effects of herbal plants on Mucin 2 gene expression and performance in ascetic broilers

The mucus layer plays an important role as an intermediate for the protection of the gut against acidic chyme, digestive enzymes, and pathogens; in addition, it acts as a lubricant and facilitator of nutrient transportation. Phytogenic compounds seem to promote intestinal mucus production. The current study was conducted to investigate the effects of low and high levels of energy and amino acids in combination with turmeric, thyme, and cinnamon on chicken performance and expression of mucin 2 gene. The eight experimental groups consisted of diluted and condensed diet with and without the addition of 5g/kg of each turmeric, thyme, and cinnamon to the diet. Chicken performance was recorded. Expression analysis of the mucin 2 gene was carried out by quantitative RT-PCR. Body weight gain, feed intake, FCR, and mortality rate were not affected by diets [p>0.05]. A significant [p<0.05] reduction of the mucin 2 gene expression was observed in chickens fed by condensed diet; however, the expression increased by supplementation of turmeric, thyme, and cinnamon. These results, in addition to the function of herbs in increasing the activity of some enzymes which is possibly related to the mucin biological pathways, showed that the application of turmeric, thyme, and cinnamon could be useful in poultry diets. It appears that supplementation of turmeric, thyme, and cinnamon could increase mucin 2 gene expression in the small intestine, and this can improve intestinal digestive function and defense

[Effect of calcium and magnesium ions in the billard salt solution on sperm motility in rainbow trout [Oncorhynchus mykiss, walbaum 1792]]

There are different activating salt solutions for sperm induction of rainbow trout [Oncorhynchus mykiss] under artificial spawning condition, although some uncertainties are associated with the performance. This study was conducted to consider the effects of different concentration of calcium and magnesium ions and change of pH in the Billard salt solution on sperm motility of rainbow trout. Four-year old broodstocks [n=10] of rainbow trout were randomly selected and adapted to the same experimental condition for two weeks. Experimental solutions were also prepared in triplicate by separately adding 1, 2, and 3 mmol calcium and magnesium to the Billard solution. Another three solutions were also prepared with pH adjustment from 9.0 in the Billard solution to 8.0, 8.5, and 9.5. The broodstocks were then transported to the hatchery and artificially spawned. The collected sperm from all broodstocks were mixed for eliminating the effect of genetically differences between the fishes. Finally, the rainbow trout sperm mobility in the experimental treatments was determined in triplicate and compared by the Billard solution as the control treatment. Sperm mobility of rainbow trout in all treatments was significantly more than the control [p<0.01]. The maximum mobility with 105.0 +/- 6.7 s was obtained in the 1 mmol calcium treatment, while the lowest level was found in the Billard treatment [31.33 +/- 4.50 s]. Between the experimental treatments, calcium had the most effect on the sperm mobility of rainbow trout, although no significant differences was observed on the sperm mobility between 3 mmol calcium and 3 mmol magnesium treatments [p<0.01]. A downward trend in sperm mobility was found by increasing the pH of activating solutions with the highest and lowest sperm mobility in the pH of 8 and 9.5 treatments, respectively. The findings of the present study demonstrated that modification of activating salt solutions using each doubly charged ions of calcium and magnesium and the pH adjustment could improve the reproduction efficiency and hatching rate in the hatcheries of rainbow trout

effect of silymarin on mesenteric ischemia-reperfusion injury

To examine the effect of silymarin [SM], a mixture of flavonoids and polyphenols extracted from Silybum marianum, on mesenteric ischemia-reperfusion [I-R] injury in a rat model. Fifty rats were randomly divided into 5 groups [n = 10]. Group 1 was sham operated, while groups 2-5 were subjected to mesenteric I-R lasting 1 h. Group 2 received isotonic sodium chloride, group 3 received SM [100 mg/kg/day] for 7 days before I-R, group 4 received SM for 7 days after I-R, and group 5 received SM for 7 days both before and after I-R. The rats were sacrificed by exsanguination in groups 1-3 at the 24th hour and groups 4 and 5 were sacrificed on the 7th day of reperfusion. Blood and intestinal specimens were taken for biochemical and pathological evaluations. Serum superoxide dismutase [SOD] and heat shock protein 70 levels were significantly higher in group 2 [5.24 +/- 1.76 U/l and 261.4 +/- 16.8 ng/ml] compared to the sham group [2.08 +/- 1.76 U/l and 189.9 +/- 28.7 ng/ml] [p < 0.001 and p < 0.0001, respectively]. However, SOD activity and the extent and severity of the histopathological lesions were significantly less in groups 3 [3.11 +/- 1.18 U/l, 1.0 [range 0.0-2.0]], 4 [2.15 +/- 0.87 U/l, 1.0 [range 1.0-3.0]], and 5 [1.80 +/- 0.61 U/l, 0.5 [range 0.0-2.0]], treated with SM, than in group 2 [5.24 +/- 1.76 U/l, 2.0 [range 2.0-3.0]] [p = 0.002, p < 0.001, and p = 0.0001; p < 0.001, p = 0.007, and p = 0.0001, respectively]. Also, TNF- alpha levels were lower in the SM-supplemented groups compared to group 2. Serum thiobarbituric acid-reactive substance concentrations were low in the pre-/posttreatment groups treated with SM compared to group 2. No statistical difference was observed for protein carbonyls between the groups. Our findings suggest that SM therapy may attenuate the oxidative and intestinal damage induced by I-R injuries

[Effect of low level laser therapy on orthodontic movement in human]

Lasers with different characteristics have been used to stimulate orthodontic tooth movement. Considering the contradictory findings in this regard, this study was designed to assess the effect of low level laser therapy [LLLT] on the rate orthodontic tooth movement. In this randomized clinical trial study, 12 patients [4 boys and 8 girls; average age: 16.9 +/- 3.4] with extracted upper first premolars and required canine retraction into extraction site were included. While in both sides canines were retracted by NiTi coil spring, one side was exposed to GaAlAs laser [890 nm]. LLLT was done [on the buccal and palatal mucosa by slow movement of probe] at the beginning of the first month. Impression and cast fabrication performed at the beginning of retraction, one and two months later. The amount of retraction on the cast was measured with the aid of a reference plaque fabricated on the rogae using a digital caliper. Data were analyzed using paired sample T-test and one-sample Kolmogorov- Simirnov test. There was no significant difference in the amounts of canine movement between laser exposed and control sides [P>0.05]. The energy dose of laser used in this study [72 J per each tooth] was not appropriate for increasing dental movement

[Changes of glycosaminoglycans in the brain tissue of diabetic rats]

Diabetes mellitus affects the metabolism of components of extra cellular matrix such as Glycosaminoglycans. Although the changes of Glycosaminoglycans have been attended but investigation of the changes of Glycosaminoglycans in the brain tissue of diabetic rat is still in early stages. Investigation of changes of Glycosaminoglycans in brain of diabetic rats. Based on an experimental study, 20 male Rats [Wistar, weight 200-250 gr] were randomly divided to two groups; experimental [diabetic, N=10] and non-experimental [non-diabetic, N=10]. A single dose of Alloxan [120ml/ km] was injected to the experimental group. Three months after injection, the slides were prepared from the brain of the rats and studied after stained by Hematoxylin- Eosin and Schmorl's method and Critical Electrolyte Concentration [CEC 1-4]. CEC staining showed that Heparin sulfate was the only Glycosaminoglycans which have been decreased in the brain tissue of the experimental group and any deposits in neurons, particularly Lipofuscin pigments were not expressed in used of Schmorl's method. According to the important roles of Heparin sulfate in normal functions of the nervous system and its role in repairing of the nervous tissue's injury, decrease of Heparin Sulfate, a kind of Glycosaminoglycans, could induce nervous injury and disorder in brain functions

effects of two dietary levels of L-carnitine and vegetable fat powder on the quality of cockerels' sperm and fertility and hatchability in broiler breeders

To investigate the effect of two dietary levels of l-carnitine and vegetable fat powder on the quality of cockerels' sperm and broiler breeder fertility and hatchability. Two hundred and fifty female and twenty five male broiler breeders. were studied Classic Hubbard parent stocks were randomly distributed in five groups of 50 with five replicates of 10 females and one male. Two levels of l-carnitine 0, 60 ppm [for females] and 0, 500 ppm [for males] and vegetable fat powder [0, 1. 5%] were used in a completely random design. At first, data were analyzed in factorial arrangement but no interaction was observed and then a completely randomized design was employed. A diet with high lysine and methionine was fed to one group of birds. Determined variables were hatchability, fertility, egg production, egg weight, albumen height, Hugh unit, color of yolk, shell thickness, shell strength, semen volume, sperm motility, live sperm percent, sperm count and normal sperm percent. Supplemented diet with l-carnitine had significant effects during the hatchability [p < 0. 01-0. 05], fertility [p < 0. 01], semen quantity and sperm quality [p < 0. 01]. L-carnitine had no effect on egg production except on fifth and sixth weeks of experiment [p < 0. 01]; also, l-carnitine had no effect on egg characteristics. Supplementation of l-carnitine in broiler breeders rations increases their fertility, hatchability and sperm quality

Comparison of Different Omega-3 Fatty Acid Sources for Enrichment of Egg

To compare different omega-3 fatty acid sources for enrichment of egg from economical and qualitative aspects.Compeletely Randomized Design. One hundred and eighty Single Comb White Leghorn laying hens, 24 weeks old. Ten groups of 18 hens [6 hens/cage] were randomly assigned to each of ten dietary treatments and in compeletely randomized design, were fed diets containing 2.5 ko[3]/41, 5 ko[3]/41 and 7.5 ko[3]/41 flax seed, canola seed and fish meal or a wheat- soybean control diet, for 12 weeks. At the end of this period, percentage of linolenic acid [n-3], linoleic acid [n-6], oleic acid [n-9] and some of saturated fatty acids were determined. Statistical Analysis: Analysis of variance of data were performed by SAS software and comparison of the means were done by Duncan's multiple range test. There were significant difference among groups on linolenic acid, linoleic acid percentage and ratio of linoleic acid [n-6] to linolenic acid [n-3][P<0.05]. The greatest value for linolenic acid was in the group given 7.5 ko[3]/41 flax seed. During this period, there were no significant differences [P>0.05] among treatments on egg production, egg weights, daily feed intake, feed conversion, and quality of eggs [P>0.05]. With note to increasing in linolenic acid amount of egg yolks in the group given 7.5 ko[3]/41 canola seed and because of low cost and abundance of canola seed in Iran, and not to be influenced of performance of laying hens and quality of eggs, 7.5ko[3]/41 canola seed could be recommended