Changes in performance, cecal microflora counts and intestinal histology of Japanese quails fed diets containing different fibre sources.

The purpose of this experiment was to investigate how various fiber sources impact the performance, microbial population, and intestinal histology of Japanese quail that was performed in a completely randomized design for 42 days. The dietary treatments involved a fiber-free corn-soybean meal-based diet (control, CTL), and CTL with added levels of sunflower hulls (SFH) and sugar beet pulp (SBP) (20 and 40 g kg-1). Body weight gain (BWG) and feed intake (FI) were recorded weekly. Carcass characteristics, cecal microbial population, blood variables and intestinal histology were measured on the 42 day of age. Adding 40 g kg-1 of SBP led to a significant decrease in body weight gain and an increase in the feed conversion ratio of birds from 1 to 21 days (P < 0.05). The relative weight of the gastrointestinal tract and gizzard increased significantly in birds that consumed SFH. Blood triglyceride concentration decreased with the inclusion of fiber in the diet. However, there was a notable increase in blood cholesterol concentration in the birds that were fed SBP (20 and 40 g kg-1) in comparison to those fed SFH (P < 0.05). The population of E. Coli in the cecum increased significantly in the birds that were fed 4 g kg-1 of SBP as opposed to those fed 20 and 40 g kg-1 of SFH (P < 0.05). The villus height of the jejunum in birds that were fed 20 g kg-1 and 40 g kg-1 of SFH demonstrated a significant increase in comparison to the other treatments (P < 0.05). In general, the findings of this research indicated that the inclusion of 40 g kg-1 of SBP in the diet had a negative impact on performance and other physiological parameters. However, the use of SFH and 20 g kg-1 of SBP yielded similar results to birds in the CTL, and in some cases, even better outcomes.

Comparison of the effect of Saccharomyces cerevisiae-Megasphaera elsdenii and buffer on growth performance, digestibility, ruminal histomorphometry, and carcass characteristics of fattening lambs in high concentrate diet.

This study aimed to investigate the effect of rumen pH-adjusting additives in the high-concentrated diet on functional traits, nutrient digestion, some meat parameters, and histomorphometry, and rumen histopathology. Twenty-four Arabia male lambs with 3 to 4 months old and initial body weight of 23.9 ± 3.15 kg were used in a completely randomized design with three treatments and eight replicates. The study was 77 days, including 14 days of the adaptation period and 63 days of the record taking and sampling period. The experimental treatments consisted of a control diet, control diet + sodium bicarbonate buffer, control diet + Megasphaera elsdenii, and Saccharomyces cerevisiae (bacterial-yeast). Rumen fluid was taken by stomach tube at 3 h after morning feeding to measure pH. The lambs were weighed every 3 weeks during the period, and the body weight changes, average daily gain, and total weight gain were measured, and the feed conversion ratio was calculated. At the end of the experiment, the lambs were slaughtered, and the longissimus dorsi muscle was prepared to determine the meat parameters. For histological studies, the abdominal rumen sac was sampled. There were no differences among treatments in dry matter intake (DMI), daily weight gain (ADG), and feed conversion ratio (P > 0.05). Propionate concentration was higher in the bacteria-yeast treatment than other treatments (P < 0.05). Protein digestibility was higher in control and bacteria-yeast treatments than buffer treatment (P < 0.05). The percentage of meat protein, carcass weight, and dressing percentage in bacterial-yeast treatment was higher than other treatments (P < 0.05). Rumen wall thickness in the buffer and bacterial-yeast receiving treatments was greater than the control treatment and was significant in the buffer treatment compared to the control treatment (P < 0.05). The thickness of rumen epithelial tissue in the buffer and bacterial-yeast recipient treatments was less than the control treatment (P < 0.05). Rumen papillae thickness was higher in the control treatment than other treatments (P < 0.05). Hydropic degeneration and parakeratosis were less in pH-regulating treatments than in control. The results showed that the use of Megasphaera elsdenii could be an effective way to modulate the ruminal fermentation conditions of lambs fed with high concentrate diets. In addition, to increaseing dressing percentage and meat protein, it can also reduce tissue damage and improve ruminal tissue structure.

Protective effects of 2-methoxycinnamaldehyde an active ingredients of Cinnamomum cassia on warm hepatic ischemia reperfusion injury in rat model.

OBJECTIVES: Hepatic ischemia/reperfusion injury (IRI) is one of the major causes of hepatic failure during liver transplantation, trauma, and infections. The present study investigated the protective effect of intra-portal administration of 2-methoxycinnamaldehyde (2-MCA) on hepatic IRI in rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-four rats were equally divided into four groups; 1) sham group, (no IRI or transfusion), 2) Hepatic IRI (60 min ischemia + 120 min reperfusion, 3) Hepatic IRI+ NS (IRI + normal saline), 4) Hepatic IRI+2-MCA, (IRI + 2-MCA). In groups 3 and 4, 1 ml/kg normal saline and 2-MCA were administered slowly into the vein of the left lateral and median lobes of the liver 10 min before induction of hepatic reperfusion (upper the site of clumping), respectively. The harvest time points were at 2 hours post-reperfusion in all groups. RESULTS: Histologically, cell death, degenerative changes, sinusoidal dilatation, congestion, hemorrhage, and infiltration of inflammatory cells were observed in IRI group, while these pathological changes were attenuated in the 2-MCA administrated group. The level of alanine transaminase, aspartate transaminase, tumor necrosis factor- α and interleukin-6 in serum and hepatic malondialdehyde were significantly increased by IRI, and 2-MCA administration reduced all these markers. In addition, caspase-3 and nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) expression were investigated immunohistochemically. Administration of 2-MCA considerably decreased caspase-3 positive cells and NF-κB activity in comparison with IRI group. CONCLUSION: As a conclusion, in situ administration of 2-MCA protects against hepatic IRI via anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic properties.