Effect of selenium and Ascaridia galli infection on antioxidant biomarkers in broiler chickens: a mathematical model for parasite reduction and host growth.

The activity of selenium-dependent glutathione peroxidase (GPX), liver concentration of vitamin E, and plasma and liver selenium levels were used for estimation of the antioxidant status of broiler chickens infected with Ascaridia galli. These biomarkers were recorded in an experiment covering 70 days p.i. At the same time the establishment rate of A. galli in chicken intestines, gain in the host body weight and chicken survival were studied. Broiler chickens (Cobb hybrids) were infected with 1450 embryonated A. galli eggs and treated with Sel-plex. A mathematical model was applied to determine the rate of nematode reduction and the relative rate of gain of host body weight, which are essential kinetic parameters of parasite-host interaction. The activity of GPX increased with both elevated selenium and reduced infection levels. The concentrations of selenium and vitamin E, and the GPX activity in the infected chickens demonstrated a similar pattern of change with time after day 30 p.i. The supplementation of the broilers with dietary selenium in the form of Sel-plex improved their antioxidant status. Increases by 29% in vitamin E concentration, 15% in GPX activity, and 22% in liver selenium concentration, respectively, were recorded in the infected and treated, compared to infected and untreated broilers.

Administration of Zn-Co-Mn basic salt to chickens with ascaridiosis. II. Sex ratio and microelement levels in Ascaridia galli and in treated and untreated chickens.

Hisex chickens were infected with 1,450 embryonated Ascaridia galli eggs and treated with a new synthesized basic mixed salt (Zn(x)Co(y)Mn(1-x-y)) x (OH)6SO4 x 2H2O). The worm burden was determined and sex ratios for A. galli of M:F = 1.4 and M:F = 2 in untreated and treated chickens, respectively, were found. A decrease in the mean establishment rate of A. galli in treated chickens was observed. The levels of zinc, cobalt and manganese were determined in liver and muscle of the host and in male and female A. galli. The survival of the chickens and gain in body weight were improved, and the restoration of microelement content was observed by treatment with the salt. A positive effect of the basic Zn-Co-Mn salt was also observed in the nematode microelement levels. Significant differences were found between the levels of zinc, cobalt and manganese in male and female A. galli.

[Lithium found in the total brain and brain lipids after intracranial injection of lithium in mice. Relation to the observed behavior disorders]. / Lithium retrouvé au niveau du cerveau total et des lipides cérébraux après injection intracrânienne de lithium chez la souris. Relation avec les troubles comportementaux observés.

Behavioural disturbances after lithium injection only appear in mice with concentrations above 8 microequivalents per brain. Below this value, no fixation of lithium occurs in the brain. At higher concentrations, the amount of lithium found in the brain and associated with brain lipids increases gradually to reach a plateau. Moreover, although lithium increases the extraction of proteolipids, it does not seem to have an affinity for these compounds.

[Lithium and cerebral lipids: influence of the intracranial injection of lithium on the extraction of brain lipids in mice. Comparison with sodium]. / Lithium et lipides cérébraux: influence de l'injection intracrânienne du lithium sur l'extraction des lipides cérébraux chez la souris. Comparaison avec le sodium.

Lithium, unlike sodium, increases brain lipid extraction in adult C57 Black mice. This effect seems to be related to a higher amount of brain proteolipids in the extract.