Effect of dietary vitamin E on plasma oxidative stress in broiler chicks infected with Eimeria tenella

The aim of the present experiment was to study the alterations in plasma oxidative stress parameters in broiler chicks fed with graded dietary vitamin E whilst infected with Eimeria tenella. Ninety six new-born chicks were assigned into three treatment groups by adding 0, 316 or 562?ppm of vitamin E premix to their regular diet. On day?21, half of the experimental birds were inoculated with 4?×?10⁴ sporulated oocysts of E. tenella per bird; whereas the remaining chicks served as non-infected controls. Blood samples were taken and assayed for total antioxidant activity (TAA), lipid peroxidation level and vitamin E content. Oocyst shedding was also examined in all treatments. Results showed that TAA and vitamin E levels in plasma were not affected by dietary treatment (p?>?0.05). The lowest level of plasma lipid peroxidation (p?<?0.001) was noticed in the chicks treated with 562?ppm of dietary vitamin E, but the difference between the chicks fed a regular diet or 316?ppm dietary vitamin E was not significant (p?>?0.05). The oocyst shedding was the lowest in the chicks treated with 316?ppm dietary vitamin E (p?<?0.001), but there was no significant difference between the other two dietary treatments (p?>?0.05). In conclusion, the addition of vitamin E at a rate of 316?ppm to broiler basal diet can improve cellular defence system against E. tenella infection without any effect on the plasma antioxidant status, but at higher values it may have an adverse effect.     

Effect of garlic supplementation on complement activity in broiler chickens

Recent studies have demonstrated the potential immuno-modulatory activity of herbal products in human and animals. The present study was performed to elucidate the impact of including fresh garlic powder (FGP) in the diet of broiler chicks on serum alternative pathway of complement activation (APCA) activity, as a functional part of humoral innate immunity. For this, two hundred new-born chicks were divided into three groups: A (50 chicks), B and C (75 each). The chicks in group A were fed control diet, whereas those in groups B and C received diets supplemented with 1% or 3% of FGP, respectively. On day 21, half of the chicks in groups B and C were separated into groups D and E, respectively, and fed control diet afterwards. Sera were collected on days 1, 14, 21, 32 and 42, and assayed for APCA activity. The results showed that APCA activity in groups A and B increased up to day 32 and then decreased (P < 0.05). On day 21, the highest and lowest APCA activities (P < 0.05) were noticed in groups B and C, respectively. On days 32 and 42, group C had the least APCA activity, but the differences among other groups were not significant (P > 0.05). Furthermore, the removal of FGP from the diet led to the improvement of APCA activity in treated groups. In conclusion, garlic supplementation, depending on the rate and period of time used in the diet, may enhance or depress humoral innate immunity in broiler chickens.     

Comparisons of insulin related parameters in commercial-type chicks: Evidence for insulin resistance in broiler chicks

The aim of this study is to elucidate whether insulin acts differentially within the central nervous system (CNS) of two types of commercial chicks to control ingestive behavior. Male layer and broiler chicks (4-day-old) were intracerebroventricularly (ICV) injected with saline or insulin under satiated and starved conditions. Feed intake was measured at 30, 60 and 120 min after treatment. Secondly, blood and hypothalamus were collected from both chick types under ad libitum feeding and fasting for 24 h. Plasma insulin concentration was measured by time-resolved fluoro-immunoassay. Hypothalamic insulin receptor mRNA expression levels were measured by quantitative RT-PCR. The ICV injection of insulin significantly inhibited feed consumption in layer chicks when compared with saline (P < 0.05), but not broiler chicks (P > 0.1). Plasma insulin concentration of both chick types significantly decreased following 24 h of fasting, while insulin concentrations in the broiler chicks were significantly higher compared to the layers fed under ad libitum conditions. Hypothalamic insulin receptor mRNA expression levels were significantly lower (P < 0.05) in broiler chicks than in layer ones under ad libitum feeding. Feed deprivation significantly decreased insulin receptor mRNA levels in layer chicks (P < 0.01), but not in broiler chicks (P > 0.1). Moreover, plasma insulin concentrations correlated negatively with hypothalamic insulin receptor protein expression in the two types of chicks fed ad libitum (P < 0.05). These results suggest that insulin resistance exists in the CNS of broiler chicks, possibly due to persistent hyperinsulinemia, which results in a down-regulation of CNS insulin receptor expression compared to that in layer chicks.     

Kinetics of serum antibody responses in broiler chicks against Cryptosporidium baileyi

The kinetics of serum antibody responses in broiler chickens against Cryptosporidium baileyi were studied. Broilers were inoculated intratracheally with 250,000 C. baileyi oocysts at 1, 7, or 14 days of age. Antibody was quantified by an enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. Anti-cryptosporidial serum immunoglobulins (IgM and IgG) were detected 9 days post-inoculation (DPI) in birds inoculated at 1 or 7 days of age with oocysts and 4 DPI when 14-day-old birds were inoculated. Results also reaffirmed age related susceptibility, with day-old birds being more susceptible than 7-day, and 14-day-old birds were not susceptible to clinical disease. The susceptibility to infection correlated with the amount and duration of the IgM response. Day-old inoculated birds developed a higher, longer-lasting response than 7 or 14-day-old infected birds.     

Two weeks of dietary supplementation with green tea powder does not affect performance, d-xylose absorption, and selected serum parameters in broiler chickens

The aim of the present study was to investigate the putative effects of dietary supplementation with green tea powder on growth performance, d-xylose absorption as well as serum-selected parameters of broiler chickens. Forty 21-day-old chickens were randomly allocated into four groups and fed with diets supplemented with 0% (control), 1%, 2%, or 4% green tea powder for 2?weeks. At the end of the experiment, d-xylose absorption test was performed on all birds on a 45-min basis for 135?min, and PCV as well as serum total protein, total cholesterol, LDL-c, HDL-c, triglycerides, iron, calcium, and phosphorus concentrations were assayed. Body weight, feed intake, and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were also recorded during the experiment. No significant differences were observed in plasma d-xylose concentrations, PCV, or serum parameters among different groups (p?>?0.05). Differences in body weight, feed intake, and FCR were insignificant as well. In conclusion, dietary supplementation with green tea powder for 2?weeks has no adverse effect on PCV, intestinal absorption of d-xylose, serum total protein, lipid profile, and mineral concentrations as well as performance parameters of broiler chickens.     

Effect of thyroid hormone on concentrations of plasma calcitonin in broiler chicks

The purpose of these studies was to determine the effect of thyroidectomy (Tx), and thyroid hormone (T3/T4) treatment on concentrations of plasma CT in chicks. In addition, the turnover of CT in Tx- and T3/T4-treated chicks was estimated using a novel nonradioactive salmon CT preparation. One-week-old broiler chicks (Gallus domesticus) (n = 75) were divided into three groups. Group I was sham-injected daily (i.m. saline), Group II was injected with 50 micrograms/day of T3/T4 while Group III was injected with the goitrogen, methimazole, (150 mg/kg BW per day) for 8 weeks. Chicks (8-9 weeks old) were implanted with catheters in the brachial wing vein and administered ruthenium-labeled salmon CT. Blood samples were collected at 30 s, 1, 2, 4, 8, 20 min, and 3 h after injection. Results showed that concentrations of plasma CT were decreased in T3/T4-injected birds. There was no significant effect of methimazole on circulating concentrations of plasma CT. The half-life of CT was significantly increased (P < 0.05) in both T3/T4-injected (n = 6; 1.34 +/- 0.16 min) and goitrogen-treated birds (n = 2; 5.81 +/- 2.83 min) compared to controls (n = 7; 54 +/- 3 s) The results demonstrate that changes in concentrations of plasma thyroid hormones can significantly affect concentrations of plasma CT.     

The effect of dietary betaine on intestinal and plasma levels of betaine in uninfected and coccidia-infected broiler chicks

Chicks fed betaine supplemented diets and infected with Eimeria acervulina and Eimeria maxima had markedly higher levels of betaine in the duodenum and mid-gut than unsupplemented, infected chicks. Uninfected chicks fed betaine exhibited almost twice the levels of betaine in the gut as infected chicks. Plasma betaine levels were lower in E. maxima-infected chicks than in E. acervulina-or Eimeria tenella-infected chicks. Betaine supplementation reversed the decrease in weight gain in E. maxima- infected chicks but had no effect on the decrease in weight gains in E acervulina- and E. tenella-infected chicks. Coccidia-infected birds on normal diets regularly exhibit increases in plasma NO(2)(+)NO(3). This increase was abolished in E.tenella-infected birds on betaine supplement. Betaine feeding did not alter this effect in E. acervulina- and E. maxima-infected birds. Results indicate that betaine supplementation has a positive effect on gut betaine levels in birds infected with E. acervulina and E. maxima. In all treatment groups, infection lowered the levels of betaine.     

Histopathology of monensin-tiamulin myopathy in broiler chicks

Thirty-six 7-day-old broiler chicks were simultaneously given food containing monensin, and water containing tiamulin, both drugs being at normal levels of usage. Equal numbers of chicks on a basal diet and plain water served as the controls. Anorexia, depression, drowsiness, leg weakness and a decrease in body weight appeared on days 2 to 3 of administration in several treated chicks. These clinical signs and growth retardation were prevalent and severe on days 4 to 7, at which time some chicks became recumbent. From day 9, chicks showed gradual recovery from the clinical signs and growth retardation. Histopathologically, the neck and leg skeletal muscles examined were severely affected in treated chicks, but cardiac and pectoral muscles were intact. Besides hyalinisation and floccular change which appeared infrequently in early stage of the experiment, muscle fibres showing an enlargement of the nuclei and a distention of a pale to basophilic sarcoplasm, suggestive of partial myofibrillar lysis and subsequent reparative change, dominated all affected muscles. These degenerative and reparative changes were considered to be distinctive for monensin-tiamulin myopathy in chicks.     

The effects of dietary enzyme on some blood biochemical parameters of the cultured great sturgeon Huso huso juveniles

In this study the effects of dietary exogenous enzyme (Kemin?; 0, 250, 500, 750 and 1,000 mg/kg) on certain blood biochemical parameters (total protein, glucose, cholesterol) and serum magnesium in cultured great sturgeon (Huso huso) juveniles were determined. Juveniles (mean weight 10.2 ± 0.8 g) were fed three times a day at 5–10% body weight for 46 days. Serum total protein concentration remained unaffected except in fish fed with 750 mg/kg enzyme which was significantly higher than the other treatments. Although dietary enzyme did not affect the glucose level in juveniles fed with 1,000 mg/kg enzyme, its level decreased significantly in other groups. Serum cholesterol of the fish decreased in all treatments except in fish fed 750 mg/kg dietary enzyme. Magnesium levels were higher in the groups that received 500–750 mg/kg dietary enzyme.     

Some biochemical parameters of ageing in relation to dietary protein

An investigation was undertaken to study the effect of dietary protein level on some age-related biochemical processes in mice. Weanling mice were fed a laboratory diet containing protein at 6, 12 or 24% and adequate in all other nutrients, for up to 52 weeks. Although the rate of gain in body weight of the animals between 3 and 6 weeks was related to the dietary level of protein, the final body weights of mice in different groups were not significantly different. Lipid peroxidation in liver homogenate, free activities of some lysosomal enzymes of brain, liver and intestine, and the accumulation of lipofuscin pigments showed an increase with the dietary level of protein. On the other hand, the activity of superoxide dismutase in liver showed an inverse relationship to the protein level of the diet. The findings are discussed in relation to the free-radical theory of ageing.     

Effect of dietary fat on skin reactivity against histamine, Th1 and Th2 cytokine levels and some serum parameters in mice

Changes in diet may be associated with the increase in allergic disease; change to high-calorie and high-fat diets may be a factor. In this study our objective was to determine skin reactivity of histamine and serum cytokine concentrations in mice fed diets containing different amounts of fat. Histamine reactivity was performed on mice back skin and serum cytokine concentrations were measured by ELISA in mice injected with anti-CD3 antibody. We measured serum interferon-gamma as a Th1-type cytokine and interleukin-4 as a Th2-type cytokine. Mice fed a high fat diet displayed enhanced skin reactivity of histamine and higher IL-4 levels in serum. These data suggest that a high fat diet may play a role in enhancing allergic reactions.     

The pathological and biochemical effects of feeding fermented leaves of cassia obtusifolia 'Kawal' to broiler chicks

Fermented leaves of Cassia obtusifolia 'Kawal' were mixed in the food of broiler chicks at concentrations of 25, 50 and 100 g/Kg and then fed to chicks from 1 day to 8 weeks of age. Growth rate was depressed in relation to the concentration of Kawal. Lesions of an inflammatory-degenerative type were seen in the proventriculus, intestine, liver, heart, lungs and kidneys, their severity increasing with the amount of Kawal eaten. These were accompanied by similar increases in the activities of lactate dehydrogenase, alkaline phosphatase, glutamate oxaloacetate and glutamate pyruvate transaminases and in the concentrations of bilirubin, potassium, phosphorus, total lipids and carotenes in the blood and dose-related decreases in total protein, albumin, cholesterol, globulin, sodium, calcium and alkaline phosphatase in the blood. Birds fed on Kawal tended to become anaemic but white blood cell counts increased. It is concluded that Kawal even at an inclusion rate of 25 g/Kg is unacceptable as a protein supplement.     

Haematological and some biochemical changes in experimental fowl typhoid infection in broiler chickens

A study was conducted to evaluate the effect of Salmonella Gallinarum (9, 12) infection on broiler chicks infected through oral and intraperitoneal routes. One hundred and ten broiler chicks (1 week of age) were divided into three groups: group CR (30 chicks) were kept uninfected and served as control group, group OR (40 chicks) were inoculated orally with Salmonella Gallinarum (10⁹ organisms/ml) and group IP (40 chicks) were infected intraperitoneally with Salmonella Gallinarum (10⁹ organisms/ml). Three birds from each group (including those that die) were sacrificed at 3, 5, 7, 14, 21, 28, 35 and 42 days post infection (DPI). Clinical signs were noticed as early as 12 h after intraperitoneal infection and on 3 DPI after oral infection. Higher mortality of 47.50% was observed in intraperitoneally infected chicks as compared to 22.50% in orally infected birds. Decreased body weight and reduced feed intake were observed in chicks in both the infected groups; however, the effects were more marked in chicks infected intraperitoneally. Mean values of haemoglobin, packed cell volume and total erythrocyte count were significantly lower (P?<?0.05) in both orally infected as well as intraperitoneally infected chicks. Leucocytosis observed in both the infected groups was due to increase in the number of heterophils and lymphocytes. Significant decrease (P?<?0.05) in serum total protein and serum albumin was observed in intraperitoneally infected birds only. However, the values of aspartate transaminase and alanine transaminase were increased significantly (P?<?0.05) in both the orally infected and intraperitoneally infected birds.     

Ultrastructural changes of monensin-oleandomycin myopathy in broiler chicks

Light microscopical and ultrastructural changes of skeletal muscles were described in chicks treated with monensin and oleandomycin in the food and water for 3 to 6 days. Simultaneously, or slightly subsequent to necrosis of some myofibres on days 3 and 4 of treatment, many myofibres exhibited reversible alterations initiated by focal myofibrillar lysis and degeneration of mitochondria. Reparative changes appearing on day 6 of treatment showed proliferation of the mitochondria, marked increase of ribosomes and polysomes, and enlargement of the Golgi apparatus in the sarcoplasm of degenerated myofibres. The morphological findings of monensin-oleandomycin myopathy in chicks were indistinguishable from monensin-tiamulin myopathy. Possible factors contributing to the unique morphology of this myopathy were discussed.     

Diurnal variation of serum biochemical parameters in the Iranian fat-tailed sheep

In order to study the diurnal variation of serum biochemical parameters in the Iranian fat-tailed sheep, an experiment was conducted using five male adult Iranian fat-tailed sheep. Diurnal variation of serum biochemical parameters was determined by blood collections made every 2 h during 7 days of winter. Serum biochemical parameters measured were as follows: nonelectrolytes (total protein, albumin, glucose, cholesterol, triglyceride, creatinine, blood urea nitrogen), electrolytes (calcium, inorganic phosphorus, magnesium), enzymes (AST, ALT, ALP, LDH) and cortisol. In all, there was no significant difference in any of the serum biochemical parameters, except for cortisol concentration, which was highest in 0600–0800 hours. From 0600 to 0800 hours, serum cortisol concentrations were significantly higher than those observed from 12 noon. It is concluded that diurnal variation was only observed in serum cortisol concentration.     

Discriminant serum biochemical parameters in top class marathon performances

Blood chemical parameters were analyzed by Fourier-transform infrared spectrometry (notably for determining the concentrations of glucose, lactate, urea, glycerol, triglycerides, and proteins) in 14 top-class marathon runners (133.7+/-4.1 min at marathon, 10.1% difference between extremes) who performed a 10-km run at their individual marathon velocity. Marathon performance level was correlated to glycemia increase during exercise (9% difference between extremes; r=0.93; p<0.005). The best marathon runners presented longer and/or less unsaturated blood fatty acids during exercise (17% difference between extremes; r=0.89; p<0.01), suggesting an improved fatty acid selectivity for muscular metabolism. The marathon performance level was also found correlated to a decrease of blood triglycerides during exercise (r=20.95; p<0.003) and to a proportional glycerol concentration increase (11% difference between extremes; r=0.94; p<0.005). The best marathon runners presented higher amino acid blood delivery (r=0.88; p<0.01), which was correlated to an apparent protein catabolism. These results show that the best runners have enhanced both carbohydrate, lipid, and amino acid metabolisms to improve energetic supply to skeletal muscle during exercise.