Nutritive effect of cabbage (Brassica oleracea) on growth, obesity, lipidaemia and haematology in broiler and pullet chickens

Efficacy of cabbage (Brassica oleracea) for ameliorating the adverse metabolic syndrome side-effects of genetically improved growth rate in chickens was examined. Sixty-four (64) day-old birds (32 Marshall Broilers and 32 Harco Black Pullets) were randomly assigned to groups of eight genotype-matched birds in a 2-factor layout within a Completely Randomized Design (CRD). Within genotype, each group was randomly assigned one of four diets (basal/control diet containing 0% cabbage, and, basal diet supplemented with 3%, 6% or 12% cabbage) for 4 weeks. All birds were fed an un-supplemented Broiler finisher diet from week 4 - 8. Bodyweight and Body Mass Index (BMI) were determined weekly. Blood Packed Cell Volume (PCV), Haemoglobin (Hb), White Blood Cells (WBC), Red Blood Cells (RBC), neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, basophils and eosinophils), Total serum Cholesterol (TC), High Density Lipoprotein (HDL) and Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL) were determined at age 4 weeks. Irrespective of diet or age, Broilers exhibited significantly greater (p<0.05) body weight, adiposity, and lipidaemia than Pullets, and no interactions between cabbage and genotype were observed for the same traits. Dietary cabbage at 3%, irrespective of genotype significantly (p<0.05) improved body weight beyond week 5 while no significant effect was observed on body fatness as measured by BMI. Cabbage supplementation suppressed broiler eosinophil levels, indicating effects on mediators of innate immune surveillance, but did not influence any other blood haematological  parameter, though Broilers exhibited higher (p<0.05) total WBC count and proportion (%) of WBC represented by neutrophils, basophils and eosinophils. In Contrast, Pullets exhibited higher RBC, PCV, and Hb, and lymphocyte and monocyte differential counts. Dietary Cabbage had a nutrigenetic effect on cholesterol: Reduced TC and LDL in Broilers in contrast to its effect in increasing the same lipids in Pullets. Cabbage however lowered HDL Cholesterol (p<0.05) in both genotypes, though the threshold of effect was higher (12%) in Pullets (3%). Thus Cabbage is effective in lowering heart disease risk through lowering of lipidaemia in Broilers, and improves bodyweight at market age (7-8 weeks) at 3% dietary supplementation level.KEYWORDS: Cabbage, Broiler, Pullet, Nutritive, Metabolic syndrome

The Effects of Early Feeding of Moringa Oleifera Leaf Meal on Performance of Broiler and Pullet Chicks

The effects of early feeding of Moringa Oleifera Leaf Meal (MOLM) on performance from 0-7 weeks age was examined in broiler (Hubbard breed) and pullet (Bovans Nera black rock breed) chicks. Within each breed, 8 birds were randomly assigned to each of 3 treatment groups and each group was fed only one of 3 diets (0% MOLM, 5% MOLM, 10% MOLM) from 0 4 weeks age. All birds were fed with a standard diet (containing no MOLM) from 4 -7 weeks age. Body weight, linear growth (Body length and girth; wing, thigh, drumstick, and shank length) and Body Mass Index (BMI; a surrogate measure of obesity) were measured at age 1, 4 and 7 weeks. At week 4, a significant (P < 0.05) difference in bodyweight was observed between broiler groups (0% MOLM, 10% MOLM > 5% MOLM), whereas no significant difference in body weight was observed between pullet groups. At week 7 (3 weeks following discontinuation of MOLM diets), broilers in 0% MOLM dietary group had significantly (P < 0.05) higher body weight (0% MOLM > 5% MOLM, 10% MOLM), and a similar trend was observed for body length and drumstick length. Also in broilers, BMI was significantly (p < 0.05) higher in 5% MOLM than other groups but thigh length was not significantly different between groups. In contrast to broilers, no significant difference in body weight or any of the other parameters measured was observed between pullet groups at 7 weeks age. The experiment showed that whereas the inclusion of MOLM in the diet of broilers from 0-4 weeks suppressed performance (relative to 0% MOLM) at age 4 weeks and thereafter, no effect on performance of pullets at age 4 and 7 weeks was observed when moringa was fed for the same duration, thus highlighting differential adaptation of chicks from different genetic backgrounds (meat vs. egg type breeds) to MOLM. The use of MOLM at =10% inclusion in the diet of pullets should be encouraged as it yields comparable performance to conventional ingredients, and its weight limiting effects in broilers may be harnessed for nutritional management of broiler-breeder bodyweight which is essential for maximising their reproductive performance.Keywords: Moringa Oleifera Leaf Meal, Growth Performance, Broiler, Pullet

Feasibility Analysis of Leaf-Based Moringa oleifera Plantation in the Nigerian Guinea Savannah: Case Study of University of Ilorin Moringa Plantation

This study examined the profitability and economic feasibility of a leaf-based Moringa production and processing under a plantation system in the Nigerian guinea savannah using the University of Ilorin Moringa Plantation as a case study. To achieve this objective, data on production and processing cost and revenue for the 2011/2012 planting season were collected and a simulated 10-year production and cost and revenue scenarios were scheduled based on the assumption of a constant cost and cash inflow over the same period. The cost-benefit was reported using the Return on Investment (ROI), Benefit Cost Ratio (BCR) and the Net Present Value (NPV) analyses. Result indicated an estimated average net profit of N827,109 (USD5, 137) ha/annum from a Total production cost of N1,371,360 (USD8, 580) ha/annum and a gross revenue of N2,200,000.00 (USD13,750) ha/annum derived from the sale of an average of 110kg of processed dry leaf powder output. This indicates the relative profitability of the enterprise. Furthermore, at varying discount rates of 17.5%, 20%, 22.5%, and 25%, the BCR indicated that for every N1 invested in cost, the investor could realize N1.60 in returns, the ROI indicate a profit return turnover of 26.7% of the cost of investment and a NPV estimate at the end of the 10-year period considered the project to be financially worthwhile. Based on these findings, this study recommends the encouragement of Moringa production and value addition development due to the potential it portends for income generation.Key words: feasibility analysis, Moringa leaf and enterpris

Haematological and hepatic indices of cockerels fed treated dietary Blighia sapida seeds

Ninety-six day old Lairier cockerel chicks were used in an experiment to evaluate the after effects of detoxifying (soaking, boiling, addition of riboflavin and glycine to antagonize hypoglycins) dietary Blighia sapida (ackee apple) seed meal, BSSM. Blood chemistry, haematology, liver morphology indices which dietary BSSM influenced and reflected in the performance characteristics of the cockerels investigated in a single-factor experimental design experiment were assessed. Results showed that the residual phytotoxins of BSSM, hypoglycins A & B with their metabolite MCPA at 17.50% inclusion of the processed BSSM in diets elicited reduction in glucose, protein, albumin, globulin while elevating blood cholesterol, creatinine, urea,total and conjugated bilirubin relative to the reference diet (p <0.05).Dietary BSSM similarly increased the transaminase activities of AST/SGOT, ALT/SGPT including ACP (p < 0.05). BSSM based diets also caused significant reduction in PCV, RBC, WBC, Hb as well as MCV, MCH and MCHC similar to the results obtained on WBC differential counts of neutrophils and lymphocytes in comparison with the conventional diet (p < 0.05). Histopathological examinations on the liver samples revealed that the control diet presented livers that were normal in tissue morphology without inflammation or haemorrhage while the photomicrographs of the liver samples of cockerels fed treated dietary BSSM at 17.50% inclusion showed morphological patterns indicating severe distortion suggesting evidence of haemorrhage and inflammation with numerous blood cells occupying the available hepatic sinuses. The poor results recorded on the biochemical, haematological and morphological parameters were reflected in performance characteristics as reduced feed intake, weight gain, growth rate, feed efficiency and high mortality were obtained on diets containing BSSM compared with the orthodox diet (p < 0.05). Findings of this experiment indicated that for optimum results, processed BSSM be included in diets below the 17.50% level considered high for the birds in this study.KEYWORDS: Cockerels, BSSM, treatments, blood chemistry,haematological and performance indice

Nutrigenetic Effect of Moringa oleifera Seed Meal on the Biological Growth Programme of Young Broiler Chickens.

A Nutrigenetic study of the effects of graded levels (0%, 5% and 10%) of undecorticated undefatted Moringa oleifera Seed Meal (UUMOSM) on the biological growth programme of 48 young broilers of two genotypes (Marshall and Arbor Acres) was conducted. Rates of change (%) of Body Weight (WTR), Length (BLR) and Girth (BGR), and Lengths of Shank (SLR), Thigh (TLR), Wing (WLR) and Keel (KLR) between 1 and 4 weeks age were measured. The effect of Genotype and Diet on growth rate was defined by fitting a univariate General Linear Model, while the strength of relationship between traits was examined by use of Pearson's bivariate correlation method. Only BLR was significantly (P<0.05) affected by genotype, while diet significantly (P<0.05) determined WTR, BGR, TLR, WLR, and KLR. Significant (P<0.05) effects of Genotype x Diet interaction on WTR, BLR, BGR, WLR and KLR were observed. The level of correlation between trait rates varied with increasing levels of UUMOSM in both genotypes; exhibiting a direct, inverse, parabola or inverted parabola shaped relationship curve. These results showed that subtle variations in dietary levels of UUMOSM significantly influence the biological growth programme of young broilers, with implications for size and interrelationship of body parts, including shape/conformation. They further showed that substructures within populations such as clusters with non-overlapping nutritional habits (voluntary or forced) influence overall population estimates of inter-trait relationships. The transcriptomic (gene expression) and metabonomic correlates of the phenomenon reported here will be examined in further studies and should yield evidence of underlying mechanisms.Keywords: Moringa oleifera seed meal, Broiler, Growth rate, Correlationand Regression

Relationship between egg weight, hatch weight and subsequent body weight in Fulani ecotype chicken

Three hundred (300) Fulani Ecotype (FE) chicken eggs collected from free ranged Fulani Ecotype chicken were used to study the effect of egg weight on hatch weight and subsequent body weight. Eggs were grouped into twoaccording to their weight (small and medium) and incubated. Body weight of the chicks was measured from the day of hatch to 12 weeks of age on weekly basis. Mean of the body weight gain from day old to 12 weeks of age in FE chicks obtained from small and medium egg size in this study were 306.73g and 311.36g, respectively. There was no significant correlations between egg weight, hatch weight and subsequent body weight in FE chicks obtained from small egg size, while a significantly (P<0.01) high and positively correlated relationship existed between hatch weightand egg weight of chicks obtained from medium egg size. Positive and significant inter-correlation (0.51 to 0.98) existed between body weight of FE chicks obtained from small and medium egg size. Linear regression equations showed a significant coefficient of determination for hatch weight, body weight at 2, 4, and 6 weeks using both small and medium egg weight values. The results of this findings indicated that both small and medium Fulani Ecotype eggs are settable. However, medium eggs produce larger chicks than the small eggs

SDRF2GRAPH – a visualization tool of a spreadsheet-based description of experimental processes

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>As larger datasets are produced with the development of genome-scale experimental techniques, it has become essential to explicitly describe the meta-data (information describing the data) generated by an experiment. The experimental process is a part of the meta-data required to interpret the produced data, and SDRF (Sample and Data Relationship Format) supports its description in a spreadsheet or tab-delimited file. This format was primarily developed to describe microarray studies in MAGE-tab, and it is being applied in a broader context in ISA-tab. While the format provides an explicit framework to describe experiments, increase of experimental steps makes it less obvious to understand the content of the SDRF files.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Here, we describe a new tool, SDRF2GRAPH, for displaying experimental steps described in an SDRF file as an investigation design graph, a directed acyclic graph representing experimental steps. A spreadsheet, in Microsoft Excel for example, which is used to edit and inspect the descriptions, can be directly input via a web-based interface without converting to tab-delimited text. This makes it much easier to organize large contents of SDRF described in multiple spreadsheets.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>SDRF2GRAPH is applicable for a wide range of SDRF files for not only microarray-based analysis but also other genome-scale technologies, such as next generation sequencers. Visualization of the Investigation Design Graph (IDG) structure leads to an easy understanding of the experimental process described in the SDRF files even if the experiment is complicated, and such visualization also encourages the creation of SDRF files by providing prompt visual feedback.</p

Uncoupling protein-1 (UCP1) contributes to the basal proton conductance of brown adipose tissue mitochondria

Proton leak pathways uncouple substrate oxidation from ATP synthesis in mitochondria. These pathways are classified as basal (not regulated) or inducible (activated and inhibited). Previously it was found that over half of the basal proton conductance of muscle mitochondria was catalyzed by the adenine nucleotide translocase (ANT), an abundant mitochondrial anion carrier protein. To determine whether ANT is the unique protein catalyst, or one of many proteins that catalyze basal proton conductance, we measured proton leak kinetics in mitochondria isolated from brown adipose tissue (BAT). BAT can express another mitochondrial anion carrier, UCP1, at concentrations similar to ANT. Basal proton conductance was measured under conditions where UCP1 and ANT were catalytically inactive and was found to be lower in mitochondria from UCP1 knockout mice compared to wild-type. Ablation of another abundant inner membrane protein, nicotinamide nucleotide transhydrogenase, had no effect on proton leak kinetics in mitochondria from liver, kidney or muscle, showing that basal proton conductance is not catalyzed by all membrane proteins. We identify UCP1 as a second protein propagating basal proton leak, lending support to the hypothesis that basal leak pathways are perpetrated by members of the mitochondrial anion carrier family but not by other mitochondrial inner membrane proteins

Systems Genetics of Hepatic Metabolome Reveals Octopamine as a Target for Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease Treatment.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is often associated with obesity and type 2 diabetes. To disentangle etiological relationships between these conditions and identify genetically-determined metabolites involved in NAFLD processes, we mapped 1H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) metabolomic and disease-related phenotypes in a mouse F2 cross derived from strains showing resistance (BALB/c) and increased susceptibility (129S6) to these diseases. Quantitative trait locus (QTL) analysis based on single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) genotypes identified diet responsive QTLs in F2 mice fed control or high fat diet (HFD). In HFD fed F2 mice we mapped on chromosome 18 a QTL regulating liver micro- and macrovesicular steatosis and inflammation, independently from glucose intolerance and adiposity, which was linked to chromosome 4. Linkage analysis of liver metabolomic profiling data identified a QTL for octopamine, which co-localised with the QTL for liver histopathology in the cross. Functional relationship between these two QTLs was validated in vivo in mice chronically treated with octopamine, which exhibited reduction in liver histopathology and metabolic benefits, underlining its role as a mechanistic biomarker of fatty liver with potential therapeutic applications