The effects of peppermint (Mentha piperita L.) and chicory (Cichorium intybus L.) in comparison with a prebiotic on productive performance, blood constituents, immunity and intestinal microflora in broiler chickens.

A total of 320 one-day-old broiler chickens were used in a 42-day feeding trial to evaluate the effects of peppermint (Mentha piperita L.) and chicory (Cichorium intybus L.) in comparison with a prebiotic on-growth performance, blood constitutes, immunity and intestinal microflora. The dietary treatments were as follows: basal diet (control); control + prebiotic (Fermacto™); control + 0.1% peppermint; control + 0.1% chicory, respectively. A significant (p < 0.05) body weight gain and feed intake was found at 21 and 42 days of growth period in broilers fed diet supplemented with 0.1% chicory compared with other groups. Feeding of prebiotic or chicory led to higher (p < 0.05) feed intake. Chickens fed control diet had higher (p < 0.05) abdominal fat compared with the other groups. Serum blood constituents indicated that broilers fed prebiotic or supplemented with peppermint or chicory had reduced (p < 0.05) levels of cholesterol, triglycerides and low-density lipoprotein than control group. Immunity-related parameters showed that chicken fed chicory had lower (p < 0.05) heterophil-to-lymphocyte ratio compared with the other groups. Intestinal microflora revealed that chickens fed prebiotic or herbals had higher count of Lactobacillus and lower E. coli than control. Thus, it can be concluded that broiler dietary supplementation with prebiotic or chicory can improve performance supporting positively health status.

The effects of green tea in the diet of broilers challenged with coccidiosis on their performance, carcass characteristics, intestinal mucosal morphology, blood constituents and ceca microflora.

BACKGROUND: Coccidiosis is an endemic protozoal disease of chickens normally controlled by ionophores. However, coccidiostats are also antibiotics, and evidence of resistance in both coccidia and bacteria may develop and reduce antibacterial activity in humans. This has led to a search for natural coccidiostats, such as green tea. OBJECTIVES: To study the effects of supplementing broilers with various levels and types of green tea, in comparison to use of a conventional coccidiostat or a control, unsupplemented diet. METHODS: A total of 360 male, day-old Ross 308 broilers (days 1-42) were used to evaluate the gut morphology and performance when challenged with coccidiosis and fed varying dietary levels of green tea powder or extract. Treatments were Negative control (NC, unsupplemented control diet); positive control (PC, control diet + commercial coccidiostat); control diets with 0.2, 0.3 or 0.4 g/kg green tea extract (GTE 0.2, 0.3 and 0.4); and control diets with 1, 2 or 3 g/kg green tea powder (GTP 1, 2 and 3). RESULTS: Compared with NC, PC and all green tea treatments, but particularly GTE0.4, increased feed intake and growth rate, with the best feed conversion ratio at GTE0.4. As a proportion of carcase weight, higher inclusion rates increased intestine weight and decreased abdominal fat. The duodenum, jejunum and ileum of birds fed green tea, and particularly GTE0.4, had longer, wider villi, and shallower crypts. Epithelium thickness was reduced by green tea and PC, compared to NC. Clostridium perfringens and coliform populations decreased in proportion to green tea inclusion rate and decreased in PC. Lactobacilli increased with green tea and were more for NC than PC. Green tea at the highest concentrations reduced blood glucose and LDL and VLDL cholesterol. CONCLUSIONS: Green tea offers a possible replacement for conventional ionophores to control coccidiosis in broiler chickens. The best inclusion rate was 0.4 g/kg.

Microscopic Evaluation of Ovarian Surface Epithelium Following Treatment with Conjugated Estrogens in a Mouse Model.

BACKGROUND: This study was designed to evaluate the effect of different concentrations of conjugated equine estrogens (CEE) on the ovarian epithelium of female CD1 mice. METHODS: Twenty-four female mice at 7 months with irregular estrus cycles were randomly divided into four groups of 6 mice each. Group one was considered as a control group and received a daily dose of 0.5ml of propylene glycol, for three weeks, while those in the treatment groups received a daily dose of 14µg/kg, 28µg/kg and 56µg/kg conjugated equine estrogens, respectively. RESULTS: The results from this study showed a strong correlation between elevated concentrations of CEE and histological changes in ovarian surface epithelium (OSE). They also showed that administration of high-dose estrogen created the conditions for excessive proliferation of OSE which may progress into the development of cysts in the ovaries. CONCLUSION: This study concluded that high concentrations of CEE may increase the chances of developing epithelial ovarian cancer.

Evaluation of the solubility of 11-keto-ß-boswellic acid and its histological effect on the diabetic mice liver using a novel technique.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: The literature is scant on the effect of 11-keto-ß-boswellic acid (KBA) on the liver of diabetes-induced mice. This study was designed to develop a rapid, sensitive, accurate, and inexpensive detection technique for evaluating the solubility of KBA obtained from the gum resin of Omani frankincense (Boswellia sacra) in the liver of streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) reflectance spectroscopy coupled with principal components analysis (PCA). It also aimed to investigate the effect of KBA on histological changes in the hepatocytes of diabetic mice. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eighteen mice were assigned to the healthy control group, the diabetic control group, or the KBA-treated diabetic group. Liver tissue samples from all groups were scanned using an FTIR reflectance spectrophotometer in reflection mode. FTIR reflectance spectra were collected in the wavenumber range of 400-4000 cm-1 using an attenuated total reflectance apparatus. RESULTS: FTIR reflectance spectra were analyzed using PCA. The PCA score plot, which is an exploratory multivariate data set, revealed complete segregation among the three groups' liver samples based on changes in the variation of wavenumber position in the FTIR reflectance spectra, which indicated a clear effect of KBA solubility on treatments. Histological analysis showed an improvement in the liver tissues, with normal structures of hepatocytes exhibiting mild vacuolation in their cytoplasm. CONCLUSION: KBA improved the morphology of liver tissues in the diabetic mice and led to complete recovery of the damage observed in the diabetic control group. FTIR reflectance spectroscopy coupled with PCA could be deployed as a rapid, low-cost, and non-destructive detection method for evaluating treatment effects in diseased liver tissue based on the solubility of KBA.

Determination of residues of pesticides, anabolic steroids, antibiotics, and antibacterial compounds in meat products in Oman by liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Meat is a rich source of many nutrients and plays a vital role in human life however, meat safety is one of the top priorities of great concern for consumers today. More than 90% of human exposure to harmful materials is due to consumption of contaminated meat products. This study was designed to compare four valid analytical methods for the determination of organochlorine pesticides 2,4 D (2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid), dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene/dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane, alachlor, organophosphate, anabolic steroids (progesterone, testosterone, and estrogen), antibiotics (tetracycline, sulfonamides, gentamycin, and cephalexin), antibacterial compounds (Macrolide, ß-Lactam, Chloramphenicol, Sulphur drugs, and Gentamicin) residues in 135 beef, buffalo, and sheep meat samples (fresh, frozen meats, minced, and sausage samples) of local, regional, and international brands available in Omani markets. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Triplicate meat samples from each brand within each species were extracted with acetonitrile and purified with acetonitrile-saturated n-hexane to remove all impurities. To dry the sample after heating, the residue was passed across a Sep-Pak C18 cartridge for sample cleaning before gas chromatography (GC) (Brand GCMS-QP2010 Plus) coupled with different detectors, including a mass spectrometer or GC-electron capture detector (GC-ECD). Liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC-MS) was also employed for the quantification of the residues in meat products. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits were employed to assess veterinary drug residues, anabolic steroids, and pesticides. The CHARM II instrument was employed to detect chloramphenicol, gentamicin, sulfa-drug, ß-lactam, and macrolide residues in meat and meat product samples. RESULTS: A thin-layer chromatographic (TLC) method should be considered as another method of choice to determine concentrations of veterinary drugs and anabolic steroids. The TLC results were validated by LC-MS. The three described methods permit the multi-residue analysis of anabolic steroid residue levels of 0.06-1.89 ppb in meat product samples. There were three violative residues of anabolic steroids in red meat products that were above the maximum residue limits (MRLs). Although, the levels of organochlorine pesticides and antibiotic concentrations in meat products were below the MRLs, the long-term consumption is considered a health hazard and will affect the wellbeing of consumers. CONCLUSION: The four techniques (GC, high-performance liquid chromatography, ELISA and CHARM II) provided results that were reliable and precise for the detection of chessssmical residues in meat and meat products.

Effects of prenatal tobacco smoke on cerebellum histomorphological changes at critical developmental stages in CD-1 mice / Efectos del humo de tabaco en los cambios histomorfológicos del cerebelo en las etapas críticas del desarrollo prenatal en ratones CD-1

SUMMARY: In this study the consequences of prenatal exposure to tobacco smokes on the histo-morphological changes of cerebellum was assessed by comparing the smoker mice to the nonsmoker mice. A total of 30 pregnant cd-1 mice were divided into three groups of 10 mice each and with two replicates per group (5 mice each). Following acclimation for five days, the mice were placed in a special modified smoking machine for 2 hours per day over a two- and three-week period for group two and group three, respectively. Group one was considered as a control group. Mice in the control group were exposed simultaneously to fresh air from the room, while those in the treatment groups were exposed to tobacco smoke from six commercial filter cigarettes, containing 0.8 mg of nicotine, 10 mg of tar, and 10 mg of carbon monoxide, for three 1-hour exposure periods every day for three weeks. The mice in the control group were exposed to room air for three 1-hour periods every day for the same period of three weeks. The results from this study showed a correlation between maternal smoking and histological changes in Neuron purkinjense (Purkinje cells) of the cerebellum. They also showed that prenatal smoking period may have caused more damage in the histology and structure of Neuron purkinjense in some juvenile mice. An increased incidence of morphology damage of the cerebellum's Neuron purkinjense' structures was also observed in fetuses with prolonged exposure to tobacco smoking. Exposure of in utero maternal smoking may interfere with brain biological development parameters, giving rise to structural abnormalities of the cerebellum. This study concluded that tobacco smoke exposure to pregnant mice may affect neurodevelopment which may induce behavioural changes as a result of reduced cerebellar size and function.

RESUMEN: Se evaluaron los efectos producidos por la exposición prenatal al humo de tabaco en ratones expuestos y no expuestos y los cambios histomorfológicos observados en el cerebelo en ambos grupos. Un total de 30 ratones cd-1 preñados se dividieron en tres grupos de 10 ratones cada uno y con dos réplicas por grupo (5 ratones cada uno). Después de la aclimatación durante cinco días, los ratones se colocaron en una máquina de fumar modificada, especial durante 2 horas al día, durante un período de dos y tres semanas para el grupo dos y el grupo tres, respectivamente. El grupo uno se consideró como grupo control. Los ratones del grupo de control fueron expuestos simultáneamente al aire limpio de la habitación, mientras que los grupos de tratamiento fueron expuestos al humo de tabaco de seis cigarrillos comerciales, que contenían 0,8 mg de nicotina, 10 mg de alquitrán y 10 mg de monóxido de carbono. durante tres períodos de 1 hora diariamente, durante tres semanas. Los ratones del grupo de control se expusieron al aire ambiente durante tres períodos de 1 hora todos los días durante el mismo período de tres semanas. Los resultados de este estudio mostraron una correlación entre el tabaquismo materno y los cambios histológicos en las neuronas purkinjenses (células de Purkinje). Se observó además que el período de tabaquismo prenatal puede haber causado mayor daño en la histología y estructura de las neuronas purkinjenses en algunos ratones jóvenes. También se observó una mayor incidencia de daño morfológico de las estructuras de las neuronas purkinjenses del cerebelo en fetos con exposición prolongada al tabaquismo. La exposición al tabaquismo materno en el útero puede interferir con los parámetros de desarrollo biológico del cerebro, dando lugar a anomalías estructurales del cerebelo. Este estudio concluyó que la exposición al humo del tabaco en ratones preñados puede afectar el desarrollo neurológico, lo que puede inducir cambios de comportamiento como resultado de la reducción del tamaño y la función del cerebelo.

Effects of Dietary Chicory (Chicorium intybus L.) and Probiotic Blend as Natural Feed Additives on Performance Traits, Blood Biochemistry, and Gut Microbiota of Broiler Chickens.

The experiment was designed to determine the effect of different levels of chicory (Chicorium intybus L.) powder and a probiotic blend (PrimaLac®) on productive performance, blood biochemical parameters, and ileal microbiota in broiler chickens. A total of 225 one-day-old broilers (Ross 308) were used in a completely randomized design with five experimental diets as follows: 1-basal-diet without supplements (control-group); 2-basal-diet including probiotic blend; 3- basal-diet including 0.10% chicory; 4-basal-diet including 0.15% chicory; 5-basal-diet including 0.20% chicory. At 42 days of age, representative birds per replicate were randomly selected for blood samples and carcass measurements. Results showed that the body weight gain of broilers fed the probiotic blend or 0.10% chicory was significantly (P < 0.05) higher than those fed on the other treatments. The abdominal fat pad was significantly (P < 0.05) lower in birds fed diets including chicory compared with control or probiotic. Blood triglycerides and LDL levels were reduced (P < 0.05) and HDL increased (P < 0.05) when fed probiotic or chicory whereas no significant effect on the other serum parameters was found. Broiler ileal microflora from the control group had significantly (P < 0.05) higher count of E. coli and lower Lactobacillus than those from the other groups. From findings, it is possible to conclude that dietary chicory powder supported positively growth performance and improved gut microbiota in broiler chickens. However, more research is needed on this subject to better understand the mode of action of feed additives used.

Effects of transportation during the hot season, breed and electrical stimulation on histochemical and meat quality characteristics of goat longissimus muscle.

The effects of transportation and electrical stimulation (90 V) on physiological, histochemical and meat quality characteristics of two breeds of Omani goats were assessed. Twenty 1-year-old male goats from each breed (Batina and Dhofari) were divided into two groups: 3 h transported during the hot season (42 degrees C day time temperature) and non-transported. Animals were blood-sampled before loading and prior to slaughter. Electrical stimulation was applied 20 min postmortem to 50% randomly selected carcasses of both breeds. Temperature and pH decline of the Longissimus was monitored. Ultimate pH, shear force, sarcomere length, myofibrillar fragmentation index, expressed juice, cooking loss and colour were measured from samples of Longissimus dorsi muscles. Electrical stimulation and transportation had a significant effect on most biochemical and meat quality characteristics of Longissimus dorsi. The transported goats had higher plasma cortisol (P < 0.01), adrenaline, nor-adrenaline and dopamine concentrations (P < 0.05) than non-transported goats. Electrical stimulation resulted in a significantly (P < 0.05) more rapid muscle pH fall during the first 12 h after slaughter. Muscles from electrically-stimulated carcasses had significantly (P < 0.05) longer sarcomeres, lower shear force value, a lighter colour (higher L* value), higher expressed juice and myofibrillar fragmentation index than those from non-stimulated ones. Meat from transported goats had significantly higher pH, expressed juice and shear force, but contained significantly lower sarcomere length and L* values than non-transported goats. The proportion of the myosin ATPase staining did not change as a function of stimulation, transportation or breed. These results indicated that subjecting goats to transportation for 3 h under high ambient temperatures can generate major physiological and muscle metabolism responses. Electrical stimulation improved quality characteristics of meat from both groups. This indicates that electrical stimulation may reduce detrimental effects of transportation on meat quality of Omani goats.

Effects of low concentrations of dietary cobalt on liveweight gains, haematology, serum vitamin B(12) and biochemistry of Omani goats.

Seventy-three, 10-week-old, newly weaned Omani goats of three different breeds, namely Dhofari (D), Batinah (B) and Jebel Akhdar (JA) were randomly divided into a control (n=38) and a treated group (n=35) for an experimental period of 10 months. Goats in both groups were fed 150 g/day per head of a pelleted concentrate, based on body weight and their requirements and Rhodes grass hay ad libitum, containing 0.12 and 0.10 mg/kg DM cobalt, respectively. Goats in the treated group also received bi-monthly subcutaneous injections of 2000 microg hydroxycobalamin. In contrast to the treated goats, the control animals of all breeds experienced a severe decrease in their serum vitamin B(12) levels, developed pale mucous membranes, appeared scruffy and two breeds (D and B) had significantly lower weight gains from month 5. Untreated kids of all breeds had significant decreases in their red blood cell counts and erythrocyte indices after approximately four months. Controls developed low total serum protein levels whilst activities of alkaline phosphatase and aspartate aminotransferase significantly increased. Although it is widely assumed that goats are more resistant to cobalt deficiency than sheep this is apparently not true for Omani goats. Based on experimental data from previously reported studies and those from the present study it can be concluded that the reduction in weight gains in D and B goats is related to their lower digestibility coefficients for dry matter, crude protein and energy while the increase in alkaline phosphatase and aspartate aminotransferase are associated with developing hepatic lipidosis.

Caprine hepatic lipidosis induced through the intake of low levels of dietary cobalt.

Forty-one, 10-week-old newly weaned goats were randomly allocated into two groups, namely control (n=22) and treated (n=19). Kids in both groups were fed Rhodegrass hay ad libitum that contained < 0.1 mg/kg DM cobalt and 150 g/day of a commercially prepared ruminant concentrate that contained approximately 0.12 mg/kg DM cobalt. This diet provided the minimum daily requirement of cobalt as specified for sheep. The treated goats were supplemented with bi-monthly subcutaneous injections of 2000 microg of hydroxycobalamin. All goats were weighed and blood samples collected monthly for haematological, clinical biochemical and serum vitamin B12 analysis. After a 10-month experimental period the goats were slaughtered. The control animals exhibited significantly (P<0.05) lower weight gains, and had dry scruffy hair coats. In addition, there was a decline in erythrocyte counts, mean haemoglobin, packed cell volume, mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular haemoglobin and mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration. Controls also exhibited significantly (P<0.05) lower levels of total serum proteins and elevated levels of serum alkaline phosphatase compared to treated goats. Fourteen (63.6%) of the control goats developed pathology consistent with reported field cases of hepatic lipidosis associated with low liver levels of cobalt. Only one (5.3%) of the treated goats developed hepatic lipidosis. Contrary to previous reports that suggested that goats are less sensitive to low levels of dietary cobalt than sheep, it is apparent that this is not the case with Omani goats. This is the first report of the induction of hepatic lipidosis in goats due to feeding low levels of cobalt in their diet.