فهرست مطالب amir hossein alizadeh-ghamsari

Vitamins play an important role in improving the performance, immune system, and growth of birds. In recent years, due to the increase of the price of synthetic vitamin supplements and also due to the limitation of the use of commercial antioxidants, plant-based antioxidant sources have been considered in the poultry industry. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the effects of herbal vitamin E supplements on production traits, humoral immune responses, and some blood parameters of broiler chickens.

In a completely randomized design 480 Arian broiler chickens (one-day-old, mixed sexes) were allocated to four treatments, four replicates, and 30 birds in each replicate. Experimental treatments included: 1. basal diet (Contains 25 IU of synthetic vitamin E), 2. basal diet + 25 IU synthetic vitamin E, 3. basal diet + 50 mg herbal vitamin E supplement, and 4. basal diet + 100 mg herbal vitamin E Supplement. In this experiment, weight gain, feed intake, and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were measured. On day 40, two birds per replicate were randomly selected, weighed, and killed, and then the entire empty carcass and parts of the carcass including breast, thigh, neck back, and wings, abdominal fat, and some organs including heart and spleen were weighed. One day 40 days, to measure the concentration of total protein, albumin, triglyceride, cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), and the activity of alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, and alkaline phosphatase enzymes, blood was collected from each replicate of 4 birds. On day 33 to measure antibody titer against Newcastle disease and influenza, 1 ml SRBC was injected into 4 birds in each repetition.

  The results showed that the experimental treatments had no effects on feed intake, body weight, and FCR. Also, carcass characteristics including carcass percentage, breast, thigh, back, and neck percentage, abdominal fat, heart, spleen, and blood parameters were not affected by experimental treatments. Antibody titer against sheep red blood cell injection had no significant effect.

In total, according to the recommendation of commercial strains, the requirement of vitamin E is 50 IU, therefore in case of providing 25 IU of synthetic vitamin E in the diet, it is possible to provide the rest of the need up to 50 IU by using the herbal vitamin E supplement (at the rate of 50 mg per kilogram of feed) considering there are economic considerations.

 Optimal nutrition occurs only when poultry efficiently use the nutrients in the feed for growth, health, reproduction and survival. Vitamins should be present in sufficient amounts in the diet due to their vital functions in the animal's metabolism and the optimal utilization of other nutrients.

Five hundred one-day-old 308 Ross strain chicks (male and female) were distributed in a completely randomized design with 5 treatments, 5 replications and 20 chicks per replication. Dietary treatmets are included five levels of vitamin supplementation: 1) control (100% recommended values of strain Ross 308 catalog), 2 to 5) 90%, 80%, 70% and 60% recommended values. During the 42 days of the experimental period, performance was recorded at the end of each period (ages 10, 24 and 42 days). Evaluation of humoral immune response was performed using SRBC injection at 35 days of age. Cellular immune response was assessed at 37 days of age by hypersensitivity test. At 42 days of age, ten birds per treatment were bled to count white blood cells and then the birds were slaughtered, and the relative weights of different parts of the carcass were measured.

The suggested level of 80% vitamin supplement had no significant effect on performance including feed intake, FCR, survival percentage and production index (p<0.05). By reducing the level of vitamin supplement, the length of jejunum and the percentage of wings and spleen decreased in the experimental treatments (p<0.05), but the percentage of carcass and other components were not affected (p>0.05). Antibody titer in response to SRBC injection, cellular immune response and the number of white blood cells were not affected in level of 80% vitamin supplement, although the level of 80% vitamin supplement significantly reduced IgG titer and heterophil percentage (p<0.05).

In general, the results showed that it is possible to reduce the level of vitamins in the diet of broiler chickens by 20% without negatively affecting the performance and responses of cellular and humoral immunity.

An experiment was conducted to determine the optimal dietary level of wheat middlings for Arian commercial strain broilers. One thousand and fifty hundred Arian broiler chickens (a mixture of two sexes) were reared from 5 to 49 days old in a completely randomized design with 5 treatments, 10 replicates and 30 birds in each replicate. Experimental treatments included zero (control), 12.5, 25, 37.5 and 50% levels of wheat middlings in the diet. Wheat middlings reduced the feed cost per kilogram of live weight of broilers at 49 days of age; these reductions at levels of 37.5 and 50% were about 9 and 11%, respectively, and were significant compared to the control. The multi-attribute decision making (MADM) method was applied to determine the optimal level of wheat middlings in the diet. Based on the scoring obtained from this method, the group of birds receiving 37.5% of wheat middlings gained the highest score (72.92) and the groups receiving 25, 50, 12.5 and 0% wheat middlings were in the next ranks (72.58, 72.52, 63.98 and 17.41), respectively. In the end, the optimal level of dietary wheat middlings inclusion to achieve the highest management score obtained by the MADM method was determined to be 34.7%.

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of adding different levels of a domestically produced synbiotic to drinking water on production traits, carcass characteristics and the small intestinal microbial population of broiler chickens. Four hundred one-day-old Ross 308 broilers (a mixture of two sexes with equal proportion) were used in a completely randomized design with 4 treatments, 5 replicates, and of 20 birds per each replicate. Experimental treatments included adding levels: zero (control), 50, 100 and 150 g of synbiotic (Biopoul) per 1000 liters of drinking water. At 42 days of age, the addition of 50 or 100 g of synbiotic per 1000 liters of drinking water significantly decreased feed conversion ratio (P < 0.05). The increase of production index in the group receiving 100 g of Biopoul compared to the control showed a tendency (P = 0.08). Biopoul in the levels of 50, 100 and 150 g increased the total number of lactobacilli and decreased the number of yeasts and molds, coliforms and total gram-negative bacteria in the ileum compared to the control (P<0.05). According to the obtained results, the use of 100 g of synbiotic Biopoul per 1000 liters of drinking water of broiler chickens can improve the production index while helping to balance the small intestinal microbial population.

Nowadays, there is an abundant interest in the use of insects in poultry and livestock nutrition. All insects produce chitin-based exoskeletons. A precise determination of chitin content of insects is necessary because of its application in various industries and poor digestion in some livestock. Therefore it is necessary to specify their skeleton composition including chitin. Due to the structure of chitin and insolubility in common solvents, the measurement of this compound is difficult and undertaken by estimation. In this study, two different methods are used and compared for chitin content measurement of insects. The experiment was carried out using six different samples of insects including larva of darkling beetle (mealworm) (Tenebrio molitor), crickets (Gryllodes sigillatus), honey bee (Apis mellifera meda) and varieties 31, 51 and 107 of silkworm (Bombix mori). In the first method, chitin content was estimated by measuring the acid detergent fiber. In the second method, the chitin measured by chemical purification method. The measured chitin contents by chemical purification were 12.05%± 0.071 for honey bee, 8.18%± 0.259 for mealworm, 7.79% ± 0.107 for cricket and 7.92% ± 0.058, 4.93% ± 0.091, 6.08% ± 0.116 for variety 31, 51 and 107 of silkworm samples respectively. Due to the recommended maximum amount of chitin in poultry feed at the level of 7g/kg and effect of chitin in determination of total protein, measurement of chitin before usage in feed is necessary and according to the obtained results, for determination of chitin content use of chemical purification method is recommended.

In order to investigate the effect of different levels of hydrolyzed feather powder on performance and serum biochemical parameters of broiler chickens, an experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design with four treatments, six replications and 26 birds per replicate from 15 to 42 days of age. Experimental treatments included: diet without hydrolyzed feather powder (control), and diets containing one, two, and three percent of hydrolyzed feather powder. The results of this experiment showed that the use of hydrolyzed feather powder up to level of three percent had no significant effect on body weight, feed intake, feed conversion ratio, livability and production index compared to control group. The use of hydrolyzed powder in diet significantly reduced the cost of feed per kg of live body weight (P<0.01). Blood parameters such as albumin, globulin, total protein, cholesterol, high density lipoprotein (HDL)- cholesterol and triglycerides were not affected by hydrolyzed feather meal levels. Ileal protein digestibility of hydrolyzed feather powder was measured 75.17%. Totally, due to the lower feed cost per kg of obtained live body weight and the ability of hydrolyzed feather powder to provide part of dietary protein, the use of three percent hydrolyzed feather powder in broilers diet is recommended.

The limitation of feed sources in Iran and all over the world has increased attentions to use alternative feedstuffs. Insect production is one the recommended approaches to improve food security for human and animals. Insects are rapidly grown and proliferated and because of being cold-blooded have appropriate feed conversion ratio. They also can convert agricultural residues into biomass contained proper value of energy and protein. This article has been focused on introduction of some insects used in poultry neutrino (including cricket, mealworm, black soldier fly larva, house fly larva, grasshopper) and earthworm, followed by reviewing the poultry nutritionist’s results about them, and ended up with pointing the challenges regarding to the extension of insect usage in poultry nutrition. The results of the researches indicated the appropriate levels of crude protein (42.1-63.3%) and metabolizable energy (3833-3298 kcal/kg) in evaluated insects or larva and the possibility of using them in poultry feed (commonly 5% of diet). Regarding the challenges of insect production and usage, some points which need especial attention are included: developing legal instructions for authorizing insect production and usage, choosing safe and proper insect species, type of litter and substrate of feeding, the chitin content of exoskeleton, as well as appropriate marketing and cultural education of the poultry farmers and human consumers of the poultry products.

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of anti-stress feed additive containing probiotic Protexin®, vitamin C and betaine in three commercial broiler strains on immune responses, some blood parameters and oxidative stability of breast muscle under heat stress conditions. A total of 720 one-day-old broiler chicks were used in a completely randomized design as a 2×3 factorial arrangement consisting 2 levels of additive (with and without) and three broiler strains (Arbor Acres, Ross 308 and Cobb 500) with 6 treatments, 4 replicates and 30 birds in each replicate. The birds were exposed to heat stress (37 °C) for 8 hours daily from 22 to 42 days of age. In addition of performance parameters, humoral immune response was measured by intravenous administration of 5% sheep red blood cell (SRBC) suspension and primary and secondary antibody titers were determined. At 42 day of age, blood samples were collected to measure blood serum parameters including total protein, cholesterol, triglyceride, HDL and LDL. The heterophile to lymphocyte ratio and also glutathione peroxidase and super oxide dismutase enzyme activities were evaluated at 42 day of age. Among the evaluated parameters, only LDL concentration was affected by experimental strains (p < 0.05) and the minimum serum LDL concentration was observed in Arbor Acres strain. Generally, the strain and feed additive used in this experiment had no significant effect on immune response and breast muscle oxidative stability of heat-stressed broilers.

Corn and its byproducts are of the most important products used in livestock and poultry nutrition to supply energy. In order to investigate the effect of different levels of corn germ (high-oil content) on performance and immunological indices of broiler chickens, an experiment were conducted in a completely randomized design with 5 experimental groups, 5 replicates and 30 birds per each experimental unit from 14 to 42 days of age. Experimental groups were included birds received levels of zero (control), 5, 10, 15 and 20 percentage of corn germ in diet., Birds received 10% corn germ in diet showed highest live body weight compared to others on days 21 and 28. On day 42, effects of corn germ level on live body weight, production index and feed cost per kilogram of live body weight was significant (p < 0.05). Lowest production index was observed in group received 20% corn germ (p < 0.05). There were no significant differences in feed intake and intestinal morphological indices including villus length, villus width, crypt depth, villus length to crypt depth ratio between experimental groups. Also, Effects of different levels of corn germ on antibody titers against sheep red blood cell (SRBC), IgM, IgG and white blood cells differentiations were not significant. Based on the obtained result about feed cost per kilogram of live body weight, corn germ can be included in broiler diets up to level of 10 percent during days 15 to 42.

This study was conducted to determine threonine requirement of Arian 386 broiler chickens at finisher period (days 22 to 42), using performance, immunity and blood parameters responses in a completely randomized design with six levels of threonine (0.66, 0.76, 0.86, 0.96, 1.06 and 1.16%), five replicates and 20 birds per each replicate. Requirement was determined by broken line method. Average daily feed intake was not affected by dietary level of threonine during days 22 to 42. Average daily weight gain and feed conversion ratio in broiler chickens fed the level of 0.66% threonine were respectively lower and higher compared to the other groups. The serum concentrations of glucose, cholesterol, triglyceride, calcium, phosphorus, albumin, total protein, LDL and globulin were not affected by different levels of threonine. The serum concentration of uric acid was reduced in birds received 0.96% threonine comparing the other groups and serum HDL level was increased in birds fed with 0.66 and 0.76% threonine. Number of white and red blood cells, percentage of hematocrit, heterophil, lymphocyte, heterophil to lymphocyte ratio, titer of antibody including IgG, IgM and total antibody in response to SRBC injection were not affected by different levels of threonine. Considering serum uric acid and HDL, threonine requirement during finisher period were estimated 1.058 and 0.995%, respectively. Totally, range of 0.9-1.0% can be suggested for threonine requirement of Arian 386 broiler chickens in finisher period (days 22 to 42).

An experiment was conducted to determine the optimum level of amaranth grain (AG) in broiler diet by empoying a completely randomized design with 4 experimental groups, 5 replicates and 30 birds (Ross 308 as-hatched chicks with equal proportion from both sexes) per each experimental unit. Experimental groups were included birds received levels of zero (control), 2, 4, and 6% of AG (Amaranthus hybridus, variety Ultra) in pelleted diet from 7 to 42 days of age. During the experiment, performance traits, productive index, low density lipoprotein (LDL)- cholesterol level in serum, relative weight of abdominal fat, absorption index (villus height to crypt depth ratio) in jejunum and stress index (heterophile to lymphocyte ratio) in blood were evaluated. To determine the optimum level of AG in pelleted diet, production index and also multi attribute decision making method (MADM) were applied. Based on scoring by this method, experimental group received 2% AG showed the highest score (0.9158). The control and experimental groups fed with 4 and 6% AG ranked in subsequent positions, respectively. Optimum level of dietary AG inclusion to obtain maximum production index was 1.57%. According to the results, this specific variety of amaranth grain (Ultra) can be included at the range of 1.5 to 2% in broiler pelleted diet.

In order to evaluate the effect of different levels of corn gluten feed on performance, immune responses, intestinal morphology and some blood serum biochemical parameters of broiler chickens, an experiment was conducted using 500 male Ross 308 broiler chickens in a completely randomized design with four treatments, five replicates and 25 birds per replication. The experimental treatments included levels  of zero (control), 2.5, 5 and 7.5 percent corn gluten feed in the diet which fed to broilers from 15 to 42 days of age. The results showed that dietary inclusion of corn gluten feed up to 7.5 percent had no significant effect on average weight gain, feed intake and feed conversion ratiocompared to control treatment. Also, jejunal morphological indices and blood biochemical parameters including triglyceride, cholesterol, albumin, phosphorus and alkaline phosphatase concentrations, livability, European broiler index and feed cost per kg of weight gain were not affected by dietary treatments. Antibody titer in response to sheep red blood cell (SRBC) injection was higher in treatment containing 2.5 percent corn gluten feed comparing to other treatments (P<0.05). Based on the obtained results, corn gluten feed can be included in grower and finisher diets of broilers (15 to 42 days of age) up to level of 7.5 percent without any adverse effect on performance.

This study was undertaken to investigate the effects of herbal growth promoter Orex® on performance and immune responses of broiler chickens. The Orex® solution was a combination of alcoholic extract of rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis), mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris) colt’s-foot (Tussilago farfara), cherry blossom (Prunus yedoensis) and brown algae (Sargassum sp.). A total of six hundred day-old Ross 308 broiler chickens were used in a completely randomized design with 4 treatments, 5 replicates and 30 birds in each replicate. The experimental treatments included 1) group received drinking water without additive (control), 2) group received drinking water containing Orex® (1:30, v/v), 3) group received drinking water containing Orex® (1:60, v/v), and 4) group received drinking water containing commercial herbal solution (Bioherbal®, 1:1000, v/v). The performance traits were recorded weekly. The cellular and humoral immune responses were evaluated by injection of phytohaemagglutinin-phosphate (PHAP) and sheep red blood cell (SRBC) on 15 and 35 days of age, respectively. The multiple attribute decision making method was used to select the best treatment and make decision about using herbal growth promoter Orex®. Based on scoring through this method, treatments 1 to 4 obtained scores 0.1305, 0.7418, 0.8278 and 0.6421, respectively. According to the obtained results, the utilization of herbal growth promoter Orex® is recommended as an approach for improvement of productive and immunity traits of broiler chickens.

An experiment was undertaken to determine the optimum level of corn germ (high-oil content) in broilers diet. This experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design with 5 experimental groups, 5 replicates and 30 birds per each experimental unit from 15 to 42 days of age. Experimental groups were included birds received levels of zero (control), 5, 10, 15 and 20 percentage of corn germ in diet. During the experiment performance traits, productive index, feed cost per kilogram of live body weight, humoral immune responses and intestinal histomorphology were evaluated. To determine the optimum level of corn germ in diet, technique for order preference by similarity to ideal solution (TOPSIS) and maximizing economic profit method were applied. According to the results, optimum level of dietary corn germ inclusion based on TOPSIS and economic methods were 6.59 and 6.98 percent, respectively.