Absorption of protein, fatty acids and minerals in young turkeys under heat and cold stress

1. Absorption of protein, fatty acids, calcium, phosphate and potassium by young turkeys maintained at thermoneutral (24 degrees C), hot (35 degrees C) and cold (8 degrees C) conditions was examined. 2. Non-acclimatised, heat-stressed birds absorbed less potassium and phosphate, whereas absorption of nitrogen, fatty acids and calcium was not altered, as compared with birds at 24 degrees C. Non-acclimatised, cold-stressed birds absorbed less calcium than control birds and more nitrogen than non-acclimatised, heat-stressed birds. 3. Heat acclimatization might reduce the adverse effect of heat stress on potassium and phosphate absorption.     

5个草地早熟禾品种在干热胁迫下的生理响应

高温和干旱是冷季型草坪草的两个重要胁迫因子。试验将5个早熟禾品种进行干热胁迫处理21 d,每隔3 d评定草坪质量(TQ)、叶片萎蔫率(LW)、测定叶片相对电导率(EL)、叶片相对含水量(RWC)、超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、过氧化氢酶(CAT)活性和丙二醛(MDA)含量的变化。结果显示,随着干热胁迫天数的增加,草坪质量、叶片相对含水量、超氧化物歧化酶和过氧化氢酶的活性都明显下降,而叶片萎蔫率、叶片相对电导率和丙二醛的含量却明显上升。     

Ascorbic acid and melatonin reduce heat-induced performance inhibition and oxidative stress in Japanese quails

1. The effects of ascorbic acid (L-ascorbic acid) and melatonin supplementation on performance, carcase characteristics, malondialdehyde (MDA) as lipid peroxidation indicator, ascorbic acid, retinol, tocopherol and mineral status in the Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica) exposed to high ambient temperature were evaluated. 2. Two hundred and forty Japanese quails (10 d old) were randomly assigned to 8 treatment groups consisting of 10 replicates of three birds each. The birds were kept in a temperature-controlled room at 22 degrees C (Thermoneutral, TN groups) or 34 degrees C (for 8 h/d; 09:00 to 17:00 h; Heat stress, HS groups). Birds in both TN and HS were fed either a basal (control) diet or the basal diet supplemented with 250 mg of L-ascorbic acid/kg of diet (Ascorbic acid group), 40 mg of melatonin/kg of diet (Melatonin group) or both (Ascorbic acid + Melatonin group). 3. Supplementing heat-stressed quails with ascorbic acid and melatonin improved performance compared with the control group. Effects generally were greatest in quails supplemented with both ascorbic acid and melatonin. 4. Although supplementation did not consistently restore the concentrations of serum ascorbic acid, retinol and tocopherol to those of TN groups, these concentrations increased significantly with supplementation. Furthermore, serum and liver MDA and serum cholesterol and glucose concentrations were lower in the supplemented groups than in the heat-stressed controls. 5. Within each environment, excretion of Ca, P, Mg, Zn, Fe and Cr were lowest in the combination group and, in all cases, highest in the HS group. Interactions between diet and temperature were detected for live weight gain, cold carcase weight, MDA, ascorbic acid, tocopherol concentrations and excretion of zinc. 6. The results of the study indicate that ascorbic acid and melatonin supplementation attenuate the decline in performance and antioxidant and mineral status caused by heat stress and such supplementation may offer protection against heat-stress-related depression in performance of Japanese quails.     

Regulation of gene expression in chickens by heat stress

High ambient temperatures are a critical chal enge in the poultry industry which is a key producer of the animal-based food. To evaluate heat stress levels, various parameters have been used, including growth rates, blood metabolites, and hormones. The most recent advances have explored expression profiling of genes that may play vital roles under stress. A high ambient temperature adversely affects nutrient uptake and is known to modulate the expression of genes encoding for sodium-dependent glucose transporters, glucose transporters, excitatory amino acid transporters, and fatty acidbinding proteins which are responsible for the absorption of macronutrients in the intestine. Various defensive activities are stimulated to protect the cel of different tissues from the heat-generated stress, including expression of early stress response genes coding for heat shock protein(HSP), c-FOS like protein, brain-derived neurotrophic factor(BDNF), and neuronal nitric oxide synthase(n NOS); antioxidant enzyme genes such as superoxide dismutase(SOD), catalase(CAT), and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase(NOX4); and immune-related genes such as cytokines and tol-like receptors(TLRs). The potential role of HSPs in protecting the cel from stress and their presence in several tissues make them suitable markers to be evaluated under heat stress. BDNF and c-FOS genes expressed in the hypothalamus help cel s to adapt to an adverse environment. Heat causes damage to the cel by generating reactive oxygen species(ROS).The NOX4 gene is the inducer of ROS under heat stress, which is in turns control ed by antioxidant enzymes such as SOD and CAT. TLRs are responsible for protecting against pathogenic attacks arising from enhanced membrane permeability,and cytokines help in control ing the pathogen and maintaining homeostasis. Thus, the evaluation of nutrient transporters and defense mechanisms using the latest molecular biology tools has made it possible to shed light on the complex cel ular mechanism of heat-stressed chickens. As the impacts of heat stress on the above-mentioned aspects are beyond the extent to which the reduced growth performance could be explained, heat stress has more specific effects on the regulation of these genes than previously thought.     

水分胁迫下四翅滨藜和绵毛优若藜保护酶活性变化

在水分胁迫下.对四翅滨藜Atriplex canescens和绵毛优若藜Ceratoides lanata 2个耐旱牧草叶内的超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、过氧化氢酶(CAT)和丙二醛(MDA)含量进行测定,试验结果表明:随着水分胁迫的增强,四翅滨藜体内的SOD和CAT活性表现为上升趋势,而绵毛优若藜体内的SOD和CAT活性呈现降低趋势;MDA含量在四翅滨藜和绵毛优若藜体内随着水分胁迫的加剧都增加了,但相对而言,四翅滨藜体内的MDA含量相对低于绵毛优若藜.由于四翅滨藜体内的SOD和CAT活性随着时间的推移而升高,使MDA含量远少于绵毛优若藜,从而能更好免遭O2-的伤害,提高了植物体的抗旱机制.在研究期间,四翅滨藜的成活率为98.35%,而绵毛优若藜的成活率仅为61.20%,表明前者的抗旱能力远高于后者.因此,研究结果可为筛选适合西北干旱荒漠地区牧草的引种和繁育工作提供基础依据.     

Epigallocatechin-3-gallate supplementation can improve antioxidant status in stressed quail

1. Heat stress causes oxidative stress, which decreases plasma antioxidants in poultry. Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), the most abundant polyphenol in green tea, is a powerful antioxidant against lipid peroxidation. This experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary EGCG supplementation on performance, carcase characteristics, concentrations of malondialdehyde, lipid peroxidation indicator, vitamins C, E, A, cholesterol, triglyceride, and glucose in Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica) exposed to a high ambient temperature of 34 degrees C. 2. One hundred and eighty Japanese quails (10 d old) were assigned at random to 6 treatment groups consisting of 10 replicates of three birds. Birds were kept in cages in a temperature-controlled room at either 22 degrees C (thermo-neutral) or 34 degrees C (heat stress) for 8 h/d. Birds were fed either a basal diet or the diet supplemented with 200 or 400 mg of EGCG/kg of diet. 3. EGCG supplementation linearly increased feed intake, live weight gain, feed efficiency, cold carcase weight and yield under heat stress conditions but did not show the same effect at thermoneutral conditions. Serum vitamin C, E, and A concentrations increased in birds reared at high temperature while non-significant changes occurred in thermo-neutral groups. Malondialdehyde concentrations in serum and liver decreased in all birds of both thermo-neutral and heat stressed groups as dietary EGCG supplementation increased. Heat stress-induced increase in serum cholesterol, triglycerides and glucose concentrations were linearly reversed by EGCG supplementation. 4. The results indicate that EGCG supplementation improved the live performance and antioxidant status of heat-stressed Japanese quail.     

Effect of carbonated water on arterial pH, PCO2 and plasma lactate in heat-stressed broilers

1. The effects of tap (TW) or carbonated (CW) water on arterial pH, partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PCO2) and plasma lactate were determined in heat-stressed broilers. Water treatments were infused directly into the crop at a rate of 0.4 ml/min kg BW. 2. Heat stress increased body temperature (Tb) and respiration rate (RR) but both were higher in birds given CW after 4 and 5 h than in TW-infused controls. However, PCO2 was lower and arterial pH and plasma lactate were higher in TW-infused birds after 4 and 5 h of heat stress than in CW-infused birds. Hematocrit was also higher in CW-treated birds after 4 and 5 h of heat stress than in TW controls. 3. The results indicate that CW is capable of attenuating changes in blood pH and PCO2 in heat-stressed domestic fowl. The lower pH in CW birds after 4 and 5 h of heat stress may have suppressed plasma lactate concentrations in these birds.     

Differential leucocyte responses to various degrees of food restriction in broilers, turkeys and ducks.

1. White blood cell responses of broilers, turkeys and ducks were examined at regular intervals after being subjected to various degrees of food restriction. 2. Restricted-fed broilers showed increases in heterophil and basophil numbers, together with a corresponding decrease in lymphocytes. The heterophil/lymphocyte ratio was raised. There were no differences between broiler strains. 3. After only one week of feeding restricted diets, heterophils were significantly raised in selected and unselected 2-week-old ducks. At 21 weeks of age, those ducks receiving 50% of food required to achieve their ad libitum-fed body weight had raised heterophils. 4. Ducks receiving food to achieve 25% of ad libitum-fed birds produced a marked basophilia, but no heterophilia. 5. After two weeks of food restriction, turkeys responded with significant heterophil/lymphocyte ratios following two degrees of restricted feeding. 6. It was concluded that in some poultry, a heterophilia may be the response to mild to moderate stress but a basophilia may result after severely stressing birds.     

Effect of density and season on stress and behaviour in broiler breeder hens

1. We examined the effect of density (5, 7, 9 and 11 birds/m2) and season (summerand winter; different hens each season) on stress and behaviour in two flocks of 64 broiler breeder females divided among 8 pens. 2. The hens, approximately the same age and body mass in each season, were maintained on hard-packed ground, without litter, in an open-sided chicken house and were offered the same amount of food each season. 3. Mean house max/min temperatures varied between 18 and 33 degrees C in summer and 7 and 17 degrees C in winter. Mean relative humidity in summer varied between 68% at 08:00 h and 42% at 14:00 h and in winter was 64% at 08:00 h and 47% at 14:00 h. 4. No difference was found in heterophil:lymphocyte ratios among densities and between seasons; however, basophil numbers were higher in winter than in summer indicating prolonged stress in winter. 5. Stereotyped pecking increased with an increase in density and was higher in winter than in summer. Pecking on the ground was higher in winter, but was not affected by density. 6. In summer the hens spent more time lying and eating than in winter, whereas in winter the hens spent more time walking, preening and drinking than in summer. They spent the same amount of time standing in both seasons. None of these behaviours was density dependent. 7. We conclude that season had more of an effect than density on stress and behaviour in broiler breeder hens under the conditions of our study.     

The effects of environmental enrichment and transport stress on the weights of lymphoid organs,cell‐mediated immune response,heterophil functions and antibody production in laying hens

The effects of environmental enrichment and transport stress on the immune system were investigated in laying hens. A total of 48 1‐day‐old chickens were used, half of the chickens were reared in conventional cages (RCC) and the rest in enriched cages (REC). Transport stress was applied in the 17th week. Liver weight decreased, spleen and bursa of Fabricius weights, white blood cell count, CD4+ and CD8+ cell proportions increased due to the transport. Environmental enrichment significantly increased antibody production and tended to increase monocyte percentage and CD8+ cell proportion. The effect of transport on, heterophil (H) and lymphocyte (L) percentages was not significant in RCC chickens. While heterophil percentage and H:L ratio increased, lymphocyte percentage decreased in REC chickens subjected to transport. Transport stress increased heterophil functions both in REC and RCC chickens, but the increase was higher in REC hens than in RCC hens. In conclusion, although environmental enrichment did not neutralize the effect of transport on lymphoid organs, it activated the non‐specific immune system, cellular and the humoral branches of the specific immune system by increasing heterophil functions, CD8+ cells and antibody production, respectively. Therefore, environmental enrichment suggested for improving animal welfare may also be beneficial to improve the immune system of birds exposed to stress.     

Heat production of cattle acclimated to cold, thermoneutrality and heat when exposed to thermoneutrality and heat stress

Four Hereford X Red Angus yearling steers were acclimated to each of the following environments; cold (3 C), thermoneutrality (TNZ; 20 C) and heat (35 C). Intake was equalized for all treatments at 4.9 X kg X head-1 X d-1 (2.9 Mcal metabolizable energy/kg). Heat production, respiration rate and rectal temperature were determined after 3- and (21-h later) 24-h exposures to thermoneutral and heat stress test-temperatures: 25, 30, 32.5, 35, 37.5 and 40 C. Thermoneutral heat production (kcal X kg-.75 X d-1), after 3- and 24-h exposures, was greater (P less than .05) for the cold-acclimated cattle (139.6 +/- 5.0 and 153.0 +/- 5.8) as compared with the TNZ-acclimated cattle (117.7 +/- 5.0 and 121.6 +/- 5.8). Heat production of the heat-acclimated cattle after 3- and 24-h exposures to thermoneutrality was 121.0 +/- 5.1 and 123.5 +/- 3.2 and was not different from the TNZ-acclimated cattle. Heat production of steers acclimated to different temperatures was variable during the 3- and 24-h exposures to test-temperatures ranging from 25 to 40 C. Heat production increased linearly in the TNZ-acclimated cattle (24-h exposure) and in the heat-acclimated cattle (3-h exposure) at the rate of 1.3 and 2.3 kcal X kg-75 X d-1 X C-1 increase in test-temperature, respectively. In the other four comparisons, analysis by regression indicated no significant change in heat production. Rectal temperature and respiration rate increased significantly in either a linear or quadratic manner in all treatment groups exposed to test-temperatures from 25 to 40 C.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Effects of heat stress on growth, some blood variables and lipid oxidation in broilers exposed to high temperature at an early age

1. This study was conducted to determine metabolic and physiological responses of 2 commercial broiler strains, Hubbard (H) and Cobb (C), exposed to an ambient temperature of 38 degrees +/- 1 degree C for 2 h at 14 and 15 d of age. 2. Exposure to high temperature at an early age resulted in weight loss in strain C, which was not compensated for by 35 d of age but there was no weight loss in strain H. 3. Exposure of broilers to heat stress (38 degrees +/- 1 degree C) at 35 d of age resulted in an increase in rectal temperature, regardless of previously high temperature experience but acid-base balance and haematocrit values were not affected by heat stress. 4. Malondialdehyde concentration was higher in unexposed birds than in previously exposed ones and did not significantly differ between strains.     

Effects of l-glutamine on rectal temperature and some markers of oxidative stress in Red Sokoto goats during the hot-dry season

The experiment investigated the ameliorative effects of l-glutamine administration on rectal temperature (RT), erythrocyte osmotic fragility (EOF), serum antioxidant enzyme activities and malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration in Red Sokoto goats during the hot-dry season. Twenty eight healthy Red Sokoto goats, comprising 14 experimental (administered 0.2 g/kg of l-glutamine dissolved in 10 mL of distilled water, once daily for 21 days) and 14 control (administered equivalent of distilled water) goats served as subjects. Rectal temperature (measured at 6:00, 13:00 and 18:00 h) and blood samples (taken at 8:00 h) were obtained from all subjects weekly, before, during and after l-glutamine administration. Data obtained were compared using one-way repeated-measures ANOVA, followed by Tukey’s post-hoc test. The dry-bulb temperature, relative humidity and temperature-humidity index for the study period ranged between 24.0 and 37.5 °C, 26.0 and 84.0% and 73.0 and 86.3, respectively. l-glutamine administration decreased (P < 0.05) RT, EOF and MDA and increased superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in experimental group, compared to controls during weeks 1, 2 and 3. Glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and catalase activities were higher (P < 0.05) in the experimental group than in the controls only during week 1 of l-glutamine administration. In conclusion, l-glutamine administration mitigated increases in RT, EOF and serum MDA concentration and enhanced serum SOD, GPx and catalase activities and may be beneficial in heat-stressed goats during the hot-dry season.

     

不同纬度种群日本结缕草对冷胁迫的生理反应

对不同纬度分布的日本结缕草种质资源耐寒性进行了研究,低温是日本结缕草(Zoysia japonica)冬季生长的主要限制因素。在田间条件下,探讨其对冷胁迫-2℃的生理响应。结果表明,在冷胁迫下,起源于N 35°地区的草坪质量(TQ)显著低于其他纬度地区;起源高纬度地区的日本结缕草丙二醛(MDA)含量较低,超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)和过氧化物酶(POD)活性最高,而起源低纬度地区的过氧化氢酶(CAT)活性最低;SOD和CAT活性与纬度之间呈正相关,而MDA含量与纬度呈负相关。高纬度地区日本结缕草游离脯氨酸(Pro)、可溶性糖(SS)和可溶性蛋白(SP)含量显著高于低纬度地区日本结缕草,并与纬度呈正相关。     

不同品种小麦抗氧化系统对水分胁迫的响应

以永良4号和西旱2号两小麦品种为实验材料,在水分胁迫和复水条件下,研究了两种小麦叶、鞘和茎中脯氨酸(Pro)、可溶性糖、丙二醛(MDA)、超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、过氧化氢酶(CAT)和过氧化物酶(POD)等抗旱指标的变化,探讨了两小麦品种在水分胁迫和复水后的生理生化特征。结果表明,随水分胁迫程度和时间的增加,两小麦中渗透调节物质Pro含量和膜脂过氧化物MDA含量呈持续上升的趋势,而可溶性糖含量则先升后降,且永良4号中MDA含量增加幅度要高于西旱2号。抗氧化物酶SOD、CAT和POD活性在轻度水分胁迫下均有所上升,且西旱2号中抗氧化酶活性增加幅度均大于永良4,三者在中度水分胁迫下则表现出先升后降的趋势,可能是因为中度水分胁迫下抗氧化物酶丧失了活性。在复水处理中,以上各指标均有不同程度的恢复,且西旱2号的总体恢复效应要好于永良4号。在水分胁迫和复水处理下,两小麦3种器官中以上各指标变化幅度依次为叶>鞘>茎。以上结果说明西旱2号抗旱性强于永良4号,且3种器官对水分胁迫表现最为敏感的为叶,鞘次之,茎最不敏感。     

Sustained heat stress elevated corneal and body surface temperatures and altered circulating leukocytes and metabolic indicators in wether lambs supplemented with ractopamine or zilpaterol

Understanding how β adrenergic agonists influence the physiology of heat stress could lead to mitigation options. We sought to investigate body surface temperatures in feedlot wethers supplemented with ractopamine or zilpaterol and exposed to heat stress for 18 d. Corneal and skin temperatures were assessed via infrared thermography at 1- and 2-m distances. Rectal temperatures and circulating leukocytes, metabolites, and electrolytes were also measured. Heat stress increased (P < 0.05) rectal temperatures in unsupplemented and zilpaterol-supplemented lambs but not in ractopamine-supplemented lambs. Heat stress also increased (P < 0.05) surface temperatures of the cornea, nose, ear, and back, regardless of supplement. Observations were comparable between thermography performed at 1 and 2 m, and higher emissivity settings generally produced less variation. Heat stress tended to increase (P = 0.08) blood monocytes in unsupplemented but not ractopamine- or zilpaterol-supplemented lambs. Granulocytes were increased (P < 0.05) by heat stress in ractopamine-supplemented lambs but decreased (P < 0.05) in zilpaterol-supplemented lambs. Blood glucose, triglycerides, and cholesterol did not differ among groups, and blood lactate was reduced (P < 0.05) by heat stress in zilpaterol-supplemented lambs only. Blood Na⁺ was reduced (P < 0.05) and Ca²⁺ increased (P < 0.05) by heat stress, regardless of supplement. These findings indicate that β1- and β2-adrenergic agonists differentially relieve some but not all heat stress-induced changes in stress indicators. Moreover, corneal and skin surface temperatures measured by infrared thermography reasonably identified body temperature changes at a distance of 2 m.     

Seasonal variation in testicular blood flow dynamics and their relation to systemic and testicular oxidant/antioxidant biomarkers and androgens in rams

The environmental temperature increased during summer and decreased during winter to the limits that might negatively affect animal and human reproduction. The responses of Egyptian rams to either hot or cold climatic conditions were studied in six mature rams subjected to weekly testicular Doppler ultrasonographic examination, blood sampling, seminal plasma collection and semen evaluation. The maximum environmental temperature and the relative humidity were used to classify the climatic condition according to the heat stress equation of sheep into hot months where temperature–humidity index (THI) was >26 (31.67 ± 0.54), and cold months where THI was <22 (18.39 ± 0.41). Testosterone, estradiol, superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPX) and lipid peroxide product (malondialdehyde, MDA) were measured in both blood and seminal plasma, while catalase (CAT) and reduced glutathione (GSH) were measured in blood and seminal plasma, respectively. Results revealed that, during the hot months, rams displayed significantly decreased testicular blood flow, increased seminal plasma MDA, decreased seminal plasma (SOD, GPx and GSH) and blood CAT antioxidant enzymes. The present study evidenced two novel findings: (a) the marked decrease in testicular blood flow volume, that is remarkable increase in both resistive index (RI) and pulsatility index (PI) values, during hot months could be negatively affected both seminal plasma enzymatic activities and seminal attributes, and (b) the SOD and GPx activities in seminal plasma of such animals were suitable predictive markers for seminal attribute evaluation.     

Effects of heat stress on the redox status in the oviduct and early embryonic development in mice

This study examined the association between redox status in the oviduct and early embryonic death in heat-stressed mice. In Experiment 1, non-pregnant mice were heat-stressed at 35 C with 60% relative humidity for 12, 24, or 36 h, and the maternal redox status was verified by measuring the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and free radical scavenging activity (FRSA) in the oviduct, and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity in the liver. In Experiment 2, zygotes were collected from mice heat-stressed for 12 h on the day of pregnancy, and their developmental abilities were assessed in vitro, along with the intensity of DNA damage at the 2-cell stage. The TBARS value and GSH-Px activity in the liver, and ROS level in the oviduct were significantly higher in heat-stressed mice, and this increase appeared to depend on the duration of the heat stress. Maternal heat stress significantly reduced the percentage of zygotes that developed to the morula and blastocyst and the total cell number in the blastocyst. In addition, DNA damage at the 2-cell stage was significantly higher in maternally heat-stressed embryos. These results suggest that heat stress induces systemic changes in redox status in the maternal body, and the resultant increase in oxidative stress in the oviduct is possibly involved in heat stress-induced early embryonic death .     

Chromium picolinate, rather than biotin, alleviates performance and metabolic parameters in heat-stressed quail

1. The effects of chromium picolinate and biotin supplementation alone and in combination on performance, carcase characteristics, malondialdehyde (MDA), vitamin C, vitamin E, glucose and cholesterol levels were evaluated in Japanese quail exposed to high ambient temperature. 2. Two hundred and forty quails (10d old) were assigned randomly to 4 dietary treatments at room temperature (22 degrees C; thermoneutral, TN) or ambient (34 degrees C for 8 h/d; heat stress, HS). Both TN and HS were fed either on a basal (control) diet or the basal diet supplemented with 400 microg of Cr/kg (Cr group), 0.5 mg of biotin/kg of diet (biotin group) or both (Cr + Biotin group). 3. Supplementing the diet of heat-stressed quails with chromium picolinate improved live weight gain, feed intake, feed efficiency and carcase traits. Biotin supplementation during TN and HS conditions did not have any beneficial effects on body weight gain, feed intake, feed efficiency or carcase traits. 4. Either in combination or alone, chromium picolinate increased serum concentrations of vitamins C and E, but decreased MDA, glucose and cholesterol concentrations in birds kept at high ambient temperature. There was no difference in vitamins C and E and MDA concentrations between birds given chromium picolinate and birds receiving chromium picolinate plus biotin, while glucose and cholesterol levels were significantly lower in all groups. The lowest concentrations of cholesterol and glucose were found in the combination group under both TN and HS conditions. An interaction between diet and temperature was detected for glucose and cholesterol concentrations. 5. Excretion rates for zinc, iron and chromium were lower in TN groups than in the corresponding HS groups. Supplementing diet with chromium picolinate and chromium picolinate plus biotin decreased excretion of minerals while biotin alone did not effect excretion of minerals. 6. Chromium supplementation, but not biotin supplementation, attenuated the decline in performance and antioxidant status resulting from heat stress.