Natural additive (aqueous extract) in rabbit diet: effects on performance and oxidative and innate immunological status

Abstract - Natural antioxidants are receiving increased attention in human and animal nutrition because of their association with food quality characteristics and immune responses 1, 2. Aromatic plants and their essential oils are good sources of natural antioxidants, such as phenolic compounds, e.g., eugenol, thymol, carvacrol 3. Plant such as Oregano (Origanum vulgare) has attracted great interest as its essential oil is rich in the monoterpenes, thymol and carvacrol, which exhibit good antioxidant and antimicrobial activities in vitro and in vivo, together with stimulating animal digestion 4. The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of dietary supplementation with an Oregano aqueous extract on performance and oxidative and innate immunological status of growing rabbits. The experimental protocol was planned according to University of Perugia Animal Committee guidelines and the trial was carried out at the experimental farm of the Department of Agricultural, Food and Environmental Science (University of Perugia, Italy). At weaning (30 days of age) 240 weaned New Zealand White rabbits of both sexes were randomly allocated to three dietary groups, homogeneous for live weight and gender (40 rabbits/group), and housed in single wire net cages (600 x 250 x 330 mm) until 80 days of age, when they were weighted and slaughtered. The study was replicated with identical experimental designs during two consecutive cycles, for a total of 80 animals/group. Dietary groups were: Standard diet - with no supplementation (S); Standard diet + 150 ppm Vit E - positive control (E); Standard diet + 0.2% oregano (Origanum vulgare) aqueous extract (O). All diets, provided by Mignini&Petrini (Petrignano di Assisi, Perugia, Italy) were isoproteic and isoenergetic and the main ingredients were alfalfa meal, sunflower seed meal, wheat bran, barley and sugar beet pulp. The oregano extract was provided by Phenbiox (Calderara di Reno, Bologna, Italy) after an enzyme-aided extraction from leaves using water as solvent. The extracts were added to the diets by spraying during the mixing of ingredients. Feed and water were available ad libitum. The temperature and lighting schedule in the rabbitry were 15–18 °C and 16L:8D, respectively. In order to calculate the feed conversion ratio (FCR) and average daily gain (ADG), feed consumption were recorded daily and rabbits weight weekly. At the slaughter, blood samples (2 mL for each rabbit) were collected from the marginal ear vein of 30 rabbits/group at 80 day of age and the natural immune responses were evaluated by analyzing lysozyme (Lys), Serum Bactericidal Activity (SBA) and Haemolytic Complement Assay (HCA) in serum 5. The oxidative status was evaluated using commercially available kits (Diacron International Srl, Grosseto, Italy) that evaluates the serum’s ability to oppose the massive oxidative action of a hypochlorous acid (HClO) solution (AOP values) or the reactive oxygen metabolite concentrations (ROMs). The extent of muscle lipid peroxidation of raw Longissimus dorsi muscles (LD) was evaluated by spectrophotometer as reported by some authors 6. Oxidation products were quantified as malondialdehyde equivalents (mg/kg of muscle). Muscles were obtained from eight rabbits/group at 80 days. The data were analyzed by SPSS Dietary treatments significantly affected the live weight (LW) and ADG at the end of the trial; particularly, O fed animals had higher LW (2344 g vs 2296 and 2277 g, respectively; P<0.05) and ADG (30.7 g/d vs 29.7 and 29.2 g/d, respectively; P<0.05) compared to E and S groups; whereas, FCR was not influenced by the experimental diet. The blood oxidative status (AOP and ROMs) did not significantly varied among the different animal groups, however, the oxidative stability (TBARs) of the LD meat for all supplemented diets led to a lower TBARs content compared to the control (S) group. Indeed, the inclusion of extra vitamin E reduced TBARs of LD meat, as did supplementation with oregano extract (0.17 and 0.18 vs 0.24 mg MDA/kg meat, respectively. P<0.05). A better natural immune response was observed in O and E vs S groups which showed significantly higher HCA (74.9 and 69.6 vs 45.4, respectively; P<0.05) and SBA (26.4 and 28.5 vs 15.8, respectively; P< 0.05) values. The HCA assay is very useful for assessing the onset risk of infections or the gravity of ongoing diseases [7]. SBA, in particular, expresses the serum capacity to counteract the GRAM- bacterial growth [8]. This study showed that an adequate phytogenic additive dietary supplementation in growing rabbits can exert a positive effect on productive performance, natural immune responses and give protection against meat lipid oxidation

Antioxidant and Ex Vivo Immune System Regulatory Properties of Boswellia serrata Extracts

Boswellia serrata (BS) is an important traditional medicinal plant that currently represents an interesting topic for pharmaceutical research since it possesses several pharmacological properties (e.g., anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antitumour). The safety and versatility of this dietary supplement should allow for its use in numerous pathological conditions; however the quality of the extracts needs to be standardized to increase the clinical success rate resulting from its use. In the present study, different commercially available B. serrata extracts were employed to compare their AKBA content and in vitro antioxidant power. Furthermore, their ability to modulate the immune system regulatory properties was investigated. Our results showed that the AKBA content varied from 3.83 ± 0.10 to 0.03 ± 0.004%, with one sample in which it was not detectable. The highest antioxidant power and phenolic content were shown by the same extract, which also exhibited the highest AKBA concentration. Finally, the BS extracts showed the ability to influence the regulatory and effector T-cell compartments. Our results suggest that frankincense should be further investigated for its promising potentiality to modulate not only inflammation/oxidative stress but also immune dysregulation, but attention should be paid to the composition of the commercial extracts

Dietary integration with oregano (Origanum vulgare L.) essential oil improves growth rate and oxidative status in outdoor, but not indoor, reared pigs

The effects of a diet supplemented with oregano essential oil on performance, oxidative status, pork quality traits and sensorial properties were evaluated. In two studies, 72 pigs in indoor or outdoor conditions were assigned to either a control diet or an identical diet supplemented with 0.2% oregano essential oil. Pigs reared outdoor showed lower live weight, average daily gain and average gain:feed ratio compared to indoor pigs. The oregano supplementation improved the growth performance of the outdoor‐ but not the indoor‐reared animals. The serum oxidative status was influenced by the diet. A higher oxidative stability was observed in the oregano‐supplemented groups. As for the rearing conditions, the data suggest that after an initial adapting period, the free‐range farming systems could be better tolerated by pigs. Meat derived from pigs reared outdoor showed higher pH and a* values. Lightness was influenced by both the diet and the rearing conditions. The control group reared indoor showed shear force values higher than both supplemented groups, while no differences were detected with the control group reared outdoor. In the consumer test performed under blind conditions, the oregano groups achieved higher consistency scores compared with the control. Under informed conditions, the meat derived from the oregano‐supplemented pigs reared outdoor received the highest scores for consistency and overall liking regardless of the rearing system. The same result for the overall liking score was obtained in the expectation test. The data obtained showed that dietary oregano essential oil can be effective in reducing performance losses due to the outdoor‐rearing system, increasing the oxidative status of the animal and oxidative stability of the meat, without modifying the meat quality traits and improving consumer perceptions of the meat quality

Rapid Assay to Evaluate the Total Antioxidant Capacity in Donkey Milk and in more Common Animal Milk for Human Consumption

The milk antioxidants, by preventing lipid peroxidation, maintain milk quality, but they also exert a beneficial effect on the consumer’s health, in particular that of infants. Donkey Milk (DM), for its nutritional, functional and bioactive components, seems to be one of the best substitutes of breast milk when the latter is not available. However, there are few data about its antioxidant properties. In this study, the Total Antioxidant Capacity (TAC) of donkey milk was determined by means of an in micro-plate assay. DM samples were analyzed at the first, third and fifth month of the lactation period (n 6/period), comparing results to those obtained in milk of different dairy species (goat, ewes, cows) and in breast milk using the same assay. The lactation periods did not affect the TAC of DM, whereas significant different values (P<0.001) were observed between species. The breast milk showed the lowest TAC value, followed by its progressive increase in donkey, cow’s, goat’s and ewe’s milk. The rapid test here adopted can be successfully employed for a reliable monitoring of the TAC in DM and, thanks to the constant antioxidant supply, DM can also be sponsored as a valid alternative to infant milk nutrition

Effects of oregano (Origanum vulgareL.) and rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.) aqueous extracts on broiler performance, immune function and intestinal microbial population

ABSTRACT A 57-day study was performedto determine the effects of two aqueous extracts (AEs) on broiler performance, immune function and intestinal microflora. Four groups of 75 one-day-old female broilers (Ross308) received one of the following treatments: (1) a standard commercial feed (C); (2) C supplemented with 2 g/kg rosemary AE (R); (3) C supplemented with 2 g/kg oregano AE (O); (4) C supplemented with 1 g/kg oregano AE + 1 g/kg rosemary AE (OR). Individual body weight, average daily gain, average daily feed intake and feed conversion efficiency were determined at 1, 11, 22, 36 and 57 days. Sample collections for IgG titration and intestinal microflora examination were performed at 22 and 57 days. The addition of oregano AE alone or in combination with rosemary AEs improved body weight up to 36 days of age (P < .01). A time effect was recorded for total serum IgG in all groups (P < .001) and the percentage increase of the value was positively (P < .05) influenced by the AE supplementation. Lactobacilli raised (P < .001) in ileum and cecum of all groups supplemented with AEs. Staphylococcus spp. population was constantly lower in both intestinal tracts of the AE supplemented groups. On the basis of our results, AEs could improve broiler performance and immune function and contribute to a balanced gut microflora, essential for the digestion process and protection against enteropathogenic organisms

Resource allocation and scalability in dynamic wavelength-routed optical networks.

This thesis investigates the potential benefits of dynamic operation of wavelength-routed optical networks (WRONs) compared to the static approach. It is widely believed that dynamic operation of WRONs would overcome the inefficiencies of the static allocation in improving resource use. By rapidly allocating resources only when and where required, dynamic networks could potentially provide the same service that static networks but at decreased cost, very attractive to network operators. This hypothesis, however, has not been verified. It is therefore the focus of this thesis to investigate whether dynamic operation of WRONs can save significant number of wavelengths compared to the static approach whilst maintaining acceptable levels of delay and scalability. Firstly, the wavelength-routed optical-burst-switching (WR-OBS) network architecture is selected as the dynamic architecture to be studied, due to its feasibility of implementation and its improved network performance. Then, the wavelength requirements of dynamic WR-OBS are evaluated by means of novel analysis and simulation and compared to that of static networks for uniform and non-uniform traffic demand. It is shown that dynamic WR-OBS saves wavelengths with respect to the static approach only at low loads and especially for sparsely connected networks and that wavelength conversion is a key capability to significantly increase the benefits of dynamic operation. The mean delay introduced by dynamic operation of WR-OBS is then assessed. The results show that the extra delay is not significant as to violate end-to-end limits of time-sensitive applications. Finally, the limiting scalability of WR-OBS as a function of the lightpath allocation algorithm computational complexity is studied. The trade-off between the request processing time and blocking probability is investigated and a new low-blocking and scalable lightpath allocation algorithm which improves the mentioned trade-off is proposed. The presented algorithms and results can be used in the analysis and design of dynamic WRONs

As Seen on TV: Programming Cinema and Entertainment in Italy in the Long 1980s.

Between 1974 and 1976 the Italian Constitutional Court allowed the development of private television channels in Italy. The progressive emergence of the financial holding company Fininvest’s television channels and the ensuing stiff competition with the state broadcaster RAI from the mid-1970s to the early 1990s, a period I define as “the long 1980s,” was a decisive moment not only for the television market, but also for Italy’s cultural and economic history. The ruling by Italy’s highest court opened up new and unprecedented opportunities for private enterprises, and within a few years profoundly affected Italians’ relationship to the television medium, film viewership, and cultural consumption. The domain of the competition for film programming became an important element in the battle for the acquisition of audiences between RAI and Fininvest’s channels. In my dissertation, I focus on the interdependent relationships between cinema and television in Italy during the long 1980s, from the emergence of private local networks and their transformation to national networks, and the ensuing vertiginous rise in film programming, to the introduction of pay-per-view. At the center of my work is a particular practice of programming, which amounted to what I refer to as habit-forming flow, since programmers successfully juxtaposed films and other programs, together with announcements, trailers, and commercials in order to inform the viewing and material consumption habits of the audience. I contend it is the programming as a whole, and not just individual programs, that had a crucial role in shaping these habits and creating new narrative structures. In particular, during the long 1980s, the implementation of the television habit-forming flow informed, and, at the same time was influenced by, a period of profound political, social, and economic transformations. More individualist lifestyles were emerging throughout Italy also thanks to an innovative television programming and its objective to spread more personalized forms of viewing and material consumption. The substantial rise in television film programming through the advent of private television, along with the creation of a habit-forming flow, brought about significant cultural changes in the long 1980s that inspired new consumption practices and narrative formats in Italy.PhDRomance Languages and Literatures: ItalianUniversity of Michigan, Horace H. Rackham School of Graduate Studieshttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/120671/1/mbeghe_1.pd

Multi-User Entanglement Distribution in Quantum Networks Using Multipath Routing

Quantum networks facilitate numerous applications including secure communication and distributed quantum computation by performing entanglement distribution. For some multi-user quantum applications access to a shared multipartite state is required. We consider the problem of designing protocols for distributing such states, at an increased rate. For this, we propose three protocols that leverage multipath routing to increase the distribution rate for multi-user applications. The protocols are evaluated on quantum networks with NISQ constraints, including limited quantum memories and probabilistic entanglement generation. Simulation results show that the developed protocols achieve an exponential increase in the distribution rate of multipartite states compared to single path routing techniques, with a maximum increase of four orders of magnitude for the cases studied. Further, the relative increase in distribution rate was also found to improve for larger sets of users. When the protocols were tested in scaled-down real-world topologies, it was found that topology had a significant effect on the multipartite state distribution rates achieved by the protocols. Finally, we found that the benefits of multipath routing are maximum for short quantum memory decoherence times and intermediate values of entanglement generation probability. Hence, the protocols developed can benefit NISQ quantum network control and design