Propolis supplementation improved productivity, oxidative status, and immune response of Barki ewes and lambs

Red propolis extract as a natural ionophore for confined sheep: performance and morphological and histopathological changes

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of increasing levels of red propolis extract (RPE) in the diet of confined sheep on performance and histomorphometric parameters of rumen and intestine and histopathological parameters of liver and kidney. Thirty-five male sheep (17.08 ± 2.36 kg) were used, distributed in a completely randomized design, with five treatments (0, 7, 14, 21, and 28 mL day-1 RPE) and seven replications, submitted to 68 days of experiment. At the end of the experimental period, the animals were euthanized, and samples of rumen, intestine, liver, and kidney were collected to histomorphometry and histopathology analyzes. Higher RPE inclusions (21 and 28 mL day-1) maintained dry matter intake and increased total weight (5.78 x 6.14 and 6.95 kg, respectively) gain up to 20.24%. In the rumen, the inclusion of RPE led to an increase in the thickness of the epithelium and the highest level also increased the thickness of the keratinized portion of this epithelium (21.71 x 32.15 μm). The level of 21 mL day-1 provided larger ruminal papillae (1620.68 x 1641.70 μm) and greater ruminal absorption area (561791.43 x 698288.50 μm2). In intestine 21 and 28 mL-1 of RPE provided greater mucosal thickness (468.54 x 556.20 and 534.64 μm), higher goblet cell index (23.32 x 25.82 and 25.64) and higher hepatic glycogen index (1.47 x 1.64 and 1.62), supporting higher nutrients absortion and glicogenolise and intestinal health, corroborating the weight gain indices. The inclusion of RPE did not cause renal histopathological lesions. Therefore, levels of 21 and 28 mL day-1 of RPE can be used in sheep diets, promoting greater final weight gain, causing positive histomorphological changes in the rumen, intestine and liver, without causing kidney or liver damage.

Grape Seed Proanthocyanidins Improve the Quality of Fresh and Cryopreserved Semen in Bulls

Oxidative stress leads to a decrease in semen quality during semen cryopreservation and fresh semen production. Grape seed proanthocyanidins (GSPs) are endowed with well-recognized antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, and anti-aging activities. Therefore, the objective of this experiment was to explore the effects of GSPs on the quality of fresh and cryopreserved semen to provide a basis for GSPs as a new dietary additive and semen diluent additive for males' reproduction. Fresh semen from three healthy bulls aged 3 to 5 years old were gathered and mixed with semen diluents dissolved with 0 µg/mL, 30 µg/mL, 40 µg/mL, 50 µg/mL, and 60 µg/mL GSPs respectively. The motility, physiological structures (acrosome integrity, membrane integrity, mitochondrial activity), and antioxidant capacity of frozen-thawed sperm were measured after storage in liquid nitrogen for 7 days (d). Bulls were fed with 20 mg/kg body weight (BW) GSPs in their diet for 60 days; the weight of the bull is about 600 kg. Then, the reproductive performance and antioxidant indexes of bulls were measured before and after feeding. The results demonstrated that GSPs supplementation significantly increased sperm motility, physiological structures, GSH-Px, and CAT enzyme activities and significantly decreased MDA content in sperm during semen cryopreservation. The optimal concentration of GSPs was 40 µg/mL (p < 0.05). After 20 mg/kg (body weight) GSP supplementation, sperm motility was significantly heightened (p < 0.05), the sperm deformity rate was significantly reduced (p < 0.05), and antioxidant enzyme activities (such as SOD, CAT, and GSH-Px) were significantly enhanced (p < 0.05), and the production of MDA was significantly suppressed (p < 0.05) in serum compared with that before feeding. In conclusion, these results reveal that a certain concentration of GSPs has a good protective effect on sperm damage caused by semen cryopreservation and the reproductive performance reduction caused by stress in bulls, which may be attributed to the antioxidant function of GSPs. In summary, GSPs are a useful cryoprotective adjuvant and dietary additive for bull sperm quality.

Improving productivity in rabbits by using some natural feed additives under hot environmental conditions - A review

Heat stress is a major challenge to animal production in tropical and subtropical climates. Rabbits suffer from heat stress more than farm animals because they have few sweat glands, and their bodies are covered with thick fur. Intensive farming relies on antibiotics as antimicrobials or growth promoters to increase animals' productivity and health. However, the European Union and many countries have banned or restricted the use of antibiotics in animal feed for human health concerns. Several studies have found that replacing antibiotics in rabbit feed with natural plants or feed additives increases productivity and improves immune capacity, especially under heat stress conditions. Growth performance, immune response, gut microflora, and carcass yield may be increased in rabbits fed a diet supplemented with some natural plants and/or propolis. In this review article, we discuss and summarize the effects of some herbs and plant extracts as alternative feed additives on rabbit productivity, especially for those raised under hot ambient temperatures.

Effects of phytogenic feed additives on the reproductive performance of animals

The reproductive performance of ruminants is economically significant, and its improvement is a primary goal of the livestock industry to ensure its sustainability. Several approaches have been developed to use phytogenics as feed additives for several proposes, such as reducing methane emissions, and as an alternative to antibiotics. Phytogenics have potent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, and metabolism-regulatory properties, and they are present at high levels in animal feeds. This current review considers the potential use of medicinal herbs on the reproductive performance of animals. The influence of diet on the fertility complications commonly noted in ruminants is of global interest. Although the effects of phytogenics on ruminant digestion and absorption are well-explored, their impact on reproductive performance remains poorly investigated. This review focuses on the influence of phytogenics on semen quality, hormonal profiles, and hematobiochemical indices in male ruminants. Based on available data, phytogenics are perceived to improve oocyte quality, reproductive performance, and pregnancy. However, further more comprehensive research on the benefits and potential hazards of the use of phytogenics is required to improve reproductive performance in ruminants.

Souto E, Cardoso JC. Red Propolis and Its Dyslipidemic Regulator Formononetin: Evaluation of Antioxidant Activity and Gastroprotective Effects in Rat Model of Gastric Ulcer

Propolis has various pharmacological properties of clinical interest, and is also considered a functional food. In particular, hydroalcoholic extracts of red propolis (HERP), together with its isoflavonoid formononetin, have recognized antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, with known added value against dyslipidemia. In this study, we report the gastroprotective effects of HERP (50–500 mg/kg, p.o.) and formononetin (10 mg/kg, p.o.) in ethanol and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug-induced models of rat ulcer. The volume, pH, and total acidity were the evaluated gastric secretion parameters using the pylorus ligature model, together with the assessment of gastric mucus contents. The anti-Helicobacter pylori activities of HERP were evaluated using the agar-well diffusion method. In our experiments, HERP (250 and 500 mg/kg) and formononetin (10 mg/kg) reduced (p < 0.001) total lesion areas in the ethanol-induced rat ulcer model, and reduced (p < 0.05) ulcer indices in the indomethacin-induced rat ulcer model. Administration of HERP and formononetin to pylorus ligature models significantly decreased (p < 0.01) gastric secretion volumes and increased (p < 0.05) mucus production. We have also shown the antioxidant and anti-Helicobacter pylori activities of HERP. The obtained results indicate that HERP and formononetin are gastroprotective in acute ulcer models, suggesting a prominent role of formononetin in the effects of HERP.