فهرست مطالب hassan shirzadi

With the increase of the population in the last century, the need for protein sources, especially protein with animal origin, has increased. One of the important and inexpensive sources of animal proteins is poultry products. However, many food-borne diseases that are among the most obvious problems related to human health are transmitted to humans through poultry products. Generally, poultry are sensitive to pathogenic bacteria such as Clostridium, Salmonella, and Campylobacter. Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli are the main causes of bacterial enteritis in humans and account for about 90% and less than 10% of deaths in people with campylobacteriosis, respectively. Poultry farmers use antibiotic growth promoters to prevent the colonization of pathogenic bacteria, but their use has been banned in European Union since 2006 due to antibiotic resistance. However, in order to prevent the reduction of growth performance and mortality caused by the colonization of pathogenic bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract, it is necessary to introduce suitable alternatives. The antimicrobial potential of several medicinal plants, some plant-derived bioactive compoundsas well as some organic acids against a suspension of two Campylobacter serotypes (including 8 strains of C. jejuni and 3 strains of C. coli) has been investigated, under in vitro study. It has been revealed that oregano, rosemary, and cinnamon have a higher potential in reducing campylobacter colonization, among other phytobiotic compounds. Considering that under in vivo conditions, no research has been conducted on these medicinal plants with broiler chickens exposed to Campylobacter colonization. Therefore, this research was conducted with the aim of investigating the growth performance, excreta microbiota, intestinal morphology, and nutrient digestibility of broiler chickens challenged with C. jejuni and evaluating the potential of oregano, rosemary, and cinnamon in reducing the negative effects of this pathogen.

A total of 192 one-day-old chicks were randomly allocated to 6 dietary treatments in a completely randomized design with 4 replicates of 8 birds. The dietary treatments were as follows: 1-negative control (NC; basal diet without additive and without of C. jejuni); 2-positive control (PC; basal diet without additives but challenged with C. jejuni); 3-basal diet + Erythromycin (55 mg/kg); 4-basal diet + oregano powder (3 g/kg); 5- basal diet + rosemary powder (3 g/kg) and 6-basal diet+cinnamon powder (3 g/kg). All chickens were orally gavaged once a day with a suspension of C. jejuni live culture (2×108 cfu/mL, 1 mL/bird) on days 21 to 25, with the exception of those fed the NC. Throughout the experimental period, the birds were fed ad libitum and had free access to water.

The results showed that the C. jejuni, while weakening performance during the growth period, caused an increase in campylobacter colonization and a decrease in lactobacilli counts of the excreta (P<0.05). The reason for the improvement of the microflora can be due to the presence of antibacterial compounds such as thymol, carvacrol, verbenone, and cinnamaldehyde in the composition of the mentioned medicinal plants. Campylobacter jejuni also decreased the digestibility of organic matter and led to a decrease in villous height, villous height to crypt depth ratio, and villi surface area in the jejunum (P<0.05). The reason for the improvement of the intestinal morphology by herbal additives can be due to the improvement of the microflora of the digestive tract. All the negative effects arising from C. jejuni were alleviated by dietary treatments containing feed additives (P<0.05).

In general, it can be concluded that oregano and rosemary have the potential to reduce the pathogenic effects of Campylobacter jejuni and can be used as suitable alternatives to antibiotics in feeding broilers.

During the winter months in most parts of Iran, the external temperature often drops below 0 °C. Typically, these temperatures fall below the optimal conditions for chick growth, resulting in cold stress and potential diseases. This can subsequently impact meat quality negatively and reduce breeding efficiency. The environmental temperature beyond the upper and lower limit of the thermoneutral zone is supposed to produce heat or cold stress in animals (Meltzer, 1983). The adverse climatic condition produces physiological stress which has profound economic influence on the productive efficiency including health and disease resistant capacity (Phuong et al., 2016). Exposure of poultry birds to extreme temperature stressor modulates the immune responsiveness and hematic-biochemical parameters of birds (Hangalapura et al., 2004). Among all the environmental stressors, cold stress induces physiological responses which are of high priority and energy demanding for homeotherms. Cold temperature can increase ascites susceptibility by increasing both metabolic oxygen requirements and pulmonary hypertension (Stolz et al., 1992). The biggest obstacle in raising broilers at high altitudes and cold conditions is the ascites syndrome. This condition can be characterized by an accumulation of fluid in the abdominal cavity and elevated mortality that tends to peak between 4-6 weeks of age (James, 2005). The International Biochar Initiative (2017) defines biochar as, “Solid material obtained from thermochemical conversion of biomass in an oxygenlimited environment.” Biochar is an ash substance that is produced from the burning of biological material via pyrolysis. This process heats the biological material in an anaerobic environment causing it to decompose into an ash form. Growth promotion and therapeutic antibiotics have been used to compensate for the high levels of stress, including cold stress,that can be present in intensive animal production. Stress can lower resistance to many of the microorganisms present in the environment; however, stress in general has been reported to have variable effects on the immune system and can both enhance and suppress responses (Siegel, 1995); cold stress has been shown to both stimulate and suppress chickens’ immune response (Regnier and Kelley, 1981; Hangalapura et al., 2006). Probiotics contain live microorganisms and spores which when administered in adequate amount, confer health benefits to the host. Bacillus subtilis (B. Subtilis) and Bacillus licheniformis (B. Licheniformis) are the two most widely used strains of probiotic bacteria in animal diets. Oral administration of B. Subtilis and B. Licheniformis can have a myriad of beneficial effects, such as improved growth and meat characteristics, optimized composition of intestinal microbiota, prevention of some diarrheal diseases, and reduced stresses. For such benefits, B. Subtilis and B. Licheniformis have attracted considerable attention as a potentially beneficial dietary supplement for animal health.  For the many negative effects of antibiotic drugs used in chick production, we want to compare the positive effects of some additives on performance of cold-stressed broiler chickens.

In this experiment, in order to examine the effect of solid waste biochar, probiotic and zeolite on improvement of performance, blood indices and small intestine morphology of broiler chickens reared under cold stress, in a completely randomized design, 315 Ross-308 broiler chickens (as hatched) were allocated to 7 treatments, 5 replicates and 9 birds in each in cold and warm houses. Treatments are including: 1) positive control (basal diet in recommended temperature), 2) negative control (basal diet + cold stress), 3-7) negative control + %0.5, %0.75 and 1% solid waste biochar, 0.02% probiotic Ecobacto-P and 1% zeolite, respectively. In cold stress groups, house temperature decreased to 17° C from 7d until end of the experiment (42d).

As compared to group reared in warm house, cold stress significantly decreased broiler chickens daily FI and BWG, serum total protein, albumin and globulin concentrations, thymus relative weight, lymphocyte percentage, breast and thigh meat pH, breast meat redness (b) and thigh meat yellowness (a) while increased total and ascitic mortality, red and white blood cell count, blood hemoglobin, heterophile percentage and heterophil to lymphocyte ratio, antibody titter against SRBC, breast and thigh meat whiteness and breast meat MDA concentration (P < 0.05).

In order to orthogonal contrast analysis between negative control group and additive groups, solid waste biochar, probiotic or zeolite couldn’t improve broiler chicken’s growth performance, breast and thigh meat quality parameters, blood metabolites concentration and cell count and did not ameliorate negative effects of cold stress.

In this experiment, the effect of garlic (GP) and tomato (TP) powders on performance, blood parameters, sex differentiation and hatchability of Ross-308 broiler breeders were examined and compared with In-Ovo injection of garlic or tomato hydroalcoholic extracts. In first experiment, 375 hens and 25 roosters (47 wk.) were randomly allocated to 5 treatments and 5 replicates, for 4 weeks. Treatments included: 1) basal diet (control), 2 and 3) basal diet+ 2 and 4 percent of GP, and 4 and 5) basal diet + 2 and 4 percent of TP, respectively. In second experiment, 200 hens and 20 roosters were randomly allocated to 2 treatments including 1) basal diet and 2) basal diet + 4% of TP (selected treatment of the Exp. 1) in 5 replications from 52-56 wk. During incubation period, experimental treatments included: 1) control group, 2) eggs from hens fed 4% TP, 3) In-Ovo injection of physiological serum and 4 and 5) In-Ovo injection of 0.1 and 0.3 ml of garlic and tomato hydroalcoholic extracts. The results of first experiment, adding garlic and tomato powders was not significant on egg qualitative traits and blood parameters (P>0.05). All In-Ovo injection treatments increased fertility percentage (P<0.05). The second experiment results showed that treatments had no significant effect on the percent of males and females (P>0.05). In general, addition of 4 percent tomato powder to broiler breeders in comparison to In-Ovo injection of hydroalcoholic extracts of garlic and tomato, did not increase male 1-d-old chicks’ percentage of hatched chicks.

In most parts of the world, poultry are exposed to mycotoxins-containing foods. Aflatoxins are the most common mycotoxins formed primarily by the fungus Aspergillus. Fungi that produce aflatoxin can grow and multiply on different materials and under different conditions of humidity, temperature and pH (Mohammadi et al., 2015). A variety of additives, including organic acids, plant essential oils and extracts, probiotics, enzymes, vitamins, and minerals, have been tested to alleviate the negative effects of aflatoxins. Medicinal plant extracts contain active natural substances with antifungal and antioxidant properties that are able to reduce the toxicity of aflatoxins in food (Abdulmajeed, 2011). Ferulago angulate is one of the Apiaceae (Umbelliferae) families native to western Iran (Hosseini et al., 2012) that has been shown to have antioxidant properties and to improve the humoral immune system (Govahi et al., 2013). The aim of this experiment was to investigate the comparative effects of hydroalcoholic extract of Ferulago angulate (FAE), antifungal sorbate, probiotic, and vitamin-selenium complex (containing vitamin C, vitamin E, and selenium) on growth performance, immune response and intestinal morphology in broilers chickens challenged with aflatoxins.

A total of 350 one-day-old broilers (Ross 308) were distributed to 7 treatments with 5 replications/treatment in a completely randomized design. The experimental groups were: 1) negative control (NC; basal diet without any feed additive or aflatoxin B1); 2) positive control (PC; basal diet + 0.5 mg aflatoxin B1/kg); 3) PC + 1 g toxin binder/kg (TB); 4) PC + 1 g/kg probiotic PrimaLac (Pro); 5) PC + a vitamin-selenium complex preparation (ECSe; 200 IU vitamin E/kg feed + 250 mg vitamin C/kg feed + 0.2 mg selenium/kg feed); 6) PC + 200 mg/kg FAE (FAE200), and 7) PC + 400 mg/kg FAE (FAE400). Body weight gain and feed intake were recorded during starter (d 1 to 10), grower (d 11 to 24), finisher (d 25 to 42) and whole of the experiment (d 1 to 42), then the FCR was calculated. At the end of the experiment (42 d), 2 birds of each replicate were randomly selected and then slaughtered by Islamic method. Spleen, bursa of Fabricius and thymus weights were measured and relative weight to total BW of broiler chickens were determined. At 42 d of age, blood samples were collected from two birds in each replicate into vials containing EDTA to avoid blood clot formation. The values of hemoglobin (Hb) and hematocrit (Hct), red blood cell (RBC), white blood cell (WBC), as well as blood leucocyte profiles were measured. In order to assay the primary and secondary antibody responses against sheep red blood cell (SRBC), at 28 and 35 d of age, two birds per replicate were immunized intramuscularly with 1 ml of 2.5 % SRBC in PBS. Blood samples (1.5 mL/bird) were obtained from brachial vein at 7 d after each injection (d 35 and 42). For histopathological examination, the jejunal tissues of slaughtered broiler chickens (1 per replicate) were fixed in 10% of neutral buffered formalin, routinely embedded in paraffin, cut into 6-μm thick sections, and processed for hematoxylin and eosin staining.

The results showed that aflatoxin challenge adversely affected growth parameters; while treatments antifungal and FAE200 during the growing period and all additive-containing treatments during the finisher and whole experimental periods reduced the negative effect of aflatoxin on growth performance (P<0.05). The heterophil count and the heterophil to lymphocyts ratio were decreased by all dietary treatments than those determined in the PC group (P<0.05). All treatments, except probiotic, increased the values of red blood cells, white blood cells, and hematocrit as compared with PC group (P<0.05). The antifungal, probiotic and FAE400 treatments also increased the secondary IgG titer against sheep red blood cells in the aflatoxin-challenged birds (P<0.05). Furthermore, vitamin-selenium and FAE-containing treatments alliviated the negative effect of aflatoxin on villus surface area (P<0.05). According to a previous study (Hussein, 2015), the weight loss during aflatoxin challenge have been attributed to the toxic effects of mycotoxins on different cell organs, resulting in chickens refusing to consume toxins in their diets. It has been documented that the use of additives like selenium is used to remove fungi such as Aspergillus in poultry feed (Hatfield et al., 2012), which can explain the reduction of negative effects of aflatoxin on performance by vitamin-selenium mixture treatment in the present study. It is also reported that lipid peroxidation and the production of free radicals can cause damage to cell membranes during aflatoxicosis (Manafi and Khosravinia, 2013). Therefore, due to their antioxidant properties, vitamin C, vitamin E, and medicinal plants can prevent the production of free radicals in biological systems and thereby improve performance and health status under aflatoxin-inducing conditions. The phenolic compounds, especially polyphenolic compounds in the FAE have been reported to have a high ability to scavenge free radicals and thus can be used as a natural antioxidant in food and pharmaceutical industry (Hosseini et al., 2012). As a result, consuming FAE might reduce the impact of aflatoxin on growth performance, immune response and gut morphology, which is likely due to the antioxidant properties of this medicinal plant and its ability to scavenge free radicals caused by aflatoxin consumption.

In general, according to the findings of this study, Ferulago angulate extract, particularly at a dose of 400 mg/kg of diet, can improve growth performance, immune response, and health status during aflatoxin exposure, which appeared to be comparable to those recorded in the prebiotic and vitamin-selenium treatments. However, the growth benefits by Ferulago angulate extract were poorer than those recorded in the chickens fed with the NC and antifungal diets.

Commercially available feed-grade crystalline amino acids have provided an opportunity for nutritionists to formulate low CP cost-effective diets while maintaining optimal protein utilization by birds. Lysine is the first limiting amino acid in practical diets for broilers when soybean meal is not the major protein source. Lysine supplementation under such circumstances almost becomes unavoidable in particular when dietary CP contents are to be reduced and when using the concept of ideal amino acid ratio in which lysine is used as a reference amino acid. L-Lysine HCl, which contains a minimum of 78% lysine is the dominant source of lysine for addition to poultry diets. L-Lysine sulfate products have minimum lysine contents of 46.8% in Biolys60 (Degussa AG, Frankfurt, Germany) or 51% in Lysine Plus (CJ Biotech Co. Ltd., Liaocheng, Shandong, China). A recent study reported that the bioefficacy of L-lysine sulfate relative to L-lysine HCl was similar when using daily gain and feed conversion of young pigs as the response criteria. In addition, several other swine and broiler experiments had been conducted to compare the bioefficacy of lysine in L-lysine sulfate and L-lysine HCl. Most of these studies used animal performance as the main response variable. However, very little research has been conducted to determine the effects of different lysine sources on plasma metabolites and bone characteristics of broiler chickens as the response variable. Therefore, the present study was conducted to examine the comparative effects of L-lysine sulfate and L-lysine HCl in broiler chickens using growth performance, blood metabolites and bone parameters as response variables.

In this experiment compared the effects of L-Lysine-hydrochloride (Lys) and Biolys-Sulfate (BioLys) on broiler chickens’ performance and Immune Response. In a completely randomized design, 200 Ross-308 broiler chickens were allocated to 5 dietary treatments with 5 replicates and 8 birds in each. Dietary treatments including: 1- Control  or basal diets (100% of supplemented Lys from Lys-HCl), 2- Ration 25:75 (75% of supplemented Lys from Lys-HCl and 25% from BioLys-Sulfate), 3- Ration 50:50 (50% of supplemented Lys from Lys-HCl and 50% from BioLys-Sulfate), 4- Ration 75:25 (25% of supplemented Lys from Lys-HCl and 75% from BioLys-Sulfate) and 5- Ration 100 (100% of supplemented Lys from BioLys-Sulfate). Feed ingredients (i.e., corn, corn gluten meal, and soybean meal) were analyzed for amino acid by NIRS in Evonik company representative in IRAN. The composition of basal diet and nutrient composition of feed ingredients. During the study, feed intake (FI) and body weight (BW) were determined at the end of starter, grower and finisher periods, and mortality-corrected FCR was calculated by accordingly. European production efficiency factor (EPEF) was calculated as: EPEF = [Viability (%) × BW (kg) / age (d) × FCR (kg feed/kg gain)] × 100.All the birds were vaccinated intramuscularly through breast muscle with killed Newcastle disease and influenza vaccine (Cevac: New Flu-Kem) at 7 d of age, and Newcastle disease La Sota vaccine was used in the drinking water for vaccination at 14 d of age. Antibody titer against Newcastle disease, avian influenza and sheep red blood cell were detected. At the end of the experiment (42 d of age), 2 blood samples from the wing vein of 2 birds (almost near to mean body weight of each pen) were collected and blood metabolites like serum glucose, triacylglycerol, total cholesterol, albumin, uric acid and creatinine were detected. The other blood sample was used to detecting heterophil and lymphocyte percentages and heterophil to lymphocyte ratio accordingly. Finally 1 broiler from each replicate were selected and slathered, then tibia bone parameters like height, width, diameter, Ca and P percentage were detected. 

The results showed that from 1-42 d, broiler chickens fed the 100-diet had higher feed intake and body weight gain as compared to control group (P < 0.05). Dietary treatments had no effects on serum cholesterol, glucose and uric acid concentrations, spleen and thymus relative weight, heterophil and lymphocyte percentages and heterophil to lymphocyte ratio (H:L), antibody titter against SRBC and New-Castle diseases, tibia bone diameter and width, dry matter and ash percentages (P > 0.05). As compared to control group, broiler chickens fed diet containing 100% BioLys had higher serum total protein concentration, antibody titter against avian influenza and bone Ca and P percentages, tibia bone length, width and index (P < 0.05).

In conclusion, inclusion of BioLys-Sulfate rather than L-Lysine-HCl to broiler chickens diet, increased broiler chickens feed intake and improved immune response and bone parameters but had no effect on broiler chickens body weight. In spite of cheaper cost of BioLys-Sulfate, its inclusion in broiler chickens diet decreased income over feed cost ratio and its use is not economically advisable.

In this experiment compared the effects of L-Lysine-hydrochloride (Lys-HCl) and Biolys Sulfate (BioLys) on broiler chickens performance, carcass parameters and meat quality. In a completely randomized design, 200 Ross-308 broiler chickens were allocated to 5 dietary treatments with 5 replicates and 8 birds in each. Supplementary lysine was obtained from Lys-HCl and Biolys. Dietary treatments including: 1- 100% from Lys-HCl (control or basal diet), 2- 75% from Lys-HCl and 25% from BioLys, 3- 50% from Lys-HCl and 50% from BioLys, 4- 25% from Lys-HCl and 75% from BioLys and 5- 100% from BioLys. The results showed that from 1-42d, broiler chickens fed the 100-diet had higher feed intake and body weight gain as compared to control group (P < 0.05). Dietary treatments had no significant effect on carcass parameters and breast and thigh meat dry matter and crude fat percentages (P > 0.05). Breast meat drip loss of broiler chickens fed diets containing 25, 50 and 75 percentage BioLys was lower than that of control group (P < 0.05). In conclusion, BioLys compared to Lys-HCl had better effect on broiler chickens performance and meat quality but carcass parameters did not affect by dietary treatments. With regard to the results of the current experiment and cheaper price, BioLys (with 50 or 100 percent substitution level) can be use as better and economic source of Lys in broiler chickens diet.

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of hydro alcoholic extract of Ferulago angulata, antibiotic, probiotic, and vitamin-selenium mixture on growth performance and immune responses of broiler chickens under heat-stress conditions. A total of 350 day-old male broiler chickens (Ross 308) were used in a completely randomized design with 7 dietary treatments and 5 replicates (10 chicks/replicate). Experimental treatments were as follow: no heat stress, without any additive in the diet (negative control; NC); challenged with heat stress, without any additive in the diet (positive control; PC); PC + antibiotic; PC + probiotic; PC + vitamin and selenium mixture; and PC + 200 or 400 mg/kg of Ferulago angulata extract. The results showed that all dietary supplements decreased the negative effects of heat stress on growth performance (P<0.05). All experimental diets(except diet containing antibiotic ) increased the lymphocyte counts, but decreased hetrophil counts and heterophil: lymphocyte ratio compared with the PC group (P<0.05). Secondary total titer and IgG titer against SRBC were higher in broilers receiving dietary supplements under heat stress conditions (P<0.05). The 400 mg/kg of Ferulago angulata extract increased the cell-mediated immune response after an intradermal injection with phytohaemagglutinin-P in the toe web (P<0.05). According to the results of this experiment, the use of 400 mg/kg of Ferulago angulata extract in broiler diets improves growth performance and immune response under heat stress conditions, and can be used as a suitable alternative to antibiotics and common supplements under the heat stress conditions.

The current study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of Thymbra spicata (TS) and Echinacea purpurea (EP) powders on quality of breast muscle in broiler chickens exposed to Campylobacter jejuni. A total of 192 one-d-old straight-run broiler chicks (Ross 308) were randomly allocated to 6 dietary treatments in a completely randomized design with 4 replicates and 8 birds per each. The experimental diets were as follows: 1) basal diet without additive (control group); 2,3) basal diet supplemented with EP powder (0.25 and 0.50%; EP-0.25 and EP-0.50); 4,5) basal diet supplemented with TS powder (0.25 and 0.50%; TS-0.25 and TS-0.50), and 6) basal diet supplemented with Erythromycin (55 ppm). All of the broiler chicks were orally gavaged with Campylobacter jejuni (4×1011 cfu/mL) on d 21. Malondialdehyde concentration in breast muscle was significantly decreased by supplementing diets with EP-0.25, TS-0.25, and erythromycin (P<0.05). All experimental treatments also resulted in a significant decrease in the colonization of psychrophilic bacteria in breast muscle when compared with the control group (P<0.05), however, aerobic bacteria count was significantly decreased only by TS-0.25 and erythromycin (P<0.05). Other traits such as pH, color, chemical composition, water holding capacity, drip loss, cooking loss, and press loss were not significantly affected by treatments. As a conclusion, for the prevention of lipids peroxidation and the decline of psychrophilic bacteria count, it could be advised to use EP and TS with 0.25% diet instead of erythromycin, however, TS is preferable to EP, because of the higher antibacterial activity on reduction of aerobic bacteria count.

The aim of this research is to estimate the methionine requirement of Japanese quails (Coturnix coturnix japonica) from 7 to 21 d of age using linear and quadratic broken-line regressions under chronic heat stress. A total of 480 quails were distributed according to a completely randomized design in 6 experimental treatments (diets containing 0.40, 0.45, 0.50, 0.55, 0.60 and 0.65% of methionine), with 4 replicates of 20 birds each. The basal diet was based on the corn-soybean meal and was formulated in mash form. Supplemental DL-methionine was added to the basal diet at the expense of corn starch to create experimental diets. The birds were fed a standard diet up to d 7, and then were weighed and randomly allotted to the experimental treatments. Birds exposed to chronic heat stress from 8 d of age for 6 h daily (37 ± 0.8°C from 10 AM to 16 AM). The optimal amounts of methionine for body weight gain, feed conversion ratio, and breast meat yield were obtained with 0.55, 0.57, and 0.60% of the diet as estimated by linear broken-line regression. However, based on the quadratic broken-line regression, the corresponding values were estimated at 0.58, 0.59, and 0.62% of the diet, respectively. According to the findings of this study, It seems that amounts of methionine higher than the usual recommendations are needed for Japanese quails to achieve optimal performance under chronic heat stress.

The effect of sweet wormwood essence (SWE) and Lactobacillus acidophilus on performance, ileal microbiology, ileal morphology and ileal nutrient digestibility of laying Japanese quails was investigated in 180 46-d-old female Japanese quail that were randomly allocated to 4 dietary treatments in a completely random design with 4 replicates and 9 birds per each. The experimental diets were as follows: basal diet as control group (without additive), basal diet plus Oxytetracycline (200mg/kg), basal diet plus SWE (250mg/kg), and basal diet plus lactobacillus acidophilus (4 cfu per kg diet). Results showed that the use of Lactobacillus acidophilus increased the egg mass per hen-housed compared to control and SWE treatments (P<0.05). The number of lactobacilli in the ileal digest was also significantly increased by Lactobacillus acidophilus and SWE treatments, when compared with control treatment (P<0.05). In addition, birds fed with diets containing Lactobacillus acidophilus and Oxytetracycline showed a significant increase in villous height and villous height:crypt depth, when compared with those on the control diet (P<0.05). It can be concluded that the use of Lactobacillus acidophilus as an alternative to antibiotics is more appropriate than SWE.

The aim of this study was to examine the effects of Artemisia annua L. essential oil (AAEO) and probiotic (Lactobacillus acidophilus) on egg and carcass quality of laying Japanese quails. A total of 180 46-d-old female Japanese quail were randomly allocated to 4 dietary treatments in a completely randomized design with five replicates and nine birds per each. The experimental diets were: 1) basal diet as control group (without additive), 2) basal diet plus oxytetracycline (200 mg/kg), 3) basal diet plus AAEO (250 mg/kg) and 4) basal diet plus probiotic (4 CFU Lactobacillus acidophilus per kg diet). Results showed that the use of probiotic caused to an increase in the cumulative egg weight and daily egg mass, when compared with control and AAEO treatments (P<0.05). In comparison to control group, supplementing the basal diet with AAEO resulted in decreases on MDA level of egg yolk (P<0.05) and liver weight (P=0.06). In addition, the F3 and F2 follicles weights were increased when the basal diet supplemented with each of the feed additives (P <0.05). It can be concluded that, Lactobacillus acidophilus can be used as an alternative to antibiotics for increasing the egg production, and AAEO can be used to produce healthy products in feeding laying Japanese quails.

The purpose of this experiment was to examine the effects of Artemisia Annua L. essential oil (AAEO) and probiotic (lactobacillus acidophilus) as an alternative to antibiotic in feeding laying Japanese quails. A total of 180 46-d-old laying Japanese quails were randomly allocated to 4 dietary treatments in a completely randomized design with 4 replicates of 9 birds, and the experiment lasted up to 109 days of age. The experimental diets were: 1–basal diet as control group (without additive), 2–basal diet plus oxytetracycline (200 ppm), 3–basal diet plus AAEO (250 ppm) and 4– basal diet plus probiotic (4 CFU per kg diet). Results showed that the use of probiotic caused an increase in the egg mass, when compared with control and AAEOtreatments at entire period (P<0.05). The groups fed probiotic and AAEO showed a significant decrease in the serum glucose, cholesterol and LDL levels when compared with those fed antibiotic (P<0.05). Moreover, the group fed AAEO had low lymphocyte and high heterophil counts when compared with those fed diet supplemented with probiotic and antibiotic (P<0.05). In addition, the number of white blood cells and heterophil/lymphocyte ratio in AAEO group were higher than other groups (P<0.05). It can be concluded that lactobacillus acidophilus could be used as a growth promoter in feeding laying Japanese quails.

Using 350 Ross broiler chickens, the effect of licorice extract (LE), probiotic, antifungal and boiler litter biochar on performance of broiler chickens fed aflatoxin B1 contaminated diet in a completely randomized design with 7 treatment (negative control (basal diet without aflatoxin and additives), positive control (basal diet 1 mg aflatoxin B1 and without additives) and 5 other treatments were positive control with LE (3 and 6 g/kg), Protexin probiotic (0.5 gr), Agrabond (0.5 gr/kg) and biochar toxin binder (10 g/kg)) and 5 replicates (10 birds in each replicate) considered. The treatments were. The result showed that aflatoxin B1 lowered body weight gain and breast relative weight and increased FCR and abdominal fat of broilers (P

An experiment was conducted to study the effects of different dietary energy levels in the rearing period on performance and productive traits of layer hens during the laying cycle. 196-day-old layer chicks were randomly assigned to 7 treatments (2400, 2500, 2600, 2700, 2800, 2900 and 3000 Kcal ME/kg), with 4 replicates of 7 birds each. The treatment containing 2800 Kcal ME/kg was considered as the control group. Results showed that feeding different dietary energy levels had no effect on feed intake and weight gain (P>0.05). Even though, feed to egg ratio was increased by reduction of dietary energy levels, decreasing energy levels up to 2400 Kcal ME/kg had no significant effect as compared to control group (P>0.05). Feed intake per dozen eggs and egg number per hen were not affected by reducing energy level up to 2500 Kcal ME/kg, as compared to control group (P>0.05). In addition, diluting the dietary energy up to 2600 and 2700 Kcal ME/kg had no effect on egg production and time of laying commencement, respectively (P>0.05). In conclusion, feeding the treatment containing 3000 Kcal ME/kg, not only improved performance and productive traits, but also increased the average weight of each egg when compared to other treatments (P

A study was carried out to evaluate the effects of R. coriaria L. and P. farcta extracts as alternatives to antibiotic growth promoters in broilers diet. A total of 300 one-d-old male Ross 308 chicks were randomly allocated to 4 dietary treatments (5 pen replicates; 15 birds per pen) for the 0- to 28-d period، and all data were analyzed in a randomized complete design. Dietary treatments included a basal diet (as control diet، without additive) and 3 similar diets that were supplemented with 200 mg/kg R. coriaria L. extract، P. farcta extract، and oxytetracycline 20%، respectively. The results showed that average daily gain was significantly increased (P<0. 05) by supplementing diets with all feed additives in 7-14 d period and entire (0-28 d). Broilers fed the diets supplemented with each of extracts had a low serum cholesterol levels as compared to control diet (P<0. 05). Moreover، the antibody titer against Newcastle disease virus was significantly increased by supplemented diets (P<0. 05). However، adding feed additive to diets had no significant effect on antibody titer against SRBC، skin thickness due to DNCB challenge and toe-web thickness in response to injection of phytohemagglutinin-P. In addition، supplementing diet with P. farcta caused to a significant increase in relative bursa of fabricius weight in contrast with control diet. Based on current results، it can be concluded that R. coriaria and P. farcta extracts can be used as alternatives to oxytetracycline as a growth promoter in broilers diet.