This study investigated effects of dietary supplementation with vitamin C, vitamin E on performance, biochemical parameters, and oxidative stress induced by copper toxicity in broilers. A total of 240, 1-day-old, broilers were assigned to eight groups with three replicates of 10 chicks each. The groups were fed on the following diets: control (basal diet), vitamin C (250 mg/kg diet), vitamin E (250 mg/kg diet), vitamin C + vitamin E (250 mg/kg + 250 mg/kg diet), and copper (300 mg/kg diet) alone or in combination with the corresponding vitamins. At the 6th week, the body weights of broilers were decreased in copper, copper + vitamin E, and copper + vitamin C + vitamin E groups compared to control. The feed conversion ratio was poor in copper group. Plasma aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase activities, iron, copper concentrations, and erythrocyte malondialdehyde were increased; plasma vitamin A and C concentrations and erythrocyte superoxide dismutase were decreased in copper group compared to control. Glutathione peroxidase, vitamin C, and iron levels were increased; aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, and copper levels were decreased in copper + vitamin C group, while superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, and vitamin E concentrations were increased; aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, and alkaline phosphatase were decreased in copper with vitamin E group compared to copper group. The vitamin C concentrations were increased; copper, uric acid, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, and malondialdehyde were decreased in copper + vitamin C + vitamin E group compared to copper group. To conclude, copper caused oxidative stress in broilers. The combination of vitamin C and vitamin E addition might alleviate the harmful effects of copper as demonstrated by decreased lipid peroxidation and hepatic enzymes.

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of prebiotic and organic zinc alone and in combination in broiler diets on the live weight gain (LWG), feed consumption (FC), feed consumption ratio (FCR), carcass yield, some relative organ weights and blood parameters. A total of 160 Ross 308 one-day old male chicks were assigned to 4 treatment groups with 4 replicates of 10 birds each. Treatment for each group consisted of: first group (control group) received basal diet without supplementation; second group received 1 g/kg Mannanoligosaccharide (MOS); third group received 80 mg/kg organic zinc (OZn); and fourth group received 80 mg/kg organic zinc + 1 g/kg Mannanoligosaccharide (MOS+OZn). The study lasted 42 days. The supplementation of MOS and OZn had no effect on the LWG, FC, FCR, carcass yield, serum aspartate aminotranferase, (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and triglyceride levels during the experiment (P>0.05). Relative organ weights (liver, spleen, pancreas) were significantly higher in OZn group than those in the other groups (P<0.001). There was a significant difference in serum total cholesterol and glucose levels between treatment groups and control group (P<0.001). Serum Zn and Fe levels were significantly lower in control group than those in OZn and MOS+OZn groups (P<0.001). The highest and the lowest Cu levels were in the MOS+OZn and control groups, respectively (P<0.001). These data suggest that OZn with MOS combination may have a beneficial effect on serum mineral level in broilers.

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Due to the oxidative stress conditions at birth, newborn needs some immunological and antioxidative protection after birth. The present study was conducted to point out the oxidant and antioxidant activity of human breast milk throughout the lactation. For this purpose, the levels of malondialdehyde, nitric oxide, lactoferrin, superoxide dismutase, and catalase was determined in colostrum, transition milk, and mature milk. Milk samples were collected from 20 volunteer mothers at 24-48 h of delivery and 7 and 14 days after delivery. The skimmed milk was used for determination of the levels of malondialdehyde, nitric oxide, and lactoferrin and the activities of the catalase and superoxide dismutase enzymes. As the lactation period proceeded, the malondialdehyde level increased and the levels of nitric oxide and lactoferrin as well as the activities of catalase and superoxide dismutase decreased. Colostrum has a high antioxidant capacity, and these antioxidants decrease during the lactation period owing to the changing need of the growing infant. The results of this study revealed the importance of breastfeeding immediately after the birth to take the advantage of colostrum.

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