Effects of enzymatically treated Artemisia annua L. on growth performance and some blood parameters of broilers exposed to heat stress

To evaluate the effects of enzymatically treated Artemisia annua L. (EA) on growth performance and some blood parameters of broilers exposed to heat stress (HS), 320 22‐day‐old Arbor Acres male broilers were randomly allotted into five groups with eight replicates of eight birds each. Broilers in the control group were housed at 22 ± 1°C and fed the basal diet. Broilers in the HS, HS‐EA_0.75, HS‐EA_1.00 and HS‐EA_1.25 groups were reared under HS (34 ± 1°C for 8 h/day and 22 ± 1°C for 16 h/day), and fed basal diet with 0, 0.75, 1.00 and 1.25 g/kg EA, respectively. The experiment ended at 42 days. Dietary 1.00 and 1.25 g/kg EA decreased blood pH and elevated body weight gain, feed intake and carcass yield compared to the HS group. Broilers fed EA diets had lower serum concentrations of malondialdehyde and corticosterone and activities of alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase, and higher serum total superoxide dismutase activity, tri‐iodothyronine concentration and tri‐iodothyronine/thyroxine than the HS group. Serum catalase activity in HS‐EA_1.00 and HS‐EA_1.25 groups and activity to inhibit hydroxyl in the HS‐EA_1.00 group were higher than the HS group. In conclusion, dietary 0.75–1.25 g/kg EA addition alleviated HS induced impairments in broilers.     

Effects of different stocking densities on growth performance,antioxidant ability,and immunity of finishing broilers

The study was conducted to evaluate the effects of different stocking densities on growth performance, antioxidant capacity, and immunity of broilers. One thousand four hundred and forty 22‐day‐old Lingnan Yellow broilers were randomly allotted to five different stocking density groups (8, 10, 12, 14, and 16 birds per m²). Each group consisted of three replicates. The results showed that 8 and 10 birds/m² groups had higher average daily feed intake (ADFI) than the others (p < 0.05). Heat shock protein 70 (HSP₇₀) in the group of 16 birds/m² had the highest levels (p < 0.05). The group of 16 birds/m² had the lowest total antioxidant capability (T‐AOC) and total superoxide dismutase (T‐SOD) activities in blood serum (p < 0.05), and significantly increased interleukin‐1β (IL‐1β) and interleukin‐4 (IL‐4) concentration compared to the groups of 8 and 10 birds/m² (p < 0.05). In liver, the group of eight birds/m² had higher T‐AOC levels than that of 12, 14, and 16 birds/m² (p < 0.05) and also higher catalase (CAT) activities than that of 14 and 16 birds/m² (p < 0.05); the group of 10 birds/m² had the highest T‐SOD activities among all groups (p < 0.05). In conclusion, the above results suggest that stocking density of broilers up to 8 or 10 birds/m² can prevent the negative effects on growth performance and welfare parameters in broilers.     

Relationships between ultimate pH and antioxidant enzyme activities and gene expression in pork loins

Ultimate pH (pH_u) is a major determinant factor of meat quality. In this study, we investigated the effects of pH_u on the muscle antioxidant capacity, and the relationship between pH_u and muscle antioxidant capacity of pigs. A total of 137 pigs from three pig breeds with the same feeding condition were slaughtered and used to measure the pH_u, superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH‐PX), total antioxidant capacity (T‐AOC), and malondialdehyde (MDA) content, and gene expression of SOD1 and GPX4. Loins from 137 pigs of three breeds were classified based on pH_u into three groups: low (L‐pH: ≤5.50), intermediate (I‐pH: 5.51‐5.90), and high (H‐pH: ≥5.91). A majority of loins (47.5%–52%) were classified into the intermediate group. The results suggested that the pH_u value was correlated with the activity of SOD, GSH‐PX, T‐AOC, and MDA, and gene expression of SOD1 and GPX4 in all pigs. In addition, our results also indicated a linear relationship between the pH_u value and antioxidant traits. The pH_u value accounted for 23%–40% of the variation in the antioxidant traits. These results suggested that increased pH_u reduce the lipid peroxidation, and also indicated that pHu may be a key factor explaining the variation in the activity of antioxidant enzymes and gene expression in pork loins.     

Effect of L‐theanine on meat quality,muscle amino acid profiles,and antioxidant status of broilers

This study investigated the effect of L ‐theanine on carcass traits, meat quality, muscle antioxidant capacity, and amino acid (AA) profiles of broilers. Three hundred 1‐day‐old Ross 308 male broilers were randomly allotted to five groups with six replicates. Birds were fed the basal diet or basal diet with 300, 600, 900, or 1,500 mg/kg L ‐theanine for 42 consecutive days. The results showed that L ‐theanine quadratically increased dressing percentage, eviscerated percentage, and leg muscle yield (p < .05). Meanwhile, drip loss, cooking loss, shear force, L*_24h, and muscle lactate content decreased quadratically in response to dietary L ‐theanine supplementation (p < .05), while pH_24h and muscle glycogen content were quadratically improved by L ‐theanine (p < .05). Notably, the contents of muscle malondialdehyde and protein carbonyl, and the activities of muscle total antioxidant capacity, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase decreased quadratically in response to dietary L ‐theanine supplementation (p < .05), suggesting that the oxidative stress level of muscle was decreased quadratically. Moreover, L ‐theanine quadratically increased the concentrations of most of muscle essential AA, nonessential AA, and flavor AA (p < .05). In conclusion, L ‐theanine can be used as a valuable feed additive to modulate carcass traits, meat quality, muscle antioxidant status, and AA profiles of boilers, and its optimum addition level is 600 mg/kg based on the present study.     

The effect of Epigallocatechin‐3‐gallate on small intestinal morphology,antioxidant capacity and anti‐inflammatory effect in heat‐stressed broilers

This study was to investigate the effects of Epigallocatechin‐3‐gallate (EGCG) on intestinal morphology, antioxidant capacity and anti‐inflammatory response in heat‐stressed broiler. A total of 192 2‐week‐old Arbour Acres broilers chickens were divided into four groups with six replicates per group and eight chickens per replicate: one thermoneutral control group (28°C, group TN), which was fed the basal diet; and three cyclic high‐temperature groups (35°C from 7:00 to 19:00 hr; 28°C from 19:00 hr to 7:00 hr, heat stress group), which were fed the basal diet supplementation with EGCG 0 mg/kg (group HS0), 300 mg/kg (group HS300) and 600 mg/kg (group HS600). The gut morphology and intestinal mucosal oxidative stress indicators, as well as intestinal barrier‐related gene expression, were analysed. The results showed that compared with group TN, heat stress reduced the villus height (VH), activities of glutathione peroxidase (GSH‐Px), superoxide dismutase (SOD)and catalase (CAT), increased the crypt depth (CD) and malondialdehyde (MDA)content at 21, 28 and 35 days (p < 0.05). After the heat‐stressed broilers were supplemented with EGCG, VH, VH/CD (V/C), and the activities of GSH‐Px, SOD and CAT were increased, and CD and MDA content were reduced compared with those in group HS0 without EGCG supplementation at 21, 28 and 35 days (p < 0.05). The EGCG supplementation promoted the gene expression of nuclear factor‐erythroid 2‐related factor 2 (Nrf2), Claudin‐1, Mucin 2 (Muc2) and alleviated the nuclear factor‐kappa B (NF‐κB) and lipopolysaccharide‐induced tumour necrosis factor (LITAF) gene expression compared with group HS0 (p < 0.05). Moreover, intestinal morphology was strongly correlated with antioxidant ability and inflammatory response. In conclusion, EGCG alleviated the gut oxidative injury of heat‐stressed broilers by enhancing antioxidant capacity and inhibiting inflammatory response.     

Effect of dietary supplementation of hemp (Cannabis sativa) and dill seed (Anethum graveolens) on performance,serum biochemicals and gut health of broiler chickens

The present study was carried out to study the effect of different doses of hemp seed alone or in combination with dill seed against antibiotic growth promoter on performance, serum biochemicals and gut health of broiler chickens over a period of 42 days. Total 192 broiler chicks were grouped randomly into six treatments and fed with basal diet (BD) along with different levels of seeds, viz., T₁ (BD), T₂ (BD + 0.2% HS), T₃ (BD + 0.2% HS + 0.3 DS), T₄ (BD + 0.3% HS) and T₅ (BD + 0.3% HS + 0.3 DS) and T₆ (BD + 0.025% Bacitracin Methylene Disalicylate‐BMD). The performance traits like feed intake, body weight gain and feed conversion ratio (FCR) and carcass traits like cut‐up parts, giblet and abdominal fat yield remained unaffected due to dietary treatments for overall trial period; however, the average feed intake in early phase (0–3 weeks) reduced significantly (p < 0.05) in treatment birds than both controls (T1 & T6). Serum protein concentration remained unchanged, whereas significant (p < 0.05) reduction in serum lipids like triglyceride, LDL and total cholesterol concentration was noticed due to dietary inclusion of seeds. Serum enzymes like AST and ALT concentrations depleted significantly (p < 0.05) treated groups, except at higher seed doses (T5); however, alkaline phosphatase levels were unaffected. Coliform count in caecum and jejunum reduced linearly (p < 0.01) due to seed inclusion, whereas dose‐dependent proliferation of lactobacilli was evident (p < 0.01) in caecum and jejunum of treated birds. No effect was observed on the villus height and crypt depth of the jejunal mucosa. To conclude, dietary supplementation of hemp and dill seed could not affect the growth performance and carcass traits; however, it positively altered the serum lipid profile of the birds and improved gut health as well, thereby enhanced overall performance of broiler chickens.     

Magnolol additive improves carcass and meat quality of Linwu ducks by modulating antioxidative status

Magnolol rich in Magnolia officinalis is a bioactive polyphenolic compound. The aim of this study was to clarify the effects of magnolol additive (MA) on carcass and meat quality, biochemical characteristics and antioxidative capacity of Linwu ducks, by comparing it to that of antibiotic additive (colistin sulphate, CS). A total of 275 49‐d‐old ducks were randomly assigned to 5 groups with 5 cages of 11 ducks each and fed by the diets supplemented with 0, 100, 200 and 300 mg of MA/kg and 30 mg of CS/kg for 3 weeks, respectively. The results revealed that MA administration not only increased dressed percentage (calculated as a percentage of live weight), percentage of breast muscle, leg muscle and lean meat (calculated as a percentage of eviscerated weight), but also remarkably increased a*_{45 min} and pH_{45 min} of leg muscle. Moreover, MA administration decreased the percentage of abdominal fat (calculated as a percentage of eviscerated weight), 45‐min cooking loss, water loss rate of leg muscle, 45‐min cooking loss and drip loss of breast muscle at 24 hr and 48 hr. Furthermore, MA administration enhanced the activities of superoxide dismutase and catalase in serum or liver, serum total antioxidant capacity and hepatic reduced glutathione concentration significantly, compared with the basal diet or CS group (p < .05). On the other hand, triglyceride, total cholesterol, aspartate aminotransferase, malondialdehyde, protein carbonyl and 8‐hydroxy‐2'‐deoxyguanosine contents in serum and liver were significantly increased in Linwu ducks fed with CS, compared with MA groups (p < .05). Taken together, these data demonstrated that magnolol could effectively improve the carcass and meat quality of Linwu ducks by regulating the in vivo antioxidant status and would be a potential candidate to replace antibiotic.     

Relieving effect of Artemisia argyi aqueous extract on immune stress in broilers

This experiment aimed to investigate the relieving action of Artemisia argyi aqueous extract (AAE) on immune stress in broiler chickens. A 2 × 2 factorial design was used to test the effect of 2 dietary treatments (adding 0 or 1000 mg/kg AAE) and 2 immune stress treatments (injecting saline or lipopolysaccharide (LPS)). A total of 96 one‐day‐old Arbor Acres (AA) broilers were randomly divided into four treatment groups with six replicates, four birds in each replicate. Broilers in Treatment groups 1 and 2 were fed with the basal diet, and those in Treatment groups 3 and 4 were fed with the experimental diet supplemented with 1000 mg/kg AAE. On days 14, 16, 18 and 20, broilers in both Treatments 1 and 3 were injected intra‐abdominally with LPS solution at the dose of 500 μg LPS per kg BW with the LPS dissolved in sterile saline at a concentration of 100 μg/ml, and those in Treatments 2 and 4 were injected intra‐abdominally with equal amount of sterile 0.9% saline. Blood samples were collected on days 21 and 28. The results showed that dietary supplementation of AAE prevented reductions in average daily gain (ADG) and average daily feed intake (ADFI) of broilers caused by LPS on d 15–21. On day 21, the injection of LPS increased serum adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and corticosterone (CORT); meanwhile, feeding AAE reduced the rise of CORT caused by LPS. Immune parameters such as interleukin‐1 (IL‐1), interleukin‐2 (IL‐2), interleukin‐6 (IL‐6), immunoglobulin G (IgG) and immunoglobulin A (IgA) were also improved by LPS, but the content of IL‐2 and IgG in broilers fed with AAE diet was significantly lower than that of broilers fed with control diet. All the data suggested that diets supplemented with AAE could relieve the immune stress response of broilers.     

Effect of dietary supplemental ascorbic acid and folic acid on the growth performance,redox status,and immune status of broiler chickens under heat stress

This experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary supplemental L-ascorbic acid (AA) and folic acid (FA) on broiler chickens under heat stress (HS) conditions when supplemented either alone or in combination. For this aim, the effect of these supplements on the broilers’ growth performance, some blood parameters, antioxidant, and immune status were evaluated. Hatchling Cobb-500 broilers (total = 240) were fed either corn and soybean meal-based diet (control group) or basal diet supplemented with 200 mg AA/kg diet, 1.5 mg FA/kg diet, or 200 mg AA plus 1.5 mg FA/kg diet, for 35 days during the summer months (n = 6 replicates/group, 10 birds/replicate). The minimum and maximum average temperatures ranged from 84.5 to 96.2 °F, and the relative humidity ranged from 68.5 to 76.5%. Supplemented vitamins either alone and (or) in combination increased (P < 0.01) broilers’ growth performance, thyroid hormones levels, insulin growth factor1, blood hemoglobin, total protein, albumin, globulin, heat shock protein70, total antioxidant capacity, catalase enzyme activity, superoxide dismutase enzyme activity, antibody titer against Newcastle disease virus, and decreased (P < 0.01) heterophil/lymphocytes. The effects (P < 0.01) of the supplemented vitamins on the analyzed parameters were better when they were added in combination. In conclusion, the combination of AA and FA at 200 and 1.5 mg/kg, respectively, increased the broilers’ antioxidant status with coordinated improvement in the growth performance and health status under HS.

     

Enterococcus faecium NCIMB 10415 supplementation improves the meat quality and antioxidant capacity of muscle of broilers

The present study was conducted to investigate the effects of Enterococcus faecium (E. faecium) on the meat quality and antioxidant capacity of muscle in broilers. A total of 600 Arbor Acre broiler chickens (1‐day‐old, male) were randomly divided into five treatments with six replicates (20 chickens per replicate) for each treatment. The five treatments were the control treatment (CON, basal diet), antibiotic treatment (ANT, basal diet supplemented with 0.1% chlortetracycline) and E. faecium‐supplemented treatments (LEF, MEF and HEF, basal diet supplemented with 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg of E. faecium respectively). The experiment lasted 42 days in two periods of 21 days. Results showed that there were no differences in breast meat quality among different treatments (p > 0.05). Compared with the CON and ANT treatments, the yellowness of thigh meat in E. faecium‐supplemented treatments was significantly increased (p < 0.05); the shear force of thigh meat in the LEF and MEF treatments was lower than that of the CON treatment (p < 0.05). In addition, the concentration of the inosine monophosphate (IMP) in the breast and thigh meat of the MEF treatment was significantly higher than that of the other treatments (p < 0.05). At 21 days, the total antioxidant capability (T‐AOC) level and glutathione peroxidase (GSH‐Px) activity of breast meat and superoxide dismutase (SOD) in the thigh meat of the MEF treatment were greatly increased (p < 0.05). At 42 days of age, the catalase (CAT), GSH‐Px and T‐AOC activities in the breast meat of the MEF treatment were increased (p < 0.05) and the CAT activity of thigh meat in the LEF and MEF treatments was increased (p < 0.05). In conclusion, E. faecium supplementation increased the meat quality of the thigh muscle, increased the IMP content and the activities of CAT, SOD, T‐AOC, and GSH‐Px of muscle in broilers. Supplementation with 100 mg/kg E. faecium had the greatest effects.     

Dietary taurine supplementation enhances antioxidative capacity and improves breast meat quality of broiler chickens

ABSTRACT

1. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of dietary taurine supplementation on growth performance, meat quality and antioxidant responses in breast muscle of broiler chickens.

2. A total of 72 Arbor Acres broiler chickens (28-day-old) with similar body weight were randomly allocated into two groups, and fed either 0 g/kg (control; C) or 5 g/kg taurine-supplemented diets (TS) for 14 days.

3. The results showed that TS had no effect on growth performance or chemical composition of breast muscle in broilers. The drip and cooking losses were significantly decreased (P < 0.05), and the pH_24h of breast muscle were increased (P < 0.05) in the TS group. Meanwhile, broilers in the TS group exhibited significantly higher (P < 0.05) scavenging activities of superoxide and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radicals, and lower (P < 0.05) contents of carbonyl, malondialdehyde, and 4-hydroxynonenal. TS increased (P < 0.05) total antioxidant capacity and superoxide dismutase activities. Moreover, TS significantly upregulated (P < 0.05) the mRNA expressions of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), heme oxygenase 1, NAD(P)H quinone dehydrogenase 1, superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase.

4. These findings suggested that TS enhanced antioxidative capacity and improved breast meat quality of broilers via activating the Nrf2 pathway.     

Selenium‐enriched Saccharomyces cerevisiae improves growth,antioxidant status and selenoprotein gene expression in Arbor Acres broilers

One hundred and fifty 7‐day‐old Arbor Acres broilers were randomly assigned into five groups: group 1 served as a control that was fed a basal diet without selenium (Se) supplementation; groups 2, 3 and 4 were fed the basal diet supplemented with 0.15, 0.5 and 1.5 mg Se as Se‐enriched Saccharomyces cerevisiae (SSC) per kg of diet; and group 5 was fed the basal diet supplemented with 0.15 mg per kg of Se as sodium selenite (SS). Growth performance, glutathione peroxidase (GP_X) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities, total antioxidant capacity (T‐AOC), and malondialdehyde (MDA) content in plasma and liver, and cellular glutathione peroxidase (GP_X‐1) and phospholipid hydroperoxide glutathione peroxidase (GP_X‐4) mRNA levels in liver were determined. Compared with group 1, groups 2–4 exhibited higher body weights (p < 0.05), lower feed/gain ratios, and higher GP_X activities in plasma (p < 0.05) and GP_X and SOD activities and GP_X‐1 and GP_X‐4 mRNA levels in liver (p < 0.05). Compared with group 5, group 2 exhibited higher GP_X activity in plasma on day 21 (p < 0.05). Compared with group 2 and 5, group 3 exhibited lower MDA content in plasma on day 7 (p < 0.05), higher GP_X activity in plasma, SOD activity and GP_X‐1 mRNA levels in liver on day 14 and 21 (p < 0.05), and higher GP_X‐4 mRNA levels on day 14 (p < 0.05). Compared with group 4, group 3 exhibited lower MDA contents in plasma on day 14 (p < 0.05) and in liver on day 21 (p < 0.05), higher T‐AOC in plasma and higher GP_X‐1 mRNA levels on day 14 and 21 (p < 0.05), and higher SOD activity in plasma and higher SOD and GP_X activities in liver on day 21 (p < 0.05). Thus, SSC improves growth and antioxidant status of broilers; the short‐term bioavailability of SS was faster than that of SSC, but the long‐term bioavailability of SSC was greater than SS.     

Polyphenols in Eucalyptus leaves improved the egg and meat qualities and protected against ethanol‐induced oxidative damage in laying hens

Polyphenols in Eucalyptus leaves (PE) were value resources due to various pharmacological activities, but data on the effect on laying hens are very scare. This study was conducted to determine the effect of PE on the laying performance, egg traits, meat quality, antioxidant status and liver tissues of laying hens. One hundred and twenty 256‐day‐old Yueqinhuang laying hens were randomly assigned to four treatment groups (different levels of PE at 0, 0.5, 0.8 and 1.2 g/kg diet) for 63 days with 15 replicates per group. Addition of 0.8 g/kg PE not only improved the egg trait by increasing the eggshell thickness and decreasing MDA production and cholesterol content in the egg yolk, but also significantly enhanced meat quality of hens, as suggested by the increase pH_45 min (p < .01) and a* value, and decrease drip loss rate (p < .01). Meanwhile, under acute ethanol‐induced oxidative damage condition, supplementation of 0.8 g/kg PE enhanced the serum antioxidant status by increasing enzymatic activities (GSH‐PX, T‐SOD, T‐AOC), inhibited oxidative damage and provided protective effect to liver tissue. In conclusion, addition of 0.8 g/kg PE not only improved the egg traits and meat quality without obvious adverse effects, but also increased the serum antioxidant status of the hens and protected their liver tissue from ethanol‐induced oxidative damage. This study indicated that PE could be utilized as an effective feed additive for laying hens to improve health performance and egg traits.     

Effects of chestnut tannins on intestinal morphology,barrier function,pro‐inflammatory cytokine expression,microflora and antioxidant capacity in heat‐stressed broilers

A study was conducted to evaluate the effects of chestnut tannins (CT) on intestinal morphology, barrier function, pro‐inflammatory cytokine expression, microflora and antioxidant capacity in heat‐stressed broilers. Four hundred 28‐day‐old male Ross 308 broilers were randomly assigned into four groups, with 10 replicates per group and 10 broilers per replicate. The broilers in the normal (NOR) group were kept at 22 ± 1°C and fed the basal diet, and each of the other three groups were treated with cyclic heat (33 ± 1°C from 0800 to 1800 and 22 ± 1°C from 1800 to 0800) and fed the basal diet with 0 (HT), 1 (CT1) or 2 (CT2) g of CT/kg of diet. The experiment lasted for 14 days. Compared with the HT group, broilers in the NOR and CT2 groups had higher (p < .05) average daily gain and villus height in the jejunum and lower serum d ‐lactate (p < .001) and diamine oxidase (p < .01) levels. The addition of 2 g CT/kg of diet increased the total antioxidant capacity (p < .001) and superoxide dismutase activities (p < .05) and zonula occludens‐1 mRNA expression level (p < .05) and decreased the malondialdehyde concentration (p < .01) and mRNA expression levels of interleukin‐6 (p < .001) and nuclear factor kappa B (p < .001) in the jejunal mucosa of heat‐stressed broilers. The populations of Escherichia coli and Clostridium in the jejunum (p < .01) and caecum (p < .05) of broilers in the HT group were higher than those in the NOR and CT2 groups. In conclusion, the addition of 2 g CT/kg of diet seemed to be a feasible means of alleviating the negative effects of heat stress on the growth performance and intestinal function of broilers.     

Effects of berberine on the growth performance,antioxidative capacity and immune response to lipopolysaccharide challenge in broilers

This study evaluated the effects of berberine on growth performance, immunity, haematological parameters, antioxidant capacity, and the expression of immune response‐related genes in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‐challenged broilers. We assigned 120 one‐day‐old male broilers (Ross 308) to two treatment groups; each group included two subgroups, each of which included six replicates of five birds per replicate. The experiment used a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement with berberine treatment (0 or 60 mg/kg dietary) and challenge status [injection of saline (9 g/L w/v) or LPS (1.5 mg/kg body weight)] as the main factors. On days 14, 16, 18 and 20, broilers were intraperitoneally injected with LPS or physiological saline. Blood and liver samples were collected on day 21. Dietary berberine supplementation significantly alleviated the compromised average daily gain and average daily feed intake (p < 0.05) caused by LPS. The LPS challenge led to increased lymphocyte and white blood cell (WBC) counts, malondialdehyde (serum and liver) content, and immunoglobulin G and M, tumour necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) and interleukin‐1β (IL‐1β) expression (p < 0.05) and significantly reduced serum total superoxide dismutase (T‐SOD) activity (p < 0.05). Dietary berberine significantly mitigated the LPS‐induced decreases in the mRNA expression of nuclear factor‐kappa B (NF‐κB), TNF‐α, IL‐1β, inducible nitrite synthase and cyclooxygenase‐2 (p < 0.05) in the liver. In conclusion, berberine supplementation has a positive effect on LPS challenge, which may be related to the increase in antioxidant enzyme activity and inhibition of both NF‐κB signalling and the expression of inflammatory mediators.     

The suppressive effect of dietary coenzyme Q10 on mitochondrial reactive oxygen species production and oxidative stress in chickens exposed to heat stress

This study was conducted to determine if dietary supplementation with coenzyme Q₁₀ (CoQ₁₀), which can act as a potent antioxidant and is an obligatory cofactor of mitochondrial uncoupling protein, suppresses the heat stress (HS)‐induced overproduction of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) and oxidative damage in the skeletal muscle of birds. The carbonyl protein content of skeletal muscle was significantly higher in birds exposed to HS treatment (34°C, 12 h) than in thermoneutral birds (25°C). This increase was suppressed by CoQ₁₀ supplementation (40 mg/kg diet). Succinate‐supported mitochondrial ROS production was increased by HS treatment, and this increase was also suppressed by CoQ₁₀ supplementation. In contrast, CoQ₁₀ supplementation did not affect the HS‐induced decrease in mitochondrial proton leak. The mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨ), to which HS‐induced ROS production was previously shown to be sensitive, tended to be increased by HS treatment, but this rise in ΔΨ was not affected by CoQ₁₀ supplementation. Taken together, these results suggest that dietary CoQ₁₀ supplementation attenuates HS‐induced oxidative damage to skeletal muscle, by preventing the overproduction of succinate‐supported mitochondrial ROS in a manner that is independent of ΔΨ. © 2015 Japanese Society of Animal Science     

Effect of different selenium sources on production performance and biochemical parameters of broilers

Selenium (Se) is an essential trace element for animal and human. Supplementation of Se usually in livestock diet has been proved as effective element. This study was conducted to investigate the effect of different sources of selenium on growth performance, slaughter performance, immune trait, oxidation resistance, meat quality and selenium content in tissue of broilers to comprehensively evaluate the effect of selenium. A total of 324 1‐day‐old AA broilers were selected and randomly allocated to three treatments of six replicates with 18 broilers each. The trial period was 42 days and was divided into two periods. Our results showed that effect of different sources of selenium on growth performance, slaughter performance, the immune status, drip loss and flesh had not significant difference (p > 0.05); while the activities of serum glutathione peroxidase (GSH‐Px), total superoxide dismutase (T‐SOD), the abilities to inhibit hydroxyl radical (OH˙) and total antioxidant capacity (T‐AOC) were significantly higher in selenium yeast than sodium selenite groups, and the contents of MDA of selenium yeast groups were significantly lower than that of sodium selenite. This study demonstrated that the different sources of selenium had no obvious effect on production performance of broilers, but significantly influenced the broiler oxidation resistance.     

Effects of dietary γ-aminobutyric acid supplementation on antioxidant status,blood hormones and meat quality in growing-finishing pigs undergoing transport stress

γ-Aminobutyric acid (GABA) is a natural nonprotein amino acid distributed in animals, plants and microbes. GABA is an inhibiting neurotransmitter which takes great effect in mammalian central nervous system. We carried out the research to study the influence of GABA on blood hormone concentrations, antioxidant status and meat quality in fattening pigs after transportation. The 72 pigs with a starting weight of approximately 32.67 ± 0.62 kg were randomly allocated to 2 groups based on dietary treatments, containing 6 replicates with 6 pigs in each. The pigs were fed dietary supplementation of GABA (0 or 30 mg/kg of diets) for 74 days. Twelve pigs were randomly selected from each group and assigned to the either 1 hr of transport (T group) or no transport (N group), resulting in two-factor factorial design. Compared to the control, GABA supplementation increased average daily gain (ADG) (p < .01) and decreased feed–gain ratio (F/G) (p < .05). The pH_45 min was lower and drip loss was greater in the longissimus muscles (LM) of post-slaughter of transported pigs (p < .05). The pH_45 min of 0/T group (group with 0 mg/kg GABA and transport) was significantly lower than the pH_45 min of the 30/T group (diet × transport; p < .05). GABA supplementation significantly increased serum glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) concentration (p < .05) before transportation. Following transport, pigs fed GABA had decreased concentrations of serum malonaldehyde (MDA), adrenal cortical hormone and cortisol (p < .05). The results indicate that feeding GABA significantly increased the growth performance of growing-finishing pigs. The transportation model negatively impacted meat quality, antioxidant indexes and hormone parameters, but dietary supplementation of GABA could suppress the rise of drip loss of LM, ACTH and COR and suppress the drop of pH_45 min of LM after transportation stress in growing-finishing pigs. Feeding GABA alleviated transportation stress in pigs.     

Effects of supplemental nanoparticle trivalent chromium on the nutrient utilization,growth performance and serum traits of broilers

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of dietary supplementation of nanoparticle trivalent chromium on nutrient utilization, growth performance and serum traits of broilers. This study included two trials. In trial 1, 32 three‐week‐old broilers were divided into four groups: the control, chromium chloride (CrCl₃), chromium picolinate (CrPic) and nanoparticle chromium picolinate (NanoCrPic). Chromium was added at a 1200 μg/kg level to evaluate the nutrient and chromium utilization. In trial 2, 160 one‐day‐old broilers were randomly divided into four groups as in trial 1, with four replicates. The results of trial 1 indicated that the chromium utilization is as follows: NanoCrPic > CrPic > CrCl₃ and control groups, with significant differences between groups (p < 0.05). Crude fat utilization in CrCl₃ group was lower than in that the control group (p < 0.05). The results of trial 2 indicated that feed intake of 4–5 weeks showed better result in the CrCl₃ group than that in the CrPic group (p < 0.05). The results of serum traits indicated that the LDL‐cholesterol in the NanoCrPic groups was lower than that in the CrPic group (p < 0.05). The NanoCrpic and CrPic groups showed significantly increased serum chromium concentration when compared with the control and CrCl₃ groups; the triglyceride level in the CrCl₃ group was lower than that in the CrPic group (p < 0.05). This study concluded that compared with CrPic, NanoCrpic supplementation could increase chromium utilization and lower the serum LDL‐cholesterol of broilers.     

Effects of alpha‐lipoic acid supplementation on growth performance,antioxidant capacity and biochemical parameters for ammonia‐exposed broilers

In order to estimate the effect of alpha‐lipoic acid (LA) supplementation on relieving ammonia stress of broilers, 180 22‐day‐old male broilers were assigned to three groups, six replicates in each group and 10 birds per replicate. The three groups were: (1) a control group without ammonia stress; (2) exposure to 70 ppm atmospheric ammonia (AM); (3) exposure to 70 ppm atmospheric ammonia and administration of 300 mg/kg LA (AM + LA). The experimental period was 3 weeks. Results showed that average daily weight gain was increased and feed conversion ratio was decreased in the AM + LA group, compared with the AM group (P < 0.05). Total superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase activities in serum, and glutathione content in liver were higher in the AM + LA group than that in the AM group (P < 0.05); however, serum malondialdehyde content was decreased by LA addition (P < 0.05). Additionally, serum glutamic‐pyruvic transaminase, creatine kinase and lactate dehydrogenase activities were reduced and albumin level was increased by LA addition (P < 0.05). In conclusion, LA addition could relieve ammonia stress to restore broiler production performance to normal levels.