Effect of dietary ellagic acid supplementation on semen quality parameters in chickens

Ellagic acid (EA), a polyphenoloic constituent in fruits and nuts, has been shown to have antioxidant and antiapoptotic properties. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of dietary EA supplementation on semen quality parameters in chickens. Forty roosters (Dahlem Red breed), 28 weeks of age, were randomly assigned to four groups and fed diets containing EA at 0, 25, 50, or 75 mg/kg for 8 weeks. Semen was evaluated for volume, appearance, individual motility, sperm concentration, 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) dye reduction test, and live, dead and abnormal sperm counts. The seminal plasma was separated and evaluated for protein, alkaline phosphatase, and lipid peroxidation. At the end of the experiment, blood from individual birds was collected, and serum was separated and evaluated for superoxide dismutase activity, lipid peroxidation, and ferric-reducing ability of plasma. Supplementation with EA had no effect (P > 0.05) on gross semen parameters. Seminal plasma protein and lipid peroxidation were different (P < 0.01) between the treatment groups. The group fed EA at 75 mg/kg had high (P < 0.01) seminal plasma lipid peroxidation and lower (P < 0.05) serum superoxide dismutase activity. In conclusion, dietary supplementation of EA in chickens had no effect on the gross semen qualities and increased lipid peroxidation in seminal plasma.

Effect of feeding diets based on coarse maize on productive performance, gizzard development and energy utilisation of laying hens

1. A total of 2200 White Leghorn layers were used to study the effect of feeding coarse maize on productive performance, gizzard weight, apparent metabolisable energy (AME) and egg quality parameters. 2. The experiment was a completely randomised design with 5 treatments, each being replicated 5 times (88 birds per replicate). Dietary treatments included a control diet with 600 g/kg of ground maize (6 mm sieve) and experimental diets with 150, 300, 450 or 600 g/kg coarse maize (10 mm sieve) replacing (w/w) ground maize. Diets, in mash form, were offered from 39 to 62 weeks of age. 3. Over the entire experimental period, dietary treatments had no effect on any of the production parameters, except on feed intake. A quadratic effect was observed for feed intake, where intake increased at 150 g/kg coarse maize inclusion. At higher inclusion levels of coarse maize, feed intake was similar to that of the control diet. But the differences in daily intake between dietary treatments were only around 1 g/bird and may not be of any biological significance. 4. Dietary treatments had no effect on gizzard weight, AME or egg quality. 5. The results indicate that coarse maize could completely replace maize in layer diets with no adverse effect on egg production, egg quality and dietary energy utilisation. In the current work, although the proportion of coarse particles (over 1 mm) increased with increasing inclusion levels of coarse maize, the differences in the percentage of particles above 1 mm between the fine control (0 g/kg coarse maize) and coarsest (600 g/kg coarse maize) diets was only 15%, and this may limit the value of the findings reported herein.

Influence of different concentrations of metabolisable energy at constant ratio to dietary protein, lysine, methionine, calcium and phosphorus on the performance of White Leghorn layers in the tropics

An experiment was conducted to study the effect of nutrient density on the performance (21–72 weeks of age) of White Leghorn layers reared in an open-sided poultry house in the tropics. Six diets with graded levels (9.62–11.72 MJ/kg) of metabolisable energy (ME) with an increment of 0.42 MJ were formulated. Concentrations of crude protein, lysine, methionine, calcium and non-phytate phosphorus were kept constant to ME in all diets (15.9, 0.73, 0.35, 3.19 and 0.31 g/MJ ME, respectively). At 21 weeks of age, a total of 5280 birds was distributed randomly in 4-bird colony cages and 22 such cages in a row constituted one replicate. Each diet was fed ad libitum to 10 replicates from 21 to 72 weeks of age and performance parameters were recorded at 28-day intervals (period, 1–13). Egg production (EP) increased (P < 0.05) with increasing dietary ME and maximum response in EP was observed when dietary ME levels ranged between 10.93 and 11.69 MJ/kg during the majority of periods, while in periods 6, 7 and 8 (summer, 28−37°C), maximum EP was observed at higher ME levels in diet (11.64–11.69 MJ/kg diet). Feed intake (P < 0.01) decreased, feed efficiency (P < 0.01), egg mass (P < 0.01) and weight gain (P < 0.05) improved quadratically with increase in dietary ME concentration. Maximum feed efficiency was observed at 11.36 MJ ME/kg diet during 21–72 weeks of age. Egg shell defects were not influenced (P > 0.05) by dietary nutrient density. Mortality reduced quadratically with increase in dietary ME concentration and mortality was minimum at 11.64 MJ ME/kg diet. Based on results from the experiment it was concluded that White Leghorn layers (21–72 weeks of age) require 11.36 MJ ME/kg diet for maximum egg production, feed efficiency and egg mass with better liveability. The calculated intake of metabolisable energy, crude protein, lysine, methionine, calcium and non-phytate phosphorus in layers fed 11.30 MJ ME/kg diet was 1.157 MJ, 18.42 g, 865 mg, 409 mg, 3.68 g and 358 mg per bird per day, respectively.

Effect of dietary supplementation of organic chromium on performance, carcass traits, oxidative parameters, and immune responses in commercial broiler chickens

An experiment was conducted to study effect of supplementing graded concentrations (0, 100, 200, 300, or 400 μg/kg diet) of organic chromium (Cr) on performance, carcass traits, oxidative stress, and immune responses in commercial broiler chickens reared in open-sided poultry house under tropical climatic conditions. Each diet was fed ad libitum to eight replicates consisting of six birds in each pen from 1 to 42 days of age. Body mass gain and feed efficiency at 21 and 42 days of age and relative mass of liver, abdominal fat, and ready to cook yields at 42 days of age were not affected (P > 0.05) by supplementing organic Cr in broiler diet. Body mass loss during pre-slaughter holding period (12 h) reduced and relative breast mass increased nonlinearly (P < 0.01) with concentration of Cr in diet. Lipid peroxidation decreased, while activities of glutathione peroxidase and glutathione reductase in plasma increased nonlinearly with Cr supplementation. The ratio between heterophyl and lymphocyte was not affected (P > 0.05) with Cr supplementation in broiler diet. Relative mass of lymphoid organs (bursa, spleen, and thymus) and antibody production to Newcastle disease vaccination were not affected (P > 0.05) by the treatments employed. The cell-mediated immunity (lymphocyte proliferation ratio) increased nonlinearly with dietary Cr concentration. The results of the present study indicated that supplementation of organic Cr did not influence body mass and feed efficiency. However, supplementation of the Cr reduced pre-slaughter holding losses, increased the relative mass of breast, and increased antioxidant status and lymphocyte proliferation in broilers reared in tropics.

Effect of age on semen quality in naked neck and dwarf chicken under tropical climatic conditions

The present study was undertaken to elucidate the effect of age on semen quality of naked neck and dwarf chicken lines under tropical climatic conditions. Semen collected by abdominal massage at 4-week intervals from 24 to 48 weeks of age was evaluated for different semen quality parameters. Except sperm concentration and appearance, all other parameters were significantly (P < 0.05) affected by the age of the birds. The semen volume, motility, 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide dye reduction test and percentage of live sperm were significantly (P < 0.05) lower at 24 weeks of age compared with 40 weeks of age. At 24 weeks of age the dead sperm percentage was significantly (P < 0.05) high and with advancing age it decreased. There was a significant difference (P < 0.05) between the gene lines for volume, appearance, motility, sperm concentration, and percentage of live and dead sperm. Except for sperm concentration, significant (P < 0.05) interaction between gene lines and age was observed in other parameters. In conclusion, semen quality was different between naked neck and dwarf line males and age affected semen quality of the gene lines studied in different manners.

Nutritional evaluation and utilisation of quality protein maize, Nityashree hybrid maize, and normal maize in broiler chickens

Three experiments were conducted to determine the apparent metabolisable energy, apparent digestible amino acid values, and utilisation of three maize varities in chickens: quality protein maize (QPM), hybrid maize Nityashree (HMN) and normal maize (NM). There was no significant difference in the apparent metabolisable energy (AME) content amongst the three varieties of maize. Lysine and threonine digestibilities were significantly higher in QPM compared to either HMN or NM. No difference in the digestibilities of other amino acids occurred among the three different maize varieties. There was no difference between diets containing NM or HMN for body weight gain (21 and 40 d of age) and overall feed conversion ratio (0-40 d), but values were significantly higher for QPM (and Lys-supplemented NM) diets. The relative weights of dressed meat yield and giblets were unaffected by dietary replacement of NM with QPM, HMN, or Lys supplementation of the NM diet. However, abdominal fat content decreased and breast meat yield increased with both dietary replacement of NM with QPM and Lys supplementation of the NM diet. The concentration of protein in serum was significantly increased by dietary replacement of NM with QPM. Adding Lys to the NM based diet significantly increased the Ca concentration in serum compared with NM or HMN diets. However, the highest concentration of Ca in serum was found in the QPM diet. The concentration of total cholesterol in serum significantly decreased by either replacing NM with QPM or adding Lys to the NM based diet, compared with the NM diet. These results suggested that the feeding value of quality protein maize was superior to normal maize, while the feeding value of hybrid maize Nityashree was similar to that of normal maize.

Reversal of Cadmium-induced Oxidative Stress in Chicken by Herbal Adaptogens Withania Somnifera and Ocimum Sanctum

The present study was carried out to evaluate the herbal adaptogens Withania somnifera and Ocimum sanctum on cadmium-induced oxidative toxicity in broiler chicken. Cadmium administration at the rate of 100 ppm orally along with feed up to 28 days produced peroxidative damage, as indicated by increase in TBARS, reduction in glutathione (GSH) concentration in liver and kidney, and increase in catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) of erythrocytes. Herbal adaptogens Withania somnifera roots and Ocimum sanctum leaf powder administration at the rate of 0.1% through feed reversed the antioxidant enzyme of RBC, i.e., CAT and SOD, nonenzymatic antioxidants GSH and lipid peroxidation marker TBARS of liver and kidney. Liver and kidney tissue repair and normal function was assessed by alanine aminotransaminase for liver and creatinine and blood urea nitrogen for kidney. In conclusion, oral administration of Withania somnifera root and Ocimum sanctum leaf powder prevented cadmium-induced peroxidation of tissues.

Effect of dietary α -tocopherol concentration on performance and some immune responses in broiler chickens fed on diets containing oils from different sources

1. An investigation was carried out into the effects of dietary α-tocopherol (α-T) concentration and source of supplemental oil on performance, activity of anti-oxidative enzymes and some immune responses in broilers from day-old to 41 d of age. 2. Three dietary concentrations of α-T (10, 50 and 100 mg/kg) with three sources of supplemental oil (sunflower - SFO, palm - PMO and safflower - SAO) were provided using a 3 × 3 experimental design. 3. Body weight gain and food conversion efficiency were not affected by either interaction or concentrations of α-T and sources of oil in diet. 4. Concentrations of total protein, globulin, triglycerides and cholesterol in sera increased significantly with dietary α-T concentration irrespective of the source of oil. Significantly higher concentration of serum albumin was evident in broilers fed on the SFO-based diet and the concentration of globulin was higher in groups fed on those diets containing PMO and SAO. 5. The lipid peroxidation (LP), measured as MDA release, decreased with the concentration of α-T in a dose-related manner with SFO- and SAO-based diets, although not with the PMO-based diet. With different oil sources, LP was significantly lower with the PMO-based diet compared to the others. Activities of glutathione peroxidase and RBC catalase increased and heterophil: lymphocyte ratio was reduced with concentration of α-T for each source of oil tested. 6. Assays for humoral and cell-mediated immune responses indicated no effect of the source of dietary supplemental oil or interaction, although an increasing concentration of dietary α-T improved cell-mediated immune responses. 7. It is concluded that sunflower oil, palm oil and safflower oil can be used as sources of oil for broiler diets without having any effect on performance, immune responses or the activity of anti-oxidizing enzymes. Higher concentrations of dietary α-tocopherol (50 or 100 mg/kg) reduced lipid peroxidation activity and enhanced activities of anti-oxidative enzymes, they also improved the cell-mediated immune responses in commercial broilers.

Effect of microbial phytase on production performance of White Leghorn layers fed on a diet low in non-phytate phosphorus

1. An experiment with 150 White Leghorn layers was conducted to examine the effect of microbial phytase supplementation of low non-phytate phosphorus (NPP) diets on egg production, eggshell quality, bone mineralisation and retention of nutrients at 32-48 weeks of age. 2. Four isonitrogenous and isocaloric diets were formulated to contain 1.2, 1.8, 2.4 and 3.0 g NPP/kg diet with the two lowest NPP (1.2 and 1.8) supplemented with microbial phytase (Biofeed Phytase, India) at 500 FTU per kg diet. Each diet was offered ad libitum to 5 replicates of 5 layers throughout the experiment. 3. Body weight gain was reduced significantly in the layers fed on the 1.2 g/kg NPP diet as compared to those given diets containing 1.8-3.0 g/kg. Addition of phytase to the 1.2 g/kg diet significantly enhanced the body weight and was comparable with those given diets containing 1.8-3.0 g/kg NPP. 4. No additional advantage resulted from enhancing the NPP levels beyond 1.8 g/kg or adding phytase to a diet containing 1.8 g/kg NPP. 5. Hen d egg production, food intake, food efficiency, shell weight, shell thickness, shell strength and tibia strength followed the same trends as above. However, adding phytase to the 1.8 g/kg NPP diet significantly enhanced tibia ash. Egg weight, specific gravity and Haugh units were influenced by neither NPP concentration nor phytase supplementation. 6. Adding phytase to the 1.2 g/kg NPP diet significantly enhanced nitrogen and phosphorus retention. 7. It was concluded that addition of 500 FTU of microbial phytase/kg diet can allow the reduction of NPP content to 1.2g/kg in the layer diet, eliminate inorganic phosphorus supplementation and results in significant reduction of nitrogen and phosphorus excretion without affecting the production performance of layers.

Performance and bone mineralisation in broiler chicks fed on diets with different concentrations of cholecalciferol at a constant ratio of calcium to non-phytate phosphorus

1. An experiment was conducted with broiler female chicks (720) to study the effects of graded concentrations (75, 15, 225 or 30 microg/kg) of cholecalciferol (CC) in diets containing varying levels of calcium (Ca) and non-phytate phosphorus (NPP) at a 2:1 ratio (4:2, 5:25, 6:3 or 7:35 g/kg, respectively), on the performance (2-35 d of age), bone mineralisation and mineral (Ca, P, Mn, Fe, Cu) concentration in excreta. 2. Body weight gain, food intake, tibia density and tibia ash increased, and leg abnormality score decreased with dietary increase of CC from 75 to 30 microg at 4 g Ca and 2 g NPP. However, this improvement was not comparable with the birds receiving the highest concentrations of CC, Ca and NPP (30 microg, 7 g and 3.5 g, respectively/kg diet). 3. Significant improvements in the majority of parameters noted with increasing CC up to 225 microg at 5 g Ca and 25 g NPP/kg, which was comparable to those fed the highest levels of CC, Ca and NPP. 4. Concentrations of Ca, P, Mn, Fe and Cu in excreta decreased significantly with increasing CC at all Ca:NPP ratios tested. 5. The predicted requirement of CC for most of the parameters ranged between 1625 and 25 microg/kg diet at 5 g Ca and 25 g NPP. 6. Considering the performance, bone mineralisation, and mineral concentration in excreta, it can be concluded that Ca and NPP levels in broiler diet could be reduced to 5 and 25 g, respectively, while maintaining CC at 25 microg/kg.

Incorporation of Cestrum diurnum leaf improves intestinal Ca transport in broilers

The economy of Ca utilization is under the control of vitamin D(3), particularly its active metabolite 1,25-dihydroxy cholecalciferol [1,25(OH)(2)D(3)]. In sufficient Ca absorption leads to tibial dyschondroplasia resulting in not attaining optimum body weight. Our earlier studies [T.P. Prema, N. Raghuramulu, Phytochemistry 37 (1994) 167] have shown that the Cestrum diurnum (CD) leaves contain vitamin D(3) metabolites. It was felt whether incorporation of CD as a source of 1,25(OH)(2)D(3) could improve the Ca absorption in broilers. Four groups of 60 birds each were fed with either normal diet or normal diet+0.25% CD or normal diet without vitamin D(3) or normal diet without vitamin D(3)+0.25% CD leaf powder for 45 days. In subsample of six birds it was observed that incorporation of CD leaves in the feed had the maximal effect on all the parameters studied. The results indicate that the intestinal Ca transport as represented by Serosa/Mucosa (S/M) ratio was found to be significantly (p<0.01) higher in broilers fed diet with CD leaf powder and the 1alpha hydroxylase activity in kidney is significantly (p<0.001) higher in negative controls. On the other hand the supplementation of CD leaves enhanced the serum Ca, body weight, tibia weight, density and strength resulting in the disappearance of tibial dyschondroplasia. No lesions of toxicity were observed in any of the soft tissue examined. The results suggest that the incorporation of CD leaf powder in poultry feed could be beneficial to the poultry.