Liver Of Broiler Chickens Research Articles

Dietary bile acids alleviate corticosterone-induced fatty liver and hepatic glucocorticoid receptor suppression in broiler chickens.

The aim of this study was to investigate the alleviating effects and mechanisms of bile acids (BA) on corticosterone-induced fatty liver in broiler chickens. Male Arbor Acres chickens were randomly divided into three groups: control group (CON), stress model group (CORT), and BA-treated group (CORT-BA). The CORT-BA group received a diet with 250mg/kg BA from 21 days of age. From day 36 to 43, both the CORT and CORT-BA groups received subcutaneous injections of corticosterone to simulate chronic stress. The results indicated that BA significantly mitigated the body weight loss, liver enlargement, and hepatic lipid deposition caused by corticosterone (P < 0.05). Liver RNA-seq analysis showed that BA alleviated corticosterone-induced fatty liver by inhibiting lipid metabolism pathways, including fatty acid biosynthesis, triglyceride biosynthesis, and fatty acid transport. Additionally, BA improved corticosterone-induced downregulation of glucocorticoid receptor (GR) expression (P < 0.05). Molecular docking and cellular thermal shift assays revealed that hyodeoxycholic acid (HDCA), a major component of compound bile acids, could bind to GR and enhance its stability. In conclusion, BA alleviated corticosterone-induced fatty liver in broilers by inhibiting lipid synthesis pathways and mitigating the suppression of hepatic GR expression.

Quercetin protects the liver of broiler chicken against oxidative stress and apoptosis induced by ochratoxin A

Ochratoxin A (OTA) is a mycotoxin that causes major health concerns in human and animals. Quercetin (QUE) is a flavonoid that possesses antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic properties. This report aims to investigate the ameliorative effects of QUE against OTA-induced hepatotoxicity in broiler chicken. Forty broiler chicks were equally allocated into 4 groups: Group I (control), Group II (OTA), Group III (QUE) and Group IV (OTA+QUE). OTA (0.5mg/kg) and QUE (0.5g/kg) were incorporated into the chicken feed for 42 days. The results presented a significant decrease in body weight and elevation in feed conversion ratio, and a significant elevation of the activities of serum alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase enzymes in the OTA birds. Additionally, there was a significant decrease in catalase activity and reduced glutathione content and a significant elevation in malondialdehyde level in the liver of OTA-exposed birds. Various hepatocellular lesions were also noticed in the OTA-exposed birds. OTA exposure up-regulated the phosphatase and tensin homologue (PTEN) and the pro-apoptotic genes and down-regulated the anti-apoptotic genes in the liver. The addition of QUE ameliorated most of the hepatotoxic effects of OTA.

Copper toxicity in the liver of broiler chicken: insights from metabolomics and AMPK-mTOR mediated autophagy perspective

Exposure to copper (Cu) has been associated with metabolic disorders in animals and humans, but the underlying mechanism remains unclear. One-day-old broiler chickens, numbering a total of 192, were nourished with dietary intakes that contained varying concentrations of Cu, specifically 11, 110, 220, and 330 mg/kg of Cu, for a period extending over a duration of 7 weeks. As a result of the study, Cu exposure resulted in vacuolization, fragmentation of mitochondria cristae, and the increase of autophagosomes in hepatocytes. Metabolomics analysis illustrated that Cu caused a total of 59 different metabolites in liver, predominantly associated with the glycerophospholipid metabolic pathway, leading to metabolic disruption. Moreover, high-Cu diet markedly reduced the levels of AMPKα1, p-AMPKα1, mTOR, and p-mTOR and enhanced the expression levels of the autophagy-related factors (Atg5, Dynein, Beclin1, and LC3-II). Overall, Cu exposure caused chicken liver injury and resulted in disturbed metabolic processes and mediated autophagy primarily through the AMPK-mTOR axis.

An Algoclay-Based Decontaminant Decreases Exposure to Aflatoxin B1, Ochratoxin A, and Deoxynivalenol in a Toxicokinetic Model, as well as Supports Intestinal Morphology, and Decreases Liver Oxidative Stress in Broiler Chickens Fed a Diet Naturally Contaminated with Deoxynivalenol.

The aims of this study were (i) to determine the effect of an algoclay-based decontaminant on the oral availability of three mycotoxins (deoxynivalenol; DON, ochratoxin A; OTA, and aflatoxin B1; AFB1) using an oral bolus model and (ii) to determine the effect of this decontaminant on the performance, intestinal morphology, liver oxidative stress, and metabolism, in broiler chickens fed a diet naturally contaminated with DON. In experiment 1, sixteen 27-day-old male chickens (approximately 1.6 kg body weight; BW) were fasted for 12 h and then given a bolus containing either the mycotoxins (0.5 mg DON/kg BW, 0.25 mg OTA/kg BW, and 2.0 mg AFB1/kg BW) alone (n = 8) or combined with the decontaminant (2.5 g decontaminant/kg feed; circa 240 mg/kg BW) (n = 8). Blood samples were taken between 0 h (before bolus administration) and 24 h post-administration for DON-3-sulphate, OTA, and AFB1 quantification in plasma. The algoclay decontaminant decreased the relative oral bioavailability of DON (39.9%), OTA (44.3%), and AFB1 (64.1%). In experiment 2, one-day-old male Ross broilers (n = 600) were divided into three treatments with ten replicates. Each replicate was a pen with 20 birds. The broiler chickens were fed a control diet with negligible levels of DON (0.19-0.25 mg/kg) or diets naturally contaminated with moderate levels of DON (2.60-2.91 mg/kg), either supplemented or not with an algoclay-based decontaminant (2 g/kg diet). Jejunum villus damage was observed on day 28, followed by villus shortening on d37 in broiler chickens fed the DON-contaminated diet. This negative effect was not observed when the DON-contaminated diet was supplemented with the algoclay-based decontaminant. On d37, the mRNA expression of glutathione synthetase was significantly increased in the liver of broiler chickens fed the DON-contaminated diet. However, its expression was similar to the control when the birds were fed the DON-contaminated diet supplemented with the algoclay-based decontaminant. In conclusion, the algoclay-based decontaminant reduced the systemic exposure of broiler chickens to DON, OTA, and AFB1 in a single oral bolus model. This can be attributed to the binding of the mycotoxins in the gastrointestinal tract. Moreover, dietary contamination with DON at levels between 2.69 and 2.91 mg/kg did not impair production performance but had a negative impact on broiler chicken intestinal morphology and the liver redox system. When the algoclay-based decontaminant was added to the diet, the harm caused by DON was no longer observed. This correlates with the results obtained in the toxicokinetic assay and can be attributed to a decreased absorption of DON.

The effect of gadolinium and lanthanum orthovanadate nanoparticles on the content of vitamins (B2, A, E) and trace elements (Cu, Zn, Se) in the blood serum and liver of broiler chickens

As a result of scientific progress, substances in the nanoscale state are increasingly being introduced into various areas of human activity, including animal husbandry (poultry farming). In particular, nanotechnology is used successfully to enrich food products with minerals, vitamins, antioxidants, that is, they can increase the bioavailability of nutrients by oral administration. In this study, the content of vitamins (A, E, and B2 ) and trace elements (Zn, Cu, and Se) in the blood serum and liver of broiler chickens under the influence of gadolinium orthovanadate, lanthanum orthovanadate, and a mixture of all these was investigated. It was established that their administration to broiler chickens for 10 days at a dose of 0.2 mg/l of drinking water (an average of 0.09 mg/kg body weight) increases the bioavailability of vitamins B2 , A, and E and the trace elements selenium, copper and zinc, which was manifested by an increase in their concentrations in the blood serum compared to the control group (from 8.6% to 3.0 times for vitamins, and from 17.8% to 2.5 times for trace elements, P&lt;0.05) and liver deposition (from 9.4% to 4.6 times for vitamins and from 6.3 to 56.3% for trace elements, P&lt;0.05), with a prolonged effect after administration was stopped. The introduction of nanoparticles (both in mono-solutions and in a mixture), along with a vitamin preparation, indicates the possibility of increasing the content of vitamins and trace elements without their additional introduction, using the dietary resource more fully.

Inhibitor of P-glycoprotein-mediated drug transport by curcumin in broiler chickens.

To investigate the role of curcumin in the regulation of P-glycoprotein (P-gp) and its influence on the pharmacokinetics of P-gp substrates. 39 broiler chicken and chicken embryonic primary hepatocytes. Chicken embryonic primary hepatocytes were treated with curcumin, after which cell viability, P-gp expression, and transport were assessed. Broiler chickens were pretreated with curcumin, after which P-gp expression and the pharmacokinetic behavior of orally administered sulfadiazine (a substrate of P-gp) were measured. The preliminary results showed that the viability of chicken embryonic primary hepatocytes was enhanced by pretreatment with 40, 60, and 100 μM curcumin. Curcumin inhibits the expression and transport of P-gp. In vivo experiments showed that curcumin decreased the expression of P-gp in the broiler chicken liver, kidney, and small intestine. Pretreatment with curcumin changed the pharmacokinetic behavior of orally administered sulfadiazine by increasing the area under the curve (47.36 vs 70.35 h·mg/L, P < .01) and peak concentration (10.1 vs 14.53 μg/mL, P < .01). Curcumin inhibited the expression and efflux of chicken P-gp, thereby improving the oral bioavailability of P-gp substrate drugs. These findings provide a rationale for exploiting herbal-drug interactions in veterinary practice to improve the absorption of drugs.

Meat productivity and quality of meat and liver of broiler chickens after consuming diet with mineral supplements containing chelates of cuprum, iron, zinc, and manganese

Poultry farming plays an important role as a producer of high-quality animal protein, which can solve issues of protein deficit among the population. Genetic growth potential of broiler chickens can be maximized through regular supply of microelements, especially chelate aminoacids. Those compounds improve metabolic processes in the body and increase increments in live mass and slaughter-yield of meat. The main objective of the study was identifying effects of mineral supplements with chelate microminerals on meat productivity of broiler chickens, quality of breast and thigh muscles, and content of mineral compounds in meat and liver. The studies were carried out on Kobb-500 broiler chickens, divided into three groups, each comprising 25 individuals. The experiment lasted from day 1 to day 42 of raising poultry. Broilers of the control group received the basic diet balanced in nutrients; the diet of birds of the second group was supplemented with Kronotsyd-L with chelates of copper, iron, zinc, and manganese in calculation of 0.25 mL/L of water, and chickens of the third consumed a diet with copper glycinate in calculation of 0.30 mL/L of water. Subject to mineral supplements with chelate microelements, the chickens had the highest mean-daily increments of live mass, slaughter yield, and yield of breast muscles. Use of mineral supplements in the diet of broiler chickens affected the quality of their meat, in particular its chemical composition. Those supplements led to changes in mineral composition of meat, influencing the concentrations of individual minerals in the tissues of the birds. Since minerals are important components of protein metabolism, the supplements augmented the content of dry matter and protein in meat. In the broiler chickens that had been receiving copper glycinate, the breast muscles had statistically significant increases in the mass shares of dry matter and protein. We found decrease in the content of fat in the breast and thigh muscles and the liver subject to copper glycinate and Kronotsyd-L with chelates of copper, iron, zinc, and manganese. This indicates improvement of the quality of meat and the liver. Use of mineral supplements with chelated microelements increased the ash content in dry matter because of higher concentrations of phosphorus, calcium, magnesium, iron, and manganese.

Microstructural analysis of meat and internal organs of broiler chickens using a probiotic biological product

Probiotic preparation containing bacteria of the genus Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus licheniformis used for feeding broiler chickens to improve feed digestion, nutrient absorption, increase immune status and productivity, and for the prevention and treatment of various poultry diseases. The purpose of the study is to conduct histological tests of broiler chicken slaughter products when they were administered a probiotic biologic medical product in doses of: 0.5 g, 2.0, and 4.0 g per 10 dm3 of water. The material was examined by the histological method. It was found that the muscle fibres in the pectoralis major are of the same type, evenly directed, the cytoplasm of muscle fibres is moderately eosinophilic, uniformly light pink, and minor layers of adipose tissue are found between the bundles of muscle fibres. The morphological architectonics of the heart muscle are preserved, cardiomyocytes are homogeneous and have a clear orientation. The microstructure of the liver of broiler chickens is unchanged: hepatocytes are collected in the same type of groups; the central veins are desolate; the cytoplasm of these cells is homogeneous, clear, and pink; the nuclei are weakly basophilic. In the spleen, the follicular structure is formed, leukocytes are diffusely placed at different stages of differentiation; vessels in significant numbers, thickened, of different calibre. The cuticle of the muscular part of the stomach contains the epithelial layer, the volume part of the connective tissue base layer is revealed; muscle fibres are located under the mesenchymal base of the cuticle. Lungs by morphological structure have bronchial tubes throughout the structure, which contain blood cells. According to the results of the conducted studies, a beneficial effect of a probiotic biological product at a dose of 4.0 g/10 dm3 of water on the morphology of the pectoralis major and internal organs of broiler chickens was established. Therefore, a probiotic at a dose of 4.0 g/10 dm3 of water during the drinking of broiler chickens can be recommended to increase productivity and produce safe slaughter products. The practical significance of the results obtained is to determine the features of the effect of feeding poultry with different doses of probiotics on the microstructure of its slaughter products, which is important for obtaining the best effect from its use

Histomorphological structure of the liver in broiler chickens of the Smena-9 cross when using feed additives in the diet

Histomorphological structure of the liver in broiler chickens of the Smena-9 cross when using feed additives in the diet

New integrated system for raising poultry as a factor of increasing its productivity and metabolic status

The article presents the results of studying the influence of a developed scheme for raising poultry, including the use of 2.0% feed additive and 10.0% feed mixture (corn extract, perlite, corn grist) + 1% selephlan on metabolic processes, growth, development, safety and functional state of the liver of broiler chickens. It has been determined that the joint use of feed additives based on grain processing products and selephlan as a part of complete feeds for broiler chickens contributes to an increase in gross and average daily live weight gain by 6.9 and 7.5%, improvement feed conversion by 1.1%. The use of selephlan made it possible to neutralize the high load on the liver caused by the highly nutritious type of feeding of poultry, maintaining its healthy structure and functional activity, helping to reduce hepatoindicative enzymes by 39.2% (ALT) and by 13.4% (AST), and also activate protein and carbohydrate metabolism throughout the entire productive rearing period, which had a beneficial effect on the growth characteristics of meat poultry and the quality of the resulting livestock products.

Productivity, metabolites of blood serum lipid metabolism and chemical composition of the broiler chicken liver on the background of feeding emulsifiers

Emulsifiers are used in animal nutrition to improve fat emulsification and increase absorption. The liver is the central organ controlling lipid homeostasis. The aim of the research was identification the effect of feeding various types of substances with emulsifying properties: soy lecithin and Lesimaks Premium feed additive on productivity, metabolites of lipid metabolism in blood serum and the chemical composition of the liver of broiler chickens. Our studies show the effectiveness of "Lesimaks Premium" to a greater extent in comparison with soy lecithin. By the end of the experiment, the lead in live weight of broiler chickens compared to the control was 7.9%. In the experiment, both emulsifiers changed the fatty acid composition of the liver, while oleic acid increased and linoleic acid decreased in the liver, against the background of an increase in HDL and a decrease in serum LDL. The study highlights the promising potential for improving broiler performance through the use of emulsifiers in diets.

QUERCETIN, VANILLIN AND UMBELLIFERON QUANTIFICATION IN THE TISSUE OF BROILER CHICKENS DIETARY SUPPLEMENTED WITH THESE COMPOUNDS

Relevance. Plant-derived compounds are attractive alternative to antibiotic growth promoters in livestock and poultry production. In our previous study, dietary supplementation of broiler chickens with the flavonoid quercetin, the phenolic aldehyde vanillin, and the o-hydroxycinnamic acid lactone umbelliferon (7-hydroxycoumarin) modulated the ceca microbiome, reduced systemic inflammation, and increased production efficiency, as meas-ured by the EPEF index. Objectives. To evaluate the content of free and conjugated (glucuronidated) quercetin, vanillin and umbelliferon in the muscles and liver of broiler chickens fed a 35-day basic diet supplemented with these compounds. Material and methods. Quercetin, vanillin and umbelliferon were extracted with acetonitrile and formic acid, evaporated and re-dissolved in deion-ized water, and then purified using HLB cartridges. To release the conjugated compounds, hydrolysis with glucuronidase/arylsulfatase was additionally performed. The resulting samples were analyzed by HPLC-MS using a LCMS-8050 gas chromatograph - mass spectrometer (Shimadzu Corporation, Ja-pan) with LabSolutions software installed. Results. Tissue samples from broiler chickens fed quercetin did not contain this compound in a detectable concentration range, which may be a con-sequence of the effective quercetin metabolism by intestinal microflora and xenobiotic inactivation systems. Surprisingly, quantification of vanillin showed its presence in all analyzed samples, regardless of presence or absence in supplements. This result cannot be interpreted unequivocally and is currently speculated to be due to vanillin or similar cross-reacting substances in the basic diet. Umbelliferon concentrations of 17 ng/g (free) and 125 ng/g (sum of free and conjugated forms) were detected in only one liver sample of broiler chickens that received this compound at the maximum dosage (3.0 mg per 1 kg of feed). Conclusion. The absence or low accumulation of free and glucuronidated quercetin, vanillin and umbelliferon in the muscles and liver of diet-supplemented broiler chickens has been shown. This result indicates the safety of these plant-derived molecules in poultry production without possible migration through food chains.

Genistein alleviates chronic heat stress-induced lipid metabolism disorder and mitochondrial energetic dysfunction by activating the GPR30-AMPK-PGC-1α signaling pathways in the livers of broiler chickens

The objective of this study was to investigate the preventive effects and mechanisms of genistein (GEN) on production performance and metabolic disorders in broilers under chronic heat stress (HS). A total of 120 male three-week-old Ross broilers were randomly assigned to 5 groups: a thermoneutral zone (TN) group maintained at normal temperature (21 ± 1°C daily), an HS group subjected to cyclic high temperature (32 ± 1°C for 8 h daily), and three groups exposed to HS with varying doses of GEN (50, 100, or 150 mg/kg diet). The experimental period lasted for three weeks. Here, HS led to a decline in growth performance parameters and hormone secretion disorders (P < 0.05), which were improved by 100 and 150 mg/kg GEN treatment (P < 0.05). Moreover, the HS-induced increases in the liver index (P < 0.01) and abdominal fat rate (P < 0.05) were attenuated by 150 mg/kg GEN (P < 0.05). The HS-induced excessive lipid accumulation in the liver and serum (P < 0.01) was ameliorated after 100 and 150 mg/kg GEN treatment (P < 0.05). Furthermore, the HS-induced decreases in lipolysis-related mRNA levels and increases in lipid synthesis-related mRNA levels in the liver (P < 0.01) were effectively blunted after 100 and 150 mg/kg GEN treatment (P < 0.05). Importantly, the HS-stimulated hepatic mitochondrial energetic dysfunction and decreases in the mRNA or protein levels of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma coactivator 1α (PGC-1α), nuclear respiratory factor 1, and mitochondrial transcription factor A in the liver were ameliorated by 150 mg/kg GEN (P < 0.05). Moreover, 50-150 mg/kg GEN treatment resulted in a significant increase in the mRNA or protein levels of G protein-coupled estrogen receptor (GPR30), AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) α1, phosphorylated AMPKα, and phosphorylated acetyl-CoA carboxylase α. Collectively, GEN alleviated metabolic disorders and hepatic mitochondrial energetic dysfunction under HS, possibly through the activation of GPR30-AMPM-PGC-1α pathways. These data provide a sufficient basis for GEN as an additive to alleviate HS in broilers.

Influence of Selephlan on the morphohistological structure of the liver of the Arbor Acres cross poultry

The intensification of growing processes, concentrated feeding and other improvements in technological processes in poultry farms have led to the development of new metabolic pathologies for the industry, previously not widely recorded. The development of these diseases is directly related to excessive stress on the poultry body during intensive rearing. The central organ most susceptible to this type of stress is the liver. Currently, clear signs of hepatopathy are recorded even in poultry farming. As a result, an important offal – the liver – is discarded, the poultry lags behind in growth and development, and the quality of the meat decreases. Therefore, the development of hepatoprotective veterinary drugs for poultry farming is an urgent task. To determine the effectiveness of the new hepatoprotective drug Selephlan in the vivarium conditions of the Federal State Budgetary Scientific Institution “Krasnodar Research Centre for Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Medicine”, an experiment was conducted on two groups of broiler chickens (experimental and control) of the Arbor Acres cross (n=100). The studied drug was given to the experimental group during the growth and finishing periods of rearing (15–40 days) at a dose of 1.0% per unit of feed. The poultry of the control group received complete feed (CF) without additives. In order to determine the state of the hepatobiliary system of poultyr in the end of the experimental period, intravital screening monitoring of the liver condition using ultrasound diagnostics was carried out in the experimental and control groups, followed by slaughter to clarify the identified changes in the liver parenchyma tissue. Based on ultrasound diagnostics and histological studies, it was determined that the drug Selephlan under conditions of intensive fattening allows maintaining the healthy structure and functional activity of the liver of broiler chickens at a physiologically normal level throughout the entire productive period of rearing, which has a beneficial effect on the growth characteristics of meat poultry and the quality of the resulting livestock products.

Studying the Effect of Zeolite, Organic Acid and Silver Nanoparticles Coated on Zeolite on the Expression of BAX and Bcl2 Apoptosis Genes in the Liver of Broiler Chickens

Studying the Effect of Zeolite, Organic Acid and Silver Nanoparticles Coated on Zeolite on the Expression of BAX and Bcl2 Apoptosis Genes in the Liver of Broiler Chickens

Effects of oleanolic acid on acute liver injury triggered by lipopolysaccharide in broiler chickens

ABSTRACT 1. Infectious injury caused by lipopolysaccharide (LPS), a metabolite of gram-negative bacteria, can induce stress responses in animals and is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in young birds. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of dietary supplementation with oleanolic acid (OA) on acute liver injury in broiler chickens challenged with LPS. 2. In total, 120 broiler chickens were randomly divided into six groups and fed a basal diet containing 0, 50, 100, or 200 mg/kg OA or 100 mg/kg aureomycin. On d 15, broiler chickens were injected with either LPS or an equivalent volume of normal saline. Six hours after LPS injection, two broiler chicks were randomly selected for sampling in each replicate. 3. The results indicated that dietary aureomycin was ineffective in alleviating LSP-associated liver injury, but protected broiler chickens from LPS-induced liver damage. This promoted a significant reduction in the levels of malondialdehyde and an increase in the levels of superoxide dismutase in liver. In addition, OA was found to cause significant reductions in the relative expression of IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α in broiler liver tissues, whereas the relative expression of IL-10 was significantly increased. 4. In conclusion, oleanolic acid can alleviate oxidative stress and injury in the livers of broiler chickens induced by lipopolysaccharide. Consequently, oleanolic acid has potential utility as a novel anti-inflammatory and antioxidant feed additive.

Augmentation of Performance, Carcass Trait, Biochemical Profile and Lipid Metabolism Concerning the Use of Organic Acidifier in Broiler Chickens

This study aimed to disclose the effects of a new compound organic acidifier mixing with L-malic acid and L-lactic acid on broiler production. A total of 1000 1-day-old Arbor acres broiler chicks were randomly divided into two treatments of 10 replicates each, with 50 birds per replicate. The feeding trial lasted for 42 days. The treatment group was offered 0.8% of the acidifier based on the control. The growth performance of the broiler chickens was improved by treatment. The broiler chickens in treatment had lower triglyceride but higher high-density lipoprotein content in serum. Superoxide dismutase activity, total antioxidant capacity and the concentrations of immunoglobulin A, complement 3 and lysozyme were increased in the serum of the broiler chickens, while the concentrations of interleukin-2 and tumor necrosis factor-α in the mucosa of jejunum were decreased by treatment. The expressions of AMPK, CD36, FABP1, MTTP and PPARα were increased but expressions of APOB100 and PCSK9 were decreased by treatment. In conclusion, the acidifier was effective at promoting broiler production, which was probably through the improved immunity, antioxidant and hepatic lipid metabolism capacities. The acidifier may be accelerating lipid metabolism in broiler chicken liver through regulating the expression of the genes related to fat metabolism.

Inclusion of vermiculture biomass grown on a substrate of accelerated fermentation into combined feeds for broiler chickens

As the population increases, the problem of meat production will grow. An alternative method of solving this problem is growing broiler chickens; however, with this technology, the question of protein content and available amino acids in poultry feed remains open. Vermiculture biomass can be an inexhaustible source of protein for broiler chickens feeding. Under the vivarium of the Bila Tserkva National Agrarian University, worms were grown on a substrate containing poultry droppings with litter fermented by an accelerated method with the participation of a destructor. Therefore, the work aims to establish the effect of such vermiculture biomass on productivity and protein metabolism in the body of broiler chickens. For this purpose, the broiler chickens of the research groups were fed with compound feed with a content of 1.5, 3.0, and 4.5 % of vermiculture biomass. Poultry compound feed from the control group did not contain worm biomass. At the end of the experiment, the bird's body weight was recorded, the absolute and average daily gains were determined, and the indicators of protein accounting in the liver of broiler chickens were determined. It has been established that the body weight of broiler chickens varies depending on the content of vermiculture biomass in compound feed. Using a low dose of worms in the feed did not make it possible to obtain a statistically significant increase in the body weight of broiler chickens. By adding 3.0 and 4.5 % vermiculture biomass to the compound feed, the body weight of broilers increases by 3.5 and 3.7 % compared to the index of birds that were not fed worms. It was found that the absolute and average daily growth of broiler chickens that consumed compound feed containing 3.0 and 4.5 % vermiculture biomass increased by a statistically significant amount. It has been proven that using vermiculture biomass affects the protein metabolism indicators in broiler chickens' livers. In the liver of broiler chickens, which were fed with compound feed with a content of 3.0 and 4.5 % of vermiculture biomass, a tendency to an increase in the total protein content and a statistically significant increase in the activity of aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase was established. In the liver of broilers, which were fed with compound feed with a content of 3.0 and 4.5 % of worm biomass, a tendency to increase the content of total and protein total groups was revealed.

Taraxasterol alleviates aflatoxin B1-induced liver damage in broiler chickens via regulation of oxidative stress, apoptosis and autophagy

Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) is the most dangerous and abundant mycotoxin, which is toxic to almost all animals, and poultry is more sensitive to AFB1 toxicity. Ingesting AFB1-contaminated feed can cause significant liver damage and brings serious harm to poultry, which greatly restricts the development of the poultry industry. The present research was implemented to explore the intervention effect and its mechanism of taraxasterol on liver damage induced by AFB1 in broiler chickens. The liver damage model in broiler chickens was established by feeding 0.5 mg/kg AFB1 feed, and taraxasterol (25, 50 and 100 mg/kg BW, respectively) was given in the drinking water for 21 days. The growth performance, liver function, oxidative stress, apoptosis and autophagy were evaluated. The results showed that taraxasterol increased BW and reduced feed-to-gain ratio of broiler chickens induced by AFB1. Taraxasterol improved the levels of serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), γ-glutamyltransferase (GGT), total bilirubin (TBIL) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and attenuated hepatic histopathological changes induced by AFB1. Meantime, taraxasterol down-regulated cytochrome P450 (CYP450) enzyme system CYP1A1 and CYP2A6 mRNA expression, inhibited the overproduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and malondialdehyde (MDA), and enhanced the activities of antioxidant enzymes glutathione (GSH) and catalase (CAT) and the content of antioxidant superoxide dismutase (SOD) of the liver in broiler chickens induced by AFB1. Furthermore, taraxasterol up-regulated the mRNA and protein expression of hepatic nuclear factor E2 related factor 2 (Nrf2), heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1) and NAD(P)H: quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1), and down-regulated the expression of hepatic kelch like ECH associated protein 1 (Keap1) induced by AFB1 in Keap1/Nrf2 signaling pathway. The ultrastructural observation and RT-qPCR results found that taraxasterol inhibited apoptosis of hepatocytes, up-regulated the expression of B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2) mRNA and down-regulated the expression of Bax and caspase3 mRNA. Further, taraxasterol restored the autophagy of hepatocytes and down-regulated the mRNA expression of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase K (PI3K), protein kinase B (AKT) and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) in AFB1-induced liver of broiler chickens. The above results indicate that taraxasterol alleviates liver damage induced by AFB1 in broiler chickens through regulation of Keap1/Nrf2 signaling pathway to exert its antioxidant effect, mitochondrial apoptosis pathway to improve anti-apoptotic ability and PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway to restore autophagy.

Role of oral phytogenic supplementation to protect cardiac, hepatic, nephrotic, and splenic oxidative stress in broiler chickens.

This study investigated the effects of adding essential oils of garlic, ginger, turmeric, and cinnamon to drinking water on cardiac, hepatic, nephrotic, and splenic oxidative status of broiler chickens. A batch of 200 1-d old Arbo acre broiler chicks was administered with Control (Water: no additive), 30 ml/L of cinnamon, ginger, turmeric, or garlic essential oils in drinking water for 42 d. On day 43, three broiler chickens/replicates were sampled randomly, sacrificed, and eviscerated. The hearts, spleens, kidneys, and livers were excised and assayed for glutathione peroxidase, total antioxidant activity, catalase, superoxide dismutase, and lipid peroxidation using standard protocols. In spleen broiler chickens, all additive essential oils increased (P < 0.05) total antioxidant activity. Catalase, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione peroxidase significantly increased (P < 0.05) in garlic, ginger, and turmeric essential oils except cinnamon. In kidney broiler chickens, lipid peroxidation was significantly reduced (P < 0.05) in all the additive essential oils. Garlic, cinnamon, and ginger essential oils increased (P < 0.05) catalase, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione peroxidase in kidney broiler chickens. In liver broiler chickens, lipid peroxidation, and glutathione peroxidase were higher (P < 0.05) in cinnamon essential oil than other additive essential oils. Superoxide dismutase and catalase were higher (P < 0.05) in turmeric essential oils. In heart broiler chickens, all the additive essential oils significantly decreased (P < 0.05) lipid peroxidation and increased (P < 0.05) total antioxidant activity. In conclusion, oral garlic, turmeric, and ginger essential oils supplementation did not reduce lipid peroxidation in spleen, whereas cinnamon essential oil caused lipid peroxidation in liver of broiler chickens.