Monika Łukasiewicz

Nanoparticles of Copper Stimulate Angiogenesis at Systemic and Molecular Level

Copper is a key element affecting blood vessel growth and muscle development. However, the ions released from Cu salts are toxic. Given their specific physicochemical properties, nanoparticles of Cu (NanoCu) may have different bioactivity and affect the development of blood vessel and muscles in a different manner than Cu salts. The objective of the study was to evaluate the influence of NanoCu on embryo development and angiogenesis at the systemic and molecular level, in experiments using a chick embryo model. Fertilized chicken eggs were divided into a control group, and groups injected with a placebo, CuSO4 or NanoCu. Embryo development at the whole body level and molecular indices using an embryo chorioallantoic membrane model were measured during embryogenesis. The present study indicated for the first time that NanoCu have pro-angiogenic properties at the systemic level, to a greater degree than CuSO4 salt. The properties of NanoCu were confirmed at the molecular level, demonstrating significant effects on mRNA concentration and on mRNA gene expression of all pro-angiogenic and pro-proliferative genes measured herein.

In ovo administration of copper nanoparticles and copper sulfate positively influences chicken performance.

BACKGROUND Copper (Cu) is a key trace mineral involved in a variety of physiological processes, and is commonly used in poultry production. However, regardless of the inclusion level the majority of Cu is excreted with poultry faeces. We hypothesise that in ovo administration will allow for better utilisation of Cu during embryo development than when supplied post-natally with feed to growing chickens. Thus, the objective of this study was to evaluate effects of in ovo administration of NanoCu and copper sulfate (CuSO4 ) on broiler chicken performance. RESULTS The study showed the positive influences of Cu nanoparticles and CuSO4 on broiler chickens performance. Body weight, at the end of the rearing period (day 42) was significantly higher in NanoCu (2206 g) and CuSO4 (2402 g) groups compared to the control group (2000 g). Both treatment groups had significantly lower feed conversion rate and mortality, and higher percentage of breast and leg muscles in the carcass versus control. CONCLUSION The in ovo application of Cu colloids may ensure an efficient penetration of Cu into the embryonic tissue with long lasting effects on postnatal growth. The method may provide a successful alternative to using Cu as a feed additive.

Comparison of Selected Quality Attributes of Chicken Meat as Affected by Rearing Systems

Abstract The objective of this study was to establish the effect of rearing conditions of slowly-growing Hubbard JA 957 chickens on selected quality attributes of their meat. Birds from the control group (C) were kept on litter over the entire rearing period, whereas these from the experimental group (E) - with access to free range since the 4th week of life. The birds were slaughtered on day 63, and collected samples of breast muscles were assayed for proximate chemical composition, technological properties, and fatty acid profile in intramuscular fat. The study demonstrated no significant differences in the chemical composition of muscles depending on rearing systems. Meat of chickens using free range was characterized by higher shear force (P≤0.01), which shows that it is tougher than the meat of chickens which do not use the free range. No significant differences were seen in physicochemical values when it comes to different systems of rearing. The access to free range has no influence on fatty acid formation either. The lack of significant differences indicates that the system of rearing has a minor effect on the quality of poultry meat.

Meat quality and the histological structure of breast and leg muscles in Ayam Cemani chickens, Ayam Cemani × Sussex hybrids and slow-growing Hubbard JA 957 chickens

BACKGROUND The purpose of this study was to determine the quality of meat and the histological structure of muscles of Ayam Cemani chickens, Ayam Cemani × Sussex hybrids and slow-growing Hubbard JA 957 chickens and to examine whether crossing generally available Sussex chickens with little available Ayam Cemani gives a good quality product of interest to the poultry industry and in food technology. RESULTS The size of breast and leg muscle fibers varied among genotypes. The breast and leg muscles of slow-growing Hubbard JA 957 chickens had the largest fiber diameter. The histological and biochemical properties of muscles, including the type, number, proportions, diameter and metabolic profile of fibers, had a significant effect on the pH and water-binding capacity of meat, thus affecting its quality. The muscle fibers of Ayam Cemani chickens were approximately half the size of the muscle fibers of Hubbard JA 957 chickens. Ayam Cemani and Ayam Cemani × Sussex gave a product of as good quality as Hubbard JA 957 chickens. CONCLUSION Meat from Ayam Cemani chickens is a rich source of protein and could be highly valued by gourmet consumers, connoisseurs and dieticians for its rarity and originality. The results of this study show that genotype (Ayam Cemani, Ayam Cemani × Sussex, Hubbard JA 957) affected the quality and color of meat and the histological profile of chicken breast and leg muscles.

Effect of copper nanoparticles administered in ovo on the activity of proliferating cells and on the resistance of femoral bones in broiler chickens

ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to evaluate bone resistance after in ovo administration of copper nanoparticles (NanoCu) and to determine the number of cells positive for proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) in the femoral bones of broiler chickens (n = 12 per group). The study demonstrated that femoral bones from the NanoCu group were characterised by a higher weight and volume and by significantly greater resistance to fractures compared to the Control group. NanoCu promoted the proliferation of PCNA-positive cells in the long bones of chickens. A significantly higher number of PCNA-positive cells in the bones of birds in the NanoCu group compared with the Control group (137 and 122, respectively) indicate a stimulatory effect during embryogenesis. Considering the improvement in bone resistance to fractures and the effect of NanoCu on the number of PCNA-positive cells in femoral bones, NanoCu may be an alternative agent to minimise the ever-present problem of weak bones in broiler chickens.

Effect of copper nanoparticles on the mineral content of tissues and droppings, and growth of chickens

ABSTRACT We hypothesised that copper nanoparticles (NanoCu), because of their high physicochemical reactivity and bioavailability, could be used in much smaller quantities than bulk Cu, consequently reducing excretion of Cu into the environment. The objective of the study was to evaluate the effects of various levels of NanoCu on the development and growth of broiler chickens, in order to establish an optimum level of NanoCu dietary supplementation. Broiler chickens were randomly divided into five groups of 10 birds each. The control group received 7.5 mg Cu/kg feed (standard level) as CuSO4, while groups fed with complexes of NanoCu and starch received 25%, 50%, 75% and 100% of the standard level of Cu used in the control group. Chicken growth and excretion of Cu, Fe and Zn were measured during the growth period from d 7 to 42. At d 42, the slaughter characteristics, the content of Cu, Fe and Zn in the breast muscle and liver, and the oxidative status were analysed. The results indicate that using NanoCu can reduce the standard level of Cu from CuSO4 supplementation by 75% without jeopardising animal growth, and at the same time significantly decreasing Cu excretion into the environment.

β‐Alanine as a factor influencing the content of bioactive dipeptides in muscles of Hubbard Flex chickens

BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to determine the effect of various doses of β-alanine administered in feed mixtures and of heat treatment on changes in the contents of dipeptides anserine and carnosine in meat of fast-growing Hubbard Flex chickens. RESULTS The study demonstrated a significant effect of dietary administration of β-alanine on anserine content in breast muscles and on carnosine content in leg muscles of the chickens. A successive increase in dipeptide content was observed with increasing β-alanine content in the feed mixture. As a result of heat treatment, a significant (P ≤ 0.01) increase was observed in the anserine content of both breast and leg muscles: over twofold higher anserine content was detected in heat-treated muscles compared with raw muscles. The study showed that interesting effects might occur during β-alanine administration to feed mixtures for chickens, especially including increased contents of anserine and carnosine in skeletal muscles of the birds. CONCLUSION Taking into account the well-documented health-promoting effect of histidine dipeptides and possibilities of increasing their contents in the body by supplementation with β-alanine, anserine and carnosine might be considered as potential components of functional foods.

Influence of feed additives used in prevention of coccidiosis on the quality of enteric microflora of fast-growing and slowgrowing chickens / Wpływ wybranych dodatków paszowych stosowanych w profilaktyce kokcydiozy na jakość mikroflory jelit kurcząt szybko i wolno rosnących

Abstract The experiment was conducted on 480 Hubbard Flex chickens (fast-growing) reared to 42 days of age and 480 Hubbard JA 957 chickens (slow-growing) reared to 63 day of age. Day-old chicks were randomly assigned to the three following groups according to the type of coccidiostat: C (control - no coccidiostat in the diet and birds not vaccinated against coccidiosis), A (plant coccidiostat adiCox® AP), and M (monensin coccidiostat). At the end of rearing period the results of the controlled production were presented, the chickens were slaughtered and samples of their intestines were collected for microflora composition analyses. The obtained results show that rearing time influenced the composition of enteric microflora (small intestine and blind gut). Moreover, a higher total count of bacteria was stated in intestinal digesta of the slow-growing chickens that were kept for three weeks longer than the Hubbard Flex chickens. The study also proved a positive influence of the diet on the quantitative composition of enteric microflora. The lowest count of mesophilic bacteria and those from the Enterobacteriaceae family was observed in the chickens receiving adiCox® AP compared to the chickens of the control group and those receiving monensin. Streszczenie Doświadczenie przeprowadzono na 480 kurczętach szybko rosnących Hubbard Flex, które utrzymywano do 42 dnia życia i 480 kurczętach wolno rosnących Hubbard JA 957, odchowywanych do 63 dnia życia. Jednodniowe pisklęta przydzielono losowo do 3 grup żywieniowych w 4 powtórzeniach: K (kontrolna - nie zawierała kokcydiostatyku w diecie i kurczęta nie były szczepione przeciwko kokcydiozie), A (kokcydiostatyk roślinny - adiCox® AP), M (kokcydiostatyk w paszy - monenzyna). Po zakończeniu odchowu, skontrolowano wyniki produkcyjne oraz od kurcząt z każdej grupy pobrano wycinki jelit do dalszych badań mikrobiologicznych. Wykazano wpływ czasu odchowu kurcząt na skład mikroflory treści jelita cienkiego i ślepego; ponadto stwierdzono większą ogólną liczebność bakterii w treści jelit kurcząt wolno rosnących, które utrzymywane były dłużej o 3 tygodnie, w porównaniu z kurczętami Hubbard Flex. Zaobserwowano pozytywny wpływ diety na stan ilościowy mikroflory jelita cienkiego. Najmniejszą liczebność bakterii mezofilnych oraz z rodziny Enterobacteriaceae wykazano w grupie otrzymującej w diecie preparat roślinny, w porównaniu z kurczętami z grupy kontrolnej i otrzymującej monenzynę.