Effects of alpha-naphthoflavone on body growth and gonad development in chickens (Gallus domesticus)

• Published in: Czech Journal of Animal Science Vol. 49; no. 6
• Main Authors: Trefil, P.(BIOPHARM, Vyzkumny Ustav Biofarmacie a Veterinarnich Leciv, Jilove u Prahy (Czech Republic))E-mail:trefil@bri.cz, Micakova, A.(BIOPHARM, Vyzkumny Ustav Biofarmacie a Veterinarnich Leciv, Jilove u Prahy (Czech Republic)), Stiborova, M.(Karlova Univ., Prague (Czech Republic). Katedra Biochemie), Poplstein, M.(BIOPHARM, Vyzkumny Ustav Biofarmacie a Veterinarnich Leciv, Jilove u Prahy (Czech Republic)), Brillard, J.P.(INRA, Nouzilly (France). Station de Recherches Avicoles), Hodek, P.(Karlova Univ., Prague (Czech Republic). Katedra Biochemie)
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: ABDOMINAL FAT; ADDITIF AUX ALIMENTS DES ANIMAUX; ADITIVOS DE PIENSOS; AGE; ANALISIS HISTOCITOLOGICO; ANALYSE HISTOCYTOLOGIQUE; BODY WEIGHT; BROILER CHICKENS; COEUR; COMPLEMENT ALIMENTAIRE; CORAZON; CRECIMIENTO; CROISSANCE; EDAD; ESPERMATOZOO; EXPRESION GENICA; EXPRESSION DES GENES; FEED ADDITIVES; FEMALES; FEMELLE; FLAVONOIDE; FLAVONOIDES; FLAVONOIDS; FOIE; GENE EXPRESSION; GESIER; GIZZARD; GRAISSE ABDOMINALE; GRASA ABDOMINAL; GROWTH; HEART; HEMBRA; HIGADO; HISTOCYTOLOGICAL ANALYSIS; INHIBICION; INHIBITION; KIDNEYS; LIVER; MACHO; MALE; MALES; MOLLEJA (ESTOMAGO); OVAIRE; OVARIES; OVARIOS; PESO; PESO CORPORAL; POIDS; POIDS CORPOREL; POLLO DE ENGORDE; POULET DE CHAIR; REIN; RINONES; SEX; SEXE; SEXO; SPERMATOZOA; SPERMATOZOIDE; SUPLEMENTOS; SUPPLEMENTS; TESTES; TESTICULE; TESTICULOS; TESTOSTERONAS; TESTOSTERONE; WEIGHT
• ISSN: 1212-1819

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of prolonged oral administration of alpha-naphthoflavone on somatic and germinal development in male and female chickens (Gallus domesticus). No significant differences were observed at any tested age (6, 8, 10 and 12 wks) between control and treated groups of either sex in total body weight and in the weights of kidney, liver, gizzard, heart, abdominal fat, breast and ovary tissues. Mean testicular weights were similar between groups at 6, 8 and 10 wks but at 12 wks males supplemented with alpha-naphthoflavone had significantly heavier testicle weights (P less than 0.01) than the 2 control groups. Histological examination of the seminiferous tubules (ST) revealed a more advanced stage of maturation in the testes of alpha-naphthoflavone-treated males, and the presence of testicular spermatozoa was observable as early as at 12 weeks of age. The testes of males from the two control groups were still at an impuberal stage at this age.