Comparison of fatty acid profile in the chicken meat after feeding with narasin, nicarbazin and salinomycin sodium and phyto-additive substances

The purpose of this study was an experimental investigation and a statistical evaluation of the influence of various additives in feed mixtures of broiler chickens on fatty acids content and their ratio in breast and thigh muscles. First feed additive consisted of narasin, nicarbasin and salinomycin sodium, and other five additives were of phytogenic origin. In vivo experiment was realized on the poultry experimental station with deep litter breeding system. A total of 300 one-day-old hybrid chickens Cobb 500 divided into six groups were used for the experiment. The experimental period was divided into four phases, i.e. Starter, Grower 1, Grower 2 and Final, according to the application of commercial feed mixture of soy cereal type. Additive substances used in feed mixtures were different for each group. Basic feed mixtures were equal for all groups. Fatty acid profile of breast and thigh muscles was measured by the method of FT IR Nicolet 6700. Investigated additive substances in the feed mixtures did not have statistically significant effect on fatty acid content and omega-6/omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) ratio in breast and thigh muscles. Strong statistically significant relation between omega-6 PUFAs and total PUFAs were proved by experiment. A relation between omega-3 PUFAs and total PUFAs was found only in the group with Biocitro additive.

Molecular effects of nicarbazin on avian reproduction

Nicarbazin (NCZ) is an anticoccidial drug routinely used in the poultry industry that can negatively affect reproduction by reducing egg production, egg weight, and egg hatchability. The molecular mechanisms by which NCZ affects reproduction are unknown. Lipoprotein lipase, vitellogenin, transglutaminase, and calcium are all involved in egg formation and embryogenesis. Therefore, in vitro assays were used to evaluate 4 potential mechanisms of action of NCZ on egg formation and embryogenesis. First, a lipoprotein lipase assay was conducted to determine if NCZ increases lipoprotein lipase activity. Second, vitellogenin phosphorylation was evaluated to determine if NCZ acts as a vitellogenin phosphatase. Third, transglutaminase activity was measured to determine if NCZ inhibits transglutaminase activity. Finally, bull sperm was used as a model to determine if specific channel-mediated calcium uptake can be blocked by NCZ. Nicarbazin increased the activity of lipoprotein lipase in vitro at 3.9 and 7.8 microg of NCZ/mL. Nicarbazin increased intracellular calcium levels in bull sperm, suggesting it also acts as a calcium ionophore. The portion of the NCZ molecule responsible for the increase in intracellular calcium is 2-hydroxy-4,6-dimethylpyrimidine. Nicarbazin affected vitellogenin phosphorylation but only at a concentration many times higher than expected plasma values. Nicarbazin also inhibited transglutaminase activity in vitro. Whereas the 4,4'-dinitrocarbanilide portion of the NCZ molecule inhibited transglutaminase activity, the 2-hydroxy-4,6-dimethylpyrimidine portion increased transglutaminase activity. All of these assays were conducted in vitro; therefore these results should be viewed as preliminary findings to aid in directing further research on the effect of NCZ on reproduction in vivo. Because NCZ increases lipoprotein lipase activity and acts as a calcium ionophore, future experiments should investigate these effects in particular.

Effect of Method of Delivering Nicarbazin to Mallards on Plasma 4,4′-Dinitrocarbanilide Levels and Reproduction

Nicarbazin (NCZ), a coccidiostat used in the poultry industry, has been developed as a contraceptive for resident Canada geese. We tested the efficacy of NCZ as a contraceptive using mallards (Anas platyrhynchos) as a model for Canada geese. Nicarbazin-treated corn was fed ad libitum for 14 d at 0, 750, 1,000, or 1,500 ppm. Plasma and egg levels of 4,4'-dinitrocarbanilide (DNC), the active anticoccidial component of NCZ, differed among treatment groups in a dose-response relationship, but plasma levels did not differ between sexes. Nicarbazin caused a decrease in egg weight, but there was no effect of NCZ on the numbers of eggs laid per female per day. Nicarbazin did not significantly impact bird health. An additional trial tested the effect of the method of NCZ delivery on plasma DNC levels. Mallards were given NCZ daily for 12 d either by gavage with a corn oil suspension, gavage with a water suspension, peroral administration of a capsule, or feeding 500 mg of NCZ/kg of pelleted feed ad libitum. The method of delivery significantly affected plasma DNC levels, with the highest levels in the corn oil suspension group and the lowest levels in the pelleted feed group. This is likely due to decreased availability of NCZ in a pellet compared with gavage with a suspension or capsule. Mallards receiving 34.2 mg of NCZ/kg of BW when fed cracked corn coated with NCZ daily for 14 d had higher plasma DNC levels than those obtained by liquid gavage, capsule, or pelleted NCZ feed. For maximum effect in the field, NCZ should be coated onto corn. A higher concentration of NCZ is needed in pelleted feed to obtain comparable plasma DNC levels to allow for the decreased absorption of DNC.

Evaluation of nicarbazin as a potential waterfowl contraceptive using mallards as a model

Contraception may provide a useful nonlethal management tool to reduce wild bird populations. We tested the efficacy of nicarbazin (NCZ) as a contraceptive for waterfowl and assessed health effects of NCZ, using domestic mallards (Anas platyrhynchos) as a model for Canada geese (Branta canadensis). Mallards were given gelatin capsules containing 0, 8.5, 17.0, or 33.75 mg of NCZ/kg of BW perorally once daily for 14 d. Fecal 4,4'-dinitrocarbanilide (DNC) and fluorescein were evaluated as potential markers of plasma and egg DNC levels. Plasma, egg, and fecal DNC levels differed among treatment groups in a dose response relationship. There were no significant effects on the numbers of eggs laid per female per day, proportion of fertile eggs, proportion of eggs hatching, or egg yolk mottling. Hatchability was 0.55 +/- 0.1 in the control group compared with 0.26 +/- 0.1 in the 33.75 mg/kg of BW group. Degeneration of the vitelline membrane was evident at all treatment levels; severity was dose-related and greater in the outer vitelline membrane than the inner vitelline membrane. No significant health effects were observed for birds treated with NCZ. The heterophil:lymphocyte ratio was elevated during the treatment and posttreatment periods in all groups, indicating birds were experiencing stress due to handling. Fecal DNC levels did not correlate well with plasma DNC levels, likely due to NCZ being administered as a bolus dose rather than being fed ad libitum. Fluorescein correlated well with plasma DNC levels during the treatment period and can therefore be used successfully as a noninvasive marker to determine the approximate amount of NCZ a bird is consuming. As a contraceptive, NCZ likely would have minimal adverse health effects on the target animal, although field studies with the species of interest need to be conducted. Further research using higher NCZ levels needs to be conducted to determine whether NCZ can inhibit reproduction in waterfowl.

The Hymenolepis diminuta–Golden Hamster (Mesocricetus auratus) Model for the Evaluation of Gastrointestinal Anticestode Activity

A novel laboratory anticestode assay was developed using Hymenolepis diminuta in the hamster. The commercial anticestode compounds, praziquantel, bunamidine, and niclosamide were active against patent infections of Hymenolepis diminuta in golden hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus) when given orally at 3.125, 100, and 200 mg/kg, respectively. The gastrointestinal nematode anthelmintics, cambendazole and mebendazole, were active at 50 mg/kg. Rafoxanide (fasciolicide) was active at 25 mg/kg, the lowest level tested. The coccidiostat, nicarbazin, was active at experimental levels (800 mg/kg and up). The anthelmintic-ectoparasiticide (endectocide), ivermectin, was inactive against the tapeworm at 0.5 mg/kg, as expected.

Quantification of plasma and egg 4,4'-dinitrocarbanilide (DNC) residues for the efficient development of a nicarbazin-based contraceptive for pest waterfowl

Urbanization and associated landscaping has increased the abundance of year-round habitat for waterfowl, resulting in vegetation damage, loss of recreational activities, air transportation mishaps and health hazards. As part of a research program to develop socially acceptable techniques for management of pest bird populations, we are evaluating nicarbazin as a contraceptive in pest and surrogate avian species. As reproductive studies with Canada Geese (Branta canadensis) are tedious due to the difficulty of conducting controlled field studies and/or breeding geese in captivity, we evaluated the effects of oral nicarbazin administration on the production and hatchability of chicken eggs. Blood plasma and egg DNC concentrations were correlated to contraceptive efficacy. Subsequent studies are being conducted with geese to determine the diet nicarbazin concentration required to produce the desired blood and plasma DNC concentrations. This approach permits the expeditious evaluation of formulations and dosing regimes by simply monitoring blood DNC concentrations in target species.

Comparative efficacy of anticoccidials under the conditions of commercial broiler production and in battery trials

Coccidia were isolated from a commercial broiler farm with a history of suspected drug resistance. The sensitivity profiles of the Eimeria spp. isolates against the anticoccidial drugs nicarbazin (NIC), narasin (NAR), halofuginone (HAL), salinomycin (SAL), meticlorpindol plus methylbenzoquate (MET), and monensin (MON) at the recommended dose levels were followed in three battery trials (B1, B2, B3) corresponding to a field study over three periods of commercial broiler keeping (F1, F2, F3). Shuttle programs were performed in F1 (NIC/MON) and in F2 (MET/MON) while only SAL was used in F3. Eimeria acervulina and E. tenella were isolated from indicator birds in F1 while only E. acervulina could be found during F2 and F3. In trial B1 the isolate from F1 was identified as resistant against HAL and partly resistant against NIC and MON, the two drugs that were used in F1. Following the replacement of NIC in the starter feed by MET the respective isolate from F2 showed no resistance against ionophores (trial B2) while partial resistance against HAL was still present. Since SAL was the most efficient drug in B1 and B2 only this drug was applied in F3. Apart from a resistance against HAL no resistance against any of the other tested anticoccidials was found in the isolate from F3. SAL controlled coccidiosis efficiently in the field and best productivity was recorded in F3. This study shows that battery trials have a good predictive value in respect to the efficacy of anticoccidials under the conditions of commercial broiler production.

Residual activity of anticoccidial drugs in chickens after withdrawal of medicated feeds

Seven anticoccidial drugs commonly used in poultry (diclazuri), monensin, salinomycin, halofuginone, nicarbazin, robenidine, amprolium, and lasalocid) were tested for residual activity after withdrawal. In each test, the products were given at the recommended level to cages of 10 broiler chickens. Oral inoculation with coccidia was given after withdrawal of medication. Birds pretreated with 1 ppm of diclazuril and inoculated with Eimeria tenella after drug withdrawal had normal weight gain and very low lesion scores. Residual activity depleted gradually over several days, as shown by higher lesion scores when medication was withdrawn for up to 3 days before inoculation. Similar results were observed when young birds were inoculated with a mixture of E. tenella, E. maxima and E. acervulina, and also when birds were given diclazuril to market weight (6 weeks of age) and inoculated with a mixture of six species of Eiméria (The above species plus E. brunetti, E. mitis, and E. necatrix) after withdrawal of medication for 2 days. In contrast, there was no evidence of residual anticoccidial activity with nicarbazin, halofuginone, lasalocid, amprolium, salinomycin or monensin. Overall, the residual activity was unique to diclazuril.

Studies of resistance to anticoccidials in Eimeria field isolates and pure Eimeria strains

Ten Eimeria field isolates from North Germany were studied in battery tests for sensitivity to selected anticoccidials. A high percentage of the Eimeria field isolates (9 out of 10) showed resistance to anticoccidials, mostly multiple resistance. Partial or complete resistance to maduramicin was found in 7 field isolates, to monensin in 6, to salinomycin in 5, to nicarbazin in 8, to halofuginone in 7, to robenidine and toltrazuril in 1, and to diclazuril in 2 field isolates. Multiple resistance had developed in 7 of the 10 isolates. Cross-resistance between maduramicin, monensin, and salinomycin occurred in 5 Eimeria isolates. One isolate showed cross-resistance between diclazuril and toltrazuril. From the resistant isolates 15 pure E. acerculina and 5 pure E. brunetti strains were obtained by single oocyst infections. Seven of the E. acerculina and 4 of the E. brunetti strains showed resistance or partial resistance that was also present in the original isolate. Ten of 11 resistant strains were multiply resistant.

Sensitivity of Escherichia coli O157:H7 strain 932 to selected anticoccidial drugs in broiler chicks

The ability of selected anticoccidial drugs to inhibit the colonization of day-old male broiler chicks (Cornish Rocks) by Escherichia coli O157:H7, strain 932 was examined. Chicks were challenged with 1.8 x 10(9) E. coli O157:H7 on Day 1, and fed diets supplemented with three selected anticoccidial drugs; monensin, nicarbazin, or robenidine. The cecal and colon fecal contents of the chicks were removed on Day 7, 14, and 21 postinoculation and examined for the concentration of E. coli O157: H7 per gram of contents. Monensin effectively reduced cecal and colon colonization of the chicks by E. coli O157:H7. By Day 7, there were significant reductions in the bacterial population of the cecal contents of chicks receiving the monensin-medicated feed, and by Day 21 no E. coli O157:H7 was recovered from the cecal and colon contents. The bacterial counts in the colon contents of the nicarbazin- and robenidine-medicated and unmedicated chicks were significantly higher than the monensin-treated chicks. Bacterial populations in the colon contents were high only when there were high bacterial concentrations in the cecal contents.

Nicarbazin effects on broiler thermobalance during high ambient temperature stress

Two experiments were conducted to measure the effects of nicarbazin (125 ppm) on heat production (H), evaporative heat loss (E), sensible heat loss (S), and heat content change (HC) of broilers during heat stress. Feed consumption effects on thermobalance were equalized in both studies by force feeding at 7% of metabolic body weight (MWT; body weight.66) daily. In Experiment 1, using broilers not acclimated to heat stress, nicarbazin increased H (P < .05) (9.5 vs. 9.0 kcal/h per MWT) and body temperature (P = .08), reduced (P < .05) respiration rate, and had no impact on E or S (P > .1). In contrast, the bird acclimated to heat stress used in Experiment 2 exhibited similar (P > .1) thermobalance responses irrespective of nicarbazin supplementation. The data suggests that heat-stress-mediated nicarbazin toxicity may be related to H and further that nicarbazin's heat-stress-mediated toxicity is reduced in HS-acclimated chicks.

The effects of shuttle programs upon the growth of broilers and the development of immunity to eimeria species

A floor-pen trial was conducted to investigate the effects of different shuttle programs upon the growth of broilers to 8 wk of age. Nicarbazin, halofuginone, and robenidine, when included in the starter feed for 3 wk, were effective in preventing lesions due to Eimeria. The effects of medication upon performance were apparent, medicated groups gaining more weight by 6 wk and having a lower feed conversion at 6, 7, and 8 wk than the unmedicated controls. There were no significant differences in body weight at 6, 7, or 8 wk or feed conversion at 6 or 7 wk among the medicated groups, whether medication was withdrawn for 7 or 14 days. A decrease in the number of small and medium oocysts in the litter was observed as the trial progressed. Few large oocysts (Eimeria maxima) were seen in the medicated groups. Numbers of oocysts did not increase following withdrawal of medication. Birds from all medicated groups were challenged at 6 wk with oocysts of Eimeria acervulina, Eimeria maxima, or Eimeria tenella. Weight gains were similar to that of the unchallenged controls, indicating that they had acquired immunity to these species of Eimeria.

Nicarbazin stimulates intestinal transport of L-leucine in rabbit

Nicarbazin is an anticoccidial drug used mainly in birds, but also in rabbits. Besides the anticoccidial activity, nicarbazin has shown several other effects such as inhibition of growth and feed efficiency in poultries, and stimulation of sugar intestinal absorption in rabbits. The present work has been performed in order to check whether nicarbazin also affects L-leucine intestinal absorption. The results obtained show that nicarbazin decreases L-leucine accumulation in the jejunal tissue, and increases mucosal to serosal transepithelial fluxes of this amino acid in a dose-dependent way, without modifying its diffusion across the intestinal epithelium. The drug stimulates the amino acid uptake in brush-border and basolateral membrane vesicles, thus suggesting that nicarbazin increases the absorption of L-leucine mediated by carriers.

Effects of nicarbazin on intestinal digestion and absorption of nutrients in the rabbit

Nicarbazin is an anticoccidial drug, used mainly in birds, which has shown several other effects including inhibition of growth and feed efficiency in poultry, and stimulation of sugar and amino acid intestinal absorption in rabbit. The present work was designed to determine whether nicarbazin added to the feed, affects growth and feed intake in rabbit, and whether the continuous ingestion of nicarbazin can alter the mechanisms of intestinal nutrient absorption or digestion in this species. Nicarbazin, administered at the recommended dose (125 ppm) had no harmful effects either on growth or on feed intake of animals. After treatment for one month with nicarbazin at the dose of 125 ppm added to the feed, rabbits displayed a higher transport ability of both D-glucose and L-leucine through the enterocyte plasma membranes than did untreated rabbits. These animals also showed higher specific activities of two brush-border enzymes, sucrase and aminopeptidase N, than the control animals.

Effects of nicarbazin on sugar intestinal absorption in rabbits

Nicarbazin is an anticoccidial drug, used mainly in birds, which can also be used in rabbits. It has been shown to produce several effects, such as inhibition of growth and feed efficiency in poultry. The aim of the present work was to determine whether nicarbazin alters intestinal absorption of sugar. Results obtained show that nicarbazin decreases D-galactose accumulation in the jejunal tissue and increases mucosal to serosal transepithelial fluxes of this sugar, in both cases in a dose-dependent way. Furthermore, nicarbazin seems not to modify the sugar diffusion across the intestinal epithelium. The drug also stimulates the sugar uptake in brush border and basolateral membrane vesicles. The results suggest that in rabbits nicarbazin increases sugar intestinal absorption mediated by carriers.

Research note: Maxiban effects on heat-distressed broiler growth rate and feed efficiency

One study was conducted utilizing 192 male broilers, at 4 to 7 wk posthatching, to evaluate a narasin-nicarbazin drug combination (Maxiban) for effects on bird growth rate, feed efficiency, and survivability during cycling ambient temperature (24 to 35 C) distress. Maxiban did not impact (P greater than .1) live weight gain, but reduced (P less than .05) gain:feed ratio (unadjusted for mortality), from .29 for controls to .21 as bird survivability declined (P less than .05) from 87.5 to 69.8%. Adjusting feed efficiency by adding the gain of birds dying of heat prostration to that for birds surviving the experiment resulted in feed efficiency for Maxiban-supplemented birds being similar (P = .48) to birds not consuming Maxiban. Under the conditions of the present study, Maxiban increased the mortality rate of male broilers exposed to cycling ambient temperature of 24 to 35 C during 4 to 7 wk posthatching.

Increased skin tearing in broilers and reduced collagen synthesis in skin in vivo and in vitro in response to the coccidiostat halofuginone

In vivo and in vitro experiments were conducted in an effort to elucidate the mechanism of suppression by halofuginone of skin strength in broilers. In the in vivo study, halofuginone was included at concentrations of 0, 1.5, 3, and 6 mg/kg of diet, corresponding to 0, 50, 100, and 200%, respectively, of the amount recommended for use as a coccidiostat. Each dietary treatment was given to 260 female broiler day-old chickens. Skin tearing was evaluated at the processing plant. Skin collagen and Kjeldahl-nitrogen were determined chemically. At the age of 7 wk, BW and feed efficiency were affected only in birds consuming the diet containing the highest concentration of the drug. Skin tearing increased but skin collagen concentration decreased in a dose-dependent manner. Fibroblasts were obtained by collagenase digestion from chicken skin and cultured. The cultured cells were incubated with various concentrations of halofuginone, monensin, and nicarbazin, and [3H]proline incorporation was evaluated in collagenase-digestible (representing mostly collagen) and nondigestible proteins exported by the cells into the medium. Halofuginone, at a concentration as low as 10(-11) M, inhibited incorporation of [3H]proline into collagenase-digestible proteins, but did not affect incorporation of [3H]proline into collagenase-nondigestible proteins. Even at concentrations as high as 10(-9) M, neither monensin nor nicarbazin affected collagenase-digestible proteins. The in vitro results suggest that halofuginone specifically inhibits collagen synthesis by skin fibroblasts. Results of both in vivo and in vitro trials suggest that the increase of skin tearing during processing, induced by halofuginone, is caused by direct suppression of skin collagen synthesis.

Effects of clopidol on sporulation and infectivity of Eimeria tenella oocysts

Feed additive anticoccidials currently used in Japan were examined for possible effects on oocyst sporulation of Eimeria tenella. Monensin, salinomycin, lasalocid, amprolium plus ethpabate, amporolium plus ethopabate plus sulfaquinoxaline, clopidol, or nicarbazin were given to chickens continuously via the feed at the recommended use level or one-half of that level. Oocysts discharged in feces 7-8 days post inoculation (PI) were collected and aerated for sporulation. Low sporulation rate was noted, when clopidol at 62.5 mg kg-1 was given from 4 to 7 days PI. These oocysts were as infective as oocysts from controls, based on weight gain, feed efficiency, gross lesion score of cecae, and oocyst count 7 days PI. The results of the study indicated that the second schizogony and gametogony are vulnerable to clopidol, as evidenced by oocyst sporulation, but infectivity of these sporulated oocysts was not affected.

Selection for resistance to monensin, nicarbazin, and the monensin plus nicarbazin combination

Two series of experiments were conducted to assess the relative ability of strains of Eimeria acervulina and Eimeria tenella to develop resistance to monensin (MON), nicarbazin (NIC), and the monensin plus nicarbazin combination (MON plus NIC). The studies were designed so that drug concentrations in the selection experiments were increased whenever possible. During selection, E. acervulina increased its reproductive index in the presence of NIC or MON plus NIC, equivalent selection in the presence of MON resulted in only a slight increase in reproductive ability. Eimeria tenella, however, was unable to increase its reproductive capacity to the respective drugs. Sensitivity tests after 60 generations of selection revealed that patterns of resistance development for E. acervulina and E. tenella corresponded with the changes in reproductive indices established in the selection experiments. Thus, results of these tests indicate that E. acervulina possesses the ability to develop resistance to NIC and MON plus NIC. Under essentially the same conditions of selection, E. tenella developed only partial resistance to the respective drugs.

Lack of interactive effect of nicarbazin and dietary energy-to-protein ratio on performance and abdominal fat pad weight of broiler chicks

An experiment was carried out, in a factorial arrangement, with female broiler chicks during the period from 8 to 49 days of age. Combined effects were evaluated of dietary energy-to-protein ratio (E:P; 130 vs. 170 from 8 to 28 days of age and 140 vs. 190 from 28 to 49 days of age) and nicarbazin supplementation (0 vs. 125 mg/kg) on performance and fattening. At 49 days of age, feed intake was not affected either by dietary E:P or by nicarbazin supplementation. The latter significantly depressed weight gain (P less than .01) and feed efficiency (P less than .001), but did not affect abdominal fat pad weight. The wide E:P significantly decreased feed efficiency (P less than .01) and increased abdominal fat pad weight (P less than .001). Neither of the parameters was affected by the interaction between nicarbazin and dietary E:P. It was suggested that the growth-depressing effect of nicarbazin was due to its effect on increasing the metabolic rate, an increase which did not affect fattening as measured by abdominal fat pad weight.

Sensitivity of field isolates of Eimeria tenella to anticoccidial drugs in the chicken

Thirty isolates of Eimeria tenella obtained from broiler and breeder farms were examined for their sensitivity to anticoccidial drugs. All were sensitive to robenidine, 28 were sensitive to methyl benzoquate, 25 to clopidol and 21 to nicarbazin. Most isolates were resistant or partly resistant to amprolium and dinitolmide.

Physiological responses of heat-stressed broilers fed nicarbazin

Two experiments were conducted to determine physiological responses in heat-stressed broilers fed a control diet or one containing 125 ppm Nicarbazin. Male birds were surgically implanted with a carotid catheter and fitted with a chest movement transducer and rectal probe. In Experiment 1, birds were exposed to an abrupt change from thermoneutral (22.5 C, 70% relative humidity [RH]) to heat stress (37 C and 40 to 50% RH) conditions within 10 min and maintained in this environment for 120 min. In Experiment 2, birds were exposed to a gradual change from thermoneutral to heat stress (38 C, 68% RH) conditions over 4 h and maintained in this environment for an additional 1 h. Heart rate (HR), respiration rate (RR), and body temperature (Tb) were monitored throughout each experiment, and arterial samples were obtained for determination of acid-base balance and lactate. Birds fed Nicarbazin had higher (P less than .05) Tb and lower (P less than .05) blood PCO2 and bicarbonate during heat stress than controls in both experiments. Thermal polypnea was observed in both experiments, but, although there were no treatment differences in Experiment 1, RR was lower (P less than .05) in the last hour of heat stress for Nicarbazin-fed birds in Experiment 2. In the second experiment, birds fed Nicarbazin exhibited higher (P less than .05) HR and blood lactate during heat stress than control-fed birds. The results of this study indicate that Nicarbazin, by an as yet unidentified mechanism, increases Tb in heat-stressed birds, which results in greater deviations in blood acid-base balance, blood lactate, and HR than in control-fed birds.

Effect of nicarbazin and narasin-nicarbazin combinations on broiler pigmentation

An experiment was conducted with young battery-reared chickens to evaluate the effects of graded levels of nicarbazin (0, 40, 80, 120, and 160 ppm) on plasma pigmentation in the presence and absence of coccidial infection. A second experiment was also performed to determine whether nicarbazin (50 ppm) and the narasin nicarbazin combination anticoccidial (50 ppm each) affected pigmentation values in coccidia-infected and healthy chicks. Pigmentation values were expressed as micrograms beta-carotenoid equivalents per milliliter of plasma (beta-CE). Results of these studies indicated that nicarbazin improved beta-CE in both parasitized and coccidia-free chicks, but the magnitude of improvement was greater in coccidia-infected animals. Linear responses to nicarbazin additions were observed in both groups. The second experiment revealed that the effects produced in healthy chicks receiving the narasin nicarbazin combination were equivalent to those which received nicarbazin alone, indicating that the nicarbazin response in beta-CE is manifested with the combination anticoccidial as well.

Effects of diet, bacitracin, and body weight restrictions on the intestine of broiler chicks

Six experiments were conducted to evaluate the effects of diet, bacitracin, and body weight restrictions on the intestine of the broiler chick. Bacitracin, at levels of 11 and 55 ppm, significantly increased body weight, significantly reduced small intestine weight, but had no significant effect on liver weight of chicks fed a soybean protein and sucrose-based diet. The greatest effects were observed in the ileum where weight, moisture, length per unit of body weight, and dry matter per unit of length were all significantly reduced. The least effects were observed in the duodenum where weight and length per unit of body weight were significantly reduced and dry matter per unit of length was significantly increased. Intestinal weight, as a percent of body weight, was not significantly affected when body weight was suppressed with a high level of nicarbazin added to a practical diet, but it was significantly reduced when bacitracin was added to the semipurified diet and chicks were restricted in food intake to 70% of controls. A level of 55 ppm of bacitracin added to the practical diet had no significant effect on body weight, intestinal weight, or liver weight. As discussed, the observed changes in the intestine, due to bacitracin, are probably indirect and most likely reflect the action of the antibiotic on the intestinal microflora.

Drug responsiveness of field isolates of chicken Coccidia

Coccidia were isolated from litter samples collected in poultry houses in Georgia and other southeastern states and from intestinal scrapings from chickens submitted to diagnostic laboratories. The most common species of coccidia encountered were E. tenella, E. acervulina, and E. maxima. Each of the 41 isolates was tested for sensitivity to eight commercial anticoccidial drugs. Most of the isolates were resistant to some of the drugs judged by the parameters of percent weight gain, percent lesion score reduction, and a sensitivity index score. There was a high frequency of resistance to clopidol, amprolium/ethopabate, nequinate, zoalene, and sulfaquinoxaline. A very small percentage of the isolates tested were resistant to nicarbazin, robenidine, or halofuginone.

Mortality from heat stress in broiler chickens influenced by anticoccidial drugs

The relationship of anticoccidial drug to heat stress mortality in broilers was studied in a replicated floor-pen experiment during a period of hot weather in Georgia. Overall mortality during the 8-week study averaged 6% in unmedicated and monensin-medicated birds or lasalocid-medicated birds, 10% in arprinocid-medicated birds, and 36% in nicarbazin-medicated birds. Most of the death losses were attributed to heat stress. Maximum death losses coincided with three periods of hot weather, when the birds were 22, 33, or 49 days old. Of 114 dead birds in the nicarbazin treatment, 68 were male and 46 were female.

Mutagenicity screening of feed additives in the microbial system

18 feed additives were tested for DNA-modifying effects by the repair test named "rec-assay" with Bacillus subtillis H17 (rec+) and M45 (rec-), and for mutagenicity with Escherichia coli WP2 hcr and 5 Salmonella typhimurium tester strains with the use of a top-agar overlay method. Carbadox, furazolidone, panazon and zoalene were positive in both assays. The former 3 were mutagenic for TA100, TA98 and WP2 hcr, while zoalene was mutagenic for all strains. These 4 compounds did not require a metabolic activation for their mutagenic activities. Nicarbazin was weakly mutagenic for TA1538 and TA98 with and without S9 mix. Amprolium and caprylohydroxamic acid also showed very weak mutagenicities only for TA100 with S9 mix and for WP2 hcr with and without S9 mix, resp. The mutagenic activities of carbadox, furazolidone and panazon for TA100 were reduced only by the addition of S9 mix, but not by S9 fraction or blood, whereas that of zoalene was decreased by any of the 3 factors.

Efficacy and cross-resistance studies on N, N'-bis (3,4 ditrifluoromethylphenyl) methylmalonamide, a novel anticoccidial agent

N,N'-bis (3,4 ditrifluoromethylphenyl) methylmalonamide (Sch 18545) completely controlled a mild Eimeria necatrix infection at 50, 40 or 30 p.p.m. in the diet, and controlled E. tenella infections at 50 and 40 p.p.m. Slight oocyst passage was observed at each E. tenella treatment level with a marked increase at the 30 p.p.m. treatment level. Fifty p.p.m. were necessary to control E. acervulina infections; levels of 40 p.p.m. reduced E. acervulina oocyst production while 30 p.p.m. were ineffective. Evaluations of Sch 18545 using a mixed infection (Coccivac D) further suggested that activity with this compound was weakest against E. acervulina. Weight gains decreased with increasing concentration of drug in the diet of treated, infected birds and thus the compound showed an insufficient safety margin to be of practical value. Such 18545 administered at 35 p.p.m. in the diet was effective against amprolium, zoalene, aklomide or nicarbazin-resistant strains of E. tenella.

Studies on short-term application of drugs to Eimeria tenella in tissue culture

The anticoccidial action of 6 drugs was studied by treating cell cultures with drug for 24 h after inoculation of the cultures with sporozoites of Eimeria tenella. A monitoring technique was used to confirm that the drug was being removed. Only monensin was shown to be coccidiocidal. Amprolium, lasalocid, methyl benzoquate, nicarbazin and robenidine were coccidiostatic at their minimum effective doses. Misleading coccidiocidal effects were observed when higher concentrations of methyl benzoquate, nicarbazin or robenidene were used.

Sequential use of coccidiostats: effect on development by Eimeria tenella of resistance to amprolium, nicarbazin, Unistat, and zoalene

A strain of the cecal coccidian of chickens, Eimeria tenella, was propagated serially in chickens fed mash containing amprolium, nicarbazin, Unistat, or zoalene. Each group of chickens received a different coccidiostat on a rotating basis. The strain was propagated through 40 groups of chickens; thus, the strain was intermittently exposed 10 times to each coccidiostat. The end product of this simulated shuttle program of prophylactic anticoccidial medication was a strain resistant to three of the four coccidiostats involved. Resistance to nicarbazin was not evident.

Lasalocid: resistance and cross-resistance studies in Eimeria tenella-infected chicks

Eimeria tenella was passaged in the presence of suboptimal and optimal concentrations of lasalocid (X-537A, sodium salt) in feed. Lasalocid was equally active at concentrations of 0.006 and 0.0075% against the 10th and 15th passage of E. tenella lasalocid exposed strains. Resistance to lasalocid could not be induced. Lasalocid administered in the feed at 0.0075% was tested in controlled battery experiments against E. tenella strains resistant to known anticoccidials in chicks. These studies demonstrated that lasalocis, at the optimal feed concentration of 0.0075% was highly effective against coccidiosis induced by strains of E. tenella resistant to sulfaquinoxaline, nicarbazine, zoalene, emprolium, clopidol and 4-hydroxyquinoline. Lasalocid medicated chicks were heavier, converted feed more efficiently, showed less pathologic lesions, and had lower mortality (P less than or equal to .05) than the infected unmedicated controls as well as sulfaquinoxaline, nicarbazine, zoalene, amprolium-ethopabate, clopidol, buquinolate, decoquinate and nequinate medicated groups. Cross-resistance to lasalocid was not demonstrated.

Some responses of laying hens to induced arrest of egg production

Arrest of egg production was induced by forced-molt (artificial light deprivation and feed deprivation for 10 days followed by 20 days of grain only) and by low-calcium regime in one experiment, and by Nicarbazin in another. Post-arrest production and shell quality significantly surpassed the control in the force-molt but not in the low-Ca treatment. At the onset of production, following the pause, egg weight and shell weight per unit of surface area rapidly increased up to the 9-10th egg. In the second trial, feed intake declined in about one week after the arrest in egg production to a non-layer level. During this week, body weight increased. However, despite the increase in feed intake after the onset of production, pre-arrest levels were not obtained even after 11 days, resulting in a loss of body weight. The separation of flock production into its components, rate of production of the layers, and the proportion of layers in the flock, is proposed.