Effects of microencapsulated carvacrol and cinnamaldehyde on feed digestibility, intestinal mucosa, and biochemical and antioxidant parameters in broilers

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of different levels of microencapsulated carvacrol and cinnamaldehyde on metabolizable energy, feed digestibility, intestinal morphometric analysis, and antioxidant parameters in broilers. A completely randomized design with five treatments and eight replications of eight broilers (Cobb male) was used, and collections were carried out at 20 and 42 days of age. Carvacrol and cinnamaldehyde concentrations (mg/kg) were: 0 (control), 50, 100, 150, and 200. Carvacrol and cinnamaldehyde improved apparent metabolizable energy but did not change protein and ether extract digestibility. Supplementation increased intestinal villus height and villi:crypt ratio; in which 100 mg/kg produced the greatest villus height. Serum uric acid levels were lower in birds receiving supplementation. Improvement in the activity of glutathione peroxidase and glutathione-S-transferase was observed, while lower uric acid, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, and reactive oxygen species levels were observed. Microencapsulated carvacrol and cinnamaldehyde improve apparent metabolizable energy and can be administered in broiler feed without risk to the bird's health. These supplements may serve as alternative products to aid the performance of commercial poultry.

Addition of tannin in lamb diets after weaning: impact on performance and hematological and biochemical variables

Background: In ruminants, the weaning period is a critical phase, because these young animals are allocated to variousfacilities and receive different feeds. Alternatively, supplements and additives can be used. The tannins are polyphenolsproduced by plants; constitute a group of complex secondary metabolic factors that inhibit the consumption by herbivoresor the development of microbial agents. The objective of this study was to determine whether the addition of condensedtannin extract from quebracho trees (Schinopsis lorentzii) in lamb diets after weaning would have beneficial effects ongrowth and health.Materials, Methods & Results: Forty lambs were assigned randomly to 1 of 4 treatments (10 lambs/treatment): T1 (0%;control), T2, T3, and T4 was 0.3, 0.6 and 0.9 % of quebracho extract in the diet, respectively. The T2 (0.3%) lambs hadgreater body condition scores (P = 0.005), and although they did not differ significantly, they had numerically greaterbody weight (P = 0.067) and weight gain (P = 0.072), than the control lambs. The anthelmintic and anticoccidial effectwas not possible to verify because no animals in any group were naturally infected by helminths or coccidia. The T4lambs had greater numbers of erythrocytes (days 10 and 40) [P < 0.05], greater hemoglobin concentrations (days 10and 40), and greater numbers of total leukocytes (day 10) as a result of greater numbers of neutrophil at the end of theadaptation period (day 10) compared to T1. The T3 and T4 lambs had greater (P < 0.05) serum total protein (days 10and 40) because of greater concentration of serum globulins (days 10 and 40) compared to T1, suggesting that the addition of tannin stimulated the immune system. The addition of quebracho in the diet affected serum concentrations ofglucose, triglycerides, and cholesterol at some times and treatments (P < 0.05). However, these changes did not followa pattern...

Addition of tannin in lamb diets after weaning: impact on performance and hematological and biochemical variables

Background: In ruminants, the weaning period is a critical phase, because these young animals are allocated to variousfacilities and receive different feeds. Alternatively, supplements and additives can be used. The tannins are polyphenolsproduced by plants; constitute a group of complex secondary metabolic factors that inhibit the consumption by herbivoresor the development of microbial agents. The objective of this study was to determine whether the addition of condensedtannin extract from quebracho trees (Schinopsis lorentzii) in lamb diets after weaning would have beneficial effects ongrowth and health.Materials, Methods & Results: Forty lambs were assigned randomly to 1 of 4 treatments (10 lambs/treatment): T1 (0%;control), T2, T3, and T4 was 0.3, 0.6 and 0.9 % of quebracho extract in the diet, respectively. The T2 (0.3%) lambs hadgreater body condition scores (P = 0.005), and although they did not differ significantly, they had numerically greaterbody weight (P = 0.067) and weight gain (P = 0.072), than the control lambs. The anthelmintic and anticoccidial effectwas not possible to verify because no animals in any group were naturally infected by helminths or coccidia. The T4lambs had greater numbers of erythrocytes (days 10 and 40) [P < 0.05], greater hemoglobin concentrations (days 10and 40), and greater numbers of total leukocytes (day 10) as a result of greater numbers of neutrophil at the end of theadaptation period (day 10) compared to T1. The T3 and T4 lambs had greater (P < 0.05) serum total protein (days 10and 40) because of greater concentration of serum globulins (days 10 and 40) compared to T1, suggesting that the addition of tannin stimulated the immune system. The addition of quebracho in the diet affected serum concentrations ofglucose, triglycerides, and cholesterol at some times and treatments (P < 0.05). However, these changes did not followa pattern...(AU)