Effects of bacteriophage on Salmonella Enteritidis infection in broilers.

Bacteriophages (BP) are viruses that can infect bacteria. The present study evaluated the effect of BP on Salmonella infected broilers. A number of 150 day-old broilers were used in a completely randomized design with five treatments that included: (1) basal diet from day 0 to 28; (2) basal diet + 0.3 g/kg of colistin from day 0 to 28; (3) basal diet from day 1 to 13, and basal diet + 0.4 g/kg of colistin from day 14 to 28; (4) basal diet + 1 g/kg of BP from day 0 to 28; (5) basal diet + 1.5 g/kg of BP from day 0 to 28. On day 13, 15 chickens from each treatment were challenged by Salmonella Enteritidis (SE), while fifteen from each treatment were not; instead, they were kept in the same cage with the challenged chickens (exposed chickens). At 7 and 14 days post-challenge, the number of SE and coliform bacteria in the cecum and liver of colistin and BP-fed birds was lower than the control treatment. In exposed and challenged chickens, the height and surface area of villus were greater in the BP and colistin-supplemented groups. Serum concentrations of aspartate aminotransferase and alanine transaminase were greater, while serum albumin and triglycerides concentrations were lower in the control treatment. The liver of the challenged chickens had more pathological lesions than exposed birds. BP significantly decreased PPARγ gene expression in exposed chickens. In the challenged and exposed chickens, TLR4 gene expression was lower in BP and colistin-treated birds as compared to the control. In conclusion, adding BP to the diet from the day of age prevents the spread of Salmonella.

Organic Acid-Based Chelate Trace Mineral Supplement Improves Broiler Performance, Bone Composition, Immune Responses, and Blood Parameters.

Organic acid-based trace minerals are known to have more bioavailability, possibly due to fewer antagonism reactions in the lumen. A 42-day study was conducted to assess the supplementation of manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn), selenium (Se), iron (Fe), and copper (Cu) from different sources. To that end, a total of 1248-day-old As-hatched Arbor Acres chickens were examined for performance, histology, bone integrity, and plasma biochemical parameters. Experimental groups were as follows: basal diet supplying 50, 75, 100, and 120% of trace mineral requirements using an inorganic trace mineral supplement (ITM50, ITM75, ITM100, ITM120); basal diet supplying 33, 66, and 100% of trace mineral requirements using an organic acid-based trace mineral supplement (OAT33, OAT66, OAT100); plus a basal diet supplying 100% of trace mineral requirements using an amino acid-based chelated trace mineral supplement (ATM100%) as control positive. According to results, birds' fed OAT66 had the highest (P < 0.05) average daily body weight gain (ADG), average daily feed intake (ADFI), and lower feed conversion ratio (FCR). Feeding OAT66 increased (P < 0.05) villus length to crypt depth ratio, compared to OAT33 and ITM100 by 26% and 19%, respectively. The relative weight of the bursa enhanced by 22% in birds' receiving OAT supplement, compared to those received ITM supplement (P < 0.05). The plasma uric acid was reduced by 42% (P < 0.001) in birds fed with OAT66 and OAT100 when compared to those fed ITM50. Overall, our results indicated that the same performance could be achieved by using lower levels of organic trace minerals.

Effects of bacteriophage supplement on the growth performance, microbial population, and PGC-1α and TLR4 gene expressions of broiler chickens.

Bacteriophages (BP) are viruses that invade bacteria and propagate inside them, leading to the lysis of the bacterial cells. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of adding BP to the broiler's diet and its effect on the performance, morphology and bacterial population of the gut, some immune responses and expression of some intestinal genes. Accordingly, dietary treatments were as follows: basal diet (control), and control + 0.3 g/kg colistin or 0.5, 1 and 1.5 g BP/kg of diet. BP increased the body weight gain and reduced the feed conversion ratio (FCR), as compared to the colistin treatment, in the finisher and overall period (P < 0.05). European efficiency factor was significantly higher in 1.5 g BP-fed birds, as compared to the control and colistin treatments. meanwhile, bacteriophage and colistin-fed birds had higher Lactobacillus and lowered coliform bacteria counts, as compared to the control treatment (P < 0.05). Cecal concentrations of propionate in the 1.5 g BP-fed birds were higher than those in the control treatment (P < 0.05). BP-fed birds had a significantly increased villus height to crypt depth ratio, as compared to the control treatment. BP increased the serum concentrations of the total antibody, immunoglobulin (Ig) M, and IgG, as compared to the control treatment (P < 0.05). In the ileum, the expression of the Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1-alpha (PGC-1α) gene was decreased by dietary BP supplementation (P < 0.05). Furthermore, Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) gene expression was down-regulated in the BP-fed birds, whereas Interleukin 10 (IL-10) gene expression was up-regulated (P < 0.05). Overall, the use of BP may be a promising alternative to growth-promoting antibiotics in broilers by altering the gastrointestinal tract microbiota, enhancing immunological responses and improving the gut's morphology.

DELAY OF GERMINATION 1 (DOG1) regulates dormancy in dimorphic seeds of Xanthium strumarium.

Seed dormancy ensures plant survival but many mechanisms remain unclear. A high-throughput RNA-seq analysis investigated the mechanisms involved in the establishment of dormancy in dimorphic seeds of Xanthium strumarium (L.) developing in one single burr. Results showed that DOG1 , the main dormancy gene in Arabidopsis thaliana L., was over-represented in the dormant seed leading to the formation of two seeds with different cell wall properties. Less expression of DME /EMB1649 , UBP26 , EMF2, MOM, SNL2, and AGO4 in the non-dormant seed was observed, which function in the chromatin remodelling of dormancy-associated genes through DNA methylation. However, higher levels of ATXR7 /SDG25, ELF6 , and JMJ16/PKDM7D in the non-dormant seed that act at the level of histone demethylation and activate germination were found. Dramatically lower expression in the splicing factors SUA, PWI , and FY in non-dormant seed may indicate that variation in RNA splicing for ABA sensitivity and transcriptional elongation control of DOG1 is of importance for inducing seed dormancy. Seed size and germination may be influenced by respiratory factors, and alterations in ABA content and auxin distribution and responses. TOR (a serine/threonine-protein kinase) is likely at the centre of a regulatory hub controlling seed metabolism, maturation, and germination. Over-representation of the respiration-associated genes (ACO3 , PEPC3 , and D2HGDH ) was detected in non-dormant seed, suggesting differential energy supplies in the two seeds. Degradation of ABA biosynthesis and/or proper auxin signalling in the large seed may control germinability, and suppression of endoreduplication in the small seed may be a mechanism for cell differentiation and cell size determination.

The Effect of Different Levels of Dietary Magnesium on Eggshell Quality and Laying Hen's Performance.

This study aimed to investigate the effects of different levels of dietary magnesium (Mg) on eggshell quality and laying hen's performance. Four dietary treatments including a commercial-type basal diet containing 3.19 g/kg Mg and three additional diets supplemented with 2, 4, or 6 g/kg magnesium oxide (MgO) to provide 4.03, 4.87, or 5.71 g/kg Mg were used in a completely randomized design. A total of 120 Bovans White layers at the age of 35 weeks were fed with dietary treatments for 8 weeks. Results indicated that increasing concentrations of Mg in the diets significantly increased hen-day egg production and feed intake (P < 0.05). Dietary Mg supplementation had no effect on egg weight, feed conversion ratio, and average daily weight gain. Eggshell weight, thickness, and strength were significantly increased by adding Mg to the diets (P < 0.05). Dietary treatments significantly increased yolk weight (P < 0.05) but decreased yolk color (P < 0.05). Albumen weight, Haugh unit, yolk shape, and egg shape index were similar among the dietary treatments. Eggshell Mg content (g/kg of dry matter) was significantly increased by the inclusion of Mg in the diets. In conclusion, the results of this study indicated that supplementation of Mg up to 5.71 g/kg diet improved eggshell quality and laying hen's performance.

Safflower (Carthamus tinctorius) Biochemical Properties, Yield, and Oil Content Affected by 24-Epibrassinosteroid and Genotype under Drought Stress.

The steroid hormones, including brassinosteroids, regulate plant growth under stress. It is hypothesized that 24-epibrassinosteroids (24-EBR) can affect safflower (Carthamus tinctorius) biochemical properties, crop yield, and oil content under drought stress. The objective of our study was to determine the response of three safflower genotypes (Goldasht, Faraman, and Sina) to exogenous 24-EBR (0 and 10-7 M) under drought stress, including 85, 65, and 45% of field capacity in 2015. Stress decreased chlorophyll-a, chlorophyll-b, total chlorophyll, carotenoid, relative water content (RWC), seed yield, and oil percentage. The activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), polyphenol oxidase (PPO), and proline contents increased in response to either drought stress or 24-EBR. Genotypes behaved significantly different under stress. 24-EBR significantly increased plant chlorophyll contents and oil percentage, and it significantly reduced the malondialdehyde (MDA) content via increasing the proline and carotenoid contents under stress. 24-EBR can increase safflower oil and seed yield under drought stress.