Effect of Supplementation with Trimethylglycine (Betaine) and/or Vitamins on Semen Quality, Fertility, Antioxidant Status, DNA Repair and Welfare of Roosters Exposed to Chronic Heat Stress

The role of Cistanches Herba and its ingredients in improving reproductive outcomes: A comprehensive review

BACKGROUND

Infertility patients account for an astonishing proportion of individuals worldwide. Due to its complex etiology and challenging treatment, infertility has imposed significant psychological and economic burdens on many patients. C. Herba (Cistanche tubulosa (Schenk) Wight and Cistanche deserticola Ma), renowned as one of the most prominent Chinese herbal medicines (CHMs), is abundant in diverse bioactive compounds that exhibit therapeutic effects on many diseases related to oxidative stress (OS) and disorders of sex hormone levels.

OBJECTIVE

Due to the limited drugs currently used in clinical practice to improve reproductive outcomes and their inevitable side effects, developing safe and effective new medications for infertility is of significance. This article comprehensively reviewed the phytochemicals of C. Herba, focusing on their efficacy and mechanisms on infertility and their safety for the first time, aiming to offer valuable insights for the development and application of C. Herba, and for developing novel strategies for treating infertility.

METHODS

We used "Cistanche" and its known bioactive components in combination with "sperm", "testicles", "epididymis", "ovaries", "uterus", and "infertility" as keywords to search in PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus and CNKI up to November 2023. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) 2020 guideline was followed.

RESULTS

The therapeutic effects of C. Herba on infertility are mainly attributed to echinacoside (ECH), verbascoside (VB), salidroside (SAL), polysaccharides, and betaine. They can effectively improve spermatogenic dysfunction, gonadal dysfunction and erectile dysfunction (ED) by exerting anti-oxidation, sex hormones regulation and anti-hypoxia. Moreover, they can also improve premature ovarian failure (POF), ovarian and uterine cancer, oocyte maturation by exerting anti-oxidation, anti-apoptosis, and anti-cancer. C. Herba and its active ingredients also exhibit pleasing safety.

CONCLUSION

C. Herba is a promising source of natural medicine for infertility. Additionally, compared to current therapeutic drugs, its favorable safety also supports its development as a nutritional supplement. However, high-quality clinical studies are required to validate its effectiveness for the development of novel therapeutic strategies.

Betaine postpones hyperglycemia-related senescence in ovarian and testicular cells: Involvement of RAGE and β-galactosidase

The structural and functional disorders of the testis and ovary are one of the main complications of hyperglycemia. Betaine is a trimethyl glycine with antioxidant, antidiabetic, and anti-inflammatory potential. The aim of this study is to investigate the potential of betaine on the expression of aging and oxidative stress markers in ovarian and testicular cells under hyperglycemic conditions. Testicular and ovarian cells were subjected to four different conditions, including normal glucose and hyperglycemia, with or without betaine (5 mM). The cells with hyperglycemia saw an increase in malondialdehyde (MDA), methylglyoxal (MGO), expression of a receptor for AGE, and aging-related genes (β-GAL), and a decrease in the activity of antioxidant enzymes including catalase, glutathione peroxidase, and superoxide dismutase. The treatment with betaine, in contrast, decreased the amount of MGO and MDA, and also downregulated aging-related signaling. Although hyperglycemia induces senescence in testicular and ovarian cells, the use of betaine may have a protective effect against the cell senescence, which may be useful in the management of infertility.

Impact of dietary vitamin (E) and Eruca sativa seeds powder on broiler productivity, health, carcass characteristics, and meat quality

This investigation examined the impact of nutritional vitamin E (VE) and Eruca sativa seeds powder (ESSP) on broilers' performance, physiological, and meat quality. A total of 350 two-day-old Arbor Acres broiler chicks were used in this study. Chicks were allocated into five dietary treatments as follows: control (fed a basic diet), VE treatment (fed a basic diet supplemented with 150 mg/kg diet), the third, fourth, and fifth treatments were fed a basic diet supplied by different levels of ESSP (0.1, 0.2 and 0.4 g/kg diet). Outcomes showed that chicks of VE treatment or ESSP (0.2 g/kg) significantly improved vital body weight (BW), body weight gain (BWG) and feed conversion ratio (FCR). Additionally, relevant dressing and hind parts of the carcass for birds of VE treatment or ESSP at different levels were significantly increased. The results showed a significant improvement in meat quality traits. Moreover, ESSP (0.1 and 0.2 g/kg) groups represented a significant decrease in the total bacterial count and E. coli compared with other groups. In conclusion, ESSP positively affected broiler performance, hematological, and immunological indices, carcass characteristics, intestinal bacterial count, meat quality, and cooking properties of the resulting meat, especially at the level of (0.2 g/kg).

Impacts of dietary betaine on rectal temperature, laying performance, metabolism, intestinal morphology, and follicular development in heat-exposed laying hens

This experiment assessed the influences of betaine (BET; 2000 mg/kg) on rectal temperature (Tr), laying performance, metabolism, intestinal morphology, and follicular development in heat-stressed hens. One-hundred and twenty-eight Hisex white hens (42wks) were housed in 4 battery cages (8 pens/cage; 4 hens/pen) and divided into 4 treatments: 1) thermoneutral (TN) environments and a control diet (TNCON), 2) TN and a diet accompanied with BET (TNBET), 3) heat stress (HS) environments and a control diet (HSCON), or 4) HS and a diet accompanied with BET (HSBET). Following acclimation (15d), hens of TNCON and TNBET remained in TN, while HSCON and HSBET hens were subjected to cyclical HS (5d; 16.9-37.5 °C). Cyclical HS increased Tr compared with TN hens (1.6 °C; P < 0.01), but supplemental BET decreased Tr (0.4 °C; P < 0.01). Relative to TN treatments, HS declined egg production, weight, and mass (18, 4.2, and 26%, respectively; P < 0.01), but BET ameliorated the egg production and mass (13.1 and 16.2%, respectively; P < 0.01). Compared with HSCON, feed conversion ratio and survival rate were improved in HSBET hens (12.3 and 6.25%, respectively; P ≥ 0.03). Relative to TN hens, HS elevated glucose and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) levels (15 and 4%, respectively; P ≤ 0.04). Supplemental BET decreased BUN levels (6.6%; P < 0.01) relative to HSCON hens. Furthermore, HS diminished jejunal villus height and villus surface area (∼27 and 35%, respectively; P < 0.01) relative to TN hens but were unaltered by BET supplementation. Relative to TN hens, HS decreased oviduct's weight, ovary's length, and ovarian primordial and primary follicles count (18, 23, 34 and 44%, respectively; P < 0.01) and caused fibrosis in shell gland (3-fold; P = 0.05). Collectively, HS impaired productivity, metabolism, intestinal architecture, and reproductive efficiency. Feeding BET reduced Tr, improved laying performance, and slightly altered metabolism but did not affect intestinal and follicular measurements in heat-stressed hens.

The synergistic impact of Spirulina and selenium nanoparticles mitigates the adverse effects of heat stress on the physiology of rabbits bucks

Heat stress has a detrimental effect on animal fertility, particularly testicular functions, including reduced sperm output and quality, which causes an economic loss in the production of rabbits. The present trial investigated the efficacy of dietary Spirulina (SP) (Arthrospira platensis), selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs), and their combination (SP-SeNPs) on semen quality, haemato-biochemical, oxidative stress, immunity, and sperm quality of heat-stressed (HS) rabbit bucks. Sixty mature bucks (APRI line) were distributed into 6 groups of ten replicates under controlled conditions. Bucks in the 1st group (control-NC) were kept under normal conditions (11-22°C; 40-45% RH% = relative humidity), while the 2nd group (control-HS) was kept under heat stress conditions (32±0.50°C; 60-66% RH %). The control groups were fed a commercial pelleted diet and the other four heat-stressed groups were fed a commercial pelleted diet with 1 g SP, 25 mg SeNPs, 1 g SP+25 mg SeNPs, and 1 g SP+50 mg SeNPs per kg diet, respectively. The dietary inclusion of SP, SeNPs, and their combinations significantly increased hemoglobin, platelets, total serum protein, high-density lipoproteins, glutathione, glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, and seminal plasma testosterone while decreased triglycerides, total cholesterol, urea, creatinine, and malondialdehyde compared with the control-HS. Red blood cells, packed cell volume, serum albumin, and testosterone significantly increased, while SeNPs, SP+SeNPs25, and SP+SeNPs50 significantly decreased low-density lipoproteins, aspartate, and alanine amino transferees. Total antioxidant capacity substantially increased in serum and seminal plasma, while seminal plasma malondialdehyde decreased in 25 or 50 mg of SeNPs+SP/kg groups. All supplements significantly improved libido, sperm livability, concentration, intact acrosome, membrane integrity, total output in fresh semen, and sperm quality in cryopreserved semen. SP-SeNPs50 had higher synergistic effect than SP-SeNPs25 on most different variables studied. In conclusion, the dietary inclusion of SP plus SeNPs50 has a synergistic effect and is considered a suitable dietary supplement for improving reproductive efficiency, health, oxidative stress, and immunity of bucks in the breeding strategy under hot climates.

Adverse effects of heat stress during summer on broiler chickens production and antioxidant mitigating effects

Broiler chicken meat is a good source of protein consumed universally, and is one of the most commonly farmed species in world. In addition to providing food, poultry non-edible byproducts also have value. A major advantage of broiler chicken production is their short production cycle, which results in a greater rate of production in comparison to other species. However, as with any production system, there are constraints in broiler production with one of the most pressing being energy requirements to keep the birds warm as chicks and cool later in the growth cycle, as a result of the cost needing mechanical heating and cooling. While this is feasible in more advanced economies, this is not readily affordable in developing economies. As a result, farmers rely on natural ventilation to cool the rearing houses, which generally becoming excessively warm with the resultant heat stress on the birds. Since little can be done without resorting to mechanical ventilation and cooling, exploring the use of other means to reduce heat stress is needed. For this review, we cover the various factors that induce heat stress, the physiological and behavioral responses of broiler chickens to heat stress. We also look at mitigating the adverse effect of heat stress through the use of antioxidants which possess either an anti-stress and/or antioxidant effects.

Semen quality and sperm characteristics in broiler breeder cockerels fed vitamin E during hot season

Thirty-two Arbor Acres (AA) cockerels aged 27 weeks were used to determine the effect of vitamin E (VE) on the semen characteristics and sperm quality during hot season. The birds were fed diets containing 0, 50, 100 and 150mg VE kg-1 feed. There were 4 replicates and two birds per replicate. Semen collection was done thrice a week for three weeks in all birds. Dietary vitamin E significantly (p < 0.05) increased the semen volume (SV) and number of sperm cells (NS) in AA cockerels. CONTROL birds (0.71 mL) had lower SV than birds fed 150 mg VE (0.94 mL). Birds on 100 and 150 mg VE recorded similar NS, which was higher than 0 and 50 mg VE groups. The least NS was in the CONTROL group. Sperm abnormality gradually (p < 0.05) decreased as dietary VE increased from 0 to 150 mg. Significant (p < 0.01) effect of dietary VE was recorded in percentage live sperm (PLS). Semen from cockerels on VE treatment had higher PLS than the CONTROL. In conclusion, it may be beneficial to supplement the broiler breeder cockerel diet with VE up to 150 mg kg-1 feed during hot season as it increased SV, NS and PLS and decreased sperm abnormality.

Effects of betaine on growth performance, intestinal health, and immune response of goslings challenged with lipopolysaccharide

The objective of this experiment was to investigate the effects of betaine on growth performance, serum parameters, intestinal health, and immune performance of goslings in response to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) challenge. A total of 168 healthy male 15-day-old Jiangnan White Goslings were randomly divided into 4 groups, with 6 replicates per treatment and seven goslings per replicate. A 2 × 2 factorial arrangement included 2 factors, that is, LPS challenge (injection of LPS or physiological saline) and betaine (added 0 or 0.06% betaine in diet). The results indicated that LPS challenge significantly reduced the average daily feed intake (ADFI), average daily gain (ADG), and body weight (BW) at 21 D of the goslings, while dietary betaine supplementation tended to increase the ADFI during the LPS stress period (P = 0.08) and BW at 21 D of the goslings (P = 0.09). The LPS-challenged goslings showed higher pro-inflammatory cytokines (interleukin-1 [IL-1β], interleukin-6 [IL-6], tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and Interferon-gamma [IFN-γ]) and lower anti-inflammatory cytokine (Interleukin-10 [IL-10]) (P < 0.05) at 21 D of age. Dietary betaine supplementation alleviated LPS-induced increase in pro-inflammatory cytokines. The LPS challenge significantly decreased duodenal and jejunal villus height (VH) and villus height and crypt depth ratio (VCR), while the addition of betaine significantly increased duodenal VH and VCR (P < 0.05). On the other hand, addition of betaine significantly alleviated decline of enzyme activity on lipase, amylase, trypsin, and chymotrypsin in the intestinal of goslings. The LPS challenge significantly increased the content of serum D-lactic acid (D-LA) and the activity of diamine oxidase (DAO) at 21 D of the goslings. The LPS challenge and betaine addition significantly increased the mRNA expression of Occcludin (OCLN) in jejunal mucosa at 28 D of the goslings (P < 0.05). In conclusion, our research demonstrated that betaine can alleviate the decline of growth performance and immune performance in goslings caused by LPS. The results also indicate betaine possesses anti-inflammation properties and improves intestinal barrier functions. We recommend that 0.06% betaine be added into the diet to improve the intestinal health and immune performance of goslings.

Responses of sperm mitochondria functionality in animals to thermal stress: The mitigating effects of dietary natural antioxidants

The reproductive consequences of global warming representing heat stress (HS) have been widely received more attention in the last decades. HS induced significant influence on the male reproductive cell, especially sperm functionally. Reduction in the sperm function induced by HS leads to failure of fertility potential. The main effects of HS on sperm are reducing sperm motility, increased abnormalities and changes in the fluidity of the membrane as well as cell morphology. Moreover, the destruction of mitochondrial function could be the result of adverse influences of HS. The protein contents and enzymes of mitochondria were lowered after the exposure of sperm to HS. Some natural antioxidants were used for improving sperm mitochondrial function under HS conditions. In this review, it was highlighted the potential influences of HS on sperm function through reduction in ATP Synthesis yield, mitochondrial activity, mitochondrial protein contents and mitochondrial enzymes, which involves the interference of mitochondrial remodelling in sperm of animals.

Functional roles of taurine, L-theanine, L-citrulline, and betaine during heat stress in poultry

Heat stress (HS) is an important environmental stress factor affecting poultry production on a global scale. With the rise in ambient temperature and increasing effects of global warming, it becomes pertinent to understand the effects of HS on poultry production and the strategies that can be adopted to mitigate its detrimental impacts on the performance, health, welfare, immunity, and survival of birds. Amino acids (AAs) have been increasingly adopted as nutritional modifiers in animals to ameliorate the adverse effects of HS. They are essential for protein synthesis, growth, maintenance, reproduction, immunity, stress response, and whole-body homeostasis. However, HS tends to adversely affect the availability, transport, absorption, and utilization of these AAs. Studies have investigated the provision of these AAs to poultry during HS conditions, and variable findings have been reported. Taurine, L-theanine, and L-citrulline are non-essential amino acids that are increasingly gaining attention as nutritional supplements in HS animals. Similarly, betaine is an amino acid derivative that possesses favorable biological properties which contributes to its role as a functional additive during HS. Of particular note, taurine is negligible in plants, while betaine, L-theanine, and L-citrulline can be found in selected plants. These nutrients are barely found in feed ingredients, but their supply has been shown to elicit important physiological roles including anti-stress effects, anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory, gut promoting, and immunomodulatory functions. The present review provides information on the use of these nutritionally and physiologically beneficial nutrients as functional additives to poultry diets during HS conditions. Presently, although several studies have reported on the positive effects of these additives in human and murine studies, however, there is limited information regarding their utilization during heat stress in poultry nutrition. Therefore, this review aims to expound on the functional properties of these nutrients, their potentials for HS alleviation, and to stimulate further researches on their biological roles in poultry nutrition.

Effect of vitamin E supplementation on chicken sperm quality: A meta-analysis

Background and Aim:

Among several factors, the sperm quality of poultry is affected by the rooster’s body size and the availability of antioxidants like vitamin E. This study aimed to determine the effect of dietary vitamin E supplementation on rooster sperm quality through a meta-analysis.

Materials and Methods:

After verification and evaluation, a total of 19 articles were included in this study. Data, including dietary vitamin E, semen volume, concentration, total sperm cells, pH, motility, viability, percentage of dead and abnormal sperm, vitamin E sperm content, malondialdehyde (MDA) content, and testosterone levels, were tabulated in a database; these were subsequently analyzed using mixed modeling with vitamin E dose as a fixed effect and study identity as a random effect.

Results:

Dietary supplementation level of vitamin E significantly (p<0.001) affected sperm concentration, significantly affected motility (p<0.001), significantly affected sperm vitamin E (p<0.001), significantly affected viability (p<0.001), and significantly affected chicken sperm fertility (p=0.001). Vitamin E administration also significantly reduced the number of sperm cell deaths (p<0.001); however, increased dietary levels of vitamin E did not affect semen volume (p=0.853), pH (p=0.951), MDA (p=0.542), the percentage of abnormal sperm cells (p=0.343), nor testosterone levels (p=0.063).

Conclusion:

Dietary vitamin E supplementation is recommended for male chickens since it generally enhances the quality of their sperm.

Soursop juice enhanced seminal antioxidant defence and semen quality of rabbit bucks in extremely dry climatic condition of Southwestern Nigeria

Heat induced stress associated with dry climatic conditions in the tropics does have adverse effects reproduction in rabbits, and this in-turn impacts negatively on the income of rabbit farmers. However, natural products might prove to be a reliable, safe and cheap remedy for ameliorating reproductive such anomalies in rabbits. The potential of soursop for mitigating heat induced reproductive deficiency in rabbit bucks was investigated during the peak of dry climatic conditions in southwestern Nigeria. Sixty mixed breed (New Zealand white x Chinchilla) adult rabbit bucks were allotted to five treatments of four replicates (3 bucks per replicate) each in a completely randomized design. Soursop (Annona muricata) fruit was processed into juice using standard procedures and was designated as soursop juice. The juice was administered orally daily per kg body weight (BW), 0.55ml/kgBW distilled water (control), 0.55 ml/kgBW soursop juice, 1.11 ml/kgBW soursop juice, 1.67 ml/kgBW soursop juice and 2.22 ml/kgBW soursop juice to designated treatments 1 to 5, respectively for 56 days. Semen samples were collected with an improvised artificial vagina on the 28th and 56th day of the study, semen quality and seminal oxidative status were evaluated using standard procedures. Results showed that rabbit buck exposed to heat stress had lower semen quality, seminal antioxidants and increased seminal lipid peroxidation. However, the consumption of soursop juice lowered lipid peroxidation and enhanced (p < 0.05) antioxidant production in the seminal fluid of heat-stressed bucks than bucks on control group. Bucks' semen quality and antioxidant status peaks in heat-stressed bucks gavaged 2.22 ml/kgBW soursop juice and gives 100% recovery from the effects of heat induced stress. It can be concluded that 2.22 ml/kgBW soursop juice administered for 56 days did enhance spermatozoa quality and mitigated lipid peroxidation by improving antioxidant capacity of male rabbits in a dose dependent manner on extremely dry climatic conditions.

Impacts of different antioxidants sources on semen quality and sperm fertilizing ability of Muscovy ducks under high ambient temperature

The potentiality of coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), D-Aspartic acids (D-Asp), Maca or vitamin C, as antioxidant agents, to reduce negative impacts of high ambient temperature on semen quality, oxidative capacity and fertility of Muscovy ducks was investigated. Seventy-five Muscovy males (34-wk of age) were distributed randomly into five experimental groups of fifteen ducks each. The first group was fed a basal diet without supplementation and served as a control. The other four groups were fed a basal diet supplemented with 400 mg CoQ10, 400 mg D-Asp, 500 mg Maca and 200 mg vitamin C (ascorbic acid) per kg diet for 17 consecutive weeks under high ambient temperature conditions. The dietary inclusion of antioxidants significantly maintains better semen variables and a higher fertility rate either for fresh or preserved semen. Among the tested antioxidants, the Maca group showed the best status and outperformed the others in terms of motility, viability, sperm cell concentration, intact acrosome and membrane integrity percentages, total proteins, total antioxidants capacity, glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA), testosterone, and the fertility rate for the fresh semen, as well as, forward motility, SOD and MDA for the preserved semen. The CoQ10 showed similar results to Maca in some measurements. Conversely, the basal diet had the poorest performance in all examined variables. The dietary incorporation of antioxidants (Maca or CoQ10) enhances fresh and preserved semen quantity and quality, as well as the fertility rate of Muscovy males under high ambient temperature conditions.

Physiological response, testicular function, and health indices of rabbit males fed diets containing phytochemicals extract under heat stress conditions

OBJECTIVE

The present study aimed to evaluate the impact of dietary turmeric or garlic extract on physiological responses, hematological parameters, antioxidants status, testicular functions, and health indices of heat-stressed rabbit males.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Seventy bucks were distributed into seven experimental groups (ten/group). A commercial diet (CD) was fed to rabbit males in the control group, while males in G2, G3, and G4 were fed CD with turmeric at 30, 60, and 90 mg/kg, respectively. Males in G5, G6, and G7 were fed CD with garlic extract at 50, 75, and 100 mg/kg, respectively, for 8 weeks.

RESULTS

The results showed that turmeric or garlic extract levels decreased ear temperature, respiration rate, germ cell apoptotic number, total cholesterol, triglycerides, malondialdehyde level, libido, and sperm of dead and abnormal tail (p < 0.05). The hemoglobin and red and white blood cells, platelets, total antioxidants capacity, mass motility, mitochondrial potential, normal, acrosome reacted, normality, and a total functional fraction of spermatozoa and relative of epididymal weight were increased (p < 0.05). The increased packed cell volume percentage and initial semen fructose were significant only when 100 mg per kg garlic extract was supplemented.

CONCLUSION

Phytochemicals extract supplementation can be an effective dietary supplementation to eliminate heat stress and improve health, oxidative capacity, and testicular functions of rabbit males.

Effect of Different Dietary Betaine Fortifications on Performance, Carcass Traits, Meat Quality, Blood Biochemistry, and Hematology of Broilers Exposed to Various Temperature Patterns

Improving broilers' production in the hot region is essential to overcome heat-stress challenges. The current experiment examined the effects of betaine's fortification (0.0, 0.075, 0.10, and 0.15%) to broiler chickens during days 1-40 of age. The growth period was divided into the starter (1-18 d) and growing-finishing (19-40 d). During the starter period, there was no heat challenge, and all birds were kept under the same conditions. At 18 days of age, half of the birds were kept under thermos-neutral temperature (TN, 22-24 °C), while the other half were kept under high temperature (HT, 35 °C). However, the production efficiency factor (PEF) was the best (p < 0.05) for birds that received 0.10% betaine. Betaine fortification improved (p < 0.05 and 0.01) body weight gain (BWG), feed conversion ratio (FCR), and production efficiency factor (PEF) in the cumulative finisher heat-stress challenge period (19-40 d). The best performance was achieved at 0.1% betaine fortification with 84 g gain, 4.6 points improvement in FCR, and 24 points improvements in PEF as compared to no betaine fortification. The heat-stressed group consumed less feed (239 g), gained less weight (179 g), converted feed less efficiently (2.6 points), and, as a result, had lower FEF (29 points) as compared to the TN group. Conclusively, heat challenge had a powerful effect on growth performance, meat characteristics, and blood parameters, especially during the grower-finisher period. Betaine fortification (0.1%) during heat stress reduced the negative impact on performance and improved production efficiency, suggesting that betaine is a useful nutritional tool under stress conditions that deserves further investigation.

Amelioration of sperm fertilizability, thyroid activity, oxidative stress, and inflammatory cytokines in rabbit bucks treated with phytogenic extracts

This study investigated the beneficial effect of phytogenic extracts on semen quality, reproductive hormones, thyroid activity, immunity, hepatic antioxidant activity, and fertility in rabbit bucks. We divided 70 bucks into seven groups (10 in each). Group 1 was fed a basal diet (control); groups 2, 3, and 4 were fed the control diet with 30, 60, and 90 mg/kg of turmeric, respectively; and groups 5, 6, and 7 were fed the control diet with 50, 75, and 100 mg/kg of garlic extract, respectively, for 8 weeks. Rectal and skin temperatures decreased, while follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, triiodothyronine, thyroxine, testosterone, immunoglobulin M, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, and interleukin-6 in blood serum and glutathione peroxidase in the liver increased in all groups (p < .05). Garlic extract (100 mg/kg diet) increased adenosine triphosphate and glutathione in the liver tissues. All treatments significantly increased net semen volume, percentages of progressive motility, livability, curled tail, and intact acrosomes of spermatozoa, sperm cell concentration, and outputs of total and motile spermatozoa, while significantly decreased percentage of sperm abnormality. In conclusion, dietary supplementation of turmeric or garlic extract can be used as a suitable tool for enhancing the hepatic antioxidant activity, immunity, and semen quality in rabbit bucks.

The Strategy of Boosting the Immune System Under the COVID-19 Pandemic

The novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) infection (COVID-19) has raised considerable concern on the entire planet. On March 11, 2020, COVID-19 was categorized by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a pandemic infection, and by March 18, 2020, it has spread to 146 countries. The first internal defense line against numerous diseases is personalized immunity. Although it cannot be claimed that personalized nutrition will have an immediate impact on a global pandemic, as the nutritional interventions required a long time to induce beneficial outcomes on immunity development, nutritional strategies are still able to clarify and have a beneficial influence on the interplay between physiology and diet, which could make a positive contribution to the condition in the next period. As such, a specific goal for every practitioner is to evaluate different tests to perceive the status of the patient, such as markers of inflammation, insulin regulation, and nutrient status, and to detect possible imbalances or deficiencies. During the process of disease development, the supplementation and addition of different nutrients and nutraceuticals can influence not only the viral replication but also the cellular mechanisms. It is essential to understand that every patient has its individual needs. Even though many nutrients, nutraceuticals, and drugs have beneficial effects on the immune response and can prevent or ameliorate viral infections, it is essential to detect at what stage in COVID-19 progression the patient is at the moment and decide what kind of nutrition intervention is necessary. Furthermore, understanding the pathogenesis of coronavirus infection is critical to make proper recommendations.

Ameliorative effects of betaine and ascorbic acid on endocrine and erythrocytic parameters of sexually-maturing female Japanese quails during the dry season

This study investigated the ameliorative effects of betaine and ascorbic acid on some endocrine and erythrocytic parameters in female Japanese quails (Coturnix coturnix japonica) reared during the dry season. A total of 372 fourteen- day-old female quails sourced commercially was kept in cages for 56 days. After seven days acclimation, all birds were weighed and allotted by complete random design to four groups with 3 replicates per group. Every group having 93 quails, comprised of 31 birds per replicate. Experimental groups were birds fed: Control (basal); ascorbic acid (AA), at 200 mg/Kg; betaine (BET) at 2 g/kg and combination of AA (200 mg/Kg) + BET (2 g/kg) of diets. Daily dry-bulb temperature (DBT), relative humidity (RH) and temperature-humidity index (THI) measured at 08:00 h, 13:00 h and 17:00 h fluctuated widely and exceeded the zone of thermal comfort for Japanese quails. Serum levels of catalase (CAT), reduced glutathione (GSH), cortisol, sex hormones (luteinizing hormone, LH and estradiol) and erythrocyte parameters (packed cell volume, PCV; red blood count, RBC; haemoglobin concentration, Hb; mean corpuscular volume (MCV), hemoglobin (MCH) were obtained at 28, 49 and 70 days of age. In female quails, AA ± BET increased (P < 0.05) CAT and GSH, but decreased (P < 0.05) cortisol levels when compared with control values at varying ages. There were higher (P < 0.05) values of LH in quails fed dietary AA + BET (28 and 49 day-old) and estradiol in those which consumed either BET or AA + BET (28, 49 and 70 day-old) and AA (at 70 day-old). At 49 day-old, either BET or AA + BET increased (P < 0.05) RBC count, but lowered (P < 0.05) MCV and MCH. In conclusion, betaine and ascorbic acid supplementation improved activities of serum sex and stress hormones, and erythrocytic parameters of Japanese quails during the dry season.

Effects of betaine and ascorbic acid supplementation on serum gonadotropin, testicular histological analysis and sperm quality in male Japanese quails during the dry season

The study investigated the effects of betaine and ascorbic acid supplementation on serum gonadotropin, testicular histological features and sperm quality in male Japanese quails reared during the dry season. Two hundred and forty 14 day-old male Japanese quails, obtained commercially and housed in cages, were assigned randomly to four dietary treatments for 56 days. Each treatment comprised of 3 replicates (20 birds per replicate). Birds in Control group were fed only basal diet, while those in AA group consumed supplemental ascorbic acid at (200 mg/kg); BET group, betaine (2 g/kg) and AA + BET, a combination of AA (200 mg/kg) and betaine (2 g/kg) in diets. Feeds and water were offered to all birds ad libitum. The prevailing environmental conditions during the study predominantly exceeded the zone of thermal comfort for Japanese quails with DBT ranging from 25.0 to 37.0 °C; RH, 48.0-92.0% and THI, 69.8-91.0. At 28, 49 and 70 day-old, serum concentrations of malondialdhyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), gonadotropins [luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle stimulating hormones (FSH)] and testicular histological analyses were evaluated. Sperm quality was assessed in 70 day - old quails as sperm motility (SM), vitality (SV), total abnormalities (STA) and reserve (SR). Supplemental AA + BET decreased (P < 0.05) MDA, but improved (P < 0.05) SOD in 28, 49 and 70 day-old quails. Serum LH and FSH activities were enhanced (P < 0.05) in birds fed AA ± BET diets, but those which consumed BET or AA + BET showed enhanced (P < 0.05) testicular histological architecture and spermatogenic activities. Birds fed AA ± BET showed improved SM, SV and SR (P < 0.05), but lower STA in 70 days old male quails. It is concluded that supplementation of betaine and ascorbic acid enhances male reproductive potentials in Japanese quails during the dry season.

Amelioration of heat stress-induced damage to testes and sperm quality

Heat stress (HS) occurs when temperatures exceed a physiological range, overwhelming compensatory mechanisms. Most mammalian testes are ∼4-5 °C cooler than core body temperature. Systemic HS or localized warming of the testes affects all types of testicular cells, although germ cells are more sensitive than either Sertoli or Leydig cells. Increased testicular temperature has deleterious effects on sperm motility, morphology and fertility, with effects related to extent and duration of the increase. The major consequence of HS on testis is destruction of germ cells by apoptosis, with pachytene spermatocytes, spermatids and epididymal sperm being the most susceptible. In addition to the involvement of various transcription factors, HS triggers production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which cause apoptosis of germ cells and DNA damage. Effects of HS on testes can be placed in three categories: testicular cells, sperm quality, and ability of sperm to fertilize oocytes and support development. Various substances have been given to animals, or added to semen, in attempts to ameliorate heat stress-induced damage to testes and sperm. They have been divided into various groups according to their composition or activity, as follows: amino acids, antibiotics, antioxidant cocktails, enzyme inhibitors, hormones, minerals, naturally produced substances, phenolic compounds, traditional herbal medicines, and vitamins. Herein, we summarized those substances according to their actions to mitigate HS' three main mechanisms: oxidative stress, germ cell apoptosis, and sperm quality deterioration and testicular damage. The most promising approaches are to use substances that overcome these mechanisms, namely reducing testicular oxidative stress, reducing or preventing apoptosis and promoting recovery of testicular tissue and restoring sperm quality. Although some of these products have considerable promise, further studies are needed to clarify their ability to preserve or restore fertility following HS; these may include more advanced sperm analysis techniques, e.g. sperm epigenome or proteome, or direct assessment of fertilization and development, including in vitro fertilization or breeding data (either natural service or artificial insemination).

Challenges to the Poultry Industry: Current Perspectives and Strategic Future After the COVID-19 Outbreak

Poultry immunity, health, and production are several factors that challenge the future growth of the poultry industry. Consumer confidence, product quality and safety, types of products, and the emergence and re-emergence of diseases will continue to be major challenges to the current situation and the strategic future of the industry. Foodborne and zoonotic diseases are strictly linked with poultry. Eradication, elimination, and/or control of foodborne and zoonotic pathogens present a major challenge to the poultry industry. In addition, the public health hazards from consuming foods with high antibiotic residues will remain a critical issue. The theory of poultry production described in this review will not be limited to considering disease control. Rather, it will also incorporate the interconnection of the animals' health, welfare, and immunity. It is essential to know that chickens are not susceptible to intranasal infection by the SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) virus. Nevertheless, the COVID-19 pandemic will affect poultry consumption, transport, and the economics of poultry farming. It will also take into consideration economic, ethical, social dimensions, and the sustenance of the accomplishment of high environmental security. Stockholders, veterinarians, farmers, and all the partners of the chain of poultry production need to be more involved in the current situation and the strategic future of the industry to fulfill human demands and ensure sustainable agriculture. Thus, the present review explores these important tasks.

Protective effects of dietary mannan oligosaccharide on heat stress-induced hepatic damage in broilers

Heat stress is a major concern in broiler's production, which can damage liver of broilers. This study investigated the protective effects of mannan oligosaccharide (MOS) on heat stress-induced hepatic injury in broilers. A total of 144 day-old male chicks were allocated into three treatment groups. Broilers raised under normal ambient temperature were fed a basal diet (control group), and broilers under heat stress (32-33 °C for 8 h daily) were given the basal diet supplemented without MOS (heat stress group) or with 1 g/kg MOS (MOS group) for 42 days. Compared with the control group, heat stress reduced liver weight, whereas increased aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activities in the serum. It also reduced glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity in the serum and liver, GSH content, and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in the liver, but increased malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration in the serum and liver. Dietary MOS decreased serum ALT activity in heat-stressed broilers. MOS inclusion also decreased serum MDA content, but elevated hepatic GSH-Px and SOD activities, with MDA content and GSH-Px activity still being different from the control group, and SOD activity being similar to the control group. Heat stress increased concentrations of tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) in the serum and liver, interleukin-1β (IL-1β) in the liver, and mRNA abundances of HSP70, TLR4, MyD88, TNF-α, and IL-1β in the liver of broilers. Serum TNF-α content and mRNA abundances of hepatic TLR4 and TNF-α in MOS group were lower than the heat stress group, whereas these indexes were still higher than the control group. Our results indicated that dietary MOS ameliorated hepatic damage in heat-stressed broilers through alleviation of oxidative stress and inflammation.

Impact of Heat Stress on Poultry Health and Performances, and Potential Mitigation Strategies

Heat stress is one of the major environmental stressors in the poultry industry resulting in substantial economic loss. Heat stress causes several physiological changes, such as oxidative stress, acid-base imbalance, and suppressed immunocompetence, which leads to increased mortality and reduced feed efficiency, body weight, feed intake, and egg production, and also affects meat and egg quality. Several strategies, with a variable degree of effectiveness, have been implemented to attenuate heat stress in poultry. Nutritional strategies, such as restricting the feed, wet or dual feeding, adding fat in diets, supplementing vitamins, minerals, osmolytes, and phytochemicals, have been widely studied and found to reduce the deleterious effects of heat stress. Furthermore, the use of naked neck (Na) and frizzle (F) genes in certain breed lines have also gained massive attention in recent times. However, only a few of these strategies have been widely used in the poultry industry. Therefore, developing heat-tolerant breed lines along with proper management and nutritional approach needs to be considered for solving this problem. Thus, this review highlights the scientific evidence regarding the effects of heat stress on poultry health and performances, and potential mitigation strategies against heat stress in broiler chickens and laying hens.

Relief of the negative effects of heat stress on semen quality, reproductive efficiency and oxidative capacity of rabbit bucks using different natural antioxidants

Objective

The potential of extra virgin olive oil (EVOO), betaine (BET), and ginger (GIN), as natural antioxidants, in reducing negative effects of heat stress on physiological responses, antioxidant capacity, semen quality and fertility of bucks under heat stress were investigated.

Methods

Forty adult Animal Production Research Institute line rabbit bucks were distributed randomly into four experimental treatments of ten rabbits each. The first treatment was fed the commercial pellet diet (CPD) without supplementation and served as a control. The other three treatments were fed CPD supplemented with EVOO (300 mg), BET (1,000 mg), and GIN (200 mg) per kg diet for 3 consecutive months during the summer season.

Results

Supplementation of EVOO, BET, or GIN improved (p<0.05) the sexual desire, progressive motility, vitality, intact acrosome and membrane integrity, sperm cell concentration, sperm outputs and fertility. Seminal plasma total proteins, globulin, total antioxidant capacity, glutathione and glutathione S-transferase, and initial fructose increased (p<0.05), while total lipids, aspartate and alanine aminotransferases and malondialdehyde decreased (p<0.05) compared with the control. In comparing the natural antioxidants treatments, GIN evoked the largest improvement.

Conclusion

The inclusion of GIN (200 mg/kg diet) appeared to improve the sexual desire, semen quality and oxidative stress of bucks. This may be a beneficial supplement for the management of rabbit bucks used in natural mating or artificial insemination.

Genome-Protecting Compounds as Potential Geroprotectors

Throughout life, organisms are exposed to various exogenous and endogenous factors that cause DNA damages and somatic mutations provoking genomic instability. At a young age, compensatory mechanisms of genome protection are activated to prevent phenotypic and functional changes. However, the increasing stress and age-related deterioration in the functioning of these mechanisms result in damage accumulation, overcoming the functional threshold. This leads to aging and the development of age-related diseases. There are several ways to counteract these changes: 1) prevention of DNA damage through stimulation of antioxidant and detoxification systems, as well as transition metal chelation; 2) regulation of DNA methylation, chromatin structure, non-coding RNA activity and prevention of nuclear architecture alterations; 3) improving DNA damage response and repair; 4) selective removal of damaged non-functional and senescent cells. In the article, we have reviewed data about the effects of various trace elements, vitamins, polyphenols, terpenes, and other phytochemicals, as well as a number of synthetic pharmacological substances in these ways. Most of the compounds demonstrate the geroprotective potential and increase the lifespan in model organisms. However, their genome-protecting effects are non-selective and often are conditioned by hormesis. Consequently, the development of selective drugs targeting genome protection is an advanced direction.

Changes in Bull Semen Metabolome in Relation to Cryopreservation and Fertility

Semen cryopreservation determines several sperm damages, including the loss of fertility-associated proteins. The purpose of the study was to compare the metabolite contents in bovine sperm and seminal plasma before and after cryopreservation, and between high- and low-fertility bulls in vitro. Forty-eight ejaculates, collected from eight bulls (six per bull), were analyzed by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. Cryopreservation resulted in an over-expression of lysophosphatidylcholine (0:0/18:2(9Z,12Z)) in seminal plasma. In addition, higher levels of glycine betaine and pyro-l-glutaminyl-l-glutamine were observed in cryopreserved compared to fresh spermatozoa. The fresh seminal plasma of high-fertility bulls showed an over-expression of l-acetylcarnitine, glycerol tripropanoate, 2,3-diacetoxypropyl stearate and glycerophosphocholine, and an under-expression of lysophosphatidylcholine and butyrylcarnitine, compared to low-fertility bulls. Higher levels of glycerophosphocholine and lysophosphatidylcholine (16:0/0:0) were recorded in fresh spermatozoa from high-fertility bulls. In high-fertility bulls, a greater content of glycerophosphocholine and lower levels of butyrylcarnitine, glycine betaine and l-carnitine were found in cryopreserved seminal plasma, and lower levels of glycine betaine were detected in cryopreserved spermatozoa. In conclusion, cryopreservation affects bovine semen metabolome at both plasmatic and cellular compartments, and metabolic profile differs between high- and low-fertility bulls.

The Strategy of Boosting the Immune System Under the COVID-19 Pandemic

The novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) infection (COVID-19) has raised considerable concern on the entire planet. On March 11, 2020, COVID-19 was categorized by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a pandemic infection, and by March 18, 2020, it has spread to 146 countries. The first internal defense line against numerous diseases is personalized immunity. Although it cannot be claimed that personalized nutrition will have an immediate impact on a global pandemic, as the nutritional interventions required a long time to induce beneficial outcomes on immunity development, nutritional strategies are still able to clarify and have a beneficial influence on the interplay between physiology and diet, which could make a positive contribution to the condition in the next period. As such, a specific goal for every practitioner is to evaluate different tests to perceive the status of the patient, such as markers of inflammation, insulin regulation, and nutrient status, and to detect possible imbalances or deficiencies. During the process of disease development, the supplementation and addition of different nutrients and nutraceuticals can influence not only the viral replication but also the cellular mechanisms. It is essential to understand that every patient has its individual needs. Even though many nutrients, nutraceuticals, and drugs have beneficial effects on the immune response and can prevent or ameliorate viral infections, it is essential to detect at what stage in COVID-19 progression the patient is at the moment and decide what kind of nutrition intervention is necessary. Furthermore, understanding the pathogenesis of coronavirus infection is critical to make proper recommendations.