Low light intensity in Pekin duck breeder barns has a greater impact on the fertility of drakes than hens.

The Pekin duck is an excellent model for the study of seasonal reproduction. To more completely understand the lighting requirements for maximal fertility in duck breeder houses, we housed adult (45 week old) drakes and hens in the Hope College aviary as 5 drakes and 25 hens. Light conditions in each floor pen were normalized based upon quantal energy and divided into the following categories: (1) to simulate summer, 14.

Immunolesion of melanopsin neurons causes gonadal regression in Pekin drakes (Anas platyrhynchos domesticus).

Several light sensitive receptors have been described in the avian brain that are thought to regulate the reproductive axis independently from the eyes and pineal gland. Recently, our lab has described the presence of three of these photoneuroendocrine systems in the Pekin duck: opsin, opsin 5, & melanopsin. We set out to test the hypothesis that melanopsin receptive neurons are necessary to maintain seasonal reproductive status along with growth and development in the Pekin drake.

Expression of deep brain photoreceptors in the Pekin drake: a possible role in the maintenance of testicular function.

Several putative deep brain photoreceptors (DBPs) have been identified, such as melanopsin, opsin 5, and vertebrate ancient opsin. The aim of this study was to elucidate the role of DBPs in gonadal regulation in the Pekin drake. As previously reported, we observed opsin-like immunoreactivity (-ir) in the lateral septum (LS), melanopsin-ir in the premammillary nucleus (PMM), and opsin 5-ir in the periventricular organ.

Increased water contamination and grow-out Pekin duck mortality when raised with water troughs compared to pin-metered water lines using a United States management system.

Controversy has developed as to whether or not pin-metered water lines or water troughs are more appropriate for Pekin ducks. We hypothesized that water troughs would show improved duck body conditions and environmental quality compared to pin-metered water lines. To test this hypothesis, we housed ducks in 2 barns, one with water lines and one with water troughs.