The study aimed to assess the effect of different dietary levels of a probiotic blend (Probio Enzyme®) during the first 14 days of age (DOA) or up to 42 DOA, on growth performance, carcass and digestive tract traits, and haematological profiles of broiler chicks. A total of 540, one-day-old broiler chicks were randomized assigned to nine treatments: four dietary probiotic blend levels (250, 500, 750, and 1,000 g/ton) within two feeding periods (0-14 and 0-42 d, respectively), whereas the ninth treatment was a control diet without any dietary probiotic supplementation. The feed intake (FI) was found to be higher in broilers fed 1,000 g/ton of probiotic blend when fed during the first 14 d; however, BW gain and feed efficiency were not influenced by the treatments. Carcasses (deplumed and full) from broilers fed 250 g/ton of probiotic blend (0-14 DOA) were heavier than the other groups; the same was observed for leg portions. Broiler duodenum, jejunum and ileum weights, and ileum percentage were greater when fed diets without any supplementation. The haematological profile of broilers was not affected by the dietary treatments.

ABSTRACT The effects of vitamins E and C supplementation on growth performance and biochemical and haematological parameters of Japanese quail were studied. A total of 360 one-day-old Japanese female quails were randomly allocated to nine dietary treatment groups (10 birds per replicate and 4 replicates per treatment), including a control (basal diet) and the basal diet supplemented with: 250 or 500 mg/kg of vitamin C, 250 or 500 mg/kg of vitamin E, 250 mg/kg of both vitamins E and C, 250 and 500 mg/kg of vitamins E and C, 500 and 250 mg/kg of vitamins E and C, and 500 mg/kg of both vitamins E and C. Vitamin supplementation improved productive parameters and raised the blood plasma levels of protein, thyroid-stimulating hormone, calcium and phosphorus, while decreased those of glucose, uric acid, creatinine and triglycerides, as well as lowered the activities of aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase. Leukocyte count as well as the heterophil to lymphocyte ratio decreased and red blood cell count increased in the supplemented groups. The results obtained support that the simultaneous supplementation with vitamins E and C has greater positive effects on growth performance, metabolism indicators and haematological parameters than their supplementation separately, which in turn shows improvements over the absence of supplementation.

A factorial experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of L-Carnitine and fenofibrate on broilers. There were four replicates of four treatments, with each replicate including ten male Ross 308 broiler chickens. The experiment was conducted over a 42-day period. The treatments consisted of two levels of L-Carnitine (200 and 400 mg/kg) and two levels of fenofibrate (50 and 100 mg/kg) as supplements to a basal diet. Growth, carcass characteristics, serum constituents, immune system responsiveness, cecal microflora, sensory attributes and fatty acid profiles of breast meat, and small intestine histology were characterized. During the finishing period, the chickens fed a diet containing 400 mg/kg L-Carnitine and 50 or 100 mg/kg fenofibrate had lower feed intake andfeed conversion ratio (FCR) and higher weight than the other treatments. Application of 400 mg/kg L-Carnitine in combination with two levels of fenofibrate reduced ventricular fat (P <0.05), cholesterol (P <0.01), triglycerides (P <0.05), and very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) (P <0.05). These treatments increased antibody titers against Newcastle disease (ND)and avian influenza virus (AIV). Among the sensory properties of breast meat, experimental treatments had a significant effect only on its aroma (P <0.05). In general, supplementing the diet of Ross 308 broilers with 400 mg/kg L-Carnitine and 50 or 100 mg/kg of fenofibrate is recommended.

A total of 192 one-day-old Ross 308 chicks were weighed individually (42.0 ± 0.8 g live weight) and randomly assigned to four dietary groups, each with three replicates of 16 birds. One group was a control (CON) and fed a starter diet without supplementation. The other three groups were fed the same starter diet during the starter phase (1 - 10 days old) supplemented with lecithin (LEC) at 0.05 g/kg diet or lipase (LIP) at 0.05 g/kg, or a combination (LEC+LIP) at 0.05 + 0.05 g/kg. No significant effects of supplementation with LEC and LIP on feed intake of broilers were observed during the starter phase, whereas bodyweight gain increased after the combined addition of these supplemental ingredients. Thus, final bodyweight was greater in LEC+LIP broilers compared with the other groups. Dietary supplementation with LEC or LIP had a positive effect on final bodyweight. However, the effect was less than the simultaneous supplementation of LEC+LIP. Moreover, the feed conversion ratio in the LEC+LIP group improved (P <0.05) in the finisher phase (25 - 42 days old). Carcass traits and blood parameters were not influenced significantly by treatments, whereas supplementing LEC+LIP stimulated the immune system of broilers significantly. Thus, it can be concluded that supplementing LEC and LIP in early-stage broilers supported their performance and immune response positively up to finisher rearing phase.

This experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of various levels of organic acids and virginiamycin on performance, blood parameters, immunoglobulin and microbial population of broiler chickens. This trial was conducted in a completely randomized design using five treatments and four replicates. The dietary treatments included a control diet without additives, diets containing 0.05%, 0.10% and 0.15% mixtures of organic acids, and a diet containing virginiamycin as an antibiotic. Based on the results, there was no significant effect of the experimental diets on feed intake of the broilers during the starter period. However, at the end of the grower period and throughout the rearing period, feed intake was significantly improved by experimental dietary treatments. Moreover, diets including organic acids enhanced the microbial population of broiler gut. Thus, the current findings support the conclusion that organic acids improve productive traits and health status in broiler chickens.

This study was designed to evaluate the effects of different sunflower meal (Helianthus annus; SFM) levels and a multi-enzyme complex (Natuzyme P50) on performance, biochemical parameters and antioxidant status of laying hens. A total of 288 Hy-Line W-36 laying hens (39-wk-old) were divided into six groups with six replicates per group (eight birds per replicate) and fed one of the six experimental diets. A corn-soybean meal-based diet was formulated and used as control diet. The experimental treatments consisted of three levels of SFM (0, 10, and 20%) and two levels of multi-enzyme complex (0 and 250g/ton). The feeding trial lasted 10 weeks. The results showed that the egg production, egg weight and mass, egg specific gravity, shell strength and thickness, Haugh unit, shape index, triglyceride content, plasma glutathione peroxidase (GSH) activity, and malondialdehyde (MDA) were not influenced by dietary treatments; however, the feed consumption, yolk cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol were significantly affected by feeding SFM compared to the control. In conclusion, the supplementation of SFM up to 20% in diet with multi-enzyme complex in laying hens did not appear to cause any adverse effects on egg production and quality as well on antioxidant status in laying hens.

This study investigated the growth performance, carcass characteristics, blood biochemistry, humoral immunity and caecal microbiota of broiler chicks fed 0, 2, 4, 6, and 8% olive meal (OM) in diet. In addition, this study investigated the use of enzymatic feed supplements (β-glucanase, phytase and hemicellulase) to enhance digestibility of high fibre diets. At the end of the feeding period (42 days), there were no significant differences among dietary groups on broiler growth performance, including bodyweight (BW) and bodyweight gain (BWG), feed intake (FI), and feed conversion efficiency (FCE). The evaluated carcass traits and meat cuts (breast, drumsticks and wings) did not vary among dietary treatments. Although some minor differences were observed in blood albumin and cholesterol concentrations among groups, the cecum microbiota did not differ in broilers. Antibody titers following vaccinations against infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) and Gumboro disease were higher in birds fed 4% OM. Adding supplemental enzymes to diet had minimal effect on the parameters. Findings from this study support the literature, which suggests that OM is a suitable feed by-product in broiler diets. Moreover, including OM in poultry rations has the potential to provide an economic and environmentally friendly alternative to traditional diets. Finally, the current trial identified that the addition of enzymes was not necessary to achieve optimal productive performance in broiler fed diet containing OM.

ABSTRACT The effects of the dietary inclusion of olive pulp (OP) and supplementation birds with a commercial enzyme blend (ENZ) on the performance of broilers were evaluated. Six hundred one-day-old male Ross 308 broilers were divided according to a completely randomized design into 10 treatments in a 2×2×2+2 factorial arrangement, consisting of two olive pulp levels (50 and 100 g/kg diet), two pulp categories (processed and non-processed), the inclusion or not of an enzyme blend supplement, and two control treatments without OP and the inclusion or not of the enzyme blend in the diet. Feed intake (FI), weight gain (WG), feed efficiency (FE), energy intake (EI), energy efficiency (EE), protein intake (PI), protein efficiency (PE), feed cost per kg live weight (FC/kg), and production index (IP) were determined. There was no significant difference (p> 0.05) between broilers fed the OP diets and the control diets for all parameters. Processed OP improved FE (p≤ 0.019 from 1-21 days; p≤ 0.005 from 22-42 days; and p≤ 0.008 from 1-42 days of age) and EE (p≤ 0.012 from 1-21 days; p≤ 0.012 from 22-42 days; and p≤ 0.002 from 1-42 days of age). The enzyme blend supplementation did not influence (p> 0.05) any of the studied variables. The inclusion of OP in the diets at levels up to 100g/kg would does not have deleterious effects on broiler production performance.

ABSTRACT The effects of the dietary inclusion of olive pulp (OP) and the supplementation of a commercial enzyme blend (ENZ) on the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) size, and immune and hematological parameters were evaluated. In total, 600 one-day-old Ross 308 male broiler chicks were divided into 6 treatments according to a completely randomized design, in a 2×2×2 factorial scheme, consisting of the dietary inclusion of two olive pulp levels (50 and 100 g/kg in diet), two pulp categories (processed and unprocessed), and the inclusion or not of an enzyme blend. On d 42, birds were euthanized and blood samples were collected, and lymphoid, hematologic, and GIT organs were measured. The inclusion of 100g/kg OP in the diets increased jejunum relative weight (J%) and jejunum length (p ≤ 0.05). Processed OP reduced jejunum weight and length, J%, and left cecum length, serum triglycerides and VLDL cholesterol levels (p ≤ 0.05). Enzyme supplementation did affect any of the studied parameters (p>0.05). The OP inclusion improved the GIT size, while processed OP reduced GIT measurements and serum lipid levels.

ABSTRACT The main objective of the present study was to evaluate the effects of the dietary addition of different levels of rosemary powder (RP) and vitamin E (VitE) on broiler performance and gut gross morphometry. A total of 270 one-day-old Ross 308 male chicks were randomly assigned to nine dietary treatments with three replicates of10 birds each. Treatments consisted of diets were supplemented with 0, 0.5 or 1.0% RP and 0, 100 or 200 mg/kg VitE (alpha-tocopherol acetate). Feed intake and weight gain were recorded weekly. On day 42, one bird per replicate was euthanized after blood sampling. Gastrointestinal tract segments were measured and/or weighed. Means were compared by least significant difference. Overall, broilers fed1.0% RP presented lower (p< 0.05) feed intake, weight gain, and final weight body than those fed 0.5% RP. Broilers fed the 0.5% RP plus 200 mg/kg VitE diet presented higher weight gain (p<0.05) in than those in the control group (0% RP and 0 mg VitE). Jejunum length and weight, colon length and width, and right cecum weight were also negatively affected (p<0.05) by the 1.0% RP diet when compared with the 0.5% RP diet. We suggest that the dietary supplementation of 0.5% RP plus 200mg/kg of vitE improves broiler performance and does not have significant adverse effects on gross gut morphometry. Dietary VitE may play a potential protective role against the negative effects of high levels of RP.

The goal of this study was to determine the effect of the liquid extract of Yucca schidigera on water quality and survival of Pacific red snapper Lutjanus peru during its transfer from wild to laboratory conditions. Three experimental groups (0.00; 0.25 and 0.75 mg of Y. schidigera liquid extract per liter of culture) were tested with four replicates using water recirculating systems. The liquid extract was dispensed every 72 h during 28 days. It was proved that Y. schidigera extract could be effective to reduce ammonia nitrogen caused by biogenic source (excretion of fish juveniles) diminishing mortality of Pacific red snapper during acclimatization process. It is recommended the use of yucca extract concentration at a dose of 0.75 mg L-1 to reduce ammonia concentration in marine water for holding red snapper juveniles.

El objetivo de este estudio fue determinar el efecto del extracto líquido de Y. schidigera sobre la calidad del agua y prevención de la mortalidad del pargo rojo del Pacífico L. Peru, durante la transferencia del medio silvestre a condiciones del laboratorio. Se utilizaron tres tratamientos: extracto líquido concentrado 100% de Y. schidigera natural fue administrado en baja concentración (0,25 mg L-1) y alta concentración (0,75 mg L-1), además de un grupo control sin extracto. El extracto líquido fue administrado cada 72 h durante 28 días. Se encontró que el extracto Y. schidigera reduce la concentración de amonio producto de la excreción de los juveniles y la mortalidad del huachinango durante la aclimatación en un sistema de recirculación. Se recomienda el uso del extracto de yuca en una concentración de 0,75 mg L-1 para reducir el amonio y para una densidad máxima de 10,9 kg m-3 y con aireación.

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of different levels of coriander (Coriandrum sativum) seed powder and extract on the performance and carcass characteristics of broiler chickens. A total of 420 day-old broiler chicks (Ross 308) were allocated randomly into seven treatments of 60 birds per group. Each treatment had four replicates (15 chicks per replicate). The trial was designed with seven treatments, consisting of a control diet without coriander, this is, the control group (CG); three treatments, which included the control diet plus three levels of coriander extract in water (750, 1000, and 1250 mg/kg); and the another three, which received the control diet plus three levels of coriander powder (1.5%, 2.0% and 2.5%). Performance parameters were monitored throughout the experimental period. At 21 - 42 d old, the inclusion of 952 mg/kg of coriander extract in drinking water maximized weight gain, while the feed intake of the experimental period (1 - 42 d) was maximized at the coriander powder level of 1.2%. Feed conversion ratios improved with the inclusion of coriander powder in the diet throughout the experimental period. These results suggest that coriander powder in the diet and coriander extract in water could replace synthetic antibiotics and could be regarded as natural feed additives and growth promoters in poultry diets.

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of a granular or liquid fertilizer on the temporal variation of phytoplankton. Enrichment of the pond water with nitrogen and phosphorus resulted in an increased gross photosynthesis and biomass of the dominant algal species. Nutrient concentrations and dilution rates can determine the temporal variation in phytoplankton abundance and primary production. The variation may be largely maintained by nutrient regeneration or turnover from different forms.

La finalidad del presente estudio fue determinar los efectos de un fertilizante granular y otro líquido sobre la variación temporal del fitoplancton. El enriquecimiento del agua del estanque con nitrógeno y fósforo resultó en un incremento en la fotosíntesis bruta y la biomasa de las especies de alga dominantes. La concentración de nutrientes y las tasas de dilución pueden determinar la variación temporal de la abundancia del fitoplancton y producción primaria. La variación puede ser mantenida principalmente por la regeneración de nutrientes o la tasa de renovación de diferentes formas.