Incorporation of full-fat flaxseed, and to a lesser extent, canola seed in diets to produce n-3-enriched products has attracted interest in the poultry industry. However, high amounts of nonstarch polysaccharides (NSP) in oilseeds compromise their nutritive value. The objectives of the current research were to develop enzyme supplements effective in cell wall depolymerization and viscosity reduction, particularly in flaxseed; to evaluate the effects of enzyme addition and feed processing on oil utilization and egg n-3 fatty acid deposition in broiler chickens and laying hens fed oilseed-containing diets; to characterize the NSP hydrolysis products and to investigate the effects of diet type and enzyme addition on growth performance and the incidence of necrotic enteritis (NE) in broiler chickens challenged with Clostridium perfringens. Results showed that diets containing high levels of flaxseed reduced egg production and shell quality in laying hens, and impaired final body weight and feed conversion ratio (FCR) in broiler chickens. Reducing flaxseed particle size via grinding did not improve the growth performance of broiler chickens, whereas diet pelleting showed more pronounced and beneficial effects in improving the nutritive value of flaxseed, particularly when intact seeds were used. Multicarbohydrase supplementation resulted in a significant depolymerization of cell wall polysaccharides in soybean, canola and flaxseed meals, which was followed by the production of water-soluble NSP hydrolysis products, and the reduction of flax mucilage viscosity in vitro was also evident. Enzyme addition to flaxseed-containing diets improved FCR of broiler chickens and egg production performance of laying hens, and facilitated egg n-3 fatty acid deposition. The C. perfringens challenge caused intestinal NE lesions and increased the mortality of broiler chickens with the highest NE mortality and intestinal C. perfringens counts observed in those fed flaxseed-containing diets. Enzyme supplementation to diets containing high levels of water-soluble NSP (wheat/barley- or wheat/barley/flaxseed-based) facilitated post-disease compensatory growth in pathogen challenged birds. This was accompanied by a numerical reduction of intestinal C. perfringens by 1.4 log10 cfu/g in birds fed the flaxseed-containing diets. Such findings indicated that enzyme addition may be used as a nutritional strategy to reduce the risk of NE development in broiler chickens.

Darbo tikslas: Išanalizuoti lesalų, praturtintų saulėgrąžų, rapsų ir sėmenų aliejais, įtaką vištų dedeklių produktyvumui ir kiaušinių kokybei. Darbo uždaviniai: 1. Įvertinti saulėgrąžų, rapsų ir sėmenų aliejų riebalų rūgščių sudėtį; 2. Išanalizuoti lesalų, praturtintų saulėgrąžų, rapsų ir sėmenų aliejais, įtaką vištų dedeklių produktyvumui; 3. Išanalizuoti lesalų, praturtintų saulėgrąžų, rapsų ir sėmenų aliejais, įtaką vištų dedeklių kiaušinių kokybei. Tyrimo metodika. Lesinimo bandymas atliktas su 30 savaičių amžiaus Lohmann Brown linijų derinio 30 vnt. dėsliosiomis vištomis, suskirstytomis į 3 grupes (kiekvienoje po 10 vištų). I grupės dėsliosios vištos buvo lesinamos lesalais su 4,5 proc. saulėgrąžų aliejaus priedu, II grupės su 4,5 proc. rapsų aliejaus, o III grupės su 4,5 proc. Visų grupių lesalų energetinė vertė buvo vienoda. sėmenų aliejaus priedu. Bandymo metu dėsliosios vištos laikytos individualiuose narveliuose su stacionariomis lesalinėmis bei girdytuvėmis, vienodomis lesinimo ir laikymo sąlygomis. Paukščiai lesinti granuliuotais kombinuotaisiais lesalais po 125 g per parą. Kiekvieną dieną skaičiuoti ir sverti visi kiaušiniai, paskaičiuotas vištų dėjimo intensyvumas. Kas 14 dienų nustatytas individualus vištų kūno svoris, sverti lesalų likučiai ir apskaičiuotos lesalų sąnaudos 1 kg kiaušinių masės pagaminti. Bandymo pabaigoje buvo tiriami šie parametrai: nustatomi riebalų rūgščių, cholesterolio, malondialdehido kiekiai kiaušinių tryniuose. Taip pat nustatytos... [toliau žr. visą tekstą] / Aim of master thesis: To analyze the feed, enriched with sunflower, canola and flaxseed oils influence on productivity of laying hens and egg quality. Objectives are: 1. To evaluate a nutritional value of sunflower, rapeseed and flaxseed oils; 2. To analyze influence of compound feed, enriched with sunflower, rapeseed and flaxseed oils, on productivity of laying hens; 3. To analyze influence of compound feed, enriched with sunflower, rapeseed and flaxseed oils, on laying hens egg quality. Methods: A test of feeding was performed on thirty 30 weeks old Lohman Brown cross laying hens which were divided into 3 groups (each of 10 hens). Laying hens of a group I were fed feeds containing 4,5 % sunflower oil, group II – 4,5 % rapeseed oil, group III – 4,5 % flaxseed oil. All diets were isocaloric. During the test laying hens were held in individual cages with stationary trough feeders and waterers on equal feeding and keeping conditions. Laying hens were fed with compounds feeds of 125 g per day. All the eggs were counted and weighted daily including the calculations of egg laying intensity. The following actions were performed every 14 days: identification of individual hen body weight, weighting of feed residue and calculation of feed required for production of 1 kg egg mass. At the end of the test these parameters were investigated: determination of fatty acids, cholesterol and malondialdehyde quantities in the yolk of eggs. Also, egg sensory and texture properties of fresh... [to full text]

Šiais laikais nemažas dėmesys atkreipiamas į paukščių laikymo sąlygas ir jų lesalų kokybę. Siekiant pagerinti vištų imunines savybes, jų produktyvumą bei produkto rodiklius, kasmet atliekami tyrimai, įterpiant į lesalus įvairius priedus. Todėl mano darbo tikslas ištirti antioksidantų likopeno ir santokvino įtaką dėsliųjų vištų produktyvumui ir kiaušinių kokybei, naudojant jų lesaluose rapsų aliejų. Siekiant darbo tikslo įgyvendinimo iškelti šie uždaviniai: 1. Nustatyti antioksidantų likopeno ir santokvino įtaką vištų dedeklių dėslumui, lesalų sąnaudoms ir išsaugojimui, naudojant jų lesaluose rapsų aliejų. 2. Nustatyti antioksidantų likopeno ir santokvino įtaką kiaušinių kokybiniams parametrams, naudojant jų lesaluose rapsų aliejų. 3. Nustatyti antioksidantų likopeno ir santokvino įtaką jusliniams kiaušinių rodikliams, naudojant jų lesaluose rapsų aliejų. Išvados: 1. Vištų kūno masė atitiko linijų derinio Lohmann Brown auginimo rekomendacijas. 2. Antioksidantų likopeno ir santokvino įtakoje vidutinis kiaušinių svoris per visą bandymo laikotarpį tik II tiriamojoje grupėje buvo 3 proc., didesnis, lyginant su kontroline grupe (p>0,05). 3. Per visą laikotarpį tiek I tiriamojoje tiek ir II tiriamojoje grupėse kiaušinių skaičius buvo 10 ir 6 proc., o dėjimo intensyvumas buvo 11 ir 4 proc. mažesnis, lyginant su kontroline grupe (p>0,05). 4. Lesalų sąnaudos 1 kg kiaušinių masės gauti buvo 1 proc. didesnės, o santokvino priedas 2 proc. sumažino lesalų sąnaudas, palyginus su... [toliau žr. visą tekstą] / The objective of the work: to analyse antioxydant lycopene and santoquin influence for laying hens and quality of eggs productivity, using rapeseed oil in the feed. The tasks of work:1. To set antioxydants Lycopene and Santoquin influence for laying hens and quality of eggs productivity, using rapeseed oil in the feed. 2. To set antioxydants Lycopene and Santoquin influence for egg qualitative parameters, using rapeseed oil in the feed. 3. To set and to analyse antioxydants Lycopene and Santoquin influence for sensoring egg parameters, using rapeseed oil in the feed. Methods of the work: research. The test were made by approved methodology. Feeding test was performed on thirty 30 weeks old Lohman Brown cross laying hens, which were divided into 3 groups. Each group consists of 10 hens. Lohman Brown laying hens were feeded with bulky compuonds feeds with addition of rapeseed oil (control group). Laying hens of a group I were fed feeds containing 4 percentage rapeseed oil + lycopene (0.5 g / kg), and group II - 4.5 percentage rapeseed oil + santoquin (0.15 g / kg). During the test laying hens were held in individual cages with stationary trough feeders and waterers on equal feeding and keeping conditions. Laying hens were fed with compounds feeds of 125 g per day. The results of research: According to the influence of antioxidants lycopene and santoquin, to compare with control group, the average of egg weight during the test period was higher in II group of 3 percentage (p> 0... [to full text]

Sveikas žarnynas – vienas pagrindinių veiksnių, pagal kurį reglamentuojamas paukščių efektyvumas ir paukštienos gamybos ekonomika. Žarnyno mikrofloros sudėtis yra svarbi žarnyno sveikatos palaikyme. Maistinės organinės rūgštys ir jų druskos gali slopinti mikroorganizmų augimą maiste, tuo būdu išsaugant mikroorganizmų balansą virškinamajame trakte. Be to, pakeisdamos žarnyno pH, organinės rūgštys taip pat pagerina lesalų sudedamųjų dalių tirpumą, maistinių medžiagų virškinimą ir absorbciją. Tačiau organinių rūgščių panaudojimas vištų mityboje priklauso nuo organinių rūgščių ar jų druskų sudėties, įterpiamo kiekio į lesalus, lesalų gamybos technologinių parametrų, paukščių fiziologinės būklės; duomenys apie minėtų priedų įtaką kiaušinių kokybei yra prieštaringi. Todėl magistrinio darbo tikslas – ištirti organinių rūgščių mišinio Lumance įtaką dėsliųjų vištų kiaušinių kokybei. / Gut health is one of the major factors in regard to the performance of poultry and thus, economics of production. The profile of the intestinal microflora plays an important role in gut health. Dietary organic acids and their salts are able to inhibit microorganism growth in the food, and consequently to preserve the microbial balance in the gastrointestinal tract. In addition, by modifying intestinal pH, organic acids also improve the solubility of the feed ingredients, digestion and absorption of nutrients. However the use of organic acids in poultry diet very depends on composition of organic acids or their salts, used dose in poultry feed, parameters of technology of poultry feed production, poultry physiology; data on use of those additives are very controversial. Therefore the main purpose of final work is to determine the influence of organic acids mixture Lumance on laying hens’ egg quality.

In zwei Legehennenställen mit den Volieresystemen Natura 60 und High Rise 3 wurden Stallklima und Emissionen untersucht. Die ermittelten Kenndaten wie Lufttemperatur und -feuchte, Stallstaub, Luftkeime und Geruch sowohl im Stallraum als auch im Abluftstrom wurden mit vorliegenden Kenndaten anderer Volieresysteme verglichen. Die untersuchten Haltungssysteme unterscheiden sich in den Ammoniakemissionen (88 bzw. 32 g/Tierplatz und Jahr). Die Messwerte liegen am unteren bzw. oberen Rand vergleichbarer Messungen anderer Volieresysteme. Die Untersuchungen belegen, dass häufig durchgeführte Kotbandentleerungen die Emissionen mindern. Die Staubbelastung der Abluft (66 bzw. 47 g/Tierplatz und Jahr) war im Vergleich zu anderen Volieresystemen (146 g/Tierplatz und Jahr) deutlich gemindert. Der Effekt ist konstruktionsbedingt und wird auf die treppenhausartige Anordnung der Volieren und das dadurch veränderte Bewegungsverhalten der Legehennen zurückgeführt. Die Untersuchungsergebnisse lassen einen deutlichen Einfluss der Abluftstromführung erkennen. Die ermittelten Geruchsemissionen (9 bzw. 24 GE/GV*s) sind differenziert und ordnen sich in den bisherigen Kenndatenbereich für Volierenhaltungen ein.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:32:58Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2008-03-12Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T19:22:54Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 denadai_jc_dr_botfmvz.pdf: 327692 bytes, checksum: 619fd10d64a697300791c47d55c4cc4e (MD5) / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) / Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP) / The aim of this study was to trace the inclusion of bovine meat and bones meal (BMBM) in diets of laying hens analyzing eggs and theirs fractions (yolk and albumen), by carbon (δ13C) and nitrogen (δ15N) stable isotopes, as well as to evaluate the detectable analytical minimal index. Two hundred forty (240) Shaver White laying hens aging 73 weeks never fed with animal origin ingredients were randomly distributed in five treatments and fed with a corn and soybean based diet (control) and four increasing levels (0; 1.5; 3.0; 4.5 and 6.0%) of BMBM. At the 35th day, 24 eggs per treatment were randomly collect, twelve for yolk and albumen sampling and twelve for egg (yolk + albumen) sampling. The isotopic results were analyzed in a multivariate analysis of variance. Through an error matrix (95% confidence) the ellipses were determined to identify the differences among the treatments (diets BMBM inclusion) from the control group (0% BMBM group). It was possible to detect BMBM inclusion through the isotopic pair of yolk and egg at 3.0% of inclusion. In the albumen it was possible to detect the 1.5% BMBM inclusion. In summary, the stable isotopes technique is able to trace BMBM in laying hens feed, in the final product at a minimal level of inclusion of 1.5% in the albumen and 3.0% in the egg and yolk.

In accordance with the specification of the thesis I developed a methodology target program and I watched it four identical halls, which have different technology housed laying hens. In this thesis are analyzed indicators lay in the selected poultry company in the South Bohemia for the impact of housing hens, their nutrition and feeding. In the selected company enterprise on the one hand technology is used enriched cages EUROVENT - EU Big Dutchman and on the one hand technology aviary housing system used LIBRA with the Italian company of SKA.

The aim of this thesis was to compare the indicators of egg production of hens which are bred for production of consumable eggs i.e. Hy-Line Brown and Hy-Line White in selected farms. Selected parameters of egg production were evaluated during 12-months-laying cycle. In the selected farm during the monitored period was achieved the intensity of laying 86,8 %, laying at the initial state 26.5 eggs, number of eggs included in first quality class 96.4%, mortality of egg layer 1.06%, consumption of compound feed per 1 egg 130.0 g and consumption of compound feed per 1 feeding day 110.8 g. Hy-Line Brown showed higher intensity of laying (88,0 %, respectively 85,2 %), laying at the initial state 26.7 eggs, respectively 26.1 eggs, lower consumption of compound feed 128.7 g, respectively 133.2 g. Hy-Line White showed a statistically significant higher proportion of eggs included in the first quality (97.3%, respectively 85.4%), statistically significant lower mortality (0.49% and 1.51%) and statistically significantly lower consumption mixtures per 1 egg (100.7, respectively 114.9 g).

Submitted by Nathália Faria da Silva (nathaliafsilva.ufv@gmail.com) on 2017-07-28T13:57:52Z No. of bitstreams: 1 texto completo.PDF: 1092273 bytes, checksum: 61189e2f9ff1c859ecd3bbb9a9959c9a (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-07-28T13:57:52Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 texto completo.PDF: 1092273 bytes, checksum: 61189e2f9ff1c859ecd3bbb9a9959c9a (MD5) Previous issue date: 2002-02-28 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / Um sistema de medição e controle foi desenvolvido para o estudo de respostas fisiológicas de aves sujeitas a mudanças térmicas como meio de alívio de estresse térmico. O sistema faz o controle automático da temperatura (t a,SP ±0,2 oC) e da umidade relativa do ar (RH SP ±2 %); sendo que a velocidade do ar foi controlada manualmente (V SP ±0,1 m· s -1 ); e contínuo armazenamento das termografias (ex., temperatura superficial, t surf ) e da temperatura corporais (t b ) dos animais. As condições térmicas controladas na zona de ocupação animal (AZO) são atingidas pela operação de um pequeno túnel de vento (V = 0 to 1,5 m· s -1 ) colocado no interior de uma sala ambiental com t a e RH controlados (5,0 m comprimento × 3,5 m largura × 3,0 m altura). Os valores desejados de t a e RH foram alcançados por meio de aquecedores e umidificadores controlados em dois estágios via um módulo de controle e medição programável, e periféricos. Termografias (discernabilidade de 0.06°C) são adquiridas com uma camera infravermelho cuja operação é controlada remotamente por um PC. t b (±0.1°C) é armazenado em uma unidade de telemetria, sem a necessidade de intervenção cirurgica, que também é conectado a um PC. Em adição, um sistema de video tem sido usado para observar e arquivar os comportamentos do animal. A instrumentação desenvolvida foi usada em um experimento para ajustar equações empíricas para descrever as necessidades de molhamento parcial da superfície em galinhas poedeiras (Hy-Line W98, com 34 ± 1 semanas) sujeitas a condições de estresse térmico. A água necessária para limitar o aumento da temperatura superficial das galinhas foi expressada em termos de intervalo de aspersão (SI 10 , min) para uma dosagem constante (10 ml· aspersão -1 ) ou para uma taxa de evaporação (ER, ml.min -1 ) de água aspergida. As exposições térmicas consistiram de uma combinação fatorial de 3 temperaturas de bulbo seco (t db ) (35, 38 e 41 °C) x 2 temperaturas de ponto de orvalho (t dp ) (21,1 e 26,7 °C) x 3 velocidades do ar (V) (0,2, 0,7 e 1,2 m· s -1 ). As condições ambientais foram expressas como 18 combinações de déficit de vapor de pressão do ar (VPD air ) x V. ER foi diretamente proporcional ao produto VPD air · V . As relações podem servir como a base para a otimizar o sistema de resfriamento superficial intermitente para alívio de estresse térmico em galinhas criadas em gaiolas. Ademais, um índice de desconforto térmico (TDI) foi derivado com base nas respostas fisiológicas, temperatura superficial (t surf ) e temperatura corporal (t b ), de galinhas sujeitas a exposições térmicas. Com base no aumento da t b aos 50 min de exposição térmica (Δt b,50 ), um TDI foi relacionado ao VPD air e a V da seguinte forma: TDI = -15.17 + 18.62 (t db ) n – 0.92 · (VPD air · V ) n . Usando TDI, quatro zonas de desconforto térmico (segura, alerta, perigo e fatal) foram definidas para as várias combinações de condições térmicas. Um modelo teórico de transferência de calor e massa em regime transiente também foi proposto para predizer Δt b,50 em função das condições ambientais, das condições fisiológicas das aves e do nível de molhamento (β). O modelo proporciona uma ferramenta conveniente e interativa para determinar Δt b,50 nas galinhas submetidas ou não ao molhamento superficial para t db variando de 35 a 38 °C. / A control and measurement system was developed for studying physiological responses of poultry to thermal challenges and means of thermal stress relief. The system features automatic control of air temperature (t a,SP ±0.2 oC) and relative humidity (RH SP ± 2 %); manual setting of air velocity (V SP ± 0.1 m· s -1 ); and continuous recording of thermographs (i.e., core body temperature (t b ) of the animal. surface temperature, t surf ) and The controlled thermal conditions in the animal-occupied zone (AOZ) are achieved through operation of a small wind tunnel (V = 0 to 1.5 m· s -1 ) inside a t a - and RH-controlled environmental room (5 m L × 3.5 m W × 3.0 m H). Target t a and RH values are achieved by controlling auxiliary heaters and humidifiers in two stages via a programmable measurement and control module and peripherals. Thermographs (0.06°C discernability) are acquired with an infrared (IR) imager whose operation is remotely controlled by a PC. Core body temperature (t b , ±0.1°C) is recorded with a surgery-free telemetric sensing unit that is also interfaced with a PC. In addition, a video monitoring system is used to observe and archive animal behaviors. The instrumentation developed was used in an experiment to establish empirical equations to describe the need of partial surface wetting for cooling laying hens (Hy-Line W-98, 34 ±1 wk old) subjected to a range of thermal stress conditions. The thermal exposures consisted of a factorial combination of 3 dry bulb temperatures (t db ) (35, 38 and 41 °C) × 2 dew point temperatures (t dp ) (21.1 and 26.7 ° C) × 3 air velocities (V) (0.2, 0.7 and 1.2 m· s - ). The environmental conditions were expressed as 18 combinations of air vapor pressure deficit (VPD air ) × V. The water necessary to limit hen surface temperature from rising was expressed in terms of sprinkle interval (SI 10 , min) for a constant spray dosage (10 ml· spray -1 ) or evaporation rate (ER, ml· min -1 ) of the sprayed water. ER was directly proportional to VPD air · V . The relationships may serve as the basis for optimizing an intermittent partial surface cooling system for thermal stress relief of caged layers. Also from the study, a thermal discomfort index (TDI) was derived based on physiological responses, surface temperature (t surf ) and core body temperature (t b ) of the control (non-cooled) hens. Based on t b rise after 50 min of thermal exposure (Δt b,50 ), TDI related to VPD air and V as: TDI = -15.17 + 18.62 (t db ) n – 0.92· (VPD air · was V ) n . Using TDI, four zones of thermal discomfort (safe, alert, danger, and fatal) were defined for various combinations of thermal conditions. Furthermore, theoretical transient heat and mass transfer model was proposed to predict Δt b,50 as a function of environmental conditions, physiological responses of the hens and surface wetness level (β). The model provides a convenient, interactive tool for determining Δt b,50 on wetted and non-wetted hens for t db ranging from 35 to 38 °C.

Chronic inflammation has been linked to cancer. Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) is the most pro-inflammatory lipid and one of the downstream products of 2 isoforms of cyclooxygenase (COX) enzymes: COX-1 and COX-2. Although both COX isoforms have similar structure and function, they are encoded by different genes and show distinct expression patterns. COX-1 is expressed in most cells and tissues and remains constant under most physiologic conditions to play a housekeeping role whereas the COX-2 form is inducible and usually only expressed in response to various inflammatory stimuli. COX enzymes may be involved in both tumor establishment and maintenance of existing tumors. PGE2 exerts its effects on target cells by coupling to four subtypes of receptors which have been classified as EP1-4. Ovarian cancer is the most lethal gynecological malignancy and mainly occurs in older women. Prevention may be the best approach to reduce ovarian cancer. Ovarian cancer is the fifth leading cause of cancer death among women and the most lethal gynecological malignancy. There are at least 3 well established risk factors for ovarian cancer: age, family history and environmental factors. Ovarian cancer is mainly seen in older women when their ovaries are not reproductively functional. Close to half of the women with ovarian cancer (48%) are in the age group of 65 or older. Epidemiological and preclinical studies indicate that increased dietary intake of omega-3 fatty acids (OM-3FAs) reduces the incidence and growth of various cancers. Thus, increasing the consumption of OM-3FAs may be a nontoxic way to prevent or suppress ovarian cancer. Flaxseed is the richest vegetable source of omega-3 fatty acids which may be effective in the prevention of ovarian cancer. Fish oil is a source of OM-3FAs which may be effective in prevention of ovarian cancer. The main OM-6FA, Linoleic Acid (LA), is a direct precursor of the Arachidonic Acid (AA). Alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) is the main OM-3FA found in flax oil, whereas eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) are the OM-3FAs in fish oil. ALA is elongated to form EPA and DHA in the intestine. Celecoxib is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID) drug that selectively inhibits COX-2. There are evidences showing that Celecoxib has some anti-cancer properties. Progress in the treatment and prevention of ovarian cancer has been hampered due to the lack of an appropriate animal model and absence of effective chemo-prevention strategies. The domestic hens spontaneously develop ovarian adenocarcinomas that share similar histological appearance and symptoms such as ascites and metastasis with humans. Our first objective was to investigate the effect of flaxseed supplementation for one year on ovarian cancer and correlate its effects to expression of COX enzymes and concentrations of prostaglandins. White Leghorn hens were fed 10% flaxseed-enriched or standard diet for one year. The severity of ovarian cancer was determined by gross pathology and histology. COX-1 and COX-2 localization and protein and mRNA expression and PGE2 and PGE3 concentrations in ovaries were measured by Immunohistochemistry, western blot, quantitative real-time PCR and LC-MS-MS, respectively. The results demonstrated a significant reduction in late stage ovarian tumors in the flaxseed-fed hens compared with the control diet-fed hens. In correlation with decreased ovarian cancer severity, concentrations of PGE2 and expression of COX-2 were diminished in ovaries of flaxseed-fed hens. PGE3 concentrations were below the level of detection. The results demonstrated that in normal ovaries, COX-1 was localized to the granulosa cell layer surrounding the follicles and ovarian surface epithelium (OSE) whereas COX-2 protein was localized to the granulosa cell layer in the follicle. Extensive COX-1 and COX-2 protein expression was found throughout the ovarian carcinoma. Our findings suggest that the flaxseed-mediated reduction in the severity of ovarian cancer in hens is correlated to the reduction in PGE2 in the ovaries of flaxseed-fed hens. Since no effect on ovarian cancer incidence was detected after feeding the 2. 5 year old hens with 10% flaxseed for 1 year, we designed a long-term study using 6 month old hens. Our objectives were: 1) to examine the expression of COX enzymes and PGE2 levels in ovaries and correlate them to ovarian cancer and aging 2) to determine if long-term consumption of a flaxseed enriched diet decreases ovarian cancer severity and incidence in the laying hen and to investigate its potential correlation with the expression of COX enzymes and PGE2 concentration. White Leghorn hens were fed 10% flaxseed-enriched or standard diet for 4 years. The severity and incidence of ovarian cancer were determined by gross pathology and histology. COX-1 and COX-2 protein and mRNA expression and PGE2 concentrations in ovaries were measured by western blot, quantitative real-time PCR and ELISA, respectively. Our results indicated an increase in ovarian cancer incidence and expression of both COX enzymes in ovaries of older hens. In correlation with ovarian cancer incidence and COX enzymes expression, PGE2 concentrations were elevated with age. Ovaries with tumor had elevated COX-1 expression and PGE2 concentration compared to normal ovaries. Our findings suggest that the up-regulation of COX enzymes with age is the main contributing factor in the age associated increase in PGE2. Furthermore, elevated PGE2 in ovaries of hens concomitant with age suggests its important role in early stages of ovarian carcinogenesis. The results demonstrated that there was a reduction in ovarian cancer severity and incidence in hens fed flaxseed diet. In correlation with decreased ovarian cancer severity and incidence, concentration of PGE2 and expression of COX-2 were diminished in ovaries of hens fed flaxseed. Our findings suggest that the lower levels of COX-2 and PGE2 are the main contributing factors in the chemo-suppressive role of long-term flaxseed consumption in ovarian cancer in laying hens. These findings may provide the basis for clinical trials of dietary intervention targeting prostaglandin biosynthesis for the prevention and treatment of ovarian cancer. Based on our previous findings, targeting COX expression and prostaglandin biosynthesis by dietary intervention using OM-3FAs and selective COX inhibitor can be an effective approach to prevent or suppress ovarian cancer. Thus, we conducted a series of studies to assess effect of fish oil, flax oil, Celecoxib, fish oil and Celecoxib combined or flax oil and Celecoxib combined on COX-1 and COX-2 expression, PGE2 concentrations, proliferation and apoptosis in normal and cancerous ovaries of laying hens. This study had not been performed in hens before, thus the first step was to find the optimum doses. In order to do so, we utilized one year old hens, divided them to groups of 6 hens, and fed them different doses of fish oil (50, 100, 175, 375 and 700 mg/kg), flax oil (100, 250, 500, 1000 and 1500 mg/kg) or Celecoxib (35, 65 and 100 mg/kg) for three weeks. The OM3-FAs andomega-6 fatty acids contents of egg yolks were determined by gas chromatography. Proliferation, apoptosis,COX-1, COX-2 and prostaglandin receptor subtype 4 (EP4) protein and mRNA expression and PGE2 concentration in ovaries were measured by PCNA, TUNEL, western blot, quantitative real-time qPCR and ELISA, respectively. The results indicated that 100 mg/kg fish oil was the most effective dose in reducing COX enzymes and PGE2, and increased apoptosis and reduced proliferation in ovaries. The lower doses of fish oil incorporated more OM-3FAs into yolks, reduced OM-6FAs and increased the egg laying frequency but did not affect EP4 expression. Unlike fish oil, the highest dose of flax oil (1500 mg/kg) caused the most significant reduction in COX expression and PGE2 concentration. Celecoxib was not perfectly selective in targeting COX-2, however, treating the hens with 65 mg/kg Celecoxib resulted in the most significant amelioration of PGE2 levels in ovaries. Using the optimum doses of fish oil, flax oil and Celecoxib, we aimed to investigate if these components can alter ovarian cancer end-points in normal and cancerous hen ovaries. There is an adverse relation between ovulation and health of ovaries. Thus, 3-4 year old hens were monitored for egg laying frequency and the hens with the least ovulation rate were selected for health assessment. The hens presenting poor health were scanned using ultrasound and if tumor mass and/or ascites were detected, they were chosen for this study. The hens with normal and cancerous ovaries were divided to groups and were fed fish oil, flax oil, Celecoxib, fish oil and Celecoxib combined, or flax oil and Celecoxib combined for 42 days. The results showed that fish oil and flax oil increased the incorporation of OM-3FAs into egg yolks in both normal and cancerous ovaries of hens. Fish oil reduced COX-1 and COX-2 in normal and cancerous ovaries. Fish oil, flax oil and Celecoxib reduced the COX-2 expression in ovaries. Combination of fish oil and Celecoxib and flax oil and Celecoxib decreased COX and PGE2 more than each of these treatments alone. The cancerous ovaries of hens treated with fish oil, flax oil, Celecoxib, and flax oil and Celecoxib combined increased the percentage of apoptotic cells compared to cancerous ovaries of control hens. The cancerous ovaries of hens treated with fish oil and Celecoxib had the highest number of apoptotic cells indicating that the combination of fish oil and Celecoxib is more effective than fish oil or Celecoxib alone. To our knowledge the present study provides the first insight into the efficacy of fish oil, flax oil, Celecoxib, alone or combined on the reduction of COX enzyme expression, PGE2 concentration and apoptosis in the normal and cancerous ovaries and further demonstrates the utility of the hen model for ovarian cancer. Our studies provided new insight into the potential mechanism of action of flaxseed, fish oil, flax oil and Celecoxib in the reduction of ovarian cancer and will establish the foundation for clinical trials to test the efficacy of dietary intervention for the prevention and suppression of ovarian cancer in women.