Impact of adding zeolite to broilers' diet and litter on growth, blood parameters, immunity, and ammonia emission.

This work was designed to assess the impact of varying zeolite concentrations in diet and litter to enhance broiler's growth performance, immunity, and litter quality. A complete random arrangement was used for distributing 525 unsexed "Cobb 500" broiler chicks into seven treatments (75 chick / treatment), each treatment divided into 3 replicates (25 chicks / replicate). The 1st group (control one) received the recommended basal diet. Zeolite has been introduced to the basal diet (ZD) of the second, third, and fourth groups at concentrations of 5, 10, and 15 g/kg, respectively. The 5th, 6th and 7th groups used zeolite mixed with litter (ZL) at 0.5, 1, and 1.5 kg/m2 of litter, respectively. Due to the obtained results, adding zeolite with levels 15 g/kg of diet and 1.5 kg/1 m2 of litter, a significant improvement occurred in live body weight (LBW), body weight gain (BWG), feed intake (FI), feed conversion ratio (FCR) and European production efficiency factor (EPEF). Also, transaminase enzymes (ALT and AST), creatinine, white blood cells (WBCs) and different Immunoglobulins were significantly increased with different zeolite levels, except urea concentrations which showed reduced due to different zeolite treatments. In addition, spleen relative weight hasn't been affected by zeolite treatments, even though thymus and bursa relative weights had been affected significantly. Moreover, the antibodies' production to Newcastle disease virus (NDV) and Avian influenza virus (AIV) had increased significantly with adding zeolite with levels 10 g/kg of diet and 1.5 kg/1m2 of litter. Litter quality traits (NH3 concentration, pH values, and Moisture content) were improved with zeolite addition. So, zeolite could be employed in both feed and litter of broilers to maximize their production, immunity and improve farm's climate.

Performance and economic efficiency of laying hens in response to adding zeolite to feed and litter.

This study investigated the effect of different levels of zeolite in laying hen (Silver Montazah) diet and litter on productive performance, egg quality criteria, and economics during the second stage of production (40-56 wk of age). An experiment with a 3 × 4 factorial design was performed to study the effects of four levels of zeolite (0, 10, 15, and 20 g/kg feed) in the diet and three levels of zeolite (0, 1.5, and 2 kg/m2) in the litter. Adding zeolite to diet and litter significantly improved final BW and BW change, egg number, egg weight, egg mass, laying rate, feed consumption (FC), and feed conversion ratio (FCR), as well as egg quality criteria when compared to the unsupplemented group. Additionally, adding zeolite at a level of 2 kg /m2 litter and 20 g/kg diet achieved the greatest enhancement in productive performance features. Therefore, it can be suggested that the greatest results were obtained in laying farms when zeolite was added as a litter addition and as a supplement to feed.

Trace Minerals in Laying Hen Diets and Their Effects on Egg Quality.

With the advancement in the egg industry sector, egg quality has assumed great significance in certain countries. Enhancements in the nutritional value of eggs may have direct affirmative consequences for daily nutrient intake and therefore for human health. Thus, affirmative improvement in egg quality boosts consumer preferences for eggs. Also, the improvement in eggshell quality can avoid the disposal of broken eggs and consequently economic losses. Therefore, poultry nutrition and mineral supplements have a significant impact on egg quality. Minerals are crucial in poultry feed for a number of biological processes, including catalytic, physiologic, and structural processes. For instance, they contribute to the biological processes necessary for forming and developing eggshells. To produce high-quality eggs for sale, diets must therefore contain the right amount of minerals. This review aims to highlight the role of both organic and inorganic minerals in improving egg quality, in addition to reviewing the interactions of mineral supplements with intestinal microbiota and subsequent effects on the egg quality.

The relationship between eggshell color, hatching traits, fertility, mortality, and some qualitative aspects of Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica) eggs.

Quail, one of the most important sources of meat and eggs, can aid in the reduction of the meat crisis if they are raised and cared for by small farmers. The current study investigated the impact of eggshell color variety on egg quality traits and hatching parameters of Japanese quail Coturnix japonica eggs. Therefore, 1,075 eggs were collected from female quails when they were 10-wk old. These eggs were distributed based on the color of their eggshells into 5 different classifications: eggshell with color type 1, very dark distributed brown spots on brown eggshell; eggshell with color type 2, small black spots on a white eggshell; eggshell with color type 3, widespread brown spots on brown eggshell; eggshell with color type 4, bubble egg, pin dotted on grayish brown color eggshell; and eggshell with color type 5, small brown spots on very clearly white eggshell. The characteristics of hatchability, internal and external egg quality, and the rate of embryonic death were then determined. The results showed that the percentage of fertility and commercial and scientific hatchability was greatly affected by eggshell color. There were also variations in the percentage of hatched chicks', early mortality rates, and late mortality rates based on eggshell color. According to the results of the current study, eggshell color has a significant impact on egg weight, egg width, and percentages of eggshell, yolk, and albumen but has no effect on shape index, egg length, or egg elongation. Based on the results, eggshells with color types 2 and 3 were recommended for use in hatching procedures due to their high levels of fertility (92.01 and 91.63%, respectively), scientific hatchability (82.92 and 83.93%, respectively), commercial hatchability (76.56 and 77.32%, respectively), and hatched chick (5.50 and 6.70, respectively). In addition, the late embryonic mortality rate was 0.00% for eggshells with color type 3. Therefore, the color of the eggshell can be employed as a key factor in guiding the eggs that are produced, whether they are going to be consumed at the table or used for hatching, to make breeding easier.

In ovo protective effects of chicoric and rosmarinic acids against Thiacloprid-induced cytotoxicity, oxidative stress, and growth retardation on newly hatched chicks.

Thiacloprid (TH) is a neonicotinoid insecticide employed in agriculture to protect fruits and vegetables against different insects. It showed different deleterious effects on the general health of non-target organisms including birds and animals, however, its developmental toxicity has yet to be fully elucidated. Chicoric (CA) and rosmarinic (RA) acids are polyphenolic compounds with a wide range of beneficial biological activities. In this study, the possible protective effects of CA and RA were investigated in chick embryos exposed in ovo to TH (1µg/egg) with or without CA (100 µg/egg) or RA (100 µg/egg) co-exposure. TH reduced the hatchling body weight, body weight/egg weight, and relative weight of bursa of Fabricius in the one-day-old hatchlings. Examination of the 7-day-old chicks revealed a decline in feed intake, daily weight gain, feed conversion ratio (FCR), and plasma levels of T3, T4, and growth hormone. Serum ALT, AST activities, and total cholesterol levels showed significant elevations. Hepatic MDA was increased with a reduction in SOD activity and GSH level and downregulation of the liver SOD and GST gene expression pattern. Serum IgG and IgM levels were reduced, and various histopathological alterations were noticed in the liver. Co-administration of CA or RA with TH mitigated the toxic effects on hatchlings. When both CA and RA are combined, they present a synergistic protective effect. CA and RA can be used as protective agents against TH toxicity as they improve growth performance and have hepatoprotective and immunostimulant effects in newly hatched chicks.

The role of different dietary Zn sources in modulating heat stress-related effects on some thermoregulatory parameters of New Zealand white rabbit bucks.

The present work was conducted to assess the effect of diets supplementation to heat-stressed buck rabbits with different zinc (Zn) sources on the thermoregulatory and hematobiochemical parameters, and antioxidant status. A total of 24 mature buck rabbits (32-36 weeks of age) were randomly distributed into four groups (6 each). Group 1, non-heat-stressed control (NHSC), was reared in the absence of heat stress (HS) conditions and received the basal diet only. The other three groups (groups 2, 3 and 4) were kept in HS conditions. Group 2, heat-stressed control (HSC), received the basal diet only. The diet supplemented with 75 mg Zn/kg diet either in the inorganic form (Zn sulfate) or in the organic form (Zn picolinate) for groups 3 and 4, respectively. Zn supplementation to rabbits' diets lowered the heat stress-related increase of serum urea, alanine transaminase and malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration. These supplementations also increased the concentration of testosterone under HS conditions. Zn picolinate was more effective than Zn sulfate in restoring serum concentrations of urea, testosterone, and MDA. In conclusion, Zn addition to rabbits' diets from different sources, especially Zn picolinate, exhibits an ameliorative effect against the harmful impact of HS on hematobiochemical parameters and antioxidant status.

Effect of dietary modulation of fiber and fat level on liver and kidney functions, lipid profile, antioxidant and immune parameters in growing Egyptian geese.

Determining the optimal requirements from dietary fiber and fat for Egyptian geese is a matter of great concern regarding health, production and growth. Therefore, the current study estimated the effects of different dietary fiber and fat levels on functions of liver and kidney, lipid profile, immunity and antioxidant measurements of the growing Egyptian geese. 150 Egyptian goslings (4 weeks old), with almost the same body weights were randomly allocated into 6 groups (25 goslings/group). All groups were subdivided into five replicates, each replicate contains five geese. Liver and kidney functions, immunity and antioxidant parameters were not significantly affected the different studied levels of fiber and fat or by their interaction. Various levels of fiber significantly affected total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL-cholesterol and VLDL-cholesterol in a concentration-dependent manner and the lowest the lipid profile values were obtained at 12%. In conclusion, the present findings show that use of dietary fiber up to 12% and 5% dietary fat showed no detrimental effects on the immune status and general health of geese and resulted in the preferable lipid profile. This experiment provides a base for further study about the optimal requirements from dietary fiber and fat for the growing Egyptian geese.

Mitigating the detrimental effects of heat stress in poultry through thermal conditioning and nutritional manipulation.

The poultry industry faces several obstacles and challenges, including the changes in global temperature, increase in the per capita demand for meat and eggs, and the emergence and spread of various diseases. Among these, environmental challenges are one of the most severe hurdles impacting the growth and productivity of poultry. In particular, the increasing frequency and severity of heat waves over the past few years represent a major challenge, and this is expected to worsen in the coming decades. Chickens are highly susceptible to high ambient temperatures (thermal stress), which negatively affect their growth and productivity, leading to enormous economic losses. In the light of global warming, these losses are expected to increase in the near future. Specifically, the worsening of climate change and the rise in global temperatures have augmented the adverse effects of heat on poultry production worldwide. At present, the world population is approximately 7.9 billion, and it has been predicted to reach 9.3 billion by 2050 and approximately 11 billion by 2100, implying a great demand for protein supply; therefore, strategies to mitigate future poultry challenges must be urgently devised. To date, several mitigation measures have been adopted to minimize the negative effects of heat stress in poultry. Of these, thermal acclimation at the postnatal stage or throughout the embryonic stages has been explored as a promising approach; however, for large-scale application, this approach warrants further investigation to determine the suitable temperature and poultry age. Moreover, molecular mechanisms governing thermal conditioning are poorly understood. To this end, we sought to expand our knowledge of thermal conditioning in poultry, which may serve as a valuable reference to improve the thermotolerance of chickens via nutritional management and vitagene regulation. Vitagenes regulate the responses of poultry to diverse stresses. In recent years, nutritionists have paid close attention to bioactive compounds such as resveratrol, curcumin, and quercetin administered alone or in combination. These compounds activate vitagenes and other regulators of the antioxidant defense system, such as nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor 2. Overall, thermal conditioning may be an effective strategy to mitigate the negative effects of heat stress. In this context, the present review synthesizes information on the adverse impacts of thermal stress, elucidating the molecular mechanisms underlying thermal conditioning and its effects on the acquisition of tolerance to acute heat stress in later life. Finally, the role of some polyphenolic compounds, such as resveratrol, curcumin, and quercetin, in attenuating heat stress through the activation of the antioxidant defense system in poultry are discussed.

Consequences of varying dietary crude protein and metabolizable energy levels on growth performance, carcass characteristics and biochemical parameters of growing geese.

This research aimed to investigate the effect of varying dietary crude protein (CP) and metabolizable energy (ME) quantity on growth, carcass characteristics, biochemical blood parameters and molecular aspects of growing geese. Overall, a total of 180 Egyptian goslings were used in a 2 × 3 factorial design. Two levels of CP (18% and 16%) and three levels of ME (3000, 2900 and 2800 kcal/kg diet) were employed. Growth traits showed no significant differences as a result of different CP or ME levels. Birds fed the higher CP level consumed more feed than the lower. Carcass, dressing, heart, spleen, abdominal fat and thigh percentages within the group fed 18% CP were higher than the other group. Compared with the other ME-based diet, geese fed a low-ME based diet had the highest heart percentage. Feeding growing geese on a 2900 Kcal/kg ME-based diet increased the serum content of total protein and globulin. Geese fed the high-ME diet showed the highest levels of ALP and C4 as compared with other ME levels. Regarding Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE), different protein and energy levels did not affect the molecular weight of blood proteins of Egyptian geese during the growing phase. It could be concluded the levels of 16% CP and 2800 kcal/kg ME are enough to maintain the growth performance and the other physiological indices as well as molecular aspects.

Amer's classification of territories of facial nerve injury in early cases and strategies for the management of different territories.

Early cases of facial nerve injury are best treated by restoring the neural pathway to the same existing facial muscles. Knowledge of the exact territory of facial nerve injury is required to design a plane for the reconstruction of these injuries and to compare results. The current study aims to design a classification system for territories of facial nerve injury based on the location of nearest healthy fascicles to the site of injury both proximally and distally. Two hundred-one patients with early facial nerve injury were assessed for treatment. According to the results of the exploration, 13 territories of injury were identified. The management strategy was planned according to the territory of injury. The current classification system is a simple, easy and effective method for the classification of territories of facial nerve injury. The classification system accurately describes the nearest possible healthy proximal and distal fascicles and can be employed to easily report cases and implement a management plan. This classification scheme also allows us to more effectively compare results.

Use of acetylsalicylic acid as an allostatic modulator in the diets of growing Japanese quails exposed to heat stress.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of dietary acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) supplementation on performance, carcasses and some blood metabolites of growing quails exposed to heat stress. Three hundred sixty mix sexed Japanese quail chicks at 2 wk of age with average initial body weight of 77.4 g were randomly allotted to six dietary groups in a 3 × 2 factorial design with three dietary ASA doses (0, 0.5 and 1 g ASA/kg diet) and two ambient temperatures (one normal at 23 ± 2 °C and other high at 33 ± 2 °C). Body weight, daily body weight gain and feed consumption reduced in quails exposed to heat stress (33 °C) during 2-4 wk of age, but not during 4-6 wk of age and during total period (2-6 wk of age). Growth rate and feed utilization were not influenced by ASA supplementation or interaction between ASA supplementation and house temperature at all ages (P > 0.05). All carcass parameters were not affected (P > 0.05) by temperature or dietary ASA or their interactions except dressing percent was decreased (P = 0.025) by ASA. Plasma cholesterol and total lipid were affected by the interaction effect, which were elevated in birds exposed to high ambient temperature (P = 0.004 or 0.022) and ASA supplementation (P = 0.041 or P = 0.003). Glucose concentrations were also influenced by interaction effect, which increased due to ASA supplementation at normal temperature, but were not affected at high temperature. The effect of high ambient temperature or its interaction with ASA did not affect hepatic enzymes and thyroid hormones of growing quails. Diets supplemented with ASA (1000 mg/kg) decreased plasma contents of aspartate transaminase, triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxin (T4) compared with the control. It is concluded that applications of ASA in quail diets are not suitable in mitigating the disturbances induced by heat stress in the most studied parameters.

An overview of Jatropha curcas meal-induced productive and reproductive toxicity in Japanese quail: Potential mechanisms and heat detoxification.

The present study was carried out to investigate the toxic effects of dietary inclusion of raw Jatropha cucas meal [RJM, 3.5%] on productive and reproductive performances of laying Japanese quail and the influence of physical treatment of jatropha meal by heating at [100 oc] for 24 or 48 h [JH24 or JH48 respectively] on reducing these effects. The inclusion of RJM in quail diets significantly decreased the egg production, fertility and hatchability percentages and resulted in a high mortality rate. While heat-treated jatropha meal [JH24 or JH48] improved such undesirable effects. The levels of hepatic proteins related to lipid synthesis, cholesterol metabolism and those related to lipid synthesis and transporting to egg yolk were increased in JH24 and JH48 groups than RJM group. Hepatic contents of vitellogenin [VGT-II] and estrogen receptor α [ERα] and circulating estradiol [E2] were improved in JH48 than RJM and JH24 groups however still under the control values. On the other hand, estrogen receptor ß [ERß] were restored to normal control value in both JH24 and JH48 groups. Histopathological investigation revealed that RJM produced various alterations in the histoarchitecture of liver, ovary and oviducts but these alterations were reduced in both JH24 and JH48 groups. From the obtained data we concluded that heating of jatropha meal for 24 h improved its nutritive value and increasing the time of heating is preferable for reduction of the most of toxic impacts indicating that heat treatment can convert toxic jatropha meal to an alternative protein source for livestock feed in a cheap and clean way without combining any other types of treatments.

The split hypoglossal nerve versus the cross-face nerve graft to supply the free functional muscle transfer for facial reanimation: A comparative study.

Long-standing cases of facial paralysis are currently treated with free functional muscle transfer. Several nerves are mentioned in the literature to supply the free muscle transfer. The aim of this study is to compare the split hypoglossal nerve and the cross-face nerve graft to supply the free functional muscle transfer in facial reanimation. Of 94 patients with long-standing, unilateral facial palsy, 49 were treated using the latissimus dorsi muscle supplied by the split hypoglossal nerve, and 45 patients were treated using the latissmus dorsi muscle supplied by healthy contralateral buccal branch of the facial nerve. The excursion gained by the free muscle transfer supplied by the split hypoglossal nerve (mean 19.20 ± 6.321) was significantly higher (P value 0.001) than that obtained by the contralateral buccal branch of the facial nerve (mean 14.59 ± 6.245). The split hypoglossal nerve appears to be a good possible option to supply the free vascularised muscle transfer in facial reanimation. It yields a stronger excursion in less time than the contralateral cross-face nerve graft.

Productive performance, egg quality, blood constituents, immune functions, and antioxidant parameters in laying hens fed diets with different levels of Yucca schidigera extract.

This study evaluated the effect of Yucca schidigera extract on productive performance, egg quality, blood metabolites, immune function, and antioxidant parameters in laying hens. A total of 96 36-week-old hens were allocated into four groups, the control diet or the diet supplemented with 50, 100, or 150 mg/kg of yucca extract, from 36 to 52 weeks of age. Hens were divided into four equal groups replicated six times with four hens per replicate. As a result of this study, there were no linearly or quadratically differences in body weight change (BWC), feed consumption (FC), feed conversion ratio (FCR), and egg weight (EW) due to yucca treatments at different ages, except FCR and EW that were improved with yucca supplementation during 36-40 weeks of age. Supplemental dietary yucca up to 100 mg/kg diet led to significant improvement in egg number (EN) and egg mass (EM). Egg qualities were not linearly or quadratically affected by yucca treatments except shell thickness was quadratically (P < 0.001) increased with increasing yucca level up to 100 mg/kg diet. Dietary supplementation of yucca exhibited a positive impact on albumin and immunoglobulin G (IgG). Comparing to the control group, yucca addition to laying hen diets resulted in a significant linear (P < 0.001) and quadratic (P = 0. 010) decrease in blood ammonia-N and urea-N, respectively. The activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and reduced glutathione (GSH) level in serum were quadratically improved in yucca groups. The malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration was decreased with yucca addition in comparison with the control group. In conclusion, yucca supplemented up to 100 mg/kg diet can be used as effective feed additive to improve productive performance, blood profile, and antioxidant enzyme activities in laying hens.