Effect of various antioxidants on ovarian tissue vitrification success in sheep.

BACKGROUND: Vitrification is a technique of cryopreservation that has been proposed as a promising alternative method for the preservation of oocytes, embryos and gonadal tissue. OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of different antioxidants on post-thaw viability, morphology of retrieved oocytes and histology of vitrified ovarian tissue. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Four different antioxidants [i.e., resveratrol (20 uM), ZnSO4 (500 uM), curcumin (25 uM) and quercetin (1 uM)] were evaluated after their addition to the vitrification and warming media for their effects on the viability and morphology of retrieved oocytes and the histology of vitrified ovarian tissue. RESULTS: The number of oocytes retrieved from ovarian tissue from the above mentioned antioxidants and vitrified control were 34, 41, 26, 31 and 46 respectively. Among these the number of viable oocytes were found to be 24 (70.6%), 30 (73.1 %), 20 (76.9%), 26 (83.9%) and 33 (71.7%) and the number of oocytes found morphologically normal were 24 (70.6%), 26 (63.4%), 18 (69.2%), 21 (67.7%) and 34 (73.9%) for the above mentioned different antioxidants and vitrified control, respectively. Non-significant (P. > 0.05) differences were found between different treatment groups. Histomorphological evaluation of the ovarian cortical tissue showed that the percentage of intact follicles was significantly (P < 0.05) higher in the fresh control (84.19±3.9) than in other groups. Non-significant differences were found between resveratrol (50.2±5.5), curcumin (48.7±5.7), quercetin (51.6±4.8) and the vitrified control (42.7±6.1) groups; however, the ZnSO4 supplemented group (23.1±8.54) differed significantly (P < 0.05) from other antioxidant groups but was non-significant (P > 0.05) with the vitrified control group (42.7±6.1). CONCLUSION: The addition of antioxidants resveratrol, curcumin and quercetin at these concentrations tended to non-significantly improve the follicular integrity after vitrification. Doi.org/10.54680/fr24410110212.

Reporting of paediatric osteoporotic vertebral fractures in Duchenne muscular dystrophy and potential impact on clinical management: the need for standardised and structured reporting.

BACKGROUND: In boys with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), initiation of bisphosphonate is recommended upon identification of moderate or severe vertebral fractures, even if asymptomatic. Clear radiological reporting is important for consistency of clinical interpretation and management. OBJECTIVES: To audit radiology reports of spine imaging for vertebral fracture assessment in DMD, and assess potential impact on diagnosis and management. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Lateral thoracolumbar spine imaging (71 lateral spine radiographs and 13 lateral dual energy absorptiometry spine image) in 84 boys with DMD performed across two centres. Anonymised radiology reports by paediatric radiologists were circulated to two neuromuscular clinicians and two endocrinologists. Clinicians determined if there was vertebral fracture, no vertebral fracture, or unclear interpretation. Endocrinologists also determined if bisphosphonate was indicated. A single observer (a clinician with expertise in vertebral fracture assessment) performed vertebral fracture assessment in 37 images and re-reported using a structured format. Structured reports were re-circulated to the four clinicians to re-evaluate the degree of concordance in clinical diagnosis of vertebral fracture and treatment decisions with bisphosphonate. RESULTS: The term "fracture" was used in 25/84 (30%) radiology reports and only in 8/43 (19%) with description of vertebral body abnormalities. Fracture grading was included in 7/43 (16%) radiology reports. Diagnostic concordance by the clinicians was noted in 36/84 (43%). Unclear interpretation was noted in 22% to 51% based on radiology reports. No unclear interpretation was noted with structured reports. Complete diagnostic (37/37, 100%) and treatment (37/37, 100%) concordance was noted with the structured reports, whereas complete diagnostic and treatment concordance was noted in only 16/37 (43%) and 17/37 (46%) of the radiology reports, respectively. CONCLUSION: Only a third of radiology reports of spine imaging in DMD explicitly used the terminology "fracture". Grading was only noted in a small percentage. Variability in diagnostic interpretation by clinicians may lead to differing management plans. As identification of vertebral fracture is a trigger for treatment, developing reporting guidelines for paediatric vertebral fracture assessment will improve care. A structured template should be introduced for radiological reporting of paediatric vertebral fracture assessment.

Novel genomic islands and a new vanD-subtype in the first sporadic VanD-type vancomycin resistant enterococci in Norway.

BACKGROUND: Vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) represent several types of transferable vancomycin resistance gene clusters. The vanD type, associated with moderate to high level vancomycin resistance, has only sporadically been described in clinical isolates. The aim of this study was to perform a genetic characterization of the first VanD-type VRE strains detected in Norway. METHODS: The VanD-type VRE-strains (n = 6) from two patient cases were examined by antimicrobial susceptibility testing and whole genome sequencing (WGS) to uncover Van-phenotype, strain phylogeny, the vanD gene clusters, and their genetic surroundings. The putative transferability of vanD was examined by circularization PCR and filter mating. RESULTS: The VanD-type Enterococcus faecium (n = 4) and Enterococcus casseliflavus (n = 2) strains recovered from two cases (A and B), expressed moderate to high level vancomycin resistance (MIC 64->256 mg/L) and various levels of teicoplanin susceptibility (MIC 2->256 mg/L). WGS analyses revealed phylogenetically different E. faecium strains (A1, A2, and A3 of case A and B1 from case B) as well as vanD gene clusters located on different novel genomic islands (GIs). The E. casseliflavus strains (B2 and B3 of case B) were not clonally related, but harbored nearly identical novel GIs. The vanD cluster of case B strains represents a novel vanD-subtype. All the vanD-GIs were integrated at the same chromosomal site and contained genes consistent with a Clostridiales origin. Circular forms of the vanD-GIs were detected in all strains except B1. Transfer of vanD to an E. faecium recipient was unsuccessful. CONCLUSIONS: We describe the first VanD-type E. casseliflavus strains, a novel vanD-subtype, and three novel vanD-GIs with a genetic content consistent with a Clostridiales order origin. Despite temporal occurrence, case A and B E. faecium strains were phylogenetically diverse and harbored different vanD subtypes and vanD-GIs.

Self-reported substance use in Iraq: findings from the Iraqi National Household Survey of Alcohol and Drug Use, 2014.

AIMS: To estimate the prevalence of tobacco, alcohol and drug use in Iraq using data from the Iraqi National Household Survey of Alcohol and Drug Use (INHSAD). DESIGN: A cross-sectional survey was conducted using a multi-stage cluster sampling method. Trained surveyors conducted face-to-face household interviews. SETTING: Iraq, from April 2014 to December 2014. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 3200 adult, non-institutionalized Iraqi citizens residing across all 18 governorates of Iraq. MEASUREMENTS: We estimated weighted prevalence and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for life-time, past-year and past-month use of a variety of substances (tobacco, alcohol, prescription drugs and illicit drugs). For each substance, we also estimated whether individuals knew people who currently use the substance. FINDINGS: Self-reported past-month tobacco use was 23.2% (95% CI = 21.40, 25.19). Past-month alcohol use was 3.2% (95% CI = 2.58, 3.93). Women reported significantly lower prevalence for both tobacco and alcohol use compared with men (P-value < 0.01 for both). Only 1.4% (95% CI = 0.67, 3.02) reported past-month non-medical use of any prescription drugs. None of the women reported using any illicit drugs, and only 0.2% (95% CI = 0.07, 0.49) of men reported using any illicit drugs in the past month. Approximately 90.5% (95% CI = 88.58, 92.11) knew someone who uses tobacco, 42.4% (95% CI = 39.53, 45.24) knew someone who drinks alcohol, 27.9% (95% CI = 25.53, 30.45) knew someone who uses medication outside a doctor's instructions and 9.2% (95% CI = 7.87, 10.75) knew someone who uses an illicit drug. CONCLUSIONS: Psychoactive drug use is generally low in Iraq, tobacco being highest at an estimated 23.2%. Iraqi women report significantly less substance use than Iraqi men, which may be related to cultural gender norms. Discrepancy between self-report and 'knowing someone who uses a substance' suggests under-reporting in this population.

Prevalence and severity of depression among Iraqi patients with systemic lupus erythematosus: A descriptive study.

BACKGROUND: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients have high risk for depression which is a potentially life-threatening disorder. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the prevalence and severity of depression in a sample of Iraqi patients with SLE if present. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study involved 60 patients with SLE diagnosed according to revised American College of Rheumatology (ACR) classification criteria. Demographics and clinical data were collected. All patients were screened for depression by using the diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders-5 (DSM5) diagnostic criteria of depression. Severity of their depression was determined by using the Beck Depression Inventory criteria. RESULTS: The prevalence of depression was 31.7%. A severe form of depression was observed in 13.3% of SLE cases, moderate depression in 10%, and a mild degree of depression was 8.3% of the cases. Patients with high SLE disease activity index (SLEDAI score >12) had an obviously higher rate of depression (40%) compared to 20% among those with mild or moderate disease. There was no important or statistically significant difference in median SLEDAI score between depression severity categories (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Prevalence of depression in SLE patients was relatively high. SLE disease activity increase depression rate.

Pseudohypoaldosteronism type 1: clinical features and management in infancy.

UNLABELLED: Type 1 pseudohypoaldosteronism (PHA) is a rare heterogeneous group of disorders characterised by resistance to aldosterone action. There is resultant salt wasting in the neonatal period, with hyperkalaemia and metabolic acidosis. Only after results confirm isolated resistance to aldosterone can the diagnosis of type 1 PHA be confidently made. Type 1 PHA can be further classified into i) renal type 1 (autosomal dominant (AD)) and ii) multiple target organ defect/systemic type 1 (autosomal recessive (AR)). The aim of this case series was to characterise the mode of presentation, management and short-term clinical outcomes of patients with PHA type 1. Case notes of newly diagnosed infants presenting with PHA type 1 were reviewed over a 5-year time period. Seven patients were diagnosed with PHA type 1. Initial presentation ranged from 4 to 28 days of age. Six had weight loss as a presenting feature. All subjects had hyperkalaemia, hyponatraemia, with elevated renin and aldosterone levels. Five patients have renal PHA type 1 and two patients have systemic PHA type, of whom one has had genetic testing to confirm the AR gene mutation on the SCNN1A gene. Renal PHA type 1 responds well to salt supplementation, whereas management of patients with systemic PHA type 1 proves more difficult as they are likely to get frequent episodes of electrolyte imbalance requiring urgent correction. LEARNING POINTS: Patients with type 1 PHA are likely to present in the neonatal period with hyponatraemia, hyperkalaemia and metabolic acidosis and can be diagnosed by the significantly elevated plasma renin activity and aldosterone levels.The differential diagnosis of type 1 PHA includes adrenal disorders such as adrenal hypoplasia and congenital adrenal hyperplasia; thus, adrenal function including cortisol levels, 17-hydroxyprogesterone and a urinary steroid profile are required. Secondary (transient) causes of PHA may be due to urinary tract infections or renal anomalies; thus, urine culture and renal ultrasound scan are required respectively.A differentiation between renal and systemic PHA type 1 may be made based on sodium requirements, ease of management of electrolyte imbalance, sweat test results and genetic testing.Management of renal PHA type 1 is with sodium supplementation, and requirements often decrease with age.Systemic PHA type 1 requires aggressive and intensive fluid and electrolyte management. Securing an enteral feeding route and i.v. access are essential to facilitate ongoing therapy.In this area of the UK, the incidence of AD PHA and AR PHA was calculated to be 1:66 000 and 1:166 000 respectively.

Growth Performance, Carcass Traits and Serum Mineral Chemistry as Affected by Dietary Sodium and Sodium Salts Fed to Broiler Chickens Reared under Phase Feeding System.

A basal diet (0.8 g/kg dNa) was formulated in which each of the two sources (NaHCO3 and Na2SO4) were supplemented in such a way to attain four levels (1.7, 2.6, 3.5, and 4.4 g/kg) of total dNa, respectively, under 4×2 factorial arrangement. Eight dietary treatments were replicated four times, with 40 birds in each replicate (n = 1,280). The diets supplemented with Na2SO4 to attain higher levels of dNa showed highest BW gain and feed intake (FI) during d 1 to 10 (interaction effects) while 2.6 g/kg dNa exhibited improved BW gain and gain:feed (FG) during d 11 to 20. Linear rise in daily water intake (DWI) was associated with diets containing increasing dNa during d 1 to 42 (p≤0.036). During the first 10 d, DWI:FI was found highest in NaHCO3 diets while Na2SO4 diets showed highest DWI:FI during last 10 d of the experiment (p≤0.036). Increasing dNa and changing Na2SO4 with NaHCO3 salt increased pH and resulted in poor growth performance. Dressing weight (p≤0.001) and abdominal fat (p≤0.001; quadratic effect) were reduced, whereas breast (p≤0.001) and thigh (p<0.001) weights were aggravated with increasing dNa (linear effects). Present findings suggested higher levels of dNa from Na2SO4 as the supplemental salt in broiler diets would produce better growth performance, especially in first ten days of life, and improve carcass and body organ characteristics.

Growth Performance, Carcass Characteristics and Plasma Mineral Chemistry as Affected by Dietary Chloride and Chloride Salts Fed to Broiler Chickens Reared under Phase Feeding System.

Requirements of dietary chloride (dCl) and chloride salts were determined by using 4×2 factorial arrangement under four phase feeding program. Four levels (0.31, 0.45, 0.59 and 0.73%) and two sources (NH4Cl and CaCl2) of the dCl were allocated to 1,472 chicks in eight dietary treatments in which each treatment was replicated four times with 46 birds per replicate. The four phase feeding program was comprised of four dietary phases: Prestarter (d 1 to 10), Starter (d 11 to 20), Grower (d 21 to 33) and Finisher (d 34 to 42); and diets were separately prepared for each phase. The cations, anions, pH, dissolved oxygen (DO), temperature, electrical conductivity (EC), total dissolved solids (TDS) and salinity were analyzed in drinking water and were not affected by dietary treatments. BW gain (BWG; p≤0.009) and feed:gain (FG; p≤0.03) were improved in CaCl2 supplemented diets during d 1 to 10. The maximum response of BWG and FG was observed at 0.38% and 0.42% dCl, respectively, for d 34 to 42. However, the level of dCl for BWG during d 21 to 33 (p≤0.04) and d 34 to 42 (p≤0.009) was optimized at 0.60% and 0.42%, respectively. The level of dCl for optimized feed intake (FI; p≤0.006), FG (p≤0.007) and litter moisture (LM; p≤0.001) was observed at 0.60%, 0.38% and 0.73%, respectively, for d 1 to 42. Water intake (DWI) was not affected by increasing dCl supplementation (p>0.05); however, the ratio between DWI and FI (DWI:FI) was found highest at 0.73% dCl during d 1 to 10 (p≤0.05) and d 21 to 33 (p≤0.009). Except for d 34 to 42 (p≤0.006), the increasing level of dCl did not result in a significant difference in mortality during any phase. Blood pH and glucose, and breast and thigh weights (percentage of dressed weight) were improved while dressing percentage (DP) and gastrointestinal health were exacerbated with NH4Cl as compared to CaCl2 supplemented diets (p≤0.001). Higher plasma Na(+) and HCO3 (-) and lower Cl(-) and Ca(++) were observed in NH4Cl supplemented diets (p≤0.001). Increasing supplementation of dCl increased plasma Cl(-) (p≤0.04; quadratically) and linearly reduced plasma K(+) (p≤0.001), Ca(++) (p≤0.003), HCO3 (-) (p≤0.001), and Na(+) (p≤0.001; quadratically). Consequently, higher requirements of dietary chloride are suggested for feed intake; nevertheless, lower levels of dietary chloride are sufficient to support optimal BWG and FG with increasing age. The NH4Cl supplemented diets ameliorate breast and thigh meat yield along with overall energy balance (glucose).

Period problems: disorders of menstruation in adolescents.

Adolescence is a time of great psychological and physical change. In the UK, girls enter puberty around the age of 10 years with a median age of menarche of 12.9 years; thereafter, it may be several years before regular menstrual cycles are established. Variations in the type and the frequency of periods may create anxiety regarding ill health or serious underlying disorders. With the increase in childhood obesity and subsequent polycystic ovary syndrome, there is a greater awareness and presentation of girls with disorders of menstruation. This review focuses on normal variations of menses and common pathological causes of menstrual problems, including amenorrhoea, dysmenorrhoea and menorrhagia. Further consideration is given to the variations of presentation of polycystic ovary syndrome. It provides a guide to evaluate the various symptoms, investigations and management options.

Influence of pre-press solvent-extracted cottonseed meal supplemented with exogenous enzyme and digestible lysine on performance, digestibility, carcass and immunity responses of broiler chickens.

The response of broiler chickens to two levels of endo-1,4-beta xylanase (EC 3.2.1.8) and endo-1,3-beta glucanase (EC 3.2.1.6) combination (with and without), three levels of digestible lysine (0.8%, 0.9% and 1.0% with the applicability of ideal protein concept) and two levels of cottonseed meal (CSM; 20% and 30%) were evaluated in 2 x 3 x 2 factorial arrangement. A total of 2448 male Hubbard broiler chicks were fed on practical vegetable-based mash diets having 2750 kcal metabolizable energy (ME) per kg and 18.5% crude protein (CP) from the age of day 1 to 42. The supplemental enzyme had minimum 1100 units of endo-1,4-beta xylanase and 100 units of endo-1,3-beta glucanase/kg of finished diet. The addition of CSM at 30% resulted in increasing arginine to lysine ratio. A decrease in dressing and breast percentages were observed by the addition of 30% CSM. The digestible lysine at 1.0% decreased the body weight (BW) gain and lowered the mortality during day 1 to 21 whereas the BW gain and feed:gain ratio were unaffected among the three digestible lysine levels during day 1 to 42. The antibody titres against Newcastle and infectious bursal disease viruses were improved with the increasing levels of digestible lysine. The enzyme supplementation improved the apparent ME and digestibility coefficient of nitrogen when it was used with 30% CSM. No effect of enzyme, lysine, CSM or their interactions was observed on serum iron, gizzard and liver weights or abdominal fat percentage. The results showed that increasing digestible lysine improved the antibody titre but did not improve the growth performance and carcass characteristics; supplemental enzyme failed to show any improvement in performance of birds fed on CSM-based diets.

Influence of varying dietary electrolyte balance on broiler performance under tropical summer conditions.

A 6-week feeding trial was conducted to determine the effects of varying dietary electrolyte balance (DEB) on growth performance and physiological responses in broiler chicks reared during hot summer months (26.1-37.5 degrees C). The average minimum and maximum room temperatures recorded from 14 to 42 days of age were 26.1 and 37.5 degrees C, respectively, with relative humidity ranging from 51% to 55%. Five DEB treatments supplying 0, 50, 150, 250 and 350 (Na(+)+K(+)-Cl(-)) mEq/kg of diet were prepared by adding NaHCO(3) and/or NH(4)Cl to basal diet that contained 185 mEq/kg from 1 to 28 days and 172 mEq/kg from 29 to 42 days. These DEB diets were randomly offered to six experimental units of 20 chicks each. Improved 42-day body weight gain (BWG), feed:gain (F:G) and reduced mortality was noted with DEB 50, 150 and 250 mEq/kg compared to DEB 0 and 350 mEq/kg. A quadratic effect of increasing DEB level was observed on BWG and F:G, whereas the effect was linear for feed intake, water intake and litter moisture. The DEB 50, 150 and 250 maintained better blood pH, pCO(2) and HCO(3) concentrations during acute heat stress periods than that of 0 and 350. The blood heterophil and lymphocyte percent as well as heterophil:lymphocyte were remained unaffected. The lowest DEB (0 mEq/kg) diet reduced the feed intake and promoted metabolic acidosis. At 350 mEq/kg DEB, water intake and metabolic alkalosis were promoted probably due to high levels of dietary NaHCO(3). The study concluded that overall better performance was recorded with DEB 50, 150 and 250 mEq/kg. These results indicated that single optimal DEB value could not be recommended to combat heat stress in broilers.

Effect of potassium chloride supplementation in drinking water on broiler performance under heat stress conditions.

The effect of water supplementation of KCl on performance of heat-stressed Hubbard broilers was evaluated in the present experiment. The 3 experimental treatments (i.e., control, 0.3 and 0.6% KCl) were allocated to 3 replicates of 15 birds each. The control group was kept on dugout tap water, whereas the other 2 groups were supplied water supplemented with 0.3 and 0.6% KCl (wt/vol) by supplementing 3 and 6 g of KCl, respectively, per liter of drinking water. Broilers were provided ad libitum access to feed and water for the experimental period of 7 to 42 d of age and kept in open-sided house. The birds were reared under continuous thermostress (minimum 28.2 +/- 1.02 and maximum 37.5 +/- 0.78 degrees C) environment. Supplementing drinking water with 0.6% KCl reduced panting-phase blood pH to 7.31 and significantly increased live BW gain by 14.5 (P = 0.036) and 7.9% (P = 0.029) at 28 and 42 d of age, respectively, relative to control. An improved (P = 0.04) feed:gain and lowered body temperature were noted in groups supplemented with 0.6% KCl as compared with control and 0.3% KCl. Enhanced physiological adaptation with 0.6% KCl was evidenced by a more favorable pH during the panting phase in the present study. These findings demonstrated a possibility of better broiler live performance through KCl supplementation under conditions of severe heat stress (35 to 38 degrees C).

Reliability of the low dose synacthen test in children undergoing pituitary function testing.

BACKGROUND: There are few data in the paediatric literature on the normal cortisol response to stimulation during the low dose synacthen test (LDST) (1 microg). AIM: To examine the cortisol responses in children, subsequently presumed to be normal, who had an LDST during anterior pituitary function tests (APFTs). METHODS: A retrospective review of results in children with short stature and normal growth hormone levels. RESULTS: Of 33 children tested, seven had suboptimal cortisol responses based on accepted criteria (peak <500 nmol/l)--a false positive rate of 21%. Only three of these children had a repeat LDST, which was normal in all cases. The peak cortisol response (median 633, range, 417-1052 nmol/l) was inversely correlated with age (r = -0.44, p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: One in five tests did not meet normal criteria. This false positive rate (21%) should be borne in mind when interpreting synacthen tests to prevent overdiagnosis of adrenal insufficiency.

Adrenal insufficiency in phytosterolaemia.

BACKGROUND: Phytosterolaemia (sitosterolaemia) is a rare autosomal recessive condition caused by mutations on the ABCG5 and ABCG8 gut transporter proteins. This leads to accumulation of plant-derived cholesterol-like molecules in blood and tissues. CASE: We describe a family of Bangladesh origin, where three siblings (two males and one female) have homozygous mutations for phytosterolaemia, and exhibit short stature and adrenal failure with the female having ovarian failure. FINDINGS: The index case (18-year-old female) and her sibling (16 years) have adrenal insufficiency with hyperpigmentation and raised levels of ACTH, at 367 and 690 ng/l respectively. The youngest child at 7 years has normal adrenal function. In addition, the index case has ovarian failure and sibling 2 has partial growth hormone deficiency. CONCLUSION: Although short stature is a recognised phenomenon, no previous association has been made between phytosterolaemia and other endocrine abnormalities. We postulate that the elevated plant sterol levels in phytosterolaemia may interfere with endocrine hormone synthesis; in particular, we present evidence that adrenal cholesterol metabolism may be preferentially affected, accounting for the adrenal insufficiency.

Influence of canola meal-based diets supplemented with exogenous enzyme and digestible lysine on performance, digestibility, carcass, and immunity responses of broiler chickens.

The response of broiler chickens to 2 levels of endo-1,4-beta xylanase and endo-1,3-beta glucanase combination (with and without), 3 levels of digestible Lys (0.8, 0.9, and 1.0%), and 2 levels of canola meal (CM; 20 and 30%) were evaluated in 2 x 3 x 2 factorial arrangement. A total of 2,448 male Hubbard broiler chicks were fed on practical mash diets having 2,750 kcal of ME.kg(-1) and 19.6% CP from 1 to 42 d of age. The BW gain was significantly reduced when 30% CM was added in the diets during 1 to 21 d. Feed:gain and mortality were also observed to be high. No significant effect of enzyme addition or Lys level was observed on feed intake, BW gain, feed:gain, and mortality during the starter phase. When the data were pooled for 42 d, BW gain and feed:gain were unaffected by enzyme addition or Lys levels. A depression in breast weight was observed due to 30% CM or 0.8 and 0.9% digestible Lys at 43 d. Leg weights were significantly depressed by enzyme addition or increasing digestible Lys to 1.0% of the diets. The AME, nitrogen digestibility, and antibody titers against Newcastle and infectious bursal diseases were also unaffected by the dietary treatments. In conclusion, the 30% CM is not recommended in broiler diets especially during starter phase (1 to 21 d). However, the CM may be used up to 30% of the diets during finishing phase. The digestible Lys can be lowered to 0.8% when amino acids in proportion to digestible Lys follow the ideal AA ratio. The glucanase and xylanase cocktail have no pronounced effect on the growth performance, nutrient digestibility, and carcass characteristics.

Comparative bioefficacy of lysine from L-lysine hydrochloride or L-lysine sulfate in basal diets containing graded levels of canola meal for female broiler chickens.

A broiler growth assay was conducted to compare the efficacy of l-lysine HCl and l-lysine sulfate at a graded addition of canola meal (CM). A total of 1,440 1-d-old female Hubbard broiler chicks were allotted randomly to 6 dietary treatments each in 4 replicates of 60 birds per pen. The 2 lysine sources (l-lysine HCl and l-lysine sulfate) and the 3 CM levels (10, 15, and 20%) were used in 2 x 3 factorial arrangement in isonitrogenous (19% CP) and equicaloric (2,700 kcal of ME/kg) diets containing 0.96% digestible lysine. The experiment lasted for 42 d, and a single mash diet was used throughout the experiment. The feed intake during the starter phase (1 to 28 d) decreased linearly as the dietary CM level increased with diets containing l-lysine HCl, whereas feed intake increased linearly with increasing dietary CM level with that of lysine sulfate. Gizzard weight as percentage of carcass weight increased linearly (P < or = 0.016) as dietary CM level increased. No significant effect of lysine sources or CM was observed on body weight gain, feed:gain, mortality, carcass weight, breast and thigh yield, and abdominal fat. In conclusion, l-lysine HCl can be replaced with l-lysine sulfate for broiler diets, and CM can be used as up to 20% of the starter (1 to 28 d) and finisher (29 to 42 d) diets without having any adverse effects of broiler performance.

The influence of exogenous multienzyme preparation and graded levels of digestible lysine in sunflower meal-based diets on the performance of young broiler chicks two weeks posthatching.

The study was conducted to investigate the effect of adding multienzyme preparation (Rovabio Excel AP, Adisseo Asia Pacific Pte Ltd., Singapore) at 2 inclusion levels of sunflower meal (SFM; 20 and 30% of the diets) with 3 levels of digestible Lys (0.8, 0.9, and 1.0%) with and without enzyme in a 2 x 2 x 3 factorial arrangement. Each diet was offered to 4 replicates of 51 one-day-old straight-run Hubbard broiler chicks (n = 2448) in a practical vegetable-based mash diet having 2,750 kcal of ME/kg and 19% CP during 2 wk posthatching (1 to 14 d of age). Feed formulation was based on digestible amino acids, which were calculated from the CP and DM contents of each ingredient using AminoDat 2 (Degussa Corp., Allendale, NJ). The enzyme used in this study was authenticated by the supplier to have minimum level of endo-1,4-beta xylanase (22,000 visco units/g) and endo-1,3(4)-beta glucanase (2,000 AGL units/g) and was added at the rate of 50 mg/kg of finished diet. No significant effect of enzyme or level of SFM was observed on BW gain (BWG), feed intake, or mortality during the experimental period. The BWG and feed:gain for birds fed on 30% SFM with enzyme were comparable to those fed on 20% SFM without enzyme during 1 to 14 d of age. However, enzyme at 20% SFM depressed the BWG (P

Effect of different non-chloride sodium sources on the performance of heat-stressed broiler chickens.

1. One hundred and eighty 1-d-old broiler chicks were used to evaluate the effect upon broiler performance during severely hot summer months of three different sodium salts: sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3), sodium carbonate (Na2CO3) and sodium sulphate (Na2SO4), in starter and finisher diets having an identical electrolyte balance (DEB) of 250 mEq/kg. 2. The non-chloride sodium salts were added to contribute the same amount of sodium and were substituted at the expense of builder's sand in the basal diets containing common salt (NaCl) as Na and Cl source. 3. Each diet was fed to three experimental units having 15 chicks each until 42 d of age. Severe heat-stress conditions, maintained in the rearing room, were indicated by high average weekly room temperature (minimum 29.3 degrees C; maximum 38.0 degrees C). 4. Diets containing sodium salts gave better body weight gain, feed intake and feed to gain ratio than the control diet. Sodium salts also enhanced water intake as well as water to feed intake ratio. This effect was more pronounced in broilers fed NaHCO3 supplement (with NaCl in the basal diets). 5. The increased water intake resulted in lower body temperature in heat-stressed birds fed NaHCO3 supplemented diet than in birds fed other sodium salts. A lower mortality rate was noted with NaHCO3 (15.15%), Na2CO3 (13.64%) and Na2SO4 (15.15%) supplements than with the control (33.33%) treatment. 6. Better carcase and parts yield were observed in sodium supplemented broilers. Sodium salts reduced the alkalotic pH and enhanced the blood sodium content, which ultimately improved the blood electrolyte balance and overall performance of heat-stressed broilers. 7. Supplementing broiler diets with sodium salts improved the live performance of heat-stressed broilers and better productive performance was noted with NaHCO3 than other sodium supplements.

Effect and interactions of dietary sodium and chloride on broiler starter performance (hatching to twenty-eight days of age) under subtropical summer conditions.

One-day-old Starbro male broiler chicks (n = 360) were used to determine the effect of increasing levels of Na+ and Cl- above the NRC (1994) recommendations for growing broilers diets (hatching to 28 d) in extremely hot weather. The average maximum and minimum temperatures recorded were 39 and 32 degrees C, respectively. An average relative humidity was 58.2% during the experimental period. Three levels of dietary Na+ (0.20, 0.25, and 0.30%) and Cl- (0.30, 0.40, and 0.50%) were used in 3 x 3 factorial arrangement while maintaining a dietary electrolyte balance (DEB) of 250 mEq/kg. Higher weight gain (P < 0.002) and maximum water consumption (P < 0.05) were observed for birds fed diets containing 0.25 and 0.30% Na+, respectively. Litter moisture was significantly higher (P < 0.05) for birds fed diets containing 0.25% Na+ and 0.40 and 0.50% Cl-. High dietary Na+ (0.30%) tended to increase breast yield (P < 0.003) and decreased abdominal fat (P < 0.001). There was no effect of Na+ on blood pH or serum HCO3-. Diets containing 0.40% Cl- increased the dressing percentage (P < 0.001) and leg yield (P < 0.001) and decreased serum HCO3- (P < 0.001). There was no effect of dietary Cl- on blood pH, feed intake, weight gain, feed:gain, water intake, water:feed intake, or mortality. Significant dietary effect of Na+ x Cl- was noted only for litter moisture (P < 0.001), dressing percentage (P < 0.05), breast (P < 0.05) and leg (P < 0.001) yields, abdominal fat (P < 0.002), and serum HCO3- (P < 0.001). Birds fed diet containing 0.25% Na+ and 0.30% Cl- performed as well as those fed other diets when the cyclic temperature ranged from 32 to 39 degrees C.