Bee Pollen Supplementation Research Articles

Effect of bee pollen on growth performance, carcass traits, blood parameters, and the levels of metabolic hormones in New Zealand White and Rex rabbits

The aim was to evaluate the effect of bee pollen (BP) on performance, blood parameters, and metabolic hormones in New Zealand White (NZW) and Rex (RX) rabbits. A total of 60 six-week-old rabbits were allotted into a completely randomized design in a 2 × 3 factorial arrangement (two breeds and three levels of BP: 0, 250, and 350mg/kg body weight). The effects of breed × BP supplementation level were non-significant for all growth performance and carcass traits, as well as the concentrations of metabolic hormones in the plasma. Meanwhile, some blood parameters (hemoglobin, packed cell volume, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, and urea) were significantly affected (P < 0.05). Regardless of the effect of breed, the supplementation of BP at a dose of 350mg/kg BW increased the final body weight (P = 0.008), average daily gain (P < 0.001), and net profits (P = 0.006). However, the rabbits treated with BP at a dose of 250mg/kg BW showed lower average daily feed intake (- 14.45g/d; P = 0.049) and feed to gain ratio (- 0.48; P = 0.039). In both rabbit breeds, BP at a dose of 350mg/kg increased the concentrations of insulin-like growth factor-1 (302.62ng/ml, P < 0.001), insulin (16.63ng/ml, P = 0.050), and triiodothyronine (158.50ng/dl, P < 0.001) in plasma compared with other groups. It may be concluded that intake of BP supplementation can improve the feed to gain ratios, blood indices, and metabolic hormones in different rabbit breeds. However, the appropriate dosage and the route of supplementation of BP in broiler rabbits need further research.

Bee pollen and propolis as dietary supplements for rabbit: Effect on reproductive performance of does and on immunological response of does and their offspring

To evaluate the effect of bee pollen (BP) and/or propolis (Pro) supplementation on rabbit does, 64 nulliparous NZW rabbits does were distributed among eight groups (eight animals/group). One unsupplemented group was the control; the other seven groups were supplemented, respectively, with zinc bacitracin (ZnB) at 100mg, BP at 150 and 300mg, Pro at 150 and 300mg, BP+Pro at 150 and 300mg of each three times/week, day after day continuously along eight parities. The BP300, Pro300 and BP+Pro150 groups had higher body weight of litter at birth and number of kids born alive. The BP supplementation at 150mg increased plasma total protein and albumin than the control group. The BP or Pro at 150mg decreased plasma T3 than the other groups except for BP+Pro150. The ZnB group had significantly greater T3 /T4 ratio compared to BP, Pro and BP+Pro at 150mg. The BP+Pro150 group had less ALT than the control; BP300 and Pro 300mg resulted in lower plasma AST than the groups Pro150 with or without BP and the control group. The plasma alkaline phosphatase of BP at 150 or 300mg and BP+Pro150 was significantly greater than that of the Pro150 group. The BP+Pro300 group had higher WBCs than the other groups. In contrast, the lymphocytes were greater in the Pro and BP+Pro300 groups than in BP, Pro and BP+Pro at 150mg. The groups supplemented with BP and BP+Pro at 150 and 300mg had significantly greater SRBCs of doe rabbits and their offspring compared to the control and the ZnB group. The BP at 300mg increased the serum albumin and α1 -globulin than the control group. The Pro300 group had greater serum α2 -globulin and β-globulin than the control group. The total globulin was significantly greater for the 300mg propolis-supplemented groups than the control.

Beneficial impacts of bee pollen in animal production, reproduction and health.

Bee pollen (BP) is one of the most useful therapeutic products favoured by natural medicine scientists because of its possible nutritional and medical applications. It exhibits many impacts such as antimicrobial, immunostimulating, antioxidants and hepatoprotective. Furthermore, BP has some useful therapeutic features in numerous pathological situations such as its impact to normalize wound healing. Based on previous literatures, the level of BP supplement in livestock and poultry ranged from 0.1 to 20g/kg diet. This variation depends on the species, physiological status, age and purpose of addition; so far generally, it accepted to use the level with no side effects. It has been observed that BP enhanced growth performance, immunity responses and blood variables and had hypoglycaemic activity by reducing the lipid in the blood and carcass. Also, BP contains more nutrients, which stimulate faster differentiation and proliferation of the cells of immune system of birds. Therefore, the present review recommends that BP supplementation (up to 20g/kg diet) had possible beneficial impacts, antioxidants and protective activities on most of the production, productive and health patterns of livestock.

The Effects of Propolis and Bee Pollen Supplementation on Biochemical Blood Parameters of Broilers

Abstract The aim of this study was to determine the effect of propolis and bee pollen on selected biochemical blood parameters in broiler chickens. This experimental study was conducted on 200 Ross 308 chickens of equally distributed sex, which were divided into five groups (a control group and four experimental groups). Throughout the whole study the control group of chickens was fed the control feed mixture while the feed mixture that was fed to the experimental groups of chickens contained additives (propolis and/or bee pollen, each supplemented separately or in combination in a certain proportion). The results obtained by this study are: significantly lower blood glucose, cholesterol and calcium levels (P &lt; 0.001), as well as significantly lower triglycerides levels (P = 0.002), but also significantly higher sodium and chloride (P &lt; 0.001), phosphorus (P = 0.004) and globulins levels (P = 0.027) in chickens of the experimental groups compared to the chickens of the control group on the 21st day of fattening. Furthermore, this study has found significantly lower blood glucose (P = 0.033) levels and significantly higher levels of total proteins and globulins (P = 0.003), as well as albumins (P = 0.040) in chickens of the experimental groups compared to the chickens of the control group on the 42nd day of fattening. It can be concluded that the application of propolis and bee pollen as additives in broiler feeds enables the production of more vital and healthier animals, which significantly improves the fattening of chickens.

MODULATORY ACTIVITY OF BEE POLLEN AGAINST THE TOXICITY OF ANTITUBERCULOSIS DRUGS RIFAMPICIN AND ISONIAZID IN TESTIS OF SPRAGUE DAWLEY RATS

Objective: The aim of this study is assessment of protective role of bee pollen in antituberculosis drug (rifampicin and isoniazid)-induced toxicity in testis of Sprague Dawley rats.Methods: Healthy rats weighing 180±20 g were selected for the study. Rats were divided into five groups, i.e., Group A (control), Group B (100 mg/kg body weight/day rifampicin-treated), Group C (rifampicin 100 mg/kg body weight and bee pollen 100 mg/kg body weight), Group D (isoniazid 50 mg/kg body/day treated), and Group E (isoniazid 50 mg/kg body weight/day with bee pollen 100 mg/kg body weight/day) serve as experimental groups.Results: Aqueous extract of bee pollen when administered along with the antituberculosis drugs (rifampicin, isoniazid) showed significant reduction in the level of malondialdehyde while the activity of superoxide dismutase, glutathione (GSH) reductase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathioneS-transferase, catalase, and GSH was elevated representing the antioxidant potential of bee pollen against the drug-treated groups. Supplementation of bee pollen significantly reduced histological changes in the testis of drug-induced groups such as smaller epithelial height, germ cell loss, and irregular seminiferous tubules to near normal.Conclusion: Bee pollen has shown the modulatory effect against damage and oxidative stress induced by antituberculosis drugs (rifampicin and isoniazid) in rat testis.

EFFECTS OF DIETARY BEE POLLEN AND MANNAN OLIGOSACCHARIDE ON SEMEN QUALITY IN RABBITS UNDER EGYPTIAN SUMMER CONDITIONS

The objectives of the present study were to verify the effect of using bee pollen and mannan oligosaccharide (MOS) in the feed mixture on semen quality and reduce the effect of lipid peroxidation of V-line rabbit buck semen during Egyptian hot summer season. A total number of 16 mature V line (VL) rabbit bucks 7-8 months-old of proven fertility with an average initial live body weight of 3.52±0.32 kg were classified into four homogeneous treatment groups of 4 bucks. Bucks were kept under a continuous 16 h light/8 h dark photoperiod and the ambient temperature ranged from 27.3 to 30.3 °C and relative humidity ranged from 72.8 to 75.4%. The estimated temperature-humidity index value indicated that during the experimental period rabbit bucks were exposed to severe heat stress. Four experimental diets were formulated to represent four dietary treatments. Bucks in the first treatment group were given the basal diet without supplementation and served as a control group, the second group was given 0.5 % MOS in their diet, while the third and fourth groups included bucks with supplementation of 0.1 and 0.2 % bee pollen in their diets, respectively. Results show that addition of 0.2 % bee pollen resulted insignificant decrease in semen hydrogen ion concentration (pH) as compared with the control and the other experimental feed additives. Addition of MOS, 0.1 and 0.2 % bee pollen significantly increased individual sperm motility, beside, these feed additives numerically increased ejaculate volume and sperm concentration as compared with the control group. Administration of 0.2 % bee pollen insignificantly increased live sperm percentage and mass activity by 13.2 and 27.4 %, respectively. Numerical increase in packed sperm volume (PSV) percentage amounted to 9.8 % due to administration of 0.2 % bee pollen. On the other hand, it was observed that MOS and bee pollen improved testosterone concentration and acrosome action percentage in comparison with the control group. Numerical decrease in seminal plasma MDA concentration, with significant increase in seminal plasma TAC due to MOS and bee pollen supplementation in comparison with the control group. In conclusion, results indicated that MOS and bee pollen improved semen quality and antioxidant status of rabbit bucks during Egyptian summer season.

Amino acid profile of broiler chickens meat fed diets supplemented with bee pollen and propolis

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of diets supplemented with bee pollen and propolis on the amino acid (AA) profile of chicken meat. A total of 360 one day-old Ross 308 broiler chicks were randomly assigned to three treatments: a basal diet without supplementation as control (C); a basal diet supplemented with bee pollen extract (400 mg kg−1 of feed mixture: E1); and a basal diet supplemented with propolis extract (400 mg kg−1 of feed mixture: E2). Chickens were slaughtered at 42 d of age. After slaughter, the AA profile of breast and thigh samples was determined. The data were analyzed using analysis of variance. The AA profile was not affected by dietary bee pollen supplementation (E1) in breast and thigh muscles (disregarding sex), except for higher concentration of Tyr (p ≤ 0.05) in breast and lower concentration of Pro (p > 0.05) in breast and thigh muscles compared with those in C. However, the AA profile was improved in response to propolis supplementation (E2). In breast muscle (disregarding sex), the highest concentrations of Glu (11.81 g 100 g−1), Gly (3.5 g 100 g−1), and Tyr (4.12 g 100 g−1) were found in the propolis-supplemented group (E2), Glu and Tyr were higher (p ≤ 0.05) in E2 compared with those in C, while Gly was higher (p ≤ 0.05) in E2 compared to E1. Additionally, many other AAs (Asp, Ser, Ala, Tyr, Arg, Thr, Ile, Leu, Phe, and Lys) were observed as the highest (p > 0.05) in breast muscle of broilers fed a diet with propolis extract (E2). In thigh muscle (disregarding sex), higher concentrations (p ≤ 0.05) of Tyr (2.46 g 100 g−1) and His (2.35 g 100 g−1) were found in the propolis-supplemented group (E2) compared with those in C. Many other AAs (Glu, Gly, His, Arg, Thr, Val, Ile, Leu, and Lys) in thigh muscle from propolis-supplemented group (E2) were also higher (p > 0.05) than those in the other groups. After bee pollen (E1) and propolis (E2) supplementation, no differences in amino acid concentrations between males and females, or in breast or thigh muscle were found. In general, breast was demonstrated to contain higher proportions of AAs than thigh muscle. In conclusion, dietary propolis supplementation in amount of 400 mg kg−1 of feed mixture elicited the best AA profile of chicken meat among the dietary treatments and may thus be a promising method to improve meat quality.

Effect of Bee-pollen Supplementation on Performance, Carcass Traits and Blood Parameters of Broiler Chickens

Effect of Bee-pollen Supplementation on Performance, Carcass Traits and Blood Parameters of Broiler Chickens

The effects of dietary bee pollen on lipid peroxidation and fatty acids composition of Japanese quails (Coturnix coturnix japonica) meat under different stocking densities

ABSTRACTThe objective of this study was to investigate the effects of supplementation of bee pollen (1 g/kg) to the basal diet on lipid peroxidation and the fatty acids composition of Japanese quails under different stocking densities. Hundred and sixty Japanese quails were divided into 3 treatment groups each with four replicates consisting of 8 birds in control group and 16 birds in the other groups. Experimental groups were arranged as Control (160cm2/quail without supplementation), high stocking density (HSD) (80 cm2/quail without supplementation), and POL (80 cm2/quail and 1g/kg bee pollen). Plasma Malondialdehyde level in the HSD group was significantly higher than those of Control and POL groups (P < .01). The catalase activity in blood of Control and POL groups was significantly higher than those of the HSD group(P < .01). In the HSD group the total polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) ratio was lowered in all tissues. Increased PUFA ratios were observed in breast muscle and kidney tissue (P < .001), leg muscle (P < .05) and liver (P < .01) tissue in pollen-supplemented quails compared with the other groups. The n–6 PUFA ratio of breast muscle, kidney tissue (P < .001) and liver tissue (P < .01) was higher in the POL group than the other groups. As a result, the present study suggests that bee pollen supplementation to 1 g/kg diet had potential protective activity on lipid peroxidation and tissue fatty acid composition of quails reared under HSD. In all groups, the bee pollen consumption increased PUFA levels in tissues, especially n-6 PUFA.

EFFECT OF BEE POLLEN DIETARY SUPPLEMENTATION ON MEAT PERFORMANCE OF ROSS 308 BROILER CHICKENS

A present study was conducted to evaluate the effect of dietary inclusion of bee pollen extract on meat performance of Ross 308 broiler chickens. A total of 180 one day-old Ross chicks were involved in experiment. Chickens were divided into 2 groups, an experimental group (E) and a control group (C). No added supplement was given to the control group, while the experimental group was given the feed mixture supplemented with bee pollen in an amount of 400 mg.kg-1, during the whole fattening period. Data of live body weight, carcass weight, giblets weight and carcass yield were determined at 42 days of the age. The supplementation of bee pollen increased final body weight of broilers by 68.5 g. Each of investigated parameters of meat performance in experimental group was higher to that in control group, although the difference among the groups was not statistically significant (P≥0.05). The addition of bee pollen at dose 400 mg.kg-1 in the feed mixture indicates the slight effect on meat performance of chickens which can be beneficial for fattening of broiler chickens.

Bee pollen improves muscle protein and energy metabolism in malnourished old rats through interfering with the Mtor signaling pathway and mitochondrial activity.

Although the management of malnutrition is a priority in older people, this population shows a resistance to refeeding. Fresh bee pollen contains nutritional substances of interest for malnourished people. The aim was to evaluate the effect of fresh bee pollen supplementation on refeeding efficiency in old malnourished rats. Male 22-month-old Wistar rats were undernourished by reducing food intake for 12 weeks. The animals were then renourished for three weeks with the same diet supplemented with 0%, 5% or 10% of fresh monofloral bee pollen. Due to changes in both lean mass and fat mass, body weight decreased during malnutrition and increased after refeeding with no between-group differences (p < 0.0001). Rats refed with the fresh bee pollen-enriched diets showed a significant increase in muscle mass compared to restricted rats (p < 0.05). The malnutrition period reduced the muscle protein synthesis rate and mTOR/p70S6kinase/4eBP1 activation, and only the 10%-pollen diet was able to restore these parameters. Mitochondrial activity was depressed with food restriction and was only improved by refeeding with the fresh bee pollen-containing diets. In conclusion, refeeding diets that contain fresh monofloral bee pollen improve muscle mass and metabolism in old, undernourished rats.

Effects of supplementary bee pollen and its polysaccharides on nutrient digestibility and serum biochemical parameters in Holstein calves

This study investigated the effects of supplementing the diets of 14–70-day calves with dietary bee pollen (BP) or its polysaccharides (PS) on growth performance, serum biochemical parameters, and apparent nutrient digestibility. Twenty-five newborn Holstein female calves were randomly offered one of the five diets (five calves per diet): a milk replacer supplemented with 0 (Control), 10 (10BP), 25 (25BP), or 50 g/day (50BP) bee pollen, or 5 g/day (5PS) bee pollen polysaccharides. The trial lasted 56 days, during which growth performance, apparent nutrient digestibility, and serum biochemical parameters were measured. Calves fed diets with BP had a greater bodyweight gain. Supplementation with BP or PS had significant effects on the apparent digestibility of DM, Ca and P in calves (P = 0.025, 0.012, and 0.076, respectively). The apparent DM digestibility of calves from group 25BP or 5PS was increased by 9.7% or 8.2% (P = 0.007 or 0.019), respectively, compared with that in the Control group. No significant differences were observed in serum concentrations of alkaline phosphatase, urea nitrogen, glucose, total protein, albumin, total cholesterol and triglycerides. These results demonstrated that dietary supplementation of BP at 25 g/day·calf or PS at 5 g/day·calf improved nutrient digestibility in pre-ruminant calves.

ANTIOXIDANT EFFECT OF BEE POLLEN ON IMMUNE STATUS OF HYPERGLYCEMIC RATS

The aim of the current study was to evaluate the ability of bee pollen (BP), a known antioxidant-rich food supplement, to prevent or minimize the immune insufficiency complications associated with diabetes mellitus (DM) in rat model. A total of 32 adult male Wistar Albino rats divided into 4 groups (8 rats each) were used in the current study. One group were fed basal diet only for 60 successive days and used as non- diabetic control group (G I), while the other groups were used for induction of DM model after injection with streptozotocin (STZ) 65 mg/kg.One of the diabetic rat groups received only basal diet without BP supplementation for the same period and used as diabetic control group (G II). The other diabetic groups were subdeivided into 2 subgroups, which received basal diet supplemented with BP at a concentration of 1% and 2% for 60 successive days and assigned as G III and G IV, respectively. The obtained results revealed that at the end of the experiment there are still significant increases (P≤0.001) in glucose levels in groups II, III and IV in comparison to G I. However, non-significant changes were recorded in glucose levels G III & IV as compared G II. With regard to oxidative stress, significant reduction (P ≤ 0.01) were recorded in the levels of evaluated antioxidant parameters (SOD, CAT and GSH-PX) in G II as compared to G I. However, significant increases (P ≤ 0.01) and (P ≤ 0.001) were recorded in the levels of antioxidant parameters in G III and G IV, respectively as compared to G II of hyperglycemic rats. With regards to immune status, significant reduction of CIC (P ≤ 0.01), phagocytic activity of neutrophils (P ≤ 0.01) and IFN-gamma (P ≤ 0.001) were recorded G II as compared to G I. On the other hand, significant increase were recorded in the levels of IgG (P ≤ 0.01) and IgM (P ≤ 0.001) in G II as compared to G I. However, significant improvement of CIC (P ≤ 0.05 and P ≤ 0.01), Phagocytic activity (P ≤ 0.05 and P ≤ 0.01), IgM (P ≤ 0.05 and P ≤ 0.01), IgG (P ≤ 0.05 and P ≤ 0.01) and IFN-gamma (P ≤ 0.01 and P ≤ 0.001) were recorded among G III and G IV, respectively as compared to G II. In conclusion, an association between oxidative stress and immune insufficiency were recorded in the present study in diabetic rats Moreover, an obvious improvement of immune status parameters were recorded after supplementation of diabetic rats with bee pollen as an antioxidant-rich food supplement.

&lt;b&gt;Bee pollen supplementation in diets for rabbit does and growing rabbits&lt;/b&gt; - doi: 10.4025/actascianimsci.v35i4.18950

It was evaluated the effects of bee pollen (BP) on the doe and kits productivity and on the carcass and organs of the rabbits. Twenty White New Zealand does and their kits were used in a randomized block design, with four treatments and five blocks, in a factorial arrangement 2 x 2 with two supplementation levels for the doe and for the kits after the weaning. BP supplementation for the does did not influence (p &gt; 0.05) the doe and kit productivity during the lactation, except by the kits survival rate (p &lt; 0.003), the total (p &lt; 0.002) and daily (p &lt; 0.001) milk production that increased in supplemented doe. BP supplementation for the doe and/or kits did not affect (p &gt; 0.05) the rabbit performance from the weaning until the slaughter age, the slaughter weight, carcass characteristics, except by the spleen and small intestine weights, higher in supplemented rabbits. It was not recommended that BP supplementation for does and/or rabbits for not improving the rabbit productive performance.