<abstract><title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>
The growth, haemato-biochemical indices, and antioxidant status of broiler chickens fed varying levels of Guanidino Acetic Acid (GAA) were evaluated over the course of an eight-week feeding trial. In low ME (2700Kcal/kg) basal diets, the Guanidino Acetic Acid was supplemented at 0, 0.6, and 1.2g/kg, designated as diets I, II, and III, respectively. The average final weight of chickens fed diet III was the highest at the end of the feeding trial. The best feed conversion ratio was observed in birds fed diet III. The packed cell volume and haemoglobin were highest in birds fed diet I. Significantly higher Cholesterol and Albumin were recorded in diets III and II, respectively. All the antioxidant parameters were significant except Catalase. The glutathione peroxidase increased with increased Guanidino acetic Acid supplementation while Catalase reduced with increased GAA supplementation. According to the findings of this study, Guanidino Acetic Acid improved the health of broilers while having no negative effects on their health. It is therefore concluded that supplementation of Guanidino Acetic Acid at 1.2g/kg with low metabolizable energy promoted superior growth effect of the chickens and also reduce cost of production.
</abstract>

Performance, haemato-biochemical indices and antioxidants status of broiler chickens fed diet with low metabolizable energy supplemented with graded levels of Guanidino Acetic Acid (GAA)

<abstract>
<title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>
This study evaluated the effect of some herbal plants as natural feed additives on broiler production parameters, carcass parts, and breast meat quality. A total of 150 broiler chicks, Cobb 500 hybrid, were allocated to five treatments with 30 broilers /group, for 42 days. The experimental treatments were: Control (C); a diet containing 5% alfalfa meal (A); a diet containing 5% alfalfa meal and 1% basil (AB); a diet containing 5% alfalfa and 1% thyme (AT) and a diet containing 5% alfalfa and 1% sage (AS). Bodyweight was significantly (P&lt;0.05) affected in AS group compared with C and A groups. Feed conversion ratio was significantly higher only in A and AB groups. Experimental groups had significantly greater (P&lt;0.05) gizzard weight. The total polyphenols content and the antioxidant capacity were significantly (P&lt;0.05) higher in AB, AT, and AS groups versus the C group. The cholesterol concentration was significantly (P&lt;0.05) decreased in AB, AT, and AS meat samples compared with C and A samples. Instrumental colour measurements indicated significant alterations (P&lt;0.05) among the groups regarding the values of L*, a*, b*, H°, C*, and ΔE*. The texture analysis showed that hardness, gumminess, and chewiness were significantly (P&lt;0.05) higher in AB, AT, and AS groups than in C and A groups.
</abstract>

Herbal Plants as Feed Additives in Broiler Chicken Diets

<abstract>
<title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>
The aim of the study was to assess the effect of the storage time on the hatching traits of eggs obtained from a two-line dual-purpose combination for production of male chickens that will be utilized for meat. The trial was carried out in the experimental poultry farm of the Institute of Animal Science-Kostinbrod, with a total of 150 Lohmann Brown Classic layers, at the age of 54 weeks. Hatching eggs were gathered for three weeks and were stored for 5, 10 and 15 days at 15-18°C ambient temperature prior incubation. The storage time had no effect on the fertility of the set eggs, however, it adversely affected the hatchability. Prolonged storage led to significant decline in the total hatchability (P=0.0027) and the hatchability of the fertile eggs (P&lt;0.0001) which was lowest after 15 days of storage prior incubation. The viability of the chickens was influenced by the storage of the eggs prior incubation (P&lt;0.0001), and decreased considerably when the chicks were hatched from eggs stored for 15 days.
</abstract>

Effect of Storage Time On the Hatchability of Eggs of Two-Line Dual-Purpose Combination for Production of Male Chickens for Meat

<abstract><title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>The study investigated effects of diet compositions on nutrient composition of oven dried eggs. Eggs were obtained from birds fed composite leaf meal (CLM) and separated as egg white, egg yolk and whole egg. The separated portions and whole egg were homogenized separately. The samples were oven-dried at 40°C and allowed to cool. The different portions of the egg flakes were milled, sieved and proximate analysis was done. For the egg white, highest crude protein (71.83%) was recorded in egg from birds fed 5% CLM and lowest (62.88%) in egg from birds fed 0% CLM. For egg yolk, highest carbohydrate 38.66% was observed in egg from bird fed 0% CLM and lowest 25.50% in egg from bird fed 5% CLM. Food energy varied; 528.02g/cal to 544.56g/cal in egg obtained from bird fed 2% and 1% CLM, respectively. The crude protein of the whole egg varied; 48.40% (0%) - 56.15% (5% CLM). From the results, it could be concluded that the nutrient composition of the egg white, egg yolk and whole egg were affected by the levels of CLM in the diet.</abstract>

Nutritional Composition of Oven Dried Eggs Produced from Isa-Brown Hens Fed Composite Leaf Meal-Based Diets

<abstract>
<title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>
The aim of the study was to develop a dual-purpose cross suitable for rearing in alternative systems and to examine its growth performance and carcass composition in comparison to the parent lines. The experiment was carried out in the experimental poultry farm in the Institute of Animal Science - Kostinbrod. The cross was developed using females of a layer type line L and cocks from line BB. The latter was based on Bresse Gauloise that is also dual purpose but mainly used for meat. The chickens from the lines and the cross were reared in mixed-sex groups on deep litter, at stocking density of 25 birds/m2, and fed with standard broiler feed until the age of 9 weeks. Then the males were separated and sent to slaughter while the females were left for layers. Crossing hens from layer type line L with BB cocks resulted in dual-purpose chickens with a live weight and feed efficiency that were better in comparison to L line, but lower when compared to the BB line. These parameters were however, lower than the typically observed in this type of poultry. Nevertheless, the chickens displayed good carcass composition and deposited low content of abdominal fat, thus revealing good potential to be successfully realized in market.
</abstract>

Development of dual-purpose cross for meat and egg production I. Growth performance and carcass composition of the crossbred chickens in comparison to the parent lines

<abstract><title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>
Initially, the nutritional value of the three main by-products of <italic>Cannabis sativa</italic> (hempseed cake, second-rate quality hemp seed and hemp hay), cultivated under Greek conditions and collected from four plantations in the Macedonian region was estimated. A second part of the study was the investigation of the effects of diet inclusion with hempseed cake (HSC) on the performance of Holstein dairy cows. The HSC used for this experiment was the one analyzed in the first part of the study. A total number of 20 lactating cows were allocated into two equal groups in a randomized block design. Cows of both groups were offered a total mixed ration (TMR) on the same feed allowance. The diet of the experimental group was formulated with 3.5 % hemp cake, at a quantity of 1kg of hemp cake per cow per day. Milk yield was recorded individually, and feed refusals were recorded on a pen basis daily, during the first 40 days of lactation. Individual milk samples were analyzed for their chemical composition, lipid oxidative stability and fatty acid composition and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) content, as well as feed samples of each group. Individual blood samples were received for biochemical indices assessment. All data were subjected ANOVA statistical analysis. The results of hemp by-products chemical profile showed similar nutritional values among the different cultivation regions. The experimental results indicated that the inclusion of HSC did not affect milk production and composition (P &gt; 0.05). However, diet inclusion with HSC favorably influenced milk fatty acid profile. Finally, serum NEFA concentration was lower for the HSC group while serum urea levels were higher (P &lt; 0.05).
</abstract>

Evaluation of hemp cake (<italic>Cannabis sativa</italic>) and other hemp by-products of Greek origin and efficacy in dairy cow nutrition

<abstract>
<title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>
This study examined 75 samples of raw meat from cows and camels sold in local marketplaces in the governorate of Najaf/ Iraq, for bacterial load and heavy metal contamination. The culture results were classified into 10 types involving <italic>E. coli</italic> (36–90%) (31–88.5%), <italic>Enterobacter spp.</italic> (7–17.5%) (3–8.5%), <italic>Pseudomonas spp.</italic> (10–25%) (8–22.8%), <italic>Klebsiella spp</italic>. (3–7.5%) (4–11.4%), <italic>Staphylococcus aureus</italic> (4–10%) (5–14.2%), <italic>Staphylococcus epidermidis</italic> (5–12.5%) (5–14.2%), <italic>Proteus spp</italic>. (5–12.5%) (6–17.1%), <italic>E. coli O157</italic> (6–15%) (2–5.7%), <italic>Yersinia enterocolitica</italic> (3–7.5%) (4–11.2%), and <italic>Salmonella spp</italic>. (3–7.5%) (4–11.2%), from cows and camels respectively. The averages of heavy metals concentrations in cow meat samples were 0.54±0.25, 0.50±0.18, 0.33±0.22, 0.22±2.5, 1.0±0.25 mg/kg; however, in camel meat samples were 0.27±0.20, 0.31±0.12, 0.26±0.11, 0.17±1.5 and 0.5±0.15 mg/kg for Lead (Pb), Cadmium (Cd), Copper (Cu), Nickel (Ni) and Zinc (Zn) respectively. The presence of significant levels of pathogenic microorganisms and metals in the meat samples indicates poor sanitation and hygiene practices during dealing with meat through steps of production, packaging, transportation, and storage, and the high amounts of heavy metal contamination in the environment, which will have an impact on the meat and milk animal products.
</abstract>

Evaluation of bacterial contamination and heavy metals in cow and camel meat

<abstract>
<title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>
The study investigates the effects of composites of selected tropical leaf meals and garlic on laying hens using performance, hormonal, reproductive tract morphometry, and folliculogenesis as response criteria. Fresh (bitter, moringa, scent, and neem) leaves were harvested, air-dried, and mixed with garlic powder in a ratio of 4:3:1:1:1, respectively to produce the garlic-composite leaf mix (G-CLM). A basal diet was prepared, divided into five equal portions and G-CLM was added at 0gkg-1, 5gkg-1, 10gkg-1, 15gkg-1, and 20gkg-1. Two hundred and seventy, 18 weeks old ISA Brown breed were randomly allotted to the five experimental diets and the trial lasted for 4 months. The results showed that hen-day production was highest at 5gkg-1 supplementation. All reproductive hormones measured were also significantly (p&lt;0.05) influenced by the dietary treatments with the exception of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). The result showed that significantly (p&lt;0.05) larger Preovu one (2.79 cm) and previtellogenic count (23.33) were observed in birds fed 5 gkg-1. In addition, the heaviest tract weight (46.67 g) and ovary weight (33.00 g) were observed in birds fed 20 gkg-1. It was concluded that the usage of G-CLM at 5 gkg-1 could be encouraged in layer nutrition with the aim to improve the clutch size.
</abstract>

Performance, hormonal assay, folliculogenesis and reproductive tract morphometry of ISA Brown hens fed diets supplemented with Garlic-tropical leaf meals composite mix

<abstract>
<title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>
This study investigated the effect of replacement of conventional protein source groundnut cake (GNC) with toasted-decorticated <italic>Daniellia oliveri</italic> seed meal (DSM) on haemato-biochemical parameters of lambs. Twenty intact 6-month-old lambs were used in an 84-day experiment. The animals were randomly divided into four treatments containing 0, 25, 50 and 75% DSM replacement levels for GNC. Five animals were randomly allotted to one of dietary treatments in a completely randomised design. The concentrates were formulated to have similar (P&gt;0.05) CP of 181.0 g/kg DM on average. All the other nutrients in the formulated supplements were significantly different (P&lt;0.05). There were increases in levels of organic matter (924.9–961.00 g/kg DM), non-fibre carbohydrates (238.03–329.36 g/kg DM) as well as condensed tannins, as the level of inclusion of DSM in the concentrate diet increased. Packed cell volume, white blood cell, lymphocytes, serum urea and glucose linearly increased (P&lt;0.05) but mean corpuscular haemaoglobin concentration linearly decreased (P&lt;0.05) while other haematological and serum parameters were similar among diets. Blood parameters were within established ranges for healthy sheep. The results indicate that tannins containing <italic>Daniellia oliveri</italic> seed meal can be incorporated up to 75% without compromising body immunity system and health of the animals.
</abstract>

Haemato-biochemical parameters of lambs fed tannin containing <italic>Daniellia oliveri</italic> seed meal based diet

<abstract>
<title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>
This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of live <italic>Saccharomyces cerevisiae</italic> yeast (LY) supplementation on high-starch diets for dairy cows. Using a 2 × 2 factorial design, four treatment groups were examined: adequate starch without LY (AS-control), AS with LY (AS-LY), high starch without LY (HS-control), and HS with LY (HS-LY). LY was added at 2.9 × 106 CFU/200 mg DM or without yeast. In vitro gas and methane (CH4) production, organic matter (OM) digestibility, rumen fermentation, and metabolizable energy (ME) were analyzed. The Hohenheim Gas Test apparatus was used, and total gas volumes were measured at various incubation hours. Results showed no significant effects of LY or dietary starch ratio on gas kinetics, total gas, or CH4 production. Similarly, OM digestibility, fermentation kinetics, and ME were unaffected. In conclusion, LY supplementation did not alter in vitro gas, CH4 production, OM digestibility, rumen fermentation, or ME. Further research could investigate the underlying mechanisms, such as rumen microbial population influences.
</abstract>

Assessing the effects of live yeast supplementation to diets containing high starch of dairy cows on rumen fermentation and methane production <italic>in vitro</italic>

<abstract>
<title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>
This experiment aimed to investigate the effect of sea buckthorn meal alone and in combination with bilberry leaves on growth performance, health status and intestinal microflora in broiler chickens. A total of 90 healthy 1-day-old Cobb 500 broilers were randomly divided into 3 treatment groups and housed in digestibility cages under controlled environmental conditions. The dietary treatments included a basal diet (T0), a basal diet +1% sea buckthorn meal (T1) and a basal diet + 1% sea buckthorn meal and bilberry leaves (T2). The results showed that experimental diets did not influenced the growth performance. At 42 d, T2 had the highest serum iron level among the three groups. Compared to T0, T1 and T2 significantly reduced <italic>Enterobacteriaceae, E.coli</italic> and staphylococci in the cecal and intestinal contents and improved the lactobacilli populations number. The most effective way to reduce the number of harmful bacteria in the cecal content was through the diet that contained sea buckthorn meal alone. In conclusion, adding sea buckthorn meal in the diet of broiler chickens can be an effective solution to promote a healthy gut microflora. This aligns with the current strategy of reducing agro-industrial food waste by repurposing it in other industries.
</abstract>

Dietary supplementation with sea buckthorn meal alone and in combination with bilberry leaves: assessment of growth performance, health status and intestinal microflora in broiler chickens

<abstract>
<title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>
This study was conducted on adult male and female Damascus goats to determine some blood components throughout the year. Twelve goats (4 males and 8 females), 2–3-year-old apparently healthy were used for one year. Jugular blood samples were collected once a week using vacutainers containing 18 mg K2E as an anticoagulant. Immediately after collection, samples were transferred to the lab to determine some blood components using Veterinary Hematology Analyzer. Overall means were: 17.09 ± 5.16 x 103/mm3 for White Blood Cells (WBC), 7.82 ± 2.85% for Lymphocytes (LYM), 0.98 ± 0.39% for Monocytes (MON), 11.16 ± 3.28 g/dL for Haemoglobin (HGB), 750 ± 319 x 103/mm3 for Platelet Counts (PLT) and 4.99 ± 0.38 fL for Mean Platelet Volume (MPV), with variations in the concentrations of the components among individuals. Results indicated statistical differences in the means of WBC, LYM, HGB, PLT and MPV between males and females, with no significant differences in the MON parameters. Results also showed statistical differences in the values of all parameters between winter and summer months in males and females, except for MON, where mean values of WBC, LYM and HGB with higher values in winter as compared to summer months.
</abstract>

Reference values of essential haematological parameters in Damascus does and bucks throughout the year

<abstract><title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>Current nutritional strategies of livestock industry are focused on evaluating the effects of terrestrial sources rich in natural bioactive compounds that can be used in farm animal feed and the subsequent implications on the quality of resulting animal products. In this context, the present study aimed to characterize from a nutritional point of view some natural plants used as phyto-additives in poultry nutrition: oregano, mint, basil, sage, fenugreek, thyme, turmeric, cumin and rosemary. The results of this study on plants nutritional evaluation showed a varied proximate analysis. Of all the plants, cumin, fenugreek and basil were the richest source of crude protein. Thyme had a large ether extractives content, followed by rosemary, sage and cumin. The obtained results revealed that oregano has the strongest antioxidant capacity (849.77 mmols equiv. asc. acid; 863.57 mmols equiv. vit. E), the highest total polyphenols concentration (86.77 mg GAE/g) and lutein and zeaxanthin (304.23 μg/g) of the analysed plants. Nevertheless, all plants had high concentration of total polyphenols, except cumin, a large amount of xanthophylls and vitamin E. After oregano, sage and thyme have been noted for their antioxidant capacity and major antioxidant compounds. Basil and sage revealed the highest amount of essential trace elements.</abstract>

Nutritional characterization of some natural plants used in poultry nutrition

<abstract>
<title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>
The mycotoxins ochratoxin A (OTA) and zearalenone (ZEA) are frequent contaminants of cereals responsible for important toxic effects in human and animals. The aim of this study was to investigate the in vitro effect of the sea buckthorn meal extract in alleviating the toxic effect of ochratoxin A and zearalenone on oxidative stress and inflammation using porcine peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Our results have shown that both zearalenone and ochratoxin causes oxidative damage and alter the inflammatory response. The use of the sea buckthorn meal extract can improve some markers of the oxidative stress (total antioxidant status) and inflammation (pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1β, TNF-α, IL-8, IL-6) altered by exposure to the mycotoxins ZEA and OTA and our results indicate that this waste represents a promising biological method that can be used for the alleviation of the mycotoxins negative effects.
</abstract>

Effect of sea buckthorn meal extract in alleviating the toxic effect of ochratoxin A and zearalenone in porcine peripheral blood mononuclear cells

<abstract><title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>Grape seed cakes (GSC) resulted from grape seed oil extraction represent a by-product rich in bioactive compounds such as polyphenols, polyunsaturated fatty acids, fibres, minerals, vitamins etc known for their beneficial anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, anti-oxidative and immune-modulatory effects. In the present study, we have investigated the effects of dietary grape seed cakes bioactive compounds on several anti-inflammatory and antioxidative biomarkers in spleen of pigs during fattening phase. Twelve crossbred TOPIG hybrid fattening pigs were allocated to two experimental treatments: 1) commercial diet (control group) and 2) a diet including 5% grape seed cakes (GSC group) for 24 days. At the end of experimental period (day 24) pigs were sacrificed and spleen samples were collected and stored at –80°C until analysis. The results showed that GSC diet lowered the gene expression as well as the protein concentration of pro-inflammatory markers: interleukin 1 beta (IL-1β, -52.66%, p&lt;0.05) and interferon gamma (IFN-γ, -42.13%, p&lt;0.05) and had a tendency to decrease that of interleukin 6 (IL-6, -13.25%), tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α, -9.06%) and interleukin 8 (IL-8, -11.08%) when compared to control diet confirming the anti-inflammatory properties of GSC’s active ingredients. The total splenic antioxidant capacity (TEAC) and gene expression of antioxidant enzymes (catalase-CAT and glutathione peroxidase-GPx) were higher in spleen of pigs fed GSC diet than in control group suggesting also the antioxidative potential of GSC. The results related to the molecular mechanism showed a higher expression of gene encoding for PPAR-γ and for Nrf2 in spleen of pigs receiving the GSC diet (Fc 1.81 and 1.58) suggesting that the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effect of this diet is probably exerted by PPAR-γ and Nrf2 pathway. Further, other percent of dietary GSC inclusion need to be investigated in order to obtain a more complex response related to biomarkers which characterise the fattening/obesity process.</abstract>

Active ingredients from oil by-products modulate spleen inflammatory and antioxidant response in pigs

<abstract>
<title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>
The study evaluated the effects of a <italic>Lactobacillus</italic> strains probiotic mix on performance, carcass traits, organs size, and intestinal microflora in broilers. A total of 200 one-day-old unsexed broilers were allotted into 2 groups with 5 replicates (20 broilers/replicate). During the feeding trial (35 d) the broilers were fed with a control (basal diet) or probiotic (basal diet plus 3% probiotic mix <italic>L. acidophilus</italic> and <italic>L. plantarum</italic>, 1:1 ratio). The probiotic supplementation did not significantly influence the performance, carcass traits and organs size of broilers at slaughter age. No effect of probiotic supplementation on visceral weight or length was observed, except a higher of jejunum (P=0.007) and ileum (P=0.013) weights, and a tendency to higher the caecum length (P=0.070). The probiotic mix had no significant effect on the intestinal pH, but it improved the microflora by decreasing the <italic>Enterobacteria</italic> and <italic>E. coli</italic> counts and increasing the <italic>Lactobacilli</italic> counts and <italic>Lactobacilli</italic>: <italic>E. coli</italic> ratio in the ileum and caecum (P&lt;0.05). In conclusion, the probiotic mix (<italic>L. acidophilus</italic> and <italic>L. plantarum</italic> mix, 1:1 ratio) did not significantly affect the productive performance but had a positive effect on broilers’ gut microflora.
</abstract>

Performance and intestinal microflora response of broilers to a probiotic mixture supplementation

<abstract><title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>During two feeding trials, the effect of dietary phytogenic mixture on the performance and oxidative stress biomarkers in the liver of broilers reared under thermoneutral conditions (TN) and heat stress (HS) was studied. A number of 60 Cobb 500 chicks/trial were sheltered in environmentally-controlled digestibility cages. On the 14 days of age, the chicks were weighted and assigned to four groups (2 groups/trial with 30 chicks/group). In the first trial, two groups (C-TN and PM-TN) were kept in thermoneutral conditions. In the second trial, other two groups were kept (C-HS and PM-HS) in heat stress (32 ±1 °C). The structure of diets was the same in both experiments. Compared with the control diet (C), the experimental diet (PM) contained the addition of 1% phytogenic mixture (bilberry leaves, peppermint leaves, fennel leaves and sea buckthorn meal). Irrespective of temperature conditions, dietary PM did not affect broiler’s performance. The dietary supplementation of PM delayed protein and lipid oxidation in the liver tissue of broilers in both trials by increasing the hepatic catalase, glutathione and superoxide dismutase activity.</abstract>

Dietary phytogenic mixture for broilers reared under thermoneutral and heat stress conditions

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 Aims   Archiva Zootehnica (AZ) is an international and interdisciplinary open access journal published in English, owned by INCDBNA Balotesti. AZ publishes...

 Aims   Archiva Zootehnica (AZ) is an international and interdisciplinary open access journal published in English, owned...

Archiva Zootechnica

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