AIMS AND BACKGROUND:The alternative manner of iodide and glucose uptake found in different types of thyroid cancer, referred to flip-flop. ATC cells indicate low iodide uptake and high glucose uptake, which lack the morphology and genetic characteristics of well-differentiated tumors and become increasingly invasive. Importance placed on the discovery of innovative multi-targeted medicines to suppress the dysregulated signaling in cancer. In this research, we aimed to clarify molecular mechanism of Rutin as a phytomedicine on anaplastic thyroid cancer cell line based on iodide and glucose uptake. MATERIAL METHODS:The MTT test was employed to test cell viability. Iodide uptake assay was performed using a spectrophotometric assay to determine iodide uptake in SW1736 cells based on Sandell-Kolthoff reaction. For glucose uptake detection, ''GOD-PAP'' enzymatic colorimetric assay was applied to measure the direct glucose levels inside of the cells. Determination of NIS, GLUT1 and 3 mRNA expression in SW1736 cells was performed by qRT-PCR. Determination of NIS, GLUT1 and 3 protein levels in SW1736 cells was performed by western blotting. RESULTS:According to our results, Rutin inhibited the viability of SW1736 cells in a time- and dose-dependent manner. Quantitative Real-time RT-PCR analysis exposed that NIS mRNA levels were increased in Rutin treated group compared to the control group. Accordingly, western blot showed high expression of NIS protein and low expression of GLUT 1 and 3 in Rutin treated SW1736 cell line. Rutin increased iodide uptake and decreased glucose uptake in thyroid cancer cell line SW1736 compared to control group. CONCLUSION:Multiple mechanisms point to Rutin's role as a major stimulator of iodide uptake and inhibitor of glucose uptake, including effects at the mRNA and protein levels for both NIS and GLUTs, respectively. Here in, we described the flip-flop phenomenon as a possible therapeutic target for ATC. Moreover, Rutin is first documented here as a NIS expression inducer capable of restoring cell differentiation in SW1736 cell line. It also be concluded that GLUTs as metabolic targets can be blocked specifically by Rutin for thyroid cancer prevention and treatment.

Aerobic training (AT) and herbal medicine interventions are effective in reducing chronic inflammation and achieving weight loss. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of 10 weeks of AT and hydroalcoholic extract of dill (HED) on tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-4 (IL-4), and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) concentrations in gastrocnemius muscle and Lee index of obese male rats. Thirty-two obese male Wistar rats were randomly divided into AT (70-80% of maximal oxygen uptake, 5 times/week), HED (300 mg/kg body weight, 3 times/week), AT+HED, and obese control (Ctr), and eight non-obese rats were included in the non-obese control group (NCtr). Lee index was measured before and after 10 weeks of interventions. Also, rats were sacrificed 48 hs after the last intervention session and gastrocnemius muscle was removed to measure protein concentrations of TNF-α, IL-4, and PPARγ. When compared with the pre-intervention period, the Lee index decreased in the AT and AT+HED groups and increased in the NCtr group at the post-intervention period. Also, there was no significant difference between non-obese and obese rats in the concentrations of TNF-α and IL-4, but the AT+HED group showed a higher concentration of TNF-α than the AT group. Furthermore, the expression of PPARγ protein in the HED group was higher than in the Ctr and AT groups. Although we observed the beneficial effects of AT and its combination with HED in reducing the Lee index, we found that the administration of HED compared with AT can provide better protection against some metabolic complications in the skeletal muscles of obese rats caused by a high-fat diet. Lastly, it seems that the AT combined with HED interferes with possible anti-inflammatory effects of AT or HED intervention alone.

Background: It is believed that psychosocial stress as one of the main sources of stress in humans may play an essential role in developing chronic degenerative metabolic diseases. Early life adverse experiences were supposed to affect the response to stress in later life. Aim: This research was done to test the effect of maternal separation on the metabolic response to chronic social defeat stress (CSDS) at young adulthood. In this respect, the possible contribution of oxidative stress and inflammatory damage to the pancreas along with insulin resistance in response to CSDS exposure in young adult male rats who experienced early life maternal separation was explored. Method: During the first 2 weeks of life, male Wistar rats were exposed to either maternal separation (MS) or left undisturbed with their mothers (Std). Starting on postnatal date 50, the animals of each group were either left undisturbed in the standard group housing (Con) or underwent chronic social defeat stress (CSDS) for 3 weeks. Thus, totally there were 4 groups (n=6/group). Then, fasting plasma corticosterone, insulin, and glucose levels were measured and insulin resistance was calculated. Pancreatic Catalase (CAT) activity, reduced Glutathione (GSH), Malondialdehyde (MDA) and interleukin-1 beta contents were measured. Results: In this study, MS-CSDS animals showed an elevated fasting plasma corticosterone and insulin levels along with insulin resistance in comparison with standard-reared controls (Std-Con); however, neither early nor adult life adversity affected fasting glucose levels. Likewise, CAT activity, MDA, and Il-1β contents of pancreatic tissue were increased only in MS-CSDS rats compared to Std-Cons. Discussion: The finding of this study shows that maternal separation intensifies vulnerability to develop HPA axis over-activation, insulin resistance, pancreatic oxidative and inflammatory damage associated with chronic exposure to social defeat stress in young adult male rats, which could play an important role in mediating the effects of chronic stress‐related risk of diabetes mellitus. Abnormal responses to stress in adults, who were exposed to stress in early life, almost occurred because of increasing basal tone of central CRFergic activity and coincident intensified HPA axis responsiveness. It may be secondary to facilitation of noradrenergic neurocircuits, central glucocorticoid resistance, and/or dampened regional GABAergic tone that have been observed to happen in response to maternal separation stress. Elevated levels of circulating glucocorticoid have been reported to influence the insulin signaling cascade at the level of insulin receptor and insulin-sensitive glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4) functionality, which may contribute to insulin resistance. In the face of insulin resistance, the β cells adapt by increasing insulin secretion, leading to peripheral compensatory hyperinsulinemia as a protective measure to maintain normal glucose concentrations without hypoglycemia. Augmented pancreatic oxidative stress in MS-CSDS animals may exceeded the increased compensatory antioxidant mechanisms, as evidenced by excessive peroxidation of cell membrane lipids. Based on the central role of IL-1β in the destruction of pancreatic β cells, raised pancreatic IL-1β content could be related to oxidative stress-mediated β cell damage and development of diabetes in response to CSDS exposure in young adult rats who underwent early life maternal separation.

Raisin waste (RW) is produced during grapevine processing after harvest for raisin production. The aim of current study was to substitute the barley grain with RW in diet containing cereal straw as the only forage source in growing ram lambs feeding. Ground barley was substituted with RW at the rate of 9and 18% of diet (dry matter (DM) basis) in iso-nitrogesnous and iso-energetic diets. Twelve growing ram lames (first body weight of 26 +/- 2 kg) used in 3 x 3 replicated Latin square with three experimental periods. At each period of experiment, 6 pens of lambs (each 2 lambs placed in each pen) were randomly assigned to 3 treat-ments (2 pens for each treatment). Raisin waste contained (% DM) 78.4 DM, 5.4 ash, 3.7 crude protein (CP), 10.6 ether extract, 18.5 acid detergent fiber (ADF), 1.4 total tannin, 2.2 total phenol and 0.8 non -tannin phenolic. Dietary substitution of ground barley with RW did not influence lamb final body weight (32.9, 32.2 and 32.1 kg respectively for three treatments), average daily gain, feed intake (1060.1, 960.2 and 920.3 g respectively) and apparent total tract nutrient digestibility including DM, organic matter, CP and ADF (P > 0.05). Blood glucose, red blood cells and white blood cells count were similar among treatments (P > 0.05). Blood urea decreased in lambs fed with diets contained RW (P < 0.05). Blood total protein and triglycerides increased mostly at the level of 9% of substitution in lambs (P < 0.05) compared with other level of substitution. In conclusion, in diets contained cereal straw as the only forage source, up to 18% of ground barley could be replaced by RW without detrimental effects on growth performance, nutrient di-gestibility and blood measures in growing ram lambs.

Purpose To compare the effects of oral contraceptives (OCs) with different progestins, including Levonorgestrel (LNG), Desogestrel (DSG), Cyproterone Acetate (CPA), and Drospirenone (DRSP) on adipokines levels and adiposity indices in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Methods In this parallel randomized clinical trial, 120 women with PCOS randomly assigned to intervention with OCs containing LNG, DSG, CPA, or DRSP. Outcomes of interest, including serum concentrations of adiponectin, leptin, and resistin, and adiposity indices, i.e., body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), obesity, central obesity, waist to hip ratio (WHR), waist to height ratio (WHtR), lipid accumulation product (LAP), a body shape index (ABSI), body roundness index (BRI), and visceral adiposity index (VAI), and lipid profiles were assessed at baseline, and 6 months of treatment. Results This study showed no significant differences in serum concentrations of adipokines between the four study groups after 6 months of treatment. Our results also showed that patients treated with various compounds of OC for 6 months had no significant differences in their adiposity indices, except for LAP (p = 0.04), and VAI (p = 0.03). PCOS patients treated with OCs containing CPA had significantly a higher mean LAP, compared to those using products containing LNG. Besides, patients treated with OCs containing CPA had significantly a higher mean VAI, compared to those treated with OCs containing DRSP. Conclusion This study demonstrated that OCs with low androgenic and antiandrogenic activities had identical effects on serum concentrations of adipokines, and adiposity indices, except LAP, and VAI parameters. Registration number IRCT20080929001281N3.

This study was to investigate whether high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and saffron aqueous extract (SAE) would provide a synergistic effect to improve tumor volume reduction and also modulate pro- and anti-apoptotic protein expression in tumor tissue of 4T1 breast cancer-bearing mice. Female mice following induction of breast cancer through injection of 4T1 cell lines were randomly divided into four groups: (1) HIIT, (2) SAE, (3) HIIT+ SAE, and (4) control. The tumor volume was significantly lower in the HIIT, SAE, and HIIT+SAE groups than in the controls. The protein level of caspase-3 in the HIIT and the SAE groups was higher than in the control and the HIIT+SAE groups. The Bax protein level in the SAE group was higher than in the control. The HIIT+SAE group showed a lower level of Bax than the HIIT and the SAE groups. The protein level of Bcl-2 was higher in the HIIT+SAE vs. both the HIIT and the SAE groups. Finally, the ratio of Bax/Bcl-2 was significantly higher in the HIIT and the SAE groups than in the HIIT+SAE and control groups. These findings indicate that a combination of HIIT and SAE interventions does not improve the apoptotic induction in tumor tissue, while both HIIT and SAE treatments may mediate apoptotic pathway as evinced by the elevated ratio of Bax/Bcl-2 and caspase-3 levels during tumor progression in breast cancer-bearing mice.

Although Iran has been considered iodine replete since 2000, the first national survey of iodine intake among Iranian pregnant women in 2014 indicated that despite the adequate intake of iodine by the general population, this vulnerable group has moderate iodine deficiency. Therefore, in this national cross-sectional interventional study, we aimed to assess the iodine intake and thyroid function of Iranian pregnant women 2 years after implementing national iodine supplementation for this vulnerable group. In this cross-sectional study, we conducted a national interventional survey of pregnant women. A total of 1200 pregnant women (400 women from each trimester) from 12 provinces of Iran were recruited from the antenatal care clinics from October 2018 to March 2019. The median urinary iodine concentration (MUIC), as an indicator of iodine status in three spot urine samples, was measured, along with the serum total T4 (TT4), thyrotropin (TSH), thyroglobulin (Tg), thyroid peroxidase antibody (TPO-Ab), and iodine content of household salt. The mean age of the cohort was 28 ± 6.2 years, with the mean gestational age of 22.7 ± 13.0 weeks. The overall MUIC (IQR) of pregnant women was 188 µg/L (124.2–263 µg/L). Also, the MUICs in the three trimesters of pregnancy were 174 µg/L (110–254), 175 µg/L (116–251), and 165 µg/L (114–235), respectively. The MUICs ≥ 150, 100–149, and < 100 µg/L were found in 63, 19.8, and 16.2% of the subjects, respectively. The mean TT4 level was 12 ± 4.5 µg/dL, and the median (IQR) level of TSH was 2.37 mIU/L (1.66–3.18 mIU/L). According to our local reference range, 118 (10.5%) pregnant women had subclinical hypothyroidism, 6 (0.53%) women had isolated hypothyroxinemia, and 65 (5.7%) women were TPO-Ab positive. Also, the median (IQR) level of Tg was 10.08 µg/dL (5.7–20.4 µg/dL), and the median iodine content of household salt was 29.6 µg/g; the iodine content was ≥ 30 µg/g in 85% of household salt. The results showed that more than 95% of households were under iodized salt coverage. The results of this study indicated that iodine supplementation with at least 150 µg of iodine per day improved the iodine intake of pregnant women. Except for subclinical hypothyroidism, the prevalence of clinical hypothyroidism, clinical/subclinical thyrotoxicosis, TPO-Ab positivity, and isolated hypothyroxinemia decreased significantly, which emphasizes the importance of iodine supplementation during pregnancy.

Effects of dill powder (Anethum graveolens dhi) on performance and biochemical traits, immune response, blood cells and microbial population of cecum broilers after stress induced with dexamethasone were investigated. Two hundred and forty broilers were arrayed in completely randomized design with six experimental groups, five replications and eight broilers per replication. The experimental groups consisted of G1: control diet without additives, G2: control diet supplemented with 1.5% dill powder, G3: control diet supplemented with 1.5% dill powder under dexamethasone stress, G4: control diet supplemented with 3% dill powder, G5: control diet supplemented with 3% dill powder under dexamethasone stress, and G6: control diet under dexamethasone stress. After 31, 33, 38 and, 40 days, 2 mg/kg bodyweight (BW) dexamethasone was injected in right chest muscle in groups 3, 5, 6, and samples were taken after 35 and 42 days. Use of 3% dill powder reduced cecum microbial population significantly. Under dexamethasone oxidative stress conditions dill powder improved biochemical traits and the number of white blood cells significantly. Without stress induced by dexamethasone injection, use of 3% dill powder improved internal organs, increased the length of the digestive tract, improved weight gain, reduced FCR and improved antibody titers to Newcastle disease (ND) and avian influenza (AI) viruses. All levels of dill powder prevented negative impacts of dexamethasone on functional and biochemical traits. Thus, 3% dill powder has beneficial effects on performance, immune response, blood cell and microbial population, and could be used as a growth promoter and to prevent oxidative stress.

This research aims at studying the effects of adding green tea and vitamin E on the performance, blood parameters, immune system, visceral traits, and blood cells in broilers under dexamethasone stress. In this experiment, 210 male broiler chicks were studied by completely randomized block design in 7 treatments, and each group with three replications (each replication with 10 male chicks). Treatment groups, include group 1: control (basic diet, without adding green tea and vitamin E, and no dexamethasone injection), group 2( with green tea and dexamethasone injections, without adding vitamin E), group 3(with addition of 300 mg/kg of vitamin E, without dexamethasone injection and consumption of green tea), group 4(a basic diet containing 1.5% green tea, without vitamin E and dexamethasone injections), group 5(a basic diet containing 300 mg/kg of vitamin E and dexamethasone injection without adding green tea), group 6(basic diet with 1.5% green tea with dexamethasone injection, without adding vitamin E.), and group 7(Basic diet taking 1.5% of green tea and 300 mg/kg of vitamin E with dexamethasone injection). Dexamethasone was injected twice in two stages during the 31th and 33th days for the first time and at 37th and 40th days for the second time of breeding. The minimum feed consumption was observed by green tea, and the maximum feed consumption was observed in the control group with the dexamethasone and vitamin E taking group (P

Two experiments were designed to determine the effects of dietary iodine and teat-dipping on the iodine status of dairy cows and their milk. Eight mid-lactation Holstein dairy cows with an initial body weight of 642 ± 62 kg and 145 ± 21 d in milk were studied for 2 periods over 44 d. In period 1, all cows were fed a basal diet supplemented with potassium iodide (KI) (10 mg I/Kg DM) for 8 d with no teat-dipping. In period 2, a pre-milking teat-dipping was applied for 10 d followed by no teat-dipping before milking (udder wash without iodine) and then post-dipping treatment was applied for 5 d. Feeding KI increased concentrations of iodine in serum, urine, and milk (P < 0.05). Switching from the KI supplementation to no iodine addition resulted in an immediate decrease of iodine in serum, urine, and milk (P < 0.05). Post teat-dipping resulted in increased iodine levels in serum, urine, and milk (P < 0.05). However, pre-milking teat-dipping did not affect iodine concentration compared to post-dipping. A 250 mL cup of milk from the control and KI-supplemented diets would provide 29.4% and 68.4%, respectively, of the adult-recommended dietary allowance for iodine. In conclusion, milk iodine concentration could be effectively enhanced by KI supplementation and teat-dipping practices.

BACKGROUND:Thyroid cancer is the most common endocrine malignancy. Studies have observed an anti-cancer effect for vitamin D and found that polymorphisms of vitamin D receptors can influence the prevalence of various cancers. The present study investigated the serum level of vitamin D and FokI, BsmI and Tru9I polymorphisms of vitamin D receptors.METHODS:Forty patients with medullary thyroid cancer and 40 healthy controls were investigated. The genomic DNA of the subjects was extracted using saturated salt/proteinase K and investigated by PCR sequencing. Serum levels of vitamin D were evaluated by ELISA. The results were analyzed in SPSS and GraphPad Prism 5 software.RESULTS:The genotypic and allelic frequencies of FokI and BsmI polymorphisms showed no significant differences between test and control groups. For Tru9I polymorphism, Tt genotype and t allelic frequency in the test group were significantly different from those of the control group. Also, we found Tt genotype and t allelic frequency to be significantly associated with medullary thyroid cancer (MTC) type and the agressiveness of the disease. The average serum vitamin D level was 23.32 ng/mL and 18.95 ng/mL for patients and controls, respectively, and the difference between the two groups was statistically significant. Moreover, we found high serum vitamin D level to be associated with t allelic frequency.CONCLUSIONS:Unexpectedly, the mean serum vitamin D level of the test group was significantly higher than that of the control group. Tru9I polymorphism was found to be significantly correlated with the prevalence of medullary thyroid carcinoma.

The incorporation of medicinal plants or their essential oils into chicken ration have been proven that effectively could improve the health of intestinal tract of broiler chickens by altering the gut microbial flora, consequently could improve the immune system and reduce the blood cholesterol. In addition to antimicrobial effects, medicinal herbs also have other beneficial effects such as: the stimulating of growth, reduction of blood lipids and improving blood factors (Amoozmehr and Dastar, 2009). Consumption of medicinal plants to enhance the performance, and immunity response of birds has been reported previously (Alcicek et al. 2004). Extracts and essences of herbal medicine plants have extensive applications that inhibit pathogens, therapeutic effects and activity in various body systems such as endocrine and immune system (Frankic et al. 2009). Investigating the effect of medicinal plants, including powder, essential oil, oil extract as a growth-stimulating substances, antioxidant and immune system booster, is an active field in poultry research (Warshafsky et al. 1993). An experiment was performed to investigate the effect of using sage powder (Salvia officinalis) on performance, blood cells, immunity titers, biochemical parameters and small intestine morphology in broiler chickens. A total of 200 Ross 308 broiler chickens were assigned in a completely randomized design with four treatments and five replicates and ten chicks in each replicate. Experiment has been done from 1 to 42 days old. The experimental groups consisted of a control group receiving basal diet and basal diet supplemented with 0.2, 0.5 and, 1.2% of sage powder. The results of the experiment revealed that supplementation of 0.5% of salvia powder significantly (P≤0.05) increased body weight (BW) and reduced feed conversion ratio (FCR). An increase in eosinophil, monocyte and, heterophil as well as immunity titers against Newcastle disease and avian influenza viruses were observed where in the control diet was supplement with 0.2% of Salvia powder. The plasma cholesterol, triglyceride, and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) concentration were reduced and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) concentration was increased significantly by inclusion of 0.2% sage powder. Additionally, ileal villus height and intestinal health index was increased and the number of gablet cells and crypt depth was reduced significantly (P≤0.05) by incorporation of 0.2% sage powder in basal diet. In conclusion, supplementation of 0.2-0.5% sage powder had meaningful impact on broiler performance, ileal morphology and vaccine titer against Newcastle disease and avian influenza.

Objectives. - Exercise training is a well-known method for the prevention and delay of many age-related diseases such as cardiovascular diseases. High-intensity interval training (HIIT) has attracted much attention due to its numerous benefits. Manipulating of work/rest interval duration for understanding of the best biochemical responses on cellular anti-senescent pathways in rat heart muscle is important. Equipment and methods. - Fifty-four male Wistar rats (12 weeks) were assigned to three groups: HIIT with short-term interval (HIITS: sixteen 1-min work at 80-90% VO2max separated by 1-min rest at 50-60% VO2max), HIIT with long-term interval (HIITL: four 4-min work at 80-90% VO2max separated by 4-min rest at 50-60% VO2max) and control. Rats were sacrificed after training protocol (eight weeks) and at the end of the four weeks detraining, then the heart tissue was isolated to measure the telomerase enzyme activity and p53 protein level. Results. -The telomerase activity after HIITS and HIITL, and following four weeks detraining did not change significantly. The level of p53 protein in the HIITL group was significantly higher than that of the two other groups. After the detraining period, the observed increase in the HIITL group tended to decrease. Conclusion. - It seems that HIIT with short- and long-term intervals in short training periods does not change the telomerase enzyme activity in the heart muscle; so, increasing p53 protein following long-term HIIT does not result in telomere shortening. (C) 2019 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

Potassium phosphate (K2HPO4) and potassium carbonate (K2CO3) administration by feed or water were evaluated on broiler performance, bone strength, alkaline phosphatase activity (ALP), and phosphorus digestibility under heat stress and high chloride condition. Experimental groups include control; 15 cc/kg K2HPO4; 30 cc/kg K2HPO4; 15 cc/l K2HPO4; and 3.7 g/kg K2CO3. Body weight (BW), feed and water consumption, plasma potassium, phosphorus, and calcium concentration along with plasma and digestive ALP and intestinal digesta pH were measured during the trial. Tibia ash, calcium and phosphorus content, and breaking strength were measured on days 21 and 42 and phosphorus digestibility on day 36 of age. As a result of this, study feed and water consumption was increased by supplementation of the feed or water with K2HPO4 (P ≤ 0.001). K2HPO4 increased body weight at 42 days of age (P ≤ 0.001). Tibia ash and phosphorus content was increased by K2HPO4 supplementation (P ≤ 0.004; P ≤ 0.003). K2CO3 did increased tibia ash but not changed tibia phosphorus content significantly. Tibia shear force, shear energy, extension, and length were improved by K2HPO4 administration at 42 days of age (P ≤ 0.001). Administration of either feed or water with K2HPO4 increased plasma potassium, phosphorus, and calcium concentration at 21 days of age, whereas K2CO3 reduced plasma potassium at 21 days of age (P ≤ 0.05). Plasma ALP reduced by addition of 15 cc K2HPO4 and K2CO3 to diets at 42 days of age, whereas digestive ALP was increased by inclusion of K2HPO4 and not by K2CO3. Supplementation of either feed or water with K2HPO4 increased phosphorus digestibility, whereas K2CO3 reduced phosphorus digestibility (P ≤ 0.003). Jejunum and ileum pH was reduced by K2HPO4 or by K2CO3 at 21 and 42 days of age (P ≤ 0.006; (P ≤ 0.05). Over all, results of current study revealed that K2HPO4 can be a suitable potassium salt choice instead of KCL in hot weather conditions especially when the water or diet contains high levels of chloride.

1. The current experiment was performed to elucidate the effects of degelatinised bone meal (DBM) in combination with different particle sizes of limestone or oyster shell on broiler performance, bone characteristics and digestive and plasma alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity. 2. Treatments were applied as a 3 x 3 factorial arrangement with three sources of P (DCP, bone meal and DBM) and three particle sizes (50, 100 and 200 mu m) of limestone. Chickens were given either DCP or DBM with oyster shell (523 mu m), resulting in a total of 11 treatments with 5 replicates of 8 chicks. 3. Performance criteria were measured weekly. Tibia strength, ash, calcium (Ca) and phosphorus (P) content and plasma P and Ca concentration along with plasma and intestinal alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity and P digestibility were measured on d 14 and 28. 4. Body weight and FCR were improved in chicks which were fed DBM or oyster shell in comparison to the DCP and limestone respectively (P <= 0.05). Performance was influenced (P <= 0.05) by particle size; with coarser particles BW and feed intake were increased (P <= 0.05). Tibia shear force and P content were reduced (P <= 0.001), whereas tibia shear energy, length, ash and Ca content were increased by substitution of DCP with DBM or bone meal (P <= 0.001; P <= 0.05). A significant difference was observed in the tibia length between the chicks fed oyster shell or limestone with different particles (P <= 0.05). Plasma P concentration was reduced in chicks were fed with DBM, bone meal and lower limestone particle size. Intestinal ALP activity was increased (P <= 0.001) in chicks which were fed DBM, bone meal, oyster shell or coarse particles of limestone. The P digestibility in chicks fed bone meal was lower than that of those fed DBM or DCP (P <= 0.01). Overall, gelatin removal from bone meal improved broiler bone characteristics through the P digestibility and intestinal ALP activity enhancement.

The aim of this study was to compare the effects of a new multispecies probiotic containing four Bacillus species and Saccharomyces boulardii (Microguard®) with a commercial probiotic (Protexin®) and a commonly used antibiotic in broilers. Six hundred one-day-old male Ross 308 broilers were randomized to six experimental treatments, with five replicates of 20 chicks each, for 42 days, receiving an ad libitum corn-soybean basal diet. Treatments were added to the basal diet and consisted of tetracycline as an antibiotic growth promoter (500 g/ton), three dosages of Microguard (50, 100 and150 g/ton) or Protexin (100 g/ton). The control group received the basal diet with no additive. The group fed with Microguard at 150 g/ton showed increased final bodyweight, weight gain, high density lipoprotein, triglyceride, and antibody titres against Newcastle disease (ND) and avian influenza (AI) levels. Improved feed conversion ratio, increased villus height, and villus highest crypt depth ratio, along with lower plasma gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase, alkaline phosphatase, alanine aminotransferase, were found in probiotic-supplemented broilers. Carcass yield, liver weights, breast muscle values, and abdominal fat weights were reduced in groups fed with 100 or 150 g/ton of Microguard. Caecal coliforms, Salmonella and Escherichia coli numbers decreased in groups fed with 100 or 150 g/ton of Microguard. These results show that Microguard at 150 g/ton is a promising probiotic to replace antibiotics in broiler feed as a growth-promoter while enhancing immune system responses and inducing beneficial modulations in the caecal microflora.Keywords: blood biochemistry, broiler chicks, carcass traits, performance, probiotic

The current study was conducted to examine the effects of an herbal compound, a probiotic and an antibiotic growth promoter (AGP) on the performance, intestinal bacterial population, antibody titers, and morphology of the jejunum and ileum of broilers. A number of 240 male Ross 308 broilers were distributed into four treatments, with five replicates of 12 bird each. The experimental period was 42 days Treatments includes: 1) basal diet; 2) basal diet supplemented with an AGP (phospho-flavomycin at 450 mg/kg of diet); 3) basal diet supplemented with a Lactobacillus-containing probiotic (250 mg/kg of diet); and 4) basal diet supplemented with an herbal compound (containing thyme, oregano, chamomile, and peppermint essential oils at 1 g/kg of diet) Body weight (BW) and cumulative feed intake (CFI) were measured weekly Blood parameters, intestinal morphology, vaccine immunity titers, and intestinal microbial population were measured on day 42 The results showed that probiotic and herbal compound supplementation significantly increased body weight (BW) and decreased feed conversion ratio (FCR) (p<0.05), in comparison with the basal diet. A significant increase in vaccine titers against Avian Influenza, Newcastle disease, and Infectious Bursal Disease were achieved with the treatment with herbal compound supplementation. Herbal compound significantly reduced triglycerides, cholesterol, LDL concentration and ALP, AST and ALT activities and increased the HDL levels in blood serum of chicks (p<0.05). The bacterial load of E. coli, Salmonella and coliforms of the AGP-fed group was significantly lower than those fed the control diet Significant increases in villus height and decrease in crypt depth and goblet cells were seen in the ileum and jejunum of probiotic-fed broilers (p<0.05). In conclusion, better overall immune status and blood biochemical parameters were obtained with the herbal compound than with the probiotic; however, the performance of broilers fed the probiotic was better than that of the broilers fed the herbal compound and the AGP.