This study investigated the effect of dietary α-tocopherol (α-Toc), pomegranate peel extract (PPE), and pomegranate peel (PP) on phenolic content and breast meat quality of broilers during 11 days of storage with the addition of α-Toc, PPE, and PP. Broilers were fed eight dietary treatments, including: control diet, α-Toc diet (200 mg/kg), PPE diets (100, 200, and 300 mg/kg), and PP diets (1, 2, and 3 g/ kg) during 0-42 days. The extents of lipid oxidation in samples were assessed by measuring thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances and the 1, 1-Diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical-scavenging activities were determined. The feed efficiency was improved significantly in chickens fed diet containing 0.2 g/kg PPE, and the growth performance of chickens was impaired in chickens fed with PP diet. Long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids n-3 were increased in breast muscles of broilers fed α-Toc and high levels of PPE diets (P < .05). Total phenolic contents and antioxidant activity in the breast meat were improved significantly when chickens fed diets containing α-Toc and PPE (P < .05). In conclusion, dietary supplementation with 200 and 300 mg/kg PPE may improve the antioxidant potential and quality indices of broilers breast meat. The antioxidant potential of PPE was equal to that of α-Toc in refrigerated meat.

The effects of supplementation with a-tocopherol acetate (a-Toc), pomegranate pomace extract (PPE) and pomegranate pomace (PP) into chicken feed on antioxidant status, oxidation susceptibility and quality of the thigh meat during refrigeration were investigated. During six weeks broiler chickens were fed eight dietary treatments, which included: control diet, a-tocopherol diet (200 mg kg À1), PPE diets (0.1, 0.2 and 0.3 g kg À1) and PP diets (1, 2 and 3 g kg À1). Feed efficiency was significantly improved by supplementing chickens fed diet with 0.2 g kg À1 PPE. Long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC PUFA) n-3 level was higher in the thigh of broilers fed with a-Toc and PPE diets (except 0.1 g kg À1) than in chickens fed control and PP diets (p < .05). Total phenolic content, lipid peroxidation level and 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging activity in the thigh meat were significantly improved when chickens were fed diets containing a-Toc and PPE (p < .05). Supplementation of different antioxidant preparations into diets had no influence on plasma superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase activities, in contrast, serum lipid peroxidation level was reduced in chickens fed diets supplemented with PPE (except 0.1 g kg À1) and a-Toc. In conclusion, the broiler thigh meat may be successfully enriched with LC PUFA n-3 and its antioxidant potential and quality characteristics may be improved by supplementing diets with 0.2 and 0.3 g kg À1 PPE. Moreover, the antioxidant potential of PPE supplementation was equal to that of a-tocopherol acetate in refrigerated meat.

This experiment was conducted to evaluate and compare the effects of a dietary inclusion with Aspergillus oryzae and Saccharomyces cerevisiae on productive performance, egg quality, intestinal morphology, and SGLT1 gene expression in laying Japanese quail. A total of 320 laying quails aged 47-day-old were randomly allocated to 8 treatments with 4 replicates of 10 quails each, for 7 weeks. The experimental diets consisted of a basal corn-soybean meal or control, control diet þ 50 mg/kg tetracycline, control diet þ 100 and 200 mg/kg A. oryzae, control diet þ 100 and 200 mg/kg S. cerevisiae, control diet þ 100 and 200 mg/kg of the combination of both A. oryzae and S. cerevisiae at equal proportions. At the end of the experiment, 4 quails per treatment were slaughtered, and tissue samples from the jejunum (1.5 cm in length) were removed for intestinal morphology measurements. Samples from the midsegment of the jejunum (150-200 mg) were taken to evaluate the gene expression of sodium-glucose cotransporter (SGLT1). The dietary inclusion of S. cerevisiae at 200 mg/kg significantly improved the feed conversion ratio (FCR) and egg production and reduced the feed intake (FI) (p < .001). The greatest shell thickness values were found in those fed on diets containing S. cerevisiae at 200 mg/kg. The quails fed on diets containing the combination of both probiotics at 100 mg/kg showed significantly higher egg weight (p < .001). Shell percent and yolk index increased significantly in quails fed on S. cerevisiae-supplemented diets at 100 mg/kg (p < .05). The villus height in the S. cerevisiae-supplemented group (200 mg/kg) was significantly higher than other groups (p < .05). The villus width was significantly higher in quails given 200 mg/kg A. oryzae compared to those received 100 mg/kg A. oryzae or 200 mg/kg S. cerevisiae (p < .05). Supplementation of S. cerevisiae at both tested levels resulted in significantly higher SGLT1 gene expression in the jejunum (p < .05). In conclusion, the results of this experiment demonstrated that among the two probiotics, S. cerevisiae at the level of 200 mg/kg as a functional feed additive has a better potential to improve productive performance, intestinal morphology, and SGLT1 gene expression of laying Japanese quails. HIGHLIGHTS Supplementation of diet with 200 mg/kg S. cerevisiae improved egg production, shell thickness, and FCR. The addition of 200 mg/kg S. cerevisiae to the diets improved the gut development by enhancing the villus height. Inclusion of diet with S. cerevisiae at both levels upregulated the gene expression of SGLT1.

1. This study was carried out to investigate the effects of 1, 25-dihydroxycholecalciferol (1, 25 (OH)2 D3) and a hydroalcoholic extract of Withania somnifera (WS) root on performance, mineral retention, bone mineralisation, bone mechanical and bone histological characteristics of broiler chicks. 2. A 2 × 3 × 2 factorial experiment consisted of a positive control diet with adequate Ca and a negative control diet (Ca concentration reduced by 30%), three concentrations of WS (0, 75 and 150 mg/kg diet), and two concentrations of 1, 25 (OH)2 D3 (0 and 0.5 μg/kg diet). 3. A total of 600 male one-d-old Ross 308 broiler chicks were randomly distributed into 60 floor pens, with 10 birds each. Each treatment was replicated 5 times (50 birds). Diets were given ad libitum from one to 42 d of age. On d 21 and 42, one bird per replicate was killed and tibiae were removed. 4. Dietary treatments did not affect feed intake and feed conversion. The maximum body weight gain (2475 g) was noted in birds fed on a diet adequate in Ca and supplemented with 75 mg/kg WS. 5. The Ca and P retentions were significantly higher in birds that were given a diet with 30% less Ca. Supplementation of 150 mg/kg WS significantly improved Ca retention in birds receiving a negative control compared to those given a positive control diet (83.0% vs. 66.3%). Ca retention was significantly improved with the addition of 0.5 μg/kg 1, 25 (OH)2 D3 to the diet containing 75 mg/kg WS, regardless of dietary Ca concentration (79.5 vs. 73.3 and 77.9 vs. 68.9). 6. On d 21, birds that received WS had significantly higher tibia Ca compared to those of controls. No significant effects on tibia Ca were noted at 42 d. Birds given a negative control diet supplemented with 75 mg/kg WS and 0.5 μg/kg 1, 25 (OH)2 D3 displayed a similar tibia Ca compared to those given only 150 mg/kg WS. Dietary supplementation of 1, 25 (OH)2 D3 significantly increased tibia Ca and tibial mineralised zone width in birds at 42 d of age. 7. Tibia shear force and stiffness were significantly increased by supplementation of WS. Administration of 1, 25 (OH)2 D3 resulted in a significantly lower width of the proliferative zone at 21 d of age. Reduction of the Ca supply significantly reduced the mineralised zone and cortical thickness at this age. 8. The present study showed that WS supplementation improved Ca retention, bone calcification and mechanical properties with no adverse effects on performance. Also, synergistic effects of WS and 1, 25 (OH)2 D3 were observed on Ca retention and bone calcification.

1. A 6-week study was conducted to investigate the effects of phytase and hydroalcoholic extract of Withania somnifera root (WS) on productive performance and bone mineralisation of laying hens in the late phase of production. 2. Diets were arranged factorially (3 × 2 × 2) and consisted of a positive control with adequate Ca (4·37%) and nonphytate P (NPP; 0·39%) and a negative control diet with Ca (4·06%) and NPP (0·36 %); three concentrations of Withania somnifera (0, 65 and 130 mg/kg diet); and two concentrations of microbial phytase (0 and 300 U/kg diet). 3. A total of 144 72-week-old Hy-Line W36 laying hens were randomly assigned to the 12 treatment groups. Each treatment was replicated 4 times (4 x 3 hens). Egg production and egg weight were recorded daily, while feed intake and egg quality traits were recorded every two weeks. Bone quality traits were evaluated at the end of experiment. 4. Withania somnifera supplementation increased egg production and lowered egg weight only in the second two weeks of the experiment. Addition of phytase significantly depressed specific gravity of the eggs for the entire experiment period. No dietary treatment effects were observed on egg shell thickness and yolk weight. 5. Withania somnifera at 130 mg/kg did not affect feed intake. The hens fed on the positive control diet had higher albumen weight than the negative control diet in the second two-week period. Supplementation of the positive control diet with 65 mg/kg Withania somnifera in the absence of phytase significantly improved shell weight compared with the negative control (5·779 vs. 5·273 g respectively). 6. Supplementing Withania somnifera significantly improved Ca and P retention in tibia bone. In addition, an increase in tibia bone P was observed with phytase supplementation. There were significant interactions between Withania somnifera content and phytase for tibia bone Ca and P. 7. The results of this experiment indicated that dietary Withania somnifera has beneficial effects on tibia bone Ca and P content, and phytase improved tibia bone P retention without adverse effects on productive performance.

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of hydroalcoholic leaf extract of Withania somnifera (WS) and a-tocopherol acetate (a-Toc) in the diets containing oxidised oil on the growth performance, immune response, and oxidative status in the broiler chickens. A 3-way factorial design (2 Â 3 Â 2) was applied consisting of the oxidised oil (0 and 2%), WS (0, 100 and 200 mg/ kg diet), and a-Toc (0 and 200 mg/kg). In total, 600 one-day-old male broilers were randomly subjected to 12 treatments with 5 replicates (10 birds/replicate). Broilers were provided with feed and water ad libitum during the 42-day experimental period. On day 42, one bird per each replicate was killed to measure the lymphoid organ weights, intestinal morphometric parameters, and MDA content in the thigh meat. Dietary oxidised oil reduced the FI, and BWG (p < .05). In contrast, dietary WS at a concentration of 200 mg/kg alleviated the negative effects of the oxidised oil on the BWG. Birds fed with the dietary oxidised oil revealed lower titres of antibody against the SRBC (p < .05). Antibody titres were significantly increased by the supplementary WS (p < .05), except for IgG, and IgM during primary and secondary responses, respectively. Dietary supplementation of WS at the concentrations of 100 or 200 mg/kg resulted in a higher CBH response after 12 h (p < .01). Birds fed with the diet supplemented with WS exhibited significantly higher spleen weight than those fed with the non-WS-supplemented diets (p < .01). Dietary oxidised oil significantly increased the MDA content in thigh meat, and inversely reduced the activity of serum antioxidant enzymes (p < .05). Birds fed with the WS-supplemented diets showed significantly lower levels of MDA content in thigh meat, and conversely higher values of serum GPx and SOD activities (p < .05). The GPx activity values were significantly higher for the birds fed with the dietary a-Toc compared to those fed with the nona-Toc-supplemented diets (p < .05). Our findings showed that the presence of WS in the broilers diets as an alternative to a-Toc could be a good approach to improve the performance, immune response, and meat oxidative stability under oxidative stress conditions. HIGHLIGHTS Dietary oxidised oil reduced the FI, and BWG, and the diets supplemented with WS leaf extract alleviated the deleterious effects of the oxidised oil on the BWG. Dietary WS revealed the immunostimulatory effects. The birds fed with the WS-supplemented diets showed a higher antibody titre against the SRBC. Dietary inclusion of WS in the broilers diets negated the negative effects of the oxidised oil by reducing the MDA content in thigh meat and increasing the activity of the antioxidant enzymes.

This study was performed to evaluate the effects of hydroalcoholic extracts of Withania somnifera (WS) root, Withania coagulans (WC) fruit, and 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol [1,25(OH) 2 D 3 ] on immune response and small intestinal morphology of broiler chickens. A total of 550 male one-day-old Ross 308 broiler chickens were randomly allotted to 55 pens, with 10 birds per pen (replicate), and reared for 42 days. Broiler chickens were fed 11 dietary treatments including a positive control diet with adequate Ca; a negative control diet (Ca concentration reduced by 30%); and the negative control diet supplemented with either WS or WC extracts at three levels (0, 75, and 150 mg/kg diet) or 1,25(OH) 2 D 3 at two different levels (0 and 0.5 μg/kg diet). Antibody response against sheep red blood cells (SRBC) was measured on days 32 and 39. Administration of 150 mg/kg WS and WC significantly increased the production of IgG specific to SRBC on primary and secondary antibody response, respectively. Birds given a negative control diet supplemented with only 150 mg/kg WS displayed the highest villus width compared to those given 75 mg/kg WS or WC with 1,25(OH) 2 D 3 . The present study showed that supplementation of WS or WC at 150 mg/kg had beneficial effects on humoral immune response. Also, administration of WS significantly increased villus width. ARTICLE HISTORY

This study aimed to investigate the effects of the supplementation of Withania coagulans extracts (fruit (WCF) and root (WCR)) and two oil types (linseed oil (LO) and fish oil (FO)) on the growth performance, tibia bone characteristics, calcium and phosphorus content in tibia and serum, biochemical indicators of bone metabolism, and some blood parameter in broilers. The experimental materials comprised 720 male Ross 308 broilers (nine treatments, 8 replications, 10 birds per replication). Dietary treatments included: basal diet (control), 200mg/kg WCR, 200 mg WCF /kg, 2% FO, or 2% LO added to basal diet. BW and BWG increased at 1– 21 and 22–42 days with an adding FO and WCF compared to the control group. The highest values of stiffness, ultimate load, and BMD were obtained supplemented with a mixture of FO + WCF, while the lowest Stiffness, ultimate load, and BMD were observed basal diet without supplement. Increased serum calcium and tibia calcium levels observed by diets containing fish oil supplemented with WC extracts compared to other groups (P < 0.05). LO and FO supplementation reduced PGE2 concentration compared to other groups treatment (P < 0.05). No significant difference was observed in serum TRAP levels in all experimental groups (P>0.05). In conclusion, feeding a combination of oil source (FO) and extract (WCF) improved the performance of birds, increased bone characterized and calcium levels in serum and tibia by altering biochemical indicators of bone metabolism in serum.