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This study evaluated the effects of curcumin dietary supplementation on growth, physiology, carcass characteristics and meat quality in lambs. Thirty-two male Lacaune lambs (15.6 ± 0.63 kg, 60 ± 2.8 days of age) were randomly allocated in 16 pens (four treatments of four replicates with two lambs each) for 30 days. The animals were assigned to the following treatments: T0, T100, T200 and T300, representing 0, 100, 200 and 300 mg of curcumin/kg of concentrate, respectively. Curcumin dietary supplementation increased (P = 0.02) weight gain; on regression analysis, 315.1 mg curcumin/kg of concentrate was the dosage that provided the greatest weight gain. T200 and T300 lambs had lower (P = 0.04) erythrocytes numbers; T100 and T300 lambs had lower (P = 0.01) leukocyte numbers and T300 lambs had lower (P = 0.04) lymphocyte numbers, compared to T0 lambs. Globulin levels were significantly greater in the T200 group (P = 0.04) only on day 15 but not day 30; levels of total protein were significantly higher (P = 0.01) only in T200 and T300 group on day 15 and only in T200 group on d 30. Gamma-glutamyltransferase concentrations tended to be lower (P = 0.08) in T100, T200 and T300 group on d 15, and only in the T100 group on d 30. Curcumin dietary supplementation increased (P = 0.01) the serum activity of antioxidant enzymes and reduced (P = 0.01) levels of reactive oxygen species. In meat samples, T200 and T300 had greater total antioxidant capacity (P = 0.03) and lower (P = 0.01) lipoperoxidation rates. In carcasses, T300 lambs had greater (P ≤ 0.02) cooling weight losses and yields than did T0 lambs. Curcumin dietary supplementation also reduced (P ≤ 0.03) redness and yellowness. T200 and T300 lambs had fewer (P = 0.01) cooking losses and T200 lambs had greater (P = 0.03) water holding capacity than did T0 lambs. These findings suggest that curcumin dietary supplementation improves growth and antioxidant responses, as well as influencing meat quality in lambs.

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Every year, numbers and life expectancies of pets increase, especially for dogs and cats. Pets are exposed to environmental factors such as pollutants, pathogens, and oxidants that hamper the animals' ability to respond to stressors. Nutrition and hygiene are increasingly important among animal professionals and pet owners. The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of a commercially-available homeopathic herbal product formulated with plants, designed to stimulate canine immunity. We used 10 male dogs (beagles) weighing 5.5-6 kg and 5 months of age. Animals were randomly allocated to Control (C, n = 5) and Treated (T, n = 5) groups. The treated group received a basal diet with an additional dose of 0.5 mL/animal/day homeopathic solution and group C received only the basal diet (300 g/day). The product was supplied for 45 days. The animals were weighed and blood samples collected for complete blood counts and serum biochemistry on days 1, 15, 30 and 45 of the experiment. Higher numbers of lymphocytes were observed in conjunction with lower numbers of neutrophils in the T group on days 30 and 45. Total and neutrophil leukocytes decreased throughout the experiment in both groups, and lymphocytes increased with significant difference only in the T group. Erythrocytes and hematocrit increased in both groups over time, as did glucose, triglycerides, total protein, albumin and urea levels. ALT was higher in the control group on day 45. We conclude that the use of a homeopathic agent stimulated lymphocyte production in healthy dogs; and this suggests that homeopathic use is beneficial, because lymphocytes are directly related to cellular and humoral immune responses. Studies in adult animals and those focusing on infectious challenges may reveal more information about the actions of this homeopathic agent.