ABSTRACT. The aim of this study was to evaluate the immune response of broiler chickens in Eimeria sp. and E. coli challenged broilers supplemented with glutamine, arginine and threonine. There were six hundred one-day-old male Cobb 500 broiler chickens. The design was completely randomised using a 2 x 3 factorial design (unchallenged and challenged x 3 diets). A commercial diet was used as a control and two other diets were formulated with glutamine (1.5 and 3% Aminogut®), arginine (1 and 2% L-Arginine), and threonine (1 and 2% L-threonine). At day 28, the birds fed the highest level of amino acid showed lower levels of IgA (P<0.05) compared to the control group, and resulted in an increased number of goblet cells. In the period of 1 week after the challenge, the challenged birds showed lower measures (P<0.05) of the thymus compared to the birds that had not undergone challenge. At day 28, unchallenged birds showed a reduction (P<0.05) in splenic measures in the treatment with the highest level of amino acids. The highest measures were correlated to control birds that were not challenged. At day 21, blood urea levels were increased (P<0.05) for birds fed amino acids supplementation compared to those which received no supplementation. After 28 days, uric acid levels were similar between the two supplemented diets. These results suggest that diet supplementation with amino acids above the recommended levels for growth may be necessary to improve the immune response against an Eimeria and E. coli challenge.Key words: aminoacid, immune response, coccidiosis, broilers. RESUMEN.El objetivo del estudio fue evaluar la respuesta inmune de pollos de engorde desafiados con Eimeria sp. y E. coli, y suplementados con glutamina, arginina y treonina. Se utilizaron 600 pollos machos de 1 día de edad de la línea comercial Cobb 500. Se usó un diseño completamente al azar en un arreglo factorial 2x3 (con y sin desafío y 3 dietas experimentales). Se utilizó una dieta comercial como control y otras dos dietas fueron formuladas con glutamina (1,5 y 3% Aminogut®), arginina (1 y 2% de L-arginina) y treonina (1 y 2% de L-treonina). A los 28 días, las aves que recibieron el mayor nivel de aminoácidos mostraron niveles más bajos de IgA (P<0,05) comparadas al grupo control, y aumentaron el número de células caliciformes. Una semana después del desafío, las aves desafiadas mostraron medidas más bajas (P<0,05) del timo en comparación con aves no desafiadas. A los 28 días, en aves no desafiadas hubo una reducción (P<0,05) en las medidas esplénicas en el tratamiento con mayor nivel de aminoácidos. Las medidas más altas se correlacionaron con aves control no desafiadas. A los 21 días, los niveles de urea en la sangre aumentaron (P<0,05) en aves que recibieron suplementación de aminoácidos. La suplementación dietética con aminoácidos en las aves desafiadas influyó en el sistema inmunológico, alterando las mediciones morfométricas del bazo y timo, y resultó en una disminución de los niveles de IgA. Igualmente, aumentaron las concentraciones séri...
This study aimed to determine whether broiler chickens display a preference for Tenebrio molitor larvae (TM) meal by evaluating ingredient acceptability and birds’ performance. Sixty 14-day-old male chickens were assigned into two treatment groups (5 birds/pen, n = 6) in a cafeteria-type study: the control (C) group, and the TM group. Each pen was equipped with one bell drinker and four through feeders allocated side by side; all feeders of the C group contained a complete standard diet whereas each feeder of the TM group contained one of the following ingredients: ground corn, extruded semi-whole soybean, vitamin-mineral supplement mixture, and TM meal. Feed intake was recorded daily and growth was monitored periodically up to day 32. Chickens which had access to individual feed components showed a delay to display preference for TM, but consumed, overall, up to 50% of the total intake as TM meal. Feed intake and growth performance were lower in all periods for TM group (p < 0.02), whereas feed conversion ratio was improved on days 22–28 and days 29–32 of age (p < 0.01). Data from bivariate and multidimensional analysis indicate that birds started to reach a balance of ingredient intake at 25 days of age, showing a high correlation between consumption of each ingredient and the day of the experiment. Chickens exhibited a preference for T. molitor meal, resulting in improved feed efficiency, which allows us to conclude that it can be a suitable feed alternative for poultry.
This study aimed to evaluate the effects of antioxidant supplementation in diets of breeding roosters during the post-peak phase on reproduction characteristics and muscle performance of offspring in two similar breeder houses from a local company. Treatments consisted of a control diet and a diet supplemented with antioxidants (8 ppm canthaxanthin + 40 ppm lycopene + 150 ppm vitamin C). During the 66th week of age, eggs were incubated, and offspring were housed. Dietary supplementation of the blend of antioxidant resulted in higher (p<0.05) weights of testicles, crests, dewlaps, dewlap thickness, and number of perforations (53.35 x 25.30) in relation to non-supplemented roosters. There was no significant effect (p>0.05) of supplementation of the antioxidant blend on weight gain and breast weight and count and diameter of muscle fibers of offspring at 7 days of age. Feed conversion and weight gain from 14 to 35 days were better (p<0.05) in offspring from supplemented roosters. The supplementation of an antioxidant blend in roosters improved reproductive characteristics assessed and feed conversion and weight gain of offspring.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.