Rab Nawaz Soomro

Quercetin: Nutritional and beneficial effects in poultry

Flavonoids are natural compounds derived from fruits, vegetables and medicinal plants. These compounds have been reported to possess various biological actions including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, growth promoter, antiviral, hepatoprotective, antibacterial, antiallergic, anticarcinogenic, antithrombotic and immunomodulator activities in various animals and poultry species. Quercetin is found in various foods such as vegetables, tea, fruits, wine apples and onions and is known to exert positive effects on poultry production and health. Since, quercetin enhances the immune system by stimulating lymphocytes, macrophages and IgY antibody production and improving natural killer cell activity, lymphoid organs (spleen, thymus and bursa) weights as well as activating the cytokines profile, its supplementation can lead to a state of immune alertness and a lower incidence of infections and diseases. In addition, it affects the dendritic cells (DCs) that play an important role in adaptive and innate immunity. Quercetin revokes the ability of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated dendritic cells to induce specific T cell activation and reduce the cytotoxicity in both in vivo and in vitro studies, suggesting quercetin works as an immunosuppressive agent. As immune function is crucial for poultry productivity and prosperity, this review elucidates the potential nutritional effects and health benefits of quercetin on poultry as a replacer for traditional immune boosters and growth promoters. It includes the antiviral activity of quercetin against influenza A virus, rhinovirus (caused common cold), adenovirus (source of necrotic pancreatitis in broilers) and suggests its role in counteracting heavy metal toxicity. However, further studies on molecular basis are required to understand mode of action, beneficial applications as a natural feed additive, growth promoter and immune enhancer, beside the side effects of this compound in poultry.

Considering choline as methionine precursor, lipoproteins transporter, hepatic promoter and antioxidant agent in dairy cows

During the transition period, fatty liver syndrome may be caused in cows undergo negative energy balance, ketosis or hypocalcemia, retained placenta or mastitis problems. During the transition stage, movement of non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) increases into blood which declines the hepatic metabolism or reproduction and consequently, lactation performance of dairy cows deteriorates. Most of studies documented that, choline is an essential nutrient which plays a key role to decrease fatty liver, NEFA proportion, improve synthesis of phosphatidylcholine, maintain lactation or physiological function and work as anti-oxidant in the transition period of dairy cows. Also, it has a role in the regulation of homocysteine absorption through betaine metabolite which significantly improves plasma α-tocopherol and interaction among choline, methionine and vitamin E. Many studies reported that, supplementation of rumen protected form of choline during transition time is a sustainable method as rumen protected choline (RPC) perform diverse functions like, increase glucose level or energy balance, fertility or milk production, methyl group metabolism, or signaling of cell methionine expansion or methylation reactions, neurotransmitter synthesis or betaine methylation, increase transport of lipids or lipoproteins efficiency and reduce NEFA or triacylglycerol, clinical or sub clinical mastitis and general morbidity in the transition dairy cows. The purpose of this review is that to elucidate the choline importance and functions in the transition period of dairy cows and deal all morbidity during transition or lactation period. Furthermore, further work is needed to conduct more studies on RPC requirements in dairy cows ration under different feeding conditions and also to elucidate the genetic and molecular mechanisms of choline in ruminants industry.

The impacts of dietary Nigella sativa meal and Avizyme on growth, nutrient digestibility and blood metabolites of meat-type quail

The present study was performed to evaluate the effect of varying proportion of Nigella sativa meal (NSM) in the diets with or without Avizyme supplementation on growing Japanese quail performance. A 4 × 2 factorial experiment was conducted including four levels of NSM (0%, 10%, 15% and 20% of the diet) and two levels of dietary Avizyme supplementation (0 or 0.5 g/kg diet) through the growing period (1–6 weeks of age). A total number of 600 unsexed 1-week-old Japanese quail chicks were randomly distributed into eight treatment groups. The effects of NSM inclusion levels were highly significant (P < 0.01) on the values of live bodyweight, daily bodyweight gain and daily feed intake at all periods studied. The incorporation of 10% NSM of the diet recorded the best values of live bodyweight and daily bodyweight gain compared with the Control and other NSM levels. Quail fed diets contained 10% or 15% NSM had higher (P < 0.01) daily feed intake than those in the Control, but feed conversion ratio was not statistically affected at all studied ages. All carcass traits studied were significantly (P < 0.01) affected by feeding the NSM diet. The digestion coefficients of dry matter, organic matter, crude protein, ether extract and nitrogen-free extract were significantly (P < 0.01 or P < 0.05) increased in chicks fed diets containing 10% NSM as compared with the Control. Quail fed diets including 10% or 15% NSM had increased serum concentrations of total protein, albumin and a higher A : G ratio. All serum lipid constituents except high density lipoprotein were at lower (P < 0.01) concentrations in blood serum of quail fed diets containing NSM. Using NSM at level of 20% of the diet had a negative impact on growth, carcass characteristics, and nutrient digestibility. Neither Avizyme supplementation alone nor the interaction between NSM and Avizyme had any statistically impact on all studied parameters. It can be concluded that NSM could be included in growing quail diets up to 15% without any Avizyme supplementation to support growth performance and feed utilisation, however higher NSM levels negatively affected performance, carcass traits and nutrient digestibility.

Productive performance, egg quality, hematological parameters and serum chemistry of laying hens fed diets supplemented with certain fat-soluble vitamins individually or combined during summer season

This present study aimed to determine the efficacy of supplementing layer diets with vitamin A (0, 8,000 and 16,000 IU/kg diet) and vitamin E (0, 250 and 500 mg/kg diet) either individually or in combination on egg production and quality, and blood hematology and chemistry of birds reared under summer conditions. A total of 135 Bovans Brown laying hens were distributed to 9 treatment groups with 5 replicates of 3 hens/pen in a 3 × 3 factorial design. A significant improvement in feed conversion ratio (FCR) was observed as supplementary vitamin A or E increased (P ≤ 0.01). Hens fed diets supplemented with 16,000 IU vitamin A plus 500 mg vitamin E/kg diet had the best FCR among all groups. Egg quality traits were not significantly affected by the interaction of vitamin A and vitamin E levels. There was a significant increase in monocytes (P ≤ 0.01) and a decrease in basophils counts (P ≤ 0.05) in response to vitamin E. Significant decreases were observed in packed cell volume (PCV), thyroxine (T4), alanine transferase (ALT), albumin, total cholesterol and total lipids ( (P ≤ 0.05 or P ≤ 0.01) P ≤ 0.01) , and increases were observed in serum concentrations of globulin (P ≤ 0.05) and calcium (P ≤ 0.01) due to vitamin A. The combination of 0 IU vitamin A and 500 mg vitamin E/kg diet had the highest values of PCV (40.09%) and hemoglobin (Hb) (10.33 mg/100 mL) among all groups. Vitamin E raised serum values of total protein, total cholesterol and total lipids (P ≤ 0.05 or P ≤ 0.01). Feed intake, FCR, PCV, Hb, lymphocytes, monocytes, eosinophils, T4, ALT and total protein were significantly affected by the interaction of vitamins A and E (P ≤ 0.05 or P ≤ 0.01). The interaction of vitamins A and E was only significant with respect to serum total protein (P ≤ 0.05). It can be concluded that layer diets supplemented with vitamins A and E had good results in alleviating the harmful impacts of high ambient temperature. The combination of 16,000 IU vitamin A and 500 mg vitamin E per kilogram diet is preferable for obtaining better production of laying hens reared under hot summer conditions.

15N-Leucine: Health benefits, applications and issues related to ileal endogenous amino acid losses in poultry

Having accurate data for ileal amino acid digestibility of a feed ingredient is one of the ways to enhance protein and nitrogen utilisation, improve poultry feeding efficiency, and mitigate ammonia emission and pollution in the environment. Moreover, the precise estimation of endogenous amino acid losses (EAAL) depends on formulating diets on digestible amino acid (DAA) basis. Numerous methods have been reported to determine the endogenous fractions including the regression method, the protein-free diet, and the total digestible nitrogen diet. The EAAL determined by these techniques can help in calculated corrected values for amino acid digestibility, termed true digestibility. Certain dietary components that can be called ‘specific losses’ could lead to higher losses than the basal calculation would indicate. To determine the basal plus specific losses (total endogenous losses), some researchers suggested the 15N-dilution method, which allows the determination of the actual digestibility. This method needs more studies and evaluations because there are some controversial issues about this methodology, such as the validity of the 15N-dilution technique when applied to any amino acid or to total nitrogen, the reference pool for the estimation of the labelling of endogenous fractions/secretions, anti-nutritional agents, the effect of bird age, mucin, different cereal grains, as well as the marker itself and the proper assessment. This review will be focused on the above issues, finding that the recently reported 15N isotopes single injection method could be an easy, time-saving, consistent, and reliable methodology for EAAL estimation in poultry.

Epidemiological study of tick infestation in buffalo of various regions of district Khairpur, Pakistan

Aim:: The aim of this study was to determine the epidemiological infestation and identification of Ixodidae and Argasidae ticks species in buffalo of different parts of district Khairpur, Pakistan. Materials and Methods:: A total of 720 Water buffaloes from three tehsils (subdivisions) were selected randomly and examined from organized and unorganized dairy farms for tick infestation in district Khairpur, Pakistan. This epidemiological survey was conducted during April to September 2015. Results:: The overall mean population and preferred site of tick attachment to infested animals, in Gambat, Sobhodero, and Kot Diji tehsils, were observed on different body parts. The primary body area of infestation by ticks (head, thorax, abdomen, udder, and tail) ranged from highest in tail and udder part compared to lowest in the abdomen, head, and thorax. In all study areas, the infestation was higher (p<0.05) in tail and udder than other parts of the body. In all the study areas, the overall highest population was found in the month of July. In addition, we first time identify four new species of ticks (Hyalomma anatolicum, H. anatolicum excavatum, Hyalomma Ixodes excavatum, and Ixodes ricinus) in district Khairpur, Pakistan. Conclusion:: Results of this study provide additional information of epidemiological tick infestation, and will be helpful for evolving effective control policy for the management of tick infestation in study district.

The 15N-leucine single-injection method allows for determining endogenous losses and true digestibility of amino acids in cecectomized roosters

This study was conducted to assess the influence of dietary protein content in poultry when using the 15N-leucine single-injection method to determine endogenous amino acid losses (EAALs) in poultry. Forty-eight cecectomized roosters (2.39 ± 0.23 kg) were randomly allocated to eight dietary treatments containing protein levels of 0, 3%, 6%, 9%, 12%, 15%, 18% and 21%. Each bird was precisely fed an experimental diet of 25 g/kg of body weight. After feeding, all roosters were subcutaneously injected with a 15N-leucine solution at a dose of 20 mg/kg of body weight. Blood was sampled 23 h after the injection, and excreta samples were continuously collected during the course of the 48-h experiment. The ratio of 15N-enrichment of leucine in crude mucin to free leucine in plasma ranged from 0.664 to 0.763 and remained relatively consistent (P > 0.05) across all treatments. The amino acid (AA) profiles of total endogenous AAs, except isoleucine, alanine, aspartic acid, cysteine, proline and serine, were not influenced (P > 0.05) by dietary protein contents. The predominant endogenous AAs in the excreta were glutamic acid, aspartic acid, threonine, serine and proline. The order of the relative proportions of these predominant AAs also remained relatively constant (P > 0.05). The endogenous losses of total AAs determined with the 15N-leucine single-injection method increased curvilinearly with the dietary protein contents. The true digestibility of most AAs and total AAs was independent of their respective dietary protein levels. Collectively, the 15N-leucine single-injection method is appropriate for determining EAALs and the true digestibility of AAs in poultry fed varying levels of protein-containing ingredients.

Effects of Dietary Fat Supplementation on Hematology and Growth Trait in Broiler Chickens

| A study was conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary fat supplementation in broiler diet and analyze the effects on blood cholesterol levels and growth traits. A total of 240 broilers, equally divided in four groups A, B, C and D (n=60 chicks in each group) and fed on diet with 3.5%, 4.5%, 5.5% and 6.5% of fat, respectively. The completely randomized block design was used to perform this experiment from day first to 6 week. The results revealed that average feed intake of broiler in groups A, B, C and D was 4527.80, 4378.87, 4335.88 and 4298.76 g/b; average water intake about 17.63, 17.10, 18.38 and 19.39 liter/b; live body weight1926.81, 2182.26, 2228.86 2267.94 g/b; FCR-2.32, 1.99, 1.94 and 1.89; carcass weight-1117.45, 1318.82, 1354.81 and 1387.83 g/b; dressing percentage-58.17, 60.53, 61.21 and 61.29, respectively. The blood cholesterol level was 49.85, 104.45, 81.60 and 95.12 mg/dL; the fat % in muscles was 5.69, 6.09, 7.32 and 7.83 % respectively. The increasing level of fat, the feed consumption was decreased, but water intake was increased and broiler gained more weight as compared to lower dietary fat levels. The FCR improved simultaneously with increasing dietary fat levels (P<0.002). The carcass weight and subsequent dressing percentage increased with increasing fat level, but differences were non-significant (P>0.05) when fat level used beyond 4.5%. The weight of internal edible and non-edible organs increased with increasing dietary fat levels. It was demonstrated that ration containing 6.5% fat fed to broiler for better growth performance and production.

Study on growth potential of Thalli and Sipli breeds of sheep on different rations.

A study was carried out to evaluate the comparative nutritive value of cotton seed cake and cotton seed meal in Thalli and Sipli breeds to assess their fattening potential. 60 male lambs, 30 each of Thalli (T) and Sipli (S) of almost equal weight and age were selected. Lambs of each breed were further sub-divided into two equal groups of 15 animals each TA, TB, SA and SB. Each group consisted of three replicates of 5 animals each. Two isocaloric and isonitrogenous experimental rations i.e. A and B were formulated using cottonseed cake and cotton seed meal as major vegetable protein source. Ration A was allotted to group TA and SA; and ration B was allotted to TB and SB. The effect of feeding cottonseed cake and cottonseed meal on the growth rate, feed consumption and feed utilization was recorded. There was non-significant difference in fattening potential between both breeds. However, there was an increasing tendency in fattening potential for Thalli than Sipli lambs. Nevertheless, there was significant increase in feed consumption of lambs fed on ration A containing cotton seed cake. The digestibility of ether extract was significantly higher for ration B containing cotton seed meal and there was non-significant increasing tendency for the digestibility of crude ash in experimental ration B on both breeds of sheep. It might be attributed to the poor condensed palatability of cotton seed meal as compared to cotton seed cake.