Relative Heart Weight Research Articles

Improving antioxidant function, inflammatory responses, growth performance, and mortality by supplementing black cumin (Nigella Sativa) seed in broiler chickens exposed to low ambient temperature

This study was done to investigate the effects of black cumin (Nigella sativa) powder (BCP) on oxidative stress, inflammation cytokines, hematological and biochemical change and growth performance of broilers under low ambient temperature. Total of 375 one -day-old male Ross 308 broilers were randomly allocated into five treatments with five replication pens (with 15 broilers per pen). A total of 75 birds were reared in a thermoneutral (TN group) environment, and the rest of the birds (300 birds in four groups) were exposed to cold stress (CS). On d 14, CS birds' groups were fed a control diet and three levels of BCP at rates of 5, 10, and 15 g/kg (BCP-5, BCP-10, and BCP-15, respectively). The blood and heart samples were collected. On day 42, two birds per cage (n = 10/treatment) were weighed and euthanized, and samples for blood and heart were collected. Dietary BCP modulated cold-induced effects on growth performance indices, relative weight heart weight, right ventricle / total ventricle ratio, right ventricle /body weight and mortality. The activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase in serum and liver were enhanced, and malondialdehyde was reduced by BCP supplementation compared to the CS group. The cold stress-induced effect on serum and liver levels of TNF-α and interleukin-6 were reduced, and interleukin-10 was enhanced by dietary BCP supplementation. Moreover, supplementing of diets with BCP alleviated the adverse effect of cold stress as reflected by a reduction in alanine transaminase, aspartate transaminase, alkaline phosphatase, triglyceride, and cholesterol compared to the CS group. In conclusion, BCP supplementation during cold stress may be used to alleviate cold stress- related changes in broiler chickens.

Toxicological profile of Balanites agyptiaca in albino Wistar rats

Background: Balanites aegyptiaca (BAE) is a thorny tree that grows in most arid and semi-arid areas of Africa, the Middle East and India. It is used in traditional medicine for its cardioprotective, deworming, antihelmintic, anti-infectious and antifungal properties. Excessive consumption of this plant's products can present risks of intoxication for consumers. Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the acute and subchronic oral toxicity of the aqueous extract of Balanites aegyptiaca leaves and roots, with a view to ensuring the safety of consumers of this plant. Method: Acute toxicity was carried out in accordance with the OECD experimental protocol. The plant extract tested was administered orally to female rats at a single dose of 2000 mg/kg. These animals were observed for 14 days. For the subchronic toxicity study, the aqueous extract was administered daily orally to male and female rats at different doses (250, 500 and 1000 mg/kg) for 30 days. After the treatment period, the animals were sacrificed for hematological, biochemical and histopathological analyses. Results: The results of the acute oral toxicity test showed that the aqueous extract of Balanites aegyptiaca leaves and roots was non-toxic at a dose of 2000 mg/kg. During the sub-chronic test period, observation of rat signs and behaviour revealed no abnormalities in the groups of animals treated with the extract compared with controls. A significant variation in relative heart and liver weights was observed at 1000 mg/kg. In addition, there was a significant reduction in concentrations of aspartate aminotransferase, total cholesterol, triglycerides and low-density lipoproteins in these rats. Compared with control groups. There was also a significant decrease in hemoglobin and mean corpuscular hemoglobin, with an increase in lymphocytes and white blood cells at the same dose of 1000mg/kg. Histological examinations of the kidneys and liver showed normal renal architecture, and the liver also showed normal hepatic architecture with slight degeneration at a dose of 1000mg/kg of the extract tested. Conclusion: Single administration of the 2000 mg/kg dose did not induce signs of significant toxicity in rats. However, in long-term oral treatment, safety measures must be taken. Thus, sub-chronic oral exposure of BAE to lower doses is recommended, while higher doses, of the order of 1000 mg/kg, should be avoided.

Safety evaluation of Avicenna germinans leaf extracts in rats

BackgroundAvicenna germinans is one of Nigeria's dominant mangrove plants and has valuable pharmacological and therapeutic activity. It is widely employed in traditional medicine to treat many ailments and diseases, including cancer. However, little is known about the safety of the plant. Acute and sub-acute toxicity profiles of the plant extracts were assessed in this study. MethodsThe oral acute toxicity was determined with 5000 mg/kg body weight each of n-hexane, ethyl acetate, and ethanol extracts of Avicenna germinans leaf in rats. The rats were monitored for mortality, clinical manifestations, and weight changes over 14 days. During the sub-acute toxicity study, twenty-five female rats were fed with 0–1000 mg/kg ethanol extracts of Avicenna germinans for 21 days. The body weight was monitored during treatment, while changes in gross organ morphology, relative organ weights, hematology, serum biochemistry, and limited histological analysis were evaluated after treatment. ResultsAcute administration of the three extracts did not result in mortality or any obvious adverse effects. The gross pathology, relative organ weights, hematology, serum biochemistry, and histopathology were similar to the control, except for the 1000 mg/kg dose that evoked marked increases in relative heart, intestinal, thymus, and adrenal weights. In addition, foci of inflammatory cells in the interstitium and lymphoid hyperplasia were found in the heart and lungs, respectively, in the 1000 mg/kg group. ConclusionThe findings indicate that LD50 of the three extracts of Avicenna germinans were > 5000 mg/kg and sub-acute administration of the ethanol extract is relatively safe at least up to 750 mg/kg body weights.

Tiron enhances the anti-cancer activity of doxorubicin in DMBA-induced breast cancer: Role of Notch signaling/apoptosis/autophagy/oxidative stress

Existing work intended to investigate the outcomes of the localized mitochondrial antioxidant tiron (TR) alone or in combination with doxorubicin (DOX) in 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA)-induced mammary carcinogenesis in rats and the mechanistic pathways behind these effects. Also, to examine the preventive role of TR against DOX-related cardiotoxicity. 64 female Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned into 8 groups: CTRL, DOX, TR, DMBA, DMBA + DOX, DMBA + TR100, DMBA + TR200, and DMBA + DOX + TR200. Rats received TR (100 and 200 mg/kg), DOX (2mg/kg), and DMBA (7.5 mg/kg) for four consecutive weeks. TR alone or combined with DOX not only inhibited oxidative status-related parameters and Notch pathway proteins but also attenuated proliferation markers, and enhanced apoptosis, and autophagy-related genes. Consistently, the histopathological analysis showed better scores in mammary tissues isolated from groups treated with TR only or combined with DOX. Additionally, TR dramatically decreased relative heart weight, myocardial injury biomarkers, and heart oxidative stress parameters while maintaining the myocardial histological integrity. Here we provided evidence that TR acts via modulating Notch signaling/apoptosis/autophagy/oxidative stress to elicit anti-tumor activity and combination with DOX revealed a higher efficacy as a novel anticancer strategy. Moreover, TR could be a potential cardio-protective candidate during DOX-chemotherapy, possibly via its antioxidant activity.

Neonatal α-Ketoglutaric Acid Gavage May Potentially Alleviate Acute Heat Stress by Modulating Hepatic Heat Shock Protein 90 and Improving Blood Antioxidant Status of Broilers.

This study investigated the effect of neonatal α-ketoglutaric acid (AKG) gavage feeding on broilers. The first experiment was conducted to determine the effect of AKG on day-old broilers. A total of seventy-two-day-old Ross 308 broiler chicks were divided into four treatment groups: (i) Two groups of chicks with gavage feeding of 0.6 mL of distilled water (DDW) for four consecutive days (CON); (ii) chicks fed with 0.6 mL of 0.1% AKG dissolved in DDW on the day of hatch (AL) followed by 0.2%, 0.3%, and 0.4% for three consecutive days; and (iii) chicks fed with 0.6 mL of 0.2% AKG dissolved in DDW on the day of hatch (AH) followed by 0.4%, 0.6%, and 0.8% for three consecutive days. Twenty-four hours after the first gavage feeding, six birds per treatment were slaughtered to study the organ development. Chicks fed with AKG showed higher absolute (p = 0.015) and relative (p = 0.037) weights of the gizzard. The AH group had higher absolute (p = 0.012) and relative (p = 0.035) heart weights. The second experiment was carried out to determine the effect of AKG on 15-day-old broilers under acute heat stress (AHS) for 3.5 h at 33 ± 1 °C. Forty-eight birds (12 per treatment) were raised until 15 days of age, divided into four treatments with equal numbers (n = 12), and given one of the following four treatments: (i) CON group reared at standard temperature (25 ± 1 °C) (CON-NT); (ii) CON group subjected to AHS (33 ± 1 °C) for 3.5 h (CON-HT); (iii) AL group subjected to AHS (33 ± 1 °C) for 3.5 h (AL-HT); and (iv) AH group subjected to AHS (33 ± 1 °C) for 3.5 h (AH-HT). There was a significant reduction in the change in BW (ΔBW, p = 0.005), an increase in the final rectal temperature (RTf) (p = 0.001), and a decreased final body weight (BWf) for all the treatments under AHS. Further, AHS led to an increased expression of hepatic heat shock protein (HSP)70 (p = 0.009), nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate hydrogen oxidase (NOX)1 (p = 0.006), and NOX4 (p = 0.001), while nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor (NRF2), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase 1 (GPX1) remained significantly unaffected. Hepatic expression of HSP90 decreased in the AL-HT treatment as compared to CON-HT (p = 0.008). Plasma antioxidant status measured by malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration and antioxidant balance (AB) improved linearly (p = 0.001) as the concentration of AKG increased. Neonatal gavage feeding of AKG could potentially alleviate heat stress in broilers by enhancing plasma antioxidant levels and modulating HSP90 expression in the liver.

Effects of Methanol Extract of Celery (Apium graveolens) Leaf on Ethanol-Induced Left Ventricular Changes in Wistar Rats

Background: Alcohol consumption is associated with several cardiovascular diseases such as heart failure, left ventricular hypertrophy, as well as with other disorders. This study was designed to determine the cardioprotective effect of celery (Apium graveolens) extract in attenuating perturbations arising from alcohol ingestion on left ventricular injury in adult Wistar rats.  Methods: Thirty male Wistar rats weighing 120g -160g were used for this study. The rats were divided into six (6) groups A, B, C, D, E &F five (5) rats each. The rats in group (A) served as control and received standard pellet, while groups B, C, D, E and F were administered orally with 8ml/kg b. w of ethanol and 100mg/kg, 150mg/kg, 200mg/kg of methanol extract of Apium graveolens (MEAG) were given to group C, D and E and 25mg of propranolol was given to group F orally. Group A and B were administered with 2ml/kg b. w distilled water.  Results: The relative heart weight, level of serum cardiac troponin I and left ventricular wall thickness of the ethanol-induced rats were significantly increase (F = 7.64; p = 0.002), (F = 22.66; p = 0.001) and (F = 85.29; p < 0.001) when compared with the control and across all experimental groups in this study. Group treated with MEAG also showed regular striations.Conclusion: This study indicates that MEAG has cardioprotective effects on these perturbations.

Effect of Stanozolol and/or Cannabis Abuse on Hypertrophic Mechanism and Oxidative Stress of Male Albino Rat Cardiac Tissue in Relation to Exercise: A Sport Abuse Practice

Adolescents commonly co-abuse many drugs including anabolic androgenic steroids either they are athletes or non-athletes. Stanozolol is the major anabolic used in recent years and was reported grouped with cannabis. The current study aimed at evaluating the biochemical and histopathological changes related to the hypertrophic effects of stanozolol and/or cannabis whether in condition of exercise practice or sedentary conditions. Adult male Wistar albino rats received either stanozolol (5 mg/kg, s.c), cannabis (10 mg/kg, i.p.), and a combination of both once daily for two months. Swimming exercise protocol was applied as a training model. Relative heart weight, oxidative stress biomarkers, cardiac tissue fibrotic markers were evaluated. Left ventricular morphometric analysis and collagen quantification was done. The combined treatment exhibited serious detrimental effects on the heart tissues. It increased heart tissue fibrotic markers (Masson’s trichrome stain (p < 0.001), cardiac COL3 (p < 0.0001), and VEGF-A (p < 0.05)), lowered heart glutathione levels (p < 0.05) and dramatically elevated oxidative stress (increased malondialdehyde (p < 0.0001) and 8-OHDG (p < 0.0001)). Training was not ameliorating for the observed effects. Misuse of cannabis and stanozolol resulted in more hypertrophic consequences of the heart than either drug alone, which were at least largely assigned to oxidative stress, heart tissue fibrotic indicators, histological alterations, and morphometric changes.

Effects of Inclusion of Gongronema Latifolium Leaf Extract as a Supplementary Source of Vitamins and Minerals on the Growth Performance and Haematology of Broiler Finishers

The present study was conducted to determine the effects of Gongronema latifolium leaves extract (GLLE) as a supplementary source of vitamins and minerals on growth performance and haematology of broiler finishers. A total of 20 four (4) weeks old broilers were randomly selected and assigned to five treatment groups, namely water (control), water+ vitalyte, water+ 60ml GLLE, water+ 30ml GLLE and water+ 10mIGLLE. Results showed that there were significant (P&lt;0.05) differences in weight gain but there were no significant differences (P&gt;0.05) in Hb, PCV and RBC. The relative weights of gizzard, heart and liver of the broilers fed extract (except 30ml extract) were significantly (P&lt;0.05) reduced compared with the broilers fed vitalyte. The group fed 30ml extract had the highest weight in gizzard. 30ml GLLE enhanced the growth performance of broilers without any adverse effect on their blood. GLLE can serve as a substitute to the commercially synthetic vitamins and minerals premixes in feeding poultry.

Chronic Ethanol Decreases the Left Ventricular Cardiac Performance

Introduction: Spaced fiber bundles, less evident cell striations, deposition of collagen fiber bundles, and increased presence of fibroblasts in the cardiac tissue of rats that voluntarily and chronically ingested ethanol were observed by our research group. In addition, we observed increased proliferation and cell death of cardiomyocytes. To find out whether these changes lead to impaired heart functionality, some clinical tests were performed. Aim: to investigate whether chronic ethanol decreases the left ventricular performance assessed by exercise testing, electrocardiogram, and echocardiogram of male and female UChB strain rats. Material and methods: ten adult males and ten adult females, Wistar strain rats, named UChB (University of Chile), spontaneous high ethanol drinkers (consumption greater than 2 g ethanol / Kg body weight/day), and ten male UChB rats and ten adults female UChB rats, not exposed to ethanol, UChBC rats (controls) were used. Cardiac performance was evaluated by the stress test, electrocardiogram, and echocardiogram. Results: Exposed females showed ventricular morphological changes in the heart. The exposed females and males had the highest heart relative weight with females being larger than males. The exposed females showed altered electrocardiogram and echocardiogram. Conclusion: Chronic ethanol decreases the left ventricular cardiac performance in rats. Females are more sensitive to changes in cardiac electrical conduction.

Preliminary Phytochemical Screening and Acute Toxicity Study of Methanol leaf extracts of Musanga cercropioides

Musanga cercropioides is a plant that is used to treat a variety of ailments in many African countries. However, just a few studies have been conducted to assess the toxicity of the various sections of this plant. The goal of this study was to determine the toxicity profile of Musanga cercropioides methanol leaf extract in albino rats. Lorke's approach was used to conduct an acute toxicity study. In the first phase, nine (9) albino rats were randomly divided into three (3) groups of three (3) animals each. Each of the animals were orally administered 10,100 and 1000 mg/kg body weight of the extract. In the second phase, twelve (12) animals were used, which were divided into four groups of three (3) animals each. The first three groups received single doses of 1500, 3000, and 5000 mg/kg, respectively, while the fourth group which served as a control was given distilled water orally. After observation for 14 days, no signs of mortality were identified. The maximum dose supplied (5000 mg/kg body weight) did not affect the test animals' mortality or general behavior. When the treated groups were compared to the control groups, there was no significant difference (p &gt; 0.05) in biochemical markers, body weight, or relative organ weights of liver, kidney, heart, and spleen. These findings show that oral administration of Musanga cercropioides methanol leaf extract is safe at a dose of up to 5000 mg/kg body weight in Wistar albino rats.

Investigating the effect of sesame meal replacement for soybean meal in diets with different levels of calcium and phytase enzyme in broiler chickens.

As a major part of the cost of broiler farms is related to their feed, breeders are looking for diets at a reasonable price. One of these affordable ingredients is sesame meal (SM), which can be used to replace soybean meal (SBM) in diets. This study aims to investigate the effect of replacing SBM with SM in diets with different levels of calcium (Ca) and phytase (Phy) during the grower (11-24 days), finisher (25-42 days) and whole phases (11-42 days) on the growth performance, carcass characteristics and blood serum parameters of broiler chickens. A total of 600 1-day-old Ross 308 broiler male chicks were randomly dispensed to 12 dietary treatments with five replicates (10 birds per replicate) based on a completely randomized design in a factorial arrangement of 3×2×2 with 3 levels of SM (0%, 10% and 20%), 2 levels of Ca (standard (0.87% and 0.79% for grower and finisher phases, respectively) and 0.2% higher than the standard amount) and 2 levels of Phy (0 and 700FTU/kg diet). During the study, the significant effects of SM, Ca and Phy on the daily average body weight gain (DAWG) and daily feed intake (DFI) were observed, whereas for the feed conversion ratio, only the effect of SM was significant (p<0.05). During the finisher and whole phases, the SM and Ca levels influenced the DAWG and DFI, whereas the interaction between Phy and Ca was also significant for DAWG (p<0.05). The main effects of SM and Ca on the relative weights of breast, heart and liver were significant (p<0.05). Application of 20% of SM significantly reduced serum Ca concentration (p<0.05). Generally, the inclusion of more than 10% of SM in the broilers diet is not recommended. In addition, the use of Phy and Ca levels 0.2% higher than standard in broilers diet could improve the birds' performance.

Protective effects of ethanol-water leaf extract of Jatropha gossypiifolia on mouse virus-induced hepatitis (MHV) in male Swiss mice (Mus musculus)

The aim of this study was to evaluate in vivo hepatoprotective activity of the ethanol-water extract of Jatropha gossypiifolia leaves (EJG) against mouse-induced hepatitis (MHV) in Mus musculus mice. This experiment was carried out with 30 male mice, divided into 6 batches, one control non-contaminated and five batches infected with MHV extracted from wild-type mice liver. Four batches of the infected mice were treated with either EJG (75, 150 and 300 mg/kg) or lamivudine (10 mg/kg) used as reference treatment. The fifth infected batch was untreated. The mice of all the batches were monitored every 12 hours for 5 days, including weight measurements and behavioral assessments. After 10 days of the MHV liver extract inoculation, all the subjects were sacrificed, the serum was collected and the biochemical parameters were measured. The results showed that MHV inoculation induced significant increase (p &lt; 0.05) of relative weight of liver, heart, kidney and spleen in negative control, as well as serum values of ASAT, ALAT, C-reactive protein (CRP) and bilirubin compared with the control group. EJG at the concentrations of 75, 150, 300 mg/kg induced a significant reduction (p &lt; 0.05) in relative organ weights, ASAT, ALAT, CRP and bilirubin contents compared with the negative control. In conclusion, EJG could protect the organs and has a potent hepatoprotective effect against MHV-induced liver damage in mice.

Alterations in the gene expression of SARS-COV-2 entry receptors and enzymes in lungs and hearts of controlled and uncontrolled diabetic mice.

The entry of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) into the host cell is carried out by specific receptors and enzymes, including human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 receptor (ACE2), transmembrane serine protease 2 (TMPRSS2), and cathepsin-L (CTSL). COVID-19 patients with comorbidities, such as diabetes mellitus (DM), are more prone to severe symptoms and have a higher risk of mortality. The present study aimed to investigate the impact of controlled and uncontrolled type 1 DM (T1DM) on the gene expression of mouse Ace2, Tmprss2, and Ctsl and correlate it with the pathological alterations in the lungs and the heart of DM mice. Balb/c mice were administered a single dose of 240 mg/kg streptozocin to induce T1DM. The blood glucose level was measured to confirm the induction of DM. Normalization of blood glucose levels in T1DM mice was achieved using 0.1mL/kg Mixtard® insulin therapy. The mice's lungs and hearts were harvested, and the mRNA was extracted and converted to cDNA. The gene expression of Ace2, Tmprss2, Ctsl, Cyp4a11, and Adrb1 genes, which play a role in the homeostasis of lungs and hearts, were measured using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The pathological alterations in the hearts and lungs induced by T1DM were evaluated using the relative heart and lung weights, in addition to the pathohistological examination. After inducing T1DM for 14 days, we observed a significant reduction in the total weight of uncontrolled DM (UDM) mice (P<0.05). Pathohistological examination of UDM lung tissues revealed thickening of the alveolar walls with narrowing of the surface of the alveolar sacs. Additionally, we found that UDM mice exhibited downregulation of Ace2 gene expression (P< 0.05) in their lungs, while both UDM and control DM (CDM) mice showed upregulation of Ctsl gene expression in their hearts (P<0.05). Notably, Cyp4a12 gene expression was significantly downregulated (P<0.05) in UDM mice but returned to normal levels in CDM mice. We conclude from this study that T1DM downregulates Ace2 receptor and Cyp4a12 gene expression, which is correlated with the thickening of alveolar walls and narrowing of the surface of alveolar sacs in the lungs. Insulin administration for controlling T1DM ameliorated these pathological alterations. These results can help increase our understanding of the impact of controlled and uncontrolled T1DM on the lungs and may explain, at least in part, why DM patients with COVID-19 experience exacerbation of symptoms.

Effects of genetic selection for fast growth on the development of wooden breast myopathy in broilers

ABSTRACT 1. This study investigated the physiological and molecular mechanisms leading to wooden breast (WB) by comparing growth parameters, oxygen consumption rate, thyroid hormone and gene expression patterns in fast- versus slow-growing broiler lines (Cobb500 and L1986, respectively). 2. WB was observed in Cobb500 broilers only and was first diagnosed on d 21 post-hatch. Compared to the slow-growing L1986, Cobb500 showed a significantly higher growth rate, relative breast weight, breast thickness, meat pH and water-retention capacity (drip loss). Correspondingly, there was significantly lower relative heart weight, relative right ventricular weight, triiodothyronine and thyroxine concentrations and oxygen consumption rate. 3. Compared to No-WB Cobb500, the WB-affected samples exhibited higher relative breast weight, breast thickness and drip loss and lower plasma total thyroxine (T4) concentrations. 4. Selection for fast growth was associated with differential expression of genes involved in hypoxia (PLOD2), energy metabolism (FABP3, FABP4, CD36, and LPL), endoplasmic reticulum stress, muscle regeneration (CSRP3) and fibre-type switching (ANKRD1). WB-affected samples exhibited an upregulation of CSRP3, PLOD2 and ANKRD1, while CD36 was downregulated. Taken together, selection for fast growth and muscle gain is not matched by adequate cardiac and metabolic support systems.

Peculiarities of organometry and morphoarchitectonics of the heart of the Domestic ram (Ovis aries L., 1758)

Today, cardiovascular diseases are the dominant diseases of animals, which most often lead to their death both in Ukraine and worldwide. Therefore, morphological studies of the heart at the cellular, tissue, and organ levels are essential in clinical cardiology for in vivo ultrasound diagnosis of functional and organic heart lesions. The aim of the study was to perform a histological and cytomorphometric assessment of the morphological structures of the sheep heart using macroscopic, histological, and morphometric methods. Using morphological methods, the hearts of sexually mature clinically healthy animals (n=5) belonging to the class Mammalia – Mammals, species Ovis aries L., 1758 – domestic sheep (ram) were studied. The absolute and relative heart weights of mature sheep were determined, which are, respectively, 208.4±9.82 g and 0.44±0.007%, and the weight without epicardial fat is 175.0±8.17 g. The heart of sheep, according to the development index (145.5±4.02%), belongs to the expanded-shortened anatomical type. The most developed components are the ventricles. At the same time, the ratio of the mass of the heart ventricles to its net mass is 1:0.78, respectively, the ratio of the mass of the atria is 1:0.22, and the ratio of the mass of the atrial myocardium to the mass of the ventricular myocardium is 1:0.29. The largest volume was found in the cardiomyocytes of the left ventricle – 3982.99±423.96 μm3 , the smaller – in the right ventricle – 2463.02±318.04 μm3 and the smallest – in the atrial cardiomyocytes – 1215.93±176.94 μm3 . The volumes of cardiomyocyte nuclei in the left (53.42±5.18 μm3 ), right (52.85±4.33 μm3 ) ventricles and atria (50.16±4.57 μm3 ) were almost identical. Nuclear-cytoplasmic ratio was the lowest in cardiomyocytes of the left ventricle – 0.0136±0.0062, slightly higher in cardiomyocytes of the right ventricle – 0.0219±0.0079 and the highest – 0.0430±0.0096 in atrial cardiomyocytes. The obtained results on the macroand microscopic structure of the heart of bighorn sheep (Ovis aries L., 1758) complement the information on the morphology of the sheep heart in the relevant sections of histology and comparative anatomy and are necessary for clinical cardiology

Chitosan oligosaccharides in the diet of broiler chickens under cold stress had anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory effects and improved hematological and biochemical indices, cardiac index, and growth performance

This experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of dietary chitosan oligosaccharide (COS) on broiler chickens under cold stress. A total of 500 one -day-old male broiler chickens were randomly allocated into five treatments with five replicate pens (with 20 broiler chickens per pen). The broiler chickens in thermoneutral treatment (TN control) were reared at normal temperature, while the broiler chickens in other four treatments were subjected to the cold stress (CS) + 0, 1, 2, and 3 g COS/kg. At d 42, two broiler chickens per cage were weighed and euthanized, and samples for blood and heart were collected. Dietary COS improved growth performance indices and reduced relative heart weight, right ventricle to total ventricle ratio, right ventricle to body weight, and mortality (P < 0.01). The activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase in serum and liver were increased, and malondialdehyde was reduced by COS supplementation compared to the CS treatment (P < 0.01). The cold stress-induced effect on serum and liver levels of TNF-α and interleukin-1β were reduced, and interleukin-10 was increased by dietary COS supplementation (P < 0.01). Moreover, supplementing of diets with COS alleviated the adverse effect of cold stress as reflected by a reduction in alanine transaminase, aspartate transaminase, alkaline phosphatase, triglyceride, and cholesterol compared to the CS treatment (P < 0.01). It is also, the red blood cell count, hemoglobin, hematocrit, heterophil, and heterophil to lymphocyte ratio reduced by COS supplementation compared to the CS treatment . In conclusion, COS supplementation during cold stress may be used to alleviate cold stress related changes in broiler chickens.

Responses of broiler chickens to incremental levels of water deprivation: Growth performance, carcass characteristics, and relative organ weights

Abstract The objective of the study was to assess the effect of varying levels of water deprivation on growth performance, carcass characteristics, and internal organ weight of broiler chickens. Ninety unsexed Ross 308 chicks 2 weeks old were randomly assigned to five water deprivation periods of 0, 6, 12, 18, and 24 h. Each treatment was replicated three times with six birds per replicate. Broiler chickens were given water ad libitum (0 h) or for 30 min at 6-, 12-, 18-, and 24-h intervals. Average daily feed intake (ADFI), average daily gain (ADG), and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were determined on a weekly basis. A negative linear relationship (P &lt; 0.05) existed between water deprivation and ADFI. The increase in water deprivation level resulted in ADFI decreasing at an increasing rate. The R 2 value was 0.94. There was no relationship between water deprivation on ADG and FCR (P &gt; 0.05). There was a quadratic relationship between water deprivation and cold dress mass (CDM) and warm dress mass. As the level of water deprivation increased, there were linear increases in relative weight of gizzard, spleen, heart, lungs, liver, and gastrointestinal tract (P &lt; 0.001). The organ weights of the broiler chickens revealed the ability of birds to withstand of up to 24 h. Using differential of quadratic equations, the maximum time of water deprivation that did not negatively affect CDM was estimated to be 4 h.

Perinatal iron restriction is associated with changes in neonatal cardiac function and structure in a sex-dependent manner.

Iron deficiency (ID) is common during gestation and in early infancy and can alter developmental trajectories with lasting consequences on cardiovascular health. While the effects of ID and anemia on the mature heart are well documented, comparatively little is known about their effects and mechanisms on offspring cardiac development and function in the neonatal period. Female Sprague-Dawley rats were fed an iron-restricted or iron-replete diet before and during pregnancy. Cardiac function was assessed in a cohort of offspring on postnatal days (PD) 4, 14, and 28 by echocardiography; a separate cohort was euthanized for tissue collection and hearts underwent quantitative shotgun proteomic analysis. ID reduced body weight and increased relative heart weights at all time points assessed, despite recovering from anemia by PD28. Echocardiographic studies revealed unique functional impairments in ID male and female offspring, characterized by greater systolic dysfunction in the former and greater diastolic dysfunction in the latter. Proteomic analysis revealed down-regulation of structural components by ID, as well as enriched cellular responses to stress; in general, these effects were more pronounced in males. ID causes functional changes in the neonatal heart, which may reflect an inadequate or maladaptive compensation to anemia. This identifies systolic and diastolic dysfunction as comorbidities to perinatal ID anemia which may have important implications for both the short- and long-term cardiac health of newborn babies. Furthermore, therapies which improve cardiac output may mitigate the effects of ID on organ development.

Experimental renal transplantation in rats improves cardiac dysfunction caused by chronic kidney disease while LVH persists.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) causes congestive heart failure (CHF) with systolic dysfunction and left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH), which is a major contributor to increased mortality in CKD patients. It remains unclear whether cardiovascular changes that occur during the course of CKD can be reversed when renal function is restored by transplantation. To investigate this, chronic kidney disease was established in F344 rats by subtotal nephrectomy (SNx) for 8 weeks, followed by transplantation of a functional kidney from an isogenic F344 donor. SNx rats without transplantation and sham-operated animals served as controls. Renal function was assessed before and throughout the experiment. In addition, cardiac ultrasound was performed at weeks 0, 8, 12 and 16. At the end of the experiment, intra-arterial blood pressure was measured and kidneys and hearts were histologically and molecularly examined. Eight weeks after SNx, rats developed marked renal dysfunction associated with significant glomerulosclerosis and tubulointerstitial fibrosis, but also an increase in left ventricular mass. After transplantation, renal function normalized but relative heart weight and ventricular mass as assessed by ultrasound scans showed no reduction compared with SNx controls. However, left ventricular wall thickness, fractional shortening and ejection fraction was normalized by renal transplantation. At 8 weeks after kidney transplantation, cardiac expression of BNP and FGF23 was also at levels comparable to healthy controls, whereas these factors were significantly increased in SNx rats. Cardiac fibrosis, as measured by fibronectin mRNA expression, was completely normalized, whereas cardiac fibronectin protein was still slightly but not significantly increased in transplanted animals compared to controls. In addition, the myofibroblast marker collagen 1, as assessed by immunohistochemistry, was significantly increased in SNx rats and also normalized by renal transplantation. Interestingly, CD68+ macrophages were significantly reduced in the hearts of SNx rats and in transplanted animals at slightly higher levels compared to controls. Restoration of renal function by kidney transplantation normalized early cardiac changes at most functional and molecular levels, but did not completely reverse LVH. However, further studies are needed to determine whether restoration of renal function can also reverse LVH at a later time point.

Effect of dietary sweet almond oil on performance, carcass parameters, blood values and meat quality of Japanese quails.

In this study, the effects of two different levels of sweet almond supplementation (2,500 and 5,000 mg/kg) to Japanese quails’ diets (Coturnix coturnix Japonica) on performance, carcass group, blood values and meat quality were examined. For this purpose, 72 one-day-old Japanese quails were randomly distributed under control and two different experimental groups for 35 days experiment, and their body weight and feed consumption were evaluated. At the end of the study, a total of 8 animals from each group were selected and slaughtered. Hot carcass yield, relative weights of liver, heart, spleen, gizzard, proventriculus and bursa of Fabricius to body weight were determined in slaughtered animals. Total cholesterol, triglyceride, low-density lipoprotein, high-density lipoprotein, and lipase levels in blood serum samples and water holding capacity, pH, malondialdehyde, L, a*, and b* values in breast meat samples were investigated. As a result of the study, it was determined that the addition of sweet almond oil had a positive effect on performance, decreased lipase level in blood serum, and 2,500 mg/kg sweet almond oil supplementation reduced the ratio of proventriculus to body weight. To sum up, it was found that the addition of sweet almond oil to Japanese quail rations had a positive effect on performance and feed consumption; it also appears to reduce blood serum lipase value and proventriculus weight.