文献类型： 外文期刊

作者： Wang, C. ¹ ; Zeng, Y. T. ¹ ; Chen, X. Y. ¹ ; Wu, Q. Y. ¹ ; Yang, L. Q. ¹ ; Xu, L. ¹ ; Zhang, Y. ¹ ; Qazi, Izhar Hyder ² ; Zh ¹ ;

作者机构： 1.Sichuan Agr Univ, Farm Anim Genet Resources Explorat & Innovat Key, Chengdu, Sichuan, Peoples R China

2.Sichuan Agr Univ, Coll Anim Sci & Technol, Chengdu 611130, Sichuan, Peoples R China

3.Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Univ Vet & Anim Sci, Dept Vet Anat & Histol, Sakrand 67210, Sindh, Pakistan

4.Sichuan Agr Univ, Coll Anim Vet Med, Chengdu 611130, Sichuan, Peoples R China

5.Tibet Acad Agr & Anim Husb Sci, Inst Anim Sci, Lhasa 850009, Tibet, Peoples R China

关键词： improvac; broiler chicken; immunocastration; testosterone; spermatogenesis

期刊名称：POULTRY SCIENCE （ 影响因子：3.352； 五年影响因子：3.679 ）

ISSN： 0032-5791

年卷期： 2019 年 98 卷 11 期

页码：

收录情况： SCI

摘要： Immunocastration (vaccination against Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH)) has been regarded as a friendly substitution to physical castration in animals. To date, a few studies have reported the use of Improvac for immunocastration in boar and one study in broiler chickens; however, there is an apparent dearth of scientific evidence regarding the application of Improvac for immunocastration in birds. In the present study, we evaluated the effects of Improvac-based immunocastration on testosterone levels and spermatogenesis in broiler chickens and the effects of Improvac on the expression of genes related to testosterone biosynthesis and metabolism as well as spermatogenesis. The birds were randomly divided into 4 groups (n = 30 each): Control group (non-immunized), Early group (immunized with Improvac at week 3), Late group (immunized with Improvac at week 6), and Early + Late group (immunized with Improvac at weeks 3 and 6). Immunization with Improvac significantly improved the average daily gain compared to the Control group. Of note, following Improvac vaccination, the reproductive efficiency was significantly decreased in male broiler chickens. Furthermore, parameters such as the serum testosterone concentration, spermatogenesis, and the expression levels of genes related to testosterone metabolism (Cyp(17)A(1), Cyp(19), HSD3B1, and HSD17B3) and spermatogenesis (Cyclin A(1) and Cyclin A(2)) were significantly reduced in the immunized groups compared to the Control group. Taken together, these findings reveal that immunization against GnRH can be achieved, at least partially, in male broiler chickens. The results of our study also support the hypothesis of using Improvac as an alternative solution to caponization, with considerably improved animal welfare.