Two experiments were conducted to evaluate the use of various levels of full-fat sunflower seeds (FFSS) on broiler performance and carcass characteristics. In the first experiment, FFSS was included in a basal diet at 70, 140, and 210 g/kg and the AME n values of the experimental diets were determined. The linear regression equation of AME n values on rate of inclusion was calculated. Extrapolation value for the AME n of FFSS at 100% inclusion was 14.22 MJ/kg. In the second experiment, diets containing various levels (0, 70, 140, and 210 g/kg) of FFSS were given to broilers (Ross strain) from 0 to 49 d. At 28 days of age, blood parameters and digestive enzyme activities were determined and carcass parameters were evaluated at 49 days of age. Weight gain, feed intake and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were improved (p<0.05) when broilers were fed various levels of FFSS in the starter and finisher diets. Breast, thigh, gastrointestinal tract and gizzard weight percentages were not affected by dietary treatments; however, liver weight percentage was decreased significantly (p<0.05) and weight of abdominal fat decreased but this effect was not significant. The activities of digestive enzyme (protease and α-amylase) were not influenced by the treatments. Activity of alkaline phosphatase, concentrations of calcium, phosphorus, glucose, triglyceride, protein, high density lipoprotein (HDL) and low density lipoprotein (LDL) were not affected by incorporation of FFSS in the broiler diet. Although concentration of HDL increased and LDL decreased, these effects were not significant. The results of this study indicate that FFSS can be used at up to 21% in broiler diets without adverse effects on performance or other parameters of chickens.

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The objective of this study was to examine the effects of dietary n-6:n-3 ratio on immune and reproduction systems of Leghorn pullet chicks. A total of 216 Hy-Line W-36 pullet chicks (1 d old) were randomly assigned to 3 diets (n-6:n-3 ratios of 10, 6, and 2) until 22 wk of age. The Optomega-50 (Optivite International Ltd., Nottinghamshire, UK) containing 50% salmon fish oil was used as an n-3 source. Pullets were injected with SRBC suspension at 6 and 9 wk and anti-SRBC titers were measured 7 and 14 d after each immunization. The antibody (Ab) titers for Newcastle disease (ND), avian influenza, infectious bronchitis (IB), and infectious bursal disease (IBD) were determined at 4, 6, 10, 14, and 18 wk of age. Pullets fed diet with the n-6:n-3 ratio of 2 had higher feed consumption and lower BW gain (P < 0.05) compared those fed diets with the ratios of 6 and 10. The results demonstrated that the different dietary n-6:n-3 ratios did not have a significant effect on the anti-SRBC titers in pullets serum (P > 0.05). The Ab production against avian influenza vaccine was increased in pullets fed diet containing the n-6:n-3 ratio of 10 at wk 10 and 14 and increased for ND at only 14 wk (P < 0.05). On the other hand, the Ab response to IBD (14 wk) and IB (14 wk) vaccines was increased when pullets were fed diet containing a ratio of 6 (P < 0.05). The pullets fed diet with the n-6:n-3 ratio of 2 showed lower egg production and late sexual maturity (P > 0.05) whereas ovary weight (P = 0.01) and number of large yellow follicles (P = 0.049) were significantly decreased at first oviposition. Our results revealed that the supplementation of Optomega-50 as a source of n-3 to decrease the n-6:n-3 ratio in diet significantly increased Ab production for ND, IB, and IBD in pullet chicks with slight reduction in reproductive organs weight at early production.

General nutritional guidelines recommend reducing the consumption of fats originated from ruminant products. This is due to the ruminal biohydrogenation of unsaturated fatty acids (UFAs) which leads to the presence of unhealthy saturated or trans fats in ruminant products. Here, for the first time to our knowledge, we have focused on the main biochemical process which results in the saturation of UFAs. Rumen lipolytic activity (RLA) generates non-esterified fatty acids (NEFAs) in the rumen, which are a prerequisite for the biohydrogenation process to occur. We have examined different concentrations of pyridostigmine bromide (PB), of reversible cholinesterase inhibitor, in batch cultures containing 80 mg soybean oil, as a source of triglyceride. PB is the main active compound of an FDA approved drug for the treatment of myasthenia gravis and also pretreatment against nerve gas in humans. Our hypothesis was to evaluate PB as an inhibitor for RLA. In normal conditions, soon after triglycerides enter the rumen, they are hydrolyzed as a result and free fatty acids undergo the biohydrogenation process. Our results indicated that no significant (P > 0.01) reduction in linoleic acid (C18:2, v6) after 6 h incubation was observed for cultures containing PB with concentrations above 0.052 g/dL. We concluded that PB has the potential to inhibit RLA in cultures after 6 h of incubation. Such findings suggest the potential of PB to be utilized in vivo as a feed additive to inhibit biohydrogenation of unsaturated fatty acids in the rumen.Practical applications: The biohydrogenation of health benefitial unsaturated fatty acids in the rumen cause ruminant products, such as milk and meat, to contain highly saturated fats. Inhibition of rumen microbial lipolytic activity in vivo could increase the flow of unsaturated fatty acids for absorption and therefore, would have the potential to improve fatty acid composition of ruminant milk and meat. This would also have benefits for the animal. Abbreviations: FA, fatty acid; FAME, fatty acids methyl ester; NDF, neutral detergent fiber; NEFA, non-esterified fatty acid; PB, pyridostigmine bromide; PUFA, polyunsaturated fatty acid; RLA, rumen lipolytic activity; SFA, saturated fatty acid; UFA, unsaturated fatty acid Eur.