Effects Of Forced Molting On Laying Performance And Serum Immunoglobulins And Moulting-related Gene Expressions In Breeding Pigeons

Due to the physiological characteristics,it takes a period of 2 months for natural moulting and the concentrative degree is dispersed,resulting in enormous negative effects on the development of breeding pigeons as an industry.Compared with the natural moulting with inevitable shortcomings,forced moulting can decrease the moulting period of layers from 3 month to about 1 month and the concentrative degree is uniform.However,no study on breeding pigeons was conducted before according to my knowledge.This study main force breeding pigeons moulting by using phase weight control and zinc oxide supplementation,and study effects of the two methods on the laying performance,immunity capability as well as the relative expression of moulting-related genes,aimed to reveal feasibility of the two methods breeding pigeons as an industry and select the most efficient moulting method.1.Effects of breeding pigeons moulting induced by two forced molting methods on laying performance and the concentration of serumimmunoglobulins of the 2nd laying prophaseThis study aimed to elucidate the effects of moulting induced by phase weight control and zinc oxide supplementation on laying performance and the concentration of serum immunoglobulin of the early 2nd laying prophase.Methods:96 pairs of healthy and similarly weight America Columbas at December age in white are randomly divided into 3 groups,the control group fed by the regular feed;experimental group A restricted about 8-14 days;experiment group B fed by dietary with high content of zinc(2%ZnO+98%basal ration),the conventional feed feeding after 7 days.Results display:compared with the control group,in group A and B the mortality rate increased by 1.17%(P>0.05)and 4.13%(P<0.05);the moulting period decreased by 20.24 d(P<0.05)and 21.31 d(P<0.05);egg production of post-moulting period increased by 19.78%(P<0.05)and 13.84%(P>0.05);average egg weight increased(P>0.05);no significant difference was detected between the 2 groups(P>0.05);the malformation rate and feed/egg ratio both significantly decreased(P<0.05).The immunological assay showed that the IgA,IgM and IgG in group A increased by 6.59%(P>0.05),3.48%(P>0.05)and 8.81%(P>0.05)compared with control group,while the parameters in group B increased by 45.42%(P>0.05),7.80%(P>0.05),and 8.47%(P>0.05),respectively.Above-mentioned results display:the two methods could shorten breeding pigeons moulting time and enhance the laying performance in the early stage of 2nd laying prophase and increase the concentration of serum immunoglobulins2.Effects of breeding pigeons moulting induced by two forced molting methods on relative expression of moulting-related genesThis study aimed to elucidate the effects of moulting induced by phase weight control and zinc oxide supplementation on relative expression of moulting-related genes during the moulting period and the 2nd laying prophase.Experimental design and methods were the same as the test one.Results display:compared with control group belonging to early-moulting period,in group A and B the relative expression of bone morphogenetic protein 4(BMP4)significantly increased by 169%and 133%(P<0.05);relative expression of fibroblast growth factor 5(FGF5)significantly increased by 88%and 121%(P<0.05).Compared with control group belonging to late-moulting period,in group A and B the relative expression of BMP4 significantly increased by 129%and 120%(P<0.05);the relative expression of FGF5 significantly increased by 98%and 70%(P<0.05).During the post-moulting period,the relative expression of BMP4 in group A and group B increased by 25%and 34%(P>0.05);and the relative expression of FGF5 increased by 19%and 23%(P>0.05),respectively.Above-mentioned results display:The two methods had an significant impact on the moulting-related genes during moulting period,whereas no significant impact was detected in the early stage of 2nd laying prophase of breeding pigeons.In summary,such conclusions could be obtained:(1).The methods of phase weight control and zinc oxide both could shorten breeding pigeons moulting time and enhance the laying performance in the early stage of 2nd laying prophase,and increase the concentration of serum immunoglobulins.The two methods maybe can enhance immunity capability;(2).The methods of phase weight control and zinc oxide both had an significant impact on the moulting-related genes during moulting period,whereas no significant impact was detected in the early stage of 2nd laying prophase of breeding pigeons.(3).regard of effects of the two methods on mortality rate of breeding pigeons and zinc oxide on environmental pollution,phase weight contrl was in favour of production.