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Corn, the primary ingredient in modern poultry feeds, contains high levels of ω-6 fatty acids but lacks sufficient ω-3 fatty acids, creating an imbalance. Maintaining a balance between ω-6 and ω-3 fatty acids in poultry diets is crucial due to their competition. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of incorporating different concentrations of an equal mix of soybean oil (SO) and flaxseed oil (FO) into quail diets on growth performance, carcass quality, and blood biochemistry. One-week-old Japanese quail birds (n = 200) were randomly assigned to four dietary groups, each comprising five replicates with 10 chicks per replicate. Four isonitrogenous/isocaloric basal diets were formulated. Group 1 (control) received a basal diet without SO or FO, while Groups 2-4 received basal diets supplemented with an equal mix of SO+FO at levels of 1.0 %, 1.5 %, and 2.0 %, respectively. The inclusion of oil mixes significantly increased body weight (BW) at five weeks and daily weight gain (DWG) during weeks 3-5 and 1-5. The feed conversion ratio (FCR) improved with the addition of oil mixes throughout the trial period. Supplementing quail diets with oil mixes resulted in reduced serum total cholesterol (TC) and LDL cholesterol, elevated serum HDL cholesterol, and no significant effect on triglycerides (TG) and VLDL cholesterol levels. Quails fed oil-supplemented diets showed lower serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and creatinine levels, while urea and uric acid were significantly affected. Birds fed diets with oil mixes also had increased serum concentrations of immunoglobulin G (IgY), immunoglobulin M (IgM), and superoxide dismutase (SOD). However, serum immunoglobulin A (IgA), malondialdehyde (MDA), and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) levels did not significantly change across experimental groups. Overall, adding up to 2 % of the SO and FO mix in growing quail feeds improved growth performance, blood lipid profile, liver and kidney function markers, immune response, and antioxidant defense. The highest level of oil mix (2 %) yielded the most beneficial effects., Competing Interests: Conflict of Interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024. Published by Elsevier Inc.)

The aim of this work is to measure the influence of copper nanoparticles (CuNPs) on growth performance, carcass traits, renal and hepatic indices, immunity, lipid profile, antioxidant status, blood minerals, digestive enzymes, and cecal microbiota in broilers. 300 unsexed one-week-old Arbor Acre broiler chicks in total were randomly assigned into 5 treatment groups of 60 chicks per eachwhich were divided into 5 replicates of 12 chicks. The 1st group (G1) was given basal diet (only); the 2nd group (G2), the 3rd group (G3), the 4th group (G4) and the 5th group (G5) were given basal diet treated with CuNPs at a rate of 5, 10, 15, and 20 mg/kg diet, respectively. The result revealed a significant improvement (P < 0.01) in performance paramters where the best values of body weight, weight gain, and feed conversion ratio were achieved at 15 mg/kg diet (CuNPs). Moreover, CuNPs supplementation significantly (P < 0.05) improved carcass traits specially carcass, dressing, giblets, and liver percentage, particularly at 15 mg/kg diet which revealed the best results. Furthermore, CuNPs supplementation at all tested levels increased the immune organ's weight (spleen and thymus). Plasma total protein and globulin were increased with CuNPs supplementation at levels 10 to 20 mg/kg diet. CuNPs supplementation (10-20 mg/kg diet) significantly improved liver and renal function by lowering the levels of AST, creatinine and uric acid. Moreover, CuNPs supplementation significantly (P < 0.05) improved lipid profile indicated by decreased the levels of cholesterol, triglyceride, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol as well as malondialdehyde (MDA). CuNP supplementation significantly improved broiler immunity indicated by increased IgA, IgM, complement (C3) and lysozyme, where CuNPs at 15 and 20 mg/kg diet revealed the best results. CuNPs supplementation increased reduced glutathione (GSH), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) as well as increased blood minerals (Cu, Fe, P, and Ca). Also, the digestive enzymes of broiler chicks treated with CuNPs significantly increased (P < 0.05), such as lipase, protease, and amylase enzymes. The findings revealed a significant elevation in total bacterial count (TBC) and lactic acid bacteria and significantly decreased total yeast and mold count (TYMC), E. coli, Salmonella and Coliform. In conclusion, CuNPs supplementation significantly improves performance, carcass yield, renal and hepatic indices, lipid profile, immunity, antioxidants, blood minerals, digestive enzymes, and cecal microbiota of broiler chicks., Competing Interests: DISCLOSURES The authors declare no conflicts of interest., (Copyright © 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), including n-6 and n-3 fatty acids, are essential for enhancing the performance and health of poultry. Avian species lack desaturase enzymes for endogenous synthesis of n-6 and n-3 fatty acids. This work aimed to determine the impacts of including soybean oil (SO) and linseed oil (LO) in quail diets on growth, lipid profile, hepatic and renal functions, immunity, and antioxidant status. A total of 350 Japanese quail chicks (1-wk-old) were randomly arranged into 7 dietary treatment groups. Seven isocaloric and isonitrogenous experimental basal diets were formed based on the nutritional requirements of growing Japanese quail. Group 1, the control, received a basal with no oils, while groups 2 to 7 received a basal diet containing either 1% SO, 1.5% SO, 2% SO, 1% LO, 1.5% LO, or 2% LO, respectively. Quail groups that consumed diets containing LO at all levels showed significantly greater live body weight (LBW) at 5th wk of age than other experimental groups. The dietary incorporation of 1.5 or 2% SO or LO at all levels yielded significant improvements in body weight gain (BWG) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) through 3 to 5 and 1 to 5 wk of age. Different dietary oil sources and levels have no significant impacts on feed intake (FI) and carcass yield parameters. Lipid profile parameters were improved by adding SO and LO in quail diets, with LO having a higher effect than SO. The hepatic and renal functionality were improved by adding SO and LO in quail diets. The lowest uric acid (UA) bloodstream concentrations were recorded in the quail group fed a diet with 2% LO. Values of Gamma globulins (G-GLO) and immunoglobulins (G, M, and A) were increased by adding SO or LO to quail diets. Blood levels of MDA and TAC were improved significantly by including LO in quail diets. The activity of the superoxide dismutase (SOD) enzyme was significantly increased by adding SO or LO to quail diets. Generally, adding SO or LO to growing quail diets up to 2% could yield favorable effects on growth performance, blood lipids, hepatic and renal functions, immunity, and antioxidant status; however, LO seems to have better effects than SO., (Copyright © 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

This study aimed to evaluate the beneficial role of chamomile essential oil in improving productive and reproductive performances, egg quality, and blood metabolites and reducing the toxic effect of Ochratoxin A (OTA) in quail breeder's diets. A total of 144 mature quails, 8 wk old, were divided into 6 groups. The treatments were: G1 (the control), G2 (supplemented with OTA 1 mg/kg diet), G3 (supplemented with chamomile oil 0.5 g/kg diet), G4 (supplemented with chamomile oil 1 G/kg diet), G5 (supplemented with OTA 1 mg/kg diet + chamomile oil 0.5 g/kg diet), and G6 (supplemented with OTA 1 mg/kg diet + chamomile oil 1 g/kg diet). The OTA administration alone significantly decreased egg production and mass in quail breeders (P < 0.0001). Moreover, poor feed conversion ratio (FCR), fertility percentage (P < 0.0001), and hatchability percentage (P < 0.0009) were recorded. A significant decline (P < 0.05) in the levels of serum protein (total protein and globulin) was also recorded in OTA-contaminated groups, along with elevated serum levels of liver enzymes such as alanine transaminase (ALT) and Aspartate transaminase (AST) and kidney function test as urea and creatinine levels (P < 0.05). Ochratoxin A-contaminated feed resulted in a significant elevation (P < 0.05) in total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), and very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL), along with a significant reduction (P < 0.05) in antioxidant status and immunological response. The supplementation of chamomile essential oil, either 0.5 g/kg or 1g/kg, to the basal diet or OTA-supplemented feed, revealed a significant increase in hatchability %, fertility, egg mass, and egg production and better FCR, egg quality, and immunological status when compared to OTA only. Moreover, chamomile essential oil supplementation improves liver and kidney function markers, decreases LDL, VLDL), TG, and TC. Along with a significant increase (P < 0.05) in terms of antioxidant status as glutathione peroxidase enzyme (GPX), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) and significantly (P < 0.05) improves immunological response as IgM, IgG, lysozyme and complement 3. In summary, chamomile oil supplementation, either separate or combined with OTA, reduced the adverse effects of OTA and led to improved productive and reproductive performance, egg quality, and blood metabolites in Japanese quail breeders., (Copyright © 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

The present study was performed to determine the influence of dietary levels of Azolla on growth performance, blood parameters and digestive enzymes of growing geese. At 4 weeks old, 120 Egyptian goslings were randomly distributed to 4 groups, 30 to each group. Geese were fed four levels of Azolla (0, 4, 8 and 16%) during the experimental period (4-12 weeks of age). No significant differences were noticed among the experimental groups on growth parameters except body weight gain (BWG) during 4-8 wk of age and feed intake (FI) at 8-12 wk of age. Plasma total protein (TP), globulin, total cholesterol (TC) and low density lipoprotein (LDL) levels were significantly increased by 8% Azolla level. However, urea level was significantly decreased in geese fed on 8% and 16% Azolla levels compared to 4% level and control group. Super oxide dismutase (SOD), reduced glutathione (GSH), catalase (CAT), immunoglobulin (IgG), and lysozyme were significantly reduced by all dietary Azolla levels supplementation. Digestive enzymes were statistically affected by Azolla levels. It can be concluded that use of Azolla in Egyptian geese diets at 8 and 16% achieved positive effects on growth performance and most of blood biochemical parameters during the fattening period.

To investigate the effects of dietary fumaric acid (FUA) on performance, carcasses, nutrient digestibility, blood metabolites, digestive enzymes, and cecal microbiota in Japanese quail chicks. Three hundred unsexed Japanese quail (1-wk-old) were randomly assigned to 5 groups. Supplementation of FUA in the diet of Japanese quail chicks exhibited a significant improvement in growth performance through the different experimental periods studied compared with those receiving unsupplemented one. The digestibility of crude protein (CP) and metabolizable energy (ME) were improved with 10 and 15 g/kg FUA, respectively. Apart from lipase enzyme, birds fed 5 and 15 g/kg FUA recorded higher activity of amylase. There were no significant changes among experimental groups on the relative weights of carcass, gizzard, heart, and dressing. Dietary supplementation of FUA at different levels (P> 0.05) increased total protein (TP) and globulin (GLB) concentrations and A/G % compared with control group. A significant (P < 0.01) decrease in plasma low density lipoprotein (LDL) and total cholesterol (TC) levels and increase in high density lipoprotein (HDL) concentrations were observed in chicks fed with FUA containing diets. Immunoglobulin G (IgG) (P = 0.0026) and M (IgM) (P = 0.0007) levels were greater in groups treated with either 10 or 15 g FUA/kg diet. A significant increase in plasma Ca concentration was noticed in chicks received 15 g FUA/ kg compared with the other groups. Quail chicks received diets containing FUA at different levels exhibited reduced cecal count of coliform, E. coli, and Salmonella as compared with control group. In conclusion, supplementation of fumaric acid (especially 15 g/kg diet) in quail chick diets improved their growth, digestibility of nutrients, immune response, antioxidant status, digestive enzyme, and intestinal health., Competing Interests: DISCLOSURES The authors have no conflicts of interest to report., (Copyright © 2021 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

A total of 300 un-sexed Japanese quail chicks (1-wk-old) were randomly allotted to 5 experimental groups to study the effect of citric acid (CA) on performance development, carcass estimates, blood measurements, antioxidant and immune measurements, digestive enzymes, and cecum microbiology traits of growing Japanese quail. The chicks were fed a basal diet supplemented with CA (5, 10, 15, and 20 g/kg in diet) had significantly (P < 0.05) greater live body weights at 3 and 5 wk of age and increased weight gain across all experimental periods (1-3, 3-5 and 1-5 wks of age) compared to the control group. No significant difference was found in any of the measured carcass traits. The digestion coefficients of crude protein, ether extract, crude fiber, and nitrogen free extract as well as metabolizable energy significantly improved (P < 0.05) in all treatment groups compared to the control. CA supplementation from 10 to 20 g/kg had increased digestive enzyme activities (amylase and lipase). All treatment groups had higher (P < 0.05) albumin and globulin concentrations than the control group. A significant (P < 0.05) decrease in phosphorus (P) concentrations in the plasma was observed in all treatment groups. The IgG levels were greater (P < 0.05) in the 5 or 10 g/kg groups than the control group. Chicks fed CA at different levels had significantly decreased caecal content of TBC, coliform, E. coli, and Salmonella. We concluded that the inclusion of CA (especially 10 g/kg diet) in growing Japanese quail diets improved growth performance, immune response, and health., Competing Interests: DISCLOSURES There is no conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2021 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Several by-products, such as whole cull dates, date stones (also called pits, seeds, kernels), sugar-extracted date pulp, are produced from date fruit processing industries. These by-products, particularly date stone meal represent 10 to 20% of the whole dates are wasted, causing environmental issues. However, the date stone is rich in various nutrients, such as nitrogen-free extract, fiber, fat, and minerals, which could be used as an alternative feed source in poultry nutrition. However, the high fiber content in date stone meal restricts its use in poultry diets. Whole date wastes and date pulp have lower protein, fiber and fat content than those in date stone meal. Several studies have investigated the use of date stone meal and other by-products as a replacement of dietary corn and barley on feed intake, growth, feed efficiency, and nutrient utilization in poultry. The compilation of results obtained from different studies indicates that date fruit by-products, particularly date stone meal, could be incorporated up to 10% levels, replacing corn or barley grains without hampering production performance, and this could reduce the production cost. Moreover, the use of date stone meal at lower levels (5-10%) sometimes shows better growth performance, probably due to the presence of bioactive principles such as antioxidants and phenolic compounds. The use of date stone meal in poultry diets may be practically important under certain circumstances not only under the COVID-19 crisis due to the lockdown of airports, dry ports, ports and traffic restrictions, but also in countries with a limited supply of classical feed resources and which depend on imported ones. Finally, it can recommend that using date stone meal (DSM) up to 5-10% in poultry diets positively affect the productive performance. Due to the variability in the nutritive value of the DSM, developing a formula for metabolizable energy (ME) of DSM = a (intercept) - b (slope) × crude fiber (CF) content should be considered to improve the precision of feed formula for poultry. However, the nutritional value of DSM might not only depend on crude fiber but also on other compounds.

The objective of the current study was to examine the effect of the inclusion levels of distiller's dried grains with solubles (DDGS) which partially and fully replaced soybean meal (SBM) in laying hen diets with or without enzyme or vitamin E supplementation on nutrients digestibility and excreted nitrogen and phosphorous. For these purposes, a total of 180 Hisex Brown laying hens at 22 weeks of age were randomly distributed into 15 treatment groups in a 5 × 3 factorial design experiment including five levels of DDGS (0, 5.5, 11, 16.5 and 22% replaced for the same percent of SBM which represents 0, 25, 50, 75 and 100% respectively in the diet) and three levels of feed additives (without, 250 mg enzyme/kg diet or 200 mg vitamin E/kg diet) through 22-42 weeks of age. Results revealed that digestion coefficient values of nutrients including DM, OM, CP, EE, NFE and CF were more preferable in hens fed diets involved 25% DDGS instead of SBM than that of the control diet and other treatment groups. In contrast, hens fed 100% substitution of DDGS caused significant (P ≤ 0.01) decrease in digestibility coefficients of all nutrients. The amount of daily excreted N was decreased in hens fed 25 or 50% DDGS substitution, whilst feeding 75 or 100% DDGS led to an elevation in N excretion. The proportion of excreted phosphorous was statistically (P ≤ 0.01) decreased as the level of DDGS increased. Generally, neither enzyme nor vitamin E supplementation had any significant effect on the studied parameters. It could be concluded that DDGS could be used up to 50% as a replacement of SBM (11% of the diet) without any adverse effects on nutrients digestibility. Laying hen farms using DDGS up to 25 or 50% substituted for SBM in its diets (5.5 or 11% of the diet) will have clearer environment of nitrogen and phosphorous pollution than others whose diets free of DDGS.

High costs of conventional protein feed sources including soybean meal (SBM) generated the need for finding other alternatives. Thus, the present study was designed to evaluate the impact of graded replacements of SBM by sunflower seed meal (SFM) with or without enzyme supplementation on growth performance, digestive enzymes, carcass traits, and blood profile of broiler chickens. A total of 240 unsexed 1-week-old broiler chicks (Hubbard) were randomly divided into eight treatment groups of 30 chicks each in five replicates each of six chicks in a factorial design (4 × 2) arrangement, including four levels of SFM (0, 25, 50, and 75% replacing SBM) and two levels of enzyme (0- or 0.1-g/kg diet) supplementation. Performance traits including feed conversion ratio, body weight, and weight gain were significantly (P < 0.01) improved with increasing SFM up to 50% substitution for SBM or with enzyme supplementation in broiler diet during the experiment. However, feed intake of broiler chicks was decreased with enzyme supplementation (P < 0.05). The activities of digestive enzymes (protease and amylase) were significantly (P < 0.05) influenced and enhanced by SFM and enzyme inclusion in diets, respectively. The activities of protease and amylase were improved with SFM diet supplemented with 0.1 g/kg enzyme in comparison with those with the un-supplemented diet. The evaluated carcass traits were not statistically (P > 0.05) influenced by feeding SFM meal or enzyme addition. Biochemical blood parameters were significantly (P < 0.01) affected by SFM, enzyme, or their interaction in broiler diets, except for globulin that was not affected by dietary enzyme. It is concluded that increasing SFM level in the diet up to 50% replacing SBM with the supplementation of enzyme improved the growth performance and enhanced positively carcass traits as well as the activity of digestive enzymes in broiler chickens.

The present work was conducted to examine the effects of dietary crude protein (CP) levels (18, 21 and 24%) on growth performance (Initial and final body weight, daily body weight gain, feed consumption, feed conversion and protein efficiency ratio) during 2-9 weeks of age and certain body measurements (body height, tibiotarsus length and tibiotarsus girth) at 9 weeks of age. A total of 30 African Black unsexed ostrich chicks were used in the present study in simple randomized design. The results of the present work indicated that initial and final live body weight, body weight gain, feed consumption, feed conversion of ostrich chicks were insignificantly affected by dietary protein level used. Protein efficiency ratio was high in the group of chicks fed diet contained 18% CP. Results obtained indicated that tibiotarsus girth was decreased (P≤0.01) with the increasing dietary protein level, where the highest value of tibiotarsus girth (18.38 cm) was observed in chicks fed 18% dietary protein level. Body height and tibiotarsus length were not significantly different. In conclusion, the results of the present study indicate that ostrich chicks (during 2-9 weeks of age) could grow on diets contain lower levels of CP (18%).

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the left-ventricular (LV) mass-adjusted association between low heart rate variability (HRV) and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) among hemodialysis patients in Kuwait., Subjects and Methods: One hundred and eight patients were enrolled in the study. HRV time domain measures were obtained by 48-hour Holter monitoring, including the standard deviation of all R-wave-to-R-wave (RR) intervals (SDNN), standard deviation of all 5-min averaged intervals (SDANN), HRV triangular index (HRV-TI), percent of adjacent RR intervals differing by >50 ms (pNN50), and root mean square of sums of squares of all differences (rMSSD). Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and LV mass index (LVMI) were measured by M-mode echocardiography. Comorbidity was assessed using medical record review. Prevalent ASCVD was defined as coronary artery, cerebrovascular, or peripheral vascular disease., Results: Prevalence of ASCVD, LV hypertrophy, and LVEF <40% were 56, 59, and 10%, respectively. The SDANN was negatively associated with ASCVD (-20 ms; p = 0.003), LV systolic dysfunction (-20 ms; p = 0.001), elevated LVMI (-20 ms; p = 0.002), hypertension (-34 ms; p = 0.01), and diabetes (-20 ms; p = 0.001). After adjustment for hypertension and LVMI using logistic regression, ASCVD was associated with the lowest quartile of SDANN (OR = 4.3, p = 0.009), HRV-TI (OR = 3.3, p = 0.03), and SDNN (OR = 2.3, p = 0.10). These associations persisted after adjusting for LVEF., Conclusion: In dialysis patients, low HRV indices were strongly associated with prevalent ASCVD, independent of LVMI and LVEF. The interrelationships among HRV, diabetes, hypertension, and LVMI should be addressed in studies of HRV and ASCVD., (Copyright 2009 S. Karger AG, Basel.)