Frank Edens

Professor

fwedens@mindspring.com
 

Educational Background:

  • B.S. (1969) Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Virginia
  • M.S. (1971) Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Virginia
  • Ph.D. (1974) University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia

Teaching Interests:


Research Interests:

Studies in stress physiology of domestic fowl are conducted using a multifaceted approach involving techniques in endocrinology, immunology, immunohistochemistry, biochemistry, and molecular biology. A focal point of his research has been on the understanding of high environmental temperature influences on homeostasis in chickens and turkeys. Work from his laboratory was the first to show that the adrenal cortical response to high temperatures could lead to acute adrenal cortical insufficiency and death in chickens. Through studies on the nutrient requirements of thermally stressed chickens, he learned that there was a negative influence of calcium and a positive influence of phosphorus in the chicken's ability to resist thermal stressors. Currently, heat shock protein responses are being studied in chickens and turkeys during exposures to high temperatures and during the development of viral and bacterial diseases. The heat shock protein research has evolved to a molecular biology level where Edens and his students are studying polymorphisms associated with heat shock protein genes. Efforts also are being made to understand developmental and stress-related changes that lead to early post hatch mortality of chickens and turkeys with a focus on the developmental patterns of competitive exclusion of potential bacterial pathogens.


Representative Publications:

  • Dai, H. Q., F. W. Edens, and R. M. Roe, 1996. Glutathione S-transferase in the Japanese quail: Tissue distribution and purification of the liver isozymes. J. Biochem. Toxicol. 11: 85-96.
  • Edens, F. W., 1997. Researchers battle disease that affects young poults. Pages 1-3 In: Cuddy Farms- The Feather File, Autumn 1997.
  • Edens, F. W., 1997. Heat shock protein responses in stressed turkeys. World Poultry-Misset, 13 (Suppl. 1): 40-42.
  • Edens, F. W., C. R. Parkhurst, and I. A. Casas, 1997. Influence of in ovo applied Lactobacillus reuteri and gentamicin on villus morphology in Salmonella, spp., challenged chicks. Proc. Lactic Acid Bacteria, Lactic 97. 3: 401-402.
  • Edens, F. W., and R. E. Doerfler, 1997. Glucose metabolism in poult enteritis and mortality syndrome. Proc. 20th Technical Turkey Conference, Cheshire, England. April 17-18, 1997. 20: 1 09-124.
  • Edens, F. W., M. A. Qureshi, C. R. Parkhurst, 1. A. Casas, and G. B. Havenstein, 1997. Involvement of atypical Escherichia coli strains in turkey health. Proc. 20th Technical Turkey Conference, Cheshire, England. April 17-18, 1997. 20: 49-88.
  • Edens, F. W., C. R. Parkhurst, I. A. Casas, and W. J. Dobrogosz, 1997. Principles of ex ovo competitive exclusion and in ovo administration of Lactobacillus reuteri. Poultry Sci. 76: 179-196.
  • Edens, F. W., 1997. Heat shock protein responses to stressors in poultry. Pages 10-25. In: Proc. 3rd European Poultry Breeders Round Table. M. Tixier-Boichard, ed. INRA, 78352 Jouy-en-Josas Cedex, France
  • Edens, F. W., M. A. Qureshi, C. R. Parkhurst, I. A. Casas, and G. B. Havenstein, 1997. Atypical Escherichia coli strains and their association with poult enteritis and mortality syndrome. Poultry Sci. 76: 952-960.
  • Edens, F. W., R. A. Qureshi, C. R. Parkhurst, M. A. Qureshi, and G. B. Havenstein, 1997. Characterization of two Escherichia coli isolates associated with poult enteritis and mortality syndrome. Poultry Sci. 76: 1665-1673.
  • Ferket, P. R., H. J. Barnes, J. S. Guy, and F. W. Edens, 1997. Poult Enteritis and Mortality Syndrome: Is Spiking Mortality of Turkeys Something New? World Poultry-Misset, 13 (Suppl. 1): 24-25.
  • Edens, F. W., 1998. Feathering rate affects male broiler performance. Misset-World Poultry 14(6): 20-22.
  • Qureshi, M. A., F. W. Edens, and G. B. Havenstein, 1997. Immune system dysfunction during exposure to poult enteritis and mortality syndrome agents. Poultry Sci. 76: 564-569.
  • Casas, I. A., F. W. Edens, and W. J. Dobrogosz, 1998. Lactobacillus reuteri: An effective probiotic for poultry and other animals. pp 475-518. In: Lactic Acid Bacteria, Second Edition. Seppo Salminen and Atte von Wright, Eds. Vol. 85, Food Science and Technology Series, Marcel Dekker, Inc. New York, NY 10016-0602.
  • Casas, I. A., F. W. Edens, C. R. Parkhurst, and W. J. Dobrogosz, 1998. Probiotic administrations of lactobacillus reuteri moderates avian growth depression in turkeys. Biosci. Microflora 17: 125-131.
  • Casas, I. A., F. W. Edens, C. R. Parkhurst, and W. J. Dobrogosz, 1998. Probiotic treatment with Lactobacillus reuteri protects commercial turkeys from avian growth depression. Biosci. Microflora 17: 141-147.
  • Doerfler, R. E., F. W. Edens, C. R. Parkhurst, G. B. Havenstein, and M. A. Qureshi, 1998. Hypothermia, hypoglycemia, and hypothyrosis associated with poult enteritis and mortality syndrome. Poultry Sci. 77: 1103-1109.
  • Dunham, H. J., I. A. Casas, F. W. Edens, C. R. Parkhurst, J. D. Garlich, and W. J. Dobrogosz, 1998. Avian growth depression in chickens induced by environmental, microbiological, or nutritional stress is moderated by probiotic administrations of Lactobacillus reuteri. Biosci. Microflora 17: 133-139.
  • Edens, F. W., K. A. Joyce, C. R. Parkhurst, G. B. Havenstein, and M. A. Qureshi, 1998. Effect of litter moisture and brooding temperature on body weights of turkeys experiencing poult enteritis and mortality syndrome. Poultry Sci. 77: 411-415.
  • Havenstein, G. B., J. L. Grimes, P. R. Ferket, C. R. Parkhurst, F. W. Edens, J. Brake, and J. H. van Middelkoop, 1998. Recent experiences with reduced or non-litter systems for growing broilers and turkeys. Pages 225-240. In: Proceedings: 1998 National Poultry Waste Management Symposium. Springdale, AR. October 19-21, 1998.
  • Heggen, C. L., M. A. Qureshi, F. W. Edens, H. J. Barnes, and G. B. Havenstein, 1998. Alterations in the lymphocyte and mononuclear phagocytic systems of turkey poults associated with exposure to poult enteritis and mortality syndrome. Avian Dis. 42: 711-720.
  • Wang, S., and F. W. Edens, 1998. Heat conditioning induces heat shock proteins in broiler chickens and turkey poults. Poultry Sci. 77: 1636-1645.Yersin, A. G., F. W. Edens, and D. G. Simmons, 1998. The effects of Bordetella avium infection on elastin and collagen content of turkey trachea and aorta. Poultry Sci. 77: 1654-1660.
  • F. W. Edens, C. R. Parkhurst, and G. B. Havenstein, 1999. Allzyme phytase reduces phosphorus and nitrogen excretion by caged broilers and by broilers in conventional housing. Pages 491-509. In: Biotechnology in the Feed Industry. Proc. Alltech�s 15th Ann. Symp. T. P. Lyons and K. A. Jacques, eds. Nottingham University Press, Loughborough, Leiciestershire, UK
  • Edens, F. W., C. R. Parkhurst, and G. B. Havenstein, 1999. The effects of conventional versus cage housing and inorganic versus organic selenium on feathering in broilers. Pages 567-577. In: Biotechnology in the Feed Industry. Proc. Alltech�s 15th Ann. Symp. T. P. Lyons and K. A. Jacques, eds. Nottingham University Press, Loughborough, Leiciestershire, UK
  • Edens, F. W., and P. C. M. Simons, 1999. Use of phytase in poultry diets to reduce phosphorus excretion. Pages 192-204. In: Proc. 1999 Animal Waste Management Symposium. G. B. Havenstein, ed. College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Waste Management Programs, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695. January 27-28, 1999.
  • Fairchild, A. S., J. L. Grimes, F. W. Edens, M. J. Wineland, F. T. Jones, and A. E. Sefton, 1999. Effect of hen age, BioMos, and Flavomycin on poult susceptibility to oral Escherichia coli challenge. Pages 185-201. In: Biotechnology in the Feed Industry. Proc. Alltech�s 15th Ann. Symp. T. P. Lyons and K. A. Jacques, eds. Nottingham University Press, Loughborough, Leiciestershire, UK
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