Effect of endo-1,4-beta-xylanase supplementation to low-energy diets on performance, blood constituents, nutrient digestibility, and gene expressions related growth of broiler chickens.

The presence of soluble and insoluble non-starch polysaccharides (NSP) was reported to reduce nutrient utilisation, and adversely impact the broilers' growth performance; accordingly, NSP-degrading enzymes are essential supplements to cereal-based diets. Therefore, the current trial was conducted to characterise the impacts of supplemental xylanase (Xyl) to diets with low-ME levels on performance, carcass traits, blood parameters, nutrient digestibility and some genes expressions in broiler chickens. A total of 600 1-day-old Ross 308 male broiler chicks were randomly assigned to 6 treatments with 10 replications of 10 birds each per group in a completely randomised design. The 6 treatments were as follow: (1) basal diets with balanced ME content served as control (positive control, PC), (2) low-energy diet (negative control 1 [NC1]; ME content reduced by 70 kcal/kg compared with PC), (3) low-energy diet (negative control 2 [NC2]; ME content reduced by 140 kcal/kg compared with PC), (4) NC1 + 100 g/ton xylanase (NC1 + 100Xyl), (5) NC2 + 100 g/ton xylanase (NC2 + 100Xyl), and (6) NC1 + 50 g/ton xylanase (NC1 + 50Xyl). At the end of the experiment (35 days of age), the reduction of energy in the NC diets yielded lower live body weight (BW) and total body weight gain (BWG) (p ˂ 0.001); however, it significantly increased feed intake (p ˂ 0.05), leading to worst feed conversion ratio (FCR) and European production efficiency factor (EPEF) (p ˂ 0.01) than PC. There was non-significant variation in final BW, BWG, FCR, or EPEF between the PC group and the NC groups supplemented with Xyl. Carcass yield, gizzard, liver and, muscle relative weights were not influenced by dietary treatments; while broilers fed diet with low-energy diets with or without Xyl addition had lower abdominal fat (p ˂ 0.01) than PC. Furthermore, broilers fed on low-ME diets supplemented with Xyl showed a reduction in plasma total cholesterol (p ˂ 0.05) and low density lipoprotein (p ˂ 0.01) levels. Greater antibody titre against Newcastle disease (p ˂ 0.05) was recorded in the NC1 + 100Xyl and NC2 + 100Xyl groups. The addition of Xyl to low-energy diets significantly improved (p ˂ 0.05) fibre digestibility compared to the PC group. Moreover, enzyme supplementation increased muscle total lipids content and decreased muscle thiobarbituric acid retroactive substance content. In addition, enzyme supplementation increased gene expression related to growth and gene expression related to fatty acid synthesis. It was concluded that a low-ME diet might diminish broiler performance, whereas Xyl supplementation to low-ME diets beneficially affected growth performance, abdominal fat percentage, nutrient digestibility and immunity for broilers, and gene expressions related to growth and fatty acid synthesis in broiler chickens fed low-energy diets.

Physiological and immunological aspects of feed restriction and its beneficial impacts in fattening rabbits' productivity-an updated review.

Two feed restriction (FR) regimens are utilized with weaned rabbits including a quantitative FR (amount-limited feed or time-restricted admission to feed) and a qualitative FR (modulation of diet content especially protein and energy). The use of post-weaning FR may help in preventing post-weaning digestive disorders, stimulating compensating growth, improving feed efficiency, and decreasing carcass fat content. Interestingly, FR may contribute to changing meat's chemical composition and its physical quality attributes by regulating the morphological and biochemical characteristics of muscle fibers. Also, FR could enhance the gastrointestinal tract development, its histomorphology, and improve feed digestibility and absorption. Furthermore, FR regimens are involved in establishing gut microbial balance and enhancing the host immunological response. It might be concluded that post-weaning FR is involved in influencing the physiological and immunological aspects of growing rabbits. It might be documented that light to mild FR (i.e., 80-90% AL), early (i.e., at the first 2 weeks post-weaning), and relatively short in duration (i.e., for 2-3 weeks) had no negative effects on live body weight, while severing FR reduced live body weight in comparison with ad libitum rabbits.

Evaluation of Salvia hispanica as a Therapeutic Agent against Sodium Arsenic-Induced Testicular Toxicity in a Male Rats Model.

Chia seeds offer therapeutic properties that aid in the prevention of a variety of ailments, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, obesity, and other risk factors. Arsenite, a common environmental chemical, has been identified as a reproductive toxin owing to its negative effects on male reproductive health. It has been shown to inhibit spermatogenesis and generate androgenic effects in men. The primary goal of this research was to look into the effect of Salvia hispanica on testicular toxicity caused by sodium arsenite in male rats. A set of 36 male albino rats was allocated to a negative control cohort. The individuals in this group were given a basic meal and orally given distilled water for a duration of 28 days. The other five groups were given a regular meal and received intra-peritoneal injections of sodium arsenite (NaAsO2) at a concentration of 4 mg/kg body weight that was diluted in a 0.9% NaCl solution. The injections were administered consecutively, with two doses given within a two-day period. Subsequently, the rats were categorized into several groups using the following classification: Group 2 consisted of a positive control cohort, in which the rats were given a typical baseline diet. Groups 3, 4, 5, and 6 were given a basic diet that included varying proportions of ground chia seeds, namely 5%, 10%, 15%, and 20% per 100 g of the diet. After the trial was completed, the rats were euthanized, and further biological examination was conducted. The measurements of the reproductive organs were documented and reported. The research assessed the following characteristics: sperm count, motility, progressive motility, and normal morphology. The research included examining serum sex hormones, namely luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and testosterone. An evaluation of the activity of antioxidant enzymes was performed in the tissue of the testicles. There were statistically significant improvements in the sperm parameters, serum sex hormone levels, and the activity of antioxidant enzymes, such as GPX, SOD, and CAT, in the therapy groups. The levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) exhibited a noteworthy decrease (p ≤ 0.05) when compared to the positive control group. Salvia hispanica seeds have demonstrated a significant level of effectiveness in reducing sodium arsenite-induced testicular toxicity, which leads to the conclusion. The flavonoid content and antioxidant properties of Salvia hispanica seeds may be to blame for the observed behavior. These indicated characteristics may have therapeutic significance in treating testicular harm induced by arsenite exposure.

Revolutionizing poultry hygiene: advanced electrostatic and cold fog disinfection strategies combat Mycoplasma gallisepticum in hatching eggs.

The incidence of chronic respiratory disease (CRD) due to Mycoplasma gallisepticum (MG) contamination in hatching eggs poses a serious threat to poultry health and hatchability. Implementing effective sanitization methods while safeguarding the hatching potential of embryos is crucial. This study aimed to explore novel techniques for sanitizing hatching-fertile eggs to prevent and manage MG-associated CRD. The primary objective was to assess the efficacy of acidic electrochemically stimulated water (ECS), focusing on MG disinfection. Additionally, the study investigated 2 application methods, 1) electrostatic disinfection (ED) and 2) cold fog (CF) disinfection, to evaluate their bactericidal effects against MG-contaminated eggs. Deliberately infected MG strains were used for the experimental design, which compared the disinfection efficacy of ECS with its acidic properties. The comparison involved ED, which applies an electrostatic charge to water particles, and CF disinfection, a cold mist technique. Both methods aimed to target MG without compromising egg-hatching potential. The results indicated a significant (p < 0.05) reduction in colony-forming units per milliliter (CFU/mL). However, both application methods demonstrated distinct bactericidal effects. Eggs treated with electrostatic disinfection showed a significant (p < 0.001) reduction in embryonic mortality during incubation (10%) compared to control untreated eggs (18%). Similarly, the CF method exhibited a significant (p < 0.001) decrease in embryonic mortality (13%). The ECS potential in reducing embryonic mortality within the pH range of 2.5 to 6.5 was noted. Both the ED and CF methods show promise for preventing MG-induced hatchery infection while maintaining egg-hatching potential. This study presents innovative techniques to control MG in hatching eggs, contributing to improved poultry health and reduced CRD incidence.

From source to house: unraveling the seasonal effect of water distribution system on drinking water quality of poultry farms under Egyptian environmental condition.

Improvements in drinking water quality (DWQ) can lead, according to some estimates, to a 10% reduction of the world's disease load. The drinking water distribution system (DWDS) plays a crucial role in influencing DWQ and can contribute to the emergence of poultry-related epidemics. This study aims to monitor the variations in DWQ throughout the seasons within the DWDS of Egyptian poultry farms experiencing epidemics. The study assessed DWQ at four different points along the DWDS, including the water source (WS), water tank (WT), broiler drinker (BD), and layer drinker (LD), across 86 farms. Statistical analysis was employed to establish correlations between DWQ and the sampling points within the DWDS, as well as between water temperature (Tw.C°), ambient temperature (Ta.C°), and microbial DWQ. The survey revealed significant differences between Tw.C° and Ta.C°, with notable effect sizes (d = 0.89-1). Additionally, the results revealed significant differences in physicochemical DWQ between WS and house drinkers (HD), with medium to large effect sizes (d = 0.56-0.85). Furthermore, significant differences were identified in microbial DWQ between winter and summer, with a small to large effect size (d = 0.40-0.87). Notably, we recorded significant differences in microbial DWQ between WS and WT, with a small to medium effect size (d = 0.40-0.61), and between WT and BD, with a small to medium effect size (d = 0.48-0.53). Additionally, we found significant differences in microbial DWQ between WS and LD, with a medium effect size (d = 0.59-0.68). In conclusion, Tw.C° is influenced by seasonal variations in Ta.C°. While the physicochemical DWQ was unaffected by seasonal temperature variations, it was significantly impacted by the DWDS from WS to HD. In contrast, the microbial DWQ was strongly influenced by both seasonal temperature changes and DWDS.

Effects of herbal supplements on milk production quality and specific blood parameters in heat-stressed early lactating cows.

The present study explored the influence of supplemental herbal mixtures on cow milk production, quality, and blood parameters in dairy cows under high ambient temperatures. Thirty Holstein cows were randomly assigned into three experimental groups of 10 each. The first control group was supplied with the commercial basal diet, whereas two treatment groups were provided with the commercial basal diet supplemented with 50 and 100 g/head/day of the herbal mixture, respectively. The results showed that the mixture of herbal supplementation did not influence weekly milk production. Milk total fat, triglyceride, and total protein values were not affected (p < 0.05) in cows fed on basal diets supplemented with herbal mixture; however, milk cholesterol was decreased significantly by 100 mg/head/day of the herbal mixture. On the other hand, lactose has increased significantly by adding 100 mg/head/day of herbal mixture. Furthermore, the total cholesterol level in serum was decreased by adding 100 mg/head/day of the herbal mixture, while plasma prolactin, cortisol, GOT, and GPT were unaffected. Regarding fatty acids (C18, C18:1 (c9), 18:1 (c11), 18:2 (c9, c12), 18:2 (t9, t12), and CLA (c9, t11)), there was no significant variation between the groups. Meanwhile, both C19:00 and 18:3 (c6, c9, and c12) were noticeably higher (p < 0.05) in the group that received 100gm, followed by 50 mg, compared to the control. In conclusion, the supplement with a herbal mixture positively affected milk quality by decreasing total cholesterol and increasing lactose, milk fatty acid profile by increasing unsaturated fatty acids content, and plasma cholesterol levels.