Nutrient requirements of poultry

An exponential relation exists between standard energy metabolism and body weight in organisms that is described by the generalized equation: Metabolic Rate = a (Body Weight) b (a) where a and b are empirically derived constants. This equation can be rewritten in the more convenient logarithmic form: log Metabolic Rate = log a + b log Body Weight (b) recognizable as a mathematical expression of a straight line. Hemmingsen (1950, 1960) has reviewed the relation of energy metabolism to body size in all organisms, and argues that a b-value of 0.75 best describes the existing data for unicellular organisms, plants, poikilothermal and homeothermal animals. However, the observed limits of b are 0.63-1.0 among individual groups (Zeuthen, 1953, and others). Despite recent increased interest in avian bioenergetics, a definitive statement concerning the relationship between metabolic rate and body weight in birds has been lacking. Several formulas for this relationship have been presented. Brody and Proctor (1932) fitted the following equation to data on avian body weight and metabolism: log M = log 89 + 0.64 log W (c) where M is in kcal/day and W is in kilograms. This expression, in which the regression coefficient (b) of 0.64 differs markedly from those obtained from mammals (0.73-0.76) by Brody and Proctor (1932), Kleiber (1932, 1947), Benedict (1938), and Brody (1945), has been generally accepted for birds until recently. King and Farner (1961) have commented that “on theoretical grounds there seems to be no reason to believe a priori that the relationship of metabolic rate and body weight should be very different in the homoiotherm classes.” With many more metabolic values than were available previously, King and Farner re-analyzed the relationship, using more rigorous criteria for including data in their computations. They obtained the following equation: log M = log 74.3 + 0.744 log W * 0.074. (d) King and Farner believe that this equation is superior to that of Brody and Proctor (1932) in predicting the metabolic rates of birds weighing more than 0.1 kg. However, they concluded that it does not adequately portray the metabolism-weight relationship for smaller birds. Equation (d) is statistically indistinguishable from Kleiber’s (1947) equation for mammals, and it is therefore doubtful that the metabolism-weight relationship for birds weighing more than 0.1 kg really differs from that in mammals. King and Farner (1961) discuss the possibility that the avian relationship may be curvilinear in the lower ranges of body weight, since small birds have higher metabolic rates than predicted by their equation. Virtually all of the small birds (< 0.1 kg) are passerines, whereas all but two of the species weighing more than 0.1 kg belong to other orders. Dawson and Lasiewski have suggested (see Lasiewski, 1963 ; Lasiewski et al., 1964) that passerines as a group show the same weight-regression coefficient as nonpasserines, but have a higher metabolism per unit weight than nonpasserines of comparable size. Documentation of this suggestion required additional data on large passerines and small nonpasserines. Now that these are available, it is

A Re-Examination of the Relation between Standard Metabolic Rate and Body Weight in Birds

This report is an overview of the current state of the science relative to environmental endocrine disruption in humans, laboratory testing, and wildlife species. Background information is presented on the field of endocrinology, the nature of hormones, and potential sites for endocrine disruption, with specific examples of chemicals affecting these sites. An attempt is made to present objectively the issue of endocrine disruption, consider working hypotheses, offer opposing viewpoints, analyze the available information, and provide a reasonable assessment of the problem. Emphasis is placed on disruption of central nervous system--pituitary integration of hormonal and sexual behavioral activity, female and male reproductive system development and function, and thyroid function. In addition, the potential role of environmental endocrine disruption in the induction of breast, testicular, and prostate cancers, as well as endometriosis, is evaluated. The interrelationship of the endocrine and immune system is documented. With respect to endocrine-related ecological effects, specific case examples from the peer-reviewed literature of marine invertebrates and representatives of the five classes of vertebrates are presented and discussed. The report identifies some data gaps in our understanding of the environmental endocrine disruption issue and recommends a few research needs. Finally, the report states the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Science Policy Council's interim position on endocrine disruption and lists some of the ongoing activities to deal with this matter.

Environmental endocrine disruption: an effects assessment and analysis.

The right ovary and oviduct are present in embryonic stages of all birds, but the distribution of primordial germ cells to the ovaries of the chicken becomes asymmetrical by day 4 of incubation, and by day 10 regression of the right oviduct begins. The reproductive system of birds (Galliformes) consists of a single left ovary and its oviduct, although on occasion a functional right ovary and oviduct may be present. Among the falconiformes and in the brown kiwi, both left and right gonads and associated oviducts are commonly functional, although the ovaries may be asymmetrical in size; in sparrows and pigeons, about 5% of specimens have two developed ovaries (see Romanoff and Romanoff, 1949; Kinsky, 1971).

Reproduction in the Female

Wilbor O. Wilson

Papers

Evaluation of Coturnix (Japanese Quail) as Pilot Animal for Poultry

Extraocular Modification of Photoreception in Intact and Pinealectomized Coturnix

The Cloacal Gland—an External Indicator of Testicular Development in Coturnix

Effect of Wave Length of Light on Growth and Reproduction in Japanese Quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica)

Some Effects of Increasing Environmental Temperatures on Pullets