Abstract in English:

ABSTRACT This study evaluated the effect of probiotics on antimicrobial peptides and cytokines’ mRNA synthesis in the proventriculus and cecum of broiler chicks exposed to Campylobacter jejuni lipopolysaccharides (LPS). The chicks were divided into two groups: the probiotic-supplemented group, which received 0.4% probiotics in their feed for seven days, and the control group, which did not receive probiotics. On the seventh day, both groups were further divided and exposed to either no LPS (0-LPS) or 1 µg LPS (1-LPS) (n=6 per group). Five hours post-LPS administration, tissue samples from the proventriculi and ceca were collected, and the expression of avian beta defensins (AvBDs), cathelicidins (CATHs), and proinflammatory cytokines was assessed via real-time PCR. The expression of CATH, AvBD4 and AvBD6 in the proventriculus, and CATH1, CATH3, AvBD2, AvBD4, AvBD6 and AvBD7 in the cecum was downregulated in the probiotic group compared to the control group following 1-LPS exposure. Probiotic upregulated the levels of IL6 and TNFSF15 in the cecum, and IL6 in the proventriculus after exposure to 1-LPS. This study concluded that Campylobacter LPS either downregulated or had no significant effect on AvBDs and CATHs expressions in probiotic-fed chicks. In addition, the innate immune response in the form of AvBDs, CATHs and cytokines may be modulated according to the nature of the pathogen and the supplemented probiotics.

Abstract in English:

ABSTRACT The present experiment was carried out to examine the influence of hydrolyzed cottonseed protein (HCP) supplementation on the production performance, jejunum morphology, egg quality and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) of serum and egg yolk in laying Japanese quail. A total of one hundred and ninety-two laying quails were divided into six treatments groups. Four diets containing 0 (basal diet), 5, 6, and 7 g of HCP were compared to the basal diet + 15 IU of vitamin E or the basal diet + 2 mg lincomycin. The birds fed diets containing 7 g HCP/kg of diet had the highest average daily feed intake (p<0.05). Birds fed diets containing 5 or 6 g HCP/kg of diet had better feed conversion ratio (p<0.05). Egg mass and percentage of egg production were higher in quails fed basal diet + 7 g HCP/kg of diet (p<0.05). Quails fed diets containing 5 g HCP/kg of diet had higher villus height to crypt depth ratio (p<0.05). Quails fed diets containing 5 g HCP/kg of diet had higher percentage of protein in the albumen compared to other groups. The birds fed diets containing 7 g HCP/kg of diet had the highest TAC in serum and yolk (p<0.05). The findings showed that addition of 5 g HCP/kg of diet could have a positive influence on the feed conversion ratio, jejunum morphology, egg quality and the TAC of serum in laying Japanese quail.

Abstract in English:

ABSTRACT Follistatin (FST) is a cysteine-rich monomeric protein capable of binding and neutralizing the action of several members of the transforming growth factor-beta (TGFβ) family, such as myostatin and activin, by binding to their receptors. The aim of the present study was to characterize the FST gene and its receptors in quail. Genomic sequences of the FST gene and its receptors in quail were obtained from the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) database. Analyses of evolutionary relationship, conserved domain, gene structure, and motif pattern of the FST gene family showed the evolutionary conserved nature in quail and other related avian species. Most of the FST proteins are acidic, thermostable, unstable, and hydrophilic in nature, except for FSTL2 and FSTL3, which were basic in nature. A comparative amino acid analysis showed a higher amino acid variation in quail FST genes, as a total of 102 single amino acid changes were identified in all quail FST genes. Mutation analysis showed that 15 mutations had an overall deleterious effect on the structure and functions of the proteins in quail. Molecular docking and Dynamic Simulation (MD) simulation were performed to study dynamics of more promising compounds such as isovitexin, apigetrin, and fleminchaloneto, revealing stability of ligand-protein complex. The values of Root Mean Square Deviation (RMSD), Root Mean Square Fluctuation (RMSF), and results of isovitexin indicated that ligand-protein complex was more compacted than enzymes that are native. This study provides insights into the molecular structure of FST genes in avian species, while exploring the potential of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in selective breeding of quail for better performance.

Abstract in English:

ABSTRACT The increasing demand for sustainable and cost-effective poultry feeds has accelerated research into alternative sources. This study evaluated the effects of pistachio shell (PS) on the performance, carcass characteristics, oxidative stress markers, lipid profile and gut microbiota of Japanese quails (Coturnix coturnix japonica). A total of 240 quails were assigned to diets with 0%, 2%, 4%, or 6% PS for 42 days. Performance metrics (live weight (LW), feed intake (FI), and feed conversion ratio (FCR)) were monitored weekly. Carcass traits, oxidative stress markers (total antioxidant status [TAS], total oxidant status [TOS], oxidative stress index [OSI]), blood lipids, and intestinal microbiota were analyzed. While LW remained unaffected, FCR improved by 5.48% in the 6% PS group due to reduced FI. Abdominal fat weight decreased by 29.17% without affecting carcass weight. Antioxidant capacity improved, with TAS increasing by 36%, and TOS and OSI decreasing by 22.93% and 42.64%, respectively. HDL cholesterol rose significantly in the 6% PS group. PS supplementation also increased caecum pH and beneficial bacteria, while E. coli counts declined (p<0.01). The 4% PS group showed the lowest Enterobacter and coliform levels. These findings suggest PS can be a functional feed additive, enhancing feed efficiency, antioxidant status, and gut health in quails.

Abstract in English:

ABSTRACT The IGFBP2 gene plays an important role in regulating animal energy metabolism. It is one of the key candidate genes for poultry growth and meat-related traits. Therefore, the present study screened the indel loci of the IGFBP2 gene to investigate the effects of these indels on the growth and slaughter performance of Jiaji Muscovy ducks. Using our previous genome resequencing data, a 14 bp indel was found on the first intron of the IGFBP2 gene. Specific primers were designed and synthesized, and genotyping was carried out in 102 Jiaji Muscovy ducks using PCR and agarose gel electrophoresis. Association analyses between growth and slaughter traits, and genotyping results were conducted for the Jiaji Muscovy ducks. Meanwhile, the expressions of IGFBP2 mRNA in the breast muscle of individuals with different genotypes were detected using RT-qPCR. The results showed that the pre-slaughter body weight, carcass weight, half-clean rump weight, full-clean rump weight, leg muscle weight, pectoral muscle weight, abdominal fat, and skin fat content of Jiaji Muscovy ducks with indel mutation were significantly reduced, and the expression level of IGFBP2 mRNA was increased in the breast muscle of the mutant individuals. This indel locus can regulate the expression level of the IGFBP2 gene in muscles, thus affecting the growth and slaughter performance of Jiaji Muscovy ducks.

Abstract in English:

ABSTRACT The persistent emergence of poultry epidemics (e.g., Newcastle disease) jeopardizes operational stability and sustainability in commercial poultry production systems. Current diagnostic approaches for broiler diseases predominantly rely on subjective clinical assessments. These methodological limitations compromise operational efficiency through diagnostic delays and production chain disruptions, requiring automated detection systems capable of real-time pathological evaluation. A baseline Random Forest (RF) model achieved 94.01% diagnostic accuracy for broiler diseases. To optimize performance, we developed RF_WOA_DBO-an integrated algorithm combining RF with enhanced Whale Optimization Algorithm (WOA) for global feature selection and modified Dung Beetle Optimizer (DBO) for local parameter tuning. The optimized parameters were subsequently implemented in the RF classifier training. The composite algorithm reduced feature redundancy by approximately 30% while ensuring the effective retention of critical diagnostic indicators. The RF_WOA_DBO hybrid model achieved an accuracy of 98.29%, representing a 4.28% improvement over the baseline RF model. Comparative analysis revealed that traditional PCA methods risk losing essential pathological features by disregarding nonlinear data relationships, whereas deep learning requires substantial computational resources and high-quality datasets. In contrast, RF_WOA_DBO provides computationally efficient solutions suitable for resource-constrained poultry farming environments. This study introduces a novel methodology for broiler disease diagnosis and prediction, substantially improving accuracy and efficiency while maintaining low computational costs. The proposed framework can be seamlessly integrated into IoT-based broiler health monitoring platforms, offering valuable theoretical foundations and technical support for disease detection and prevention in poultry farming.

Abstract in English:

ABSTRACT The study evaluated the inclusion of guarana by-products, guarana peel meal (GPEM), and guarana pulp meal (GPUM) in diets for slow-growing broilers to assess their impact on growth performance and economic feasibility. To evaluate the effects of guarana by-products, two experiments were conducted. In both experiments, 240 slow-growing male broilers of the Label Rouge strain were used. Both experiment 1 (testing GPEM) and experiment 2 (testing GPUM) were conducted using a completely randomized design, with treatments consisting of a control diet (without the inclusion of the tested product) and four levels of inclusion of the tested product (2.5%, 5.0%, 7.5%, and 10%) in the diets, each with four replicates of 12 birds. GPEM, with higher fiber content, improved feed efficiency and weight gain at higher inclusion levels (up to 10%), while GPUM, with higher energy content, showed optimal performance at intermediate levels (7.5%). Both by-products enhanced meat production and economic returns compared to the basal diet. The results suggest that GPEM is suitable for systems prioritizing feed efficiency and cost-effectiveness, while GPUM is better suited for phases requiring higher energy intake and weight gain. Additionally, the use of these agro-industrial residues promotes sustainability by integrating circular economy practices into poultry production. The findings highlight the potential of guarana by-products as alternative feed ingredients to improve productivity and reduce costs, particularly in regions with abundant availability of these residues.

Abstract in English:

ABSTRACT We evaluated whether the addition of a commercial product made of Saccharomyces cerevisiae lysate (Detoxa Plus®) would be able to minimize the negative effects on performance and health of broilers fed diets contaminated with Deoxynivalenol (DON) and Fumonisin (FB1). A total of 450 male broiler chickens were randomly divided as follows: NC - Negative control diet (without mycotoxin); PC - positive control (diet contaminated with 3 ppm of DON and 30 ppm of FB1); PC+D500 (positive control diet+Detoxa Plus® 500 mg/kg); PC+D750 (positive control diet + Detoxa Plus® 750 mg/kg); PC+D1000 (positive control diet + Detoxa Plus® 1000 mg/kg); NC+D1000 (negative control diet + Detoxa Plus® 1000 mg/kg). Birds fed contaminated diets had lower weight gain (WG) when compared to NC and NC+D1000 at 21 days; however, at 35 and 42 days only birds from the group NC+D1000 showed higher WG. The best feed conversion (FC) was observed in the groups NC and NC+D1000, but birds from the PC+D1000 group showed a similar FC to them. There was an increase in Reactive Oxygen Species and Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances in the liver of PC birds when compared to the other groups. Birds in the NC+D1000 and PC+D1000 groups had the largest intestinal villus size when compared to the other treatments. It is concluded that the consumption of mycotoxins impaired the performance and increased the oxidative stress of the birds. However, the addition of 1000 mg/kg of Detoxa Plus® minimized these negative effects, while also providing larger villus length.

Abstract in English:

ABSTRACT Vitamin E in poultry has beneficial effects on productive and reproductive performance. It also acts as an antioxidant, protecting polyunsaturated fatty acids from the omega-3 group, such as alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) and linoleic acid (LA). This paper aims to assess the effects of vitamin E (vitE) in diets containing two LA/ALA ratios on the productive performance, egg quality, egg composition, and biochemical parameters of Japanese quail breeders. A completely randomized design was used in a 2×3 factorial design with two LA/ALA ratios (9.29:1 and 13.75:1) × three vitamin E levels (25, 200, and 250 mg) with 10 replications of 6 females + 2 males. Data was submitted for analysis of variance in a factorial scheme using the Tukey test. There was no significant effect on performance and egg quality with the interactions. Eggs from females fed with an LA/ALA ratio of 9.29 had the lowest percentage of yolk, the highest percentage of albumen, and the highest luminosity. Females and males fed with the 13.75 ratio had higher levels of triglycerides and serum cholesterol. An interaction effect was observed for serum HDL and LDL levels in females. Breeders fed the diet with the 9.29 ratio and 200 mg of vitamin E has increased HDL levels and reduced LDL levels. The treatments had no effect on the bromatological composition of the yolk. In conclusion, the LA/ALA ratio of 9.29 with 200 mg of vitamin E supplementation can be fed to Japanese quail breeders without affecting productive performance. This ratio also can improve the biochemical composition of blood and yolk.

Abstract in English:

ABSTRACT The present study aimed to determine how dietary Arthrospira platensis (Spirulina) and Chlorella vulgaris extract (CVE) supplementation affects growth performance, hematological parameters, serum biochemistry, and blood hormones in Gallus gallus domesticus. The experiment included 70 chickens grouped across seven treatment groups consisting of a control group along with Spirulina doses from 0.25g/L to 5g/L, and CVE doses from 0.25g/L to 5g/L. The seven-week trial aimed to monitor how dietary interventions affect physiology in Gallus domesticus. Study findings showed that the supplementation treatment showed substantial impacts on both body development and biological functioning. Group 3 (2.5g/L CVE) had the greatest body weight gain of 35.50 ± 0.58 g (p<0.001), and Group 1 (2.5g/L SP) had the lowest cholesterol measurement of 125.00 ± 0.58 mg/dL (p<0.001). Group 6 (5g/L SP + 5g/L CVE) achieved the highest platelet count at 161.00 ± 0.58 x 10³/µL (p<0.001) along with a moderate cholesterol increase to 155.00 ± 0.58 mg/dL (p<0.001). The blood triglyceride concentrations decreased similarly in Group 1 (127.00 ± 0.58 mg/dL) compared with Group 6 (122.00 ± 0.58 mg/dL). Group 3 (2.5g/L CVE) demonstrated elevated hemoglobin together with RBC counts, whereas Group 6 (5g/L SP + 5g/L CVE) showed optimal platelet counts. Thyroid hormone levels remained unaffected. The combined use of Spirulina and CVE at the same level of 2.5g/L effectively reduced cholesterol together with triglycerides and enhanced both hemoglobin production and RBC counts. The combined treatment using 5g/L SP with 5g/L CVE delivered the most comprehensive results by improving body weight, platelet count, and biochemical assessments. The combination of 5g/L SP and 5g/L CVE improved body weight, platelet count, and biochemical markers. Future research should determine the most effective dosages and long-term benefits regarding poultry productivity improvement.

Abstract in English:

ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of two limestone particle sizes and vitamin D supplementation on the performance, biometry of digestive and reproductive organs, and bone characteristics of brown replacement pullets. The experiment was conducted at the Experimental Farm of the Vale do Acaraú State University - UVA, consisting of 2 periods of 28 days. A total of 360 9-week-old replacement pullets of the Lohmann brown Lite line were used. The experimental design was entirely randomized in a 2 x 2 + 1 factorial scheme, with 2 limestone particle sizes (fine and coarse), 2 vitamin D supplementation levels (2760 IU or 1380 IU), and a basal diet, totaling 5 treatments with 8 replicates each. Performance, biometry of the digestive and reproductive organs, and bone characteristics were evaluated. The data were submitted to ANOVA variance analysis, the means were compared using Dunnett’s test at 5%, and then evaluated considering the factorial model. There was no interaction between the factors. The variables were not influenced by the treatments. In conclusion, Vitamin D supplementation above recommended levels and the use of coarse limestone do not benefit the performance, development or maturity of brown pullets.

Abstract in English:

ABSTRACT This experiment aimed to investigate the impact of live yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) on growth, meat quality and health of Sonali chicken. A total 144 male Sonali chickens were randomly assigned to three dietary treatments: Control, Antibiotic (chlortetracycline, 100 mg/kg) and LY (live yeast, 600 mg/kg), consisting of 8 replications with 6 chicks. Growth, blood, meat and cecal samples were considered to analyze the performance and health status of Sonali chickens. The live yeast group had higher (p<0.05) final body weight and average daily body weight gain on days 1-60 than the control and antibiotic groups. Feed conversion ratio was lower (p<0.05) in the live yeast-fed group than the other groups on days 01-15, 16-30, and 01-60. The live yeast and antibiotic groups had lower (p<0.05) drip loss on day 30 than the control group, while the cooking loss was lower (p<0.05) in the live yeast group than other groups. In the live yeast-fed group, serum calcium and albumin concentration were higher (p<0.05), while the serum urea-N and Serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase were lower (p<0.05) than in both other groups. Serum total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein cholesterol, and triglyceride concentrations were lower (p<0.05) in live yeast group than the control group. Live yeast group had lower (p<0.05) Escherichia coli and higher (p<0.05) Lactobacillus spp. count than the control group. Supplementation of live yeast improved growth performance, meat quality and gut health of Sonali chickens, showing it can be an efficient alternative to antibiotics for sustainable poultry production.

Abstract in English:

ABSTRACT Despite the massive use of vaccines against Avian encephalomyelitis virus (AEV), outbreaks of the disease that may be associated with low flock immunity are still reported. This study aimed to characterize the serological immune response of birds vaccinated against AEV under field conditions. For this, a database comprising 65,535 bird serum samples collected from 2015 to 2019 and tested for antibodies against AEV, was analyzed. Samples were stratified by the following parameters: type of flock, age of birds, year of sample collection, geographic origin, layers production cycle, and were correlated with the presence or absence of antibodies anti-AEV. Broilers showed a higher percentage of samples without anti-AEV antibodies than breeders or broiler grandparents. The year and origin of the samples also showed differences in bird immunization levels, which demonstrates variation in vaccination management. Despite the influence of factors associated with vaccine failures, the intrinsic characteristics of each flock may lead to the detection of different humoral responses, which reinforces the importance of serological monitoring for AEV as a disease control strategy.

Abstract in English:

ABSTRACT The objective of this experiment was to check the effect of supplementation with exogenous bile acid (BA), emulsifier (Em) and their blend on performance parameters, fat utilization, relative organ weights, and blood lipid profile in growing broilers. A total of 800 day-old broiler chicks were procured from a local hatchery and distributed into four experimental treatments in completely randomized design, with ten replicates with twenty birds each. The treatments were: Control (CON) (basal diet without any Em or BA), CON supplemented with 0.03% Em, CON supplemented with 0.025% BA and CON supplemented with a blend of Em (0.03%) and BA (0.025%). Starter (0-7), grower (8-21) and finisher (22-35) diets were offered to birds for 35 days. Body weight gain, feed intake and feed conversion ratio were recorded weekly. On days 21 and 35, nutrient digestibility was assessed using the acid-insoluble ash method. Blood lipid profiles and internal organ weights were measured at the end of the trial. The results of digestibility assays carried out on days 21 and 35 showed that supplementing BA alone, Em alone or their combination increases (p<0.05) body weight gain and improves (p<0.05) feed conversion ratio on days 7 to 21, days 21 to 35, and days 0 to 35. Results also showed that supplementation of BA, Em and their blend in the diet improve dry matter and fat digestibility (p<0.05), while the level of low-density lipoprotein decreased (p<0.05) in blood. Furthermore, the treatments did not influence carcass and organ weight (p>0.05); however, BA, Em and their blend increased the weight of the spleen (p<0.05). In conclusion, BA, Em and their combination enhance growth performance and nutrient digestibility in broilers without negatively affecting lipid metabolism.

Abstract in English:

ABSTRACT Nowadays, there is an increasing demand for free software for broiler ration balancing, which is evident within relevant scientific and professional communities. While some available applications account for certain procurement costs, more affordable options usually come with limited functionality. Many users require customized solutions that meet their specific needs. Developing such projects requires collaboration between professionals in animal feed technology, animal science, and software development. Multidisciplinary projects could develop much faster if teams were not required to build solutions from scratch. The availability of open-source code, ready for modification and further development, could significantly enhance efficiency in these endeavors. The Web-Based Ration Balancing Tool (WBRB) is a server-side application designed to optimize the formulation of rations for chicken broilers. This tool streamlines the process of creating ration recipes, reducing the risk of errors associated with manual calculations or general spreadsheet-based solutions. With proper software integration, WBRB can even run offline. This free and open-source application is available to all interested users, and developers can modify the existing code to meet specific needs and requirements. WBRB is built using HTML and PHP, with MySQL as its relational database management system.

Abstract in English:

ABSTRACT The study examined the impact of early heat acclimation, heat stress, and β-glucan supplementation on broiler chickens’ productivity, immune parameters, thyroid hormones, gut microbiota, and nutrient digestibility. A total number of 1080 male broiler chicks (Cobb 500) were randomly assigned to nine treatments (3 × 3 factorial arrangement), including heat exposure (control, heat stress, heat shock at 3 days) and three β-glucan levels (0, 100, and 200 mg β-glucan /kg diet). Compared to the thermo-neutral control group, the results showed that in broilers exposed to heat stress or early heat shock, body weight gain and feed intake decreased significantly (p<0.05). Conversely, the mortality rate, antibody titers against the infectious bronchitis (IBV) and Newcastle disease viruses (NDV), immunoglobulin M, immunoglobulin G, liver heat shock protein 70 (HSP70), H/L ratio, and toe web swelling were significantly (p<0.05) increased. Supplementing with βG increased lactobacillus counts while decreasing those of E. coli and total aerobic bacteria. Significant reductions in nutrient digestibility were observed in heat stress or early heat shock exposure, specifically for nitrogen, ether extract, and organic matter.

Abstract in English:

ABSTRACT This study aimed to identify key morphometric predictors of body weight in local ducks and assess their genetic diversity to inform breeding programs in southeastern Nigeria. A total of 200 ducks (100 from each of the states of Abia and Imo) were measured for 10 morphometric traits to evaluate their relationship with body weight. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) revealed five distinct clusters within the duck population, with Cluster 1 showing the lowest and Cluster 5 the highest average body weights. Hierarchical clustering corroborated these groupings. Correlation analysis identified body circumference (BDC) as the most reliable predictor of body weight (r=0.76). Gender-specific trends were also observed: shank length (SHL) had a positive correlation with females (r=0.65), while neck length (NKL) was more strongly correlated with males (r=0.72). The strongest overall correlation was between body weight and body circumference, modelled by the equation BDW = 2401.41 + 122.04 × BDC (R²=0.84, r=0.91). For genetic diversity assessment, 40 blood samples (20 from each state) were collected from randomly selected, unrelated ducks. DNA was extracted, amplified using PCR, and sequenced, revealing two single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs): C→A and A→G substitutions. This led to the identification of two homozygous (CC, AA) and two heterozygous (CA, AG) genotypes, along with four haplotypes and 133 polymorphic sites. The haplotype diversity was 1.000, and nucleotide diversity averaged 0.606%. These findings demonstrate that integrating morphometric and molecular analyses provides a robust framework for characterizing local duck populations. This dual approach supports the development of informed breeding strategies to enhance productivity, particularly in resource-limited settings.

Abstract in English:

ABSTRACT The poor reproductive performance of male ducks hinders the development of the Muscovy duck industry. Adding arginine to the feed plays a crucial role in the testicular development and improvement of reproductive performance in Muscovy ducks, but there is limited research on the biochemical metabolism, gene expression changes, and other mechanisms involved. In this study, 60 male Muscovy ducks were randomly divided into two groups. One group was fed a basal diet (control group), and the other was fed a basal diet supplemented with 0.4% arginine (experimental group). The results showed that the reproductive cells, reproductive hormone levels, and antioxidant levels in the test group of Muscovy ducks were significantly higher than those in the control group. Through transcriptome sequencing analysis, this study identified a total of 1268 differentially expressed genes, including 740 genes that were significantly upregulated and 528 genes that were significantly downregulated. The expression of genes such as KIF13A, AFF4, DSCC1, and related pathways had a significant impact on the testicular development of Muscovy ducks. These findings provide an important basis for using arginine supplementation in feed to enhance the reproductive performance of Muscovy ducks.

Abstract in English:

ABSTRACT Newcastle disease (ND) is a serious menace to poultry production and requires stringent measures to enhance growth and improve resistance against viral challenges in infected flocks. In the present study, the immunostimulatory and growth-promoting effects of olive (Olea europaea) leaf extract (OLE) in velogenic Newcastle disease virus (NDV)-infected broilers were evaluated. A total of 150-day-old broilers (Cobb strain) were randomly allotted to five groups: Blank Control (BC), Negative Control (NC), OLE-1, OLE-2, and OLE-Only. OLE-1 and OLE-2 groups were given 10 mL and 20 mL/L of OLE-supplemented drinking water on day 3, and ND vaccinations on days 0, 3, and 14. The NC, OLE-1, and OLE-2 groups were given an intraperitoneal challenge of NDV on day 21. Weekly inspections comprised clinical signs, survival, antibody levels, weight gain, and hematological indices. Body weight gain and leukocyte number (p<0.05) were significantly enhanced with OLE supplementation, whereas mortality was lowered to 30%. Proventriculus hemorrhage and intestinal ulcers were more severe in the NC group but less severe in the OLE-treated groups. OLE also attenuated ND-caused tissue injury and increased erythrocyte number, hemoglobin content, and packed cell volume. In conclusion, OLE boosts broiler immunity and growth performance without causing any unfavorable physiological effects, hence being a possible natural additive to improve disease resistance and poultry production.

Abstract in English:

ABSTRACT This study was conducted to examine the effects of sea buckthorn fruits (SBF) on the production performance and egg quality of chickens during the initial stage of the laying period. A total of 160 chickens were randomly divided into four groups, with 40 birds in each group. The chickens of the control group were fed with a standard feed, while those in the three other groups were fed with the feed supplemented with 1, 2 and 4 g/kg of SBF powder, respectively. It was found that the dietary intake of SBF powder had little effect on the initiation time of egg production, laying rate, average egg weight, yolk weight, yolk ratio, eggshell thickness, albumen texture and yolk texture of the eggs; but the addition of SBF powder at dosages of 2 and 4 g/kg caused significant increase in yolk color and HU values (p<0.01), and the 4 g/kg dose resulted in a marked increase in albumen height (p<0.01). Importantly, dietary intake of SBF powder reduced the cholesterol level in the eggs (p<0.01). Moreover, supplementation of SBF powder into the feed increased the contents of saturated fatty acids (SFAs), monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs), and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), with the PUFAs/SFAs ratio enhancing (p<0.001) by adding 2 g/kg SBF powder to the feed. In summary, our study suggests that SBF has potential for application in the production of high-quality eggs with reduced cholesterol, enhanced PUFAs/SFAs ratio, and better aroma and taste.