Animal Experimentation and Research Commons^™

Baseline Characterization Of Semen From Philippine Native Chickens: Banaba, Joloano And Paraoakan, Darcy Pamulaklakin, Carla Alilie Junsay, Consuelo Amor Estrella, Percival Sangel

The Philippine Agricultural Scientist

The study aimed to characterize and establish baseline data on the quantity and quality of fresh avian semen utilizing a sample of Philippine native roosters. Twenty-two heads each were acquired from breeds Banaba, Joloano, and Paraoakan. The baseline data analysis revealed significant variations in semen volume among different genetic groups, with Banaba displaying the highest volume, followed by Joloano and Paraoakan. Banaba also exhibited the highest semen pH value of 7.27 when compared to the other two genetic groups (P < 0.05). Across various genetic groups of native chickens, the majority of semen samples demonstrated a thick and creamy consistency and color (42.6%), followed by thin and creamy (32.9%), with a statistical significance of P < 0.05. Furthermore, variations in sperm concentration were observed among genetic groups, with Paraoakan having the highest sperm concentration, followed by Banaba and Joloano (P < 0.05). When the semen from Banaba and Joloano native roosters were extended in Ringer’s solution, it exhibited good motility, with more than 50% of spermatozoa in motion, even after six hours of extension. In contrast, the pooled extended semen from Paraoakan native roosters displayed poor motility, particularly after eight hours of extension (P < 0.05). The study also showed that storage temperatures did not significantly affect all the sperm quality parameters of Banaba and Joloano. However, for Paraoakan, samples stored at low temperatures of 5 – 10ºC had significantly higher percent motile and progressive sperm, and lower percent static sperm than those stored at room temperature (22 – 25ºC) (P < 0.05).

Phenotypic Plasticity In Pigmentation: Investigating Coloration Patterns In Anablepsoides Hartii Population Responses To Environmental Variation, Jasdeep Kaur

2024 Spring Honors Capstone Projects - Archive

In this study, we investigated the color-changing capabilities of Trinidadian killifish, Anablepsoides hartii, through exposure to varied color conditions over defined periods of time. Our experiment aims to understand adaptive responses when killifish are subjected to different color backgrounds, exploring their mechanisms to change color. By subjecting the species to different environmental color variations, we sought to discern color change patterns, which could indicate adaptive responses related to camouflage, stress, behavior clues, and physiological adjustments. Carefully controlling environmental factors, we monitored and documented the fishes’ color changes, aiming to provide insights into the interplay between fish’s developmental plasticity and its …

Effect Of Source Of Trace Minerals On Nutrient Digestibility And Rumen Fermentation Of Dairy Cows, Cesar Velasquez Rios

All Theses

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Materials And Methods Developed For The Recording And Analysis Of Behavior In The Common Marmoset (Callithrix Jacchus)., Christian Wintle

UNO Student Research and Creative Activity Fair

Materials and methods developed for the recording and analysis of behavior in the common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus).

Christian J. Wintle^a, Jordan B. Hernandez^a,b,c, Dobromir Dotov^d, and Jonathan B. Clayton^a,b,e,f,g

^aDepartment of Biology, University of Nebraska at Omaha, Omaha, NE, USA

^bNebraska Food for Health Center, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE, USA

^cDepartment of Genetics, Cell Biology, and Anatomy, University of Nebraska Medical Center, NE, USA

^dDepartment of Biomechanics, University of Nebraska at Omaha, Omaha, NE, USA

^eDepartment of Food Science and Technology, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, …

A Comparison Of Larvicide And Garlic Mineral Salts On Horn Fly Populations, Kristina N. Dees, Benjamin J. Schrag

SACAD: Scholarly Activities

For this research project, we studied three separate pastures containing Fort Hays State University’s Holstein cows. One pasture was our control group, with no horn fly protection applied. Another pasture had cattle that were fed with garlic in their mineral salts, an all-natural horn fly prevention method. Our final pasture contained cows sprayed with a larvicide. This was a single-blind study, meaning I did not know which pasture had what treatment, but my professor knew. Throughout the late summer and early fall of 2023, we went out to each pasture and took pictures of ten cows per pasture. Then, using …

Quantifying Wild Pig Disturbance In Pastures And Wetlands Using Unmanned Aerial Vehicle-Derived Imagery, Wesley M. Anderson, Bethany Wight, Raoul K. Boughton

Human–Wildlife Interactions

The use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) for agricultural and environmental research has increased markedly in recent years, and a key application has been to conduct damage assessments. Invasive wild pigs (Sus scrofa) cause both agricultural and environmental damage, and past studies have utilized UAVs to quantify this damage. Each methodology has advantages, but they also have drawbacks such as high rates of damage omission or reliance upon a near-infrared camera, which may be prohibitively expensive for some land managers and scientists. Our objective was to develop a methodology that could be easily implemented to conduct wild pig …

Compliance And Roughness In Relation To Gecko Locomotion, Brooklynn Campbell

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

Geckos move efficiently through a variety of substrates, from swaying branches to wooden fences to the sides of structures. Previous studies have studied locomotion and adhesion on manmade and rough substrates; however, the work is limited when discussing locomotion and adhesion as a relationship of compliance and roughness. Ease of movement was quantified by speed, under the assumption that the faster a gecko moves, the easier it is for the gecko to cross the substrate. Gehyra oceanica geckos from Moorea, French Polynesia were tested on substrates varying in compliance and roughness with four different treatments in total. Compliance, roughness, and …

Crayfish Tube-Feeding Methodology, Phoenix Johnson

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

The purpose of this paper was to use a tube feeding method on crayfish to expose them to substances through ingestion rather than the gill. This was done to mimic human ingestion of substance to aid in crayfish research involving substances that are normally ingestion. This was done by using a pipette to inject grains of sand into the mouth of the crayfish. To determine if the method worked and successfully went into the stomach the grains of sand were recovered and counted under a microscope after certain increments of time post injection.

Puberty-Associated Changes In Kiss1r, Mc3r, And Mc4r In The Ewe, Ashleigh Caitlyn Thomson

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The neural mechanisms that control the onset of puberty are not completely understood. In livestock, the onset of puberty relies on an increase in gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) and luteinizing hormone (LH). Kisspeptin, neurokinin B, and dynorphin neurons (KNDy) and their receptors, Kiss1r, NK3R, and KOR, respectively, are important regulators of puberty. Previous data from our laboratory has shown that KNDy neurons may be responding to other inputs, including the melanocortin system, that will affect the timing of puberty. Given this, we examined kisspeptin receptor (Kiss1r) mRNA expression in GnRH neurons as well as examining melanocortin 3 and 4 receptor …

Walleye (Sander Vitreus) Do Not Exhibit An Aggregative Predatory Response To Larval White Sturgeon (Acipenser Transmontanus) In The Upper Columbia River In Lake Roosevelt, Washington, Seth A. Barr

EWU Masters Thesis Collection

Seasonal prey abundance can drive predatory fishes to aggregate in areas of high prey density. This project aimed to determine whether Walleye (Sander vitreus) exhibit an aggregative predation response to larval White Sturgeon (Acipenser transmontanus) drifts in the Lake Roosevelt system which is a reservoir of the Columbia River in Washington State. Populations of sturgeon are threatened worldwide, and are in need of conservation research. Walleye are a popular nonnative piscivorous game fish that were accidentally or illegally introduced to Lake Roosevelt in the 1950’s. Walleye in this study were obtained by gillnetting during White Sturgeon pre-spawn, peak spawn, and …

Hypothalamic Manipulation Of The Anuran Hpg Axis: Alternative Hormones And A Non-Invasive Administration Route For Amphibian Assisted Reproductive Technologies (Art), Erin Michelle Saylor

Theses and Dissertations

Amidst the amphibian extinction crisis, in situ and ex situ amphibian species conservation initiatives utilize assisted reproductive technologies for optimal genetic management of captive and wild populations. Development of effective, simple, low-cost methods for obtaining gametes for artificial fertilization, sperm biobanking, or natural breeding alleviates obstacles for institutions or programs to apply reproductive technologies. Objectives herein include investigating the efficacy of alternative hormones for inducing spermiation, an alternative hormone administration route for inducing ovulation, exploring the physiological effects of hormone therapy, and utilizing sperm from deceased animals for biobanking.

In Vitro And In Vivo Evaluation Of Antimicrobial Activity, Oocyst Sporulation Rate, Oocyst Integrity And Oocyst Infectivity In Eimeria Maxima M6 Oocyst Suspensions Treated With Chlorhexidine Salts In Comparison With Potassium Dichromate, Lauren Laverty

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Eimeria species oocysts cause coccidiosis, one of the costliest diseases in the poultry industry. Coccidiosis infections cause significant economic losses due to reduced performance in chickens and turkeys. The objective of this thesis was to determine fecal bacterial recovery from chlorhexidine (CHX) salt suspensions containing Eimeria maxima M6 oocysts and evaluate the effect of CHX salts on oocysts during long-term cold storage. For bacterial recovery experiments, CHX digluconate and CHX gluconate were tested at different concentrations on poultry fecal slurries during oocyst shedding. Eimeria maxima M6 oocysts were evaluated in CHX salt suspensions to test the effect on oocyst degradation …

Impacts Of Disturbance And Nutrient Addition On Coastal Dune Arthropod Communities, Kayla Beitzel

Honors Theses

Coastal dune ecosystems are globally distributed ecosystems that occur from the tropics to the poles and serve as the first line of defense during storms. They are critical habitats for a variety of organisms and also play a critical role in stabilizing coastal habitats. These systems face increased pressure via urban development, recreational expansion, and sea-level rise (Newman et al. 2023; Webster et al. 2005). Insects are vital consumers in coastal ecosystems and act as regulators of plant growth. Low-diversity ecosystems, like coastal dune systems, often contain a higher abundance of low-diverse insect consumers (Ripple et al. 2021), which can …

Demographics, Sexual Dimorphism, And Ecological Aspects Of Ambystoma Annulatum (Ringed Salamander) In Northwest Arkansas, Usa, Brian M. Becker

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The need to study and monitor amphibian populations is increasing along with the threats to their population stability and persistence in nature. Northwest Arkansas is one of the fastest growing areas in the nation and with that growth comes rapid changes in land use, massive alterations to habitats, habitat loss, and the introduction of nonnative plants and animals. Ambystoma annulatum (Ringed Salamander) is an Ambystomatid endemic to the Ozark and Ouachita Mountains of southern Missouri, northern and western Arkansas, and eastern Oklahoma giving it a relatively small distribution compared to most Ambystoma. Therefore, Arkansas constitutes a significant portion of the …

Unlocking The Mysteries Of Opportunism: Neuroendocrine Insights From An Aseasonal Breeder (Taeniopygia Guttata), Jessica A. Moodie

Graduate Theses and Dissertations (2019 - present)

The regulation of reproductive physiology in animals is mediated by the Hypothalamus-Pituitary-Gonad (HPG) axis. In seasonal breeders, a conserved reciprocal switching of deiodinase enzymes alters thyroid hormone signaling, which controls HPG activity. This study tested the hypothesis that neural regulation of the HPG axis as described in seasonal systems is conserved and repurposed to respond to other cues in aseasonal species. Using water deprivation and nest restriction in the opportunistic Zebra Finch, we were able to create a breeding group and non-breeding group, confirmed by egg laying and changes in ovarian anatomy. Breeding females had clear follicular hierarchy, increased ovary …

Determination Of P Availability In Feedstuffs And The Effect Of Feedstuffs And Anti-Nutritional Factors On Secretory Iga Production And Host Nutrient Losses In Poultry, Benjamin Parsons

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The availability of P in feedstuffs and the effect of feedstuffs, feed additives, and anti-nutritional factors on secretory IgA (sIgA) production in chickens were evaluated. A rapid method was developed using the precision-fed rooster assay to evaluate phytic acid disappearance, P digestibility, and phytase efficacy. Further, exogenous phytase was found to be effective at degrading myo-inositol 1,2,3,4,5,6-hexakis, however, the enzyme was less efficient at P release from lower inositol phosphates. The availability of P in feedstuffs was found to be affected by dietary Ca content, where increasing Ca linearly reduced (P < 0.05) both phytic acid hydrolysis and P digestibility. For example, the standardized ileal digestibility of P was reduced from 73 to 47% in soybean meal when the dietary Ca content was increased from 0.30 to 0.75%. The digestibility of P in distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) and corn fermented protein (CFP), however, was high across all Ca levels (71 to 80%). Relative P bioavailability based on tibia bone ash was also found to be high for DDGS and CFP, being 81 and 78%, respectively. Upon further evaluation, it was observed that utilizing low dietary Ca levels (0.30%) when P digestibility in individual plant-based feedstuffs was determined overestimated the P digestibility in practical grower diets by up to 16 percentage units. Utilization of higher Ca levels (0.75%) when P digestibility in individual plant-based feedstuffs was determined, however, resulted in calcualted P digestibility values that were within 1 to 3 percentage units of the measured digestibility in practical grower diets. Aside from P, feedstuffs were also evaluated to determine their effect on sIgA production in the intestine. Roosters excreted approximately 6 to 30 mg of sIgA / 24 h. Further, the proportional contribution of sIgA to total endogenous amino acid (AA) losses ranged from 1 to 13%, with the greatest contribution being observed for Trp. The addition of casein to a protein-free diet increased (P < 0.05) sIgA production in both roosters and broiler chickens. There was no change (P > 0.05) in sIgA production compared with the protein-free diet …

Assessment Of Dietary Energy And Amino Acid Diet Formulation In The Modern Broilers, Matheus Freitas Costa

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

As a result of the advancement of genetics, understanding broiler requirements for dietary energy and amino acids is essential for improving live performance and carcass characteristics. The energy system used to formulate diets in poultry is based on metabolizable energy (ME); this equation can be described as the total amount of energy in the feed minus gases and feces. However, the net energy (NE) system may be the best depiction of the energy utilized by birds for production and maintenance purposes once the heat increment (HI) is measured. Thus, a series of studies were conducted to establish the responsiveness of …

The Effects Of Probiotics And Environment On The Swine Gut Microbiome, Bin Zuo

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The gastrointestinal tract is crucial for nutrient absorption and immune system functionality. It employs a synergistic approach, merging physical and biochemical defenses, to counteract pathogens that enter through dietary or other external routes. This system also facilitates the breakdown of complex carbohydrates, a process beyond the host's innate capacity. In swine, gut microbiota early colonization plays a significant role in several physiological developments, shaped by a variety of determinants including maternal factors and environmental conditions. In the swine industry, the shift to indoor pig farming enhances efficiency but limits soil interaction, potentially impacting gut microbiota diversity. Additionally, the practice of …

Digestible And Metabolizable Energy In Ground Yellow Corn, Rice Bran, And Copra Meal Fed To 10 To 15 Kg Philippine Native Pigs (Benguet Strain), Mary Arnel D. Garcia

The Philippine Agricultural Scientist

The experiment was conducted to determine the digestible energy (DE), metabolizable energy (ME), and apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of gross energy in ground yellow corn, rice bran, and copra meal when fed to Philippine native pigs. Nine barrows with an average initial bodyweight of 10 kg and ages ranging from 60 to 75 d old were housed individually in metabolism crates and randomly allotted to a triplicated incomplete 3 × 2 Latin square design with three diets and two periods. A corn-based diet containing 94.89% yellow corn and two diets containing 66.42% yellow corn and 30% rice bran or …

Evaluation Of The Virulence Potential Of Avian Pathogenic Escherichia Coli Isolated From Broiler Breeders With Colibacillosis In Mississippi, Jiddu Joseph

Theses and Dissertations

Avian pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC) is a bacterium that is responsible for colibacillosis in birds. However, information about broiler breeder APEC isolates is limited, but the data is critical due to the transfer of this bacteria down the production pyramid to progenies resulting in high mortality. Therefore, we evaluated the phenotypic virulence characteristics of 28 isolates using embryo lethality and day-old chick challenge assays. Also, the in vitro adhesion and invasion potential of selected nine isolates were identified. Results showed more than 1/3^rd of the isolates were highly virulent and the virulence increased as the number of virulence-associated genes …

Evaluation Of Anti-Hyperuricemic Effects Of Alocasia Longiloba Miq. (Keladi Candik) Extracts In Potassium Oxonate Induced Rat Model, Ferid Abdulhafiz, Arifullah Mohammed, Mohd Farhan Hanif Reduan, Zulhazman Hamzah, Zulhisyam Abdul Kari, Guillermo Tellez-Isaias

Poultry Science Faculty Publications and Presentations

Hyperuricemia has become a significant public-health concern in recent years, and the available treatments have been reported to have an adverse side effect on patients. Alocasia longiloba has been used traditionally in Malaysia for treating gout, inflammation, and wounds. However, the plant has not been investigated for its effects on hyperuricemia. This study investigated the anti-hyperuricemic and anti-inflammatory effects of A. longiloba extracts in hyperuricemic rats induced by potassium oxonate (250 mg/kg body weight). Rats were given A. longiloba extracts or a standard drug for two-week, and blood and tissue samples were collected for analysis. Results show that A. longiloba …

Factors That Affect Home Range Of Timber Rattlesnakes (Crotalus Horridus) In Northwest Arkansas, Bannon Gallaher

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Conservation of animal populations requires knowledge of their habitat and spatial needs. Quantifying spatial requirements involves the analysis of home range. We examined the effects of sex, body size (SVL), body condition (log mass/log SVL), and year on home range in Timber Rattlesnakes (Crotalus horridus) in Northwest Arkansas. Individual locality data from an ongoing, 22+ year radio-telemetry study in Madison Co., Arkansas were analyzed using both minimum convex polygon (MCP) and Kernel Density Estimates (KDE). Plots of the number of sequential observations versus home range (MCP and KDE) determined that a minimum of 25 locations per individual per active season …

Characterizing And Evaluating Growth Performance And Poultry Production Efficiencies Using Conventional And Novel Monitoring Methods On Modern Broilers And Japanese Quail, Travis Tabler

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The poultry industry is integral to the global agricultural system as consumption rates continue to rise worldwide. With the global population projected to reach 10 billion by 2050, there is an increasing need for efficient and sustainable animal protein sources. Feed efficiency is a significant factor in poultry production costs, as feed accounts for 50 to 70% of total production costs. Given increasing concerns surrounding feed efficiency improvements, there is a focus on the genetic improvement of broiler digestibility to improve nutrient utilization and reduce production costs. Water availability is also of critical concern for the poultry industry, as estimates …

An Automatic System To Evaluate Bait Station Visitation By Brown Treesnakes And Mongooses, Robert T. Sugihara, William C. Pitt, Are R. Berentsen, Francis L. Benevides Jr.

Human–Wildlife Interactions

Understanding the temporal, spatial, and behavioral patterns of the free-ranging target species in response to candidate baits and baiting strategies is important to ensure control success. This information can also assist in the development and deployment of feeding stations and can exclude non-target species while constituting effective bait delivery and control strategies for certain invasive animals, especially at environmentally sensitive sites. We used passive integrated transponder (PIT) tags in conjunction with very-high frequency radio-telemetry to remotely record bait station visitations and evaluate bait attractiveness in separate field research studies of brown treesnakes (Boiga irregularis) on Andersen Air Force …

A Growth Model For Arctica Islandica: The Performance Of Tanaka And The Temptation Of Von Bertalanffy—Can The Two Coexist?, John M. Klinck, Eric N. Powell, Kathleen M. Hemeon, Jillian R. Sower, Daniel R. Hennen

CCPO Publications

Organisms increase in size over time (age) due to excess assimilation over metabolic (respiration) energy demands. Most organisms reach a maximum size with increasing age as gain and loss balance. The von Bertalanffy length-at-age relationship, which is commonly used in fishery assessment calculations, imposes such a maximum size. However, some fished species, such as ocean quahogs, Arctica islandica, are long lived and continue to grow at old age. The Tanaka age-at-length relationship has continued growth at old age, but is rarely used in stock assessment models. A modified form of the von Bertalanffy model is presented, which mimics the …

Effects Of Social Context On Salivary Cortisol And Attention In Tufted Capuchins (Cebus [Sapajus] Apella), Andrew Desana

Master’s Theses

Social context alters cognitive performance, but the mechanisms for this remain unclear. One possibility is that stressors associated with social contexts mediate changes in cognitive performance by influencing attention. We conducted two experiments to investigate how social context affects performance on an attention task in capuchin monkeys (Cebus [Sapajus] apella). We additionally validated and measured physiological stress through salivary cortisol. In experiment one, capuchins were exposed to three conditions where they were either isolated or paired with an affiliative or agonistic social partner separated by a barrier. In experiment two, subjects received affiliative and agonistic conditions without barriers to allow …

A Critical Look At Wild Pig Elimination: Myths And Facts, Kim M. Pepin, Travis L. Guerrant, Jeremiah L. Psiropoulos, Jeanine T. Neskey, John M. Tomeček, Michael J. Bodenchuk, Janean L. Romines

Human–Wildlife Interactions

Wild pigs (Sus scrofa) are abundant and widely distributed in the United States. They damage crops and pastures, predate livestock and sensitive species, impact ecosystem functions, and damage personal property. To address these issues, some states in the United States are seeking complete elimination. A frequently asked question by stakeholders is: “What portion of the population needs to be removed annually to reach elimination?” The number 70% is widely touted as the answer. There is little scientific evidence to support that this percent annual removal would be needed to achieve elimination, yet 70% has now become a standard …

The Effect Of Spirulina Platensis Algae Inclusion In Feed Of Commercial Broilers Subjected To Cyclic Heat Stress, Kirsten Shafer

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The effect of Spirulina platensis inclusion in feed of commercial broilers was evaluated over one experiment. The study aimed to investigate the effects of Spirulina platensis freshwater algae inclusion on live performance and processing characteristics of commercial broilers subjected to daily cyclic heat stress. Day old Ross 708 male broilers were placed into 8 environmentally controlled chambers. At d 21, four chambers remained on a control diet containing no algae (CON) while 4 chambers received a diet that included algae at an inclusion rate of 2.5% (ALG). An 8 hour daily cyclic heat stress (24°C to 36°C) was applied to …

Isolation Of Drug-Sensitive Eimeria Species From Wild Turkey Feces And Development Of A Model Bioshuttle Program For Eimeria Meleagrimitis For Domestic Turkeys, Maria Carolina Trujillo Peralta

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The objective of this thesis was to determine the anticoccidial profile of Eimeria spp. derived from wild turkeys. These drug-sensitive Eimeria spp. have potential to be used as vaccine candidates to control coccidiosis in commercial turkeys. Chapter two consists of a brief literature review focused on coccidiosis in turkeys. Chapter three addresses the methodologies utilized to isolate, recover, and speciate Eimeria recovered from wild turkey feces in the eastern two-thirds of the United States. From this, we successfully obtained single oocyst-derived stocks for E. meleagrimitis, E. dispersa, E. meleagridis, E. gallopavonis, and E. adenoeides. Chapter four describes the experiment conducted …

Identification Of Possible Vectors For Histomoniasis In Turkeys On Commercial Farms In Arkansas And Oklahoma, Treva Dillon

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Histomonas meleagridis, is a parasitic protozoan, commonly found in the gallinaceous species of birds and is the causative agent of Blackhead disease. The cecal worm, known as Heteraskis gallinarum, acts as a vector in the spread of H. meleagridis in gallinaceous birds. H. meleagridis develops inside the cecal worm and in its eggs which allows H. meleagridis a method to survive in the environment. Blackhead disease causes high mortality rates in both chickens and turkeys; however, turkeys are noted to have a higher mortality rate compared to chickens. Molecular diagnostic testing such as PCR has been developed by creating primers …