he present study evaluated the effects different forms of chitosan (ordinary chitosan " OCh" and chitosan nanoparticles " ChNP ") as a dietary supplementation on egg production, egg quality, yolk egg composition, blood serum traits, and intestinal bacteria. A total of 96 hens of Bábolna TETRA-SL at 23 weeks of age were randomly assigned into 4 experimental groups with three replicates each. The control (Co) group, T1 group, and T2 group were fed 0.0 mg/kg diet, 150 mg/kg diet and 300 mg/kg diet, respectively. The control group (Co) were fed the basal diet without the supplement, while birds in the treatment groups T 1 , T 2, and T 3 were fed the basal diet supplemented with 200 mg OCh/kg diet, 50 mg ChNP/kg diet, and 200 mg ChNP /kg diet, respectively. The experimental period was 12 weeks (23-34 weeks old). The egg laying rate, average egg weight, and feed conversion ratio of hens were not affected significantly by the experimental groups. Egg mass and feed intake were significantly decreased (P<0.05) for all treatments compared to the control group. Albumen height and Haugh unit were significantly increased in the T1 and T3 groups compared to the control group (P<0.05). Unsaturated fatty acids (ΣUSFA) were significantly increased in the T1 and T3 compared to the other groups (P<0.05). However, saturated fatty acids (ΣSFA) were significantly decreased in the T1 and T3 groups compared to the other groups (P<0.05). Malondialdehyde concentration was significantly decreased in the T1 and T3 groups (P<0.05) compared to the Co group. Immunoglobulin Y was significantly increased (P<0.05) in the T1 group followed by decreasing order in the T3 group. Total bacterial count, including Lactobacillus count in the intestine was significantly increased (P < 0.05) in the T1 and T3 groups compared to the other groups. These results concluded that both of OCh and ChNP have a positive effect on the productive performance of laying hens.

This study describes a simple method for the large‐scale isolation of pure Toxoplasma gondii tachyzoites and bradyzoites. T. gondii tachyzoites were obtained from infected human foreskin fibroblasts (HFFs) and peritoneal exudates of mice, while tissue cysts containing bradyzoites were collected from chronically infected mice. Harvested cells and brain tissues were incubated in Hanks balanced salt solution (HBSS), containing 0.25% trypsin and 0.5% taurodeoxycholic acid (TDC) for 5 min. Subsequent washes in phosphate buffered saline (PBS) were conducted, and the cell viability of the preparations was good, as determined by flow cytometry and ability to reinfect HFF cells and propagate in mice. The purification procedure allowed for a rapid preparation of pure T. gondii tachyzoites and bradyzoites in sufficient quantity that can be used for downstream procedures. The advantage of the new method is that it is convenient and inexpensive.

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| Xylanase is an important feed enzyme that enhances the digestibility of animal feedstocks. Xylanase degrades arabinoxylan, thus improving the nutritive value of feed ingredients. In the present work, a 360-d study was performed to evaluate the effects of different storage forms and temperature on storage stability of exogenous xylanase. Two xylanase products Fibrozyme®M and Hostazym X 250 Microgranulated; were stored as pure forms, with-a vitamin premix, a mineral premix or a vitamin and mineral premix at 4 °C (RF) and 35 °C (R), respectively. Sampling was performed at 45 days intervals. Stability was estimated as the residual of xylanase activity (% of initial) at each sampling point. All interaction and main effects of temperature, time and treatment had a significant (P< 0.05) effect on xylanase enzyme stability except for the product (P> 0.05). When xylanase of different products were stored in different forms at 4 °C, the means of retained activity of Fibrozyme were 90, 98.5, 73 and 63.5% when it was stored singly, mixed with vitamins, minerals or vitamins plus minerals; respectively. For Hostazyme the retained activities were 81.7, 103, 85 and 88%, respectively. When both enzymes were stored at 35 °C; the retained activities of the first were 47%, 94.5%, 82.5% and 57% and those of the second were 61.25%, 106%, 95.5% and 86.5%, respectively for storing singly, mixed with vitamins, minerals or vitamins plus minerals. Results indicated that xylanases mixed with vitamins retained significantly higher (P<0.05) activity compared with those stored in a pure form, mixed with minerals or combined minerals and vitamins. It could be suggested to introduce both xylanases, examined herein, and vitamins premix in one product. More studies are needed to evaluate the effect of different enzyme sources, storage conditions and composition of the enzyme preparation on the stability of the product.

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