Effects of dietary crude protein and calcium/ phosphorus content on growth, nitrogen and mineral retention in broiler chickens

This experiment was conducted to examine the effect of three levels of crude protein (CP) (NRC, 15% more than NRC and 15% less than NRC) and three levels of Ca and available P (Av. P) (NRC, 15% more than NRC and 15% less than NRC) on performance of broilers from hatching until 21 days of age. The experimental design was a completely randomized design (CRD), with a 3 × 3 factorial arrangement of nine dietary treatments. Each treatment combination had four replicate pens (10 birds per pen). Results of this experiment showed that CP content had no significant effect on feed and water intake. However, body weight gain (BWG) significantly reduced and FCR increased (P < 0.05) by 15% change in CP content of diet. Fifteen percent increase in mineral content of diets had no significant effect on feed intake. However, increase in Ca and Av. P significantly increased BWG and resulted in an improved feed conversion ratio (FCR) and increased water intake. There was an interactive effect of CP by Ca and Av. P levels on feed intake, BWG and FCR. A change in CP or mineral content of the diets had no significant effect on blood parameters except for potassium concentration (K+). Reducing CP, Ca and Av. P content of the diet significantly (P < 0.001) increased P, Ca and N retention. Reduction in CP content of the diet led to a decrease in length, P and tibia bone ash. There was an interactive effect of CP by Ca and Av. P on the retention of Ca, N and ash of tibia bone.Key words: Crude protein, Ca and Av. P levels, broilers, N retention

Efficacy of natural zeolite and pigments on yolk color and performance of laying hens

An in vivo study was conducted to evaluate pigment adsorptive ability of a natural zeolite in laying hens. This experiment was performed with three hundred sixty Hy-line W-36 strain of laying hens at 43 weeks of age. After a two weeks adaptation period, they received six experimental diets with a 3 × 2 factorial arrangement in a completely randomized design. The experimental groups were fed with cornsoy- wheat based diets containing three levels of natural zeolite (0.0, 1.5 and 3.0%) and 2 levels of synthetic pigment (0.0 and 0.04%) for a 6-week period. Each treatment contained 60 birds, which were randomly divided into 4 replicates of 15 birds each. The results showed that egg production, egg weight, shell thickness and the shell percent values did not significantly differ between treatments, but that the yolk color index was significantly reduced and increased by the addition of zeolite and pigment levels to the diet, respectively.Key words: Natural zeolite, pigment, yolk color, laying hens

AGRICULTURAL WATER MANAGEMENT THROUGH MAGNETIZATION OF IRRIGATION AND DRINKING WATER: A REVIEW

    Received 03 December 2017; Accepted 18 February 2018 *Corresponding Author M. Gholizadeh Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran Email: [email protected] ©This article is open access and licensed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) which permits unrestricted, use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, or format for any purpose, even commercially provided the work is properly cited. Attribution — You must give appropriate credit, provide a link to the license, and indicate if changes were made. Agricultural water management in arid and semi-arid countries such as Iran is of utmost importance. Alterations of water as a major component of each bio system through magnetization have been reviewed in this study. Magnetization process has been used as green technology in industry and agriculture with controversial results. Properties of water such as pH, hydrogen bonds, temperature, structure and its ions can be affected by an external magnetic field. Subsequent modifications have substantial impacts on water quality that is determined for optimum plant and animal production. There are some reports among numerous studies in agronomy, gardening and animal husbandry which claim fruitful influence of this treatment both qualitatively and quantitatively. Nevertheless, there are some controversial reports on the effects of magnetization. In conclusion, the response of organisms depends on magnetization time and intensity, water quality and plant or animal species. These variables should be taken into account for further studies regarding this mysteries process

Comparison of Different selenium Sources on Performance, Serum Attributes and Cellular Immunity in Broiler Chickens

The effects of organic and inorganic sources and concentration (0 and 0.3 mg per kg of diet) of Selenium (Se) on growth performance, blood biochemical and immune system were evaluated in broiler chickens. Chickens were fed corn-soy-based diets formulated to 8 dietary treatments containing no added Se (negative control), negative control plus yeast (positive control), and 6 diets had 0.3 mg/kg of diet supplemented with Se from Availa Se, Sel-plex, SeleMax, Se enriched yeast, sodium selenite and sodium selenate. Four hundred Ross 308 male chickens were randomly divided into 8 treatments and 5 replicates of 10 birds each. Feed intake, body weight gain, and feed conversion ratio were measured at starter (0-10 d), grower (11-24 d), and finisher (25-42 d) periods. On d 24 and 42, one bird from each replicate was killed by cervical dislocation and blood samples were collected to determine blood chemicals, glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity and heterophile to lymphocyte ratio. Results showed that Se supplementation had no effect on feed intake, body weight gain, and feed conversion ratio of the chickens (P < 0.05). However, blood triglycerides, GPx activity and heterophile to lymphocyte ratio were significantly affected by organic and inorganic Se sources (P < 0.05). Results showed that selenium in organic and inorganic forms didn't have any effect on growth performance and blood parameters but they could improve immune system through increase in GPx activity

Modification of cell surface properties of Pseudomonas alcaligenes S22 during hydrocarbon biodegradation

Biodegradation of water insoluble hydrocarbons can be significantly increased by the addition of natural surfactants one. Very promising option is the use of saponins. The obtained results indicated that in this system, after 21 days, 92% biodegradation of diesel oil could be achieved using Pseudomonas alcaligenes. No positive effect on the biodegradation process was observed using synthetic surfactant Triton X-100. The kind of carbon source influences the cell surface properties of microorganisms. Modification of the surface cell could be observed by control of the sedimentation profile. This analytical method is a new approach in microbiological analysis