Masood Saleem Mir

Effect of Dietary Supplementation of Organic Acids on Performance, Intestinal Histomorphology, and Serum Biochemistry of Broiler Chicken

The aim of the study was to determine the effect of dietary supplementation of organic acids on the performance, intestinal histomorphology, and blood biochemistry of broiler chicken. The birds in the control (T1) group were fed the basal diet whereas in other treatment groups basal diet was supplemented with 2% butyric acid (T2), 3% butyric acid (T4), 2% fumaric acid (T4), 3% fumaric acid (T5), 2% lactic acid (T6), and 3% lactic acid (T7). Broiler chicken fed diets supplemented with organic acids had significantly (P < .05) improved body weight gains and feed conversion ratio. No effect (P < .05) on cumulative feed consumption was observed. The addition of organic increased villus height in the small intestines but the differences were not significant (P < .05) in case of the ileum. Serum calcium and phosphorus concentrations were increased (P < .05) but no effect (P < .05) on the concentration of serum glucose and cholesterol, serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase (SGPT), and serum glutamic oxaloacetate transaminase (SGOT) was observed. The results indicated that the organic acid supplementation, irrespective of type and level of acid used, had a beneficial effect on the performance of broiler chicken.

Pathomorphological effects of Alloxan induced acute hypoglycaemia in rabbits

Abstract Alloxan is one of the frequently used beta-cytotoxic agents for the induction of Type-1 diabetes mellitus in animal models and is the drug of choice in rabbits. Its beta-cytotoxic action results in a sudden release of insulin leading to severe hypoglycaemia and even mortality if glucose therapy is not given. In the present investigation the pathological effects of alloxan induced acute hypoglycaemia were studied in rabbits. New Zealand White rabbits, 1–1.5 kg body weight, were administered alloxan @100 mg/kg b.w., as a single intravenous dose. Blood glucose levels were monitored (0 h, 20 min, 1 h, and then hourly up to 5 h) and clinical signs noted. Rabbits dead due to hypoglycaemia were necropsied and histopathology performed. Severe histopathological changes were observed especially in the brain (neuronal degeneration and necrosis), kidneys (nephrosis, nephritis) and liver (hepatosis, hepatitis) and also, other organs. Histopathological observation of beta-cytolysis was suggestive that the drug induced hypoglycaemia is insulin mediated. It was concluded that acute hypoglycaemia causes severe pathological changes and the alloxan induced immediate hypoglycaemia if not managed in time, might exacerbate the pathological effects of hyperglycaemia in the induced diabetic models.

Prevalence and seasonal variation of ectoparasite load in free-range chicken of Kashmir valley.

A faunistical study of ectoparasites was carried out for a period of two years from January 2005 to December 2006 in rural free-range chicken purchased from different areas of Kashmir valley. Screening of a total of 478 birds revealed only lice infestation with an overall prevalence of about 100% and 97.69% birds harboring multiple species. The prevalence for various species of lice, during winter, spring, summer, autumn and overall prevalence respectively, was 90.32%, 99.14%, 100%, 98.34% and 96.86% for Lipeurus caponis; 33.87%, 48.71%, 57.75%, 39.66% and 44.76% for Goniodes gigas; 29.83%, 32.47%, 45.68%, 32.23% and 34.93% for Menopon gallinae; 28.22%, 32.47%, 39.65%, 32.23% and 33.05% for Menacanthus cornutus; 16.12%, 19.65%, 25%, 18.18% and 19.66% for Goniocotes gallinae and 6.45%, 12.82%, 13.79%, 4.95% and 9.41% for Eomenacanthus stramineus. The seasonal influence on nature and intensity of infestation was evident.

Histomorphological studies of broiler chicken fed diets supplemented with either raw or enzyme treated dandelion leaves and fenugreek seeds

Aim: Herbal plants and their derived products are extensively used particularly in many Asian, African, and other countries of the world as they are considered as ideal feed additives because of their non-residual effect and ability to influence the ecosystem of gastrointestinal microbiota in a positive way. Further, the enzymatic treatment of these herbs helps in their efficient utilization by the host. Dandelion leaves and fenugreek seeds have been reported to have positive effect in terms of improving the performance of broiler chicken, but not much literature is available regarding their effect on gut histomorphology; therefore, the present study was conducted to explore the effect of these herbs either alone or in combination with or without enzyme treatment on histomorphology of liver and small intestine of broiler chicken. Materials and Methods: To achieve the envisaged objective, 273-day-old commercial broiler chicks were procured from a reputed source and reared together until 7 days of age. On the 7th day, the chicks were individually weighed, distributed randomly into 7 groups of 3 replicates with 13 chicks each. Birds in the control group were fed diets without additives (T1). The other six treatment groups were fed the basal diet supplemented with 0.5% dandelion leaves (T2), 1% fenugreek seeds (T3), combination of 0.5% dandelion leaves and 1% fenugreek seeds (T4), enzyme treated dandelion leaves 0.5% (T5), enzyme treated fenugreek seeds 1% (T6), and combination of enzyme treated dandelion leaves (0.5%) and (1%) fenugreek seeds (T7). The histomorphological study of liver and small intestines was conducted among different treatment groups. Results: The results revealed the hepato-protective nature of both dandelion leaves and fenugreek seeds either alone or in combination with or without enzyme treatment when compared with the control group. Moreover, the histomorphological findings of jejunum revealed the beneficial effect of dandelion leaves, fenugreek seeds and enzymes on the intestinal mucosa in terms of cellular infiltration, architecture of villi, villus height/crypt depth ratio, thereby improving the intestinal health. Conclusion: The dandelion leaves and fenugreek seeds have hepato-protective nature and beneficial effect on the intestinal morphology particularly when included along with enzymes in the diet of broiler chicken.

Clinical, haematological, and serum biochemical alterations due to spontaneously occurring pulmonary hypertension syndrome in broiler chicken reared under temperate climatic conditions of Northern Himalayas

The present study was aimed to investigate the clinical, haematological, and serum biochemical alterations in commercial broiler chickens affected with pulmonary hypertension syndrome. Clinical signs were recorded. Haematological indices were investigated using a MS-4 automatic haem-analyser (MELET Schloesing Laboratories, France). Serum biochemical indices were studied using diagnostic kits (Aspen Laboratories Pvt. Ltd., Rapid Diagnostic Group of Companies, Karnal Road Industrial Area, Delhi, India) and semi-automatic blood chemistry analyser (model SFRI-BSA 3000, Lieu dit Berbanton, France) as per manufacturer’s literature. The specific clinical signs for pulmonary hypertension syndrome included potbelly with frog sitting posture, gasping, tortuous and distended blood vessels, prolonged bleeding, occasional diarrhoea, and cyanotic comb. Haematological profiling revealed significant increase in haemoglobin, haematocrit, TEC, MCH, and MCHC; and lymphocytic leukocytosis in clinically ascitic chicken as well as non-ascitic birds from ascitic flocks. Serum biochemical profiling showed significant increase in blood glucose, A:G ratio, serum bilirubin, AST, ALT, LDH, ALP, BUN, and creatinine levels; significant decrease in total protein, albumin, globulin, and HDL cholesterol levels; and non-significant changes in total cholesterol.