Impact of dietary fenugreek, mung bean, and garden cress on growth performance, carcass traits, blood measurements, and immune response in broiler chickens

Antiviral activity of Vigna radiata extract against feline coronavirus in vitro

Feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) is a fatal illness caused by a mutated feline coronavirus (FCoV). This disease is characterized by its complexity, resulting from systemic infection, antibody-dependent enhancement (ADE), and challenges in accessing effective therapeutics. Extract derived from Vigna radiata (L.) R. Wilczek (VRE) exhibits various pharmacological effects, including antiviral activity. This study aimed to investigate the antiviral potential of VRE against FCoV, addressing the urgent need to advance the treatment of FIP. We explored the anti-FCoV activity, antiviral mechanism, and combinational application of VRE by means of in vitro antiviral assays. Our findings reveal that VRE effectively inhibited the cytopathic effect induced by FCoV, reduced viral proliferation, and downregulated spike protein expression. Moreover, VRE blocked FCoV in the early and late infection stages and was effective under in vitro ADE infection. Notably, when combined with VRE, the polymerase inhibitor GS-441524 or protease inhibitor GC376 suppressed FCoV more effectively than monotherapy. In conclusion, this study characterizes the antiviral property of VRE against FCoV in vitro, and VRE possesses therapeutic potential for FCoV treatment.

Growth performance and carcass characteristics of Koekoek chickens exposed to temperature variation with supplementary Coriander seed powder

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of ambient temperature and coriander seeds supplementation on growth performance and carcass characteristics of Koekoek chickens. In the experiment, chickens were exposed to two temperature rooms with a heated room of 32 ± 1.2 °C from 11:00 to16:00 h and a normal room temperature with an average maximum and minimum of 23.8 ± 3 °C and 16.6 ± 1.6 °C, respectively, and a relative humidity between 34.5 ± 4 and 44.8 ± 3%. The chickens were supplemented with 0, 5, and 10 g/kg of coriander seed powder. The results showed that the group of Koekoek chickens placed in a heated room had significantly lower (P < 0.05) feed intake and weight gain and significantly higher (P < 0.05) feed conversion ratio than the groups placed at normal room temperature. Water intake was 1.8% higher in the groups placed in a heated room than those placed at normal room temperature. Supplementation with coriander seed powder enhanced growth performance and carcass traits. The carcass weight and breast percentage were higher (P < 0.05) in the groups that received 10 g/kg coriander seed powder. The growth performance of the Koekoek groups supplemented with 10 g/kg coriander seed powder in a heated room also improved significantly compared to groups in a heated room without supplementation. This suggests that the supplementation of coriander seed improves performance, and has a positive potential effect in alleviating the negative effects of heat stress on growth performance of chickens.

Effect of propolis supplementation and breed on growth performance, immunity, blood parameters and cecal microbiota in growing rabbits

Objective: The present study was conducted to investigate the potential effects of dietary supplemented propolis in two growing rabbit breeds on growth performance, immune response, blood parameters, carcass characteristics, and cecal microflora composition.Methods: A total of 90 growing rabbits aged 6 weeks from two breeds (V-line and Jabali) were randomly allocated to 3 dietary propolis experimental treatments. The experimental treatments consisted of a 2×3 factorial arrangement with two rabbit breeds and three levels of dietary propolis supplementation (0, 250 mg/kg, and 500 mg/kg). Each sub-treatment has 15 rabbits. The experimental period lasted six weeks.Results: There were no significant differences in growth performance and carcass characteristics due to propolis administration. Propolis supplementation at a high level significantly increased (linear; p<0.05) cellular-mediated immunity compared with the unsupplemented group. Furthermore, the rabbits receiving propolis exhibited a significant increase (linear and quadratic; p<0.03) in IgM immunoglobulins compared to the control. The current study provides further evidence that the dietary inclusion of propolis can significantly reduce pathogenic bacterial colonization in growing rabbits. The total count of microflora, E. coli, and Salmonella spp. was significantly lower (linear; p<0.01) in supplemented rabbit groups compared to the control group according to the microbiological analysis of cecal digesta. Based on breed effect, the results indicated that Jabali rabbits (local) performed better than V-line rabbits (foreign) in the majority of the studied traits.Conclusion: Dietary propolis is promising for further investigation into improving intestinal health and enhancing immunity in growing rabbits.

The effect of spices Coriandrum sativum L., Trigonella foenum-graecum L., Pimpinella anisum L., and their combinations on growth performance, carcass trait, and hematobiochemical parameters in broiler chicken

Background and Aim:

The incorporation of herbs and species has been shown to enrich the food with antioxidants and bioactive antimicrobial compounds, thereby preserving the safety and productivity of broiler chicken production. This study aimed to determine the effects of three phytogenic feed additives (PHT) on certain zootechnical and hematobiochemical parameters in broiler chickens. Coriandrum sativum L. (coriander), Pimpinella anisum L. (green anise), and Trigonella foenum-graecum L. (fenugreek) were used to formulate the PHT.

Materials and Methods:

A total of 360 1-day-old Cobb broilers for 42 days were randomly assigned to four dietary treatment groups: A control group (CTLG) and three groups fed a basal diet supplemented with 3% of coriander (PHT1G), 3% of a combination 50% coriander-50% fenugreek (PHT2G), and finally, 3% of a combination 50% coriander-50% green anise (PHT3G), respectively, and each experimental group included three repetitions of 30 birds. Zootechnical parameters, carcass productivity, and hematobiochemical properties were measured.

Results:

The birds in the PHT3G had the greatest body weight and organ weight (p < 0.05). However, the weight of abdominal fat remained unchanged. The same group of broilers had a significantly (p < 0.05) higher lymphocyte level of 120.10³/μL, followed by the PHT2G, which had 80.10³/μL. The levels of monocytes in the PHT2G and PHT3G were 66.10³/μL and 60.10³/μL, respectively. Regarding granulocytes, we observed 200.10³/μL in the PHT2 group and 102.10³/μL in the PHT3G. There was a statistically significant difference (p < 0.05) between the uric acid levels of the PHT1G, PHT2G, and PHT3G, with 50.4 mg/L, 59.84 mg/L, and 47.29 mg/L, respectively. All experimental groups had significantly lower uric acid concentrations than the control group (84.36 mg/L).

Conclusion:

The use of phytogenic feed additives may positively affect both weight gain and hematobiochemical parameters in broiler chicken, particularly the levels of various white blood cell subtypes and the uric acid rate.

The Effects of Fenugreek Extract on Growth Performance, Serum Biochemical Indexes, Immunity and NF-κB Signaling Pathway in Broiler

In order to study the regulation of Fenugreek seed extract (FSE) on the immunity of broilers, and explore the appropriate amount of FSE in broilers' production, 1-day-old yellow feather broilers with a total of 420 birds were randomly allocated into seven treatments. Each treatment had six replicates, with 10 birds per replicate. The two control groups were the basic fodder group fed with basal diet and the bacitracin zinc group added 30 mg/kg bacitracin zinc to the basal diet. Experimental groups included five levels of FSE (50, 100, 200, 400, and 800 mg/kg FSE to the basal diet, respectively). The pre-test period was 7 days and the formal test lasted for 56 days. The results showed that the average daily gain (ADG) of 50 and 800 mg/kg FSE groups was significantly increased (P < 0.01), and the feed to gain ratio (F/G) of FSE groups was significantly decreased (P < 0.01) compared with the basic fodder and the bacitracin zinc groups. Compared with the basic fodder group, the serum total cholesterol (TC) content in the FSE groups was significantly decreased (P < 0.05), the serum low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) content of 50, 100, and 800 mg/kg FSE groups was significantly lower than that of the basic fodder group (P < 0.05). Compared with the basic fodder and bacitracin zinc groups, the serum immunoglobulins (IgG, IgM, IgA) content of 100 and 200 mg/kg FSE groups were significantly increased (P < 0.05). Compared with the bacitracin zinc group, the serum interleukins (IL-1, IL-10) content of 400 mg/kg FSE group were significantly increased (P ≤ 0.05), and the serum interferon-γ (IFN-γ) content of 100 and 200 mg/kg FSE groups was significantly increased (P < 0.05). Compared with the basic fodder group, the lower doses (0–400 mg/kg) of FSE had no significant effect on the mRNA expression of toll-like receptors 4/ myeloid differentiation factor 88/ nuclear factor-κB (TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB) signaling pathways (P > 0.05). The 800 mg/kg FSE treatment group significantly increased the expression levels of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) mRNA in the spleen of broilers (P < 0.05). The zinc bacitracin group significantly increased the expression levels of myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88) and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) mRNA (P ≤ 0.05). The results showed that FSE could promote the secretion of immunoglobulins, regulate the body's cytokines, and have a positive effect on immunity in broilers. Furthermore, the recommended supplement of FSE is 100 mg/kg in the broiler diet.

Effect of Graded Levels of Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.) Seeds on the Growth Performance, Hematological Parameters, and Intestinal Histomorphology of Broiler Chickens

Two experiments were conducted to evaluate the effects of fenugreek seeds (FS) as a potential alternative to antibiotic growth promoters in broiler chickens. In the first experiment, one-day-old Ross (n = 160) straight-run broilers were fed FS at 0 g, 2.5 g, 5 g, and 10 g/kg of diet during the starter (from 1 to 21 days) and finisher phase (from 22 to 35 days) with four replicates of ten birds each. In the second experiment, one-day-old Ross (n = 144) male broilers were fed 0 g, 5 g, and 10 g FS per kilogram of diet during the starter (from 1 to 21 days) and finisher phase (from 22 to 42 days) with six replicates of eight birds each. In addition to growth performance, hematological parameters and intestinal histomorphology were measured in the second experiment. FS linearly reduced the body weight gain (BWG) (p < 0.001), feed intake (FI) (p < 0.05), and increased feed conversion ratio (FCR) (p < 0.05) during the starter phase in both experiments. However, no significant effects on BWG, FI, and FCR were observed during the finisher phase. Moreover, the overall BWG and FI were linearly reduced (p < 0.05) with the increasing levels of FS, but BWG and FI were similar in the 5 g/kg FS group and control group. The inclusion of FS had a linear increase in white blood cell (WBC), heterophil, and lymphocyte count (p < 0.005) and the decrease in hematocrit % (p = 0.004) and total bilirubin (p = 0.001). The villus height and villus height: crypt depth ratio of jejunum and ileum were significantly lower in 5 g FS and 10 g FS treatments (p < 0.001) compared to the control. The result indicates that the dietary inclusion of FS reduces the early growth performance, increases the WBC counts, and negatively affects the intestinal morphology of broiler chickens.

Multi-Enzyme Supplementation Modifies the Gut Microbiome and Metabolome in Breeding Hens

Laying and reproductive performance, egg quality, and disease resistance of hens decrease during the late laying period. Exogenous enzymes promote nutrient digestibility and utilization and improve the intestinal environment. However, the specific regulation of the gut microbiome and metabolome by exogenous enzymes remains unelucidated. This study was conducted to evaluate effects of dietary multi-enzyme supplementation on egg and reproductive performance, egg quality, ileum microbiome, and metabolome of breeders. Here, 224 Hy-Line Brown breeding hens (55 weeks old) were randomly allocated to two groups: dietary controls fed basal diet (DC), and test hens fed 0.2 g/kg corn enzyme diet (CE). Serum levels of total protein, globulin, immunoglobulin Y, and antibodies against the Newcastle disease virus and avian influenza H9 strain were significantly increased (p < 0.05). Egg albumen height, Haugh unit, and fertilization and hatching rates were also significantly increased (p < 0.05) in the CE-fed group. 16S rRNA sequence analysis showed that CE strongly affected both α- and β-diversity of the ileal microbiota. LEfSe analysis revealed that the potentially beneficial genera Lactobacillus, Enterococcus, Faecalicoccus, and Streptococcus were enriched as biomarkers in the CE-fed group. Microbial functional analysis revealed that the functional genes associated with harmful-substance biodegradation was significantly increased in the CE-fed group. Additionally, Spearman correlation analysis indicated that changes in microbial genera were correlated with differential metabolites. In summary, dietary multi-enzyme addition can improve egg quality, humoral immunity, and reproductive performance and regulate the intestinal microbiome and metabolome in breeders. Therefore, multi-enzymes could be used as feed additive to extend breeder service life.

Nutritional manipulation to combat heat stress in poultry - A comprehensive review

Global warming and climate change adversely affect livestock and poultry production sectors under tropical and subtropical conditions. Heat stress is amongst the most significant stressors influencing poultry productivity in hot climate regions, causing substantial economic losses in poultry industry. These economic losses are speculated to increase in the coming years with the rise of global temperature. Moreover, modern poultry strains are more susceptible to high ambient temperature. Heat stress has negative effects on physiological response, growth performance and laying performance, which appeared in the form of reducing feed consumption, body weight gain, egg production, feed efficiency, meat quality, egg quality and immune response. Numerous practical procedures were used to ameliorate the negative impacts of increased temperature; among them the dietary manipulation, which gains a great concern in different regions around the world. These nutritional manipulations are feed additives (natural antioxidants, minerals, electrolytes, phytobiotics, probiotics, fat, and protein), feed restriction, feed form, drinking cold water and others. However, in the large scale of poultry industry, only a few of these strategies are commonly used. The current review article deliberates the different practical applications of useful nutritional manipulations to mitigate the heat load in poultry. The documented information will be useful to poultry producers to improve the general health status and productivity of heat-stressed birds via enhancing stress tolerance, oxidative status and immune response, and thereby provide recommendations to minimize production losses due to heat stress in particular under the growing global warming crisis.