A study was conducted to evaluate Gly requirements in low-CP diets with different levels of digestible (dig) Thr, and their effects on performance, intestinal mucosal development, and nutrient utilization of broiler chickens from 21 to 35 d age. A total of 240 twenty-one-day-old Cobb-Vantress male broiler chickens were distributed in a completely randomized 4 × 2 factorial arrangement for a total of 8 treatments with 5 replicates of 6 birds each. The treatments consisted of 4 levels of Gly+Ser (1.47, 1.57, 1.67, or 1.77%) and 2 levels of dig Thr (0.70 or 0.77%, corresponding to 100 or 110% of Thr requirements, respectively). Common diets were fed to broilers until 20 d of age. At d 35, an interaction (P ≤ 0.01) was observed between the Gly+Ser and dig Thr levels for G:F. Glycine supplementation resulted in a linear increase (P < 0.05) in BW gain, G:F, intestinal mucin secretion, apparent digestibility of fat, and AME values of the experimental diets. Threonine levels greater than the levels required (0.77%) improved (P < 0.05) G:F and increased (P < 0.05) intestinal mucin secretion. However, intestinal morphometry and the number of goblet cells in the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum were not affected by the treatments. The dietary Gly+Ser level necessary to optimize G:F in low-CP diets containing 0.77% Thr for broiler chickens during growth was estimated to be 1.54%; however, this requirement may be greater than 1.77% in diets with 0.70% Thr. Supplemental Gly may be essential to support maximum performance for broiler chickens from 21 to 35 d of age when they are fed diets based exclusively on vegetable ingredients and with low protein levels. Glycine can directly or indirectly influence the proper function of the intestinal mucosa and improve dietary energy utilization.

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The effect of adding Agaricus blazei to the diet of broilers on immunity, serum parameters, and antioxidant activity was evaluated. A total of 840 1-day-old chicks were used, distributed among five levels of a completely randomized design (0.0, 0.05, 0.10, 0.15, and 0.20% A. blazei), with six replications and 28 birds per experimental unit. The weights of the thymus, spleen and cloacal bursa were not influenced (P > 0.05). Leukocytes, macrophages and nitric oxide were unaffected (P > 0.05), but at each supplementation level compared with the control, differences appeared in the percentages of eosinophils and macrophages (P < 0.05) at inclusion levels of 0.10, 0.15 and 0.20%. At 28 days, the antibody titer against Newcastle disease showed a quadratic response (P < 0.05) with supplementation, and from the estimated level of 0.08% the production of antibodies was stimulated; however, the same behavior was not observed (P > 0.05) at 42 days. Hypocholesterolemic effect was demonstrated (P < 0.05), but the serum triglyceride concentration was not affected (P > 0.05). The antioxidant activity of mushroom showed a positive linear effect (P < 0.05) on DPPH capture on day zero of meat cooling. The inclusion of A. blazei in the diet of broilers provided an immunostimulatory activity and hypocholesterolemic effect. Residual compounds with antioxidant activity were present in the meat, which may promote tissue protection of the animal in vivo, making possible the use of A. blazei as a natural additive. Key words: Cholesterol. Free radical. Immunoglobulins. Leukocytes. Mushroom. ResumoAvaliou-se o uso do Agaricus blazei na alimentação de frangos de corte sobre a imunidade, parâmetros séricos e a atividade antioxidante. Utilizou-se 840 pintos distribuídos em delineamento experimental inteiramente casualizado, cinco níveis (0,0; 0,05; 0,10; 0,15 e 0,20%) de Agaricus blazei, seis repetições e 28 aves por unidade experimental. O peso do timo, baço e bolsa cloacal não foi influenciado pelos tratamentos experimentais (P>0,05). Os leucócitos, macrófagos e o óxido nítrico não foram afetados pelos níveis de Agaricus blazei (P>0,05), no entanto a porcentagem de eosinófilo e de macrófagos diferenciaram-se (P<0,05) nos níveis de 0,10, 0,15 e 0,20% em relação ao controle. Aos 28 dias, os níveis de anticorpos contra a doença de Newcastle apresentaram resposta quadrática (P<0,05) à suplementação, e a partir do nível estimado de 0,08% estimulou-se a sua produção, contudo o mesmo

Two experiments were performed to determine the chemical composition of byproduct of passion fruit seed (BPFS) and to evaluate the performance, blood variables, carcass yield, meat quality and oxidation of broilers fed diets containing increasing levels of BPFS. In experiment 1, a total of 60 21-d-old Cobb male broilers were distributed in a completely randomized design, with two treatments (reference feed and test diet) and five replicates of six birds each. Energy content in BPFS was 3,945 kcal kg −1 of apparent metabolizable energy corrected for nitrogen balance (AMEn) and 10.68 % CP. In experiment 2, a total of 864 1-dayold male Cobb broilers were distributed in a completely randomized design, with six treatments (control, 2.5%, 5.0%, 7.5%, 10%, and 12.5% BPFS) and six replicates of 24 birds each. Feed conversion linearly worsened (P<0.05). At 21 days of age, blood triglyceride levels linearly decreased (P<0.05). At 42 days, there was a linear decrease in villus height in the jejunum as the inclusion of BPFS. Meat quality was not affected by the different levels of BPFS. For lipid oxidation, used samples of thigh in a 6x3 factorial design (6 levels of addition of BPFS and 3 storage periods) with 4 replications. In the treatments with 5% BPFS, the phenolic compounds present in the byproduct led to a delayed and reduced oxidation. In conclusion, from 1 to 21 and 1 to 42 days, BPFS can be used up to 5% in broiler diets without harming the parameters evaluated.

Two experiments were carried out to determine the chemical composition of okara and to evaluate the performance and carcass yield of broilers fed diets containing increasing levels of okara. In experiment 1, a total of 72 21-d-old Cobb male broilers were distributed in an entirely randomized experimental design consisting of three treatments and four replicates of six birds each. The energy in okara was 2972 kcal of AME kg−1, with an apparent metabolizable energy (AME) coefficient of 60.72 (% dry matter). In experiment 2, a total of 840 male Cobb male chicks were distributed in an entirely randomized experimental design consisting of six treatments (0.0%, 2.5%, 5.0%, 7.5%, and 10% okara inclusion) and six replicates of 28 birds each. The inclusion of increasing levels of okara from 1 to 21 d of age linearly reduced (P < 0.05) weight gain and feed intake, without affecting (P > 0.05) feed conversion, carcass, breast, drumstick, and thigh yields at 42 d of age. Economic analysis indicated that a 10.0% inclusion level of okara in broiler diets during the starter phase produced the best economic results.