Effect of peppermint and thyme essential oil mist on performance and physiological parameters in broiler chickens

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of peppermint and thyme essential oil mist on performance, blood parameters and lymphoid organ indices in broiler chickens. The experiment was conducted on 360 broilers raised until 42 days of age. One-day-old chicks were divided into three groups (n = 120): control group (C – misted with pure water) and two experimental groups (PO – misted with peppermint essential oil, and TO – misted with thyme essential oil) and placed in three separate experimental rooms. Growth performance (BW – body weight, WG – weight gain, FCR – feed conversion ratio), blood parameters (RBC – red blood cells, HGB – haemoglobin concentration, HCT – haematocrit levels, leukogram, serum protein and protein fractions), and lymphoid organ indices were assessed during the production cycle. Our results demonstrate that the use of EO mist does not exert adverse effects on broiler health, and that PO mist can increase BW and WG in broiler chickens. Mean RBC parameters at slaughter were higher in broilers exposed to PO mist. An analysis of blood parameters and lymphoid organ indices revealed that EO could positively influence the immune systems of birds. Higher values of gamma-globulin concentration as well as the weights and growth indices of lymphoid organs were noted in experimental groups.Keywords: Blood parameters, broilers, essential oils, lymphoid organs, performanc

Effect of parity on reproductive performance sows of different breeds

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of parity on reproductive performance by sows of different breeds. The sows were raised on three farms, and had seven or more litters of not fewer than seven piglets. A total of 1511 litters from various parities of Lithuanian White (N =721), Large White (N = 162) and Landrace (N = 628) sows were contained in the data that were used in this study. Multiparous sows had larger litters than primiparous sows. Piglet survival rate declined from parity 7. An increase in litter size was observed until parity 5 in Large White and until parity 6 in improved Lithuanian White (P <0.05). In comparison with parity 1, Landrace sows up to parity 5 showed not only increased prolificacy, but also increased number and litter weight of piglets at 21 days old, and the number and litter weight of weaned piglets (P <0.01). The current findings indicate that sows of these breeds can be used effectively in breeding herds until parity 5 and parity 6

Changes in the Content of Bioactive Substances in Sheep's Milk Depending on the Lambing Date

The aim of the study was to investigate whether the season of lambing affects the content of bioactive compounds and nutritional value of sheep's milk during the lambs nursing period. Milk was sampled in two groups of Polish Mountain sheep, which lambed in December (G1) and in May (G2). In general, a higher contents of dry matter, protein, fat and lactose were found in milk of group G1. Analysis showed the higher (P&lt;0.05) abundance of proline, lysine, isoleucine, aspartic acid, alanine, tyrosine, methionine and glutamic acid in group G2. Milk from group G2 contained more PUFA, especially CLA. In conclusion, the season of lambing affects the content of bioactive compounds and nutritional value of sheep’s milk during the nursing period

Changes in the Content of Bioactive Substances in Sheep's Milk Depending on the Lambing Date

The aim of the study was to investigate whether the season of lambing affects the content of bioactive compounds and nutritional value of sheep's milk during the lambs nursing period. Milk was sampled in two groups of Polish Mountain sheep, which lambed in December (G1) and in May (G2). In general, a higher contents of dry matter, protein, fat and lactose were found in milk of group G1. Analysis showed the higher (P&lt;0.05) abundance of proline, lysine, isoleucine, aspartic acid, alanine, tyrosine, methionine and glutamic acid in group G2. Milk from group G2 contained more PUFA, especially CLA. In conclusion, the season of lambing affects the content of bioactive compounds and nutritional value of sheep’s milk during the nursing period

Metabolic response of the gastrointestinal tract and serum parameters of rabbits to diets containing chicory flour rich in inulin

A 36-day experiment carried out on 54-day-old rabbits addressed the analysis of physiological properties of diets supplemented with chicory roots flour. Twenty-four rabbits were allocated in individual cages to three treatments, in which they were fed each diet with the chicory flour at 0, 25 and 50 g/kg (control, ChF (2.5) and ChF(5) groups respectively). The chicory preparation administered at a higher dose, lowered ileal pH and viscosity, and evoked increased hydration of ileal and caecal digesta, compared to the control treatment (p <= 0.05). The ChF(2.5) group was characterized by the highest increase in the bulk of digesta and concentration of protein in the caecum (p < 0.05 vs. control). The lowest colonic pH was found in the ChF(5) group (p <= 0.05 vs. control). Compared to the control group, both chicory treatments effectively (p <= 0.05) diminished the activity of the potentially harmful bacterial enzymes beta-glucosidase and beta-glucuronidase in the caecal and colonic digesta. The ChF(2.5) group was characterized by a significantly higher volatile fatty acids (VFA) pool size in the caecum, whereas rabbits fed the ChF(5)diet had the highest colonic VFA pool size (p <= 0.05 vs. control). The lowest level of triglycerides and total cholesterol, at concurrently the highest proportion of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) fraction in the HDL/totai cholesterol profile, were recorded in the plasma of rabbits fed the ChF(5) diet. In conclusion, the chicory flour rich in inulin, exerted positive effects on the rabbit gastrointestinal tract physiology and would be a potential source of functional feed additivesVytauto Didžiojo universitetasŽemės ūkio akademij

Biogenic amines and mycotoxins concentrations in baled silage from organic and conventional farms

ABSTRACT The aim of the current study was to investigate biogenic amines and mycotoxins concentrations in baled silage (mainly Poaceae family grasses) prepared in organic and conventional farms and to relate these parameters to fermentative parameters. The mean dry matter (DM) content was 364.10±93.31 and 424.70±95.93g/kg in the silage from organic and conventional farms respectively. The silage samples from organic farms had 17.00% higher (P≤ 0.05) tyramine (TY) than the silage from conventional farms. Conventional farm samples were characterized by 46.00% higher histamine (HIS) (P≤ 0.05), 9.80% higher putrescine (PUT) (P≤ 0.05), 17.30% higher cadaverine (CAD) (P≤ 0.05). Aflatoxins (AFL) (total) and zearalenone (ZEN), T-2/HT-2 concentrations were higher respectively 16.00% (P≤ 0.05) and 13.40% (P≤ 0.05), 1.80% (P≤ 0.05) in the silage prepared in organic farms. Deoxynivalenol (DON) concentration was higher 42.40% (P≤ 0.05) in silage from conventional farms. Volatile fatty acids (VFA), lactic acid, ethanol, pH and ammonia nitrogen showed that the silage samples from organic and conventional farms were of good quality. Our study suggests differences in biogenic amine formation or mycotoxins content in silage from organic and conventional farming, but, overall, the measured values are too low to be relevant for animal health. Furthermore, these differences might as well be due to the difference in dry matter content and plant maturity between the organic and conventional silage samples