Effect of feeding guanidinoacetic acid and L-arginine on the fertility rate and sperm penetration in the perivitelline layer of aged broiler breeder hens.

Two experiments were conducted to evaluate the effects of feeding guanidinoacetic acid (GAA) and L-arginine (ARG) on fertility and sperm penetration (SP) rate of broiler breeder hens. In the first experiment, a total of 200 broiler breeder hens (Ross 308) aged 53 weeks were randomly allotted to four dietary treatments (0, 0.6, 1.2 and 1.8 g GAA/kg diet) with five replicates of 10 birds each. In the second experiment, 320 broiler breeder hens (Ross 308) were used from 53 to 62 weeks of age in a 2 × 4 factorial arrangement (0 or 1.2 g GAA/kg diet along with 0, 3, 6 or 9 g ARG/kg diet). The hens received a diet containing 2800 kcal ME/kg and 14% CP. Sixteen sexually mature Ross 308 breeder roosters (34 weeks old) were used to artificially inseminate the hens. Fertility of the hens was determined in 61 and 62 weeks of age. The sperm penetration holes in the inner perivitelline layer (IPL) overlying the germinal disc were enumerated on days 3 and 7 following each insemination. Adding GAA to the breeder diet increased the number of SPs in the IPL and fertility in both experiments (p < 0.01). The interactive effect of ARG and GAA on the SP and fertility was significant. Supplementary ARG increased the SP rate in the IPL (p < 0.01). In conclusion, dietary supplementation of GAA and ARG might be potentially used to improve the fertility of broiler breeder hens at the later phase of the egg production period.

Effects of sulfur water extraction on anthocyanins properties of tepals in flower of saffron (Crocus sativus L).

A sulfur solution with different metabisulfite concentrations (100, 400, 700, 1,000 and 2,000 ppm) was used to extract anthocyanins from saffron tepals. The extraction process was compared with acidified ethanol solution at similar extraction times of 20, 40, 60, 120, and 180 min at 40 °C. The recovery of anthocyanins with sulfur solution was higher than ethanol extraction and reached to 700 mg anthocyanins/100 g, when the sulfur concentration and extraction time were 700 ppm and 60 min, respectively. HPLC analysis showed that anthocyanins extracted with sulfur solution followed by partial desulfurization and reducing sulfur content (to less than 250 ppm) had around 100 % more cyanidin 3 glucosides and 100 % less pelargonidin 3,5 glucosides in comparison with ethanol extraction. Additionally, the color of low-sulfured anthocyanins had more saturation (chroma), less lightness, and more stability than the one extracted with ethanol solution. While monomeric and polymeric anthocyanins extracted with sulfur solution had less than 1 % changes after 3 h extraction time, they had more than 12 % changes when they extracted with alcoholic solution at similar conditions. Overall, the sulfur method had a potential to extract stable anthocyanins from waste and discarded saffron tepals in aqueous solvent, and with higher quantity and quality (more attractive color) than conventional ethanol extraction method.

Black cumin seeds, Artemisia leaves (Artemisia sieberi), and Camellia L. plant extract as phytogenic products in broiler diets and their effects on performance, blood constituents, immunity, and cecal microbial population.

Two experiments were conducted to evaluate the effects of using black cumin seeds (BCS), Artemisia leaves (AL), and Camellia L. plant extract (CLE) in the diets of broiler chicks. Experiment 1 was conducted as a completely randomized design in a factorial arrangement (2 × 2) with 8 replicates of 4 chicks in each battery cage. Factors included 2 levels of BCS and AL (0 and 1%). Experiment 2 was conducted as a completely randomized design with 4 treatments (control, 0.3 and 0.5 g/kg of CLE, and 0.5 g/kg of mannanoligosaccharide) of 8 replicates and 4 chicks in each. Body weight and cumulative feed intake were measured at 21, 35, and 42 d of age. Antibody response against SRBC was measured on d 28 and 42. Blood characteristics, relative weight and length of different parts of the carcass, gastrointestinal pH, villi length, and crypt depth were measured at 42 d of age. Artemisia addition did not affect BW and feed conversion ratio (FCR) but decreased feed intake significantly up to 21 d of age (P ≤ 0.01). Black cumin significantly increased BW (P ≤ 0.05) at 21 and 42 d of age and decreased FCR throughout the experimental period (P ≤ 0.01). Artemisia significantly increased monocytes but had no effect on gastrointestinal pH, antibody response, and relative weight and length of different parts of the carcass. Black cumin increased red blood cells, hematocrit, hemoglobin, gizzard relative weight, and pH but decreased antibody response and monocytes percentage (P ≤ 0.01). Artemisia did not affect plasma lipid profile but decreased coliform and Escherichia coli populations of ceca significantly (P ≤ 0.01 and P ≤ 0.05, respectively). Addition of 0.5 g/kg of CLE decreased BW, feed intake, and FCR throughout the experiment (P ≤ 0.01). Camellia increased gizzard and proventriculus pH, villi length, and crypt depth (P ≤ 0.01) but decreased primary antibody response, total white blood cell count, and cholesterol concentration (P ≤ 0.05). The results of this experiment showed that using BCS alone or mixed with AL improved broiler health and performance but CLE negatively affected broiler BW and feed intake and is not a good alternative to commercial mannanoligosaccharide.

Biological and nano-indentation properties of polybenzoxazine-based composites reinforced with zirconia particles as a novel biomaterial.

INTRODUCTION: The biological and mechanical properties of substances are relevant to their application as biomaterials and there are many efforts to enhance biocompatibility and mechanical properties of bio-medical materials. OBJECTIVES: In this study, to achieve a low rate of shrinkage during polymerization, good mechanical properties, and excellent biocompatibility, benzoxazine based composites were synthesized. METHODS: Benzoxazine monomer was synthesized using a solventless method. FTIR and DSC analysis were carried out to determine the appropriate polymerization temperature. The low viscosity of the benzoxazine monomer at 70°C attract us to use in situ polymerization after high speed ball milling of the benzoxazine and it mixture with different weight fractions of zirconia particles. Dispersion and adhesion between the ceramic and polymer components were evaluate by SEM. To evaluate the biological properties and toxicity of the polybenzoxazine-based composite samples reinforced with zirconia particles, 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay was conducted. The micromechanical properties of each composite were evaluated by more than 20 nanoindentation tests and 3 nanoscratching tests. Surface topography of scratched regions was investigated using Atomic Force Microscopy. Shrinkage was simulated by Materials Studio software. RESULTS: SEM images showed good dispersion and adhesion between the ceramic and polymer components. Biocompatibility assay showed excellent in vitro biocompatibility. Nano-indentation force-displacement curves showed matrix, reinforcement and interphase regions in specimens and excellent homogeneity in mechanical properties. The nanoindentation results showed that the addition of zirconia particles to the polybenzoxazine matrix increased the modulus and hardness of the neat polybenzoxazine; however, by adding more than an optimum level of reinforcement particles, the mechanical properties decreased due to the agglomeration of reinforcement particles and weak interphase that cause inappropriate load transferring between matrix and reinforcement particles. Results of nano-scratching tests showed effects of zirconia particles as reinforcement on the coeffiecient of friction of the synthesized composites. Shrinkage simulation showed a low rate of shrinkage for polybenzoxazine in comparison with other low shrinkage polymers, such as Bis-GMA. CONCLUSION: Polybenzoxazine based composites that reinforced with an optimum amount of zirconia particles (60% wt micro and 10% wt nano-particles) could be used as a novel biomaterial duo to its excellent biocompatibility, good mechanical properties, appropriate viscosity and low rate of polymeization shrinkage.