Umar Amin

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.

Delayed peracute capture myopathy in a Himalayan Ibex Capra sibirica (Mammalia: Cetartiodactyla: Bovidae)

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Clinicopathology of sodium bicarbonate induced gout in broiler chicken model

Clinicopathological changes due to sodium bicarbonate induced gout in broiler chickens were investigated. Seven-day old broiler chickens were randomly divided into 3 groups (n=12). Group I served as vehicle-treated control, Group II and III were given sodium bicarbonate @ 2.5% and 5% respectively, in drinking water. Clinical signs developed progressively from 4th day of the exposure. 25% and 58.33% mortality was recorded in Group II and III, respectively. Deposits of chalky white urates were prominently seen in kidneys, liver, heart and proventriculus. Histopathological lesions included severe degeneration and necrosis of renal tubules and heterophil infiltrations; large focal areas of coagulative necrosis, congestion of central vein, fatty change and periportal and paraportal lymphoid infiltrations in liver; degeneration of cardiac muscles; and congestion and serous exudate in parabronchi of lungs. Thymus revealed severe congestion, degeneration and necrosis of lymphoid tissue with serofibrinous exudate. Massons Trichrome stain revealed fibrosis in kidneys, liver, heart and lung tissues, whereas De Galanthas stain showed urate deposits as tophi or amorphous material.

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.