The promoter region and the beginning of the coding region of the hsp70 stress gene were analysed in broiler chickens of a commercial breed (Hubbard-Pettersen), a breed selected for weight gain (PP1) and a non-selected breed (naked-neck Label Rouge). The naked neck gene (Naked neck, Na), which reduces feathering in birds and is thus related to heat resistance, was present in both PP1 and Label Rouge breeds. Genomic DNA was restricted with PstI and Southern blotting analysis of the samples revealed the absence of polymorphic sites for that enzyme in the promoter region and beginning of the coding region of the hsp70 gene of studied birds. PCR-SSCP analysis of these regions, however, indicated the presence of polymorphisms in the beginning of the coding region and the sequencing of the PCR products confirmed and identified two polymorphic sites in this region: a transition A → G in position +258 and a transversion C → G in position +276. Both mutations were considered to be silent, since they did not modify the aminoacid sequence of the protein Hsp70. The promoter region of the hsp70 gene was identical in all studied birds, indicating that the regulation pattern of this gene must be the same in all birds at the promoter region. Three different alleles (hsp70-1, hsp70-2 and hsp70-3) were identified for the hsp70 gene from the observed mutations. The allele hsp70-3 was detected in only two breeds, Hubbard-Pettersen and PP1, but at a low frequency (0,016 and 0,006, respectively).

RESUMO -Realizou-se o presente trabalho com o intuito de avaliar a influência do sistema de criação (intensivo e semi-intensivo) no desempenho (peso corporal e conversão alimentar), na condição fisiológica sob estresse térmico (temperatura retal, freqüência respiratória e hematócrito) e comportamento (freqüência ao pasto) de frangos de corte. Foram utilizadas quatro linhagens de frangos de corte, duas tipo caipira e duas comerciais. Para avaliação do desempenho e condição fisiológica das aves nas idades de 45, 55, 65 e 75 dias, instalou-se um experimento no qual as aves foram alojadas em boxes constituídos de 4,5 m 2 de área interna (abrigo) e 35 m 2 de área de pastejo com lotação de 35 aves/box. Outro experimento foi instalado para avaliação da freqüência das aves ao pasto entre o 35 o e 75 o dia de idade. Uma das linhagens avaliadas não demonstrou ser adaptada ao sistema semi-intensivo de criação. Verificaram-se diferenças significativas nos parâmetros de desempenho e de condição fisiológica das aves nos dois sistemas. Na criação semi-intensiva obtiveramse menores valores para temperatura retal, taxa respiratória e hematócrito e melhores valores de peso corporal e conversão alimentar. Concluiu-se que a criação semi-intensiva proporcionou condições que aumentaram o bem-estar das aves, tendo influenciado positivamente o desempenho e a condição fisiológica das linhagens avaliadas, mesmo sob condições de estresse térmico.Palavras-chave: adaptação, bem-estar, comportamento, sistema semi-intensivo Influence of the Rearing System on Performance, Physiological Condition and Behaviour of Broilers LinesABSTRACT -The objectives of this research were to evaluate the influence of rearing systems (intensive or semi-intensive) on the performance (body weight and feed efficiency), chicken physiological condition under heat stress (rectal temperature, respiratory frequency and hematocrit) and behavioural parameters (frequency in the pasture areas) of broilers lines. To evaluate broiler's performance and physiological condition on the ages of 45, 55, 65 and 75 days one experiment was carried out in boxes with 4,5 m 2 of inside area and 35 m 2 of outside area were 35 broilers were reared in each box. Another experiment was carried out to evaluate the frequency of broilers it the pasture areas from 35 to 75 days of age. One of the evaluated lines did not show adaptation to the semi-intensive rearing system. Significant differences were found in broilers performance and physiological conditions in both systems. In the semi-intensive rearing system the rectal temperature, respiratory frequency, hematocrit and feed efficiency were smaller and body weight larger than in the intensive rearing system. It was concluded that the semi-intensive rearing system provided conditions that increased broilers welfare and positively influenced the physiological conditions and performance of the broilers.

RESUMO -Este estudo avaliou a influência de genótipos e do sistema de criação sobre o desempenho de frangos de corte tipo caipira. Foram utilizadas duas linhagens experimentais (Caipirinha e 7P) e duas comerciais (Label Rouge e Paraíso Pedrês) criadas nos sistemas intensivo e semi-intensivo (acesso a piquete com gramínea após 21 dias de idade), em um experimento no delineamento em faixas com oito tratamentos, quatro repetições e 35 aves por unidade experimental. Ração à base de milho e farelo de soja e água foram fornecidas ad libitum, na área interna apenas, e as aves do sistema semi-intensivo tiveram livre acesso à área de pastejo. Cada unidade experimental foi criada até atingir o peso médio de 2300 g. Foi detectada interação linhagem x sistema de criação na variável idade para atingir 2300 g (idade 2300) e ganho de peso médio diário, sendo que a linhagem Caipirinha criada no sistema semi-intensivo teve Idade 2300 aumentada (79,2 dias vs 73,2 dias). Não houve diferença na Label Rouge (84,0 dias vs 62,2 dias) e Paraíso Pedrês (60,8 dias vs 61,0 dias). O consumo de ração (5688 g) e a conversão alimentar (2,46) das aves Label Rouge diferiram das demais (consumo de 4304 a 4996 g e conversão de 1,87 a 2,13), e o sistema de criação não afetou essas variáveis. A mortalidade não foi afetada pelas linhagens ou sistema de criação. O acesso à pastagem no sistema semi-intensivo não representou economia de ração ou melhoria na conversão alimentar, mas resultou em redução no ganho diário de peso da linhagem Caipirinha, provavelmente em razão de sua maior permanência no piquete.Palavras-chave: desempenho, frango tipo caipira, sistema de criação Effect of Genotype and Rearing System on Performance of Alternative Lines of Broiler ChickensABSTRACT -The present study evaluated the influence of genotype and rearing system on the performance of alternative lines of broiler chickens. Two experimental lines (Caipirinha and 7P) and two commercial lines (Label Rouge and Paraíso Pedrês) were reared under intensive or semi-intensive (access to the pasture area after 21 d of age) in an experiment with eight treatments, four replicates and 35 birds per experimental unit. Corn-soybean meal based feed and water were offered ad libtum in the pen area only, and the chickens in the semi-intensive system had free access to the pasture area. The experiment was terminated when each pen reached 2300 g of average weight. Interaction line x system was detected for variable age at 2300 g (Age 2300) and average daily weight gain; the line Caipirinha on the semi-intensive had Age 2300 increased ( (5688 g) and feed conversion (2.46) for the Label Rouge broilers were different from the others (feed intake from 4304 to 2996 g and feed conversion from 1.87 to 2.17), and rearing system affect these variables. Mortality was not affected by genetic lines or rearing system. The access to pasture in the semi-intensive system did not result in feed economy or improvement in the feed conversion, but resulted in reduction on the daily weight gain (as a consequenc...

This experiment aimed at evaluating the influence of different heating times of settable eggs of Cobb 500® broiler breeders before submitting them to different storage periods on egg weight loss, embryo mortality, and hatchability. A total number of 1,980 eggs were distributed in a completely randomized experimental design with a 3 x 3 factorial arrangement, comprising nine treatments with 22 replicates of 10 eggs each. The following factors were analyzed: pre-storage heating periods (0, 6, 12 hours at 36.92°C) and storage periods (4, 9, 14 days at 12.06°C). After storage, eggs were incubated under usual conditions, and were transferred to the hatcher at 442 hours of incubation. Eggs were weighed before heating, incubation, and transference to determine weight loss. Partial hatchability was determined at 480 hours, and total hatchability at 498 hours of incubation. Embryo mortality was determined in non-hatched eggs. It was concluded that heating eggs for six hour before storage improves incubation results as it decreases incubation length and late embryo mortality, therefore its use can be indicated in commercial operations. Storing eggs for 14 days and pre-heating for 14 days and pre-heating for 12 hours severely impair incubation results, and therefore are not recommended