Typical formulated broiler diets are deficient in n-3 poly-unsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) due to widening n-6:n-3 PUFA ratio which could greatly affect performance, immune system of birds and, more importantly, meat quality. This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of modifying dietary n-6:n-3 PUFA ratio from plant and animal oil sources on performance, behavior, cytokine mRNA expression, antioxidative status and meat fatty acid profile of broiler chickens. Birds (n = 420) were fed 7 diets enriched with different dietary oil sources and ratios as follows: sunflower oil in control diet (C); fish oil (FO); 1:1 ratio of sunflower oil to FO (C1FO1); 3:1 ratio of sunflower oil to fish oil (C3FO1); linseed oil (LO); 1:1 ratio of sunflower oil to linseed oil (C1LO1); 3:1 ratio of sunflower oil to linseed oil (C3LO1), resulting in dietary n-6:n-3 ratios of approximately 40:1, 1.5:1, 4:1, 8:1, 1:1, 2.5:1 and 5:1, respectively. The best final body weight, feed conversion ratio as well as protein efficiency ratio of broilers were recorded in the C1FO1 and C1LO1 groups. Compared with the control group, the dressing percentage and breast and thigh yield were highest in the C1FO1 and C1LO1 groups. Narrowing the dietary n-6:n-3 ratio increased (P < 0.05) n-3 PUFA content of breast meat. Moreover, the breast meat contents of eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid increased (P < 0.05) with increasing dietary FO whereas α-linolenic acid content was higher with LO supplementation. Also, enriching the diets with n-3 PUFA from FO and LO clearly decreased (P < 0.05) serum total cholesterol, triglycerides and very low-density lipoproteins and enhanced antioxidative status. The feeding frequency was decreased (P < 0.05) in the C1FO1 and C1LO1 groups. Likewise, n-3 PUFA-enriched diets enhanced the frequency of preening, wing flapping and flightiness. Animal oil source addition, compared to plant oil, to broiler diets enhanced the relative mRNA expression of interferon gamma, interleukin-1 beta, interleukin-2 and interleukin-6 genes, especially at low n-6:n-3 ratios. This study has clearly shown that narrowing n-6:n-3 ratio through the addition of FO or LO improved performance and immune response of broilers and resulted in healthy chicken meat, enriched with long chain n-3 PUFA.

Different sources of Zinc (Zn) were compared to assess their possible effects on performance, nutrients retention, mineral distribution and some serum parameters of broiler chickens. A total of 200 one-day old Ross 308 chicks were divided into in equal four dietary treatments groups with five replicates each of ten chicks. The experimental groups were given the basal diet (inorganic ZnO), basal diet supplemented with organic Zn (Zn methionine), nano-ZnO and Znmix (organic Zn and nano-ZnO) at a concentration of 50 mg/kg of diet. After 42 days of feeding trial, the group supplemented with nano-ZnO exhibited the best final body weight and feed conversion ratio (2380 g/bird and 1.69, respectively). Nano-ZnO and Zn-mix supplementation significantly increased crude fat retention (86.70 and 86.75%, respectively). All sources of supplemented Zn other than inorganic ZnO significantly increased (P<0.05) Zn retention especially in the group supplemented with nano-ZnO (41.8%). Organic Zn and/or nano-ZnO sources supplemented to broiler diets significantly increased (P<0.05) iron and copper contents in the hepatic tissue and Zn content in the tibia. The mean of serum total cholesterol, triglycerides and very low density lipoprotien were significantly reduced (P<0.05) by dietary supplementation of organic Zn and/or nano-ZnO. The activity of malondialdehyde was significantly decreased (P<0.05), while Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase activity was significantly increased (P<0.05) by addition nano-ZnO or Zn-mix. Dietary Zn-mix and nano-ZnO positively affected mRNA expression of insulin like growth factor-1 and growth hormone genes in broilers when compared to the inorganic ZnO source. The present findings prospected that replacing traditional inorganic ZnO source with nano-ZnO or combining nano-ZnO and Zn methionine at applied concentration, promoted the growth of broilers, enhanced Zn up take and antioxidant status without negative effect on selected minerals distribution in tissues.

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The aim of the present study was to evaluate mannan oligosaccharides (MOS) or glycerol (GLY) as a carbon source on biofloc systems of Nile tilapia (O. niloticus) juveniles. Fish (n = 750) were reared in open flow (Controls) or biofloc systems (B-GLY and B-MOS) fed with a plant or fish protein source over a period of twelve weeks. Total ammonia nitrogen and nitrate decreased in the biofloc groups, while biofloc volume increased in B-MOS. Compared to the controls, B-MOS and B-GLY exhibited higher weight gain and improved feed conversion, irrespectively of the diet. Serum level of C-reactive protein was reduced, while IgM and lysozyme activity was higher in the B-MOS fish, compared to other groups. Intestinal Bacillus spp. count was increased, whereas Vibrio, Aeromonas and Pseudomonas spp. counts decreased in B-MOS reared groups, compared to the other groups. The proinflammatory cytokine (IL-8 and IFN-γ) transcript expression was upregulated in B-MOS more than B-GLY reared groups. Compared to the controls, the virulence of Aeromonas hydrophila was decreased in the B-MOS and B-GLY groups. The results indicate several benefits of using MOS as a carbon source in a biofloc Nile tilapia system; a cost benefit analysis is required to assess the economic viability of this.

Lumpy skin disease (LSD) is an important disease of cattle. This study was conducted to determine alterations in hematological, biochemical and oxidative stress markers in cattle that have been naturally infected with LSD virus (LSDV). Blood samples and skin nodular lesions were collected from clinically infected, recovered and healthy animals. Quantitative real-time PCR was used to screen for Capripoxvirus DNA in samples from clinically infected animals. Hematological, biochemical and oxidative stress markers were measured. LSDV nuclic acids were detected in the collected samples using PCR. Hematological results revealed erythrocytosis, thrombocytopenia and leukopenia in infected cattle. Biochemical analyses showed that total protein and globulin levels were significantly elevated, while albumin and glucose were significantly reduced in these cattle. Aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), creatine phosphokinase (CPK), and creatinine levels were markedly elevated. Moreover, serum levels of reduced glutathione (GSH) were markedly lowered, whereas lipid peroxidation (MDA) and inflammatory cytokines (IL-4 and TNF-α) were elevated. Recovered cattle exhibited significant amelioration of the alterations resulting from LSDV infection. The results of this study suggest that LSDV infection induces changes in hematological and biochemical parameters and stimulates oxidative stress; these findings may be helpful for choosing a good strategy for rapidly detecting and diagnosing LSDV infection. ARTICLE HISTORY