Browsing by Subject "Knochen"

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Bestimmung des Verknöcherungsverlaufs des Brustbeins von schnell und langsam wachsenden Masthühnern
(2007) Schmid, Britta Ariane; Grashorn, Michael
According to EU marketing regulations for poultry chicken carcasses have to be marketed either as ?young chicken with a flexible breastbone processus? or as ?chickens with a rigid breastbone processus? due to their age at slaughter. Market prices of meat form young chickens are manifold higher than for old ones. Meanwhile, extensive (especially organic) broiler meat production has increased. As in these production systems age at slaughter has to be at least 81 days the question arises whether the breastbone processus is yet not ossified. Up to now the knowledge on the development of the breast bone in chicken is limited. More extended information is only available for bones of extremities. The objective of the present study was, therefore, to investigate the ossification process of breastbones in fast and slow growing broiler strains between first weeks of life and sexual maturity. Visual assessment and assistant characteristics (metric measurements, computerized tomography, chemical composition) of the breastbone and the Os coracoideum, should be applied to analyze the course of ossification. In total, 1000 fast growing broilers of the breed Ross 308 and 1000 slow growing broilers of the breed Isa S 457 were reared for this experiment under standard conditions in a temperature controlled poultry house. Finally, 480 chickens of each breed were used for determination of the breastbone characteristics. Starting with week 4, 12 cocks and 12 hens of each breed were slaughtered weekly until week 23 of life. Life weight and weight of breast meat were recorded besides breastbone characteristics. The breastbone was completely removed and its weight, as well as numerous measures of the breastbone were recorded: Breastbone weight (BBG), Breastbone length (L), Width between the Proc. craniolaterali (BPC), Width between the Trab. intermediae (BTI), Width between the Trab. lateralis (BTL), Length of the Trab. intermedia (LTI), Length of the Trab. lateralis (LTL), Length and width of the Inc. medialis (LIM and BIM), Length and width of the Inc. lateralis (LIL and BIL), Height at Rostrum (HR), Heigth of breastbone keel at 50% of total length (HK), Cartilage length of the Trab. mediana (LC), Relationship between LC and L, Weight of cartilage of the Trab. mediana (GK) and Relationship between GK and BBG. Furthermore, the Os coracoides were removed as bones of reference. Computerized tomography (pQCT) scans were taken at special reference points from 10 randomly sampled breastbones and their Os coracoids of each genotype and gender. The reference points of the breastbone were located at 33% and 66% of total length, whereas, the reference points of the Os coracoides were located at 50% of total length. Total area, Total density, Cortical area, Cortical density as well as SSI were measured by pQCT. Furthermore, photos were taken of characteristic breastbones from each gender and breed and 6 breastbones of each breed and gender were analyzed for contents of dry matter, ash, calcium and phosphorus. Fast growing broilers reached higher life weights and breast muscle weights than slow growing broilers. While weight differences between cocks and hens of the fast growing strain diminished at the end of the experiment, slow growing broilers still showed distinct weight differences between genders in week 23. The breastbone dimensions reached their final values at different times. Determination of breastbone characteristics by metric measurements of dimensions, by computerized tomography and by chemical analyses showed clearly that the ossification process of breastbones of hens is faster than for cocks. This was also reflected by the relations Cartilage length of the Trab. mediana (LC) / breastbone length (L) and Weight of cartilage of the Trab. mediana (GK)/ breastbone weight (BBG). Both indices were higher in males than in females. Breastbones of Ross 308 hens are ossified faster than of Isa S 457 hens. In general, most breastbone parameters differed between breeds. The development of the dry matter content of the breastbone was not finished till the end of week 23. The storage of inorganic material (ash, calcium and phosphorus) showed breed specific differences at the beginning of the experiment, but during the experiment the increase of inorganic material in breastbones was higher for hens than for cocks. The breastbone of a newly hatched chicken consists completely of cartilage and ossification started immediately after hatch from a central ossification centre to caudal and to cranial. Further ossification centres existed at the lateral Trabeculae. The ossification of the lateral Trabeculae progressed independently of the ossification of the breastbone processus. In the present investigation the direction of ossification to the caudal end of the breastbone processus was of special interest. The central ossification centre showed up in the front keel range of the breastbone. With the sprouting of blood vessels and increased metabolic activity the colour of the centre turned to deep red and spread to cranial and caudal. During the proceeding ossification process due to pneumatisation the deeply red coloured areas turned to bright and finally transparent, especially in the front of the breastbone. The results from computerized tomography of breastbones confirmed the visual observations of the ossification of the breastbone processus. Obviously, the ossification process of the breastbone needs a large time frame and ossification seems to be a multilayered process. The increase in breastbone dimensions is paralleled by an increased storage of inorganic material. The weight of the breastbones was decreasing with increasing age due to the reduction of the water content during the process of pneumatisation. The breastbone processus was not completely ossified in fast and slow growing broilers up to the end of the experiment (week 23 of life). The results on the ossification process in fast and slow growing broiler breeds clearly revealed that a prolongation of the fattening process does not affect marketing of broiler meat from extensive production. The breastbone processus is not fully ossified at the normal slaughter age of 81 to 84 days. But, the results also indicated that a more clear definition of the term ?ossified breastbone processus? is necessary as the breastbone is still not fully ossified on start of laying in hens.
Bone ash data in the context of phosphorus and phytase evaluation in poultry
(2021) Künzel, Susanne; Rodehutscord, Markus
Phosphorus (P) is an essential element that is crucial for various metabolic processes in the body of animals and humans. To keep the animals healthy and to obtain food products rich in nutrients, an adequate P supply is indispensable. Plant feedstuffs, the main components of poultry diets, contain P in a form that is only partially available to poultry. For this reason, poultry diets are often supplemented with mineral P. However, global rock phosphate reserves, where mineral P is mined from, are limited. Additionally, excessive P supply should also be avoided because of the environmental impact of P accumulation in the soil. Consequently, P supply not exceeding the requirements of poultry is essential to ensure animal wellbeing and to protect the environment. In order to feed diets with adequate concentrations of P, it is necessary to have suitable approaches for the determination of available P in the animal. The availability of P varies widely between feed components and it is also influenced by feed supplements and other factors. Bone ash analysis is an often-used tool to evaluate the relative bioavailability of P since a high amount of P is stored in the bones. A standard assay for bone ash analyses has never been agreed on. Therefore, many different approaches are described in the literature with an unknown impact on the results of P bioavailability studies. The main objective of the present thesis was to examine the suitability of bone ash data for the evaluation of available P in poultry with emphasis on methodological aspects. Therefore, different studies with broiler chickens and Japanese quail were conducted. The experiments comprised various aspects related to P availability in poultry. The effect of feed supplements in the form of phytase products, myo-inositol and a coccidiostat were evaluated. Furthermore, quantitative genetic analyses were performed. All experiments had in common that tibiotarsus (tibia) or foot ash data or both were used for the examination of the relative bioavailability of P. Based on the data that accrued during the studies described in the four manuscripts of this thesis, comprehensive methodological analyses were performed. The tibia and foot were compared regarding their appropriateness as a trait for the evaluation of the relative bioavailability of P by using bone ash data. The relationship between the two traits was investigated, as well as the relationship between foot or tibia ash and quantitative P measurements. Additionally, P concentration in the ash of both bone fractions was analysed and compared. Results indicated only minor differences between tibia and foot ash data. No clear preference for one of them could be deduced from the data. The left and right feet of broiler chickens were compared in terms of both ash concentration and total ash amount. Significant differences between the two feet of the same animal were detected for both traits. Consequently, not only the choice of the bone fraction but also of the body side should be considered when sampling for bone ash data. Ash data are mostly expressed as a concentration of the dry matter content of the bone. Also possible is the use of the absolute ash amount. The relationship of both ways of expression with traits of quantitative P measurements was analysed by using correlation coefficients and regression analyses. Results showed that the absolute ash amount was at least as suitable as ash concentration but has the advantage that it is easier to determine. Possible selection procedures for animals for bone ash analyses were simulated with data from two of the experiments. Often it is not possible to use all animals involved in an experiment for bone ash analyses. Therefore, the influence of sampling frequency and selection method on the outcome of P availability studies was evaluated. Results indicated that the number and selection method of animals for bone ash data might influence the results. However, it was not possible to recommend a specific selection method based on the obtained results. Estimates of heritability and genetic correlations showed the suitability of bone ash data as a proxy trait for P efficiency breeding of poultry. The absolute amount of bone ash data appeared to be most promising for this purpose. Bone ash data are a very useful and easy to determine trait to estimate the relative bioavailability of P. However, investigations performed in this thesis showed the importance of a careful selection of methods. A standardised assay would be helpful to obtain meaningful and more comparable estimates of relative P bioavailability.
Einfluss von Beschäftigungs- und Strukturelementen auf das Verhalten und das Beinskelett konventionell gehaltener Mastputen
(2010) Letzguß, Helga; Bessei, Werner
Commercial turkey production in Germany is characterized by the use of heavy strains and intensive management systems with a poor level of environment stimulation. This results in behavioral and health problems, which are not only relevant with respect to animal welfare but do result in substantial financial losses for the farmers. It is assumed that environmental enrichment could be a promising means for improving the locomotor system of turkeys and for reducing cannibalism and feather pecking. The present field study deals with the effects of environmental enrichment under commercial rearing conditions. The major focus was on deducing the impact on (i) cannibalism and featherpecking, (ii) locomotor activity, and (iii) leg conditions. In addition the acceptance and the utilization of the enrichment facilities should be determined. Based on previous work, different enrichment structures were selected. Particular attention was given to choose structures that could easily be integrated into existing stables at low costs. Moreover, the objects should not substantially increase the workload of the farmers. Raised platforms, round bales of straw, baskets filled with hay, and packs of palettes were used as enrichment objects. The latter were substituted with square bales of straw in the second experiment. The enrichment structures occupied 5.3 % of the available area of the houses. The two successive experiments, one in the warm (Durchgang 1) and one in the cold (Durchgang 2) season, were carried out using three commercial turkey houses. Heavy strains of turkeys were kept in houses with more than 4500 animals. Two houses (A1 and A2) were enriched and one house was kept as non-enriched control. Starting from the 6th week of age the animals were observed in 4 week intervals by three observers. In addition, videos were recorded during the same time and evaluated using the commercial software INTERACT (Mangold International GmbH, Arnstorf). The following areas have been observed separately: raised platforms, square bales of straw, round bales of straw, unenriched area, wired basket filled with hay, feeder area, and drinker area. The following behaviours were determined: resting, sitting, locomotion, comfort behaviour, object pecking, environment pecking, feather pecking, aggression, dust bathing, scratching, threat, cannibalism, water intake, and food intake. The duration and the number of animals performing locomotion, sitting, and standing in the individual areas were determined. At 14th weeks of age approximately 150 animals were selected at random and weighted. The conditions of the breast skin, feathering, and foot pads were scored. At slaughter, the scorings of each third breast skin and each fifth food pad were repeated. Furthermore, after slaughter, 50 tibiotaris were randomly chosen for which length, angular distal deformity, torsional deformity were identified. Based on computer tomography the following bone parameters were determined in the middle of the total area, total density, corticalis area, corticalis density and Strain Strength Index (SSI). The enrichment structures were well accepted and used by the turkeys. The structures were mainly used for resting. From the observed extended resting periods it can be concluded that on the enrichment structures the animals could better satisfy their need for resting than in the non-enriched areas. Short resting periods in the non-enriched area are mainly due to frequent disturbances caused by fellow turkeys. From the fractions of locomotion in the unenriched areas it could be shown that the enrichment structures yielded increased locomotor activity. There was no effect of the enrichment structures on animal health. A decreased torsion of the tibiotarsi from the enriched houses were determined. In order to access the raised plarforms, palettes, and square bales of straw, the turkeys in the enriched houses had to wing flap, climb, and jump. This resulted in strengthening of both the leg muscles and the bones. The turkeys used the round bales until the end of the fattening period, where as pecking at the basket filled with hay decreased gradually. The occurrences of threat, aggression, cannibalism, and featherpecking, were very low an all houses. Hence, no effect was found for the enrichment structures on these behaviors. This thesis provided proof that low-cost enrichment of the environment can be advantageous with respect to the bone health of turkeys. In addition, it was demonstrated that it is possible to increase the locomotor activity of heavy strains. Furthermore, the results indicate that even small height differences between object surface and litter level suffice to enable the creation of resting areas. It should be noted that the enrichment structures did not loose attractiveness for the turkeys throughout the complete fattening period.
Zum Einfluß von mikrobieller Phytase und Calcium auf die Blei-, Cadmium und Zinkretention beim wachsenden Schwein
(1997) Zacharias, Bernhard; Drochner, Winfried
In the present study the influence of microbial phytase and/or calcium supplementation in rations of growing pigs (15 to 30 kg resp. 50 kg) on the retention of lead, cadmium and zinc in kidneys, liver, muscles and bones was investigated. The rations consisted of a barley-soy mixture supplemented with lead, cadmium and zinc either in the form of Pb-, Cd- and Zn-polluted barley or of CdCl2, Pb(CH3COO)2, and ZnSO4. The rations contained an average of 1,45 mg Pb, 0,78 mg Cd, and 55,7 mg Zn per kg dry matter and were given either with or without an addition of 800 U microbial phytase per kg. Compared to the reference group the addition of microbial phytase resulted in diets with a nomal calcium supply (6 g/kg) to a significant increase in the concentration of lead in the phalanx 1 and cadmium in kidneys and liver. The zinc concentration, however, only was increased in tendency in bones and liver. By augmenting the calcium concentration to 12 g/kg it was possible to avoid phytase-induced increase in the retention of lead in phalanx 1 and in the deposition of cadmium in kidneys and liver. For zinc, however, this effect of calcium could not be detected. The higher lead concentration in liver, kidneys and bones after addition of Pb(CH3COO)2 may be due to the 51 higher dietary Pb level as compared to the normally polluted barley rations. The reduced Cd-accumulation in livers and kidneys after feeding CdCl2 supplemented diets with a high calcium level may be explained by an increased formation of insoluble cadmium-calcium-phytate that cannot be hydrolysed by phytase. For the heavy metals lead, cadmium, and zinc the addition of phytase might probably result in an increased metal availability due to phytase-induced hydrolysis of the phytate complex. The effect of a calcium supply exceeding the recommended level may be explained by a reduction in the solubility of phytate which results in a decreased ability of phytate to be splitted by phytase and therefore leads to a reduced