Search Results (9)

This study aimed to assess the impact of dietary supplementation with Schizochytrium sp. meal, a source of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), on the growth, hemato-biochemical parameters, and fatty acid composition of juvenile pirarucu (Arapaima gigas). Two diets were used: a test diet (5%SZ) and a control diet (0 SZ). Juvenile pirarucu (561.3 ± 13.4 g; 47.5 ± 7.1 cm) were kept in recirculating aquaculture tanks and fed three times daily for 12 weeks. No significant differences in growth performance or adverse effects on hemato-biochemical parameters were found, except for hemoglobin and total protein. The fatty acid profile of the fillets from the fish fed the 5 SZ diet mirrored that of the Schizochytrium sp. meal, with increased levels of palmitic acid, DHA, and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and decreased levels of linoleic and linolenic acids. The inclusion of Schizochytrium sp. meal reduced monounsaturated fatty acids from 39.6% to 32.0% and increased highly unsaturated fatty acids from 3.05% to 11.9% of total lipids. The DHA content was 9.45 times higher in the fillets of the fish fed 5 SZ, improving the n-3/n-6 ratio from 0.26 to 1.19. In conclusion, adding 5% Schizochytrium sp. meal enhances the nutritional quality of pirarucu fillets by increasing DHA and the n-3/n-6 ratio. Full article

Heavy metals enter river basins through industrial effluents, agricultural wastes, surface run-offs, and other human activities, negatively impacting aquatic and terrestrial life by bioaccumulating in the food chain. This problem is on a continuous rise in under-developed and developing countries, such as in Pakistan. Therefore, the current study was aimed to determine concentrations of heavy metals, essential trace elements, and macrominerals (Zn, Pb, Ni, Mn, Mg, Fe, Cu, Cr, Co, Cd, Ca, and As) in the water, sediments, and tissues (gills, liver, and muscles) of Bagarius bagarius and Bagre marinus in the Jhelum River, Pakistan. The hematological and biochemical profiles of these fish across two sampling sites (Jhelum Bridge Khushab, upstream, and Langarwala Pull—downstream) were also evaluated. Results showed greater bioaccumulation of heavy metals in fish downstream, correlating with higher concentrations of these metals in water and sediments downstream. In the case of B. marinus, the highest concentration observed was 16.59 mg/g (Ca), and the lowest concentration was 9.51 mg/g (Fe). In the case of B. bagarius, the highest concentration observed was 17.47 mg/g (Ca), and the lowest concentration was 7.95 mg/g (Mg). Increased activities of alkaline phosphatase (ALP), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) were observed downstream. Hematological changes included increased white blood cells (WBCs) and decreased red blood cells (RBCs), lymphocytes, hemoglobin (Hb), platelets (Plt), and hematocrit (Hct). A significant correlation was observed among heavy metals across the water, sediment, and different tissues of B. marinus and B. bagarius. Moreover, principal component analysis (PCA) for both species along both sampling sites illustrated the relationship between fish tissues and metals. The current study concluded that the fish accumulated a significantly higher concentration of heavy metals downstream, which might be linked with dumping of the domestic wastes and industrial and agricultural runoff, adversely affecting both fish and human health. Full article

To overcome the antimicrobial residues in food, benzoic acid (BA) and oregano essential oil (OEO) are used in the broiler chicken industry. Independently, both exerted anticoccidial and antimicrobial actions and improved growth performance in broiler chickens. Their effect may be multiplied when they are used in combination. This present study was carried out to evaluate the efficacy of dietary BA and OEO alone or in combination as a substitute for a commercial coccidiostatic drug on growth performance and physiological and immunological responses in broiler chickens challenged with Eimeria species. A total of 252 unsexed 1-day-old broiler chicks were equally allotted to 36 pens, each pen containing seven chicks. The pens were randomly assigned to six treatments with six pens (replicates) for each treatment (n = 6)—(i) negative control, (ii) positive control, coccidia-challenged and non-treated, (iii) supplemented with salinomycin (an anti-coccidial drug) at 60 mg/kg of feed and coccidia-challenged, (iv) supplemented with BA at 500 mg/kg of feed and coccidia-challenged, (v) supplemented with OEOat 500 mg/kg of feed and coccidia-challenged (OEO), and (vi) supplemented with BA at 500 mg/kg of feed and OEO at 500 mg/kg of feed and coccidia-challenged (B&O). The liver enzymes and thyroxine and creatinine levels were not affected (p > 0.05) both in coccidia-challenged and supplemented chickens. The BA and OEO applied separately or in combination (B&O) significantly (p < 0.05) reduced gut pathogenic bacteria (Salmonella and Escherichia coli) and Eimeria spp., and concurrently enhanced (p > 0.05) the Lactobacillus population with better body weight gain, improved feed utilization, and superior hematological values. It also up-regulated (p > 0.05) the interferon-γ gene expression and down-regulated (p < 0.05) the interleukin-10 and Toll-like receptor-4 gene expression to protect the chickens from inflammatory reactions, which were not demonstrated in salinomycin-treated birds. The B&O supplementation increased (p < 0.05) the immune system by enhancing Eimeria-specific immunoglobulin Y titer and lymphocyte proliferation response. This study suggests that the combined application of OEO and BA can substitute for a commercial anti-coccidial agent (salinomycin) in controlling coccidiosis as well as improving growth performance, gut health, and immune responses in broiler chickens with a means of antimicrobial-resistant free food products. Full article

The effect of dietary inclusion of Moringa oleifera leaf powder (MLP) on the growth, meat quality, carcass characteristics, hematobiochemical profile, and cecal bacteria of broiler chicken was investigated in this research trial. In this study, 192-day-old Arbor Acre broiler chicks were assigned in a completely randomized design to three groups: control, antibiotic, and MLP. A standard basal diet was given to the control group, while the antibiotic group received 75 mg/kg chlortetracycline, and the MLP group received 100 mg/kg M. oleifera leaf powder supplemented basal diet. Each group was further divided into eight replicates consisting of eight birds each, and the trial ran for 35 days. Among the groups, the MLP-fed broilers achieved the highest final body weight (FBW), average daily gain (ADG), and average daily feed intake (ADFI). Notably, the FCR for the whole experimental period was lower in the MLP group, indicating a more efficient use of feed for growth. Supplementation of MLP with basal diet significantly increased (p < 0.05) the weight of thighs and drumsticks relative to live weight %, while the spleen and abdominal fat weight (% of live weight) were significantly decreased (p < 0.05). Adding MLP to the diet improved the meat quality of broilers, as indicated by the highest pH of meat at 45 min and the lowest cooking loss (%) observed in this group. MLP exhibited hypocholesterolemic and hypolipidemic effects, with the lowest total cholesterol and triglyceride levels compared to non-supplemented groups. The hematological profile revealed that the MLP group exhibited the highest RBC count and Hb level, while also showing the lowest H/L ratio. Moringa supplementation significantly (p < 0.05) modulated the cecal bacterial population, reducing pathogenic E. coli and Shigella spp. while increasing beneficial Lactobacillus spp. and the total aerobic plate count (TAPC). In conclusion, Moringa oleifera leaf powder (MLP) can be used as a natural feed supplement for promoting the growth, meat quality, healthy blood, and sound health of broilers. Full article

Plant extracts are a phytochemically-rich alternative to antibiotic and synthetic feed additives, with high systemic bioactivity in animals. The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of a hydroalcoholic extract of custard apple (Annona squamosa) leaf (ASLE) on the growth, hematobiochemical parameters, digestive enzyme activities, redox status, nonspecific immune response, and cold and bacterial infection tolerance in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). A total of 300 Nile tilapia fingerlings (11.87 ± 0.48 g) were fed ASLE-supplemented diets at increasing levels of 0, 5, 10, 15, and 20 g/kg for 60 days. At the end of the feeding period, the fish were experimentally challenged with cold water stress or Aeromonas sobria, and mortalities were recorded for 10 days. The results revealed that the growth performance and feed conversion ratio were significantly improved with an increasing level of ASLE supplementation. The hematologic profile and hepato-renal functions were retained within a healthy range in the various groups supplemented with an ASLE diet. Antioxidant status was significantly improved in the serum of fish fed ASLE-supplemented diets, in terms of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) activities, reduced glutathione, and total antioxidant capacity. Meanwhile, the myeloperoxidase (MPO) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels decreased significantly. Similarly, there was a noticeable improvement in the hepatic CAT and SOD activities and a reduction of hepatic MDA. Marked improvements in lysozyme activity, nitric oxide production, complement3 level, and phagocytic activity were recorded in groups fed ASLE-supplemented diets, which peaked with the 20 g ASLE/kg diet. Moreover, the serum glucose and cortisol levels significantly declined in groups fed ASLE at levels of 15–20 g/kg compared to the other groups. Supplementation with ASLE increased the activities of protease, lipase, and α-amylase. ASLE supplementation at a concentration of 10–20 g/kg diet enhanced the resistance of Nile tilapia to A. sobria infection. According to this study, ASLE supplementation enhanced the antioxidant balance, non-specific immune response, physiological status, resistance against infection, and growth performance of Nile tilapia at supplementation levels of 10–20 g/kg diet. Full article

Cytauxzoonosis is an emerging disease caused by a tick-transmitted haemoprotozoan affecting domestic and wild felids. The clinical and biomolecular findings of the infection due to Cytauxzoon sp. and concomitant coinfections are described in three cats in central Italy. Three domestic cats were referred for different clinical conditions (impact trauma, lameness, and weight loss and lethargy). They presented different hematobiochemical profiles. Only two cats were anemic, but in all three cats, endo erythrocyte inclusions suggestive of piroplasmids were found at blood smear evaluation. EDTA blood samples were submitted to rapid ELISA test for feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) and feline leukemia virus (FeLV), and to biomolecular investigations for Piroplasmida (Babesia spp., Theileria spp., Cytauxzoon spp.) and Mycoplasma spp. All three cats were positive for Cytauxzoon sp. (European Cytauxzoon species) and two cases were also coinfected by Candidatus Mycoplasma turicensis and FIV. This report suggests that cytauxzoonosis should be included among differential diagnoses in subjects with possibility of contact with ticks and with presence of coinfections by tick-borne parasites, including in non-endemic areas. Full article

The impact of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) on the pathogenesis of coccidiosis in broiler chickens was tested. A total of 160 1-day-old broiler chicks (Ross 308) were randomly allocated into 4 groups (n = 40). Group 1: unchallenged, unmedicated; Group 2: challenged, unmedicated; Group 3: challenged, supplemented with diclazuril (1 ppm); Group 4: challenged, supplemented with ZnO-NPs (20 ppm). Mixed Eimeria species (E. maxima, E. acervulina, E. mivati, and E. tenella) of a commercial coccidial vaccine (FORTEGRA^®) were used to perform the coccidial challenge by 15× of its vaccinal dose on the 14th day of age. Diclazuril and ZnO-NPs supplementation in Group 3 and 4, respectively, reduced the mortality rate due to coccidial challenge to 5.8% compared to 11.9% in Group 2. The growth performance was improved by ZnO-NPs in coccidiosis-infected group (p ≤ 0.05) compared to Group 2 and was comparable to that of Group 3 (p ≥ 0.05). The average oocyst count was lower in Groups 3 and 4 (7.8 × 10³ and 14.3 × 10³, respectively) than in Group 2 (67 × 10³ oocysts). Group 3 had a decreased gross lesion score in duodenum and caecum (p ≤ 0.05) as well as jujenum and ileum (p ≥ 0.05) compared to Group 2; while the average lesion scores of all intestinal parts in Group 4 were significantly decreased (p ≤ 0.05). However, diclazuril was superior to ZnO-NPs in reducing caecal lesion score (p ≤ 0.05). Plasma carotenoids levels were increased by diclazuril (p ≥ 0.05) and ZnO-NPs (p ≤ 0.05) supplementation compared to Group 2. Oxidative stress appeared on the fourth week post-challenge (pc) in Group 2 (p ≤ 0.05) compared to Group 1, while the dietary supplementation with either diclazuril or ZnO-NPs numerically decreased Malondialdhyde (p ≥ 0.05) and statistically increased antioxidant activity (p ≤ 0.05). Both medications significantly improved the PCV%, Hb% and RBCs count on the 6th-day and 4th-week pc (p ≤ 0.05) compared to Group 2, though this improvement was higher significantly in Group 4 than Group 3 on the 6th day pc (p ≤ 0.05). Neither coccidial challenge nor medications had an impact on the total WBCs count as well as organ index, except Bursa of fabricious index that significantly improved by ZnO-NPs on the 4th-week pc compared to Group 2. Coccidial challenge reduced total protein and globulin levels and increased the serum alanine aminotransferase, serum cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein levels (p ≤ 0.05) compared to Group 1, while those of both medicated groups (Group 3 and 4) were comparable to Group 1 (p ≥ 0.05). In conclusion, ZnO-NPs were found to be as effective as diclazuril against coccidiosis. However, further research is needed to fully comprehend its anticoccidial mechanisms. Full article

Leishmaniasis remains one of the major neglected tropical diseases. The epidemiological profile of the disease comprises a wide range of hosts, including dogs and cats. Despite several studies about feline Leishmaniosis, the role of cats in disease epidemiology and its clinical impact is still debated. The present study raises awareness about the impact of leishmaniasis in cats from an endemic region in of Northwestern Italy (Liguria). A total number of 250 serum and 282 blood samples were collected from cats, then assessed for Leishmania infantum (L. infantum) serologically using western blot (WB) and molecularly using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). We also tested the association of Leishmania infection with some infectious agents like haemotropic Mycoplasma, Feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) and Feline leukemia virus (FeLV) together with the hematobiochemical status of the examined animals. Interestingly, all tested animals were asymptomatic and out of 250 examined serum samples, 33 (13.20%) samples (confidence interval (CI) 95% 9.56–17.96%) were positive at WB for L. infantum, whereas of the 282 blood samples, 80 (28.36%) returned a positive PCR (CI 95% 23.43–33.89%). Furthermore, there was a statistical association between PCR positivity for L. infantum and some hematological parameters besides FIV infection as well as a direct significant correlation between Mycoplasma infection and WB positivity. Taken together, the present findings report high prevalence of L. infantum among cats, which reinforces the significance of such positive asymptomatic animals and confirms the very low humoral response in this species. In addition, the laboratory values provide evidence that infection by the parasite is linked to alteration of some hematological parameters and is correlated to some infectious agents. These data are of interest and suggest future research for accurate diagnosis of such zoonosis. Full article

The current study examined the influence of Citrus limon (dry lemon) on the hemato-biochemical profiles, and antioxidant indices of growing rabbits. Forty-eight growing New Zealand White rabbits (age, eight weeks; weight, 1543.33 ± 25 g) were allocated into three groups (16 animals each), the first group was (control) fed a basal diet, whereas the second and third groups were supplemented with dried lemon, 1% or 2% DLP, respectively. A GC-MS analysis of more than 27 active constituents was performed. Feed conversion efficiency was (p < 0.05) better with diets containing 1% or 2% dry lemon, compared to the control group. Hematological indexes were increased significantly with the addition of DLP compared to those in the control group. Adding 1% or 2% dry lemon to rabbit diet increased (p < 0.05) enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant activities (TAC, SOD, GSH, GST, and CAT) in serum and liver tissues. Taken together, these data reveal the advantages and antioxidant effects of dry lemon supplementation for growing rabbits once supplemented at a maximum of 2% in their daily diet. Full article