This study was carried out to determine the effects of dried grape pomace supplementation in a corn-soy-based diet on performance, egg quality, plasma and egg lipid peroxidation, and some biochemical parameters of laying hens. In this study, 96 moulted 80-week-old Bovans laying hens were distributed into three groups with eight replicates. The hens were fed a supplemented diet with 0% (control group), 4% and 6% grape pomace (experimental groups) for 12 weeks. In the study, the effects of grape pomace supplementation in a corn-soy-based diet on performance, internal and external egg quality, serum total cholesterol, total protein, glucose and triglyceride levels, and plasma and egg yolk malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were determined. The addition of grape pomace to laying hen diet did not significantly affect live weight, feed intake, egg production and feed efficiency (P > 0.05). In all treatment groups, supplementation did not significantly affect albumen index, Haugh unit, egg yolk index, yolk colour, eggshell ratio, eggshell thickness, egg-specific gravity, total cholesterol, total protein and triglyceride compared to the control group (P > 0.05). In the study, 4% grape pomace supplementation to diet significantly increased egg weight (P < 0.001), and both 4% and 6% grape pomace supplementation levels significantly increased liver weight (P < 0.05) and liver weight ratio (P < 0.01). Grape pomace addition to laying hens diet significantly decreased plasma MDA and serum glucose levels (P < 0.001). Also, grape pomace addition significantly decreased egg yolk MDA levels on day 1 (incubation on 0 minute; P < 0.001), and day 15 [incubation on 0, 30, 60 and 90 (P < 0.05) minutes]. The results of this study concluded that performance, egg quality and serum total cholesterol, total protein and triglyceride levels were not negatively affected. Plasma and egg yolk MDA, and serum glucose levels were reduced by 4% and 6% supplementation to laying hen diets. It was concluded that grape pomace supplementation has the potential to extend shelf life.

To evaluate the effect of 4 different levels of propolis supplementation on the hematological and immunological parameters of laying hens, a trial was conducted with 60 White Leghorn layer hens. The experiment was conducted by using a randomized design with 5 treatments, 4 replicates, and 3 hens in each replicate. Treatments included basal diet (control) and basal diet plus 0.5, 1, 3, and 6 g of propolis/kg of diet, respectively. At the end of the 12-wk treatment period, samples of blood were collected to determine hematological and immunological values. The results showed that the addition of propolis at 3 g/kg in the diet resulted in significant increases (P < 0.05) in the serum IgG and IgM levels and significant decreases (P < 0.05) in the peripheral blood T-lymphocyte percentage compared with those of the control and other treatment groups. In addition, the level of 3 g/kg of propolis supplementation significantly increased (P < 0.05) erythrocyte count (red blood cells) compared with the other treatments. On the other hand, hemoglobin and hematocrit values and total leucocyte (white blood cells) and differential leucocytes counts were not influenced by propolis supplementation. These results indicate that the inclusion of propolis at the level of 3 g/kg of diet may have a positive effect on humoral immunity of laying hens.

No abstract

This study was performed to determine the effects of copper proteinate on performance, blood chemistry, lipid peroxidation status, and organs as well as copper deposition in the liver and eggs of laying hens. Seventy-two 30-week-old Bovans laying hens were distributed into four groups with three replicates. Animals were fed basal diet containing at least 17% crude protein and 2,800 kcal/kg metabolizable energy supplemented with either 0, 150, 300, or 450 mg/kg copper as copper proteinate. Supplementation of 150 and 300 mg/kg copper increased egg production, whereas 450 mg/kg copper decreased (p < 0.001). Liver copper levels were elevated in 300 and 450 mg/kg copper-supplemented groups (p < 0.001). Egg copper contents increased in all treatment groups (p < 0.01). An increase in glucose (p < 0.001) and decreases in albumin (p < 0.01) and total cholesterol (p < 0.05) levels were determined with 300 and 450 mg/kg copper. Supplementation of 450 mg/kg copper increased alkaline phosphatase and gamma glutamyl transpeptidase activities (p < 0.05), malondialdehyde, and high-density lipoprotein levels (p < 0.01) but decreased alanine aminotransferase and lactate dehydrogenase activities (p < 0.01). No gross and microscopic changes were observed in the liver and kidneys. These results indicated that 150 and 300 mg/kg copper increased egg production without having marked adverse effects, but 450 mg/kg copper altered some blood chemistry variables and reduced egg production in laying hens.

This study was aimed at determining the nutrient composition and in vitro ruminal digestion values of Plantago lanceolata herbage in different phenological stages. The plant samples were gathered in the vegetative, flowering and early seed stages of the plant. The crude protein, diethyl ether extract, ash, non-fibre carbohydrates, and proanthocyanidins levels of the vegetative and flowering stages were higher than those of the early seed stage (P < 0.001). Structural carbohydrate levels (P < 0.05) were determined to have a higher value in the early seed stage. Glucose, fructose, Ca, K, Mg, P, Fe and Cu concentrations decreased as the plant matured (P < 0.001), but Na, Zn, and Mn concentrations increased (P < 0.05). The asymptote gas production, gas production rate (P < 0.001), total gas production at 24 h (P = 0.002), metabolic energy, net energy lactation and organic matter digestibility values and the number of Entodinium (P < 0.001) and total bacteria count (P = 0.026) of the flowering and vegetative stages were higher than those of the early seed stage. Methane produced by 0.2 g dry matter was similar in the three phenological stages (P = 0.078). The bound condensed tannins and saponin contents of plants and ammoniacal-N, number of total protozoa and pH value of rumen fluid were similar in the three different phenological stages (P > 0.05). The present study indicates that P. lanceolata in the vegetative and flowering stages has, owing to its chemical composition, energy content and digestibility, the potential to be used as a forage source for ruminants in areas affected by drought.

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of various levels of dietary chromium supplementation on performance, carcass traits, blood chemistry, and tissue distribution of chromium (Cr3+) in quails. Two hundred forty 1-d-old Japanese quails were divided into five groups with four replicates and were fed a basal diet or the basal diet supplemented with 20, 40, 80, or 100 mg/kg Cr (CrCl3.6H2O) until 38 d of age. Chromium supplementation decreased carcass fat percentage, serum low-density lipoprotein (LDL), and glucose and increased serum magnesium (Mg) and Cr content of kidney, liver, and muscle. In conclusion, 20, 40, 80, or 100 mg/kg Cr supplementation to quail diet had no effect on performance, chemical composition of carcass except fat percentage, serum protein, calcium (Ca), and inorganic phosphorus (Pi) levels, but reduced serum glucose, LDL and fat percentage of carcass. Chromium is accumulated mainly in the kidneys and liver.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of dietary supplementation of green tea (Camellia sinensis) catechins in quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica). Quail were fed with a basal diet, and the treatment groups were fed on the basal diet with 1.25 or 2.50 g/kg catechin supplementation for 30 d. Fattening performance and meat quality of the quail were estimated. Serum total antioxidant status (TAS), plasma and liver malondialdehyde (MDA) and some serum biochemical parameters were measured. The results showed that catechin supplementation did not affect live weight, feed intake, feed conversion ratio, carcass weight, carcass dressing or the nutrient composition of breast and thigh meats. The water holding capacity (WHC) of breast meat was increased in the 2.50 g/kg catechin treatment. Catechin supplementation increased the serum TAS, but decreased plasma MDA and liver MDA concentration as well as serum glucose and total cholesterol levels. Serum triglyceride and total protein levels were not affected by catechin supplementation. In conclusion, catechins have effective antioxidant hypoglycaemic and hypocholesterolaemic properties, as well as having the potential to increase meat quality in fattening quail. On the other hand, catechin supplementation did not have any negative effect on the fattening performance, meat nutrient composition and fattening costs in fattening quail.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of green tea (Camellia sinensis) catechin addition to breeder quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica) diet on productivity, reproductive performance, egg quality and yolk malondialdehyde (MDA) levels during storage, and some serum biochemical parameters. In this study, a total number of 180 quail, 7 weeks of age were randomly divided into 3 groups (1 control group and 2 treatment groups) with 5 replicates (9 females + 3 males). The control group was fed basal diet; the treatment groups were fed basal diet with 0.2% and 0.4% catechin supplementation for 5 weeks. The results of this study showed that 0.2% and 0.4% catechin addition had no significant effects on live weight, feed intake, egg production, feed efficiency, and egg internal quality (yolk colour, albumen index, yolk index, Haugh units, and pH) (P > .05). Catechin addition reduced egg weight, egg specific gravity, and egg shell thickness (P < .001). The catechin addition to diet significantly diminished MDA concentrations of eggs (P < .05). Serum glucose and triglyceride levels significantly decreased (P < .05) in the 0.4% catechin group, but were not significantly affected (P > .05) in the 0.2% catechin group compared to the control group. The addition of 0.2% catechin significantly increased fertility (P < .05), hatchability (P < .01), and the hatchability of fertile eggs (P < .05). In conclusion, catechin supplementation to breeder quail diet has the potential to increase egg shelf-life and reproductive performance. On the other hand, supplementation with these catechin levels decreased egg weight and egg shell quality. ARTICLE HISTORY