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The present study investigated the impacts of dried okra fruit powder (DOFP), used as a natural feed supplement, on growth, carcass, blood, and meat quality parameters of broilers. A total of 240 unsexed, one-week-old chicks were randomly allotted to 4 equal groups with 6 replicates in each group (i.e., 10 birds/replicate). The dietary treatments consisted of the basal diet as control, and 3 DOFP groups, supplemented with 1.0, 2.0, and 3.0 g DOFP/kg feed, respectively. The results showed that the highest values of live body weight and body weight gain were observed in the group with 1.0 g of DOFP/kg of feed during the fifth week of age and between 1 and 5 wk of age, respectively. During 1 to 3 wk of age, daily feed consumption of chicks fed DOFP-supplemented diets increased numerically with increasing DOFP levels. Dietary treatments significantly depressed liver, thigh, and dressing fat percentages. Chicks fed the diet containing 1.0 g of DOFP/kg of feed had the lowest values for serum urea and creatinine compared with the other treatment group. In addition, the concentration of liver enzymes decreased with increasing DOFP levels, except for the groups fed 3.0 and 1.0 g of DOFP/kg of diet. Oxidative rancidity of broiler meat samples containing DOFP in their diets was lower than that of the control samples, throughout the storage period. It can be concluded that DOFP is a useful phytogenic additive, which can lower the percentage of abdominal fat of the carcass, as well as alanine aminotransferase, urea, and creatinine in the blood. Furthermore, all sensory characteristics of the meat were improved by the addition of DOFP to broiler diets. It could be concluded that DOFP can be used as a natural supplement in broiler diets for improving growth performance and reducing abdominal fat, blood creatinine, and urea.

Sodium diformate (NaDF) can be a good choice instead of antibiotics due to public health concerns about using antibiotics for improving fish performance. Fish with average weight of 10 ± 0.01 g, feed ad libitum three times per day with diets included 0, 2.5, 5.0, and 7.5 g/Kg NaDF in three replicates for eight weeks. The growth performance, biochemical body composition, some immunological and biochemical blood indices, total bacteria (TB), total lactic acid bacteria (LAB) counts in intestine, and survival rate after thermal stress were examined in juvenile common carp fish. Fish fed 5 g/Kg NaDF showed considerably improved growth performance and feeding parameters in comparison with the control group. Protein content of fish carcass was considerably higher in the NaDF treatments than the basal diet. The globulin, lysozyme, serum complement hemolysis (ACH50), and bactericidal activities were significantly improved in the NaDF treatments. Antioxidant enzyme activities increased considerably and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels reduced in the treatments with NaDF. Also, the treatments with NaDF had significantly higher total LAB and lower TB counts in intestine than control group. The survival rate of fish after thermal stress was higher in the treatments with NaDF than the control group. Overall, it was observed that, 5 g/Kg dietary NaDF is sufficient for improving the growth performances, health status, and resistance to thermal shock in juvenile common carp.

The aim of the present study was to compare the short-term effects of a hypocaloric Mediterranean diet and two high protein diets, with and without whey protein supplementation, on body composition, lipidemic profile, and inflammation and muscle-damage blood indices in overweight, sedentary, young participants.Thirty-three young, overweight, male and female participants (mean ± SD age: 22.8 ± 4.8 y; body mass: 85.5 ± 10.2 kg; body fat percentage: 34.3% ± 8.1%) were randomly allocated to three different hypocaloric (-700 kcal/d) diets: a Mediterranean diet (MD; n = 10), a high-protein diet (HP; n = 10) diet, and a high-protein diet with whey supplementation (n = 10). The intervention lasted 6 wk. Body composition and biochemical indices were evaluated 1 wk before and after the nutritional interventions.Body and fat mass were decreased in the MD and HP groups (-3.5% ± 1.1% and -5.9% ± 4.2% for body and fat mass respectively in MD, and -1.7% ± 1.2% and -2.0% ± 1.8% for body and fat mass respectively in HP;P0.05), with no significant decline of fat-free mass observed in the MD group. The MD group's diet beneficially altered the lipid profile (P0.05), but the HP and HPW groups' diets did not induce significant changes. Subclinical inflammation and muscle-damage indices significantly increased in the HP and HPW groups (7.4% ± 3.5% and 66.6% ± 40.1% for neutrophils and CRP respectively in HP, and 14.3% ± 6.4% and 266.6% ± 55.1% for neutrophils and CRP respectively in HPW; P0.05) but decreased in the MD group (1.8% ± 1.2% and -33.3% ± 10.1% for neutrophils and CRP respectivelyc; P0.05). Energy intake of carbohydrates and proteins were significantly related to the changes in body composition and biochemical blood markers (r = -0.389 and -0.889; P0.05).Among the three hypocaloric diets, only the Mediterranean diet induced positive changes in body composition and metabolic profile in overweight, sedentary individuals.

The current experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of Se-chitosan as organic Se, Na selenite, vitamin E, and their various combinations on growth performance, carcass traits, meat quality, and blood indices of broiler chickens. A total of 480 one-d-old broiler chickens were randomly assigned to the Se source (inorganic and organic), Se inclusion (0.15 and 0.30 mg/kg), and vitamin E (0 and 80 IU/kg) in a 2 × 2 × 2 factorial arrangement of treatments with 5 pens per treatment and 12 broiler chickens per pen. Broiler chickens fed 0.30 mg Se/kg had a greater body weight gain and a lower feed conversion ratio at 11 to 24 d (P

The present study conducted on evaluating the effects of feeding with molasses along with exposure to copper nanoparticles (CuO-NP) on blood, serum and mucus immunity indices of Cyprinus carpio. The results showed that the blood indices, serum and mucus immunity enhanced significantly compare to the control group (P < 0.05). CuO-NP is a compound with sevral negative effects on blood, serum and mucus immunological indices of common carp. The findings of the present study revealed that molasssupplementation could alleviate the negative effects of nanocopper oxide exposure on: blood (Hemoglobin, Hematocrit, Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin, Mean Corpuscular Volume, Monocyte, Lymphocytes), serum (Total protein, Aspartate transaminase, Alkaline phosphatase), mucus (Lysozyme, Alkaline phosphatase) indices. considering the desirable effects of beet molasses on the reduction or suppression of physiological effects of CuO-NP in common carp, using molass in rearing aquatic species diets could be suggested as a protective solution.

The effects of cage density on pullet live performance and blood indices of stress were evaluated in two commercial White Leghorn strains housed at 38, 32, 26, and 20 birds per cage from Day 1 to 6 wk of age, and 19, 16, 13, and 10 birds per cage from 6 to 18 wk. Cage densities of 26 and 13 birds per cage represent a U.S. standard of 142 and 284 cm2 per bird that is often applied in commercial pullet rearing. Cage density treatments include confounding cage, feeder, and drinker spaces per bird as might be encountered in commercial practice when growing more pullets per cage. Body weight was significantly reduced at greater bird densities in both strains; however, one strain was affected as early as 6 wk of age, whereas in the other strain, body weight was not reduced significantly until 18 wk. Feed intake was increased by more than 13% in both strains at the lowest density treatment (20 birds per cage) from Day 1 to 2 wk but reduced by more than 9% by higher cage densities during the remainder of the study. Feed conversion (FC) ratio was similarly improved (i.e., reduced) when more pullets were housed per cage, and increased when fewer birds were placed per cage compared to the standard. Despite a significant reduction in feed intake and a corresponding loss of body weight, cage density treatments had no significant affect on hemagglutinin titers to sheep red blood cell antigen, percentage heterophils (H), lymphocytes (L), or the H:L ratio. However, pullet age and strain differences were observed for all blood parameters. Overall, treatments allowing more cage, feeder, and drinker spaces per bird than the U.S. commercial standard provided no body weight advantage, and allowed for greater feed intake and poorer FC at several ages.

Iron proteinates (metalosates) are very effective preparations for the treatment of acute and chronic iron deficiencies in animals. A technology for the production of iron proteinate was elaborated employing waste-whey proteins. The iron content in the preparation could be varied by altering the pH and the amount of precipitating agent (FeSO 4 ). The formation of iron proteinate was proved by infrared spectra. The absorbance of both CN (1520 cm −1 and 1630 cm −1 ) and of CO stretchings (1100 cm −1 ) indicated the presence of chelate bonds typical of an iron-proteinate molecule. The biological activity of the product obtained was tested on piglets. Preliminary results showed a good effect both on the animal body weight and on the blood indices, after oral application.

A prospective radiological and haematological study of 182 patients with homozygous sickle cell anaemia has been undertaken to assess the prevalence and pattern of splenic opacification and relate this to the blood indices. Opacification was observed in 31% of patients. In 55% of these, the pattern was punctate, whereas in 32% it was amorphous. A curvilinear appearance was seen in the remainder. In the amorphous group, a high percentage (72%), the spleen was severely contracted. The pattern of opacification and degree of contraction was related to age. The haematological indices indicate a lower haemolytic rate in patients with splenic opacification indicating a milder disease process with a greater persistence of the splenic capillary bed.