Effect of Probiotics on the Performance and Intestinal Health of Broiler Chickens Infected with Eimeria tenella

Coccidiosis is an important parasitic disease of poultry with great economic importance. Due to drug resistance issues, the study was conducted to investigate how probiotics (Lactobacillus plantarum or L. plantarum) affected oocysts per gram of feces (OPG), fecal scores, feed conversion ratio (FCR), immunomodulatory effect in terms of the cell-mediated and humoral immune response. Serum chemistry (ALT, AST, LDH, and creatinine) was measured in different treated chicken groups. mRNA expression levels of antioxidant enzymes (SOD 1 and CAT), peptide transporter 1 (PepT 1), and tight junction proteins (ZO and CLDN 1) were also examined in chicken groups infected with Eimeria tenella (E. tenella). Chickens supplemented with L. plantarum 1 × 108 CFU (colony-forming unit) showed an improved cell-mediated and humoral immune response, compared with the control group (p < 0.05). Probiotics also enhanced the performance of antioxidant enzymes, PepT 1, and tight junction proteins, and improved serum chemistry (AST, ALT, and LDH), compared with control-infected, non-medicated chickens. However, no significant difference (p > 0.05) was observed in CLDN 1 expression level and creatinine in all treated chicken groups. These findings demonstrated that probiotics supplementation in the feed can protect the birds against E. tenella infection.

A 90-Day Subchronic Toxicity Study of Consumption of GH-Transgenic Triploid Carp in Wistar Rats

Genetic modification (GM) offers an alternative strategy to conventional animal breeding. The present study was carried out to investigate the potential health effects of the consumption of growth hormone-transgenic triploid carp (GH-ttc) through a 90-day subchronic rodent feeding study. Wistar rats (n = 10/sex/group) were given formulated diets containing GH-ttc or non-GM carp at an incorporated rate of 2.5%, 5%, or 10% (w/w) for 90 days. An additional control group of rats (n = 10/sex/group) was fed a basic rodent diet. During the 90-day study, clinical observation, ophthalmic examination, body weight, and food intake were evaluated. At the end of the study, rats were killed, and the hematology, serum chemistry, urine test, necropsy, and histopathology were assessed. Compared with the non-GM carp and the basic control groups, no biologically significant differences were observed on clinical signs of toxicity, body weights, food intake, hematology, serum chemistry, urinalysis, organ weight, and histopathology on selected organs for the GH-ttc group. The results of this 90-day subchronic feeding study indicated that, at the dose level used in this study, consumption of GH-ttc showed no subchronic toxicity to Wistar rats.

Factors Affecting Hematologic and Serum Biochemical Parameters in Healthy Common Marmosets (Callithrix jacchus)

Physiologic changes during development, aging, and pregnancy may affect clinical parameters. Previously available reference values have been based on samples that may include wild and captive marmosets, with little representation of geriatricor pregnant animals. Establishing reference values under various conditions would support better recognition of pathologic conditions in marmosets. One hundred and forty-seven (70 males and 77 females) healthy marmosets from a research colony were included in this study. Exclusion criteria were abnormal physical exam findings at the time of blood sampling, chronicmedications, or clinical or pathologic evidence of disease. Reference intervals were calculated for serum chemistry andhematology. Using metadata, samples were classified based on age, sex, colony source and pregnancy status. Multiple testsindicated significant differences with varying effect sizes, indicating that developing reference intervals based on metadatacan be useful. Across all the comparisons, medium or large effect sizes were observed most frequently in blood urea nitrogen (BUN), calcium, total protein, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), weight and serum albumin. We report normative clinical pathologic data for captive common marmosets through all life stages and reproductive status. Significant differences were observed in most parameters when stratifying data based on age, sex, colony source, or pregnancy, suggesting that developing reference intervals considering this information is important for clinicians.

Assessing the haematology and serum chemistry of Uda rams fed different Kanwa based mineral licks

This study was conducted at the Department of Animal Science’s Teaching and Research farm of Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto to evaluate the effect of feeding different kanwa based mineral licks on blood profile of Uda rams. Blood of twenty (20) yearlings Uda rams aged by dentition were used to evaluate the effect of Kanwa¬-based mineral blocks. Four (4) animals were allotted to each treatment (Kanwa block) with each animal serving as a replicate. The Kanwa used were Kanwan Bai-Bai, Kanwan Kolo, Hogga, Balma and conventional mineral lick to represent treatment 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 respectively. Data was collected at the end of the experiment. The result of haematological analysis showed significant (p<0.05) differences in all the parameters analysed except PCV, MCH, WBC and eosinophil; the result indicated that all the values where within the normal reference range except in MCHC where animals placed in T2 and T3 shows values slightly above the normal range. The result of serum biochemistry showed that all the values measured were within the normal reference range for sheep except the albumin of animals placed in T3 which had values slightly above the normal range. The serum mineral composition showed that Potassium levels were higher in T2 and lower in T4; however, there was no difference between animals placed in treatments 1, 2 and 3, so also between treatments 1, 3 and 4. The study concluded that Kanwa positively affected sheep production with no adverse effect on both haematological and serum chemistry, hence little health hazard is associated with feeding Kanwa-based blocks on growing Uda rams.

Assessing the Hematology and Serum Biomarkers of Broiler Birds Fed Graded Levels of Kapok (Bombax costatum)

The study was conducted on broiler chickens to investigate the effects of graded levels of kapok seed meal fed on performance. A total of 288 broiler chickens were used. The broiler chickens randomly divided into four treatments groups (four experimental diets) T1 (control), T2 (0.5kg/100kg), T3 (1Kg/100kg) and T4 (1.5kg/100Kg). At the end of the feeding trial (eighth week), fifteen birds (5 per replicate) from each treatment group were randomly selected for blood collection. About 2ml of blood was collected per bird. The result showed a significant variation (P<0.05) in WBC and lymphocytes. The blood parameters were within the normal ranges for broiler chickens. The result showed that birds fed control diet have higher urea compared to those in treatment 3. It was concluded that the inclusion of kapok (Bombax costatum) seed meal up to 1.5kg/100kg in the diet of broiler birds had no adverse effect as indicated by hematological and serum chemistry of the birds.

Profile of blood of weaner boars fed Tetrapleura tetraptera pod pulp meal

A study was conducted to determine the effect of Tetrapleura tetraptera pod pulp meal on haematology, red blood cell osmotic fragility and serum chemistry values of weaned boars. A total of 18 weaner boars of Large White x Duroc crossbreeds, aged 6 weeks and weighing 9.4kg on the average, were used for the study, which lasted 56 days. The piglets were divided into 3 equal groups, each of which were assigned 0.0%, 2.5% or 5.0% TPM per kg, respectively, of a basal weaner pig diet, in a completely randomized design. Data sets were collected on haematology, serum chemistry and lipid profile. Red blood cells (6.74, 6.03,12 5.57) x 10 /l, packed cell volume (46.33, 39.33, 37.35) %, haemoglobin concentration 9 (13.77, 11.43, 10.37) g/L and the platelet counts (37.90, 33.97, 33.83) x 10 /L were significantly lower (P<0.05) in the sera of boars fed TPM than in those fed zero TPM. Mean cell haemoglobin and mean cell haemoglobin concentration were significantly (P<0.05) lowered by addition of TPM in a dose-dependent fashion. Addition of TPM increased the fragility of the erythrocytes in sodium chloride solution of varying concentrations. Serum glucose increased progressively (P<0.05) with increase in TPM. Albumin was significantly reduced only at 5.0% TPM while globulin and urea were reduced (P<0.05) at both levels of TPM. Total protein and ALT were significantly reduced with increase in TPM. HDL was progressively lowered (P<0.05) with addition of TPM while the reverse was the case with LDL. VLDL and TG were significantly increased only at 5.0% TPM. It is concluded that TPM depressed the haematological indices, compromised the stability of the erythrocytes even in normal saline solution, reduced serum albumin, globulin, total protein, ALT and HDL but increased serum glucose, LDL, VLDLand TG. Cet étude a été menée pour déterminer l'effet de la farine de pulpe de gousse de aTetrapleuratetraptera sur l'hématologie, la fragilité osmotique des globules rouges et lesvaleurs de chimie sérique des verrats sevrés. Au total, 18 verrats sevrés issus de croisements Large White x Duroc, âgés de 6 semaines et pesant en moyenne 9,4 kg, ont été utilisés pour l'étude, qui a duré 56 jours. Les porcelets ont été divisés en 3 groupes égaux, chacun ayant reçu 0,0%, 2,5% ou 5,0% de TPM par kg, respectivement, d'un régime de base pour porcelet sevré, dans un plan complètement randomisé. Des ensembles de données ont été collectés sur l'hématologie, la chimie du sérum et le profil lipidique. Globules rouges (6,74, 6,03, 5,57) x 1012/l, hématocrite (46,33, 39,33, 37,35) %, concentration en hémoglobine (13,77, 11,43, 10,37) g/L et numération plaquettaire (37,90, 33,97, 33,83) x 109/L étaient significativement plus faibles (P<0,05) dans les sérums de verrats nourris au TPM que dans ceux nourris sans TPM. L'hémoglobine cellulaire moyenne et la concentration moyenne d'hémoglobine cellulaire ont été significativement (P < 0,05) abaissées par l'ajout de TPM d'une manière dose-dépendante. L'ajout de TPM a augmenté la fragilité des érythrocytes dans une solution de chlorure de sodium de concentrations variables. La glycémie a augmenté progressivement (P<0,05) avec l'augmentation de la TPM. L'albumine n'était significativement réduite qu'à 5,0 % de TPM tandis que la globuline et l'urée étaient réduites (P< 0,05) aux deux niveaux de TPM. La protéine totale et l'ALT ont été significativement réduites avec l'augmentation de la TPM. Le HDL a été progressivement abaissé (P<0,05) avec l'ajout de TPM alors que l'inverse était le cas avec le LDL. Les VLDL et les TG n'ont augmenté de manière significative qu'à 5,0 % de TPM. Il est conclu que le TPM a diminué les indices hématologiques, a compromis la stabilité des érythrocytes même dans une solution saline normale, a réduit l'albumine sérique, la globuline, les protéines totales, l'ALT et le HDL mais a augmenté le glucose sérique, le LDL, le VLDLet le TG

Anticoccidial potential of Ageratum conyzoides and its effect on Blood parameters of experimentally infected Broiler Chickens

Coccidiosis is an infectious parasitic disease of poultry which causes heavy economic losses to commercial poultry industry. Coccidiosis has been generally controlled by using different synthetic anticoccidial drugs but, due to development of resistance to these drugs this method is losing its effectiveness. Exploration of novel and alternative compounds against avian coccidiosis is need of time now a days. In this regard, medicinal plants can serve as substitute to these synthetic anticoccidials. Thus, to find out alternative novel agents, current research was designed to evaluate the anticoccidial potential of Ageratum conyzoides extract (ACE). For in vivo experiment, 105 broiler chicks were purchased and further divided into 7 sub-groups (15 birds in each group). At 7th day of experiment, Groups A, B and C were fed with plant extract at 100, 200 and 300 mg/kg respectively. Group D was supplemented with Vitamin-E while, Group E and F remained as infected medicated and infected un-medicated control groups and served with standard medicine (Baycox®) and Phosphate Buffer Saline (PBS) respectively. Moreover, Group G served as normal control group. At day 14th of experiment, all groups except rom Group G were orally infected with 60,000 sporulated oocysts of mixed Eimeria species. Anticoccidial potential of ACE was evaluated on the basis of lesion scores, fecal scores, oocyst scores and feed conversion ratio. Furthermore, the effect of ACE on the serum chemistry was also evaluated to check toxicity of plant extract if any. The results were compared with standard medicine (Baycox®). On the basis of results, ACE showed anticoccidial activity by reducing fecal, lesion and oocyst scores in infected chicks (P<0.05). ACE also improved FCR of infected chicks. Moreover, ACE exhibited positive effects on serum chemistry of broiler chickens (P<0.05).

PSI-14 Effects of maternal nutrient restriction during late gestation on neonatal beef calf serum chemistry and complete blood cell count

To determine effects of late gestational nutrient restriction (NR) on neonatal blood chemistry and hematology, primiparous fall-calving crossbred beef heifers [BW: 451 ± 28 (SD) kg; BCS: 5.4 ± 0.7] were individually fed either 100% (control; CON; n = 12) or 70% (n = 13) of NASEM net energy and metabolizable protein requirements for maintenance, pregnancy, and growth from d 160 of gestation to parturition. Calf jugular blood was obtained at 0 (pre-suckling), 6, 12, 24, and 48 h postnatally to determine serum chemistry and complete blood cell count. Data were analyzed with fixed effects of treatment, hour, and their interaction, using repeated measures. Calving date was a fixed effect; calf sex was included when P &lt; 0.25. The treatment x hour interaction (P &lt; 0.10) affected total protein, globulin, gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), creatinine, creatine kinase, red blood cells (RBC), hemoglobin, hematocrit, sodium, anion gap, and potassium. Total protein and globulin at 6 to 48 h were greater (P ≤ 0.02) in NR calves. Calves from NR heifers had greater (P &lt; 0.08) GGT at 6, 12, and 48 h and greater (P ≤ 0.07) AST at 0 to 24 h. Creatinine at 24 h and creatine kinase at 6 to 24 h were greater (P &lt; 0.04) in NR calves. Hematocrit from 6 to 24 h and RBC and hemoglobin at 6 and 12 h were greater (P ≤ 0.09) in CON calves. Sodium from 0 to 48 h and anion gap at 6 h were greater (P &lt; 0.09) in CON calves. Calves from NR heifers had greater (P = 0.03) 0 h potassium. Treatment affected chloride, which was greater (P = 0.08) in CON calves. These data indicate calves born to nutrient restricted heifers may experience more trauma at calving but have improved passive transfer.

Serum biochemistry and haematology in wild and captive bearded seals (Erignathus barbatus) from Svalbard, Norway

Background Health assessment of seals in captivity include haematology and serum biochemistry measurements. Because such parameters differ between species, it is crucial to have species-specific reference values for the interpretation of clinical samples. Furthermore, differences in nutrition and environment, life cycles as well as seasonal/annual cycles and varying physiological conditions can potentially affect serum chemistry and haematology parameters. Blood samples from four captive adult bearded seals (initially caught as pups in Svalbard, Norway, now held at Polaria, an Arctic experience centre in Tromsø, Norway) collected over a 16-month period were analysed for haematology (n = 22) and serum chemistry (n = 25) parameters. Serum chemistry analyses were also conducted on blood samples from 74 wild bearded seals (1995–2007) collected from Svalbard, Norway. Results We found higher activity of creatine kinase (CK) and higher concentrations of cortisol in the wild animals when compared to the captive seals, probably reflecting the physical restraint and concomitant stress induced during sampling. For the captive bearded seals, we did not find marked differences in haematology or serum chemistry parameters throughout the different seasons of sampling. Conclusions This study presents haematology and serum chemistry reference values for captive and wild bearded seals. Comparing physiological parameters for captive seals with wild seals indicated that having wild-caught bearded seals under the conditions offered at Polaria for several years did not markedly affect physiological parameters of the animals, and that training may have helped to alleviate stress associated with blood sampling and veterinary inspection.