Blood lipid metabolites and meat lipid peroxidation responses of broiler chickens to dietary lecithinized palm oil

This trial was conducted to investigate the effects of supplementing saturated and unsaturated fat sources on serum metabolites and meat physiochemical parameters in the diets of broiler chickens. A total of 360 day-old male broiler chicks (Ross 308) were used in a completely randomized design with five treatments and six replicates of 14 chicks. The assay diets were developed by applying a ‎basal diet with no supplemented fat and the addition of soybean oil (SO), lecithinized palm oil (LPO), a 50 : 50 mix of SO and LPO (ESL), and 75 : 25 mix of SO and LPO (HSL) ratios to the basal diet. The inclusion levels of experimental fats were 2% and 4% in the starter and growing periods, respectively. Blood samples were collected from broilers to evaluate serum biochemical metabolites on day 41. Thigh meat samples were provided and analysed after 1, 5 and 10 days’ storage to evaluate lipid peroxidation at the end of the experiment. Fat and protein contents of thigh muscle and abdominal fat weight were measured and reported. Chickens fed LPO had greater serum triacylglycerol and very low density lipoprotein concentrations compared with those that received other dietary treatments (P <0.05). The fat content of the meat was higher in birds supplemented with SO, LPO and ESL than control (P <0.05). After 5 and 10 days of storage, the values of thiobarbituric acid reactive substance were lower in meat of broilers receiving LPO than SO and HSL (P <0.05). In conclusion, LPO decreased lipid peroxidation during different storage periods compared with SO.Keywords: Blood parameters, broilers, fat type, meat physiochemical parameter

Effect of arginine and threonine in ovo supplementation on immune responses and some serum biochemical attributes in broiler chickens

This experiment was conducted to investigate effects of in ovo injecting arginine (Arg), threonine (Thr) and Arg + Thr on humoral immunity, serum differential leukocyte counts and serum biochemical attributes in broiler chickens. Four hundred fertile eggs were randomly assigned to five experimental treatments including: control (none injected), sham (0.5 ml of 0.5% saline), Arg (35 mg/egg), Thr (25 mg/egg) and Arg + Thr (35 + 25 mg/egg) which injected in the amniotic fluid on day 14 of incubation. After hatching, broiler chicks were fed a commercial corn–soya bean diet up to 42 days of age. Broilers received Arg and Thr had higher body weight (p < .05) and daily feed intake (p < .05) than those supplemented with control or sham. Antibody titre against sheep red blood cells increased in broilers in ovo supplemented with amino acids compared to the birds in control group (p < .05) while no beneficial effect of applied treatments observed on the antibody titre against influenza and Newcastle disease viruses. Moreover, in ovo injection of Arg significantly increased spleen and bursa of Fabricius relative weights compared to sham on day 11 of age (p < .05). In ovo administration of Thr resulted in higher serum glucose concentration than the other groups (p < .05). Furthermore, serum albumin concentration increased in response to Thr administration compared to chickens in control group (p < .05). In conclusion, Arg and Thr in ovo supplementation improved humoral immunity of broilers and increased proportional weight of their lymphoid organs in post-hatch period.Highlights In ovo injection of amino acids may improve immune responses in broiler chickens. Supplementation of amino acids during embryonic stage could increase growth performance of chickens. Meet the nutrient requirement of broiler embryo is important for its later growth and immunity

Evaluation of CD11b Expression on Peripheral Blood Neutrophils for Early Detection of Neonatal Sepsis

Neonatal sepsis is a disease of infants who are less than 1 month of age. These infants are clinically ill, and their blood culture are positive for bacteria. The reported incidence of neonatal sepsis for allinfants is 1 to 10 per 1000 live births. The mortality rate is 4.2-26%. The clinical signs are not specific and diagnosis of neonatal sepsis is one of the most difficult tasks in clinical medicine. The aim of this work was determination of CD11b sensitivity and specificity for early detection of neonatal sepsis. We studied 65 neonates with gestational age of 27 to 38 weeks who were suspected for sepsis within the 28 days of life. Whole blood was obtained from neonates to determine CD11b expression on peripheral blood neutrophils by flow cytometry. C-Reactive protein (CRP) was measured qualitatively. Neonates were divided into two groups. Classification was based on the result of the blood culture. In the sepsis group all of the neonates (n = 8) showed positive blood culture and clinical symptoms. In the suspected group (n = 57) the neonates showed clinical signs but blood cultures were negative. Sensitivity and specificity of CD11b were 75%, 100% respectively. Also positive and negative predictive values of CD11b were 100% and 86% respectively. Results of present study and previous studies showed that measurement of neutrophil surface markers can be useful for diagnosis of infection in the early phases. Also, the quantitative measurement of CRP in addition to CD11b further enhances the ability to diagnose infections and improves sensitivity and negative predictive value by 100%