Hostname: page-component-cd9895bd7-8ctnn Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-25T23:06:22.108Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

The effect of age and castration on the growth rate, blood lipid profile, liver histology and feed conversion in Green-legged Partridge cockerels and capons

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  15 November 2016

M. Zawacka ,
D. Murawska  and
M. Gesek
M. Zawacka
Affiliation:
Department of Commodity Science and Animal Improvement, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Oczapowskiego 5, 10-719 Olsztyn, Poland
D. Murawska*
Affiliation:
Department of Commodity Science and Animal Improvement, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Oczapowskiego 5, 10-719 Olsztyn, Poland
M. Gesek
Affiliation:
Department of Pathological Anatomy, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Oczapowskiego 13, 10-719 Olsztyn, Poland
*
†E-mail: [email protected]
Get access

Abstract

The surgical castration of male chickens induces hormonal changes, which permanently influence metabolic processes in birds. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of age and castration on the growth rate, feed conversion, lipid profile and histopathological changes in the livers of cockerels and capons. The experimental materials comprised male chickens of the Green-legged Partridge breed (old traditional Polish chicken breed), raised to 28 weeks of age. At 8 weeks of age, 100 birds were castrated. Caponization had a significant effect on the plasma concentrations of total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and triacylglycerols (P<0.05). Fatty degeneration and lymphoid cell infiltration were observed more frequently in the livers of capons than cockerels. Capon carcasses were characterized by increased deposition of abdominal and subcutaneous fat (P<0.05). Total meat weight in the carcasses of cockerels and capons was similar, but the proportions of muscles were different. From 20 weeks of age, the weight of breast muscles was higher, and the weight of leg muscles was lower in capons than in cockerels (P<0.05). Capons were characterized by higher liver weight, higher gizzard weight and lower heart weight than cockerels (P<0.05). The feed conversion ratio (kg/kg BW) was similar in intact cockerels and capons. The values of carcass quality parameters and feed conversion ratio as well as histopathological changes in the liver indicate that Green-legged Partridge capons should be slaughtered at 20 to 24 weeks of age.

Keywords

caponscarcass tissue compositionliverhistopathological changesfeed conversion
Type
Research Article
Information
animal , Volume 11 , Issue 6 , June 2017 , pp. 1017 - 1026
Copyright
© The Animal Consortium 2016 

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Adamski, M, Kuźnicka, J, Banaszak, M and Wegner, M 2016. The analysis of meat of Sussex cockerels and capons (S11) at different ages. Poultry Science 95, 125–152.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Amorim, A, Rodrigues, S, Pereira, E, Valentim, R and Teixeira, A 2016. Effect of caponisation on physicochemical and sensory characteristics of chickens. Animal 10, 978–986.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Bruijnis, MRN, Blok, V, Stassen, EN and Gremmen, HGJ 2015. Moral ‘Lock-In’ in responsible innovation: the ethical and social aspects of killing day-old chicks and its alternatives. Journal of Agricultural and Environmental Ethics 28, 939–960.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Calik, J, Połtowicz, K, Świątkiewicz, S, Krawczyk, J and Nowak, J 2015. Effect of caponization on meat quality of Greenleg Partridge cockerels. Annals of Animal Science 15, 541–553.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Chen, KL, Chen, TT, Lin, KJ and Chiou, PWS 2007a. The effects of caponization age on muscle characteristics in male chicken. Asian-Australian Journal of Animal Science 11, 1684–1688.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Chen, KL, Chi, WT, Chu, C, Chen, RS and Chiou, PWS 2007b. Effect of caponization and testosterone implantation on hepatic lipids and lipogenic enzymes in male chickens. Poultry Science 86, 1754–1759.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Chen, KL, Hsieh, TY and Chiou, PWS 2006. Caponization effects on growth performance and lipid metabolism in Taiwan country chicken cockerels. Asian-Australian Journal of Animal Science 19, 438–443.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Chen, SY, Li, TY, Tsai, ChH, Lo, DY and Chen, KL 2014. Gender, caponization and exogenous estrogen effects on lipids, bone and blood characteristics in Taiwan country chickens. Animal Science Journal 85, 305–312.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Díaz, O, Rodríguez, L, Torres, A and Cobos, A 2010. Chemical composition and physico-chemical properties of meat from capons as affected by breed and age. Spanish Journal of Agricultural Research 8, 91–99.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Duran, AM 2004. The effect of caponization on production indices and carcass and meat characteristics in free-range Extremeña Azul chickens. Spanish Journal of Agricultural Research 2, 211–216.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Essien, A, Akpet, SO, Ukorebi, BA, Orok, EE, Akinola, LAF, Ayuk, EA and Adejumo, DO 2012. Growth and agonistic responses of Yaffa Breed Cockerels administered testosterone propionate. Journal of Biology, Agriculture and Healthcare 2, 8–14.Google Scholar
Friedewald, WT, Levy, RI and Fredrickson, DS 1972. Estimation of the concentration of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol in plasma without use of preparative ultracentrifuge. Clinical Chemistry 18, 499–502.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Gesek, M, Szarek, J, Otrocka-Domagała, I, Babińska, I, Paździor, K, Szweda, M, Andrzejewska, A and Szynaka, B 2013. Morphological pattern of the livers of different lines of broiler chickens during rearing. Veterinarni Medicina 58, 16–24.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Gesek, M, Szarek, J, Szweda, M and Babińska, I 2010. Comparative pathomorphological pattern of the liver in broiler chickens of two breeding lines. Journal of Comparative Pathology 143, 343.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Gesek, M, Zawacka, M, Murawska, D, Charuta, A, Mika, M and Otrocka-Domagała, I 2015. Morphological image of selected skeletal muscles of Green legged partridge roosters and capons. XXVII International Poultry Symposium PB WPSA Science for Poultry Practice – Poultry Practice for Science, 14–16 September 2015 Bydgoszcz, Poland, pp 114–115.Google Scholar
Guo, X, Nan, H, Shi, D, Zhou, J, Wan, Y, Zhou, B, Geng, Z, Chen, X and Jiang, R 2015. Effects of caponization on growth, carcass, and meat characteristics and the mRNA expression of genes related to lipid metabolism in roosters of a Chinese indigenous breed. Czech Journal of Animal Science 60, 327–333.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Hsu, JC and Lin, CY 2003. Influence of caponization on the carcass characteristics in Taiwan country chicken cockerels. Asian-Australian Journal of Animal Science 16, 575–580.Google Scholar
Kargulewicz, A, Stankowiak-Kulpa, H and Grzymisławski, M 2010. Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease-etiopathogenesis, epidemiology, treatment. Nowiny Lekarskie 79, 410–418.Google Scholar
Kwiecień, M, Kasperek, K and Grela, E 2015. Effect of caponization on the production performance, slaughter yield and fatty acid profile of muscles of Greenleg Partridge cocks. Journal of Food Science and Food Technology 52, 7227–7235.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Lieberman, M and Marks, AD 2009. Integration of carbohydrate and lipid metabolism. In Mark’s Basic Medical Biochemistry A Clinical Aproach, 3rd edition, pp. 685–689. London, Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. ISBN: 078177022X, 9780781770224.Google Scholar
Lin, CY and Hsu, JC 2003. Comparison of some selected growth, physiological and bone characteristics of capon, slip and intact birds in Taiwan Country Chicken Cockerels. Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Science 1, 50–56.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Mahmud, M, Shaba, P, Gana, J, Yisa, H and Ndagimba, R 2013. Effects of surgical caponisation on growth, carcass and some haematological parameters in cockerel chickens. Sokoto Journal of Veterinary Sciences 11, 57–62.Google Scholar
Mas, N, Šerman, V, Horvat, Ž, Strakova, E, Valpotić, H, Mikulec, Ž, Mašek, T, Suchy, P and Vince, S 2013. Use of brewer’s yeast in feeding capons. Veterinarski Arhiv 83, 245–252.Google Scholar
Mašek, T, Severin, K, Gottstein, Ž, Filipović, N, Stojević, Z and Mikulec, Ž 2013. Effects of early castration on production performance, serum lipids, fatty acid profile and desaturation indexes in male chicken broilers fed a diet with increased fat content. Veterinarski Arhiv 83, 233–243.Google Scholar
Mašek, T, Severin, K, Kos, J, Janicki, Z, Filipović, N, Kozacinski, L, Cvrtila, Ž and Dzaka, P 2010. Blood lipids and fatty acid composition of abdominal fat in castrated and intact male common pheasant (Colchicus colchicus). Italian Journal of Animal Science 9, e78.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Miguel, JA, Ciria, J, Asenjo, B and Calvo, JL 2008. Effect of caponisation on growth and on carcass and meat characteristics in Castellana Negra native Spanish chickens. Animal 2, 305–311.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Rahman, MM, Islam, MA, Ali, MY, Khondaker, MEA and Hossain, MM 2004. Effect of caponisation on body weight, hematological traits and blood cholesterol concentration of Nara chicken. International Journal of Poultry Science 3, 284–286.Google Scholar
Rikimaru, K, Shiji, O, Komastu, M and Ishizuka, J 2009. Effects of caponization on meat quality of Hinai-jidori chicken. The Journal of Poultry Science 46, 345–350.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Rikimaru, K, Takahashi, H and Nicholas, MA 2011. An efficient method of early caponization in slow-growing meat-type chickens. Poultry Science 90, 1852–1857.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Shao, Y, Wu, C, Li, J and Zhao, C 2009. The effects of different caponization age on growth performance and blood parameters in male Tibetan chicken. Asian Journal of Animal and Veterinary Advances 4, 228–236.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Symeon, GK, Charismiadou, M, Mantis, F, Bizelis, I, Kominakis, A and Rogdakis, E 2013. Effects of caponization on fat metabolism-related biochemical characteristics of broilers. Journal of Animal Physiology and Animal Nutrition 97, 162–169.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Symeon, GK, Mantis, F, Bizelis, I, Kominakis, A and Rogdakis, E 2010. Effects of caponization on growth performance, carcass composition and meat quality of medium growth broilers. Poultry Science 89, 1481–1489.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Symeon, GK, Mantis, F, Bizelis, I, Kominakis, A and Rogdakis, E 2012. Effects of caponization on growth performance, carcass composition and meat quality of males of a layer line. Animal 6, 2023–2030.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Tor, M, Estany, J, Villalba, D, Molina, E and Cubilo, D 2002. Comparison of carcass composition by parts and tissues between cocks and capons. Animal Research 51, 421–431.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Zawacka, M, Murawska, D and Michalik, D 2014. Selected Slaughter Traits of Zielononóżka Kuropatwiana and Rhode Island Red Capons. XXVI International Poultry Symposium PB WPSA, 8–10 September 2014. Kazimierz Dolny nad Wisłą, Poland, pp. 152–153.Google Scholar
Zuk, M and Johnsen, TS 2000. Social environment and immunity in male red jungle fowl. Behavioral Ecology 11, 146–153.CrossRefGoogle Scholar