The influence of monochromatic artificial light on egg production in SPF hens

Chiang , C hun Y i

Abstract

Illumination conditions play the most crucial role in management of egg laying poultry as they are more sensitive to environmental luminosity than humans Many studies have demonstrate d that white and red light wavelengths facilitate longer feeding time and result in increased egg production when compared to egg laying hens subjected t o green l ight . Specific pathogen free (SPF) embryonated eggs are produced at high cost due to the use of a positive pressure , airtight poultry housing and the implementation of other critical biosecurity management measures. An additional challenge is to always make prompt , real time adjustments to diet ary ingredients so as to maintain or improv e the performance of egg laying SPF hens Alternatively a technically feasible measure to enhance egg production of egg laying SPF hens in this study was tested through the use of monochromatic artificial light in egg laying hen house s while cannibalism and the overall health of flocks were monitored.

Molecular Diagnostics of Avian Paramyxoviruses

Yu-Pin Liu

Abstract

Avian paramyxoviruses (APMVs) belong to the subfamily Avulavirinae within the family Paramyxoviridae. APMVs consist of twenty-two known species and are regularly isolated from a wide variety of avian species from around the world. Since conventional serology sometimes produces non-specific cross-reactivity and the preparation of standard antigens and antibodies are labor-intensive, three molecular diagnostic techniques were established in this study to identify APMV: a nested RT-PCR targeting the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase gene, a real-time RT-PCR targeting the APMV-1 nucleoprotein gene, and an RT-PCR targeting the fusion protein gene. 111 APMV isolates were identified from 2009 to 2020, with strains comprising 57 APMV-1, 1 APMV-2, 25 APMV-4, 8 APMV-6, 2 APMV-12, 2 APMV-21 and 16 APMV-22. Here we present rapid, highly sensitive and specific diagnostic techniques to identify APMV isolates. In the future, primer and probe sequences will be regularly evaluated and updated to ensure the detection of newly emerging APMV viruses.