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Impacts of Zinc, Selenium, and Vitamin E Supplementation on Growth Performance, Hematological and Biochemical Parameters of Blood in Broiler Chickens
Get PDFMetabolism, lipid synthesis, and reducing oxidative stress contribute to broiler chickens’ growth and immunity. The current study examined how zinc, vitamin E, and selenium impact broiler growth, carcass characteristics, hematological and serum biochemical parameters, and profitability. There were 300-day-old straight-run chicks (Indian River) raised in a deep litter system until 28 days old. On day 7, the chicks were randomly divided into four groups of 75 chicks, each group replicated into 3 replications. Supplementation of zinc, selenium, and vitamin E through water was conducted from day 7 to day 28. This experiment was performed during the lifespan of chickens from 0 to 28 days of age. The treatment groups were control (drinking water with no supplementation), Zn (drinking water with 4 ml/L zinc), Se+Vit E (drinking water with 0.25 ml/L E-Sel), and Zn+Se+Vit E (drinking water with both 4 ml/L zinc and 0.25 ml/L E-Sel). The results indicated significant changes in growth and feed conversion ratio among Zn, Se, and Vit-E supplemented groups. Among the supplemented groups, the Zn+Seleium+VitaminE group exhibited higher growth performance, lower cholesterol, and lower production costs. The findings showed no significant changes in dressing characteristics and feed consumption among groups. The combined group of Zn, Se, and Vit-E had a lower abdominal fat content than other supplemented groups. Supplemented with Zn, Se, and Vit-E groups had lower cholesterol and LDL levels than the control group. Serum differential leukocyte count (eosinophils, lymphocytes, neutrophils, and monocytes) and liver and kidney function tests (ALT, AST, creatinine) showed no significant variations between the groups. Antioxidants increased profitability, with the Zn+Se+Vit E group having a higher profit per kg broiler and cost-benefit ratio. Broiler growth performance, dressing characteristics, biochemicals, and hematological indicators are associated with supplementation Zn, Se, and Vit- E. The addition of Zn (4 ml/L) and Se and Vit E solution (E-Sel) (0.25 ml/L) to drinking water could enhance broiler growth performance and reduce cholesterol and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) concentration. © (2025), (Scienceline Publication). All rights reserved
Molecular Prevalence and 16s rRNA Gene Analysis of Ehrlichia canis in Dogs in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
No full textEhrlichiosis has been recognized as one of the leading tickborne vector diseases affecting the canine population. The present study aimed to determine the infection rate of Ehrlichia canis (E. canis) in dogs in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. From June 2024 to December 2024, a total of 3,752 dogs were brought for initial veterinary examination due to various health concerns at the K9 Veterinary Clinic System, which operates in Districts 1, 4, 5, 7, and 8 of Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. These dogs represented a wide range of breeds, including indigenous dogs, Poodles, Corgis, Chihuahuas, and French Bulldogs, among others. The age of dogs ranged from 3 months to 12 years, with a mean age of approximately 4 years. Body weights varied depending on breed and age. Dogs exhibiting clinical signs suggestive of E. canis infection were further evaluated using a combination of diagnostic methods, including a rapid antibody test, blood smear staining for morulae detection, and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The results showed that 87 out of 3,752 dogs (2.32) were infected with E. canis based on PCR. The most common clinical signs observed in E. canis infected dogs included lethargy and anorexia (49.42), pale mucous membranes (28.73), fever (24.14), epistaxis (16.09), icterus (14.94), petechiae (13.79), and hindlimb weakness (5.75). Hematological analysis revealed that thrombocytopenia (90.80) and anemia (54.02) were the most common hematological abnormalities. The 16S rRNA gene sequences from 15 E. canis isolates in this study exhibited a very high degree of similarity. Phylogenetic analysis showed considerable genetic diversity among these isolates. These findings provide valuable insights into the clinical, hematological, and molecular characteristics of E. canis infection in dogs in Vietnam and underscore the importance of molecular surveillance for improved diagnosis and disease management. © The Author(s) 2025. This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
The Effectiveness of Catfish Oil in Accelerating the Healing of Incised Wounds in Mice
No full textThe wound healing process naturally progresses through several phases, including hemostasis, inflammation, fibroplasia, and maturation. The present study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of gel and cream formulations of catfish oil in promoting wound healing in mice. The present study consisted of eight groups, each with five mice. The groups included a cream base of catfish oil (P1), a gel base of catfish oil (P2), fish gel at 1 (P3), fish gel at 2 (P4), fish cream at 1 (P5), fish cream at 2 (P6), povidone iodine (P7), and a commercial ointment (P8). The preparations were applied in an adequate amount to the injured skin surface. The mice were subjected to a 2- centimeter incision wound and treated once daily for 14 days. The parameters observed included signs of inflammation, such as redness, swelling, and discharge. Formulations containing 1 and 2 catfish oil facilitated faster wound healing compared to plain cream and gel, proving to be as effective as povidone iodine and commercial ointments. Specifically, the gel preparation containing 1 catfish oil, the cream formulation with 1 catfish oil, and the 2 catfish oil formulation yielded the most promising results in accelerating the healing time of incision wounds in mice. © The Author(s) 2025. This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Immunoinformatics Approach to Develop a Novel Chimeric L1/L2 Messenger RNA-based Vaccine Targeting a Broad Spectrum of Human Papillomavirus Species
Get PDFPapillomaviruses can infect animals and humans, causing benign lesions and cancer. Chimeric vaccines may address the limited coverage of current papillomavirus vaccines by providing cross-type immunity. The present study focused on the in silico design of a chimeric mRNA vaccine targeting a wide range of human papillomaviruses (HPV). The study incorporated 25 amino acid sequences derived from L1 and L2 capsid proteins of 14 high-risk and 11 low-risk HPV strains. These sequences underwent multiple sequence alignment, and the resulting sequences were used to develop consensus sequences. Computational approaches were then applied to predict and identify immunodominant T-cell and B-cell epitopes. The mRNA vaccine structure was designed by merging codon-optimized multi-epitope chimeric peptides with regulatory components that enhance both transcription and translation efficiency. The present study identified 19 T and 6 B cell epitopes, which were evaluated as non-toxic, non-allergenic, highly antigenic, and fully or partially conserved. The final multi-epitope peptide vaccine had a molecular weight of 60,161.29 kDa, a theoretical isoelectric point (pI) of 9.44, a solubility index of 0.451, and an antigenicity score of 0.9178. The mRNA vaccine exhibited a stable mRNA structure with a minimum free energy of -731.10 kcal/mol and an estimated molecular weight of 644.98 kDa. The proposed vaccine demonstrated no cross-affinity with the human genome and attained a worldwide population coverage rate of 86.24%. The vaccine formed a stable docking complex and exhibited strong interactions with major histocompatibility class I and class II molecules, as well as Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), Toll-like receptor 9 (TLR9), and the B-cell receptor. Binding affinities were assessed based on free energy (ΔG) values of -34.01 kcal/mol and -20.77 kcal/mol for major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I and II, respectively, -1377.5 kcal/mol for TLR4, -24.19 kcal/mol for TLR9, and -34.41 kcal/mol for the B-cell receptor. This vaccine triggered both antibody and cell-mediated immune responses and increasing levels of IFN-γ and the interleukins IL-2, IL-10, and IL-12. This vaccine is considered preventive against multiple HPV infections. Nonetheless, in vitro and in vivo investigations are necessary to validate the safety and efficacy of this vaccine
Prevalence and Intensity of Gastrointestinal Parasites and Related Risk Factors in Goats Kept by Smallholder Farmers in Juja Sub-County, Kenya
Get PDFGastrointestinal parasites (GIP) negatively impact the health and productivity of goats. Regular screening of the animals for these parasites is crucial for implementing effective control strategies. A cross-sectional study was conducted to determine the prevalence of GIP and its risk-related factors in goats owned by smallholder farmers in Juja Subcounty, Kiambu County, Kenya. A total of 210 goats consisting of both males and females, of different breeds including Boer, Toggenburg, Alpine, and Small East African were randomly sampled from 80 farms. Fresh fecal samples were collected and analyzed for parasites using McMaster techniques for egg/oocyst examination. A structured questionnaire was administered to assess the risk factors such as age, sex, breed, origin of the goats, production system, and purpose and frequency of cleaning goat houses in relation to the prevalence of the parasites. The overall prevalence of the GIP was 88.6%, with nematodes and coccidia detected in 64.3% and 74.3% of the goats, respectively. The mean eggs per gram was 67.72, while the mean oocysts per gram was 243. Goat fecal samples positive for gastrointestinal nematodes (GIN) eggs were cultured and identified after recovery of third-stage larvae (L3) using the Baermann technique, whereas the coccidian oocysts were sporulated in 2.5% potassium dichromate solution, followed by microscopic examination based on morphological features of the parasites. The identified GIN nematodes included Haemonchus contortus, Trichostrongylus spp., Strongyloides papillosus, Ostertagia spp., and Nematodirus spathiger, while the coccidians were Eimeria caprina, Eimeria ninakohlyakimovae, and Eimeria hirci. The prevalence of GIN was significantly associated with age (higher in adults), production systems (higher in intensive systems), and body condition score (higher in animals with poor body condition). For coccidia, the prevalence was associated with the animal origin (higher in goats from Murera Ward), breed (higher in small East African goats), age (higher in younger goats), body condition score (higher in goats with poor condition), and cleaning frequency (higher in goats kept in irregularly cleaned pens). In conclusion, the overall prevalence and burden of GIP reported in the study were high, with the pathogenic gastrointestinal nematodes and Eimeria spp. being the most prevalent parasites
Effects of Dietary Inclusion of Maggot (Hermetia illucens) and Corn on Productivity of Starter-Stage Native Chickens
Get PDFNative chickens require innovative feeding strategies to enhance productivity. This study aimed to examine the dietary effects of using maggot and corn meal (MCM) on the performance and feed digestibility of native chickens. The study used a complete randomized design, with a total of 200 one-day-old native chicks randomly allocated into four groups, each with five replicates. The first group received 100% basal feed (T0). The second group received 95% basal feed and 5% MCM (T1), the third group received 90% basal feed and 10% MCM (T2), and the fourth group received 85% basal feed and 15% MCM (T3). Group T1 exhibited significantly higher live weight, daily body weight gain, crude protein digestibility, crude fiber digestibility, and crude fat digestibility compared to other treatments. The T3 group showed the highest feed intake, whereas the best feed conversion ratio (FCR) was observed in the T0 group. It is concluded that a 5% inclusion of MCM in the feed has beneficial effecta on growth performance and digestibility of native chickens
The Evaluation of MAPK/ERK Signaling Pathway in Chicken Necrotic Enteritis Based on Microbiomics and Metabolomics
Get PDFChicken necrotic enteritis is a prevalent intestinal disease caused by Clostridium perfringens (C. perfringens) in chickens. Previous research has confirmed the close relationship between the gut microbiota and its metabolites in connection with chicken necrotic enteritis. However, it remains unclear how the gut microbiota of the host influences host metabolism following the onset of necrotic enteritis (NE). The close relationship between gut microbiota and their metabolites in chicken necrotic enteritis (NE) has been established, yet the metabolic influence of microbiota post-NE onset remains unclear. In this study, 1-day-old White Leghorn chickens were divided into three groups (n=10/group), a negative control (CON) fed a basal diet, a fishmeal-supplemented group (F) receiving 50% fishmeal, and an NE group inoculated orally with C. perfringens alongside fishmeal supplementation. Growth performance, intestinal lesions, and morphological changes were recorded. Cecal contents were subjected to 16S rDNA sequencing for microbiota profiling, while serum metabolomics was analyzed via LC-MS.No noticeable damage was observed in the small intestines of the F group, whereas the NE group exhibited marked body weight reduction. Cell necrosis and jejunal mucosal shedding were identified, accompanied by ileal villi atrophy and significant reductions in tight junction proteins (Claudin-1 and ZO-1). Both F and NE groups showed decreased cecal abundances of Lactobacillus and Blautia, alongside increased Clostridium and Escherichia coli. Serum metabolomics revealed distinct glycerophospholipid and arginine-proline metabolism alterations in the F group versus CON. In contrast, NE-associated metabolic shifts were linked to pathways regulating cell proliferation, differentiation, and migration, particularly MAPK signaling. Downregulation of MAPK/ERK pathway genes was detected in the jejunal mucosa of infected chickens compared to CON and F groups. Concurrently, jejunal PCNA expression was quantified and found to be significantly reduced in the NE cohort relative to controls. Drawing upon the experimental results, it was concluded that necrotic enteritis in chickens was linked to a disruption in the intestinal epithelial barrier. Additionally, alterations in the gut microbiota hindered the activation of the MAPK/ERK signaling pathway, which in turn reduced the proliferation of intestinal epithelial cells and impaired the repair processes crucial for intestinal barrier restoration
EFFECT OF GRADED LEVELS OF DIETARY TOMATO WASTE ON PERFORMANCE AND CARCASS CHARACTERISTICS OF JAPANESE QUAIL REARED UNDER INTENSIVE SYSTEM
No full textThis study was carried out to evaluate the effects of partial replacement of soybean meal (SM) with tomato waste (TW) in Japanese quail diets on the resulting yield, internal organs, and carcass characteristics. Eighty unsexed 1-day-old chicks were housed in battery cages with cardboard boxes used as solid floors and randomly assigned to 1 of 4 dietary groups, 46.2 SM, 44.2 SM + 2 TW, 42.2 SM + 4 TW, or 40.2 SM + 6 TW, over a 6 weeks growth period. Yields and carcass characteristics were then determined. Data were analysed using the General Linear Model (GLM) procedures followed by a response procedure for surface regression analysis (Proc RSREG; SAS 9.4) to describe the parameters’ responses to graded levels of dietary tomato waste. Repeated measures analysis showed significant week × diet interaction effects on feed intake (FI, P = 0.03), body weight gain (WG, P = 0.0006), feed conversion ratio (FCR, P = 0.002), protein efficient ratio (P = 0.0001), and growth efficiency (P = 0.0001). By supplementing the diets of quails with a 2 inclusion level, a diet significantly affected quails’ FI on weeks 1, 2, 3, and 6. A diet containing 2 TW significantly affected live weight (LW), hot carcass weight (HCW), and cold-dressed weight (CDW). It is concluded that the dietary supplementation with 44.2 SM + 2 TW seemed ideal for optimum performance in Japanese quails based on the insignificant change in feed intake and growth efficiency results compared to 46.2 SM for weeks 1 and 2. Further research is needed on the application method that could be used to enhance the utilization of tomato waste in Japanese quails. © The Author(s) 202
EFFECTS OF SESAME MEAL SUBSTITUTION ON CARCASS PARAMETERS AND MEAT QUALITY OF GROWING MALE LAMBS
No full textThis study was established to determine how Awassi male lamb carcass and meat quality features would change if soybean meal were substituted with sesame meal. Twenty-four lambs started with 15.7 ± 0.33 kg BW were chosen and allocated randomly to two dietary treatments; the 0 sesame meal (CON diet) or the 12.5 sesame meal (SM12.5 diet). Lambs were placed in experimental pens separately that equipped with plastic waterers feeders to allow free access to diets and water throughout the experiment. Lambs were slaughtered at day 84 for measuring carcass traits and meat quality. Fasted and carcass weights were measured as dressing percentage was calculated. Non-carcass parts were separated from the carcass and weighed. Carcass features examination included measuring carcass linear dimensions, leg cuts and longissimus dorsi muscle characteristics. Meat quality was evaluated after two weeks for color (L*a*b* co-ordinates), pH, water holding capacity, values of shear force and cooking loss. Lambs consumed SM12.5 had more (P 0.05). Similarly, meat quality parameters did not differ between the two dietary treatments. Therefore, according to these findings, feeding SM to Awassi lambs would not have an adverse impact on the quality of their meat or carcass characteristics. However, performance was enhanced as the fasting weight, as well as hot and cold carcass weight was improved. © The Author(s) 202
FILLETING ATTRIBUTES, LENGTH-WEIGHT RELATIONSHIP AND CONDITION FACTOR OF SOME LOCAL FISH SPECIES COLLECTED FROM YANBU FISH MARKET (RED SEA COAST, SAUDI ARABIA)
No full textAnalyzing the filleting attributes of fish is essential for evaluating the commercial viability of fish products. This study assesses the filleting attributes, length-weight relationships, and condition factors of three commercially important fish species (Lethrinus nebulosus, Epinephelus tauvina, and Plectorhinchus gaterinus) from the Yanbu fish market in Saudi Arabian Red Sea coast. Fillet production results indicated a decreasing trend in edible portions among these species, with Lethrinus nebulosus yielding the most, followed by Plectorhinchus gaterinus and Epinephelus tauvina. Fish with smaller heads and medium-sized skeletons produced higher edible fillet yields. Linear regression analysis revealed no significant differences, establishing a linear correlation between net edible weight and fillet yield. The length-weight relationship analyses for Lethrinus nebulosus, Plectorhinchus gaterinus, and Epinephelus tauvina indicated positive allometric growth. Condition factor analysis showed that Lethrinus nebulosus had the lowest mean condition factor (1.05±0.05), while Epinephelus tauvina had the highest mean condition (1.67±0.15). A robust association between weight and fillet yield components was also observed. These findings enhance our understanding of the biological and economic characteristics of these species along the Yanbu coastline, supporting fisheries management and postharvest research in line with conservation and restoration efforts. © (2025), (Scienceline Publication). All rights reserved