Prevention of aflatoxin B1 toxicity by pomegranate peel extract and its effects on growth, blood biochemical changes, oxidative stress and histopathological alterations.

Contamination of animal feeds with mycotoxins is one of the most serious issues in the world of animal nutrition. The purpose of this study was to assess the efficacy of pomegranate peel extract (PPE) versus oxytetracycline (OXY) in reducing aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) toxicity in rabbits fed contaminated diets. This experiment was done on 48 weaned NZW, four groups (n = 12). The first (AF) served as the control group feed on an infected diet by AFB1 between 0.02 and 0.03 mg/kg BW; second (AF + OXY) received an infected diet by AFB1 and was treated with OXY 200 mg/kg BW/day; third (AF + PPE) received an infected diet by AFB1 and treated with PPE 130 mg/kg BW/day; fourth (AF + OXY + PPE) received an infected diet by AFB1 and treated with a daily oral dose of 100 mg/kg BW/day of OXY + PPE (65 mg/kg BW/day), the experiment lasted for 8 weeks experiment. The treated group with PPE and its combination with OXY concurrent with AF showed amelioration markedly for liver and kidney function. To summarise, adding PPE and combining it with OXY at a half dose to an AFB1-contaminated diet can help minimise the harmful effects of AFB1 on rabbit performance.

Genetic parameters of production and reproduction traits of Egyptian buffaloes under subtropical conditions.

This research was aimed to investigate the production and reproduction traits and their genetic parameters of Egyptian buffaloes under subtropical environment. Heritability, phenotypic, and genetic parameters were estimated for productive and reproduction traits of first parity This study revealed the averages TMY, 305-dMY, LL, BW, DP, SP, CI, and AFC were 2260, 2150 kg, 271 days, 38.63 kg, 210.50 days, 195.20 days, 586.86 days, and 36.61 months, respectively. The heritability estimates for productive traits of the first lactation were 0.61, 0.52, 0.47, 0.20, and 0.23 for TMY, 305-dMY, LL, DP, and BW, respectively. Heritability estimates for reproductive traits SP, CI, and AFC were 0.07, 0.09, and 0.35, respectively. Genetic correlations of most of the investigated first parity traits were positive, with an exception of DP. The genetic correlation was negative between SP and BW, and between AFC and LL. Phenotypic correlations of the first parity among all investigated traits were positive except between DP and TMY, 305-dMY, LL, BW, and AFC. High and moderate heritability estimates indicated that the opportunity of genetic upgrading of these parameters could be achieved owing to sire selection. Selection for high milk yield will be associated with genetic improvement in lactation period and birth weight.

Physiological Performance of Rabbits Administered Buffalo Milk Yogurts Enriched with Whey Protein Concentrate, Calcium Caseinate or Spirulina platensis.

The present study examines the impacts of supplementing yogurt with 1% whey protein concentrate (WPC), Ca-caseinate (Ca-CN) and Spirulina platensis on the physiological performance of V-line rabbits receiving diets containing yogurt (at a dose of 5 g/kg body weight/day) and the different meat quality aspects. The results show that fat content was highest (p < 0.05) in yogurt fortified with Spirulina powder, but protein (%) was highest in yogurt enriched with WPC. Yogurt containing Spirulina powder showed a significant (p < 0.05) increase in total antioxidant activity. The final live body weight for G1 was higher than the other groups. However, additives affected the saddle, hind legs, liver and neck percentages significantly (p < 0.05). There were not significant differences for all groups in the forelegs, lung and heart percentages. LDL-cholesterol, total protein, globulin, albumin, creatinine and immunoglobulin M values were lowest (p < 0.05) in the WPC group. Significant improvements appeared in the small intestinal wall, microbiology, growth performance, serum biochemistry, organ histology and meat quality of the group receiving enriched yogurt. Yogurts enriched with WPC, Ca-CN and Spirulina platensis can be used as functional foods.

Health Aspects, Growth Performance, and Meat Quality of Rabbits Receiving Diets Supplemented with Lettuce Fertilized with Whey Protein Hydrolysate Substituting Nitrate.

Lettuce (Lactuca sativa) was grown using a foliar spray with whey protein hydrolysate (WPH) as opposed to normal nitrate fertilization. Lettuce juice was prepared from lettuce cultivated without any fertilization, nitrate fertilization, or WPH. Sixty weaned, 4-week-old male V-line rabbits with an average 455 ± 6 g body weight were randomly divided into 4 groups (n = 15) and administered different lettuce juices. Rabbits administered WPH-fertilized lettuce showed significantly higher (n = 5, p < 0.05) body weight and carcass weight than those receiving nitrate-fertilized lettuce. Rabbits administered nitrate-fertilized lettuce were associated with significantly (p < 0.05) higher levels of liver enzyme activities (AST, ALT, and ALP), bilirubin (total, direct, and indirect), and kidney biomarkers (creatinine, urea, and uric acid). Rabbits administered WPH-fertilized lettuce avoided such increases and exhibited normal levels of serum proteins. Rabbits administered nitrate-fertilized lettuce manifested significantly (p < 0.05) lower RBCs and Hb levels than that of the other groups, while those receiving WPH-fertilized lettuce showed the highest levels. Liver and kidney sections of rabbits receiving WPH-fertilized lettuce witnessed the absence of the histopathological changes induced by feeding on nitrate-fertilized lettuce and produced higher quality meat. WPH-lettuce can substitute nitrate-fertilized lettuce in feeding rabbits for better performance and health aspects.

Zinc and Copper with New Triazine Hydrazone Ligand: Two Novel Organic Complexes Enhanced Expression of Peptide Growth Factors and Cytokine Genes in Weaned V-Line Rabbit.

Two novel transitional organic Zn/Cu complexes based on a new biocompatible bidentate triazine-hydrazone ligand (Thz) was designed, synthesized, and evaluated in this study. This study evaluated the effects of injecting 60 mg of Zn and 40 mg of Cu in three different forms, twice per week, for eight weeks on growth performance, expression of growth factors and cytokine genes, carcass yield, blood biochemicals, and intestinal morphology in weaned rabbits. The tested complexes were sulfate (Cu/ZnSO4), montmorillonite (Cu/Zn-Mnt), and triazine hydrazone (Cu/Zn-Thz). A total of 60 V-line weaned rabbits at four weeks of age were assigned to four treatments (n = 15), which were intramuscularly injected with 0.5 mL of either (1) saline (control) or saline containing (2) Cu/ZnSO4, (3) Cu/Zn-Mnt, or (4) Cu/Zn-Thz. Compared to the controls, the rabbits injected with Cu/Zn-Thz showed a higher (p < 0.01) growth rate, carcass yield (p < 0.05), and liver expression of insulin like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), growth hormone receptor (GHR), fibroblast growth factor-1 (FGF1), and transforming growth factor beta-1 (TGFB1) (p < 0.05), as well as better jejunum morphometric variables (p < 0.05). On the other hand, mRNA of FGF1, TGF1, TCIRG1, and adenosine deaminase (ADA) were higher expressed (p < 0.05) in the spleen tissues of Cu/Zn-Mnt group. Collectively, the results indicated that our novel synthesized organic complexes of Zn/Cu-Thz proved to be a suitable feed supplement, as it increased rabbit productive performance through enhancing expression of peptide growth factors and cytokine genes.