Thesis (M.S.)--West Virginia University, 2005. / Title from document title page. Document formatted into pages; contains vii, 101 p. : ill. Includes abstract. Includes bibliographical references.

Ovarian cancer (OvCa) is the most fatal gynecological malignancy, with over 21,290 new cases diagnosed in 2015. The 5 year survival rate for patients diagnosed at Stage IV is 17% in the United States. It has been reported that estrogen (E2) can promote metastasis of ovarian tumor cells through its nuclear receptor (ER). E2 is a potent mitogen and can stimulate the growth and invasion of ovarian cancer cells. We have previously shown that flaxseed diet decreases the severity and incidence of OvCa in hens, the only animal model that develops OvCa spontaneously and the disease is pathologically and histologically similar to the human disease.. While it is well established that the n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids from flaxseed are anti-inflammatory the phytoestrogenic properties of its lignan, secoisolaricirescinol diglucoside (SDG) have not been fully explored. SDG metabolites, enterolactone (ED) and enterodiol (EL) can decrease ER signaling by competing for binding sites with E2, potentially decreasing expression of E2 target genes involved in proliferation and survival. Our goal was to analyze the effect of flaxseed diet on E2 signaling and metabolism in the normal and cancerous ovarian tissues. We hypothesized that due to the phytoestrogenic properties of the flax lignan, flaxseed diet can affect the downstream signaling of ER there by altering the expression of its target genes. In the 3 year old pre-neoplastic hen ovaries, 15% flaxseed supplemented diet was most effective in decreasing the expression of ER and its target genes like IGFBP4, IGFBP5, IRS1 that are a part of the IGF signaling pathway and are also implicated in a significant number of malignancies. Whole flaxseed diet also decreased the expression of the anti-apoptotic protein, BCL2L1 possibly by reducing the activation of the NFkB pathway. Ovarian tumors from 4 year old hens appeared to over-express estrogen receptor along the glandular area of the tumor but not the stroma. In the 3 year old pre-neoplastic hen ovaries, whole flaxseed and its components, defatted flax meal and flax oil decreased AKT2 mRNA expression but did not affect its activation. Another major regulator of intracellular signaling, ERK 1/2 MAPK appeared to be upregulated in tumors from flaxseed fed hens. Whole flaxseed diet was also significant in altering the metabolism of E2. This was suggested by the increased 2-hydroxyestrone/16-hydroxyestrone (2OHE/16OHE) ratio (a marker for reduced risk of cancer), in the serum from normal hens that were fed 15% flaxseed. It was also demonstrated that whole flaxseed and its components led to a significant decrease in CYP1B1 expression, an enzyme frequently upregulated in cancers, in the hen ovarian tumor tissues. Levels of the pro-apoptotic and anti-proliferative metabolite, 2-methoxyestradiol were significantly increased with whole flaxseed diet in the serum from 3 year old (pre-neoplastic hens) as well as 4 year old hens (cancerous and normal hens). These results demonstrated that whole flaxseed had a more significant effect in decreasing the expression of the cancer implicated end-points and increasing the levels of protective metabolites in comparison to either of its components, individually. Mechanistic studies with the in vitro model using the BG1FR ovarian cancer cells indicated that that 2-methoxyestradiol could induced apoptosis with a parallel increase in p38 activation. Since we observe a similar correlation between 2-methoxyestradiol and p38 in vivo, we believe that flaxseed diet maintains an anti-proliferative, anti-inflammatory and pro-apoptotic ovarian microenvironment by increasing 2-methoxyestradiol levels.

No description available.

O presente estudo teve como objetivo avaliar as principais características de desempenho e qualidade interna e externa dos ovos de poedeiras comerciais brancas submetidas ao fracionamento de cálcio da dieta e diferentes granulometrias de calcário calcítico. Foram utilizadas 270 galinhas ISA-Babcock B-300 N de 40 semanas de idade por quatro períodos de 28 dias cada. O delineamento experimental foi o inteiramente casualizado em arranjo fatorial 3x3, com o fatores: fracionamento de cálcio (2 g Ca manhã e 2 g Ca tarde, 1 g Ca manhã e 3 g Ca tarde, e 3 g Ca manhã e 1 g Ca tarde) e granulometrias de calcário calcítico (mista, grossa e fina) totalizando 9 tratamentos com 5 repetições de 6 aves cada. As características de desempenho zootécnico não foram influenciadas pelos tratamentos com exceção do consumo de ração e de cálcio. O fracionamento de cálcio resultou em maior consumo de ração e cálcio no período da manhã para as aves alimentadas com 3 g de Ca neste período do dia. Para o período da tarde, o maior consumo de ração foi observado em aves alimentadas com 3 g de cálcio em comparação à aves alimentadas com 1 e 2 g de cálcio. Não houve diferença significativa quando avaliou-se o consumo de ração total do dia. O fator granulometria do calcário não influenciou nenhum dos parâmetros estudados com exceção da densidade aparente dos ovos. A utilização de calcário calcítico fino resultou em menor densidade dos ovos em comparação ao calcário calcítico misto ou grosso. Conclui-se que a utilização de calcários com granulometria mista ou grossa beneficia a qualidade da casca dos ovos e que a prática de fracionar o oferecimento de cálcio ao longo do dia não se mostrou vantajosa. No entanto, futuras pesquisas são recomendadas envolvendo o fracionamento de outros nutrientes como fósforo, energia e proteína. / This study was carried out to evaluate the performance and internal and external egg qualities of white commercial laying hens fed diets with different calcium levels and limestone particle sizes. Two hundred seventy ISA-Babcock B-300N hens, 40 weeks of age, were used by four – 28 days period. The experimental design was randomly in a 3x3 factorial arrangement: calcium fractionation (2g Ca morning + 2g Ca afternoon, 1g Ca morning + 3g Ca afternoon, 3g Ca morning + 1g Ca afternoon) and limestone particle size (blended, coarse and fine) with a total of nine treatments with five replicates of six hens each. Performance characteristics were not influenced by the treatments, except feed intake and calcium intake. It was observed higher calcium and feed intake for hens fed 3g Ca in the morning. Also, in the afternoon was verified higher calcium and feed intake for hens fed 3g Ca. There was no effect of the treatments on total daily intake. The limestone particle size improved egg specific gravity when blended or coarse particle size was benefical to eggshell quality. The calcium fractionation did not show be adventageous. However, further researches are indicate to evaluate other nutrients fractionation as phosphorus, energy, and protein.

This thesis considers the narratives of eight M ori chook keepers from the Waikato rohe, Aotearoa. The Waikato rohe has been selected due to its significant history of M ori horticultural and agricultural practises, including chook keeping. I build on the growing corpus of m tauranga about indigenous studies. Using a postcolonial, feminist and Kaupapa M ori theoretical framework, I undertook five semi-structured interviews and one focus r p with M ori kaum tua. This thesis does not attempt to represent all M ori. There may be considerable difference between wh nau, hap and iwi practices. However, the rangahau provides insights into the views of eight individuals and their experiences with chooks. I have also utilised Country Calendar (1970; 1977a; 1977b and 1980) episodes and children's pukapuka such as Nanny Mihi's Garden (Drewery 2002) for the purposes of discourse analysis. By listening to these stories, kaupapa including race, class and ethnicity emerge that affect the participants' everyday lives as chook keepers. The participants view chooks in a variety of ways. First, as a means of food production. By integrating chooks into their communities, the participants are able to provide a nutritious and low-cost kai source for themselves and their wh nau. This attempts to at least in part address their poverty problems. Second, as a hybridised P keh and M ori kararehe. Third, as hysterical, comical, silly and helpless. I explore these issues within the broader context of colonial, neocolonial and anticolonial practices.

No description available.

O presente estudo teve como objetivo avaliar as principais características de desempenho e qualidade interna e externa dos ovos de poedeiras comerciais brancas submetidas ao fracionamento de cálcio da dieta e diferentes granulometrias de calcário calcítico. Foram utilizadas 270 galinhas ISA-Babcock B-300 N de 40 semanas de idade por quatro períodos de 28 dias cada. O delineamento experimental foi o inteiramente casualizado em arranjo fatorial 3x3, com o fatores: fracionamento de cálcio (2 g Ca manhã e 2 g Ca tarde, 1 g Ca manhã e 3 g Ca tarde, e 3 g Ca manhã e 1 g Ca tarde) e granulometrias de calcário calcítico (mista, grossa e fina) totalizando 9 tratamentos com 5 repetições de 6 aves cada. As características de desempenho zootécnico não foram influenciadas pelos tratamentos com exceção do consumo de ração e de cálcio. O fracionamento de cálcio resultou em maior consumo de ração e cálcio no período da manhã para as aves alimentadas com 3 g de Ca neste período do dia. Para o período da tarde, o maior consumo de ração foi observado em aves alimentadas com 3 g de cálcio em comparação à aves alimentadas com 1 e 2 g de cálcio. Não houve diferença significativa quando avaliou-se o consumo de ração total do dia. O fator granulometria do calcário não influenciou nenhum dos parâmetros estudados com exceção da densidade aparente dos ovos. A utilização de calcário calcítico fino resultou em menor densidade dos ovos em comparação ao calcário calcítico misto ou grosso. Conclui-se que a utilização de calcários com granulometria mista ou grossa beneficia a qualidade da casca dos ovos e que a prática de fracionar o oferecimento de cálcio ao longo do dia não se mostrou vantajosa. No entanto, futuras pesquisas são recomendadas envolvendo o fracionamento de outros nutrientes como fósforo, energia e proteína. / This study was carried out to evaluate the performance and internal and external egg qualities of white commercial laying hens fed diets with different calcium levels and limestone particle sizes. Two hundred seventy ISA-Babcock B-300N hens, 40 weeks of age, were used by four – 28 days period. The experimental design was randomly in a 3x3 factorial arrangement: calcium fractionation (2g Ca morning + 2g Ca afternoon, 1g Ca morning + 3g Ca afternoon, 3g Ca morning + 1g Ca afternoon) and limestone particle size (blended, coarse and fine) with a total of nine treatments with five replicates of six hens each. Performance characteristics were not influenced by the treatments, except feed intake and calcium intake. It was observed higher calcium and feed intake for hens fed 3g Ca in the morning. Also, in the afternoon was verified higher calcium and feed intake for hens fed 3g Ca. There was no effect of the treatments on total daily intake. The limestone particle size improved egg specific gravity when blended or coarse particle size was benefical to eggshell quality. The calcium fractionation did not show be adventageous. However, further researches are indicate to evaluate other nutrients fractionation as phosphorus, energy, and protein.

Molting is a natural occurrence in the Avian species that can include a period of fasting. Animal rights groups view the longepted standard industry practice as inhumane. Based on influences from these groups and the recommendation of its scientific committee, United Egg Producers (UEP) requires members of its Animal Care Certified Program use a noneed withdrawal molting program, even though the morphological and physiological effects of this method have not been studied in depth and the existing literature provides contradictory results. Research regarding how to induce a noneed withdrawal molt has been performed using feed that is nutrient deficient or contains an additive to cease egg production. Studies have shown subsequent egg production to be comparable to hens molted using feed withdrawal. This study was designed to determine the morphological and physiological changes that occur in a noneed withdrawal molt. Two hundred hens divided into 40 groups of 3 birds each were molted in a staggered pattern so that the morphological and physiological effects of noneed withdrawal molt could be measured with identical environmental and housing variables. Data was divided into 5 sections including Control (n=5), Start (n=7), Mid-Molt (n-7), Near End (n=7), and Over (n=15). Internal organs were examined and measured. Corticosterone levels were measured to determine if noneed withdrawal molting causes less stress to hens. Pertinent blood parameters including cholesterol, glucose, O2, CO2, hemoglobin, and hematocrit were also measured. Results indicate internal organ weight changes due to noneed withdrawal molt were as expected. Decreases in the oviduct length, ovary weight, follicle weight, and follicle number indicate regression of the reproductive tract. No differences (P<0.05) were observed in corticosterone levels, suggesting that a noneed withdrawal molt does not increase stress in laying hens.

No description available.

Direct-fed microbials (DFM) are a method to increase bird performance and health when antibiotics are removed or limited in the diet. The objective of this experiment was to determine the effects of a single strain Bacillus subtilis DFM on pullet performance, layer performance, and egg quality when fed from day of hatch until 70 weeks of age. In total, 576 Hy-Line W-36 laying hen pullets were randomly divided between two treatments (Control and DFM) on day of hatch across 12 cages for each of the treatments and maintained on those respective treatments for 70-weeks. The DFM was added at a target dose of 300,000 cfu/kg of feed. At the end of the 17-week pullet phase, DFM fed pullets resulted in reduced feed intake, improved FCRm with both similar body weights (P = 0.98) and body composition (P > 0.05) to the control fed pullets. At 17 weeks, 72 birds were randomly selected from each treatment and moved to 12 laying hen cages. At the end of the 52-week laying hen phase, DFM-fed hens had significantly higher hen-day egg production (P = 0.02), but decreased egg weights. No differences were reported in egg mass or feed intake, but FCR was significantly improved (P = 0.02) on a per dozen eggs basis, and improved (P = 0.06) on a g/g basis by 7.1 points with DFM-fed hens having an FCR of 2.016 and control fed hens having and FCR of 2.087. Supplementation of diets with DFM resulted in a trend in egg specific gravity, but no differences were reported in shell breaking strength or shell weight. Overall, supplementation of the DFM lowered feed intake and improved FCR without affecting body composition in the pullet phase, and increased production and improved FCR during the egg laying phase. / Master of Science / Due to the decreased use of antibiotics across the poultry industry, producers and allied companies are developing new methods to increase bird health and performance when antibiotics are removed from or limited in the diet. One such method is through the use of "good" bacteria or technically called Direct-Fed Microbials (DFM). Direct-fed microbials are defined as live microorganisms that when fed, confer a health benefit to the host. The goals of this thesis were to determine the effects of a Bacillus subtilis based DFM on pullet performance, laying hen performance, and egg quality when fed from day of hatch until 70 weeks of age. In the pullet phase, DFM-fed pullets had reduced feed intake and improved feed conversion ratio (the ratio of feed intake to body weight gain), with no differences in body weights or body composition at the end of the 17-week growth period. In the laying phase, DFM fed hens had significantly improved egg production, but lighter eggs compared to the control fed hens. Addition of the DFM significantly improved feed conversion ratio per dozen eggs by 5.3 points and reduced feed conversion ratio on a g/g basis by 7.1 points in the 52-week laying phase. Small improvements were noted in specific gravity, but no differences were reported in shell weight or shell breaking strength. When fed from day of hatch until 70 weeks of age, the Bacillus subtilis DFM allowed the pullets to reduce their feed intake, but maintain body development for egg production resulting in an improved feed conversion ratio (FCR) in the growth phase before egg production and once hens initiated egg production resulted in smaller eggs, but increased egg production and FCR in laying hens with minimal differences in egg quality. Therefore, the DFM may be able to be used in place of growth promoting antibiotics to help support efficient protein production.