Al-Qadisiyah Journal of Veterinary Medicine Sciences

Abstract Broiler breast muscle development is strongly affected by nutritional quality, particularly the source and biological value of dietary protein. Dietary protein source may influence muscle fiber growth, connective tissue organization, glycogen deposition and the transcriptional activity of myogenic regulatory genes. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of dietary protein source on muscle structure, glycogen content and myogenic gene expression in the pectoralis major muscle of broiler chickens. A total of 9000 one-day-old broiler chicks were raised under field conditions and divided into two dietary groups: an animal protein-based diet containing fish meal and a plant protein-based diet based on corn-soybean meal. Samples of pectoralis major muscle were taken at 42 days of age and analyzed using morphological, histological, histochemical and molecular techniques. Birds fed the animal protein diet had significantly larger muscle fiber area and muscle bundle area than birds fed the plant protein diet (P < 0.05), whereas birds fed the plant protein diet exhibited thicker connective tissue layers. Periodic acid-Schiff staining showed greater glycogen deposition in the animal protein group. RT-qPCR analysis showed that MYF6 (MRF4) and MYOG were significantly more expressed in the animal protein group than in the plant protein group (P < 0.05). In conclusion, animal protein enhanced muscle hypertrophy, glycogen storage and myogenic gene expression in the pectoralis major muscle, indicating the importance of protein quality in improving broiler production and meat quality.

Abstract Infections with Escherichia coli (E. coli) affect poultry of all ages and types. It is frequently associated with poor hygiene, unmet technology needs, or respiratory problems.  The current study was intended to detect the isolation and identification of E. coli as a secondary infection in broiler chickens co-infected with AMPV in Duhok, Iraq. The duration of the study started from September 2024 to March 2025, about 120 nasal and tracheal swabs were collected from infected broilers aged 3-6 weeks from 20 flocks in Duhok city. Furthermore, microbiological culturing and biochemical examinations were done to identify E. coli. The samples were isolated and identified to detect E. coli using MacConckey Agar (MCA), Eosin Methylene blue agar (EMBA), Gram staining, indole test, Methyl Red, Voges Proskauer (MR-VP), citrate, and triple sugar iron agar (TSIA), and antibiotic susceptibility test. Overall (83.3%) of broilers had been infected with  E. coli .Out of 100 isolates were examined for the antimicrobial susceptibility test, It was stated that the isolates exhibited antibiotic resistance Amoxicillin, Cephalothin, Tetracyclin, Fosfomycin, Taichamphnicol, Spiramycin, lincomycin, tilocin, doxacillin were 100 % and ciprofloxacin was 78% and neomycin  was 96% , Cephalexin was 92% and Erythromycin was 98%, Tylosin was 96%, Levofloxacin 54% Trimethoprime-Sulfamethoxazole was 90% , Azithromycin was 80% ,Gentamycin               was 46%  and  Enrofloxacin was 46%. It is essential to use effective prevention and control strategies to decrease the disease.

Abstract Infectious bronchitis in poultry is one of the economically important diseases in the poultry industry. Study was aimed to diagnose Infectious bronchitis virus ( IBV ) in broiler chickens using the rapid kit test assay .The current study was completed to diagnose infection in (28) broiler chicken flocks in Thi-Qar province.During the period of October 2020 to May 2021 . Samples were collected – swabs were examination results from a total of (28) fields , (18) fields (64.28%) were positive using the rapid kit test. The results of the microscopic histological examination of the trachea section showed epithelial cell strife and hemorrhage, while in the lung sever exudation of inflammatory cells,in the kidneys were characterized by the presence of degeneration in the renal tubules