This study was aimed to find out the suitable dose of fresh plantain (Plantago lanceolata L.) supplementation for optimum growth, serum antioxidants status, liver health, and meat quality in broilers. A total of 1152-days-old Cobb-500 broilers (average weight: 45 ± 0.7 g) were randomly assigned into four dietary treatments, including (i) control (CON): corn-soya based basal diet, and plantain (PL) supplemented groups (ii) PL40: CON þ 40 g fresh PL/kg diet; (iii) PL80: CON þ 80 g fresh PL/kg diet; and (iv) PL120: CON þ 120 g fresh PL/kg diet. Improved growth efficiency (p < .05) was observed in PL supplemented groups compared to CON, where PL80 and PL120 groups had the highest value. Serum superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase concentrations were comparable in the PL80 and PL120 groups, but higher (p < .05) than other groups. The lowest concentrations of aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase were found in the PL80 group, while alkaline phosphatase was the highest in the PL40 group. Furthermore, the PL80 group exhibited the lowest (p ¼ .001) abdominal fat content and the highest (p ¼ .002) breast meat yield. Meat linoleic acid content was nevertheless improved linearly with PL supplement levels, and the highest value was found in the PL120 group. Furthermore, the maximum meat redness (a à ) was observed in PL80 and PL120 groups, which was approximately twice that of the CON. Overall, the growth and health responses of both PL80 and PL120 groups were similar, while the latter had improved the meat fatty acid profile. HIGHLIGHTSSupplementation of 80 g plantain/kg diet showed optimum growth performance, health status, and plasma antioxidants level in broilers. 120 g plantain/kg diet might be supplemented with the purpose of producing value-added broiler meat.

Reproductive performance of dairy cows is greatly affected by energy, protein and mineral profiles, which is also connected to postpartum anestrus. The present study was conducted during the period from December 2018 to May 2019 on 30 local x Holstein-Friesian crossbred lactating cows with parity 1-5 and body condition score of 2.0-3.5. This study aimed to compare serum glucose, cholesterol, triglycerides, total proteins, urea nitrogen, calcium, phosphorus and magnesium concentrations between anestrus and normal cyclic crossbred cows during 45 to 60 days postpartum. Automated biochemical analyzer was employed to measure these concentrations, using 15 cows in each group. The serum of postpartum anestrus cows contained significantly lower (P<0.05) concentrations of glucose, total proteins, calcium and magnesium compared to normal cyclic cows, while urea nitrogen concentration was significantly increased (P<0.05) in the postpartum anestrus cows. However, concentrations of other serum biochemical metabolites did not differ between cows of the two groups. These results suggest that blood glucose, total proteins, calcium, magnesium and urea nitrogen might have an effect on the cyclicity of Holstein-Friesian crossbred cows during 45 to 60 days postpartum. However, further studies are recommended to explore the underlying mechanism for the role of these metabolites in the cyclicity of postpartum cows.

Reproductive failure (anoestrus) is a one of the major problem in cattle production of Bangladesh due to under feeding and unavailability of balanced ration. This study was conducted for a period from July 2009 to June 2010 to determine the nutritional impact on the follicular growth using blood hormone assays and the rate of anoestrus in cows following dietary restriction and to develop a feasible feeding technique concerning the available feed ingredients in local market. A uniform group of 2-3 years old 15 heifers were selected and were grouped randomly into three named T1(60% feeding restriction), T2(40% feeding restriction) and T3 (standard feeding). Body condition score (BCS) and body weight were measured by standard method. Hormonal assays were analyzed to determine the impacts of restricted feeding on the ovarian follicular cycle using blood sera. The average BCS and body weight was decreased significantly (p<0.01) in the animals of T 1 and T2 compared to control T0. The average values of estrogen and progestrogen was decreased significantly (p<0.01) in restricted feeding heifers (T1& T2) than that of standard feeding heifers (T3). About 50% heifers showed irregular estrus and 50% showed anoestrus signs in the animals of T1 group. In addition, a total of 60% animals showed irregular estrus and 40% showed anoestrus condition in animals of T2 group.. On the other hand, the animals of control group showed regular estrous cycle with good hormonal assays. Standard feeding could improve the cattle production efficiency by overcoming the reproductive failure using available feed ingredients.