Mohammed A. Al-Harthi

Effect of different dietary levels of mangrove (Laguncularia racemosa) leaves and spice supplementation on productive performance, egg quality, lipid metabolism and metabolic profiles in laying hens

In order to study the influence of white mangrove (Laguncularia racemosa) leaves on productive performance, egg quality, lipids metabolism and metabolic profiles, 180 Hy-line laying hens were randomly distributed to 6 dietary treatments each contained 6 replicates of 5 individually caged hens during the period from 50 to 60 weeks of age. 2. Three isoenergetic and isonitrogenous diets were formulated to contain 0, 50 and 100 g/kg of sun-dried mangrove leaves. Each diet was fed with or without supplementation of 2 g of cardamom, cumin, hot and black pepper mixture (1:1:1:1)/kg diet. 3. Mangrove leaves at either 50 or 100 g/kg adversely affect laying rate, egg mass and FCR, whilst increasing water intake and water to feed ratio. Mangrove leaves had no significant effect on dry matter, protein, lipid, cholesterol and ash content of liver, or on dry matter, protein and ash of yolk. 4. Plasma total protein, total lipids; liver enzymes AST and ALT and mortality rate were not significantly affected by mangrove leaves. On the other hand, yolk lipid, yolk cholesterol and plasma cholesterol significantly decreased, while yolk colour significantly increased with inclusion of 50 or 100 g/kg mangrove leaves, and Haugh unit score significantly increased with 100 g/kg mangrove leaves. 5. Spice mixture significantly increased egg weight by 2.2%. Yolk lipid content significantly decreased by 2.6%, while yolk colour and Haugh unit significantly increased with inclusion of spice mixtures. 6. In conclusion, mangrove leaves at 50 g/kg may be included in the laying hen diets as a means of decreasing lipid and cholesterol in yolk and plasma cholesterol and increasing yolk colour. Spice mixture at 2 g of cardamom, cumin, hot and black pepper mixture (1:1:1:1)/kg diet increased laying rate, egg mass, Haugh unit score and yolk colour while decreasing yolk lipids.

Growing and laying performance of Japanese quail fed diet supplemented with different concentrations of acetic acid

In order to evaluate the effect of acetic acid on growing and laying performance of Japanese quail (JQ), 180 15-day-old JQ were divided into 4 groups. During the growing (15-42 days of age) and laying (43-84 days of age) periods, the groups fed the same basal diets supplemented with 0, 1.5, 3 and 6% of acetic acid. Each diet was fed to five replicates of 9 JQ (3 males:6 females) during the growing period. During the laying period, 128 birds were housed in 32 cages (4 birds per cage, 1 male and 3 females, 8 replicates per treatment). Birds were housed in wire cages (46L×43W×20H cm) in an open room. Acetic acid supplementation at 3% in the diets significantly increased the growth and laying rate and the Haugh unit score. The liver percentage significantly decreased with acetic acid at 6%. Acetic acid at 3% significantly increased hemoglobin concentrations at 6 weeks of age and increased weight of day old chicks hatched. Acetic acid affected the immune system as manifested by an excess of cellular reactions in the intestine as well as lymphoid hyperplasia in the spleen tissue. Degenerative changes in the covering epithelium of the intestinal villi were noted at the 6% concentration of acetic acid. Hepatocyte vacuolation and fatty changes were also observed at this concentration of treatment. In conclusion, 3% acetic acid may be used as a feed supplement for JQ during the growing and laying period to improve the productive performance.

The effects of preparing methods and enzyme supplementation on the utilization of brown marine algae (Sargassum dentifebium) meal in the diet of laying hens

Brown marine algae (BMA; Sargassum dentifebium) were collected from Jeddah on the shores of the Red Sea and sun dried at an average daily temperature of 40°C until constant weight was obtained. Part of the sun dried brown marine algae was subsequently processed by boiling (BBMA; boiled brown marine algae) in water and by autoclaving (ABMA; autoclaved brown marine algae). The SBMA, BBMA and ABMA were included in laying hen diet during weeks 23–42 of age at concentrations of 0.0%, 3.0% and 6.0%. The diets were given with or without enzyme supplementation. This resulted in 3 (preparation methods) × 2 (concentrations of supplemented BMA, i.e. 3 and 6%) × 2 (with and without enzyme supplementation) diet programs plus two control groups (with and without enzyme supplementation) for a total of 14 treatments. Each treatment was represented by six replicates of five hens each. Sun dried or autocalved brown marine algae at 3% without enzyme supplementation in the laying hen diet could be fed to laying hens without any adverse effect on laying performance. However, enzyme supplementation to a diet containing 6% autocalved brown marine algae improved productive performance and eggshell quality.

Impacts of dried whole eggs on productive performance, quality of fresh and stored eggs, reproductive organs and lipid metabolism of laying hens

1. Rejected eggs were processed by freezing, freezing and boiling, or autoclaving, dried at 55°C, and the chemical and amino-acid analysis and microbiological properties of the dried whole eggs (DWE) determined. The processed DWE was included in a laying-hen mash diet at 50 or 100 g/kg, mainly to replace soybean meal and maize, in a factorial design of 3 × 2 and fed to hens between 25 and 41 weeks of age. In addition, a control diet without DWE was used to create a total of 7 treatments; each having 5 replicates of 5 hens. 2. Hens fed the diet containing 50-g/kg frozen and boiled DWE and 100-g/kg frozen DWE laid the largest egg size, while hens fed the 50-g/kg frozen and boiled or autoclaved DWE diets yielded the highest egg mass and best feed conversion efficiency. 3. Hens fed the 50-g/kg frozen DWE laid eggs with a higher yolk indices, Haugh unit scores, and eggshell thickness and maintained higher Haugh unit scores during egg storage. 4. Yolk cholesterol significantly decreased in eggs from groups fed either the 50-g/kg frozen or autoclaved DWE diet, with freezing having the stronger effect. 6. In conclusion, 50-g/kg autoclaved DWE diets fed to laying hens between 25 and 41 weeks of age had no adverse effects on production, egg quality or reproductive organs, but decreased yolk cholesterol, and thus could be beneficially included in laying-hen diets.

Effect of feed form, pellet diameter and enzymes supplementation on carcass characteristics, meat quality, blood plasma constituents and stress indicators of broilers

Abstract. Four hundred-twenty broilers were used in a factorial design (4×3) in which four feed forms (mash vs. pellet diet with diameter of 2 mm, 3 mm and 3.5 mm, respectively) and three enzymes treatments (unsupplemented, phytase, phytase+multi-enzyme) were used. Each treatment was replicated five times (7 broiler/replicate). Feed form had no effects on most of carcass traits and physical characteristics of meat, but pellet diets decreased the relative weight of gizzard and caecum length. Feeding 3.5 mm pellet diets increased abdominal fat compared to that of broilers fed mash diets. Pellet with 3 mm diameter increased and decreased respectively meat fat and moisture. Pellets with 3.5 mm diameter increased meat ash compared to broilers fed mash diet. Levels of plasma glucose and alanine aminotransferase of broilers fed 2 mm pellet, cholesterol of broilers fed 3 mm pellet and albumin/globulin ratio, monocytes and red blood cells of broilers fed 3.5 mm pellet were significantly higher than those of broilers fed mash diet. Haemoglobin, phagocytic activity, heterophils and heterophils/lymphocyte ratio were higher in groups fed mash diets and 2 mm pellet. Packed cell volume and phagocytic index were the highest in group fed mash diets. Phytase or multi-enzyme+phytase increased carcass yield, total edible parts and decreased inedible parts compared to broilers fed diet without enzyme supplementation. Enzyme supplementations significantly and similarly increased plasma glucose, total protein, triglycerides, red blood cells and phagocytic activity and decreased phagocytic index in comparison to the control group. However, phytase alone decreased cholesterol and increased monocytes by contrast with the control group. Multi-enzymes+phytase induced greater effect on white blood cells than phytase alone.

Whole inedible date in the grower-finisher broiler diets and the impact on productive performance, nutrient digestibility and meat quality.

The growth performance, carcass characteristics and meat quality measurements were evaluated on broiler chicks fed different dietary levels of whole inedible dates (WID). WID used in this study were consisted of date fruits (∼850 g/kg) and date pits (∼150 g/kg). Three hundred unsexed Lohman broiler chicks were randomly and equally distributed into six groups. Each was formed of 50 chicks (five replicates, 10 chicks per replicate), and was assigned to a dietary treatment. Six dietary treatments of WID (0, 30, 60, 90, 120 and 150 g/kg feed) were included in the formation of isocaloric (metabolizable energy of ∼3060 kcal/kg feed) and isonitrogenous (CP of ∼192 g/kg feed) broiler rations. The treated rations were fed to the group chicks between 15 and 42 days of age (the experimental period). A straight-run design was considered. At 42 days of age, five males from each treatment were randomly chosen and slaughtered to determine carcass characteristics, internal organs and meat quality measurements. Digestibility of nutrients was measured at the end of the experimental period using five caged-individual males per treatment. The inclusion of broiler rations on WID for up to 150 g/kg feed, over the experimental period, did not significantly influence body weight gain (1452 to 1521 g/chick), feed intake (3268 to 3621 g/chick), feed conversion ratio (2.26 to 2.36 kg/kg) and dressed carcass (63.4% to 67.3%). In addition, levels of WID for up to 150 g/kg feed did not significantly influence the digestibility of nutrients and meat quality measurements. Such results suggest the possible inclusion of broiler rations on WID for up to 150 g/kg feed, during the period of 15 to 42 days of age without adverse effects on growth performance and meat quality.

Fatty acid and cholesterol profiles and hypocholesterolemic, atherogenic, and thrombogenic indices of table eggs in the retail market

BackgroundEggs are an important source of food due to its favorable effects on human health derived from the protein, fats, minerals, vitamins and bioactive components. We studied the effects of source of eggs in the retail market on fatty acids, lipid profiles and antioxidant status in eggs.MethodsEggs from four sources named A, B, C, and D in the retail market were collected to determine fatty acid, total lipid, and cholesterol profiles; hypocholesterolemic, atherogenic and thrombotic indices; antioxidant status (e.g., of malondialdehyde); and total antioxidant capacity in the whole edible parts of eggs (albumen + yolk) and egg yolk. Samples were collected four times and pooled over times to represent 5 and 10 samples per source for determinations of fatty acids and determinations of lipid profiles and antioxidant status, respectively.ResultsFatty acid, total lipid, and cholesterol profiles; hypocholesterolemic, atherogenic and thrombotic indices; presence of malondialdehyde; and total antioxidant capacity in the whole edible parts of eggs and egg yolk showed significant differences (P ≥ 0.05) among different sources of eggs in retail market. Source D showed higher levels of saturated fatty acids (SFA) and linoleic and monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA)/polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) ratio but lower levels of MUFA and linolenic, arachidonic, eicosapentaeonic (EPA), decohexaenoic (DHA), and total ω9 fatty acids and lower unsaturated fatty acids (UFA)/SFA ratio. Similar trend was shown in fatty acids profiles of the whole edible parts of eggs. On the other hand, total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein (LDL), LDL/high density lipoprotein (HDL) ratio, and atherogenic and thrombogenic indices and total antioxidant capacity of source D were significantly higher than those of other source, but levels of hypocholesterolemic index, and malondialdehyde levels were lower for source D.ConclusionEggs in the retail market in Jeddah city, Saudi Arabia, from May to August 2015 showed a different pattern of fatty acid and cholesterol profiles; hypocholesterolemic, atherogenic, and thrombogenic indices; and antioxidant status, which might reflect the nutritional and husbandry practice of laying hens. This can affect the nutritional values of eggs, and hence, customer benefits, suggesting the need for standardization and quality control based on nutrient index values.

Effect of different dietary concentrations of brown marine algae (Sargassum dentifebium) prepared by different methods on plasma and yolk lipid profiles, yolk total carotene and lutein plus zeaxanthin of laying hens

The effect of different concentrations (0%, 3% and 6%) of brown marine algae (BMA, Sargassum dentifebium) prepared according to different methods (sun-dried, SBMA; boiled, BBMA; autoclaved, ABMA) on plasma and yolk lipid profiles, carotene, and lutein plus zeaxanthin in egg yolks was studied in hens aged from 23 to 42 weeks (30 hens per treatment). We determined the fatty acid profiles in BMA and in the egg yolk of hens fed different levels of BMA prepared according to different methods. In addition, plasma and yolk lipid profiles, yolk total carotene, and lutein plus zeaxanthin were determined at week 42 of age. Plasma and yolk cholesterol were significantly lower in groups fed diets containing either 3% or 6% BMA than in the control group, but high-density lipoprotein (HDL) significantly decreased as BMA concentration increased. There was a significant similar decline in yolk triglycerides with inclusion of either 3% or 6% BMA in the laying hen diet. Palmitic acid was the main saturated fatty acid (SFA) found in BMA and oleic acid (omega-9) and linoleic acid (omega-6) were the main unsaturated fatty acids (UFA), while there was a significant increase in palmitic acid in egg yolk when BMA was included at 6%. There was a significant increase in oleic acid (omega-9) when feed containing 3% BMA was given compared to the control group, but this decreased with a further increase in BMA. Linoleic acid (omega-6) also significantly decreased with inclusion of either 3% or 6% BMA. There was a significant increase in total carotene and lutein plus zeaxanthin in the laying hen eggs as a result of feeding diets containing 3% and 6% BMA.

The Effect of Natural and Synthetic Antioxidants on Performance, Egg Quality and Blood Constituents of Laying Hens Grown Under High Ambient Temperature

A total of 216 laying hens was kept at high ambient temperature (32±4°C, 60% relative humidity) from week 24 to 32 of age. Birds were divided in 8 treatments with 9 replicates of 3 hens each. The groups were fed the same basal diet and submitted to these dietary treatments: control, un-supplemented; green tea (GT), fed GT at 1 g/kg diet; brown marine algae (BMA), fed BMA at 1 g/kg diet; vitamin E (vit. E), fed vit. E at 300 mg/kg diet; GT+BMA, fed GT and BMA at 1 g/kg of each; GT+vit. E, fed GT and vit. E at 1 g and 300 mg/kg, respectively; BMA+vit. E, fed BMA and vit. E at 1 g and 300 mg/kg, respectively. Feeding BMA at 0.1% increased laying rate by 1.2% and improved feed conversion ratio by 5.2% compared to the control. Vitamin E significantly increased shell thickness by 6.6% and Haugh unit by 4.6% compared to the control. In addition, BMA+vit. E or GT+vit. E increased yolk colour by 9.1 and 10.7%, and Haugh unit of stored eggs by 10.9 and 11.1%. Cholesterol of fresh eggs and plasma were significantly decreased by 16.0 and 9.4% due to supplementation with BMA, and by 19.2 and 8.1% with vit. E addition. Plasma phosphorus increased by 19.1% after vit. E+BMA supplementation. In conclusion, use of BMA or vit. E or GT in laying hens diets which grow under heat stress is recommended as it improves production performance and egg quality.

Blood Hematological and Biochemical Constituents, Antioxidant Enzymes, Immunity and Lymphoid Organs of Broiler Chicks Supplemented with Propolis, Bee Pollen and Mannan Oligosaccharides Continuously or Intermittently

&NA; This study investigate the effect of bee pollen (BP) and/or propolis (Pro) as an alternative to Mannan oligosaccharides (Bio‐MOS, a hydrolyzed yeast with natural and artificial flavors Alltech Inc) when given continuously or intermittently on antioxidant enzymes, immunity, weight and morphology of lymphoid organs of broilers. Thus, 324 unsexed one‐day‐old Arbor Acres broilers were randomly distributed into nine treatment groups, each replicated 6 times of 6 birds per replicate. The chicks were kept in wire cages and fed the same basal diet and were submitted to the following treatments: control without supplementation (control) or supplemented with BP at 300 mg, Pro at 300 mg, BP+Pro at 300 mg each and Bio‐MOS at 0.5 g/kg diet. Each supplemented group was subdivided into two subgroups in which the additives were supplied continuously or intermittently. In the continuously supplemented groups, supplementations were given from one till 36 days of age, and in the intermittently supplemented groups, the administration was only three days before, on the day of and day after vaccination. The BP and Pro supplied continuously or intermittently was equally potent for improving immunity, antioxidant enzymes similar to Bio‐MOS. All supplements supplied either continuously or intermittently resulted a significantly higher thymus (P < .04) and bursa weights (P < .001) than the control group. Combining BP with Pro resulted in a further increase in thymus weights and small follicle diameter compared to the control group. In addition, thymus percentage in the group received BP+Pro showed a further increase compared to the control and Pro supplemented intermittently. Bio‐MOS, when supplied continuously or intermittently, resulted in the greatest response in splenic lymphoblasts. Supplementation with either BP or Pro intermittently, is adequate to promote health and immune response of broiler chicks, with 40% saving of supplementation costs.