Status Of Broilers Research Articles

First Time Identification of Selenoneine in Seabirds and Its Potential Role in Mercury Detoxification.

Birds are principally exposed to selenium (Se) through their diet. In long-lived and top predator seabirds, such as the giant petrel, extremely high concentrations of Se are found. Selenium speciation in biota has aroused great interest in recent years; however, there is a lack of information about the chemical form of Se in (sea)birds. The majority of publications focus on the growth performance and antioxidant status in broilers in relation to Se dietary supplementation. The present work combines elemental and molecular mass spectrometry for the characterization of Se species in wild (sea)birds. A set of eight giant petrels (Macronectes sp.) with a broad age range from the Southern Ocean were studied. Selenoneine, a Se-analogue of ergothioneine, was identified for the first time in wild avian species. This novel Se-compound, previously reported in fish, constitutes the major Se species in the water-soluble fraction of all of the internal tissues and blood samples analyzed. The levels of selenoneine found in giant petrels are the highest reported in animal tissues until now, supporting the trophic transfer in the marine food web. The characterization of selenoneine in the brain, representing between 78 and 88% of the total Se, suggests a crucial role in the nervous system. The dramatic decrease of selenoneine (from 68 to 3%) with an increase of Hg concentrations in the liver strongly supports the hypothesis of its key role in Hg detoxification.

Effect of varied levels of dietary Chlorella vulgaris extract on blood biochemical profile and immune organ status in broilers

A study was conducted to evaluate the effect of Chlorella vulgaris hydro-alcoholic extract on blood biochemistry and immune organs characteristics in broiler chicken. A total of 128 Vencobb 400, day-old broiler chicks were randomly assigned into four treatment groups having four replicates with eight birds per replicate. A basal diet was formulated in accordance with BIS recommendation and hydro-alcoholic extract of Chlorella vulgaris was added at an inclusion level of 0, 0.1, 0.2 and 0.4 per cent respectively to the basal diet to form 4 different treatment diets. After 42 days of experimental feeding trial, one bird from each replicate was sacrificed to study blood biochemical parameters and immune organs status. The results of the present study indicated that the birds fed with 0.4 percent C. vulgaris extract in their diet showed significantly higher WBC (P<0.001), RBC (P<0.01) and hemoglobin (P<0.05) count compared to other treatments while total protein, albumin, globulin and A:G ratios were found similar among the treatment groups. In the case of immune organ status, the bursal yield was significantly (P<0.05) higher for birds fed with 0.1 and 0.2 percent supplementation than other groups while the weight of thymus and spleen were similar between the treatment groups.

The Effects of Different Stocking Density on the Physiological Status in Broilers of Russian Cross "Smena-9"

The Effects of Different Stocking Density on the Physiological Status in Broilers of Russian Cross "Smena-9"

Grape pomace in equine nutrition: effect on antioxidant status

Grape pomace in equine nutrition: effect on antioxidant status

Effects of In Ovo Feeding of γ-Aminobutyric Acid on Growth Performances, Plasma Metabolites, and Antioxidant Status in Broilers Exposed to Cyclic Heat Stress

γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is an amino acid used for mitigating the detrimental effects of heat stress in broilers. In addition, a growing body of literature suggests that the in ovo feeding of various nutrients can enhance the post-hatch thermotolerance of broilers. Therefore, we hypothesized that the supplementation of GABA during incubation might have positive effects in heat-stressed broilers. Chicks hatched from eggs were divided into three groups described as follows: chicks hatched from eggs incubated at normal temperature and then raised under thermoneutral temperature (CON); chicks hatched from eggs incubated at normal temperature but raised under cyclic heat stress (HS) (CON+HS); and chicks hatched from eggs injected with 60 mg of GABA dissolved in 0.6 mL of distilled water but raised under cyclic HS (G10+HS). The HS was applied between 28 and 31 days of age with ambient temperatures raised from 22 ± 1 °C to 33 ± 1 °C for 6 h daily. Compared to the CON group, average daily weight gain was significantly lower in the CON+HS but not in the G10+HS group. Feed intake was significantly decreased in both the CON+HS and G10+HS groups. Compared to the CON group, plasma corticosterone levels were significantly increased in the CON+HS group, but not the G10+HS group. Hepatic mRNA levels of the acetyl-CoA carboxylase gene (ACC) were significantly reduced in the G10+HS group compared to the CON group. In addition, positive Pearson correlation coefficients were found in mRNA levels between fatty acid synthase (FAS) and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase 1 (NOX1) (r = 0.55, p < 0.05), NOX1 and NOX4 (r = 0.65, p < 0.01), and catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) (r = 0.62, p < 0.05). Taken together, the results suggest that this study can serve as a basis for future work focusing on the in ovo feeding of GABA as a technique to combat heat stress in broilers.

The Antioxidative Impact of Dietary Vinegar and Rocket Salad on the Productivity, Serum Oxidation System, and Duodenal Histology of Chickens.

Simple SummaryOxidative stress (OS) is detrimental to the production of reactive oxygen species. It affects poultry performance, health status, welfare, and meat and eggs quality. Many methods of reducing oxidative stress have been considered; however, due to the birds’ welfare and the consumers’ safety, natural substances (antioxidants) have mainly been taken into consideration. The current data show that feeding broiler chickens Ross 308 with either a dietary supplementation of vinegar (5 and 10 mL/kg of diet) or rocket salad (2 and 3 g/kg of diet) could mitigate the experimentally induced oxidative stress level. Positive changes were demonstrated by the improvement of the serum oxidation system, which led to increases in the birds’ productivity and carcass quality, and modulations of intestine histomorphological characteristics. Thus, vinegar and rocket salad might be promising natural alternatives for costly feed additives under the various types of stresses or acute environmental conditions.The purpose of the study was to investigate the ameliorative effect of dietary rocket salad and apple cider vinegar on the oxidative stress (OS) status of broilers. Specifically, 720 Ross 308 chicks were divided into six groups: negative and positive controls (NC and PC with and without additives, Vi1 and V12 experimental groups fed with diets mixed with 5 and 10 mL of vinegar/kg, and Ro1 and Ro2 groups fed with diets mixed with 2 and 3 g of rocket salad/kg, respectively). The experimental groups Vi1 and Vi2 were fed with feed mixture moisturized with 5 and 10 mL of vinegar/kg, and Ro1 and Ro2 were fed with 2 and 3 g of rocket salad/kg, respectively. The birds’ productivity, oxidative serum parameters, and morphometric indices of the gastrointestinal tract were registered at 6 weeks of rearing. The vinegar or rocket salad additive had powerful potentials to significantly suppress (p ≤ 0.05) OS through improving the birds’ survivability, body weight gain, feed conversion ratio, and carcass yield. The highest villus height and villus height/crypt depth ratio of the duodenum were achieved by Vi2, Ro1-2, and NC (p ≤ 0.05). The villus surface area and muscular layer thickness were smallest in the PC, while they did not differ significantly in other groups (p > 0.05). Similar relationships were found in serum superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, hydroperoxide, and malondialdehyde; however, higher doses of both additives were more effective. It seems that liquid vinegar and rocket salad could have beneficial influences on the antioxidant status of birds.

Effects of yeast hydrolysate on growth performance, serum parameters, carcass traits, meat quality and antioxidant status of broiler chickens.

Yeast hydrolysate (YH) has multiple salutary biological activities. Nevertheless, the application of YH in broiler production is limited. This study was conducted to evaluate the protective effects of YH derived from Saccharomyces cerevisiae by exploring growth performance, serum parameters, organs relative weight, carcass traits, meat quality and antioxidant status of broilers. Supplementing YH linearly and quadratically improved (P < 0.05) body weight gain and gain-to-feed ratio compared to that in the control group. Triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and total cholesterol in serum, the decline in pH and cooking loss of breast muscle, and malonaldehyde concentration in serum and liver were decreased linearly and/or quadratically by YH (P < 0.05), whereas high-density lipoprotein cholesterol in serum, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activities in serum, GSH-Px activity in liver, glutathione content in serum and liver, eviscerated yield rate and chest muscle yield, and the relative weight of spleen and liver were linearly and/or quadratically increased (P < 0.05). Moreover, YH enhanced the mRNA levels of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2, heme oxygennase-1 (HO-1), GSH-Px1 and SOD1 (linear and/or quadratic, P < 0.05). Dietary YH beneficially affected growth performance, serum parameters, organ relative weight, carcass traits, meat quality and antioxidant status in broilers, indicating its potential application as a promising feed additive in broiler production. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.

Protective effects of dietary synbiotic supplementation on meat quality and oxidative status in broilers under heat stress.

This study evaluated protective effects of synbiotic on meat quality and oxidative status of breast muscle in heat-stressed broilers. Twenty 2-day-old broilers were allocated in a 2×2 factorial design, and the main factors consisted of synbiotic level (0 (basal diet) or 1.5 g/kg synbiotic) and temperature (thermoneutral or high temperature), resulting in 4 treatments. From 22 to 42 days, chickens were raised at thermoneutral temperature (22 °C) or subjected to cyclic high temperature (heat stress, HS) by keeping them at 32-33 °C for 8 h and 22 °C for rest 16 h daily. Cyclic HS decreased relative weight, redness (45 min), and pH values (45 min and 24 h) but increased contents of moisture and ether extract, lightness (45 min and 24 h), drip loss (24 h and 48 h), and cooking loss in breast muscle of broilers compared with those under thermoneutral temperature. It also increased malondialdehyde content and mRNA abundances of heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) and HSP90 but decreased glutathione (GSH) concentration and activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), as well as mRNA abundances of nuclear factor (erythroid 2)-like 2 (Nrf2), NAD(P)H quinone dehydrogenase 1 (NQO1), GSH-Px, and copper and zinc superoxide dismutase in breast muscle in broilers. Dietary synbiotic supplementation was effective in increasing weight and reducing lightness (45 min), drip loss (24 h and 48 h) and cooking loss of breast muscle in heat-stressed broilers compared with those fed the basal diet. It also reduced malondialdehyde content and HSP70 mRNA abundance and increased GSH-Px activity, GSH content, and mRNA abundances of Nrf2, NQO1 and GSH-Px in breast muscle of heat-stressed broilers. These results suggested that synbiotic supplementation at a level of 1.5 g/kg could ameliorate compromised meat quality and oxidative status in broilers under cyclic HS.

THE PROTECTIVE ROLE OF GINGER (ZINGIBER OFFICINALE) ON ALLEVIATION OF HEAT STRESS IN BROILER CHICKEN

Heat stress is one of the most crucial issues in broiler production, particularly in tropical regions. Ginger can serve as an antioxidant. Being part of the nutritional interventions, treatment using ginger has been documented to alleviate the negative impact of heat stress on broiler chickens, in terms of production, physiology, immunology, and antioxidant status of broilers. The present review elucidates the alleviation of heat stress in broiler chicken using ginger based on the most recent literature in order to provide complete information on the impact of ginger powder (GP) on haematology, biochemistry and thyroid hormones of broilers under heat stress (HS) (34 ± 2° C) and thermoneutral temperature (TN) (22 ± 4 °C). An 80 of one-day-old broiler chicks (cobb-500), 20 birds in each group either control (basal diet) or 0.75% ginger. Chronic HS at 42 d of age resulted in significant decrease in PCV, RBCs, total protein, Albumin, serum T3 and T4, whereas increased H/L, triglycerides, cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, uric acid, AST, ALP, ALT, DBIL, TBIL, and creatinine significantly. Supplementation of GP significantly increased PCV, RBCs, total protein, albumin while significant decrease in AST, uric acid and improvements in lipid profile parameters. Findings of the research study indicated that ginger has improved birds health.

Onionskin waste versus synthetic additives in broiler diet: influence on production indices, oxidative status, caecal bacteria, immune indices, blood chemistry and meat quality

This study evaluated the influence of dietary supplementation of onionskin waste (OW) and synthetic additives on growth, oxidative status, blood chemistry, caecal bacteria, carcase, immune indices and meat quality in broilers. One day old Ross 308 chicks (n = 280) were randomly allotted to basal diets containing either no additive, B-1; 0.5 g/kg oxytetracyline + 0.13 g/kg tert-butylhydroxyanisole, B-2; 10 g/kg OW, B-3; or 20 g/kg OW, B-4 for 42 days. Supplemented birds had higher (p < .05) body weight gain (BWG) and carcase weight compared to the B-1 birds. Diets had no effect (p > .05) on feed intake and feed efficiency, hematological indices, organ weight and serum immunoglobulin M. Onionskin supplementation repressed (p < .05) abdominal fat, serum total cholesterol, triglycerides, aspartate aminotransferase, muscle cholesterol and splenic interleukin-1β. The additives up-regulated (p < .05) splenic intelukin-10 and down-regulated tumour necrosis factor-α, and serum immunoglobulin A. Caecal Lactobacillus spp. was higher (p < .05) in B-1 and B-3 birds compared with the B-2 and B-4 birds. Supplemented birds had lower (p < .05) caecal Escherichia coli and Salmonella spp. counts than the B-1 birds. Antioxidant enzymes and total antioxidant capacity of breast muscle, liver and serum were higher (p < .05) in the supplemented birds compared with the B-1 birds. On day 1 post-mortem, breast meat malondialdehyde and carbonyl contents were lower (p < .05) in the supplemented birds compared with the B-1 birds. Dietary supplementation with 20 g/kg OW improved BWG and tissue antioxidant status, beneficially altered immune status, and caecal bacteria counts, and reduced abdominal fat, tissue cholesterol, and meat oxidative deterioration in broiler chickens. HIGHLIGHTS Onionskin supplementation improved body and carcase weights and lowered serum and meat cholesterol in broilers. Onionskin enhanced tissue antioxidant enzymes and reduced oxidative deterioration in broilers. Onionskin supplementation altered caecal bacteria and immune status in broilers.

Effect of rearing temperature on physiological measures and antioxidant status of broiler chickens fed stevia (Stevia rebaudiana B.) leaf meal and exogenous xylanase

• Rearing birds at high ambient temperature reduced feed intake but did not influence weight gain and feed efficiency. • Dietary xylanase increased hepatic vitamin E and stevia increased the hepatic carotenoid content in birds. • Incorporating stevia and xylanase into diets for broilers reared at high ambient temperatures reduces oxidative stress. The global climate is warming. Heat stress, as a result of high ambient temperatures, may negatively impact physiology and reduce growth performance of poultry. Stevia is a perennial shrub indigenous to South America where its phytochemical extracts have been used as a natural sweetener for hundreds of years. Its physiological effects, including antioxidant properties, on poultry are well known, however, the translation of these to improved growth performance is variable. Combining stevia with a commercial xylanase to enhance feed digestibility could therefore form a feeding strategy to partially mitigate the negative impact of rearing birds under high ambient temperatures. The study aimed to compare the growth performance, dietary energy and nutrient availability, oxidative status, gastrointestinal tract development, and caecal short chain fatty acid concentration; at two ambient rearing temperatures, when feeding diets containing stevia and exogenous xylanase, alone or in combination, to broiler chickens. Study design/Methods : Day-old chicks (n = 105) were reared in a single floor pen following breeder recommendations for the first 7 days, whereupon birds (n = 96) were randomly allocated to one of four experimental diets (negative control, stevia at 20 g/kg diet, xylanase at 100 FXU/kg diet, stevia at 20 g/kg diet + xylanase at 100 FXU/kg diet), in one of two environmental conditions (high ambient temperature at 32 ± 2 °C or regular rearing at breeder recommendations), in a 2 × 2 × 2 factorial design. Rearing birds at high ambient temperature reduced daily feed intake (p = 0.02). Birds fed stevia and reared at regular temperature had similar weight gain to birds reared in high ambient temperatures, although birds on the control diet housed at regular temperatures had the greatest weight gain (P < 0.05). Exogenous xylanase improved overall dietary metabolisable energy and improved nitrogen retention in the high ambient temperature group only (P < 0.05). Dietary stevia reduced caecal digesta butyric acid: acetic acid at regular temperature, but xylanase increased the butyric acid concentration at high ambient temperature (P < 0.05). Dietary stevia increased (P < 0.001) the hepatic carotenoid concentrations and xylanase improved (P < 0.05) hepatic vitamin E concentrations. Rearing temperature is an important environmental factor in broiler production. Exogenous xylanase supplementation can increase feed efficiency and dietary metabolisable energy. Feeding xylanase or stevia improves hepatic antioxidant status in broilers by increasing hepatic vitamin E and carotenoids, respectively, suggesting that either may be effective in counteracting oxidative stress.

Growth performance, nutrients digestibility, caecum microbiota, antioxidant status and immunity of broilers as influenced by kombucha fermented on white sugar or sugar beet molasses

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of fermented kombucha on green tea with white sugar or sugar beet molasses in broiler chickens. Birds (n = 448) were randomly allotted into seven treatments of four replicates each. Treatments were included: tap water with no kombucha (Control), water containing 3 ml/100 ml kombucha based on white sugar (SK3%), water containing 6 ml/100 ml kombucha based on white sugar (SK 6%), water containing 3 ml/100 ml kombucha based on sugar beet molasses (MK3%), water containing 6 ml/100 ml kombucha based on sugar beet molasses (MK6%), SK 3%+MK 3% and SK 6%+MK 6%. Except for SK3%, all birds received SK or MK in their drinking water had greater (p ≤ .05) BWG than control. Feed intake increased (p ≤ .05) in SK6% group in comparison to the control. All SK or MK treatments resulted in lower (p ≤ .05) FCR in comparison with the control. Birds received the MK6% and SK6%+MK6% treatments showed greater (p<.05) apparent ileal digestibility of CP. ALT levels decreased (p ≤ .05) in birds received all kombucha treatments. The SK and MK treatments decreased (p ≤ .05) total coliform counts in caecum whereas the lactobacillus population increased (p ≤ .05) in birds received 6% of SK, MK or their combination. The SK6%+MK6% and MK6% groups had greater (p ≤ .05) antibody titre against NDV. Plasma and liver activities of CAT and SOD were greater (p ≤ .05) in kombucha treatments in comparison with the control group. In conclusion, kombucha fermented on white sugar or sugar beet molasses showed growth promoting effect in broilers and addition of 6 ml fermented kombucha on sugar beet molasses per 100 ml of drinking water result in the best performance. Highlights Kombucha can improve performance in broilers Kombucha can improve intestinal morphology and caecum microbiota in broilers Kombucha can improve antioxidant status in broilers

Effects of chitosan oligosaccharides on meat quality, muscle energy metabolism and anti-oxidant status in broilers that have experienced transport stress

Context Pre-slaughter transport, exposed broilers to various stressors, which resulted in detrimental effects on animal welfare, live bodyweight loss, mortality and meat quality. There was growing interest to explore effective ways to reduce the stress response and improve meat quality of transported broilers by using dietary feed additives. Aims The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effect of chitosan oligosaccharides (COS) on meat quality, muscle energy metabolism and anti-oxidant status of broilers having 3-h transport stress. Methods In total, of 144 35-day-old broilers were randomly allocated to two dietary treatments, including a basal diet (96 broilers), or basal diet supplemented with COS at 200 mg/kg (48 broilers). There were eight broilers per cage, and 12 replication cages in the basal diet group and six replication cages in the basal diet with 200 mg/kg COS group. At the end of the experiment, after a 12-h fast, broilers in the basal diet group were randomly divided into two groups, with six replication cages in each group; then, the broilers were transported as per the following protocols: broilers in the basal diet group (CON group) were without transport stress; broilers in the basal diet group with 3 h of transport stress (TS group), and broilers in the basal diet with 200 mg/kg COS supplementation and 3 h of transport stress (TSC group). The serum corticosterone concentration, serum, liver and muscle anti-oxidant status, as well as meat quality and muscle energy metabolism were analysed. Key results Compared with the CON group, TS group showed increased bodyweight loss, serum corticosterone concentration, breakdown of muscle glycogen, increased muscle lactate dehydrogenase activity, as well as some changes of body anti-oxidant status (higher serum, liver and muscle MDA concentrations, lower serum SOD and GSH-Px, liver SOD and CAT, and lower muscle SOD, GSH-Px, and CAT activity), accompanied with lower pH45min and pH24h. Nevertheless, compared with the TS group, dietary COS supplementation reduced bodyweight loss, decreased muscle MDA concentration, increased muscle SOD and CAT activity, and was accompanied with improving pH24h. Conclusions The results suggested that the positive effects of dietary COS supplementation in maintaining meat quality were mainly due to the improved muscle anti-oxidant status. Implications Dietary supplementation with 200 mg/kg COS could serve as a beneficial and effective way to alleviate transport-impaired meat quality of broilers.

Effect of Curcumin (Curcuma longa) and Red Ginger (Zingiber officinale) on Hematology Values of Broilers

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of supplemented curcumin (Curcuma longa) and red ginger (Zingiber officinale) on hematological values of broilers. Three hundred twenty one-day-old broilers were randomly distributed into 8 treatment groups with 4 replicates (pens) of 10 chicks each. The treatment diets were control groups (T01=basal diet and T02=basal diet + bacitracin), and treatment diets supplemented with curcumin (C1, C2, and C3), and supplanted with ginger (Z1, Z2 and Z3). Results showed that PVCs and hemoglobin level of the chickens fed treatment diets increased significantly (P&lt;0.05) compare to the control diets, and the erythrocytes of the chickens fed diet supplemented with ginger increased significantly (P&lt;0.05) compared to the control in period I (21 days of age) but no significant differences in Period II (34 days of age). Furthermore, treatment diets had no effect on erythrocyte indices of MCHC and MCV (P&gt;0.05). However, dietary inclusion of the addition of ginger significantly decreased MCH in period I (P&lt;0.05), but no significant differences were observed in period II. Furthermore, the treatment diets had significantly lower leucocytes and heterophils/lymphocytes ratios (P&lt;0.05) than the control diets, but no significant differences were investigated in the percentage of differential leucocytes of eosinophils and basophils. In conclusion, the use of curcumin and ginger up to the level of 1.5% indicated the potentcy of improving the general health status of broilers. They have been able to improve the hematological values, and reduce the stress level of the chickens.

Effect of Turmeric and Garlic Inclusion to Sauropus androgynus-Bay Leaves Containing Diets on Performance, and Carcass Quality of Broilers

This study aimed to examine the effect of turmeric or garlic supplementation to fermented Sauropus androgynus-bay leaves (FSBL) containing diet on performance, carcass quality and meat organoleptic status in broilers. This study used a completely randomized design. Two hundred 15-day-old female broilers were grouped into 5 groups with 4 replications as follows: Diet with 0.5% commercial feed additive (P0); 1.25% FSBL containing diet (P1); 1.25% FSBL containing diet plus 1 g turmeric powder (P2); 1.25% FSBL containing diet plus 2 g garlic (P3); 1.25% FSBL containing diet plus 1 g turmeric and 2 g garlic (P4). The results showed that the use of turmeric or garlic to FSBL containing diet did not affect body weight gain, feed intake, feed conversion ratio, carcass weight, meat bone ratio, drip loss, and taste, odor, and texture of broiler meats (P&gt;0.05) but affected cooking loss (P&lt;0.05). In conclusion, the inclusion of garlic and/or turmeric to fermented Sauropus androgynus-bay leaves containing diet did not improve performance and carcass quality in broiler chickens. Any combination of medicinal plants could replace commercial feed additive.

Protective effect of dietary supplementation of Bupleurum falcatum L saikosaponins on ammonia exposure–induced ileum injury in broilers

Ammonia (NH3) at a high concentration has been recognized as a highly poisonous pollutant affecting both air and water quality. NH3, as a stimulus, exerts negative impact on broiler growth and production, but the molecular mechanisms are not clear yet. This study was designed to evaluate the effects of dietary supplementation of Bupleurum falcatum L saikosaponins (SP) on the growth and ileum health status in broilers exposed to NH3. Day-old Arbor Acers broilers (n = 480) were randomly allocated into 1 of 4 treatments. The main factors were dietary SP supplementation (0 or 80 mg/kg of diet) and NH3 challenge (with or without 70 ± 5 ppm NH3). The data of growth, intestinal morphology, and mRNA expression related to ileal function were collected from broilers exposed to NH3 for 7 d. Results showed that NH3 remarkably suppressed growth performance and intestinal development as well as induced biological injuries in the ileum of broilers, resulting from oxidative stress, mucous barrier damage, and immune dysfunction as well as upregulated apoptosis. These negative effects of NH3 were alleviated by the SP supplement. In conclusion, dietary supplementation of SP may be helpful in alleviating the detrimental effects of NH3 on the ileum development in broilers.

Risks and disease aetiologies of compromised performance in commercial broilers kept at lower stocking density and limited antimicrobial use

ABSTRACT The health status of broilers raised at lower stocking density and limited antimicrobial use (but routine anticoccidials) was assessed in order to identify prevalent causes of disease, mortality and reduced performance. “Dead-on-farm”(DOF) broilers from 145 commercial flocks were investigated at two different time points (TP1:7–14 and TP2:28–35 days of age); per sampling, 6–10 DOF broilers were selected for post-mortem investigation and gross pathomorphological changes were assessed from 2717 birds in total. Post-mortem findings were substantiated by bacteriological, virological and parasitological investigations. Furthermore, production data of all flocks were collected and used to perform comprehensive statistical analysis. Overall, colibacillosis was found most important with a significant negative impact on flock health, productivity and profitability through all ages of broiler production. At TP1, primary reasons for mortality comprised yolk sac infections, generally found together with fibrinous polyserositis due to E. coli. Furthermore, femoral lesions, which correlated with increased flock mortality, were associated with detection of E. coli. At TP2, ascites was detected frequently in DOF broilers, correlating with increased production losses in the fourth and fifth weeks of life. No aetiological link between the presence of ascites and the detection of the investigated pathogens was observed, instead a positive correlation was noticed with altitude above sea level of the farm, and with the sex of the birds. Disease conditions could not be linked with the housing system. Presence of infectious bronchitis virus, avian reovirus and fowl adenovirus did not correlate with macroscopic lesions or a specific disease. RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS In young broilers lesions of visceral organs due to bacterial infections dominated. Colibacillosis impacts broiler health, productivity and profitability independent of the age of birds. Disorders of the locomotor system were frequently observed throughout production. Older broilers frequently showed pathologic changes due to metabolic disorders. Overall, a shift from infectious towards metabolic disease conditions was noticed.

Effects of acute heat stress at different ambient temperature on hepatic redox status in broilers

This study aimed to investigate the effects of different acute high ambient temperatures on redox status in liver of broilers. A total of 144 35-day-old Arbor Acres broilers were randomly divided into 4 groups with 6 replicates of 6 birds each and subsequently distributed in different environment chambers for acute heat stress. The temperature of 4 environment chambers were set to 26°C (control), 29°C, 32°C, 35°C for 6 h, respectively. Various indicators were tested to evaluate hepatic redox status. Then, the hallmarks of hepatocellular antioxidant and apoptosis were measured by qRT-PCR and Western Blot. The results showed that with the ambient temperature increase (i) the content of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and protein carbonyl (PC) in the liver of broilers increased significantly (P < 0.05), but the content of malondialdehyde (MDA) and 8-hydroxyguanosine (8-OHdG) was not affected; (ii) the activity of catalase (CAT) and glutathione reductase (GR) increased significantly (P < 0.05). Similarly, the superoxide dismutase (SOD) had an increasing tendency (P = 0.07), and the content of the reduced glutathione (GSH) was also significantly increased (P < 0.05) under high temperature; (iii) the heat shock protein (HSP70), nuclear factor erythroid-2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), and other antioxidant gene (HO-1, NQO1, GCLc, GST, SOD1, SOD2, CAT, Prx3) were upregulated in broilers liver. Moreover, the protein level of HSP70, Nrf2, and Prx3 were also upregulated; (iv) high temperature upregulated the antiapoptotic gene expression (BCL-2); however, the proapoptotic genes (BAK1, caspase-3, and caspase-9) did not change significantly; meanwhile, there was no significant changes in the protein level of caspase-3 and caspase-9. The results of this study indicated that 35-day-old Arbor Acres broilers have a certain tolerance to oxidative stress induced by high ambient temperature. Six hours of acute heat stress–activated Nrf2 signaling pathway. Meanwhile, the expression of related antioxidant genes and proteins is upregulated, consequently resulted in increased antioxidant enzymes activity and GSH. These effects enable the body to scavenge large amounts of reactive oxygen species produced by high temperature and prevent the occurrence of apoptosis.

Effects of dietary fumaric acid on the growth performance, immune response, relative weight and antioxidant status of immune organs in broilers exposed to chronic heat stress

This study aimed to investigate the effects of dietary fumaric acid (FA) on growth performance, immune responses, immune organ index and antioxidant status in broilers under chronic heat stress (HS). A total of 200 21-day-old Ross 308 chicks were randomly assigned in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement with two diets (basal diet or 10 g/kg FA diet) and two temperatures (thermoneutral or HS) for 21 days. On day 42, growth performance, immune organ index, immune function and antioxidative ability were determined. HS resulted in a significant reduction in final body weight (FBW), average daily feed intake (ADFI), average daily gain (ADG), antibody titres against sheep red blood cells (SRBC) and Newcastle disease virus, IgM, IgG, relative weights of spleen, thymus and bursa of Fabricius, but a significant increase in the feed conversion ratio (FCR), activities of total superoxide dismutase (T-SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) in the bursa, contents of malondialdehyde and total carbonyl (TC) in thymus and bursa (P &amp;lt; 0.05). Dietary supplementation of FA increased FBW, ADFI, ADG, antibody titres against SRBC, IgG, relative weights of spleen and bursa, activity of GPx in thymus and bursa, whereas it decreased the FCR and TC of thymus and bursa. These results suggest that dietary 10 g/kg FA had positive effects on growth performance and immune function through improving the antioxidative capacity of immune organs.

Effects of mushroom waster medium and stalk residues on the growth performance and oxidative status in broilers.

ObjectiveThe study developed mushroom stalk residues as feed additives in the broiler diet for improving the growth performance and immunity of broilers as well as to increase the value of mushroom stalk residues.MethodsIn total, 300 ROSS 308 broilers were randomly allocated into fifteen pens with five dietary treatments: i) control, basal diet; ii) CMWM, supplemented with 1% Cordyceps militaris waster medium (CM); iii) CMPE, supplemented with 0.5% CM+0.5% Pleurotus eryngii stalk residue (PE); iv) CMPS, supplemented with 0.5% CM+0.5% Pleurotus sajor-caju stalk residue (PS); v) CMFV, supplemented with 0.5% CM+0.5% Fammulina velutipes stalk residue (FV).ResultsThe chemical analysis results showed that CM extracts, PE extracts, PS extracts, and FV extracts contain functional components such as polysaccharides and phenols and have both 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl-hydrate scavenging and Ferrous scavenging capacities. The group CMWM saw increased body weight gain and feed conversion rate and the promotion of jejunum villus growth, but there is no significant difference in the intestinal bacteria phase. Antioxidant genes in the nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 (Nrf2)-antioxidant responsive element pathway among the groups are significantly higher than that of the control group, especially in group CMWM.ConclusionThe mushroom stalk residues have antioxidant functional components, can improve the intestinal health and body weight gain of chickens, and can activate the antioxidant pathway of Nrf2 to increase the heme oxygenase-1 expression. The treatment with 1% CM was the most promising as a feed additive.