Reza Vakili

This study investigated the diet of laying hens containing selenium in organic, inorganic, and Se-Met complex encapsulated with chitosan was investigated in order to enrich eggs and their oxidative stability. The microencapsulation process was performed using two molecular weights of chitosan (150 and 250 kDa) and the ratio of chitosan to Se-Met (1:1.5 and 1:2) in order to achieve the best encapsulated selenium according to evaluation of particle size, zeta potential, and encapsulation efficiency. Subsequently, 450 Hy-Line W36 laying [...] ABSTRACT This study investigated the diet of laying hens containing selenium in organic, inorganic, and Se-Met complex encapsulated with chitosan was investigated in order to enrich eggs and their oxidative stability. The microencapsulation process was performed using two molecular weights of chitosan (150 and 250 kDa) and the ratio of chitosan to Se-Met (1:1.5 and 1:2) in order to achieve the best encapsulated selenium according to evaluation of particle size, zeta potential, and encapsulation efficiency. Subsequently, 450 Hy-Line W36 laying

This study aimed to investigate the addition of dried and ensiled pomegranate by-products on the performance, rumen parameters, blood metabolites and meat quality of Balochi ram lambs. A total of 18 lambs at 90 d age with similar body weight (BW, 28.0±3.5 kg) with 6 replicates per treatment were used. The experimental treatments including 1) Control, 2) 20% of dried pomegranate by-product, 3) 20% of ensiled pomegranate by-product. According to the results, it was found that the use of pomegranate by-products does not have a significant effect on daily weight gain, feed consumption and feed conversion ratio (P>0.05). Except the constant rate of gas production, other rumen parameters were significantly affected by the experimental treatments (P<0.05). Furthermore, the use of pomegranate by-products had a significant effect on blood cholesterol (P0.05). The overall results showed that ensiling pomegranate by-products could reduce the amount of tannin in them to a greater extent.

Growing concerns over antibiotic resistance and environmental sustainability have increased the demand for natural alternatives to in-feed antibiotics in poultry production. Biochar offers a novel, eco-friendly solution that may improve animal performance while supporting waste valorization. This study investigated the effect of biochar produced from pistachio by-product (PB) on growth, feed efficiency, and gut health in Japanese quails. Birds were assigned to five dietary treatments including a control diet without additives, a diet with 0.05% flumequine, and diets supplemented with 0.35%, 0.65%, or 1% PB biochar for 35 days. Feed intake, weight gain, feed conversion ratio (FCR), carcass traits, nutrient digestibility, intestinal histomorphology, and cecal microbial counts were evaluated. The results showed that final body weight and weight gain significantly increased in birds fed 0.65% biochar compared to the control and flumequine groups (P < 0.05). A trend towards a lower FCR was observed in birds fed 0.65% biochar compared with the control (P = 0.08). Except for the weight of the breast and thigh, none of the carcass traits and internal organs were affected by the treatments (P > 0.05). Preplanned comparisons between control and biochar-treated groups showed that PB biochar significantly increased Lactobacillus populations while reducing E. coli counts in the cecum (P < 0.05). Ileal digestibility of crude protein (CP) and crude fiber (CF) also enhanced with the inclusion of biochar in the diets compared to the control (P < 0.05). Dietary inclusion of PB biochar increased cecal and ileal villus height indicating improved gut morphology (P < 0.05). The optimal inclusion level of PB biochar was found to be 0.65%, which showed significant improvements in growth and digestibility. Overall, this study provides insight into the potential of PB biochar as a promising alternative to antibiotics.

A study was conducted to investigate the effect of dietary probiotic supplementation on dairy cow dry matter intake (DMI), milk production, milk composition and somatic cell count (SCC), rumen pH, and serum parameters (glucose, urea, alanine aminotransferase; ALT and aspartate aminotransferase; AST) during transition. Totally 24 multiparous dairy cows were randomly assigned to 3 groups (eight cows/group) fed the same diets supplemented without probiotics (Control group) and with probiotics at the rate of 15 or 30 g live yeast culture/cow daily (Treated groups) for ­5 weeks (transition period; from 2 weeks’ pre-partum to 3 weeks post-partum). DMI and milk yield were recorded daily and the milk composition, SCC, rumen pH, and serum parameters were measured every week. A higher DMI and greater average daily milk yield were found in Saccharomyces cerevisiae treated groups as compared to the control groups (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in rumen pH between the control and 15g yeast-supplemented groups, but the higher dose of yeast increased (P<0.05) rumen pH. In probiotic-fed cows, milk fat was increased (P<0.05) and somatic cell count decreased (P<0.05), while milk protein and SNF were unchanged. When yeast was included in the diet, the serum concentration of glucose and urea in cows increased (P0.05) effect of both yeast levels on dairy cows' performance, which suggests the use of a lower level (15 g) in practice.

To achieve maximum production in laying hens, calcium (Ca) and phosphorus (P) are two important minerals in the diet. Nutritional solutions such as adding coarser Ca particles in the afternoon or considering the light hours during the night to feed the birds might improve the eggshell quality and reduce Ca mobilization from the bone. This experiment aimed to study the effect of calcium carbonate particle size (CCps), phytase (Pht) and midnight feeding (MF) on the performance, egg and bone quality and blood parameters in laying hens from 60 to 70 weeks of age. A total of 720 Hy-line (W-36) laying hens were arranged in a factorial arrangement of 2 × 2 × 2 based on a completely randomized design with two types of CCps (100% fine and 75% coarse + 25% fine), two levels of Pht (0 and 300 FTU/kg) and two states of feeding (MF and without MF). The experimental period lasted 12 weeks from 60 to 70 weeks of age. During the trial, the significant impact of CCps on the feed conversion ratio (FCR) and breaking strength (BS) of the tibia was obtained (p < 0.05). FCR, eggshell percentage and the percentage of tibia ash, Ca and P were affected by Pht supplementation (p < 0.05). MF affected egg weight (EW), eggshell percentage and serum concentration of Ca, P and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) (p < 0.05). The interaction effects of CCps and Pht were significant for Ca level in serum (p < 0.05). In general, the use of Pht in the diets improved the FCR and quality of eggshell and tibia, and diets containing Pht and coarser CCps increased blood Ca levels. Despite the improvement of egg quality by MF, serum parameters showed a significant decrease.

Background: To achieve maximum production in laying hens, calcium (Ca) and phosphorus (P) are two important minerals in the diet. Nutritional solutions such as adding coarser Ca particles in the afternoon or considering the light hours during the night to feed the birds might improve the eggshell quality and reduce Ca mobilization from the bone.Objectives: This experiment aimed to study the effect of calcium carbonate particle size (CCps), phytase (Pht) and midnight feeding (MF) on the performance, egg and bone quality and blood parameters in laying hens from 60 to 70 weeks of age.Methods: A total of 720 Hy‐line (W‐36) laying hens were arranged in a factorial arrangement of 2 × 2 × 2 based on a completely randomized design with two types of CCps (100% fine and 75% coarse + 25% fine), two levels of Pht (0 and 300 FTU/kg) and two states of feeding (MF and without MF). The experimental period lasted 12 weeks from 60 to 70 weeks of age.Results: During the trial, the significant impact of CCps on the feed conversion ratio (FCR) and breaking strength (BS) of the tibia was obtained (p < 0.05). FCR, eggshell percentage and the percentage of tibia ash, Ca and P were affected by Pht supplementation (p < 0.05). MF affected egg weight (EW), eggshell percentage and serum concentration of Ca, P and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) (p < 0.05). The interaction effects of CCps and Pht were significant for Ca level in serum (p < 0.05).Conclusions: In general, the use of Pht in the diets improved the FCR and quality of eggshell and tibia, and diets containing Pht and coarser CCps increased blood Ca levels. Despite the improvement of egg quality by MF, serum parameters showed a significant decrease.

Performance and gut health of coccidiosis-challenged broilers were investigated using thymol and carvacrol in their diet. A completely randomized design was used in the experiment. There were three phases of feeding for the chickens: starters (1-10 days), growers (11-24 days) and finishers (25-42 days). It was found that chicks were split into three experimental groups: 1) negative control diets without challenges or additives; 2) positive control diets with Eimeria tenella challenges and without additives; and 3) diets with mentioned challenge and thymol and carvacrol (0.01 g/kg). Experimental groups consisted of five replicates, each with 12 chicks. As part of the trial, body weight gain (BWG), feed intake (FCR), and coccidial lesion scores were assessed in two birds/replicate, which were selected randomly and euthanized by cervical dislocation. When thymol and carvacrol were blended, the results indicated improved BWG and FCR (P<0.05) when compared to PC. Supplementing the diet with phytogenic essential oil increased the percentage of beneficial bacteria in the ileum, including lactobacilli and bifidobacteria, while decreasing the number of pathogenic E.coli bacteria (P<0.05). Compared with PC-treated birds, birds with coccidiosis treated with essential oils had longer and wider villus, deeper crypts, and more goblet cells (P<0.05). Including this additive in PC diet suppressed intestinal lesion scores (P0.05).

Background: Saffron has been utilized in numerous studies as an additive to augment egg quality and to enhance the oxidative stability of egg yolk.However, there is limited knowledge on the responses of hens to dietary supplementation with saffron petals on egg chemical composition, fecal mineral excretion, and ammonia emission.Objectives: The objective of this study was to investigate the influence of saffron petal extract‐enriched diet on egg quality, blood metabolites and odorous gas emission from excreta in laying hens.Methods: The experimental methodology involved a feeding trial conducted over a period of 12 weeks, using 200 Hy‐line W36 laying hens aged 39 weeks. The dietary intervention included a basic diet (serving as a control with no supplementation), as well as diets fortified with 40, 60 or 80 parts per million (ppm) of hydroalcoholic saffron petal extract in a completely randomized design.Results: Results showed that the inclusion of saffron petal extract in the diet did not significantly affect the egg crude protein, fat and ash content. However, a significant reduction (p < 0.05) in yolk cholesterol concentration was observed. No substantial effect was noted on feed intake, feed conversion ratio (FCR) and egg weight (p > 0.05). On the other hand, a significant increase (p < 0.05) was documented in the egg production percentage of hens fed on the 80 ppm saffron petal extract diet compared to the control. Furthermore, saffron petal extract supplementation resulted in a significantly lower yolk cholesterol together with reduced serum cholesterol content (p < 0.05). Blood glucose and triglyceride concentrations also demonstrated a decrease subsequent to the inclusion of 80 ppm saffron petal extract. The excretion of faecal minerals did not show any significant alterations due to the dietary interventions (p > 0.05). Notably, hens supplemented with 60 and 80 ppm saffron petal extract displayed significantly diminished concentrations of faecal ammonia (NH₃) emissions (p < 0.05) compared to the control.Conclusion: The study suggests that the inclusion of 80 ppm saffron petal extract in the diet of laying hens may serve as a functional food source to mitigate cholesterol levels in egg yolk and blood serum, as well as to reduce faecal ammonia emissions.