The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of crateagus flavonoid extract in preventing pulmonary hypertension syndrome (PHS) in broiler chickens reared at high altitude, encountered ascites was evaluated. A 225 day-old broiler chickens (Ross-308) were randomly assigned to three treatments including different drinking levels of crateagus flavonoid extract (0, 0.1, and 0.2 mL per liter of drinking water) in a 42-day trial. Body weight gain were increased and feed conversion ratio were decreased significantly (P<0.05) when crateagus flavonoid extract was consumed by broiler chickens at levels of 0.1 and 0.2 mL per liter of drinking water in the both starting and growing stages, and throughout the trial. Overexpression of inducible nitric-oxide synthase in the heart was observed in chickens consumed different levels of crateagus flavonoid extract. Birds received crateagus flavonoid extract at levels of 0.1 and 0.2 mL had significantly (P<0.05) higher circulatory concentrations of nitric oxide but significantly (P<0.05) lower serum malondialdehyde concentration, hematocrit and heterophil to lymphocyte ratio compared to control group. Consuming crateagus flavonoid extract at levels of 0.1 and 0.2 mL reduced incidence of right ventricular hypertrophy and led to a significant decline in mortality from PHS. It was concluded that crateagus flavonoid extract is an effective medicinal plant derivative to prevent PHS and ascites in broiler chickens by lowering pulmonary blood pressure and increasing serum antioxidant capacities.

Background Mastitis is one of the major diseases causing economic loss to the dairy industry by reducing the quantity and quality of milk. Thus, the objective of this scientific study was to find new biomarkers based on genes for the early prediction before its severity. Methods In the present study, advanced bioinformatics including hierarchical clustering, enrichment analysis, active site prediction, epigenetic analysis, functional domain identification, and protein docking were used to analyze the important genes that could be utilized as biomarkers and therapeutic targets for mastitis. Results Four differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified in different regions of the mammary gland (teat cistern, gland cistern, lobuloalveolar, and Furstenberg’s rosette) that resulted in 453, 597, 577, and 636 DEG, respectively. Also, 101 overlapped genes were found by comparing 27 different expressed genes. These genes were associated with eight immune response pathways including NOD-like receptor signaling pathway (IL8, IL18, IL1B, PYDC1) and chemokine signaling pathway (PTK2, IL8, NCF1, CCR1, HCK). Meanwhile, 241 protein-protein interaction networks were developed among overlapped genes. Fifty-seven regulatory events were found between miRNAs, expressed genes, and the transcription factors (TFs) through micro-RNA and transcription factors (miRNA-DEG-TF) regulatory network. The 3D structure docking model of the expressed genes proteins identified their active sites and the binding ligands that could help in choosing the appropriate feed or treatment for affected animals. Conclusions The novelty of the distinguished DEG and their pathways in this study is that they can precisely improve the detection biomarkers and treatments techniques of cows’ Escherichia coli mastitis disease due to their high affinity with the target site of the mammary gland before appearing the symptoms. Graphical abstract

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