Effects of Dietary Supplementations of Vitamin C, Organic Selenium, Betaine, and Pomegranate Peel on Alleviating the Effect of Heat Stress on Growing Rabbits.

The aim of this study was to investigate the biological activity and sustainable biorefinery development of vitamin C, organic selenium, betaine, and pomegranate peel on the performance, cecal fermentation, and antioxidant status of growing rabbits to alleviate the negative impacts of heat stress. A total of 105 male rabbits at 35 days old with an average weight of 752.55 ± 27.56 g were randomly assigned to five groups (21 rabbits in each). The experimental dietary groups included a control group fed a basal diet without additives (control group) and four treated groups, A, B, C, and D, fed a basal diet supplemented with either a 1000 mg vitamin C/kg diet, a 25 mg organic selenium/kg diet, a 1000 mg betaine/kg diet, or a 20 g pomegranate peel/kg diet, respectively. No negative group (not heat-stressed) was included in the trial. Rabbits given A, B, C, and D supplements showed a significant increase (p < 0.05) in growth performance, nutrient digestion, concentration of total volatile fatty acids (VFA), acetic, and propionic acids, and total bacterial count, and a significant decrease (p < 0.05) in NH3-N concentration, Enterococcus, coliforms, and E. coli counts in the cecum of rabbits. Total protein, albumin, globulin, superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), reduced glutathione (GSH), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) were significantly (p < 0.05) higher in groups supplemented with A, B, C, and D supplements compared to those in the control group. Total cholesterol, triglycerides, creatinine, urea, and malondialdehyde (MDA) were significantly (p < 0.05) lower in groups supplemented with A, B, C, and D supplements compared to those in the control group. In conclusion, the finding showed that the supplementation of vitamin C, organic selenium, betaine, and pomegranate peel played a significant role in alleviating heat stress and had a further beneficial impact on rabbit performance, cecal fermentation and microbiota, and antioxidant status. However, betaine supplementation had a superior positive effect on the nutritional and physiological profile of heat-stressed rabbits.

Influence of Azadirachta indica and Cnidoscolus angustidens aqueous extract on cattle ruminal gas production and degradability in vitro.

Introduction: Mitigation of ruminant greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions is crucial for more appropriate livestock production. Thus, there is a need of further research evaluating feed supplementation strategies to mitigate enteric GHG emissions and other gases produced within the rumen. Methods: This study was conducted as a completely randomized experimental design to determine the effectiveness of liquid extracts from A. indica (AZI), C. angustidens (CNA), or their combination (Mix. 1:1) at dosages of 0, 36, 72, and 108 mg of liquid extract/g DM substrate incubated in reducing GHG production in vitro, particularly methane (CH4), from the diet of steers during anaerobic incubation in rumen fluid. Total gas production, CH4, CO, H2S, and fermentative characteristics were all measured in vitro. Results: Treatment AZI at a dose of 108 mg of liquid extract/g DM substrate produced the highest (P < 0.05) gas volume at 6 h, whereas CNA at a dose of 72 mg of liquid extract/ g DM substrate produced the least (P < 0.05) at 6 and 24 h, and Mix. at a dose of 72 mg of liquid extract/g DM substrate produced the least (P < 0.05) at 48 h. In addition, CH4 levels at 6 and 24 h of incubation (36 mg/g DM substrate) were highest (P < 0.05) for CNA, and lowest (P < 0.05) for AZI, whereas this variable was lowest (P < 0.05) at 72 mg of liquid extract for CNA at 24 and 48 h. At 6 and 24 h, CO volume was highest (P < 0.05) for AZI at 108 mg of liquid extract and lowest (P < 0.05) for Mix. at 72 mg of liquid extract. Treatment Mix. had a high (P < 0.05) concentration of short chain fatty acids at 72 mg of liquid extract/g DM of substrate. Discussion: In general, herbaceous perennial plants, such as AZI and CNA, could be considered suitable for mitigating enteric GHG emissions from animals. Specifically, the treatment Mix. achieved a greater sustainable reduction of 67.6% in CH4 and 47.5% in H2S production when compared to either AZI. This reduction in CH4 might suggest the potential of the combination of both plant extracts for mitigating the production of GHG from ruminants.

Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Properties of Phytochemicals Found in the Yucca Genus.

The Yucca genus encompasses about 50 species native to North America. Species within the Yucca genus have been used in traditional medicine to treat pathologies related to inflammation. Despite its historical use and the popular notion of its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, there is a limited amount of research on this genus. To better understand these properties, this work aimed to analyze phytochemical composition through documentary research. This will provide a better understanding of the molecules and the mechanisms of action that confer such antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. About 92 phytochemicals present within the genus have reported antioxidant or anti-inflammatory effects. It has been suggested that the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties are mainly generated through its free radical scavenging activity, the inhibition of arachidonic acid metabolism, the decrease in TNF-α (Tumor necrosis factor-α), IL-6 (Interleukin-6), iNOS (Inducible nitric oxide synthase), and IL-1ß (Interleukin 1ß) concentration, the increase of GPx (Glutathione peroxidase), CAT (Catalase), and SOD (Superoxide dismutase) concentration, and the inhibition of the MAPK (Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase), and NF-κB (Nuclear factor kappa B), and the activation of the Nrf2 (Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor) signaling pathway. These studies provide evidence of its use in traditional medicine against pathologies related to inflammation. However, more models and studies are needed to properly understand the activity of most plants within the genus, its potency, and the feasibility of its use to help manage or treat chronic inflammation.

Influence of Dietary Selenium on the Oxidative Stress in Horses.

The objective of this review was to analyze the effect of dietary selenium on oxidative stress in horses by considering past and recent bibliographic sources. Some research was done on oxidative stress, related pathologies and how selenium regulates oxidative stress. Oxidizing molecules are molecules that can accept electrons from the substances with which they react. Oxidizing These molecules, of oxidizing, are found naturally in any organism, and there are antioxidant mechanisms that regulate its activity. However, when the body is stressed, oxidizing molecules outperform the antioxidants, causing an imbalance known as oxidative stress. Among antioxidant molecules, selenium can act as an important antioxidant in the body. The antioxidant activity is based on an enzyme called glutathione peroxidase, which depends on selenium and controls the activity of oxidizing molecules.

Influence of Azadirachta indica and Cnidoscolus angustidens Dietary Extracts on Equine Fecal Greenhouse Gas Emissions.

The present study was conducted to investigate the aqueous extracts of Azadirachta indica (AZN), Cnidoscolus angustidens (CNA), and their combination (MIX) at dosages of 0-, 0.6-, 1.2-, and 1.8- mL for their ability to reduce greenhouse gases and fermentation profiles in an in vitro study using horse feces and a nutrient-dense diet (as substrate). The quantity of greenhouse gas and fermentation profiles were determined in in vitro incubation for 48 h. Extracts of AZN, CNA, and MIX reduced total gas production of the incubated and degraded substrates in a dose-dependent and time-dependent manner. Production of CH4 was reduced (P < .05) by 4.41% to 54.54% with the incubated substrates and by 1.16% to 61.82% with the degraded substrates. However, AZN and MIX reduced (P < .05) CO by 4.43% to 12.85% with the incubated substrates and by 0.70% to 16.78% with the degraded substrates. In like manner, the plant extracts and combination reduced (P < .05) H2S production in a dose-dependent and time-dependent manner by 18.37% to 67.35% with the incubated substrates and by 8.51% to 67.23% with the degraded substrates. Extracts maintained pH within the normal range, reduced dry matter digestibility and metabolizable energy, and improved (P < .05) concentration of short chain fatty acids. Overall, aqueous extracts of AZN and CNA and their combinations had a positive effect on reducing the greenhouse gas production with no deleterious effect on fecal horses' fermentation activities.

Anti-Methanogenic Traits of Safflower Oil Compounds Against Methyl-Coenzyme M Reductase Receptor in Equines: An In Silico Docking Analysis.

Greenhouse gases emission from livestock is the major concern for the ecosystem. Despite the lower contribution of non-ruminants towards greenhouse gas emission as compared to the ruminants, the emission of methane (CH4) gas from equines is expected to be increased in future due to its increasing population. Thus, it is essential to find or screen potential anti-methanogenic agent in a cost-effective and quicker manner. Considering this, the present investigation was aimed to analyze anti-methanogenic characteristic of bioactive compounds of safflower oil by targeting methanogenesis catalyzing enzyme (Methyl-coenzyme M reductase; MCR) via in silico tool. Initially, a total of 25 compounds associated with safflower oil were selected and their drug-likeness traits were predicted through Lipinski's rule of 5. Of 25 compounds, 9 compounds passed all the parameters of Lipinski's rule of five. These 9 ligands were further submitted for ADME traits analysis using Swiss ADME tool. Results revealed the absence of Lipinski's violation and approval of drug-likeness attributes of methyl tetradecanoate, 3-isopropyl-6-methylenecyclohex-1-ene, trans-2,4-decadienal, cis-6-nonenal, limonene, syringic acids, matairesinol, acacetin, and 2,5-octanedione. Molecular docking analysis was performed for analyzing the affinity between the selected 9 ligands and MCR receptor using FRED v3.2.0 from OpenEye Scientific Software and Discovery Studio client v16.1.0. Results showed maximum binding interaction of acacetin with MCR with the chemguass4 score of -13.35. Other ligands showed comparatively lower binding affinity in the order of matairesinol (-12.43) > methyl tetradecanoate (-9.25) > cis-6-nonenal (-7.88) > syringic acids (-7.73) > limonene (-7.18) > trans-2,4-decadienal (-7.07) > 3-isopropyl-6-methylenecyclohex-1-ene (-7.01) > 2,5-octanedione (-7.0.). In a nutshell, these identified compounds were observed as potential agents to reduce CH4 production from equines by targeting MCR. This in silico study emphasized the role of safflower-associated compounds in developing anti-methanogenic drug for equines in future.

Dietary Supplements of Vitamins E, C, and ß-Carotene to Reduce Oxidative Stress in Horses: An Overview.

Oxidative stress is the excess generation of free radicals and/or a decrease in the response of the antioxidant system. It is known to cause damage to the equine health by unbalancing the stable molecules. The dietary supplementation of vitamins E, C, and ß-carotene cause beneficial effect on horses' health. These supplements could transform free radicals into the stable radicals, thereby showing importance in the prevention of diseases associated with oxidative stress. Adding vitamins E, C, and ß-carotene to the horses' diets in stressful conditions could decrease the production of free radicals that cause inflammation and tissue damage, the typical characteristics that have been associated with oxidative stress. This review spotlights the available evidence of the benefits of dietary supplements of vitamins E, C, and ß-carotene towards the reduction of oxidative stress in horses.

Dietary vitamin C in pre-parturient dairy cows and their calves: blood metabolites, copper, zinc, iron, and vitamin C concentrations, and calves growth performance.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of dietary vitamin C supplementation on blood parameters of pre-parturient (PP) dairy cows and growth performance and immune system of their newborn calves. Forty PP cows (at approximately 21 days before calving and an average weight 791 ± 50 kg) were allocated into two experimental treatments: (1) basal diet without vitamin C supplementation (CO) and (2) basal diet with 20 g of vitamin C supplementation from 21 days before calving to parturition (VC). After parturition, the experiment continued by grouping the calves into four dietary treatments with 8 calves in each treatment. The experimental treatments were (1) control calves with no vitamin C supplementation and from cows that received no vitamin C supplement (CON), (2) calves supplemented with 600 mg of vitamin C per day and from cows that received no vitamin C supplement (CVC), (3) calves supplemented with no vitamin C and from cows that received 20 g of vitamin C per day (MVC), and (4) calves supplemented with 600 mg of vitamin C per day and from cows that received 20 g of vitamin C per day (CMVC). Serum concentrations of glucose, HDL and LDL, cholesterol, triglycerides, total protein, and albumin of cows were not affected by vitamin C supplementation during pre-parturient period. However, cows that received VC diet had lower (P < 0.05) malondialdehyde (MDA) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) concentrations, higher total antioxidant capacity (TAC), and vitamin C concentration in their blood compared to CO cows. Vitamin C supplementation had no effect on plasma iron, copper, and zinc concentrations of PP cows. Similarly, vitamin C supplementation had no effect on total feed intake and feed conversion ratio (FCR) of suckling calves. However, calves in the CMVC group had higher (P < 0.05) overall daily weight gain compared to the other groups. Calves in the CVC and CMVC groups had lower (P < 0.05) blood MDA concentration on days 7 and 21. The highest (P < 0.05) blood TAC level was recorded in CMVC calves. Control group calves had lower (P < 0.05) blood superoxide dismutase activity compared to the other calves. Blood levels of alanine aminotransferase on days 7 and 21 and aspartate aminotransferase on day 7 were higher (P < 0.05) for calves in the CON and MVC groups. Based on the results, vitamin C supplementation had positive health effects on the oxidative parameters of PP dairy cows and also improved the performance and health status of the calves.

Beneficial and adverse effects of medicinal plants as feed supplements in poultry nutrition: a review.

Medicinal plants exhibit colossal impact on poultry industries by improving its performance and productivity. However, some of these plants show adverse influence too by decreasing egg production percentage, egg mass, and microbiota counts. Green tea, nettle, pennyroyal, yarrow, and alfalfa in the form of seed, powder, and extract had vast potentiality to improve immunity, reduce the growth of pathogenic microbes, and improve the viable counts of lactic acid bacteria. Lavender, Alfalfa, and Nettle powder were able to improve egg yolk color. Furthermore, ginger reduced fat content in meat and increased color intensity. Flax seed increased alpha linolenic acid content in tissue, and increased n-3 fatty acid content in breast as well as thigh tissue. Physiological assessment showed that green tea, lavender, nettle, pennyroyal, and yarrow improved poultry immunity. Lavender and nettle improved internal organ traits. Interestingly, the use of flaxseed improved quail egg hatchability. Plants metabolites, particularly carvacrol and thymol showed its pivotal role as natural growth promoters by affecting growth performances, nutrient bioavailability, and immunity of broiler chickens. Additionally, in recent years, micro-encapsulation or nano-encapsulation of plant extracts and its metabolites improved growth performances of broiler chickens, thereby suggested wide utilization of this technique as a potential alternative to antibiotic growth promoters in future. This review sheds a light on beneficial as well as no adverse effects of some of the direct-fed important medicinal plants and its metabolites in poultry nutrition in order to suggest its key role in future poultry enterprise.

Assessment on bioactive role of Moringa oleifera leaves as anthelmintic agent and improved growth performance in goats.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the bioactive effect of Moringa oleifera leaves hydroalcoholic extract as a dietary feed additive on helminths load and growth performances of goats. Initially, the availability of bioactive compounds in M. oleifera hydroalcoholic extract was analysed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), which showed the presence of heneicosane (35.69%), 1,2-benzenedicarboxylic acid (22.89%), heptacosane (18.26%), pentatriacontane (4.77%), and hexadecanoic acid ethyl ester (3%) as predominant compounds in the leaves extract. The anthelmintic effect of M. oleifera extract (0 and 60 mL of extract animal-1) was evaluated against disparate nematodes using standard methodology. M. oleifera leaves extract exhibited significant (P = 0.002) anthelmintic activities against Trichuris sp. and Ostertagia sp. with reduced counts of eggs. A completely randomized experiment of 3 treatments comprised of 10 goats in each treatment was designed for the growth performance study. Treatments used in the present experiment were as follows: treatment 1 (T1), 0 mL of extract animal-1; treatment 2 (T2), 30 mL of extract animal-1; and treatment 3 (T3), 60 mL of extract animal-1. Growth performance parameters (body weight, daily weight gain, and feed intake values) of goats fed varied concentrations of M. oleifera extract were estimated as per standard protocols. The T2 and T3 groups' goats offered significant (P < 0.05) increment in body weight. Daily weight gain of the T2 and T3 groups' goats was also increased. Group T3 exhibited maximum feed intake value of 588, 678, 652, and 678 g d-1 at 0, 30, 45, and 60 days, respectively. Feed conversion efficiency was increased for T2 and T3 groups' goats versus T1. Findings of this study concluded that M. oleifera hydroalcoholic extract can be used not only as an effective anthelmintic agent against disparate nematodes but also as a prominent feed additive to improve growth performances of goats.

Influence of selected plant seeds on the performance, carcass characteristics, sensory evaluation, and economics of broiler chicken.

The immergence of antibiotic resistance, in livestock especially poultry, led to the ban of antibiotics as a growth promoter in some part of the world. This brought about the investigations into the development of various alternatives to antibiotics that will not compromise the integrity of poultry products for safe consumption. Therefore, this study examined the possible impacts of selected plants seeds (pawpaw, mustard, and black cumin) as feed additives on the performance, carcass characteristics, and sensory evaluation of broilers. A total of 180 day-old Arbor Acre Plus chicks were randomly assigned to five treatments of four replicates in a completely randomized design. The five treatments were three plant seed additives: pawpaw (PPS), mustard (MUS), and black cumin (BCS), treatment without additives (CON, i.e., no plants seeds/medications), and treatment with medications and antibiotics (ANT). During the feeding trials that lasted for 8 weeks, body weight gain, feed intake, and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were considered performance data. At the end of the feeding trials, two birds per replicate were slaughtered for carcass parameters and sensory evaluation. Data collected were subjected to analysis of variance. Mustard seed (Brassica juncea) significantly (P = 0.018) supported carcass growth. Further, the highest feed intake was obtained in MUS while the lowest was obtained in CON birds. The PPS had higher (P = 0.013) BWG than in other treatments while the lowest was obtained in CON. Values of FCR were lowest (P = 0.15) in PPS while the highest in CON birds. Furthermore, MUS and PPS had significantly (P = 0.018) and (P = 0.03) higher live weight than CON and ANT, while MUS had higher dressed weight percentage than CON and ANT birds. Broiler meat under diet supplemented with black cumin was relatively found to be most acceptable while meat under mustard seed was the least acceptable. In contrast, the average cost realized per bird was obtained in PPS while the lowest was in CON and ANT. However, broiler diet supplemented with BCS brings about a corresponding decrease in percentage feeding cost reduction among plant supplements.

Effect of dietary inclusion of lecithin with choline on physiological stress of serum cholesterol fractions and enzymes, abdominal fat, growth performance, and mortality parameters of broiler chickens.

A total of 270 one-d-old Ross 308 broiler chicks were randomly allotted to 9 experimental diets (3 replicates of 10 birds each), including three types of supplemental lipotropic factors (control, 0.1% or 0.2% choline and 0.5% or 1% lecithin) in a 3 × 3 factorial arrangement. Supplementation of lecithin improved FCR values during 1-21 days of age. Although no differences were noticed for mortality index among different diets, the group supplemented with a combination of choline (0.1) and lecithin (0.5) showed the highest (P < 0.0001) production index. Choline (0.1% or 0.2%) significantly decreased serum total cholesterol by 11%, triglycerides by 21%, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) by 20%, and very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) by 20%, while increased the glucose and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) values by 11% and 6%, respectively. On the other hand, lecithin significantly increased glucose, total cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL, LDL and VLDL by 4%, 9%, 7%, 24%, and 25%, respectively. Choline supplementation decreased the aspartate amino transferase (AST), alanine amino transferase (ALT), and alkaline phosphatase (AP); however, the lecithin addition increased their respective proportions. This study concluded that the combinations of 0.1% choline and 0.5% lecithin is the best among all other treatments because of the highest production index and least mortality.

Influence of Dietary Supplementation of Ensiled Devil Fish and Staphylococcus saprophyticus on Equine Fecal Greenhouse Gases Production.

The present context was designed to investigate the efficacy of devil fish (DF; Plecostomus sp.) silage and Staphylococcus saprophyticus on fermentation characteristics as well as greenhouse gases production mitigation attributes in horses. Four levels of ensiled DF at 0 (control DF0), 6 (DF6), 12 (DF12), and 18 (DF18) % were added into the diet. Moreover, three doses of S. saprophyticus (0, 1, and 3 mL/g dry matter [DM]) were used for in vitro fecal fermentation. The use of ensiled DF resulted in increased (P < .0001) pH during fermentation. The asymptotic gas production was the highest (P < .0001) in DF6, whereas other supplementation caused lower production than that of control. Lag time for the asymptotic gas production decreased (P < .05) with increasing dietary DF doses. Inclusion of S. saprophyticus resulted in the lowest (P < .05) gas production and mL/0.5 g DM incubated and thus, the reduced gas production up to 23.17% than that of control. The interaction of DF × S. saprophyticus showed the lowest gas production at DF18, whereas the highest production was estimated at DF6 without S. saprophyticus after 48 hours. The lowest emission of CO2 (P < .0001) was observed in DF18 inclusion, which was 15.25% lower than that of control at 48 hours of fermentation. In contrast, the lowest hydrogen (H2) production was estimated in DF0, whereas DF18 exhibited the highest. Inclusion of DF12 and DF18 reduced (P < .05) methane (CH4) emission by 58.24% and 59.33%, respectively. However, DF, S. saprophyticus, and DF × S. saprophyticus interaction had no significant effect (P > .05) on CH4 production. In conclusion, ensiled DF and S. saprophyticus could be supplemented in equine diet as promising alternatives to corn for mitigating the emission of greenhouse gases effectively.

Prediction of biogas and pressure from rumen fermentation using plant extracts to enhance biodigestibility and mitigate biogases.

Improving digestibility, fermentation characteristics, and reducing greenhouse biogases to protect the environment without the use of synthetic materials is an important goal of modern-day farming and nutritionist. Plant extracts are capable of solving these. This is due to the digestive enzymes and the bioactive components capable of performing antimicrobial functions inherent in these plants. This study was aimed to investigate the effect of standard maize substrate treated with selected herbs and spices extracts on ruminal environmental biogas production and pressure during fermentation via biogas production technique. Herbs (Azadirachta indica leaves (T1), Moringa oleifera leaves (T2), Ocimum gratissimum leaves (T3) and spices (Allium sativum bulb (T4), Zingiber officinale rhizome (T5)) were harvested, air dried, and milled using standard procedures. Methanolic extracts of the herbs and spices were prepared and used as additives at different concentrations (50, 100, and 150 µL) to the maize substrate for in vitro biogas production. Data were analyzed using regression analysis. There were significant (P < 0.05) differences across all the treatments on the volume and pressure of biogas. The pressure and volume of biogas when compared with the levels tested showed differences (P < 0.05) across all the treatments for the prediction of volume from pressure of biogas. The pressure and volume of gas produced in vitro increased (P < 0.05) and biogases decreased (P < 0.05) by the substrate treated with herbs and spices but for the drum stick leaves which was similar for the levels of concentration tested. This means that the level tested had a pronounced mitigation effect on pressure of biogas and volume of biogas produced. It was concluded that the herb and spice extracts have the potential to improve rumen fermentation and reduce the production of biogases in ruminant diet.

Effects of Sodium Selenite, L-Selenomethionine, and Selenium Nanoparticles During Late Pregnancy on Selenium, Zinc, Copper, and Iron Concentrations in Khalkhali Goats and Their Kids.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of organic, inorganic, and selenium nanoparticle supplements at the final stage of pregnancy on selenium, zinc, copper, and iron concentrations of goats and placental, colostrum, and milk transfer of these trace minerals from goats to their kids. Forty pregnant Khalkhali goats (30 ± 5 kg) were randomly allocated to four treatments including (1) no supplement (control), 0.6 mg Se head-1 day-1 of selenomethionine (SM), 0.6 mg Se head-1 day-1 of selenium nanoparticles (SN), and 0.6 mg Se head-1 day-1 of sodium selenite (SS), from 4 weeks before the expected day of delivery to delivery day. Blood samples were taken from the goats 4 weeks before the expected day of delivery and on the kidding day. Colostrum samples were collected from the goats immediately after kidding. Instantly after delivery, newborn kids were taken apart from their dams and their blood samples were collected from the jugular vein, before they drank their first colostrums and at 7, 14, 21, and 28 after birthday. The results demonstrated that the whole blood and serum Se concentration was greater in Se-supplemented goats compared with the control (P < 0.05). The total Se content of the whole blood and serum was higher in SN than in SM (P < 0.05) and SS goats (P < 0.05). At birth, the whole blood and serum concentration of Se was decreased (P < 0.05) in kids of SN-treated goats contrasted with the control ones (P < 0.05). The copper content of goats and their kids in treated goats was greater compared with control goats except for SN treated, which was decreased (P < 0.05). It was totally vice versa with Zn content trend in the whole blood, serum, and colostrum (P < 0.05), which was also concomitant with an increase in Fe content of kids of supplemented goats at birth and first week of life (P < 0.05). These results seem to indicate a higher efficacy of placental and colostral transfer of Se into kids of SM-treated goats when contrasted with either receiving comparable doses of SN or SS. It could be concluded that Se supplementation can affect and correlate with Cu, Zn, and Fe levels, and this effect depends a lot on the chemical or physical variety of Se supplementation.

Anthelmintic effects of Salix babylonica L. and Leucaena leucocephala Lam. extracts in growing lambs.

Twenty Katahdin × Pelibuey crossbreed male lambs, 3 to 4 months of age and 24 ± 0.3 kg of body weight, were used to study the anthelmintic effects of administering extracts of Salix babylonica L. (SB) and Leucaena leucocephala Lam. (LL). Lambs had not been treated with anthelmintics previously and were randomly allocated into four groups of five lambs each in a completely randomized design. Treatments were as follows: control (lambs fed on total mixed ration without extracts), SB (as control plus S. babylonica L. extract at 30 ml/day), LL (as control plus L. leucocephala Lam. extract at 30 ml/day), and SBLL (as control plus 30 ml/day of S. babylonica L. and L. leucocephala Lam. extracts in a 1:1 (v/v) mixture) for 63 days. Extracts were orally administered before the 8:00 a.m. feeding to each lamb. Rectal fecal samples were collected from each lamb at day 22 (P1), day 43 (P2), and day 63 (P3) of the experiment. Adult worm and egg counts were determined in each fecal sample immediately after collection. Plant secondary metabolites of total phenolics, saponins, and the aqueous fraction were 50 % lower in the SB versus LL extracts. Overall, the oral administration of extracts has improved the egg and worm count reductions in lamb feces by 54, 47, and 40 % for LL, SB, and SBLL, respectively, versus the control lambs. Reductions of worm egg counts in lamb feces were higher (P < 0.05) in P2 and P3 versus P1. Extracts of SB and LL or possibly isolated bioactive compounds could be a promising alternative to conventional anthelmintics to treat gastrointestinal parasites of small ruminants. Such treatments could be used in control strategies against gastrointestinal nematodes in organic and conventional production systems.