Effects of varying levels of Cynara scolymus powder on growth performance, carcass characteristics, intestinal microbiota, immune and haemato-biochemical parameters in female quails.

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of varying levels of dietary Cynara scolymus (CS) powder on growth performance, carcass characteristics, intestinal microbiota, immune and haemato-biochemical parameters in female quails. A total of 120-day-old female quails used for the research were divided into 3 treatment groups: 0% CS, 0.75% CS and 1.50% CS having 4 replicates (n = 10). Blood samples collected were analyzed for differential leukocyte count, red blood cell count and its indices, uric acid, lipid profile, liver enzymes, calcium, phosphorous, creatinine, thyroid hormone, creatine kinase, lactate dehydrogenase and antibody titres. Quails were euthanized for evaluation of carcass and microbial bacteria and sensory characteristics of the breast and thigh meat. Supplementation of CS at 0.75% and 1.50% increased (P < 0.05) wing, drumstick, ileum, jejunum and spleen lengths, high-density lipoprotein, and decreased (P < 0.05) low-density lipoprotein: high-density lipoprotein ratio. Diets supplemented with 0.75% CS increased (P < 0.05) albumin while 1.50% decreased (P < 0.05) abdominal fat and increased (P < 0.05) corpuscular volume, red blood cell count, lactobacillus population, and color of thigh meat. Both CS levels (0.75% and 1.50%) may improve intestinal morphology, quality of meat, immunity, erythropoiesis, intestinal microbial population, and decrease bad cholesterol in quails.

Melatonin and probiotic administration ameliorated hyperglycaemia, oxidative stress, and enhanced cytoprotective effect on beta-cells of diabetic rats.

Objective: The study aimed at investigating the effects of administering melatonin and a probiotic to streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats on hyperglycaemia, oxidative stress biomarkers and beta-cells. Design: Type 1 diabetes was induced in 5 months-old male Wistar rats by single intraperitoneal (i.p.) administration of freshly-prepared STZ (60 mg/kg body weight). Six groups of 10 rats were used and treated once daily for six weeks; (1) Healthy control: normal saline only; (2) Pre-treated with Melatonin (MEL); (3) Diabetic control; (4) Diabetic + Treated with MEL; (5) Diabetic + Treated with Probiotic (Prob); (6) Diabetic + Treated with MEL + Prob. Blood glucose, body weight, activities of antioxidant enzymes and malondialdehyde concentration in serum and tissues, reduced glutathione and immunohistochemical assay. Data obtained were expressed as mean ± standard error of the mean (Mean ± SEM) and subjected to ANOVA followed by Tukey's post hoc test. Results: Melatonin + Probiotic significantly decreased blood glucose concentrations in diabetic treated rats, compared to the diabetic control rats. MEL + Probiotic increased (p < 0.05) superoxide dismutase activity in serum and liver of diabetic rats. MEL + Probiotic reduced (p < 0.05) malondialdehyde concentration in the serum, liver and kidneys, respectively. MEL + Probiotic treated diabetic rats displayed islets with much greater content of insulin. Conclusion: Melatonin + Probiotic combination was more effective in mitigating hyperglycaemia, oxidative stress, and exerted cytoprotective effect on the beta-cells.

Effect of L-serine on circadian variation of cloacal and body surface temperatures in broiler chickens subjected to feed restriction during the hot-dry season.

The study aimed to evaluate the effects of L-serine on circadian variation of body temperatures in feed-restricted broiler chickens during the hot-dry season. Day-old broiler chicks of both sexes served as subjects; comprising four groups of 30 chicks each: Group A: water ad libitum + 20% feed restriction (FR); Group B: feed and water ad libitum (AL); Group C: water ad libitum + 20% feed restriction + L-serine (200 mg/kg) (FR + L-serine); Group D feed and water ad libitum + L-serine (200 mg/kg) (AL + L-serine). Feed restriction was performed on days 7-14 and L-serine was administered on days 1-14. Cloacal and body surface temperatures, recorded by digital clinical and infra-red thermometers, respectively, and temperature-humidity index were obtained over 26 h on days 21, 28 and 35. Temperature-humidity index (28.07-34.03) indicated broiler chickens were subjected to heat stress. L-serine decreased (P < 0.05) cloacal temperature in FR + L-serine (40.86 ± 0.07 °C), compared to FR (41.26 ± 0.05 °C) and AL (41.42 ± 0.08 °C) broiler chickens. Peak cloacal temperature occurred at 15:00 h in FR (41.74 ± 0.21 °C), FR + L-serine (41.30 ± 0.41 °C) and AL (41.87 ± 0.16 °C) broiler chickens. Fluctuations in thermal environmental parameters influenced circadian rhythmicity of cloacal temperature; especially the body surface temperatures, positively correlated with CT, and wing temperature recorded the closest mesor. In conclusion, L-serine and feed restriction decreased cloacal and body surface temperatures in broiler chickens during the hot-dry season.

L-serine improves lipid profile, performance, carcass weight and intestinal parameters in feed restricted broiler chickens during the hot-dry season.

The study evaluated effects of L-serine on lipid profile, performance, carcass weight and small intestinal parameters in heat-stressed broiler chickens subjected to feed restriction. Broiler chickens were divided into four groups, comprising 30 each. Group 1, feed restriction (FR); Group 2, feed restriction + L-serine (200 mg/kg) (FR + L-serine); Group 3, ad libitum (AL); Group 4, ad libitum + L-serine (200 mg/kg) (AL + L-serine). L-serine was administered orally from days 1 to 14, and feed restriction was performed on days 7-14. Serum harvested from blood samples on days 21, 28 and 35 was evaluated for lipid profile. Feed and water intake, live weight gain, organ and carcass weight were measured. At 35 days old, broiler chickens (n = 7) per group were sacrificed to evaluate small intestinal morphology. Temperature-humidity index in the pen (30.88 ± 0.81) was above thermoneutral zone, indicating that chickens were subjected to heat stress. Concentrations of low-density lipoprotein, total cholesterol and total triglycerides were lower (p < 0.05), while higher concentration of high-density lipoprotein was recorded in L-serine groups than in the controls. Feed intake and live weight gain on day 35 in L-serine groups were higher (p < 0.05) than in controls. In L-serine groups, liver, spleen, pancreas and heart weight were higher, but abdominal fat was lower than in FR and AL groups. Villus height:crypt height ratio and area of villus surface were highest in L-serine groups than any other group. In conclusion, L-serine decreased low-density lipoprotein, increased feed intake, live weight, organ and carcass weight, villus height:crypt height ratio and villus surface area.

Age-dependent variations in haematological and serum biochemical parameters of domestic pigeons (Columba livia domestica).

In this study, the age-dependent variations in haematological and serum biochemical parameters of domestic pigeons were evaluated. Sixty apparently healthy domestic pigeons comprising 30 young (2-7 weeks of age) and 30 adult (>7 weeks of age) were sampled from local breeders. Blood was collected from each bird via brachial venipuncture and divided into 2 parts; one part dispensed into labeled tubes containing ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid as anticoagulant was processed for haematological analyses. The other part was dispensed into labeled plain tubes, serum harvested and processed for serum biochemical analyses. Results revealed overall packed cells volume (PCV), haemoglobin concentration (HGB) and red blood cells (RBC) of 42.97 ± 4.53%, 13.15 ± 1.82 g/dL and 3.63 ± 0.50 × 1012/L respectively. All haematological parameters except mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH), mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC) and lymphocyte count showed statistical (p < 0.05) differences between young and adult pigeons. Values recorded for serum total protein, albumin, globulin, serum/albumin ratio, urea, creatinine and urea/creatinine ratio were 4.32 ± 0.74 g/dL, 2.07 ± 0.30 g/dL, 2.25 ± 0.74 g/dL, 1.04 ± 0.43, 0.48 ± 0.33 mg/dL, 0.75 ± 0.52 mg/dL and 0.73 ± 0.51 respectively. Serum urea and creatinine concentrations were significantly (p < 0.05) higher in adult (0.62 ± 0.40; 1.04 ± 0.60 mg/dL) compared to young (0.34 ± 0.13; 0.47 ± 0.15 mg/dL) pigeons. This study therefore demonstrated age-dependent variations in haematological and serum biochemical parameters of domestic pigeons.

Elevated serum sialic acids, a potent biomarker of alloxan-induced type 1 diabetes in dogs by ethanolic extract of Anogeissus leiocarpus.

OBJECTIVES: This study investigated serum sialic acids for a predictive and diagnostic biomarker of diabetes mellitus (DM) in dogs and its prognostic value with ethanolic extract of Anogeissus leiocarpus. DESIGN: Four groups of 3 dogs were used; non-diabetic controls (ND), diabetic-untreated (DU), diabetic insulin-treated (DI) and diabetic extract-treated (DE). Free serum sialic acids (FSSA) and erythrocyte surface sialic acids (ESSA) were assayed in all groups, pre-and post-induction of hyperglycaemia and results were presented as means ± standard error of means (SEM) and subjected to ANOVA using Tukey's post-hoc tests with GraphPad Prism® statistical package. RESULTS: FSSA increased in DU and plateaued at third week (61.8 ± 0.41 µg/ml), (P < 0.002) with additional 38.2 µg/ml (62%) generated, coinciding with hyperglycaemia. FSSA of DI increased but declined to 22.3 ± 1.55 µg/ml. Extract of Anogeissus leiocarpus effectively modulated FSSA in DE as increased value declined to 21.4 ± 0.78 µg/ml. Pre-induction DU ESSA (8.27 ± 0.11 µg/ml) significantly (P < 0.002) decreased by third week (2.33 ± 1.49 µg/ml), coinciding with hyperglycaemia. Strong negative correlation coefficient (r = -0.92) occurred between DU's FSSA and ESSA and ND (P < 0.03). Sialic acid expression in dog's insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) is 18% lower than normal. Extract of A. leiocarpus restored ESSA completely. ESSA cleaved in DU, 5.94 µg/ml (72%), could not account for the extra FSSA (32.26 µg/ml); liver and kidneys are contributors. CONCLUSION: FSSA predicts canine DM.

Effect of fisetin and probiotic supplementation on erythrocyte osmotic fragility, malondialdehyde concentration and superoxide dismutase activity in broiler chickens exposed to heat stress.

The aim of the study was to evaluate effects of fisetin and probiotic on erythrocyte osmotic fragility (EOF), malondialdehyde (MDA) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) in broiler chickens exposed to heat stress. Sixty day-old broilers were divided into: Group I (control) given distilled water; Group II, fisetin (5 mg/kg); Group III, probiotic Saccharomyces cerevisiae (4.125 × 106 cfu/100 ml); and Group IV, fisetin (5 mg/kg) + probiotic (4.125 × 106 cfu/100 ml) orally for 7 days. Blood samples collected from 42-day-old birds were evaluated for EOF, serum MDA concentration and SOD activity. Percentage EOF at 0.5% NaCl was lower (P<0.05) in fisetin, probiotic and fisetin + probiotic groups (34.26 ± 0.98%, 35.65 ± 0.81% and 34.25 ± 1.98%, respectively) than in controls (48.42 ± 0.40%). The MDA concentrations in broiler chickens administered with fisetin (14.37 ± 1.15 nmol/l), probiotic (5.66 ± 1.06 nmol/l) and fisetin + probiotic (4.136 ± 0.58 nmol/l) were lower (P<0.05) than in controls (22.64 ± 2.95 nmol/l). Activities of SOD were higher (P<0.05) in fisetin, probiotic and fisetin + probiotic broiler chickens (6.34 ± 0.24 IU/l, 5.67 ± 0.09 IU/l and 5.93 ± 0.13 IU/l, respectively) than in controls (5.37 ± 0.09 IU/l). Fisetin + probiotic ameliorated oxidative stress changes in broiler chickens better than fisetin or probiotic alone. In conclusion, administration of fisetin or probiotic and, especially their combination, decreased EOF, lipoperoxidation and increased superoxide dismutase activity in broiler chickens exposed to heat stress.