Resumo em Inglês:

ABSTRACT This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10, 100 mg CoQ10/kg diet) and its form on egg quality, transfer of CoQ10 into the yolk, and antioxidant indices in laying hens. A total of 36, 40-week-old Lohman Brown layers were randomly assigned to three groups and provided with either a basal diet (CON), a basal diet supplemented with powdered CoQ10 (PCQ), or a basal diet with emulsified CoQ10 (ECQ) for five weeks. Dietary supplementation with CoQ10 showed no significant effects on body weight and gain. Egg quality criteria, including egg weight, eggshell weight, shell color, albumen height, and Haugh unit were unaffected by the dietary CoQ10 supplement or its form. However, the ECQ group showed a significant increase (p<0.05) in yolk color compared to the CON and PCQ groups. The concentration of yolk CoQ10 in the ECQ group showed a significant increase (p<0.05) compared to that of the CON group. The total antioxidant power in the serum and liver of the ECQ group was significantly higher (p<0.05) than that of the CON group. In addition, the scavenging rate of 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl hydrate (DPPH) in the yolk increased markedly (p<0.05) in response to the dietary supplementation of emulsified CoQ10. Malondialdehyde (MDA) of the serum, liver, and egg yolk in the ECQ group was significantly lower (p<0.05) than in the CON group. In conclusion, the dietary emulsified CoQ10 supplement resulted in a significant increase in yolk color, CoQ10 content, and antioxidant parameters in layers.

Resumo em Inglês:

ABSTRACT This study investigates the impact of cinnamon bark polyphenols (CBP) on adipogenesis in broiler chickens across developmental stages. A total of 288 one-day-old male broilers were fed for 42 days with a basal diet or diets supplemented with 300 mg/kg (CBP300) and 600 mg/kg (CBP600) of CBP extract. CBP supplementation significantly reduced body weight gain and feed intake compared to the control group (p<0.05). This reduction indicates that CBP regulates energy metabolism, thereby enhancing metabolic efficiency and consequently preventing excessive fat accumulation. Abdominal fat proportion increased with age, and CBP notably influenced tissue weight. The addition of CBP reduced adipocyte sizes compared to the control group. Serum triglycerides decreased, whereas insulin and leptin levels rose significantly (p<0.05). Moreover, the elevated expression of PPARγ and LPL genes in adipose tissue highlights their involvement in adipogenesis and lipid metabolism regulation. This upregulation is beneficial, as it enhances lipid metabolism efficiency, contributing to the reduction in abdominal fat accumulation observed in CBP-supplemented groups. These data suggest that CBP plays a relevant role in balancing lipogenesis and lipolysis.

Resumo em Inglês:

ABSTRACT Increases in demand for egg production lead to improved egg production efficiency. Age, nutrition, and ambient temperature are among the factors influencing the performance of laying hens. Poor housing conditions can impair the well-being and performance of laying hens. This study aims to develop machine learning-based decision tree models to estimate the effects of weather variables and hen age on egg production and hen-day egg production under hot weather conditions via a data mining technique. Data from laying hens (n=48,958; 24-57 weeks old) housed in cages on a commercial farm were examined. Egg production parameters and regional weather data were analyzed. The data were processed via open-source Weka software, and the J48 classification algorithm was applied. Among the evaluated flocks, 34% presented a mortality rate within the acceptable value suggested by the genetic strain manual; and 41% of egg production was within the recommended range. We developed a decision tree model for classifying hen-day egg production with 91% accuracy, and an egg production decision tree model with 74% accuracy. Age was the most prevalent factor for both the egg production and hen-day egg production models, followed by environmental temperature and air speed. The decision tree models not only predicted egg production performance with high accuracy but also provided actionable guidelines for farm management. Specific rules identified production risks in flocks older than 36 weeks under warm and low-ventilation conditions, enabling targeted interventions such as enhanced cooling or ventilation. These insights demonstrate the tool’s applicability for optimizing on-farm decision-making and improving both productivity and animal welfare.

Resumo em Inglês:

ABSTRACT The extensive use of antibiotics in poultry farming has contributed to the rise of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, which poses serious risks to both animal and human health. As an alternative, probiotics such as Bacillus subtilis have shown potential in suppressing pathogenic bacteria and enhancing gut health, making them promising replacements for antibiotics in poultry production. This study focused on isolating and characterizing B. subtilis strains from indigenous chicken feces, specifically targeting strains with strong antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli and Salmonella typhimurium, which are common pathogens causing diarrhea in poultry. Key parameters for optimizing spore production of selected B. subtilis strain were examined, including carbon source, nitrogen source, mineral salts, inoculum age, inoculum size, medium volume, and initial pH. From an initial pool of 168 Bacillus spp. strains isolated from the feces of free-range indigenous chickens, B. subtilis BA07 was selected. The optimal culture medium for spore production was identified as 20 g/L glucose, 30 g/L soybean meal, and 1 g/L K2HPO4. Ideal fermentation conditions included a temperature of 37 °C, 12 hours of incubation, an initial pH of 7.0, an inoculum size of 2%, and a medium volume of 20 mL in a 250 mL flask. Under these optimized conditions, the spore yield of B. subtilis BA07 increased by 10.28 times compared to the initial medium, with a spore formation rate exceeding 90%. This study provides a basis for the large-scale production of B. subtilis BA07 biopreparations, reducing antibiotic dependence in poultry farming.

Resumo em Inglês:

ABSTRACT Yolkin, an egg protein, is postulated to promote development of the immune system in embryos. The effects of yolkin on mitogen-induced mouse lymphocyte proliferation, cytokine production by mouse splenocytes, tumor cell line growth, as well as cell signaling in mouse splenocytes and mouse macrophage RAW 264.7 cells were investigated. Concanavalin A (Con A)-induced thymocyte proliferation was regulated depending on the mitogen concentration. The viability of splenocytes was enhanced in normal but inhibited in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-treated cells. Yolkin inhibited the growth of mouse lymphocytic leukemia L-1210 cells, and exhibited an additive suppressive effect with cisplatin. Yolkin induced the production of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF α), interferon gamma (IFN γ), interleukin 6 (IL-6), and IL-10, although the latter only at a high concentration. LPS-induced TNF α, IFN γ and IL-6 were inhibited, but stimulated with regard to IL-10. The changes in expression of signaling molecules in splenocytes and cell lines indicated elicitation of activation and differentiation. Yolkin elicited significant levels of expression and production of cyclooxygenases COX-1 and COX-2 in splenocytes and cell lines. LPS-induced cyclooxygenase expression and production were regulated depending on the concentration of yolkin. The results contribute to explaining the mechanism of yolkin action and facilitate the interpretation of in vivo studies on yolkin.

Resumo em Inglês:

ABSTRACT Acacia gum is a potent prebiotic, which is fermented by the microbiota and increases beneficial bacteria and short-chain fatty acids (SCFA). This experiment aimed to determine the impact of acacia gum on broiler performance, intestinal viscosity, quantitative microbiota, and immune function in broilers. A total of 504 male broilers (43.91±0.03 g, 0 day of age) were randomly divided into six acacia gum groups (A=0, B=125, C=250, D=500, E=750, and F=1000 mg/kg basal diet), with 14 cages each (6 broilers/cage). Performance was measured for 35 days. A total of 14 broilers per group were randomly selected for slaughter to collect samples for analysis of targeted tests at 35 days of age. The results showed that acacia gum improved the performance indicators of broilers (p<0.05). The viscosity of duodenal contents was higher for acacia gum levels from 500 to 1000 mg/kg (p<0.05). Total SCFA, pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-4, IL-6, and IL-12; TNF-α; INF-γ), and mucosal immune factors (MUC-2 and sIg A) increased with acacia gum supplementation (p<0.05). IL-10 was lower with 250 to 1000 mg/kg of acacia gum (p<0.05). Furthermore, acacia gum increased the beneficial microbiota (Lactobacillus spp., Bifidobacterial spp., and Bacteroides spp.), while Clostridium perfringens. was reduced. The results suggest that adding acacia gum to the diet, especially at a level of 1000 mg/kg, can positively influence growth performance, improve gut health, and enhance immune function in broilers.

Resumo em Inglês:

ABSTRACT The present study aimed to determine whether replacing soybean oil with coconut oil in the feed affects the growth performance and carcass characteristics of broilers of different qualities. After hatching, chicks were separated by sex and divided into groups sorted by quality. A 2 × 2 factorial design was used, with chick quality (low and high) and feed oils (soybean and coconut) as the main effects, forming four treatment groups. A total of 800 chicks were used, with five replicates per group and 40 chicks per replicate. The initial live weights of these chicks were determined to be 44.01 g, 43.44 g, 44.73 g and 44.60 g for the low quality + soybean oil, low quality + coconut oil, high quality + soybean oil, and high quality + coconut oil treatment groups, respectively. This study showed that high-quality birds had significantly higher total feed consumption (p<0.05), but body weight gain and feed conversion rate were similar (p>0.05). Mortality was significantly higher in low-quality chicks, especially in the last three weeks (p<0.05). Low-quality female chicks had the highest abdominal fat amount and percentage (p<0.05). Birds fed coconut oil had a comparatively better feed conversion rate and higher body weight gain (p>0.05), and coconut oil had no significant effect on mortality or carcass quality (p>0.05). In conclusion, high-quality chicks outperformed low-quality ones, and coconut oil improved feed conversion without affecting mortality or carcass traits.

Resumo em Inglês:

ABSTRACT The current study documented the effects of chestnut bur tannin extracts (CTE) on oxidative stress, inflammatory response, and liver damage in Eimeria tenella-infected broilers. Chestnut burs as the byproducts of chestnut production are rich in tannins that are proven to be biologically active in multiple ways. A total of 105 Lifeng chickens were categorized into 5 groups: CON group (uninfected, untreated), ET group (E. tenella-infected, untreated), DIC group (ET group + 1 mg/L diclazuril), CTE-5 group (ET group + 5 mg/L CTE), and CTE-10 group (ET group + 10 mg/L CTE). The study indicated that the 5mg/L CTE supplementation in drinking water upregulated the activities of glutathione peroxidase and total superoxide dismutase, along with the downregulation of malondialdehyde in the liver of E. tenella-infected chickens. Moreover, inflammatory parameters (interleukin-1 beta, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interferon-gamma, and interleukin-2) restored toward normal level compared to ET group. Liver damage induced by E. tenella could be restored, and no obvious pathological damage was observed by 5 mg/L CTE supplementation. In conclusion, CTE at a dose of 5 mg/L can ameliorate E. tenella-induced oxidative stress, inflammatory response, and liver damage, providing a new reference for coccidiosis control.

Resumo em Inglês:

ABSTRACT This proof-of-concept study investigated the potential impact of monochromatic lighting on laying hen movement and nest site preference, while acknowledging significant limitations, including the absence of experimental replication and uncontrolled temperature variations. Three groups of 20 hens were housed for 90 days in separate reduced-scale sheds, each illuminated exclusively with either red (580-800 nm), blue (420-500 nm), or green (480-600 nm) monochromatic LED lighting. Flock movement was quantified using optical flow analysis, while nest site preference (“nest” vs. “floor”) was recorded daily alongside thermal conditions classified as either “comfort” (THI ≤ 76.5) or “heat stress” (THI > 76.5). Preliminary observations suggested light-dependent behavioral differences. Hens under red light tended to move less compared to those under blue or green light, with optical flow metrics indicating substantially higher activity under blue light. Under heat stress conditions, floor-laying tended to be more frequent in the red-light group, whereas no floor eggs were recorded under green light during the same periods. These findings, while not conclusive, provide initial evidence that light wavelength may influence hen behavior and laying patterns. Importantly, this study demonstrates the feasibility of using optical flow analysis as a non-invasive tool for monitoring flock activity under various lighting conditions. Given the study’s exploratory design, limited replication, and uncontrolled environmental factors, the results should be interpreted as hypothesis-generating rather than definitive. Future research with larger sample sizes, true replication, and controlled thermal environments is needed to validate and expand upon these initial insights. The findings indicate the feasibility of employing optical flow analysis as a quantitative and non-invasive technique to assess flock dynamics. This confirmation is a critical precursor to larger-scale experimental validations of our preliminary behavioral hypotheses under controlled conditions.