Effects of dietary supplementation of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Ferulago angulata</Emphasis> (Schlecht.) Boiss powder on growth performance,carcass characteristics,and gut microflora and pH in broiler chicks

This study was conducted to examine the effects of powder of aerial parts of Ferulago angulata (FA) on performance, carcass characteristics, and intestinal development and microflora of broilers. A total of 126 1-day-old straight run broiler chicks (Ross 308) were assigned randomly into three dietary groups each with three replicates of 14 chicks. The dietary groups included a corn-soybean meal basal diet (control) and basal diet supplemented with 0.1 or 0.2 % FA powder. The experiment lasted for 42 days. In the overall period, chicks fed diets supplemented with FA gained more (P?<?0.05) weight than those fed the control diet and the highest weight gain was found in those fed on diet with 0.1 % FA. Feed conversion ratio was improved (P?<?0.05) by FA supplementation at both levels. The weight of abdominal fat was decreased (P?<?0.05) by FA supplementation at 0.1 %. No difference (P?>?0.05) in pH of different segments of the gastrointestinal tract, and Lactobacillus strains and Escherichia coli numbers in the ileal and cecal contents were found between the treatment and control groups. The results suggested that the FA powder could be used as a dietary supplement for improving the growth performance and carcass characteristics of broilers.     

Dietary Berberis vulgaris extract enhances intestinal mucosa morphology in the broiler chicken (Gallus gallus)

To determine the effect of Berberis vulgaris extract on the intestinal morphology, 1-day-old broiler chickens had their diet supplemented with 2 and 4?% barberry water extract for 3 days. On day 45, all chicks in each group were killed and morphometric analysis of the intestine was performed. The duodenal villous length and surface area were significantly (P?<?0.05) increased in the 4?% barberry water extract-supplemented group. The jejunal villous length was significantly (P?<?0.05) increased in all treatment groups when compared with the control group. No significant differences were observed between the two treatment groups. The ileal villous surface area in all the treatment groups was greater than the control group, but this increase was not significantly different (P?>?0.05). In conclusion, barberry water extract supplementation, particularly at a value of 4?%, can increase the majority of the intestinal architecture in broiler chickens.     

Influence of supplementation of prebiotic, probiotic, and antibiotic to wet-fed wheat-based diets on growth, ileal nutrient digestibility, blood parameters, and gastrointestinal characteristics of broiler chickens

A feeding trial was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary supplementations of prebiotic, probiotic, and antibiotic to wet wheat-based diets on broiler performance, carcass yield, organ weights, and histomorphological measurements of the small intestine. One hundred and sixty-day-old male broiler chicks were randomly assigned to one of four dietary treatments for 6 weeks. The dietary treatments were: (1) control (1.2 g water/gram of dry feed); (2) control diet supplemented with antibiotic (15 mg/kg of virginiamycin); (3) control diet supplemented with 1 g/kg probiotic (8?×?10⁵ colony forming units (CFU) of Bacillus subtilis/gram); and (4) control diet supplemented with 1 g/kg prebiotic (Aspergillus sp. meal). The body weight and feed intake were significantly (P?<?0.05) increased by the dietary inclusion of the antibiotic compared with the control and pre- and probiotics-fed broilers. Moreover, an improvement in performance traits was observed in broilers fed with the pre- and probiotics. Relative abdominal fat weight was significantly (P?<?0.01) greater for the broilers fed diets containing antibiotic than control diets. Protein digestibility was significantly higher (P?<?0.05) for birds supplemented with virginiamycin compared with the control and prebiotic birds. The addition of either pre- or probiotic increased (P?<?0.05) the villus height/crypt depth ratio and villus height in both duodenum and ileum. However, the ileal crypt depth was significantly increased for pro- and prebiotic supplementations compared with antibiotic (P?<?0.05).     

Effects of dietary alternatives (probiotic,green tea powder,and Kombucha tea) as antimicrobial growth promoters on growth,ileal nutrient digestibility,blood parameters,and immune response of broiler chickens

A feeding trial was conducted to study the effects of alternative antimicrobial growth promoters (probiotic, Kombucha tea, and green tea powder) in wet, wheat-based diets on broiler performance, carcass yield, organ weights, immune response, and histomorphological measurements of the small intestine. One hundred and sixty-one-day-old male broiler chicks were randomly assigned to 1 of 4 dietary treatments for 6 weeks. The dietary treatments were: (a) control (1.2 g water/gram of dry feed), (b) control diet supplemented with 1 g/kg probiotic (8?×?105 colony forming units (CFU) of Bacillus subtilis/gram), (c) control diet plus 1.2 g/kg diet Kombucha tea (20 % concentration), and (d) control diet plus 10 g/kg green tea powder. The body weight and feed intake were significantly (P?<?0.05) increased by the dietary inclusion of the Kombucha tea compared to the control and green tea-fed broilers. However, an improvement in performance traits was observed in broilers fed with the probiotics. Plasma lipids of birds fed the green tea powder diet consisted of lower cholesterol and TG and higher HDL than those of control birds. Protein digestibility was significantly higher (P?<?0.05) for birds given the Kombucha tea supplement compared to that of the control birds. The probiotic diet increased (P?<?0.05) the villus height/crypt depth ratio and the villus height in the duodenum. Overall, the results in this work show that Kombucha tea and probiotic supplements in feed display growth promoting effects similar to those of traditional antibiotics; therefore, these products might be alternatives to antibiotic growth promoters.     

Evaluation of the protective efficacy of the anticoccidial vaccine Coccivac-B in broilers, when challenged with Egyptian field isolates of E. tenella

The present study was performed to explore the efficacy of the commercial anticoccidial vaccine (Coccivac B®) in broiler chickens using five field strains of Eimeria tenella that were isolated from five provinces in Egypt. This study also analyzed the ITS-1-rDNA sequence of these five strains and its corresponding sequence in the vaccine. In a floor pen experiment, 216 one-day-old commercial broiler chicks were classified into vaccinated and non-vaccinated groups. Each main group was classified into six subgroups. The chicks were challenged on the 28th day of age with 10⁴ sporulated oocysts of one of the five field strains of E. tenella. Our results indicated that Coccivac B® produced variable degrees of protection in the birds infected with the five different strains of E. tenella. Aligning the ITS-1 sequences from the five strains with the ITS-1 sequence of E. tenella from the vaccine revealed 96 % sequence similarity with the Kafer El-Sheikh strain, 94 % with the Gharbia strain, 90 % with the Alexandria strain, and 78 % with the Matrouh and Behera strains. While interesting, these similarity values were not useful for predicting the protection conferred by the vaccine against the five field isolates. However, based on the data reported here, we can conclude that Coccivac B® produced variable degrees of protection in the birds infected with the five different strains of E. tenella     

Effect of dinitolmide intercalated into Montmorillonite on E. tenella infection in chickens

To enhance the anti-coccidial effect of dinitolmide and reduce its residual, the dinitolmide/MMT compounds were synthesized by the method of solution intercalation via dinitolmide intercalated into Na?+?-montmorillonite (Na?+?-MMT). The structure of compounds was characterized by X-ray diffraction and Fourier transformed infrared. Its anti-coccidial effect was examined by Eimeria tenella infection experiment. One hundred fifty AA broiler chickens were divided into five groups. Chickens were orally inoculated with 5?×?10⁴ E. tenella oocysts after dinitolmide was given. Their curative effects were observed. The results showed that intercalated dinitolmide expanded the basal spacing (d ₀₀₁) of MMT from 12.6 to 15.2 Å. The IR bands of amide group in dinitolmide/MMT were detected at 1,533 cm^?1 which showed that dinitolmide was successfully intercalated into the interlayer spaces of MMT. The dinitolmide/MMT showed higher anti-coccidian oocyst activity compared with dinitolmide (p?<?0.05). The dinitolmide/MMT compound can significantly increase body weight gains and reduce bloody diarrhea, lesion score, and oocyst excretion. The anti-coccidia index of dinitolmide/MMT group (165.21) is much higher than dinitolmide group (88.84). The dinitolmide/MMT hybrid systems can be more effective in control of coccidiosis in comparison to dinitolmide.     

Toxico-pathological changes induced by cypermethrin in broiler chicks: Their attenuation with Vitamin E and selenium

Ninety 1-day old broiler chicks of mixed gender (as hatched) procured from a local hatchery were randomly divided into five equal groups. All the treatments were given through crop tubing. Groups 1–4 received cypermethrin (CY) (600 mg kg^?1 b. wt.) daily for 30 days. In addition to CY (group 1), groups 2–4 received Vit E (150 mg kg^?1 b. wt.), Se (0.25 mg kg^?1 b. wt.), and Vit E (150 mg kg^?1 b. wt.)+Se (0.25 mg kg^?1 b. wt.), respectively. Group 5 served as control andreceived normal saline (2 ml kg^?1 b. wt.) for 30 days. Randomly selected six broiler chicks from each group were slaughtered at experimental days 10, 20 and 30 for the collection of serum/plasma and morbid tissues. Absolute organ weights were recorded. Total plasma proteins, fibrinogen and creatinine were significantly (P<0.05) increased while alkaline phosphatase (ALP), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and urea decreased significantly (P<0.05) in CY-treated group when compared with the control group. Kidneys were swollen grossly in treated broiler chicks. In liver, necrosis of hepatocytes, cytoplasmic vacuolation, bile duct hyperplasia and mononuclear cellular infiltration were observed. In kidneys, necrosis of tubular epithelial cells, cytoplasmic vacuolation, cellular infiltration and atrophy of glomeruli were observed. Sub-arachnoid space was much dilated in CY-treated broiler chicks. It can be concluded that CY induces biochemical and histopathological alterations in broilers chicks; however, these toxic effects can be ameliorated by Vit E or Se. Combination of Vit E and Se was more effective in ameliorating toxic effects of cypermethrin in broilers chicks.     

Comparisons of insulin related parameters in commercial-type chicks: Evidence for insulin resistance in broiler chicks

The aim of this study is to elucidate whether insulin acts differentially within the central nervous system (CNS) of two types of commercial chicks to control ingestive behavior. Male layer and broiler chicks (4-day-old) were intracerebroventricularly (ICV) injected with saline or insulin under satiated and starved conditions. Feed intake was measured at 30, 60 and 120 min after treatment. Secondly, blood and hypothalamus were collected from both chick types under ad libitum feeding and fasting for 24 h. Plasma insulin concentration was measured by time-resolved fluoro-immunoassay. Hypothalamic insulin receptor mRNA expression levels were measured by quantitative RT-PCR. The ICV injection of insulin significantly inhibited feed consumption in layer chicks when compared with saline (P < 0.05), but not broiler chicks (P > 0.1). Plasma insulin concentration of both chick types significantly decreased following 24 h of fasting, while insulin concentrations in the broiler chicks were significantly higher compared to the layers fed under ad libitum conditions. Hypothalamic insulin receptor mRNA expression levels were significantly lower (P < 0.05) in broiler chicks than in layer ones under ad libitum feeding. Feed deprivation significantly decreased insulin receptor mRNA levels in layer chicks (P < 0.01), but not in broiler chicks (P > 0.1). Moreover, plasma insulin concentrations correlated negatively with hypothalamic insulin receptor protein expression in the two types of chicks fed ad libitum (P < 0.05). These results suggest that insulin resistance exists in the CNS of broiler chicks, possibly due to persistent hyperinsulinemia, which results in a down-regulation of CNS insulin receptor expression compared to that in layer chicks.     

Two weeks of dietary supplementation with green tea powder does not affect performance, d-xylose absorption, and selected serum parameters in broiler chickens

The aim of the present study was to investigate the putative effects of dietary supplementation with green tea powder on growth performance, d-xylose absorption as well as serum-selected parameters of broiler chickens. Forty 21-day-old chickens were randomly allocated into four groups and fed with diets supplemented with 0% (control), 1%, 2%, or 4% green tea powder for 2?weeks. At the end of the experiment, d-xylose absorption test was performed on all birds on a 45-min basis for 135?min, and PCV as well as serum total protein, total cholesterol, LDL-c, HDL-c, triglycerides, iron, calcium, and phosphorus concentrations were assayed. Body weight, feed intake, and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were also recorded during the experiment. No significant differences were observed in plasma d-xylose concentrations, PCV, or serum parameters among different groups (p?>?0.05). Differences in body weight, feed intake, and FCR were insignificant as well. In conclusion, dietary supplementation with green tea powder for 2?weeks has no adverse effect on PCV, intestinal absorption of d-xylose, serum total protein, lipid profile, and mineral concentrations as well as performance parameters of broiler chickens.     

Modulation of immune function by conjugated linoleic acid in chickens

This study was carried out to determine the effects of dietary supplementation with conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) on the immune response and fatty acid composition of the spleen in chickens. Three hundred male broiler chicks were randomly allotted into five dietary treatments with different inclusion levels of CLA (0, 5.0, 10.0, 15.0, 20.0 g pure CLA/kg). The relative weights of the thymus and bursa were significantly increased (p<0.05) in chickens fed 5.0 or 10.0 g CLA/kg diet compared with control chickens at age 21 days. Peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) proliferation and anti-NDV titers were enhanced in 10.0 g CLA/kg dietary treatments (p<0.05). CLA diets resulted in lower PGE₂ synthesis than the control diet (p<0.05). Dietary CLA readily incorporated into the phospholipids of immune tissues and altered the fatty acid composition of the spleen with increased LO (n-3) and decreased LA, AA (n-6) relative amounts in chicks. Negative correlation was observed between PGE₂ synthesis and lymphocyte proliferation at age 21 days (R ²= ? 0.677, p<0.05), but no correlation between PGE₂ synthesis and anti-NDV titres was observed. The results indicated that dietary CLA could enhance the immune response in chicks, which might be due to changes of eicosanoid production. However, the PGE₂-mediated effects cannot be accounted for solely by the overall effect of CLA on immune function.     

Haematological and some biochemical changes in experimental fowl typhoid infection in broiler chickens

A study was conducted to evaluate the effect of Salmonella Gallinarum (9, 12) infection on broiler chicks infected through oral and intraperitoneal routes. One hundred and ten broiler chicks (1 week of age) were divided into three groups: group CR (30 chicks) were kept uninfected and served as control group, group OR (40 chicks) were inoculated orally with Salmonella Gallinarum (10⁹ organisms/ml) and group IP (40 chicks) were infected intraperitoneally with Salmonella Gallinarum (10⁹ organisms/ml). Three birds from each group (including those that die) were sacrificed at 3, 5, 7, 14, 21, 28, 35 and 42 days post infection (DPI). Clinical signs were noticed as early as 12 h after intraperitoneal infection and on 3 DPI after oral infection. Higher mortality of 47.50% was observed in intraperitoneally infected chicks as compared to 22.50% in orally infected birds. Decreased body weight and reduced feed intake were observed in chicks in both the infected groups; however, the effects were more marked in chicks infected intraperitoneally. Mean values of haemoglobin, packed cell volume and total erythrocyte count were significantly lower (P?<?0.05) in both orally infected as well as intraperitoneally infected chicks. Leucocytosis observed in both the infected groups was due to increase in the number of heterophils and lymphocytes. Significant decrease (P?<?0.05) in serum total protein and serum albumin was observed in intraperitoneally infected birds only. However, the values of aspartate transaminase and alanine transaminase were increased significantly (P?<?0.05) in both the orally infected and intraperitoneally infected birds.     

Blood chemistry,haematology, carcass characteristics and organ weight of finisher broilers fed breadfruit (Treculia africana) hull (BFH) in their diet

Blood chemistry, haematology, relative carcass and organ weights of finisher broilers feed breadfruit hull (BFH) as replacement for palm kernel cake and wheat bran were studied. Sixty-three, 4 weeks old Marshal Broilers were divided into 3 groups of 21 birds, and each group replicated thrice. Each group was assigned to one experimental diet in a completely randomised design designated T1 (0 %), T2 (5 %) and T3 (10 %). Blood samples for analysis, live weight, organ weight and carcass weight were obtained from each replicate and data obtained analysed statistically. BFH was found to be a good source of protein (7/100 g), fibre (38.5/100 g) and minerals (iron, zinc, magnesium, sodium, phosphorous and calcium). Results indicated that there was no significant difference (p?>?0.05) between birds on diet T1 and T2 in weight gain and carcass weights. Birds on diet T3 recorded significantly (p?p?>?0.05) in the white blood cell count, haemoglobin, mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular haemoglobin and mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration values in all groups, but red blood cell count and packed cell volume of birds on diet T3 were significantly (p?p?相似文献   

Effect of diclazuril on intestinal morphology and SIgA expression in chicken infected with Eimeria tenella

Secretory immunoglobulin A (SIgA), as a vital actor involving in the mucosal immunity, plays a key role in defending a variety of pathogenic infections, such as bacteria, viruses and parasites. Eimeria tenella is an obligate intracellular apicomplexan parasite contacting with the digestive tract mucosa and specially parasitizes chicken caecum, causing a severe form of coccidiosis. Coccidiosis is currently mainly controlled using chemotherapeutic agents. Diclazuril, a classic coccidiostat, was used widely in the poultry industry. Because of the rising problem of drug resistance, it is therefore crucial to understand the pattern of the SIgA expression in the action of diclazuril against E. tenella. In this study, the intestinal morphology in the caecum was analyzed by haematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining, and the SIgA expression was examined by immunohistochemical technique. At the same time, the duodenum, jejunum and ileum tissues have also been evaluated. HE staining results showed that E. tenella infection caused severe damage characterized by structural disorder, haemorrhage, inflammatory cell infiltration, serous and fibrinous exudation in chicken caecum and invisible damage in the duodenum, jejunum and ileum. With the treatment of diclazuril, the damage in the caecum was alleviated obviously. Immunohistochemical analysis demonstrated that the SIgA level in the infected group was increased in the duodenum (p?p?p?p?E. tenella and provided a cure for coccidiosis by improving the immune function in chickens.     

A study on the antioxidant defense system of psoriasis patients in the ethnic population of Kashmir-India

The study was designed to evaluate the role of antioxidant defense system in the etiology of psoriasis, a chronic skin disorder of complex etiology and pathology. Hospital-based case–control study was carried out in major referral hospital in Kashmir, North India. Cases (N?=?40) were composed of patients with psoriasis vulgaris, and controls (N?=?20) were healthy volunteers. Study included estimation in plasma of both patients and controls of glutathione (GSH) levels, superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, and total antioxidant potential (AOP) as indices of antioxidant defense system and malondialdehyde (MDA) as a measure of lipid peroxidation (LP), an indicator of oxidative stress. The GSH levels, SOD activity, AOP, and malondialdehyde levels in plasma of psoriasis patients were 2.58?±?0.22 μM/l, 5.24?±?0.69 U/ml, 0.020?±?.011?nmol^?1/ml?h, and 0.88?±?0.20 nmol/ml and were 4.76?±?0.52 μM/l, 4.14?±?0.56U/ml, 0.042?±?0.018 nmol^?1/ml?h, and 0.53?±?0.16 nmol/ml in healthy voluntary controls, respectively. A significant decrease in GSH levels (p?<?0.005) and AOP (p?<?0.005) and significant increase in SOD activity (p?<?0.01) MDA levels (p?<?0.005) as an indicator of LP was observed.     

Effects of combined administration of vitamins C and E on some Plasmodium berghei-induced pathological changes and oxidative stress in mice

This study examined the effects of combined administration of vitamins C and E to Plasmodium berghei-induced anaemia and organ weight alterations as well as changes in endogenous antioxidant status in mice. Three groups of mice were intraperitoneally infected with chloroquine-sensitive P. berghei (NK 65) among which a group was intraperitoneally treated with a combination of vitamins C (100?mg/kg body weight, bw) and E (1,000?i.u./kg bw) whereas another group was treated with chloroquine (25?mg/kg bw). The remaining infected group was left untreated. Data from these groups were compared with those from the uninfected group that was treated with vitamins C and E and the uninfected untreated group. Treatment with vitamins C and E did not significantly (P?>?0.05) affect the levels of parasitized red cells for the entire 15-day experimental period except at days?8 and 9 post-infection. At the termination of the experiment, the P. berghei infection was found to induce anaemia, significantly (P?<?0.05) increased the relative weight of the liver, spleen and kidney but significantly decreased (P?<?0.05) the relative brain weight. However, the parasite-induced anaemia and relative organ weight changes were ameliorated by the vitamin administration to varying degree. Furthermore, malonyldialdehyde concentration in the serum, liver and brain of infected animals was significantly (P?<?0.05) elevated whereas superoxide dismutase and catalase activities were significantly (P?<?0.05) decreased by the infection, but the vitamin treatment tended to restore the disease-induced alterations in these oxidative stress markers. Data from this study suggest that combined vitamins C and E could be beneficial in alleviating P. berghei-induced anaemia and other pathological effects in mice.     

Effect of fresh dietary garlic powder on some of the serum biochemical parameters in broiler chicks

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of garlic, in powder form, on protein fractions of broiler chicks' sera. Two hundred and eighty, 2-day-old Ross chicks were randomly divided into four groups: A and B (52 each) and C and D (88 each). The chicks in groups A and B were fed control diet, but those in groups C and D received diet supplemented with 1% and 3% garlic powder, respectively. To evaluate the effect of consumption period of garlic on immune response, half of the chicks in groups C and D were separated after the second bleeding as groups E and F and were fed control diet until the end of the experiment (6 weeks). All groups except A were inoculated against Newcastle disease, avian influenza, and infectious bursal disease. Fifteen birds were bled from each group on days 21, 32, and 42 and also five birds on day 2. The sera were assayed for prealbumin (pre-ALB), ALB, α-1, α-2, β, and γ globulin using bidimensional gel electrophoresis. The results showed that the aforementioned parameters, except γ globulin, were not affected by the diet (p > 0.05). The level of γ globulin had a decline with age in group A, whereas it increased in all vaccinated groups. Furthermore, when compared with group B, treated groups had a significantly higher amount of γ globulin from day 21 onwards, and the increase was dose dependent. Also, the removal of garlic from the diet of group E resulted in a significant drop in γ globulin, in relation to group C, on day 42. It is concluded that garlic powder has the potential to increase serum γ globulins in broiler chicks vaccinated against common poultry pathogens.     

Postnatal exposure to voluntary exercise but not the antioxidant catechin protects the vasculature after a switch to an atherogenic environment in middle-age mice

We aimed to evaluate the lasting functional imprinting of exercise (EX) and catechin (CAT) on the vascular function of middle-age mice switched to a proatherogenic environment. C57BL/6J mice (n?=?10–15 in each group) fed a regular diet (RD) were exposed from the age of 1 to 9 months either to EX (voluntary running; 2.7?±?0.2 km/day), to the polyphenol CAT (30 mg/kg/day in drinking water), or to physical inactivity (PI). At 9 months of age, EX and CAT were stopped and mice either remained on the RD or were fed a Western diet (WD) for an additional 3 months. At 12 months of age, mice from all groups fed a WD had similar body mass, systolic blood pressure, and plasma total cholesterol, glucose, insulin, and isoprostane. Compared to the RD, the WD induced an indomethacin-sensitive aortic endothelium-dependent and independent dysfunction in PI mice (p?<?0.05) that was prevented by both EX and CAT; this benefit was associated with a higher (p?<?0.05) non-nitric oxide/non-prostacyclin endothelium-dependent relaxation. While EX, but not PI or CAT, prevented vascular dysfunction induced by the WD in cerebral arteries, it had no effect in femoral arteries. The profiles of activity of antioxidant enzymes and of proinflammatory gene expression in the aorta suggest a better adaptation of EX?>?CAT?>?PI mice to stress. In conclusion, our data suggest that a postnatal exposure to EX, but not to CAT, imprints an adaptive defense capacity in the vasculature against a deleterious change in lifestyle.     

Anticoccidial activity of traditional Chinese herbal Dichroa febrifuga Lour. extract against Eimeria tenella infection in chickens

The study was conducted on broiler birds to evaluate the anticoccidial efficacy of an extract of Chinese traditional herb Dichroa febrifuga Lour. One hundred broiler birds were assigned to five equal groups. All birds in groups 1?C4 were orally infected with 1.5?×?10⁴ Eimeira tenella sporulated oocysts and birds in groups 1, 2 and 3 were medicated with 20, 40?mg extract/kg feed and 2?mg diclazuril/kg feed, respectively. The bloody diarrhea, oocyst counts, intestinal lesion scores, and the body weight were recorded to evaluate the anticoccidial efficacy. The results showed that D. febrifuga extract was effective against Eimeria infection; especially 20?mg D. febrifuga extract/kg feed can significantly increase body weight gains and reduce bloody diarrhea, lesion score, and oocyst excretion in comparison to infected-unmedicated control group.     

The origins and biological significance of the coccidial lesions that occur in chickens vaccinated with a live attenuated anticoccidial vaccine

The occurrence of vaccine-induced coccidial lesions in chicks vaccinated with a live attenuated anticoccidial vaccine is demonstrated. Healthy broiler chicks reared on litter to facilitate autoreinfection, but isolated from extraneous coccidial infections, were vaccinated when 8 days old with Paracox. Coccidial lesions were found in chicks between 5 and 23 days after vaccination; 24% of the 87 chicks sampled during 29 days had intestinal lesions of Eimeria acervulina, Eimeria maxima, Eimeria tenella or of undetermined species, mostly (19 out of 21) scored as 1 or 2 on the Johnson & Reid scale of 0 to 4. The other two positive birds had E. tenella lesions, each scored as 3. The lesions observed up to 5 days after vaccination were identified as primary (i.e. a host response to the first vaccinal life cycle) and those observed from 6 days onwards were designated as primary or secondary (i.e. a host response to the second and subsequent vaccinal life cycles) in origin. In the absence of extraneous coccidial infections, none of the lesions observed could have been due to non-vaccinal coccidial infections. No adverse effects on the health or growth rate of the chicks exhibiting primary or secondary lesions in response to vaccination with Paracox were apparent.     

Effect of garlic supplementation on complement activity in broiler chickens

Recent studies have demonstrated the potential immuno-modulatory activity of herbal products in human and animals. The present study was performed to elucidate the impact of including fresh garlic powder (FGP) in the diet of broiler chicks on serum alternative pathway of complement activation (APCA) activity, as a functional part of humoral innate immunity. For this, two hundred new-born chicks were divided into three groups: A (50 chicks), B and C (75 each). The chicks in group A were fed control diet, whereas those in groups B and C received diets supplemented with 1% or 3% of FGP, respectively. On day 21, half of the chicks in groups B and C were separated into groups D and E, respectively, and fed control diet afterwards. Sera were collected on days 1, 14, 21, 32 and 42, and assayed for APCA activity. The results showed that APCA activity in groups A and B increased up to day 32 and then decreased (P < 0.05). On day 21, the highest and lowest APCA activities (P < 0.05) were noticed in groups B and C, respectively. On days 32 and 42, group C had the least APCA activity, but the differences among other groups were not significant (P > 0.05). Furthermore, the removal of FGP from the diet led to the improvement of APCA activity in treated groups. In conclusion, garlic supplementation, depending on the rate and period of time used in the diet, may enhance or depress humoral innate immunity in broiler chickens.