Use of Corn Silk Meal in Broiler Diet: Effect on Growth Performance, Blood Biochemistry, Immunological Responses, and Growth-Related Gene Expression

Protective effects of corn silk and asparagus Officinalis against formaldehyde-induced reproductive toxicity in male rats via CDK2/Spem1/Fbxo47 and Tet1 pathways

This study investigated the protective effects of aqueous extracts of Asparagus officinalis and Corn Silk (Stigma maydis) against formaldehyde-induced reproductive toxicity in male albino rats. High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) analysis revealed that Gallic acid was the major phenolic component in Corn Silk, while Syringic acid predominated in A. officinalis. Formaldehyde exposure significantly reduced (P < 0.05) body and testicular weights, reproductive hormone levels, sperm count, motility, and normal sperm morphology. It also caused notable histological changes and downregulated fertility-related genes (CDK2, Spem1, Fbxo47, and Tet1). Treatment with the plant extracts, especially at higher concentrations, significantly (P < 0.05) reversed these adverse effects, improved antioxidant status, and reduced tumor necrosis factor-α levels. These findings emphasize the potential applications of A. officinalis and Corn Silk extracts as natural toxicological agents, particularly for mitigating formaldehyde-induced reproductive toxicity. Additionally, their prospective role in fertility treatment underscores their potential to support reproductive health through natural, plant-based interventions.

Leverage of lysozyme dietary supplementation on gut health, hematological, antioxidant, and immune parameters in different plumage-colors Japanese quails

The current study was conducted on two different feather-colored Japanese quail varieties (brown and white) to examine the impact of lysozyme (LZ) dietary supplementation on growth performance, hematological profile, serum lysozyme, phagocytic and antioxidant activities, along with the gut status and the relative expression of some antioxidant- and immune-related genes. Two forms of LZ; extracted from egg white (natural LZ (NLZ)), and the commercial LZ (CLZ) were included in this experiment. For each quail variety, 240 birds were randomly allocated into four groups with four replicates per group. The first group (control) ate the basal diet (BD) only. The other groups ate the BD supplemented with commercial lysozyme (CLZ, at 100 mg/kg diet), NLZ at 100 (NLZ1) and 200 (NLZ2) mg/kg diet. Different LZ treatments differentially modulated the quail's growth performance with significant increases in the final body weight of white-feathered quails fed the NLZ1 compared to other treatments. The NLZ2 and CLZ noticeably increased the total antioxidant activity (TA) in the white- and brown-feathered quails, respectively. Also, all LZ groups displayed distinct increases in the serum lysozyme and phagocytic activities. For gut status, both varieties exhibited increases in intestinal villi length and goblet cell count with significant reductions in the total lactobacillus, total coliform, and total bacterial counts. These effects were linked with marked modulations of SOD, CAT, GPX, andIL-1βgene expression levels in both quail varieties. Therefore, the LZ could differentially impact quail growth, immune and antioxidant status as well as gut health.

Dietary supplementation of lysozyme can improve growth rate, laying performance, blood biochemistry, and mRNA levels of some related genes in different plumage-colored quails

The impact of dietary lysozyme (LZ) supplementation on the growth and laying performance was investigated over 4 weeks of growing and 6 weeks of laying periods in two different plumage color (white and brown-feathered) Japanese quail varieties. For each variety, 240 birds were randomly assigned into four groups with four replicates for each group. The first group (control) was fed a basal non-supplemented diet (BD). Whereas the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th received the BD supplemented with commercial LZ (CLZ) at 100 mg/kg diet, and natural LZ (NLZ) at 100 and 200 mg/kg diet, respectively. The main findings included significant increases in body weights and gains in the white-feathered quails supplemented with NLZ1 compared to the control and NLZ2. However, there were no significant differences in the case of brown-feathered quails in all LZ supplementations. Moreover, the different dietary LZ lowered FI in both quails with the lowest intake observed in the brown-feathered quails. Accordingly, enhanced FCR was reported in the CLZ groups for both quail varieties and in NLZ1 and NLZ2 for the white-feathered and brown-feathered quails, respectively. In both quail varieties, the NLZ2 significantly lowered serum creatinine and urea and increased albumen and globulin levels compared with other groups. Histologically, the best hepatic histological features were found in both quail' varieties fed the NLZ1-supplemented diet. Accompanying LZ-induced modulations in the expression levels of GHR, IGF-1, leptin, CCK, FAS, and ACC genes in both quail varieties were reported. Besides, both quail varieties in NLZ1& NLZ2 supplementation exhibited significant increases in hen day egg production, egg weight, egg mass, and hatchability percentages along with differences in external and internal egg qualities compared with LZ-free diet or CLZ. Therefore, NLZ could be used as an effective feed supplement to enhance the growth and egg performance of Japanese quail with caution being drawn to the supplementation dose about quail variety.

Using a blend of oilseed meals in the diets of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus): effects on the growth performance, feed utilization, intestinal health, growth, and metabolic-related genes

In this study, Nile tilapia were fed a blend of oilseed meals (BOM) that includes cottonseed meal (CSM), linseed meal (LSM), sesame meal (SSM), and sunflower meal (SFM) at a ratio of 1 CSM: 1 LSM: 1 SSM: 1 SFM. Six diets were formulated where the first diet included FM and SBM as protein sources and considered the positive control diet (FM). Another five FM-free diets were formulated, where SBM was substituted with BOM and included at 0, 100, 200, 300, and 400 g/kg diet. After 90 days, the FBW, WG, and PER were markedly increased while FCR decreased by FM-based diet and BOM at 0, 100, or 200 g/kg compared to fish-fed BOM at 300, and 400 g/kg (P < 0.05). The groups treated with BOM at 100-200 g/kg demonstrated considerable impairments, followed by those treated with BOM at 300 g/kg. Furthermore, fish given BOM at 400 g/kg had significantly less intestinal histological characteristics than the other groups. The relative expression of the IGF-1, GHR1, FABP, and CCK genes were downregulated in tilapia-fed BOM at 200, 300, and 400 g/kg compared to fish-fed FM-based diet (P < 0.05). The relative cost of feed per kg fish gain showed 4.42, 7.11, 8.14, 10.32, and 8.10% reduction rates in fish-fed SBM, or BOM at 100, 200, 300, and 400 g/kg. In conclusion, dietary BOM can be incorporated in Nile tilapia diets at up to 200 g/kg without affecting growth performance or feed utilisation. High inclusion levels (300 and 400 g/kg) may impair growth performance and feed utilisation by disrupting intestinal histological characteristics and reducing expression of growth and metabolic genes (GHR1, IGF-1, FABP, and CCK) in the liver.

The effects of Artemisia annua nutritional supplementation at varying concentrations on broiler growth, economic yield, and gene expression levels of certain antioxidant, inflammatory, and immune genes

Background and Aim

Artemisia annua (AA), used as a growth promoter in poultry, lowers feed costs and enhances economic efficiency. This study aimed to assess the impact of varying AA concentrations on broiler chicken growth, gene expression, and profitability.

Materials and Methods

Two hundred 1-day-old male Cobb chicks were randomly allocated into four treatment groups, each containing five replicates and 10 birds. The experimental groups consisted of G1 (basal diet), G2 (basal diet with 0.3% AA), G3 (basal diet with 0.6% AA), and G4 (basal diet with 0.9% AA). The birds had continuous access to feed and water throughout the study. The experiment lasted for 42 days. We measured the growth performance (Feed intake, Life weight), carcass traits (weight after slaughter, dressed carcass, heart, gizzard, spleen, giblet and thymus weight), liver and spleen antioxidants (CAT, GSH, SOD), and gene expression of anti-inflammatory and immune- related genes.

Results

The primary findings revealed that the addition of 0.6% AA had a positive impact (p < 0.05) on all investigated variables compared with the control and other groups. Dietary supplementation with 0.6% AA led to increased breast, giblet, skeleton, and total yield, and net return compared with the control group. Supplementation with AA exhibited antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immunological effects through improved levels of antioxidant superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) in tissue homogenates of the liver and spleen. It also upregulated the relative messenger RNA levels of anti-inflammatory interleukin (IL)-10, SOD, CAT, and GSH-Px, whereas IL-1β and tumor necrosis factor-alpha were downregulated.

Conclusion

The study found that AA is a promising replacement for antibiotics in poultry farming as a growth promoter for chickens. 0.6% AA in the broiler diet yielded the best results, striking a balance between superior performance and robust economic benefits.

Influence of Dietary Probiotic and Alpha-Monolaurin on Performance, Egg Quality, Blood Constituents, and Egg Fatty Acids' Profile in Laying Hens

This work was designed to evaluate the advantages of using multi-strain probiotics feed (Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus licheniformis and Clostridium butyricum) (PRO) and alpha-monolaurin (AML) on laying performance, criteria of egg quality, blood parameters, and yolk fatty acids' profile in laying hens. One hundred forty of Bovans brown laying hens at 45 weeks old (25th week of egg production) were randomly allocated into four groups, with seven replicates of five birds each in a complete randomized design. The first group was fed a basal diet without feed additives (0 g/kg diet), and the second, third, and fourth groups received diets containing 1 g PRO, 1 g AML, and 1 g PRO + 1 g AML/kg diet, respectively. No significant impacts of PRO, AML, or their mixture on body weight (BW), body weight gain (BWG), feed intake (FI), or egg weight. Egg production, egg mass, and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were enhanced by 1 g PRO/kg and /or 1 g AML/kg supplementation in laying hen diets. Furthermore, egg shape index, eggshell thickness, and yolk color were statistically higher by PRO and AML supplementation at 55 weeks. However, oviduct, infundibulum, and uterus weights were significantly decreased by 1 g PRO or/and 1 g AML. Additionally, total cholesterol, triglycerides, low density lipoprotein (LDL), glucose, and glutamate pyruvate transaminase (GPT) levels were decreased by PRO and AML supplementation. In conclusion, it seems that dietary inclusion with 1 g PRO/kg, 1 g of AML/kg, and 1 g PRO + 1 g AML improved egg production, egg mass, FCR, and yolk fatty acids profile and lowered total cholesterol and malondialdehyde (MDA) contents in laying hens.

Mobilisation of textile waste to recover high added value products and energy for the transition to circular economy

The textile industry is a major contributor to global waste, with millions of tons of textiles being discarded annually. Material and energy recovery within circular economy offer sustainable solutions to this problem by extending the life cycle of textiles through repurposing, recycling, and upcycling. These initiatives not only reduce waste but also contribute to the reduction of the demand for virgin materials (i.e. cotton, wool), ultimately benefiting the environment and society. The circular economy approach, which aims to recreate environmental, economic, and societal value, is based on three key principles: waste reduction, material circulation, and ecological restoration. Given these difficulties, circularity incorporates the material recovery approach, which is focused on the conversion of waste into secondary raw resources. The goal of this notion is to extract more value from resources by prolonging final disposal as long as feasible. When a textile has outlived its functional life, material recovery is critical for returning the included materials or energy into the manufacturing cycle. The aim of this paper is to examine the material and energy recovery options of main raw materials used in the fashion industry while highlighting the need of close observation of the relation between circularity and material recovery, including the investigation of barriers to the transition towards a truly circular fashion industry. The final results refer to the main barriers of circular economy transition within the industry and a framework is proposed. These insights are useful for academia, engineers, policy makers and other key stakeholders for the clear understanding of the industry from within and highlight beyond circular economy targets, SDGs interactions with energy and material recovery of textile waste (SDG 7, SDG 11, SDG 12 etc.).

Effect of endo-1,4-beta-xylanase supplementation to low-energy diets on performance, blood constituents, nutrient digestibility, and gene expressions related growth of broiler chickens

The presence of soluble and insoluble non-starch polysaccharides (NSP) was reported to reduce nutrient utilisation, and adversely impact the broilers' growth performance; accordingly, NSP-degrading enzymes are essential supplements to cereal-based diets. Therefore, the current trial was conducted to characterise the impacts of supplemental xylanase (Xyl) to diets with low-ME levels on performance, carcass traits, blood parameters, nutrient digestibility and some genes expressions in broiler chickens. A total of 600 1-day-old Ross 308 male broiler chicks were randomly assigned to 6 treatments with 10 replications of 10 birds each per group in a completely randomised design. The 6 treatments were as follow: (1) basal diets with balanced ME content served as control (positive control, PC), (2) low-energy diet (negative control 1 [NC1]; ME content reduced by 70 kcal/kg compared with PC), (3) low-energy diet (negative control 2 [NC2]; ME content reduced by 140 kcal/kg compared with PC), (4) NC1 + 100 g/ton xylanase (NC1 + 100Xyl), (5) NC2 + 100 g/ton xylanase (NC2 + 100Xyl), and (6) NC1 + 50 g/ton xylanase (NC1 + 50Xyl). At the end of the experiment (35 days of age), the reduction of energy in the NC diets yielded lower live body weight (BW) and total body weight gain (BWG) (p ˂ 0.001); however, it significantly increased feed intake (p ˂ 0.05), leading to worst feed conversion ratio (FCR) and European production efficiency factor (EPEF) (p ˂ 0.01) than PC. There was non-significant variation in final BW, BWG, FCR, or EPEF between the PC group and the NC groups supplemented with Xyl. Carcass yield, gizzard, liver and, muscle relative weights were not influenced by dietary treatments; while broilers fed diet with low-energy diets with or without Xyl addition had lower abdominal fat (p ˂ 0.01) than PC. Furthermore, broilers fed on low-ME diets supplemented with Xyl showed a reduction in plasma total cholesterol (p ˂ 0.05) and low density lipoprotein (p ˂ 0.01) levels. Greater antibody titre against Newcastle disease (p ˂ 0.05) was recorded in the NC1 + 100Xyl and NC2 + 100Xyl groups. The addition of Xyl to low-energy diets significantly improved (p ˂ 0.05) fibre digestibility compared to the PC group. Moreover, enzyme supplementation increased muscle total lipids content and decreased muscle thiobarbituric acid retroactive substance content. In addition, enzyme supplementation increased gene expression related to growth and gene expression related to fatty acid synthesis. It was concluded that a low-ME diet might diminish broiler performance, whereas Xyl supplementation to low-ME diets beneficially affected growth performance, abdominal fat percentage, nutrient digestibility and immunity for broilers, and gene expressions related to growth and fatty acid synthesis in broiler chickens fed low-energy diets.

Growth performance, blood lipids, and fat digestibility of broilers fed diets supplemented with bile acid and xylanase

This study aimed to show the effect of bile acid (BA) and xylanase (Xyl) supplementation on the growth, fat digestibility, serum lipid metabolites, and ileal digesta viscosity of broilers. A total of 720 1 d old male broilers were allocated to one of nine treatments with four replicates in each under a factorial design arrangement of three levels of BA (0 %, 0.25 %, and 0.50 %) and three levels of Xyl (0 %, 0.05 %, and 0.10 %) supplementation. The duration of the experiment was 35 d (7-42 d). Growth performance, blood lipids, fat digestibility, and ileal digesta viscosity were determined. The experimental treatments did not affect feed intake (FI) and weight gain (WG). Supplementation of BA or Xyl did not significantly ameliorate the feed conversion rate (FCR) (p < 0.05 ). The addition of BA linearly increased fat digestibility. At 7-21 d of age, the addition of BA or Xyl had a significant (p < 0.05 ) increase in serum cholesterol (Chol) but no significant difference for other serum lipid parameters in broiler chickens fed with Xyl in the starter and grower periods. However, the supplementation of 0.5 % BA at 7-21 d of age significantly increased the Chol and low-density-lipoprotein (LDL) levels. The results of this trial revealed that the supplementation of xylanases had a great effect on the degradation of arabinoxylan from wheat, which led to a relatively greater reduction in ileal digesta viscosity; it was also found that supplementation of BA significantly increased the concentration of serum lipid metabolites, whereas BA and Xyl supplementation linearly increased the fat digestibility of the birds fed wheat and tallow diets.

Dietary Inclusion Level Effects of Yoghurt Acid Whey Powder on Performance, Digestibility of Nutrients and Meat Quality of Broilers

In recent years, the increasing demand for Greek strained yoghurt produced massive amounts of acid whey, which constitutes a major environmental pollutant. Whether yoghurt acid whey can be included in poultry diets is not known. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of four dietary levels of yoghurt acid whey powder (YAWP) on the growth performance, nutrient digestibility, meat quality traits and oxidative stability. A total of 300 male 1-day-old Ross 308 broilers were assigned into four groups with five replicates of 15 broilers each: control-fed basal diet with no YAWP addition (WO) or basal diet supplemented with YAWP at 25 g/kg of diet (WA), 50 g/kg of diet (WB), or 100 g/kg of diet (WC). At the starter period, body weight and body weight gain were reduced after WB and WC treatments compared to the WO treatment. Breast meat oxidative stability was improved during refrigerated storage for 1 and 3 d in all YAWP treatments compared to control, while the WA treatment showed an improved oxidative stability after 6 and 9 d. The results suggest that YAWP inclusion at 25 g/kg of diet did not impair performance and extended the meat shelf life by reducing lipid oxidation rates.

The Interaction between Feed Bioactive Compounds and Chicken Genome

Consumer demand for high quality and safe foods that will have a positive impact on their health has increased in recent years. Today, it is possible to meet those demands by combining the genetic potential of domestic animals and applying different feeding strategies. Nutrigenomics is one of the "omics" sciences that studies the interaction between nutrients and the genome together with their influence on metabolic and physiological processes in the body. While nutrition of domestic animals is solely based on studying the influence of nutrients on animal health and production traits, nutrigenomics integrates the fields of nutrition, genomics, molecular genetics and bioinformatics. By understanding the molecular relationships between different forms and/or concentrations of nutrients in feed and genes, it is possible to answer the question of how small changes in the diet of farm animals can produce a quality product with positive effects on human health. The aim of this article is to describe how the manipulation of adding different nutrients in the feed affects the expression of different genes in chicken and consequently alters their phenotype.

Ultrasound-assisted extraction and characteristics of maize polysaccharides from different sites

Antitumor, antioxidant, hypoglycemic, and immunomodulatory properties are all exhibited by maize polysaccharides. With the increasing sophistication of maize polysaccharide extraction methods, enzymatic method is no longer limited to a single enzyme to extract polysaccharides, and is more often used in combination with ultrasound or microwave, or combination with different enzymes. Ultrasound has a good cell wall-breaking effect, making it easier to dislodge lignin and hemicellulose from the cellulose surface of the maize husk. The "water extraction and alcohol precipitation" method is the simplest but most resource- and time-consuming process. However, the "ultrasound-assisted extraction" and "microwave-assisted extraction" methods not only compensate for the shortcoming, but also increase the extraction rate. Herein, the preparation, structural analysis, and activities of maize polysaccharides were analyzed and discussed.

Drug-independent control strategy of clostridial infection in broiler chickens using anti-toxin environmentally friendly multienzymes

The study investigated the effect of enzymes as a toxin detoxifier (DETOXIZYME) dietary supplementation on performance during growth, blood chemistry, and immunity under clostridia infection in chickens. A total of 480, day-old male chicks were randomly distributed to four groups, with six replicates of 20 birds each. The first control negative treatment (A) fed the basal formula as commercial feed prepared following the strain's needs, the second control positive group (B) fed the basal formula challenged with Clostridium perfringens (C. perfringens) type A, the third group (C) fed the basal formula with 100 g DETOXIZYME/ton of feed and challenged with clostridia, and the fourth group (D) fed the control basal formula with 100 g DETOXIZYME/ton of feed. DETOXIZYME dietary supplementation significantly boosted body weight (BW), body weight gain (BWG), feed intake (FI), and European production efficiency factor (EPEF) and improved the feed conversion rate (FCR) of the broilers. The dietary supplementation of DETOXIZYME significantly increased carcass trait and spleen. However, liver and abdominal fat weight significantly decreased compared with clostridia-challenged groups. The values of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), uric acid, creatinine, and Malondialdehyde (MDA) were decreased. While calcium, phosphate, zinc, and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) levels were improved in birds that took basal formulas fortified with DETOXIZYME contrary to the other treatment groups during 35 days of age. Plasma total cholesterol, triglyceride, and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) values were reduced versus the other treatment groups. Dietary supplementation of DETOXIZYME increased total protein, albumin, globulin, and Newcastle Disease (ND) immunity titer levels in the overall period compared to other groups. Dietary DETOXIZYME supplementation decreased clostridia and E. coli bacteria counts and improved gut morphometry. In conclusion, dietary supplementation of DETOXIZYME had a positive impact on performance, blood biochemistry, immunity, and bacterial counts and improved the gut morphology in broilers under clostridia infection.

Pasta wastes, as substitute for corn, in the laying Japanese quails diet: Effects on production performance, egg quality and blood biochemistry

BACKGROUND

Animal food shortage and finding efficient ways to produce poultry products are getting more and more important issues in the world.

OBJECTIVES

This study was aimed to determine the effect of replacing corn with pasta wastes (0%, 50% and 100%) in the diet on production performance, some blood variables and the egg quality traits of laying quails.

METHODS

A total of 240 laying quails were allocated into 3 experimental groups with 8 replicates for 8 weeks. Egg production percentage, egg mass, feed intake and also mortality rate and percentage of abnormal eggs, egg quality traits and blood variables were evaluated.

RESULTS

None of the pasta wastes inclusion had significant effect on egg mass, abnormal egg percentage, mortality rate, yolk diameter, yolk weight, albumen height, yolk index, shell weight percentage, egg shape index and blood parameters (except for triglycerides). Replacing 100% corn with pasta by-product reduced feed conversion ratio and increased egg weight values. Replacing 100% corn by pasta wastes significantly increased the albumen weight, shell weight and also egg length and width and decreased the Haugh unit. Replacing 50% and 100% corn had a significant increase in yolk height, egg surface area and significantly decreased shell thickness and yolk colour. Overall, 100% replacement of corn by pasta by-product increased blood triglycerides compared to the 50% group.

CONCLUSIONS

Based on the result of current experiment, total replacement of corn with pasta wastes could increase the egg weight and also improve feed conversion ratio in the laying quail diets.

Growing and laying performance of two different-plumage color Japanese quail varieties supplemented with corn silk in their diet

The current study aimed to investigate the dietary supplementation effect of corn silk (CS) on performance and blood chemistry of brown and white-feathered quails during the grower and layer periods. Japanese quails of brown and white-feathered color (180 birds/variety at 2 wks old) were randomly allotted into three groups with 3 replicates each (n = 20 birds/replicate). Corn silk powder (CS) was supplemented to the basal diet at 0, 1, and 2% of the diet for each quail variety for 1-month growing period, then continued for another 6-wk laying period to assess the egg production and egg quality characteristics. CS supplementation at 1% and 2% for brown and white-feathered quails respectively improved their growth performance (body weight and weight gain), carcass yield, and intestinal villi length with increasing feed consumption but without changes in feed conversion ratio. In both quail varieties, CS addition had a hypolipidemic effect, confirmed by lowering serum triglyceride (TG), cholesterol (CHO), and low density lipoprotein (LDL) while increased high density lipoprotein (HDL) concentrations (P < 0.05) with a clear response observed in white quails than the brown ones. Besides, CS supplementation increased (P = 0.002) hen day egg production in brown feathered quails, while reducing it in the white-feathered quails compared with the CS-free diet. The increased egg production was not significantly (P > 0.05) correlated with lower content of TG and CHO, while significantly increased the antioxidant content in both quail varieties (P < 0.05). Moreover, CS dietary supplementation significantly enhanced (P = 0.003) the yolk color, especially in brown-feathered quail. In conclusion, CS can be safely supplemented to the Japanese quail diet (1% and 2% for brown-feathered and white-feathered quails respectively) to improve growth performance, and egg quality characteristics.

The Impact of Curcumin on Growth Performance, Growth-Related Gene Expression, Oxidative Stress, and Immunological Biomarkers in Broiler Chickens at Different Stocking Densities

Simple Summary

The primary goal of global poultry production is to optimize the amount of chicken produced per square meter of floor area. Consequently, stocking density (SD) and curcumin supplementation on broiler performance were investigated. Our results revealed that supplemental curcumin improved birds’ growth, behaviours, and immunity by lowering oxidative stress, enhancing humoral immune response, and modulating the suppression of growth-related gene expressions in broilers raised in high stocking density circumstances.

Abstract

Curcumin’s antioxidant properties reduce free radicals and may improve broiler growth. Therefore, the influence of stocking density (SD) and administration of curcumin in the diet on broiler performance was explored to clarify the impact of HSD and curcumin on the performance of growth, behavioural patterns, haematological, oxidant/antioxidant parameters, immunity markers, and the growth-related genes expression in broiler chickens. A total of 200 broiler chickens (Cobb 500, 2-weeks old) were allotted into 4 groups; SD (moderate and high) and curcumin (100 and 200 mg/kg diet)-supplemented HSD, respectively. Behavioural observations were performed. After a 28-day experimental period, tissue and blood samples were collected for analysis. Expressions of mRNA for insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), growth hormone receptor (GHR), myostatin (MSTN), and leptin in liver tissues were examined. HSD birds exhibited lower growth performance measurements, haematological parameters, circulating 3,5,3-triiodothyronine and thyroxine levels, antioxidant activities (GSH-Px, catalase, superoxide dismutase), immunoglobulins (A, G, M), and hepatic GHR and IGF-1 expression values. However, HSD birds even had an increment of serum corticosterone, malondialdehyde, pro-inflammatory cytokine (TNF-a, IL-2, IL-6) levels, hepatic leptin and MSTN expression. Moreover, HSD decreased drinking, feeding, crouching, body care, and increased standing and walking behaviour. The addition of curcumin, particularly at a 200 mg/kg diet, alleviated the effect of HSD through amending growth-related gene expression in the chickens. In conclusion, curcumin can enhance birds’ growth performance, behavioural patterns, and immunity by reducing oxidative stress and up-regulating the growth-related gene expressions of broilers under stressful conditions due to a high stocking density.

Effect of stocking density and vitamin E or zinc supplementation on growth, physiology, gene expression, and economic efficiency of growing broiler chicks

A total of 636 1-day-old male Cobb chicks were randomly assigned to seven treatments. The chicks were offered feed and water ad libitum throughout the experimental period. The first three groups included different stocking densities of broiler birds (low stocking density, LSD: 23 kg/m²; medium stocking density, MSD: 34 kg birds/m²; and high stocking density HSD: 39 kg birds/m²). The LSD group was considered a control group. The other four groups included MSD or HSD broiler birds supplemented with either Vit E (100 mg/kg DM diet; MSDVE and HSDVE) or Zn (100 mg/kg DM diet; MSDZn and HSDZn) in their basal diet. The main findings indicated that HSD and MSD negatively affected (p < 0.05) all variables under investigation compared with LSD. Compared with LSD, broiler birds in the MSD and HSD groups had lower body weights and higher feed conversion ratios, higher concentrations of blood plasma hormones (triiodothyronine thyroxine and corticosterone), and downregulated expression levels of hepatic growth hormone and insulin-like growth factor-l. In addition, broiler birds stocked at medium or high densities resulted in less economic return and profit. Vit E or Zn supplementation to broiler birds stocked at medium or high densities significantly reversed all adverse effects of HSD (> 23 kg/m²) on growth performance, hormones, and gene expression. It could be recommended that adding Zn at a level of 100 mg/kg per DM diet allows increasing the stocking density of broiler birds from 23 kg/m² to 34 birds/m² while maintaining the birds, welfare and economic profit.

Proximate Analysis of Poultry-Mix Formed Feed Using Maize Bran as a Base

The purpose of this research was to demonstrate the proximate analysis of poultry-mix made using maize bran as a basis. Red beans, soya beans, and benny beans were the three samples utilised in this study. This work investigates the appropriate poultry mix for birds breed for meat and egg. Thirty grammes of proteinous feedstock were weighed and homogeneously combined with 70 grammes of maize bran. The following was revealed in a proximate analysis of the feeds: moisture ranged from 1.18% to 1.54%, unrefined lipids 0.99–3.08%, total carbohydrate 57% to 72%, ash content 38.48% to 38.92%, unrefined protein 18.38% to 22.53% and unrefined fiber 2.0% to 4.65% respectively for broilers and layers. In terms of nutritional concentrations, all feed samples showed a substantial variation. Based on the findings of the study, it can be stated that Soya bean-maize bran is an excellent poultry-mix formulation that has deep well-disposed benefits and meets nearly all nutritional needs for meat and egg-producing birds.

Effects of Replacing Yellow Corn with Olive Cake Meal on Growth Performance, Plasma Lipid Profile, and Muscle Fatty Acid Content in Broilers

Simple Summary

Yellow corn is a grain frequently utilized in broiler diets. Moreover, the new era of the corn-ethanol industry for biofuel production has increased the divergence of energy applications of corn. These uses have considerably increased corn prices over the past few years. Using byproducts may be one of solutions to this problem. Olive cake meal (OCM) is a byproduct obtained from olive oil factories after olive oil is extracted. It has a high nutritional value, especially in regard to metabolizable energy. OCM has been used successfully in livestock and poultry feeding as an alternative to energy sources such as corn, without any adverse effects on performance. Hence, the current study investigated the effects of replacing yellow corn with OCM on the growth, nutrient utilization, selected blood parameters, and muscle fatty acid profile of broilers. Four hundred and eighty one-day-old male broiler chickens (Ross 308) were divided into four experimental groups (a control group, and groups with 5%, 10%, and 20% of corn replaced with OCM). The results revealed that replacing 10% of corn with OCM in the diet improved growth performance and reduced abdominal fat and liver malondialdehyde (MDA) and increased high density lipoprotein (HDL).

Abstract

The current study focused exclusively on evaluating the effects of replacing corn with olive cake meal (OCM) in the diet of broilers on their growth performance, abdominal fat, selected plasma parameters, and muscle fatty acid (FA) content. A total of 480 one-day-old male broiler chickens (Ross 308) were divided into four treatment groups with 12 replicates/treatment. The control group was fed the base diet, whereas the second to fourth groups were fed diets of corn with 5%, 10%, and 20% contents of OCM, respectively. Broilers fed with the 5% and 10% OCM diets showed better body weight (p = 0.04) and feed conversion ratio than the 20% OCM group (p < 0.048). Both nitrogen retention and ether extract digestibility were not improved by replaced corn with OCM. Replacing corn with OCM led to a decreased abdominal fat percentage (p = 0.023) compared with the control group. Birds in the OCM groups showed the lowest total cholesterol values (p = 0.038). The breast muscle (musculus pectoralis superficialis) content of oleic and linoleic, linolenic, and arachidonic acids was significantly high in birds fed with OCM diets. However, their palmitic acid level was significantly decreased. Vitamin E was increased by increasing the OCM level. Thus, we concluded that replacing corn with OCM, especially at a 10% level, is more effective than other replacement levels in improving growth performance, plasma lipid profile, and muscle FA content, as well as in causing a reduction in abdominal fat in broilers.

Effect of Dietary Inclusion of Alpha-Monolaurin on the Growth Performance, Lipid Peroxidation, and Immunity Response in Broilers

As the world population increases, there will be an increase in demand for poultry meat. To satisfy this requirement, sustainably will be a significant challenge as different countries in the world face different health problems. Additionally, for decades, poultry nutritionists have worked on sustainability in broiler manufacturing plants. The usage of short- and medium-chain fatty acids (MCFAs), which have positive effects as growth promoters and immunostimulants, is a pioneering way to decrease the cost of diets and improve environmentally friendly and sustainable production in this critical era. This study aimed at evaluating the influences of alpha-monoglyceride (alpha-monolaurin) on the growth performance, biochemical parameters, lipid profiles, liver oxidative stress, and immune response in broilers. Alpha-monolaurin was included at the levels of 0 (control), 0.25, 0.5, and 1 g/kg in broiler diets. After 33 days, dietary supplementation of alpha-monolaurin showed no impact on the feed intake; however, broilers fed 0.5 g/kg feed displayed a significantly reduced food conversion ratio, as compared to the control (p ≤ 0.05). However, body weight and body weight gain tended to increase after 0.25 g/kg alpha-monolaurin supplementation, as compared to other groups. The highest European production efficiency factor (EPEF) was obtained with 0.25 g/kg alpha-monolaurin supplementation. The ether extract utilization and spleen weight were improved substantially (p ≤ 0.05) by alpha-monolaurin supplementation, but muscle and other organ weights were not affected. Plasma alanine transaminase (ALT) was decreased significantly by alpha-monolaurin supplementation, while plasma total protein and albumin were enhanced (p ≤ 0.05). Interestingly, broilers fed alpha-monolaurin displayed an increased antibody titer of the Newcastle disease (ND) virus and muscle unsaturated fatty acid content, and a decreased liver content of malondialdehyde (MDA). It could be assumed that dietary supplementation of alpha-monolaurin positively impacts birds’ feed efficiency and immune response and can be applied as a natural immune enhancer in the broiler industry.