The effect of hydroxy-selenomethionine on the productive and reproductive performance of old broiler breeders.

BACKGROUND: Selenium (Se) is a rare essential element that plays a vital role in the health and performance of animals. By interfering in the production of antioxidant enzymes such as glutathione peroxidase, thioredoxin reductase and methionine sulfoxide, Se plays a role in reducing the effects of oxidative stress and animal performance. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to investigate the effect of hydroxy-selenomethionine (OH-SeMet) in the diet of broiler breeder and old broiler breeder roosters on productive performance, reproduction and sperm quality parameters. METHODS: For this purpose, 260 broiler breeders of the Ross 308 strain were used in a completely randomized design with four treatments and five replications (13 hens and one rooster in each replication). Experimental treatments included: (1) a basal diet without OH-SeMet (T1:control), (2) a broiler breeder diet without OH-SeMet and a rooster diet containing 0.1 mg/kg OH-SeMet (T2), (3) broiler breeder diet containing 0.1 mg/kg OH-SeMet and rooster diet without OH-SeMet (T3) and (4) broiler breeder and rooster diet contained 0.1 mg/kg OH-SeMet (T4). RESULTS: The results showed that T3 and T4 treatments improved egg production, egg weight, egg mass and feed conversion ratio (FCR) compared to the control treatment (p < 0.05). The fertility and hatchability percentages of T4 and T2 treatments increased compared to T1 and T3 treatments (p < 0.05). The rate of embryonic losses in T1 was higher than in other treatments. However, grade one chickens were higher in T4 than in other treatments (p < 0.05). Total motility and viability of sperms were significantly higher in T2 and T4 treatments than in T1 and T3 treatments. The sperm abnormality percentage and sperm MDA concentration decreased in T2 and T4 treatments. CONCLUSIONS: Therefore, using OH-SeMet may be a practical approach to help old broiler breeders' production and reproduction performance.

Impact of dietary supplementation of unsaturated and saturated fatty acids on bone strength, fatty acids profile of thigh muscle and immune responses in broiler chickens under heat stress.

BACKGROUND: There have been some reports that supplementation of fat could alleviate the negative effects of heat stress on performance in broilers. However, information regarding compensation for the adverse effects of heat stress with diets differing in fatty acids source on immune system, bone strength and carcass quality of heat-distressed broilers is limited. OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of diets differing in fat source on performance, immune system, bone strength, and carcass quality of heat-distressed broilers. METHODS: In a completely randomized design with 4 × 2 factorial arrangement of the treatments, 320 24-day-old Ross 308 chickens, with average initial weight of 1220 ± 10 g were divided into eight treatments included sesame oil, tallow, sunflower oil and palm oil in either 22 or 32 degree of centigrade temperature. The broiler performance of each fat source-treated group was not different in this experiment and decreased significantly in heat stress condition. RESULTS: Heat stress showed a significant increase on fat, energy and ash content of thigh muscle. Tibia absolute length, width, ash and bone breaking strength were affected by fat source and increased when sesame and sunflower oil were used. Data analysis revealed that hot temperature decreased tibia weight, length, width, ash and bone breaking strength. Heat stress led to decrease of immune system parameters. CONCLUSION: Results suggest that there is no beneficial effect of broiler performance due to adding different sources of fat in broiler chicken diet under hot condition. Furthermore, the unsaturated fatty acids could improve the profile of fatty acids in thigh and enhance immune responses in broiler chickens.

Effects of supplementation of pomegranate processing by-products and waste cooking oils as alternative feed resources in broiler nutrition.

Agricultural residues can be used as alternative feed sources in industrial chicken production. The impacts of different levels of pomegranate peel and waste cooking oil as an agricultural residue on broilers' nutrition were investigated. Results showed that the replacement of 8% pomegranate peel in diets decreased the growth performance of broilers. Supplementing 8% pomegranate peel in diets reduced apparent nutrient digestibility. The highest level of waste oil inclusion in broiler diets indicated negative impacts on apparent zmetabolizable energy and crude fat apparent nutrients digestibility. Broilers fed the diet containing 4% pomegranate peel had a higher Lactobacillus population. The results showed that the Lactobacillus population was lower in broilers fed 8% pomegranate peel powder and 4% waste oil in diets. The inclusion of 8% pomegranate peel powder in diets showed lower villus height and crypt depth in the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum. The inclusion of 4% pomegranate peel decreased the peroxide value (PV) of meat. Dietary inclusion of 4% waste oil raised the PV of meat. Alpha-tocopherol supplementation decreased the PV of meat. Finally, the results provide information that 4% of pomegranate peel and 4% waste oil could be used as an alternative feed ingredient in broiler diets without adverse effects.

Effect of Dietary L-Threonine and Toxin Binder on Performance, Blood Parameters, and Immune Response of Broilers Exposed to Aflatoxin B1.

To evaluate the effect of L-Threonine (L-Thr) and Mycofix® Plus (MP) on aflatoxicosis, an experiment with a 3-way ANOVA model was carried out with 8 replicates and 640 birds. Treatments included two levels of L-Thr (100% and 125% of the requirements, Cobb 500, Cobb-Vantress), Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) (0, 500 ppb), and MP (0, 1 g/kg). As the main effects showed, AFB1 decreased breast meat yield and carcass percentage (p < 0.001), serum urea, antibody titer against infectious bronchitis virus (IBV), and bone density (p < 0.05), while it increased the plasma concentrations of glucose and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) (p < 0.05). Mycofix Plus improved the grower feed intake (FI), tibia fresh weight, and body weight (BW) to bone weight (p < 0.05). L-Threonine increased the grower FI, breast meat yield, serum aspartate transaminase (AST), and glutathione peroxidase (GPX) (p < 0.05). There were positive interactions with breast meat yield, cholesterol, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and IBV titer. Of the treatments used, the combination of L-Thr and MP without AFB1 improved breast meat and carcass percentage. L-Threonine and MP significantly improved IBV titer in birds challenged with AFB1 (p < 0.001). In conclusion, L-Thr and MP were beneficial to improve immunity.

Immune response and antioxidant status of broilers as influenced by oxidized vegetable oil and pomegranate peel.

The experiment was designed as a 3 × 3 × 2 factorial arrangement of treatments, including (i) pomegranate peel (zero, 4%, and 8 percent), (ii) oxidized soybean oil (zero, 2%, and 4 percent), and (iii) alpha-tocopherol (zero and 200 mg/kg). Supplementation of 8% pomegranate peel in diets significantly decreased the growth performance of broiler chickens. The supplementation of 4% oxidized oil in diets significantly reduced body weight gain and Feed intake whole experimental period (p < 0.05). The results showed that supplementation of 4% pomegranate peel in the diet was associated with low aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase, and malondialdehyde (MDA). However, 4% pomegranate peel increased the total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activities. The supplemental 4% oxidized oil increased the serum AST, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and MDA concentrations. TAC, SOD, and Catalase (CAT) activities were affected by 4% oxidized oil and alpha-tocopherol. The use of oxidized oil and vitamin E decreased MDA concentration. The serum glucose and globulin concentrations were significantly lower in the 8% pomegranate peel. The results showed that supplementation with 4% pomegranate peel in diets reduced serum low-density lipoprotein (LDL). The inclusion of 4% oxidized oil in diets reduced serum glucose and increased the blood lipid concentration such as triglyceride, cholesterol and LDL. Vitamin E supplementation reduced the serum cholesterol and LDL concentrations. The use of 8% pomegranate peel reduced red blood cell (RBC), hemoglobin, and packed cell value (PCV). The results indicated that supplementation with 8% pomegranate peel and 4% oxidized oil in diets decreased the immunoglobulin concentration in broilers. In addition, it was found that the inclusion of 4% pomegranate peel in diets resulted in higher IgG, IgM and total immunoglobulin. Pomegranate peel supplementation significantly decreased meat MDA concentration. Supplementation of 4% oxidized oil increased MDA of meat (p < 0.05). Vitamin E supplementation (200 mg/kg) significantly decreased MDA of meat (p < 0.05). Consequently, the results of this experiment showed that supplementation with 4% pomegranate peel had beneficial effects on broiler chickens. It was also found that feeding 2% oxidized oil in diets had no adverse effect on broilers.

Supplementation of pomegranate processing waste and waste soybean cooking oil as an alternative feed resource with vitamin E in broiler nutrition: effects on productive performance, meat quality and meat fatty acid composition.

This research aimed to determine the effect of dietary supplementation of pomegranate peels powder and waste soybean cooking oil on the performance and meat quality of male Ross 308 broiler chickens. Before start of the experiment, the metabolisable energy of pomegranate peels and other nutritive and chemical contents of pomegranate peels were measured. Also, peroxidation indices and fatty acids profiles of experimental oils were analysed. The experiment was designed as a 3 × 3 × 2 factorial arrangement of treatments including i) pomegranate peels (0, 4 and 8%), ii) waste soybean cooking oil (0, 2 and 4%) and iii) vitamin E (0 and 200 mg/kg diet). Supplementation of 8% pomegranate peels significantly decreased growth performance of broiler chickens (p < 0.05). The supplementation of 4% waste cooking oil significantly reduced body weight gain during the grower and whole experimental period (p < 0.05). Pomegranate peels supplementation decreased peroxide value (PV) and thiobarbituric acid (TBA) and increased pH of meat (p < 0.05). Supplementation of 4% waste cooking oil increased PV and TBA and reduced crude protein, water holding capacity (WHC), and pH of meat (p < 0.05). Vitamin E supplementation significantly decreased TBA and increased WHC of meat (p < 0.05). Supplementation of pomegranate peels decreased saturated fatty acids (SFA) and increased polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) of meat (p < 0.05). Broilers fed diets with 4% waste cooking oil showed higher SFA and lower PUFA contents in meat (p < 0.05). So it can be concluded that 4% pomegranate peels could be used as an alternative feed ingredient and a source of antioxidants in broiler diets, and also 2% waste soybean cooking oil can be included as feed ingredient in broiler diets without adversely affecting performance.

The effects of fermented milk products (kefir and yogurt) and probiotic on performance, carcass characteristics, blood parameters, and gut microbial population in broiler chickens.

This study was conducted to determine the effects of fermented milk products and probiotic on performance, carcass characteristics, blood parameters, and gut microbial population in broiler chickens. A total of 480 one-day-old Ross 308 broilers were allocated to 30 floor pens in a completely randomized design with six treatments, five replicates, and 16 chicks (eight males and eight females) in each replicate. On the first day, the male and female chicks were weighed and divided by the feather sexing method so that the average body weight of chicks was approximately equal in each pen. Treatments consisted of six groups (including control): group 1 had a basal diet and normal drinking water, group 2 had a basal diet and probiotics (PrimaLac®) in drinking water as recommended by the manufacturer, group 3 had a basal diet and 2 % yogurt in drinking water, group 4 had a basal diet and 4 % yogurt in drinking water, group 5 had a basal diet and 2 % kefir in drinking water, and group 6 had a basal diet and 4 % kefir in drinking water. Chemical and microbiological characteristics of kefir and yogurt were measured after each production. The results showed that 4 % kefir, yogurt, and probiotic at the recommend level in water improved body weight gain, feed intake, and feed conversion ratio compared with other groups ( P < 0.05 ). The results indicated that treatment had a significant effect on the carcass yield, intestinal length, thigh yield, and abdominal fat in male and female chickens ( P < 0.05 ). There were no effects on total bacteria population but the lactobacilli and coliform bacteria populations showed increasing and decreasing trends, respectively, with 4 % kefir, yogurt, and probiotic supplementation at 28 and 42 d ( P < 0.05 ). In addition, blood glucose and total protein increased when using a high levels of kefir, yogurt, and probiotic in water, while cholesterol and LDL (low-density lipoprotein) concentrations were lower in 4 % kefir, yogurt, and probiotic at the recommended level. Consequently, the results of this study showed that the use of 4 % kefir, yogurt, and probiotic at recommended level in water had beneficial effects on the growth performance, intestinal bacteria population, and blood biochemical parameters in male and female broiler chickens.

Effect of in ovo ghrelin administration on serum malondialdehyde level in newly-hatched chickens.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate effects of in ovo ghrelin administration on serum malondialdehyde (MDA) level in newly-hatched chickens. METHODS: Fertilized eggs were divided into 7 groups: group T1 as control (without injection), group T2 (in ovo injected with 50 ng/egg ghrelin on day 5), group T3 (in ovo injected with 100 ng/egg ghrelin on day 5), group T4 (in ovo injected with 50 ng/egg ghrelin on day 10), group T5 (in ovo injected with 100 ng/egg ghrelin on day 10), group T6 (in ovo injected with solvent: 1% acetic acid, without ghrelin on day 5) and group T7 (in ovo injected with solvent without ghrelin on day 10). After hatching, serum MDA concentrations were determined. RESULTS: Ghrelin administrated groups (T2, T3, T4 and T5) had lower serum MDA level in comparison with control group (T1) or solvent injected groups (T6 and T7). T2 and T3 (ghrelin injection on day 5) had significantly lower MDA concentrations (4.10 and 4.60 nmol/mL, respectively) in comparison with other groups. In T4 and T5, MDA levels were lower than T1, T6 and T7 (non-ghrelin administrated groups) (9.53 and 9.50 in comparison with 10.73, 10.03 and 10.13 nmol/mL) and were higher than T2 and T3. CONCLUSIONS: It can be concluded that in ovo administration of ghrelin can have anti-oxidative protection and reduce serum MDA level. Ghrelin administration on day 5 of incubation is more efficient.

Effect of in ovo ghrelin administration on serum malondialdehyde level in newly-hatched chickens

Objective: To investigate effects of in ovo ghrelin administration on serum malondialdehyde (MDA) level in newly-hatched chickens. Methods: Fertilized eggs were divided into 7 groups: group T1 as control (without injection), group T2 (in ovo injected with 50 ng/egg ghrelin on day 5), group T3 (in ovo injected with 100 ng/egg ghrelin on day 5), group T4 (in ovo injected with 50 ng/egg ghrelin on day 10), group T5 (in ovo injected with 100 ng/egg ghrelin on day 10), group T6 (in ovo injected with solvent: 1% acetic acid, without ghrelin on day 5) and group T7 (in ovo injected with solvent without ghrelin on day 10). After hatching, serum MDA concentrations were determined. Results:Ghrelin administrated groups (T2, T3, T4 and T5) had lower serum MDA level in comparison with control group (T1) or solvent injected groups (T6 and T7). T2 and T3 (ghrelin injection on day 5) had significantly lower MDA concentrations (4.10 and 4.60 nmol/mL, respectively) in comparison with other groups. In T4 and T5, MDA levels were lower than T1, T6 and T7 (non-ghrelin administrated groups) (9.53 and 9.50 in comparison with 10.73, 10.03 and 10.13 nmol/mL) and were higher than T2 and T3. Conclusions: It can be concluded that in ovo administration of ghrelin can have anti-oxidative protection and reduce serum MDA level. Ghrelin administration on day 5 of incubation is more efficient.