Inclusion of a Bacillus-based probiotic in non-starch polysaccharides-rich broiler diets.

This study examined the effects of a 3-strain Bacillus-based probiotic (BP; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens and two Bacillus subtilis) in broiler diets with different rye levels on performance, mucus, viscosity, and nutrient digestibility. We distributed 720 one-d-old female broilers into 72 pens and designed nine diets using a 3 × 3 factorial approach, varying BP levels (0, 1.2 × 106, and 1.2 × 107 CFU/g) and rye concentrations (0, 200, 400 g/kg). On d 35, diets with 200 or 400 g/kg rye reduced broiler weight gain (BWG). Diets with 400 g/kg rye had the highest FCR, while rye-free diets had the lowest (p ≤0.05). Adding BP increased feed intake and BWG in weeks two and three (p ≤0.05). It should be noted that the overall performance fell below the goals of the breed. Including rye in diets reduced the coefficient of apparent ileal digestibility (CAID) for protein, ether extract (EE), calcium, phosphorus, and all amino acids (p ≤0.05). Rye-free diets exhibited the highest CAID for all nutrients, except for methionine, EE, and calcium, while diets with 400 g/kg of rye demonstrated the lowest CAID (p ≤0.05). BP in diets decreased phosphorus CAID (p ≤0.05). Diets containing 1.2 × 107 CFU/g (10X) of BP exhibited higher CAID of methionine than the other two diets (p ≤0.05). Diets containing 10X of BP showed higher CAID of cysteine than diets with no BP (p ≤0.05). Ileal viscosity increased as the inclusion level of rye in the diets increased (p ≤0.05). The ileal concentration of glucosamine in chickens fed diets with 400 g/kg of rye was higher than in those fed diets with no rye (p ≤0.05). Furthermore, ileal galactosamine concentrations were elevated in diets with 200 and 400 g/kg of rye when compared to rye-free diets (p ≤0.05). However, BP in diets had no impact on ileal viscosity, galactosamine, or glucosamine (p > 0.05). In conclusion, the applied Bacillus strains appeared to have a limited capacity to produce arabinoxylan-degrading enzymes and were only partially effective in mitigating the negative impacts of rye arabinoxylans on broilers.

Effects of Anticoccidial Vaccination and Taraxacum officinale Extract on the Growth Performance, Biochemical Parameters, Immunity, and Intestinal Morphology of Eimeria-Challenged Chickens.

A total of 160 Ross 308 male chickens were used in a 2 × 2 factorial design to examine the effects of anticoccidial vaccination (ACV; lack or 1× dose recommended by the manufacturer) and dietary supplementation with Taraxacum officinale (dandelion) extract (DE; with or without) on growth performance, immunity, biochemical parameters, and intestinal morphology in broiler chickens challenged with Eimeria spp. At 20 days of age, all birds were challenged with a 25× dose of ACV, including Eimeria acervulina, E. maxima, E. mitis, and E. tenella. No interaction between ACV and DE was observed in terms of growth performance. Vaccinated birds showed increased feed intake (FI) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) during the 11-20 day period. Meanwhile, DE supplementation led to decreased FI and body weight gain (BWG) during the 1-10 day period. ACV effectively induced immunity against Eimeria, as evidenced by reduced oocyst shedding and less intestinal lesions, decreased levels of pro-inflammatory interleukin-6, and improved BWG during both the post infection (PI) period (21-35 days) and the entire growth period. DE supplementation lowered FCR and increased BWG during the 35-42 day period, increased the concentration of butyric acid in the cecal digesta, and lowered oocyst shedding PI. In vaccinated birds, DE elevated levels of plasma total protein and immunoglobulin M, and influenced tight junction proteins zonula occludens-1 and claudin-3, indicating a more robust epithelial barrier. DE also lowered alanine aminotransferase activity in unvaccinated birds. Both ACV and DE independently improved intestinal morphology in the jejunum, decreasing crypt depth and increasing the villus height-to-crypt ratio. These findings suggest that both ACV and DE could be effective strategies for managing coccidiosis in broiler chickens.

Effect of two insect meals on the gut commensal microbiome of healthy sea trout (Salmo trutta vr. trutta).

BACKGROUND: The balance of the intestinal commensal microbiome of fish and other animals plays an important role in the physiological processes of healthy animals, contributes to the defense against pathogens, stimulates the immune system and facilitates nutrient metabolism. In the last decade, the interest in the application of the insects in fish nutrition increased, although little is known regarding the effects of insect meals on the gastrointenstinal tract microbiome of the sea trout fingerlings. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of two diets containing mealworm (MW) and superworm (SW) on the microbiome of the digesta of sea trout fingerlings and the relative abundances of different taxa among communities under controlled conditions. RESULTS: The insect meals produced a similar weight gain and survival rate to sea trout fed fishmeal. The most abundant bacterial phylum in all the treatment groups was Firmicutes followed by Proteobacteria and Actinobacteria, and significant differences in the amount of Cyanobacteria were observed in the SW group. CONCLUSIONS: The insect meals did not produce differences in the three most abundant phyla in the sea trout digesta. However, the effect of each type of meal on the lower taxonomic levels was evident, particularly in the case of the superworm meal. These microbiome differences indicated that mealworm meal was more related to fishmeal than superworm meal. Our results highlight the potential effects of insect meals, such as mealworm and superworm meals, on the microbiota of sea trout.

Black Soldier Fly Larva Fat in Broiler Chicken Diets Affects Breast Meat Quality.

This study aimed to evaluate the dose-dependent effect of black soldier fly (BFL) larvae fat inclusion in broiler chicken diets on breast meat quality. Four hundred 1-day-old male birds (Ross 308) were assigned to the following four treatments (10 replicates with 10 birds each): HI0, a basal diet without dietary fat inclusion, and HI03, HI06, and HI09, basal diets enriched with 30 g/kg, 60 g/kg, and 90 g/kg of BSF larvae fat, respectively. Principal component analysis showed noticeable differentiation between the selected plant, animal, and insect-origin dietary fats. The BSF fat exhibits a strong relationship with saturated fatty acids (SFAs), resulting in a high concentration of C12:0 and C14:0. The fatty acid (FA) profile in breast muscle obtained from broilers fed diets with increasing insect fat inclusion showed a significant linear effect in terms of C12:0, C15:0, C18:2, C18:3n6, and total FAs. The proportion of dietary insect fat had a quadratic effect on meat color. The water-holding capacity indices have stayed consistent with the meat color changes. Throughout the experiment, favorable growth performance results were noticed in HI06. The present study confirmed that BSF larvae fat negatively affects the n3 level in meat. However, the physicochemical indices related to consumer acceptance were not altered to negatively limit their final decision, even when a relatively high inclusion of insect fat was used.

Effects of a Dietary Multi-Strain Probiotic and Vaccination with a Live Anticoccidial Vaccine on Growth Performance and Haematological, Biochemical and Redox Status Indicators of Broiler Chickens.

A total of 256 male Ross 308 chickens were assigned to four treatments in a 2 × 2 factorial design with two levels of the anticoccidial vaccine (ACV) Livacox T (none or 1 × dose) with or without dietary supplementation with the probiotic Protexin® (P). The growth performance parameters for the test periods (1-21, 22-42, and 1-42 d) and oocyst per gram (OPG) at weekly intervals were analysed. Blood samples were collected at 16 post-vaccination (pv) days to measure selected haematological, biochemical, redox, and immunological parameters. ACV administration worsened the performance parameters of the chickens for 1-21 d pv, while supplementation with P reduced this negative effect with a significant improvement in 1-21 d body weight gain and feed conversion ratio. ACV administration increased % phagocytic cells (%PC), phagocytic index (PI), respiratory burst activity, proportion of monocytes, and activities of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and lactate dehydrogenase, while it decreased the catalase activity and concentration of malondialdehyde and peroxides. The dietary administration of P significantly increased counts of red blood cells and white blood cells and increased %PC and PI, while it decreased the heterophil proportion, heterophil/lymphocyte ratio (p = 0.059), and alanine aminotransferase and AST activities. The oocyst counts were comparable in all sampling periods, except on 14 d pv, as supplementation with P significantly decreased 14 d OPG, thus indicating a positive influence of P on immunity development. In conclusion, dietary supplementation with P led to improved performance, better immunity, and benefits in health status in broilers vaccinated with the ACV, without interfering with the circulating vaccine strains.

Available for millions of years but discovered through the last decade: Insects as a source of nutrients and energy in animal diets.

The aim of this review is to present and discuss the most recent literature about the processing of insect biomass and its impact on nutritive value, further implementation of meals and fats derived from invertebrates to livestock (poultry and swine), aquaculture (salmonids), and companion animal diets and their impact on growth performance, metabolic response, and gastrointestinal microbiota shifts. Additionally, the most important barriers to obtaining unified products in terms of their nutritive value are considered, i.e., to define insects' nutrient requirements, including various technological groups and further biomass processing (slaughtering, drying, and storage). Due to the current limitation in the insect production process consisting of the lack of infrastructure, there is stress on the relatively small amount of insect products added to the animal diets as a functional feed additive. Currently, only in the case of pet nutrition may insects be considered a full replacement for commonly used environmentally harmful and allergenic products. Simultaneously, the least information has been published on this topic. Thus, more scientific data are needed, particularly when the pet food branch and insect-based diets are rapidly growing.

A Preliminary Study of Chemically Preserved and High-Moisture Whole Maize (Zea mays L.) Usage in Pekin Duck Nutrition: Effect on Growth Performance and Selected Internal Organ Traits.

This study aimed to investigate the effect of chemically preserved, high-moisture whole maize grain addition in Pekin duck diets on their growth performance and selected internal organ and gastrointestinal tract measurements and digesta pH values. A total of 300 29-d-old male Pekin ducks were randomly distributed into three dietary treatments using five replicate pens per group and 20 birds per pen. The following treatment groups were applied: CON-basal diet, 5HM-5% of high-moisture, chemically preserved whole maize (HM) inclusion, and 10HM-10% of HM addition. The experiment lasted 21 d. The implementation of 5HM or 10HM did not affect (p > 0.05) the growth performance parameters, selected internal organ weights, and the gastrointestinal tract segment weights and lengths. However, significant changes in terms of the gizzard (p = 0.005), ileum (p = 0.030), and caecal (p < 0.001) digesta pH were observed, especially in the case of the 10HM group, which exhibited the greatest increase in pH in the gizzard and caecal digesta and decrease in the ileal digesta pH. The implementation of whole wet maize may be used in waterfowl diets from 29 d of age. Additionally, chemical preservation can efficiently reduce the cost of maize preparation in duck nutrition.

Black Soldier Fly Full-Fat Larvae Meal is More Profitable than Fish Meal and Fish Oil in Siberian Sturgeon Farming: The Effects on Aquaculture Sustainability, Economy and Fish GIT Development.

This study provides data on the environmental sustainability, economic profitability, and gastrointestinal tract development of Siberian sturgeon diets containing black soldier fly full-fat larvae meal (BSFL) for a fish meal (FM) and fish oil (FO) replacement. BSFL was used at 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, and 30% of the diet, replacing by up to 61.3% of FM and 95.4% of FO. BSFL positively affected the feed efficiency ratio, and lowered FM and FO usage per kg of fish gain. All the BSFL diets showed a sustainable fish-in fish-out (FIFO) ratio, which was lowered by up to 75% in comparison to the control. Economic assessment per kg of fish gain showed that the most lucrative variants were variants with 10% and 15% BSFL, it finds a mode of action in improvements of the gastrointestinal tract development, including increased pyloric caeca and proximal intestine shares and enhanced villus height and area. Thus, in Siberian sturgeon, BSFL may be used not only as an FM and FO replacer but also as a functional material due to its feed utilization and beneficial health effects, which are reflected in its high sustainability and favourable economics.

Structural Changes in Trabecular Bone, Cortical Bone and Hyaline Cartilage as Well as Disturbances in Bone Metabolism and Mineralization in an Animal Model of Secondary Osteoporosis in Clostridium perfringens Infection.

There is no information regarding whether changes in the microbiological balance of the gastrointestinal tract as a result of an infection with Clostridium perfringens influence the development of metabolic bone disorders. The experiment was carried out on male broiler chickens divided into two groups: control (n = 10) and experimental (n = 10). The experimental animals were infected with Clostridium perfringens between 17 and 20 days of age. The animals were euthanized at 42 days of age. The structural parameters of the trabecular bone, cortical bone, and hyaline cartilage as well as the mineralization of the bone were determined. The metabolism of the skeletal system was assessed by determining the levels of bone turnover markers, hormones, and minerals in the blood serum. The results confirm that the disturbed composition of the gastrointestinal microflora has an impact on the mineralization and metabolism of bone tissue, leading to the structural changes in cortical bone, trabecular bone, and hyaline cartilage. On the basis of the obtained results, it can be concluded that changes in the microenvironment of the gastrointestinal tract by infection with C. perfringens may have an impact on the earlier development of osteoporosis.

Effects of Raw and Fermented Rapeseed Cake on Growth Performance, Methane Production, and Breast Meat Fatty Acid Composition in Broiler Chickens.

The study was conducted to evaluate the effects of partial replacement of soybean meal (SBM) by 15% raw or fermented rapeseed cake (RRC or FRC) to broilers' diets on growth performance, nutrient utilization, methane emission, and breast muscle fatty acid (FA) composition. A total of 420 one-day-old female Ros 308 broilers were used in three independent experiments (300 birds in the first experiment and 60 in the second and third experiments). In each trial, three treatments were set up: a control group (without rapeseed), and diets replaced soybean meal with 15% addition of RRC or FRC. Birds fed the FRC diet experienced no effect (p > 0.05) on performance or nutrients utilization. Methane emission and total methanogen population in the ceca was decreased (p < 0.05) with the FRC diet. The concentrations of n-3 and n-6 FAs in the breast tissue of fourteen-day-old birds were not affected (p > 0.05) by FRC. However, the n-6/n-3 ratio in the breast muscle of 28-day-old birds was reduced (p < 0.001). In conclusion, the replacement of SBM by FRC in the broiler diets did not show any unfavorable effects on performance or nutrient utilization. Furthermore, the breast meat FA profile was improved, methanogen counts significantly decreased, and methane emission was limited.

Black Soldier Fly Full-Fat Larvae Meal as an Alternative to Fish Meal and Fish Oil in Siberian Sturgeon Nutrition: The Effects on Physical Properties of the Feed, Animal Growth Performance, and Feed Acceptance and Utilization.

This study provides data on the use of black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) full-fat meal (BSFL) in Siberian sturgeon (Acipenser baerii) nutrition, examining pellet physical properties, growth performance, feed acceptance and utilization, apparent protein, and fat digestibility. The study consisted of: feed quality assessment; a growth performance; feed acceptance; digestibility trials. The effect of the use of BSFL as a replacement for fish meal (FM) and fish oil (FO) was investigated. The applied BSFL shares were 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, and 30% of the diet, replacing up to 61.3% of FM and allowing us to reduce FO use by up to 95.4% in the case of 30% incorporation. The applied substitution affected feed quality, increasing the expansion rate, and decreasing feed density, sinking speed and water stability. However, body weight gain, specific growth rate, feed, and protein conversion ratios, were improved in groups fed BSFL. Moreover, feed acceptance was increased with treatments containing 10 to 30% BSFL. No effects on nutrients digestibility were observed. The results show that the use of BSFL as an FM and FO replacement may have positive effects on sturgeon growth performance, and BSFL can be developed as a promising alternative feed material.

Antioxidant Status and Liver Function of Young Turkeys Receiving a Diet with Full-Fat Insect Meal from Hermetia illucens.

We hypothesized that full-fat insect meal from Hermetia illucens (HI) larvae can be an acceptable source of protein and energy in the diet of young turkeys, in an amount adapted to the nutritional needs of these birds, and at the same time can improve their antioxidant status and metabolism. The turkeys were fed a control diet (HI0) without the insect meal, and three diets with increasing HI content of 5%, 10% and 15% (treatments HI5, HI10 and HI15, respectively). The use of 10% or 15% HI in the diet of young turkeys, while beneficially raising levels of P, Fe and Hb, has a negative effect on lipid metabolism, increasing TC levels, lipid oxidation, and fat deposition in the liver. The inclusion of 5% HI in the diet of young turkeys has no adverse effect on the lipid status and histology of the liver, but it does not improve antioxidant status. To conclude, the level of HI meal in the diet of turkeys should not exceed 5%. However, as similar studies on turkeys have not yet been published, overly general conclusions should not be drawn from the results of the present study, and further research is necessary.

The Effect of Hydrolyzed Insect Meals in Sea Trout Fingerling (Salmo trutta m. trutta) Diets on Growth Performance, Microbiota and Biochemical Blood Parameters.

The present study is the first introduction of hydrolyzed superworm meal in sea trout nutrition. It was conducted to evaluate the effects of inclusion in the diet of hydrolyzed insect meals as a partial replacement for fishmeal on growth performance, feed utilization, organosomatic indices, serum biochemical parameters, gut histomorphology, and microbiota composition of sea trout (Salmo trutta m. trutta). The experiment was performed on 225 sea trout fingerlings distributed into three groups (3 tanks/treatment, 25 fish/tank). The control diet was fishmeal-based. In the experimental groups, 10% of hydrolyzed mealworm (TMD) and superworm (ZMD) meals were included. The protein efficiency ratio was lower in the TMD and ZMD. Higher organosomatic indices and liver lipid contents were found in the group fed ZMD. The ZMD increased levels of aspartate aminotransferase, and decreased levels of alkaline phosphatase. The Aeromonas spp. and Enterococcus spp. populations decreased in the ZMD. The concentrations of the Carnobacterium spp. decreased in the ZMD and TMD, as did that of the Lactobacillus group in the TMD. In conclusion, insect meals may be an alternative protein source in sea trout nutrition, as they yield satisfying growth performance and have the capability to modulate biochemical blood parameters and microbiota composition.

Combination of Bacillus licheniformis and Salinomycin: Effect on the Growth Performance and GIT Microbial Populations of Broiler Chickens.

The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of Bacillus licheniformis and salinomycin supplementation in broiler diets as individual factors or in combination on the growth performance, GIT morphometry, and microbiota populations. Four hundred one-day-old Ross 308 chicks were randomly distributed to four dietary treatments (10 replicates, 10 birds each). The following treatments were applied: NC-no additives; NC + SAL-salinomycin addition (60 mg/kg diet), NC + PRO-B. licheniformis DSM 28710 preparation (1.6 × 109 CFU/kg; 500 mg/kg diet), and NC + SAL + PRO-combination of salinomycin and B. licheniformis. Probiotic administration resulted in improvement (p < 0.05) of the performance parameters, including body weight gain (1-10 d, and 11-22 d) and feed conversion ratio (11-22 d, 1-36 d). An interaction (p < 0.05) between experimental factors was observed in terms of lower pH values in the crop (tendency, p = 0.053) and ceca. Both factors lowered the alpha diversity and Enterobacteriaceae and promoted Bacillaceae communities in the jejunum (p < 0.05). Interactions were also observed in terms of reducing Clostridiaceae in the ceca. In conclusion, the combined use of B. licheniformis and salinomycin in broilers' diets had beneficial effects.

Nisin as a Novel Feed Additive: The Effects on Gut Microbial Modulation and Activity, Histological Parameters, and Growth Performance of Broiler Chickens.

Two independent experiments were performed to evaluate the effect of nisin alone or with monensin on gut microbiota, gut microbial activities, and histomorphology (exp 1) and the effect of nisin application in a dose‒response manner on the growth performance of broiler chickens (exp 2). A total of 900 one-day-old female Ross 308 chicks (400, exp 1; 500, exp 2) were randomly distributed to four groups (exp 1; 10 replicate pens per treatment with 10 birds each), i.e., NA, no additives; MON, monensin (100 ppm); NIS, nisin (2700 IU/kg diet); and MON + NIS, a mixture of monensin (100 ppm) and nisin (2700 IU/kg diet); or 5 treatments (exp 2), NA, no additives; NIS100, nisin (100 IU/kg diet); NIS200, nisin (200 IU/kg diet); NIS400, nisin (400 IU/kg diet); and NIS800, nisin (800 IU/kg diet). Nisin supplementation positively affected the microbiota of the gut by reducing potentially pathogenic bacterial populations in the jejunum and ceca. The bacterial fermentation in the jejunum was significantly lowered by nisin addition. The addition of nisin from 100 IU to 800 IU decreased the FCR value over the entire experimental period. According to the results, nisin can be considered a natural dietary supplement for broiler chickens.

Tenebrio molitor and Zophobas morio Full-Fat Meals in Broiler Chicken Diets: Effects on Nutrients Digestibility, Digestive Enzyme Activities, and Cecal Microbiome.

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of insect full-fat meals added in relatively small amounts to a complete diet on the coefficients of apparent ileal digestibility, short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) concentrations, bacterial enzymes, and the microbiota community in the cecal digesta of broiler chickens. In total, 600 one-day-old female Ross 308 broiler chicks were randomly assigned to six dietary treatments with 10 replicate pens/treatment and 10 birds/pen. The groups consisted of a negative control (NC) with no additives; a positive control (PC; salinomycin 60 ppm), and supplementation with 0.2% or 0.3% Tenebrio molitor or Zophobas morio full-fat meals. Z. morio (0.2%) addition increased the activities of α- and ß-glucosidase and α-galactosidase. Dietary insects significantly decreased the cecal counts of the Bacteroides-Prevotella cluster in comparison to those in the NC and PC. Whereas, Clostridium perfringens counts were increased in the broiler chickens subjected to the 0.3% Z. morio treatment. In conclusion, small amounts of full-fat insect meals added to broiler diets were capable of reducing the abundance of potentially pathogenic bacteria, such as the Bacteroides-Prevotella cluster and Clostridium perfringens. In addition, this supplementation was able to stimulate the GIT microbiome to produce enzymes, especially glycolytic enzymes.

Insect Oil as An Alternative to Palm Oil and Poultry Fat in Broiler Chicken Nutrition.

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of Tenebrio molitor (TM) oil as a total replacement for palm oil and poultry fat in broiler chicken diets on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, pancreatic enzyme activity, selected blood parameters and the lipid fatty acid compositions of liver and breast muscle tissues. A total of 72 seven-day-old female Ross 308 broiler chickens were used. The birds were randomly distributed into three groups with 12 replicates each, using two birds per replicate for 30 days in metabolic cages. The basal diet was supplemented with 5% palm oil, poultry fat or TM oil. There was no effect (p > 0.05) caused by the dietary oil replacement on the birds' performance and apparent nutrient digestibility. Liver size (p = 0.033), the concentration of hepatic triglycerides (p = 0.049) and total cholesterol (p = 0.048) were reduced by TM oil supplementation. Furthermore, TM oil supplementation increased n-3 and n-6 fatty acids (p = 0.006; p < 0.001, respectively) in breast muscle tissue. In conclusion, the use of TM oil in broiler chickens' diets did not show any adverse effects on performance, nutrient digestibility and blood biochemical parameters. Moreover, TM oil supplementation improved the fatty acid profiles of liver and breast muscle tissues.

Effect of Dietary Crude Protein Level and Supplemental Herbal Extract Blend on Selected Blood Variables in Broiler Chickens Vaccinated against Coccidiosis.

Immunoprophylaxis with a live anticoccidial vaccine is regarded as the most promising alternative in place of in-feed coccidiostats in the poultry industry. An experiment, designed as a 2 × 2 × 2 factorial arrangement with 6 replicate pens per treatment and 8 male Ross 308 chicks per pen, was conducted to evaluate the effect of dietary crude protein (CP) levels (21.6% or 23.6%, during the starter phase) and a herbal extract (HE) blend dietary supplementation (Echinacea purpurea, Salvia officinalis, Thymus vulgaris, Rosmarinus officinalis, Allium sativum, Origanum vulgare; 0 or 2 g/kg of feed) on selected hematological, biochemical, redox, and immunological parameters in broilers vaccinated against coccidiosis (anticoccidial vaccine (ACV); none or 1× dose, administered at 1 d of age). The blood samples were collected at 14 d of age. Anticoccidial vaccination (p < 0.05) had a negative effect on immune responses, as shown by a reduced total white blood cells (WBC) count, a reduced lymphocytes count (L), a higher proportion of heterophils (H) in leukogram assessments, as well as H/L-ratio increase. ACV resulted in a decrease in phagocytic activity assessed as decreased percentage of phagocytic cells, phagocytic index and NBT test, as well as in reductions in plasma glucose and LDL-cholesterol concentrations, and increases in HDL-cholesterol and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) activity. In terms of redox status, ACV significantly increased the catalase (CAT) activity and ferric reducing ability of plasma (FRAP), and decreased malondialdehyde concentrations. An increase in dietary CP in vaccinated chickens resulted in higher relative L and lower relative H counts, a lower H/L ratio, a decrease in AST and an increase in CAT activities, but also a decrease in FRAP and concentrations of lipid peroxides. Vaccinated chickens fed a diet supplemented with HE were characterized by higher relative L and lower relative H counts, a lower H/L ratio, and a decrease in AST activity. A change of diet composition, such as an increase in CP content and dietary HE supplementation, can be recommended in broilers vaccinated against coccidiosis, mainly due to its positive effect in alleviating stress levels. However, the simultaneous increase of CP and HE dietary supplementation offered no additional relevant benefits in most of the blood indices of vaccinated chickens.

Effect of copper nanoparticles on the mineral content of tissues and droppings, and growth of chickens.

We hypothesised that copper nanoparticles (NanoCu), because of their high physicochemical reactivity and bioavailability, could be used in much smaller quantities than bulk Cu, consequently reducing excretion of Cu into the environment. The objective of the study was to evaluate the effects of various levels of NanoCu on the development and growth of broiler chickens, in order to establish an optimum level of NanoCu dietary supplementation. Broiler chickens were randomly divided into five groups of 10 birds each. The control group received 7.5 mg Cu/kg feed (standard level) as CuSO4, while groups fed with complexes of NanoCu and starch received 25%, 50%, 75% and 100% of the standard level of Cu used in the control group. Chicken growth and excretion of Cu, Fe and Zn were measured during the growth period from d 7 to 42. At d 42, the slaughter characteristics, the content of Cu, Fe and Zn in the breast muscle and liver, and the oxidative status were analysed. The results indicate that using NanoCu can reduce the standard level of Cu from CuSO4 supplementation by 75% without jeopardising animal growth, and at the same time significantly decreasing Cu excretion into the environment.

The Effect of Different Levels of Cu, Zn and Mn Nanoparticles in Hen Turkey Diet on the Activity of Aminopeptidases.

The aim of the study was to estimate the influence of the different levels of Cu, Zn, and Mn nanoparticles on the activity of aminopeptidases in turkey. An experiment was carried out on 144 turkey hen Hybrid Converter. The birds were divided into groups given standard- and nanoparticle-supplementation of different level of copper (Cu 20, 10, 2 mg/kg), zinc (Zn 100, 50, 10 ppm), and manganese (Mn 100, 50, 10 ppm), covering respectively 100%, 50%, and 10% of the physiological demands for those minerals in the diet. The activity of aminopeptidases (alanyl: AlaAP, leucyl: LeuAP and arginyl: ArgAP) after supplementation of minerals was determined in the breast and thigh turkey muscle. The strongest effect of interaction among minerals supplementation form and dose on the activity levels of the aminopeptidases in thigh muscle was observed for nano-Cu already at the lowest dose of 2 mg/kg. In this dose (covering 10% of the birds' demand) nano form of supplementation significantly increased the activity of Ala-, Leu-, and ArgAP (877, 201, and 719, respectively), compared to standard form of supplementation (461, 90.5, and 576, respectively). In turn, in breast muscle, after supplementation covering 10% of the demand with the nano-Cu, nano-Zn, and nano-Mn compared to the standard form, we did not observe any significant difference in the activity levels of any of the investigated aminopeptidases, except for AlaAP under Zn supplementation. Supplementation with the 20 mg/kg of Nano-Cu (100% of demand) and with 10 mg/kg of Nano-Cu (50% of demand) inhibited the activity of all of the three aminopeptidases in thigh muscle. Supplementation of the minerals in nano form into the diet, especially of Cu and Zn in the dose covering 10% of the demand is relevant to maintain homeostasis in turkey muscles, as indicated by the activity of the aminopeptidases.