RESUMO
Background: Essential oils as growth stimulant play an important role in improving intestinal microflora and morphological properties and immune system in broiler chickens
Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of Artemisia sieberi oil on intestinal morphology, secum microflora and immune system in broiler chickens
Methods: Two hundred day-old broiler chickens [Ross 308] were allocated to 5 treatments, 4 replications with a completely randomized design during 42 days of age. Experimental treatments consisted of control [basal diet] or basal diets containing different levels of Artemisia sieberi oil [100, 200 and 300 mg/kg] and 600 mg/kg flavophospholipol antibiotic. On day 42 days of age, intestinal morphology and microflora population and immune system were evaluated by measuring the weight of bursa of fabricious and spleen and antibody production
Results: The results indicated that the highest lactobacillus count and the lowest Escherichia coli count of the caecum was found by inclusion of 300 mg/kg Artemisia sieberi oil in the diet [p<0.0001]. The antibiotic and Artemisia sieberi oil treatments showed higher villus height in the duodenum compared with control group [p<0.01]. Artemisia sieberi oil and antibiotic supplementations significantly decreased epithelial thickness and goblet cell number of the small intestinal compared with control group [p<0.05]. The dietary supplementation did not significantly affect the crypt depth and villus height to crypt depth ratio in small intestine. The level of 300 mg/kg Artemisia sieberi oil significantly increased antibody titration against Newcastle disease virus [p<0.01]
Conclusions: Adding Artemisia sieberi oil at levels of 300 mg/kg to broiler chicken diets can improve gut micro?ora [as measured by changes in populations of Escherichia coli and lactobacillus]
RESUMO
Using methionine in the diet of the small ruminants can induce the growth of follicles and their fibre growth. In this study, the effect of oral coated methionine on the hair follicles was determined in female Rayeni goats and their breastfed kids during the first 2 months of infancy. For this purpose, 60 healthy singleton born Rayeni goats, approximately 3 to 4 years of age with their one-day-old kids were randomly divided into 4 equal groups. The treated mothers group was given 3 gr/day pure oral methionine manually for 60 days. Skin samples of the 4 groups were taken from the middle of the left and right side, on zero, 30 and 60 days of experience. Routine histological processes were done. In each sample, primary and secondary follicles and skin follicles traits, the diameter of the primary and secondary follicles, the diameter of hair and cashmere, the diameter of dermal papilla of primary and secondary follicles and the number of primary and secondary follicles were measured respectively by linear graticule under light microscope. The diameter and percentages of the cashmere of mothers and kids, the firmness, and the length of the cashmere of kids were measured macroscopically. All data were analyzed with SPSS statistical software. The results showed that the oral coated methionine in the diet of the mothers could significantly increase the diameter of primary and secondary follicles and their dermal papilla. In the treated kids, the diameters of the primary and secondary follicles, the dermal papilla of the primary and secondary follicles and the number of secondary follicles showed significant change. According to the study, the oral coated methionine in the diet of the mothers during the first 2 months of infancy can significantly increase the diameter of primary and secondary follicles and their dermal papilla in the mothers and their treated kids. It can also increase the number of secondary follicles in the kids