Biomedical subjects

Y Nys

Publications and source records attributed to Y Nys.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

PubMed1998

Influence of age, sex and cross on body concentrations of trace elements (zinc, iron, copper and manganese) in chickens.

1. Environmental problems in areas of intensive animal production necessitate new constraints in food formulation concerning nitrogen and phosphorus and also concerning trace minerals, especially zinc and copper, which are found in excess in poultry manure in relation to nitrogen and might cause phytotoxicity in soil. 2. Whole body concentrations of zinc, iron, manganese and copper were measured in chickens in order to estimate the percentage of deposition and excretion. Body concentrations were determined on 390 chicks of both sexes at different ages in 2 commercial crosses. 3. Age affected the trace element body concentration. Higher concentrations were observed at earlier ages (4 to 11 d). Sex and cross had little influence on body Zn, Fe, Cu and Mn concentration and interactions were observed between these factors. 4. Body retention percentage (% of intake) was very low when birds were fed on commercial diets and decreased with age. For the period 0 to 40 d, the percentages of retention were 6%, 10%, 0.2% and 6% for Zn, Fe, Mn and Cu, respectively, and therefore 90% to 99% was excreted. 5. These findings make it possible to calculate trace mineral excretion for various feeding systems and confirm the excess of zinc and copper in poultry manure in relation to nitrogen. A nutritional approach such as reduction in dietary trace mineral supplementation may alleviate the risks of phytotoxicity in the soil resulting from Zn and Cu excesses.

Aging↗

PubMed1998

Reducing growth rate of broiler chickens with a low energy diet does not improve cortical bone quality.

1. Reducing growth rate is often supposed to allow better skeletal development and improve bone quality. In order to test this assumption, flocks of broiler chickens fed on a diet containing 13.31 MJ ME/kg (H) were compared with flocks in which the growth rate was reduced by feeding birds with a low energy diet (L, 9.62 MJ ME/kg). 2. Bone growth was studied in 2 experiments in order to identify any changes in bone tissue of slow-growing chickens that might explain why they are less predisposed to varus-valgus deformities (3.1% vs 19.9%). 3. In experiment 1, the morphology, composition and histomorphometry of the tibiotarsi were analysed in both groups at 1, 12, 26, 42 and 46 d of age. Tibial variables (weight, volume, length, cortex size and structure, dry content and ash percentage) were always reduced in slow-growing birds except at 42 d of age, when tibial weight and cortex areas were similar in both groups. 4. Every variable was similar in both groups, or even higher in H birds, when chickens were compared at similar body weight, suggesting that the low growth rate did not improve bone quantity or quality of the tibiae. 5. In experiment 2, the composition of the tibiotarsi was compared every 2 days during the first week and twice a week until 36 d of age, in H and L birds. Weight and composition of the tibiotarsi did not differ between groups when compared at equal body weight, as also shown in experiment 1. 6. The reduced occurrence of varus-valgus deformities in slow-growing chicks cannot be related to an improvement in the structure and the composition of their bone tissue.

Animal Feed↗

PubMed1997

Precursor matrix proteins in the uterine fluid change with stages of eggshell formation in hens.

Organic constituents of the uterine fluid, the acellular milieu in which the eggshell is mineralized, were biochemically characterized at initial, mid and final stages of shell calcification in hens. The electrophoretic protein profiles changed at the different stages of shell mineralization. Two major bands (80-kDa and 43-kDa glycoproteins) with calcium affinity were specific to the initial stage. Four protein bands of 180, 150, 116 and 32 kDa, present at the phase of rapid shell formation, coprecipitated with calcium carbonate in vitro. At this stage were also present a calcium-binding glycoprotein of 36-kDa and a 20-kDa protein. Uterine fluid of the final stage was characterized by a darker intensity of the 66-kDa band, which showed calcium-binding ability and by the presence of three additional proteins (72, 13 and 6 kDa). At least seven bands of the uterine fluid showed similar migration patterns to those of eggshell extracts. Western blotting with ovocleidin and ovalbumin antisera demonstrated the presence of these matrix proteins in uterine fluid collected at initial and mid phase, respectively. Total uterine fluid collected at the end of calcification and dialyzed uterine fluid from the various stages delayed the rate of calcium precipitation in vitro. These observations demonstrate the presence of precursors of eggshell matrix in the uterine fluid and support the hypothesis of their involvement in the process of eggshell mineralization.

Animals↗

PubMed1996

Soluble matrix of hen's eggshell extracts changes in vitro the rate of calcium carbonate precipitation and crystal morphology.

1. Extra and intramineral eggshell matrix proteins were solubilised before and after demineralisation by sequential extractions using guanidine hydrochloride and EDTA. 2. The intramineral electrophoretic profile of SDS-PAGE showed the presence of 80, 66, 43, 36 and 15 kDa bands with a predominance of a 17 kDa band. In the extramineral part, the major protein was the 15 kDa band. 3. The introduction of intramineral extract to a metastable solution of calcium carbonate delayed the rate of crystal growth. The delay in the rate of precipitation was elicited by a single fraction (MW 50-80 kDa), isolated by gel filtration chromatography, of eggshell extracts. Extramineral extracts had no effect. 4. Addition in vitro of intramineral eggshell extracts modified the morphology of calcite; the crystals aggregated and showed irregular surfaces. 5. These observations suggest that constituents of the eggshell matrix are involved in the control of calcite growth and crytallographic structure of the hen's eggshell.

Animals↗

PubMed1995

Calcium solubilization and retention in the gastrointestinal tract in chicks (Gallus domesticus) as a function of gastric acid secretion inhibition and of calcium carbonate particle size.

In chicks, immature pullets and laying hens, the inhibition of gastric acid secretion by omeprazole, an H+,K(+)-transporting ATPase (EC 3.6.1.36) inhibitor, greatly increased proventricular and gizzard pH values. Consequently, gizzard soluble Ca concentration deceased and the insoluble Ca fraction increased. Inhibition of acid secretion increased duodenal pH values in immature pullets and laying hens but not in chicks. Duodenal soluble and ionic Ca concentrations were lowered by gastric acid inhibition in chicks and to a larger extent in immature pullets and laying hens. The use of Ca of coarse particle size increased the gizzard insoluble Ca fraction in chicks and pullets. However, it did not influence its soluble Ca fraction in chicks but tended to reinforce the negative effect of omeprazole on soluble Ca in the gizzard and duodenum of chicks and laying hens. Coarse particles of Ca led to an increase in gizzard and duodenal soluble Ca at the end of eggshell calcification in laying hens. An enhancement in the level of Ca in the diet from 10 to 36 g/kg increased gizzard soluble Ca and duodenal soluble and ionic Ca concentrations in immature and adult hens. Intestinal Ca retention and bone mineralization was unaffected by gastric acid inhibition in chicks but were largely diminished by the use of coarse particles of Ca. Gastric acid inhibition was associated in laying hens with decreased Ca retention to a small extent and with reduced eggshell quality. These observations confirm that gastric acid secretion is of importance for CaCO3 solubilization but question its role as a prerequisite for intestinal Ca retention in chicks and even in hens fed on a high Ca diet.

Animals↗

PubMed1993

Gastric acid secretion in the chicken: effect of histamine H2 antagonists and H+/K(+)-ATPase inhibitors on gastro-intestinal pH and of sexual maturity calcium carbonate level and particle size on proventricular H+/K+ ATPase activity.

1. Cimetidine was more potent 4 hr after a single injection of 25 or 100 mg/kg body wt in increasing gastric pH than other H2 receptor antagonists, ranitidine and famotidine but was less efficient than H+/K(+)-ATPase inhibitors. Omeprazole rose proventricular and gizzard pH at a lower dose than SCH 28080 and Ro 18-5364 (30, 50 and 200 mg/kg body wt, respectively). 2. Proventricular and gizzard pH values were maximal 1 and 4 hr after a single injection of 7.5 mumol/kg body wt omeprazole. Inhibition of acid secretion was maintained for 24 hr after an injection of 100 mumol/kg. 3. H+/K(+)-ATPase activity in vitro was 10 mumol Pi/hr/mg protein in the microsomal fractions of the proventriculus. It was doubled by nigericine and inhibited by SCH 28080. However, western blots by high specific H+/K(+)-ATPase monoclonal antibody 95-A3 and 95-111 recognized a 42 kDa band but hardly exhibited the specific 95 kDa band recognition. 4. Chickens and immature pullets showed a higher H+/K(+)-ATPase activity than laying hens. Calcium level of the diet did not affect the enzyme activity but coarse particles of calcium fed to pullets or laying hens enhanced the H+/K(+)-ATPase activity when compared with ground particles.

Animals↗

PubMed1992

Regulation of calbindin D 28K and its mRNA in the intestine of the domestic hen.

Intestinal calbindin synthesis in laying hens was analyzed to assess controlling factors operating during egg formation. In the absence of vitamin D, calbindin was not induced by estrogen and testosterone. In immature vitamin D-replete pullet, blood levels of 1,25(OH)2D3 increased in response to estrogen but the duodenal concentration of calbindin and its mRNA were increased only when testosterone was given together with estrogen. The plasma concentration of 1,25(OH)2D3 and the duodenal levels of calbindin and its mRNA were substantially higher in laying hens than in immature pullets. No differences in these parameters were observed between the stages of the ovulatory cycle. Suppression of shell formation for a week decreased the concentration of 1,25(OH)2D3 and of duodenal calbindin but did not affect the level of its mRNA. When egg shell formation resumed in hens previously laying shell-less eggs, the concentrations of 1,25(OH)2D3 and of calbindin and its mRNA increased toward the end of shell formation. A most important factor regulating intestinal calbindin synthesis in laying hens turned out to be 1,25(OH)2D3. Intestinal calbindin mRNA is more stable in laying hens than in young birds as its concentration declines more slowly when the stimulation provided by 1,25(OH)2D3 is withdrawn, as occurs following suppression of shell formation and after parathyroidectomy in laying birds. Intestinal calbindin mRNA is therefore increased by a process other than increasing 1,25(OH)2D3 formation. The factor influencing the stability of this mRNA in laying hens could be calcium. It is concluded that in hens the increased duodenal calbindin synthesis elicited by plasma 1,25(OH)2D3 at sexual maturity primarily involves a transcriptional process and the stabilization of the mRNA.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

PubMed1992

Estrogen and a calcium flux dependent factor modulate the calbindin gene expression in the uterus of laying hens.

The dependency of calbindin 28K synthesis on estrogen and vitamin D and its relationship with calcium transfer were investigated in the uterus of laying hens by dot blot hybridization analysis using as a probe a cDNA coding for calbindin. Estrogen stimulated growth of the oviduct and uterine calbindin synthesis in juvenile D-deficient female chicks. In laying hens, calbindin mRNA increased most markedly during shell deposition but calbindin concentrations did not fluctuate during the ovulatory cycle. Suppression of shell formation within a few hours reduced calbindin mRNA levels and lowered uterine calbindin concentrations when egg expulsions were continued for several days. The concentration of calbindin and its mRNA increased when shell formation resumed in hens previously laying shell-less eggs. These increases were maintained in hens parathyroidectomized just before shell resumption. Lowering dietary calcium decreased uterine calcium transfer and calbindin concentration but its mRNA level was unaffected. It is suggested that uterine calbindin synthesis is regulated in a tissue-specific manner through transcriptional mechanisms irrespective of change in vitamin D; calbindin synthesis is stimulated by estrogens as part of its effect on oviductal growth but its regulation predominantly involves a calcium flux dependent factor associated with shell calcification.

Animals↗

PubMed1992

Plasma 1,25 dihydroxycholecalciferol and its free index are potentiated by ovulation dependent factors and shell formation induced hypocalcemia in the laying hens.

The time-course of the changes in blood ionized calcium, and in plasma 1,25 dihydroxycholecalciferol (1,25(OH)2D3) concentrations and its free index were studied in hens following suppression and resumption of shell formation and throughout the laying cycle in hens laying hard-shelled eggs, in hens fed a low or normal calcium diet and in hens laying shell-less eggs. The respective roles of the calcium needs for shell formation and of the reproductive status in regulation of 1,25(OH)2D3 production were analysed. Plasma 1,25(OH)2D3 decreased 3 hr after suppression of shell formation following premature egg expulsion and remained lower than that of hens laying hard-shelled eggs when premature expulsion of the eggs was continued for several days. Circulating 1,25(OH)2D3 tended to increase progressively when shell formation was resumed. Ablation of the parathyroid glands abolished this increase. In hens laying hard-shelled eggs, the plasma 1,25(OH)2D3 was higher during the period of shell secretion. Feeding hens a low calcium diet (1.2%) caused a marked increase in the plasma 1,25(OH)2D3. Ionized calcium levels tended to show reciprocal changes to plasma 1,25(OH)2D3 decreasing when calcification took place and increasing after its suppression. In hypercalcemic hens laying shell-less eggs and fed a 3.5% Ca diet, the plasma 1,25(OH)2D3 was at a high level 4 hr after ovulation and diminished thereafter. This additive stimulation does not, therefore, involve the parathyroid gland and may involve hormonal changes induced by ovulation. Vitamin D binding protein (DBP) in the plasma was at a high level in mature hens and was not affected by shell formation. Consequently, the free 1,25(OH)2D3 index fluctuated in parallel with total level of this hormone in mature hens. It is concluded that the calcium demand for shell formation modulates, in the short term, plasma 1,25(OH)2D3, via the homeostatic regulation of blood calcium by PTH, but that a large part of its increase is independent of PTH and is associated with the endocrine events concomitant with ovulation.

Animals↗

PubMed1992

Dietary phosphorus and food allowance of dwarf breeders affect reproductive performance of hens and bone development of their progeny.

1. An experiment was conducted with 144 caged hens to study the effects of different dietary concentrations of phosphorus and of food restriction on the reproductive performance of dwarf breeder hens and on the growth and the bone development of their progeny. 2. Severe food restrictions at 105 g/hen day compared to 115 g/hen day, decreased hen body weight and hen day egg production. Fertility was unaffected and hatchability slightly depressed by the more severe restriction. 3. Egg and one-day-old chick weights were decreased by limiting the food intake of the breeders but the negative effect disappeared at slaughter (7 weeks). 4. Shell quality decreased as the dietary phosphorus increased and was not affected by food allowance. Albumen quality was slightly impaired in severely restricted hens. 5. Serum inorganic phosphorus in hens and yolk phosphorus increased with increasing dietary phosphorus. Tibial breaking strength and tibial percentage ash of the progeny at hatching was markedly improved in proportion to maternal phosphorus and food intake. This improvement in bone quality was not maintained at 7 weeks. 6. The number of chicks affected by twisted legs (valgus) and dyschondroplasia were similar whatever the maternal diet. The frequency of valgus was higher in males than in females. 7. It is concluded that maternal food intake and phosphorus supply are of importance for the initial bone development of the progeny.

Animal Feed↗

PubMed1992

Composition, cortical structure and mechanical properties of chicken tibiotarsi: effect of growth rate.

1. Comparisons of tibial growth in slowly (X) and rapidly (F) growing chicks were carried out weekly until the birds weighed 500 g. 2. Bone volume and percentage of ash per dry weight increased with age and were similar at equal body weights between crossbreeds. In birds of the same age, the ratio of tibial dry weight to hydrated weight was greater in crossbreed X as compared with crossbreed F. Consequently, the tibial density and the mineral content per volume were higher, at equal body weights, in crossbreed X. 3. Cortical cross-sectional area was greater in crossbreed F at the different ages, but was similar in both crossbreeds at equal body weights. A peripheral active zone of greater porosity was predominantly characterised by radial fibrolamellar tissue in fast growing birds and covered a larger area in crossbreed F than in crossbreed X. 4. Biomechanical properties of the tibiotarsi were evaluated in a three-point flexure test. The area moment of inertia was equal at similar body weights in both crossbreeds, but the yield or maximal forces and stiffness of tibiotarsi were lower in the rapidly growing crossbreed F compared with crossbreed X. 5. It is concluded that an increased rate of growth is associated with a lower mineral density and higher porosity of the tibial cortices resulting in reduced bending resistance.

Animals↗

PubMed1992

Maternal body weight and feed allowance of breeders affect performance of dwarf broiler breeders and tibial ossification of their progeny.

Four hundred and eight dwarf broiler breeder hens were raised collectively in a floor pen to 21 wk of age. At this age they were classified into four groups with reference to their individual BW as heavy (1.95 +/- .1 kg), medium (1.80 +/- .1 kg), light (1.69 +/- .1 kg), and ultralight (1.57 +/- .1 kg). All groups were individually caged at 23 wk of age. During the reproductive period, each group was divided into three subgroups fed on liberal, intermediate, or severe feed restriction (reaching up to 135, 125, and 115 g of daily feed allowance at 29 wk of age, respectively). Intergroup differences in BW were maintained throughout the experiment (21 to 61 wk) but tended to decrease with age. Hen-day egg production was depressed by the lower feed allowance. Fertility and hatchability were impaired when hens received the largest quantities of food. Hen size influenced female breeder performance only slightly. Shell quality and albumen quality were affected by the level of feed consumption. Egg weights as well as BW of the progeny at hatching were enhanced by increased maternal BW and feed allowance. This positive maternal effect was still present at 40 days of age. Despite better overall BW performances of the male versus female broilers, the abdominal fat pad of female broilers was heavier than that of males and tended to increase with breeder size and breeder feed allowance. Accordingly, tibial breaking strength and percentage ash of the progeny at hatching were markedly improved in proportion to the breeders' BW and to their feed allowance. The effect of breeder size on broiler tibial quality was maintained up to 40 days of age but the effect of breeder feed intake tended to disappear with increasing age of the broilers. Tibial strength and mineralization were higher in male than in female broilers at 40 days of age. Dyschondroplasia was higher in broilers hatched from heavier breeder hens, but was not influenced by breeder feed intake. The incidence of varus and valgus in progeny was similar whatever the breeders' treatment. It is concluded that performance of dwarf breeders in a given flock depends mainly upon breeder feed allowance but that broiler performance and, especially, tibial ossification of broilers is greatly influenced by maternal size and, to a lesser extent, by maternal feed intake.

Animals↗

PubMed1991

Whitening of brown-shelled eggs: mineral composition of uterine fluid and rate of protoporphyrin deposition.

Changes in the mineral composition of uterine fluid during shell formation and the rates of color appearance and porphyrin deposition on the shell were measured in two subpopulations of brown egg-laying hens with familial histories of low or high incidences of shell whitening. Increases in shell weight and shell breaking strength were correlated with, and proportional to, time spent by the egg in the uterus and were similar in both subpopulations. Shell reflectance decreased and the amount of porphyrin deposited increased linearly 20 to 24 h after oviposition of the preceding egg. Porphyrin deposition was slightly higher at the 23-h stage in the high whitening population but similar amounts of porphyrin were deposited on the shell during the final stage of shell formation in both groups. The coating on the shell responsible for whitening was deposited during the hour prior to oviposition. Uterine fluid pH, pCO2, bicarbonate, and ionized Ca concentrations changed during shell formation but these changes were not related to the incidence of whitening. A milieu supersaturated with calcite solubility product was observed whatever the stage of shell formation. Inorganic phosphorus was not detectable in the uterine fluid whatever the stage of shell formation. The soluble phosphorus fraction of uterine decreased 22 h after oviposition and phosphorus deposition on the shell increased. At the end of egg formation uterine fluid could not be collected. It was concluded that shell whitening was associated with changes in the kinetics of porphyrin deposition rather than with changes in the amount of porphyrin deposited or modifications of uterine fluid composition.

Animals↗

PubMed1991

The effects of particle size and origin of calcium carbonate on performance and ossification characteristics in broiler chicks.

The following physico-chemical characteristics of various calcium sources, differing in origin and particle size were determined: mineral composition, sieve and image analysis, apparent solubility (AS), surface area (SA), porous volume, specific gravity, and compressibility (C). The AS, SA, and C values were related more to the calcium particle size than to its origin and were higher in ground calcium sources. Calcium retention of seashells treated with phosphoric acid, oyster shells, and limestone using two particle sizes, ground or particulate, was assayed in 98 broiler chicks. Particulate marble was also tested in this experiment. Calcium retention expressed as a percentage of calcium ingestion was decreased when coarse particles of calcium were supplied in lieu of pulverized sources (40 versus 49%). An experiment with a 3 x 3 x 3 factorial arrangement of treatments were tested using 576 broiler chicks. Treatments included three calcium sources (phosphorus-treated shell, oyster shell, and marble), three particle sizes [ground (less than .15 mm), medium (.6 to 1.18 mm) and coarse (greater than 1.18 mm)] and three levels of calcium (.5,.7, and .9%) with ground limestone as a reference. Performance, tibial morphometry, breaking strength variables, and ash content were measured at 4 wk of age. Weight gain and feed conversion were ameliorated with ground particles of calcium. Cortical thickness, length of the tibia, stiffness, stress, and tibia ash were diminished when coarse particles of calcium were incorporated in the diets. Conversely, the origin of the calcium source hardly affected these criteria. Additionally, the incorporation of phosphorus-treated shells was assayed in 112 broiler chicks. Coarse particles decreased calcium retention. Consequently, ultimate stress, the modulus of elasticity, and stress were impaired. It is concluded that differences in utilization of calcium carbonate sources by the broiler chick is primarily a result of particle size rather than origin. Ground particles of calcium (pan to .15 mm) significantly improves performance and tibial ossification characteristics in broiler chicks.

Animals↗

PubMed1989

Increases in calbindin D 28K mRNA in the uterus of the domestic fowl induced by sexual maturity and shell formation.

Uterine concentrations of calbindin D 28K mRNA were measured in immature pullets and laying hens by dot-blot hybridization using a [32P]cRNA probe prepared from the calbindin cDNA. In immature pullets, estrogen increased the calbindin mRNA level and the plasma concentration of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 [1,25-(OH)2D3]. When testosterone was administered with estrogen there was a further increase in calbindin and its mRNA and an increase in the free 1,25-(OH)2D3 index calculated as the ratio of the molar concentrations of total 1,25-(OH)2D3 and vitamin D-binding protein (DBP). In laying hens the uterine concentration of calbindin mRNA was low 4 hr after ovulation, but increased most markedly 12 and 18 hr later, when shell calcification took place. Calbindin concentration remained unchanged during the different stages of egg formation but was much higher in laying hens than in pullets treated with sex steroids. Suppression of shell formation by premature expulsion of the egg decreased the concentrations of calbindin mRNA and uterine calbindin and the free 1,25-(OH)2D3 index in the plasma. A concomitant increase in calbindin and its mRNA was observed at resumption of shell formation in hens previously laying shell-less eggs. Withdrawal of food for 44 hr decreased the uterine concentration of calbindin and its mRNA without a change in the free 1,25-(OH)2D3 index in the blood. It is concluded that the synthesis of uterine calbindin is stimulated primarily at sexual maturity and at calcification of the first shell by transcriptional processes. The daily increase in calbindin mRNA associated with shell formation and the absence of a concomitant change in calbindin concentration suggest that post-transcriptional processes exist and that stimuli other than the sex steroid or the 1,25-(OH)2D3 are involved in regulation of calbindin synthesis in the uterus.

Animals↗

PubMed1987

Hyperphosphataemia in histamine injected laying hens.

The effects of histamine on soluble calcium concentrations in gastrointestinal tract contents, acid secretion, urinary phosphorus excretion, plasma free-hydroxyproline and inorganic phosphorus levels were studied in laying hens during egg shell formation. Histamine induced hyperphosphataemia, hyperhydroxyprolinemia and decreased soluble gastrointestinal calcium at 3 hr after injection. Cimetidine inhibited all effects induced by histamine. This suggests that hyperphosphataemia arises from increased bone resorption provoked by decreased soluble intestinal calcium during egg shell formation.

Animals↗

PubMed1987

Progesterone and testosterone elicit increases in the duration of shell formation in domestic hens.

Injection of progesterone or testosterone in hens 4 and 10 h after ovulation increased the intervals between ovipositions and shell weights. The effects were dose-dependent. Expulsion of the egg from treated hens at the expected time of oviposition suppressed the increase in shell weight and deposition of the cuticle. The duration of shell formation had therefore been increased by the injections of progesterone or testosterone. Injections of progesterone 16 h or of testosterone 15 h after ovulation advanced oviposition and reduced shell weight. Testosterone propionate was more efficient than testosterone in its action on the duration of shell formation. Oestradiol was ineffective. Indomethacin delayed oviposition but did not change the duration of shell formation. These results suggest that the duration of shell formation is under the control of hormonal factors and that the larger follicles of the ovary, may be involved in its control.

Animals↗

PubMed1987

Possible causes of subfertility in hens following insemination near the time of oviposition.

Spermatozoa incubated in uterine fluid collected 7 or 18 h after ovulation showed no significant differences either in motility or in fecundity, despite wide variations of composition of the uterine fluid itself. The absence of uterine fluid in the oviduct 1 h before oviposition may be partially responsible for spermatozoa being unable to migrate easily to the storage sites after insemination of this time. Females inseminated intravaginally at the presumed time of oviposition showed consistently low fertility, irrespective of whether an egg was present in the uterus or not. Normal fertility rates could be achieved with inseminations intravaginally at or near the time of oviposition if the uterine contractions associated with oviposition were inhibited by treatment with indomethacin. Hens inseminated intravaginally 1 h after oviposition retained lower proportions (0.4 to 0.7%) of the initial dose of spermatozoa (measured 2 h after insemination) in their oviduct that hens inseminated 5 to 6 h after oviposition (4.5 to 23.3%).

Animals↗