Hostname: page-component-8448b6f56d-t5pn6 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-04-24T01:53:16.198Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Responses of poultry to ultraviolet radiation

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  17 August 2009

P.D. LEWIS  and
R.M. GOUS
P.D. LEWIS*
Affiliation:
Animal and Poultry Science, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa
R.M. GOUS
Affiliation:
Animal and Poultry Science, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa
*
Corresponding author: pdlewis@dsl.pipex.com
Get access

Abstract

Poultry, unlike humans, have a fourth retinal cone that allows them to see in the UVA part of ultraviolet radiation. This ocular function is principally used by poultry to modify various behavioural functions such as feeding, peer recognition, mate selection, mating activity, and social encounters. Retinally perceived UVA controls the release of melatonin in the pineal gland of dark-adapted birds. Ultraviolet radiation has shorter wavelengths than visible light, and, as a result, is unable to penetrate to the hypothalamus to induce a photosexual response; UV is thus minimally involved in avian reproductive function. UVA and UVB have anti-rachitic properties which catalyse the synthesis of vitamin D3 from 7-dehydroxycholesterol in the skin of feet and legs, a function that prevents rickets, minimises the incidence of tibial dyschondroplasia, and normalises growth and bone ash in young birds fed diets deficient in vitamin D3; surprisingly, there is sufficient UVA in white fluorescent light to produce these benefits. UVC from the sun is filtered out by the atmosphere's ozone layer, so does not occur in sunlight, but artificially produced UVC has germicidal properties and has been shown to protect domestic fowl from aerogenic viral infections, however, vaccination has made this property superfluous to the modern poultry industry. Recently, the introduction of lamps that emit both visible light and UV has made the provision of UVA to poultry a practical proposition, and so it is opportune that the responses of poultry to UV radiation are reviewed and its relevance to modern poultry production assessed.

Keywords

ultravioletavian visiongrowthleg disordersegg productionvitamin D
Type
Review Article
Information
World's Poultry Science Journal , Volume 65 , Issue 3 , September 2009 , pp. 499 - 510
Copyright
Copyright © World's Poultry Science Association 2009

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

ABURTO, A. and BRITTON, W.M. (1998) Effects of different levels of vitamins A and E on the utilization of cholecalciferol by broiler chickens. Poultry Science 77: 570-577.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
BARNETT, K.C. and LAURSEN-JONES, A.P. (1976) The effect of continuous ultraviolet irradiation on broiler chicks. British Poultry Science 17: 175-177.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
BAROTT, H.G., SCHOENLEBER, L.G. and CAMPBELL, L.E. (1951) The effect of ultraviolet radiation on egg production of hens. Poultry Science 30: 409-416.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
BENNETT, A.T.D. and CUTHILL, I.C. (1994) Ultraviolet vision in birds: What is its function? Vision Research 34: 1471-1478.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
BENNETT, A.T.D., CUTHILL, I.C., PARTRIDGE, J.C. and MAIER, E.J. (1996) Ultraviolet vision and mate choice in zebra finches. Nature 380: 433-435.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
BENNETT, A.T.D., CUTHILL, I.C., PARTRIDGE, J.C. and LUNAU, K. (1997) Ultraviolet plumage colors predict mate preferences in starlings. Proceedings of the National Academy of Science, USA. 94: 8618-8621.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
BENOIT, J. (1964) The role of the eye and of the hypothalamus in the photo-stimulation of gonads in the duck. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences 111: 204-216.Google Scholar
BENOIT, J., WALTER, F.X. and ASSENMACHER, I. (1950) Contribution à l’étude du réflexe optohypophysaire. Gonadostimulation chez le canard soumis à des radiations lumineuses de diverses longueurs d'onde. Journal of Physiology 42: 537-541.Google Scholar
BOWMAKER, J.K., HEATH, L.A., WILKIE, S.E. and HUNT, D.M. (1997) Visual pigments and oil droplets from six classes of photoreceptor in the retina of birds. Vision Research 37: 2183-2194.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
CARSON, J.R. and BEALL, G. (1955) Absence of response by breeder hens to ultraviolet energy. Poultry Science 34: 256-262.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
CARSON, J.R. and JUNNILA, W.A. (1953) Ultraviolet irradiation of the turkey hen. Poultry Science 32: 871-873.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
CICCONE, N.A., DUNN, I.C., BOSWELL, T., TSUTSUNI, K., UBUKA, T., UKENA, K. and SHARP, P.J. (2004) Gonadotrophin inhibitory hormone depresses gonadotrophin α and follicle stimulating hormone β subunit expression in the pituitary of the domestic chicken. Journal of Neuroendocrinology 16: 999-1006.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
CIE, (1987) International lighting vocabulary. Vienna: Commission Internationale de l'Eclairage; Publication CIE No 17.Google Scholar
EDWARDS, H.M. Jr. (1993) Ultraviolet light and 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol influence phytate phosphorus utilization by broilers. Poultry Science 72 (Suppl): 247.Google Scholar
EDWARDS, H.M. Jr. (2003) Effects of u.v. irradiation of very young chickens on growth and bone development. British Journal of Nutrition 90: 151-160.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
EDWARDS, H.M. Jr., ELLIOT, M.A. and SOONCHARERNYING, S. (1992) Effect of dietary calcium on Tibial Dyschondroplasia. Interaction with light, cholecalciferol, 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol, protein, and synthetic zeolite. Poultry Science 71: 2041-2055.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
EDWARDS, H.M. Jr., ELLIOT, M.A., SOONCHARERNYING, S. and BRITTON, W.A. (1994) Quantitative requirement for cholecalciferol in the absence of ultraviolet light. Poultry Science 73: 288-294.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
ELLIOT, M.A. and EDWARDS, H.M. (1997) Effect of 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol, cholecalciferol, and fluorescent lights on the development of Tibial Dyschondroplasia and Rickets in broiler chickens. Poultry Science 76: 570-580.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
FOSTER, R.G. and FOLLETT, B.K. (1985) The involvement of a rhodopsin-like photopigment in the photoperiodic response of the Japanese quail. Journal of Comparative Physiology A. 157: 519-528.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
GOVARDOVSKII, V.I. and ZUEVA, L.V. (1977) Visual pigments of chicken and pigeon. Vision Research 17: 537-543.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
HART, E.B., STEENBOCK, H., LEPKOVSKY, S., KLETZEIN, S.W., HALPIN, J.G. and JOHNSON, O.N. (1925) The nutritional requirement of the chicken. V. The influence of ultraviolet light on production, hatchability and fertility of the egg. Journal of Biological Chemistry 65: 571-595.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
HART, N.S., PARTRIDGE, J.C. and CUTHILL, I.C. (1999) Visual pigments, cone oil droplets, ocular media and predicted spectral sensitivity in the domestic turkey (Meleagris gallopavo). Vision Research 39(20): 3321-3328.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
HARTWIG, H.G. and van VEEN, T. (1979) Spectral characteristics of visible radiation penetrating into the brain and stimulating extraretinal photo-receptors. Journal of Comparative Physiology 130: 277-282.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
HENDRICKS, W.A., LEE, A.N. and GODFREY, A.B. (1931) Effects of cod-liver oil and ultra-violet irradiation, as influenced by oyster shell, in the diet of confined laying hens. Journal of Agricultural Research 43: 517-535.Google Scholar
HOGSETTE, J.A., WILSON, H.R. and SEMPLE-ROWLAND, S.L. (1997) Effects on White Leghorn hens of constant exposure to ultraviolet light from insect traps. Poultry Science 76: 1134-1137.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
HOGSETTE, J.A. and WILSON, H.R. (1999) Effects on commercial broiler chicks of constant exposure to ultraviolet light from insect traps. Poultry Science 78: 324-326.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
HUGHES, J.S. and PAYNE, L.F. (1924) The influence of ultra-violet light on young laying hens. Science 60: 549-550.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
ICNIRP (INTERNATIONAL COMMISSION on NON-IONIZING RADIATION PROTECTION), (2004) Guidelines on limits of exposure to ultraviolet radiation of wavelengths between 180 nm and 400 nm (Incoherent optical radiation). Health Physics 87: 171-186.Google ScholarPubMed
JONES, E.K.M. and PRESCOTT, N.B. (2000) Visual cues used in the choice of mate by fowl and their potential importance for the breeder industry. World's Poultry Science Journal 56: 127-138.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
JONES, E.K.M., PRESCOTT, N.B., COOK, P., WHITE, R.P. and WATHES, C.M. (2001) Ultraviolet light and mating behaviour in domestic broiler breeders. British Poultry Science 42: 23-32.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
KOCH, E.M. and KOCH, F.C. (1941) The provitamin D of the covering tissues of chickens. Poultry Science 20: 33-35.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
LEDWABA, M.F. and ROBERSON, K.D. (2003) Effectiveness of twenty-five-hydroxycholecalciferol in the prevention of Tibial Dyschondroplasia in Ross cockerels depends on dietary calcium level. Poultry Science 82: 1769-1777.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
LEESON, S. and SUMMERS, J.D. (2001) Vitamins, in: Scott's Nutrition of the chicken, pp. 176-330 (Ithaca, M.L. Scott and Associates).Google Scholar
LEWIS, P.D. and MORRIS, T.R. (2006a) Photoperiod: Conventional programmes, in: Poultry lighting, the theory and practice, pp. 23-56 (Andover, Northcot).Google Scholar
LEWIS, P.D. and MORRIS, T.R. (2006b) Wavelength, in: Poultry lighting, the theory and practice, pp. 95-102 (Andover, Northcot).Google Scholar
LEWIS, P.D., PERRY, G.C. and MORRIS, T.R. (2000a) Ultraviolet radiation and laying pullets. British Poultry Science 41: 131-135.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
LEWIS, P.D., PERRY, G.C., SHERWIN, C.M. and MOINARD, C. (2000b) Effect of ultraviolet radiation on the performance of intact male turkeys. Poultry Science 79: 850-855.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
LEWIS, P.D., GHEBREMARIAM, W.K. and GOUS, R.M. (2007) Illuminance and UVA exposure during rearing affects egg production in broiler breeders transferred to open-sided adult housing. British Poultry Science 48: 424-429.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
MAC-AULIFFE, T. and McGINNIS, J. (1976) Effect of ultraviolet light and oral vitamin D3 on rachitic chicks fed diets containing either corn or rye. Poultry Science 55: 2305-2309.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
MITCHELL, R.D., EDWARDS, H.M. Jr. and McDANIEL, G.R. (1997) The effects of ultraviolet light and cholecalciferol and its metabolites on the development of leg abnormalities in chickens genetically selected for a high and low incidence of Tibial Dyschondroplasia. Poultry Science 76: 346-354.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
MOINARD, C. and SHERWIN, C.M. (1999) Turkeys prefer fluorescent light with supplementary ultraviolet radiation. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 64: 261-267.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
MUSSEHL, T.E. and YUNG, F.D. (1942) Sunlight lamps for laying hens. Agricultural Experimental Station, University of Nebraska College of Agriculture Bulletin 344.Google Scholar
NRC, (1994) Nutrient Requirements of Chicken, in: Nutrient Requirements of Poultry 9th Edition, pp. 19-34 (Washington D.C., National Academy Press).Google Scholar
PEREK, M. and HELLER, E.D. (1970) Ultraviolet irradiation as a protective measure for chickens exposed to Newcastle Disease virus. Poultry Science 49: 1742-1744.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
POHL, H. (1992) Ultraviolet radiation: a zeitgeber for the circadian clock in birds. Naturwissenschaften 79: 227-229.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
PRESCOTT, N.B. and WATHES, C.M. (1999a) Spectral sensitivity of the domestic fowl. British Poultry Science 40: 332-339.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
PRESCOTT, N.B. and WATHES, C.M. (1999b) Reflective properties of domestic fowl (Gallus g. domesticus), the fabric of their housing and the characteristics of the light environment in environmentally controlled poultry houses. British Poultry Science 40: 185-193.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
ROSIAK, J. and ZAWILSKA, J.B. (2005) Near-ultraviolet light perceived by the retina generates the signal suppressing melatonin synthesis in the chick pineal gland-an involvement of NMDA glutamate receptors. Neuroscience Letters 379: 214-217.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
SCANES, C.G. (1984) Hypothalamic, pituitary and gonadal hormones, in: CUNNINGHAM, F.J., LAKE, P.E. & HEWITT, D (Eds) Reproductive Biology of Poultry, pp. 1-14 (Harlow, Longman Group).Google Scholar
SHENG, Y. and BIRKLE, D.L. (1995) Release of platelet activating factor (PAF) and eicosanoids in UVC-irradiated corneal stromal cells. Current Eye Research 14: 341-347.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
SHERWIN, C.M. (1999) Domestic turkeys are not averse to compact fluorescent lighting. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 64: 47-55.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
SHERWIN, C.M. and DEVEREUX, C.L. (1999) Preliminary investigations of ultraviolet-induced markings on domestic turkey chicks and a possible role in injurious pecking. British Poultry Science 40: 429-433.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
SHERWIN, C.M., LEWIS, P.D. and PERRY, G.C. (1999) Effects of environmental enrichment, fluorescent and intermittent lighting on injurious pecking amongst male turkey poults. British Poultry Science 40: 592-598.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
SIOPES T.D., and WILSON, W.O. (1980a) Participation of the eyes in the photo-stimulation of chickens. Poultry Science 59: 1122-1125.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
SIOPES T.D., and WILSON, W.O. (1980b) Participation of the eyes in the photo-stimulation of Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica). Biology of Reproduction 23: 352-357.Google Scholar
TIAN, XQ., CHEN, T.C., LU, Z., SHAO, Q. and HOLICK, M.F. (1994) Characterization of the translocation process of vitamin D3 from the skin into circulation. Endocrinology 135: 655-661.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
TITUS, H.W. and NESTER, R.B. (1935) Effect of vitamin D on production and some properties of eggs. Poultry Science 14: 90-98.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
WIDOWSKI, T.M., KEELING, L.J. and DUNCAN, I.J.H. (1992) The preferences of hens for compact fluorescent over incandescent lighting. Canadian Journal of Animal Science 72: 203-211.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
WORTEL, J.F., RUGENBRINK, H. and NUBOER, J.F.W. (1987) The photopic spectral sensitivity of the dorsal and ventral retinae of the chicken. Journal of Comparative Physiology 160: 151-154CrossRefGoogle Scholar