Study On Ovulatory & Broody Rules And Their Correlations To Biochemical Indices In Muscovy Ducks

Muscovy ducks are excellent meal poultry, and the abdominal palpation method and artificial fertilization were applied to further determine individual ovulation, noncvulation and broodiness of the female ducks. The results showed that muscovy ducks had the traits of ovulation and nonovulation during the ovulatory cycle, the ovulation rate and the egg laying performances of nonbrooding ducks were higher. And the ducks' broody behaviors were very strong, and the rate of brooding ducks was 22.22%, the average brood periods were 45.44?7.25days, and were from 30 days to 106 days. The average egg numbers of the nonbrooding ducks were more 14.93 eggs than those of the brooding ducks. And the correlate analysis showed that: firstly, body weight at first laying had a significantly negative correlation with the brood period(P<0.01), and secondly, age at first brooding had a significantly positive correlation with age at first laying.The contrast experiments(raised in nets, individual cages and floors) were conducted in attempt to observe the effects of raising methods on egg laying performances and the house temperatures were determined. The results showed that: firstly, the fertility of artificial fertilization and hatchability of the ducks in the floors were higher than those of the ducks raised in nets(P<0.01), 4.11% and 2.84% higher, respectively. Secondly, body weight at first laying had a significantly negative correlation with egg numbers(P<0.01). Thirdly, the house temperature had significant effects on the ovulation rate, and there was a significantly positive correlation between them(r=0.456, P<0.01).Four blood biochemical indices(Prolactin, Luteinizing hormone, Glucose and Triglyceriche)of the female ducks were determined in order to reveal the relationships between blood biochemical indices and ovulation & broodiness. The results showed that the concentrations of PRL, LH, GLU and TG between the broody period and the ovulatory period had significant differences. Firstly, the concentrations of PRL during the broody period were significantly higher than those during the ovulatory period, and which showed that PRL was key hormone for the onset and maintenance of broodiness. Secondly, the concentrations of LH and GLU during the ovulatory periodwere significantly higher than those of during the broody period(P<0.01). Thirdly, the concentrations of TG during the broody period were 6.85±2.64mmol/l, and the concentrations of TG during the ovulatory period were 1.18±0.58mmol/l, and there were significant differences between them(P<0.01). But there were no significant differences in the concentrations of PRL, LH, GLU and TG between individual ducks. And there were significant correlations in the concentrations of PRL, LH, GLU and TG each other during the reproductive cycle.