Effect of clove buds powder supplementation on hematological profile, biochemical parameters, lymphoid organs, and cell-mediated immunity of broilers.

Background: Phytogenic feed additives are products derived from plants used to improve the performance and health of animals. Nowadays, this type of phytogenic feed additive is widely used as an alternative to antibiotic growth promoters in poultry feed, and clove bud is one of the most effective medicinal herbs that has caught the attention of researchers. Aim: This experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of adding clove bud powder to the broiler chicken's feed on the hematological profile, biochemical parameters, lymphoid organs, and cell-mediated immunity. Method: A total of 360 unsexed chicks (Ross 308) were allotted to three groups. All chicks were raised under the same normal management conditions from 1 day to 6 weeks of age. The first group was fed a basal diet and the other two groups were assigned to add 0.5% and 1.0% of clove bud powder to the basal diet. The studied traits were total leukocyte counts (TLC), differential leukocyte counts (DLC), blood cholesterol level, blood liver enzymes [aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) enzymes], the weight of lymphoid organs (bursa of Fabricius and spleen), and cell-mediated immunity. Results: Despite the significant and varied changes (p ≤ 0.05) that resulted from adding clove buds powder to the broiler feed in the second and third weeks, the results at the end of the experiment indicated that there was no negative effect of adding clove powder on the TLC and DLC, as well as the heterophils/lymphocytes ratio. In addition, feeding on a diet containing clove buds powder had no significant effect on the level of cholesterol and liver enzymes in the blood, except for (ALP), which showed a significant increase (p ≤ 0.01) in comparison to the control group. Moreover, the results showed in the second and fifth weeks a significant increase (p ≤ 0.05) in the relative weight of the spleen, but, in general, there were no significant effects at the end of the experiment on the relative weight of the lymphoid organs. Furthermore, the broiler chickens that consumed clove bud powder at a rate of 0.5% showed a highly significant (p ≤ 0.01) cellular immune response. Conclusion: This study concluded that the addition of clove bud powder had no negative effect on leukocyte counts or differentiated leukocyte counts. The addition also raised the spleen weight and improved the level of blood alkane phosphatase activity and cellular immune response in broiler chickens during the growth stages.

Variation in palmaromedial articulations of carpometacarpal joints in Thoroughbred and Standardbred racehorses.

Background: Carpal conformation is an important factor in relation to joint soundness. The equine carpometacarpal joint (CMCJ) was reported to have variations in its three palmaromedial articulations. Lacking one or more of these articulations has not been radiographically evaluated in Thoroughbred (TB) and Standardbred (SB) racehorses. Aim: The study aimed to identify the prevalence of the variation in the palmaromedial articulation of the carpometacarpal joint (PM-CMCJ) in TB and SB horses. Additionally, to detect the probability of having each of the three articulations within and between the breeds. Finally, to establish an anatomical description for the different patterns of the articulations in these horses. Methods: 313 dorsopalmar radiographs from 174 horses (117 TB and 57 SB) were used. Three articulations at PM-CMCJ were evaluated based on their presence or absence: the articulations between the second and third carpal bones (C2-C3), the second carpal-second metacarpal (C2-Mc2), and the second and third metacarpal (Mc2-Mc3) bones. The probability of each articulation was determined in the breeds. Depending on the presence/absence of one or more of these articulations in each horse, each group of horses that had the same patterns of articulation was gathered into one category. Results: Prevalence of variation in articulations of PM-CMCJ was identified in about 28% of the horses. SB showed a higher variation than TB throughout the comparisons. C2-C3 articulation was significantly the most common articulation, especially in TB (98%). The most common pattern of articulations (73%) was found in category I, which had three articulations whereas three horses grouped in category VI had no palmaromedial articulations. Conclusion: The variations in the articulations of PM-CMCJ in TB and SB racehorse might show a breed association. C2-C3 articulation was considerably the most frequent feature and category I was the common pattern of articulations in PM-CMCJ. The potential clinical effects of the varied patterns of the articulations require investigation.

Effect of adding clove buds powder in feed on performance and jejunum morphology in broiler chickens.

Background: Cloves are aromatic spices containing diverse chemically active substances with biological properties. They have also been used in traditional medicine. Aim: This experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of clove bud powder (CBP) dietary administration on the performance and jejunum morphology of the broiler chickens. Methods: A total of 360 1-day-old chicks (Ross 308) were distributed according to a completely randomized design on 3 experimental groups according to CBP% in feed (0.0%, 0.5%, and 1.0%), with 6 replicates for each treatment group. The studied traits included body weight, daily weight gain, daily feed consumption, feed conversion ratio, mortality%, European broiler index (EBI), villus height, crypt depth, and villus height/crypt depth ratio. Results: The broilers final body weight, daily weight gain, and daily feed consumption reduced significantly (p ≤ 0.01) in groups consuming different percentages of CBP, and a significant increase (p < 0.05) in feed conversion ratio was noted in the CBP groups. Adding CBP to feed caused a significant decrease (p < 0.05) in the EBI. However, CBP increased (p ≤ 0.01) villus height and villus height/crypt depth ratio (h/c ratio) compared to the control group. On the other hand, the results showed that there were no significant differences (p > 0.05) between treatment groups in mortality% and crypt depth. Conclusion: This study concluded that the addition of CBP had a negative effect on daily feed consumption, daily body weight gain, final body weight, feed conversion ratio, and EBI at a dose used in this study. But it improved intestinal morphology.