Mehmet Irmak

Lead (Pb) exposure remains an important environmental health concern because of its bioaccumulation and toxicity to multiple organs, including the liver, kidneys, and male reproductive system. This study evaluated the protective effects of a standardized Trigonella foenum‐graecum L . (fenugreek; TFG) seed extract against subchronic lead acetate‐induced toxicity in rats. An integrated experimental design assessed biochemical, oxidative, molecular, endocrine, histopathological, and sperm functional parameters. Animals were assigned to control, TFG extract (50 or 100 mg/kg), lead acetate, and combined lead plus TFG extract groups. Lead exposure caused hepatorenal dysfunction and histopathological injury, accompanied by increased malondialdehyde (MDA), reduced antioxidant defenses, increased nuclear factor kappa B (NF‐κB) protein expression, and reduced nuclear factor erythroid 2‐related factor 2 (Nrf2) and heme oxygenase‐1 (HO‐1) protein expression. Lead exposure also decreased circulating follicle‐stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) concentrations and impaired sperm motility, density, morphology, viability, and testicular architecture. Coadministration of the TFG extract significantly attenuated these alterations, improved biochemical and antioxidant indices, reduced NF‐κB expression, increased Nrf2 and HO‐1 expression, improved gonadotropin concentrations and sperm quality, and ameliorated hepatic and testicular histopathology. For most endpoints, the 100 mg/kg/day dose produced greater numerical improvement than 50 mg/kg/day, although between‐dose differences were not consistently significant. These findings indicate that the chemically characterized fenugreek extract attenuates lead‐induced systemic and reproductive toxicity in this preclinical rat model, with effects associated with improved redox balance, inflammation‐related protein expression, gonadotropin concentrations, and spermatogenic outcomes. Further studies are required before therapeutic or translational conclusions can be drawn.

This study investigated the prevalence of subclinical pregnancy toxemia (SPT) in pregnant ewes and its effects on biochemical parameters. A total of 114 pregnant ewes were included in the study, and the animals were classified into two groups: healthy and SPT, based on their serum β-hydroxybutyrate (β-HBA) levels. The findings demonstrated a significant increase in β-HBA levels as pregnancy progressed (first trimester: 0.45 mmol/L; second trimester 0.58 mmol/L; third trimester: 0.74 mmol/L), indicating an elevated risk of pregnancy toxemia in later gestational stages. The most notable difference was observed in triglyceride (TRIG) levels, which significantly increased in the SPT group, reaching 51.1 mg/dL (p < 0.05). Although the aspartate aminotransferase (AST) level was not changed statistically, large effect size (0.91) indicates an increase tendency of AST in SPT group. Similarly, total bilirubin (TBILC) levels were elevated in the SPT group with moderate effect size (0.61). No significant differences were found between groups in terms of glucose (GLUC), cholesterol (CHOL), total protein (TP), albumin (ALB), gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), or alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels. These results suggest that SPT exhibits a subclinical nature and causes limited hepatic involvement during the early stages. In conclusion, TRIG levels emerge as a potential supportive biomarker in addition to serum β-HBA for the early diagnosis of subclinical pregnancy toxemia. Therefore, routine monitoring of these parameters may be beneficial for the early detection of SPT and for taking preventive measures before the development of clinical symptoms.

This study aims to evaluate the potential of fig seed meal (FSM), which contains approximately 20% crude protein (CP) and provides 2106 kcal/kg of metabolizable energy (ME), as an alternative protein source in the diets of broiler Japanese quails (Coturnix coturnix japonica). One hundred sixty 1‐day‐old mixed‐sex quails were divided into four groups, each with four replicates, and fed diets containing 0% (control), 2.5%, 5.0% and 10.0% FSM for 35 days. Weekly growth performance parameters were recorded, and carcass characteristics and blood biochemical parameters were analysed at the end of the trial. Including up to 10% FSM did not affect feed intake (FI) (p > 0.05), but linear, quadratic and cubic effects were observed in body weight gain (BWG). Adding up to 5% FSM resulted in growth performance similar to the control group, whereas the 10% FSM diet significantly reduced BWG. FSM levels influenced the feed conversion ratio (FCR) linearly, quadratically and cubically, with a decline observed at levels above 5%. In female quails, 5% FSM increased breast and thigh weights, whereas in males, it reduced carcass yield and intestinal weight. There were no statistically significant differences in other carcass traits among the groups. Serum biochemical parameters and oxidant/antioxidant balance were not adversely affected by FSM inclusion up to 5%. In conclusion, using FSM up to 5% did not negatively impact growth performance, but higher inclusion levels reduced performance.

This study aimed to compare serum biochemical parameters between ketotic and healthy Siirt colored mohair goats during early lactation, to diagnose subclinical lactation ketosis and identify potential biomarkers. A total of 77 female goats, aged 2 to 5 years and within 30 days postpartum, were evaluated under similar management conditions. The animals were classified into two groups based on serum β–hydroxybutyric acid levels: subclinical lactational ketosis (n = 37) and health controls (n = 40). β–hydroxybutyric acid levels were significantly elevated in the ketosis group (0.891 ± 0.0141 mmol·L-1) compared to the control group (0.595 ± 0.0159 mmol·L-1, P0.05). On the other hand, effect size analysis revealed that glucose level decreased in does with subclinical lactational ketosis while cholesterol increased (large effect size). The study concluded that most liver and metabolic indicators remained within normal ranges, while glucose and cholesterol levels changed due to subclinical lactational ketosis. These data indicate that feeding based on pasture under extensive conditions may be insufficient to meet the energy requirements of does in lactation and emphasize the importance of early biochemical screening during lactation for effective management of metabolic disorders during early lactation stage in goats. Therefore, it is recommended the further studies to expand the knowledge of the effect of lactational ketosis on metabolic changes in goats.

Early adaptation of newborn calves’ forestomaches to concentrates and roughage is crucial for cost-effectiveness. Therefore, the use of additives that will facilitate early adaptation to feed and positively impact forestomach development is crucial. This study aimed to determine the effects of exogenous fibrolytic enzyme supplementation on growth performance and rumen fermentation in pre-weaning calves. Eighteen Simmental male calves of the same age (4 days) were randomly assigned to 3 groups and supplemented with exogenous fibrolytic enzyme additive, 0 (Control), 2 g.d- 1, or 4 g,d-1 for 84 days treatments included with exogenous fibrolytic enzyme additive, 0 (Control), 2 g.d-1 or 4 g.d-1. The exogenous fibrolytic enzyme supplementation to calves significantly improved feed conversion ratio (P0.05). Ruminal concentrations of acetic acid, propionic acid, and butyric acid were not affected by exogenous fibrolytic enzyme supplementation on day 42 of the study (P>0.05). The propionic acid concentration was higher in both exogenous fibrolytic enzyme -supplemented groups than in the Control group on the 84th day of the study (P<0.01). The butyric acid concentration at 2 g.d-1 exogenous fibrolytic enzyme supplemented group was higher than the other groups on the 84th day of the study (P<0.001). The acetic acid to propionic acid ratio was higher in the Control and 2 g.d-1 exogenous fibrolytic enzyme -supplemented groups than in the 4 g.d-1 exogenous fibrolytic enzyme-supplemented group on the 42nd day of the study (P<0.05). The acetic acid to propionic acid ratio was higher in the Control group than in the exogenous fibrolytic enzyme -supplemented groups on day 84 of the study (P<0.01). The results indicated that 2 or 4 g.d-1 exogenous fibrolytic enzyme supplementation had a better feed conversion ratio and ruminal propionic concentration in pre-weaning calves.

Pregnancy toxemia (PT) is a common metabolic disorder that occurs in the last trimester of pregnancy. This study aimed to detect the effects of subclinical PT (SPT) on serum biochemical parameters of ewes and postnatal growth and development of lambs in Romanov sheep. A total of 40 ewes and 69 lambs were included in the study. Blood samples of ewes were collected at the time of parturition to evaluate serum beta‐hydroxybutyric acid (βHBA), serum nonesterified fatty acid (NEFA), cholesterol, and triglyceride. Live weight and body measurements of lambs were recorded at birth (0th day), 30th day, and 60th (weaning) day. In the diagnosis of SPT serum βHBA concentrations were taken into account. A cut‐off value of 0.8 mmol/L for βHBA was a critical concentration and ewes with 0.8–1.6 mmol/L βHBA were evaluated as SPT. There were no ewes with ΒHBA value higher than 1.6 mmol/L (clinical PT) in the study. There was no significant difference in serum βHBA, NEFA and cholesterol concentrations between ewes regarding birth type (single, twin, and triplet). However, triglyceride concentrations were higher ( p < 0.001) in ewes giving birth to triplets compared to ewes giving birth to single lamb. Serum βHBA and triglyceride concentrations were higher ( p < 0.01) in ewes with SPT ( n = 14) compared to healthy ewes ( n = 26). There was no significant difference between ewes with SPT and healthy ewes in serum NEFA and cholesterol. Repeated measures ANOVA results indicated that SPT negatively affected 0th, 30th, and 60th body weights of twin ( p < 0.01) and triplet born lambs ( p < 0.05). The effect of time on body weights was also found to be significant ( p < 0.001). Similarly, most of the body measurements of twin and triplet born lambs were lower ( p < 0.05) in the SPT group compared to healthy group. Overall results indicate that SPT may negatively affect postnatal growth and development in Romanov lambs. Because a decline in growth performance has many negative outcomes affecting production traits in sheep, these findings may be valuable for the veterinary field.

The present study was conducted to compare some blood parameters of adult (2-3 years old) female Romanov and Hamdani sheep breeds subjected to the same climate and feeding conditions. For this purpose, blood samples were taken from 20 clinically healthy adult Romanov and 20 Hamdani sheep. Serum glucose, aspartate aminotransferase, triglyceride, total protein, gamma glutamyl transferase, urea, alanine aminotransferase, high-density lipoprotein, albumin, lactate dehydrogenase, blood urea nitrogen, amylase, alkaline phosphatase, creatine kinase, magnesium, c-reactive protein, creatinine, cholesterol and iron levels were examined. While statistically significant differences were determined in serum glucose, aspartate aminotransferase, triglyceride, gamma glutamyl transferase, urea, lactate dehydrogenase, blood urea nitrogen, alkaline phosphatase, creatine kinase, creatinine and iron levels in Romanov and Hamdani breed sheep (p0.05). As a result, it is thought that these data obtained from Romanov and Hamdani sheep breeds can be considered as reference values and will contribute to a better understanding of the metabolic and physiological characteristics of these breeds.

Japanese quail ( Coturnix coturnix japonica) is a popular experimental animal model in scientific research. The present study investigated the effects of dietary multiple enzyme supplementation on growth performance, carcass characteristics, nutrient digestibility and small intestinal histomorphology in quails fed diets based on wheat and soya bean meal. A total number of 192 1-day-old quails were assigned to three treatments with 16 replicates in each and four quails per replicate for 38 days. The control group received a basal diet, and the treatment groups received a basal diet with 0.10 or 0.20% multi-enzyme, respectively. Growth performance parameters, carcass characteristics, nutrient digestibility and small intestinal histomorphology in quails were evaluated. Dietary supplementation of multi-enzymes to diet significantly increased body weight gain and improved the feed conversion rate. Moreover, quails fed with 0.10 or 0.20% multi-enzymes showed better ash digestibility coefficients and apparent metabolizable energy coefficients than the control quails. Furthermore, quails fed on a diet containing 0.20% multi-enzyme had the highest crude fiber digestibility. The villi length and the villi length/crypt depth ratio of the duodenum were significantly increased and the crypt depth was decreased in quails-fed diets supplemented with both multi-enzyme levels. However, feed consumption, carcass yield, carcass weight, heart weight, gizzard weight, liver weight and total intestine weights were not affected by treatments. In conclusion, our results showed that dietary supplementation of multi-enzymes to a wheat and soybean meal-based diet enhanced the growth performance and nutrient digestibility of quails. (c) 2024 Urmia University. All rights reserved.

The pharmacokinetics of meloxicam was studied in 1‐, 6‐, and 12‐month‐old sheep following a single intravenous (i.v.) dose of 1 mg/kg. The experiments were carried out when the Romanov sheep were 1 month old (7.93 ± 0.91 kg), 6 months old (27.47 ± 4.91 kg), and 12 months old (37.10 ± 3.64 kg). Meloxicam concentration in plasma was determined by high‐performance liquid chromatography and the data collected were evaluated by non‐compartmental kinetic analysis. Meloxicam was detected in the plasma up to 72 h following i.v. administration in all age groups. The volume of distribution at steady state (V_dss) and total body clearance (Cl_T) were significantly higher in 1‐month‐old (304.87 mL/kg and 16.57 mL/h/kg) than in 12‐month‐old (193.43 mL/kg and 10.50 mL/h/kg) sheep. The area under the concentration–time curve from 0 to 72 h value of meloxicam was lower in 1‐month‐old (58.51 h*μg/mL) compared to 12‐month‐old (92.59 h*μg/mL) sheep. There was no difference in t_1/2ʎz value in different age groups. The body extraction ratio values for meloxicam ranged from 0.0186 to 0.0719 after i.v. administration in all age groups. Meloxicam showed an increase in plasma concentration and a decrease in V_dss and Cl_T in 12‐month‐old compared to 1‐month‐old sheep. Compared to 1‐month‐old and 12‐month‐old sheep, there was no difference in these parameters in 6‐month‐old sheep. Because the age of sheep has an influence on the pharmacokinetics of meloxicam, dosage apparently may need to be adjusted for age.