In the field of fish physiology, the species‐specific parameters of blood, biochemistry, and hormones are especially unknown. The main reasons for this include difficulties in drawing blood from some fish species and nonstandardized blood reference values that change for fish weight, water temperature, and other environmental variables. Information and instructions for drawing blood from fish are limited, and there are few practical examples. Fish blood should be studied to determine metabolic disease and feeding disorders and also to improve rapid diagnostic kits for determining microbiologic diseases. This paper demonstrates methodologies for drawing blood from both aquarium and farmed fish and lists the advantages and disadvantages of each procedure, considering animal welfare and practicalities. Images and videos showing the different applications are also presented.

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In this study, 80 turkey skulls (40 females and 40 males) were used. Turkeys slaughtered at the age of 128 days. The females had an average weight of 11.5 kg and the males had 19 kg. We measured 14 features and determined 6 indices on the skulls of turkeys. Our study focused on morphometric differences and comparison of determined features of those skulls for males and female turkeys. Correlations between all features and indices of the skulls were examined for each male and female group, separately. All morphometric measurements were significantly higher in male group. All indices except skull index and foramen magnum index were significantly higher in female group. These measurements showed that males have bigger skulls. Cranial index, facial index, index 1 and index 2 showed that males have narrower and longer skulls while the females have smaller and wider. According to foramen magnum index, foramen magnum of turkeys is slightly vertical oval.Also, ratio of skull length and width is similar for both sexes. This study is the morphometric evaluation of the skull in turkeys. Therefore, this study will lead to further studies on turkeys and other bird species.

Interdigital sinus secretions play a role in sexual behavior and reproductive process of sheep. In the present study, it was aimed to characterize the topographical, anatomical and immunohistological features of interdigital sinus in Kivircik sheep. The interdigital sinuses were dissected from 50 forefeet of female Kivircik sheep which were slaughtered in the slaughterhouse. The shape of sinus resembled a pipe and was located between the proximal and distal interphalangeal joints of two digits. The wall of interdigital sinus had three layers as epidermis, dermis and fibrous capsule. Epidermis consisted of a stratified squamous keratinized epithelium. Sebaceous glands, hair follicles, arrector pili muscles, and apocrine sweat glands were in the dermis. Furthermore, there were vessels and adipose tissue in the fibrous capsule. There was immunohistochemical reaction for estrogen receptor expressed in epidermis, apocrin sweat glands and sebaceous glands of interdigital sinus. In conclusion, our results about the topographical, anatomical and immunohistological features of interdigital sinus are very important to understand sexual behavior and reproductive process of sheep, and to make a new approach for its surgery. Furthermore, this study is the first to report the interdigital sinus of Kivircik sheep immunohistochemically. Keywords: Interdigital sinus, Kivircik sheep, Morphology, Immunohistochemistry Kıvırcık Koyunlarda Sinus Interdigitalis'in Morfolojik veImmunohistokimyasal Özellikleri ÖzetSinus interdigitalis salgıları koyunlarda seksüel davranış ve üreme sürecinde rol oynamaktadır. Bu çalışma ile Kıvırcık koyunlarda sinus interdigitalis'in, topografik, anatomik ve immünohistolojik özelliklerinin tanımlanması amaçlanmıştır. Çalışmada kullanılan sinus interdigitalis 'ler, mezbahada kesilen 50 adet Kıvırcık koyunun ön ayaklarından disseke edildi. Şekli bir pipoyu andıran sinus interdigitalis'in, iki parmak arasında articulatio interphalangea proksimalis ve distalis manus hizasında yerleştiği gözlendi. Sinus interdigitalis duvarının epidermis, dermis ve fibröz kapsül olarak üç katmandan oluştuğu gözlendi. Epidermis'in, çok katlı yassı keratinize epitelden oluştuğu saptanırken, dermis katmanında yağ bezleri, kıl folikülleri, mm. arrectores pilorum ve apokrin ter bezlerinin varlığı görüldü. Ayrıca, fibröz kapsül içerisinde kapillar damarlar ve yağ doku bulunmaktaydı. Sinus 'un epidermis, apokrin ter bezleri ve yağ bezlerinde östrojen reseptörleri için immünhistokimyasal tepki olduğu gözlendi. Sonuç olarak, sinus interdigitalis'in topografik, anatomik ve immünohistolojik özellikleri hakkında elde ettiğimiz sonuçlar, koyunlardaki seksüel davranış ve üreme sürecini anlama ve sinus interdigitalis'in operasyonlarına yeni bir yaklaşım geliştirmesi bakımından önemlidir. Çalışma, Kıvırcık koyunlarda sinus interdigitalis'in immunohistokimyasal yapısı üzerine yapılan ilk çalışmadır.

Abstract. The aim of this study is to examine the effects of different levels of the feed supplement Saccharomyces cerevisiae, a yeast metabolite, on broiler tibiotarsus traits and to reduce leg problems by identifying the pathological changes in leg skeletal system. Thus, reducing leg disorders due to the skeletal system, the cause of significant economic losses in our country (Turkey), was investigated by the supplementation of Saccharomyces cerevisiae in broiler feed.In the study, 300 male day-old, Ross 308 broiler chicks were used. Experiment groups were designed as follows: control; 0.1 % Saccharomyces cerevisiae; 0.2 % Saccharomyces cerevisiae; 0.4 % Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The experimental diets were chemically analyzed according to the methods of the Association of Official Analytical Chemists. Twelve groups were obtained, including three replicates for each experimental group. Each replicated group was comprised of 25 chicks, and thus 75 chicks were placed in each experimental group. After 42 days, broiler chickens were slaughtered. Tibiotarsi were weighed with a digital scale, and the lengths were measured with a digital caliper after the drying process. Cortical areas were measured with the ImageJ Image Processing and Analysis Program. A UTEST Model-7014 tension and compression machine and a Maxtest software were used to determine the bone strength of the tibiotarsus. The severity of the tibial dyschondroplasia lesion was evaluated as 0, +1, +2 and +3. Crude ash, calcium and phosphorus analyses were performed to determine the inorganic matter of tibiotarsi. For radiographic evaluations of epiphyseal growth plates, tibiotarsi from the right legs were photographed in lateral and craniocaudal positions and examined. Statistical analyses were performed with the SPSS statistics program.It was observed that the use of Saccharomyces cerevisiae as a feed supplement led to an increase in the bone traits of broiler chickens. Optimum results for bone mineral content, biomechanical traits and strength were provided by the addition of 0.2 % Saccharomyces cerevisiae in broiler feed.As a result, the use of yeast as feed supplements in broilers is considered to be an economic and convenient way of providing animal welfare and preventing commercial losses due to leg problems.

There are several dietary supplements, particularly herbal foods, that have been used in an attempt to improve bone growth. In this study, we aim at determining the effects of low- and high-doses of Spirulina platensis, a “Superfood”, on the bone growth and biomechanical indicators. Thirty Wistar rats, weighing 250 g, at the age of 7–8 weeks were assigned to three groups: The Control group (basal diet), Low-dose group (LDG; 500 mg/kg) and High-dose group (HDG; 1 000 mg/kg) of S. platensis. S. platensis was given daily by oral gavage in a 45-day-trial. At the end of the study, the right tibiae were collected and subjected to bone biomechanical tests (bone weight, bone length, maximum load, stiffness, breaking deflection, fracture toughness, post-yield displacement and yield load). Serum samples were also analysed for the calcium and phosphorus concentrations. There were significant increases in bone weight, bone length, maximum load, breaking deflection, work to fracture, post-yield displacement and yield load (P = 0.025, P = 0.019, P = 0.030, P = 0.015, P = 0.031, P = 0.028, P = 0.049, respectively), whereas stiffness non-significantly increased. However, there were no significant differences (P > 0.05) for any variables between the LDG and the HDG. Although the serum phosphorus concentrations showed no differences among any of the groups, the serum calcium concentration increased significantly in LDG compared to Control group (P = 0.009; 7.14 ± 0.47 and 9.45 ± 0.67, respectively). However, no differences were observed in HDG in terms of serum calcium. In conclusion, S. platensis had positive effects on the bone growth and biomechanical bone features. Therefore, our study supports the use of S. platensis as an alternative food additive for bone growth and health in growing animals.

The aim of this study was to determine the effects of two genotypes (slow-growing and fast-growing) and three housing systems (deep litter, plastic slat and free-range) on some bone biomechanical properties of broiler chickens and to evaluate the interaction between genotype and housing systems. Broilers from two genotypes were reared at three different housing conditions. Fifteen bones were randomly selected from each housing system in both slow-growing and fast-growing groups, and the experiment was performed on 90 bones in total. To determine bone characteristic and biomechanical traits of tibiotarsi, bones collected from right leg and then weighed, cortical area measurements and three-point bending tests were applied. Both live body weight and carcass weight were significantly affected by genotype and housing systems. There was no interaction between genotype and housing system in terms of bone weight, cortical area, breaking strength, bending strength, and deflection. Also, housing systems had no statistical effect on these parameters. Fast-growing broilers were significantly had heavier tibiotarsi, larger cortical area and higher breaking strength than slow-growing broilers, while bending strength was significantly lower in fast-growing broilers. Deflection was not affected by genotype or by housing system. In conclusion, bone geometry and biomechanical properties were not affected by housing systems but by genotype. Fast-growing broilers had better bone morphology and stronger bones than slow-growing genotype. Therefore, fast-growing genotype can provide positive effects on bone growth and mechanical properties in broilers.

This study aimed to compare some morphological and mechanical measurements of four different color female quails to contribute to the formation of the morphological database. Quails are the smallest farmed avian species which are becoming more important for the poultry industry. They are also used as experimental animals and are valuable birds for researches. Genetic factors are important determinants of bone strength. Thus, skeletal disorders may be reduced by breeding selection in quails. Forty female quails with four different feather colors, including wild, white, yellow, and black, were compared at 60 days of age. Each quail group contained ten individuals. A three-point bending test was performed with a custom-made testing machine designed for low strength materials. No significant difference was found between the groups in terms of body weight. The tibiotarsus weight in wild and black (0,665±0,055g and 0,687±0,025g, respectively) was significantly lower than in the others but, the significant highest value was in white quails (0,758±0,063g) (p=0.001). Significantly shorter tibiotarsus was observed in the black quails (51,286±1,374mm), while the tibiotarsi of the white and yellow quails were the tallest (53,216±1,796mm and 53,083±1,092mm, respectively) (p=0.005). There were no significant differences among the groups in the biomechanical properties of tibiotarsus, except stiffness. Stiffness was the highest in the white quails (109,500±3,807 N/mm) and the lowest in the black quails (99,000±9,498 N/mm) (p=0.042). In conclusion, white quails have been observed to have relatively better bone biomechanical properties compared to the other color groups at 60 days of age.