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The objective of this study is to investigate the effects of increasing levels of soybean hulls in broiler chicken diets on growth performance, carcase composition, organ weights, nutrient digestibility, amino acid digestibility, and intestinal histomorphology to determine the optimal inclusion level for maximising poultry health and performance. A total of 680, 1-day-old male broiler chicks (Hubbard) were randomly assigned to five treatments with eight replicates, each consisting of seventeen birds, and housed in an environmentally controlled room with nipple drinkers and trough feeders. The experimental diets, containing 0%, 2%, 4%, 6%, and 8% dietary soybean hulls (SH), were fed to the broilers for 35 days. During the starter phase, the growth performance of chickens fed 2% SH was not significantly different from the control group, but differences emerged during the later stages. Chickens fed 2% SH showed significantly higher body weight and weight gain compared to higher SH levels. Carcase yield decreased with increasing SH content in the diet, while wing meat yield was highest in birds fed 0% and 2% SH. The relative weights of gizzard, jejunum, and ileum varied significantly among groups. Higher SH levels led to decreased nutrient digestibility but increased excreta nitrogen and ether extract content. Ileal amino acid digestibility varied among SH levels. Intestinal histomorphology revealed significant differences in villi height and crypt depth among groups. Overall, diets with 2% and 4% SH demonstrated superior nutrient utilisation and intestinal health compared to higher SH levels. These findings suggest an optimal inclusion level of SH in broiler diets to optimise performance and intestinal morphology. HIGHLIGHTS: Diets with 2% and 4% soybean hulls (SH) demonstrated superior nutrient utilisation and intestinal health. Chickens fed 2% SH showed significantly higher body weight and weight gain compared to higher SH levels, indicating the importance of optimal dietary composition. Carcase yield decreased with increasing SH content, while wing meat yield was highest in birds fed 0% and 2% SH, highlighting the impact of SH levels on meat quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coccidia poses significant challenges to poultry farming, impacting productivity and welfare. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of Aloe vera supplementation in managing coccidial infection in quails. A total of 360 one-day-old quails chicks were divided into five groups (six replicates with twelve birds per replicate) and challenged with mixed sporulated oocysts of Eimeria species (E. tenella, E. nicatrix, E. maxima, E. mitis). The groups included a positive control (infected, untreated), negative control (uninfected, untreated), and three treatment groups: Amprolium (1 g/l water), Aloe vera 2% (AV2), and Aloe vera 4% (AV4). Results demonstrated significant (p < 0.01) improvement in feed consumption, weight gain, and feed conversion ratio (FCR) in Aloe vera supplemented groups compared to the positive control. Histomorphological analysis revealed restoration of gut health in supplemented groups, characterised by increased villus height, crypt depth, and improved villus height-to-crypt depth ratio. Furthermore, mortality and lesion scores significantly reduced(p < 0.01) in 4% Aloe vera supplemented quails. Aloe vera supplementation showed promising efficacy in mitigating the negative impact of coccidial infection on quail performance and gut health. These results demonstrated that supplementing the diet with 4% Aloe vera effectively restored productive performance, as well as lesion score and microscopic intestinal histological features, in Eimeria-infected quails. HIGHLIGHTS: Aloe vera improves feed consumption and weight gain in coccidial-infected quails. 4% Aloe vera restores gut health, reducing mortality and lesions in quails. Aloe vera supplementation mitigates coccidial impacts, boosting quail performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The trial investigated the effects of anise seed powder and protease, alone and combined, in Japanese quail diets. 540 seven-day-old quails were divided into four groups: Control (basal diet), Anise Seed Group (1000 mg/kg anise seed powder), Protease Enzyme Group (30,000 IU/kg Bacillus subtilis-derived protease enzyme), and a combination of anise powder and protease. The combination significantly increased weight gain and dressing percentage compared to the control. Quails receiving protease, anise powder, or both showed higher antibody titers against infectious diseases. The population of beneficial Lactobacillus increased in groups receiving protease and the combination. Additionally, the presence of harmful bacteria like Escherichia coli and Salmonella decreased significantly in quails supplemented with both protease enzyme and anise powder. In summary, combining protease and anise powder improved growth performance, immune responses, increased Lactobacillus population, and decreased pathogenic bacteria in quails. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study investigated the effects of grape seed extract (GSE) supplementation on laying hens aged 30–35 weeks. Hens were assigned to four groups: a control group with only basal diet and three experimental groups with basal diet supplemented with 250 (GSE 250), 500 (GSE 500) and 750 (GSE 750) mg/kg GSE. GSE-supplemented groups showed significantly lower feed intake in week 1 and 3 in GSE 750. No significant differences were observed in feed efficiency, egg weight, shell thickness, yolk weight, albumin weight, or Haugh Unit, suggesting GSE did not significantly impact these parameters. Egg production significantly increased in groups supplemented with 500 and 750 mg/kg GSE compared to the control group. Additionally, GSE-supplemented birds exhibited significantly lower levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), a marker of lipid peroxidation, indicating potential antioxidant effects. The study further revealed a significant increase in Lactobacillus at GSE500 and GSE 750 levels and a significant reduction in E. coli levels with GSE 750 supplementation, suggesting potential benefits on gut microbiota. In conclusion, GSE positively influenced egg production, promoted Lactobacillus growth, and reduced lipid peroxidation and E. coli populations. However, reproductive efficiency in golden laying hens was not significantly affected. These findings contribute valuable insights into the potential benefits of GSE in poultry nutrition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is associated with comorbidities like dyslipidemia and liver damage. Acorus calamus L. is commonly used to treat inflammatory and hepatorenal ailments. Herein, we assessed the hypolipidemic and hepatoprotective activities of A. calamus rhizome extracts in adjuvant-induced arthritis (AIA) in rats. A. calamus rhizome's methanol (AME) and n-hexane (AHE) extracts were prepared. In vivo, fifty-four female Wistar rats were allocated into nine groups (n = 6). The AIA was induced by injecting Complete Freund's adjuvant (100 µL, s.c.) into the rat's right hind paw. After AIA induction, animals were orally treated with meloxicam (MEL; 3 mg/kg) and graded doses (125, 250, and 500 mg/kg) of AME and AHE for 28 consecutive days. Results showed that both plant extracts dose-dependently restored the body weight and liver index of arthritic rats. Each plant extract significantly (p < 0.05) attenuated hyperlipidemia and atherogenicity in arthritic rats. They also normalized the liver function markers and protein concentrations along with the reduction in hepatic oxidative stress. Histopathological examination of the liver supported the biochemical findings. However, AME exhibited better pharmacological activities than AHE. Our findings conclude that A. calamus rhizome could be used to treat dyslipidemia and liver injury in inflammatory conditions like RA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study aimed to evaluate the effects of multi-strain probiotic (MSP) on broiler growth, health, and nutrient utilization under high animal protein concentrate conditions. Male Ross-308 broilers were assigned to four groups: a control (C), MSP at 50 mg/kg (MSP50), MSP at 100 mg/kg (MSP100), and Zinc bacitracin (ZB) as a positive control. MSP supplementation significantly improved feed intake, weight gain, and feed conversion efficiency, with MSP100 demonstrating the best feed conversion ratio during both starter and finisher phases. MSP also enhanced dressing percentages and positively influenced blood lipid profiles. The supplementation reduced harmful bacterial growth (E. coli, Salmonella, Clostridium perfringens) while promoting beneficial bacteria (Lactobacillus). Moreover, MSP positively impacted gut histomorphology, showing higher villus height, width, and crypt depth in the MSP100 group. Digestibility of dry matter and crude protein was enhanced in birds fed the MSP100 diet. Overall, MSP supplementation exhibited positive effects on broiler performance, health, and nutrient digestibility, indicating its potential as an antibiotic alternative for improving practices in the poultry feed industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]