Antioxidant Status Of Broiler Chickens Research Articles

Antioxidant Status of Broiler Chickens Fed Diets Supplemented with Vinification By-Products: A Valorization Approach.

Vinification by-products display great potential for utilization as feed additives rich in antioxidant compounds. Thus, the effect of dietary ground grape pomace (GGP), wine lees extract rich in yeast cell walls (WYC), and grape stem extracts (PE) on the relative expression of several genes involved in liver oxidative mechanisms and the oxidative status of the blood and breast muscle of broiler chickens was investigated. In total, 240 one-day-old as hatched chicks (Ross 308) were assigned to four treatments, with four replicate pens and 15 birds in each pen. Birds were fed either a basal diet (CON) or a basal diet supplemented with 25 g/kg GGP, or 2 g/kg WYC, or 1 g starch including 100 mg pure stem extract/kg (PE) for 42 days. The polyphenolic content of vinification by-products was determined using an LC-MS/MS library indicating as prevailing compounds procyanidin B1 and B2, gallic acid, caftaric acid, (+)-catechin, quercetin, and trans-resveratrol. Body weight and feed consumption were not significantly affected. The relative transcript level of GPX1 and SOD1 tended to increase in the liver of WYC-fed broilers, while NOX2 tended to decrease in the PE group. SOD activity in blood plasma was significantly increased in WYC and PE compared to the CON group. The total antioxidant capacity measured with FRAP assay showed significantly higher values in the breast muscle of PE-fed broilers, while the malondialdehyde concentration was significantly decreased in both WYC- and PE-fed broilers compared to the CON group. The exploitation of vinification by-products as feed additives appears to be a promising strategy to improve waste valorization and supply animals with bioactive molecules capable of improving animals’ oxidative status and products’ oxidative stability.

Effects of yeast hydrolysate on growth performance, serum parameters, carcass traits, meat quality and antioxidant status of broiler chickens.

Yeast hydrolysate (YH) has multiple salutary biological activities. Nevertheless, the application of YH in broiler production is limited. This study was conducted to evaluate the protective effects of YH derived from Saccharomyces cerevisiae by exploring growth performance, serum parameters, organs relative weight, carcass traits, meat quality and antioxidant status of broilers. Supplementing YH linearly and quadratically improved (P < 0.05) body weight gain and gain-to-feed ratio compared to that in the control group. Triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and total cholesterol in serum, the decline in pH and cooking loss of breast muscle, and malonaldehyde concentration in serum and liver were decreased linearly and/or quadratically by YH (P < 0.05), whereas high-density lipoprotein cholesterol in serum, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activities in serum, GSH-Px activity in liver, glutathione content in serum and liver, eviscerated yield rate and chest muscle yield, and the relative weight of spleen and liver were linearly and/or quadratically increased (P < 0.05). Moreover, YH enhanced the mRNA levels of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2, heme oxygennase-1 (HO-1), GSH-Px1 and SOD1 (linear and/or quadratic, P < 0.05). Dietary YH beneficially affected growth performance, serum parameters, organ relative weight, carcass traits, meat quality and antioxidant status in broilers, indicating its potential application as a promising feed additive in broiler production. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.

Influence of Crescentia cujete and Launaea taraxacifolia leaves on growth, immune indices, gut microbiota, blood chemistry, carcass, and meat quality in broilerchickens.

The rising concerns pertaining to the safety of synthetic supplements in livestock production have encouraged the exploration of potential alternatives. This study investigated the growth, gut microbiota, blood chemistry, immune indices, meat quality, and antioxidant status in broiler chickens supplemented with Crescentia cujete leaf (CCL), Launaea taraxacifolia leaf (LTL), and a combination of antibiotic (70% oxytetracycline + 30% neomycin) and tert-Butylhydroxyanisole. One-day-old Ross 308 chicks (n = 420) were randomly assigned to either T-1, basal diet (BD) only; T-2, BD + 0.4g/kg antibiotic + 0.13g/kg tert-butylhydroxyanisole; T-3, BD + 2.5g/kg LTL; T-4, BD + 5g/kg LTL; T-5, BD + 2.5g/kg CCL; or T-6, BD + 5g/kg CCL for 42days. Each dietary group had seven replicates with ten chicks per replicate. Body weight gain and carcass weight were higher (P < 0.05) in the T-2, T-4, T-5, and T-6 birds compared with those of other birds. At 1-21days, the T-2 and T-4 birds consumed more feed than the T-1 and T-3 birds. At 22-42days, the T-4 birds consumed more (P < 0.05) feed than the T-1 and T-3 birds. During 1-42days, the T-1 and T-3 birds consumed less (P < 0.05) feed than other birds. At 22-42days and 1-42days, the T-1 had lower feed efficiency (P < 0.05) than other birds except for the T-3 birds. The CCL and LTL birds had lower (P < 0.05) serum LDL cholesterol and higher HDL cholesterol compared with other birds. Hematology, splenic interleukin-1β, immunoglobulin M, ileal and caecal total aerobic bacteria counts, caecal Lactobacillus spp., and meat physicochemical properties were unaffected by diets. The T-1 birds had higher (P < 0.05) ileal and caecal Clostridium spp., E. coli, and Salmonella spp. compared with birds fed other diets. The CCL and LTL birds had higher ileal Lactobacillus counts. Splenic IL-10 was higher (P < 0.05) in the T-2, T-4, and T-6 birds compared with that in other birds. Dietary supplementation with CCL, LTL, and a combination of antibiotic and tert-butylhydroxyanisole repressed (P < 0.05) splenic tumor necrosis-α and immunoglobulin G. The T-1 breast meat had lower glutathione peroxidase and catalase. The T-4 meat had higher (P < 0.05) superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, catalase, and total antioxidant capacity compared with other meats. On day 3 postmortem, meats obtained from birds supplemented with CCL, LTL, and a combination of antibiotic and tert-butylhydroxyanisole had lower (P < 0.05) carbonyl and malondialdehyde contents than the meat from the non-supplemented birds. The 5g/kg CCL and 5g/kg LTL could be used as antimicrobial and antioxidant in broiler diets.

SALMONELLA TYPHIMURIUM INFECTION: ANTIOXIDANT STATUS OF INFECTED POULTRY AND EFFICACY OF TREATMENT WITH KHAYA GRANDIFOLIOLA EXTRACT

Salmonella infections remain one of the major health problems in both poultry farming and human medicine. In addition, resistance to Salmonella has emerged as a global health problem in both sectors. The present study aimed at evaluating the in vivo antisalmonellal and antioxidant activities of 95° ethanol extract of Khaya grandifoliola using broiler chickens as animal model. Animals were divided into the normal control group, negative control group, positive control group and three test groups treated with the extract at 10, 20 and 40 mg/kg respectively. The antioxidant status of broiler chickens was also evaluated by measuring the concentration of enzymatic antioxidants (catalase, glutathione peroxidase) and biochemical markers (malondialdehyde and nitric oxide). The results showed that infected animals treated with the Khaya grandifoliola extract at 40 mg/kg recovered on day 11 after the beginning of the treatment and on day 13 for those treated at the 10 and 20 mg/kg. The antioxidant assay showed that the infection led to the reduction of enzymatic markers in the body of infected animals, while the treatment increases such makers. The infection resulted in a significant increase in serum and pulmonary malondialdehyde. It also caused a significant decrease in cardiac and pulmonary nitric oxide whereas the treatment depending on the doses of the extract tends to normalize these biochemical markers. The overall results showed that Khaya grandifoliola extract can be successfully used in the treatment of avian salmonellosis as well as the management of the oxidative stress caused by the infection.

Effect of rearing temperature on physiological measures and antioxidant status of broiler chickens fed stevia (Stevia rebaudiana B.) leaf meal and exogenous xylanase

• Rearing birds at high ambient temperature reduced feed intake but did not influence weight gain and feed efficiency. • Dietary xylanase increased hepatic vitamin E and stevia increased the hepatic carotenoid content in birds. • Incorporating stevia and xylanase into diets for broilers reared at high ambient temperatures reduces oxidative stress. The global climate is warming. Heat stress, as a result of high ambient temperatures, may negatively impact physiology and reduce growth performance of poultry. Stevia is a perennial shrub indigenous to South America where its phytochemical extracts have been used as a natural sweetener for hundreds of years. Its physiological effects, including antioxidant properties, on poultry are well known, however, the translation of these to improved growth performance is variable. Combining stevia with a commercial xylanase to enhance feed digestibility could therefore form a feeding strategy to partially mitigate the negative impact of rearing birds under high ambient temperatures. The study aimed to compare the growth performance, dietary energy and nutrient availability, oxidative status, gastrointestinal tract development, and caecal short chain fatty acid concentration; at two ambient rearing temperatures, when feeding diets containing stevia and exogenous xylanase, alone or in combination, to broiler chickens. Study design/Methods : Day-old chicks (n = 105) were reared in a single floor pen following breeder recommendations for the first 7 days, whereupon birds (n = 96) were randomly allocated to one of four experimental diets (negative control, stevia at 20 g/kg diet, xylanase at 100 FXU/kg diet, stevia at 20 g/kg diet + xylanase at 100 FXU/kg diet), in one of two environmental conditions (high ambient temperature at 32 ± 2 °C or regular rearing at breeder recommendations), in a 2 × 2 × 2 factorial design. Rearing birds at high ambient temperature reduced daily feed intake (p = 0.02). Birds fed stevia and reared at regular temperature had similar weight gain to birds reared in high ambient temperatures, although birds on the control diet housed at regular temperatures had the greatest weight gain (P < 0.05). Exogenous xylanase improved overall dietary metabolisable energy and improved nitrogen retention in the high ambient temperature group only (P < 0.05). Dietary stevia reduced caecal digesta butyric acid: acetic acid at regular temperature, but xylanase increased the butyric acid concentration at high ambient temperature (P < 0.05). Dietary stevia increased (P < 0.001) the hepatic carotenoid concentrations and xylanase improved (P < 0.05) hepatic vitamin E concentrations. Rearing temperature is an important environmental factor in broiler production. Exogenous xylanase supplementation can increase feed efficiency and dietary metabolisable energy. Feeding xylanase or stevia improves hepatic antioxidant status in broilers by increasing hepatic vitamin E and carotenoids, respectively, suggesting that either may be effective in counteracting oxidative stress.

Effect of advanced chelate technology based trace minerals on growth performance, mineral digestibility, tibia characteristics, and antioxidant status in broiler chickens

BackgroundCompared to the corresponding source of inorganic trace minerals (TM), chelated supplements are characterized by better physical heterogeneity and chemical stability and appear to be better absorbed in the gut due to possibly decreased interaction with other feed components.MethodsThis study was designed in broiler chickens to determine the effects of replacing inorganic trace minerals (TM) with an advanced chelate technology based supplement (Bonzachicken) on growth performance, mineral digestibility, tibia bone quality, and antioxidant status. A total of 625 male 1-day-old broiler chickens were allocated to 25 pens and assigned to 5 dietary treatments in a completely randomized design. Chelated TM (CTM) supplement was compared at 3 levels to no TM (NTM) or inorganic TM. A corn–soy-based control diet was supplemented with inorganic TM at the commercially recommended levels (ITM), i.e., iron, zinc, manganese, copper, selenium, iodine, and chromium at 80, 92, 100, 16, 0.3, 1.2, and 0.1 mg/kg, respectively, and varying concentration of CTM, i.e., match to 25, 50, and 100% of the ITM (diets CTM25, CTM50, and CTM100, respectively).ResultsDiets CTM50 and CTM100 increased average daily gain (ADG), European performance index (EPI), and tibia length compared to the NTM diet (P < 0.05). Broilers fed the CTM100 diet had lowest overall FCR and serum malondialdehyde level and highest EPI, tibia ash, zinc, manganese, and copper contents, and serum total antioxidant capacity (P < 0.05). The apparent ileal digestibilities of phosphorus and zinc were lower in the ITM group compared with the CTM25 and CTM50 groups (P < 0.05). Broiler chickens fed any of the diets, except diet CTM25, exhibited higher serum glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase activities than those fed the NTM diet, where the best glutathione peroxidase activity was found for CTM100 treatment (P < 0.05).ConclusionsThese results indicate that while CTM supplementation to 25 and 50% of the commercially recommended levels could support growth performance, bone mineralization, and antioxidant status, a totally replacing ITM by equivalent levels of CTM could also improve performance index and glutathione peroxidase activity of broiler chickens under the conditions of this study.

Feeding dihydroquercetin and vitamin E to broiler chickens reared at standard and high ambient temperatures

ABSTRACT The use of natural antioxidants, in particular polyphenols such as dihydroquercetin (DHQ), in animal nutrition has recently increased in popularity. This may partly be due to the risk of increased incidences of heat stress associated with raising livestock in warmer ambient temperatures, facilitated by global warming, reducing antioxidant capacity. The current research demonstrates the effect of dietary DHQ, vitaminEand standard or high ambient temperatures on growth performance, energy and nutrient metabolism, gastrointestinal tract (GIT) development, jejunal villus morphometry and antioxidant status in broiler chickens. Each of the four experimental diets was fed to 16 pens of five birds, which were allocated to four rooms (four pens in each room). The temperature in two rooms was maintained at aconstant 35°C (high temperature; HT), and the temperature in the other two rooms was gradually reduced from 27°C at 7 dof age to 22°C at 20 dof age (standard temperature; ST). Rearing birds at HT reduced feed intake, weight gain, weight of small intestine, total GIT, liver, spleen, heart, villus height, villus surface area and lowered blood glutationperoxidase (GSH-Px). Dietary DHQ increased blood GSH-Px and total antioxidant status, increased heart weight and reduced caecal size. When fed separately, DHQ and vitamin E improved hepatic vitamin E concentration. Feeding vitamin Eincreased spleen and liver weights. When fed together, DHQ and vitamin Ereduced villus height, villus height to crypt depth ratio and villus surface area. Temperature and antioxidants did not affect energy and nutrient metabolism. There were no effects of dietary antioxidants on growth performance of broiler chickens and there were no mortalities. At present, it is unclear if feeding antioxidants (in particular DHQ) at different levels, using different dietary formulations, and rearing birds under arange of environmental conditions may be effective at enhancing production performance and bird health in hot ambient climates.

Biologically upgraded cocoa pod husk: Effect on growth performance, haemato-biochemical indices and antioxidant status of broiler chickens

&#x0D; A 49 day feeding trial was conducted to determine the effect of biologically upgraded cocoa pod husk meal (BCPHM) on the growth performance, haemato-biochemical indices and antioxidant status of broiler chickens. Three experimental diets were formulated at both starter and finisher phases in which BCPHM was added as an active feed ingredient at 0, 10, 20% and designated as diets 1, 2 and 3 respectively. One hundred and fifty day old Marshal broiler chicks weighing 39±2.5g/bird were allotted to 3 dietary treatments (10birds/replicate, 50birds/treatment) in a completely randomized design. The Average daily weight gain (ADWG), total weight gain (TWG) and final body weight (FBW) of broiler chicks fed diets containing 10% BCPHM was significantly (p˂0.05) higher than that of control and diet containing 20% BCPHM at starter phase. At finisher phase, the values of ADWG, TWG and FBW were at par with that of control. Feed Intake was seen to increase as BCPHM increased in the diet at finisher phase. Carcass traits, relative internal organ weight, haemato-biochemcal indices of broiler chickens were similar across dietary treatment. Superoxide dimutase (SOD) and Catalase (CAT) of birds fed control diet were significantly (p˂0.05) higher than those of birds fed BCPHM based diets. Ten percent dietary inclusion of BCPHM appears optimal in broiler diet since beyond this level growth performance declined.&#x0D;

Serum electrolyte balance and antioxidant status of broiler chickens fed diets containing varied levels of monosodium glutamate (MSG)

BackgroundThe effects of dietary monosodium glutamate (MSG) on the serum electrolyte balance and antioxidant status of broiler chickens were assessed. In five replicates, a total of 300-day-old unsexed Abor–acre broilers were randomly allotted into six treatment groups containing varied levels of MSG at 0.00, 0.25, 0.50, 0.75, 1.00, and 1.25 g/kg diet, respectively. The experimental birds were fed ad libitum with clean water provided regularly for a period of 8 weeks. On the 56th day of the experiment, five birds per replicate were randomly selected and fasted overnight. Blood samples were collected from the wing veins for serum electrolytes analyses. Serum electrolytes such as sodium (Na+), potassium (K+), and chloride (Cl−) as well as oxidative stress indicators assay such as total antioxidant capacity (T-OAC), malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activities were determined using standard procedures. Data collected were subjected to analysis of variance at α = 0.05.ResultsThe results revealed that MSG inclusion above 0.75 g/kg diet significantly (P < 0.05) increased the serum Na+ and K+ concentrations of the broiler chickens when compared with birds on the control diet, whereas the serum Cl− concentration significantly (P < 0.05) decreased from 0.50 g MSG/kg diet inclusion level. On the other hand, MSG inclusion level above 0.50 g/kg diet increased the serum MDA concentration (from 2.60 ± 0.01 to 4.60 ± 0.00) of the birds while serum GSH-Px and T-AOC concentrations significantly (P < 0.05) reduced from 170 ± 0.28 to 120 ± 0.26 and 3.30 ± 0.01 to 1.70 ± 0.01, respectively.ConclusionInclusion level above 0.50 g/kg diet could adversely offset normal physiological processes in broilers by predisposing them to renal dysfunction, coronary problem, and oxidative stress.

Effect of dietary supplementation of garlic powder and phenyl acetic acid on productive performance, blood haematology, immunity and antioxidant status of broiler chickens.

ObjectiveThe effect of garlic powder (GP) and phenyl acetic (PA) acid throughout the fattening period of broiler chickens on performance, blood parameters, immune, and antioxidant parameters as well as carcass traits was evaluated.MethodsA total of 210 day-old Cobb broiler chicks were randomly distributed into seven dietary treatments having five replications with six chicks per replicate. The first group (control) fed a basal diet without supplements, whereas the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th group were fed basal diet plus 0.25, 0.50, and 0.75 g GP/kg diet, respectively and the group 5th, 6th, and 7th were fed on the basal diet plus 0.25, 0.50, and 0.75 g PA/kg diet.ResultsBroiler body weight and gain at 21 and 42 days were increased (p<0.05) with diets supplemented with GP and PA. Red blood cells and hemoglobin were improved in chickens fed diets enriched with GP. Broiler chickens received diets containing either GP or PA recorded the higher values (p<0.05) of total protein, globulin, high-density lipoprotein, immunoglobulin M (IgM), and IgG, superoxide dismutase and total antioxidant capacity; while, blood total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein, aspartate-aminotransferase, and malondialdehyde were lowered (p<0.05) compared to control-diet. Liver and immune-related organs weight were improved (p<0.05) in broilers fed diet supplemented with GP and PA.ConclusionFeeding of GP or PA in diet had positive effects on performance traits and immunological, antioxidant and physiological status of broilers. Thus, the use of tested feed additives as an eco-friendly alternative to antibiotics produced a positive effect on animal health.

Effect of feeding diet with alternate protein sources and quality protein maize on performance and nutrient utilization in broiler chickens.

The experiment was conducted to study the effect of feeding diets with quality protein maize (QPM) along with cottonseed meal (CSM) and guar meal (GM) on nutrient utilization, body weight (BW) gain (BWG), feed efficiency, and antioxidant status in broiler chickens. The biological trial was conducted on day-old broiler chicks (n = 240), which were randomly distributed into 6 dietary groups having 8 replicates with 5 chicks. Six experimental diets were formulated to contain maize (diet I), QPM (diet II), maize+CSM80g/kg + GM40g/kg (diet III), maize + CSM120g/kg + GM60g/kg (diet IV), QPM+CSM80g/kg + GM40g/kg (diet V), and QPM+CSM120g/kg + GM60g/kg (diet VI). The BWG and feed intake were recorded at weekly intervals. Supplementation of CSM and GM along with QPM or maize depressed (P < 0.05) BWG, feed conversion ratio, and slaughter variables in commercial broilers. Improvement of BWG and breast weight was recorded among the groups supplemented 80g/kg CSM and 40g/kg GM with a QPM-based diet compared with those groups fed 120g/kg CSM and 60g/kg GM with maize or QPM. The energy and protein utilization decreased among the groups supplemented CSM and GM. However, protein and energy utilization was increased (P < 0.05) among the groups fed QPM-based diets compared with those groups fed CSM and GM with maize or QPM. Therefore, it has been concluded that the performance and other parameters did not differ between the groups fed maize- and QPM-based diets in the present experiment. However, QPM with CSM and GM improved the performance, slaughter parameters, and nutrient utilization over CSM and GM with maize.

Effects of dietary lavender essential oil on growth performance, intestinal function, and antioxidant status of broiler chickens

A total of 480 one-day-old male broiler chickens were used in a 42-d study to assess the effects of different inclusion levels of lavender essential oil (LEO) supplementation in comparison with an antibiotic growth promoter on growth performance and physiological characteristics of broiler chickens. On d 1, broiler chickens were randomly assigned into 4 experimental treatments (6 replicates of 20 broiler chickens each) including a basal diet without any additive (control, CON), the basal diet supplemented with 200 mg/kg virginiamycin (VIM), and the basal diet supplemented with either 300 (LEO300) or 600 (LEO600) mg/kg LEO. The results showed that experimental treatments had no significant effect on feed intake at any stage of the study. In addition, no effect of experimental treatments was observed on body weight gain (BWG) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) over the starter period (d 0–21). However, broiler chickens fed diets supplemented with LEO600 and VIM had greater BWG and exhibited a lower FCR during grower (d 21–42) and the entire production period (d 0–42; P < 0.05). Likewise, feeding LEO600 and VIM diets decreased Escherichia coli population in the ileum and cecal contents and increased villus height and villus height to crypt depth of jejunum compared with the CON diet (P < 0.05). Dietary supplementation of LEO increased activity of superoxide dismutase in serum and liver and glutathione peroxidase activity in serum, but reduced concentrations of malondialdehyde in the serum (P < 0.05). In conclusion, addition of 600 mg/kg LEO to broiler chicken diets has the potential to improve growth performance, gut microbiota balance, intestinal morphology, and antioxidant activity.

The Effect of Dietary Garlic (Allium Sativum), Black Cumin (Nigella Sativa) and Their Combination on Performance, Intestine Morphometry, Serum Biochemistry and Antioxidant Status of Broiler Chickens

This study was conducted to examine the effects of garlic (G), black cumin (BC) and G+BC within the broiler rations, on performance, relative organ weights, intestinal morphology, serum biochemistry and plasma total oxidant/ antioxidant status. Two hundred broilers chicks (Ross 308) were used and they were divided into 4 groups consisting of 5 subgroups of 10 animals each. The trial was ended on the 35th day. No addition was made to the control group ration. 5g / kg garlic (G), 5g / kg black cumin (BC) and 5g / kg G + 5g / kg BC were added to the experimental group rations, respectively. There was no statistical difference among the trial groups in terms of BWG, FI, FCR and relative organ weights (p>0.05). Serum total protein (p<0.05) and albumin (p<0.001) levels were higher in BC and BC +G groups as compared to G and control group. Serum AST activity were lower in G group as compared to control and other experimental groups (p<0.05). On histological examinations, regarding the duodenal epithelium; there was no difference among the trial groups. Hyperemia was observed, especially in the G group, in macroscopic exams of lamina propria and other viticular areas. The lymph follicles were more wide spread in the G + BC, G and BC groups than in the control. The results of the study showed that the combination of BC and G can have beneficial effects, and different doses of G and BC may be used to see positive or negative effects.

Effect of dietary tryptophan supplementation on growth performance, immune response and anti-oxidant status of broiler chickens from 7 to 21 days.

BackgroundThis study was conducted to investigate the optimum dietary level of tryptophan (Trp) supplementation at which broiler chickens have better growth with efficient immune system and anti‐oxidant status.MethodOne hundred and twenty (n = 120) 1‐day‐old broiler chicks were fed a common commercial diet from days 1 to 7. On day 7, the chicks were randomly divided in three treatment groups, that is, Trp 0.2 [national research council (NRC) recommended level of tryptophan], Trp 0.3 (tryptophan supplemented at 0.3%) and Trp 0.5 (tryptophan supplemented at 0.5%). All the experimental diets were iso‐caloric (ME; 3,000 kcal/kg) and iso‐proteic (CP; 18.5%). Weekly data on feed intake and body weight gain (BWG) were recorded to calculate feed conversion ratio (FCR). On day 19, avian tuberculin was injected to note the cellular immunity. On day 21, two birds per replicate were killed to determine carcass and visceral organ weights. Blood serum samples were collected for analysis of humoral immune response against sheep red blood cells, total oxidant and anti‐oxidants by spectrophotometric method.ResultsFeed intake, carcass and visceral organ weights remained unaffected by dietary treatments while BWG and FCR tended to improve (p < .05) in broiler chicks fed the Trp 0.3 and the Trp 0.5 diets. Total oxidant status was also improved (p < .05) in broiler chicks fed the Trp 0.5 diet. Likewise, broiler chicks fed the Trp 0.3 and the Trp 0.5 diets tended to have better (p < .05) total anti‐oxidant status, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase and arylesterase (ARE). The overall antibodies response and IgG improved (p < .05) by the Trp 0.3 and Trp 0.5 diets compared to control. However, IgM level remained similar across the treatment. The cellular immunity against avian tuberculin improved at 24 hr post‐injection but its effect disappeared at 48 hr.ConclusionThe results of present study revealed that Trp above the NRC recommended level may give better growth, immune response and anti‐oxidant status in broiler chickens.

The protective effects of modified palygorskite on the broilers fed a purified zearalenone-contaminated diet.

This study was conducted to evaluate the protective effects of dietary modified palygorskite (Pal) supplementation on broiler chickens fed a purified zearalenone (ZEN)-contaminated diet. A total of 144 1-day-old male chicks were allocated to one of the 3 treatments, with each treatment being composed of 6 replicates of 8 birds each. The birds were fed with a control diet (Control group), the ZEN-contaminated diet (2.0mg ZEN/kg diet), and the ZEN-contaminated diet supplemented with 1.0g/kg diet of modified Pal for 42 d, respectively. Compared with control group, feeding ZEN-contaminated diet reduced weight gain and feed conversion efficiency of broilers during the finisher and overall experimental period (P < 0.05), while the values of these parameters in broilers fed the diet contaminated with ZEN increased after modified Pal administration (P < 0.05). ZEN challenge increased the 21-d serum aspartate aminotransferase and 42-d serum alanine aminotransferase activities, 42-d relative liver weight, and ZEN residues in the liver at both 21 and 42 d and kidney at 42 d (P < 0.05). In contrast, birds fed the ZEN-contaminated diet that was supplemented with modified Pal exhibited lower serum alanine aminotransferase activity at 42 d, relative liver weight at 42 d, and hepatic and renal ZEN accumulation at both 21 and 42 d (P < 0.05), when compared with their counterparts fed the contaminated diet. ZEN contamination decreased superoxide dismutase activity in the serum at 21 d, kidney at 42 d, and liver at both 21 and 42 d, respectively (P < 0.05). The hepatic and renal malondialdehyde accumulation at 42 d increased, while renal glutathione level at 42 d decreased, when feeding broilers with the ZEN-contaminated diet (P < 0.05). Dietary modified Pal supplementation reduced hepatic malondialdehyde accumulation, whereas increased renal superoxide dismutase activity in broilers fed a ZEN-contaminated diet at 42 d (P < 0.05). This finding suggested that dietary modified Pal administration could promote growth performance, reduce hepatonephric ZEN residues, and improve liver function and antioxidant status of broiler chickens receiving a ZEN-contaminated diet.

Effects of palygorskite composites on growth performance and antioxidant status in broiler chickens

This work aimed to investigate the effects of the palygorskite (PAL) composites on the growth performance and antioxidant status in broiler chickens. A total of 192 one-day-old Ross 308 broilers were randomly divided into 3 treatment groups. Broilers were fed basal diets supplemented with either 50mg/kg chlortetracycline (CTC group), 1g/kg ZnO/PAL (ZnO/PAL group), or 1g/kg chitooligosaccharides/ZnO/PAL (COS/ZnO/PAL group), respectively. The results showed that PAL composites were found to exhibit similar effects on growth performance as CTC (P > 0.05). ZnO/PAL and COS/ZnO/PAL enhanced the activity of serum glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) compared with CTC both at 21 and 42 d (P < 0.05). Compared with the CTC group, COS/ZnO/PAL enhanced serum catalase (CAT) activity at 21 d (P < 0.05), and decreased serum malondialdehyde (MDA) content at 42 d (P < 0.05). Compared with the CTC group, ZnO/PAL decreased duodenal mucous MDA content at 21 d, while ZnO/PAL did not affect activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and GSH-Px in the duodenum (P > 0.05). The duodenal mucous activities of SOD and GSH-Px were the highest in the COS/ZnO/PAL group at 42 d (P < 0.05). At 21 d, broilers in the COS/ZnO/PAL group had the lowest MDA content and the highest total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) in the jejunum (P < 0.05). Palygorskite composites decreased ileum mucous MDA content compared with CTC treated broilers at 21 d (P < 0.05). At 42 d, ileum mucous T-AOC was increased both in the ZnO/PAL and COS/ZnO/PAL groups compared with the CTC group (P < 0.05). The ileum mucous GSH-Px activities both in the ZnO/PAL and COS/ZnO/PAL groups were increased compared with the CTC group (P < 0.05). In conclusion, the broilers given the basal diet supplemented with the PAL composites exhibited similar growth performance to their counterparts in the AGP group. Additionally, the PAL composites improved the antioxidant status of broilers and the beneficial effects of COS/ZnO/PAL on the antioxidant status are more pronounced.

Effect of different sources and contents of zinc on growth performance, carcass characteristics, humoral immunity and antioxidant status of broiler chickens exposed to high environmental temperatures

A total of 450 one-day-old male broiler chickens (Ross 308) were allocated to 9 dietary treatments to evaluate the effects of different sources and contents of Zn and their interaction on growth performance, carcass characteristics, immune responses, and antioxidant activities in broiler chickens reared under high temperature conditions. From 14 to 42 days, the average minimum and maximum room temperatures were 27.1 ± 1.8 and 37.9 ± 2.3 °C, respectively, with relative humidity ranging from 46 ± 1.4 to 55 ± 2.5%. The experiment consisted of a 3 × 3 factorial arrangement of treatments with 3 sources of dietary Zn [Zn oxide, Zn-Met, and Zn oxide-nanoparticles (ZnO-NP)] and 3 concentrations of supplemental Zn (low: 20 mg/kg, adequate: 40 mg/kg, and high: 80 mg/kg). Each treatment had 5 replicates of 10 broiler chickens per replicate cage. Average daily feed intake, average daily gain (ADG), and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were monitored during the starter (0–10 days), grower (10–24 days), and finisher (24–42 days) periods. On day 42, 2 broiler chickens per replicate were slaughtered to evaluate the carcass-related traits. Blood samples (2 samples/replicate) were taken for measuring antibody responses after challenge with sheep red blood cells (SRBC) on days 21 and 42, and also for antioxidant/oxidant status analysis on day 42. Under heat stress, dietary Zn content did not influence growth performance, but total and IgM antibody titers against SRBC for secondary response were increased (P < 0.05) in broiler chickens receiving high-Zn diets. The ADG from 0 to 42 days, relative spleen weight, total and IgG antibody titers against SRBC for primary responses and serum superoxide dismutase activity in the Zn-Met and ZnO-NP treatments were greater (P < 0.05) than those of Zn oxide treatment. Moreover, overall FCR and serum malondialdehyde concentration were decreased by dietary supplementation of Zn-Met and ZnO-NP (P < 0.05). At the high contents of Zn, response to supplemental Zn-Met appears to be increased in terms of relative spleen weight (P = 0.048) and primary anti-SRBC titers of total and IgG antibodies (P = 0.023 and P = 0.018, respectively), resulting in significant Zn source × Zn content interactions. In conclusion, the delivery of Zn in the forms of Zn-Met and ZnO-NP at concentration of 40 mg/kg of diet could beneficially affect the growth performance, immune response, and antioxidant status of broiler chickens reared under high ambient temperatures.

Effects of ethanol extract of elecampane (Inula helenium L.) rhizome on growth performance, diet digestibility, gut health, and antioxidant status in broiler chickens

This study tested the efficacy of ethanol extract of elecampane (Inula helenium L.) rhizome (EEER) upon growth performance and physiological characteristics of broiler chickens. A total of 360 one-day-old male broiler chickens were randomly allocated to 4 treatments with 6 replicates and 15 chickens per replicate. Treatments consisted of different EEER concentrations (0, 250, 500, or 1000 mg/kg) included in a diet of 3-phase feeding program (starter, grower, and finisher) during the periods of 1–10, 11–24 and 25–42 days of age, respectively. Feed intake was not affected by dietary treatments throughout the study. However, considering the grower and finisher periods or the whole experiment, there were linear improvements in body weight gain and feed conversion ratio with increasing inclusion rate of EEER (P < 0.05). Increasing dosages of EEER produced linear increases in digestibility of dry matter, organic matter, ether extract, and gross energy (P < 0.05). Apparent digestibility of crude protein was not different among diets. A decrease in the count of Escherichia coli (P < 0.05; quadratic) and Clostridium spp. (P < 0.05; linear) along with an increase in the count of Lactobacillus spp. (P < 0.05; linear and quadratic) was also observed with dietary EEER. Diet supplementation with EEER showed positive effects on intestinal mucosa development and intestinal antioxidant capacity. In ileum, there were linear increases in villus height and villus/crypt ratio and linear decreases in crypt depth and total mucosa thickness with increasing addition of EEER (P < 0.05). A linear increase in villus height and a parallel increase in villus/crypt ratio was also evident in the jejunum (P < 0.05). However, crypt depth and total mucosa thickness of the jejunum were not influenced by dietary treatments. In both the jejunal and ileal mucosa, dietary EEER induced a dose-related increase in the activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase (P < 0.05), which was accompanied by a linear decrease in the content of malondialdehyde (P < 0.05). In conclusion, EEER can be considered as a suitable feed additive, which can have positive effects on growth performance, intestinal flora, and gastrointestinal health in broiler chickens.

Effect of ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe) and organic selenium on growth dynamics, blood melanodialdehyde and paraoxonase in broilers exposed to heat stress

ABSTRACT A total of 480 1-week-old chicks of about similar average weight, and size were divided into 6 groups. One group served as control, and was fed only basal diet, second group was fed ginger at the rate of 5 g/kg (T1), third group was given organic selenium (Se) at the rate of, 0.3 mg/kg diet (T2), fourth group was given organic Se at the rate of 0.4 mg/kg (T3), fifth group was fed with organic Se at the rate of 0.3 mg/kg + 5 g/kg ginger (T4), sixth group was given organic Se at the rate of 0.4 mg/kg + 5 g/kg ginger (T5). Mean feed intake was significantly (P < 0.05) high in T3 and T5 while body weight was significantly (P < 0.05) high in T3 compared to the control. Mean feed conversion ratio (FCR) was significantly (P < 0.05) high in T2, T3 and T5 compared to the control. Dressing percentage was significantly (P < 0.05) high in T4 and T5 compared to the control. Serum Antibody titre against Newcastle disease and paraoxonase (PON1) were significantly (P < 0.05) high in the T4 and T5 groups compared to the control while melanodialdehyde (MDA) concentration was significantly (P < 0.05) low in the same groups. Results of this study showed that ginger at the rate of 5 g/kg and Se at the rate of 0.4 mg/kg were more effective in improving the growth performance, immune response and antioxidant status in broiler chickens exposed to high ambient temperature.

Effect of Probiotics and Chelated Zinc on E. coli Infected Broilers

This study was carried out to illustrate the effects of Bacillus subtilis probiotic (Baymix®) and chelated zinc (Availa zinc®) in prevention of E. coli in poultry farms and also to examine their effects on some blood biochemical, immunological parameters and antioxidant status in broiler chickens. One hundred and fifty one day old cobb chicks were used in this study. The chicks were divided into six groups, each group contain 25 chick, the 1st group was (control) non infected and fed balanced diet without additives, 2ndgroup was non-infected treated with probiotic (NPRO), 3rd group was non-infected treated with chelated zinc (NZn), 4thgroup was infected non treated (INT),5thgroup was infected treated with probiotic (IPRO) and 6thgroup was infected treated with chelated zinc (IZn). The infection by E.coli (078) occurred at 21st day of age. Blood samples collected for biochemical parameters, phagocytic activity detection. Liver tissues collected for some antioxidant parameters (MDA and GPx), some immunological parameters interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interferon gamma (IFNγ) and interleukin-10 (IL-10), The results showed that were no significant changes in serum uric acid, creatinine, ALT and AST and significant decrease in malonaldehyde (MDA) and increases in glutathione peroxidase (GPx), phagocytic activity and immunological parameters (IL-1β,IFNγ, IL-10) in NPRO and NZn groups compared to control group and significant decreases in serum uric acid ,creatinine, ALT and AST and significant decrease in MDA and significant increase in glutathione peroxidase (GPx), phagocytic activity and immunological parameters IPRO and NZn groups compared to INT group.From this study we could conclude that the use of B. subtilis probiotic and chelated zinc improve kidney and liver functions, antioxidant status, phagocytic activity and immune response in broilers chickens infected with E. coli (078).