. and R. L. Atkinson, 1974. Phosphorus levels in the turkey breeder diet. Poultry Sci. 53: 1627-1629. Marsden, S. J., 1971. Turkey Production, Agriculture Handbook No. 393, A.R.S., U.S.D.A., Washington, D.C. 20204. Portal, C . and T. M. Ferguson, 1974. Reproductive performance of caged turkeys as affected by age, bird density and dietary phosphorus. Poultry Sci. 53: 2218-2221.
Downloaded from http://ps.oxfordjournals.org/ at Simon Fraser University on April 23, 2015
Av! 'Semen diluted 1:2 with 0.9% saline. 2 Values with different letters statistically different, P < .01.
Undil. semen Fertile
2483
RESEARCH NOTES
Sewell, C. E., Jr., R. L. Atkinson, J. R. Couch and T. M. Ferguson, 1972. The effect of supplemental phosphorus on the reproductive performance of turkey hens and the subsequent effect upon the poults. Poultry Sci. 51: 792-796. Snedecor, G. W., and W. G. Cochran, 1967. Statistical Methods, 6th Edition, Iowa State University Press, Ames, Iowa. Waldroup, P. W., J. F. Maxey and L. W. Luther,
1974. Studies on the calcium and phosphorus requirements of caged turkey breeder hens. Poultry Sci. 53: 886-888. Wilcox, R. A., C. W. Carlson, W. Kohlmeyer and G. F. Gastler, 1961. Studies on the phosphorus requirement of turkey breeder hens with evidence for unknown factors needed for embryonic development and normal egg production. Poultry Sci. 40: 1540-1546.
MARILYN A.
COLEMAN AND GAYNER R.
MCDANIEL
Department of Poultry Science, Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station, Auburn University, Alabama 36830
Auburn,
(Received for publication June 7, 1976)
ABSTRACT White Leghorn eggs were incubated in the dark or under two 20-Watt cool white flourescent tubes. The embryos were collected and staged according to somite number and other anatomical observations. Embryos from lighted eggs were significantly more advanced in embryonic age within 24 hours than embryos from the dark. By the end of 10 days no further acceleration of development by light was significant. POULTRY SCIENCE 55: 2483-2485,
V
ARIOUS authors have determined that light accelerates embryonic development of avian species (Lauber and Shultze, 1964; Siegel et al., 1969; Isakson et al, 1970; Coleman et al, 1971; Walter and Voitle, 1972, 1973). In order to make accurate comparisons of certain biochemical and biophysical attributes of the photoaccelerated embryos, one needs to know the actual embryonic age (Hamilton, 1952). Only in this manner may the photoaccelerated embryo be compared with a normal (dark-incubated) embryo. This study was performed to compare the embryonic ages of photoaccelerated embryos with those embryos incubated in darkness. METHODS AND MATERIALS Auburn strain S.C. White Leghorn eggs laid between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. were collected and immediately set either in darkness
1976
or under two 20-Watt cool white fluorescent tubes producting 8.3 x 103 ergs/cm. 2 at the surface of the eggs in Humidaire Hatchette incubators. At least six live embryos were collected from each treatment at 24-hour intervals for 21 days. The embryos were staged by somite number (Hamilton, 1952). Statistical analyses were conducted on the data from each 24-hour period. The trait measured was age in hours, not stage numbers. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION Figure 1 shows the embryonic age (as determined by anatomical observations of somites and digitation versus incubation age (that age determined by length of time incubated in the incubator) for those embryos from eggs of both light and dark treatments. Embryos from lighted eggs were different
Downloaded from http://ps.oxfordjournals.org/ at Simon Fraser University on April 23, 2015
LIGHT ALTERATED CHANGES IN T H E EMBROYNIC AGE VERSUS INCUBATION AGE OF WHITE LEGHORN EMBRYOS
Poultry Science Department, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843 (Received for publication June 4, 1976) ABSTRACT A strain of Broad Breasted White turkey hens in cages were fed diets containing supplemental phosphorus at the level of 0.1 or 0.4 percent (0.45 or 0.75 percent total) for a 16 week period. No statistically significant differences were found in regard to egg production, fertility or hatch of fertile eggs as a result of feeding diets containing 0.45 or 0.75 percent (total) phosphorus. POULTRY SCIENCE 55: 2481-2483, 1976
N a study of the phosphorus requirements of Broad White (B.W.), Broad Breasted Bronze (B.B.B.) and Beltsville Small White (B.S.W.) hens, Wilcox et al. (1961) found no significant effect on egg production, fertility or hatchability when inorganic phosphorus was removed from the diet. Significant improvements in egg production and hatch of fertile eggs from caged B.S.W. hens, but no effect on fertility was reported by Sewell et al. (1972), Ferguson et al. (1974) and Portal and Ferguson (1974) when supplemental phosphorus was added to the diet. Waldroup et al. (1974) found that supplemental inorganic phosphorus resulted in an increase in both egg production and fertility of caged hens originated from a Nicholas strain of birds. These reports indicate strain differences in the phosphorus requirement for turkeys. This report concerns the reproductive performance of a commercial strain of caged Broad Breasted White (B.B.W.) turkeys fed two levels of phosphorus, and the effects of semen dilution on fertility.
and housed in individual cages. One group was fed a diet similar to that reported by Ferguson et al. (1975) which supplied 0.4 percent inorganic phosphorus (0.75% total phosphorus). The diet of the second group contained a supplement of only 0.1 percent inorganic phosphorus, resulting in 0.45% total phosphorus. Hens were further subdivided within the house into groups of 7 or 8 birds each for insemination and dietary purposes. Hens were inseminated biweekly throughout a 16 week period with either 0.05 ml. of undiluted semen or 0.5 ml. of semen diluted 1:2 with 0.9% saline. Males were the same age and strain as the hens. Eggs were collected daily and incubated at weekly intervals. Eggs removed in candling at seven days and those which failed to hatch were broken open to determine fertility. Analysis of variance was applied to the egg production data, and Chi-square was used for fertility and hatch data, according to procedures in Snedecor and Cochran (1967). TABLE 1.—Reproductive performance of B.B.W. hens fed different phosphorus levels
PROCEDURE
Supplemental dietary phosphorus
Sixty B.B.W. hens from a commercial strain of turkeys were divided into two groups
1. Present address: Department of Agriculture, Stephen F. Austin State University, Nacogdoches, Texas 75961.
0.10% 0.40%
Hen day production
Fertility
Hatch of fertile eggs
%
%
%
37.5a 40.8a
90.6a 89.4a
73.5a 70.3a
Values with different letters in columns do not differ significantly (P < .05).
2481
Downloaded from http://ps.oxfordjournals.org/ at Simon Fraser University on April 23, 2015
I
2482
RESEARCH NOTES
TABLE 2.—Fertility of B.B.W. eggs as affected by semen dilution1 Dil
- seme"2 Fertile
Gp
Supp. P
%
%
1 la 3 3a 6 6a 8 8a
0.1 0.4 0.1 0.4 0.1 0.4 0.1 0.4
72.5 91.2 93.0 88.1 81.3 88.1 97.2 84.8 88T2b
Gp
Supp. P
%
%
2 2a 4 4a 5 5a 7 7a
0.1 0.4 0.1 0.4 0.1 0.4 0.1 0.4
94.4 87.9 95.0 94.3 87.5 94.6 95.5 82.4 92/2a
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION Egg production and hatch of fertile eggs during the 16 w e e k period were 3 7 . 5 % and 7 3 . 5 % , respectively, for the 0.45% P group, while corresponding values for the 0.75% P group were 4 0 . 8 % and 7 0 . 3 % ; differences were not statistically significant (Table 1). Similarly, fertility (90.6% and 89.4%) was not significantly affected by the dietary p h o s phorus level (Table 1). T h e lack of significant differences in production, fertility and hatch of fertile eggs in t h e present study with this B . B . W . strain is in agreement with that reported by Wilcox et al. (1951) for another strain of B . W . h e n s . W a l d r o u p et al. (1974) reported differences in production and fertility due to p h o s p h o r u s in the dr'et of a strain of hens developed originally from Nicholas birds. Studies by Sewell et al. (1974), Ferguson et al. (1974) and Portal and F e r g u s o n (1974) showed differences in production and hatch in relation to dietary p h o s p h o r u s in B . S . W . h e n s , but no effect on fertility. A relatively high fertility (88.2%) was o b tained using s e m e n diluted 1:2 with a 0.9% saline (Table 2). H o w e v e r , the use of 0.05 ml. of undiluted s e m e n resulted in a 9 2 . 2 % fertility which was significantly higher (P < .01) than that obtained with the diluted semen. T h e slightly lower fertility with diluted semen a p p e a r s to be related to the average fertility
Av!
of groups 1 and 3 which remained low throughout the study. M a r s d e n (1971) reported that excellent fertility in turkey hens could be obtained with as little as 0.01 ml. of undiluted semen w h e n semen was scarce, or w h e n semen was diluted 1:1 with 0 . 8 5 % saline and 0.025 ml. of the diluted semen injected promptly. Considering present results and the reports cited a b o v e , there are probable strain differences in reproductive r e s p o n s e to levels of dietary p h o s p h o r u s . It is also possible that housing environment may h a v e s o m e effect, since all the studies cited, except those of Wilcox el al. (1961), were c o n d u c t e d with the breeder h e n s in cages.
REFERENCES Ferguson, T. M., R. L. Atkinson, J. W. Bradley and D. H. Miller, 1975. Reproductive performance of caged Beltsville Small White turkeys as affected by choline, bird density and forced molting. Poultry Sci. 54: 1679-1684. Ferguson, T. M., C. E. Sewell, Jr. and R. L. Atkinson, 1974. Phosphorus levels in the turkey breeder diet. Poultry Sci. 53: 1627-1629. Marsden, S. J., 1971. Turkey Production, Agriculture Handbook No. 393, A.R.S., U.S.D.A., Washington, D.C. 20204. Portal, C . and T. M. Ferguson, 1974. Reproductive performance of caged turkeys as affected by age, bird density and dietary phosphorus. Poultry Sci. 53: 2218-2221.
Downloaded from http://ps.oxfordjournals.org/ at Simon Fraser University on April 23, 2015
Av! 'Semen diluted 1:2 with 0.9% saline. 2 Values with different letters statistically different, P < .01.
Undil. semen Fertile
2483
RESEARCH NOTES
Sewell, C. E., Jr., R. L. Atkinson, J. R. Couch and T. M. Ferguson, 1972. The effect of supplemental phosphorus on the reproductive performance of turkey hens and the subsequent effect upon the poults. Poultry Sci. 51: 792-796. Snedecor, G. W., and W. G. Cochran, 1967. Statistical Methods, 6th Edition, Iowa State University Press, Ames, Iowa. Waldroup, P. W., J. F. Maxey and L. W. Luther,
1974. Studies on the calcium and phosphorus requirements of caged turkey breeder hens. Poultry Sci. 53: 886-888. Wilcox, R. A., C. W. Carlson, W. Kohlmeyer and G. F. Gastler, 1961. Studies on the phosphorus requirement of turkey breeder hens with evidence for unknown factors needed for embryonic development and normal egg production. Poultry Sci. 40: 1540-1546.
MARILYN A.
COLEMAN AND GAYNER R.
MCDANIEL
Department of Poultry Science, Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station, Auburn University, Alabama 36830
Auburn,
(Received for publication June 7, 1976)
ABSTRACT White Leghorn eggs were incubated in the dark or under two 20-Watt cool white flourescent tubes. The embryos were collected and staged according to somite number and other anatomical observations. Embryos from lighted eggs were significantly more advanced in embryonic age within 24 hours than embryos from the dark. By the end of 10 days no further acceleration of development by light was significant. POULTRY SCIENCE 55: 2483-2485,
V
ARIOUS authors have determined that light accelerates embryonic development of avian species (Lauber and Shultze, 1964; Siegel et al., 1969; Isakson et al, 1970; Coleman et al, 1971; Walter and Voitle, 1972, 1973). In order to make accurate comparisons of certain biochemical and biophysical attributes of the photoaccelerated embryos, one needs to know the actual embryonic age (Hamilton, 1952). Only in this manner may the photoaccelerated embryo be compared with a normal (dark-incubated) embryo. This study was performed to compare the embryonic ages of photoaccelerated embryos with those embryos incubated in darkness. METHODS AND MATERIALS Auburn strain S.C. White Leghorn eggs laid between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. were collected and immediately set either in darkness
1976
or under two 20-Watt cool white fluorescent tubes producting 8.3 x 103 ergs/cm. 2 at the surface of the eggs in Humidaire Hatchette incubators. At least six live embryos were collected from each treatment at 24-hour intervals for 21 days. The embryos were staged by somite number (Hamilton, 1952). Statistical analyses were conducted on the data from each 24-hour period. The trait measured was age in hours, not stage numbers. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION Figure 1 shows the embryonic age (as determined by anatomical observations of somites and digitation versus incubation age (that age determined by length of time incubated in the incubator) for those embryos from eggs of both light and dark treatments. Embryos from lighted eggs were different
Downloaded from http://ps.oxfordjournals.org/ at Simon Fraser University on April 23, 2015
LIGHT ALTERATED CHANGES IN T H E EMBROYNIC AGE VERSUS INCUBATION AGE OF WHITE LEGHORN EMBRYOS