The effects of turmeric supplementation on antioxidant status, blood gas indices and mortality in broiler chickens with T(3)-induced ascites

Alleviation of negative effect of heat stress through supplementations of cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum) and turmeric (Curcuma longa L) powders in diets of broiler chickens

This study was designed to assess the effect of cinnamon powder (CNP) and turmeric powder (TP) on growth performance, antioxidant status, liver function, meat quality and lactate dehydrogenase activity of broiler chickens under heat stress conditions. A total of 200, one day old as-hatched broiler chickens (ROSS 308) were randomly allotted into five treatments with four replicates (n = 10). Treatment groups were control (C): fed basal diet; T1: 0.5% CNP; T2: 1.0% CNP; T3: 0.5% TP and T4: 1.0% TP. Results indicated that body weight gain, feed intake and feed conversion ratio were improved significantly (p < 0.05) in treatments fed CNP and TP. Serum malondialdehyde and lactate dehydrogenase activity were decreased (p < 0.05) while blood superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase activity were increased (p < 0.05) in treatments fed CNP and TP. Addition of CNP and TP decreased (p < 0.05) serum aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase activity. Treatments fed CNP and TP resulted increased (p < 0.05) breast and thigh meat monounsaturated fatty acid, polyunsaturated fatty acid, linoleic acid, oleic acid and water holding capacity while decreased (p < 0.05) saturated fatty acid and cook loss. In conclusion CNP and TP possess advantageous effect on growth performance, antioxidant status, liver function, meat quality and lactate dehydrogenase activity.

Comprehensive Analyses of Bone and Cartilage Transcriptomes Evince Ion Transport, Inflammation and Cartilage Development-Related Genes Involved in Chickens’ Femoral Head Separation

Simple Summary

Femoral head necrosis (FHN) and other locomotor problems cause severe impacts on the poultry industry due to huge economic losses and reduced animal welfare. Femoral head separation (FHS), the initial phase of FHN, is usually a subclinical condition characterized by the detachment of articular cartilage from the bone. In this study, we aimed to identify genes and biological processes involved with FHS in broilers. A better understanding of the FHS molecular mechanisms can help to develop strategies to reduce this condition in chickens. Here, we described several genes that have their expression altered in the articular cartilage and femur when normal and FHS-affected animals were compared. Furthermore, genetic variants were found differing between the studied groups. Therefore, performing an integrated analysis of these datasets, we were able to detect genes and variants related to FHS in chickens. Some of them, such as SLC4A1, RHAG, ANK1, MKNK2, SPTB, ADA, C7 and EPB420 genes were highlighted and should be further explored to validate them as candidates to FHS and FHN in chickens and possibly in humans.

Abstract

Femoral head separation (FHS) is usually a subclinical condition characterized by the detachment of articular cartilage from the bone. In this study, a comprehensive analysis identifying shared and exclusive expression profiles, biological processes (BP) and variants related to FHS in the femoral articular cartilage and growth plate in chickens was performed through RNA sequencing analysis. Thirty-six differentially expressed (DE) genes were shared between femoral articular cartilage (AC) and growth plate (GP) tissues. Out of those, 23 genes were enriched in BP related to ion transport, translation factors and immune response. Seventy genes were DE exclusively in the AC and 288 in the GP. Among the BP of AC, the response against bacteria can be highlighted, and for the GP tissue, the processes related to chondrocyte differentiation and cartilage development stand out. When the chicken DE genes were compared to other datasets, eight genes (SLC4A1, RHAG, ANK1, MKNK2, SPTB, ADA, C7 and EPB420) were shared between chickens and humans. Furthermore, 89 variants, including missense in the SPATS2L, PRKAB1 and TRIM25 genes, were identified between groups. Therefore, those genes should be more explored to validate them as candidates to FHS/FHN in chickens and humans.

Differentially expressed genes in the femur cartilage transcriptome clarify the understanding of femoral head separation in chickens

Locomotor problems are among one of the main concerns in the current poultry industry, causing major economic losses and affecting animal welfare. The most common bone anomalies in the femur are dyschondroplasia, femoral head separation (FHS), and bacterial chondronecrosis with osteomyelitis (BCO), also known as femoral head necrosis (FHN). The present study aimed to identify differentially expressed (DE) genes in the articular cartilage (AC) of normal and FHS-affected broilers by RNA-Seq analysis. In the transcriptome analysis, 12,169 genes were expressed in the femur AC. Of those, 107 genes were DE (FDR < 0.05) between normal and affected chickens, of which 9 were downregulated and 98 were upregulated in the affected broilers. In the gene-set enrichment analysis using the DE genes, 79 biological processes (BP) were identified and were grouped into 12 superclusters. The main BP found were involved in the response to biotic stimulus, gas transport, cellular activation, carbohydrate-derived catabolism, multi-organism regulation, immune system, muscle contraction, multi-organism process, cytolysis, leukocytes and cell adhesion. In this study, the first transcriptome analysis of the broilers femur articular cartilage was performed, and a set of candidate genes (AvBD1, AvBD2, ANK1, EPX, ADA, RHAG) that could trigger changes in the broiler´s femoral growth plate was identified. Moreover, these results could be helpful to better understand FHN in chickens and possibly in humans.

Effect of Shirazi thyme on oxidant status and absorptive surface area of the intestine in cold-induced pulmonary hypertensive broiler chickens

The effects of Shirazi thyme as a medicinal plant on oxidant status (lipid peroxidation, protein oxidation, total antioxidant capacity, and catalase activity) and absorptive surface area were measured in three segments of the small intestine in cold-induced pulmonary hypertensive chickens. Birds were reared at four groups (thyme 0, 0.25, 0.50, and 1.00 % of diet) for 42 days. To induce pulmonary hypertension, the temperature was gradually decreased. The body weight was increased in thyme-0.25% birds compared to control ones, while it was decreased in thyme-1% of birds. The feed consumption was only increased in thyme-1.00% birds. The feed conversion ratio was lower in thyme-0.25% birds and higher in thyme-1.00% birds than control ones. The duodenal and jejunal villus surface area was lower in thyme-1.00% birds than control ones, while it was greater in the thyme-0.50% birds. The ileal villus surface area and duodenal lamina propria thickness were also greater in thyme-0.50% birds. Lipid peroxidation was only decreased in the duodenum and ileum of thyme-0.50% birds compared to control ones, whereas it was increased in the duodenum and jejunum of thyme-1.00% birds. Catalase activity was only elevated in the duodenum and jejunum of thyme-1.00% fed chickens. Total antioxidant capacity was increased in the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum of thyme-0.50% birds. It is concluded that the Shirazi thyme has beneficial effects on growth performance, intestinal absorptive surface area / secretory system, and pulmonary hypertension response at low doses (0.25 and 0.50% of diet), whereas high dose (1.00% of diet) of this plant may be toxic.

Gut morphology, immunocompetence, blood and meat quality profile of broiler chickens fed turmeric (Curcuma longa) oil as an antibiotic substitute

The present investigation was carried out to study the antibiotic efficacy of turmeric oil in commercial broiler chicken. Day-old broiler chicks (144) were randomly divided into six treatment groups with four replicates of six chicks each. The experimental diets were corn – soya meal basal diet (T1), basal diet + antibiotic (500 ppm oxytetracycline-T2), basal diet + 0.025% turmeric oil (T3), 0.050% turmeric oil (T4), 0.075% turmeric oil (T5) and 0.100% turmeric oil (T6) respectively. The birds were reared under standard managemental practices for 42 days. The levels of serum total protein, albumin, globulin, serum total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, triglycerides and breast meat cholesterol were not influenced either by the supplementation of antibiotic or by the supplementation of turmeric oil at graded levels. Neither antibiotic nor turmeric oil supplementation had any significant effect on the gut microbial population (total microbes, Lactobacillus, E. coli and Clostridium) and length of ileal villi of broiler chicken. Turmeric oil supplementation at 0.025 and 0.050% levels led to significant reduction in crypt depth than that of antibiotic supplemented group. Dietary supplementation of turmeric oil at 0.025 and 0.100% levels showed higher profit (` 0.32 and 1.03/kg live weight gain respectively) when compared to antibiotic supplemented group. It could therefore be concluded that supplementation of turmeric oil at 0.025% level instead of antibiotic feed additive would produce similar effect on serum lipid profile, meat quality, gut microbial load and intestinal morphology in broiler chicken.

The comparative analysis of phenotypic and whole transcriptome gene expression data of ascites susceptible versus ascites resistant chickens

Ascites syndrome (AS) is a metabolic disorder that mainly occurs at later ages of meat-type chickens. Despite many research, there is no consensus about the origin of this syndrome. Our main purpose were to investigate the syndrome using both phenotypic and RNA-Seq data to elucidate the most causative factors predisposing the birds to AS. Phenotypic data analysis showed that AS indicator traits (AITs) were moderate to high heritable. Inexistence of consistent direct genetic correlation between AITs and growth related traits, indicated that neither faster growth rate nor heavier body weight is the most causative factor affecting the susceptibility of broilers to AS. However, respiratory capacity was revealed to be the most probable factor predisposing the birds to AS, as both lung weight and lung percentage were negatively correlated with AITs. Transcriptomic data analysis revealed 125 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between the ascitic and healthy groups. Up-regulated genes in ascitic group enriched mainly in gas transport biological process, while down-regulated genes involved in defense response to bacteria, biological adhesion, cell adhesion, killing of cells of another organism and cell division. Genetic association of the DEGs with human cardiovascular diseases suggested excessive heart problems of the ascitic chicks. Heart is, probably, the first tissue suffering from the incompetence of small respiratory system of the AS-susceptible chickens. In other word, tissue hypoxia, that causes free radicals to concentrate in heart cells, may be the commencement of events that finally result to heart failure, suffocation and death of chicks due to the AS.

Evaluation of physiological response and performance by supplementation of Curcuma longa in broiler feed under hot humid tropical climate

Dietary manipulation has been seen as one of the practical ways to ameliorate the adverse effects of thermal stress in the hot humid tropical climate. In order to investigate the influence of Curcuma longa (turmeric) rhizome powder on physiological responses and performance under hot humid tropical climate, 240 broiler chicks were randomly assigned to four dietary treatments having four replicates of 15 birds each in a complete randomized design. Broiler birds were fed basal diets and supplemented with 0 (CT), 4 (TG), 8 (FT), and 12 g (SG) of turmeric powder/kg of diet for 8 weeks. Data were collected weekly on feed intake and body weights. Blood samples were collected from eight birds per treatment at week 4 (starter phase) and week 8 (finisher phase) of the experiment for the determination of plasma 3,5,3'-triiodothyronine (T₃), superoxide dismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA). Rectal temperature of the birds was also taken. At 56 days of age, eight birds from each treatment were slaughtered for the determination of relative organ weights. Results showed that the final weights of the birds in FT were significantly higher than those of the birds in TG, SG, and CT. The weight gain of the birds in FT was higher than those of the birds in SG while those of SG were higher than those of TG whose values were higher than that of CT. The feed conversion ratio of the broiler chickens in CT was higher (P < 0.05) than those of other treatment groups while the birds in FT and SG had similar feed conversion ratios. SOD of birds fed turmeric rhizome powder was higher than the birds in the control group at both starter and finisher phases. Furthermore, MDA of the birds in FT was lower than those of the birds in the other treatment groups at the finisher phase. Plasma T₃ was higher in the birds fed turmeric at the finisher phase than chickens in the control group. There was no difference in the rectal temperatures of the birds. To conclude, turmeric rhizome powder improved the physiological response and performance of broiler chicken under hot humid tropical climate in a dose-dependent characteristic and the optimum supplementation rate of 8 g/kg of diet was recorded.

Effects of purslane (<i>Portulaca oleracea</i> L.) powder on growth performance, blood indices, and antioxidant status in broiler chickens with triiodothyronine-induced ascites

Abstract. This study was carried out to evaluate the effects of dietary supplementation of purslane powder (PP) on performance, blood indices, and antioxidant status in broilers with triiodothyronine (T3)-induced ascites. In total, 240 one-day-old male broiler chicks (Ross 308) were randomly assigned to four treatments, with four replicates per treatment and 15 birds per replicate. The experimental diets included (i) a control diet, (ii) a control diet plus 1.5 mg kg−1 of T3 (T3 diet), (iii) a T3 diet with the addition of 1.5 g kg−1 of PP, and (iv) a T3 diet with the addition of 3 g kg−1 of PP. Feed intake and body weight were measured at 10, 24, 39, and 49 days of experiment. Blood and liver samples were collected from two birds in each replicate at 24 and 49 days of experiment. The T3-treated birds had higher (P < 0. 05) right ventricle to total ventricle (RV ∕ TV) ratio and mortality due to ascites compared with the control. In addition, during the entire experimental period (0 to 49 days of experiment) the T3-treated birds had lower (P < 0. 05) feed intake, body weight gain, and production efficiency index and higher (P < 0. 05) feed conversion ratio compared with the control. Dietary supplementation of PP reduced (P < 0. 05) mortality due to ascites and RV ∕ TV ratio, while the production efficiency index was increased (P < 0. 05) by the addition of PP to the diet. The T3-treated birds had higher (P < 0. 05) red blood cell counts, hematocrit percentage, and hemoglobin concentration compared with the control at 24 and 49 days of experiment. Dietary supplementation of PP substantially alleviated (P < 0. 05) the negative effects of T3 on hematocrit and hemoglobin values at both 24 and 49 days of experiment and on red blood cells counts at 49 days of experiment. The T3 birds showed an increase (P < 0. 05) in activities of lactate dehydrogenase, alanine aminotransferase, and aspartate aminotransferase at 49 days of experiment. However, the detrimental effect of T3 on alanine aminotransferase activity was attenuated (P < 0. 05) by dietary supplementation of PP. The plasma and liver activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase were lower (P < 0. 05) in T3-treated birds compared with the control at 24 and 49 days of experiment, whereas malondialdehyde concentrations were elevated (P < 0. 05) by dietary T3 administration. Dietary supplementation of PP, especially at 3 g kg−1, increased (P < 0. 05) the plasma and liver activities of antioxidant enzymes, and reduced (P < 0. 05) the plasma and liver concentrations of malondialdehyde near to the control levels. It is concluded that the supplementation of 3 g kg−1 of PP in diet improves oxidative status and reduces ascites incidence in broiler chickens without impairing their growth performance.

Alleviation of chronic heat stress in broilers by dietary supplementation of betaine and turmeric rhizome powder: dynamics of performance, leukocyte profile, humoral immunity, and antioxidant status

Heat stress (HS), one of the most serious climate problems of tropical and subtropical countries, negatively affects the production performance of broilers. Keeping this in view, the current study was aimed at elucidating the effects of supplementing betaine (Bet) and dried turmeric rhizome powder (TRP), either singly or in combination, on growth performance, leukocyte profile, humoral immunity, and antioxidant status in broilers kept under chronic HS. A total of 625 one-day-old Ross male chicks were randomly assigned to five treatment groups (5 replicates of 25 birds per replicate pen). From day 1, the birds were either kept at the thermoneutral zone (TN) or exposed to HS (33 ± 1°C) to the conclusion of study, day 42. THeat stress (HS), one of the most serious climate problems of tropical and subtropical countries, negatively affects the production performance of broilers. Keeping this in view, the current study was aimed at elucidating the effects of supplementing betaine (Bet) and dried turmeric rhizome powder (TRP), either singly or in combination, on growth performance, leukocyte profile, humoral immunity, and antioxidant status in broilers kept under chronic HS. A total of 625 one-day-old Ross male chicks were randomly assigned to five treatment groups (5 replicates of 25 birds per replicate pen). From day 1, the birds were either kept at the thermoneutral zone (TN) or exposed to HS (33 ± 1°C) to the conclusion of study, day 42. The treatment groups were as follows: thermoneutral control (TN-CON), HS-CON, HS-Bet, HS-TRP, and HS-BT (fed Bet and TRP). The results showed that decreases in body weight gain, feed intake, and increases in feed-to-gain ratio and mortality induced by HS were partially restored by dietary supplementation of Bet and TRP. The heterophil/lymphocyte ratio, total, and IgG antibody titers against sheep red blood cell for secondary responses in the HS-TRP and HS-BT groups were also similar to those of the broilers in the TN-CON group but better (P < 0.05) than for HS-CON group. An increase (P < 0.05) in serum concentration of malondialdehyde induced by HS was significantly decreased by dietary supplementations. The serum glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase activities were also higher (P < 0.05) in the supplemented groups compared to both TN and HS-CON groups. In conclusion, dietary supplementation of either Bet or TRP alone or in combination can partially ameliorate some of the detrimental effects of HS in broilers. Results also suggest that TRP might be better than Bet for improving stress tolerance and immune response in heat-stressed broilers.he treatment groups were as follows: thermoneutral control (TN-CON), HS-CON, HS-Bet, HS-TRP, and HS-BT (fed Bet and TRP). The results showed that decreases in body weight gain, feed intake, and increases in feed-to-gain ratio and mortality induced by HS were partially restored by dietary supplementation of Bet and TRP. The heterophil/lymphocyte ratio, total, and IgG antibody titers against sheep red blood cell for secondary responses in the HS-TRP and HS-BT groups were also similar to those of the broilers in the TN-CON group but better (P < 0.05) than for HS-CON group. An increase (P < 0.05) in serum concentration of malondialdehyde induced by HS was significantly decreased by dietary supplementations. The serum glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase activities were also higher (P < 0.05) in the supplemented groups compared to both TN and HS-CON groups. In conclusion, dietary supplementation of either Bet or TRP alone or in combination can partially ameliorate some of the detrimental effects of HS in broilers. Results also suggest that TRP might be better than Bet for improving stress tolerance and immune response in heat-stressed broilers.