Growth Stress Research Articles

Establishment of Multi-Physics coupling model and analysis on thermal stress and crack risk in directional growth of TiAl alloys under electromagnetic confinement

The electromagnetic confinement directional solidification (EMCDS) technique is an optimal method for preparing large-size and non-contamination directional TiAl alloy crystals. Despite its advantages, the high temperature gradient inherent to this process induces thermal stress within the ingot, which increases the risk of cracking. To address this challenge, an innovative Integrated Multi-Physics Coupling Model was established to map and study the thermal stress field during EMCDS in this study. It synchronized the computation of the electromagnetic field, temperature field, solute field, flow field, and stress field during the crystal growth of TiAl alloy, and its high accuracy was proved by the micro-indentation experiment. Our analysis reveals that transverse temperature differences are crucial in inducing thermal stresses, and identifies that hot cracks and cold cracks are prone to occur respectively at the area of radial 23R along the sample (X = 23R) and on the sample surface, which aligns with experimental observations impressively. This model can more accurately and efficiently optimize the process parameters of the EMCDS process to avoid cracks and promote its industrial application.

Effects of decreasing phosphorus concentrations in diets and phytase supplementation on growth performance, stress response, and intestinal health in broiler chickens

Effects of decreasing phosphorus concentrations in diets and phytase supplementation on growth performance, stress response, and intestinal health in broiler chickens

Genome-Wide Identification, Phylogenetic, and Expression Analysis of Jasmonate ZIM-Domain Gene Family in Medicago Sativa L.

JASMONATE ZIM domain (JAZ) proteins, inhibitors of the jasmonic acid (JA) signaling pathway, are identified in different plants, such as rice and Arabidopsis. These proteins are crucial for growth, development, and abiotic stress responses. However, limited information is available regarding the JAZ family in alfalfa. This study identified 11 JAZ genes (MsJAZs) in the "Zhongmu No.1" reference genome of alfalfa. The physical and chemical properties, chromosome localization, phylogenetic relationships, gene structure, cis-acting elements, and collinearity of the 11 MsJAZ genes were subsequently analyzed. Tissue-specific analysis revealed distinct functions of different MsJAZ genes in growth and development. The expression patterns of MsJAZ genes under salt stress conditions were validated using qRT-PCR. All MsJAZ genes responded to salt stress, with varying levels of upregulation over time, highlighting their role in stress responses. Furthermore, heterogeneous expression of MsJAZ1 in Arabidopsis resulted in significantly lower seed germination and survival rates in OE-2 and OE-4 compared to the WT under 150 mM NaCl treatment. This study establishes a foundation for further exploration of the function of the JAZ family and provides significant insights into the genetic improvement of alfalfa.

The ZmHSF08-ZmUGT92A1 module regulates heat tolerance by altering reactive oxygen species levels in maize

GTs (Glycosyltransferases) are important in plant growth and abiotic stresses. However, its role in maize heat response is far from clear. Here, we describe the constitutively expressed UDP-glycosyltransferase ZmUGT92A1, which has a highly conserved PSPG box and is localized in chloroplasts, is induced under heat stress. Functional disruption of ZmUGT92A1 leads to heat sensitivity and reactive oxygen species accumulation in maize. Metabolomics analysis revealed that ZmUGT92A1 affected multiple metabolic pathways and altered the metabolic homeostasis of flavonoids under heat stress. In vitro assay showed ZmUGT92A1 exhibits glycosyltransferase activity on flavonoids and hormones. Additionally, we identified a rapidly heat-induced transcription factor, ZmHSF08, which can directly bind and repress the promoter region of ZmUGT92A1. The ZmHSF08 overexpression line exhibits heat sensitivity and reactive oxygen species accumulation. These findings reveal that the ZmHSF08-ZmUGT92A1 module plays a role in heat tolerance in maize and provide candidate strategies for the development of heat-tolerant varieties.

Long-term effects of transition milk feeding on feed intake, growth performance, feeding behavior, and oxidative status of Holstein calves

This study investigated the long-term effects of feeding 5-d transition milk (TRANS) compared with milk replacer (MR) on parameters, including intake, growth, feeding behavior and oxidative stress. Fifty Holstein calves (30 females and 20 males) were fed either 12 L/day TRANS or MR for the first 5 d after an initial colostrum feeding of 3.5 L. Thereafter, all calves were fed with 12 L of MR/d (140 g/L) and were gradually weaned starting in wk 8 until wk 14. Throughout the 14 wk the calves had unrestricted access to concentrate (up to 9.8 kg/calf/day), hay, and water. After weaning all heifers were fed a total mixed ration for young cows. Oxidative status was assessed in blood samples from birth to first insemination. Parameters assessed included the ferric reducing ability of plasma (FRAP) for antioxidant capacity and the concentration of reactive oxygen metabolites by the dROM (detection of reactive oxygen metabolites) assay. In addition, the activity of glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), oxidative damage in the form of lipid peroxidation as thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and as advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP) were measured. An oxidative stress index (OSi) was calculated: dROM/FRAP x 100. Total protein (TP) concentration was also quantified via the Bradford assay. The only significant difference in feeding behavior between the 2 treatment groups was a higher concentrate intake by the TRANS calves during the weaning phase. Body weight and ADG did not differ significantly between the TRANS and MR groups. TRANS calves showed a trend for fewer cases of health disorders. Markers of oxidative status, including TBARS, AOPP, GSHPx, FRAP and ROM, showed no treatment effects but varied significantly over time. Of note, the oxidative stress index as ratio between pro- and antioxidants in both groups peaked during weaning and then returned to baseline, suggesting an effective response to this transition phase Overall, the results indicate that feeding TRANS during the first 5 d of life had no long-term effect on the parameters studied as compared with MR feeding under the present rearing conditions. These results provide insight into the changes of oxidative status with age and confirm that the relatively high milk feeding level, slow and late weaning enables calves to adapt well to solely solid feed.

Impact nano- and micro- form of CdO on barley growth and oxidative stress response

The objective was investigated the effects of CdO and nano-CdO as potential toxic pollutants on growth and redox response of barley. CdO and nano-CdO have been found to cause significant phytotoxicity in barley seedlings, with nano-CdO increasing plant tissue cadmium accumulation. This accumulation is linked to growth retardation and oxidative stress. Low molecular weight antioxidants like restored glutathione and ascorbate have been found to increase the activity of glutathione peroxidase (GPX), glutathione-S-transferase (GSTs), and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) in green tissues. Catalase (CAT) activity increased from 50 % with 100 mg/l CdO to 70 % with 1000 mg/l and nano-CdO. The observed disturbance in redox balance signals the upregulation of corresponding genes. Antioxidant enzyme isoform gene transcripts increased for SODB, CAT2, and APX. Cadmium buildup in root cells causes oxidative stress, leading to upregulation of SOD, CAT, GR, and GSTs isoform genes as well as protein carbonylation, sulfhydryl group degradation, and MDA accumulation. CdO and nano-CdO have similar phytotoxic effects, but bioavailability affects biochemical and molecular responses.

Evaluating the Effects of Rice Husk Derived Nanosilica on Growth, Photosynthesis, and Antioxidant Activity in Hybrid Maize

Drought stress was exacerbated by changing climatic conditions and impact the plant water relations from the cellular to whole plant level, thereby reducing the crop productivity and causing economic losses in agriculture. The present study was aimed to explore the potentials of nanosilica synthesized from rice husk in improving growth and drought stress tolerance in maize. Synthesized nanosilica from rice husk has spherical morphology, amorphous structure, siloxane bonding and higher purity (99.1%). Soil application of varied levels of synthesized nanosilica (0, 5, 10, 15, 20, 30 and 40mgkg-1) was tested with hybrid maize plants grown under irrigated and drought stress (100 and 50% field capacity, respectively). The results of the study revealed that, drought stress has adverse effect on plant growth, biomass production and physiological parameters. However soil application of nanosilica has significantly improved growth, physiological and biochemical attributes of both irrigated and drought stressed plants. Nanosilica application at 20mgkg-1 for irrigated and 30mgkg-1 for drought stressed hybrid maize plants has recorded higher plant height, biomass, chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, superoxide dismutase, peroxidase, phenols, soluble proteins and considerably decreased the proline, electrolyte leakage and melondialdehyde content in hybrid maize. In contrary, higher doses of nanosilica (>30mgkg-1) caused a slight reduction in plant growth and antioxidant activity under both the water regimes. Hence, we conclude that, soil application of 20 and 30mgkg-1 nanosilica synthesized from rice husk had a positive effect on plant growth and development besides aided in mitigating drought stress.

Life on both environment in semi-aquatic frogs: Impact of aquatic microplastic (MP) from MP enrichment to growth, immune function and physiological stress

The pervasive distribution of microplastics (MPs) in aquatic ecosystems presents a significant threat to wildlife, with amphibians being particularly vulnerable due to their complex life cycles and ecological roles. This study investigates physiological and ecological impacts of aquatic MP exposure on juvenile black-spotted pond frogs (Pelophylax nigromaculatus), focusing on juvenile frog stage, history of life after metamorphosis. MP examinations in the intestine and body revealed accumulation primarily in the gastrointestinal tracts without evidence of systemic distribution. Experimental exposure to different concentrations of MPs demonstrated adverse effects on growth, physiological stress, and immune function. Notably, higher MP concentrations led to significant reductions in growth and innate immunity, indicative of compromised health. High concentrations of MPs were associated with elevated levels of corticosterone and antioxidant enzymes, indicating physiological stress. However, there was no evidence of extreme hormonal surges or imbalances in antioxidant enzyme activity, suggesting that amphibians were able to effectively cope with the levels of MPs used in the study. Changes in gastrointestinal morphology and fecal microbiota composition were observed, reflecting response of metabolic adaptation to MP exposure. At low concentrations of MPs, adaptive changes in digestive tract morphology and the maintenance of gut microbiota balance were observed, indicating that the frogs were able to manage the exposure below a certain threshold. In contrast, high concentrations of MPs had clear negative effects on amphibians, which could impact biodiversity and ecosystem stability. These findings also suggest that MPs may trigger adaptive responses at lower concentrations, while still posing significant environmental risks at higher levels.

Adaptive strategies of Listeria monocytogenes: An in-depth analysis of the virulent strain involved in an outbreak in Italy through quantitative proteomics

Despite the general classification of L. monocytogenes strains as equally virulent by global safety authorities, molecular epidemiology reveals diverse subtypes in food, processing environments, and clinical cases. This study focuses on a highly virulent strain associated with a listeriosis outbreak in Italy in 2022, providing insights through comprehensive foodomics approaches, with a specific emphasis on quantitative proteomics. In particular, the ST155 strain of L. monocytogenes strain was subjected in vitro to growth stress conditions (NaCl 2.4 %, pH 6.2, T 12 °C), mimicking the conditions present in the frankfurter, its original source. Then, the protein expression patterns were compared with those obtained in optimal growth conditions.Through quantitative proteomic analysis and bioinformatic assessment, different proteins associated with virulence during the exponential growth phase were identified. This study unveils unique proteins specific to each environment, providing insights into how L. monocytogenes adapts to conditions that are similar to those encountered in frankfurters. This investigation contributes valuable insights into the adaptive strategies of L. monocytogenes under stressful conditions, with implications for enhancing food safety practices.

Effects of Swimming Exercise and Protein Intake on Growth Factors and Stress Hormones in Mice

Effects of Swimming Exercise and Protein Intake on Growth Factors and Stress Hormones in Mice

Effects of Feeding Frequency on Liver Transcriptome: Unveiling Appetite-Regulating Peptides in Mexican Pike Silverside (Chirostoma estor)

The Mexican pike silverside (Chirostoma estor) is a zooplanktivorous, agastric short-intestined species, and it has been found that increased-frequency feeding (twelve feedings a day) improved feed efficiency and promoted growth by 70%. This work determined the effect of different juvenile feeding frequencies upon the C. estor liver transcriptome. The level of the expression of appetite-regulating peptides was analyzed in silico to understand the mechanisms involved in appetite control in this species. Differential expression analysis showed that up-regulated genes between treatments were related to metabolism, digestive processes, immune system response, apoptosis, growth, and oxidative stress. This information explains the better performance of pike silverside fed 12 times daily. Appetite regulatory peptides were identified for the first time in the liver of C. estor in response to high feeding frequencies, contributing to the general knowledge of the roles of each family of neuropeptides in this agastric, short-intestined fish. The information presented here emphasizes the need to explore further the complex physiological processes involved in appetite regulation in C. estor. Additionally, it will serve as a basis for more specific targeted studies of appetite control to elucidate the mechanisms behind this process.

Characterisation and evolution of the PRC2 complex and its functional analysis under various stress conditions in rice

The polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2) is a chromatin-associated methyltransferase responsible for catalysing the trimethylation of H3K27, an inhibitory chromatin marker associated with gene silencing. This enzymatic activity is crucial for normal organismal development and the maintenance of gene expression patterns that preserve cellular identity, subsequently influencing plant growth and abiotic stress responses. Therefore, in this study, we investigated the evolutionary characteristics and functional roles of PRC2 in plants. We identified 209 PRC2 genes, including E(z), Su(z), Esc, and Nurf55 families, using 18 representative plant species and revealed that recent gene replication events have led to an expansion in the Nurf55 family, resulting in a greater number of members compared to the E(z), Su(z), and Esc families. Furthermore, protein structure and motif composition analyses highlighted the potential functional site regions within PRC2 members. In addition, we selected rice, a representative monocotyledonous plant, as the model species for food crops. Our findings revealed that SDG711, SDG718, and MSI1-5 genes were induced by abscisic acid (ABA) and/or methyl jasmonate (MeJA) hormones, suggesting that these genes play an important role in abiotic stress and disease resistance. Further experiments involving rice blast fungus treatments confirmed that the expression of SDG711 and MSI1-5 was induced by Magnaporthe oryzae strain GUY11. Multiple protein interaction assays revealed that the M. oryzae effector AvrPiz-t interacts with PRC2 core member SDG711 to increase H3K27me3 levels. Notably, inhibition of PRC2 or mutation of SDG711 enhanced rice resistance to M. oryzae. Collectively, these results provide new insights into PRC2 evolution in plants and its significant functions in rice.

Transcription factor gene TaWRKY76 confers plants improved drought and salt tolerance through modulating stress defensive-associated processes in Triticum aestivum L.

WRKY transcription factor (TF) family acts as essential regulators in plant growth and abiotic stress responses. This study reported the function of TaWRKY76, a member of WRKY TF family in Triticum aestivum L., in regulating plant osmotic stress tolerance. TaWRKY76 transcripts were significantly upregulated upon drought and salt signaling, with dose extent- and stress temporal-dependent manners. Plant GUS activity assays suggested that stress responsive cis-acting elements, such as DRE and ABRE, exert essential roles in defining gene transcription under osmotic stress conditions. The TaWRKY76 protein targeted onto nucleus and possessed ability interacting with TaMYC2, a MYC TF member of wheat. TaWRKY76 and TaMYC2 positively regulated plant drought and salt adaptation by modulating osmotic stress-related physiological indices, including osmolyte contents, stomata movement, root morphology, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) homeostasis. Yeast one-hybrid assay indicated the binding ability of TaWRKY76 with promoters of TaDREB1;1, TaNCEB3, and TaCOR15;4. ChIP-PCR analysis confirmed that the osmotic stress genes are transcriptionally regulated by TaWRKY76. Moreover, the transgenic lines with knockdown of these stress-response genes displayed lowered plant biomass together with worsened root growth traits, decreased proline contents, and elevated ROS amounts. These results suggested that these stress defensive genes contributed to TaWRKY76-modulated osmotic stress tolerance. Highly positive correlations were observed between yield and the transcripts of TaWRKY76 in a wheat variety panel under field drought condition. A major haplotype TaWRKY76 Hap1 conferred improved drought tolerance. Our results suggested that TaWRKY76 is essential in plant drought and salt adaptation and a valuable target for molecular breeding stress-tolerant cultivars in Triticum aestivum L..

Identification and Functional Characterization of Abiotic Stress Tolerance-Related PLATZ Transcription Factor Family in Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.).

Plant AT-rich sequence and zinc-binding proteins (PLATZs) are a novel category of plant-specific transcription factors involved in growth, development, and abiotic stress responses. However, the PLATZ gene family has not been identified in barley. In this study, a total of 11 HvPLATZs were identified in barley, and they were unevenly distributed on five of the seven chromosomes. The phylogenetic tree, incorporating PLATZs from Arabidopsis, rice, maize, wheat, and barley, could be classified into six clusters, in which HvPLATZs are absent in Cluster VI. HvPLATZs exhibited conserved motif arrangements with a characteristic PLATZ domain. Two segmental duplication events were observed among HvPLATZs. All HvPLATZs were core genes present in 20 genotypes of the barley pan-genome. The HvPLATZ5 coding sequences were conserved among 20 barley genotypes, whereas HvPLATZ4/9/10 exhibited synonymous single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs); the remaining ones showed nonsynonymous variations. The expression of HvPLATZ2/3/8 was ubiquitous in various tissues, whereas HvPLATZ7 appeared transcriptionally silent; the remaining genes displayed tissue-specific expression. The expression of HvPLATZs was modulated by salt stress, potassium deficiency, and osmotic stress, with response patterns being time-, tissue-, and stress type-dependent. The heterologous expression of HvPLATZ3/5/6/8/9/10/11 in yeast enhanced tolerance to salt and osmotic stress, whereas the expression of HvPLATZ2 compromised tolerance. These results advance our comprehension and facilitate further functional characterization of HvPLATZs.

Chromatin accessibility profile and the role of PeAtf1 transcription factor in the postharvest pathogen Penicillium expansum

Abstract Gene transcription is governed by a complex regulatory system involving changes in chromatin structure, action of transcription factors, and activation of cis-regulatory elements. Postharvest fruits are threatened by Penicillium expansum, a leading causal agent of blue mold disease and one of the most economically significant postharvest pathogens worldwide. However, the information on its transcription regulatory mechanism is lagging. Here, we conducted an assay for transposase accessible chromatin sequencing (ATAC-seq) for P. expansum during vegetative growth and infection phase and then studied the function of a bZIP transcription factor PeAtf1. Results highlighted the role of promoter regions in gene transcription and the significant difference in P. expansum between the two phases. Six footprint-supported cis-regulatory elements of active transcription factors were obtained and analyzed. We then identified a homolog of the bZIP regulator Atf1, PeAtf1, and found it positively regulated vegetative growth, reproduction and osmotic stress response in P. expansum. Conversely, PeAtf1 deletion enhanced fungal tolerance to oxidative, cell wall and membrane stresses, which might contribute to the virulence of P. expansum in apple fruits, leading to similar pathogenicity between mutants and the wild type. Overall, this study provides new insights into the transcription regulatory mechanism of P. expansum, aiding in the future development of strategies to control P. expansum.

Transcriptome analysis of hybrid abalone (Haliotis discus hannai ♀ × H. fulgens ♂) reveals non-additive effects contributing to growth heterosis at early summer water temperature in Fujian

Heterosis refers to the superior phenotypes observed in hybrid offsprings relative to their parents with respect to traits such as growth rate and stress resistance. Superior hybrids are widely utilized in aquaculture with large benefits. As a typical example, interspecific hybrid “Lvpan” abalone (Haliotis discus hannai ♀ × H. fulgens ♂) also has excellent growth performance, as well as advantaged thermal tolerance. Nevertheless, the mechanisms responsible for this growth heterosis in “Lvpan” hybrid abalone have remained elusive. In this study, a two-month thermostatic acclimation experiment was conducted for “Lvpan” abalone and its parental species at three temperatures (14, 18, and 24 °C). The results showed that the interspecific hybrid ‘Lvpan’ abalone exhibited significant growth heterosis when compared to its parental species, especially at high temperatures. Transcriptome dynamics in the foot muscles of abalones also unveiled that most genes expression patterns represented to be maternal-biased, which are involved in growth-related process. It indicated that maternal effects on gene expression in hybrid abalones play can play an important role in growth heterosis. Moreover, we observed that most genes expressed non-additively in the hybrid abalone are involved in the regulation of growth and cell differentiation during development, which play pivotal roles in the formation of growth heterosis. Consequently, we have provided new insights into abalone interspecific heterosis, emphasizing the pivotal role that non-additive gene expression plays in generating heterosis through cross-breeding.

Genome-wide identification and expression analyses of SWEET gene family reveal potential roles in plant development, fruit ripening and abiotic stress responses in cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon Ait).

The sugars will eventually be exported transporter (SWEET) family is a novel class of sugar transporters that play a crucial role in plant growth, development, and responses to stress. Cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon Ait.) is a nutritious berry with economic importance, but little is known about SWEET gene family functions in this small fruit. In this research, 13 VmSWEET genes belonging to four clades were identified in the cranberry genome for the first time. In the conserved domains, we observed seven phosphorylation sites and four amino acid residues that might be crucial for the binding function. The majority of VmSWEET genes in each clade shared similar gene structures and conserved motifs, showing that the VmSWEET genes were highly conserved during evolution. Chromosomal localization and duplication analyses showed that VmSWEET genes were unevenly distributed in eight chromosomes and two pairs of them displayed synteny. A total of 79 cis-acting elements were predicted in the promoter regions of VmSWEETs including elements responsive to plant hormones, light, growth and development and stress responses. qRT-PCR analysis showed that VmSWEET10.1 was highly expressed in flowers, VmSWEET16 was highly expressed in upright and runner stems, and VmSWEET3 was highly expressed in the leaves of both types of stems. In fruit, the expression of VmSWEET14 and VmSWEET16 was highest of all members during the young fruit stage and were downregulated as fruit matured. The expression of VmSWEET4 was higher during later developmental stages than earlier developmental stages. Furthermore, qRT-PCR results revealed a significant up-regulation of VmSWEET10.2, under osmotic, saline, salt-alkali, and aluminum stress conditions, suggesting it has a crucial role in mediating plant responses to various environmental stresses. Overall, these results provide new insights into the characteristics and evolution of VmSWEET genes. Moreover, the candidate VmSWEET genes involved in the growth, development and abiotic stress responses can be used for molecular breeding to improve cranberry fruit quality and abiotic stress resistance.

Potential of kaempferol and caffeic acid to mitigate salinity stress and improving potato growth

Salinity stress adversely affects plant growth by disrupting water uptake, inducing ion toxicity, initiating osmotic stress, impairing growth, leaf scorching, and reducing crop yield. To mitigate this issue, the application of kaempferol (KP), caffeic acid (CA), and plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) emerges as a promising technology. Kaempferol, a flavonoid, protects plants from oxidative stress, while caffeic acid, a plant-derived compound, promotes growth by regulating physiological processes. PGPR enhances plant health and productivity through growth promotion, nutrient uptake, and stress mitigation, providing a sustainable solution. However, combining these compounds against drought requires further scientific justification. That’s why the current study was conducted using 4 treatments, i.e., 0, 20 µM KP, 30 μM CA, and 20 µM KP + 30 μM CA without and with PGPR (Bacillus altitudinis). There were 4 replications following a completely randomized design. Results showed that 20 µM KP + 30 μM CA with PGPR caused significant enhancement in potato stem length (14.32%), shoot root, and leaf dry weight (16.52%, 11.04%, 67.23%), than the control. The enrichment in potato chlorophyll a, b, and total (31.86%, 46.05%, and 35.52%) was observed over the control, validating the potential of 20 µM KP + 30 μM CA + PGPR. Enhancement in shoot N, P, K, and Ca concentration validated the effective functioning of 20 µM KP + 30 μM CA with PGPR evaluated to control. In conclusion, 20 µM KP + 30 μM CA with PGPR is the recommended amendment to alleviate salinity stress in potatoes.

Ameliorative effects of silymarin on aflatoxin B1 toxicity in weaned rabbits: impact on growth, blood profile, and oxidative stress

Natural plant extracts offer numerous health benefits for rabbits, including improved feed utilization, antimycotic and antiaflatoxigenic effect, antioxidants, immunological modulation, and growth performance. The aim of the current study was to investigate the effects of silymarin on the performance, hemato-biochemical indices, antioxidants, and villus morphology. A total of 45 Moshtohor 4 weeks old weaned male rabbits were randomly allocated into three groups (15 rabbit/each) each group with 5 replicates. The first group served as the control group feed on an infected diet by aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) 0.02 mg/kg BW, while the second and third groups received an infected diet by AFB1 (0.02 mg/kg BW) and was treated with Silymarin 20 mg/kg BW/day or 30 mg/kg BW/day, respectively. Regarding the growth performance, silymarin supplementation significantly improved the final body weight compared with the control group. Physiologically, silymarin induced high level of dose-dependent total red blood cell count, hematocrit, eosinophils, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, superoxid dismutase, catalase activity, total antioxidant capacityand intestinal villi width and length. Moreover, silymarin significantly restricted oxidative stress indicators, malondialdehyde, Alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, total cholesterol, triglyceridein rabbits treated with (AFB1). In conclusion, silymarin supplementation to AFB1 contaminated rabbit diet may mitigate the negative effect of AFB1 on the rabbit performance and health status and increase growth performance, average daily gain, immunological modulation and antioxidants and provide a theoretical basis for the application of silymarin in livestock production.

Effects of autoclave- and microwave-assisted Caulerpa lentillifera extracts on the growth rate, reproduction, immunity and oxidative stress of Daphnia magna

ABSTRACT Caulerpa lentillifera is a green alga that contains essential nutrients. This study investigated the effects of autoclave- and microwave-assisted C. lentillifera extracts (A-CLE and M-CLE) on the growth, reproduction, immunity, and oxidative stress in Daphnia magna. Both extracts were supplemented to D. magna at 1 to 5 g/L. The results showed that D. magna treated with 2 to 5 g/L of A-CLE produced juveniles faster than the control. Juveniles at 1 to 4 g/L A-CLE treatments increased. Moreover, juveniles in 1 g/L M-CLE treatment significantly increased, but the hatching time was not affected. A-CLE also stimulated the immunity of D. magna by increasing hemocytes in the 3 g/L treatment. Furthermore, both extracts did not affect the growth rate, phenoloxidase activity, malondialdehyde level, and catalase activity in D. magna. Therefore, our results indicated that both extracts could enhance the reproduction and immunity of D. magna. Our study is useful for the health improvement of D. magna.