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The present study was carried out to compare the efficiency of different selenium (Se) sources [sodium selenite (SS), Se enriched yeast (Sel-Plex) and Nano-Se] on productive performance, lipid peroxidation, antioxidative status and immunity function of local chickens strain exposed to summer condition (high ambient temperature). One hundred and twenty birds, were randomly divided into 4 treatments: (1) control (basal diet without any supplementation of selenium), (2) SS (basal diet + 0.3 mg Se as SS / kg diet); (3) basal diet + 0.3 mg Nano-Se/ kg diet (Nano-Se); and (4) basal diet + 0.3 mg organic Se/ kg diet (Sel-Plex). The experimental diets are given to birds from 30 to 42 wk of age. Under hyperthermia, dietary 0.3 ppm Sel-Plex or Nano-Se improved feed conversion (g feed/g egg mass), egg production percentage and egg mass (g/d) (P < 0.05). Supplementing diets with Nano-Se increased total protein and globulin content compared with control diet. While, addition different sources of selenium significantly decreased malondialdehyde (MDA) content compared with treat (1) diet. Interestingly, under rise ambient temperature, the inclusion of 0.3 ppm Sel-Plex or Nano-Se in the chikens diet significantly enhanced the antioxidant enzyme (GSH-Px) activity being greater than 2-folds of the controls. Chickens fed diet supplemented with Sel-Plex or Nano-Se showed about 1.5-folds increase in seminal plasma (GSH-Px) compared with control diet. Dietary 0.3 ppm Sel-Plex or Nano-Se had a positive significant effect on Phagocytic activity (PA) and Phagocytic index (PI) on high ambient temperature. In conclusion, dietary 0.3 ppm organic Se or Nano-Se enhanced productive performance, antioxidative properties and immunity in chickens reared under heat stress conditions.

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This study aimed to evaluate the effects of heat stress on productive and reproductive performances in Holstein dairy cows during summer compared to winter seasons. During each seasons, temperaturehumidity index (THI), rectal temperature, and respiration rate were recorded for 105 days. Daily milk yield (Kg/day) was recorded for 5 consecutive months each season. Serum cholesterol, glucose, urea and progesterone (P4) concentrations were determined around the times of inseminations. Conception rate to first insemination (CR/AI), overall pregnancy rate, number of services per conception (NSPC) and number of days open (DO) were determined each season. Values of THI, rectal temperatures and respiration rate were greater in summer than winter. Daily milk yield was greater (P<0.05) in winter months compared to summer. Serum glucose and urea concentrations were greater in summer than winter during the dry period and at the times of GnRH and PGF injections. However, cholesterol was greater in winter during GnRH and PGF injection times. Serum P4 concentrations were not affected by GnRH treatment in summer, whereas GnRH injection increased P4 concentration during winter season. More winter cows conceived to first AI and required less number of services per conception and had fewer days open compared to summer cows.

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This study was performed to evaluate the protective effects of feeding reduced glutathione (GSH) against hepatic dysfunctions related to dietary aflatoxicosis in Inshas chickens (a local Egyptian chicken strain). 5 ppm of GSH were used with 500 ppm of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) /kg diet administrated. In total, 96 chickens were divided into 4 treatments with 3 replicates. T1 was the negative control. T2was the positive control group (AFB1). Groups T3 and T4 were administrated with GSH, and GSH+ AFB1, respectively. At the end of the experiment (28-38) wk of age, samples were collected for analysis. The results showed that AFB1 has significant potency for increasing aspartate transaminase (AST), creatinine in blood, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) in muscle , while reducing the plasma α-tocopherol content, antioxidants enzymes (glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and total antioxidant capacity) in blood of chicken. In addition, the negative effects of AFB1 on mRNA for antioxidant enzymes (GPX, SOD and CAT), hepatosomatic index (HSI), lipid peroxidation on birds aflatoxicosis were recorded in this study, also the efficacy of GSH for ameliorating aflatoxicosis were recorded. Moreover, these results showed that the ability of GSH when use with aflatoxicosis to counteract the toxic effects of AFB1 on chickens. Additionally, the GSH-Px (T3) were enhanced the antioxidative status. Finally, the optimal levels of GSH and method of used for detoxification of aflatoxin effects need more studies.