Growth Performance Parameters Research Articles

Effects of Enzyme and Vinegar (Acetic Acid) on Growth Performance and Hematological Parameters in Broiler

The experiment was conducted on “Cobb 500” broiler chicks to investigate the effects of enzymes and vinegar on live weight and hematological parameters (TEC, Hb concentration, PCV, ESR, TLC, AST and ALT). A total of 250-day-old broiler chicks were allowed to take rest for 13 days for the adaptation and supplied with normal diet and water. After day 13 they were randomly divided into four equal groups (N=50) and marked them as group T0, T1, T2 and T3. Broiler chicks of group T0 were kept as control and fed with only the commercial broiler ration and fresh drinking water for 21 days but the group T1, T2 and T3 were treated with enzymes (Alquerzim®) @ 1gm/L, vinegar @ 1gm/L, enzymes (Alquerzim®) plus vinegar @ 1ml/L drinking water with normal diet for 21 days respectively. Live weight as gm of broiler chicks were measured on the day 14 of age (1st day of experiment) and sequentially at 7 days interval up to the end of the experiment (day 35 of age i.e 21st day of experiment). For the hematological examinations, blood samples were collected from the randomly selected 10 (i.e. n = 10) birds from each and every group at the end of experiment on day 35 of age (21st day of experiment). It was observed that live weight was increased significantly (p<0.01) in the treatment groups (T1, T2 and T3) as compared to control group T0. TEC, Hb concentration and PCV were increased significantly (p<0.01) but the ESR and TLC significantly (p<0.01) decreased in all the treatment groups as compared to control group T0. Serum biochemical parameters like AST and ALT values were also decreased significantly (p<0.05) in the treatment groups as compared to control group T0. Therefore, it may be concluded that additional enzymes and vinegar had better performance in terms of live weight gain and hematological parameters without any detrimental effects in broilers

Evaluation of Beeswax Supplementation on Productive Performance of Growing Assaf Lambs.

The aim of this work was to assess the effects of beeswax supplementation on growth rate, feed intake, nutrient digestion, rumen fermentation, blood parameters, and economic sustainability in Assaf lambs. Eighteen growing Assaf (5 months old) lambs were separated into three experimental groups (n = 6 lambs/group). The lambs were fed a basal diet without supplementation (G1) or supplemented with 2 and 4 g beeswax/head/day in G2 and G3 groups, respectively. Zootechnical performance was evaluated over a 90 day period. Feed digestibility was assessed in faeces through the acid insoluble-ash method, and rumen liquor was collected to measure ammonia (NH3-N) and total volatile fatty acid (TVFA) levels. Blood samples were obtained for the titration serum metabolites by colorimetric tests. The findings showed that G3 had an improved performance compared to the other groups (p < 0.01). The lambs in G3 revealed the highest nutrient digestibility and feed use, followed by G2, and G1. G3 recorded the highest economic efficiency followed by G2 and G1 (p < 0.01). The TVFA, acetate, and propionate concentrations were higher and the pH values, NH3-N, and butyrate concentrations were lower in G3 compared to G2 and particularly to G1 (p < 0.01). The concentrations of total protein, globulin, and glucose were significantly higher with 4 g beeswax (p < 0.05). However, albumin, cholesterol, total lipids, urea, creatinine, glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT), and glutamate pyruvate transaminase (GPT) concentrations as well as the albumin to globulin ratio decreased significantly with both levels of beeswax (p < 0.05). The addition of beeswax at the level of 4 g/head/day for growing Assaf lambs significantly improved the growth performance, digestibility, rumen fermentation, and blood serum parameters in addition to the economic efficiency.

Effects of two phosphorous sources in the diet on the growth performance, digestibility, and plasma physiological parameters of Pelodiscus sinensis juveniles

Phosphorus is an essential mineral for aquatic animals to maintain the health of the skeletal system and many physiological functions. This study assessed the effects of two inorganic phosphorus sources on growth performance, apparent phosphorus digestibility, whole-body proximate composition, and physiological status in juvenile Pelodiscus sinensis. Two experimental diets were supplemented with 4% calcium phosphate monobasic (MCP) and 5.47% calcium phosphate dibasic (DCP), respectively, to obtain equal total dietary phosphorus (2.20%). 96 turtles (initial body weight: 5.40±0.03g) were randomly distributed into 12 tanks and fed the corresponding diets for 60d. Results showed that phosphorus sources have not significantly influenced the growth parameters, including the specific growth rate, feeding rate, and feed conversion ratio (P&gt;0.05). No significant differences were observed in the hepatosomatic index and whole-body proximate compositions between MCP and DCP groups (P&gt;0.05). The apparent digestibility coefficients of dry matter and phosphorus in MCP group (53.22%) are slightly higher than that in DCP group (48.98%) but did not reach the statistically significant level (P &gt; 0.05). Turtles in MCP and DCP groups are the same in plasma physiological parameters and have equal alkaline phosphatase activities in plasma and liver (P&gt;0.05). In conclusion, calcium phosphate monobasic and calcium phosphate dibasic had the same biological phosphorus availability in diet for juvenile Pelodiscus sinensis.

Administration of Ethanolic Extract of Spinacia oleracea Rich in Omega-3 Improves Oxidative Stress and Goblet Cells in Broiler Chickens Infected with Eimeria tenella.

This study investigated the anticoccidial activity of spinach (Spinacia oleracea) whole-plant extract against Eimeria tenella, both in vitro and in vivo. For this purpose, one hundred 8-day-old broiler chicks of both sexes were divided into four groups (n = 25 in each group). Chicks in the first group served as the negative control (non-treated-non-infected). Chicks in the second group were challenged at 18 days old with 5 × 104E. tenella sporulated oocysts. The third group was challenged with 5 × 104 sporulated E. tenella oocysts at 18 days old after receiving spinach extract at a dose of 50 mg/kg at 8 days old. The fourth group received 0.2 mg/kg diclazuril (Coxiril® 0.2%) in their diet two days before being orally infected with 5 × 104 sporulated E. tenella oocysts and this continued till day 10 post-infection (PI). The growth performance, clinical symptoms, oocyst shedding, histological findings, and biochemical parameters were used to evaluate the efficacy on day 8 PI when the infection was at its peak. A gas chromatography examination revealed that omega-3 fatty acids were the main constituents of the spinach extract, followed by oleic acid, palmitic acid, and phytol, with amounts of 23.37%, 17.53%, 11.26%, and 7.97%, respectively. The in vitro investigation revealed that the spinach extract at concentrations of 10% and 5% inhibited the oocyst sporulation by 52.1% and 45.1%, respectively. The 5% concentration was selected for the in vivo trial based on the results of the in vitro study. The infected-untreated group showed high levels of OPG; lower body weight; a greater number of parasite stages; few goblet cells; decreased SOD, CAT, and GPX levels; and increased MDA and NO levels. The spinach-treated group, on the other hand, showed a significant decrease in oocyst output per gram of feces (OPG), increased body weight, decreased parasitic stages, and a nearly normal number of goblet cells. Additionally, it reduced malondialdehyde (MDA) and nitric oxide (NO), while increasing superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GPX). In conclusion, spinach produced significant antioxidant effects, increased body weight, reduced the number of oocysts and parasite stages in the caecum, and restored the number of goblet cells relative to those of an uninfected control. Furthermore, spinach extract inhibits the sporulation percentage of E. tenella oocysts. The ethanolic extract of S. oleracea (whole plant) contained high concentrations of fatty acids, palmitic acid, Phytol, betulin, and ursolic aldehyde, all of which are known to regulate the antioxidant pathway and modulate inflammatory processes and may be the main reason for its anticoccidial activity.

Gut microbiota adaptation to low and high carbohydrate-to-protein ratio diets in grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella)

This study attempted to explore the adaptability of gut microbiota in grass carp to diets with different carbohydrate-to-protein ratios in order to better understand the immunological and metabolic changes in the organism. Three different ratios of carbohydrate and protein diets (12.5%-carbohydrate 46.3%-protein (LCHP), 27.5%-carbohydrate 33.7%-protein (MCMP), and 42.5%-carbohydrate 16.9%-protein (HCLP)) were satiety-fed to grass carp. After feeding, the growth performance, gut microbial community composition and function were analyzed. Growth performance results showed that LCHP group exhibited the significantly lower specific growth ratio than MCMP group, and HCLP group displayed the significantly higher feed coefficient and lower survival rate. The community composition results showed that the abundance of the beneficial genus Cetobacterium was the highest in MCMP group, and the abundance of the harmful genera Ruminiclostridium_9 and Phreatobacter was the highest in the LCHP and HCLP groups, respectively. Furthermore, the ratio of Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes considered as an indicator of gut microbiota dysfunction, was significantly higher in the LCHP and HCLP groups than that in the MCMP group. The community functional analysis showed that the abundance levels of cofactors and vitamin metabolism were significantly lower and the abundance levels of neurodegenerative diseases were significantly higher in the LCHP and HCLP groups than those in the MCMP group. The abundance levels of energy metabolism and a range of biomolecules metabolism were significantly decreased in the HCLP group. These results suggested that high-carbohydrate diets have a greater negative impact on the gut microbiota than high-protein diets. The gut microbiota results echoed the growth performance parameters, reflecting that gut microbiota may play an important role in the influence of different carbohydrate-to-protein ratios diets on host. Bacterial genera such as Ruminiclostridium_9 and Phreatobacter may play key roles in the effects of high-protein and high-carbohydrate diets on host health and metabolism, respectively.

Growth performance, heamatology and serum biochemistry of broiler chicks fed diets containing different clay sources

The study was conducted to determine the effect of diets containing different clay sources on the growth performance, heamatology and serum biochemistry of broiler chicks. One hundred and twenty broilers were allocated to five treatments diets containing different clay sources having three replicates of eight broilers in a completely randomized design. Data were collected on body weight, feed intake, total protein, albumin, glucose, total cholesterol, urea, low-density lipoprotein, high-density lipoprotein, triglyceride, aspartate transaminase and alanine transaminase, hemoglobin, red blood cell, white blood cell, lymphocytes, and packed cell volume. The total weight gain, average daily weight gain, total feed intake, average daily feed intake, feed conversion ratio and feed efficiency ratio were calculated. Results showed that growth performance parameters were not significantly (p &gt; 0.05) different at the starter phase but serum biochemistry and haematological parameters except red blood cells were significantly (p &lt; 0.05) different. The T3 diets containing clay formed by sprinter termites improved the serum biochemistry as well as haematological indices of broiler better than the other sources of clay used in this experiment. This implies that the clay in T3 had the greatest capacity to bind to the toxins contained in the feed probably due to the high mineral contents.

Effects of Different Proportions of Amaranthus hypochondriacus Stem and Leaf Powder Inclusions on Growth Performance, Carcass Traits, and Blood Biochemical Parameters of Broilers.

This experiment aimed to study the effects of different proportions of Amaranthus hypochondriacus stem and leaf powder (AHSL) on the growth performance, apparent nutrient digestibility, carcass traits, meat quality, and blood biochemical parameters of broilers from day 1 to day 42. The experiment utilized a single-factor experimental design, with a total of 216 one-day-old male broilers (Ross 308) randomly assigned to three dietary treatment groups (eight replicate cages of nine birds per cage). The dietary treatments included a control diet, a 3% AHSL diet and a 6% AHSL diet for days 0-21. Then, the 3% and 6% AHSL diets were changed to 5% and 10% AHSL for days 22-42. The results showed that the inclusion levels of AHSL did not affect growth performance, carcass traits, or meat quality on days 21 and 42 (p > 0.05). However, the inclusion levels of AHSL decreased the apparent nutrient digestibility (AND) of dry matter (DM) (p ˂ 0.001) and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) (p ˂ 0.001) and increased the serum concentration of phosphorus (p ˂ 0.001) on day 21. On day 42, the inclusion levels of AHSL decreased the AND of DM (p = 0.025) and NDF content (p ˂ 0.001), but increased the AND of crude protein (CP) (p = 0.004). In particular, the diet containing 10% AHSL significantly increased the serum enzyme activity of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) (p = 0.046) and the serum concentration of total protein (TP) (p ˂ 0.001) on day 42. Overall, AHSL can be used as a new and effective feed ingredient in broiler diets. It can replace part of the corn-soybean meal diet without any adverse effects, which is beneficial for conserving feed resources. Additionally, AHSL can be included at a level of up to 10% during the broiler growth period.

Effects of reduced-protein diets with protease supplementation on growth, carcass yield, intestinal morphology, organ development, nutrient digestibility, and blood biochemical of broiler chickens.

This study was conducted to evaluate growth performance, carcass yield, intestinal morphology, organ development, nutrient digestibility, and blood biochemical parameters of broiler fed 1% reduced-protein diets with/without protease supplementation. A total of 1,120 one-day-old male broiler chickens with average initial body weight (BW), 46.45 ± 0.49 g, were divided into five groups with seven replications and 32 birds per replication. The treatment varied according to the protein and protease enzyme levels: positive control (PC), negative control (NC, PC with reduction of 1% protein), PC supplemented with 50 g/t protease (PC + 50), NC supplemented with 50 g/t protease (NC + 50), and NC supplemented with 100 g/t protease (NC + 100). The results showed that there was no significant effect of 1% reduced-protein diets, with or without protease on feed intake, final BW, average daily gain, feed conversion ratio, and nutrient digestibility. The changes in dietary protein level and supplementation of protease did not affect carcass yield, but significantly affected abdominal fat content, PC + 50 group had significantly lower abdominal fat content than NC-based diet including NC, NC + 50, NC + 100. Reduced-protein with protease supplementation strongly affected organ weight, especially on day 21: the pancreas was heavier in PC and NC + 50 group than other groups, spleen was heaver in NC group than in NC + 100 group, thymus was heavier in NC + 50 group than in PC, NC and NC + 100 group, small intestine was heavier in NC + 50 and NC + 100 group than in PC group, and large intestine was also heavier in NC + 50 group than in NC group. Villus height sampled at 35-d was significantly increased with protease supplement, and which was significantly higher in NC + 100 group than NC group. Regarding on blood metabolites, only urea and uric acid were affected by the reduction of dietary protein, broiler fed PC diet had higher urea and uric acid content than fed NC diet. In conclusion, supplementation of 50 g/t protease in 1% reduced-protein diets does not negatively affect on growth, nutrient digestibility, carcass yield, organ development, and blood metabolites. Moreover, supplementation of protease in low-protein diet could effectively promote organ development and benefit intestine morphology.

Dietary green-synthesized curcumin-mediated zinc oxide nanoparticles promote growth performance, haemato-biochemical profile, antioxidant status, immunity, and carcass quality in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus)

This study evaluated the effect of dietary curcumin-assisted green synthesized zinc oxide nanoparticles (CUR-ZnONPs) on growth performance, haemato-biochemical profile, antioxidant capacity, immune response, carcass composition, and bioaccumulation of Zn in Nile tilapia. The fish (‎16.20 ± 1.02 g‎) were fed with diets enriched with 0 (CZP1), 5 (CZP2), 7.5 (CZP3), and 10 (CZP4) mg/kg CUR-ZnONPs for 56 days and then challenged with Aeromonas hydrophila. The highest growth performance (final weight, weight gain, and specific growth rate) and the lowest feed conversion ratio were recorded in CZP4 (P < 0.05). Feeding the fish with CZP4 resulted in a significant increase in the hematological indices, body crude protein content, ‎antioxidant capacity (superoxide dismutase and reduced glutathione), and humoral immunity (immunoglobulin M, lysozyme, and complement pathway activity) (P < 0.05). However, the levels of malondialdehyde, body crude lipid, cholesterol, and aspartate aminotransferase were significantly decreased in the fish fed with CZP4 compared to others (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in the values of glucose, alanine aminotransferase, catalase, monocyte count, and muscle Zn accumulation between the treated fish and the control group (P > 0.05). The mortality rate of the fish infected with A. hydrophila was significantly lower in the group that received CZP4 compared to the other experimental groups (P < 0.05). The principal component analysis demonstrated that the fish fed with CUR-ZnONPs have significantly higher growth performance, immune responses, and antioxidant status than the fish fed with the control diet. Overall, it is suggested to use dietary CUR-ZnONPs, especially at 10 mg/kg, as a beneficial feed supplement to improve growth performance, antioxidant status, and immune parameters in Nile tilapia.

Effect of fish meal replacement by zooplankton and Daphnia meal on growth performance parameters of the white leg shrimp, Penaeus vannamei

Effect of fish meal replacement by zooplankton and Daphnia meal on growth performance parameters of the white leg shrimp, Penaeus vannamei

Fermentation characteristics of different sources of dietary fiber in vitro and impacts on growth performance, nutrient digestibility and blood para-meters of piglets

This study aimed to assess the effect of various source of high-fiber ingredients on growth performance, apparent digestibility of nutrients, and blood para- meters of piglets by investigating their in vitro fermentation characteristics. A total of 300 healthy crossbred piglets were randomly allocated to one of five diets including corn-soybean meal basal diet (CON), sugar beet pulp (SBP), soybean hull (SBH), fermented distillers’ grains (FDG), and kelp powder (KP). In vitro fermentation analysis revealed that the predominant short-chain fatty acids produced were acetate and valerate. Sugar beet pulp and kelp powder exhibited rapid fermentation rates, in contrast to SBH, oat bran, and FDG. The apparent total tract digestibility of dry matter (P < 0.05), gross energy (P < 0.05), and crude protein were decreased (P < 0.001) in different fiber diets than the CON diet. The serum concentration of threonine was increased by feeding fibers diets (P < 0.05). In conclusion, a diet containing 3% SBP (with a soluble-to-insoluble dietary fiber ratio of 17.04%) showed the best effects on increasing nutrients digestibility and serum amino acid concentrations. These findings may inform future applications of SBP in piglet nutrition.

Effects of dietary crude polysaccharides from Lycium barbarum on growth performance, digestion, and serum physiology and biochemistry of spotted sea bass Lateolabrax maculatus

High-quality development requires the aquaculture industry to reduce the use of chemicals and further improve feed efficiency, while the use of Lycium barbarum polysaccharide (LBP) is one of a potential way to achieve it. The current study was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary LBP on growth performance, digestion, antioxidant capacity, hepatic and intestinal morphology, and serum lipids of spotted sea bass, Lateolabrax maculatus. A total of 450 spotted sea bass (20.64 ± 0.18) g were assigned to 18 tanks. Three tanks were defined as a group, and fish in each group were given diets with increasing level of LBP (0, 0.25, 0.50, 0.75, 1.00 and 1.25 g/kg) for 49 days, respectively. Results showed that dietary intake of LBP significantly improved the weight gain, specific growth rate, feed conversion ratio, amylase activity and lipase activity of spotted sea bass. However, no significant effect of LBP on fish superoxide dismutase, malondialdehyde and catalase was observed. Dietary LBP alleviated ballooning degeneration and fat vacuoles in fish liver. However, mild inflammation was observed in 1 g/kg LBP group fish liver. Dietary LBP significantly increased the high-density lipoprotein cholesterol level of fish, and reduced the total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol level. The expression of hepatic FAS and SREBP-1 were significantly down-regulate, and the expression of PPAR-α, CPT1, HSL, ATGL and LPL were significantly up-regulated by dietary LBP. This result reminder that dietary LBP may inhabit the synthesis of fatty acid, and promote the fatty acid oxidization and triglycerides hydrolyzation. In conclusion, dietary LBP improved growth performance, digestion, hepatic morphology, and serum biochemical parameters of spotted sea bass in size (20.64 ± 0.18) g. The optimal addition of LBP for spotted sea bass is about 1 g/kg based on the regression analysis.

Impact of ginger lily (Costus afer) extract on the growth performance and cost benefit analysis of finisher broiler birds

A total number of one hundred and twenty (120) unsexed four weeks old broiler birds were used to determine the impact of Costus afer extract on the growth performance and cost benefit analysis of broiler birds.One week was used for brooding the chicks after which they were randomly distributed into five treatment groups of thirty birds replicated three times with ten birdsper replicate in a completely randomized design (CRD). The homogenous Costus afer extract was administered at inclusion levels of 0, 5, 10 and 15 mls per litre of drinking water corresponding to treatments 1, 2, 3 and 4 respectively. Feed and water were given ad-libitum and recorded throughout the experimental period which lasted for five weeks. The proximate analysis of Costus afer leaves and stem extract indicates lower values in CP (2.50%), NFE (0.22%) and ME (0.10 kcal/kg). Data obtained showed that the growth performance parameters were significantly (p&lt;0.05) influenced across the treatment group. Birds in treatment 4 (15 ml) had the highest (p&lt;0.05) values of 3620.00 g/b, 102.38 g/b and 1.34 for final body weight, daily weight gain and feed conversion ratio respectively. The cost benefit analysis table displaced a net profit and cost benefit ratio of superiority (p&lt;0.05) for birds placed in treatment 4 (15 ml) with values obtained as #2934.00/b and 1.22/b, while the lowest values for net profit and cost benefit ratio were reported in treatment 1 with #616.40/b and 6.01/b respectively. Based on the facts reported in the present research work, it can be concluded that Costus afer leaves and stem extract can be administered to broiler birds up to 15 ml/litre of drinking water without any decline or negative impact on the performance and invariably yields a better profit. Thus, best possible result was recorded in treatment 4 (15 ml/l).

Impact of Tetrapleura tetraptera fruit meal on the growth performance and economic evaluation of laying chickens

Tetrapleura tetraptera is a medium sized deciduous forest tree with fern-like foliage and highly characteristic fruit. It belongs to the family of Minosaceae and is a rich source of phytochemicals and has been reported to have several applications as medicine, spice and preservative. One hundred and fifty (150) pullets at point of lay were used to determine the impact of Tetrapleura tetraptera fruit meal on the growth performance and economic evaluation of laying chickens. The birds were randomly selected into five (5) treatment groups in a completely randomized design (CRD) with thirty birds per replicate. Five diets were formulated such that Tetrapleura tetraptera fruit meal was added at the rate of 0.0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0% in treatments 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 respectively. Feed and water were given ad-libitum throughout the research period. Proximate analysis of Tetrapleura tetraptera was carried out. Data obtained from the research work showed that growth performance parameters were significant (p&lt;0.05) in body weight gain, feed conversion ratio and hen day egg production; while the values for final body weight, daily feed intake, egg weight and average egg number were not significantly (p&gt;0.05) affected across the treatment group studied. It can be concluded that the inclusion of Tetrapleura tetraptera fruit meal in the diet of laying birds in the first trimester (3 months) of laying did not impact negatively on the bird’s overall performance and can be used in laying birds up to the level of 2.0 kg/100kg of diet in laying birds.

Evaluation of dietary supplementation of frankincense oil on broiler chicken growth performance, hepatic histomorphology, antioxidant activity, blood biochemical parameters, and inflammatory responses

This investigation aimed to assess the potential impact of frankincense oil (FKO) from Boswellia serrata on broiler chicken growth performance parameters, including body weight (BW), body weight gain (BWG), feed intake (FI), and feed conversion ratio (FCR) during the starter, grower, and finisher phases. We also evaluated the hepatic histology, serum hepatorenal function tests, antioxidant activity, and inflammatory responses. A total of 400 three-day-old male chicks (Ross 308 broiler) (100.40 ± 0.13 g) were randomly assigned to four treatment groups (10 replicates/group, ten chicks/replicate). The birds were fed basal diet (FKO0, control group) or basal diet supplemented with 200, 400, and 600 FKO/kg of diet (FKO200, FKO400, FKO600, respectively). The experiment lasted 35 days. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis revealed that FKO contained 36 constituents, with the dominant compounds being 1,6,10-DODECATRIEN-3-OL, 3,7,11-TRIMETHYL-, [S-(Z)]- (12.42%), ç-Elemene (12.42%), à-Farnesene (12.42%), PHENOL and 2,4-BIS(1,1-DIMETHYLETHYL)- (7.15%). Distinctive FKO levels (200-600 mg/kg) showed greater BW without influencing total feed intake compared to the FKO0 treatment. The FCR was improved by the addition of FKO to the diets. The blood concentrations of alanine aminotransferase and creatinine increased (p < 0.05) in the FKO600 treatment. Dietary FKO linearly lowered serum malondialdehyde levels and enhanced blood total antioxidant capacity, catalase, superoxide dismutase, and pro-inflammatory cytokines (interleukine-1 β and interferon γ) compared to the control group. Broilers fed FKO at levels 200–600 mg kg−1 diet also exhibited lower serum total cholesterol, triglyceride, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels. Furthermore, the FKO400 and FKO600 treatments showed an increase in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (p < 0.01). Histomorphological analysis of the liver indicated no significant differences between the FKO-supplemented groups and the control group. However, the immunoexpression of the pro-inflammatory cytokine (transforming growth factor β) was considerably increased in the liver and spleen tissues of birds fed FKO in a level-dependent manner. In conclusion, dietary supplementation of FKO at levels up to 600 mg/kg can serve as a natural growth promoter in broiler chickens, leading to enhanced growth, hypolipidemic properties, antioxidant status, and immune responses.

Effects of rumen-protected biotin on the growth performance, nitrogen utilization and blood parameters of yearling Liaoning cashmere doelings.

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of rumen-protected biotin (RPB) on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, nitrogen utilization and plasma biochemical parameters of Liaoning cashmere goats during the cashmere fiber growing period. Sixteen 6-month-old Liaoning cashmere twin-doelings (24.8 ± 1.20 kg) were allocated to 2 diet groups that were individually ad libitum fed 30% concentrate and 70% forage diet (DM) by a paired experimental design. Goats of the control group were fed the basal diet, while goats belonging to the RPB group were fed the basal diet with 10 mg RPB/d per animal. The duration of the experiment was 16 weeks with two 8-week periods. Digestibility was determined at weeks 7 and 15, and other measures were taken every four weeks. Compared with the control group, the average daily gain of the RPB group increased by 10.94% (p < 0.05), and the intake of NDF was increased (p = 0.045). There were some increasing tendencies for the intake of DM, ADF and ether extract (p = 0.070, 0.088 and 0.070, respectively). The intake and digestibility of N tended to increase (p = 0.062 and 0.093, respectively), while the N fecal excretion percentage of N intake was decreased (p = 0.093) in the RPB compared with the control group. N retention tended to increase (p = 0.084) with the addition of adding RPB to the diet. Plasma total protein was increased (p = 0.037), whereas the urea-N concentration was decreased (p = 0.049) in the RPB diet group compared with the control diet group. The levels of propionyl-CoA carboxylase (p < 0.001) and methylmalonyl-CoA (p = 0.013) were increased in the RPB group. Supplementation of rumen-protected biotin in the diet of cashmere goats can enhance the utilization of N and improve daily weight gain during cashmere fiber growing period.

Effects of microalgae, with or without xylanase supplementation, on growth performance, organs development, and gut health parameters of broiler chickens

Microalgae are becoming potential sustainable feed ingredients, whereas terrestrial feedstuffs are becoming scarce and costly. They are rich in nutritional and functional values but have lower digestibility. This study evaluated the effects of microalgae with or without xylanase supplementation on growth performance and gut health of broiler chickens. A total of 162-day-old Cobb 500 chicks were raised for 35 d. Birds were fed with either 1 of the 3 dietary treatments: 1) corn-soybean meal-based diet (CON), 2) CON+3% microalgae (MAG), and 3) MAG+xylanase (MAG+XYN) in 2 phases (starter: d 0-21 and finisher: d 22-35) in mash form. Each dietary treatment had 6 replicates, with 9 birds in each replicate. The level of significance was considered at the P value <0.05. The BW, ADG, and ADFI were significantly higher in MAG by 50%, 52.5%, and 42.4%, respectively, and MAG+XYN by 44.1%, 49.7%, and 38.6%, respectively, compared to the CON group. No significant difference was observed for FCR; however, FCR was reduced by 6.3% in both MAG and MAG+XYN groups compared to the CON group. The carcass and organ weight relative to the total body weight were not significantly different among the treatments. The expressions of Zonula occludens 1 (ZO1), Cluster of differentiation 56 (CD56), and Solute carrier family 7 member 7 (SLC7A7) were significantly modulated, for example, by 3.7, 3.9, and 3.3 folds, respectively, in the MAG group compared to CON and 0.8, 0.6, and 1.1 folds, respectively, in the MAG group compared to MAG+XYN groups on d 35. Villi surface area (VSA) of ileum tended to increase on d 3 (P=0.0725) and d 35 (P=0.0785) in the MAG and MAG+XYN groups, compared to the CON group. The results suggest that adding microalgae with or without xylanase to broiler's diet could promote growth performance and show a tendency to improve gut health parameters. The nutrient profile and its functional properties make microalgae a valuable resource to the poultry industry as a part substitution of corn and soybean meal and a functional feed supplement to modulate the gut health of broilers.

Effect of dietary supplementation of betaine and organic minerals on growth performance, serum biochemical parameters, nutrients digestibility, and growth-related genes in broilers under heat stress

Global warming and climate changes have a detrimental impact on poultry production, causing substantial economic losses. This study investigated the effects of incorporating dietary betaine (BT) and organic minerals (OMs) on broilers’ performance as well as their potential to mitigate the negative impacts of heat stress (HS). Six hundred 1-day-old Ross 308 chicks were randomly allocated to 12 experimental treatments with 5 replicates of 10 birds each (5 male + 5 female). The birds were provided with diets containing BT (0 and 2,000 ppm) and OMs (0, 250, and 500 ppm), either individually or in combination, under both thermoneutral and HS-inducing temperatures. The HS conditions involved exposing the birds to cyclic periods of elevated temperature (35°C ± 2°C) for 6 h daily, from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm, starting from d 10 and continuing until d 35. The exposure to HS deteriorated birds’ growth performance; however, dietary BT and OMs inclusion improved the growth performance parameters bringing them close to normal levels. Carcass traits were not affected by dietary supplementation of BT, OMs, HS, or their interaction. Interestingly, while HS led to increased (P < 0.05) levels of total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, and hepatic malondialdehyde (MDA), these adverse effects were mitigated (P < 0.05) by the addition of BT and OMs. Moreover, dietary BT supplementation led to elevated serum total protein and globulin concentrations. Cyclic HS did not alter Mn, Zn, and Cu contents in the pectoral muscle. However, the incorporation of OMs at both levels increased concentrations of these minerals. Notably, the combination of 500 ppm OMs and 2,000 ppm BT improved Mn, Zn, Cu, and Fe digestibility, which has been compromised under HS conditions. Cyclic HS upregulated gene expression of interleukin-1β, heat shock protein 70, and Toll-like receptor-4 while downregulated the expression of claudin-1, uncoupling protein, growth hormone receptor, superoxide dismutase 1, glutathione peroxidase 1 and insulin-like growth factor 1. The aforementioned gene expressions were reversed by the combination of higher dietary levels of BT and OMs. In conclusion, the dietary supplementation of 500 ppm OMs along with 2,000 ppm BT yielded significant improvements in growth performance and mineral digestibility among broiler chickens, regardless of thermal conditions. Moreover, this combination effectively restored the expression of growth-related genes even under heat-stress conditions.

Impact Light Regimen and Melatonin on Growth Performance, Welfare and Physiological Parameters of Broiler Chickens

The study was conducted to evaluate the effects of lighting program and melatonin on growth performance, welfare, and some physiological characteristics of broilers. A completely randomized design involved 2 photoperiods (constant lighting 24 L:0 D). and intermittent lighting 4 L:2 D) periodically for group one and two respectively, the third group the birds were to continuous lighting 24 hours with the addition of the melatonin 20 mg/kg of diet. A total of 180 unsexed one-day-old ROSS 308 broiler chicks randomly divided into three treatments with three replicates (20 birds per replicate). The results showed a significant superiority in the body weight and weight Gain of the intermittent light treatments and the addition of melatonin compared to the control treatment for broilers at 21 days. No significant differences in growth performance for broilers at 38 days, and there were no significant differences in dressing percentage, relative weight of the internal organs, temperature of the bird’s body parts, biochemical characteristics, and hormones, except for the significant decrease in the level of ALT for birds treated with melatonin and when raising birds under a lighting program. Intermittently, there was an improvement in the level of antioxidants through a decrease in MDA. There was a significant improvement in the measures of welfare, as the incidence of inflammation of the hock burn and Footpad dermatitis decreased. Results above suggest that the raising broilers under intermittent lighting system and treatment with melatonin did not affect production performance, but it improved the status of antioxidants and welfare Indications for broilers.

The Effects of Different Sources of Protein on the Growth Performance and Digestibility Protein of Local Chickens Crossbreed: A Meta-analysis

A meta-analysis was conducted to determine the effects of different sources of energy on the growth performance and digestibility protein of local chickens crossbreed. A dataset was constructed based on relevant published papers. An algorithm was constructed from 2015 to 2023, with a search in Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed, and Medline using the MESH terms “chicken”, “digestibility”, “local chicken”, “performance”, and “nutrient digestibility”. After careful evaluation, the final dataset consisted of 8 in-vivo studies comprising 31 treatment units. The data analysis and coding were performed using software R version 4.2.1 “Funny-looking kid” computing with library mode (cowplot); (tidyverse); and (viridis); and (nlme). Our meta-analysis with regard to growth performance, the different sources of protein did not affect the body weight, FCR, body weight gain (BWG), final body weight (FBW), and feed intake (FI) (p &gt; 0.05). In conclusion, the different source of protein negatively affects parameters for growth performance and nutrient digestibility in local chicken crossbreeds.