Supplemental 25-hydroxycholecalciferol Alleviates Inflammation and Cardiac Fibrosis in Hens.

Broiler breeder hens with efficient feed conversion rate under restricted feed intake (R-hens) or allowed unlimited access to feed (Ad-hens) progressed with cardiac functional failure and suffered early sudden death. A supplement of 69 µg 25-hydroxycholecalciferol (25-OH-D3)/kg feed improved heart health and rescued livability in both R- and Ad-hens throughout laying stage (26-60 wks). Improvements occurred through cardiac hypertrophic remodeling, reduced arrhythmias, and pathological cues. Here, we further demonstrated consistently decreased circulating and cardiac IL-6 and IL-1ß levels in conjunction with reduced cardiac chemoattraction and leukocyte infiltration by 25-OH-D3 in Ad-hens and in R-hens at later time points (35 and 47 wks) (p < 0.05). Supplemental 25-OH-D3 also ameliorated cardiac fibrosis, endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, and autophagy, mostly in Ad-hens, as both collagen content and expression of COL3A1, as well as CCAAT box binding enhancer homologous protein (CHOP) and activating transcription factor 6 (ATF6), were consistently decreased, and suppression of microtubule-associated protein 1 light Chain 3 beta (LC3B) and Sequestosome 1 (SQSTM1) was rescued at 35 and 47 wks (p < 0.05). Vitamin D receptor-NF-κB signaling was shown to mediate these beneficial effects. The present results demonstrate that ER stress and autophagic processes along the sequence from inflammation to fibrotic changes contribute to pathological cardiac remodeling and functional compromise by Ad-feed intake. 25-OH-D3 is an effective anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic supplement to ameliorate cardiac pathogenesis in broiler breeder hens.

Influence of Eimeria spp. infection and dietary inclusion of arginine on intestine histological parameters, serum amino acid profile and ileal amino acids digestibility in broiler chicks.

Coccidiosis is considered to be one of the most important challenge in the poultry industry causes economic losses due to the destruction in the digestive tract of chicken. It disturbs amino acids profile and their digestibility, leading to weight lost and economic burden. Using dietary arginine may decrease the adverse effects of coccidiosis on chicken digestive tract. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of dietary inclusion of arginine on intestine histological parameters, serum amino acid concentration and ileal amino acid digestibility of broiler chicks infected with coccidiosis. A total number of 384 one-d-old broiler chicks (Ross 308) of mixed sex with initial weight of 42 ±â€¯2 g was allocated into 8 groups with 8 birds/pen from grower period. At 21 days of age, broiler chicks were infected with a mixture of Eimeria spp. Broiler chicks were divided into infected and un-infected groups and received arginine at recommended levels of 85, 100, 125 and 150 %. Intestinal morphology and lesions, serum amino acid concentration and ileal amino acid digestibility were evaluated. Broiler chicks infected with Eimeria spp. showed lower villus height and villus height: crypt depth ratio and also higher intestinal lesions (P < 0.05). Coccidia infection decreased the ileal amino acid digestibility for all studied amino acids and also reduced serum concentrations of amino acids, except lysine and isoleucine (P < 0.05). Dietary supplementation of arginine especially in higher levels significantly increased villus height and villus height:crypt depth ratio and decreased lesions (P < 0.05). Moreover, dietary supplementing of arginine increased the serum concentration of arginine (P < 0.05), but it did not have any significant effect on its digestibility (P > 0.05). In sum, coccidiosis decreases amino acid digestibility and serum amino acid concentration, but dietary inclusion of higher levels of arginine significantly improved histological parameters of broiler chicks infected with coccidiosis.

Effects of dietary Original XPC on selected blood variables in layer pullets challenged with Mycoplasma gallisepticum,.

Effects of dietary Original XPC (XPC) on 17 selected blood variables in commercial layer pullets challenged with the virulent, low-passage R strain of Mycoplasma gallisepticum (RlowMG) were investigated. Hy-Line W-36 pullets sourced from M. gallisepticum-clean layer breeders were fed a basal diet with XPC (1.25 kg/metric ton) or without from hatch until 12 wk of age (woa). At 8 and 10 woa, half of the birds in each dietary treatment were challenged with RlowMG. Blood samples were taken immediately before the initial RlowMG challenge at 8 woa and again at 12 woa (4 wk after challenge). At 8 woa, blood pH was lower and glucose concentration was higher in the preassigned challenge treatment groups. At 12 woa, the concentration of oxygen dissolved in the blood was significantly lower in the RlowMG-challenged group than the unchallenged group of birds regardless of dietary treatment. The RlowMG challenge significantly increased blood carbon dioxide partial pressure, calcium, sodium, anion gap, osmolality, glucose, and corticosterone levels but significantly decreased blood oxygen partial pressure, oxyhemoglobin concentration, concentration of oxygen dissolved in the blood, chloride, and pH levels. Because blood pH and glucose concentration at 8 woa were examined before challenge, their baseline values were biased with respect to challenge treatment before treatment was applied. However, the lack of a significant main effect due to diet at 8 woa for blood pH and glucose concentration, along with the other 15 blood variables, indicate that the baseline data with respect to dietary treatment were unbiased, allowing for real dietary effects to be accurately assessed. In conclusion, layer pullets challenged with RlowMG undergo a stress response associated with changes in various physiological blood variables, and a decrease in pH and increase in carbon dioxide partial pressure, in association with a lack of change in bicarbonate, indicates that the stress response caused by the RlowMG challenge was associated with respiratory acidosis. Nevertheless, feeding XPC did not influence the effects of challenge treatment on these postchallenge physiological blood values.

Dietary curcumin supplementation effects on blood immunological profile and liver enzymatic activity of laying hens after exposure to high temperature conditions.

Various environmental factors affect livestock production but heat stress is a major challenge in the poultry farming. Poultry exposes to high temperature alters blood immunological parameters and liver enzymatic function which in turn, suppress the immunity and disease resistance of chickens. Thus, the purpose of present study was to explore the effect of dietary curcumin supplementation on blood immunological biomarker and liver enzymatic activity of laying hens under heat stress conditions. Experimental groups contained two control groups (normal temperature control (NC) and heat stress control (HC) and 3 heat stress curcumin treatment groups (HT100, HT200 and HT300). Hens in HC group with basal diet and heat stress curcumin treatment groups were exposed 6 h/day heat stress (32 ± 1 °C) from 10:00 a.m. to 16:00 p.m. for 9 week. The results of present study showed that heat stressed curcumin treatment group had improved liver weight, WBC values and immunoglobulin level as compared to untreated HC and NC groups. The available results also indicated that laying hens supplemented with curcumin under high temperature conditions had reduced H/L ratio, serum corticosterone levels, inflammatory cytokines response and liver enzymatic activity (ALT) which enhanced the immunity of laying hens under hot climatic conditions. Therefore, it is concluded that curcumin has ability to combat harsh environmental conditions which can be used as anti-inflammatory and immune booster feed additive in the poultry nutrition.

Effects of dietary curcumin and acetylsalicylic acid supplements on performance, muscle amino acid and fatty acid profiles, antioxidant biomarkers and blood chemistry of heat-stressed broiler chickens.

The objective was to investigate the effects of dietary curcumin and acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) on the performance and physiological responses of broiler chickens under chronic thermal stress. One hundred and sixty day-old male chicks (Ross 308) were divided equally into 4 groups (each contained 4 replicates). On the day 22 of age and thereafter, the first group (TN) was raised in a thermoneutral condition (23 ±â€¯1 °C), while the second group (HS) was subjected to 8 h of thermal stress (34 °C) and both groups fed the basal diet with no supplements. The third (CR) and fourth (AS) groups were subjected to the same thermal stress conditions and fed curcumin-supplemented diet (100 mg curcumin kg-1 diet) and ASA-supplemented diet (1 g ASA kg-1 diet), respectively. Dietary treatment had a significant effect on ADFI (P = 0.041), average daily gain (P = 0.013) and final body weight (P = 0.001). The curcumin-supplemented had higher values for these measures compared with other experimental groups (P < 0.05). Also, the dietary curcumin supplement significantly increased the carcass yield as compared to the HS group (P < 0.05). Compared with the HS group, the dietary curcumin and ASA supplements decreased the concentration of malondialdehyde in the breast muscles (P = 0.014). Both dietary supplements exhibited a marked ability to restore the serum TAC, Na and K in heat-stressed broiler chickens. The current study reported a remarkable ability of curcumin supplement to restore the concentrations of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) in the breast muscles of heat-stressed broilers, including α-linolinec acid and Docosahexaenoic acid (P = 0.009 and 0.001, respectively). It could be concluded that supplemental dietary curcumin or ASA enhanced growth performance and antioxidant biomarkers of heat-stressed broilers. Moreover, curcumin might be an effective dietary supplement to alleviate the adverse effect of chronic thermal stress on carcass yield and meat quality.

The effects of early age thermal conditioning and vinegar supplementation of drinking water on physiological responses of female and male broiler chickens reared under summer Mediterranean temperatures.

The effects of early age thermal conditioning (ETC), vinegar supplementation (VS) of drinking water, broilers' gender, and their interactions on respiratory rate, body temperature, and blood parameters (biochemical, hematological, and thyroid hormones) of broiler chickens reared under high ambient temperatures were determined. A total of 1100 1-day-old chicks were divided into four treatments: the "control" which were non-conditioned and non-supplemented; "heat-conditioned" which were exposed to 38 ± 1 °C for 24 h at 5 days of age; "vinegar supplemented" which were given drinking water supplemented with 0.2% of commercial vinegar from 28 to 49 days of age; and "combined" which were both heat conditioned and vinegar supplemented. All groups were exposed to the natural fluctuations of summer ambient temperature (average diurnal ambient temperature of about 30 ± 1 °C and average relative humidity of 58 ± 5%). ETC and broiler gender did not affect the respiratory rate or body temperature of chronic heat-exposed chickens. VS changed the body temperature across time (d35, d42, d49) (linear and quadratic effects, P < 0.05) without changing respiratory rate. Heat-conditioned chickens exhibited lower levels of glycemia (P < 0.0001) and higher hematocrit and red blood cell counts (P < 0.05). Furthermore, the greatest effects of VS, alone or associated with ETC, were the lowering of cholesterol and triglyceride blood concentrations. A significant (P < 0.05) effect of ETC, gender, and ETC×gender on T3:T4 ratio was observed. Finally, some beneficial physiological responses induced by ETC and VS, separately or in association, on chronically heat-stressed chickens were observed. However, the expected cumulative positive responses when the two treatments were combined were not evident.

Nanoselenium Supplementation of Heat-Stressed Broilers: Effects on Performance, Carcass Characteristics, Blood Metabolites, Immune Response, Antioxidant Status, and Jejunal Morphology.

An experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary nanoselenium supplementation at 0, 0.6 and 1.2 mg/kg of diet on growth performance, serum biochemical parameters, immune response, antioxidant capacity, and jejunal morphology of 29-d-old male broilers subjected to heat stress at 37 ± 1°C for 14 d. Broilers were fed for 42 d on the experimental diets. The results showed that nanoselenium supplementation had no effect on growth performance, but it supplementation at the rate of 1.2 mg/kg diet decreased the serum concentration of cholesterol prior to the heat exposure. Further, dietary nanoselenium supplementation linearly increased the high-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentration, while linearly decreased those of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and aspartate aminotransferase in the serum before applying heat stress. Compared with thermoneutral temperature, heat stress reduced body mass gain, feed intake, percentages of carcass, breast, leg, abdominal fat, bursa of Fabricius, thymus, antibody response against sheep red blood cells, serum concentration of protein, erythrocyte activities of glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase, jejunal villus height, and villus height to crypt depth ratio, while increased feed conversion ratio, percentages of liver, gizzard, pancreas, gallbladder, heart, and the concentrations of aspartate aminotransferase and malondialdehyde. Dietary supplementation of nanoselenium linearly reduced the abdominal fat and liver percentages, while linearly increased the activity of glutathione peroxidase and villus height in heat-stressed broilers. Furthermore, the lower level of nanoselenium decreased the percentages of gizzard and heart in broilers under heat stress. The diet supplemented with 1.2 mg/kg nanoselenium improved feed conversion ratio and increased antibody response against sheep red blood cells, activity of superoxide dismutase, and villus height to crypt depth ratio, but decreased the serum concentrations of cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and malondialdehyde in heat-stressed broilers. The results suggest that supplemental nanoselenium improved growth performance, internal organs health, immune response, and jejunal morphology by alleviating the oxidative stress induced by heat stress.

Chronic oral administration of pine bark extract (flavangenol) attenuates brain and liver mRNA expressions of HSPs in heat-exposed chicks.

Exposure to a high ambient temperature (HT) can cause heat stress, which has a huge negative impact on physiological functions. Cellular heat-shock response is activated upon exposure to HT for cellular maintenance and adaptation. In addition, antioxidants are used to support physiological functions under HT in a variety of organisms. Flavangenol, an extract of pine bark, is one of the most potent antioxidants with its complex mixture of polyphenols. In the current study, chronic (a single daily oral administration for 14 days) or acute (a single oral administration) oral administration of flavangenol was performed on chicks. Then the chicks were exposed to an acute HT (40±1°C for 3h) to examine the effect of flavangenol on the mRNA expression of heat-shock protein (HSP) in the brain and liver. Rectal temperature, plasma aspartate aminotransferase (AAT), a marker of liver damage, and plasma corticosterone as well as metabolites were also determined. HSP-70 and -90 mRNA expression, rectal temperature, plasma AAT and corticosterone were increased by HT. Interestingly, the chronic, but not the acute, administration of flavangenol caused a declining in the diencephalic mRNA expression of HSP-70 and -90 and plasma AAT in HT-exposed chicks. Moreover, the hepatic mRNA expression of HSP-90 was also significantly decreased by chronic oral administration of flavangenol in HT chicks. These results indicate that chronic, but not acute, oral administration of flavangenol attenuates HSP mRNA expression in the central and peripheral tissues due to its possible role in improving cellular protective functions during heat stress. The flavangenol-dependent decline in plasma AAT further suggests that liver damage induced by heat stress was minimized by flavangenol.

Dietary supplementation with glutamine and γ-aminobutyric acid improves growth performance and serum parameters in 22- to 35-day-old broilers exposed to hot environment.

This study was designed using 360 21-day-old chicks to determine the influences of diet supplementation with glutamine (5 g/kg), γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA, 100 mg/kg) or their combinations on performance and serum parameters exposed to cycling high temperatures. From 22 to 35 days, the experimental groups (2 × 2) were subjected to circular heat stress by exposing them to 30-34 °C cycling, while the positive control group was exposed to 23 °C constant. The blood of broilers was collected to detect serum parameters on days 28 and 35. Compared with the positive control group, the cycling high temperature decreased (p < 0.05) the feed consumption, weight gain and serum total protein (TP), glucose, thyroxine (T4), insulin, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), glutamine, GABA and glutamate levels, while increased (p < 0.05) the serum triglyceride (TG), corticosterone (CS), glucagon (GN), creatine kinase (CK), glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT), nitric oxide synthase (NOS), glutamate pyruvate transaminase (GPT) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels during 22-35 days. However, dietary glutamine (5 g/kg) increased (p < 0.05) the feed consumption, weight gain and serum levels of glutamine, TP, insulin and ALP, but decreased (p < 0.05) the serum TG, CK, GOT, NOS and GPT levels. Diet supplemented with GABA also increased (p < 0.05) weight gain and the serum levels of TP, T4, ALP, GABA and glutamine. In addition, the significant interactions (p < 0.05) between glutamine and GABA were found in the feed consumption, weight gain and the serum ALP, CK, LDH, GABA, T3 and T4 levels of heat-stressed chickens. This research indicated that dietary glutamine and GABA improved the antistress ability in performance and serum parameters of broilers under hot environment.

Dietary chromium methionine supplementation could alleviate immunosuppressive effects of heat stress in broiler chicks.

The present study was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary supplementation of chromium methionine (CrMet) on performance, immune responses, and stress status of broiler chicks subjected to heat-stress conditions. A total of 450 day-old Ross 308 broiler chicks were randomly distributed between 5 replicate pens (15 birds each) of 6 experimental treatments according to a 2 × 3 factorial arrangement of treatments including 2 temperature conditions (thermoneutral and heat stress) and 3 supplemental Cr levels (0, 500, and 1,000 µg/kg as CrMet). For induction of heat stress, the house temperature was set at 35 ± 2°C from 15 to 42 d of age. Results showed that the chicks subjected to heat-stress condition had lower (P < 0.01) feed intake, BW gain, and deteriorated (P < 0.05) feed conversion values compared with those kept in the thermoneutral house. Dietary supplementation with CrMet increased (P < 0.01) feed intake and improved (P < 0.01) weight gain and feed efficiency. There were significant Cr level × temperature interactions, so that inclusion of CrMet into the diets was more effective in heat-stressed chicks. Exposure to heat stress suppressed (P < 0.01) cutaneous hypersensivity response to phytohemagglutinin-P injection at 30 d of age, and dietary supplementation of 500 µg Cr/kg induced (P < 0.05) this response, with the greater impacts in heat-stressed chicks, resulting in a significant (P < 0.01) Cr × temperature interaction. Antibody responses against Newcastle and infectious bronchitis disease viruses were diminished (P < 0.01) in heat-stressed chicks. Dietary inclusion of CrMet improved (P < 0.05) antibody responses to different immunostimulants, and this effect was more pronounced in heat-stressed chicks. Exposure to heat stress caused a significant (P < 0.05) decrease in the proportion of helper (CD4+) T lymphocytes and increased cytotoxic (CD8+) T lymphocytes, resulting in a decreased (P < 0.01) CD4+ to CD8+ ratio in peripheral blood circulation. Supplementation of CrMet to heat-stressed chicks modulated (P < 0.01) plasma corticosterone level. The present findings indicate that dietary CrMet supplementation could alleviate heat-stress-induced growth retardation in broiler chicks. Moreover, supplemental CrMet modulated suppressive effects of heat stress on cellular and humoral immune responses.

Antiviral effect of sulfated Chuanmingshen violaceum polysaccharide in chickens infected with virulent Newcastle disease virus.

Newcastle disease virus (NDV) belonging to the Paramyxovirinae subfamily is one of the most devastating pathogens in poultry. Although vaccines are widely applied to control the infection, outbreaks of Newcastle disease (ND) repeatedly happen. Currently, there are no alternative control measures available for ND. In the present study, we found that sulfated Chuanmingshen violaceum polysaccharide (sCVPS) were potent inhibitors of NDV in specific pathogen free chickens infected with a virulent strain. With sCVPS treatment, the survival rate increased by almost 20% and virus titers in test organs, including brain, lung, spleen and thymus, were significantly decreased. The sCVPS also exhibited the ability to prevent viral transmission by reducing the amount of virus shed in saliva and feces. Higher concentrations of interferon α and γ in serum were detected in chickens treated with sCVPS, indicating that one of the antiviral mechanisms may be attributed to the property of immunoenhancement. Histopathological examination showed that sCVPS could alleviate the tissue lesions caused by NDV infection. These results suggest that sCVPS are expected to be a new alternative control measure for NDV infection and further studies could be carried out to evaluate the antiviral activity of sCVPS against other paramyxoviruses.

Polyphenol extracts from Punica granatum and Terminalia chebula are anti-inflammatory and increase the survival rate of chickens challenged with Escherichia coli.

Avian pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC) causes inflammation in multiple organs of chickens called avian colibacillosis, and results in serious economic loss to the chicken industry. Polyphenolic compounds possess a wide range of physiological activities that may contribute to their beneficial effects against inflammation-related diseases. In this study, the curative effect and mechanism of action of the polyphenolic extracts from Punica granatum L. and Terminalia chebula Retz. in chickens challenged with APEC were studied. Specific-pathogen-free white Leghorn chickens (males, 21-d old) were challenged with APEC and then given oral administration of extracts of P. granatum and T. chebula. The extracts decreased the morbidity and inflammation induced by APEC. Data from quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay showed that the extracts of P. granatum and T. chebula polyphenols (GCP) reversed the over-expression genes of the Toll-like receptor (TLR) 2, 4, and 5, down-regulated the activation of nuclear factor-kappa B signal transduction pathways, and inhibited the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Naturally occurring GCP may be a potential alternative medicine for the prevention or treatment of avian colibacillosis.

Effects of salinomycin and Bacillus subtilis on growth performance and immune responses in broiler chickens.

The present study was undertaken to compare the effect of salinomycin and Bacillus subtilis on growth performance, serum antibody levels against Clostridium spp. and Eimeria spp., and cytokine mRNA expression levels in broiler chickens raised in the used litter. Broiler chickens fed a diet containing salinomycin showed lower (P < 0.05) body weights compared with the control diet-fed counterparts. Serum nitric oxide levels were significantly (P < 0.05) elevated in chickens fed the B. subtilis-enriched diet compared with those on either the salinomycin-fed or control diet-fed chickens. None of the dietary treatments affected (P > 0.05) serum antibody levels against Clostridium perfringens toxins. Both salinomycin and B.subtilis significantly lowered (P < 0.05) the serum levels of Eimeria-specific antibodies compared with the control group. Salinomycin, but not B. subtilis, significantly modulated (P < 0.05) the expression of cytokines encoding interferon-γ (IFN-γ), interleukin10 (IL-10) and tumor necrosis factor superfamily 15 (TNFSF15) compared with the control group. In conclusion, dietary salinomycin and B. subtilis affected serum anticoccidial antibody and intestinal cytokine expression, but failed to improve growth performance in broiler chickens. Further study is warranted to investigate the mode of action of salinomycin on host immune response and growth performance in broiler chickens.

The effect of dietary L-arginine intake on the level of antibody titer, the relative organ weight and colon motility in broilers.

This study was carried out to determine the effect of L-arginine (L-Arg) levels in diet at the starter, grower and finisher phases on immune response, organ development, nitric oxide (NO) metabolism and colon motility in broilers. A total of 500 one-day-old Ross-308 broiler chickens of mixed sex were separated into one Arg-deficient group and four experimental groups. Each group was then divided into five subgroups of 20 birds each. Arginine deficient group for all phases was fed a basal diet which contained 10% less L-Arg than optimum Arg requirement recommended by the breeder. Experimental groups were fed a basal diet supplemented with L-Arg which was progressively 10% increased in groups. Thus, the diet contained 90, 100, 110, 120 and 130% of optimum Arg requirement for each phases in groups, respectively. The highest serum infectious bursal disease antibody titer (IBD) was observed in the experimental group which was fed the diet containing 110% L-Arg at grower phase (P < 0.05), whereas Newcastle disease antibody titer did not differ between groups. The relative weight of spleen increased in groups which were fed the diet containing 120 and 130% L-Arg at starter phase as compared to Arg-deficient group (P < 0.05). The group which was fed the diet containing 110% L-Arg showed highest relative weight of bursa Fabricii at grower (P < 0.05) and finisher (P < 0.01) phases. It was observed that serum nitric oxide (NO) concentration decreased in Arg-deficient group (P < 0.05). The amplitude of spontaneous colon contractility did not differ between groups at the end of all three phases. However, the frequency of spontaneous colon contractility in the Arg deficient group was higher at starter (P<0.05), grower (P < 0.01) and finisher (P < 0.05) phases. These results suggest that the supplementation of L-Arg at higher level than optimum Arg requirement in broiler diet has minimal effect on parameters investigated in the study. However, L-Arg-deficiency may negatively affect immune response and the motility of gastrointestinal system due to disruption of NO metabolism at three phases.

Performance, egg quality traits, and serum metabolite concentrations of laying hens affected by dietary supplemental chromium picolinate and vitamin C under a heat-stress condition.

A 3 × 2 factorial experiment consisting three levels (0, 200, and 400 µg/kg) of chromium (chromium picolinate) and two levels (0 and 250 mg/kg) of vitamin C was employed to evaluate the effects of these dietary supplements on performance, egg quality traits, and serum biochemical parameters of heat-stressed laying hens (Lohmann LSL-Lite) from 66 to 74 weeks of age. Feed intake increased when birds were given either 400 µg/kg chromium or 250 mg/kg vitamin C (P < 0.05), but the birds that received both chromium and vitamin C consumed feed similar to those that received only chromium. Dietary treatments had no effect on egg production, egg mass, egg volume, feed conversion ratio, and body mass (P > 0.05). The birds that fed on diet with chromium or vitamin C produced eggs with higher shell mass and thickness compared to the control. Both eggshell mass and thickness decreased when vitamin C and chromium were supplemented simultaneously, and birds given the diet supplemented with 400 µg/kg chromium and 250 mg/kg vitamin C had eggshell mass and thickness similar to those of the control group. The serum concentration of chromium increased due to increasing level of dietary chromium (P < 0.05). The birds that received diet with chromium and vitamin C had higher serum concentrations of chromium compared to those that received only chromium (P < 0.05). Similarly, the hens that received chromium and vitamin C had higher serum concentrations of calcium and phosphorus compared to the hens fed with other treatments (P < 0.05). The birds given with supplemental chromium exhibited lower serum glucose, total cholesterol, and triglycerides concentrations but higher serum albumin and total protein concentrations compared to the other groups (P < 0.05).

Effects of different levels of coriander (Coriandrum sativum) seed powder and extract on serum biochemical parameters, microbiota, and immunity in broiler chicks.

The use of herbs and spices has gained increasing interest as feed additives and possible alternative to antibiotics in poultry production. The effects of using different levels of coriander seed powder or extract on selected blood parameters, intestinal microflora, and immune response of broiler chickens were investigated in this study. A total of 420-day-old broiler chicks were randomly assigned to 7 treatments with 4 replicates and fed for 42 days. Results showed that inclusion of 2.0% coriander powder in broiler diets lowered total cholesterol while blood urea was significantly higher in birds on T4 compared to T1 and T2. Furthermore, there were no treatment effects on Lactobacillus bacteria; however, the population of E. coli was significantly higher in the ileum of chickens fed T0. Noticeable significant improvements of antibody titer against Newcastle, infectious bronchitis, and infectious bursal disease were observed in birds receiving coriander extract in water. Immunoglobulin G antibody against sheep red blood cells showed significant improvement in birds fed T3; likewise, immunoglobulin M was significantly higher in birds on T2 and T3 at 28 d of age. These results revealed that coriander extract or powder can be used as antibiotic alternative in broiler feeds.

Effect of dietary combination of methionine and fish oil on cellular immunity and plasma fatty acids in infectious bursal disease challenged chickens.

This study was carried out to investigate the modulatory effects of dietary methionine and fish oil on immune response, plasma fatty acid profile, and blood parameters of infectious bursal disease (IBD) challenged broiler chickens. A total of 300 one-day-old male broiler chicks were assigned to one of six dietary treatment groups in a 3 × 2 factorial arrangement. There were three levels of fish oil (0, 2.5 and 5.5%), and two levels of methionine (NRC recommendation and twice NRC recommendation). The results showed that the birds fed with 5.5% fish oil had higher total protein, white blood cell count, and IL-2 concentration than those of other groups at 7 days after IBD challenge. Inclusion of fish oil in diet had no effect on IFN- γ concentration. However, supplementation of methionine twice the recommendation enhanced the serum IFN- γ and globulin concentration. Neither of fish oil nor methionine supplementation affected the liver enzymes concentration. It can be suggested that a balance of moderate level of fish oil (2.5%) and methionine level (twice NRC recommendation) might enhance immune response in IBD challenged broiler chickens.

Chicken amyloid arthropathy: serum amyloid A, interleukin-1beta, interleukin-6, tumour necrosis factor-alpha and nitric oxide profile in acute phase (12th hour).

Acute phase response (APR) is part of the early defense system, which is triggered by different stimuli including, infection, trauma, stres, inflammation and neoplasia. The APR complex is a reaction which induces homeostasis and recovery. In this research, serum amyloid A (SAA), interlaukin (IL)-1beta, IL-6, tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) and nitric oxide (NO) levels were measured 12 hours following injection. For this purpose, Thirty-two 5 weeks old laying chicken were allocated into four groups and intra-articular injections of Freund's adjuvant were used to induce amylod arthropathy in Groups II, III and IV. Vitamin A in group II, and methylprednisolone in group IV were added to enhance and to reduce the severity of amyloidosis, respectively. At the end of the research, it was observed that TNF-alpha and NO increased significantly (P < 0.05) in vitamin A and methylprednisolone groups whereas SAA decreased significantly (P < 0.05) in all groups. It was also observed that IL-6 increased (P < 0.05) in vitamin A group and decreased in all other gorups however, IL-1beta decreased in vitamin A and methylprednisolone groups, while it was increased in the control group. The results of this study suggest that there is a positive correlation between serum TNF-alpha levels in acute and chronic phase in chickens with amyloid arthropathy.

Effects of sodium tanshinone IIA sulfonate against Marek's disease virus in experimentally infected chickens.

Chickens experimentally infected with Marek's disease virus J-1 strain were used to evaluate the anti-Marek's disease virus (MDV) activity of sodium tanshinone IIA sulfonate (STS) in vivo. Chickens in same group were kept in one pen and control group chickens were housed in negative pressure isolator. Chickens were treated with different dose of STS or ABOB for 21 consecutive days. Peripheral T lymphocyte proliferation, expression level of IFN-γ and IL-10 in serum, and MDV load in spleen were determined. The results showed that the treatments with STS and ABOB could significantly increase stimulating index (SI) of peripheral T lymphocytes while the SI is dropping due to the MDV infection, SI of chickens in STS prevention groups were significantly higher than that in STS treatment group and ABOB group (P<0.05 or P<0.01); IFN-γ and IL-10 level of chickens in STS groups were higher than that in other groups (P<0.05 or P<0.01). The results of qPCR demonstrated that STS could inhibit the virus replication in spleen of chickens infected with MDV. These findings indicated that STS can be potentially applied as an anti-MDV drug and set a solid basis for further investigating the antiviral mechanisms of STS.

Investigation of serum amino acid and serum amyloid A concentrations in chickens with amyloid arthropathy.

BACKGROUND: Increased proteolytic cleavage of serum amyloid A (SAA) may potentially contribute to the development of AA amyloid deposition. OBJECTIVE: To study the possible relationship between amyloid artropathy and expression of SAA and some serum amino acids. ANIMALS AND METHODS: Values of 15 serum amino acids and SAA were investigated in chickens with experimentally induced amyloid arthropathy. Thirty-four, 5-week-old chicks were allocated into two groups: one group was injected intra-articularly with 0.25 mL complete Freund's adjuvant at the left tibio-metatarsal joint to induce amyloid arthropathy, whereas the other group served as control. All pullets were necropsied 13 weeks after injection. Collected tissue samples were examined histopathologically. Blood samples were collected and SAA concentrations were measured with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. High-performance liquid chromatography was used to assess the amino acid concentrations in serum. RESULTS: Amyloid accumulation in joints occurred only in the experimental group (89%). SAA concentrations of 166 ± 17 and 423 ± 39 (SD) ng/mL were found in the control and experimental groups, respectively (p < 0.001). In the experimental group, an increase was observed in all examined amino acid concentrations except for citrulline. The most significant (p < 0.001) increases were noticed in serine (from 159 ± 15 to 360 ± 29 µmol/L), glycine (from 151 ± 20 to 279 ± 16 µmol/L), isoleucine (from 48 ± 2 to 80 ± 6 µmol/L), and phenylalanine (from 49 ± 2 to 90 ± 3 µmol/L). CONCLUSION: The results of this study suggest that there is a positive correlation between some serum amino acid values, especially serine, glycine, isoleucine, and phenylalanine, and the high concentrations of SAA in chickens with amyloid arthropathy.