Effects of dietary Moringa oleifera leaf extract on semen characteristics, fertility, and hatchability in aged broiler breeder roosters.

Declining semen quality will have a negative impact on the fertility of aged roosters. Various factors influence this decrease in quality. This study was conducted to investigate the effects of different levels of Moringa plant extract on semen characteristics, fertility, and hatchability in aged broiler breeder roosters. A total of 24 roosters were fed 1 of 4 dietary supplements for 10 wk: Control, 100 µL/kg (Moringa oleifera leaf extract [MOLE]-100), 200 µL/kg (MOLE-200), or 400 µL/kg body weight (MOLE-400) of Moringa oleifera extract. Results showed supplementation with MOLE-200 significantly improved (P < 0.05) semen concentration, total motility, progressive motility, sperm membrane integrity compared to other treatments. However, semen volume and body weight were unaffected (P > 0.05). Sperm lipid peroxidation, as indicated by malondialdehyde concentration, was lowest in MOLE-200. There was a significant difference observed among the treatments in terms of total antioxidant capacity (TAC) results. The testosterone concentration in the MOLE-200 treatment was significantly higher than the other treatments (P < 0.05). However, no significant differences were observed in the levels of luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) hormones among the experimental treatments. Fertility and hatchability rates were measured at the end of the trial. Fertility, defined as the number of fertilized eggs, was greatest in the MOLE-200 treatment compared to the other treatments. Similarly, hatchability (hatched chicks/fertilized eggs %) was highest at 88.02% for MOLE-200. In conclusion, dietary supplementation with M. oleifera extract improved semen quality, fertility, and hatchability in aged broiler breeder roosters.

Apigenin supplementation substantially improves rooster sperm freezability and post-thaw function.

This pioneering research investigated apigenin potential to augment rooster sperm cryosurvival in an extender model. Apigenin is a natural antioxidant flavonoid showing promise for improved post-thaw sperm function. However, its effects on avian semen cryopreservation remain unexplored. This first study supplemented rooster sperm Lake extender with 0, 50, 100, 200, 400 µmol/L apigenin to determine the optimal concentrations for post-thaw quality. Supplementation with 100 µmol/L apigenin resulted in significant enhancements in total motility (from 41.5% up to 71.5%), progressive motility (18.1% to 29.1%) (p < 0.05), membrane integrity (40% to 68%), mitochondrial function (p < 0.001), viability (37% to 62%) and total antioxidant capacity (p < 0.001) compared to the control. It also substantially reduced percentages of abnormal morphology, reactive oxygen species and apoptosis (p < 0.001). Although 200 µmol/L apigenin significantly enhanced some attributes, effects were markedly lower than 100 µmol/L. Higher doses did not improve cryoprotective parameters. This indicates 100 µmol/L as the optimal apigenin concentration. This represents the first report of apigenin protecting rooster sperm from cryodamage. The natural antioxidant improved post-thaw sperm quality, likely by suppressing oxidative stress and apoptosis. Apigenin shows promise for enhancing rooster sperm cryosurvival.

Aflatoxin levels in poultry feed: a comparison of mash and pellet forms.

The current research was conducted to determine the aflatoxigenic and non-aflatoxigenic Aspergillus flavus isolates and the frequency of aflatoxin levels (B1, B2, G1, G2), in main feed ingredients (corn and soybean meal) and poultry finished feed (in mash and pellet forms). Eighty-five samples of corn, soybean meal, and poultry finished feed was randomly collected from feed mills in Iran. Regarding macro and microscopic morphological criteria, Aspergillus isolates were identified, and aflatoxins were determined by thin layer chromatography (TLC) and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). All of poultry feed samples were contaminated with different levels of aflatoxins, ranging from ND (they were not detected in those samples) to 5.58 µg/kg. At all stages of processing, the poultry feed had lower levels of aflatoxins in comparison with the accepted/residue levels of poultry feed mills. Higher amounts of aflatoxins (B1, B2, G1, G2, and total) were detected in pelleted feed, compared to other poultry samples (P < 0.05). The total toxin level in mash feed samples reached a maximum of 3.31 ppb. The results indicate that finished feed samples in pellet form may pose a greater risk than their individual ingredients in poultry feed, particularly when suboptimal conditions exist for eliminating fungal populations. So, the prevention and reduction of (Aspergillus section Flavi) are highly important in maintaining quality control of poultry feed, as the production of aflatoxins can occur during the process of converting raw ingredients into finished feed.

A nutrigenomics approach to study the effects of ω-3 fatty acids in laying hens under physiological stress.

Supplement of ω-3 fatty acids can decrease the harmful effects of stress. However, the potential molecular mechanisms that are modulated by dietary ω-3 fatty acids in laying hens under stress remain unknown. Hence, RNA-sequencing (RNA-Seq) technology was used to gain new insights into different gene expression profiles and potential pathways involved in response to stress in the liver of 35-week-old Lohmann LSL-Lite laying hens supplemented with ω-3. Three groups including control (non-stress), stress, and stress_ω-3 fatty acids (three layers per each group) were applied. A total of 1,321 genes were detected as differentially expressed genes of which 701, 1,049, and 86 DEGs belonged to stress vs. control, stress_ω-3 vs. control, and stress vs. stress_ω-3 pairwise comparisons, respectively. Gene ontology and KEGG pathway analysis indicated that the DEGs were enriched in particular regulation of steroid and cholesterol biosynthetic process, fatty acid degradation, AMPK signaling pathway, fatty acid biosynthesis, and immune response. Our data represented a promising approach regarding the importance of ω-3 as anxiolytic and anti-stress. In this context, UNC13B and ADRA1B genes were downregulated in the stress_ω-3 group compared to the stress group, which are associated with decreased activity of glutamatergic stimulatory neurons and probably play important role in facilitating the response to stress. This study extends the current understanding of the liver transcriptome response to physiological stress, and provides new insights into the molecular responses to stress in laying hens fed a diet supplemented with ω-3 fatty acids.

Enhancing post-thaw quality of ram epididymal sperm by supplementation of rutin in cryopreservation extender.

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of different rutin concentrations on rams epididymal sperm. A local slaughterhouse provided 50 pair of testes from 25 rams. The testes were sent to the lab at room temperature. Spermatozoa were extracted by suspending portions of cauda epididymis in tris solution. Ram sperm was cryopreserved (in liquid nitrogen) in a tris extender containing rutin at 0, 0.5, 0.75, 1, and 1.25 mM. Rutin showed superior sperm total and progressive motility, beat cross frequency, straight line velocity, velocity average pathway and membrane integrity values at 0.75 and 1 mM. The morphology of the sperm and the superoxide dismutase levels did not significantly change with different treatments. Moreover, rutin at 0.75 and 1 mM was also shown to have the highest level of mitochondrial activity. The results showed ATP, total antioxidant capacity, and glutathione peroxidase levels were significantly greater in the rutin 0.75 and 1 mM groups (P < 0.05). Rutin at 0.75 and 1 mM levels had the lowest reactive oxygen species concentrations. Rutin at 0.75 and 1 mM substantially increased the proportion of viable sperm (P < 0.05). The lowest amount of apoptosis was observed in 0.75 and 1 mM rutin. Rutin at 0.75 and 1 mM yielded the least significant percentage of dead sperm. It may be inferred that adding 0.75 and 1 mM to the sperm extender can enhance the quality of the epididymal sperm in rams after the cryopreservation process.

The histopathological changes of liver and testis of Japanese quail chicks fed different levels of dietary L-valine.

This experiment was carried out to investigate the histological changes of liver and testis of Japanese quail fed different levels of dietary valine (Val) in low protein diet. A total of 1000 one-day-old Japanese quail chicks (mixed sex) were assigned to five experimental diets including diets containing 7.5, 8.5, 9.5, 10.5 and 11.5 g digestible (dig.) Val/kg diet in a completely randomized design, with 5 replicates of 40 quail chicks per pen. Experimental diets were formulated to be isoenergetic and isonitrogenous (170 g crude protein/kg) to meet nutrients recommendation of growing quails suggested by Brazilian tables. At d 42, quail chicks were slaughtered, and tissue samples were collected and fixed to evaluate the histological indices of liver and testis. High levels of Val, increased (P < 0.05) diameter of liver cell nucleus and liver hepatocytes in both male and female. While 11.5 g Val showed mild hepatosteatosis, bile duct hyperplasia was observed in 10.5 g Val. In 7.5 and 8.5 g Val groups, there was no negative effects on the liver histology. The male quail chicks which fed on diets containing 8.5 g Val had better significant (P < 0.05) reproductive indexes [Tubular differentiation (TDI) and spermatic index (SI)]. In conclusion, the use of high levels of Val (≥ 9.5 g dig. Val/kg diet) during d 0 - 42 of age can lead to histological damage in liver and testis of quail chicks.

Effect of rosemary essential oil as nitrite substitute on quality of sausage produced using chicken fed by thymus essential oil and rapeseed oil.

The objective was to determine the effect of rosemary essential oil (REO) as nitrite substitute on the physicochemical, microbiological and sensory quality of sausage from broilers fed different levels of thymus essential oil (TEO) and rapeseed oil (RO). Broiler chicks fed TEO (0, 300 and 500 ppm) and RO (1, 3 and 5%) in a 3 × 3 factorial design. Sausages were made from meat of chicken fed TEO (0 and 500 ppm) treated with REO (120 ppm), REO:nitrite (60:60 ppm), nitrite (120 ppm) or without REO and nitrite in a 2 × 4 factorial design. Results showed that TEO increased water holding capacity and pH value and decreased malondialdehyde concentration. RO (1 and 3%) × TEO (500 ppm) group had higher unsaturated to saturated fatty acids ratio in the meat. Results showed that treatments of REO (120 ppm) decreased lipid oxidation and increased pH value of meat. Sausage produced by nitrite (120 ppm) or REO:nitrite (60:60 ppm) had lower total microbial count, lightness but higher redness and yellowness. Based on the results, TEO in chicken feed decreased lipid oxidation of sausages. Furthermore, substitution at least 60 ppm nitrite with REO had more preserving effect on quality of produced sausages.

The effect of adding L-carnitine to omega-3 fatty acid diets on productive performance, oxidative stability, cholesterol content, and yolk fatty acid profiles in laying hens.

In this study, different levels of Omega-3 fatty acids and L-carnitine (LC) were used in diets for laying hens. The effects of these supplements were examined on productive performance, antioxidant properties, cholesterol content, and yolk fatty acid profiles in the laying hens. A population of 120 Lohmann LSL-Lite laying hens (34-wk-old) were used in 2 × 3 factorial arrangements with 2 diets (control = 0.031 and 0.48% omega-3 fatty acids) and 3 levels of L-carnitine (0, 100, 200 mg/kg of diet) in a completely randomized design with 6 treatments. While having 5 replicates and 4 birds per replicate, the total period of the experiment lasted for 10 wk. The eggs were weighed daily, parallel to measurements of egg production, daily feed intake, feed conversion ratio, and egg mass. When the hens reached 44 wk of age, the measurements were aimed at fatty acid profiles, malondialdehyde (MDA), and cholesterol concentration in egg yolk. Feeding the hens on diets enriched by omega-3 fatty acids led to higher levels of egg production than those fed on control diets, but their daily feed intake was generally lower (P < 0.05). Egg weight decreased in birds that were fed on diets enriched with omega-3 fatty acids without L-carnitine, or with diets which contained 100 mg/kg L-carnitine, compared to control diets which contained 0 mg/kg L-carnitine (P < 0.05). Egg mass increased in birds that were fed on diets enriched with omega-3 fatty acids and which contained 200 mg/kg L-carnitine, compared to the control diet with 0 or 100 mg/kg L-carnitine (P < 0.05). The analysis of fatty acid profiles showed that L-carnitine and omega-3 fatty acids caused a significant increase in the percentage of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), docosahexaenoic  acid (DHA), C18: 1 (n-9), arachidonic acid (ARA) C20: 4 (n-6), and Σ n-3 in the eggs of birds (P < 0.05). Based on the results, adding L-carnitine (200 mg/kg) to diets that were already enriched with omega-3 fatty acids increased the level of production and led to a longer maintenance of fatty acids in the eggs. Also, oxidative stability was enhanced in the yolk of eggs.

Effects of bioactive peptides derived from feather keratin on plasma cholesterol level, lipid oxidation of meat, and performance of broiler chicks.

In this research, the effect of mixed feather bioactive peptides (MFBPs) added in water, on intestinal health, meat quality, and plasma cholesterol level of broiler chickens, was evaluated. A total of 80 day-old male broiler chicks (Ross 308) were randomly divided into two treatments with four replication pens. The dietary treatments were the drinking water with no additives (control) and drinking water containing 50 mg/L of MFBPs. Live weight and feed intake were measured at the end of starter (1-10 days), grower (11-24 days), and finisher (25-36 days) periods by calculating the average daily gain and feed conversion ratio. The results indicate that body weight gain was greater (P < 0.05) in birds that received MFBPs in the final period. At 24 days of age, the villus height and muscle layer thickness in different parts of the intestine were higher in birds that received bioactive peptides but epithelial thickness was lower than that in control birds (P < 0.05). In addition, the administration of MFBPs decreased (P < 0.01) serum total cholesterol, triglyceride, and low-density lipoprotein in broilers. Supplementation with MFBPs significantly reduced (P < 0.01) the malondialdehyde (MDA) amount in the thigh muscle. In conclusion, using the MFBPs in the diet of broilers could improve meat quality, cholesterol concentration in serum, and gut health.

Effects of dietary L-carnitine on puberty indices in the young breeder rooster.

The aim of current study was to investigate the effect of dietary L-Carnitine (LC) in immature roosters on reproductive hormones, lipid profile and testicular histology at the time of maturity. Eighteen 12-wk-old breeder roosters (Ross 308) of similar weights were randomly allocated into 3 dietary treatments (LC-0: basic diet, LC-250: basic diet + 250 mg LC/kg of diet, LC-500: basic diet + 500 mg of LC/kg of diet) in 6 replicates. The feeding program and photoperiod regimen were performed based on ROSS 308 management handbook. Dietary LC supplementation markedly improved testicle weight and testicle index (p < 0.05). Comb height was also affected by LC supplementation (p < 0.05). The testicle weight and index, comb height, and shank lengths improved linearly with increasing levels of dietary LC (p < 0.05). The LC-250 and LC-500 diets significantly improved the number of sertoli cells (NSC), height epithelium seminiferous tubules (HEST), seminiferous tubules diameter (STD), spermiogenesis index (SI) and tubular differentiation index (TDI) of rooster's testis tissue (p < 0.05). The number of seminiferous tubules (NST) was affected by of the amount of LC (p < 0.05). The roosters on the LC-250 mg/kg diet had longer HEST compared to roosters that received the LC-500 mg/kg diet (p < 0.05). Testicular histology parameters increased in a linear and quadratic manner in response to increasing levels of LC (p < 0.05). Dietary LC significantly increased (p < 0.05) plasma concentrations of testosterone, GnRH, LH, FSH and High-Density Lipoprotein (HDL), but reduced the plasma concentration of Low-Density Lipoprotein (LDL). However, no significant differences were observed between LC-250 and LC-500 groups in these parameters. Plasma testosterone, GnRH, LH, LDL and HDL were affected in a linear and quadratic manner in response to increasing levels of LC (p < 0.05). Similarly, FSH increased linearly with increasing dietary LC (p < 0.05). Thus, adding up to 250g of LC per kg of the rooster chicken can improve reproductive hormones, blood lipids and testicular histology parameters at the time of maturity.

Omega-3 fatty acids reduce the negative effects of dexamethasone-induced physiological stress in laying hens by acting through the nutrient digestibility and gut morphometry.

In this study, the effects of omega-3 fatty acids on egg production, nutrients digestibility, eggs yolk lipid peroxidation, and intestinal morphology in laying hens under physiological stress were investigated. Ninety-six 35-wk-old Lohmann LSL-Lite laying hens were used in 2 × 3 factorial arrangement with 2 levels of dexamethasone (DEX) (0 and 1.5 mg/kg of the diet) and 3 levels of omega-3 fatty acids (0, 0.24, or 0.48% of the diet) in a completely randomized design. At 41 wk of age, the stress groups were continuously fed with a DEX 1.5 mg/kg diet for 1 wk. Egg production, egg mass, feed intake, egg weight, and feed conversion ratio were recorded. In addition, the AME, digestibility of CP, crude fat (CF), and organic matter were measured during the stress induction period. At the end of 41 wk of age, malondialdehyde and cholesterol concentrations in the egg yolk and intestinal morphology were investigated. The results showed that egg production, egg mass (P < 0.0001), egg weight (P = 0.043), and BW (P = 0.0005) were lower in DEX layers. Feed intake was reduced by the interaction between DEX and omega-3 fatty acid (P = 0.042). Malondialdehyde value (P = 0.002) and cholesterol concentration (P = 0.001) in egg yolk increased by DEX administration. The combination of DEX administration and omega-3 fatty acids supplementation was found in the indices of intestinal morphology such as villus height and width and crypt depth (P < 0.05). Administration of DEX decreased the CP digestibility (P < 0.0001) and AME (P = 0.006). Digestibility of CF and AME in the group of 0.48% omega-3 fatty acids were higher (P < 0.05) than those of 0 and 0.24%. In conclusion, we found that dietary omega-3 fatty acids had beneficial effects on gut morphology and nutrient digestibility in laying hens under physiological stress. However, they could not alleviate the negative effects of physiological stress on performance.

Stability and cytotoxicity of DPPH inhibitory peptides derived from biodegradation of chicken feather.

The antioxidant activity and cell viability of feather hydrolysates obtained with the Bacillus licheniformis were evaluated using an in-vitro model. The results indicate that feathers-derived peptides under 3 kDa have antioxidant activity with IC50 values of 5.03 ± 0.215 mg/mL by using DPPH antioxidant assay. Although the antioxidant activity of the peptides under 3 kDa preserved after applying diverse heating (from 20 to 100 °C), they lost their activity under strongly acidic or alkaline conditions. Antioxidant activity of the mixed feather bioactive peptides (MFBPs) obtained with partial purification of peptides under 3 kDa was with IC50 amount of 0.169 mg/mL ± 0.004 using DPPH radical scavenging assay. Also, MFBPs within an amount range of from 0.0048 to 5.0 mg/mL, illustrated no cytotoxicity to gingival fibroblast blood cell lines. In light of our results, the obtained value-added peptides could be useful in different food products as a future functional ingredient with antioxidant potency.

Manipulation of fatty acid profiles in roosters' testes, alteration in sexual hormones, improvements in testicular histology characteristics and elevation sperm quality factor by L-carnitine.

The present study was designed to investigate the effects of different levels of l-carnitine (LC) on sperm quality factor (SQF), alterations in testis fatty acid profiles, testicular histology and reproductive hormones in young roosters. Eighteen broiler breeders (Ross 308) weighed at 3 months of age. They were randomly classified while each group had six birds. There were three experimental groups based on the LC concentrations (i.e. LC-0, LC-250, LC-500 mg per kg of diet). After two weeks of adaptation, semen samples were collected and evaluated for seminal attributes every two weeks (from week 24 to week 34). At the end of the experiments, four roosters from each treatment group were sacrificed in order to analyze testicular histology, testis fatty acid profiles and reproductive hormones. Supplementing the diet with two of the LC levels for 22 weeks caused significant rise in sperm concentration, viability and SQF compared to that of the control group (P < 0.05). Quadratic analysis in terms of number of seminiferous tubules and spermatogenesis index were significant (P<0.05). Tubular differentiation index improved linearly by the increasing levels of LC supplementation (P<0.01). The analysis of fatty acid profiles showed that LC significantly (P < 0.05) reduced the percentages of C14:0, C21:0, total saturated fatty acids, total odd-chain fatty acids and n-6/n-3 ratio. Moreover, LC significantly increased the percentage of C20:5n-3 (Eicosapentaenoic acid; EPA) (P < 0.05). Analysis of the correlation coefficient revealed that the SQF is in consistency with EPA (r = 0.98; P < 0.04). In contrast, SQF negatively and significantly correlates with odd-chain fatty acids (r = - 0.99; P < 0.001). The desaturation index for C16 fatty acids (16:1cis/C16:0) negligibly increased linearly as LC was added to the diet (P < 0.05). Furthermore, LC caused the roosters to have significant (P < 0.05) high levels of total testosterone and FSH concentrations. The concentration of LH in different treatment groups, however, turned out to be similar in response to the different levels of LC. In conclusion, long-term supplementation of rooster diet with LC can have beneficial effects on SQF and testis histology. The benefits include alterations in testicular histology, reproductive hormones and testicular fatty acid profiles.

Dietary L-carnitine affects the expression of genes involved in apoptosis and fatty acid metabolism in rooster testes.

Thirty-six 12-week-old breeder roosters (Ross 308) were randomly allocated into three groups to receive L-carnitine (LC): LC-0, LC-250 or LC-500 mg/kg of diet to evaluate the effects of dietary LC on the expression of apoptotic-related genes and desaturases and elongase mRNA transcript levels, in the cockerel testicles. Alteration of Bak (Bcl2 antagonist/killer), Bcl2, Cas3, Cas8, Cas9, Elovl2, Elovl4, Elovl5, Fads1, Fads2 and Scd expression at 24 and 34 weeks of age was compared by real-time quantitative PCR. The expression of Bcl2 and Elovl5 was significantly up-regulated (p < .05), while Cas8 expression (p < .05) and Bak/Bcl2 ratio were reduced (p < .02) in the cockerel testicles at 24 weeks of age. Although Bak mRNA abundance decreased by dietary LC, Bak/Bcl2 ratio was not affected by the treatments at 34 weeks of age. The expression of Cas3 was down-regulated, while Fads2 was up-regulated in the cockerel testicles by dietary LC at 34 weeks of age (p < .05). The results demonstrate the beneficial effects of LC supplementation in suppression of the Bak/Bcl2 ratio by altering Bak and Bcl2 mRNA abundance and, ultimately, prevention of apoptosis. Furthermore, LC increased the expression of Elovl5 and Fads2 genes which are involved in the metabolism of long chain fatty acids.

Effect of dietary supplementation of whole flaxseed on sperm traits and sperm fatty acid profile in aged broiler breeder roosters.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of dietary supplementation of whole flaxseed on sperm traits and sperm fatty acid profile in aged broiler breeder roosters. Twelve Ross 308 broiler breeder roosters (age: 52 weeks; weight: 4,900 ± 210 g) haphazardly allotted to three dietary treatments (each treatment contained four replicates and one bird in each replicate) for six weeks. Treatments were different levels of flaxseed (0% flaxseed [GFL0], 2% flaxseed [GFL2] and 4% flaxseed [GFL4]). The feed intake quadratically decreased (p < .05) with increasing whole flaxseed levels for the period (58 to 60 weeks). Sperm traits (semen volume and sperm concentration, sperm total and forward motility, sperm viability and morphology, sperm plasma membrane functionality) were evaluated every two weeks (four times), and sperm fatty acid profile was assessed at the end of the experiment. Semen volume, sperm concentration and sperm morphology were not affected by treatments. On week 60, GFL2 group showed a significantly lower percentage of total and progressive sperm motility and sperm membrane functionality in comparison with the control and GFL4 groups. Also, sperm viability was lower in GFL2 group compared with other groups on week 58 (p < .05). In terms of sperm fatty acid profile, GFL2 group significantly reduced the percentage of linoleic acid (C18:2 [n-6]) in comparison with other groups. However, any of the other fatty acids were not affected by dietary flaxseed. In conclusion, dietary supplementation of whole flaxseed could not improve the quality of aged broiler breeder roosters' sperm in this study, nor it could alter the sperm fatty acid profile; thus, it seems necessary to use some antioxidants such as vitamin E in the diet of aged broiler breeder roosters, when supplementing the diets with oils or oilseeds such as flaxseed.

Influence of dietary plant fats and antioxidant supplementations on performance, apparent metabolizable energy and protein digestibility, lipid oxidation and fatty acid composition of meat in broiler chicken.

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of dietary different antioxidants and plant oils on performance, apparent metabolizable energy and protein digestibility, meat quality and meat fatty acid composition of broiler chickens. In all, 480 male broiler chicks of 1-day old were assigned in a completely randomized design with factorial arrangement 2 × 5 (plant oil sources [soybean and rapeseed oils] and antioxidant sources [vitamin E, Thyme, Rosemary and Satureja essential oils] furthermore control treatment without antioxidant). The results indicated that at 1-42 d of age, growth performance and carcass yield of birds were not influenced by dietary plant oils and antioxidant supplementations. Dietary Thyme essential oil (300 mg/kg) resulted in an increase in crude protein digestibility and birds fed on diets without antioxidant showed increase in the apparent metabolizable energy (p < .01). Birds receiving the combination of soybean oil with Rosemary essential oil had lowest malondialdehyde concentration in comparison to birds receiving other treatments (p < .05) in the drumstick meat. Also, birds receiving the combination of soybean oil with vitamin E had lowest malondialdehyde concentration in comparison to birds receiving other treatments (p < .05) in the breast meat. The results indicated that treatments did not influence water holding capacity of meat. Also, dietary rapeseed oil and Thyme essential oil supplementations, separately, decreased saturated fatty acid (p < .01) and increased unsaturated fatty acid and unsaturated to saturated fatty acids ratio (p < .01) of drumstick meat tissue in broiler chicken (p < .01). In conclusion, dietary rapeseed oil and Thyme essential oil increased in n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in the drumstick meat (p < .01) and a combination of dietary soybean oil, Rosemary essential oil and vitamin E decreased the lipid oxidation in the meat of broiler chickens (p < .05).

The effect of l-arginine and flaxseed on plasma testosterone concentration, semen quality and some testicular histology parameters in old broiler breeder roosters.

The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of dietary supplementation of l-arginine and flaxseed on testosterone and lipid parameters of serum and semen quality, as well as histological and morphometric parameters of testes in old broiler breeder rooster. Thirty six 52-week-old Ross 308 broiler breeder roosters with similar weights (4900 g ±â€¯210) were used for a 8-weeks trial period in a 3 × 3 factorial arrangement of dietary treatments that three levels of l-arginine (0.52, 0.68 and 0.83%) and flaxseed (0, 2 and 4%) with four replications in each. The ratio of left testicle weight/total testicular weight was significantly higher in A68F0 group. The maximum and minimum seminiferous tubule diameters were recorded for roosters fed no flaxseed and F2 flaxseed, respectively. The roosters fed A68 showed the highest serum testosterone. Seminal volume and sperm concentration, were not significantly affected by l-arginine × flaxseed interaction; however, sperm forward motility were significantly affected by arginine × flaxseed interaction (P < 0.05). A68F0 had significantly greatest tubular differentiation indices (TDI) in all of the treatments. Also, repopulation indices (RI) and spermiogenesis indices (SI) in A68F0 were significantly higher than other groups, but A52F0 and A52F4. However, testis index, testis density, serum lipids (cholesterol, LDL, HDL and HDL: LDL ratio), epithelium height of seminiferous tubules and number of Sertoli cells were not affected by the treatments. It is concluded that dietary supplementation of arginine (0.68%) has positive effects on blood testosterone, semen quality and spermatogenesis index of aged roosters.

Correction to: Effect of Chromium Nanoparticles on Physiological Stress Induced by Exogenous Dexamethasone in Japanese Quails.

The original version of this article contained a mistake: The author name Shokoufe Ghazanfari was incorrectly written as Shekofeh Ghazanfari.

Effect of Chromium Nanoparticles on Physiological Stress Induced by Exogenous Dexamethasone in Japanese Quails.

Chromium (Cr), as an essential trace element, plays a critical role in carbohydrate, protein, and lipid metabolism in animals. It has been suggested that the beneficial effects of Cr increase by environmental stresses, which lead to greater Cr effects on stressed animals. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the response of physiologically stressed Japanese quails (Coturnix japonica) to dietary chromium nanoparticle (Nano-Cr) supplementation. The stress was induced by adding dexamethasone (0.6 mg/kg BW) to Japanese quails' diet from 17 to 22 days of age. A total of 360 birds were randomly allocated to six dietary treatments with four replicates each having 15 birds: negative control diet (no-stress, no-additive; NC), positive control diet (stress, no-additive; PC), and stress additive diets including four diets containing 200, 400, 800, and 1200 µg/kg of Nano-Cr. Performance and haematological parameters were affected (P < 0.05) by physiological stress though they were not affected by adding Nano-Cr. Comparison of diets containing Nano-Cr levels and stress no-additive diets, at 23 days of age, was indicative of a positive linear relationship (P < 0.05) between dietary Nano-Cr levels and feed intake and average daily gain. Furthermore, white blood cell (WBC) count as well as haematocrit level increased (P < 0.05) as the level of supplied Nano-Cr increased. A negative relationship (P < 0.05) was observed between Nano-Cr levels and heterophil percentage and heterophil/lymphocyte ratio. On day 35, increased dietary Nano-Cr improved (P < 0.05) weight gain, live body weight, energy/protein utilization efficiency, and WBC count. In conclusion, supplementation of diet with optimum concentration of Nano-Cr revealed alleviation of negative effects of physiological stress in quails.