Influence of gastrointestinal parasitism on biochemical variables in blood of laying hens

ABSTRACT Objective. This study describes the influence of endoparasites and diet on biochemical variables in sera of brown laying hens. Materials and methods. Biochemical parameters (seric levels of cholesterol, triglycerides, total protein, uric acid, albumin, and alanine aminotransferase activity) were assessed in blood samples of poultry. Three populations of laying hens of different properties (n=20 each) represented our experimental design, from which blood (serum) and feces were collected for biochemical and parasitological analyzes, respectively. Results. From 60 feces samples evaluated 49 were positive for the presence of parasites and 11 were negative. Among the positive samples, 23 had infection with Eimeria spp and the other 26 samples had mixed parasitism with Eimeria spp and Heterakis gallinarum, which influenced (increasing) the levels of total protein and globulin. However, when parasites were analyzed separately, it was observed that the infection by Eimeria spp affected parameters such as cholesterol (which increased, p=0.001) and triglycerides, showing lower results than when the hen was parasitized by Eimeria spp. (p=0.01). Significant (p<0.05) difference was observed in all biochemical variables when the three diets were compared. Conclusions. Our results allowed concluding that the parasitic infection and diet in laying hens influenced the results of serum biochemical parameters evaluated. The main conclusion we found that parasitism caused an increase in total protein and globulin (ie immune response), and there was a negative correlation between parasite load and albumin, uric acid and ALT

La adición de diseleniuro de difenilo en las dietas de codorniz mejora la calidad de la carne

Objetivo. El diseleniuro de difenilo (Ph2Se2) es un compuesto de selenio orgánico que es conocido por sus características antioxidantes. Por lo tanto, el objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar si Ph2Se2 en las dietas de codorniz (Coturnix japonica) influye en el estado oxidativo/antioxidante y la calidad de la carne. Materiales y métodos. Se proporcionaron cuatro dietas (0; 0.3; 0.6; 0.9 ppm Ph2Se2) a 56 codornices machos (Coturnix japonica) distribuidas en un diseño completamente aleatorizado con 14 repeticiones para verificar si Ph2Se2 cambiaría su sangre y tejido oxidativo/antioxidante, estado, lo que llevaría a una mejora en la calidad de la carne. Resultados. La adición de Ph2Se2 en las dietas provocó un aumento de la actividad antioxidante de enzimas como la catalasa, la superóxido dismutasa y la glutatión peroxidasa, lo que redujo los niveles de oxidación en la sangre y los tejidos. Además de eso, observamos una mejora en la calidad de la carne de codorniz; en otras palabras, observamos una mayor capacidad para retener agua, una reducción en la pérdida de agua debido a la cocción y una menor intensidad del color amarillo en las mamas de las aves que fueron alimentadas con Ph2Se2. Conclusiones. Por lo tanto, concluimos que la mejora de la defensa antioxidante en los tejidos proporcionada por Ph2Se2 tiene un efecto beneficioso sobre la calidad de la carne

Addition of a Blend Based on Zinc Chloride and Lignans of Magnolia in the Diet of Broilers to Substitute for a Conventional Antibiotic: Effects on Intestinal Health, Meat Quality, and Performance

This study aimed to determine whether adding a blend based on zinc chloride and lignans from magnolia to the diet of broilers could replace conventional performance enhancers. For this study, 360 chickens were divided into four groups, with six repetitions per group (n = 15), as follows: CN, without promoter; GPC, control, 50 mg/kg of enramycin growth promoter; T-50, additive blend at a dose of 50 g/ton; and T-100, additive blend at a dose of 100 g/ton. Chickens fed with the additive blend at 50 g/ton showed a production efficiency index equal to that in the GPC group (p p E. coli, the lowest count was observed in the T-100 group, followed by that in the CP and T-50 groups (p p p p < 0.033). We concluded that adding the antimicrobial blend, primarily at 50 g/ton, maintains the efficiency of the index of production and improves the intestinal health and meat quality of the birds

Oregano essential oil (Origanum vulgare) to feed laying hens and its effects on animal health

Abstract Abstract: This study evaluated the effect of oregano essential oil added to the feed of commercial laying hens. This research was focused on the analysis of biochemical changes linked to hepatic function, and protein and lipid metabolism. It was used 240 laying hens (59 weeks-old) distributed in a completely randomized design of six treatments (five repetitions with eight birds each). The experiments were constituted by a control treatment (CT) with the inclusion of zinc bacitracin and five treatments of oregano essential oil (OEO: 0, 50, 100, 150, and 200 mg.kg-1), respectively. After 28 days of feeding, an increase on serum levels of total proteins and globulins was observed on groups T150 and T200, as well as an increase on albumin levels on group CT. After 84 days of feeding, a significant reduction on total proteins and albumin was observed on group T200, as well as an increase in serum triglycerides. OEO at 200 mg.kg-1 increased globulin levels on day 28, which may be considered an effect in the inflammatory response, which increases serum immunoglobulins and proteins