The main objective of this study was to verify the safety of mealworm meal in the feed of laying hens from 17 to 42 weeks of age. Therefore, the feed mixtures were tested in terms of microbiological stability, fungal and mycotoxin content and selected parameters of hens’ intestinal morphology and physiology were monitored. The experiment was carried out with 30 Lohmann Brown Classic hens. Hens were divided by body mass into three equal groups with 10 replicates per treatment. The two experimental groups received feed mixtures containing 2% and 5% yellow mealworm (Tenebrio molitor L.) meal. The third group was a control group which had 0% of mealworm meal in the diet. Diets with 2% and 5% of mealworm meals did not affect the length of villi and microbiome of the caecum. The highest digesta viscosity from the ileum was found in the group with 5% mealworm, which may indicate a slower passage of the digesta through the digestive tract. Based on our results, it may be concluded that the proportion of mealworm meals does not deteriorate the quality of feeds. Mealworm meal does not negatively affect microbial stability in experimental feeds. Therefore, it can be recommended the two and (or) five percent of mealworm meal inclusion in hen’s diet.

The aim of this study was to evaluate whether apoptosis of lymphocytes is modulated by stimulation by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) of Escherichia coli or muramyl dipeptide (MDP). Cell populations were obtained by lavaging of the mammary glands 24, 48, 72, and 168 h following intramammary induced inflammation. The portion of apoptotic lymphocytes peaked at 48 h after treatment with LPS or MDP. The analysis of CD44 expression of the same cell populations showed a higher percentage of CD44-positive lymphocytes 24- and 48-h following induction of inflammation by LPS or MDP. The results demonstrate that during both experimental infection of bovine mammary glands with LPS or MDP, apoptosis of lymphocytes was induced in the initial phase of the inflammatory response and CD44 was also overexpressed at the beginning of inflammation. These data suggest a connection of lymphocyte apoptosis with the expression of CD44 receptors.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of milk thistle seed cakes addition in laying hens diet to performance, blood biochemical parameters and antioxidant activity. A total of 30 Bovans Brown hens were included to the experiment. The trial was performed from the age of 69 weeks to 80 weeks of hens age. The experimental group received feed mixture containing 7% milk thistle seed cakes. Control group received feed mixture without milk thistle seed cakes. After the 69th week of age, the laying hens in the experimental group reached a higher number of eggs and produced more egg mass compared to the control group. In the evaluation of the egg quality parameters, higher Haugh units, a higher millimeter height of the egg and thinner eggshell in the group receiving 7% of the seed cakes were found. When evaluating health indicators, higher antioxidant activity was found in the experimental group. Blood biochemical parameters was without any differences.

The effects of feeding rabbits a diet that includes wheat enriched with anthocyanins were examined in this study. In addition to the animal’s performance, the basic carcass yield indicators and the basic indicators of the clinical biochemistry were also evaluated. The experiment was carried out using 18 HYLA female rabbits. The trial was performed at the age of 42 to 103 days. The experimental group (n = 9) received a pelleted feed mixture containing 15% PS Karkulka wheat. The control group (n = 9) received a pelleted feed mixture containing the common wheat variety Vanessa with a minimal anthocyanin content. There were no significant differences (P > 0.05) between the control and experimental group in the live weight on the 103^rd day. The same trend was found in the average weight gain per trial and in the feed conversion ratio. The average feed consumption was higher (P < 0.05) in the control group compared to the experimental group. There was also a higher (P < 0.05) carcass weight in the control group of the rabbits compared to the experimental group. There were no differences in the percentage carcass yield between the groups. The biochemical indicators and antioxidant activities did not differ between the two groups of rabbits (P > 0.05). Based on these findings, it can be concluded that the use of 15% PS Karkulka wheat in the feed ration for HYLA broiler rabbits was safe and may be fed to broiler rabbits.

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