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A 95-day feeding trial was conducted to evaluate the outcomes of feeding Bacillus subtilis fermented Azolla (BSFA) on nonspecific immunity, antioxidative status, intestinal digestive enzymes and histomorphometry, and disease resistance in the Nile tilapia. We formulated five isonitrogenous and isocaloric experimental diets to incorporate BSFA at level of (0%, 15%, 30%, 45%, 60%). The growth performance parameters (FBW, BWG, SGR, PER, and FCR) revealed a significant increase in the BSFA30 tilapia group compared to the control group followed by BSFA45 (P < 0.05). The BSFA30 group exhibited the highest nonspecific immunity parameters including (lysozyme activity, phagocytic index, and phagocytic activity) compared to other groups (P < 0.05). SOD and GPx reported the highest values in the BSFA60 group. Nile tilapia carcass composition was not influenced by BSFA inclusion level (P > 0.05). Interestingly, Nile tilapia fed with BSFA15 diet exhibited the highest protease activity level (P < 0.05), while those fed on BSFA30 documented the highest amylase activity. Intestinal histomorphology was significantly enhanced with the gradual increase of administrated BSFA. Regarding the tilapia disease resistance against Aeromonas septicemia, BSFA significantly diminished the cumulative mortality compared to the control group. To sum up, BSFA was more effective in improving the growth performance and immunity of Nile tilapia. Graphical abstract

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The aim of current study was to determine the effect of dietary omega 3 fatty acids (FA) mainly eicosapentaenoic (EPA) and docosahexaenoic (DHA) on inflammatory response of post calving cows during transition to lactation. Twenty Holstein lactating cows were assigned into two groups (10 each). The two groups fed on the basal diet while one of them was supplemented with 70 g of omega-3 FA per cow. The supplement was added to the diet from the 1ST day of calving till the 60th days of lactation. Blood samples were taken 3 times weekly from the 2nd to the 4th week post calving. The blood samples were analyzed for glucose, insulin, non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA), beta hydroxyl butyric acid (BHBA), C- reactive protein (CRP), haptoglobin, albumin and globulin. Feeding omega-3 FAs significantly increased (P<0.05) blood glucose level by 17.35%, 28.23% and 24.73% than the control at weeks 1, 2, 3 of the experiment, respectively. BHBA was lower in cows fed omega-3 at 1st and 2nd week then became nearly similar to the control at the end of experiment. At 1st and 2nd week, cows fed omega-3 FAs had significantly lower serum CRP than those fed the control diet and became nearly similar to control at the end of the experiment. Serum, globulin was significantly higher in cows fed omega 3 FAs at 2nd and 3rd week by 81.1% and 51.2%, respectively. Omega 3 FA improved energy status of fresh cow by increasing serum insulin and glucose levels while decreasing NEFA and BHBA parameters. Also, feeding omega 3 FA improved humoral immunity through increasing serum globulin and reduced inflammatory response by lowering CRP post calving.Key words: omega 3 fatty acids; lactating cow; inflammation; energy balance; serum protein

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The current experiment was randomly designed in a 2×2 factorial design. Two dietary protein sources were utilized; fish meal and soybean meal; with betaine incorporation to both of them. This study aimed to determine the impact of incorporation of betaine into soybean meal-based (SBM) diets through its effects on growth performance, intestinal healthiness and expression of some lipid metabolism-and growth-related genes. Fish (19.84±0.20 g) were stocked in 12 aquaria and allotted into triplicate four groups (10 fish per aquarium). Four test diets were formulated to contain fish meal (FM) as a positive control, FM with betaine (FM + Betaine), SBM diet and SBM with betaine (SBM + Betaine), respectively. After 60 days, dietary betaine improved the growth performance of fish fed FM or SBM as revealed by higher final body weight, body weight gain and average daily gain and lower feed conversion ratio. Monitoring the whole-body composition revealed that addition of betaine to diet relatively augmented flesh protein content and reduced its fat content. In addition, betaine incorporation in diets significantly (P<0.05) increased the intestinal villi length especially in the jujenal portion as well as the numbers goblet cells. Furthermore, betaine had a downregulating effect on expression of lipid metabolism-related genes, fatty acid synthetase (Fas) and lipoprotein lipase (Lpl) and upregulating effect on insulin growth like factor-1 (Igf-1) gene in liver. It could be concluded that dietary supplementation of betaine incorporation to soybean-based diets enable nutritionists to substitute FM in fish diet. Also, betaine could improve growth performance, carcass quality (through increasing protein and decreasing lipid in fish) and enhance intestinal functions capability.

Nutrients nano-forms in livestock's feed are mainly intended to increase the production performance, enhance immunity and antioxidant activities. The current experiment was undertaken by feeding 150 (divided to five group control, N-acetyl cysteine (NAC), NAC chit nano-composite (different levels (30, 60, 120 μg / kg diet)), one day old broiler chicks for 42 days. The effect of these additives as antioxidant on liver and kidney function tests of broiler chicks were investigated. The results were compared with those obtained from feeding another group of broiler chicks on the normal diet but after addition of commercial antioxidant, NAC (5.2g/kg feed). The results showed that chicken in the groups fed on (60,120 μg / kg feed) of NAC chit revealed significant (P< 0.05) improved antioxidant status, liver and kidney function indices as compared with control and the other dietary treated groups. Structure of mitochondria in HRTEM examination showed slight to moderate swelling due to increase of NAC chit concentration and found NAC chit appeared inside the mitochondria.