Dietary betaine affect duodenal histology of broilers challenged with a mixed coccidial infection.

The purpose of this research was to investigate effect of dietary betaine on intestinal morphology after an experimental coccidiosis. Hence a total of 189 male and female broiler chicks were randomly assigned to 9 floor cages. Chicks were fed a basal diet supplemented with 0, 0.6 or 1.2 g kg(-1) betaine. All birds were inoculated orally with Eimeria oocysts on day 28. Duodenal morphology parameters and lesions were scored by microscopic observation on intestine samples which were taken at day 42 of age. Adding 1.2 g kg(-1) betaine to diet diminished intestinal lesions (p < 0.05). Dietary supplementation with 0.6 or 1.2 g kg(-1) betaine significantly (p < 0.01) increased intraepithelial lymphocytes as well. Level of additive betaine had no effect on the ratio of villus height/crypt depth or villus surface area. Lamina propria of duodenum became thicker in the intestine of chickens which received more supplemental betaine via their diet. In conclusion, since the number of intraepithelial lymphocytes and thickness of lamina propria represent the condition of gut immune response, it seems that dietary betaine may immunomodulate the gastrointestinal tract of broilers. In addition, betaine effect on villus morphology measured later in life differed from what had been measured already earlier in life of the chicks.

Chemical composition and some anti-nutrient content of raw and processed bitter vetch (Vicia ervilia) seed for use as feeding stuff in poultry diet.

An experiment was conducted to determine chemical composition of raw and treated bitter vetch seed for use in poultry diets. Processing methods were: soaked in water for 12 h, then autoclaved and dried (SA); coarsely ground, soaked in water for 24 h, autoclaved and dried (GSA); coarsely ground, soaked in water for 47 h with exchange of water every 12 h, cooked and dried (GSC); coarsely ground, soaked in solution of 1% acetic acid for 24 h at 60 degrees C and dried (GAA). Raw bitter vetch seed was contained 94.52, 26.56, 0.4, 58.86, 3.38, 5.32, 12.28 and 14.20 percent DM, CP, EE, NFE, Ash, CF, ADF and NDF, respectively. Its GE, AME, AMEn, TME and TMEn values were 18.10, 13.15, 14.38, 14.10 and 14.69 MJ/kg, respectively. Results indicated that bitter vetch is a good source of Fe (340 ppm) and Cu (46.7 ppm). It s amino acid profile was suitable and methionine was the first limiting amino acid when compared with broiler and layer chicks requirements. Its canavanine and tannin content were 0.78 and 6.7 mg/kgDM, respectively. Processing methods improved CP and in some cases AMEn. All processing methods especially GSC resulted in a significant (P < 0.05) reduction in canavanine and tannin.

Serum proteins and some biochemical parameters in broiler chickens fed with raw and treated bitter vetch (Vicia ervilia) seeds.

This study carried out to evaluate the effect of bitter vetch seeds on serum proteins and biochemical parameters in broiler chickens. A total of 1320 one-day-old broiler chicks of a commercial breed were placed in 64 pens. Treatments were included raw and four different processed bitter vetch seeds in three levels (150, 300 and 450 g kg(-1)) and a corn-soybean based diet as control. Each treatment group consisted of four replicates. Processing methods were included soaked in water for 12 h, autoclaved, then dried at room temperature (SAD); ground, soaked in water for 24 h, autoclaved and dried (GSAD); ground, soaked in water for 47 h with exchange water every 12 h, cooked and dried (GSCD) and ground, soaked at 1% acetic acid solution for 24 h at 60 degrees C (AA). Feeding raw, AA and GSAD seeds decreased serum albumin significantly (p<0.05) in 21-days-old chicks. Chickens that fed with raw and treated bitter vetch seed had lower alpha 1 and gamma globulins than control (p<0.05). Increasing raw and treated bitter vetch seeds from 15 to 30 and 45% decreased albumin, alpha 1 and gamma globulins and increased alpha 2 and beta globulins significantly (p<0.05). In 14-days-old chicks feeding raw and treated biter vetch had no effect on serum urea, but uric acid concentration decreased significantly (p<0.05). Feeding SAD seeds increased serum urea significantly (p<0.05), but uric acid concentration did not change with feeding raw and treated bitter vetch seeds in 42-day-old chicks. Adding raw and treated bitter vetch seeds to diet increased T4 and decreased T3 concentrations in all ages. At 28-days-old chicks, feeding raw and treated biter vetch seeds decreased alkaline phosphatase concentration significantly than control. Results showed that raw bitter vetch seeds have some toxic effects on metabolism in broiler chickens and GSCD and SAD treatments were more effective to detoxification of this seed.

Relationship of plasma calcium and phosphorus to the shell quality of laying hens receiving saline drinking water.

1. From 36 to 43 weeks of age 210 White Leghorn laying hens were used to study the relationship of plasma calcium and phosphorus concentrations to egg-shell quality when saline drinking water was given. 2. Seven experimental treatments in which different amounts of sodium chloride were supplied by the food and/or the drinking water were compared. 3. Increasing salt intake through the drinking water or the food reduced shell thickness and shell calcium, and increased the numbers of damaged eggs. Sodium chloride given in the drinking water was more effective in reducing shell quality and increasing plasma calcium and phosphorus than sodium chloride given in the food.