This study aimed to determine the effects of vitamin C and propolis-supplemented feeds on some blood parameters, lipid peroxidation, and activities of some antioxidant enzymes in broilers exposed to oxidative stress. 360 three-day-old broiler chicks (Ross 308) were randomly divided into four treatment groups each containing 90 animals, including six replicate groups for each treatment. The experimental groups were designated for a 3-42 days period as follows: no supplement to basal ration (Control-Group I); supplement of 500 ppm vitamin C and 200 ppm lead (as lead acetate) to basal ration (Group II); supplement of 1 g/kg propolis and 200 ppm lead (as lead acetate) to basal ration (Group III); and supplement of 200 ppm lead (as lead acetate) to basal ration (Group IV). The highest TG level (86.83 mg/dl) was observed in the lead supplemented group; however, the lowest aspartate aminotransferase (SGOT) level (90.71 IU/L) was observed in the control group (p<0.05). The addition of lead increased the plasma malondialdehyde (MDA) level (p<0.01) compared to other treatments. However, the addition of vitamin C and propolis decreased the plasma MDA level close to control levels. The highest erythrocyte superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity was observed in the lead addition group (p<0.01) while no significant differences were observed for SOD activities of the control, vitamin C +lead, and propolis+lead groups. The plasma reduced glutathione (GSH) activity of the control (2.30 μmol/ml) was significantly lower than the lead administered group (6.20 μmol/ml) (p<0.01); while this parameter was determined to be similar to other groups. No significant differences were observed between groups for liver GSH activity, but heart GSH activity of the control was significantly higher in comparison to other treatments (p<0.05). To obtain similar antioxidant effects, it is recommend that using propolis (1 g/kg) and vitamin C (500 mg/kg) supplementation in broiler diets may overcome the adverse effects of oxidative stress originating from dietary lead.

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The aim of this study was to evaluate the possible effect of pre-fermented juice (PFJ) on the fermentation quality and nutritive value of first-cut lucerne (Medicago sativa L.) silage.

In this study, the effects of replacing inorganic copper, zinc and manganese with different levels of organic complexes of the same trace minerals on the lipid peroxidation and antioxidant defense systems in broilers were investigated. Two-hundred Ross-308 one-day-old broiler chickens were placed on controlled diets until 42 d of age. The experimental animals were divided into four groups comprising three experimental groups and one control group, each consisting of 50 chickens. All groups were also divided into five subgroups each containing 10 broiler chicks. The mineral content of the control group diet was controlled using a standard inorganic mineral premix with supplement levels and sources of trace minerals typical of commercial broiler diets according to the National Research Council (NRC) (containing 8 mg Cu as CuSO 4 , 40 mg Zn as ZnSO 4 , and 60 mg Mn as MnO, per kg). In the experimental diets, mineral premix was also comprised of inorganic formulations, except for those of Cu, Zn and Mn. Organically-complexed Cu, Zn, and Mn were separately added to the basal diet at 1/3 (L1), 2/3 (L2) and 3/3 (L3) levels with respect to the NRC recommendation, as Bioplex Cu TM , Bioplex Zn TM , Bioplex Mn TM . At the end of the trial, the plasma Zn level significantly increased when the plasma Cu level significantly decreased (p<0.05) in chickens fed at 2/3 and 3/3 levels of organically complexed minerals. The liver trace mineral concentrations were significantly higher in chickens fed inorganic trace minerals in comparison to those fed organically-complexed minerals. The plasma malondialdehyde (MDA) level of experimental chickens was decreased in groups receiving levels of organic Cu, Zn and Mn in comparison to those fed inorganic forms (p<0.01). The erythrocyte superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity was higher in all groups receiving the organic mineral supplements in comparison to those fed inorganic forms (p<0.01). No differences were observed on either the erythrocyte catalase (CAT) activity or the plasma ceruloplasmin (Cp) levels, and the liver MDA levels and liver CAT and SOD activities in any of the groups that received the organic supplements of Cu, Zn, and Mn. It was concluded that supplementation of lower levels of organically-complexed copper, zinc, and manganese instead of their inorganic forms in diets had no negative effects on the antioxidant defense system in broilers.

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of supplementing milk replacer (MR) with aromatic oregano (Origanum onite L.) water on weaning age, performance during the pre- and post-weaning periods, immune systems, blood parameters and general health of 40 Holstein Friesian calves. The calves fed with oregano water (OW)-supplemented MR were weaned earlier than those in the Control group. There were no statistical differences in the liveweight and body measurements among the groups at the weaning age and post-weaning period. The feed intake of the calves fed with OW was higher than that of calves in the Control group in the pre-weaning period. The OW supplementation significantly increased the faecal firmness of calves (P < 0.05). It also decreased the number of E. coli, Coliforms and Enterobacteriaceae pathogens, but only the amount of Enterobacteriaceae was significantly decreased (P < 0.05). Non-pathogens, such as Lactic acid bacteria, were not affected by OW supplementation. The OW supplementation had no significant effect on hematologic and biochemical blood values. There was significant interaction between age and groups in gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (P < 0.05). The immunoglobulins (IgA, IgG and IgM) values of calves were steadily higher than those of the calves in the Control group. The general health profiles of the calves improved. It can be concluded that MR containing 1–2% OW fed to calves in the early weaning period is a promising treatment to improve their wellbeing and shorten the weaning period.