Effect of sage extract (Salvia officinalis) on growth performance, blood parameters, oxidative stress and DNA damage in partridges

This study was performed to evaluate the effect of different doses of sage extract on the growth and blood parameters, oxidative stress and DNA damage in partridges. In total, 252 day-old partridges (Alectoris chukar) were used. The birds were divided into four groups: 0.1% flavomycin was included in the diet of the control group (I) while 2.5, 5.0 and 7.5 mL sage extract/kg were included in the diets of treatment groups II, III and IV, respectively. At the end of the experiment no significant differences between treatments were observed in live weight, live weight gain, feed consumption, feed conversion ratio, carcass weight and survival rate. In addition, blood analyses indicated that the differences between groups in the amounts of plasma cholesterol, triglyceride high density lipoprotein (HDL), very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) and alkaline phosphates (ALP) were not significantly different. Furthermore, treatments did not affect total sulphydryl (SH) and lipid hydroperoxide (LOOH) concentrations, total antioxidant response or the total oxidant status (TOS). However, sage extract significantly decreased DNA damage in a linear, dose-dependent manner whilst the antibiotic, flavomycin, elevated the oxidative stress index (OSI) and resulted in DNA damage. It was concluded that supplementing sage extract in the partridge diet at the doses studied does not lead to a negative effect on the growth performance of these birds. Keywords: Salvia officinalis, Alectoris chukar, growth performance, blood parameters, DNA damage South African Journal of Animal Science Vol. 38 (2) 2008: pp. 145-15

Seroprevalence of hepatitis A in children living in Zonguldak, Turkey [Zonguldak'ta yanşayan çocuklarda hepatit A seroprevlansi]

In order to detect hepatitis A seroprevalence in our patient population the prevalence of antibodies to hepatitis A virus (HAV) was investigated in 257 children (56.4% males) who applied to Zonguldak Karaelmas University Hospital for various reasons between January 2001 and April 2002. Total anti-HAV seropositivity was 13.6%. When age groups were considered, it was 8.5%, 11.3% and 21.7% for ages 1-5, 6-10 and 11-16, respectively. The prevalance rates obtained in our study were lower when compared with previous studies performed in other regions, probably depending on high socio-economical status in our region. Increase of total anti-HAV level with age makes us think that crowded classrooms and inadequate hygienic conditions enhance viral contamination. So appropriate time for vaccination should be after 1st year of life, when passive antibodies from mother disappear, and before 5th year, just before school age

Usability of CART algorithm for determining egg quality characteristics influencing fertility in the eggs of Japanese quail

The objective of this study was to determine the effects of egg quality characteristics (egg weight, egg width, egg height, and shape index) on fertility of eggs of Japanese quail with different colored feathers (yellow, white, grizzled, and normal), which are of economic importance for poultry production. For this purpose, 383 eggs of Japanese quail with various feather colors were used. In the study, usability of classification and regression tree (CART) data-mining algorithm as a classification tree method is necessary for poultry breeders to define proper cut-off values of egg quality characteristics that ensure Japanese quail eggs at good quality in fertility. Fertility as the dependent variable in the study was examined as a binary trait (fertile and infertile) and all the egg quality traits accepted as explanatory variables were continuous variables. Feather color was also included as a nominal categorical explanatory variable. The classification tree results showed that the highest fertility ratio of 90.9% was obtained from the eggs of Japanese quail of white, grizzled, and normal feather colors with 10.425 g ? egg weight, 24.565 mm ? egg width, or the fertility ratio of 88.2% of the eggs was observed with 10.425 g ? egg weight and 25.605 mm ? egg width. Consequently, usability of the tree-based CART algorithm is important in practice for properly establishing fertilized eggs, depending on feather color types of Japanese quail. © 2016 Sociedade Brasileira de Zootecnia

Comparison of normal and PSE turkey breast meat for chemical composition, pH, color, myoglobin, and drip loss

The objective of this investigation was to determine the differences between normal and PSE (pale, soft, exudative) turkey breast meat in terms of chemical composition, pH, color, myoglobin, and drip loss. Pale and normal skinless, boneless turkey breast fillets were taken from a poultry slaughterhouse in Van/Turkey at about 2-3 h postmortem. Spectrocolorimetry (CIE L*a*b*), pH, protein, ash, dry matter, lipid, myoglobin, and drip loss were measured in normal and pale color turkey breast muscle. The normal breast meat had significantly lower L*, a*, and b* values in comparison with the pale breast meat. Myoglobin concentration and pH were significantly higher in the normal breast meat compared with that of the pale breast meat. Protein content was found to be significantly lower for the pale group compared with the normal group. No significant difference was found in ash, dry matter, and total lipid content between normal and pale breast meat. Drip loss was significantly affected by breast meat color groups at days 1, 2, 3, and 4 postmortem. Pale, soft, exudative turkey breast meat can lead to differences in the chemical composition and shelf life of the product. Copyright © 2016 Sociedade Brasileira de Zootecnia

Potential role of dietary ?-3 essential fatty acids on some oxidant/antioxidant parameters in rats' corpus striatum

Omega-3 (?-3) is an essential fatty acid (EFA) found in large amounts in fish oil. It contains eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). DHA is one of the building structures of membrane phospholipids of brain and necessary for continuity of neuronal functions. Evidences support the hypothesis that schizophrenia may be the result of increased reactive oxygen species mediated neuronal injury. Recent reports also suggest the protective effect of ?-3 EFA against neuropsychiatric disorders including schizophrenia. This study proposed to assess the changes in antioxidant enzyme and oxidant parameters in the corpus striatum (CS) of rats fed with ?-3 EFA diet (0.4 g/kg/day) for 30 days. Eight control rats and nine rats fed with ?-3 were decapitated under ether anesthesia, and CS was removed immediately. Thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS) and nitric oxide (NO) levels as well as total superoxide dismutase (t-SOD) and xanthine oxidase (XO) enzyme activities in the CS were measured. Rats treated with ?-3 EFA had significantly lower values of TBARS (P<0.001), NO (P<0.002) and XO (P<0.005) whereas higher values of t-SOD enzyme activity (P<0.002) than the control rats. These results indicate that ?-3 EFA rich fish oil diet reduces some oxidant parameters in CS. This may be revealed by means of reduced CS TBARS levels as an end product of lipid peroxidation of membranes in treated rats. Additionally, reduced XO activity and NO levels may support this notion. On the other hand, although the mechanism is not clear, ?-3 EFA may indirectly enhance the activity of antioxidant enzyme t-SOD. Taken together, this preliminary animal study provides strong support for a therapeutic effect of ?-3 EFA supplemented to classical neuroleptic regimen in the treatment of schizophrenic symptoms and tardive dyskinesia. © 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved

Effect of funalia trogii in heart tissue of rats exposed to deltamethrin [Deltametrine maruz kalan sıçanların kalp dokusunda funalia trogii'nin etkisi]

Objective: Environmental exposure to deltamethrin can cause alterations in structure and function of different organs. F. Trogii, a white-rot fungus, has antioxidative enzymes such as superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione reductase. It is hypothesized that there is an antioxidative role of F. trogii resulting in reducing the extent of heart injury as a result of oxidative stress. The aim of this study to investigate the effect of deltamethrin on heart and to evaluate possible protective role of F. trogii in alleviating the detrimental effect of deltamethrin on heart. Materials and Methods: Twenty-one adult albino female Wistar rats were randomly divided into three groups of seven each: group 1 control, group 2 received deltamethrin, group 3 received deltamethrin plus F. trogii extract. Results: The heart rate was increased and amplitude of QRS complex, duration of P wave and QRS complex were decreased due to deltamethrin administration. The superoxide dismutase and catalase activities were decreased, malondialdehyde level was increased in deltamethrin group. Ultrastructurally, dilatation in sarcoplasmic reticulum cisternaes and disorganisation in the myofibrils were observed in the deltamethrin group. In the deltamethrin plus F. trogii extract group, a decreasing lipid peroxidation and an increasing antioxidant enzyme activity, normal heart electrical activity and normal heart muscle structure was observed as similar to control group Conclusion: F. trogii could protect against deltamethrin induced oxidative stress by decreasing lipid peroxidation and increasing superoxide dismutase and catalase activity. The results indicate the protective effect of F. trogii against heart injury and thereby support its traditional use. © TurkJBiochem.com