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In a previous study with LSL-LITE layers (-23 to 30-week-old), isoleucine at 0.72% and 0.84% produced values for FCR at 1.45 and 1.44, respectively and shared significance with 0.78% isoleucine (1.49). Considering that FCR is an important standard in the poultry industry due to the cost for adding feed ingredients such as synthetic amino acids and the low FCR of 1.45, 0.72% isoleucine was chosen for further study with LSL-LITE layers (n = 490 at 33- to 40-week-old) to determine effects on production and egg quality. The study included 7 diets (2730 Kcal kg metabolizable energy and constant isoleucine at 0.72%) containing varying quantities of valine [0.72 (Control), 0.75, 0.78, 0.81, 0.84, 0.87 or 0.90%] x 7 replicates x 10 hens/replicate. Significance at P ≤ 0.05 and P < 0.10 was determined. Level and week were significant for feed intake, egg production, and FCR; the interaction of level x week (L*W) was significant for feed intake and FCR. An isoleucine:valine of 1.233 corresponding to 0.72% isoleucine and 0.87% valine produced the lowest FCR of 1.30 (a 2.26% decrease compared to the Control at 1.33 ± 0.04). All measurements for external egg quality, except shape index and eggshell thickness, were significant for level. Week was significant for all parameters except shell thickness; L*W was significant for external quality measurements except shape index and shell thickness. Level, week, and L*W were significant for internal egg quality measurements. Serum protein and H1 titer were significant for level. Various production, egg quality, and biochemical measurements were significantly different from the control (0.72% isoleucine and 0.72% valine) at 0.81 to 0.87% valine. Findings of this study will aid researchers and commercial producers in narrowing the range of isoleucine, valine, and leucine needed for effects on particular parameters. Knowledge gained from this and others studies will eventually lead to an understanding of synergistic and antagonistic effects of branched chain amino acids in feed for various genetic types of layers throughout their productive lifetime.

Natural herbs are excellent alternatives to synthetic compounds to enhance the growth performance and health status of fish. This study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of black cardamom (Amomum subulatum) extract (BCE) as an herbal supplement in improving the growth, antioxidant status, haematology, and serum biochemistry of Catla catla. The acclimatized fish (N = 900; average initial weight = 14.44 ± 0.33 g) were allocated into five groups (60 fish/group in triplicate) in hapas (4 × 2 × 2.5 ft) and provided with feed containing 0 (control), 0.5, 1, 2 and 4 g/kg BCE for 90 days before being subjected to 8 days of crowding stress. After 90 days, significantly higher feed utilization and growth were observed in all BCE‐fed treatments compared to the control; however, the maximum values of these parameters were noted in the 2 g/kg BCE‐fed treatment. Moreover, the BCE‐fed groups exhibited a significant increase in antioxidant indices (glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase and catalase), with a significant reduction in malondialdehyde levels, indicating a higher antioxidant capacity compared to the control. Significant improvements in haematological parameters, such as an increase in haematocrit, haemoglobin and red blood cells and a decrease in white blood cells, were observed in BCE‐fed treatments compared to the control. Furthermore, BCE‐fed groups showed a significant decrease in serum glucose, cortisol and triglycerides, while total protein, globulin and albumin levels were significantly higher compared with the control. During the feeding trial of 90 days, no mortality was observed; however, the lowest cumulative mortality was noted in the 2 g/kg BCE group after crowding stress of 8 days. In conclusion, the use of BCE in feed can enhance the growth performance, antioxidant status, haematology, and serum biochemistry of C. catla and improve the resistance against crowding stress. The optimum levels of BCE for C. catla were estimated based on weight gain % (1.78 g/kg; R2 = 0.97), feed conversion ratio (1.65 g/kg; R2 = 0.98), MDA content (1.66 g/kg; R2 = 0.93) and serum lysozyme activity (1.72 g/kg; R2 = 1) using broken‐line regression analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A study was conducted to determine the artificial breeding response, embryonic and larval development of giant snakehead, Channa marulius, with the application of various dosages of stimulatory hormones: Suprefact® (LHRH) agonist and Ovaprim® (GnRH + dopamine inhibitor). First and second hormonal dosages of Suprefact® (diluted) and Ovaprim® (0.3, 0.4, and 0.5 ml for male and 0.8, 0.9, and 1.0 ml for females per kilogram body weight) were used. There were three treatments T1, T2, and T3 and each treatment had three replicates. Male fish were treated with T1 (0.3), T2 (0.4), T3 (0.5) ml kg−1 of body weight while female fish with T1 (0.8), T2 (0.9), T3 (1.0) ml kg−1 of body weight. The results showed that fish stimulated with T3 (1.0) obtained better fecundity rate (2951.7) followed by T2 (0.4) (2678.3), while the lowest fecundity (466.7) was recorded in T1. The numerically higher values of gonado‐somatic index (males and females) and fertilization rate appeared in T2. The highest survival rate (97.1%) was found in T3 followed by T2 (97.0%), while the lowest (32.2%) in T1. In conclusion, the application of Suprefact® and Ovaprim® at 0.4 and 0.5 ml kg−1 body weight for male and 0.9 and 1.0 ml kg−1 for female fish successfully stimulated snakehead fish induced breeding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of study was to determine the impact of different selenium sources on blood biochemical picture of Aseel. Threeweeks- old 240 Aseel chickens (120♂ and 120 ♀) from Lakha, Mushki, Peshaweri and Mianwali varieties were randomly distributed into four groups; 60 birds/variety (30♂ and 30♀ ). The birds of each group of either sex were further subdivided into A, B (experimental) and C (control) treatment groups with 10 birds each. Group A and B were fed the diet containing 0.3 mg/kg Se-yeast and sodium selenite, respectively, while group C was fed diet without selenium (control diet). Birds were maintained individually in cages from 4 to 21 weeks. In blood serum, glutathione peroxidase (GPx) levels increased (P≤0.05) while, total cholesterol and thyroxin (T4) levels decreased (P≤0.05) in Se-yeast supplemented group than sodium selenite supplemented or control group. The study concluded that Se-yeast gave the superior performance to improve blood biochemical profile of Aseel. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) occurs in milk and dairy products, resulting from metabolism of ingested aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) in contaminated feedstuffs. The toxic effects of AFM1 include carcinogenesis, reduced protein synthesis, and immunosuppressant effects. The aim of this study was to determine the levels of aflatoxin M1 in milk and milk products of Punjab, the major milk producing province in Pakistan. Two hundred thirty two milk samples from local shops, household farms, and large scale farms; and 138 sweets (Mithae) from local shops were collected from the 36 districts of Punjab province. These samples were analyzed for aflatoxin M1 by ELISA technique. The AFM1 incidence rates in milk and sweets were 76.3% and 97%, respectively. Average AFM1 concentration in milk was 0.252 μg/L and in sweets was 0.48 μg/kg. Results were compared with the European Union permissible levels of aflatoxin M1 in milk (0.05 μg/L) and milk products (0.05 μg/kg). Contamination level in 75 milk and 108 sweets sample was higher than these levels. No positive correlation was observed between the level of AFM1 in milk and the level of AFM1 in sweets samples, which was likely caused by the large variations in milking and sweets processing. The results indicated that the community is constantly exposed to these toxins. Regulatory mechanism should be implemented to control the toxins in milk and milk products. As feed is the main source of AFM1 in milk the level of aflatoxins in livestock feeds should also be kept to the minimum. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]