[ effect of dietary Aloe vera gel extract supplementation on lipid peroxidation of broiler breast fillets during frozen storage]

To improve the oxidative stability of meat products, the use of the dietary form of natural additives, especially those with plant origin is increasing. Aloe vera plant, the in vitro antioxidant effect of which has been previously discussed, is a potential candidate for this purpose. This study was designed to evaluate the effects of feed supplementation with Aloe vera gel extract on lipid peroxidation of broiler breast fillets during frozen storage. Fifty-four 1-day old broilers were allocated into three groups [basal diet as control, basal diet supplemented with 100 and 300 mg/kg methanol extract of Aloe vera gel] and fed for 6 weeks. In the term, chicks were slaughtered and their breast fillets were stored at -20[degree sign]C for 9 months. Lipid peroxidation was assessed after 1, 3, 6 and 9 months of frozen storage using chemical [PV and TBARS] and sensory evaluations. Results indicated that incorporation of 300 mg/kg Aloe vera gel methanol extract in broiler diets caused the delay of lipid peroxidation in raw breast meat [with 9.6 meq/kg, 92.67 micro g/kg and 6.3 in PV, TBARS and Sensory evaluations, respectively] in comparison with control sample [with 15.2 meq/kg, 139.33 micro g/kg and 3 in mentioned evaluations] at the last day of the experiment [p<0.05]. This study showed that methanol extract of Aloe vera gel can be considered as a dietary supplementation substance in chicken diet and can delay the oxidative spoilage of chicken breast fillets during frozen spoilage

[Blood pattern changes in relation to age, sex and breed in fat tailed sheep]

Five hundred thirteen blood samples taken from jugular veins of healthy fat tailed sheep of both sexes, different breeds [Ghezel, Mehraban and Mixed] at different ages [at birth; 1,2,3,4 weeks; 2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12 months; 2,3,4,5 years] were examined for RBC, Hb., PCV MCV, MCH, MCHC, WBC, differential counts and platelets values. The total erythrocyte count, PCV and Hb. level decreased after birth during first few weeks, but rose and reached to near normal adult values at 2 months. Mean corpuscular volume and MCH decreased in similar way, but did not rise at 2 months. Both increased at 7 months and reached to adult level at 10 months. Mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration was low at birth, but increased in more or less parallel pattern with age increase. The total erythrocyte, PCV, Hb., MCV, MCH, MCHC values showed very important changes at the time of puberty that is fully discussed in the text. Generally, number of erythrocytes in fat tailed sheep is about two times more than the number of erythrocytes in human and dogs. The erythrocytes are also smaller, consequently sheep showed smaller PCV value than in two species mentioned. Then for calculating the number PCV/3 = RBC [x 10

] formula should be used in place of PCV/6 = RBC [x 10

] which is used for human and other species. The total leukocyte count changes followed erythrocyte count pattern changes from birth to 5 years. Lymphocyte count value was very low at birth, but rose very sharply in first few weeks and then continued to highest value at 7 months. Lymphocyte count showed significant changes inversely related to changes in neutrophil changes. Immature neutrophils, band neutrophils, and metamyelocyte were observed in first few weeks of life, but the number decreased as the age of animals advanced. Band neutrophis and metamyelocytes were not observed after 8 months. Eosinophil count was low at birth and gradually increased with highest value at five years. Moncyte count was high at birth, but decreased as age of animals advance. The mean value of platelets was low at birth, but sharply increased in 2 weeks and then decreased 4th week of life. It then stabilized up to 7 months, but showed significant changes at puberty