 Subjects -> ANIMAL WELFARE (Total: 103 journals)
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- Haemo-thermoregulatory response of wallowed and non-wallowed geese during
low temperature humidity index
Abstract: Haemo-thermoregulatory response of twenty-six adult geese comprising of 12 males and 14 females randomly allotted to four groups (Wallowed males, non-wallowed males, wallowed females and non-wallowed females) in a completely randomized design for seven weeks was evaluated. Wallowing was done every alternate day. Respiratory rate (RR), rectal temperature (RT) and pulse rate (PUR) were recorded. On days 1 and 49, blood samples (3mL/geese) were collected from geese in each group and analysed for haematological parameters using standard procedures. There was no sex effect on the RR and PUR but significantly (p<0.05) higher RT was observed in males (40.69°C) compared to females (40.53°C). The RR, RT and PUR were not significantly affected by wallowing. Interactions effect between sex and wallowing on RR, RT and PUR was not significant. Only platelet counts were significantly higher in females (17.70) than males (14.68). Wallowed Geese had significantly lower packed cell volume (37.46±5.13%), haemoglobin (11.85±1.69g/dl) and monocytes (2.81±0.63%) than other treatments. Wallowed Female geese had significantly lower haemoglobin (10.93g/dL) and monocytes (2.86%) compared to those without wallow treatment. Therefore, wallowing has mild influence on the thermoregulatory and haematological indices of geese reared under low temperature-humidity index during non-breeding season.
PubDate: Mon, 12 Dec 2022 00:00:00 GMT
- Development of dual-purpose cross for meat and egg production I. Growth
performance and carcass composition of the crossbred chickens in
comparison to the parent lines
Abstract: The aim of the study was to develop a dual-purpose cross suitable for rearing in alternative systems and to examine its growth performance and carcass composition in comparison to the parent lines. The experiment was carried out in the experimental poultry farm in the Institute of Animal Science - Kostinbrod. The cross was developed using females of a layer type line L and cocks from line BB. The latter was based on Bresse Gauloise that is also dual purpose but mainly used for meat. The chickens from the lines and the cross were reared in mixed-sex groups on deep litter, at stocking density of 25 birds/m2, and fed with standard broiler feed until the age of 9 weeks. Then the males were separated and sent to slaughter while the females were left for layers. Crossing hens from layer type line L with BB cocks resulted in dual-purpose chickens with a live weight and feed efficiency that were better in comparison to L line, but lower when compared to the BB line. These parameters were however, lower than the typically observed in this type of poultry. Nevertheless, the chickens displayed good carcass composition and deposited low content of abdominal fat, thus revealing good potential to be successfully realized in market.
PubDate: Mon, 12 Dec 2022 00:00:00 GMT
- Effect of leaf meal on the reproductive indices of male rabbits
Abstract: The study evaluated the effect of Vernonia amygdalina leaf meal on semen indices, serum testosterone and sperm reserve of male rabbits. Forty rabbit bucks were randomly assigned into four groups and fed the experimental diets containing Vernonia amygdalina (VLM) at 0, 5, 10 and 15 % levels for 84days. Reproductive indices were evaluated using standard procedures. Data obtained were subjected to analysis of variance at p<0.05. All semen in rabbits fed 0, 5 and 10 % VLM had milky colour while 14.8% light green and 85.2% milky semen colour was observed in bucks fed 15%VLM. Libido score reduced in rabbits fed VLM diets. Bucks fed 15%VLM had significantly higher semen volume (0.47ml). VLM had no significant effect on spermatozoa mass motility, progressive motility and sperm concentration. Live sperm cells significantly increased in bucks fed 5 and 10% VLM diets. VLM had significant (p<0.05) effect on spermatozoa morphology. Vernonia amygdalina leaf meal had no significant (p<0.05) impact on testosterone, testicular and epididymal indices. In conclusion, up to 10%VLM can be adopted as feed ingredient for male rabbit breeder stock without deleterious effect on reproductive indices.
PubDate: Mon, 12 Dec 2022 00:00:00 GMT
- The effects of diets incorporating natural source of tannins on laying
hens’ production performances and physical parameters of eggs
Abstract: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of natural tannins in laying hens’ diets on production parameters and the alterations of eggs’ physical properties during storage time and temperature. A six weeks experiment was carried out on 168 Lohmann Brown laying hens, 51 weeks of age, accommodated within digestibility cages, structured on 3 levels. The dietary basic structure was the same for all 3 tested groups. The difference between the experimental and control groups was established by the type of plant additive added E1 (0.5% chestnut flour) vs. E2 (0.5% bark oak). At the end of the experiment, 36 eggs/group were collected to evaluate internal and external quality parameters of eggs during storage. These eggs were divided into two parts: 18 eggs/group were kept at room temperature (22°C) and 18 eggs/group were kept in the refrigerator (4°C) for 42 days and analysed to determine shelf time. The results obtained showed that the physical parameters of eggs laid by hens fed with diets supplemented with natural source of tannins (chestnut powder and oak bark) were improved in terms of Haugh Units, yolk colour and eggshell thickness, but only in refrigeration storage conditions.
PubDate: Mon, 12 Dec 2022 00:00:00 GMT
- Semen characteristics and fertility response of crosses between white and
black plumage indigenous turkeys under artificial insemination
Abstract: Semen quality and fertility in crossbreeding between white plumage and black plumage indigenous turkey hens using artificial insemination were investigated. Eighty-two healthy indigenous turkeys, comprising 72 hens (Thirty-two black and forty white) and 10 toms (five black and five white) were used. The turkeys were grouped into four treatments based on the breeding plans: T1 (White toms X White hens), T2 (Black toms X Black hens), T3 (White toms X black hens) and T4 (Black toms X White hens). Semen was harvested from white toms, pooled, and inseminated at 0.02ml into hens in T1 and T3. Semen harvested from black toms were also pooled and inseminated at same dose into hens in T2 and T4. White tom semen quality parameters were 97%, 91%, 96%, and 532×106 cells/mL for mass activity, motility, livability, and sperm concentration, respectively. Black tom semen quality parameters were 91%, 93%, 95%, and 293×106 cells/mL for mass activity, motility, livability, and sperm concentration, respectively. Egg fertility were 99.63% in T1, 99.81% (T2), 99.84%(T3), and 99.27% (T4). Hatchability in T1, T2, T3, and T4 were 57.67%, 72.54%, 67.65%, and 64.82%, respectively. Besides sperm concentration, semen quality parameters and fertility in indigenous turkey were not affected by plumage colour
PubDate: Mon, 12 Dec 2022 00:00:00 GMT
- Potential and challenge assessment of tannin extracts from black tea in
male rabbits fed contaminated diet by Mycotoxins
Abstract: The focus of this research was to investigate how tannin extract from black tea influenced the hematological and histopathological evaluations of male rabbits fed a mycotoxin-contaminated feed, including 17 ppb aflatoxin, 5 ppb ochratoxin and 2 ppb fumonisin. A total of 28 local male rabbits were allocated into four groups, the first of which was a control group. The second was fed a Mycotoxin-contaminated meal. The third was given a Mycotoxin feeding with tannin extracts (125mg/mL per head) administered orally, while the fourth was fed a Mycotoxin contaminated diet with tannin extracts (250 mg/mL per head) given orally. The findings revealed that tannin extracts seemed to have a significant positive impact on haematological results, particularly RBCs and WBCs, throughout the period; however, the 250 mg/mL dose showed no significant differences in Hb levels. Nonetheless, as compared to the Mycotoxin group, the histopathological sections of tannin extract demonstrated a reduction in the toxicity of the Mycotoxin diet on the liver and kidney tissues; conversely, the tissue sections of the control animals showed no abnormalities. In male rabbits fed contaminated Mycotoxin diets, tannin extract from black tea was found to have a favourable impact on hematological activities and vital organs such as the liver and kidney.
PubDate: Mon, 12 Dec 2022 00:00:00 GMT
- Assessing the efficiency of using a local hybrid of rye for broiler
chickens aged 1–42 d, with emphasis on performance and meat quality
Abstract: This study was conducted to test the hypothesis that a new rye hybrid produced in Romania (Suceveana variety) could not impair the performance and meat quality of broiler chickens. A total of 360-day-old male Ross 308 broiler chicks (40.1±2.3 g) were randomly assigned to 3 dietary treatments replicated 6 times having 20 birds per replicate. Experimental diets were formulated to replace 25 and 50% of corn with rye (RYE 25 and RYE 50, respectively) as energy-yielding sources, whereas the control diet (CON) was 100% corn-based. All diets were formulated to be isocaloric and isonitrogenous, with similar total lysine and total sulfur amino acids. The results indicated similar outcomes of the local rye hybrid to commonly used corn-containing diets in terms of performance and carcasses. There were no differences in fundamental physicochemical (i.e., pH, protein, fat, moisture) or textural attributes of breast muscles due to dietary treatment, as well. However, the substitution of corn with rye reduced (P = 0.008) abdominal fat associated with an increase in CIE color (P< 0.001). Thus, the Suceveana rye hybrid can be included in broiler diets, from hatching to day 42, without any adverse effects on the bird’s performance.
PubDate: Mon, 12 Dec 2022 00:00:00 GMT
- The effects of minor oilseeds cakes on rumen metabolism and productive
performances of ruminants
Abstract: The article focuses on the chemical composition, nutritional value and the effects of four minor oilseeds’ cakes when used in ruminants’ nutrition. Although less abundant than the well-known major oilseeds, mechanical extraction of oils from the minor oilseeds retrieves important quantities of cakes which, beside a high content of crude protein have variable, yet important proportions of residual fat, upon the efficiency of the extraction processes and retains some nutritional properties of the seeds, including the content in bioactive substances.The browse of the literature on minor oilseeds cakes retrieved scattered and contradictory data, implying a need for systematic comparison, among them and against a reference feed. Although specific literature is scarce, a number of articles reported the chemical composition of the four cakes, allowing their hierarchization and their comparison with the rapeseed cake, considered as reference feed.On the other hand, the review identified numerous knowledge gaps, concerning the effects of the four cakes on rumen metabolism and their effects on animals’ productive performances. However, the literature review confirmed that the four cakes can be good substitutes of rapeseed cakes or similar feeds in ruminants’ nutrition, as long as the potential effects of bioactive substances taken into consideration.
PubDate: Mon, 12 Dec 2022 00:00:00 GMT
- Effects of dietary supplementation with herbal extract as methionine
replacer on growth performance, meat composition, oxidative stability and
liver gene expression in broiler chickens
Abstract: In the present study, an herbal feed additive was tested for partial-to-complete replacement of synthetic methionine in poultry diets, along with its effects on performance, breast and thigh meat chemical composition, oxidative stability during refrigerated storage and the expression of five target genes in liver. In a 35 days trial, 600 one-day-old male chicks were randomly allocated to 4 groups with 10 replicates. Birds in the control group were fed a regular maize–soybean-based diet that covered DL-methionine needs while the second group (Meth40) was similar to control but contained only DL – Methionine at 40% of control diet. Diet in third group contained DLMethionine at 40% of control and the herbal feed additive Methiorep TMMeth40+Mrep) with extracts of Boerhavia diffusa, Azadirachta indica, Vigna mungo and Trigonella foenum-graecum. Diet of fourth group was formulated to totally replace DL Methionine by Methiorep TM (Mrep). Body weight gain and feed consumption were weekly recorded. At the end of the trial, all birds were slaughtered and 2 chickens per pen were selected for meat and liver sampling. The liver was tested for the expression of five target genes, namely Methionine synthase (MTR), Tyrosine aminotransferase (TAT), Spermidine synthase (SMS), Methionine sulfoxide reductase (MSRB1) and Betaine homocysteine S-methyltransferase (BHMT). The results showed that the Meth40 group had reduced body weight compared to the Meth40+Mrep group while the Control and Mrep groups had comparable weights. Feed intake and feed conversion ratio did not differ among the experimental groups. Carcass, breast and thigh meat yield were higher in the Mrep and the Control compared to Meth40 and Meth40+Mrep groups. Also, meat oxidation was significantly lower in herbal groups compared to the control group. After normalization to β-actin expression, quantitative real-time PCR analysis revealed an induction in the expression of MTR and SMS genes in the liver of both herbal treated groups. No changes were observed for the TAT, MSRB1and BHMT genes in the herbal treated groups compared to the control or the Meth40 group. In conclusion, herbal feed additives with specific plant extracts may be able to improve both growth performance and antioxidant activity of broiler chickens, phenolic content; yet, they may also support in amino acid efficient use of broiler.
PubDate: Mon, 12 Dec 2022 00:00:00 GMT
- Effect of agro-industrial by-products on inflammation and oxidative stress
using an in vitro cell model
Abstract: Agro-industrial by-products can play an important role in the animal feeding, being an alternative to conventional raw materials. These two wastes can be considered as important sources of bioactive compounds that can be used in animal feed with multiple benefits for animal health. This study has investigated the anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant in vitro capacity of grape seed and sea buckthorn meals, as waste resulted from the oil industry in order to be used in swine nutrition. The in vitro study was realised on swine peripheral blood mononuclear cells challenged with LPS and treated or not with grape seed meal and sea buckthorn meal extracts. Our results show that both extracts have the capacity to attenuate the inflammation and oxidative stress induced by LPS. The effect induced by the grape seed meal extract was in majority of cases more important than of the sea buckthorn, this effect might be due to a different composition in bioactive compounds (polyphenols, PUFA etc) of the two extracts.
PubDate: Mon, 12 Dec 2022 00:00:00 GMT
- Genetic evaluation of Teleorman Black Head ewes using genes polymorphism
for improving milk traits
Abstract: The purpose of the present study was to asses specific gene markers associated with the sheep milk production in Teleorman Black Head ewes. For the proper selection of the best candidates for milk production, the genetic markers such as CSN3, BLG and PRL were selected. To detect CSN3, PRL and BLG polymorphisms, genomic DNA was isolated from blood samples collected from 50 ewes. ASA-PCR and PCR-RFLP methods were used for genotyping of animals; the genotypes frequencies and Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium were estimated using R software. In our samples, for CSN3 gene were identified two genotypes (CC and CT), the most frequent being CT genotype (94%). For PRL gene, were identified three genotypes (AA, AB and BB), AA and BB genotypes being the most frequent (36% and 40% respectively). Also, three genotypes were identified for BLG gene (AA, AB and BB), with an increased frequency of AB genotype (44%). These preliminary data will be correlated in the next experiments with phenotypic data, generating important tools for genetic selection of the Teleorman Black Head sheep population.
PubDate: Mon, 04 Jul 2022 00:00:00 GMT
- Effect of dietary supplementation of some antioxidant combinations on
nutrient digestibility in heat-stressed broilers
Abstract: The paper investigated the effect of some dietary antioxidant’s combinations on nutrient digestibility in heat-stressed broilers. The experimental study was conducted for 28 days on 120 Cobb 500 broilers (14 days of age) assigned into 4 groups (30 chicks/group) in cages and exposed to heat stress conditions (32 °C). The control group was fed a control diet (C) and the experimental groups were fed diets including 200 µg/kg diet chromium picolinate and: 0.25 g vitamin C (VC)/kg diet (Cr-VC), 0.025 g Zn/kg diet (Cr- Zn), and 10 g creeping wood sorrel powder (CWS)/kg diet (Cr-CWS). Our results showed that dietary combinations of supplemented antioxidants for chickens under heat stress had a positive effect on the digestibility of nutrients and nutrient deposits in liver tissue. Dietary combined effect of Cr and vitamin C or Cr and Zn potentiates the Fe deposition in broilers’ liver while Cr-Zn improved the apparent digestibility of crude protein, crude fat, Fe and Zn.
PubDate: Mon, 04 Jul 2022 00:00:00 GMT
- Preliminary study regarding the effect of season on haematological
parameters in Syrian Awassi rams
Abstract: Four apparently healthy Syrian Awassi rams were used for one year. Jugular blood samples were collected from the rams once a week to determine some essential blood components (13) using a Veterinary Haematology Analyzer. The overall means were: 8.92 × 103/mm3 for White Blood Cells (WBC), 5.91% for Lymphocytes (LYM), 1.00 % for Monocytes (MON), 2.62% for Granulocytes (GRA), 7.94 × 103/mm3 for Red Blood Cells (RBC), 10.24 g/dL for Haemoglobin (Hb), 30.93% for Haematocrit (HCT), 39.12fL for Mean Corpuscular Volume (MCV), 12.57 pg for Mean Cell Haemoglobin (MCH), 33.10g/dL for Mean Corpuscular Haemoglobin Concentration (MCHC), 16.34 % for Red Cell Distribution Width (RDW), 577.3 ×103/mm3 for Platelet Counts (PLT) and 3.99 fL for Mean Platelet Volume (MPV), with variations in the values among individuals. There were differences in the value means among the months of the year in some components, where the overall means of WBC, LYM, MON, GRA, HGB, MCH and MCHC were significantly (P<0.05) higher in winter as compared to summer months, whereas, MCV means were significantly (P<0.05) higher in summer as compared to winter months, whereas there were no significant (P>0.05) differences in the means of RBC, RDW, PLT or MPV among summer and winter months.
PubDate: Mon, 04 Jul 2022 00:00:00 GMT
- Plasma biochemical profile of dairy cows, with respect to diet and breed
Abstract: The aim of this study was to determine if total replacement of soybean meal (SBM) with a rapeseed by-product (RS-by) in the diets of Romanian Black Spotted (RBS) and Montbéliarde (MB) breeds will cause changes of the biochemical profile in lactating cows. Thirty-two healthy multiparous dairy cows, mid-lactation stage, were randomly assigned to four homogeneous groups (2 RBS and 2 MB) of 8 cows each for 42 days of experiment. Groups received the same basal diet (maize silage and alfalfa hay) and two types of compound feed: control (with 12.5% SBM) and experimental (with 12.5% RS-by). Individual blood samples were collected at the end of the trial from the mammary vein and plasma biochemical parameters were determined. The main effects of feed, breed and their interaction were statistically analyzed with SPSS software. Plasma energy parameters were not affected by the dietary treatments, but glucose was higher in MB breed. Total protein and urea were significantly higher (7.99 vs. 6.93 g/dL; 18.50 vs. 15.31 mg/dL) in control compared to the experimental group; urea was also influenced by the feed x breed interaction. Magnesium was significantly higher (1.98 vs.1.59 mg/dL) in the experimental group. Alanine aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase were significantly higher (35.75 vs. 29.00 U/L; 43.62 vs. 36.40 U/L) in the control group. The mineral or enzimatic analytes were not affected by animal breed. The majority of the parameters ranged between the normal limits.
PubDate: Mon, 04 Jul 2022 00:00:00 GMT
- The pig gut microbiota analysis techniques, a comparison
Abstract: The gastrointestinal tract microbiota composition can be radically different among pigs with regards to their health, age, feed intake, breed, and local conditions making its investigation into an important and multifaceted tool for evaluating the effects of new breeding and feeding schemes and animal welfare. For a long time, scientists have relied upon classical microbiology techniques to identify the makeup of bacterial populations from the gastrointestinal tract. Since their conceptions, high throughput sequencing and other molecular techniques contributed immensely in better understanding the pig gut microbiota and its makeup. Since many techniques to identify and quantify the microbiota are based on bacterial gene targets, they can, be used to determine the relation between different bacterial taxons and developmental processes, how it influences the host metabolism or diseases impact. In our review, we offer an overview of the different methods employed in the assay of the gut microbiota of pigs along with differences and pitfalls.
PubDate: Mon, 04 Jul 2022 00:00:00 GMT
- Nutritional potentialities of sweet sorghum plant parts in ruminant
production system
Abstract: The study evaluated the nutritive potentials of 8 cultivars of sweet sorghum and their suitability as ruminant feedstuff. The sorghum cultivars were grown and harvested, each cultivar divided into 2 portions (whole plants and leaves), thereafter ensiled with the view of assessing their nutritive potentials vis-à-vis eco-friendliness for improved/sustained ruminant production. Nutrients and anti-nutrient compositions were assessed. Organic matter digestibility (OMD), methane gas production (CH4), short chain fatty acids (SCFA) and metabolizable energy (ME) were evaluated using in vitro gas production technique. Data generated were subjected to appropriate statistical analysis. From the results, parameters assessed were significantly (P<0.05) improved among the treatments. Ensiling significantly improved the nutritive qualities with respect to the cultivars. The assayed phytochemicals were at tolerable levels and would not hinder nutrients absorption, if fed to ruminants. Further, the in vitro degradability study revealed that whole plant of Samsorg-14 sweet sorghum cultivar and its silage have the best nutritive qualities (CP (7.66%; 9.16%), OMD (37.20%; 37.74%), SCFA (0.32; 0.36 umol/200MgDM), ME (4.91; 4.99 MJ/kgDM), respectively. Hence, Samsorg-14 sweet sorghum cultivar was the best of all the cultivars and could serve as protein/energy source in ruminants’ diet vis-à-vis its methanogenesis, which invariably could contribute to greenhouse gas emission.
PubDate: Mon, 04 Jul 2022 00:00:00 GMT
- Alterations in meat nutrient composition in response to a partial
replacement of corn with triticale in the broiler diet
Abstract: The study evaluated the effect of feeding triticale on proximate composition, amino acids (AA) profile and nutritional value of meat (breast and thigh) of broiler chickens. A 5-weeks trial (1-35d) was conducted on Cobb 500 broilers (n=400), allotted into two dietary groups with five replicates (40 birds/replicate) and fed control (C, corn-soybean meal) and triticale (T, corn-triticale-soybean meal) diets. Broilers meat’s proximate composition and energy value showed no significant differences between treatments. Feeding triticale significantly increased (P<0.05) breast muscle concentrations of arginine, valine and phenylalanine, while the methionine and alanine decreased (P<0.05) and did not affect the total AA, essential, non-essential or flavor AA. Concerning the thigh muscle AA profile, partial corn replacing with triticale decreased (P<0.05) the content of isoleucine, leucine, serine and alanine, without altering the total AA, EAA, NEAA, flavor AA or their ratio. The limiting AA in both muscle types was leucine, irrespective of diet. The EAA index and net protein value revealed no significant differences between diets or muscle types. In conclusion, partial corn replacement in broilers’ diets with triticale did not adversely affect the proximate meat composition and positively impacted broilers’ nutritional meat protein quality.
PubDate: Mon, 04 Jul 2022 00:00:00 GMT
- Estimation of the genetic parameters for Somatic Cell Scores in the first
lactation of Romanian Black and White cattle
Abstract: The aim of study was the estimation of the genetic parameters of somatic cell score of Romanian Black and White cattle population. Test-day records of somatic cell count (SCC) of 305 days lactation were from Romanian Black and White cattle population from experimental farm of our institute. The mean of somatic cell count of milk in the first lactation of Romanian Black and White cows was 291966.89. The genetic parameters were estimates with random regression test-day animal model. The heritability for somatic cell score (SCS) ranged from 0.0473 to 0.147. The breeding values for the best cows for somatic cell score were between -35.566 and -191.358. The genetic correlations between somatic cell count milk records test-day were positive. The phenotypic and genetic correlations between somatic cell count and milk yield were negative.
PubDate: Mon, 04 Jul 2022 00:00:00 GMT
- Effect of gamma irradiation on the primary and secondary products of lipid
oxidation in raw chicken meat, stored under different temperatures and
packaging – a meta-analysis
Abstract: A meta-analysis on the effect of gamma irradiation on lipid oxidation products in raw chicken meat subjected to different temperatures of storage and packageing was carried out. A total of 11 studies were examined in regard to the peroxide value (POV) and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS). The high heterogeneity in the studies was decisive for the selection of the random effects model applied on the raw mean difference (effect size) for the analysis of the data. The results of the meta-analysis showed that gamma irradiation increased the contents of the primary (POV) and secondary products (TBARS) of lipid oxidation in the raw chicken meat (P<0.001). Further, meta-regression and the examined covariates indicated significant influence of the dose of radiation on the formation of POV (P<0.001), whereas TBARS contents tended to depend on the package of the meat. In most of the studies included in the meta-analysis, the contents of the lipid oxidation products remained in acceptable levels and the treatment with gamma rays did not affect negatively the high nutritive value of the meat.
PubDate: Mon, 04 Jul 2022 00:00:00 GMT
- Dietary clove leaf meal supplementation: influence on egg qualities and
reproductive morphometry of domestic laying birds
Abstract: This study investigated the effects of dietary Syzygium aromaticum supplementation on egg qualities, egg cholesterol and reproductive morphometry of laying hens. Three experimental diets were formulated containing 0.00%, 0.25% and 0.50% Syzygium aromaticum leaf meal (SLM). One hundred and fifty (20 weeks old) Isa-Brown birds were randomly assigned to three-treatment group which comprised 50 birds replicated five times with 10 birds each. Six eggs were collected from each replicate three days to the end of the 1st cycle of laying (4 weeks), 2nd and 3rd cycles and properly labelled for egg qualities assessment. At the end of the 12 weeks feeding trial, 45 birds (3 birds per replicate, that is, 15 birds per treatment) were slaughtered and dissected to evaluate their reproductive parameters. The result showed positive dietary effect (P<0.05) on shell thickness, yolk height, yolk index and egg mass. Cholesterol level of whole eggs, egg yolk and albumen were significantly lowered. Weight of entire reproductive tract and ovary as well as length of infundibulum, magnum, isthmus, uterus and vagina were significantly increased by dietary SLM. Conclusively, clove supplementation at 0.25% and 0.50% could be adopted for improved egg shell thickness and low-cholesterol eggs in poultry production
PubDate: Mon, 04 Jul 2022 00:00:00 GMT
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