influence of a slow-release multi-trace element ruminal bolus on trace element status, number of ovarian follicles and pregnancy outcomes in synchronized Afshari ewes

Published data on the effects of ruminal bolus on the number of ovulatory follicles in ewes does not exist. The present study determined the effects of a ruminal bolus on trace element status, follicular dynamics and reproductive performance in ewes. Eighty Afshari cycling ewes were synchronized during breeding season using CIDR for 14 days and assigned to 4 groups [n=20]; group 1 received a single Ferrobloc bolus four weeks prior to CIDR insertion following 400 IU eCG on CIDR removal, group 2 received two boluses four weeks prior to CIDR insertion following 400 IU eCG on CIDR removal, group 3 received only 400 IU eCG on CIDR removal and group 4 [control] received no bolus and no eCG. Transrectal ultrasonography was done to monitor the ovarian follicles on the day of CIDR removal and a day later. Results showed that boluses increased the status of copper, selenium and iodine on mating day and days 90 to 100 of gestation. Ruminal bolus did not significantly increase the number of different classes of ovarian follicles in ewes fed a diet meeting all trace mineral requirements. All ewes eventually became pregnant with 1 or 2 boluses but the multiple births rate [80%] was higher [P<0.05] after 2 boluses compared to the other groups

comparison of the effects of commercial prebiotic [safmannan, biomos and fermacto] on performance, egg quality and antibody titer of Avian Influenza and Newcastle disease in laying hens

Effects of different sources of prebiotic on performance and immune response in laying hens were evaluated in this study. The aim of this experiment was to compare the effects of commercial prebiotics on performance, egg quality and antibody titer against Newcastle disease [ND] and Avian Influenza [AI] in laying hens. The experiment was performed for 11 weeks [from 33 to 44 weeks of age] on 240 laying hens [the LSL strain], in a completely randomized design with 4 treatments, and 5 replicate for each treatment and 12 birds for each replicate. Treatments were: 1] control; 2] control +Safmannan; 3] control +Bio-Mos and 4] control +Fermacto. The results showed that feed intake, feed conversion ratio and egg production percentage were not affected by different sources of prebiotic. However, egg weight and egg mass were significantly increased [p<0.05] by adding prebiotic, in comparison with control diet. Egg specific gravity and shell thickness were increased [p<0.05] by prebiotic addition. The results of experiment showed that antibody titers against AI and ND were significantly increased [p<0.05] by prebiotics compared with control group. The results showed that the effects of different sources of prebiotic on performance and immune response of laying hen are similar. However, inclusion of prebiotic in the diet results in improvement of the performance and antibody titer against Influenza and Newcastle

[Effects of probiotic and calcium butyrate on production performance, egg quality, blood parameters and immune response in laying hens]

The effects of probiotic and calcium butyrate [Ca-butyrate] as feed additives on performance and immune response have been shown in laying hens. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of different levels of probiotic and Ca-butyrate on performance, egg quality, blood parameters and immune response in laying hens. Two hundred and eighty eight Hy-Line W-36 hens [62 to 70 wks of age] were used in a 2×3 factorial arrangement with three levels of probiotic [0, 0.07 and 0.01 percent] and two levels of Ca-butyrate [0 and 0.1 percent] in a completely randomized design of 6 treatments and 8 replicates. The results showed that feed intake, feed conversion ratio, egg production, shape index, yolk index, haugh unit, egg weight and specific gravity were not affected by probiotic and Ca-butyrate. While egg weight and egg mass were significantly [p<0.05] increased using probiotic compared with the control diet, such an effect was not observed due to Ca-butyrate addition. However, shell thickness showed significant increase [p<0.05] in response to Ca-butyrate. The interaction between different levels of probiotic and Ca-butyrate was only significant for feed conversion ratio [p<0.05]. Antibody titer against sheep red blood cell [SRBC] was not affected [p>0.05] by experimental treatments. The concentration of serum albumin was significantly increased [p<0.05] by adding probiotic and Ca-butyrate to feed. Furthermore, significant increase [p<0.05] in total serum protein was pronounced in response to probiotic and Ca-butyrate. However, other serum metabolites [total calcium, triglycerides and cholesterol concentrations] were not affected by treatments. The relative percentage of heterophiles and heterophiles to lymphocytes ratio were significantly decreased [p<0.05] using probiotic. Dietary probiotic and Ca-butyrate can be considered as additives to improve immune responses in laying hens