Effects of different levels of iron, iodine and vitamin B12supplementation on egg quality and antioxidant capacity of eggs at different times of storage in laying hens

The experiment was carried out to evaluate the effects of adding different levels of iron salts, iodine and vitamin B12 on yield, quality traits and antioxidant capacity of eggs in laying hens. A total of 320 laying hens (HyLine Variety White, 28 wk old) in a 2x2x2 factorial experiment were randomly assigned to 8 groups, and each group consisting of 40 hens (5 replicates of 8 hens each) for a period of approximately 13 weeks in a completely randomized design. Hens in the control group received a basal diet with no supplementation whereas hens in treat 2 received basal diet supplemented with 400 mg Fe/kg as FeSO4, treat 3 (basal diet + 450 mg I/kg as KI), treat 4 (basal diet + 0.1 mg B12vit/kg), treat 5 (basal diet + 400 mg Fe/kg as FeSO4 + 450 mg I/kg as KI), treat 6 (basal diet + 400 mg Fe/kg as FeSO4 + 0.1 mg B12Vit/kg), treat 7 (basal diet + 450 mg I/kg as KI + 0.1 mg B12Vit/kg), treat 8 (basal diet + 400 mg Fe/kg as FeSO4 + 450 mg I/kg as KI + 0.1 mg B12Vit/kg), respectively. The results showed that the use of iodine and vitamin B12 increased the shell thickness of eggs (P<0.05). The use of iron, iodine and vitamin B12 supplements increased the antioxidant capacity of eggs compared to the control group (P<0.05). The highest antioxidant capacity of eggs (0.77) was observed when these three supplements were used together in the diet of laying hens. The length of storage had significant effects on the weight of albumin and yolk and antioxidant content of eggs (P<0.05). The highest weight of albumin and antioxidant content was at the beginning of storage, while the highest weight of yolk was obtained in 4 weeks after storage, with increasing of storage time to 8 weeks, all three attributes of albumin weight, yolk weight and antioxidant content of eggs decreased (P<0.05). The related effects of interval of the storage and the experimental supplementation, the use of iron, iodine and vitamin B12 supplements increased the antioxidant capacity of eggs, so that the highest amount of antioxidants in eggs in 8 weeks after storage and by supplementing the diets with all three additives (P<0.05). According to the present experiment, the use of iron, iodine and vitamin B12 additives in the diet of laying hens, improves the performance, the content of iron and iodine elements in eggs and maintains the suitable condition of eggs during storage

Effects of different levels of methionine in pre-starter diets on immunity function and DNA methylation in broilers

The study was carried out to determine the effects of different levels of methionine in Pre-starter diets on PPAR gene expression and immune function of broiler chickens. Methionine (Met) is necessary to achieve a fast growth rate in chickens. A total of 240 Ross 308 broilers were equally assigned to 8 treatments with 3 replicates. The treatments included T1: diet with 20% methionine less than Ross catalog recommendation. T2: Standard diet in accordance with the recommendations of the Ross catalog. T3, T4, T5, T6, T7 and T8: diets with 20, 40, 60, 80, 100 and 120 % methionine more than Ross catalog recommendation. The results showed that there was a significant difference in the expression of PPAR gene with the difference in diet methionine levels in the 8 groups. PPAR controls the expression of several genes involved in the proliferation and differentiation of adipose tissue cells. Gene expression in broiler chickens with methionine deficiency and excess may have compensated for this deficiency and excess in the birds. Also, the results indicated that increasing in the levels of methionine in Pre-starter diets of chickens the antibody production against ND increased significantly (P<0.05). Besides, the antibody production against IBD increased significantly (P<0.05). Furthermore, the antibody production against H9N1 not affected (P>0.05). Studies suggest that dietary protein deficiency reduces the concentration of most amino acids in plasma and compromises the immune system. Totally it is suggested that the high levels of Met in the diet maybe beneficial and it needs more studies

Adding wheat and rapeseed meal to corn-soy diets affects intestinal morphology and nutrient digestibility in broilers

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of thyme essential oil and enzyme supplementation on rations with two different energy (wheat or corn) and protein resources (soy or rapeseed meals) on gut morphology and protein digestibility of broiler chickens. Three hundred eighty-four male Ross-308 broiler chickens were used with a 23 factorial arrangement with treatments according to a completely randomized design. The morphological examinations of the intestine were carried out on 1-cm long excised segments from duodenum, jejunum and ileum. Adding wheat to the diet increased small intestine length in birds compared to other feedstuffs (P <0.05). Duodenum crypt depth and jejunum villi length were also higher in groups fed with rations containing wheat (P <0.05). Groups that received thyme essential oil and enzyme supplementation had increased length of the duodenum (P <0.05). However, the two- and three-factor interaction effects were not significant. Protein digestibility was not affected by treatment (P >0.05). Feeding wheat to broiler chickens may increase the surface area for nutrient absorption in the small intestine as compensation for the anti-nutritive activity of non-starch polysaccharides in wheat-based diets. Wheat based diets are expected to be acceptable for broilers when supplemented with appropriate enzymes or thyme essential oil

Comparison of nano-capsulated thyme essential oils on intestinal microbial population and anti-oxidation status of broilers

  This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of non and nano-capsulated thyme essential oils with saturated and unsaturated lipids (tallow and canola oil) and two levels of diet crude protein (standard and low than standard) on intestinal microbial population and anti-oxidation status of broilers. In this study, 384 Ross-308 broiler chickens in a factorial engagement of 2×2×2 (2 medicinal plant essential oils, two sources of vegetable oils, and 2 levels of diet crude protein) were used in a completely randomized design with 8 treatments, 4 replicates, and 12 bird in each replicate for 42 days. Experimental periods included starter (1-10 days), grower (11-24 days), and finisher (25-42 days). Canola oil significantly reduced the intestinal coliforms population. In contrast, tallow increased them (P<0.05), a similar effect was observed with thyme forms, so the lowest coliform population blogged to the nano-capsulated form of thyme. In contrast, the highest coliform population resulted in non-capsulated thyme essential oil (P<0.05). In an interaction between thyme essential oil form and diet crude protein level, the lowest coliform population was observed with diet contained nano-capsulated thyme essential oil and low level of diet crude protein (P<0.05). Regarding antioxidant status, reducing the diet crude protein increased MDA and GPX (P<0.05). In an interaction between diet crude protein and thyme form, a diet with low crude protein and capsulated thyme increased the level of SOD (P<0.05). In general, results of the current experiment indicated that in Ross-308, broiler chickens using capsulated thyme essential oil with canola oil and low crude protein improves intestine microbial population and antioxidant status of broilers

Replacing of soybean meal with sunflower meal with and without multi-enzyme on laying performance and egg quality in Hy-Line laying hens

This experiment was performed to evaluate the effects of replacement of different levels of soybean meal with sunflower meal on laying performance and egg quality parameters in laying hens. In this experiment, 360 laying hens from the age of 47 to 57 weeks, in 9 treatments and 5 replications (8 hens in each replication) were divided into a 3 × 3 factorial arrangement consisting of sunflower meal (0, 30, and 60%) and enzyme additive (0, 100 and 200 g/ton) in a completely randomized design for ten weeks. The results showed that the replacement of soybean meal with sunflower meal and enzyme has significant effects on the performance of laying hens. So that 60% replacement of soybean meal with sunflower meal increased the amount of daily feed intake of laying hens (P<.0.05). The use of 200 gr/ton of multi enzyme in laying hens diet, without having significant effects on other performance parameters, increased the amount of daily feed intake (P<.0.05). Concurrently, there was a non-significant (P>.0.05) trend for egg quality parameters, but weights of egg albumin were affected significantly (P<.0.05) substitution of 60% of sunflower meal in diets increased the amount egg albumin weight. In general, in laying hens, it is possible to replace 60% of soybean meal with sunflower meal without adversely affecting the performance and egg quality. The use of a multi-enzyme only increased the amount of feed intake

Investigation of the effects of constant darkness and light on blood serum cholesterol, insulin and glucose levels in healthy male rats

This study was designed to investigate the effects of constant darkness and light on changes of serum cholesterol, insulin and glucose levels in healthy male rats. In this study, healthy male rats (n = 30) were divided into 3 groups of tens and kept at various light/dark conditions: Control 12:12 light/dark (LD); constant darkness (DD), and constant light (LL) groups for 2 weeks. Blood samples were obtained from retro-orbital sinus before start of experiment and on the 7th and 14th days of the experimental period. The serum cholesterol and glucose levels were measured by the enzymatic method and insulin levels were measured using insulin kit by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method. The results of the study showed that the levels of serum cholesterol and glucose on the 7th and 14th days of the experimental period in DD group significantly decreased compared to the LD and LL groups (p < 0.05). On the 14th day of experiment, we observed significant decrease of serum insulin level in the constant darkness group compared with the two other groups (p < 0.05). The study showed that on the 7th and 14th days of experiment, constant light significantly increased serum glucose level without having any significant effects on serum cholesterol and insulin levels. Also, the long period of time (14 days) was found to be more effective in the serum of these metabolic parameters changes than the short period (7 days).Key words: Constant darkness, light, cholesterol, glucose, insulin, healthy male rats

Effects of dietary trace element supplementation on performance of laying hens and mineral content of egg yolk

In this experiment, 320 laying hens of Hy-Line W-36 strain were used in a 2 x 2 x 2 factorial design (eight treatments and eight birds in each pen). The treatments were 0 and 400 mg/kg iron salt, 0 and 450 mg/kg iodide, and 0 and 0.1 mg/kg vitamin B12. There were five replicates of each treatment combination and the birds were from 26 to 39 weeks old. The interaction of iron salt and iodide, the use of 450 mg/kg iodide and 0 levels of iron salt increased the iodide content of yolks. In the treatments with 400 mg/kg of iron salt combined with iodide and with 400 mg/kg of iron salt with 0 levels of iodine salt this caused a sharp decrease in the iodide content of the yolk. In the interaction of treatments containing iron salt and vitamin B12, the lowest amount of cobalt and the highest level of Iodide were observed at the 0 levels of both supplements, whereas the combined use of iron salt and vitamin B12 increased the level of cobalt and decreased the yolk iodine content. In the three-way effects between these salts, yolk iron and cobalt content increased, and the highest amount of Iodine was observed in the third treatment (without vitamin B12 and iron). Overall the use of iron salt, iodine, and vitamin B12 could improve the performance of hens and the composition of egg yolk.</jats:p

Effects of bovine prolactin gene polymorphism within exon 4 on milk related traits and genetic trends in Iranian Holstein bulls

In this study, polymorphism of prolactin gene was analyzed as a candidate gene responsible for variation and genetic trends in milk yield and composition traits. Genomic DNAs were extracted from 268 semen samples belonged to Iranian Holstein bulls. Genotyping for the prolactin gene using PCRRFLP technique and RsaI restriction endonuclease showed a mutation in 294-bp fragment located in exon 4. The frequencies of A and G alleles were 0.069 and 0.931, respectively. The allelic substitution effect was significant for milk and protein yield (p < 0.05). The G allele was unfavorable for milk andprotein yield. Genetic trends for all analyzed traits were significant (p < 0.01) and that was progressive for milk, fat and protein yield, but diminishing for fat and protein percent. The effects of prolactin SNP on genetic trends and the difference between genetic trends produced by A and G alleles were notsignificant for all studied traits

Survey of seroprevalence of Or‌nithobacterium Rhinotracheale infection in slaughtered broiler chickens in Maragheh,Eastern Azerbaijan-Iran

Or­nithobacterium rhinotracheale has been known as a relatively recently discovered pathogenic bacterial agent in broiler and turkey flocks and it causes economic losses to the poultry industryannually. The purpose of this study was survey of seroprevalence of Or­nithobacterium rhinotrachealeinfection in slaughtered broiler chickens in slaughter house of Maragheh, eastern Azerbaijan-Iran. By referring to poultry  industrial  slaughter house of  Maragheh and recording the location of poultry house and the name of the city, a total of  270  blood samples were randomly taken from broiler flocks and then the samples were transferred to laboratory for gaining their sera. ELISA test was performed on sera. A total of  270 samples ( from 27 different flocks) were taken from poultry  industrial  slaughter house of  Maragheh, 10 serum samples( 3.7%) were positive , 29 serum samples (10.75%)  were suspect and 231 serum samples ( 85.55%) were negative. This seroprevalence is less than previous reports of other provinces in Iran

Blood and tissue fatty acid compositions, lipoprotein levels, performance and meat flavor of broilers fed fish oil: changes in the pre- and post-withdrawal design

Administration of fish oil (FO) in broiler diets can elevate alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), eicosapentanoic acid (EPA) and docosahexanoic acid (DHA) levels, which are protective against cardiovascular disease. However, optimization based solely on n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (n-3 PUFA) enrichment in chicken meat could lead to lower meat quality, unless the withdrawal period (plan) is applied for 1 week. The present study investigated whether the incorporation of FO in the diet for 32 days followed by its withdrawal for 1 week affected blood lipid profiles, lipoprotein particles, performance and meat flavor in male broiler chickens. Two hundred and forty birds (1-day-old, Ross 308) were assigned to 1 of 4 dietary groups:0%, 1%, 2% or 3% FO with four replicates. Broilers were fed for 49 days according to a 4-phase feeding program. The experimental phase comprised day 11 to 42, and FO was removed on day 42. Blood samples were collected during the pre- and post-withdrawal period after the recordings before slaughter. The FO groups demonstrated decreased low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and increased high-density lipoprotein levels on day 42 (P < 0.01); however, these values were not significant after design withdrawal. Diet supplementation with FO elevated the blood levels of palmitic acid (C16:0) and n-3 PUFAs, especially long-chain (LC) PUFAs (EPA, C20:5n-3 and DHA, C22:6n-3), and caused a decline in the level of arachidonic acid (AA, C20:4n-6; P < 0.05). Application of a one-week withdrawal period resulted in a decrease in (P < 0.05) linoleic acid (C18:2n-6) and an increase in the level of AA, unlike their amounts on day 42. Although blood and tissue LC n-3 PUFA levels on day 49 were significantly higher in the FO groups compared with the control, they demonstrated a substantial decrease on day 49 compared with day 42. The best results, mainly the lowest n-6/n-3 fatty acids (FAs) and feed conversion ratio (FCRs), were observed for 3% FO (group T4), even after institution of the withdrawal design. Degradation of total n-3 FAs deposited in tissues occurred after instituting the withdrawal plan diet, but deposited levels of EPA and DHA in tissues could ensure omega-3 enrichment of broiler meat in groups 3 and 4. On the basis of the dissatisfaction of the panelists toward group 4 meats (scored as near to acceptable) and their satisfaction with cooked samples of T3 (scored as good), group 3 meats were selected as good-quality n-3 enriched broiler meat