Percentage Of Heterophils Research Articles

Comparison of baseline painted turtle (Chrysemys picta) health assessments at a confined disposal facility and a protected coastal marsh in southwestern Lake Erie, Ohio, USA.

Dredging is commonly used to maintain navigational channels in freshwater lakes such as Lake Erie, and the dredged material may be discarded in confined disposal facilities (CDFs). The effects of these CDFs on wildlife health are largely unknown. We compared health assessments of painted turtles (Chrysemys picta) at two sites in southwestern Lake Erie, Ohio, USA in May 2022: CDF for dredged material (n=27), and a protected coastal marsh (PCM; n=24). Each turtle underwent a physical examination, blood collection for hematology and plasma biochemistry profiles, and testing for Chlamydia spp., herpesviruses, ranavirus (frog virus 3), and Mycoplasmopsis spp. via oral and cloacal swabs. Six turtles were positive for Chlamydia spp. (11.8%; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 4.4%-23.9%), two from the CDF and four from the PCM. One Chlamydia-positive turtle was co-infected with herpesvirus (2.0%; 95% CI: 0%-10.5%) with 96.3% homology with emydid herpesvirus. No ranavirus or Mycoplasmopsis species were detected (0%, 95% CI: 0%-6.7%). Turtles captured from the CDF had significantly higher heterophil percentages, heterophil/lymphocyte ratios, and glucose levels, but significantly lower total protein and calcium/phosphorus ratios than turtles from PCM. Turtles living in the CDF were hyperglycemic, potentially indicating increased stress levels compared to the normoglycemic turtles from PCM. As humans continue to alter wetland habitats, the impact of anthropogenic sites such as CDFs on freshwater chelonian health and welfare should be monitored.

Effects of blood extraction and ecophysiological experiments on stress in adult males of Liolaemus attenboroughi.

Stress during laboratory experiments can affect the outcomes of ecophysiological studies. The serum corticosterone concentration (CORT), the leukocyte profile, heterophil/lymphocyte ratio (H/L), and the presence of blood endoparasites were analyzed as a proxy of stress and immunological state in adult males of the lizard Liolaemus attenboroughi, endemic to Patagonia, Argentina. The results of the ecophysiological variables (preferred temperature, running speed, locomotor endurance, and body condition index, BCI) were analyzed in relation to stress indicators obtained from blood samples taken at three different times: at capture, and on the third and seventh days in the laboratory. Males at capture showed a high percentage of lymphocytes and heterophils and a low of basophils, monocytes, and eosinophils. Haemogregorina-type endoparasites have been recorded in the genus Liolaemus for the first time. The proportion of infected males remained stable during captivity; however, these males showed higher CORT levels, increased percentages of basophils, and decreased percentages of lymphocytes. There was a significant increment in CORT and H/L, and a decrease in BCI during laboratory experiments, compared with baseline values at capture. The performance was not related to the CORT or the repeated blood sampling. The BCI decreased, possibly due to energy reserve mobilization caused by acute stress. This study shows that blood extraction and ecophysiological experiments over 7 days have a minor effect on the stress indicators used.

Effects of dietary Silybum marianum powder on growth performance, egg and carcass characteristics, immune response, intestinal microbial population, haemato-biochemical parameters and sensory meat quality of laying quails

The study aimed to assess the effects of different dietary Silybum marianum (SM, milk thistle) powder levels on growth performance, productivity, immunity, small intestine, haemato-biochemical parameters, meat quality, and egg and carcass characteristics of laying quails. The experimental subjects consisted of one hundred and eight 43-day-old quails divided into 3 treatments (0, 0.75, and 1.50% SM) with 4 replicates each. The egg characteristics and growth performance of the quails were evaluated. Quails were euthanized for evaluation of carcasses, microbiota, and sensory characteristics of meat. Blood samples were analyzed for haematology and biochemical profile. SM at 0.75% and 1.50% significantly (P < 0.05) increased feed intake, enhanced egg characteristics (number, weight, width, length, volume, weight of egg yolk, and eggshell thickness), jejunum and ileum length, spleen weight, lactobacillus population, sensory characteristics of meat, red blood cell (RBC), hemoglobin, erythrocytic indices, concentration of albumin, globulin and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH). SM at 0.75% and 1.50% decreased (P < 0.05) carcass weight (abdominal fat, heart, neck, and pancreas), feed conversion ratio (FCR) based on eggs produced, percentages of heterophils and lymphocytes, concentration of lactate dehydrogenase, population of coliforms clostridia, and Escherichia coli. Aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, and creatine kinase were not significantly (P > 0.05) altered by 0.75% and 1.50% SM. SM at both levels (0.75% and 1.50%) may improve growth, egg characteristics, immune response, intestinal morphology and microbiota, meat quality and erythropoiesis, and also lead to decreased cholesterol in laying quails. Economics can be improved, too. The authors recommend adding 1.0% of SM to quail diet.

Garlic (Allium sativum) and mushroom (Agaricus bisporus) powder: Investigation of performance, immune organs and humoural and cellular immune response in broilers.

Alternatives to antibiotics have been suggested by banning their use in the poultry industry. Garlic and mushroom are two important phytobiotic compounds in poultry nutrition. This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of supplementing diets with garlic and mushroom powder (MP) on growth performance, humoural and cellular immunity, and white blood cell counts of broiler chickens. Five hundred and seventy-six 1-day-old male broiler chickens (Ross 308) were assigned to 8 treatments with 6 replications (12 birds per replication) based on a completely randomized design in a factorial arrangement of 4×2 with 4 levels of garlic powder (GP; 0.00%, 0.50%, 1.00%, and 1.50%) and two levels of MP (0.00% and 1.00%). No significant effects of GP and MP on the growth performance and cutaneous basophil hypersensitivity were observed (p>0.05). According to the regression equation, with increasing levels of GP in the diets, the relative weight of the bursa of Fabricius and thymus increased (p<0.05). The effect of increasing levels of GP on the Newcastle disease virus (NDV) titre was greater in the absence of MP (p<0.05). With increasing levels of GP in the diets, the percentages of lymphocytes and heterophils to lymphocytes ratio increased and reduced, respectively (p<0.05). This experiment has revealed that increasing the level of GP improved the immune response of broilers without affecting performance. The effect of increasing the level of GP on the NDV titre was more significant in the absence of MP.

The effect of different levels of vitamin C on performance, carcass characteristics, digestive organs, immunity, blood parameters, liver enzymes, cecal microflora, evaluation of meat taste and fatty acid profile of breast meat of broilers

The objective of this experiment was to investigate the effect of different levels of vitamin C on performance, carcass characteristics, immunity, blood parameters, cecal microbial flora, evaluation of meat taste and fatty acid profile of Arbor Acres commercial strain broilers. In order to investigate the different levels of vitamin C, 120 one-day-old male broilers of the Arbor Acres commercial strain were used in a completely randomized design. In this way, three different levels of vitamin C (0, 250 and 50 mg/kg diet) were tested with 4 repetitions with 10 chicks in each repetition for 42 days. Average daily weight gain, average daily feed intake and feed conversion ratio were determined. At the age of 42 days, 2 chicks were randomly selected from each replication and the characteristics of carcass components, blood parameters, liver enzymes, taste evaluation and fatty acid profile of breast meat were measured. The evaluation of the immune system was evaluated by measuring the antibody titers against the Newcastle vaccine, anvian influenza and sheep red blood cells (SRBC) and were analyzed with SPSS statistical software. The results showed that in the whole period, no statistical difference was observed between the treatment groups in terms of feed consumption and weight gain and feed conversion ratio (P&gt;0.05), The effect of vitamin C on carcass and intestinal characteristics was not significant, except for the relative weight of the breast (P&gt;0.05). The effect of vitamin C on blood parameters, except for HDL and total cholesterol which were increased were not affected by experimental treatments. Liver enzymes including creatine phosphokinase and lactate dehydrogenase in broilers receiving experimental treatments were increased by higher levels of vitamin C in the diet (P&lt;0.05). The examination of the immune system of broilers showed that the comparison of the average amount of white and red blood cells, hemoglobin, HTC, MCV, MCH and MCHC was not affected by different levels of vitamin C in the diet (P&gt;0.05). However, the percentage of lymphocytes and heterophils was affected by different levels of vitamin C (P&lt;0.05). The amount of antibody titer against Newcastle virus, influenza and SRBC and organs related to the immune system was not affected by experimental treatments (P&gt;0.05).The effect of vitamin C on taste evaluation traits showed that general acceptance and chewing ability were different in all three treatment groups (P&lt;0.05), but other traits were not affected by different levels of vitamin C (P&gt;0.05). The effect of vitamin C on the fatty acid profile of breast meat showed C12:0 was unchanged in the 3 treatment groups, but C14:0, C16:0, C18:0, C18:3 decreased with increasing consumption of vitamin C. The present research suggests that use of 250 mg of vitamin C per kg of diet of broilers of the Arbor Acres strain may have potential economic benefits.

Hemoparasite occurrence and hematological/serum chemistry variations in Podocnemis vogli turtles: A comparative analysis between wild-residing infected specimens and captive non-infected counterparts.

Reptiles show a high occurrence of hemoparasites in the wild; however, little is known about the impact of such infections on their hosts' physiology and health status. Podocnemis vogli is an ancient turtle distributed in South America, frequently infected by blood parasites. Specifically, we analyzed the hematological and serum chemistry parameters of 78 wild turtles. We compared these values with those obtained from non-infected turtles of the same species in ex-situ conditions, considering factors such as sex and coinfections. Two orders of hemoparasites were detected under microscopic analyses: Adelorina, represented by Haemogregarina sp. (98.72±0.28%), and Haemosporida, represented by Haemocystidium sp. (30.77±1.16%), the latter genus being always in coinfection with Haemogregarina. Significant differences were observed in 20 parameters between infected (free living) and uninfected (living in captivity) turtles. The ALP, PCV, Hb, and MCV were significantly different by sex; albumin, cholesterol, creatinine, percentage of heterophils, lymphocytes, and basophils differed in coinfection. This is the first report of reference intervals of P. vogli in the wild and the first study comparing hematological and blood biochemistry values between hemoparasite-infected and uninfected P. vogli turtles. However, the limited knowledge of these parameters in wild reptiles and the wide range of interval values makes it difficult to determine any significant impact on turtle health. Nevertheless, this study highlights the need for more in-depth research to explore the potential effects of blood parasite infections on turtles, including immune response and coevolution studies.

Relationship of Salmonella isolation with different serum and inflammatory intestinal parameters in natural fowl typhoid outbreaks from laying hens

Our study was undertaken to determine the best samples and selective-differential plating media to be used for Salmonella spp. isolation. We also compared hematological and serum biochemical values, Salmonella biovar Gallinarum (SG) detection (isolation and serological test), and inflammatory intestinal response (fecal leukocyte) in laying hens with naturally occurring fowl typhoid outbreaks. Furthermore, we looked for a biomarker of SG infection. Spleen, liver, ovarian follicle content, and bone marrow were found to be the best samples for SG isolation and the agreement between MacConkey-Salmonella Shigella agar was slight to excellent. The laying hens with SG isolation and rapid serum plate agglutination positive results showed a higher percentage of heterophils, heterophil/lymphocyte ratio and total white blood cells, and a lower percentage of lymphocytes than those with negative results. Furthermore, the positive fecal leukocyte samples had a higher percentage of heterophils, gamma-glutamyl transferase, total protein and globulin values than negative samples. Five biomarkers’ cut-offs are proposed to distinguish between laying hens positive and negative to SG isolation.

Hematology and Biochemistry of the Española Lava Lizard (Microlophus delanonis)

This paper presents novel baseline health parameters on the Española lava lizard (Microlophus delanonis). Blood samples and morphological measurements were taken on 51 lizards (21 males, 30 females) captured from three locations on the island of Española. Morphologic parameters measured included body weight, snout-vent length, and temperature. Blood samples were analyzed approximately eight hours after collection using a portable blood analyzer (i-STAT) which measured hemoglobin, total CO2, glucose, lactate, sodium, potassium, and ionized calcium. Hematologic characterization data were obtained using standard laboratory techniques. There were significant differences found in snout-vent length, weight, heart rate, respiratory rate, total CO2, and heterophil percentage between males and females. The data presented here can be used to monitor the health of this population of lava lizards as well as help to understand the health of a related species, the San Cristóbal lava lizard (Microlophus bivittatus), which faces different evolutionary pressures including the presence of humans and feral cats. This study continues to widen our understanding of the Microlophus genus; however, further research should be done to characterize the remaining species that inhabit the islands in the Galápagos archipelago.

Does human disturbance affect physiological traits of Two-banded Plovers nesting on an urban beach?

In coastal Patagonia, Argentina, shorebird breeding habitats overlap with high levels of human recreational activities, such as dog-walking and driving motorized vehicles. We assessed physiological traits related to body condition, nutritional metabolites, cellular immunity, and stress responses of adult Two-banded Plovers (<em>Charadrius falklandicus</em>) in northern Chubut, Patagonia, Argentina. We examined blood samples from 46 individuals captured at an urban (“disturbed” treatment, n = 28) and a rural beach (“control” treatment, n = 18) between 2016 and 2017. We studied (1) body condition by size-correcting body mass to wing-chord lengths, (2) nutritional metabolites, such as the haematocrit, glucose, and concentrations of triglycerides, cholesterol, and total proteins, (3) cellular immunity by counting total leukocytes, and the percentages of heterophils, lymphocytes, eosinophils, and monocytes, and (4) stress responses by obtaining the heterophil/lymphocyte ratio and quantifications of plasma baseline corticosterone. We determined the overall support of predictor variables: treatment, day of the year (DOY), interaction DOY × treatment, year, and sex on a multivariate assessment using MANOVA. Body condition and triglycerides decreased, and monocytes increased, during the breeding season at the control site (DOY × treatment). Body condition significantly differed by sex, with males exhibiting lower values than females. Triglycerides, cholesterol, and total leukocyte count significantly differed between years, showing higher values in 2017. The multivariate model showed the greatest variation only explanatory in DOY (n = 0.67, P < 0.001) and year (<em>n²</em> = 0.62, P = 0.001). Overall, birds exhibited depleted body condition and triglycerides throughout the season at the control site: a pattern likely biased by the capture date. Contrary to the disturbed site, most samples at the control site were collected from mid-to-late breeding season each year, and most birds were likely renesting. Sex differences observed for body condition suggest greater energy-costly reproduction activities for males, including territory defense and courtship behaviors. No significant differences were found in stress responses, and based on observations in the field, birds may tolerate human disturbance. Habituation was a previously suggested coping mechanism for reducing the costs of repeated exposure to non-lethal stimuli, such as human activity. Given that no treatment effects on physiological traits were observed, beyond triglycerides, our results may still help to improve the decisions of wildlife managers toward protecting beach-nesting areas by preventing impacts to nests, chicks, and pairs during their breeding season.

Effect of Salmonella Typhimurium Colonization on Microbiota Maturation and Blood Leukocyte Populations in Broiler Chickens.

Simple SummaryReducing Salmonella levels in chickens is vital to reducing the number of human Salmonella infections resulting from contact with contaminated chickens and poultry products. The intestinal tract of chickens is home to a diverse population of bacteria that serve as one of the first lines of defense against pathogenic microbes. Therefore, we sought to understand changes in the intestinal bacterial populations following Salmonella infection. Our results showed a clear change in the intestinal bacterial structure after Salmonella colonization. An inverse relationship between Salmonella and Lactobacillus and Escherichia was observed as well as an increase in Bacteroides. Additionally, we provide insight into the timing of the host immune response with monocytes and thrombocytes acting early following colonization followed by heterophils. In total, this data demonstrates the ability of Salmonella to change intestinal microbiota composition and highlights genera that may be useful as probiotics to fight Salmonella colonization.Reducing Salmonella in commercial chickens is vital to decreasing human salmonellosis infections resulting from contact with contaminated poultry and poultry products. As the intestinal microbiota plays an important role in preventing pathogen colonization, we sought to understand the relationship between Salmonella infection and the cecal microbiota and the host immune system. Day-of-hatch broiler chicks were assigned to three treatments: control, artificial (SA), and natural (SN) Salmonella infection. At seven days of age, control and SA birds were inoculated with PBS or Salmonella Typhimurium, respectively. Five SA birds were transferred to SN cages to facilitate natural infection. Cecal content and blood samples were collected at 0, 8, 14, and 21 days of age for microbiota and leukocyte analysis, respectively. A significant change in microbiota composition was observed in both groups as noted by a decrease in Lactobacillus and Escherichia and an increase in Bacteroides. Leukocyte analysis revealed a decrease in the percentage of circulating monocytes at 7 days post-infection while a decrease in thrombocyte and an increase in heterophil percentages were seen at 14 days post-infection. Taken together, these results demonstrate the ability of Salmonella to modulate the intestinal microbiota to facilitate colonization. Additionally, results indicated an early role of monocytes and thrombocytes during colonization, followed by heterophils.

Natural antioxidants improve pulmonary hypertension syndrome and change blood profile in broiler chicken

The objective of the present study was to investigate the effect of vitamins C and E and garlic powder on hetrophil/lymphocyte and right ventricle (RV)/total ventricle (TV) ratio as well as lipid peroxidation levels in BC with PHS induced by T3 administration. A total of 225 chickens (Ross 308, 1 day old) were randomly divided into five equal groups (n=45) including the control (received standard basal diet (RSBD)+1.5 mg/kg of T3), sham (RSBD over period study), and the vitamin C (RSBD+1200 PPM of vitamin C+1.5 mg/kg of T3), the vitamin E (RSBD+400 mg/kg of vitamin E+1.5 mg/kg of T3), the garlic (RSBD +1% garlic+1.5mg/kg of T3) groups. T3 was administrated at days 7 to 49 of age. At days 21,35 and 49 post- reared, 15 chicks from each group were randomly selected, scarified and blood parameters including lymphocytes, heterophil, hetrophil/lymphocyte and RV/TV ratio as well as lipid peroxidation were assayed. The decreased the RV/TV ratio in the all treatment groups compared to control group indicate that PHS-induced by administration of T3 improve by adding of vitamins E, vitamin C and garlic to basal diet. The highest and lowest mean percentage of heterophil was belonged to the control and sham groups on 35 and 49 days of age, respectively. The highest mean percentage of heterophil/lymphocyte ratio was belonged to the control groups on days of 35, and 49 of age. The adding of vitamin C and garlic to basal diet resulted in a significant increase in the mean percentage of lymphocyte compared to the control and the vitamin E groups on days 35 and 49 of age. In conclusion the natural antioxidants such as garlic, vitamins E and C can improve the increased RV/TV and heterophil/lymphocyte ratios in the blood profile of broiler chickens with PHS due to reduce lipid peroxidation.

The Effect of Combination of Meniran (Phyllanthus niruri), Moringa (Moringa oliefera) and Surgery (Curcuma domestica) Extracts on Total Leukocytes and Differential Leukocyte of Broiler Chicken

This study aims to determine the effect of the combination of Phyllanthus niruri, moringa and turmeric extract on total leucocytes and defferential leucocyte of broiler chickens. The study was conducted in March - May 2021. The research used 60 broiler chickens with an initial weight of 41.48 ± 0.99 g. The feed given was commercial feed containing 22% protein. The study used a completely randomized design (CRD) with 4 treatments and 3 replications, each of which consisted of 5 DOCs. The treatments consisted of T0 (100% water), T1 (50% Phyllanthus niruri+ 25% moringa + 25% turmeric), T2 (25% Phyllanthus + 50% Moringa + 25% turmeric), T3 (25% Phyllanthus + 25% Moringa + 50% turmeric. The observed variables were total leucocytes and differential leucocytes (lymphocytes and heterophils). The results showed that the combination of Phyllanthus, moringa and turmeric extract increased the number of leucocytes, the percentage of lymphocytes and decreased the percentage of heterophils. but still within normal limits. The results showed that the combination of Phyllanthus extract, moringa and turmeric increased the number of leucocytes, the percentage of lymphocytes and decreased the percentage of heterophils. but still within normal limits.

Effect of Ginger Powder on Production Performance, Antioxidant Status, Hematological Parameters, Digestibility, and Plasma Cholesterol Content in Broiler Chickens.

Simple SummaryChicken meat is a popular food item all over the wrld. Improving the nutrition of broilers is important for producing high-quality broiler meat. The inclusion of natural effective ingredients, such as ginger, in the diet of broilers did not adversely affect the palatability of the diet, nor did it cause anemia in the broilers. Rather, ginger enhanced the oxidative status and growth rate of broiler chickens.The effect of dietary ginger powder on the production performance, digestibility, hematological parameters, antioxidant status, dietary oxidation stability, and plasma cholesterol content of broiler chickens was investigated. Ginger powder was included in the diet at 0, 5, 10, or 15 g/kg. Total antioxidant capacity and malondialdehyde in sera samples, superoxide dismutase activity, glutathione peroxidase, catalase, and malondialdehyde in liver samples, and the peroxide value and acid value of the stored diets were evaluated. The results showed that ginger inclusion significantly improved antioxidation indices in broiler sera and liver. Total body weight gain in ginger-supplemented birds was higher than that of control birds (p < 0.048). Supplementing the broiler chickens with ginger powder reduced total feed consumption (p < 0.031). White blood cell counts and the percentage of heterophils in the blood were increased in birds that received ginger supplementation (p < 0.001). The inclusion of ginger in the diet improved dry matter digestibility, crude protein utilization, crude fiber utilization, and ether extract utilization. In addition, blood cholesterol, triglyceride, and very low-density lipoprotein levels were decreased (p < 0.001), and high-density lipoprotein and levels were increased, following the inclusion of ginger in the diet (p < 0.001).

The Effect of Adding Herbal Extracts to Drinking Water on Body Temperature, Level of Thyroid Hormones and H:L Ratio in the Blood of Broiler Chickens Exposed to Elevated Ambient Temperature

Abstract The aim of the study was to determine the effect of supplementing drinking water with extracts from lemon balm, sage and nettle on body temperature, level of thyroid hormones and the heterophil to lymphocyte (H:L) ratio in the blood of broiler chickens exposed to elevated rearing temperature. One-day-old Ross 308 chicks were divided into four groups: group I (CON) and experimental groups II (LB), II (S) and IV (N), in which, from 22 to 42 days of rearing, drinkers were supplemented with lemon balm extract, sage extract or nettle extract (2 ml/l water), respectively. In addition, at 5 weeks of growth, all the groups were exposed to elevated ambient temperature (up to 30°C) for 5 days, after which the recommended thermal conditions were reinstated. During the study, mortality, rectal temperature and radiated temperature of the broilers were monitored. Blood was collected from 10 birds per group to determine the concentration of thyroid hormones (T3 and T4) and to make blood smears. The H:L ratio was determined based on the percentage of heterophils (H) and lymphocytes (L). The herbal extracts from lemon balm, sage and nettle, added to drinking water at 2 ml/l, reduced the blood level of the thyroid hormone (triiodothyronine) and rectal temperature in the experimental broilers during the initial period of thermal stress. Chickens receiving the nettle extract were also characterised by lower radiated temperature of the unfeathered body, a lower H:L ratio in the blood during the increase in ambient temperature, and the lowest mortality percentage. It can therefore be considered that the dietary supplementation of nettle, in the form and concentration used in this study, had the most favourable effect on the physiological status of the birds (body temperature, level of thyroid hormones and H:L ratio) exposed to elevated ambient temperatures (30°C), and thus on their welfare.

Recovery of E. coli From Liver and Spleen of Broiler Birds and the Effects of Induced High Ammonia Level on Haematobiochemical Parameters and Its Amelioration by Different Modifiers.

The poultry sector is one of the most vibrant segments of the agriculture industry of Pakistan. In addition to different infections, ammonia (NH3) production from litter material of broiler is the most harmful pollutant and causes serious threats for the environment. To overcome this problem, different methods are proposed assuring poultry bird’s health and production. This study was carried out to evaluate the effect of toxic levels of NH3 on the haematology and serum proteins of broiler birds and its amelioration by using different modifiers. The recovery of Escherichia coli (E. coli) from liver and spleen of broiler birds was also carried out. A total of 100 birds were divided into 5 separate groups (groups A–D). The groups C, D and E were treated with potassium aluminium sulphate, aluminium silicate and Yucca schidigera plant extract, respectively. Blood and tissue samples were collected after slaughtering the birds at 42 days of age. This study revealed increased RBC, total leucocyte count, Hb and heterophils percentage. Serum proteins were decreased in Yucca-treated and potassium aluminium sulphate–treated groups. This study concluded that NH3 production was reduced by the application of different modifiers, and these modifiers also neutralized the changes in blood parameters induced by NH3.

METABOLIC PROFILE IN HENS SUBJECT OF LONG TERM HYPERIMMUNIZATION

In the present paper, the metabolic profile was analysed in a group of adult Rhode Island hens extensively required for the production of IgY antibodies against bacterial entities. The results reveal changes in the leukocyte formula dominated by an increase in the percentage of heterophils and a decrease in the percentage of lymphocytes in the blood. An increase in the level of serum proteins with predominance of globulins is added to this. Increased uric acid levels were found also. Increased levels of GOT and GPT transaminases and -GT indicated an intensification of the protein metabolism, LDH and PA were not significantly modified. Regarding carbohydrate metabolism, it was found that serum glucose and lactate were maintained within physiological limits. The lipid profile was characterized by maintaining serum triglycerides and cholesterol within normal limits. Significant decrease in HDL and increase in LDL were interpreted as a decrease in the proteosynthetic capacity of the liver. The mineral profile was dominated by the increase of the level of sodium, iron, magnesium and calcium but by the decrease of the level of chlorine, potassium and phosphorus.

Effects of dietary supplementation with glutamine on the lymphocyte proliferation and intestinal immune gene expression in broiler chickens infected with Salmonella Enteritidis

An experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of glutamine (Gln) on the lymphocyte proliferation and intestinal immune relevant gene expression in broilers infected with Salmonella Enteritidis. 240 1-day-old broilers were divided randomly into four groups in a completely randomized design, each of which had 6 replicates. Birds were reared in battery cages for 21 days. The experimental groups were as follows: control group (unchallenged group, CON), basal diet; Salmonella Enteritidis challenged group (challenged with 2.0 × 104 CFU/mL of Salmonella Enteritidis, SCC), basal diet; Gln 1, basal diet plus Salmonella Enteritidis challenged plus Gln at 0.5% diet; Gln 2, basal diet plus Salmonella Enteritidis challenged plus Gln at 1.0% diet. The results showed that Salmonella Enteritidis infection led to some decrease in the relative weight of spleen and bursa (except at 21 d), lymphocyte percentage, number of proliferation peripheral blood T and B lymphocytes, and increased the heterophil percentage, H/L ratio, mRNA expression levels of TNF-α, NF-κB p65, IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-8 in the jejunal and ileal mucosa compared with the measurements of these parameters in the CON group at d 4, 7, 14, and 21 (p < 0.05). On the other hand, chickens fed the Gln showed improved the relative weight of spleen and bursa, increased the lymphocyte percentage, number of proliferation peripheral blood T and B lymphocytes, and decreased the heterophil percentage, H/L ratio, and immune relevant gene expression in the jejunal and ileal mucosa compared with the measurements of these parameters in the SCC group (p < 0.05). These results suggest that Gln as a feed additive could be effective for reducing the detrimental effects of Salmonella Enteritidis infection, and increase the intestinal immune barrier function of broilers.

The effect of different types of in ovo selenium injection on the immunity, villi surface area, and growth performance of local chickens.

Background and Aim:The presence of free radicals may lower chicken’s performance. Thus, the antioxidant defense is needed and can be made through a nutritional approach such as selenium supplementation before hatches. This study aimed to investigate the type of selenium that, as an in ovo feeding (IOF) material, can provide the most enhancement of immunity, villi surface area, and early growth performance of local chickens.Materials and Methods:This study, with a completely randomized design, used 480 fertile Kampung Unggul Balitbangtan (KUB, a selected local breed) chicken eggs, with 120 eggs per treatment for four treatments. The four treatments of IOF material included the treatment with organic selenium yeast (SY), organic hydroxy-selenomethionine (HSM), inorganic sodium selenite (SS), and uninjected selenium (control). A solution containing 0.15 ppm of different selenium was injected into the egg amnion after 18 days of incubation. Once hatched, the chicks were placed in three individual cages for each treatment (capacity of eight birds per cage). The parameters observed were the villi surface area, antibody titer, the number of total and differentiated leucocytes, glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity levels, and growth and feed efficiency of the early growth performance.Results:All the in ovo selenium feeding, except SS, significantly affected the villi surface area, antibody titer, and lymphocyte and heterophil percentages; however, the feedings were still not optimal for enhancing antibody titers and total and differentiated leukocytes. All types of selenium were demonstrated to increase the activity of GSH-Px significantly compared to the control treatment (p<0.05). Furthermore, the daily gain and feed conversion ratio of the groups treated with SY and HSM was significantly improved compared to that of the control group.Conclusion:In ovo SY and HSM improve immunity significantly, villi surface areas and performance. Therefore, both types are the best nutrient ingredients of IOF for building immunity and producing good performance in chickens.

Nutritional value of whole date waste and evaluating its application in ostrich diets

Although date waste products have been used as an alternative feed source in the diets of poultry for a long time, there is no quantitative information available regarding date waste used in ostrich diets. Therefore, two experiments were performed to evaluate the feeding value of whole date waste (WDW) as a feed ingredient in ostrich diets. In the first experiment, apparent metabolizable energy corrected to zero nitrogen balance (AMEn) of WDW was determined using 12 young ostriches (6 months old). The treatments included a reference diet and a test diet consisting of 60% of the reference diet and 40% of WDW. The AMEn of the WDW determined by total collection was 3216 kcal/kg. In the second study, four groups of eight growing ostriches (seven month old), with almost similar BW (60.4 ± 1.6 kg), were individually housed in outdoor paddocks of ≈24 m2 and were tested from 7 to 9 months of age. The groups were fed four isocaloric (2420 kcal of AMEn/kg) and isonitrogenous (16.4% CP) diets containing 0, 10, 20, and 30% WDW. The results demonstrated that there were no significant differences among treatments in average daily feed intake, average daily gain, feed conversion ratio, and apparent total tract digestibility coefficients of DM, organic matter, energy, ether extract, ash, nitrogen-free extract, calcium, and phosphorus. In contrast, birds fed 0, 10, and 20% WDW diets had similar CP digestibility and this was significantly (P < 0.001) higher than that of birds on 30% WDW diet. The least crude fibre digestibility (P = 0.003) was also observed in birds fed 30% WDW diet. Blood RBC count, lymphocyte percentage, glucose concentration, and glutathione peroxidase activity increased linearly (P < 0.01), whereas heterophil percentage and heterophil-to-lymphocyte ratio decreased linearly (P = 0.002), in response to dietary inclusion of WDW. It can be concluded that WDW can be incorporated into the diets of ostrich chicks at levels of up to 30% without compromising growth performance. These results also suggest that WDW could be used as a feed ingredient for growing ostriches to improve stress-related variables and antioxidant status.

Dietary Echinacea purpurea administration enhanced egg laying performance, serum lipid profile, antioxidant status and semen quality in duck breeders during summer season.

This work investigated the outcomes of dietary administration of Echinacea purpurea (EP) powder to breeder ducks on productive and reproductive performance during summer season. Sudani ducks (320 birds) of 32-weeks-old (240 females and 80 males) were randomly allocated into four collections (body weight; 1850±15.2g for females and 2960.0±40.5g for males). The primary collection consumed the basal diet without supplementation and was deliberated as control. The other three collections were fed the basal diet supplemented with 2.5, 5.00 and 7.5g EP/kg diet, correspondingly. Egg number and mass, laying rate, feed consumption and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were significantly changed by dietary EP levels. Drakes fed EP-supplemented diets had higher ejaculate volume, sperms concentration and live sperms (%) as well as lower dead sperms (%) than the control group. Eggs laid by ducks fed diet supplemented with 2.5g/kg had the greatest fertility and hatchability percentages, followed by those fed 5.0g EP/kg. Ducks fed different EP diets had higher values of haemoglobin, RBCs, WBCs and lymphocytes, lower values of heterophils percentage and lower H/L ratio than the control. All serum constituents were significantly changed by dietary EP supplementation, except of total protein and Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT) enzyme. Conclusively, dietary EP supplementation at 2.5g/kg had beneficial effects on productive and reproductive performance as well as lipid profile and antioxidant status and economically valued in breeder ducks under summer conditions.