Effect of Different Feed Particle Size on Gastrointestinal Tract Morphology, Ileal Digesta Viscosity, and Blood Biochemical Parameters as Markers of Health Status in Broiler Chickens.

The study is focused on how the physical structure of the feed affects the health status of broiler chickens. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of feed particle size in broiler diets on gastrointestinal tract morphology, digesta viscosity, and blood biochemical parameters. A total of 90 one-day-old male Ross 308 broiler chickens were randomly divided into three different experimental groups (with five replicates per pen), with 6 birds per cage. The first experimental group (Coarse) was fed with the coarsest particle size, with feed with a geometric mean diameter (GMD) of 1111.26 µm, the next group (Medium) was fed with a less coarse feed size of GMD 959.89 µm, and the last group (Fine) was fed a diet with a fine feed particle size of GMD 730.48 µm. The use of coarse feed particle size in the diet had a positive effect on the gizzard weight and small intestinal villi height and crypt depth, which increased the surface area intended for digesting nutrients. The use of finely ground particles in the feed increased the level of gamma-glutamyl transferase and at the same time, decreased the level of urea, which could indicate adverse changes in the liver.

Caraway (Carum carvi L.) in fast-growing and slow-growing broiler chickens' diets and its effect on performance, digestive tract morphology and blood biochemical profile.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the addition of caraway (1%) in fast-growing and slow-growing broiler chickens' diet and its effect on performance parameters, blood biochemical profile, and relative organ sizes and ileum morphology in slow-growing broilers. Two separated experiments were performed. On the first day of age, the broilers were divided into 2 equal groups (Control and Caraway) with 6 replicates per treatment in both experiments. Experiment I: The total of 276 male fast-growing Ross 308 broiler chickens were used. The trial lasted from the first day to 35th day of chickens' age. Experiment II: The total of 216 male slow-growing (Hubbard JA 57) broilers were used. The trial lasted from the first to 50th day of chickens' age. Mean liveweight, weight gain, feed conversion ratio, blood biochemical parameters, and relative organ sizes were not significantly different in these trials. The group of slow-growing broilers supplemented with 1% of caraway in the diet showed longer villi and deeper crypt in the ileum after 50 d of life. Based on our results, it can be stated that the proportion of 1% caraway in fast-growing and slow-growing broiler chickens' diet did not influence performance parameters, blood biochemical profile and relative organ sizes. In case of the experiment with the slow-growing broilers supplemented with caraway, a significant difference in the height of the villi and the depth of the crypts was found. Caraway can be included in the broiler chickens' diets without negative effects, but further study of the effect on the intestinal morphology is necessary.

Safety of Mealworm Meal in Layer Diets and their Influence on Gut Morphology.

The main objective of this study was to verify the safety of mealworm meal in the feed of laying hens from 17 to 42 weeks of age. Therefore, the feed mixtures were tested in terms of microbiological stability, fungal and mycotoxin content and selected parameters of hens' intestinal morphology and physiology were monitored. The experiment was carried out with 30 Lohmann Brown Classic hens. Hens were divided by body mass into three equal groups with 10 replicates per treatment. The two experimental groups received feed mixtures containing 2% and 5% yellow mealworm (Tenebrio molitor L.) meal. The third group was a control group which had 0% of mealworm meal in the diet. Diets with 2% and 5% of mealworm meals did not affect the length of villi and microbiome of the caecum. The highest digesta viscosity from the ileum was found in the group with 5% mealworm, which may indicate a slower passage of the digesta through the digestive tract. Based on our results, it may be concluded that the proportion of mealworm meals does not deteriorate the quality of feeds. Mealworm meal does not negatively affect microbial stability in experimental feeds. Therefore, it can be recommended the two and (or) five percent of mealworm meal inclusion in hen's diet.

The Milk Thistle Seed Cakes and Hempseed Cakes are Potential Feed for Poultry.

The aims of this work were to summarize the nutritional value of the milk thistle seed cakes and hempseed cakes and describe the influence on selected performance parameters, metabolism and animal health from inclusion of these non-traditional feeds into diets. It seems more appropriate to apply the extract of the bioactive substances complex to the livestock diets than addition of expellers or other forms of plants processing. The seed expellers, etc. mostly worsened the chickens' performance parameters with higher doses in diets, while most of the work using the extract yields had positive results on animal performance.

In vivo evaluation of effect of anthocyanin-rich wheat on rat liver microsomal drug-metabolizing cytochromes P450 and on biochemical and antioxidant parameters in rats.

Wheat is one of the most important agricultural crops worldwide. Recently, anthocyanin-rich wheat genotypes were introduced to the market as a food with added value. In the experiment described here, two different genotypes with blue grain were studied (UC66049 and Skorpion). The aim of the investigation was to determine whether a 72-day-long intake of anthocyanin-rich wheat can influence the drug-metabolizing microsomal cytochromes P450 (using standard drug substrates of rat/human liver microsomal cytochromes P450) and antioxidant status, which indicated the ability of the rats' liver to metabolize drugs or xenobiotics. Consumption of an anthocyanin-rich diet moderately increased the activity and mRNA expression of the studied CYPs by 20-55% relative to the control (with the exception of CYP2B1/2). The health status of rats was good; the weight gain was lower in the group with anthocyanin-rich UC66049 grain compared to the other two groups (control and Skorpion-fed one). The antioxidant power of plasma was mildly but significantly higher in the test groups, other antioxidant parameters remained unaffected, except for an increased level of total SH groups. Based on our observations, there will most likely be no significant influence of the consumption of anthocyanin-rich wheat on the metabolism of xenobiotics and drugs.

The effect of various forms of selenium supplied to pregnant goats on the levels of selenium in the body of their kids at the time of weaning.

The aim of this trial was to compare the effect of long-term supplementation of goats with different forms of selenium on body reserves of selenium in their kids at the time of weaning. Thirty-three pregnant goats were divided into five groups. Group C was control while the other four groups were supplemented with selenium (Se) for 6 weeks before parturition (0.3 mg/goat/day) and after parturition (0.9 mg/goat/day). Group "Se-I" received sodium selenite and three other groups received organic forms: "Se-L," lactate-protein complex; "Se-P," Se-proteinate; and "Se-Y," Se-yeast. The kids were weaned at 3 months of age and samples of tissues (liver, pancreas, myocardium, lungs, kidneys, spleen, thigh, tongue, and diaphragm) were taken after slaughtering. The long-term supplementation of goats with Se influenced Se concentration in all examined tissues of kids. Significant differences (p≤0.01) were found between the control and all experimental groups, except for the renal cortex and pancreas (Se-I). The average increase of Se concentration in overall examined tissues in comparison with the control (100%) was as follows: Se-Y, 192%; Se-P, 167%; Se-L, 161%; Se-I, 144%. The highest efficiency was found in the group supplemented with Se-yeast with a high content of selenomethionine, also the other two organic forms of Se were more efficient than the inorganic form.

Monitoring of changes in selenium concentration in goat milk during short-term supplementation of various forms of selenium.

The goal of the experiment was to monitor the changes in the selenium concentration in goat milk during short-term oral supplementation of three different forms of selenium. The experiment involved 24 lactating goats of white shorthaired breed. Group C was the control; group S received selenium in the form of selenium-enriched yeast, group L in the form of lactate, and group B in the form of proteinate. Individual selenium preparations were administered individually orally in 250 microg Se dose per animal for 20 days. After the beginning of selenium supplementation, the selenium concentration in milk during the first 5 days grew gradually in group S. Between days 7 and 20 of Se supplementation, the mean Se concentrations in milk in groups were 12.53 +/- 3.69 microg l(-1) (C), 25.90 +/- 6.30 microg l(-1) (S), 13.14 +/- 3.54 microg l(-1) (L), 11.70 +/- 3.69 microg l(-1) (B). Differences between group S and other groups (C, B, L) were highly significant (p < 0.0001). Based on our results, selenium in the form of lactate and proteinate was excreted into the milk similarly, but selenium in the form of yeast, which contains high amount of selenomethionine, was excreted by milk in the highest amounts.