Yasemin Öznurlu

Use of yeast cell walls and Yucca schidigera extract in layer hens' diets

This research was conducted to determine the impact of diet supplementation with yeast cell walls (YCW) and Yucca schidigera extract (YE) on performance, egg weight, specific gravity, body weight, and intestinal tissue histology in layer hens. White, 48-week-old, Hyline hybrid hens (n=320) were divided into four main groups, each comprising eight groups of 10 hens: (1) control, (2) 500 mg/kg YCW added, (3) 500 mg/kg YE added and (4) 250 mg/kg YE plus 2500 mg/kg YCW added. While the egg production and feed intake of the hens was significantly affected, overall feed efficiency, damaged-egg ratio, dirty-egg ratio, egg weight and specific gravity did not differ between the control group and the YCW, YE or YCW+YE groups. Final body weight was higher in the YCW, YE and YCW+YE groups than in the control group. There were differences in the width, muscle layer thickness and height/crypt depth ratio of the duodenal villus and the width of the ileal villus among the four groups. It can be concluded that YCW and YCW+YE supplementation for layer hens are beneficial for egg production.

Histochemical and histological evaluations of the effects of high incubation temperature on embryonic development of thymus and bursa of Fabricius in broiler chickens

1. The effects of experimentally induced heat-stress on the embryonic development of bursa of Fabricius and thymus of the chicken were investigated by means of histological and enzyme histochemical methods. 2. In the experiments, 250 fertile eggs of the Ross 308 broiler strain were divided into two groups. The control eggs were maintained under optimal conditions (37⋅8°C and 65 ± 2% relative humidity, RH) during the whole incubation period. Heat stressed eggs were maintained under normal conditions (37⋅8°C and 65 ± 2% RH) until the 10th d of incubation and then exposed continuously (24 h per d) to high temperature (38⋅8°C and 65 ± 2% RH). Blood and tissue samples were taken from 10 animals of each group at d 13, 15, 18 and 21 of incubation and at d 2, 4 and 7 post-hatch. Tissue samples were processed for enzyme histochemical methods in addition to routine histological techniques. 3. The results revealed that egg temperatures were higher than incubator air temperature. Long-term heat-stress (40⋅1–40⋅6°C egg temperature) retarded development of thymus and bursa of Fabricius. Peripheral blood ACP-ase and ANAE-positive lymphocyte levels of heat-stressed animals were lower than in the controls. 4. These results give some morphological evidence for immunosuppression induced by high temperature exposure during the embryonic development. Temperature distribution and air circulation in incubator should be questioned in the case of lower broiler flock immunity.

Effects of Echinacea extract on the performance, antibody titres, and intestinal histology of layer chicks

1. This research was conducted to determine the effect of diet supplementation with Echinacea extract (cichoric acid) on the growth performance, antibody titres and intestinal tissue histology of layer chicks. 2. White, 1-d-old, Hy-Line hybrid chicks (n = 540) were divided into three treatments, each consisting of 6 groups of 30 chicks (n = 180): (1) control; (2) 2·5 mg/kg cichoric-acid-fed; and (3) 5 mg/kg cichoric-acid-fed. The trial lasted 60 d. 3. While the growth performance of the chicks was depressed between d 1 and 45, it was found to improve between d 45 and 60. 4. Feed consumption was lower in both of the cichoric-acid-fed groups than in the control group between d 1–15 and 15–30, but was higher between d 30 and 45. Overall, mean feed consumption did not differ between the control and cichoric-acid-fed groups during the 60 d study period. 5. During the 60 d evaluation period, live weight gain, feed utilisation rate and final live weight were higher in the control group than in both of the cichoric-acid-fed groups. 6. Antibody titres against infectious bronchitis and infectious bursal disease did not differ between the three groups, but those for Newcastle disease were higher in the 2·5 mg/kg cichoric-acid-fed group than in the control group after 45 d. 7. Height and width of the jejunal villus and the thickness of the muscle layer were lower in the 5 mg/kg cichoric-acid-fed group than in both the control and the 2·5 mg/kg cichoric-acid-fed groups. The height of the ileal villus was also lower in the 5 mg/kg cichoric-acid-fed group than in the other two groups. 8. Echinacea extract supplementation for layer chicks appears not to benefit growth performance and intestinal histology during the growing period.

Histological and histochemical evaluations on the effects of high incubation temperature on the embryonic development of tibial growth plate in broiler chickens

The effects of experimentally induced high incubation temperature on the embryonic development of growth plate of the chicken were investigated by means of histological and enzyme histochemical methods. In the experiments, 250 fertile eggs of Ross‐308 broiler strain were divided into two groups, the control eggs were maintained under optimal conditions (37.8°C and 65% ± 2% relative humidity, rh) during the whole incubation period. Heat‐stress imposed eggs were maintained under normal conditions (37.8°C and 65% ± 2% rh) until the 10th day of incubation, and then, continuously (24 h per day) exposed to high temperature (38.8°C and 65% ± 2% rh). Tissue samples were taken from 10 animals of each group at the 11th, 13th, 15th, 18th, 21st days of incubation. Tissue samples were processed by enzyme histochemical methods in addition to routine histological techniques. The relative tibia weights and tibia length were lower in the heat‐stress group compared to the control group. The results of the measurements of the growth plate showed that the proliferative zone was narrowed whereas, the transitional and hypertrophic zone were thickened in the heat stress group. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) density was significantly decreased in the heat‐stress group compared to the control group. In conclusion, bone formation and growth plate formation are crucial for embryo development and 1°C higher from optimum may increase the incidence of skeletal disorders and leg problems in broiler chickens which is one of the major animal welfare concerns for the poultry industry. Microsc. Res. Tech. 79:106–110, 2016.

The effect of acrylamide on alpha-naphthyl acetate esterase enzyme in blood circulating lymphocytes and gut associated lymphoid tissues in rats.

The aim of this study is to determine the functional effects of the acrylamide (AA) administrated by oral gavage on the peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) and the Gut Associated Lymphoid Tissue (GALT) in male Sprague-Dawley rats using alpha-naphthyl acetate esterase (ANAE) demonstration. For this purpose, two separate experiments were performed with Sprague Dawley rats. In Experiment-I rats were gavaged with 0, 30, 45 and 60 mg/kgb.w. AA for five consecutive days and in Experiment-II rats were gavaged with 0, 125, 150, and 175 mg/kg/b.w. AA for single oral dose. Animals were sacrificed 24 h after the last treatments in both experiments by servical dislocations under ether anaesthesia. Blood samples were collected from the heart in heparinized (10 UI heparin/ml(-1) of the blood) tubes before sacrification and lymphoid tissue samples from the ileal Peyers patches (IPPs) were taken and processed for histochemical demonstration of ANAE following the sacrification. The lymphoid follicles of the IPPs of animals given 125, 150 and 175 mg/kgb.w. AA were markedly reduced in size. Germinal centres (GCs) markedly regressed in AA-treated animals compared with those of controls. ANAE-positive lymphocyte depletion of IPPs was very prominent in the high doses AA-treated animals. In the animals treated with 30, 45, and 60 mg/kg b.w. AA, the IPPs had similar histology to those of the controls. ANAE-positive peripheral blood lymphocyte levels significantly decreased in AA exposed groups in a dose dependent manner (p<0.05). In conclusion, AA has detrimental effects on peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) and the Gut Associated Lymphoid Tissue (GALT) in rats.

Immunohistochemical distribution of heat shock protein 70 and proliferating cell nuclear antigen in mouse placenta at different gestational stages.

The aim of the present study was to investigate immunohistochemical distribution of heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70) and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) in the mouse placenta at different gestational stages. For this purpose a total of 18 Swiss albino female mice at 12–14 weeks of age were used. Females were sacrificed on days 3 (early), 10 (mid‐), and 17 (late) of pregnancy and the implantation sites of the pregnant uterus were sampled. The sections were made transversely through the central region of the implantation site and stained with hematoxylin and eosin for histological examination. PCNA and Hsp70 was stained immunohistochemically. Since the definitive placenta was not still formed on day 3 of pregnancy, Hsp70 and PCNA positivity were evaluated in only luminal epithelium and decidual‐stromal cells. On days 10 and 17 of pregnancy, Hsp70 and PCNA positivity were evaluated in labyrinth zone, junctional zone and decidual layer of placenta. Hsp70 expression was observed trophoblast cells and decidual cells and was relatively constant throughout the pregnancy. This protein was strongly labeled in the trophoblast cells; while decidual cells were displayed moderate staining. In early pregnant mouse uteri, PCNA was mainly localized in decidual‐stromal cells. The trophoblast cells and decidual cells displayed highly proliferative activity at the midgestational period. However there was a significant decrease in the percentage of PCNA positive cells in late gestation. Microsc. Res. Tech. 79:251–257, 2016.

Histological and enzyme histochemical investigation of the hemal nodes of the hair goat

Abstract We investigated the structure of the hemal node in six healthy hair goats using histological and enzyme histochemical methods. After processing, tissue sections were stained with Crossmans trichrome, Gordon-Sweets silver and Pappenheims panoptic stains. Alpha-naphthyl acetate esterase (ANAE) and acid phosphatase (ACP-ase) were demonstrated in frozen sections. Hemal nodes were encapsulated by connective tissue and few smooth muscle cells. Several trabeculae originated from the capsule and extended into the hemal node. A subcapsular sinus was present beneath the capsule and was continuous with the deeper sinuses. Subcapsular and deep sinuses were filled with erythrocytes. The parenchyma consisted of lymphoid follicles, diffuse interfollicular lymphocytes and irregular wide lymphoid cords. Cortical and medullary regions were not distinct. ANAE (+) and ACP-ase (+) cells were located mainly in the germinal centers of the lymphoid follicles and also were scattered equally in the interfollicular region and lymphoid cords. Monocytes, macrophages and reticular cells displayed a diffuse positive reaction, whereas localized granular positivity was observed in lymphocytes. We demonstrated that the general structure of the hair goat hemal nodes is similar to that of other ruminant species.

Hematology and enzyme histochemistry of peripheral blood lymphocytes in domestic pigeon (Columba livia f. domestica)

Abstract The purpose of our study was to determine the percentages of alpha-naphthyl acetate esterase (ANAE)-positive and acid phosphatase (ACP)-positive peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) in both sexes of one-year-old domestic pigeons (Columba livia f. domestica). Blood samples obtained from 12 healthy domestic pigeons were used. The mean percentages of ANAE-positive PBL for females and males were 47.8% and 48.8%, respectively, whereas the mean percentages of ACP-positive PBL were 67.5% and 68.6%, respectively. The proportions of PBL were 49.3% and 48.6% in males and females, respectively.

Effects of adding yeast cell walls and Yucca schidigera extract to diets of layer chicks

1. This research was conducted to determine the impact of diet supplementation with yeast cell walls and Yucca schidigera extract on the growth performance, antibody titres, and intestinal tissue histology of layer chicks. 2. White, 1-d-old, Hy-Line hybrid chicks (n = 840) were divided into 4 main groups, each comprising 7 replicates of 30 chicks (n = 210): (1) control; (2) 1000 mg/kg yeast cell walls (YCW) added; (3) 1000 mg/kg Yucca schidigera extract (YE) added; and (4) 500 mg/kg YE + 500 mg/kg YCW added. The trial lasted 60 d. 3. Daily weight gain of the chicks was positively affected between d 45-60 in the YE and YCW + YE groups compared with the control group. 4. Overall, feed consumption did not differ between the control and YCW, YE, YCW + YE groups during the 60 d study period. Feed efficiency was better in the YE and YCW + YE groups than in the control group between d 1-60. 5. During the 60 d evaluation period, live weight gain, and final live weight were higher in YE and YCW + YE groups than in the control group. 6. Antibody titres against infectious bronchitis and infectious bursal disease did not differ among the 4 treatments, but those for Newcastle disease were higher in the YE + YCW groups than in the control, YCW and YE groups on d 45. 7. There were differences in intestinal histomorphometry between the 4 treatments. The height of the jejunal and ileal villi was greater in the YE and YCW + YE groups than in the control and YCW groups 8. It can be concluded that YCW and YE supplementation for layer chicks is beneficial for growth performance and intestinal histology during the 1-60 d growing period.

Effects of bisphenol A on antioxidant system and lipid profile in rats

Abstract We investigated the effects of bisphenol A (BPA) on antioxidant system enzymes, blood lipid profile and histologic structure of liver and pancreas in rats. We used 40 8-week-old male Wistar albino rats. The animals were divided into five groups of eight: control, vehicle, BPA-5, BPA-50 and BPA-500. BPA was dissolved in ethanol, then mixed with corn oil. The control group was untreated. The vehicle group was given the ethanol-corn oil mixture. The BPA 5, BPA 50 and BPA 500 groups were given 5, 50, and 500 µg/kg body weights/day, respectively. After 8 weeks, blood and tissue samples were obtained from the animals and plasma GSH, TBARS, SOD, GPx, CAT, NO, total cholesterol, triglyceride, HDL, LDL, insulin and glucose were measured. The sections were stained using histochemical and immunohistochemical methods. BPA significantly decreased the levels of GSH, SOD, GPx and CAT, and increased the levels of TBARS and NO in plasma. There was no significant difference among the groups in plasma insulin and glucose levels. The percentage of insulin immunoreactive cells in islets increased significantly in the BPA-500 group. The H-score of the BPA-5 and BPA-50 groups decreased significantly compared to controls. We found that BPA caused oxidative stress and disruption of pancreatic β-cell function. Therefore, BPA is a risk factor for animal and human health.