Journal of Agricultural Science and Technology, 2016
The aim of this study was to develop a diet suitable for obtaining quail eggs enriched with omega... more The aim of this study was to develop a diet suitable for obtaining quail eggs enriched with omega-3 fatty acids with minimum disadvantages on egg quality. This 12 weeks study was performed to investigate the effects of Fish Oil (FO) and Savory ( Satureja khuzestanica ) Essential Oil (EO) supplementation in diets of laying quails at different ages, on their performance, egg quality, fatty acid composition, and oxidation of egg yolk. One hundred and ninety-two Japanese quails were allocated to 8 groups (24 birds in each) with four replicates (having 6 birds in each) in a factorial arrangement with 3 variables: Age (31 and 12 weeks), FO (0 and 15 g kg -1 ), and EO (0 and 500 mg kg -1 ). The results showed that FO supplementation partially improved feed conversion ratio, hen-day egg production, egg weight and egg mass. There were no significant differences in albumen and shell weight percentage, but yolk percentage was significantly lower in FO groups. Savory essential oil significantly...
The effect of a non-antibiotic growth-promoting component composed of natural phytomolecules, dir... more The effect of a non-antibiotic growth-promoting component composed of natural phytomolecules, directfed microbials, glucomannan oligosaccharides, and organic acids on the performance, intestinal morphology and microbiology, plasma biochemistry, enzyme activities, visceral organ weights, and immune response of commercial broilers challenged with Escherichia coli was investigated. Three hundred and sixty one-day old male Ross 308 broiler chicks were randomly divided into basal diet (control, CON); control plus 0.5 mL of culture materials containing 10 8 cfu/mL of E. coli (E. coli); control with 400 mg/kg bacitracin methylene disalicylate (an antibiotic growth promoter, AGP); control plus 1000 g/t of feed of a blended mixture of natural feed additives (NAT); combination of E. coli and AGP treatments (E. coli + AGP); or the combination of E. coli and NAT treatments (E. coli + NAT). E. coli injection decreased broiler performance by lowering body weight and increasing feed intake, whereas AGP and NAT treatments improved body weight and the feed efficiency when compared to the other groups. However, feed intake was not affected by treatment. Immune response also improved with the addition of NAT, compared with control. Blood biochemistry parameters were significantly affected by the treatments. Nutrient digestibilities were increased by AGP and NAT supplementation in E. coli-challenged groups. Both AGP and NAT significantly decreased E. coli and coliform numbers in ceca. Ileal villus height was not affected by treatment, but ileal crypt depth and goblet cell counts decreased in the NAT relative to control group. Antibiotic growth promoter was somewhat more effective in improving broiler growth and health characteristics than NAT, but since NAT generally improved broiler performance compared to the control group, it can be alternatively used as an alternative to AGP in commercial broiler production.
Previously, we demonstrated that caffeine, a natural alkaloid, stimulates increased incidences of... more Previously, we demonstrated that caffeine, a natural alkaloid, stimulates increased incidences of pulmonary hypertension syndrome (ascites) in broilers. The present study was designed to evaluate the ergogenic effects of caffeine on broiler performance and blood parameters. One-hundred-and-ninety-two Ross 308 male broiler chicks were randomly assigned at one d of age to 16 pens with 4 treatment groups. On d 3, the drinking water was supplemented with caffeine at levels of zero, 12.5, 25, and 50 mg/kg BW/day. Caffeine supplementation linearly improved (P < 0.01) body weight gain (BWG) and the feed conversion ratio (FCR); however, feed intake was not affected by caffeine (P > 0.05). On d 28, increasing caffeine supplementation caused linear reductions in plasma albumin, total protein, globulin, and triglyceride concentrations, and caffeine supplementation increased plasma uric acid concentrations (P < 0.05). On d 42, caffeine did not consistently affect plasma albumin, globulin, triglyceride, total protein, uric acid, or urea concentrations (P > 0.05), whereas plasma glucose concentrations increased linearly with increasing caffeine levels (P < 0.05). Plasma T4 concentrations were not affected by caffeine (P > 0.05), but plasma T3 concentrations were reduced by caffeine supplementation on d 28 and 42 (P < 0.05). The T3:T4 ratios also were reduced by caffeine supplementation on d 42. Skin temperature was not influenced by caffeine supplementation (P > 0.05). There was a negative correlation between thyroid hormone concentrations and BW on d 42 (P < 0.05). It can be concluded that caffeine supplementation at the levels of 12.5 to 25 mg/kg BW/day increased BWG, decreased FCR and T3, and significantly altered blood biochemistry parameters.
Ascites is a major cause of mortality and morbidity in modern broiler production. Reduction of ea... more Ascites is a major cause of mortality and morbidity in modern broiler production. Reduction of early growth, followed by compensatory gain, seems a practical and viable method to minimize losses caused by ascites. An experiment was conducted to determine if early feed restriction can reduce the incidence of ascites in broilers exposed to cool temperatures. Ross 308 cockerels (N = 180) were assigned to 5 diet treatments and 2 temperature regimes, with 3 replicate pens of 6 birds per treatment and temperature. A standard grower diet was diluted by adding rice hulls at 0, 15, 30, 45, and 60% by weight from 7 to 14 d of age. On d 21 through 42, the temperature was maintained at 20 to 25 • C (thermoneutral), or at 11 to 15 • C (cool). Broilers exposed to cool temperatures developed higher right ventricle (RV) to total ventricle (TV) and RV to BW ratios, increased plasma triiodothyronine (T 3) and thyroxine (T 4) concentrations, and elevated blood values for hemoglobin concentration, mean cell volume, and hematocrit (P < 0.05) but did not develop clinical ascites. Diluting the feed with rice hulls from d 7 to 14 resulted in proportional reductions in BW by d 14 (P < 0.001) that tended to persist through d 28 (P = 0.005), after which compensatory growth eliminated all differences in BW between diet treatment groups by d 35 (P = 0.099) and d 42 (P > 0.1). Exposure to cool temperatures increased key indices of ascites susceptibility, and these preascitic changes were partially prevented by diluting the feed to reduce growth performance.
Pulmonary hypertension (PH), remains a challenging disease with a large impact on both humans and... more Pulmonary hypertension (PH), remains a challenging disease with a large impact on both humans and meat-type chickens. PH is characterized by the onset of idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension leading to right ventricular failure. In this experiment relative gene expression of adenosine A1 receptor (ADORA1), serotonin transporter (SERT), phosphodiesterase 5A (PDE5) and troponin T2 were compared in hearts from broilers with acute right ventricular failure and from healthy birds. There were major increases in adenosine A1 receptor (177%) and serotonin transporter (475%), and more modest but significant increases in PDE5 (146%) and troponin T2 (140%) gene expressions in broilers with right ventricular failure compared to healthy birds (P<0.01). This novel report shows that pulmonary hypertension related gene expression in broilers is similar to that in humans. This molecular similarity between PH in broilers and human patients suggests, first, that they will make a suitable anim...
This study was performed by five treatments and three replicates using 180 Ross male broilers (12... more This study was performed by five treatments and three replicates using 180 Ross male broilers (12 birds in each pen) in a completely randomized design. Feed restriction was applied by supplementing the rice hull levels (0, 15, 30, 45 and 60 percent). To grower feed (7 to 14 days of age). Average feed intake had a linear decrease with increasing in rice hull levels. Body weight was decreased linearly in 14, 21 and 28 days of age, but due to compensatory growth there were not any significant differences in body weight on 35 and 42 days. Average of feed conversion ratio decreased by increasing in rice hull levels up to 30 percent but in higher levels feed conversion ratio increased linearly. Feed restriction during 7-14 days of age has any significant differences in carcass percentage and its parts. Concentration of plasma triiodothryronine (T 3) and thyroxine (T 4) increased in 15% rice hull groups (P<0.05). Blood total protein, cholesterol and glucose were not affected by feed restriction (P>0.05). Feed dilution by rice hull up to 15-30 percentages in the second week of broiler production is recommended.
The effect of a non-antibiotic growth-promoting component composed of natural phytomolecules, dir... more The effect of a non-antibiotic growth-promoting component composed of natural phytomolecules, direct-fed microbials, glucomannan oligosaccharides, and organic acids on the performance, intestinal morphology and microbiology, plasma biochemistry, enzyme activities, visceral organ weights, and immune response of commercial broilers challenged with Escherichia coli was investigated. Three hundred and sixty one-day old male Ross 308 broiler chicks were randomly divided into basal diet (control, CON); control plus 0.5 mL of culture materials containing 10 8 cfu/mL of E. coli (E. coli); control with 400 mg/kg bacitracin methylene disalicylate (an antibiotic growth promoter, AGP); control plus 1000 g/t of feed of a blended mixture of natural feed additives (NAT); combination of E. coli and AGP treatments (E. coli + AGP); or the combination of E. coli and NAT treatments (E. coli + NAT). E. coli injection decreased broiler performance by lowering body weight and increasing feed intake, whereas AGP and NAT treatments improved body weight and the feed efficiency when compared to the other groups. However, feed intake was not affected by treatment. Immune response also improved with the addition of NAT, compared with control. Blood biochemistry parameters were significantly affected by the treatments. Nutrient digestibilities were increased by AGP and NAT supplementation in E. coli-challenged groups. Both AGP and NAT significantly decreased E. coli and coliform numbers in ceca. Ileal villus height was not affected by treatment, but ileal crypt depth and goblet cell counts decreased in the NAT relative to control group. Antibiotic growth promoter was somewhat more effective in improving broiler growth and health characteristics than NAT, but since NAT generally improved broiler performance compared to the control group, it can be alternatively used as an alternative to AGP in commercial broiler production.
The aim of this study was to develop a diet suitable for obtaining quail eggs enriched with omega... more The aim of this study was to develop a diet suitable for obtaining quail eggs enriched with omega-3 fatty acids with minimum disadvantages on egg quality. This 12 weeks study was performed to investigate the effects of Fish Oil (FO) and Savory (Satureja khuzestanica) Essential Oil (EO) supplementation in diets of laying quails at different ages, on their performance, egg quality, fatty acid composition, and oxidation of egg yolk. One hundred and ninety-two Japanese quails were allocated to 8 groups (24 birds in each) with four replicates (having 6 birds in each) in a factorial arrangement with 3 variables: Age (31 and 12 weeks), FO (0 and 15 g kg-1), and EO (0 and 500 mg kg-1). The results showed that FO supplementation partially improved feed conversion ratio, hen-day egg production, egg weight and egg mass. There were no significant differences in albumen and shell weight percentage, but yolk percentage was significantly lower in FO groups. Savory essential oil significantly decreased shell thickness (P< 0.05). Percentage of yolk eicosapentaenoic Acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA) increased but Arachidonic Acid (AA) percentage and the ratio of n-6/n-3 fatty acids decreased in the eggs of the birds fed on diets supplemented with FO. Also EO supplementation decreased omega-3 enriched egg yolk lipids oxidation during refrigeration and room temperature preservation. Thus, it is possible to produce quail's n-3 enriched eggs, which can improve public health and be used for marketing purposes without any loss in eggs quality through dietary administration of FO and EO.
Pulmonary hypertension syndrome
(PHS), or ascites, is characterized by elevated pulmonary
arteria... more Pulmonary hypertension syndrome (PHS), or ascites, is characterized by elevated pulmonary arterial pressure and pulmonary vascular resistance accompanied by right ventricular hypertrophy (RVH) and fluid accumulation in the abdominal cavity. Experimental models are required for triggering PHS to study the pathogenesis of this syndrome and to select resistant genetic lines. Caffeine increases vascular resistance and promotes systemic hypertension in mammals, but a similar effect of caffeine on the pulmonary circulation had not previously been demonstrated. Two experiments were conducted to evaluate the impact of caffeine alone (Exp. 1) or in combination with cold temperature (Exp. 2) on parameters associated with PHS in young broiler chicks. In Exp. 1, 288 chicks were distributed among 24 pens and brooded at standard environmental temperatures, and on d 3 through 42 caffeine was added to the water at doses of 0 (control), 6.25, 12.5, 25, 50, and 100 mg/(kg BW·d). In Exp. 2, 192 chicks were distributed among 16 pens and brooded at cool environmental temperatures, and on d 3 through 42 caffeine was added to the water at doses of 0 (control), 15, 30, and 45 mg/(kg BW·d). In Exp. 1 caffeine administered at or above 12.5 mg/(kg BW·d) induced severe PHS and resulted in acute mortality and RVH (P < 0.05). Hematocrit also slightly increased by caffeine supplementation (P = 0.07). In Exp. 2 caffeine-treated broilers exposed to cold temperatures remarkably exhibited PHS incidences and developed RVH with right ventricular to total ventricular weight ratios of 30% or greater. Moreover, hematocrit significantly increased because of caffeine supplementation in cool ambient temperature (P = 0.002). Our data demonstrate that caffeine induces high incidences of PHS in broilers, which is exacerbated by exposure to low temperatures
Previously, we demonstrated that caffeine , a natural alkaloid, stimulates increased incidences o... more Previously, we demonstrated that caffeine , a natural alkaloid, stimulates increased incidences of pulmonary hypertension syndrome (ascites) in broilers. The present study was designed to evaluate the er-gogenic effects of caffeine on broiler performance and blood parameters. One-hundred-and-ninety-two Ross 308 male broiler chicks were randomly assigned at one d of age to 16 pens with 4 treatment groups. On d 3, the drinking water was supplemented with caffeine at levels of zero, 12.5, 25, and 50 mg/kg BW/day. Caffeine sup-plementation linearly improved (P < 0.01) body weight gain (BWG) and the feed conversion ratio (FCR); however , feed intake was not affected by caffeine (P > 0.05). On d 28, increasing caffeine supplementation caused linear reductions in plasma albumin, total protein, glob-ulin, and triglyceride concentrations, and caffeine sup-plementation increased plasma uric acid concentrations (P < 0.05). On d 42, caffeine did not consistently affect plasma albumin, globulin, triglyceride, total protein, uric acid, or urea concentrations (P > 0.05), whereas plasma glucose concentrations increased linearly with increasing caffeine levels (P < 0.05). Plasma T 4 concentrations were not affected by caffeine (P > 0.05), but plasma T 3 concentrations were reduced by caffeine supplementation on d 28 and 42 (P < 0.05). The T 3 :T 4 ratios also were reduced by caffeine supplementation on d 42. Skin temperature was not influenced by caffeine supplementation (P > 0.05). There was a negative correlation between thyroid hormone concentrations and BW on d 42 (P < 0.05). It can be concluded that caffeine supplementation at the levels of 12.5 to 25 mg/kg BW/day increased BWG, decreased FCR and T 3 , and significantly altered blood biochemistry parameters.
Ascites is a major cause of mortality and morbidity in modern broiler production. Reduction of ea... more Ascites is a major cause of mortality and morbidity in modern broiler production. Reduction of early growth, followed by compensatory gain, seems a practical and viable method to minimize losses caused by ascites. An experiment was conducted to determine if early feed restriction can reduce the incidence of as-cites in broilers exposed to cool temperatures. Ross 308 cockerels (N = 180) were assigned to 5 diet treatments and 2 temperature regimes, with 3 replicate pens of 6 birds per treatment and temperature. A standard grower diet was diluted by adding rice hulls at 0, 15, 30, 45, and 60% by weight from 7 to 14 d of age. On d 21 through 42, the temperature was maintained at 20 to 25 • C (thermoneutral), or at 11 to 15 • C (cool). Broilers exposed to cool temperatures developed higher right ventricle (RV) to total ventricle (TV) and RV to BW ratios, increased plasma triiodothyronine (T 3) and thy-roxine (T 4) concentrations, and elevated blood values for hemoglobin concentration, mean cell volume, and hematocrit (P < 0.05) but did not develop clinical as-cites. Diluting the feed with rice hulls from d 7 to 14 resulted in proportional reductions in BW by d 14 (P < 0.001) that tended to persist through d 28 (P = 0.005), after which compensatory growth eliminated all differences in BW between diet treatment groups by d 35 (P = 0.099) and d 42 (P > 0.1). Exposure to cool temperatures increased key indices of ascites susceptibility, and these preascitic changes were partially prevented by diluting the feed to reduce growth performance.
Journal of Agricultural Science and Technology, 2016
The aim of this study was to develop a diet suitable for obtaining quail eggs enriched with omega... more The aim of this study was to develop a diet suitable for obtaining quail eggs enriched with omega-3 fatty acids with minimum disadvantages on egg quality. This 12 weeks study was performed to investigate the effects of Fish Oil (FO) and Savory ( Satureja khuzestanica ) Essential Oil (EO) supplementation in diets of laying quails at different ages, on their performance, egg quality, fatty acid composition, and oxidation of egg yolk. One hundred and ninety-two Japanese quails were allocated to 8 groups (24 birds in each) with four replicates (having 6 birds in each) in a factorial arrangement with 3 variables: Age (31 and 12 weeks), FO (0 and 15 g kg -1 ), and EO (0 and 500 mg kg -1 ). The results showed that FO supplementation partially improved feed conversion ratio, hen-day egg production, egg weight and egg mass. There were no significant differences in albumen and shell weight percentage, but yolk percentage was significantly lower in FO groups. Savory essential oil significantly...
The effect of a non-antibiotic growth-promoting component composed of natural phytomolecules, dir... more The effect of a non-antibiotic growth-promoting component composed of natural phytomolecules, directfed microbials, glucomannan oligosaccharides, and organic acids on the performance, intestinal morphology and microbiology, plasma biochemistry, enzyme activities, visceral organ weights, and immune response of commercial broilers challenged with Escherichia coli was investigated. Three hundred and sixty one-day old male Ross 308 broiler chicks were randomly divided into basal diet (control, CON); control plus 0.5 mL of culture materials containing 10 8 cfu/mL of E. coli (E. coli); control with 400 mg/kg bacitracin methylene disalicylate (an antibiotic growth promoter, AGP); control plus 1000 g/t of feed of a blended mixture of natural feed additives (NAT); combination of E. coli and AGP treatments (E. coli + AGP); or the combination of E. coli and NAT treatments (E. coli + NAT). E. coli injection decreased broiler performance by lowering body weight and increasing feed intake, whereas AGP and NAT treatments improved body weight and the feed efficiency when compared to the other groups. However, feed intake was not affected by treatment. Immune response also improved with the addition of NAT, compared with control. Blood biochemistry parameters were significantly affected by the treatments. Nutrient digestibilities were increased by AGP and NAT supplementation in E. coli-challenged groups. Both AGP and NAT significantly decreased E. coli and coliform numbers in ceca. Ileal villus height was not affected by treatment, but ileal crypt depth and goblet cell counts decreased in the NAT relative to control group. Antibiotic growth promoter was somewhat more effective in improving broiler growth and health characteristics than NAT, but since NAT generally improved broiler performance compared to the control group, it can be alternatively used as an alternative to AGP in commercial broiler production.
Previously, we demonstrated that caffeine, a natural alkaloid, stimulates increased incidences of... more Previously, we demonstrated that caffeine, a natural alkaloid, stimulates increased incidences of pulmonary hypertension syndrome (ascites) in broilers. The present study was designed to evaluate the ergogenic effects of caffeine on broiler performance and blood parameters. One-hundred-and-ninety-two Ross 308 male broiler chicks were randomly assigned at one d of age to 16 pens with 4 treatment groups. On d 3, the drinking water was supplemented with caffeine at levels of zero, 12.5, 25, and 50 mg/kg BW/day. Caffeine supplementation linearly improved (P &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt; 0.01) body weight gain (BWG) and the feed conversion ratio (FCR); however, feed intake was not affected by caffeine (P &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt; 0.05). On d 28, increasing caffeine supplementation caused linear reductions in plasma albumin, total protein, globulin, and triglyceride concentrations, and caffeine supplementation increased plasma uric acid concentrations (P &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt; 0.05). On d 42, caffeine did not consistently affect plasma albumin, globulin, triglyceride, total protein, uric acid, or urea concentrations (P &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt; 0.05), whereas plasma glucose concentrations increased linearly with increasing caffeine levels (P &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt; 0.05). Plasma T4 concentrations were not affected by caffeine (P &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt; 0.05), but plasma T3 concentrations were reduced by caffeine supplementation on d 28 and 42 (P &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt; 0.05). The T3:T4 ratios also were reduced by caffeine supplementation on d 42. Skin temperature was not influenced by caffeine supplementation (P &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt; 0.05). There was a negative correlation between thyroid hormone concentrations and BW on d 42 (P &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt; 0.05). It can be concluded that caffeine supplementation at the levels of 12.5 to 25 mg/kg BW/day increased BWG, decreased FCR and T3, and significantly altered blood biochemistry parameters.
Ascites is a major cause of mortality and morbidity in modern broiler production. Reduction of ea... more Ascites is a major cause of mortality and morbidity in modern broiler production. Reduction of early growth, followed by compensatory gain, seems a practical and viable method to minimize losses caused by ascites. An experiment was conducted to determine if early feed restriction can reduce the incidence of ascites in broilers exposed to cool temperatures. Ross 308 cockerels (N = 180) were assigned to 5 diet treatments and 2 temperature regimes, with 3 replicate pens of 6 birds per treatment and temperature. A standard grower diet was diluted by adding rice hulls at 0, 15, 30, 45, and 60% by weight from 7 to 14 d of age. On d 21 through 42, the temperature was maintained at 20 to 25 • C (thermoneutral), or at 11 to 15 • C (cool). Broilers exposed to cool temperatures developed higher right ventricle (RV) to total ventricle (TV) and RV to BW ratios, increased plasma triiodothyronine (T 3) and thyroxine (T 4) concentrations, and elevated blood values for hemoglobin concentration, mean cell volume, and hematocrit (P < 0.05) but did not develop clinical ascites. Diluting the feed with rice hulls from d 7 to 14 resulted in proportional reductions in BW by d 14 (P < 0.001) that tended to persist through d 28 (P = 0.005), after which compensatory growth eliminated all differences in BW between diet treatment groups by d 35 (P = 0.099) and d 42 (P > 0.1). Exposure to cool temperatures increased key indices of ascites susceptibility, and these preascitic changes were partially prevented by diluting the feed to reduce growth performance.
Pulmonary hypertension (PH), remains a challenging disease with a large impact on both humans and... more Pulmonary hypertension (PH), remains a challenging disease with a large impact on both humans and meat-type chickens. PH is characterized by the onset of idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension leading to right ventricular failure. In this experiment relative gene expression of adenosine A1 receptor (ADORA1), serotonin transporter (SERT), phosphodiesterase 5A (PDE5) and troponin T2 were compared in hearts from broilers with acute right ventricular failure and from healthy birds. There were major increases in adenosine A1 receptor (177%) and serotonin transporter (475%), and more modest but significant increases in PDE5 (146%) and troponin T2 (140%) gene expressions in broilers with right ventricular failure compared to healthy birds (P<0.01). This novel report shows that pulmonary hypertension related gene expression in broilers is similar to that in humans. This molecular similarity between PH in broilers and human patients suggests, first, that they will make a suitable anim...
This study was performed by five treatments and three replicates using 180 Ross male broilers (12... more This study was performed by five treatments and three replicates using 180 Ross male broilers (12 birds in each pen) in a completely randomized design. Feed restriction was applied by supplementing the rice hull levels (0, 15, 30, 45 and 60 percent). To grower feed (7 to 14 days of age). Average feed intake had a linear decrease with increasing in rice hull levels. Body weight was decreased linearly in 14, 21 and 28 days of age, but due to compensatory growth there were not any significant differences in body weight on 35 and 42 days. Average of feed conversion ratio decreased by increasing in rice hull levels up to 30 percent but in higher levels feed conversion ratio increased linearly. Feed restriction during 7-14 days of age has any significant differences in carcass percentage and its parts. Concentration of plasma triiodothryronine (T 3) and thyroxine (T 4) increased in 15% rice hull groups (P<0.05). Blood total protein, cholesterol and glucose were not affected by feed restriction (P>0.05). Feed dilution by rice hull up to 15-30 percentages in the second week of broiler production is recommended.
The effect of a non-antibiotic growth-promoting component composed of natural phytomolecules, dir... more The effect of a non-antibiotic growth-promoting component composed of natural phytomolecules, direct-fed microbials, glucomannan oligosaccharides, and organic acids on the performance, intestinal morphology and microbiology, plasma biochemistry, enzyme activities, visceral organ weights, and immune response of commercial broilers challenged with Escherichia coli was investigated. Three hundred and sixty one-day old male Ross 308 broiler chicks were randomly divided into basal diet (control, CON); control plus 0.5 mL of culture materials containing 10 8 cfu/mL of E. coli (E. coli); control with 400 mg/kg bacitracin methylene disalicylate (an antibiotic growth promoter, AGP); control plus 1000 g/t of feed of a blended mixture of natural feed additives (NAT); combination of E. coli and AGP treatments (E. coli + AGP); or the combination of E. coli and NAT treatments (E. coli + NAT). E. coli injection decreased broiler performance by lowering body weight and increasing feed intake, whereas AGP and NAT treatments improved body weight and the feed efficiency when compared to the other groups. However, feed intake was not affected by treatment. Immune response also improved with the addition of NAT, compared with control. Blood biochemistry parameters were significantly affected by the treatments. Nutrient digestibilities were increased by AGP and NAT supplementation in E. coli-challenged groups. Both AGP and NAT significantly decreased E. coli and coliform numbers in ceca. Ileal villus height was not affected by treatment, but ileal crypt depth and goblet cell counts decreased in the NAT relative to control group. Antibiotic growth promoter was somewhat more effective in improving broiler growth and health characteristics than NAT, but since NAT generally improved broiler performance compared to the control group, it can be alternatively used as an alternative to AGP in commercial broiler production.
The aim of this study was to develop a diet suitable for obtaining quail eggs enriched with omega... more The aim of this study was to develop a diet suitable for obtaining quail eggs enriched with omega-3 fatty acids with minimum disadvantages on egg quality. This 12 weeks study was performed to investigate the effects of Fish Oil (FO) and Savory (Satureja khuzestanica) Essential Oil (EO) supplementation in diets of laying quails at different ages, on their performance, egg quality, fatty acid composition, and oxidation of egg yolk. One hundred and ninety-two Japanese quails were allocated to 8 groups (24 birds in each) with four replicates (having 6 birds in each) in a factorial arrangement with 3 variables: Age (31 and 12 weeks), FO (0 and 15 g kg-1), and EO (0 and 500 mg kg-1). The results showed that FO supplementation partially improved feed conversion ratio, hen-day egg production, egg weight and egg mass. There were no significant differences in albumen and shell weight percentage, but yolk percentage was significantly lower in FO groups. Savory essential oil significantly decreased shell thickness (P< 0.05). Percentage of yolk eicosapentaenoic Acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA) increased but Arachidonic Acid (AA) percentage and the ratio of n-6/n-3 fatty acids decreased in the eggs of the birds fed on diets supplemented with FO. Also EO supplementation decreased omega-3 enriched egg yolk lipids oxidation during refrigeration and room temperature preservation. Thus, it is possible to produce quail's n-3 enriched eggs, which can improve public health and be used for marketing purposes without any loss in eggs quality through dietary administration of FO and EO.
Pulmonary hypertension syndrome
(PHS), or ascites, is characterized by elevated pulmonary
arteria... more Pulmonary hypertension syndrome (PHS), or ascites, is characterized by elevated pulmonary arterial pressure and pulmonary vascular resistance accompanied by right ventricular hypertrophy (RVH) and fluid accumulation in the abdominal cavity. Experimental models are required for triggering PHS to study the pathogenesis of this syndrome and to select resistant genetic lines. Caffeine increases vascular resistance and promotes systemic hypertension in mammals, but a similar effect of caffeine on the pulmonary circulation had not previously been demonstrated. Two experiments were conducted to evaluate the impact of caffeine alone (Exp. 1) or in combination with cold temperature (Exp. 2) on parameters associated with PHS in young broiler chicks. In Exp. 1, 288 chicks were distributed among 24 pens and brooded at standard environmental temperatures, and on d 3 through 42 caffeine was added to the water at doses of 0 (control), 6.25, 12.5, 25, 50, and 100 mg/(kg BW·d). In Exp. 2, 192 chicks were distributed among 16 pens and brooded at cool environmental temperatures, and on d 3 through 42 caffeine was added to the water at doses of 0 (control), 15, 30, and 45 mg/(kg BW·d). In Exp. 1 caffeine administered at or above 12.5 mg/(kg BW·d) induced severe PHS and resulted in acute mortality and RVH (P < 0.05). Hematocrit also slightly increased by caffeine supplementation (P = 0.07). In Exp. 2 caffeine-treated broilers exposed to cold temperatures remarkably exhibited PHS incidences and developed RVH with right ventricular to total ventricular weight ratios of 30% or greater. Moreover, hematocrit significantly increased because of caffeine supplementation in cool ambient temperature (P = 0.002). Our data demonstrate that caffeine induces high incidences of PHS in broilers, which is exacerbated by exposure to low temperatures
Previously, we demonstrated that caffeine , a natural alkaloid, stimulates increased incidences o... more Previously, we demonstrated that caffeine , a natural alkaloid, stimulates increased incidences of pulmonary hypertension syndrome (ascites) in broilers. The present study was designed to evaluate the er-gogenic effects of caffeine on broiler performance and blood parameters. One-hundred-and-ninety-two Ross 308 male broiler chicks were randomly assigned at one d of age to 16 pens with 4 treatment groups. On d 3, the drinking water was supplemented with caffeine at levels of zero, 12.5, 25, and 50 mg/kg BW/day. Caffeine sup-plementation linearly improved (P < 0.01) body weight gain (BWG) and the feed conversion ratio (FCR); however , feed intake was not affected by caffeine (P > 0.05). On d 28, increasing caffeine supplementation caused linear reductions in plasma albumin, total protein, glob-ulin, and triglyceride concentrations, and caffeine sup-plementation increased plasma uric acid concentrations (P < 0.05). On d 42, caffeine did not consistently affect plasma albumin, globulin, triglyceride, total protein, uric acid, or urea concentrations (P > 0.05), whereas plasma glucose concentrations increased linearly with increasing caffeine levels (P < 0.05). Plasma T 4 concentrations were not affected by caffeine (P > 0.05), but plasma T 3 concentrations were reduced by caffeine supplementation on d 28 and 42 (P < 0.05). The T 3 :T 4 ratios also were reduced by caffeine supplementation on d 42. Skin temperature was not influenced by caffeine supplementation (P > 0.05). There was a negative correlation between thyroid hormone concentrations and BW on d 42 (P < 0.05). It can be concluded that caffeine supplementation at the levels of 12.5 to 25 mg/kg BW/day increased BWG, decreased FCR and T 3 , and significantly altered blood biochemistry parameters.
Ascites is a major cause of mortality and morbidity in modern broiler production. Reduction of ea... more Ascites is a major cause of mortality and morbidity in modern broiler production. Reduction of early growth, followed by compensatory gain, seems a practical and viable method to minimize losses caused by ascites. An experiment was conducted to determine if early feed restriction can reduce the incidence of as-cites in broilers exposed to cool temperatures. Ross 308 cockerels (N = 180) were assigned to 5 diet treatments and 2 temperature regimes, with 3 replicate pens of 6 birds per treatment and temperature. A standard grower diet was diluted by adding rice hulls at 0, 15, 30, 45, and 60% by weight from 7 to 14 d of age. On d 21 through 42, the temperature was maintained at 20 to 25 • C (thermoneutral), or at 11 to 15 • C (cool). Broilers exposed to cool temperatures developed higher right ventricle (RV) to total ventricle (TV) and RV to BW ratios, increased plasma triiodothyronine (T 3) and thy-roxine (T 4) concentrations, and elevated blood values for hemoglobin concentration, mean cell volume, and hematocrit (P < 0.05) but did not develop clinical as-cites. Diluting the feed with rice hulls from d 7 to 14 resulted in proportional reductions in BW by d 14 (P < 0.001) that tended to persist through d 28 (P = 0.005), after which compensatory growth eliminated all differences in BW between diet treatment groups by d 35 (P = 0.099) and d 42 (P > 0.1). Exposure to cool temperatures increased key indices of ascites susceptibility, and these preascitic changes were partially prevented by diluting the feed to reduce growth performance.
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Papers by Parsa Kamely
(PHS), or ascites, is characterized by elevated pulmonary
arterial pressure and pulmonary vascular resistance
accompanied by right ventricular hypertrophy
(RVH) and fluid accumulation in the abdominal cavity.
Experimental models are required for triggering
PHS to study the pathogenesis of this syndrome and to
select resistant genetic lines. Caffeine increases vascular
resistance and promotes systemic hypertension in
mammals, but a similar effect of caffeine on the pulmonary
circulation had not previously been demonstrated.
Two experiments were conducted to evaluate
the impact of caffeine alone (Exp. 1) or in combination
with cold temperature (Exp. 2) on parameters associated
with PHS in young broiler chicks. In Exp. 1, 288
chicks were distributed among 24 pens and brooded
at standard environmental temperatures, and on d 3
through 42 caffeine was added to the water at doses of
0 (control), 6.25, 12.5, 25, 50, and 100 mg/(kg BW·d).
In Exp. 2, 192 chicks were distributed among 16 pens
and brooded at cool environmental temperatures, and
on d 3 through 42 caffeine was added to the water at
doses of 0 (control), 15, 30, and 45 mg/(kg BW·d). In
Exp. 1 caffeine administered at or above 12.5 mg/(kg
BW·d) induced severe PHS and resulted in acute mortality
and RVH (P < 0.05). Hematocrit also slightly
increased by caffeine supplementation (P = 0.07). In
Exp. 2 caffeine-treated broilers exposed to cold temperatures
remarkably exhibited PHS incidences and
developed RVH with right ventricular to total ventricular
weight ratios of 30% or greater. Moreover,
hematocrit significantly increased because of caffeine
supplementation in cool ambient temperature (P =
0.002). Our data demonstrate that caffeine induces
high incidences of PHS in broilers, which is exacerbated
by exposure to low temperatures
(PHS), or ascites, is characterized by elevated pulmonary
arterial pressure and pulmonary vascular resistance
accompanied by right ventricular hypertrophy
(RVH) and fluid accumulation in the abdominal cavity.
Experimental models are required for triggering
PHS to study the pathogenesis of this syndrome and to
select resistant genetic lines. Caffeine increases vascular
resistance and promotes systemic hypertension in
mammals, but a similar effect of caffeine on the pulmonary
circulation had not previously been demonstrated.
Two experiments were conducted to evaluate
the impact of caffeine alone (Exp. 1) or in combination
with cold temperature (Exp. 2) on parameters associated
with PHS in young broiler chicks. In Exp. 1, 288
chicks were distributed among 24 pens and brooded
at standard environmental temperatures, and on d 3
through 42 caffeine was added to the water at doses of
0 (control), 6.25, 12.5, 25, 50, and 100 mg/(kg BW·d).
In Exp. 2, 192 chicks were distributed among 16 pens
and brooded at cool environmental temperatures, and
on d 3 through 42 caffeine was added to the water at
doses of 0 (control), 15, 30, and 45 mg/(kg BW·d). In
Exp. 1 caffeine administered at or above 12.5 mg/(kg
BW·d) induced severe PHS and resulted in acute mortality
and RVH (P < 0.05). Hematocrit also slightly
increased by caffeine supplementation (P = 0.07). In
Exp. 2 caffeine-treated broilers exposed to cold temperatures
remarkably exhibited PHS incidences and
developed RVH with right ventricular to total ventricular
weight ratios of 30% or greater. Moreover,
hematocrit significantly increased because of caffeine
supplementation in cool ambient temperature (P =
0.002). Our data demonstrate that caffeine induces
high incidences of PHS in broilers, which is exacerbated
by exposure to low temperatures