Dietary Effects of Some Plant Extracts on Laying Performance, Egg Quality, and Some Blood Parameters in Laying Hens at Different Cage Densities.

This study was carried out to determine the effects of cage density and anise extract (AE), thyme extract (TE), and black cumin extract (BCE) supplementation in the diet of laying hens on laying performance, egg quality, and some blood parameters. A total of 288 Lohman White commercial hens were blocked according to the location of their cages. The four dietary treatments included a control, basal diet + 250 mg/kg of AE, basal diet + 250 mg/kg of BCE, and basal diet + 250 mg/kg of TE for 12 weeks. The cage density affected egg production (p < 0.05), feed consumption (p < 0.01), and cracked eggs (p < 0.05). Increasing the cage density caused a linear decrease in egg production and feed consumption. Compared to the control, there was a decrease in feed consumption (p < 0.01) in the plant extract groups, and in parallel, egg production decreased. An increased cage density did not affect the egg quality traits except the shell strength. The shell strength, yolk color, yolk index, albumen index, and Haught unit were significantly affected by the plant extracts. The cage density and plant extracts had a significant effect on the serum corticosterone and glucose (p < 0.01). The highest values of corticosterone and glucose were recorded for dietary TE with a cage density of 4 birds/cm2. On the other hand, the lowest values of these parameters were recorded for AE addition with a cage density of 3 birds/cm2. As a result, an increased cage density was associated with stress and depression in the feed consumption and metabolic profiles. Supplemental AE, BCE, and TE improved the laying performance and metabolic profiles.

Improving the functional value of meat quality by feeding with protected fat supplementation in Morkaraman lambs.

This study investigated the effect of feeding different levels of protected fat (calcium soaps of tallow) on fattening performance, carcass characteristics, meat quality, fatty acid composition of Longissimus Thoracis (LT) muscle and economic evaluation of 45 fat-tailed Morkaraman male lambs. The lambs were randomly divided into three groups including a control diet without protected fat (CON), supplemented with 2% protected fat (group PF2), and supplemented with 4% protected fat (group PF4) during the fattening period. Eight lambs randomly selected from each group were slaughtered to determine carcass characteristics and meat quality. Supplementing protected fat significantly improved the fattening performance and carcass characteristics (p<0.05). The groups were similar in terms of pH, colour, ether extract, dry matter and sensory evaluations, except for the crude protein of group PF2. Myristic acid and stearic acid (p<0.05), which are saturated fatty acids (SFA), were decreased with the supplementation of protected fat, while palmitic acid was increased (p<0.01). The fattening with protected fat had a highly significant positive effect on important unsaturated fatty acids such as oleic acid (p<0.01) and resulted in an increase of approximately 91% in the conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) (p<0.05). SFA was significantly decreased, and health indicators were improved (p<0.01). In conclusion, the supplementation of protected fat had a positive effect on fattening performance, carcass traits, chemical, sensory properties and economic evaluation.

Borax exerts protective effect against ferrocene-induced neurotoxicity in Oncorhynchus mykiss.

BACKGROUND: In recent years, therapeutic targets and the development of new drugs have shifted research towards inflammatory and oxidative stress pathways. Ferrocene (FcH) is a stable, small molecule that exhibits immunostimulatory and anti-tumor properties by a different mechanism and is effective at low doses in oral administration. However, it was surprising that there has been no performed investigation using FcH on aquaculture. On the other hand, recent papers reveal the key biological functions and health benefits due to daily boron intake in animals and humans. Therefore, we investigated the neurotoxic damage potential of FcH and its related neurotoxicity action mechanism in aquatic environments. In addition, the protective potential of borax (BX, or sodium borate) were evaluated againt in vivo neurotoxicity by FcH. METHODS: Neurotoxicity assessment was performed in rainbow trout brain tissue, acutely under semi-static conditions via determining a vide range of parameters including catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities as well as glutathione (GSH), myeloperoxidase (MPO), glutathione (GSH), malondialdehyde (MDA levels), DNA damage (8-OHdG), apoptosis (caspase 3), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), interleukin 6 (IL-6), nuclear factor erythroid-2 (Nrf-2), acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels. In addition, the LC50 96 h level of FcH was determined for the first time in rainbow trout in this study. RESULTS: In the obtained results, while FcH caused inhibition in enzyme activities, it showed an inducing effect on MDA, MPO, BDNF, Nrf2, TNF-α and IL-6 levels. It was determined that this oxidative damage related alterations were significantly different (p < 0.05) in comparison between FcH treated and controls. Again, the LC50 96 h value in rainbow trout was determined as 11.73 mg/L, which is approximately 5% less than the value given for freshwater fish (12.3 mg/L). On the contrary, it was observed that BX has a mitigating effect on FcH-induced neurotoxicity. CONCLUSION: The present study suggests that borax may be useful for preventing or alleviating neurotoxicity induced by environmental contaminants or toxic chemicals.

Microplastics in Tissues (Brain, Gill, Muscle and Gastrointestinal) of Mullus barbatus and Alosa immaculata.

The researches on MPs in commercial marine fish are very limited although in marine environments microplastic (MPs) pollution is a global problem. In this study, the presence, composition, and characterization of MPs in different tissues (brain, gill, muscle, and gastrointestinal tract) of commercial fish species [red mullet (Mullus barbatus) and pontic shad (Alosa immaculata Bennett 1835)] from the Black Sea were investigated. M. barbatus (demersal) and A. immaculata (pelagic) fish were preferred in the selection of fish species in order to represent demersal and pelagic environments. After dissected the fish, MPs were obtained from the tissues by extraction using the flotation method; then the MPs were counted and categorized according to shape, size, and color. The composition of the MPs was determined via ATR-FTIR spectroscopy. In terms of microplastic abundance in fish tissues, the gastrointestinal tract (40.0%) ranked first in both fish species, while the lowest MPs density was determined in brain tissues (7.0%). After the gastrointestinal tissue, gills were identified as the second tissue with the highest MPs density. Regardless of fish species, MPs characterization was mainly fibrous (51.0%), black colored (49.0%), and 50-200 µm in size (55.0%). Among the nine different polymers determined, polychloroprene (18.8%) and polyamide (15.0%) were found most frequently. This research provides data for tissue-based assessment of MPs in fish. The obtained data showed that MPs (one of the anthropogenic pollutants) are quite high in all tissues regardless of fish species. Moreover, it has emerged that these two fish species are suitable for monitoring microplastics in the study area.

Effects of supplementation of dietary humate, probiotic, and their combination on performance, egg quality, and yolk fatty acid composition of laying hens.

This study was carried out to determine the effects of addition of humate, probiotic, and their combination into diets on performance, egg quality, and yolk fatty acid composition of hens during the second laying period. Lohmann LSL white layers (n = 192), 46 weeks of age, were randomly divided into 4 groups and fed with basal diet (control, C), 0.3% humate (H), 0.3% probiotic (P), 0.15% humate + 0.15% probiotic (HP) for 18 weeks. Feed consumption and egg production were determined daily, egg weight was measured biweekly, and body weights were recorded at the beginning and the end of the experiment. Also, 12 egg samples from each group were randomly collected to determine the egg quality every 30 days. Laying performance, yolk color, and fatty acid composition were significantly (P < 0.05 and P < 0.01) affected by addition of humate, probiotic, and their combination into diets of layers. The HP group had higher cracked egg yield and feed conversion ratio values than control and H and P groups. Except for egg yolk color, the other egg quality parameters such as shape index, shell strength, shell thickness, albumen index, yolk index, and Haught unit were not affected by treatment (P < 0.05 and P < 0.01). The egg yolks of treatment groups had less stearic acid than those of control group. In conclusion, supplementation of humate and probiotic into the diets of laying hens increased monounsaturated fatty acids in yolk and improved feed conversion ratio and egg yolk color.

Effects of slaughter age and muscle type on meat quality characteristics of Eastern Anatolian Red bulls.

The effects of slaughter age and muscle type on meat quality properties of Eastern Anatolian Red (EAR) bulls ( n = 46 ) were investigated in the present study. Forty-six EAR bulls were slaughtered at 15, 17, 19, 25 and 27 months. Meat samples were taken from longissimus dorsi (LD) and gluteus medius (GM) muscles obtained from the carcasses at 24 h post-mortem. Meat color parameters were significantly affected by slaughter age. Older animals (19, 25 and 27 months of age) possessed higher  L * , a *  and H  values than those of younger animals (15 and 17 months of age). LD muscle had higher  L * and  a * values than those of GM muscles. The influences of slaughter age and muscle type on the proportions of dry matter, ether extract, crude ash and crude protein were not significant in the present study. The influence of slaughter age on the tenderness, acceptability, juiciness, number of chews and Warner-Bratzler shear (WBS) values were found to be significant. Tenderness, juiciness, flavor intensity and acceptability increased until 19 months of age, and then increase in age resulted in lower tenderness, flavor intensity and acceptability scores. Cooking yield significantly increased depending on the increase of age. WBS and cooking yield values from the LD were higher than that of the GM muscle. Textural characteristics such as hardness, springiness, cohesiveness, gumminess, chewiness and resilience were not affected by slaughter age, but muscles had a significant influence on hardness, gumminess, chewiness and resilience. In conclusion, most eating quality characteristics and color parameters were positively influenced by slaughter age.

A study on possibility of Rosa canina seed use as feed ingredient in diets of Morkaraman male lambs.

This experiment was carried out to evaluate the ground Rosa canina seed at various levels (0%, 5%, and 15%) in barley-soybean-based concentrates offered to Morkaraman male lambs at approximately 8 months of age, on fattening performance, carcass, and meat quality characteristics. The lambs were divided into three treatment groups including R1 (concentrate without R. canina seed; n = 12), R2 (concentrate with 5% R. canina seed; n = 12), and R3 (concentrate with 15% R. canina seed; n = 12) at the beginning of fattening period. The soybean meal was used as main protein source in treatment groups. All of the groups were fed a diet consisting of concentrate offered ad libitum and 300 g of grass hay per lamb per day during 60-day fattening period. The effect of diet on daily weight gain was found statistically significant. The control group had higher daily weight gain than R3 groups with 15% of ground R. canina seed. The hot carcass and cold carcass weights and dressing percentage values were affected by diets, and R3 group fed concentrate with 15% R. canina seed had higher carcass weights and dressing percentages than R1 and R2 groups. Differences among the groups in terms of leg, rib, and hindshank weights were found highly significant. While R1 and R2 groups were not significantly different, R3 group was significantly higher to R1 and R2 groups in leg, rib, and hindshank weights. In addition, meat color parameters and pH values were not affected by diets in present study.

Fattening performance, carcass traits and meat quality characteristics of calves sired by Charolais, Simmental and Eastern Anatolian Red sires mated to Eastern Anatolian Red dams.

Comparisons were made among calves sired by Charolais (C), Simmental (S) and Eastern Anatolian Red (EAR) breeds of bulls for fattening, carcass and meat quality traits when mated to EAR dams. C- and S-sired calves had 43.1% and 36.4% higher daily weight gain, 44.5% and 43.9% heavier final weight in fattening, respectively. Calves produced by C sires had best feed efficiency value (6.51 vs. 7.44 and 7.22) compared to the S and EAR sire breed groups. Carcasses of C- and S-sired calves had heavier weight, higher dressing percentage and greater Longissimus dorsi (LD) muscle area than those of EAR-sired calves. USDA yield grades were lower (P<0.01) for carcasses from C and S sires, and highest for carcasses from EAR calves. C-sired calves received higher (P<0.01) ratings for panel tenderness score, lower shear force value and number of chews before swallow than S- and EAR-sired progeny. Overall results of the study suggested that fattening performance, carcass and meat quality characteristics might be considerably improved by using C sires in the crossbreeding program as sire breed.

Effects of vitamin E supplementation on performance and meat quality traits of Morkaraman male lambs.

This research was carried out to determine the effects of vitamin E supplementation on meat quality traits of approximate 8 months of age Morkaraman male lambs. The lambs were divided into two groups-control (CG, n=7) and experimental (VG, n=6)-at the beginning of fattening period. The diet given to the CG and VG consisted of concentrate and grass hay. In addition, the VG received a supplement of 45 mg vitamin E per lamb in a day during a 75-day fattening period. At the end of the study, average daily weight gain and feed conversion efficiency values as to feed basis were found to be 208 g and 6.3 for CG and 223 g and 6.0 for VG groups, respectively. Vitamin E supplementation resulted in 8.8% improvement in feed conversion efficiency. In the same way, vitamin E supplementation resulted in 6.7% increase in daily weight gain. Slaughter and carcass characteristics of lambs were also determined, but fattening performance, slaughter and carcass characteristics were not significantly different between groups. The effects of vitamin E on meat characteristics, meat colour (L*, a* and b*), thiobarbituric acid reactive substances content (TBARS), drip loss and pH were determined using m. longissimus dorsi (LD) muscles obtained from CG and VG. Though the effect of vitamin E supplementation on most of the meat quality traits was not statistically significant (P>0.05), L* and a* values in LD muscle from VG were preserved for a period of 12 days of maturation. In addition, a* (redness) tended to increase slightly. TBARS values in samples from CG were found to be higher than those of vitamin E treatment group. In this study, it was also concluded that drip loss was relatively preserved by vitamin E supplementation. In conclusion, vitamin E supplementation of Morkaraman male lambs at an inclusion rate over the amount of nutritional recommendations, significantly reduced lipid oxidation, drip loss and tended to maintain meat redness.

Effects of vitamin E supplementation on fattening performance, non-carcass components and retail cut percentages, and meat quality traits of Awassi lambs.

This experiment was carried out to evaluate the effects of vitamin E supplementation on growth, non-carcass components and retail cut percentages, and meat quality traits of Awassi male lambs at approximately 8 months of age. The lambs were divided into two groups as control (CG, n=12) and experimental (VG, n=12) at the beginning of the fattening period. The CG and VG lambs were fed with a concentrate and grass hay close to ad-libitum by biweekly adjustment of the amount offered. In addition, the VG received a supplement of 45 mg vitamin E per lamb per day during a 75-day fattening period. Inital weight, final weight, daily weight gain and feed conversion efficiency were 31.8±1.40 kg, 45.5±1.37 kg, 183±13 g and 7.6 for CG, 32.5±1.45 kg, 46.7±1.42 kg, 189±15 g and 7.0 for VG, respectively. Vitamin E supplementation did not have a statistically significant effect on animal performance traits, non-carcass components and retail cut percentages, but produced an 8.1% improvement in feed conversion efficiency. After slaughter, carcasses were chilled at 4 °C for 24 h. Then, the carcasses were dissected into wholesale cuts, and m. longissimus dorsi (LD) muscles excised. The samples of muscle were subjected to moisture, protein, ether extract and ash analyses. Samples were cooked for shear test and cooking yield measurements. There were no significant differences between CG and VG lamb groups in chemical composition of meat samples from the LD muscles. Though the influence of vitamin E supplementation on color parameters (L*, a*, b*) was not statistically significant, the mean a* (redness) values decreased on days 2 and 4 and increased on days 7 and 12 of the storage period. However, the a* values of muscles from the VG were higher than those grouping CG. L* and a* values in LD muscle from vitamin E-treated lamb groups were also preserved for a period of 12 days of maturation. In this study, drip loss was relatively preserved by vitamin E supplementation to the diet of animals. The results showed that vitamin E supplementation to the diet of Awassi male lambs at an inclusion rate over the amount of nutritional recommendations relatively reduced lipid oxidation, drip loss and tended to maintain meat redness.