Effect of dietary protein content on episodic growth hormone secretion and on heat production of male broiler chickens.

1. The effect of the crude protein content (200 and 150 g/kg) of isoenergetic diets on episodic growth hormone (GH) release and on heat production was investigated in male broiler chickens. 2. Decreasing the crude protein content of isoenergetic diets from 200 g/kg (HP diet) to 150 g/kg (LP diet) resulted in depressed body weight gain, impaired food conversion efficiency and increased abdominal fat deposition. 3. The pattern of growth hormone secretion was markedly affected by dietary treatment. Broiler chickens fed on the LP diet had higher overall mean, amplitude, baseline and peak frequency than the HP chickens. 4. The LP chickens produced more heat per unit of metabolic body weight than the HP chickens. 5. The hypothesis relating the pattern of GH secretion to protein conversion efficiency was corroborated.     

饲养密度和高蛋白质饲粮代谢能水平对公母分饲肉鸡生长性能和腿部健康的影响

本试验旨在研究饲养密度与高蛋白质(前期23%,后期21%)饲粮代谢能水平对公母分饲肉鸡生长性能和腿部健康的影响。试验采用2(性别)×2(饲养密度)×3(饲粮代谢能水平)三因子完全随机设计,选用1日龄罗斯308(Ross 308)肉鸡公雏1 872只和母雏2 160只,随机分成12个组,每组8个重复。试验设高、低2个饲养密度,以出栏体重计,分别为42[高饲养密度(HSD),16公/m2或18母/m2]和26 kg/m2[低饲养密度(LSD),10公/m2或12母/m2]。试验饲粮分前期(1~21日龄)和后期(22~35日龄)2个阶段配制,饲粮代谢能设高、中、低3个水平,其中,高代谢能(HME)水平饲粮前期和后期的代谢能水平分别为12.81和13.23 MJ/kg,中代谢能(MME)水平饲粮前期和后期的代谢能水平分别为12.18和12.60 MJ/kg,低代谢能(HME)水平饲粮前期和后期的代谢能水平分别为11.55和11.97 MJ/kg。结果表明:1)饲养密度与饲粮代谢能水平对肉鸡的平均日增重和料重比有显著交互作用(P0.05)。1~21日龄时,随着饲粮代谢能水平增加,HSD组平均日增重的增加幅度和料重比的降低幅度均小于LSD组;22~35日龄时结果正好相反。性别与饲养密度对肉鸡的平均日采食量有显著交互作用(P0.05)。随着饲养密度增加,公鸡平均日采食量的降低幅度大于母鸡。2)HSD极显著降低肉鸡的胸肌率(P0.01),母鸡的胸肌率和腹脂率显著高于公鸡(P0.05)。饲粮代谢能水平和饲养密度对肉鸡的腿肌率有显著交互作用(P0.05)。随着饲粮代谢能水平增加,LSD组肉鸡的腿肌率降低,而HSD组基本不变。3)高饲粮代谢能水平极显著降低肉鸡的脚垫损伤评分(P0.01),公鸡的步态评分和脚垫损伤评分显著高于母鸡(P0.05),垫料水分含量显著低于母鸡(P0.05)。饲粮代谢能水平与饲养密度对肉鸡的脚垫损伤评分有显著交互作用(P0.05)。随着饲粮代谢能水平增加,HSD组脚垫损伤评分的降低幅度大于LSD组。以上结果表明,高饲养密度降低肉鸡的平均日增重,增加料重比;35日龄前,公鸡比母鸡的空间需求更高;提高高蛋白质饲粮的代谢能水平可以缓解HSD对肉鸡生长性能和脚垫健康的不利影响。     

红景天提取物对高原缺氧条件下肉鸡法氏囊疫苗免疫作用的影响

试验旨在研究红景天提取物对高原缺氧条件下肉鸡接种法氏囊疫苗和绵羊红细胞后产生的特异性抗体水平的影响。随机选取100只1日龄健康AA肉仔鸡,随机分为5组。其中,对照组只饲喂基础日粮,其余4组分别在基础日粮中添加0.10%、0.15%、0.20%和0.40%红景天水提物干粉。每个组取半数鸡只于13日龄腹腔注射接种绵羊红细胞,另一半鸡只于20日龄口服接种法氏囊疫苗。研究发现,免疫接种法氏囊疫苗后2 d和19 d,相比于对照组,0.20%和0.40%红景天处理组显著提高了法氏囊疫苗抗体水平(P<0.05)。在腹腔注射绵羊红细胞后5 d、8 d和12 d时,相比对照组,0.20%和0.40%红景天处理组显著提高了绵羊红细胞抗体水平(P<0.05)。该试验表明红景天提取物可以提高高海拔缺氧条件下肉鸡特异性抗体水平,因此其可能作为高海拔缺氧条件下肉鸡日粮的一种免疫调节性添加剂。     

Isoleucine requirements of the chicken: the effect of excess leucine and valine on the response to isoleucine.

1. Three experiments were designed to determine the response of broiler chickens to dietary isoleucine, and to quantify the antagonistic effects of excess leucine and valine on this response. 2. A dilution technique was used to measure the responses in growth rate and food intake to a range of diets differing in their isoleucine concentrations. A summit diet was formulated to contain isoleucine at 1.14 times the requirement and with leucine (1.76 times the requirement) and valine (1.87 times the requirement) at the minimum possible concentrations, given the ingredients available. A dilution mixture, devoid of protein, was formulated to correspond in all respects, other than in amino acid content, to the summit diet. These two basal diets were blended in different proportions to give a range of diets of decreasing isoleucine and protein content. 3. In experiment 1 the response was measured to isoleucine with leucine and valine remaining in the same proportion to isoleucine throughout the range of diets fed. In experiments 2 and 3, however, L-leucine and L-valine were added to the diets either singly or in combination to give 6 isoleucine concentrations and 3 ratios of each of leucine and valine to isoleucine. 4. Weight gain decreased as the isoleucine content of the diet was reduced, whereas food intake of broilers fed on the marginally deficient diets increased to a maximum and then decreased. FCE decreased curvilinearly as the isoleucine concentration in the food decreased, reflecting a concomitant change in the fat content of the broilers. 5. It is possible that the amount of dietary isoleucine assumed to be available to the broilers in these experiments was overestimated by hydrolysing the food samples for 72 h, and the doubt thus created makes an estimate of the efficiency of retention of isoleucine suspect. 6. Excess valine had no effect on the response to isoleucine, whereas an increase in the leucine to isoleucine ratio depressed food intake and hence weight gain, but only at the lowest concentrations of isoleucine. 7. If the food content of isoleucine is sufficient to meet the requirements of the broiler, relatively large excesses of leucine, of valine, or of both will not depress growth.     

籽粒苋籽实粉作为肉仔鸡日粮组分的营养价值评定

通过梯度饲养、消化代谢和比较屠宰试验,综合评定了籽粒苋籽实粉对星布罗(Star-bro)肉仔鸡的营养价值和对日粮氨基酸利用率的影响.结果测得籽粒苋籽实粉含可消化粗蛋白质132.75g/kg,表观代谢能13.44MJ/kg;日粮中纳入16％苋籽实粉,显著提高了氨基酸利用率和血浆游离赖氨酸、亮氨酸及甘氨酸浓度,日粮粗蛋白质和能量代谢率分别提高6.91％和5.33％,日粮中营养物质转化为胴体蛋白质、脂肪的效率及料肉比均得到改善.     

The impact of nutrient density in terms of energy and/or protein on live performance,metabolism and carcass composition of female and male broiler chickens of two commercial broiler strains

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of diet composition on performance, slaughter yield and plasma metabolites, as different modern broiler strains show different responses to feed intake. Broilers of two commercial strains and of both sexes received one of three diets being different in energy and/or protein level [control diet, low energy/low protein diet (LM/LP) and low protein diet (LP)]. Low energy/low protein diet chickens were characterized by significantly lower body weights and feed intake compared with their LP and control counterparts. Broilers of the Cobb strain or broilers that were fed the control diet were most efficient in converting energy to body weight. No significant differences in plasma metabolites were detected due to diet composition or genotype. The diet with the lower energy and crude protein levels reached the lowest slaughter yield but the highest drumstick and wing percentages. The lowest mortality percentages were observed for broilers fed the LM/LP diet, and Cobb birds appeared to be more sensitive for metabolic disorders resulting in death. It is obvious from this study that different genotypes respond differently to changes in diet composition and therefore have adjusted nutritional requirements.     

Effect of macronutrient ratio of the pre‐starter diet on broiler performance and intermediary metabolism

The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of isoenergetic substitution between the three energy delivering macronutrients in pre‐starter diets on performance and intermediary nutrient metabolism in broiler chickens. From hatch until 5 days of age, 600 chicks, collected during peak of hatch, were fed one of the three experimental pre‐starter diets with isoenergetic (13 MJ metabolisable energy/kg) substitutions between fat (43 vs. 108 g/kg), protein (126 vs. 240 g/kg) and carbohydrates (391 vs. 510 g/kg). After 5 days, commercial grower and finisher diets were provided. Pre‐starter composition influenced body weight until slaughter age, although not statistically verifiable. Broilers fed the low protein (LP) pre‐starter had the lowest body weight in relation to chickens on the low carbohydrate or low fat pre‐starter diet. After hatch, chicks on the LP pre‐starter diet were able to use the residual yolk sac more rapidly to fulfil their protein requirement, which is reflected in small intestine and liver development. Also, plasma metabolite levels were influenced mostly by the LP pre‐starter, indicating that the main focus for the requirements of newly hatched chicks should be on proteins. Furthermore, optimal nutrition during the first day’s post‐hatch should take into account the contribution of the yolk.     

芽孢乳杆菌对肉仔鸡生产性能、肠道发育和微生物菌群的影响

本试验旨在研究不同水平芽孢乳杆菌对内仔鸡生产性能、肠道发育及微生物菌群的影响.选取1日龄爱拔益加(AA)肉仔鸡2 400只,随机分为4组(每组6个重复,每个重复100只):对照组饲喂基础饲粮,试验组饲喂分别添加200、100和50 mg/kg芽孢乳杆菌的试验饲粮,试验期42 d.结果表明:1)饲粮添加200 mg/kg...     

Growth, food intake and energy balance of layer and broiler chickens offered glucose in the drinking water and the effect of dietary protein content

1. Four experiments were carried out to study the effect of offering a 91.5 g/l solution of glucose, compared to tap water, on fluid intake, food intake and growth of individually-caged immature chickens of both layer and broiler strains. 2. Male chicks of an egg-laying strain were offered glucose solution or tap water from 27 to 62 d after hatching. There was no effect of glucose on fluid intake but it depressed food intake (P less than 0.01) to give equal total energy intakes for each treatment. Body weight gain was reduced (P less than 0.001) and carcase fat content increased (P less than 0.001) by the glucose to yield no difference to total carcase energy. 3. When birds were placed in a respiration chamber for two 23-h periods there was no effect of treatment on outputs of energy as faeces + urine or as heat. 4. Male broilers were offered glucose solution or tap water with diets containing either 150 or 195 g protein/kg from 20 to 55 d after hatching. With the low-protein diet glucose depressed food intake (P less than 0.01) but total energy intake and carcase energy were not significantly affected. With the high-protein diet glucose did not depress food intake but increased total energy intake and total body fat. 5. Layer and broiler chicks were offered either a choice of the low- and high-protein diets or a single diet intermediate in protein content, with glucose solution or tap water. With broilers total food intake was depressed by glucose, mainly by a reduced intake of the low-protein diet. Intake of neither diet by the layer chicks was significantly affected by glucose. 6. It is concluded that provision of extra energy in glucose solution depresses food intake when the resultant energy:protein ratio becomes limiting. With a higher protein diet, or with birds having lower protein requirements, glucose solution does not depress food intake and increased fat deposition occurs.     

Tibiotarsus bone characteristics and tibial dyschondroplasia incidence of broilers fed diets supplemented with leucine and valine

Two experiments were conducted to study the effect of standardized ileal digestible (SID) leucine and valine levels on tibiotarsus bone characteristics and the incidence of tibial dyschondroplasia of broilers from day 1 to 21 (Experiment I) and day 21 to 42 post‐hatch (Experiment II). Each experimental phase was evaluated independently. In both experiments, a total of 1,500 one‐day‐old Cobb 500 male broiler chickens were distributed in a completely randomized design 5 × 5 factorial arrangement for a total of 25 treatments. The SID leucine and valine levels were ranged from 10.0 to 19.6 g/kg, and 6.0 to 12.0 g/kg from day 1 to 21 post‐hatch, respectively, while day 21 to 42 post‐hatch ranged from 10.0 to 18.0 g leucine/kg, and 5.2 to 11.2 g valine/kg. Serum calcium and phosphorus, bone concentrations of calcium, phosphorus and ash, diameter and Seedor index of the tibiotarsus were not affected (p > .05) by the treatments at 21 or 42 days of age. There was an interaction (p ≤.06) between the SID levels of leucine and valine on tibiotarsus breaking strength at 21 days, but not at 42 days of age (p > .05). Tibiotarsus breaking strength was maximized in broilers from day 1 to 21 with the dietary levels of leucine and valine at 14.2 and 9.0 g/kg respectively. Dietary leucine levels reduced linearly (p < .05) the hypertrophic zone of tibiotarsus cartilage at 21 days of age. Therefore, leucine and valine supplementation interact positively on bone strength of broilers from day 1 to 21 post‐hatch. Leucine can be a useful amino acid for reducing the hypertrophic cartilage zone in broilers from day 1 to 21, but not from day 21 to 42 post‐hatch.     

葡甘露聚糖对饲喂黄曲霉毒素B1日粮肉仔鸡生长性能、血清指标及器官指数的影响

本文通过测定肉仔鸡生长性能、血清指标及器官指数,探讨葡甘露聚糖对黄曲霉毒素B1(AFB1)的吸附作用。选用180只体重接近的8日龄肉仔鸡随机分成3组,分别为基础日粮组、基础日粮 0.1mg/kgAFB1组、基础日粮 0.1mg/kgAFB1 0.1%葡甘露聚糖组,试验期21d。试验结果表明:(1)基础日粮中加入0.1mg/kgAFB1,肉仔鸡的体重、日增重、日采食量显著下降,料重比升高。血清中总蛋白、白蛋白含量显著下降,谷草转氨酶、谷丙转氨酶活性显著升高。肝脏、肾脏、心脏和脾脏肿胀,胸腺、法氏囊萎缩;(2)0.1mg/kgAFB1日粮中加入0.1%葡甘露聚糖,明显改善肉仔鸡的生长性能,以上相关指标基本恢复到正常水平。由此可知,葡甘露聚糖减轻或基本消除了AFB对肉仔鸡生长性能、组织器官的不良影响。     

几种食材原料对肉鸡生长性能、胴体性状和体液免疫的影响

文章旨在探讨日粮单独或联合添加几种常用的生活食材对肉鸡生长性能、胴体性状和体液免疫的影响.试验将672只1日龄、平均体重为(40.04±0.01)g科宝肉鸡随机分为7组,每组4个重复,每个重复24只.对照组饲喂玉米-豆粕型基础日粮,T1～T6组分别饲喂基础日粮添加4?g/kg黑胡椒、4?g/kg姜黄、10?g/kg香菜...     

Effect of magnesium on reactive oxygen species production in the thigh muscles of broiler chickens

1. The objective of the present study was to investigate the effect of magnesium (Mg) on reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in the thigh muscles of broiler chickens. A total of 96 1-d-old male Arbor Acre broiler chickens were randomly allocated into two groups, fed either on low-Mg or control diets containing about 1.2 g/kg or 2.4 g Mg/kg dry matter. 2. The low-Mg diet significantly increased malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration and decreased glutathione (GSH) in the thigh muscles of broiler chickens. ROS production in the thigh muscle homogenate was significantly higher in the low-Mg group than in the control group. Compared with the control, muscle Mg concentration of broiler chickens from the low-Mg group decreased by 9.5%. 3. Complex II and III activities of the mitochondrial electron transport chain in broilers on low-Mg diet increased by 23 and 35%, respectively. Significant negative correlations between ROS production and the activities of mitochondrial electron transport chain (ETC) complexes were observed. 4. The low-Mg diet did not influence contents of iron (Fe) or calcium (Ca) in the thigh muscles of broiler chickens and did not influence unsaturated fatty acid composition (except C18:2) in the thigh muscles. 5. A low-Mg diet decreased Mg concentration in the thigh muscles of broiler chickens and then induced higher activities of mitochondrial ETC, consequently increasing ROS production. These results suggest that Mg modulates the oxidation-anti-oxidation system of the thigh muscles at least partly through affecting ROS production.     

Short‐term effects of food protein content on subsequent diet selection by chickens and the consequences of alternate feeding of high‐ and low‐protein foods

1. Growing male chickens of broiler and layer strains were allowed to eat either a high‐protein food (HP) or a low‐protein food (LP) for 10 min after an overnight fast and then offered a choice between HP and LP. During the next hour they ate significandy more of the food other than die initial meal. Similar results were obtained when there was a gap of 45 min without food between the initial meal and the choice period.

2. When the initial meal was given by tube into the crop, followed by 45 min without food, there was no significant effect on subsequent diet selection. These results show that it is necessary for the birds to eat the food themselves for it to exert its effect on subsequent choice.

3. Birds with experience of eating two foods identical in nutrient composition but different in colour did not select either food in preference to the other following an initial meal of one alone. This is evidence against the possibility that neophagia accounts for the results of the first two experiments. When an initial meal of low protein food was followed by a choice of high and low protein foods, birds ate a greater proportion of the high protein when it was placed on the opposite side of the cage from that in which the initial meal was given. Thus they are not choosing a food simply by its position within the cage.

4. To see the extent to which broilers can extend their ability to compensate for protein content over several weeks, male broilers were given one of 4 treatments from 5 to 10 weeks of age: (A) HP and LP concurrendy; (B) HP and LP on alternate days; (C) HP in the morning and LP in the afternoon, (D) LP in the morning and HP in the afternoon. There was no significant effect of treatment on food intake, body weight gain or carcase protein content but carcases were significantly less fat after treatment (B) than treatment (D).

5. It is concluded that growing broiler chicks can compensate well for periods of access to only a low‐protein food, by subsequent intake of a high‐protein food, and lice versa, as long as they are able to gauge the sensory properties of the foods. Offering two complementary foods in alternating half‐day periods is an effective method of choice‐feeding, allowing birds to select a diet to meet the requirements for growth.     

Combined effects of clenbuterol and various concentrations of protein on performance of broiler chickens

1. The effects of the beta-adrenergic agonist, clenbuterol (1 mg/kg diet) on the growth and muscle composition in female broiler chickens (14 to 32 d of age) fed on diets containing various concentrations of protein (220, 240 or 260 g protein/kg) were examined. 2. Body weight gain over the 18 d period increased linearly with increasing protein intake. The rate of gain was significantly higher in clenbuterol-treated chickens than in control birds. 3. Dietary clenbuterol increased thigh muscle weight and protein concentration of breast and thigh muscle, regardless of dietary protein content. Protein/DNA ratio in thigh muscle was enhanced by clenbuterol feeding, and the magnitude of difference of the ratio was higher in chickens fed on the 240 and 260 g CP/kg diets than in those fed the 220 g CP/kg diet. 4. It was concluded that clenbuterol-treated chickens require increased dietary protein to maintain maximal growth, and that increased protein consumption is an important factor in improving growth in clenbuterolfed broilers.     

Impact of amino acid nutrition during lactation on body nutrient mobilization and milk nutrient output in primiparous sows.

The impact of amino acid nutrition during lactation on body nutrient mobilization and milk nutrient output in primiparous sows was evaluated. Thirty-six sows, nursing litters of 13 pigs, were allocated daily 6 kg of a fortified corn-soybean meal diet containing a high (HP, 1.20% lysine) or low (LP, .34% lysine) protein content during a 23-d lactation. Dietary lysine concentration was achieved by altering the ratio of corn and soybean meal in the diet. The LP sows consumed less daily ME (14.2 vs 16.1 Mcal; P < .11) and daily lysine (16 vs 59 g; P < .01) than the HP sows. Daily litter weight gain was less (P < .01) for sows fed the LP vs HP diet, and the differences increased (P < . 01) as lactation progressed. The lower litter weight gain for the LP sows was reflective of the lower (P < .01) estimated milk DM, CP, and GE output of these sows. The LP sows lost more body weight (1.23 vs .21 kg/d; P < .01) during the initial 20 d of lactation. In the LP sows, 59% of the weight loss was protein, water, and ash, and 37% was fat. Weight loss in the HP sows was entirely accounted for by body fat mobilization, because these sows accrued body protein, water, and ash. Muscle myofibrillar breakdown rate was higher in LP sows than in HP sows (4.05 vs 2.80%/d; P < .01). On the basis of these data, dietary amino acid restriction during lactation increases maternal mobilization of proteinaceous tissue and reduces milk nutrient output. Maternal protein mobilization is maintained over the entire lactation even though milk output is decreased as lactation progresses.     

Effects of Astragalus membranaceus on growth performance,carcass characteristics,and antioxidant status of broiler chickens

Abstract

An experiment was conducted using 720 one-day-old Arbor Acres broiler chickens to evaluate the effects of Astragalus membranaceus root powder (AMP), Astragalus polysaccharides (APS) on growth performance, carcass characteristics, and antioxidant enzymes, and metabolites of blood and liver in broiler chickens. The six dietary treatments included a control that was a corn–soybean meal basal diet; basal diet supplemented with 120 mg/kg antibiotic; 350 mg/kg APS; or 5000, 10,000, or 15,000 mg/kg diet of AMP. Supplementation of 10,000 mg/kg AMP increased average daily gain and feed conversion rate of broilers in grower period (22–42 d) and over the entire experiment compared to basic diet. Responses of antioxidant status to dietary APS and AMP varied depending on the age of the broilers. Beneficial effects of AMP on growth and feed utilization of broilers could be obtained by inclusion of AMP at the rate of 10,000 mg/kg diet.     

黄连提取物对高饲养密度下肉鸡生长性能、血清生化指标及肠道微生物的影响

文章旨在研究高密度饲养条件下肉鸡日粮添加黄连提取物对其生长性能、血清生化指标及肠道微生物的影响。试验将640只平均体重为（42.12±0.16）g的肉鸡随机分为4组（T1～T4）,每组4个重复,每个重复40只。T1组肉鸡在高密度（20/m2）下饲喂基础日粮,T2组肉鸡在正常饲养密度（10只/m2）下饲喂基础日粮,T3组肉鸡在高饲养密度下饲喂基础日粮+20 mg/kg黄连提取物,T4组在正常饲养密度（10只/m2）饲喂基础日粮+20 mg/kg黄连提取物。在为期42 d的饲养试验结束后分析相关指标。结果：T4组22～42 d肉鸡平均日增重、22～42 d和1～42 d采食量最高（P＜0.05）,而T1组1～42 d肉鸡平均日增重和采食量最低（P＜0.05）。T1组肉鸡法氏囊重量分别较T2～T4组显著降低了18.53%、17.42%和18.89%（P＜0.05）。T4组肉鸡血清SOD和T-AOC活性最高（P＜0.05）,但血清丙二醛含量较T1组显著降低了29.04%（P＜0.05）。T1组肉鸡回肠大肠杆菌数量最高,分别较其他组显著提高了7.22%、6.93%和8.10%（P＜0.05）,但T1组肉鸡回肠乳酸杆菌数量较其他组显著降低了14.21%、15.74%和17.62%（P＜0.05）。T4组肉鸡回肠双歧杆菌数量较T1组显著提高了5.41%（P＜0.05）。结论：在高饲养密度条件下肉鸡日粮中添加20 mg/kg黄连提取物可以改善肉鸡生长性能和肠道有益菌数量,提高血清抗氧化指标,降低氧化应激。 [关键词]黄连提取物|饲养密度|肉鸡|生长性能|肠道微生物|血清生化     

The effect of administration of copper nanoparticles to chickens in their drinking water on the immune and antioxidant status of the blood

The aim of this experiment was to determine what dosage of copper (Cu) nanoparticles, added to a standard dietary supplementation with copper sulfate, would improve antioxidant and immune defense in chickens. The experiment was conducted with 126 broiler chickens assigned to seven treatments with three pens per treatment and six broiler chickens per pen. The basal‐diet treatment did not receive Cu nanoparticles (nano‐Cu) and as shown by analyses it was Cu‐deficient (?29% vs. National Research Council (NRC) recommendations; 5.7 vs. 8 mg/kg). Broiler chickens received nano‐Cu (0.5, 1.0 or 1.5 mg/kg body weight per day) via a tube into the crop over three 3‐day periods (days 8–10, 22–24 and 36–38) or three 7‐day periods (days 8–14, 22–28 and 36–42). As a result, in the nano‐Cu‐treated broilers the total experimental Cu intake was from ?11% to +96% versus NRC recommendations. At the age of 42 days of broilers, their blood indices were determined. The obtained results showed that correction of the deficient basal diet of chickens with nano‐Cu to a level of copper exceeding the NRC recommendation by 54% increased the antioxidant potential of the organism and inhibited lipid peroxidation. At the dosage of +96% versus NRC, some symptoms of a deterioration in antioxidant status appeared (a decrease in the level of glutathione plus glutathione disulfide and an increase in superoxide dismutase, catalase and ceruloplasmin activity and in lipid hydroperoxide content). Additionally, +7% versus the recommended Cu dietary level was followed by unfavorable results, indicating a deterioration in red blood cell parameters and stimulation of the immune system (an increase in interleukin‐6, immunoglobulin A (IgA), IgM and IgY). To conclude, it was shown that it is possible to simultaneously increase antioxidant and immune defense of chickens by supplementing their diets with nano‐Cu – up to 12 mg per bird during 6 weeks of feeding, that is to a level no more than 7% over the NRC recommendation for growing broiler chickens.     

Effects of Clostridium butyricum on Calcium and Phosphorus Metabolism and Tibia Indexes of Broilers

The effects of Clostridium butyricum on calcium and phosphorus metabolism and tibia indexes in broiler chickens were evaluated in this study.One hundred eighty 1-day-old healthy Arbor Acres broiler chickens were randomly allotted to three groups:the control group,antibiotic group and Clostridium butyricum group with six replicates per group and 10 chickens per replicate.The broilers in control group were fed with the basic diet,while the antibiotic group was fed with 5 mg/kg of flavomycin,75 mg/kg of aureomycin and 20 mg/kg of kitasamycin.Clostridium butyricum group was fed with 2.5×10⁸ CFU/kg Clostridium butyricum in the basic diet for 42 days.The results showed that:Compared with the control group,①the supplementation of Clostridium butyricum did not significantly affect serum calcium and phosphorus level of broilers (P>0.05),and adding antibiotic significantly increased serum calcium level of 21-day-old broilers(P<0.05).②The addition of Clostridium butyricum increased tibia strength at 21-day-old (P<0.05),and phosphorus content of tibia at 42-day-old (P<0.01).③The supplementation of Clostridium butyricum extremely significantly decreased the phosphorus content in feces of 21-day-old broilers (P<0.01),and had no significant difference with ATB group (P>0.05).The supplementation of Clostridium butyricum increased calcium content (P<0.01) and phosphorus content (P<0.05) in feces of 42-day-old broilers.Based on the above results,adding 2.5×10⁸ CFU/kg Clostridium butyricum could improve the tibia development,increase the absorption and utilization of calcium and phosphorus by broilers,and efficiently reduce the calcium and phosphorus excretion of 21-day-old broilers,but not for 42-day-old broilers.