جستجوی مقالات مرتبط با کلیدواژه « egg characteristics » در نشریات گروه « دامپزشکی »

In order to evaluate the cholesterol lowering effects of psyllium seeds and also to evaluate the effects of this medicinal plant on growth efficiency, blood parameters, carcass traits and quail egg quality, 160 21-day-old chicks were studied in cages using a 2×2 factorial design with two dietary levels of psyllium seeds (0 and 3%) and two dietary levels of cholesterol (0 and 1%) in a randomized complete block design with 16 experimental units including 4 treatments and 4 replications and 10 birds (male and female) in each replication for 40 days, which were divided into two 20-day periods (as first and second breeding periods). Experimental treatments included a diet without psyllium seed and cholesterol, a diet containing cholesterol, a diet containing psyllium seeds and a diet containing psyllium seed and cholesterol. Serum, egg yolk and muscles (thigh and breast) cholesterol were evaluated in the treatments along with growth efficiency, blood parameters and egg and carcass quality. The results showed that oral administration of cholesterol had no effects on increasing serum lipids and cholesterol (P>0.05). In quails fed diets containing psyllium seeds compared to diets without psyllium seeds, breast and thigh muscles and egg yolk cholesterol, lymphocytes, relative weight of visceral organs, cecum, testis, thigh and liver were decreased and white blood cells, neutrophils, relative weights of carcass, duodenum, breast and pancreas were increased (P<0.01). The use of psyllium seeds throughout the entire study period increased feed intake and weight gain. The feed conversion ratio improved in the first period of rearing due to the use of psyllium seeds in the birds' diets. It was found that while cholesterol is  used solely in the diet, it increases the level of cholesterol in the muscles of the breast and thighs and egg yolk compared to the control group, but while cholesterol is used in combination with psyllium seed in diet, no increase in the cholesterol of those organs will be observed. Therefore, the use of psyllium seeds in diets with high cholesterol levels can play a beneficial role in preventing the increase of muscle and yolk cholesterol.

To study the effects of different levels of Silybum marianum seed on some egg characteristics, blood metabolites, plasma minerals and serum liver enzymes activity in laying hens. The experiment was done on Hy-line strain (w36) from 32 to 42 weeks of age using a completely randomized design with 3 treatments, 4 replicates and 4 hens in each replicate. The experimental diets were: 1- control diet, 2- basal diet +1% powder of Silybum marianum seed and 3- basal diet +2% powder of Silybum marianum seed. The results showed that the average egg weight in treatment having 2% Silybum marianum significantly increased (P<0.05). Albumen percentage significantly was increased in treatment receiving 2% Silybum marianum (P<0.05). Shell strength, yolk percentage and haugh unit was not significantly affected by treatments, however haugh unit improved in treatments receiving Silybum marianum. Blood and egg yolk cholesterol and triglyceride concentration, also blood metabolites such as albumin, globulin, protein, glucose, urea, creatinine, HDL, LDL, calcium, phosphorous, magnesium and iron were not significantly affected by treatments. The activity of serum enzyme AST significantly was decreased using Silybum marianum (P<0.05). It is concluded that milk thistle or Silybum marianum has beneficial effects on egg quality and also decrease the level of liver enzymes activity in laying hens.