Single fluff-spray application of mother hen uropygial secretion analogue positively influences bursa of Fabricius development and the heterophil-to-lymphocyte ratio in ROSS 308 chicks

Abstract

Stress is an important cause of illness and mortality in chick production. Stressors such as manipulation, absence of maternal care, transport, and housing can lead to welfare issues, immunodepression, and decreased productivity. The mother hen uropygial secretion analogue ( MHUSA ), a synthetic analog of a maternal semiochemical secretion, has been proven to protect chicks and broilers against stress, significantly reducing the heterophil-to-lymphocyte ratio. The aim of the present study was to test the effects of the MHUSA on chicks' stress when single-sprayed on their fluff at the age of 1 d. Two-hundred eighty ROSS 308 chicks were included in the study. At day 1, each chick received a spray of 200 μL of a 2% MHUSA aqueous solution (140 chicks) or the same amount of the excipient (control group, 140 chicks), and then chicks were housed in 2 separate rooms. To assess the persistence of the MHUSA after this single application, fluff was sampled from 10 chicks every day for 7 d and at day 13 and 19, weighed, placed in dichloromethane, and analyzed by gas chromatography. Blood smears and the bursa of Fabricius were collected every 3 d from 10 chicks of each group for 36 d to assess the heterophil-to-lymphocyte ratio and the bursa weight–to–BW ratio, respectively. Gas chromatography analysis showed that the MHUSA was present on chick fluff until day 5. The statistical analysis revealed that the heterophil-to-lymphocyte ratio was lower in the MHUSA group at day 4, 7, and 9 ( P < 0.0001 for day 4 and 7; P = 0.0377 for day 9). The bursa weight–to–BW ratio was significantly higher in the MHUSA group than in the control group from day 4 until day 29. These results confirm the beneficial effects of the MHUSA on chicks' adaptation to the new environment and on bursa of Fabricius development, suggesting its potential role in improving chicks' immune response.

Effect of wither application of an analogue of pig appeasing pheromone on encounters between unfamiliar mini-pigs

“…A synthetic analogue of pig appeasing pheromone is available on the market and is commonly used by farmers in the pig industry [44]. The application of appeasing pheromones as pheromonotherapy simplifies treatment for anxiety and phobia-related issues in various species, such as dogs, cats [45][46][47], rabbits [43,48], and horses [49,50], reduces aggression among cats [51] and among dogs [52], and increases the welfare and performance of dairy cattle [53,54], beef cattle [55][56][57], and chicks [58], among others.…”

Cutaneous application of SecurePig® FLASH, a Pig appeasing pheromone analogue, facilitates adaptation and manages social behavior during feeding in semi-extensive conditions

“…Similarly, in horses, the use of an equine appeasing pheromone can be used to help horses better cope with a stressful situation or a learning task [ 23 , 24 ]. In farm animals, the use of pheromonotherapy has been reviewed [ 25 ], and its use is known to improve animal welfare but also production parameters in rabbits [ 26 ] and chickens [ 27 – 29 ]. In both dairy and beef cattle, the strategy to use a cutaneous application of the pheromone enables each individual to carry and spread the appeasing message, leading to improved welfare and production parameters [ 30 – 33 ].…”

Cutaneous application of SecurePig® FLASH, a Pig Appeasing Pheromone analogue, facilitates adaptation and manages social behavior during feeding in semi-extensive conditions

“…Similarly, in horses, the use of an equine appeasing pheromone can be used to help horses better cope with a stressful situation or a learning task [23,24]. In farm animals, the use of pheromonotherapy has been reviewed [25], and its use is known to improve animal welfare but also production parameters in rabbits [26] and chickens [27][28][29]. In both dairy and beef cattle, the strategy to use a cutaneous application of the pheromone enables each individual to carry and spread the appeasing message, leading to improved welfare and production parameters [30][31][32][33].…”