دکتر میلاد منافی

This study was performed to compare the effect of diets containing ethanolic extract of Echinophora platyloba at two levels of 0.3% and 0.5% and Phosphoflavomycin growth-promoting antibiotic (0.04%) on performance, immune response, and blood biochemical characteristics of broilers using 160 male day-old chicks in a completely randomized design manner using 4 experimental groups, 4 replications and 10 chicks in each experimental unit. The results indicate that in the fourth week of production, there was a significant increase in body weight of the treatment receiving Echinophora platyloba extract (0.3%) compared to other experimental groups (P≤0.05). On day 14th, in both groups fed with Echinophora platyloba extract (0.3 and 0.5%), a significant increase in feed conversion ratio was found when compared to the control and growth promoter antibiotic treatments (p≤0.05). The treatment fed with 0.3% Echinophora platyloba extract increased the percentage of carcass and spleen significantly (p≤0.05) when compared with other dietary treatments. No significant changes are found due to both levels of Echinophora platyloba extract on immune response and blood biochemical parameters of broilers. In contrast, the group fed with antibiotic significantly reduced the blood levels of LDL and ALP, when compared with control and 0.3% Echinophora platyloba groups (p≤0.05). In general, the application of Echinophora platyloba extract (0.3%) led to a significant improvement in performance and some carcass traits percentage of broilers and could be recommended as a suitable alternative to antibiotic growth promoters.

This study aimed to compare experimental treatments containing Leek extract with Phosphoflavomycin growth-promoter antibiotic using 160 Ross-308 day-old chicks in a completely randomized design manner with 4 experimental treatments, 4 replicates, and 10 chicks per replicate for 42 days. Treatments consisted of 1) control group (basal diet); 2) basal diet with Phosphoflavomycin antibiotic growth promoter (0.04%); 3) basal diet with 0.3% Leek ethanolic extract; and 4) basal diet with 0.5% Leek ethanolic extract (P≤0.05). Feed intake, feed conversion ratio, visceral weights, antibody production against Influenza and Newcastle diseases, biochemical parameters of Glucose, Cholesterol, Triglyceride, HDL, LDL, Albumin, Total Protein, and AST were not affected by different treatments (P≥0.05). However, both groups fed Leek extract (0.3% and 0.5% of diet) increased serum levels of liver enzymes of ALT and ALP significantly, compared with Phosphoflavomycin growth promoter (P≤0.05). Based on the findings of the current study, it can be concluded that consumption of Leek ethanolic extract (0.5% of the diet) showed a significant enhancement on the body weight of broilers, with no impact on visceral weights, immune status, and blood biochemical indices.

The current experiment was conducted in order to compare the effects of Yaghooti Grape (V. venifera) along with commercial antioxidant of Butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) on performance, biochemical parameters and carcass characteristics of broilers. 150 day-old Ross 308 male chicks were randomly distributed in to 5 experimental treatments with 3 replicates and 10 chicks per replicate in completely randomized design manner for 42 days. Experimental groups were: Control (basal diet with no additive); Basal diet with 150 ppm Yaghooti grape Methanolic extraction; basal diet with 3% Yaghooti grape pulp; basal diet with 3% Yaghooti grape juice and basal diet with 200 ppm BHT. Results showed that different dietary treatments had no significant impact on performance including body weight, feed consumption and feed conversion ratio, liver enzymes and intestinal components in all studied treatments, compared to control group. Application of 3% of grape pulp in broiler diet led to significant reduction in cholesterol, triglyceride, LDL and increase in blood serum HDL. For carcass characteristics, grape pulp has significantly increased relative carcass and breast weights and reduction in gizzard and liver weights in broilers, compared with control group. Therefore, it can be concluded that treatment with Yaghooti grape pulp can be a suitable replacer for BHT commercial antioxidant in terms of biochemical parameters and carcass characteristic’s improvement in commercial broilers.

Aflatoxin contamination in animal and poultry and its carry over to human beings is important in causing different diseases like Hepatitis and Liver Cirrhosis and finding methods to lessen toxin adsorption in animal and poultry tissues has a direct impact on health of animal products. Evaluating the impact of natural toxin binder in broilers contaminated with aflatoxin B1 on performance, immunity and morpholgy of intestine. 400 day-old broiler chicks under 4 treatments, 5 replicates and 20 chicks per replicate in completely randomized design manner were studied for 42 days. Experimental treatments were: 1- negative control (basal diet with out aflatoxin contamination); 2- positive control (basal diet + 0.6 mg/kg aflatoxin B1; 3- basal diet along with 1g/kg natural toxin binder and 4- basal diet + 1g/kg natural toxin binder. Presence of aflatoxin in diet reduced all performance indexes significantly (p<0.05) on day 42 and using natural toxin binder could reduce the negative effects of aflatoxin and improved body weight, feed consumption and feed conversion ratio, when compared with treatment fed with aflatoxin. Significant (p<0.05) enhancement in immune titer responses against Newcastle and Avian Influenza were noticed in group fed natural toxin binder, compared with control aflatoxin contaminated treatment. The significant (p<0.05) reduction in E.coli and coliforms were seen in tratment 4, when compared with treatment 2. The crypt to depth ration was increased and the number of goblet cells decreased significantly (p<0.05) in positive control teratment which received natural toxin binder, compared with control group. Results obtained from current study emphasized on the possible replacement of natural toxin binders rather than chemical-commercial toxin binders.

Aflatoxins are a class of secondary metabolites of fungi, which are present in the form of B (B1 and B2), G (G1 and G2), and M (M1 and M2) and are distinguished from each other through chromatography and fluorescent light. Aflatoxin B1 is more abundant in the feedstuff and more toxic than all other types of toxins (Manafi et al. 2011). Aflatoxins are the result of the metabolic activity of Aspergillus fungi, and in particular Aspergillus flavus, which can cause food contamination of living creatures. Aflatoxicosis has caused severe economic losses in the poultry industry and has had a negative impact on duck, broilers, laying hens, turkeys and quails (Deabes et al. 2011). The sensitivity of chickens to aflatoxin negative effects depends on a wide range of factors such as breed, aflatoxin concentration, age, nutritional status, as well as the capacity of liver microsomal enzymes to decontaminate aflatoxin. Mycotoxins normally affect intestinal secretions. The use of aflatoxin is proven to reduce the production of pancreatic secretions and changes in the intestinal morphology (the depth of the intestinal crypts), and the special activity of disaccharide and maltase in broiler’s intestine (Applegate et al. 2009). Increasing free radical formation or reducing the level of antioxidants in the body through aflatoxicosis leads to oxidative stress, which can lead to tissue destruction through the physical, chemical and physiological conditions (Eralsan et al. 2005). Reducing the toxicity of aflatoxin in broiler chickens as an important source of animal-based proteins for human beings by utilizing a combination of plant derivatives is considered vital. It has been suggested that the antioxidant properties of essential oils and plant extracts due to the presence of phenolic groups as a hydrogen supplier to peroxide radicals produced during oxidative stress, which will delay or deny peroxide formation (Roquia 2012). The current experiment is designed in order to study effects of ethanolic extractions of thyme and oregano on performance, blood biochemical parameters and small intestinal properties of broilers fed diets contaminated with aflatoxin B1. The total number of 300 Ross 308 chicks (mixed sex) were used in completely randomized design with 4 treatments and 5 replicates with 15 birds in each replicate. Treatments consisted of: 1- basal diet without aflatoxin B1 (control); 2- Basal diet with Aflatoxin group (basal diet + 600 ppb aflatoxin B1); 3- Basal diet with mixture of ethanolic extraction of thyme and oregano (either 500 ppm) and 4- Basal diet with Aflatoxin + mixture of ethanolic extraction of thyme and oregano (either 500 ppm). In the current study, performance including mortality, feed intake, and weight of birds were recorded weekly till the end of the rearing period. At the end of production period, from each experimental unit, 2 birds were selected and after killing by humanized method, sampling for intestinal morphology from the ileum part (with a distance of 2 cm from Meckl's appendix) with the length of 5 cm was done. Also, in order to check the blood parameters from each experimental group, two birds were randomly selected and blood samples were collected. Then, blood biochemical parameters included liver enzymes (ALT, AST and ALP), triglycerides, cholesterol, LDL and HDL were measured using the Pars Azmon Company kits and the Autoanalyzer apparatus (US, Technicon RA-1000). Aflatoxin B1 was purchased from Sigma Aldrich Company and was prepared according to the manufacturer's instructions for the preparation of the poison. Six mg of poison was mixed with 100 cc of 96% ethanol and then, sprayed on 1 kg of feed to obtain a homogeneous mixture of aflatoxin B1 contaminated feed. Ethanolic extracts of thyme and oregano were prepared by the Macceration method in the laboratory of the Department of Animal Science, Malayer University. The data obtained from this experiment were analyzed by SAS software. Mean comparison was done using Duncan's multiple -domain test at 5% error level. The results of the experiment showed that the weight of birds receiving aflatoxin B1 contaminated rations were reduced compared to the control group (P<0.05). Weight gain of broiler chicks in the experimental group receiving aflatoxin with a mixture of thyme and oregano extract increased compared to the experimental group receiving aflatoxin alone in the diet (P<0.05). This is in accordance with the reports of Manafi et al. (2009) who showed that consumption of one mg per kilogram of aflatoxin reduced the yield and growth of broiler chickens up to 5 percent. Decreased feed intake and impaired metabolism of energy and fat due to the use of aflatoxin in the diet due to changes in taste and disturbance in digestion and absorption mechanisms have been reported in various studies (Raju and Devegowda 2002). The presence of mannan oligosaccharide compounds and antioxidant compounds in thyme and oregano such as thymol and carvacrol may have antioxidant properties against negative activity of aflatoxin and inhibitory effects on metabolic changes caused by aflatoxin such as liver toxicity and contribute to reducing weight gain in broilers (Burt, 2004). A mixture of thyme and oregano extracts, and the consumption of feed in the experimental group receiving aflatoxin in comparison to the control group showed a significant decrease. Addition of plant extracts to aflatoxin contaminated diets increased significantly feed intake compared with control group (P<0.05). The increased in feed intake is due to the addition of herbal extracts. Thyme have appetitive factors like thymol and carracorol and other growth factors, which stimulates digestive enzymes and increases daily feed intake of broiler chickens (Cabuk et al. 2006). The group receiving herbal extracts in the 6th week had a lower FCR than the control group and the aflatoxin received group (P<0.05). Cinnamon-containing compounds and Thymol and Carvacrol have probably a role in improving the chicken feed conversion rate (Cabuk et al. 2006). Also addition of thyme and oregano extracts in aflatoxin challenged broilers caused a significant decrease in ALT, AST, ALP, LDL, and HDL (P<0.05). This might be due to the antioxidant properties of two plants, which reduce the toxic effects of oxidative toxicity on the liver and reduce cholesterol, triglyceride and liver enzymes. The reason for this decrease is the inhibitory effects of these extracts on the action of key enzymes such as HMG-COA reductase, which is present in the production of lipids and cholesterol (Sarica et al. 2005). Chickens receiving thyme and oregano extract had the highest villus height and showed a significant differences in comparison with other experimental groups (P<0.05). The villus height to crypt depth ratio was the highest in the group receiving the herbal extracts and the lowest amount was observed in the group receiving the aflatoxin and the addition of herbal extract to the contaminated diet improved this index significantly (P<0.05). Increasing the crypt depth in the ileum region and reducing digestion and absorption in this region might be due to the damage in the intestinal mucosal tissues of chickens fed contaminated diets. The results obtained from this research states that dietary supplementation with plant extracts of thyme and oregano reduces the negative effects of aflatoxin on performance, gastrointestinal index and improves the biochemical parameters in broiler chickens challenged with aflatoxicosis.

This research was conducted to evaluate the effect of some feed additives compare to Flavomycin growth promoter antibiotic. Experiment was conducted in completely randomized design manner consisting 3 treatments, 5 replicates and 20 hens per each replicate using 300 White Leghorn, Hy-Line W-36 strain. The experimental treatments included: control, Flavomycin growth promoter antibiotic at 0.05% dietary level and feed additive mixture consisting of thyme and oregano plant extracts and propionic acid and zinc supplement at 0.1% dietary level which fed to laying hens for 42 days (3 periods of two weeks each). The results of this study showed that the utilization of feed additive mixture significantly (P

The present study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of organic acids combination on performance, blood biochemical parameters, intestinal morphology and internal egg quality parameters of layer Japanese quails in completely randomized design manner using 225 layer quails in 3 treatments, 5 replicates and 15 quails in each replicate, reared for two periods of 3 weeks each (37-39 and 40-42 weeks). Treatments were: 1) control; 2) basal diet with 0.04% AGP (bacitracin dimethyl salicylate) and 3) basal diet with 0.01% of organic acids combination. Results showed that feed consumption, egg production, egg weight and egg shell percentage were increased significantly compared to the control group by incorporating organic acids combination into the diet. Also significant increase the intestinal villus height, number of goblet cells and intestinal crypt depth were observed in the organic acids supplemented group. The lowest concentration of calcium, high-density lipoprotein, serum levels of alkaline phosphatase, feed conversion ratio and Haugh unit scores were found in organic acids fed quails. Glucose, total protein, phosphorus and serum aspartate aminotransferase values were not affected significantly by the experimental groups. Based on the results of this study, application of organic acids combination as a viable alternative to antibiotic growth promoters can be recommended in layer Japanese quails egg.

Aflatoxins (AFs) are groups of toxin fungus that are produced by different species of fungi of Aspergillus flavusand Aspergillus parasiticus. In order to evaluate the effect of different levels of aflatoxin B1 in diet on the performance, total of 450 Japanese quail at 1 d of age were studied in a completely randomized design with 6 treatments and 5 replications (15 pieces in each replication). Treatments consisted of five levels of aflatoxin B1 in the diet (50, 100 200, 500, 1000 ppb) with a control group (without aflatoxin B1), respectively.At 28 d of age, of each experimental unit 2 chickens after collection of blood samples, Slaughtered and internal organs weighed individually.The presence of aflatoxin B1 in the diet was significantly reduced feed intake and body weight gain at 28 d of age. At the end of the fourth week, with increasing levels of aflatoxin B1 in diets, liver and gizzard weight indicated a significant increase and decrease, respectively. Diets contaminated with aflatoxin B1 indicated significant effect on blood parameters so that with increasing levels of aflatoxin B1 decreased total protein and glucose levels in blood. Overall, the results of this study showed that the presence of aflatoxin B1 in quail's diet, Caused adverse effects on blood parameters, Viscera weight and performance of Japanese quail. thus importance of emphasizing on birdsdiet (quail) redoubleto control pollution.

An experiment was conducted with 240 Ross broiler chicks (mixed male and female) to evaluate the effect of ethanolic extract of pennyroyal in comparison with flavomycin antibiotic growth promoter (AGP) on blood biochemical parameters, weight of internal organs and cecal bacterial counts in broilers. The experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design manner with 4 treatments, 3 replicates and 20 chicks in each replicate from 1 to 42 days of age. Treatment 1 was a control basal diet, treatment 2 was the basal diet with 0.45 % AGP and treatments 3 and 4 received 0.1 and 0.05 % pennyroyal ethanolic extract in the basal diet, respectively. The results showed that the ethanol extract of pennyroyal in both used concentrations, reduced harmful bacteria (coliforms, Salmonella and E.coli) in ceca (p<0.05)., No significant effect on the weights of internal organs was observed except for the gizzard. Ethanolic extraction of pennyroyal increased the serum cholesterol concentration and decreased the activity of ALT, when compared with control group.