Effect of a multivitamin complex and probiotic blend in drinking water before and after vaccination on performance traits, blood biochemistry and humoral immune response of broilers

This study was conducted in order to investigate the effects of a multivitamin complex and probiotic blend in drinking water before and after vaccination on growth performance, carcass traits, blood biochemical parameters and humoral immune response of broiler chickens. A total of 150 one day-old male broiler chicks (Ross 308) were randomly allocated to five treatment groups, with three replicates (10 birds per replicate) in a completely randomized design. Experimental treatments consisted of: 1) a basal diet and drinking water without any additives as control (C); 2) C + drinking water + multivitamin complex from 2 days before vaccination until 3 days after vaccination; 3) C + drinking water + multivitamin complex for 3 days after vaccination; 4) C + drinking water + probiotic blend from 2 days before vaccination until 3 days after vaccination; and 5) C + drinking water + probiotic blend for 3 days after vaccination. In the whole experimental period, feed intake, body and thigh weight and abdominal fat were significantly affected (P<0.05) by dietary treatments. On the contrary, no significant effect was observed on carcass characteristics, feed conversion ratio, blood parameters, antibody production against SRBC and IgG. The titer of IgM was higher in treatment (2) than other treatments at 28 d of age (P<0.05). In conclusion, a multivitamin complex supplied in drinking water for 2 days before vaccination till 3 days after vaccination is enable to improve broiler performance and immunity

Feasibility Study Of Advanced Technology Hov Systems: Volume 4: Implementation Of Lateral Control Systems In Transitways

This study investigates issues concerning the implementation and impacts of lateral guidance/control systems and the phased implementation of these systems in exclusive-access High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lanes. The study is divided into 5 volumes. The objectives of each volume are as follows: Vol. 1: identify strategies for early deployment of longitudinal control technologies on the highway, and to evaluate potential impacts of these strategies on traffic operation, highway capacity, and traffic accidents. Vol. 2A: assess the feasibility of early deployment of Roadway Powered Electric Vehicle (RPEV) technology in existing HOV facilities in California. Vol. 2B: investigate potential near-term air quality benefits due to RPEV's relative to conventional Internal Combustion Engine Vehicles (ICEV's), when the two are assumed to operate under identical conditions. Vol. 3: identify policy scenarios for including HOV lanes in dynamic route-guidance networks, when HOV lanes exist on the corridors. Vol. 4: study incremental systems for implementation in existing transitways and potential safety and capacity impacts of these systems, and assess human-factor issues relevant for the implementation of these systems

Feasibility Study Of Advanced Technology Hov Systems: Volume 4: Implementation Of Lateral Control Systems In Transitways

This study investigates issues concerning the implementation and impacts of lateral guidance/control systems and the phased implementation of these systems in exclusive-access High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lanes. The study is divided into 5 volumes. The objectives of each volume are as follows: Vol. 1: identify strategies for early deployment of longitudinal control technologies on the highway, and to evaluate potential impacts of these strategies on traffic operation, highway capacity, and traffic accidents. Vol. 2A: assess the feasibility of early deployment of Roadway Powered Electric Vehicle (RPEV) technology in existing HOV facilities in California. Vol. 2B: investigate potential near-term air quality benefits due to RPEV's relative to conventional Internal Combustion Engine Vehicles (ICEV's), when the two are assumed to operate under identical conditions. Vol. 3: identify policy scenarios for including HOV lanes in dynamic route-guidance networks, when HOV lanes exist on the corridors. Vol. 4: study incremental systems for implementation in existing transitways and potential safety and capacity impacts of these systems, and assess human-factor issues relevant for the implementation of these systems.High occupancy vehicle lanes, Bus lanes, Highway communications, Buses--Automatic control, Motor vehicles--Automatic control, Electric vehicles--Environmental aspects, route guidance, Guided buses

Effects of hogweed (Heracleum persicum) powder, flavophospholipol, and probiotics as feed supplements on the performance, carcass and blood characteristics, intestinal microflora, and immune response in broilers

The effect of different levels of hogweed powder (HP; Heracleum persicum), flavophospholipol (antibiotic), and probiotics in diet on the performance, carcass quality, blood biochemical parameters, immunity, and intestinal flora of broiler chickens was investigated. In total, 270-day-old male broilers were randomly assigned to six treatment groups as follows: control basal-diet and diet supplemented with flavophospholipol, probiotics, or 0.25, 0.5, and 0.75% HP. Birds in each group were divided into three subgroups with 15 chicks each. Results indicated that the treatment groups did not vary with respect to feed intake (FI), whereas those supplemented with the antibiotic or 0.5% HP showed significantly higher body weight gain (BWG) and improved feed conversion ratio (FCR). Carcass characteristics did not vary among treatments, with the exception of abdominal fat percentage, which was the lowest in broilers fed 0.5% and 0.75% HP. Supplementation of 0.5% and 0.75% HP decreased plasma cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Furthermore, dietary HP significantly reduced serum low density lipoprotein (LDL) levels compared to that in the other groups. Antibody titers against Newcastle disease vaccine were not markedly affected by the treatments, whereas titers against avian influenza vaccine were significantly higher in probiotic-and 0.75% HP-supplemented groups. Antibody production against sheep red blood cells (SRBC) and IgM and IgG levels were not significantly different among groups. The ileum Lactobacillus counts in broilers fed 0.5% or 0.75% HP were significantly higher than those in the other treatment groups, whereas Escherichia coli counts in all treatments were significantly lower than that in the control. Therefore, our observations indicated that HP positively affected the gut microbiota and enhanced feed digestion. In conclusion, supplementation of 0.50-0.75% HP in broiler diet during the entire rearing period improved BWG and decreased abdominal fat deposition

The effects of antibiotic, probiotic, organic acid, vitamin C, and Echinacea purpurea extract on performance, carcass characteristics, blood chemistry, microbiota, and immunity of broiler chickens

The present context investigated the comparative study on the supplementation of antibiotic, probiotic, organic acid, vitamin C, and herbal extract after vaccination into drinking water and their effects on performance, carcass quality, blood biochemical parameters, immune system, and intestinal flora in broiler chicks for 42 days. A total of 420 one-day-old male broiler chicks (Ross 308) were randomly assigned into 7 treatments with 3 replicates (pens) per treatment and 20 male chicks for each replicate (pen). The experimental treatments consisted of drinking water (control, without additive); drinking water + antibiotic sulfamet; drinking water + CVet- 50; drinking water + antibiotic sulfamet + C-Vet-50; drinking water + probiotic Primalac; drinking water + butyric acid; and drinking water + extract of Echinacea purpurea Moench (coneflower). There were no differences observed among the treatments for feed intake, but during the whole experimental period, the highest body weight gain was found in the chicks fed with drinking water + antibiotic sulfamet + 50 cc vitamin C (P < 0.05). There were no differences (P > 0.05) observed among the treatments for feed conversion ratio (P > 0.05). Moreover, there were no differences reported among treatments for carcass characteristics at the end of the experiment. Among the treatments, drinking water + 50 cc vitamin C, and drinking water + extract of E. purpurea reduced (P < 0.05) the levels of cholesterol, triglycerides, and low-density lipoproteins. Drinking water + 50 cc vitamin C, drinking water + Primalac, and drinking water + extract of E. purpurea increased (P < 0.05) the lymphocytes count and decreased the heterophils count and heterophil:lymphocyte ratio. The highest Escherichia coli count and lowest Lactobacillus count in ileal content of the broilers were observed in the control group (P < 0.05)

Effects of dietary chicory (Chicorium intybus l.) and probiotic blend as natural feed additives on performance traits, blood biochemistry, and gut microbiota of broiler chickens

The experiment was designed to determine the effect of different levels of chicory (Chicorium intybus L.) powder and a probiotic blend (PrimaLac®) on productive performance, blood biochemical parameters, and ileal microbiota in broiler chickens. A total of 225 one-day-old broilers (Ross 308) were used in a completely randomized design with five experimental diets as follows: 1—basal-diet without supplements (control-group); 2—basal-diet including probiotic blend; 3— basal-diet including 0.10% chicory; 4—basal-diet including 0.15% chicory; 5—basal-diet including 0.20% chicory. At 42 days of age, representative birds per replicate were randomly selected for blood samples and carcass measurements. Results showed that the body weight gain of broilers fed the probiotic blend or 0.10% chicory was significantly (P &lt; 0.05) higher than those fed on the other treatments. The abdominal fat pad was significantly (P &lt; 0.05) lower in birds fed diets including chicory compared with control or probiotic. Blood triglycerides and LDL levels were reduced (P &lt; 0.05) and HDL increased (P &lt; 0.05) when fed probiotic or chicory whereas no significant effect on the other serum parameters was found. Broiler ileal microflora from the control group had significantly (P &lt; 0.05) higher count of E. coli and lower Lactobacillus than those from the other groups. From findings, it is possible to conclude that dietary chicory powder supported positively growth performance and improved gut microbiota in broiler chickens. However, more research is needed on this subject to better understand the mode of action of feed additives used