Pica behavior of laboratory rats (Rattus norvegicus domestica): Nauseated animals ingest kaolin, zeolite, bentonite, but not calcium carbonate chalk

"Pica" refers to the ingestion of non-nutritive substances by animals that would not typically consume them. The pica behavior can be utilized to investigate the internal conditions of animals' bodies. For example, rats, due to neuroanatomical reasons, cannot vomit; nevertheless, when nauseated, they ingest kaolin clay. This renders the ingestion of kaolin a practical proxy for measuring nausea in rats. The question of whether rats consume minerals other than kaolin during nauseous episodes remains unanswered. This study aims to identify a mineral better suited for detecting nausea in rats. In two experiments, nausea was induced in laboratory rats by a single dose of lithium chloride (0.15 M, 2% bw), and their mineral consumption over the 24-hour period was measured. Experiment 1 compared three minerals between rat groups: kaolin sold for nausea detection (kaolin A), kaolin for ceramics (kaolin B), and zeolite. Nauseated rats consumed all minerals, with the highest consumption occurring with kaolin B. In Experiment 2, three commercially available health soils were compared: edible kaolin, edible bentonite, and edible chalk. The most significant consumption was observed in the kaolin group, followed by the bentonite group, while nauseated rats did not consume edible chalk. These findings underscore the suitability of kaolin for nausea detection, although the extent of consumption may vary depending on the product.

Growth performance, meat quality, strength of jejunum and leg bones of both sexes Cherry Valley ducks fed with zeolite

Zeolite, as a natural mineral, could be a good additive for ducks, in line with pro-environmental trends. The study aimed to evaluate zeolite additives in feed for broiler ducks of both sexes on production results, meat quality, and the strength of the jejunum, tibia, and femur. The experiment used 200 Cherry Valley ducks, divided into a control group of males (CM) and females (CF) and an experimental group of males (ZM) and females (ZF). In the control groups, a commercial diet was used. In the experimental groups, 1% zeolite was added. The ZM group demonstrated higher body weight and weight gain than the CM group. Zeolite reduced the feed conversion ratio. A higher liver weight was found in the experimental group (ZM). Notably, zeolite influenced the weight of male pectoral muscles. Higher water loss in the pectoral muscles and higher protein content in the leg muscles were found in the same group. Females had a higher weight of neck and wings with skin. Female pectoral muscles had lower protein and water content. Zeolite in feed at a 1% level for broiler ducks could be recommended as a natural additive that positively affects the ducks' production results concerning good quality meat.

Effect of clay supplementation on growth performance of broiler chickens: a systematic review and meta-analysis

1. This review assessed the effect of dietary clay supplementation as a drug and toxin adsorbent on broiler growth performance as a meta-analysis.2. A total of 33 eligible studies were included in the present study after identification and evaluation from online databases. Standardised mean differences (SMD) with corresponding 95% confidence intervals were computed with a fixed-effects model.3. The results indicated that clay supplementation significantly improved broiler daily gain (P < 0.001) and feed conversion ratio (P < 0.001), but did not affect feed intake (P = 0.954). Results of subgroup analysis showed that zeolite clay had the most stable medium improvement effect on FCR, while kaolin had a large effect. In addition, male broilers and Cobb or Ross broilers were more sensitive to the addition of clay, and the best supplemental levels, in general, were 10 g/kg to 30 g/kg.4. Meta-regression analysis showed that clay supplemental level and sex of broilers may be important factors in the effect of clay on ADG and FCR of broilers, respectively. The sensitivity analysis showed high stability of the results and no significant publication bias was found with funnel plot analysis and Egger's or Begg's test (P > 0.05).5. In conclusion, an appropriate addition level is a prerequisite for effective clay application. Kaolin and zeolite clays seem to be more suitable for enhancing broiler growth performance, and the value of clay is amplified in specific broiler breeds.

Growth of broiler chickens, and physical features of the digestive system, and leg bones after aluminosilicates used

The assessment of aluminosilicates' impact on the production of chickens, the physical features of the intestines, and leg bones was done. 500 Ross 308 chickens were used and divided into 5 groups. The control group was I. Groups II, III, IV, and V were fed with halloysite and zeolite (1:3 ratio) at 0,5% (1-35 days; starter, grower 1 and 2) and 1% (36-42 days; finisher) levels. Aluminosilicates were also used for the peat litter: II-500 g of halloysite/m²; III-250 g of halloysite/m² and 250 g of zeolite/m²; IV-500 g of zeolite/m²; V-130 g halloysite/m², 370 g zeolite/m². During 42 days, growth and feed indicators were recorded. 10 birds from each group were selected for slaughter. The digestive tract, femur, and tibia bones were sampled, and physical features were analyzed (weight, length, and strength). A lower feed conversion ratio on days 23-35 was found in the groups with the aluminosilicates addition. In group V a lower weight of the gizzard was found than in group I. A liver weight was higher in group V than in group III. A higher strength of the femurs was demonstrated in group IV. The tibia bones were characterized by higher strength than the femurs of broiler chickens. The aluminosilicates to feed and litter had no adverse effect.

Effect of Zeolite Supplementation on Gene Expression in the Intestinal Mucosa in the Context of Immunosafety Support in Poultry

Zeolite is an effective and non-toxic silicate mineral. Its properties are widely used in industry due to its sorption and ion exchange properties. Due to its excellent chemical properties, it has also great potential in poultry production as a food additive or supplement to bedding. This is of great importance for the biosafety and hygiene of production. The study aimed to analyse the effects of simultaneous application of zeolite to feed and bedding on production parameters and expression of genes related to intestinal tightness, organism defence, and immune response. Male Ross 308 broiler chickens were used in the experiment. In the experimental group, an external factor in the form of a powdery zeolite was used for feed and pelleted bedding. On the day of slaughter, the caecal mucosa was collected for gene expression analysis. We showed no significant changes in the tissue composition of the carcasses, but zeolite had a beneficial effect on the carcass yield. The analysis of the immune gene panel showed a significant increase in the expression of the interleukins and interferons genes. We have demonstrated the effect of zeolite on the improvement of the intestinal barrier and increasing the tightness of the intestines. There were no changes in gene expression related to the host’s defence against infections; therefore, based on the obtained results, it was concluded that zeolite can be considered an immunomodulating factor of the immune system.

Binding and neutralization of C. difficile toxins A and B by purified clinoptilolite-tuff

Clostridioides difficile (C. difficile) infection is a major public health problem worldwide. The current treatment of C. difficile-associated diarrhea relies on the use of antibacterial agents. However, recurrences are frequent. The main virulence factors of C. difficile are two secreted cytotoxic proteins toxin A and toxin B. Alternative research exploring toxin binding by resins found a reduced rate of recurrence by administration of tolevamer. Hence, binding of exotoxins may be useful in preventing a relapse provided that the adsorbent is innocuous. Here, we examined the toxin binding capacity of G-PUR®, a purified version of natural clinoptilolite-tuff. Our observations showed that the purified clinoptilolite-tuff adsorbed clinically relevant amounts of C. difficile toxins A and B in vitro and neutralized their action in a Caco-2 intestinal model. This conclusion is based on four independent sets of findings: G-PUR® abrogated toxin-induced (i) RAC1 glucosylation, (ii) redistribution of occludin, (iii) rarefaction of the brush border as visualized by scanning electron microscopy and (iv) breakdown of the epithelial barrier recorded by transepithelial electrical resistance monitoring. Finally, we confirmed that the epithelial monolayer tolerated G-PUR® over a wide range of particle densities. Our findings justify the further exploration of purified clinoptilolite-tuff as a safe agent in the treatment and/or prevention of C. difficile-associated diarrhea.

The effect of feed supplementation with Transcarpathian zeolite (clinoptilolite) on the concentrations of acute phase proteins and cytokines in the serum and hepatic tissue of chickens

The aim of the this study was to determine the effect of different levels of Transcarpathian zeolite (clinoptilolite) on selected indicators of the immune response in chickens by assessing the concentrations of the acute phase proteins haptoglobin, C-reactive protein (CRP), serum amyloid A, transferrin, and alpha-1-acid glycoprotein and the cytokines tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interferon-γ (IFN-γ), IL-2, and IL-10 in the serum and hepatic tissues of chickens. The study was conducted on 450 one-day-old male Ross 308 chickens. The total rearing period was 42 D. The samples of blood and liver were collected before the start of the study (day 0) and on day 42, after rearing was completed. ELISA kits specific for chicken CRP, haptoglobin, alpha-1-acid glycoprotein, serum amyloid A, transferrin, TNF-α, IFN-γ, IL-2, and IL-10 were used to determine the levels of acute phase proteins and cytokines in the serum and liver homogenates. The results of immunological tests suggest that for long-term maintenance of homeostasis in chickens, the addition of 2% zeolite as a feed additive is most beneficial. The results indicate that 3% clinoptilolite induce production of Th1 pro-inflammatory cytokines, increasing the synthesis of IL-2, IFN-γ, and TNF-α. The high concentration of IL-10 after the use of zeolite in conjunction with the high concentration of IL-2, TNF-α, and IFN-γ indicates a reduction in the intensity of inflammatory processes, the enhancement of the humoral immune response, and the simultaneous inhibition of the production of Th1-type cytokines. The increase of CRP concentration in conjunction with high concentrations of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines in the birds from the group receiving 3% clinoptilolite demonstrates indicates that it can influence the development of local inflammatory processes and enhance immune regulation in birds. Our research has shown that clinoptilolite influences on an increase in birds' resistance to infection, as confirmed by clinical observations and anatomopathological examination and by the increase in the synthesis of acute phase proteins with immunoregulatory properties.

Physico-Chemical Properties of Clay Minerals and Their Use as a Health Promoting Feed Additive

The contamination of feeds with microbiological or toxicological agents can affect health, productivity and safety of livestock animals and their products. The treatment of feedstuffs to lower the content of undesired substances before feeding is expensive and labor intensive, therefore an alternative is to reduce their gastrointestinal absorption. Different feed additives are available, however the use of clays and clay minerals are ideal for this purpose due to their high specific surface area, adsorption capacity, low or null toxicity for the animal and low cost. A large number of clays available to producers have different structures that are dependent on their mining source, causing difficulty in proper categorization. For this reason properties of phyllosilicates with 1:1 layers (one sheet of SiO₄ tetrahedra joined to one sheet of Al- or Mg-octahedra), 2:1 layers (one sheet of Al- or Mg-octahedra between two sheets of Si-tetrahedra), and 2:1:1 layers (a basic 2:1 structure with an interlayer brucite (with cations Mg²⁺ or Fe²⁺) or gibbsite (with cation Al³⁺) sheet) and tectosilicates are described. The role of clay minerals in animal production shows a reduction in diarrhea, better feed conversion ratio, and improved health of many livestock species due to their specific adsorption potential of many feed mycotoxins. Overall, there is growing interest in the use of clays due to their beneficial characteristics, absence of primary toxicity and success in research to reduce animal disease and improve animal production and safety of animal products.

Effects of hydrated sodium calcium aluminosilicate on growth performance, fatty liver, intestine morphology, and serum parameters of overfed geese

In geese, overfeeding induces hepatic steatosis and makes the liver functions enhanced. Aluminosilicate absorbs toxins created by moulds in animal feeds and enhances nutrient absorption. In the present study, the effects of hydrated sodium calcium aluminosilicate (Improved HSCAS, Jumpstar) on the growth performance, fatty liver, serum parameters, and intestinal morphology of overfed Landes geese were evaluated. The study included two Control groups, a non-overfed Control (Control I) and an overfed Control (Control II), as well as a treatment group. The results showed that compared with the Control I group, liver weight, relative liver weight, abdominal fat weight, intestinal fat weight, villus height, total cholesterol, very low density lipoproteins, lipoprotein lipase, aspartate aminotransferase, IgM, and IgG in the HSCAS treatment group all significantly increased (P < 0.05) at Days 10 and 20. The villus height/crypt depth, triglycerides, cholinesterase, alanine aminotransferase, and serum IgA levels were higher than those in the Control I (P < 0.05) after 20 days of overfeeding. Compared with the Control II group, the relative abdominal fat weight, relative intestinal fat weight, and crypt depth in the HSCAS treatment group were significantly increased (P < 0.05) after 10 days of overfeeding, whereas villus height/crypt depth decreased (P < 0.05). Relative liver weight and IgA were higher in HACAS group after 20 days’ overfeeding (P < 0.05). HSCAS treatment also led to higher cholinesterase, very low density lipoproteins and decreased lipase, alanine aminotransferase (P > 0.05), and decreased aspartate aminotransferase levels than those in the Control II group (P < 0.05). In conclusion, HSCAS treatment had a beneficial effect on fatty liver production, intestinal development, and serum parameters in overfed Landes geese, which could enhance the health status of these geese.