Efficacy of in ovo delivered resveratrol (Trans 3, 4, 5-trihydroxystilbene) on growth, carcass weights, and blood metabolites of broiler chicks

The use of Astragalus membranaceus as an eco-friendly alternative for antibiotics in diets of Japanese quail breeders

Mature Japanese quails (n. 180), aged 8 wk, were divided into 6 groups to evaluate the influence of dietary Astragalus membranaceus powder on laying and reproductive performances, quality of egg, and blood metabolites. A completely randomized design experiment was performed including 6 groups. The first group of quails was served as control (basal diet). While, the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 6th group of quails fed a basal diet supplemented with 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 g of AM powder/kg diet, respectively. Egg number (EN), weight (EW), and mass (EM) were not significantly influenced by dietary Astragalus membranaceus at all tested levels. The hatchability percentage was quadratically improved by dietary supplementation of A. membranaceus. Dietary supplementation of A. membranaceus positively affects (linear and quadratic) liver and kidney functions. Plasma total cholesterol (TC; P < 0.001) and Triglyceride (TG; P < 0.001) were linearly and quadratically decreased by dietary A. membranaceus increasing level. Blood urea level decreased with increasing A. membranaceus levels in the quail diet. The immunoglobulin G (IgG) and M (IgM) were higher than the control at all A. membranaceus levels. In conclusion, feeding quail breeders with Astragalus membranaceus at 1 g/kg diet has beneficial effects on feed conversion ratio; on production at 2 g/kg diet; on hatchability and immunity at 5 g/kg diet; and on total cholesterol at 3 g/kg diet and on shell quality at 4 g/kg diet. A. membranaceus products are expected to be novel valuable dietary supplements for poultry production, depending on the target trait.

Managing Gut Microbiota through In Ovo Nutrition Influences Early-Life Programming in Broiler Chickens

The chicken gut is the habitat to trillions of microorganisms that affect physiological functions and immune status through metabolic activities and host interaction. Gut microbiota research previously focused on inflammation; however, it is now clear that these microbial communities play an essential role in maintaining normal homeostatic conditions by regulating the immune system. In addition, the microbiota helps reduce and prevent pathogen colonization of the gut via the mechanism of competitive exclusion and the synthesis of bactericidal molecules. Under commercial conditions, newly hatched chicks have access to feed after 36-72 h of hatching due to the hatch window and routine hatchery practices. This delay adversely affects the potential inoculation of the healthy microbiota and impairs the development and maturation of muscle, the immune system, and the gastrointestinal tract (GIT). Modulating the gut microbiota has been proposed as a potential strategy for improving host health and productivity and avoiding undesirable effects on gut health and the immune system. Using early-life programming via in ovo stimulation with probiotics and prebiotics, it may be possible to avoid selected metabolic disorders, poor immunity, and pathogen resistance, which the broiler industry now faces due to commercial hatching and selection pressures imposed by an increasingly demanding market.