Changes in TRG/ApoA-1 ratio, TRG/HDL-C ratio and lipid serum profile after combination therapy with telmisartan/amlodipine in prediabetic patients

Funding Acknowledgements

Type of funding sources: None.

Introduction-Purpose

The combination of telmisartan with amlodipine is a commonly administered combination of an agonist ATII (angiotensin receptor II) and CCB (calcium channel blocker) for the management of hypertension. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effect of the fixed of combination telmisartan/amlodipine 80/5mg per day on the levels of serum lipids, as well as the levels of serum apolipoproteins and the TRG/ApoA-1, TRG/HDL-C ratios, in patients with stage 2 hypertension (systolic blood pressure (SBP) 160-180 mmHg and/or diastolic blood pressure (DBP) 100-110 mmHg) and with prediabetes (IFG/IGT), before and after the 3-month treatment.

Methods

Data from 51 patients who had visited our outpatient clinic for lipid metabolism disorders during the period 2014-2018 and had been randomized in the telmisartan/amlodipine group 80/5mg per day. The patients (35 male/16 female) had BMI: 29.32 [27.37-31.65]. The levels serum lipids and of apolipoproteins B, A1, Lp(a) and E were measured before the beginning of the treatment and 3-months after its administration.

Results

The resulting variations of SBP and DBP levels before and after the 3-month treatment, as well as the variations of serum lipid, apolipoprotein levels and TRG/ApoA-1, TRG/HDL-C ratios are presented on Table 1.

Conclusion

The 3-month telmisartan/amlodipine therapy seems to improved, statistically significant both SBP and DBP levels (decreased by -13.58 % and -13 % respectively, p<0.001, for both values). Serum lipid levels didn’t show any significant variation before and after treatment. Statistically significant changes were not present in apolipoprotein levels, also. Finally, there were no statistically significant variations in either TRG/ApoA-1 or TRG/HDL-C ratios.

Alternations in markers of insulin resistance: HOMA-IR, HOMA-B, QUICKI, after dual therapy combination with delapril/manidipine in prediabetic hypertensive patients

Funding Acknowledgements

Type of funding sources: None.

Purpose

The administration of the 30mg hydrochloric delapril and 10mg hydrochloric manidipine formulation is indicated for patients with idiopathic hypertension whose arterial pressure cannot be sufficiently managed with monotherapy. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of the premade combination delapril/manidipine 30/10mg per day on the variation of HOMA-IR, HOMA-B and QUICKI values, in patients with stage 2 hypertension (systolic blood pressure (SBP) 160-180 mmHg and/or diastolic blood pressure (DBP) 100-110 mmHg) and with prediabetes (IFG/IGT) before and after the 3-month treatment with the fixed combination dual-therapy.

Methods

53 patients (30 male/23 female, from whom 12 smokers and 7 alcohol users) who visited our outpatient clinic for lipid metabolism disorders and fulfilled the study’s criteria joined the study’s sample. They were randomized in the delapril/manidipine group. The patients’ BMI was 28.73 [27.73-30.3] and the SBP and DBP values were: 156 [151-161] and 100 [88-101] mmHg respectively.

Results

The resulting variations of SBP and DBP levels, as well as the variations of glucose and insulin levels and HOMA-IR, HOMA-B and QUICKI are presented on Table 1.

Results

From the sampled patients it seems that the 3-month treatment with delapril/manidipine improved statistically significantly the levels of both SBP and DBP (reduction by -11.54% and -12% respectively, p<0.001 for both values). Glucose levels witnessed a 1.55% decrease with statistical significance while a notable increase in insulin by 4.65% was also observed after the 3-month treatment, albeit without any statistical significance. Concerning HOMA-IR and QUICKI, there were no significant variance, while HOMA-B values showed a statistically significant increase (7%, p=0.006)

Alternations in markers of insulin resistance: HOMA-IR, HOMA-B, QUICKI, after dual therapy combination with telmisartan/amlodipine in prediabetic hypertensive patients

Funding Acknowledgements

Type of funding sources: None.

Introduction-Purpose

The combination of telmisartan and amlodipine in tablet form indicated for patients whose arterial blood pressure cannot be fully managed with monotreatment. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of the fixed combination telmisartan/amlodipine 80/5mg per day on arterial pressure levels and the variation of HOMA-IR, HOMA-B and QUICKI values in patients with stage 2 hypertension (systolic blood pressure (SBP) 160-179 mmHg and/or diastolic blood pressure (DBP) 100-109 mmHg) and with prediabetes (IFG/IGT) before and after the 3-month treatment with the administration of the fixed combination.

Methods

Data collected from 51 patients who have visited our outpatient clinic for lipid metabolism disorders during the period 2014-2018. 51 persons with BMI: 29.32 [27.37-31.65] (25 male, 16 female) had been randomized in the group for telmisartan/amlodipine 80/5mg per day.

The median values for the study’s sample in SBP and DBP were: 163[158-168] and 100[95-106] mmHg, respectively. Their somatometric and demographic characteristics were recorded in the beginning of the study and are presented on Table 1Α.

Results

The results of the variations in SBP and DBP, as well as the variations in glucose, insulin, HOMA-IR, HOMA-B and QUICKI before and after the 3-month treatment are presented on Table 1B.

Conclusions

From the sampled patients it can be observed that the 3-month treatment with telmisartan/amlodipine statistically significantly improved (p=0.005) the HOMA-IR values while improving fasting glucose and insulin levels. Finally, there was a statistically significant reduction in QUICKI values and a statistically insignificant reduction in HOMA-B.

Alternations in markers of insulin resistance: HOMA-IR, HOMA-B, QUICKI, after dual therapy combination with valsartan/amlodipine in prediabetic hypertensive patients

Funding Acknowledgements

Type of funding sources: None.

Introduction-Purpose

The combination of valsartan with amlodipine is more effective than monotherapy for managing HT. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of the fixed combination of valsartan/amlodipine 160/5 mg per day on HOMA-IR (homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance), HOMA-B (HOMA for β cell function) and QUICKI (quantitative insulin-sensitivity check index) values in patients with stage 2 hypertension (systolic arterial pressure 160-179 mmHg and/or diastolic pressure 100-109 mmHg) and prediabetes (IFG/IGT) before and after 3 months of treatment with the dual therapy.

Methods

Data from 54 patients who visited our outpatient clinic for lipid metabolism during the period 2014-2018. 54 persons were randomized in the valsartan/amlodipine group 160/5 mg per day (33 males/21 females from whom 14 were smokers and 8 were alcohol consumers) with BMI: 28.09[26.81-29.89], all of whom successfully completed the study. The median values of systolic and diastolic arterial pressure for the study population: 162 [159.25-165] and 100 [92-103.75] mmHg, respectively.

Results

The resulting variations of systolic and diastolic arterial pressure as well as the variations of HOMA-IR, HOMA-B and QUICKI are presented on Table 1.

Conclusions

From the studied group it is concluded that the 3-month treatment with valsartan/amlodipine improved with statistical significance the values of both systolic and diastolic arterial pressure (reduction by -13.58% and -13% for systolic and diastolic arterial pressure, respectively, p<0.001, for both values). Regarding glucose levels, there has also been a reduction by -0.04%, without statistical significance, while the increase of insulin levels (+16.13%) by the end of the 3-month period was also deemed statistically insignificant. Additionally, there have been noted statistically insignificant increases in HOMA-IR (+12.65%) and HOMA-B (+17%). Finally, no change has been observed in QUICKI values.

Changes in TRG/ApoA-1 ratio, TRG/HDL-C ratio and lipid serum profile after combination therapy with valsartan/amlodipine in prediabetic patients

Funding Acknowledgements

Type of funding sources: None.

Introduction-Purpose

The combination of valsartan with amlodipine is a commonly administered combination of an agonist ATII (angiotensin receptor II) and CCB (calcium channel blocker) for the management of hypertension. There is already data from different studies that describe the effect of each of those medications in the lipidemic profile. Ratios TRG/ApoA-1, TRG/HDLC are useful markers of insulin resistance. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of the fixed combination of valsartan/amlodipine 160/5mg per day on the levels of serum lipids, as well as the levels of serum apolipoproteins and the TRG/ApoA-1, TRG/HDLC ratios, in patients with stage 2 hypertension (systolic blood pressure (SBP) 160-179 mmHg and/or diastolic blood pressure (DBP) 100-109 mmHg) and prediabetes (IFG/IGT), before and after the 3-month treatment.

Methods

Data from 54 patients who were referred to our outpatient clinic for lipid metabolism disorders during the period 2014-2018 and had been randomized in the valsartan/amlodipine group 160/5mg per day. Those patients (33 male/21 female from whom 14 were smokers and 8 alcohol users) all completed the study successfully with mean BMI: 28.09[26.81-29.89]. The median values of SBP and DBP for the sample group were: 162 [159.25-165] και 100 [92-103.75] mmHg, respectively. The levels of apolipoproteins B, A-1, Lp(a) and E were measured prior to the beginning of treatment and 3-months after its administration.

Results

The resulting alternations of SBP and DBP levels before and after the 3-month treatment, as well as the changes of serum lipid, apolipoprotein levels and TRG/ApoA-1, TRG/HDL-C ratios are presented in Table 1.

Conclusions

From the sample group it seems like that the 3-month therapy with valsartan/amlodipine improved statistically significant both SBP and DBP levels (decreased by -13.58% and -13% respectively, p<0.001 for both values). Concerning lipid levels, no significant variation was observed across the board. Finally, no significant change was observed in apolipoprotein levels and TRG/ApoA-1, TRG/HDL-C ratios.

Effect of herbal feed additives on performance parameters, intestinal microbiota, intestinal morphology and meat lipid oxidation of broiler chickens

1. This feeding trial investigated the effects of herbal feed additives on performance of broiler chickens, jejunal and caecal microbiota, jejunal morphology, meat chemical composition and oxidative stability during refrigerated storage. 2. In a 42 days trial, 320 one-day-old broiler chickens were randomly allocated to 4 groups with 4 replicate pens each containing 20 chicks. The control group was fed maize-soybean-based diets. The diets of the other three groups were supplemented with herbal feed additives: HRB1 with Stresomix^TM (0.5 g/kg feed); HRB2 with Ayucee^TM (1.0 g/kg feed); HRB3 with Salcochek Pro^TM (1.0 g/kg feed). The GC/MS analysis of the feed additives showed that the major components of HRB1 were β-caryophyllene (14.4%) and menthol (9.8%); HRB2 were n-hexadecanoic acid (14.22%) and β-caryophyllene (14.4%); and HRB3 were menthol (69.6%) and clavicol methyl ether (13.9%). 3. Intestinal samples were taken at 42 day to determine bacterial populations (total aerobe counts, Lactobacilli, and Escherichia coli) and perform gut morphology analysis. Meat samples were analysed for chemical composition and oxidative stability under storage. 4. The HRB1 group had improved (P < 0.05) body weight gain and tended to have improved (0.05 ≤ P < 0.10) feed conversion ratio, compared to the control group. Jejunum lactic acid bacteria counts were increased (P < 0.001) in groups HRB1 and HRB3, compared to the control group, whereas caecal lactic acid bacteria counts tended to increase (0.05 ≤ P < 0.10) in group HRB1, compared to the control group. Breast meat fat content tended to be lower (0.05 ≤ P < 0.10) in group HRB1. Meat oxidative stability was improved (P < 0.001), and jejunum villus height, crypt depth and goblet cells numbers were increased (P < 0.001) in all three herbal supplemented groups, compared to the control. 5. In conclusion, herbal feed additives may be able to improve both growth performance and antioxidant activity of broiler chickens, based on their phenolic compound content.

Daily dose of itraconazole 100 mg to treat allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA) related eosinophilia: a case report

BACKGROUND

Itraconazole can be used in the treatment of allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA), as add-on therapy to antiasthmatic medications. Description of the case: The case of an 83-year-old male with asthma, newly diagnosed with ABPA, is presented. A daily itraconazole dose of 100 mg managed to efficiently control eosinophilia and reduce his total IgE count, while these laboratory findings relapsed three months after stopping itraconazole. When the dose was reduced to 100 mg of itraconazole every other day, it was proved insufficient to control eosinophilia. Moreover, one year later, he is being efficiently treated with 100 mg itraconazole daily.

CONCLUSIONS

The dose of itraconazole 100 mg can effectively treat some cases of ABPA with asthma. HIPPOKRATIA 2017, 21(3): 144-146.

An update on approaches to controlling coccidia in poultry using botanical extracts

1. This paper reviews the use of botanical extracts in the control of coccidial infection in poultry. 2. Some plants and their respective volatile oils and extracts have the potential to alleviate coccidiosis and reduce its severity. 3. Most plant bioactives improve some, but not all, aspects of coccidiosis with variable effectiveness against different species of Eimeria. 4. Difficulties in comparing research findings have arisen from the use of different experimental models, different active components and infectious dose of Eimeria. 5. Current knowledge of their potential anti-coccidial effects may provide guidance for the use of botanical extracts in the control of the coccidiosis.

The beginning of personalized medicine in sepsis: small steps to a bright future

There is a growing recognition that there is a need for a more personalized approach towards sepsis care. In most clinical trials investigating novel therapeutic interventions against sepsis, patients have been considered a rather homogeneous population. However, there is probably more individual variability between septic patients than previously considered. The pathophysiology of sepsis is a complex and dynamic process that originates from the host immune response to infection and varies according to the genetic predisposition, immune status and co-morbid conditions of the host, the type of pathogen and the site and extent of infection. Until now, efforts to stratify septic patients according to their immune profile were hampered by the lack of specific biomarkers. Recent advances in molecular medicine have made it possible to develop tools that will facilitate a faster and more precise diagnosis of infection. Individual variability between each patient's responses to infection can assist in tailoring therapeutic interventions to the individual's disease profile and monitoring treatment response. In this review, we describe those recent advances in genomics and theragnostics, which are slowly entering clinical practice and which will make possible a more personalized approach to each septic patient in the next decade.

Stress management can facilitate weight loss in Greek overweight and obese women: a pilot study

BACKGROUND

Stress and negative emotions have been shown to be critical factors in inducing overeating as a form of maladaptive coping in obese people.

METHODS

The present study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of an 8-week stress management programme that includes progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) and diaphragmatic breathing on weight loss and eating behaviour in a sample of overweight and obese women who started a weight-loss programme. A total of 34 women with a mean (SD) body mass index of 38.17 (7.19) kg m(-) ² and mean (SD) age 47.35 (11.64) years were recruited from the outpatients Obesity Clinic of a public hospital in Athens. Participants were randomly assigned into a Stress Management (SM) and a control group. Anthropometric measurements were taken before and after the intervention, and the participants completed the following questionnaires: Dutch Eating Behaviour Questionnaire (DEBQ), Eating Attitudes Test (Eat-26), Health Locus of Control (HLC) and Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) before and after the intervention.

RESULTS

The findings indicated a significant improvement in weight loss in the SM group [4.44 (0.83) kg] after intervention compared to the control group [1.38 (0.78) kg] (P < 0.05). A higher restrained eating behaviour was observed in the SM group after intervention compared to the control group, although there was no significant difference in perceived stress levels.

CONCLUSIONS

The intervention group showed greater weight reduction, possibly because of the stress management programme, and a greater dietary restraint was demonstrated by them compared to the control group. It is likely that stress management could facilitate weight loss in obese women; however, more studies are needed to confirm this hypothesis.

The effect of dietary oregano essential oil on microbial growth of rabbit carcasses during refrigerated storage

The effect of dietary supplementation with oregano essential oil on microbial growth of rabbit carcasses during refrigerated storage was investigated. A total of 45 weaned rabbits were separated into three equal groups with three subgroups each. One group was given the basal diet and served as control and the other two groups were administered diets supplemented with oregano essential oil at levels of 100 and 200mg/kg diet, respectively (OR100 and OR200 groups). Total viable counts, Pseudomonas spp., lactic acid bacteria, Brochothrix thermosphacta, Enterobacteriaceae and yeast and mould counts, as well as off-odours and appearance of slime were all assessed on rabbit carcasses stored at 3±1°C for 12 days. The results showed that performance parameters were not affected (p>0.05) whereas the dietary supplementation with oregano essential oil resulted in lower (p<0.05) average microbial counts on the carcasses, compared to controls, throughout storage. Dietary supplementation with oregano essential oil at 200mg/kg was more effective in inhibiting microbial growth compared with 100mg/kg. Sensory evaluation scores indicated that the carcasses obtained from OR100 and OR200 groups gave a noticeable putrid odour after days 8 and 10, respectively, whereas the control carcasses developed off-odours after the 6th day of storage. Slime formation in the controls was observed after day 6, while the OR100 and OR200 groups were just beginning to show slime after days 8 and 10, respectively.

Effects of long-term feeding of a diet supplemented with clinoptilolite to dairy cows on the incidence of ketosis, milk yield and liver function

Fifty-two clinically healthy Holstein cows were randomly assigned to one of three groups according to their age and parity. The first group (A) consisted of 17 cows that were fed a concentrate ration supplemented with 1.25 per cent clinoptilolite, the second group (B) consisted of 17 cows fed a ration supplemented with 2.5 per cent clinoptilolite, and the third group (C) consisted of 18 cows, which were fed the basal ration containing no clinoptilolite. The rations were fed from four weeks before the cows' expected parturition dates until the beginning of the next dry period. Blood samples were collected from each animal at the start of the experiment, on the day of calving and then monthly, and analysed for serum glucose, ketone bodies, liver enzymes, blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and total proteins. The milk yield of each cow was recorded monthly. The cows in group B had significantly fewer cases of clinical ketosis during the first month after calving and a higher total milk yield. Feeding the cows with clinoptilolite for a long period had no apparent adverse effects on their liver function, and did not significantly affect the concentrations of glucose, ketone bodies, BUN and total proteins in their serum.

Effect of Dried Oregano Leaves Versus Neomycin in Treating Newborn Calves with Colibacillosis

Treatment with neomycin (as a positive control) and dried oregano leaves on mortality, number of days scouring and severity of scours due to Escherichia coli were examined in 30 Holstein calves. Calves were assigned to one of the treatments following clinical signs of diarrhoea (i.e. faecal score >2), and treated either with an oral solution of neomycin sulphate, to provide 10 mg neomycin sulphate per kg calf body weight per 24 h, or dried oregano leaves, to provide 10 mg oregano essential oil per kg calf body weight per 24 h. The number of scouring days, severity of scouring and mortality rates were similar between the treatments. This study indicates that dried oregano leaves administered as an oral solution to calves with diarrhoea may be as effective in the treatment of colibacillosis as neomycin.

Effect of dietary dried oregano leaves on growth performance, carcase characteristics and serum cholesterol of female early maturing turkeys

1. A study was conducted with 120 female early maturing turkeys to test the effect of dietary dried oregano leaves (Origanum vulgare subsp. hirtum) on body weight (BW), feed intake (FI), feed conversion efficiency (FCE), carcase characteristics and serum cholesterol concentration. Dried oregano leaves had a content of 3.6 ml essential oils/100 g, while the carvacrol content was 855 g/kg of the total essential oils. 2. From 1 to 84 d of age, the turkeys were fed on 4 diets varying in oregano content (OR0, no oregano--control; OR45, 1.25 g oregano/kg; OR90, 2.5 g oregano/kg; OR135, 3.75 g oregano/kg). Birds were given feed and water ad libitum. 3. BW was unaffected by oregano throughout the experiment. FI and FCE were similar among all treatments until 42 d of age. From 43 to 84 d of age and for the overall experimental period, FI decreased linearly in treatment OR135 and FCE increased linearly with dietary oregano content. Body and carcase weights, carcase yield, and the relative weights of the heart and liver were not significantly affected by oregano content. The relative weights of the gizzard and small intestine decreased linearly with oregano content. Serum cholesterol content was similar among all treatments. 4. In the present study, dietary oregano (1.25, 2.5 and 3.75 g/kg) improved FCE in female early maturing turkeys between 43 and 84 d, with the lowest oregano inclusion (1.25 g/kg) giving the most cost effective diet. Thus, dried oregano leaves may be used as a natural herbal growth promoter for early maturing turkeys.

Effects on Blood Concentrations of Certain Serum Fat-soluble Vitamins of Long-term Feeding of Dairy Cows on a Diet Supplemented with Clinoptilolite

The objective of the experiment was to investigate the effect of clinoptilolite (a natural zeolite) supplementation in the ration of dairy cows on serum beta-carotene, vitamins A and E concentrations. Fifty-two clinically healthy Holstein cows were randomly assigned to one of three groups according to their age and parity. The first group (group A, n = 17), was offered a concentrate feed supplemented with 1.25% clinoptilolite. The second group (group B, n = 17), was offered a concentrate feed supplemented with 2.5% clinoptilolite. The third group (group C, n = 18), which served as controls, was offered the same concentrate feed without clinoptilolite supplementation. All cows were fed the above concentrates continuously starting 30 days before the expected parturition up to the end of lactation. Blood samples from individual animals were collected just before the start of experiment, at the day of calving and, thereafter, at monthly intervals. All samples were tested for serum beta-carotene, vitamins A and E concentrations. The results showed that the 1.25 and 2.5% supplementation of clinoptilolite had no adverse effect on serum concentrations of beta-carotene, vitamins A and E.

Performance of rabbits and oxidative stability of muscle tissues as affected by dietary supplementation with Oregano essential oil

The effect of dietary supplementation with oregano essential oil on the performance of rabbits, and the susceptibility of the produced raw and thermally treated muscle tissue to lipid oxidation during refrigerated storage, were investigated. A total of 96 weaned rabbits were separated into four equal groups with three subgroups each. One group was given the basal diet and served as control, two groups were administered diets supplemented with oregano essential oil at levels of 100 and 200 mg/kg diet, whereas the remaining group was given a diet supplemented with alpha-tocopheryl acetate at 200 mg/kg. During the 42-day experimental period, body weight and feed intake were recorded weekly and the feed conversion ratio was calculated. Feeding the experimental diets to rabbits, performance parameters were not affected. Therefore, dietary oregano essential oil exerted no growth-promoting effect on rabbits. With increased supplementation of oregano essential oil, malondialdehyde values decreased in both raw and thermally treated muscles during refrigerated storage. This finding suggests that dietary oregano essential oil exerted a significant antioxidant effect. Dietary supplementation of oregano essential oil at the level of 200 mg/kg was more effective in delaying lipid oxidation compared with the level of 100 mg/kg, but inferior to dietary supplementation of 200 mg alpha-tocopheryl acetate per kg. This study indirectly provides evidence that antioxidant compounds occurring in oregano essential oil were absorbed by the rabbit and increased the antioxidative capacity of tissues.

Effect of dietary supplementation with oregano essential oil on performance of broilers after experimental infection with Eimeria tenella

A study was carried out to examine the effect of dietary supplementation of oregano essential oil on performance of broiler chickens experimentally infected with Eimeria tenella at 14 days of age. A total of 120 day-old Cobb-500 chicks separated into 4 equal groups with three replicates each, were used in this study. Two groups, one infected with 5 x 10(4) sporulated oocysts of E. tenella and the other not, were given a basal diet and served as controls. The other two groups also infected with E. tenella were administered diets supplemented with oregano essential oil at a level of 300 mg/kg, or with the anticoccidial lasalocid at 75 mg/kg. Following this infection, survival rate, bloody diarrhoea and oocysts excretion as well as lesion score were determined. Throughout the experimental period of 42 days, body weight gain and feed intake were recorded weekly, and feed conversion ratios were calculated. Two weeks after the infection with E. tenella supplementation with dietary oregano oil resulted in body weight gains and feed conversion ratios not differing from the non-infected group, but higher than those of the infected control group and lower than those of the lasalocid group. These parameters correspond with the extent of bloody diarrhoea, survival rate, lesion score and oocyst numbers and indicated that oregano essential oil exerted an anticoccidial effect against E. tenella, which was, however, lower than that exhibited by lasalocid.

Effect of dietary oregano essential oil on performance of chickens and on iron-induced lipid oxidation of breast, thigh and abdominal fat tissues

1. We studied the effect of dietary oregano essential oil (50 and 100 mg/kg of feed) on the performance of broilers, and determined the susceptibility of the resulting broiler meat to iron-induced lipid oxidation. 2. Performance of the birds was unaffected by the experimental diets. Therefore, dietary oregano oil exerted no growth-promoting effect on broilers. 3. Iron-induced lipid oxidation showed that as oregano oil increased in the diet, malondialdehyde values decreased in tissue samples, suggesting that the oil, particularly at 100 mg/kg of feed, exerted an antioxidant effect on chicken tissues. 4. Dietary alpha-tocopheryl acetate supplementation at 200 mg/kg of feed displayed greater antioxidant activity than oregano oil at either supplementation rate. 5. Thigh muscle was more susceptible to oxidation than breast muscle, although the former contained alpha-tocopherol at higher concentration. Muscle alpha-tocopherol is an important factor influencing lipid oxidation, but the influence of polyunsaturated fatty acids and content of pro-oxidants must be taken into consideration too.

Effect of natural zeolite on yolk:albumen ratio in hen eggs

1. The egg yolk: albumen (Y:A) ratio during the laying year was investigated in a commercial strain (Hisex) when natural zeolite was added to a layer's diet. 2. Dietary natural zeolite (NZ) increased both egg weight and albumen weight, while yolk weight was not significantly affected. 3. The Y:A ratio was less (more albumen) in eggs laid by hens on zeolite treatments. It was concluded that by feeding NZ it is possible to alter the Y:A ratio.

Effect of age and carcase composition on the onset of sexual maturity in quail under normal feeding regimens

1. The effect of age and carcase composition on the onset of sexual maturity was investigated in Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica) reared under a normal feeding regimen. 2. At 42 d of age, when the quail had started to lay and hen day production was about 60%, layers were heavier and contained more carcase fat than those that were not laying. 3. The liver and the ovary weight were greater following the onset of sexual maturity than 1 or 2 weeks before (35 and 28 d respectively). 4. Carcase fat as well as age are critical requirements for the onset of sexual maturity in quail.