Poultry Science Terminology - V
V-Shaped comb: comb consisting of two horn-like pieces that are joined at the comb base
Vaccination: introduction of a vaccine into the body for the purpose of inducing immunity
Vaccine: product made from disease-causing organisms and used to produce immunity
Vagina: section of the female avian reproductive tract where the bloom (cuticle) is added to the egg just prior to being laid
Value-added product: further processed to maximize consumer appeal
Variety: subdivision of a breed, distinguished by plumage color, comb type, and beard or leg feathering
Vas deferens: passageway for sperm from testicles to the cloaca, in birds also used for sperm maturation and storage
Vascular: pertaining to blood vessels
Vasoconstriction: narrowing of the blood vessels, conserves body heat
Vasodilation: widening of blood vessels, used by animals to passively dissipate body heat
Vector: means by which a disease is spread; living thing that carries disease organisms within its body from one source to another including: mosquitos, ticks, and flies
Vehicle: anything that mechanically carries disease organisms from one place to another including clothing, equipment, and dust)
Venipuncture: inserting a needle into a vein for the purpose of drawing blood
Vent: common external opening of the cloaca for the digestive system in birds through which the digestive, excretory, urinary, and reproductive tracts empty
Ventilation: movement of fresh air into and stale air out of housing
Ventriculus: mechanical stomach in birds, grinding mechanism for food digestion; gizzard
Vertebrae: bones in the spinal column
Vertical integration: control by a single company of most of all aspects of production
Vertical transmission: disease transmitted from parent to offspring through hatching eggs
Veterinary ethology: study of animal behavior as it relates to health
Viremic: pertaining to a virus in the blood
Virulence: strength of pathogenicity a disease-causing organism has to cause a disease
Virus: complex protein material that is capable of causing disease which can be reproduced only inside that living cells
Viscera: internal organs and glands
Viscous: thick and sticky
Vitamin: organic compound that is fat- or water-soluble substance and is necessary, in very small amounts, for normal growth and maintenance of life. It is often added to poultry water or sprinkled over feed many physiological processes
Vitamin/mineral premix: A concentrated source of various vitamins and/or minerals mixed together so as to make the adding of them to the diet much easier (beware of antagonistic materials)
Vitelline membrane: thin membrane that surrounds the yolk
Vulture hock: feather-legged breeds where the feathers grow off the shank and touch the ground