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OBJECTIVES: Hypericum perforatum L. is a medicinal plant containing many polyphenolic compounds, including flavonoids and phenolic acids with antidepressant and anti-inflammatory properties. This study was investigated the effects of Hypericum perforatum extract (HPE) on immunity, body weight (BW), and spleen index (SI) in rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 24 Wistar male rats were randomly received 4 different doses (6 rats each) of HPE (0, 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg BW) intraperitoneally for 14 days using a completely randomized design. On days 1 and 7, rats were received 0.5 ml SRBC (10%) injection. Blood samples were collected on day 14 to evaluate IgG titer and leukocyte count. On days 1, 7 and 14, the BW and on day 14 spleen were weighted for SI. RESULTS: The IgG titer increased with higher doses of HPE. The HPE increased number of lymphocytes at 200 mg but decreased at 400 mg, number of neutrophils decreased at 200 mg but increased at 400 mg, and number of monocytes increased at 100 mg and 200 mg but decreased at 400 mg (p<0.01). Increasing doses of HPE lowered BW (p<0.01). The HPE increased SI at 100 mg and 200 mg but decreased at 400 mg (p>0.072). CONCLUSIONS: The results showed that HPE slightly improved IgG titer but significantly increased the number of leukocytes and monocytes at 200 mg, and neutrophils at 400 mg. The HPE decreased BW at 100 mg and 200 mg with no damage on spleen.
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OBJECTIVE: Saffron petal is a by-product that contains flavonoids and anthocyanins. In order to study the effects of saffron petal extract (SPE) on blood parameters, immune system, and spleen histology, five treatments (n=6) were used in a completely randomized design. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The treatments were 0, 75, 150, 225, and 450 mg/kg body weight of SPE. The SPE was injected intraperitoneally to 30 rats (10-week old, weighing 225±15 g) for 14 days. Immunization was performed using 1×10(8) sheep red blood cells (SRBC) on days 0 and 7 subcutaneously in all treatment groups. On day 15, blood was collected from the heart of rats after anesthesia. One part of samples were poured in heparinized tubes for counting whole blood cells (CBC) and different white blood cells (WBC) and the other part was used to measure IgG using ELISA technique. The spleen was stained by hematoxylin- eosin for histological study. The data were statistically analyzed using ANOVA program and the means evaluation was done using Tukey's test. RESULTS are presented as mean±SD. RESULTS: RESULTS showed no significant difference between treatments and control group regarding the amount of RBC, HGB, HCT, and PLT. The level of IgG at 75 mg/kg was significantly increased in comparison with other groups. No changes were observed in spleen histology. CONCLUSION: The results indicate that use of SPE at dose of 75 mg/kg causes an increase in antibody response without any change in hematological parameters and spleen histology.
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In the present study, chicory root powder (CRP) as growth promoter at 1% and 3% levels was supplemented in broilers' diet to investigate the growth performance and histomorphometry of jejunum. One hundred twenty, one-day-old male broilers were used in a completely randomized design (CRD) with 3 treatments and 4 replicates (10 chicks per replicate). At the end of each period (0-10, 11-24 and 0-24 days), feed intake (FI), weight gain (WG), and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were measured. At the end of experiment (day 24), one bird per replicate was sacrificed for breast weight (BW), drumstick weight (DW), and jejunum length (JL) as a percentage of body weight, and histomorphometry of villus. The FI increased by 3% CRP in the 1(st) period (p < 0.01). The percentage of WG significantly increased at 1% during the 1(st) period and, in the 2(nd) and total periods, it increased only at 3% CRP (p < 0.05). The FCR decreased at 1% in the 1(st) (p < 0.04) and, at 3% in the 2(nd) (p < 0.01) and total periods (p < 0.05). The percentage of DW increased at 3% CRP (p < 0.05). The treatments increased the percentage of BW (p < 0.059) and, percentage of JL (p < 0.079) as well. The villus width and, crypt depth (CD) at 1% and 3% CRP and, villus surface at 3% reduced. The 3% CRP increased the villus length (VL) and villi number (p < 0.05) and, VL/CD (p < 0.01) and, villus surface area (p < 0.02). The percentage of leaf-like villi decreased in CRP treatments (p < 0.05). The number of goblet cells increased in CRP treatments (p < 0.01). In conclusion, chicory root powder can improve growth performance in broilers by enhancing food digestion and absorption through modification of jejunum histomorphometry.
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BACKGROUND: This study was conducted to evaluate the potential protective effects of omega-3 poly unsaturated fatty acids (Ω-3 PUFAs) on bovine sperm quality in response to cooling and cryopreservation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: : In this experimental study included ejaculates from five proven fertile bulls, allocated to the control and the four experimental groups. For group 1, polyethylene glycol (PEG) as a solvent was added alone to the extender, while for groups 2, 3 and 4, different concentration of omega-3 PUFAs (1, 2.5 and 5%, respectively) in combination with PEG were added to the semen extender. Motility [using computer aided sperm analysis (CASA)], viability and morphology of bovine sperm were investigated after 24 and 48 hours in both cold liquid storage and frozen-thawed conditions. RESULTS: Our findings showed that PEG has some detrimental effects on sperm quality. Cooling as well as cryopreservation decreased significantly most of measured variables of sperm as compared to fresh semen, whereas the treatments did not improve sperm quality. Furthermore, levels of some variables were decreased significantly during treatments (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Addition of Ω-3 PUFAs to semen extenders cannot be effectively introduced to conservation media as well as sperm membrane in order to protect spermatozoa in response to cooling and freezing. It can be suggested if Ω-3 PUFAs is supplemented to the diet of bulls in order to modify the fatty acid compositions of sperm, they might perform their preventive properties.
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OBJECTIVE: Turmeric (Curcuma Longa Linn) is a medicinal plant that contains curcumin. There is a growing interest in using curcumin powder (CP) as feed additives for antioxidative and antimicrobial properties to improve human health. This study was conducted to determine the appropriate levels of CP on blood parameters, immunity, and histology of jejunum in hens. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 200, 58-wk-old Hy-line hens were randomly distributed into 4 treatments (0%, 0.5%, 1.5%, and 2.5% CP or 0, 5, 15, and 25 g/kg feed, respectively) with 5 replicates (10 birds each) for 8 weeks using the completely randomized design. Blood samples were taken from 2 birds per replicate at weeks 61 and 65 to evaluate blood parameters. On weeks 63 and 65, two birds from each replicate received 0.5 ml SRBC (25%) injection in breast muscle and 7 days later, blood samples were collected to evaluate total Ig, IgG, and IgM titers in serum. Two hens were sacrificed at week 65 for the histological study of jejunum. RESULTS: Curcumin reduced triglycerides at 1.5% and 2.5% and cholesterol and LDL at 2.5% (p<0.05). Improvement of total Ig and IgG titers after the 1(st) and 2(nd) injections were observed. Muscle thickness in jejunum increased (p<0.05) at 1.5% curcumin and the length and surface area of villus were enhanced as well. CONCLUSION: Our results demonstrate that curcumin can be used as an antioxidant at 1.5% and antilipidemic agent at 2.5% in diet.
