Avishek Biswas

Effect of higher dietary vitamin E concentrations on physical and biochemical characteristics of semen in Kadaknath cockerels.

1. This experiment was to investigate the effects of increasing dietary vitamin E on physical and biochemical characteristics of semen in Indian reared Kadaknath (KN) cockerels. DL-α-Tocopherol acetate was used as the source of vitamin E. 2. A total of 135 one-day-old male KN chicks were randomly selected and divided into 9 groups with 15 chicks in each group (3 dietary treatments × 3 replicates). 3. The basal diet contained 15 IU (10 mg) vitamin E/kg and the two experimental diets were supplemented with 150 IU (100 mg) and 300 IU (200 mg) vitamin E/kg (diets T2 and T3, respectively). 4. Physical characteristics in terms of semen volume, sperm concentration, sperm motility and percentage live sperm did not differ significantly, whereas proportion of abnormal and dead spermatozoa were significantly lower and fertility higher in the T2 group. 5. Biochemical characteristics in term of quantities of protein and nitric oxide (NO) did not differ significantly, whereas the quantity of glucose, acid phosphatase (ACP) and vitamin E were significantly higher in the T2 group. 6. In contrast, the quantities of alkaline phosphatase (ALP), glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT) and glutamic pyruvic transaminase (GPT) were significantly lower in T2 group and higher in the T1 (control) group. 7. From this study it can be concluded that moderate supplementation of dietary vitamin E may be beneficial for physical and biochemical characteristics of semen in Indian reared KN cock.

Influence of chicken native breeds on some physical and biochemical characteristics and short-term storage of semen

1. The major objective of this study was to examine the influence of 24-h storage of semen at low temperature on semen characteristics and fertilising ability of spermatozoa in two native breeds (Kadaknath – KN, Aseel Peela – AP) and White Leghorn (WL) chicken. 2. Various physical and biochemical properties of freshly ejaculated semen of KN and AP were investigated. Fertility was examined in freshly-ejaculated as well as 24-h-stored (3°C) semen diluted (1:3) with Beltsville Poultry Semen Extender. 3. No significant difference was observed in sperm motility among the different breeds whereas live counts were higher in WL than the native breeds. Body weight, semen volume and sperm concentration were highest in AP, followed by KN and WL. A similar trend was observed in the percentage of dead and morphologically-abnormal spermatozoa. 4. The activity of acid and alkaline phosphatase in seminal plasma were higher in WL than KN, whereas the opposite trend was recorded for glutamic oxaloacetic and pyruvic transaminases. The cholesterol content of semen was highest in AP, followed by KN and WL. Cholesterol was much lower in seminal plasma compared with whole semen but there were no differences between breeds. Mean values of the methylene blue reduction time test were higher in WL than in the native breeds. 5. Fertility and hatchability, using freshly-diluted semen, were poorer in the native breeds than in WL. The pattern of fertility deteriorated further, especially in native fowls, when the birds were inseminated with 24-h-stored semen. 6. In conclusion, variation in physical and biochemical characteristics of semen in native breeds compared to WL correlated with poor fertility after short-term storage of semen.

Effect of Higher Levels of Dietary Vitamin E on Performance and Immune Response in Growing Japanese Quail

Abstract Biswas, A., Mohan, J., Sastry, K.V.H. and Tyagi, J.S. 2008. Effect of higher levels of dietary vitamin E on performance and immune responses in growing Japanese quail. J. Appl. Anim. Res., 33: 61–64. To study the effect of increasing dietary vitamin E (VE) on performance and immune response, 240 day old chicks were randomly selected and divided into 12 groups with 20 chicks in each group (3 dietary treatments × 4 replicates). The basal diet contained 15 IU VE/kg and the two experimental diets were supplemented with 150 IU and 300 IU VE/kg. Body weight gain, feed intake, feed conversion ratio and mortality were not affected by VE supplementation. Antibody titres, response to intradermally injected phytohaemagglutinin (PHA) and the relative weights of the bursa of Fabricius and thymus were significantly (P<0.05) higher after feeding the two VE-supplemented diets. It is concluded that VE supplementation improved immune response but not performance in growing Japanese quail.

Effects of dietary supplementation of organic chromium (picolinate) on physical and biochemical characteristics of semen and carcass traits of male turkeys

This experiment investigated the effect of dietary chromium (Cr as picolinate) on physical and biochemical characteristics of semen and carcass traits of adult male turkey. Seventy-two (72) male turkeys (16 weeks old) were randomly distributed into four dietary treatment groups (4×3×6) for a period of 24 weeks. Three experimental diets were supplemented with 250, 500 and 750μg Cr/kg (T2, T3 and T4 respectively) in basal diet (T1 considered as control). Semen physical characteristics viz. sperm concentration, progressive motility, live and dead count of spermatozoa and fertility differed significantly (P<0.05). Sperm concentration, progressive motility and fertility were higher and dead count was lower in T4 (750μg) group than control (T1) or other dietary treatments (T2 or T3) group. Semen biochemical parameters like creatinine, acid phosphatase (ACP) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) concentration did not differ significantly among the dietary treatment groups, whereas, total protein, glucose, malondialdehyde (MAD) and cholesterol concentration differed significantly (P<0.05) amongst the treatment groups. Protein and MAD were higher while glucose and cholesterol concentrations were lower in T3 and T4 group than control or T1 group. The shrinkage loss, eviscerated yield, relative weight (as percent of body weight) of breast, thigh and liver improved on supplementation of Cr leading to significantly higher in T4 group in comparison to control. From this study, it could be concluded that supplementation of chromium as chromium picolinate, at 750μg/kg level in diet was beneficial for improving physical characteristics of semen, carcass yield and breast yield of adult male turkeys. However, Cr levels of 500 or 750μg/kg in diet were beneficial for semen biochemical parameters of adult male turkeys.

Effect of Dietary Supplementation of Chromium Picolinate on Productive Performance, Egg Quality and Carcass Traits in Laying Turkeys

This experiment investigated the effects of dietary chromium picolinate (CrP) on production performance, egg quality traits and carcass traits of laying turkey. Seventy-two (72) female turkeys (16 wks old) were randomly distributed to four dietary treatment groups for a period of 24 weeks. Each treatment comprised three replicates, each containing 6 hens. Three experimental diets were supplemented with 250, 500 and 750 μg CrP/kg (T2, T3 and T4 respectively) with basal diet and diet T1 was considered as control. All hens were provided feed and water ad libitum. Production performance in terms of age at sexual maturity did not differ significantly (P>0.05), whereas egg production and egg mass differ significantly (P 0.05), whereas the Haugh unit score and shell thickness were significantly higher (P<0.05) in T4 treated groups than the control (T1) and other two treatment groups (T2 and T3). Percentage of carcass traits did not differ significantly (P<0.05) except the percentage of bleeding loss, wings and giblets among the control and CrP treated groups. From this study, it can be concluded that higher levels of dietary CrP (750 μg CrP/kg diet) may be beneficial for production performance (egg production and egg mass), some egg quality traits (Haugh unit score and shell thickness) in laying turkeys whereas, no significant differences were observed in percentage of carcass traits except the percentage of bleeding loss, wings and giblets.

Efficacy of Propionic, Benzoic and Tartaric Acids in Preventing Biosynthesis of Aflatoxins in Poultry Feed

Singh, R., Mandal, A.B. and Biswas, A. 2017. Efficacy of propionic, benzoic and tartaric acids in preventing biosynthesis of aflatoxins in poultry feed. Animal Nutrition and Feed Technology, 17: 157-164. A poultry feed was prepared using conventional feed ingredients which is free from aflatoxins. The moisture content of the feed was adjusted at 11, 13, 15 and 17%, respectively. The feeds with each level of moisture were then mixed with propionic, benzoic or tartaric acid each at various concentrations of 0.00, 0.05, 0.10, 0.15, 0.20, 0.25, 0.30, 0.35, 0.40, 0.45 and 0.50%, respectively. Samples were taken in a 500 ml conical flask in duplicate, inoculated with fresh spores mould (Aspergillus parasiticus NRRL 2999) producing aflatoxins, incubated at room temperature for a period of one month and then analysed for the presence of aflatoxins (AFB 1 , AFB 2 , AFG 1 and AFG 2 ). The results showed that at 11 % moisture level in feed, aflatoxin biosynthesis did not occur in any of the treatments. However, with the increase in moisture content in feed from 11 to 17%, there was increase in production of the aflatoxins. Complete inhibition of aflatoxins synthesis at 13% moisture level was achieved at 0.25% propionic or 0.30% benzoic or 0.40% tartaric acid concentration. The biosynthesis of any of the aflatoxins was completely inhibited at 0.50% propionic or benzoic acid in feed containing 15% moisture. However, propionic or benzoic or tartaric citric acid at 0.50% level in feed, failed to completely inhibit the synthesis of any of the four fractions of aflatoxins in feeds containing 17% moisture level, though with the increased concentrations of acids, the biosynthesis of total as well as individual fractions of aflatoxins decreased. It is thus concluded that the production of aflatoxin at 13% moisture level in poultry feed can be completely inhibited by adding propionic acid @ 0.25% or benzoic acid @ 0.30% or tartaric acid @ 0.40%. However, the level of organic acids varied with incresing level of moisture in the diet. Further, propionic acid was more efficaceous than benzoic or tartaric acid in inhibiting the synthesis of aflatoxins.

Effect of Dietary Supplementation of Butyric Acid on Growth Performance and Intestinal Microbial Load in Broiler Chickens

An experiment was conducted to study the effect of using butyric acid (BA) in place of antibiotic growth promoter (AGP) on performance and intestinal microflora in broiler chickens. Two hundred (200) day-old broiler chicks were housed and distributed randomly into four groups containing five replicates of 10 chicks in each replicate (4 treatments×5 replicates). The experiment had a randomized design. Four experimental diets T1, T2, T3 and T4 were formulated to contain no additive, Bacitracin Methylene Disalicylate (BMD) at 20 mg/kg diet and BA at 0.3 and 0.4%, respectively. Body weight gain (g) increased (P 0.05). Significant reduction was observed in coliforms and Lactobacillus counts in cecal contents (28 and 42 d) and excreta (42 d), whereas, total plate counts (TPC) at 42 d were significantly reduced in BA supplemented groups as compared to other groups. From the results, it can be concluded that, BA could be a good alternative to AGP for growth performance and improving gut microbial status in broiler chickens.

Effect of Dietary Moringa oleifera Leaves Powder on Growth Performance, Blood Chemistry, Meat Quality and Gut Microflora of Broiler Chicks

An experiment was conducted using 420 day-old broiler chicks to evaluate the effects of Moringa oleifera leaves (MOL), on growth performance, serum chemistry, gut microflora and meat quality. The six dietary treatments included corn-soybean meal based basal diet (control), basal diet supplemented with 20 mg/kg antibiotic; and four levels of Moringa leaves powder (0.5%, 1.0%, 1.5% and 2.0%). Each treatment diet was fed ad libitum to seven replicated groups of 10 chicks up to 42d of age. At the end of feeding trial seven birds from each group were randomly selected for collection of blood and analysis of serum biochemical profile. Gut microflora and TBA value of meat were also estimated. There was no significant change in BW gain, feed intake and feed conversion ratio of broilers among the groups. The dietary inclusion of MOL powder, in broiler ration significantly (P<0.05) decreased the serum total protein, triglycerides, cholesterol, albumin, uric acid and creatinine. Inclusion of MOL upto 1.5% reduced ALT and AST activities. The TBA values of meat and microbial load were lower at 2.0% MOL as compared to control and group supplemented with antibiotic. These results suggested that MOL could improve the liver function and retarded catabolic rate in broiler chicks. In addition Moringa leaves had hypocholesterolaemic effect. Further, gut health of the bird improved and MOL can be suitable natural alternative to antibiotic. It may also provide several benefits in meat quality and finally to consumer health.

Effect of dietary supplementation of vitamin E on production performance and some biochemical characteristics of cloacal foam in male Japanese quail

This experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of increasing the level of dietary supplementation of vitamin E (VE) on production performance and biochemical characteristics of cloacal foam in male Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica). A total of 225 male Japanese quail chicks (day old) were randomly distributed to three dietary treatments for a period of 30 weeks. Each treatment comprised of three replicates, each containing 25 chicks. The basal diet (T1) contained 12.30IUVEkg(-1) and the two experimental diets were supplemented with 150 and 300IUVEkg(-1) (diets T2 and T3, respectively). dl-α-Tocopherol acetate was used as the source of VE. All chicks were provided feed and water ad libitum. Mean body weights, feed intake, feed conversion ratio (FCR) and mortality of the birds in the different treatment groups showed no significant differences (P>0.05), whereas a significant (P<0.05) increase (29.81 and 50.83%) in average foam weight was evident in the VE-treated groups (T2) compared with control (T1) and T3 groups. The biochemical characteristics of foam, in terms of quantities of protein and nitric oxide (NO), did not differ significantly (P>0.05), whereas the quantities of glucose (60.01%) and acid phosphatase (ACP, 32.46%) were significantly (P<0.05) higher in the T3 group. By contrast, the quantities of alkaline phosphatase (ALP), glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT) and glutamic pyruvic transaminase (GPT) were significantly (P<0.05) lower (48.84%, 10.38% and 22.08%, respectively) in the T3 group and higher in the T1 (control) and T2 groups. From this study, it can be concluded that dietary supplementation of VE to the basal diet has no effect on the production performance but supplementation of a higher level of VE (300IUkg(-1)diet) improved the biochemical characteristics of the foam and moderate levels of VE (150IUkg(-1)diet) improved the foam production of male Japanese quail.