No abstract

The aim of this experiment was to determine what dosage of copper (Cu) nanoparticles, added to a standard dietary supplementation with copper sulfate, would improve antioxidant and immune defense in chickens. The experiment was conducted with 126 broiler chickens assigned to seven treatments with three pens per treatment and six broiler chickens per pen. The basal-diet treatment did not receive Cu nanoparticles (nano-Cu) and as shown by analyses it was Cu-deficient (-29% vs. National Research Council (NRC) recommendations; 5.7 vs. 8 mg/kg). Broiler chickens received nano-Cu (0.5, 1.0 or 1.5 mg/kg body weight per day) via a tube into the crop over three 3-day periods (days 8-10, 22-24 and 36-38) or three 7-day periods (days 8-14, 22-28 and 36-42). As a result, in the nano-Cu-treated broilers the total experimental Cu intake was from -11% to +96% versus NRC recommendations. At the age of 42 days of broilers, their blood indices were determined. The obtained results showed that correction of the deficient basal diet of chickens with nano-Cu to a level of copper exceeding the NRC recommendation by 54% increased the antioxidant potential of the organism and inhibited lipid peroxidation. At the dosage of +96% versus NRC, some symptoms of a deterioration in antioxidant status appeared (a decrease in the level of glutathione plus glutathione disulfide and an increase in superoxide dismutase, catalase and ceruloplasmin activity and in lipid hydroperoxide content). Additionally, +7% versus the recommended Cu dietary level was followed by unfavorable results, indicating a deterioration in red blood cell parameters and stimulation of the immune system (an increase in interleukin-6, immunoglobulin A (IgA), IgM and IgY). To conclude, it was shown that it is possible to simultaneously increase antioxidant and immune defense of chickens by supplementing their diets with nano-Cu - up to 12 mg per bird during 6 weeks of feeding, that is to a level no more than 7% over the NRC recommendation for growing broiler chickens.

The aim of the study was to analyse how per os application of hydrocolloids of silver nanoparticles (22 nm) and lipid-coated nanosilver hydrocolloids (5 nm) affect the microbiological status and morphology of the jejunum of broiler chickens and their growth performance. The experiment was conducted on 60 chickens. The first group was the control. The chickens in group II received a silver nanoparticle hydrocolloid (ag-nano) at a dose of 5 mg/kg b.w./day. The chickens in group iii received a lipid-coated nanosilver hydrocolloid (agl-nano) at a dose of 5 mg/kg b.w./day. samples of digesta were taken from the jejunum during dissection and the total numbers of fungi, aerobic bacteria and bacteria of the coli group were determined in the samples. samples of the jejunum were also collected during dissection to determine the length of the villi and depth of the crypts. The silver nanoparticles had no effect on growth performance or the histological picture of the jejunum. an increase was noted in the total number of aerobic mesophilic bacteria and a decrease in the number of coli group bacteria, which are facultative anaerobes, which indicates that the nanosilver had a selective effect on the microflora of the digestive tract in the chickens.

No abstract

The aim of the study was to determine how a high-fat diet supplemented with various forms of chromium affects hematological and immune parameters of the blood of rats. The rats received a standard diet or a high-fat diet supplemented with chromium at 0.3 mg/kg body weight (BW) in the form of chromium(III) picolinate, chromium(III)-methionine or nano-sized chromium. Selected hematological parameters were determined in the blood of the rats, including total white blood cell (WBC) count, leukogram, red blood cell (RBC) count, hemoglobin level (HGB), hematocrit (HCT), platelet count (PLT) and platelet percentage (PCT), as well as immune parameters: levels of immunoglobulins A and E (IgA and IgE), interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-2 (IL-2), and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α); activity of ceruloplasmin (Cp); and levels of caspase 3 and 8 (Casp3 and Casp8). Feeding rats a high-fat diet increased blood markers of induction of inflammation, ie pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-6 and TNF-α, and also significantly increased IgE. The diet had no effect on the blood count, except for an increase in the number of neutrophils. The chromium compounds tested, particularly Cr-Met and Cr-NPs, stimulated the immune system of the rats, as indicated by increased concentrations of IgA, IgE, IL-2, IL-6, TNF-α, and Cp. Given the increase in inflammatory mediators induced by chromium, it should not be used to mitigate the effects of a high-fat diet. Moreover, chromium picolinate and chromium nanoparticles were shown to increase the content of caspase 3 and 8 in the blood of rats, which indicates a pro-apoptotic effect. The effects of the use of chromium nanoparticles include reductions in the WBC count and in the thrombocyte count (leuko- and thrombopenia). Taking account these data the use of chromium as dietary supplement should be reconsidered.

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An experiment was carried out to determine whether the yeast species Yarrowia lipolytica added to compound feeds for turkeys would have a more beneficial effect on their immunity and gut microflora composition than the commonly used species Saccharomyces cerevisiae. An additional aim of the study was to test whether the addition of a probiotic (Bacillus licheniformis and Bacillus subtilis) to the feed containing Yarrowia lipolytica or Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast would enhance their effect. The experiment was carried out on growing turkey hens aged 7 to 112 days and randomly divided into six groups (each n = 80). The birds in the control group (C) and group P were fed standard feeds, but group P additionally received a probiotic. Groups Y and YP received the feed containing the Yarrowia lipolytica fodder yeast, and the probiotic for the YP group. Similarly, in groups S and SP, the turkeys received the feed with the Saccharomyces cerevisiae fodder yeast, and the probiotic was additionally added to the feed for the SP group. Yarrowia lipolytica yeast can be an alternative to the commonly used yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae in turkey feeds. Yarrowia lipolytica favourably influenced the intestinal microbiota (reduced the number of microorganisms – P < 0.001, fungi – P < 0.001, and coliforms – P < 0.001, including E. coli), and stimulated erythropoiesis (increased Hb content – P = 0.049 and RBC count – P = 0.027; increased Ht – P < 0.001) and immune mechanisms (increased the %pc – P = 0.021, NBT value – P = 0.013 and lysozyme content – P = 0.013; decreased IgM concentration – P = 0.049). The combined use of a probiotic with yeast, particularly Yarrowia lipolytica, has a more beneficial effect on the gut microbiota than the use of Yarrowia lipolytica alone. The combined use of a probiotic with a yeast, particularly Yarrowia lipolytica, has a more beneficial effect on the gut microbiota than the use of Yarrowia lipolytica alone.

No abstract