Effects of Corticosterone and Dietary Energy on Immune Function of Broiler Chickens

An experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary energy level on the performance and immune function of stressed broiler chickens (Gallus gallus domesticus). A total of 96 three-day-old male broiler chickens (Ross × Ross) were divided into two groups. One group received a high energy (HE) diet and the other group received a low energy (LE) diet for 7 days. At 5 days of age, the chickens from each group were further divided into two sub-groups and received one of the following two treatments for 3 days: (1) subcutaneous injection of corticosterone, twice per day (CORT group; 2 mg of CORT/kg BW in corn oil) and (2) subcutaneous injection of corn oil, twice per day (Control/Sham treatment group). At 10 days of age, samples of blood, duodenum, jejunum, and ileum were obtained. Compared with the other three groups, the LE group treated with CORT had the lowest average daily gain (ADG) and the poorest feed conversion ratio (FCR, P < 0.05). Furthermore, CORT treatment decreased the relative weight (RW) of the bursa independent of the dietary energy level, but it decreased the RW of the thymus only in the chickens fed the LE diet. By contrast, CORT administration decreased the RW of the spleen only in the chickens fed the HE diet (P < 0.05). The plasma total protein, albumin, tumor necrosis factor alpha, interleukin 2 and immunoglobulin G (IgG) levels were affected by the CORT treatment (P < 0.05); however, these factors were not significantly affected by the dietary energy level. Toll-like receptor-5 mRNA level was down-regulated by CORT injection in the duodenum and ileum (P < 0.05) and showed a trend of down-regulation in the jejunum (P=0.0846). The present study showed that CORT treatment induced immunosuppressive effects on the innate immune system of broiler chickens, which were ameliorated by consumption of higher dietary energy.     

Effects of Nickel Chloride on the Erythrocytes and Erythrocyte Immune Adherence Function in Broilers

This study was conducted to investigate the immune adherence function of erythrocytes and erythrocyte induced by dietary nickel chloride (NiCl₂) in broilers fed on a control diet and three experimental diets supplemented with 300, 600, and 900 mg/kg NiCl₂ for 42 days. Blood samples were collected from five broilers in each group at 14, 28, and 42 days of age. Changes of erythrocyte parameters showed that total erythrocyte count (TEC), hemoglobin (Hb) contents, and packed cell volume (PCV) were significantly lower (p?p?p?p?+/K⁺-ATPase) and calcium adenosine triphosphatase (Ca²⁺-ATPase) activities were significantly decreased (p?p?2-treated groups. The results of erythrocyte immune adherence function indicated that erythrocyte C_3b receptor rosette rate (E-C_3bRR) was significantly decreased (p?p?p?p?2 in excess of 300 mg/kg caused anemia and impaired the erythrocytic integrity, erythrocytic ability to transport oxygen, and erythrocyte immune adherence function in broilers. Impairment of the erythrocytes and erythrocyte immune adherence function was one of main effect mechanisms of NiCl₂ on the blood function.     

树舌发酵浸膏对肉鸡盲肠微生物菌群及SCFA的影响

为研究肉鸡日粮中添加树舌[Ganoderma applanatum(Pers.ex Gray.)Pat.]发酵浸膏对肉鸡盲肠道微生物菌群及短链脂肪酸的影响,选用1日龄AA肉鸡225只,随机分为5个处理组,即空白组(基础日粮)、抗生素组(基础日粮中添加5 mg/kg黄霉素)、3个剂量的GAC添加组(基础日粮中分别添加1.57,3.15,6.29 g/100 g的GAC),每个处理3组重复,每组重复15只。试验期42 d。结果表明:肉鸡21日龄时,各GAC添加组沙门氏菌显著低于空白组(P0.05);各GAC添加组乳酸杆菌显著高于空白组(P0.05);各GAC添加组盲肠乙酸、丙酸浓度显著高于空白组(P0.05);6.29%GAC添加组盲肠丁酸浓度显著高于空白组(P0.05)。肉鸡42日龄时,1.57%和6.29%GAC添加组沙门氏菌显著低于空白组(P0.05),6.29%GAC添加组效果较好;各GAC添加组乳酸杆菌显著高于空白组(P0.05)。1.57%与6.29%GAC添加组盲肠乙酸、丙酸浓度显著高于空白组(P0.05);各GAC添加组盲肠丁酸浓度显著高于空白组(P0.05)。以上结果提示,GAC在肉鸡生长过程中可以增加肠道短链脂肪酸浓度,促进肠道乳酸杆菌的增殖,抑制沙门氏菌的生长,具有改善肠道菌群的作用。     

Effects of Subchronic Aluminum Exposure on the Immune Function of Erythrocytes in Rats

This study assessed effects of aluminum (Al) exposure on the immune function of erythrocytes in rats. Forty male Wistar rats (5 weeks old) weighed 110–120 g were randomly allocated equally into four groups according to their weights and were orally exposed to 0, 64.18, 128.36, and 256.72 mg/kg body weight aluminum trichloride in drinking water for 120 days. Levels of erythrocytes C_3b receptor rate (RBC-C_3bRR), erythrocytes C_3b immune complex rosette rate (RBC-ICR), erythrocytes rosette forming enhancing rate (ERER) and erythrocytes rosette forming inhibitory rate (ERIR) were determined by the end of experiment. The three Al-treated groups had lower values of RBC-C_3bRR and ERER, and higher values of RBC-ICR and ERIR than those in control group. The levels of RBC-C_3bRR and ERER decreased, while the levels of RBC-ICR and ERIR increased with the increases of Al content in drinking water. The results suggest that the immune function of erythrocytes in rats is suppressed by Al exposure.     

Suppressive Effects of Dietary High Fluorine on the Intestinal Development in Broilers

Fluoride (F) is a well-recognized hazardous substance. Ingested F initially acts locally on the intestines. The small intestine plays a critical role in the digestion, absorption, and defense. In this study, therefore, we investigated the effects of fluorine on the intestinal development by light microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and histochemistry. A total of 280 one-day-old avian broilers were randomly divided into four groups and fed on a corn-soybean basal diet as control diet (fluorine, 22.6 mg/kg) or the same basal diet supplemented with 400, 800, and 1,200 mg/kg fluorine (high fluorine groups I, II, and III) in the form of sodium fluoride for 42 days. The results showed that the intestinal gross, histological, and ultrastructural changes were observed in the high fluorine groups II and III. Meanwhile, the intestinal length, weight, viscera index, villus height, crypt depth, villus height to crypt depth ratio, diameter, muscle layer thickness, and goblet cell numbers were significantly lower (p?<?0.01 or p?<?0.05), and the intestinal diameter to villus height ratio was markedly higher (p?<?0.01 or p?<?0.05) in the high fluorine groups II and III than those in control group. In conclusion, dietary fluorine in the range of 800–1,200 mg/kg obviously altered the aforementioned parameters of the intestines, implying that the intestinal development was suppressed and the intestinal functions, such as digestion, absorption, defense, or osmoregulation were impaired in broilers.     

The Cytological Observation of Immune Adherence of Porcine Erythrocyte

Abstract

The immune adherence (IA) between the porcine erythrocytes and the opsonized Escherichia coli carried green fluorescent protein gene (GFP-E.coli) were detected by the fluorescence microscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) with an attempt to verify the existence of IA between the porcine erythrocytes and complemented-opsonized microbes. Under fluorescence microscopy, GFP-E.coli opsonized by fresh rabbit serum complement adhered to the erythrocytes and could not be detached by PBS washing, and no IA was observed between the erythrocytes and nonopsonized GFP-E.coli after co-incubation. SEM and TEM also revealed the existence of IA between the serum complement-opsonized GFP-E.coli membrane and the erythrocyte membrane. The partial complement receptor type 1 (CR1)-like gene from porcine was generated by RT-PCR and rapid amplification of cDNA 3’ end (3’ RACE) (157bp and 578bp), both of which have high similarity with published mammal's CR1 gene. The sequences were spliced based on homology comparison and submitted to GenBank (GenBank Accession No. JX033989). These results indicated that the porcine erythrocytes were able to bind to the opsonized microorganisms. Furthermore, the sequencing results confirmed that the CR1-like gene exists in porcine.     

硫丹对小鼠红细胞免疫功能的影响

为了探讨有机氯农药硫丹对小鼠(Mus musculus)红细胞免疫功能的影响,设计了体内、外两组实验。体内实验:将40只小鼠随机分成4组,灌胃硫丹的量依次为:0、0.4、1.6、6.4mg/(kg·d)。灌胃25d后,取血测定红细胞的免疫功能。体外实验:将9只小鼠的红细胞分别与不同浓度的硫丹在体外培养,实验设空白对照组、溶剂丙酮组和4个不同浓度硫丹组,其6组实验所用硫丹的量依次为:0、0、5、10、20、40μg/ml。体外培养2h后,测定红细胞免疫粘附能力。结果表明,在活体实验中,随着硫丹浓度的增加,小鼠红细胞C3b受体花环率(ratio of C3b rosetting,C3bRR)明显下降,依硫丹灌胃浓度由低到高,其C3bRR依次为7.78%、6.80%、4.96%、4.33%;而循环免疫复合物花环率(ratio of immune complexes rosetting,ICRR)随着硫丹浓度升高而升高,分别为6.69%、6.31%、7.86%、9.42%。红细胞促NK细胞活性的功能在各组间没有显著差异。硫丹6.4mg/(kg·d)组小鼠红细胞对T淋巴细胞免疫粘附促进能力较其他3组明显降低。血浆中红细胞天然免疫促进因子活性在1.6mg/(kg·d)组和6.4mg/(kg·d)组较0mg/(kg·d)组明显降低。与溶剂丙酮组相比,血浆中红细胞天然免疫抑制因子活性在0.4mg/(kg·d)组明显下降,而在6.4mg/(kg·d)组却明显升高。离体红细胞经硫丹处理后其C3bRR显著降低,4个硫丹处理组依其浓度由低到高,C3bRR依次为:6.14%、5.56%、5.06%、4.44%;而ICRR却显著升高,分别为6.69%、6.31%、7.86%、9.42%。这表明,硫丹能抑制小鼠红细胞免疫粘附能力和红细胞对T淋巴细胞的正向调节功能,降低血浆中红细胞天然免疫促进因子活性,而对抑制因子活性影响比较复杂,低剂量时起抑制作用,而高剂量时能促进其活性。     

Effects of the Dietary Probiotic,Enterococcus faecium NCIMB11181, on the Intestinal Barrier and System Immune Status in Escherichia coli O78-Challenged Broiler Chickens

Probiotics and Antimicrobial Proteins - The effects of Enterococcus faecium on growth, intestinal barrier function, and immune response in Escherichia coli O78-challenged broiler chickens were...     

Effect of Dietary Supplementation of Organic Chromium on Performance, Carcass Traits, Oxidative Parameters, and Immune Responses in Commercial Broiler Chickens

An experiment was conducted to study effect of supplementing graded concentrations (0, 100, 200, 300, or 400 μg/kg diet) of organic chromium (Cr) on performance, carcass traits, oxidative stress, and immune responses in commercial broiler chickens reared in open-sided poultry house under tropical climatic conditions. Each diet was fed ad libitum to eight replicates consisting of six birds in each pen from 1 to 42 days of age. Body mass gain and feed efficiency at 21 and 42 days of age and relative mass of liver, abdominal fat, and ready to cook yields at 42 days of age were not affected (P > 0.05) by supplementing organic Cr in broiler diet. Body mass loss during pre-slaughter holding period (12 h) reduced and relative breast mass increased nonlinearly (P < 0.01) with concentration of Cr in diet. Lipid peroxidation decreased, while activities of glutathione peroxidase and glutathione reductase in plasma increased nonlinearly with Cr supplementation. The ratio between heterophyl and lymphocyte was not affected (P > 0.05) with Cr supplementation in broiler diet. Relative mass of lymphoid organs (bursa, spleen, and thymus) and antibody production to Newcastle disease vaccination were not affected (P > 0.05) by the treatments employed. The cell-mediated immunity (lymphocyte proliferation ratio) increased nonlinearly with dietary Cr concentration. The results of the present study indicated that supplementation of organic Cr did not influence body mass and feed efficiency. However, supplementation of the Cr reduced pre-slaughter holding losses, increased the relative mass of breast, and increased antioxidant status and lymphocyte proliferation in broilers reared in tropics.     

Effect of Different Concentrations of Bacillus subtilis on Immune Response of Broiler Chickens

This trial was conducted to study the effects of different Bacillus subtilis concentrations on immune response of broiler chickens. There were 5 treatment groups: control, with no added B. subtilis supplementation, and 4 treatment groups receiving feed supplemented with different concentrations of B. subtilis. The trial was conducted with 225 broilers. The weight of broiler chickens in all groups receiving feed supplemented with B. subtilis was significantly higher and the feed conversion was better independently of the concentration than that of the control chickens. The degree of diffuse lymphohistiocytic infiltration and the number of solitary lymphoid follicles in the mucosa increased in accordance with the B. subtilis concentration of the feed. The birds from the groups fed B. subtilis-supplemented diets had significantly increased antibody responses to vaccination against Newcastle disease virus. The appearance of increased diffuse lymphohistiocytic infiltration and solitary lymphoid follicles in the mucosa and a stronger response to NDV indicate increased immunological response in chickens fed with a B. subtilis-supplemented diet.     

Effects of Feed Contaminant Deoxynivalenol on Plasma Cytokines and mRNA Expression of Immune Genes in the Intestine of Broiler Chickens

An experiment was conducted to investigate the individual and combined effects of dietary deoxynivalenol (DON) and a microbial feed additive on plasma cytokine level and on the expression of immune relevant genes in jejunal tissues of broilers. A total of 40 broiler chicks were obtained from a commercial hatchery and divided randomly into four groups (10 birds per group). Birds were reared in battery cages from one day old for 5 weeks. The dietary groups were 1) control birds fed basal diet; 2) DON group fed basal diet contaminated with 10 mg DON/ kg feed; 3) DON + Mycofix group fed basal diet contaminated with 10 mg DON/ kg feed and supplemented with a commercial feed additive, Mycofix® Select (MS) (2.5 kg/ton of feed); 4) Mycofix group fed basal diet supplemented with MS (2.5 kg/ton of feed). At 35 days, the plasma levels of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin 8 (IL-8) were quantified by ELISA test kits. Furthermore, the mRNA expression of TNF-α, IL-8, IL-1β, interferon gamma (IFNγ), transforming growth factor beta receptor I (TGFBR1) and nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells 1 (NF-κβ1) in jejunum were quantified by qRT-PCR. The results showed that the plasma TNF-α decreased in response to DON, while in combination with MS, the effect of DON was reduced. DON down-regulated the relative gene expression of IL-1β, TGFBR1 and IFN-γ, and addition of MS to the DON contaminated diet compensates these effects on IL-1β, TGFBR1 but not for IFN-γ. Furthermore, supplementation of MS to either DON contaminated or control diet up-regulated the mRNA expression of NF-κβ1. In conclusion, DON has the potential to provoke and modulate immunological reactions of broilers and subsequently could increase their susceptibility to disease. The additive seemed to have almost as much of an effect as DON, albeit on different genes.     

Dietary Lactobacillus acidophilus and Mannan-Oligosaccharides Alter the Lipid Metabolism and Health Indices in Broiler Chickens

Probiotics and Antimicrobial Proteins - The effects of dietary Lactobacillus acidophilus (LBA) and mannan-oligosaccharide (MOS) supplementation on lipid metabolism and consequent lipid profile and...     

蛋氨酸羟基类似物对肉鸡骨骼性能和基因表达的影响

本文以雄性罗斯肉鸡为材料,探讨饲粮添加不同蛋氨酸源:蛋氨酸(DLM)、蛋氨酸羟基类似物(HMTBA)和蛋氨酸羟基类似物钙盐(HMTB-Ca)对肉鸡骨骼性能和基因表达的影响。结果表明,HMTBA和HMTB-Ca能提高肉鸡终体重、日增重、血液GSH/GSSG比值、抗氧化酶(CAT)水平、总抗氧化能力(T-AOC)、骨骼长度、重量、骨骼指数(p<0.05)。不同蛋氨酸源对肉仔鸡采食量、料重比和灰分含量影响不显著(p>0.05),HMTBA组骨生长分化因子-5(GDF-5)表达量显著上升(p<0.05)。HMTB-Ca显著提高骨骼强度、钙磷含量,下调金属基质蛋白酶-2(MMP-2)、金属基质蛋白酶-9(MMP-9)的表达水平(p<0.05)。由此可知,采食蛋氨酸羟基类似物及其钙盐饲粮,可提高肉鸡体增重,改善血液氧化还原状态,改善骨骼生长发育,其中HMTB-Ca对骨骼作用更显著。     

Effect of Dietary Vitamin A on Reproductive Performance and Immune Response of Broiler Breeders

The effects of dietary vitamin A supplementation on reproductive performance, liver function, fat-soluble vitamin retention, and immune response were studied in laying broiler breeders. In the first phase of the experiment, 1,120 Ross-308 broiler breeder hens were fed a diet of corn and soybean meal supplemented with 5,000 to 35,000 IU/kg vitamin A (retinyl acetate) for 20 weeks. In the second phase, 384 Ross-308 broiler breeder hens were fed the same diet supplemented with 5,000 to 135,000 IU/kg vitamin A (retinyl acetate) for 24 weeks. The hens'' reproductive performance, the concentrations of vitamins A and E in liver and egg yolk, liver function, mRNA expression of vitamin D receptor in duodenal mucosa, antibody titers against Newcastle disease virus vaccine, and T-cell proliferation responses were evaluated. Supplementation of vitamin A at levels up to and including 35,000 IU/kg did not affect reproductive performance and quadratically affected antibody titer to Newcastle disease virus vaccine (p<0.05). Dietary addition of vitamin A linearly increased vitamin A concentration in liver and yolk and linearly decreased α-, γ-, and total tocopherol concentration in yolk (p<0.01) and α-tocopherol in liver (p<0.05). Supplementation of vitamin A at doses of 45,000 IU/kg and above significantly decreased egg weight, yolk color, eggshell thickness and strength, and reproductive performance. Dietary vitamin A significantly increased mRNA expression of vitamin D receptor in duodenal mucosa (p<0.05), increased aspartate amino transferase activity, and decreased total bilirubin concentration in serum. Supplementation of vitamin A at 135,000 IU/kg decreased the proliferation of peripheral blood lymphocytes (p<0.05). Therefore, the maximum tolerable dose of vitamin A for broiler breeders appears to be 35,000 IU/kg, as excessive supplementation has been shown to impair liver function, reproductive performance, and immune response.     

Effect of High Fluorine on the Cell Cycle and Apoptosis of Renal Cells in Chickens

The experiment was conducted with the objective of evaluating the effect of dietary high fluorine (F) on cell cycle and apoptosis of kidney in chickens by the methods of flow cytometry. Three hundred 1-day-old Avian broilers were divided into four groups and fed on control diet (F 23 mg/kg) and high F diets (400 mg/kg, high F group I; 800 mg/kg, high F group II; 1,200 mg/kg, high F group III) for 6 weeks. As tested by flow cytometry, the percentage of renal cell apoptosis was increased with increasing of dietary F, and it obviously rose in three high F groups when compared with that of control group. Renal cells in G₀/G₁ phase were much higher, and renal cells in S phase, G₂+M phase, and proliferation index value were much lower in high F groups I, II, and III than in control group. The results showed that excess dietary F in the range of 400–1,200 mg/kg caused G₀/G₁ arrest and increased cellular apoptosis in the kidney, which might finally interfere with the excretion and retention of fluoride in chickens.     

Dietary Nisin Modulates the Gastrointestinal Microbial Ecology and Enhances Growth Performance of the Broiler Chickens

Due to antimicrobial properties, nisin is one of the most commonly used and investigated bacteriocins for food preservation. Surprisingly, nisin has had limited use in animal feed as well as there are only few reports on its influence on microbial ecology of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT). The present study therefore aimed at investigating effects of dietary nisin on broiler chicken GIT microbial ecology and performance in comparison to salinomycin, the widely used ionophore coccidiostat. In total, 720 one-day-old male Ross 308 chicks were randomly distributed to six experimental groups. The positive control (PC) diet was supplemented with salinomycin (60 mg/kg). The nisin (NI) diets were supplemented with increasing levels (100, 300, 900 and 2700 IU nisin/g, respectively) of the bacteriocin. The negative control (NC) diet contained no additives. At slaughter (35 days of age), activity of specific bacterial enzymes (α- and β-glucosidases, α-galactosidases and β-glucuronidase) in crop, ileum and caeca were significantly higher (P<0.05) in the NC group, and nisin supplementation decreased the enzyme activities to levels observed for the PC group. A similar inhibitory influence on bacterial activity was reflected in the levels of short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) and putrefactive SCFA (PSCFA) in digesta from crop and ileum; no effect was observed in caeca. Counts of Bacteroides and Enterobacteriacae in ileum digesta were significantly (P<0.001) decreased by nisin and salinomycin, but no effects were observed on the counts of Clostridium perfringens, Lactobacillus/Enterococcus and total bacteria. Like salinomycin, nisin supplementation improved broiler growth performance in a dose-dependent manner; compared to the NC group, the body weight gain of the NI₉₀₀ and NI₂₇₀₀ groups was improved by 4.7 and 8.7%, respectively. Our findings suggest that dietary nisin exerts a mode of action similar to salinomycin and could be considered as a dietary supplement for broiler chickens.     

青霉酸对尼西鸡的毒性作用

采用人工染毒的方法,观察或检测了青霉酸（penicillic acid）中毒60d内尼西鸡的病理组织变化、血液生理生化指标、血清酶活性和青霉酸在脏器中的残留量。结果表明：（1）青霉酸中毒尼西鸡的主要病理变化是肝细胞脂肪变性、肾小管上皮细胞浊肿、心肌细胞颗粒变性;（2）红细胞平均压积（MCV）和红细胞平均血红蛋白浓度（MCHC）显著低于对照组;而谷丙转氨酶（SGPT）、乳酸脱氢酶（LDH）和碱性磷酸酶（AKP）等血清酶活性显著高于对照组;（3）青霉酸在各脏器中含量分布依次为肝＞肾＞心,表明青霉酸的分布与各脏器的病变程度具有相关性,肝脏是青霉酸作用的靶器官。其结果为家禽青霉酸中毒疾病的防治和青霉酸的中毒机理提供了科学依据。     

Influence of Butyrate Loaded Clinoptilolite Dietary Supplementation on Growth Performance,Development of Intestine and Antioxidant Capacity in Broiler Chickens

The study was conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary butyrate loaded clinoptilolite (CLI-B) on growth performance, pancreatic digestive enzymes, intestinal development and histomorphology, as well as antioxidant capacity of serum and intestinal mucosal in chickens. Two hundred forty 1-day-old commercial Arbor Acres broilers were randomly assigned to 4 groups: CON group (fed basal diets), SB group (fed basal diet with 0.05% sodium butyrate), CLI group (fed basal diet with 1% clinoptilolite), and CLI-B group (fed basal diet with 1% CLI-B). The results showed that supplementation of CLI-B significantly decreased (P < 0.05) feed conservation ratio at both 21 and 42 days of age, improved the pancreatic digestive enzymes activities (P < 0.05), increased the villus length and villus/crypt ratio (P < 0.05), and decreased the crypt depth of intestine (P < 0.05) as compared to the other experimental groups. Furthermore, the CLI-B environment improved the antioxidant capacity by increasing the antioxidant enzyme activities (P < 0.05) in intestine mucosal, and decreasing the NO content and iNOS activity (P < 0.05) in serum. In addition, CLI-B supplementation had improved the development of intestine and antioxidant capacity of broilers than supplementation with either clinoptilolite or butyrate sodium alone. In conclusion, 1% CLI-B supplementation improved the health status, intestine development and antioxidant capacity in broiler chickens, thus appearing as an important feed additive for the poultry industry.