ascorbic-acid and Poultry-Diseases

In order to explore the function of vitamin C (VC) and VC-Na in the relief of heat stress injury in chicken cardiomyocytes, 150 30-day-old specific-pathogen-free chickens were randomly divided into a control group (fed normal drinking water), a VC group (50 μg/mL VC in drinking water), and a VC-Na group (50 μg/mL VC-Na in drinking water). After 7 days of adaptation feeding, the chickens were subjected to heat stress at 40 ± 2 °C and 60%-70% humidity for 0, 1, 3, 5, and 10 h, respectively, and the sera and heart tissues of the chickens were collected immediately at the corresponding heat stress time points. The effects of VC and VC-Na supplementation on the relief of chicken myocardial cell injury following heat stress was studied by detecting the levels of LDH, CK, CK-MB, and total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) in the sera, and through histopathological analysis and the expression of CRYAB, Hsp27, and Hsp70 in the myocardial cells. The results showed that supplementing with 50 μg/mL VC or VC-Na significantly reduced the levels of LDH, and CK-MB in serum as well as heat-stress-induced granular and vacuolar degeneration, myocardial fiber breakage, and cell necrosis, indicating effective resistance to heat-stress damage. Additionally, the levels of T-AOC in serum were increased in the VC and VC-Na groups, suggesting enhancing of antioxidant capacity. Furthermore, the expression of CRYAB were induced at 0, 3, 5, and 10 h (P < 0.01) in both VC and VC-Na group, and that of Hsp70 were induced at 0 h (P < 0.05) in VC group and at 0, 3, 5, 10 h (P < 0.01) in VC-Na group. Thus, supplementing chicken diets with VC or VC-Na presented heat-stress damage resistance by enhancing antioxidant capacity and inducing expression of CRYAB and Hsp70.

Topics: Animals; Antioxidants; Ascorbic Acid; Chickens; Dietary Supplements; Heat Stress Disorders; Heat-Shock Proteins; HSP70 Heat-Shock Proteins; Myocardium; Myocytes, Cardiac; Oxidation-Reduction; Poultry Diseases; Vitamins

In broiler chickens, the relationship between dietary supplementation of vitamin C and hepatic, cardiac and renal heat shock proteins (HSP60, HSP70 and HSP90), heat shock factors (HSF-1 and HSF-3) and enzymatic antioxidants requires further investigation. The current study aimed to investigate this relationship at cellular and molecular levels in a 42 days experiment. Two hundred, one-day-old broiler chicks (Ross 308) were allocated into four equal groups. Chicks in the first and third groups were thermo-neutral (TN; 22°C for 24 hours/day) and fed basal diet without or with vitamin C (1g/kg basal diet), respectively. Chicks in the second and fourth groups were heat stressed (HS; 34°C for 8 hours/day) and fed basal diet without or with vitamin C, respectively. Performance parameters were recorded throughout the experiment. Levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione S-transferase (GST), glutathione peroxidase (GPX), Catalase (CAT) and gene expression of heat shock proteins (HSP60, 70 and 90) and heat shock factors (HSF 1 and 3) were analyzed in liver, heart and kidney tissues of the studied groups. Heat stress induced a negative impact on performance parameters, significant reduction in activities of all examined antioxidant enzymes and a significant up-regulation in heat shock proteins and factors genes in all studied tissues. Dietary supplementation of vitamin C corrected these parameters towards the normal control values. Conclusively, dietary supplementation of the examined dose of vitamin C was efficient at ameliorating the detrimental effects of heat stress on liver, heart and kidney tissues of broilers chickens at cellular and molecular levels.

Topics: Animals; Antioxidants; Ascorbic Acid; Chaperonin 60; Chickens; Gene Expression Regulation; Heat Shock Transcription Factors; Heat-Shock Proteins; Heat-Shock Response; HSP70 Heat-Shock Proteins; HSP90 Heat-Shock Proteins; Kidney; Lipid Peroxidation; Liver; Myocardium; Poultry Diseases

This study evaluates the effect of different periods of chronic heat stress (CHS) on selected bone and serum parameters of broiler chickens with or without vitamin C administration. Ninety 23-day-old chickens were randomly allocated into seven groups: (1) control, (2) short-term CHS (5 days), (3) short-term CHS + vitamin C (12 g/100 l drinking water of a 50% product), (4) medium-term CHS (10 days), (5) medium-term CHS + vitamin C, (6) long-term CHS (20 days) and (7) long-term CHS + vitamin C. In heat-stressed groups the temperature was increased to 39 ± 1°C for 8 h/day. At the end of the experiment, blood samples were collected and shank, keel and tibia bones were removed. CHS was not associated with a drastic change in serum Ca and corticosterone, or bone characteristics (both cortical and trabecular bones in radiographical and histological evaluation), or birds' performance. Oxidative stress was present especially with short-term CHS. CHS, especially for short or medium periods, showed a tendency to increase serum vitamin C and administration of this vitamin did not make a significant change in its serum levels although it ameliorated oxidative stress. In conclusion, it seems that CHS is not associated with an appreciable change in broiler performance, bone characteristics, or selected serum parameters; and simultaneous vitamin C administration at the dosage of 12 g/100 l in drinking water has no beneficial effect apart from reducing oxidative stress especially in short-term chronically heat-stressed birds.

Topics: Animals; Ascorbic Acid; Bone Density; Chickens; Chronic Disease; Corticosterone; Dietary Supplements; Heat Stress Disorders; Humans; Poultry Diseases; Time Factors

The objective of this study was to determine if a diet supplemented simultaneously with vitamins C and E would alleviate the negative effects of heat stress, applied between 28 and 42 days of age, on performance, carcass and meat quality traits of broiler chickens. A total of 384 male broiler chickens were assigned to a completely randomized design, with a 2×3 factorial arrangement (diet with or without vitamin supplementation and two ambient temperatures plus a pair-feeding group) and 16 replicates. Chickens were kept in thermoneutral conditions up to 28 days of age. They were then housed in groups of four per cage, in three environmentally controlled chambers: two thermoneutral (22.5 and 22.6°C) and one for heat stress (32°C). Half the chickens were fed a diet supplemented with vitamins C (257 to 288 mg/kg) and E (93 to 109 mg/kg). In the thermoneutral chambers, half of the chickens were pair-fed to heat stressed chickens, receiving each day the average feed intake recorded in the heat stress chamber in the previous day. Meat physical quality analyses were performed on the pectoralis major muscle. No ambient temperature×diet supplementation interaction effects were detected on performance, carcass, or meat quality traits. The supplemented diet resulted in lower growth performance, attributed either to a carry-over effect of the lower initial BW, or to a possible catabolic effect of vitamins C and E when supplemented simultaneously at high levels. Heat stress reduced slaughter and carcass weights, average daily gain and feed intake, and increased feed conversion. Growth performance of pair-fed chickens was similar to that of heat stressed chickens. Exposure to heat stress increased carcass and abdominal fat percentages, but reduced breast, liver and heart percentages. Pair-fed chickens showed the lowest fat percentage and their breast percentage was similar to controls. Heat stress increased meat pH and negatively affected meat color and cooking loss. In pair-fed chickens, meat color was similar to the heat stressed group. Shear force was not influenced by heat stress, but pair-fed chickens showed the tenderest meat. In conclusion, reduction in growth performance and negative changes in meat color in heat stressed chickens were attributed to depression in feed intake, whereas negative changes in body composition, higher meat pH and cooking loss were credited to high ambient temperature per se. Diet supplementation with vitamins C and E as antioxidants di

Topics: Animal Husbandry; Animals; Antioxidants; Ascorbic Acid; Body Composition; Chickens; Diet; Dietary Supplements; Eating; Heat Stress Disorders; Hot Temperature; Male; Meat; Poultry Diseases; Vitamin E; Vitamins

An experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of lemon verbena powder and vitamin C on performance and immunity of broilers under heat stress. The experiment was carried out with a total of 160-day-old male Ross 308 broiler chickens in a completely randomized design. From 25 days of age, the birds were assigned to four diets including control diet and treatment diets which were supplemented with 2 levels of lemon verbena (0.5% and 1.0%) and one level of vitamin C (250 mg/kg) in 16-floor pens with 10 chickens each and reared to 42 days of age. To induce chronic heat stress, birds were exposed to an ambient temperature of 35 ± 2 °C for 8 h daily (from 09:00 AM until 17:00 PM) between 25 and 42 days of age. At the end of experiment, one chick/pen was randomly selected, and the performance and blood parameters were evaluated. Dietary supplementation of 1.0% lemon verbena increased (p < 0.05) average weight gain and feed intake by 5.81% and 3.29%, and reduced feed conversion ratio by 2.59% respectively compared to control group. Birds fed diets containing 1.0% lemon verbena had significantly higher relative weight of bursa of fabricius and breast (p < 0.05). LDL decreased by 15.85% and 17.57%, for birds fed 0.5% and 1.0% lemon verbena respectively. The ratio of heterophyl to lymphocyte was reduced (p < 0.05) by 20.68% via significant decrease in heterophyl by 15.55% and significant increase in lymphocyte by 4.51% in birds fed lemon verbena at the rate of 1.0% compared to those fed the control diet. 1.0% lemon verbena and vitamin C elevated (p = 0.0005) the level of glutathione peroxidase by 51.81% and 27.90%, respectively. In conclusion, lemon verbena and vitamin C improved some performance data and blood metabolites which somehow suppressed the negative effects of heat stress.

Topics: Animal Feed; Animals; Ascorbic Acid; Body Composition; Body Weight; Chickens; Diet; Heat Stress Disorders; Hot Temperature; Poultry Diseases; Powders; Time Factors; Verbenaceae

Genetic selection for fast growth can affect the ability of male turkeys to cope with stressors, resulting in decreased immunity to opportunistic bacterial infection. The purpose of the current study was to compare the effects of ascorbic acid (AA) on the stress response and resistance to Escherichia coli challenge of birds selected for increased 16-wk body weight (BW; F-line) with their random-bred parent line (RBC2). Male turkeys were raised in duplicate floor pens in a two line×two AA treatment×two stress challenge (SC) design. At 5 wk of age, AA (1200 ppm) was provided in drinking water for a 24-hr period, during which all birds were weighed. After AA treatment, the SC group was subjected to a transport stress protocol. Six hours after the start of transport, SC birds were also inoculated in the thoracic air sac with 1×10(4) colony-forming units of E. coli. The following morning four birds from each pen were bled, and all birds were weighed and necropsied 2 days later. BW and gain after SC were decreased in the F-line but not the RBC2 line, and there were no AA effects on BW. The weight of the bursa of Fabricius relative to BW was higher in the RBC2 line than in the F-line, was decreased by SC, and was not affected by AA. The heterophil∶lymphocyte ratio was higher in the SC F-line as compared to the SC RBC2 and was decreased by AA only in the SC F-line. Corticosterone (C) levels were increased by SC only in the F-line, and AA decreased C levels only in the RBC2 line. Airsacculitis scores were increased in the F-line SC birds. The challenge strain of E. coli was only detected in the air sac and liver of the AA-treated F-line SC birds and in the liver of the no-AA F-line birds. These results suggest that SC at 5 wk of age had a more deleterious effect on the fast-growing F-line than on its parent line and that AA may have increased susceptibility to colibacillosis in the SC F-line birds.

Topics: Animals; Ascorbic Acid; Dietary Supplements; Escherichia coli Infections; Male; Poultry Diseases; Stress, Physiological; Turkeys

The study was conducted to determine the effects of low ambient temperature (LAT) and a vitamin C (VC) dietary supplement on the growth performance, blood parameters, and antioxidant capacity of 21-d-old broilers. A total of 400 one-day-old male Cobb broilers were assigned to 1 of 4 treatments as follows: 1) LAT and a basal diet; 2) LAT and a basal diet supplemented with 1,000 mg of VC/kg (LAT + VC); 3) normal ambient temperature (NAT) and a basal diet; 4) NAT and a basal diet supplemented with 1,000 mg of VC/kg (NAT + VC). All birds were fed to 21 d of age. Broilers in groups 1 and 2 were raised at 24 to 26°C during 1 to 7 d, and at 9 to 11°C during 8 to 21 d, whereas groups 3 and 4 were raised at 29 to 31°C during 1 to 7 d and at 24 to 26°C during 8 to 21 d. The LAT increased the feed conversion ratio during the whole experimental period (P < 0.01), whereas it increased heart index at 21 d (P < 0.05) and hematocrit and hemoglobin level at 14 d (P < 0.05). Supplementing the diet with VC increased hematocrit, hemoglobin, and red blood cell count at 21 d (P < 0.05). At 21 d, LAT conditions decreased total antioxidant capacity in the serum, liver, and lungs (P < 0.05), and it also increased the levels of VC in the serum and liver, the amount of protein carbonylation in liver and lungs, and the malondialdehyde level in the lungs (P < 0.05). The addition of VC tended to increase the total antioxidant capacity level in serum (P < 0.1). Low ambient temperature resulted in oxidative stress for broilers that were fed from 1 to 21 d of age, whereas no significant effect was found on the antioxidant activity by dietary VC supplementation.

Topics: Animal Feed; Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; Animals; Antioxidants; Ascites; Ascorbic Acid; Blood Chemical Analysis; Chickens; Cold Temperature; Diet; Dietary Supplements; Hematologic Tests; Male; Poultry Diseases

Two hundred broiler chicks were randomly assigned to 3 dietary treatments: control [CTL; 3,200 kcal of ME/kg, 23% CP, 1.55% Arg, and 40 IU of vitamin E (VE)/kg of feed], high-Arg (HA; CTL+0.8% Arg), or high-Arg and high antioxidant-vitamin diet (AEC; HA+200 IU of VE/kg of feed and 500 mg of vitamin C/L of water). The chicks were housed in wire cages in hypobaric chambers simulating 3,000 m above sea level. From d 28 to 42, clinically healthy birds were selected for cardiovascular performance (n=7 to 12/treatment). After surgery, pulmonary arterial pressure (PAP) and mean arterial pressure (MAP) readings were taken at 180, 120, and 60 s (basal values) before an epinephrine (EPI) challenge and then at 30, 60, 120, 180, 300, 600, and 1,200 s after the challenge, followed by a second EPI challenge with similar sample readings. There were no differences in the basal PAP values among chicken groups. The PAP increased within 30 s after both EPI challenges in all groups. It took 180 s after the first EPI challenge for the CTL chickens to return to the basal PAP values, whereas HA and AEC chickens returned to basal PAP values in 120 s. After the second EPI challenge, it took 60, 180, and 300 s for the AEC, HA, and CTL groups, respectively, to return to basal PAP values. The MAP response pattern to the EPI challenges mimicked that of PAP, but there were no differences among treatments in MAP at any sampling point. Supplemental Arg, VE, and vitamin C did not reduce ascites incidence in hypoxic broilers. In conclusion, supplemental Arg improved the pulmonary vascular performance of hypoxic broiler chickens and its effects were further improved by the addition of the antioxidant VE and vitamin C. Arginine and antioxidant vitamins may have played synergistic roles to increase NO bioavailability and reduce oxidative stress damage, thus improving cardiopulmonary performance.

Topics: Animal Feed; Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; Animals; Arginine; Ascorbic Acid; Cardiovascular Diseases; Diet; Dietary Supplements; Hypoxia; Poultry Diseases; Pressure; Time Factors; Vitamin E

1. It has recently been shown that oxidative stress is involved in the pathogenesis of congestive heart failure (CHF) in broiler chickens. Vitamins E and C, common antioxidants, have been advocated for the prevention of heart failure in humans. The present study examines the effects of supplementation of these vitamins on incidence of CHF and prevention of oxidative stress in the myocardium. 2. Commercial male broilers were randomly allocated to three experimental groups and, respectively, offered commercial broiler diet (control), commercial diets fortified with vitamin E (960 IU/kg) or vitamin C (400 mg/kg). The broilers were monitored daily for overt signs of heart failure and clinical data including ECG and blood gas analysis were collected periodically. Lipid peroxidation was measured in cardiac tissues from apparently normal broilers and broilers developing CHF in each group using thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) assay. 3. Overall, the incidence of CHF in broilers given diets fortified with vitamin E or vitamin C was not significantly different as compared to the control group. The incidence of overt signs of hypoxaemia was lower in the vitamin C group than in the control group. Lipid peroxidation was highest in broilers that developed CHF as compared to apparently normal broilers fed either vitamin E or C fortified diets. Neither vitamin E nor vitamin C was effective in preventing oxidative damage in broilers that developed CHF. 4. In conclusion, the present study confirmed that oxidative stress is involved in the pathogenesis of heart failure in broilers, but dietary supplementation of antioxidant vitamins did not prevent oxidative damage in broilers that developed CHF. Beneficial effects of vitamin C supplementation were evidenced by lower incidence of hypoxaemia, and the tendency to reduce the susceptibility of broilers to heart failure. However, vitamin E did not have any impact on clinical status or the incidence of CHF.

Topics: Animals; Ascorbic Acid; Blood Gas Analysis; Chickens; Dietary Supplements; Electrocardiography; Heart Failure; Lipid Peroxidation; Male; Myocardium; Oxidative Stress; Poultry Diseases; Vitamin E; Vitamins

The effects of ascorbic acid (AA) on pullets transported by road for 6h during the hot-dry season were investigated. Forty Shika Brown pullets administered orally with AA just before transportation served as experimental, while another 40 pullets given sterile water only served as control. Blood samples analyzed before and after transportation in control pullets showed a decrease (P<0.05) in packed cell volume and haemoglobin values, and a significant (P<0.05) increase in the values of heterophil/lymphocyte ratio, total protein and basophil counts post-transportation. In experimental pullets, the post-transportation values were not different (P>0.05) from those obtained pre-transportation. The result showed that the transportation was stressful in control pullets. The behavioural activities of the pullets' post-transportation period indicated that AA facilitated the transition of the state of depression that followed excitation back to excitation immediately after transportation. In conclusion, AA administration ameliorated the adverse effect of road transportation stress during the hot-dry season.

Topics: Animals; Ascorbic Acid; Behavior, Animal; Chickens; Female; Hot Temperature; Poultry Diseases; Seasons; Stress, Physiological; Transportation; Weather

Salmonella Enteritidis (SE) infection is not only a leading cause of poor production performance and compromised animal welfare in broilers but also a potential threat to public health. Two experiments were conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary supplemental vitamin C (VC) on SE challenged-broilers. In experiment 1, one hundred eighty 1-day-old Arbor Acre broilers were randomly allocated into 3 treatments, with 0, 500, or 1,000 mg/kg VC included in the diet. In experiment 2, dietary VC at 0 or 500 mg/kg, with or without SE challenge was applied in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement in 6 randomized complete blocks. In experiment 1, addition with 500 mg/kg VC increased BW and infectious bursal disease (IBD) titer of broilers on 35 D (P < 0.05), whereas 1,000 mg/kg VC had no effects on the IBD titer (P > 0.05) compared with the control group. In experiment 2, SE challenge depressed BW on 11 and 21 D (P < 0.05 and P = 0.088, respectively), whereas increased mortality and hepatic bacterial translocation (P < 0.05) on 21 D. Further, SE challenge resulted in lower villus height in jejunum, lower microbial richness, and diversity, whereas higher abundance of Enterobacteriaceae in cecum (P < 0.05). Importantly, supplementation with VC increased BW on both 21 and 35 D (P < 0.05 and P = 0.088, respectively) and enhanced the intestinal health by improving villus morphology and microbial structure as indicated by higher cecal microbial richness and Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes ratio, while lower abundance of Enterobacteriaceae (P < 0.05). In addition, birds fed with 500 mg/kg VC in the diet had significantly increased jejunal secretory immunoglobulin A levels, T lymphocytes stimulation index, and serum total antioxidant capability compared with groups without VC (P < 0.05). In conclusion, SE challenge induced lower production performance and higher mortality in broilers. However, dietary supplementation with VC ameliorated SE-caused damage in broilers by improving the intestinal health, partly mediated by shaping the structure of cecal microbiota.

Topics: Animal Feed; Animals; Ascorbic Acid; Chickens; Diet; Dietary Supplements; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Gastrointestinal Microbiome; Male; Poultry Diseases; Random Allocation; Salmonella enteritidis; Salmonella Infections, Animal; Vitamins

Consumer concern on the quality of products and animal welfare has greatly increased during the past decades. Dietary synthetic antibiotic products used as growth promoters have been restricted or banned in many countries. Edible plants, essential oils, or their main components were suggested as natural feed supplements to improve growth, products' quality, and welfare-related parameters. Thymol (THY), a main component of oregano essential oil, has been proved as an effective antimicrobial and antioxidant compound. Tocopherol (TOC) evidenced antioxidant activity with potential as a growth promoter and a synergic antioxidant activity between TOC and ascorbyl palmitate (AP) has also been reported. Herein, we evaluated whether broiler diet supplementation with THY, and THY with a formulation mix containing TOC and AP (1:0.5:0.5, respectively) have potential as growth enhancers under commercial conditions. Potential protective effects against foot pad dermatitis and hock burns were also evaluated. Newly hatched male broiler chicks with similar body weight (BW) were randomly assigned to 1 of 7 groups (4 replicates each) as follows: Basal (no feed supplements added), Promotor (Basal + 6.26 μmol flavomycin/kg feed), BHT (Basal + 1.33 mmol of buthylated hidroxytoluene (BHT)/kg feed), Prom-BHT (Basal + 6.26 μmol flavomycin/kg feed + 1.33 mmol of BHT/kg feed), TOC-AP (Basal + 0.67 mmoles of TOC + 0.67 mmoles of AP/kg feed), THY (Basal + 1.33 mmoles of THY/kg feed), and THY-TOC-AP (Basal + 0.67 mmoles of THY + 0.67 mmoles of a mix 1:1 of TOC-AP). Along 7 wk, BW, feed intake, and feed conversion ratio were evaluated. Skin injuries were assessed at 35 d of age. At the end of the study (42 d), compared to Basal group, similarly enhanced final BW were observed in all groups but TOC-AP. No main differences between groups were detected in feed intake, feed conversion ratio, or skin injuries. Findings suggest that THY itself or in combination with TOC-AP may have value as a natural growth enhancer alternative for broilers.

Topics: alpha-Tocopherol; Animal Feed; Animals; Ascorbic Acid; Chickens; Diet; Dietary Supplements; Foot Diseases; Growth Substances; Male; Poultry Diseases; Random Allocation; Thymol

To compare the conventional plating method vs a fluorometric method using PrestoBlue. A concentration of 10. The results of this study suggest that there could be an antagonistic bactericidal effect between AA and CUR and AA and BA as well as a synergistic bactericidal effect between BA and CUR.. These findings may contribute to the development of a formulation with microencapsulated compounds to liberate them in different compartments to combat S. Enteritidis infections in broiler chickens.

Topics: Animals; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Ascorbic Acid; Boric Acids; Chickens; Curcumin; Diet; Gastrointestinal Tract; Poultry Diseases; Salmonella enteritidis; Salmonella Infections, Animal

A 3 × 2 factorial experiment consisting three levels (0, 200, and 400 μg/kg) of chromium (chromium picolinate) and two levels (0 and 250 mg/kg) of vitamin C was employed to evaluate the effects of these dietary supplements on performance, egg quality traits, and serum biochemical parameters of heat-stressed laying hens (Lohmann LSL-Lite) from 66 to 74 weeks of age. Feed intake increased when birds were given either 400 μg/kg chromium or 250 mg/kg vitamin C (P < 0.05), but the birds that received both chromium and vitamin C consumed feed similar to those that received only chromium. Dietary treatments had no effect on egg production, egg mass, egg volume, feed conversion ratio, and body mass (P > 0.05). The birds that fed on diet with chromium or vitamin C produced eggs with higher shell mass and thickness compared to the control. Both eggshell mass and thickness decreased when vitamin C and chromium were supplemented simultaneously, and birds given the diet supplemented with 400 μg/kg chromium and 250 mg/kg vitamin C had eggshell mass and thickness similar to those of the control group. The serum concentration of chromium increased due to increasing level of dietary chromium (P < 0.05). The birds that received diet with chromium and vitamin C had higher serum concentrations of chromium compared to those that received only chromium (P < 0.05). Similarly, the hens that received chromium and vitamin C had higher serum concentrations of calcium and phosphorus compared to the hens fed with other treatments (P < 0.05). The birds given with supplemental chromium exhibited lower serum glucose, total cholesterol, and triglycerides concentrations but higher serum albumin and total protein concentrations compared to the other groups (P < 0.05).

Topics: Animal Feed; Animals; Ascorbic Acid; Biomarkers; Blood Proteins; Chickens; Cholesterol; Chromium; Diet; Dietary Supplements; Egg Yolk; Eggs; Female; Heat Stress Disorders; Oviparity; Picolinic Acids; Poultry Diseases

Genetic line and diet affect chicken heterophil activity and gene expression, and the combination of these factors can enhance disease resistance. This study evaluated the effects of immune modulating diets on heterophil/lymphocyte (H/L) ratio and heterophil chemokine expression in distinct genetic lines. Fayoumi and Leghorn chickens were fed a basal diet or immune modulating diets enhanced with β-glucans, ascorbic acid, or corticosterone. H/L ratios and heterophil gene expression in response to in vitro stimulation with Salmonella enteritidis (SE) were evaluated on days 1, 3, 7, and 21 of diet treatment. The stress-mimicking corticosterone diet influenced H/L ratio in the Leghorn line, but not the Fayoumi line, suggesting resistance to stress-induced immunosuppression in the Fayoumi line. Leghorn line H/L ratios were increased on days 1 and 3 of corticosterone diet treatment, but not days 7 or 21. Expression of CXCLi2 by SE stimulated heterophils was higher in the Leghorn line, suggesting that Leghorns rely more heavily on inflammatory response than do Fayoumis. Corticosterone diet was associated with reduced CXCLi2 expression in heterophils from both lines. Dietary β-glucan or ascorbic acid did not affect H/L ratio or CXCLi2 expression, suggesting that benefits of these immunomodulators may not be evident in healthy birds.

Topics: Animals; Ascorbic Acid; Avian Proteins; beta-Glucans; Chickens; Corticosterone; Diet; Gene Expression; Granulocytes; Immunologic Factors; Interleukin-8; Poultry Diseases; Salmonella enteritidis; Salmonella Infections, Animal; Species Specificity

1. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of added dietary vitamin C on the intestinal mucosa morphology in pulmonary hypertensive broiler chickens. 2. One-day-old chickens were reared at high altitude and treated with 400, 800 or 1200 mg vitamin C/l of drinking water for 48 d. Segments from the duodenum, jejunum and ileum were collected for morphometric analysis. 3. The duodenum and jejunum villus height, width, surface area and lamina propria thickness were greater in the highest vitamin C-treated groups compared to controls. 4. There were significant variations only in villus types of the jejunum and ileum: increased proportions of leaf + tongue-like villi and decreased proportions of convoluted + ridge-like villi at day 36 at the groups with 400 and 800 mg vitamin C/l. 5. It was concluded that vitamin C improves the gut morphology of the pulmonary hypertensive broiler chickens.

Topics: Altitude; Animals; Antioxidants; Ascorbic Acid; Chickens; Drinking; Duodenum; Hypertension, Pulmonary; Ileum; Intestinal Mucosa; Jejunum; Poultry Diseases

1. The effects of vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid) and vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol acetate) supplementation on egg production and heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70) response of ovary and brain in the Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica) exposed to high ambient temperature were evaluated. 2. The birds (n = 540; 55 d old) were randomly assigned to 18 groups consisting of 3 replicates of 10 birds each in a 2 x 3 x 3 factorial arrangement of treatments. Birds were kept in wire cages in a temperature-controlled room at either 22 degrees C (thermo-neutral, TN) or 34 degrees C (heat stress, HS) for 8 h/d (09:00 to 17:00 h; until the end of the study) and fed on a basal diet or the basal diet supplemented with either three levels of vitamin C (0, 250 and 500 mg of L-ascorbic acid/kg of diet) or three levels of vitamin E (0, 250 and 500 mg of dl-alpha-tocopheryl acetate/kg of diet). 3. Feed intake and egg production were not affected by vitamin C and E supplementation under thermo-neutral conditions. However, feed intake and egg production were increased with the vitamin C or E supplementation either singly or in combination in heat-stressed quail. When vitamin was added, feed intake and egg production of quails under TN were different from those raised under HS. However, in the absence of supplemental vitamins, feed intake and egg production at TN and HS were no different. 4. Heat exposure increased serum corticosterone levels and Hsp70 expression. Serum corticosterone level was significantly decreased by vitamin C or E supplementation in HS groups for quail. Ovary and brain Hsp70 expression linearly decreased as dietary vitamin C or vitamin E supplementation increased in heat-stressed groups. However, Hsp70 expression of ovary and brain was not affected by vitamin C or E supplementation under thermo-neutral conditions. 5. The present study showed that a combination of dietary vitamin C (500 mg) and E supplementation (500 mg) may alleviate some heat stress effects of heat shock proteins of ovary and brain and egg production of Japanese quail.

Topics: Animals; Ascorbic Acid; Blotting, Western; Brain Chemistry; Corticosterone; Coturnix; Dietary Supplements; Eating; Female; Heat Stress Disorders; Hot Temperature; HSP70 Heat-Shock Proteins; Ovary; Oviposition; Poultry Diseases; Random Allocation; Vitamin E

We evaluated the effects of vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid) and folic acid supplementation on performance, carcass characteristics and concentrations of the oxidative stress markers [malondialdehyde (MDA), homocysteine], adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), vitamins C, E, A, B-12 and folic acid, and mineral status in broiler Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica) exposed to high ambient temperature (34 degrees C, 8 h/d, 0900-1700 h). The birds (n = 150; 10-d-old) kept at 34 degrees C were fed a basal diet (HS group) or the basal diet supplemented with 250 mg of L-ascorbic acid/kg of diet (Vit C group), 1 mg of folic acid/kg of diet (FA group) or both (Vit C + FA group), whereas birds kept at 22 degrees C were fed the basal diet (TN group). Supplementing heat-stressed quail with vitamin C and folic acid improved performance compared to the HS group. Effects generally were greatest in quail supplemented with both. Although supplementation did not consistently restore concentrations to those of the TN group, it increased serum concentrations of the vitamins under study. Furthermore, serum and tissue MDA, homocysteine and ACTH concentrations were lower in the supplemented groups than in the heat-stressed controls. Retention of N, ash, Ca, P, Zn, Fe, Cu and Cr were highest in the Vit C + FA group and lowest in the HS group (P < 0.05). The results of the study indicate that vitamin C and folic acid supplementation attenuates the decline in performance and antioxidant status caused by heat stress. Such supplementation may offer protection against heat stress-related depression in performance of Japanese quail.

Topics: Animal Husbandry; Animals; Ascorbic Acid; Coturnix; Diet; Dietary Supplements; Folic Acid; Heat Stress Disorders; Motor Activity; Poultry Diseases

In order to ameliorate a negative effect of stress on meat quality characteristics, chickens were fed a diet supplemented with a combination of ascorbic acid (1,000 ppm) and alpha-tocopherol (200 ppm) or oregano (3%), which has a high content of antioxidants. Chickens were slaughtered by cervical dislocation in the stable (no stress) or after transport and electrical stunning at the slaughter plant (stress). Activities of antioxidative enzymes (catalase, superoxide dismutase, and glutathion peroxidase) in pectoralis major (PM), iliotibialis (IL), and liver were unaffected by supplementation. However, erythrocyte stability, which is a more complex model system for determining oxidative status, increased with ascorbic acid-alpha-tocopherol supplementation and tended to increase after oregano supplementation. In nonstressed birds, this improved antioxidative status was reflected in decreased TBA-reactive substances (TBARS) in PM and liver of ascorbic acid-alpha-tocopherol-supplemented chickens and likewise in liver from oregano-supplemented chickens compared to that of nonstressed control birds. However, postmortem temperature, pH, and water-holding capacity were not affected by supplementation. Drip loss from oregano-supplemented chickens showed increased protein oxidation in specific bands, but this did not relate to water-holding capacity or antioxidative status. When exposed to stress, the concentration of TBARS in the control animals increased in PM and IL. Ascorbic acid-alpha-tocopherol supplementation protected IL, and oregano supplementation protected PM from stress-induced increases in TBARS. This differential effect between muscles may indicate differences in protection mechanisms. In conclusion, ascorbic acid-alpha-tocopherol and oregano supplements to chickens protect against stress-induced increase in TBARS, in different muscles.

Topics: alpha-Tocopherol; Animal Feed; Animals; Antioxidants; Ascorbic Acid; beta Carotene; Catalase; Chickens; Color; Dietary Supplements; Erythrocytes; Glutathione Peroxidase; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; Liver; Lutein; Meat; Muscle, Skeletal; Nutritional Status; Origanum; Oxidation-Reduction; Poultry Diseases; Proteins; Stress, Physiological; Superoxide Dismutase; Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances

1. Three hundred and eighty 1-day-old Arbor Acres broilers were divided into control (A) and experimental (B, C, D, and E) groups. 2. After 14 d of age the experimental groups were subjected to a cool temperature challenge by lowering the temperature 1 to 2 degrees C per day down to 12 degrees C, and maintaining this temperature until 7 weeks of age. 3. At the same time, 1.5 mg/kg 3,3,5-triiodothyronine (T3) was added to the diet of groups D and E, and 500 mg/kg ascorbic acid (vitamin C) to the diet of groups C and E. 4. The incidence of pulmonary hypertension syndrome (PHS), body weight gain and feed intake were measured weekly. Lung and blood samples were collected weekly from 10 birds per group beginning on d 14, and the percentage of thick-walled peripheral lung vessels (% TWPV) and packed cell volume (PCV) were determined. 5. The lower ambient temperature and diets supplemented with T3 increased PHS incidence and % TWPV and decreased body weight gain. 6. There was an increase in PCV after 5 weeks of age under lower ambient temperature 3 and the PCV values 14 were also significantly increased by T3. 7. Vitamin C supplementation reduced PHS incidence and % TWPV but did not change packed cell volume, body, weight gain, feed intake, or feed conversion. 8. It is concluded that vitamin C reduced PHS and the associated muscularisation of pulmonary arterioles induced by exposing broilers to cool environmental temperatures and feeding them with T3.

Topics: Animals; Arterioles; Ascorbic Acid; Chickens; Cold Temperature; Dietary Supplements; Hematocrit; Histocytochemistry; Hypertension, Pulmonary; Lung; Poultry Diseases; Random Allocation; Triiodothyronine

To assess effects of high dietary amounts of vitamin C or vitamin E and oxidative stress on the heart and growth performance of broilers maintained at an altitude of 2,200 m above sea level.. 360 chicks (1-day-old broilers).. Birds were randomly assigned to 3 groups (120 chicks/group). Each group of birds was fed a specific diet (control group, basal diet containing 12 mg of vitamin E (DL-alpha-tocopherol acetate)/kg of feed without additional ascorbic acid; vitamin E group, basal diet supplemented with 75 mg of vitamin E/kg of feed; and vitamin C group, basal diet supplemented with 400 mg of ascorbic acid/kg of feed) throughout the entire 7 weeks of the study. Feed consumption and body weight of chicks were recorded on a weekly basis. Nine randomly selected birds from each group were euthanatized each week. Remaining birds were euthanatized at the end of the study. Samples of cardiac tissues were obtained to measure thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), an indicator of oxidative stress.. Vitamin E-supplemented diets resulted in better growth performance, lower rates of feed conversion, and lower TBARS content. Vitamin C-supplemented diets resulted in lower feed consumption and lower rates of feed conversion. When used separately, neither of the vitamins had any effect on mortality attributable to ascites syndrome.. It is recommended that diets supplemented with vitamin C, vitamin E, or both be fed to broilers maintained at an altitude of 2,200 m above sea level to improve growth performance.

Topics: Altitude; Animals; Ascites; Ascorbic Acid; Body Weight; Chickens; Dietary Supplements; Eating; Lipid Peroxidation; Lipid Peroxides; Mexico; Myocardium; Oxidative Stress; Poultry Diseases; Random Allocation; Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances; Vitamin E

1. Three experiments were conducted using a low temperature model to induce pulmonary hypertension (PH) and ascites in broiler chickens. Diets containing 25 g or 50 g flax oil/kg food and control diets with an equivalent amount of animal/vegetable (A/V) blend oil, with and without supplemental antioxidants (vitamin C and vitamin E) were used. The amount of PH was assessed by the ratio of right ventricle weight to total ventricle weight (RV/TV ratio). Birds were considered to suffer from pulmonary hypertension syndrome (PHS) if the RV/TV ratio was greater than 0.299. 2. In experiment 1, the test diets contained 50 g oil/kg food and were given during the grower period only. Birds fed on the flax oil diet tended to have a lower incidence of PHS, ascites and lower RV/TV ratios than birds fed on the control diet. However, when the flax oil diet was supplemented with antioxidants, the incidence of ascites, PHS, haematocrit and whole blood and plasma viscosity increased compared with birds fed on the flax oil diet without antioxidants. These effects were not seen in experiment 2, when the test diets containing 30 g oil/kg food (25 g flax oil plus 5 g A/V blend oil/kg food compared to 30 g A/V blend oil/kg food) were given during the grower period. However, in experiment 3, when the test diets containing 30 g oil/kg food were given from day 1 to week 8, birds fed on the control diet supplemented with antioxidants had a higher incidence of PHS than those fed on the control diet alone. 3. In all 3 experiments, there was no significant effect of dietary fat source or supplemental antioxidants on total food intake or food conversion. 4. We conclude that diets containing 50 g flax oil/kg food tend to reduce the incidence of PHS and ascites in broilers using a low temperature model but the results were not statistically significant. In some cases, supplementing diets with a combination of vitamin E and vitamin C increased the incidence of ascites and PHS.

Topics: Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; Animals; Antioxidants; Ascites; Ascorbic Acid; Chickens; Hypertension, Pulmonary; Incidence; Linseed Oil; Male; Poultry Diseases; Temperature; Vitamin E

Vitamin E (dl-alpha-tocopheryl acetate) was evaluated for its effects on performance, lymphocyte proliferation, and antioxidation in layers during heat stress. In Trial 1, 25, 45, or 65 IU of vitamin E/kg were fed to four replicated pens (five hens/cage) of DeKalb Delta or Hy-Line W-36 per treatment starting at 20 wk of age. At 34 wk of age, hens were heat-stressed at diurnal temperature ranging from 21 C to 35 C for 3 wk. The performances of hens not exposed to heat stress were not influenced by supplemental vitamin E. Supplemental vitamin E did not affect egg production; however, egg mass was greater (P < 0.05) with supplementation of 65 IU of vitamin E/ kg during heat stress. Egg yolk was significantly increased (P < 0.04) when hens were fed 45 and 65 lU/kg compared with the control vitamin E level (25 lU/kg). Haugh units were higher (P < 0.01) for hens fed 65 IU of vitamin E/kg compared to 25 and 45 lU/kg. Lymphocyte proliferative responses to concanavalin A (Con A) and Salmonella typhimurium lipopolysaccharide (LPS) were greater (P < 0.0001) in hens fed 45 and 65 IU of vitamin E/kg during heat stress. Strain had no effect on any of the parameters measured. In Trial 2, a 2 x 2 factorial was designed to test effects of vitamin C in drinking water (0 and 1,000 ppm) and dietary vitamin E (25 and 65 IU/kg). Eight replications per treatment with four hens per replication cage were heat-stressed at constant temperature of 35 C for 3 wk. Egg production and egg mass were higher when hens were fed 65 IU of vitamin E/kg than when hens were fed 25 lU/kg (81.5 vs. 75.9%, P < 0.03 and 48.2 vs. 44.6 g, P < 0.03, respectively). Yolk solids weight for the 65 IU vitamin E/kg group was higher (P < 0.01) compared to the 25 IU/kg group. ConA and LPS mitogenic responses were greater in hens fed 65 IU of vitamin E (P < 0.001 or P < 0.003, respectively) or 1,000 ppm of vitamin C (P < 0.001 or P < 0.002, respectively). The combination of 65 IU vitamin E/kg and 1,000 ppm vitamin C showed the highest ConA and LPS mitogenic responses among the treatments. No interaction effects of the two vitamins on production measurements or lymphocyte proliferative responses were observed. TBA values in egg yolk and plasma of hens fed 65 IU of vitamin E/kg were lower (P < 0.0001) than those of hens that received 25 IU of vitamin E/kg. These results suggest that vitamin E supplementation at 65 IU/kg diet may enhance production, induction of in vitro lymphocyte proliferation by ConA and LPS, a

Topics: Animals; Antioxidants; Ascorbic Acid; Chickens; Dietary Supplements; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Drug Synergism; Egg Yolk; Female; Heat Stress Disorders; Lymphocyte Activation; Oviposition; Poultry Diseases; Vitamin E

This study was conducted to determine the effects of vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid) and vitamin E (DL-alpha-Tocopheryl acetate) on performance, digestion of nutrients and carcass characteristics of Japanese quails reared under chronic heat stress (34 degrees C). A total of 180 10-day-old Japanese quails were randomly assigned to six treatment groups, three replicates of 10 birds each. The birds with a 2 x 3 factorial design received either two levels of vitamin C (100 and 200 mg/kg of diet) or three levels of vitamin E (125, 250, or 500 mg/kg of diet). Then, 200-mg vitamin C/kg of diet, compared with that of 100 mg/kg of diet, and higher dietary vitamin E inclusions resulted in a higher performance. The interaction between vitamin C and vitamin E for final body weight change (p=0.01) and feed efficiency (p=0.02) was detected. Final body weight change and feed efficiency increased to a higher extent by increasing dietary vitamin C when higher vitamin E levels were fed. Carcass characteristics improved with an increase of both dietary vitamin C and vitamin E (p=0.004). The interactions on carcass characteristics were all significant (p=0.02) and manifested themselves in a way that they were improved to a higher extent by an increase of dietary vitamin C when higher vitamin E levels were fed. Digestibility of nutrients (DM, OM, CP and EE) was greater with higher dietary vitamin C (p < 0.02) and also with higher vitamin E (p=0.07). There were no interactions detected for digestibility of nutrients (p=0.32). Taken together, the results of the present study conclude that a combination of 200 mg of vitamin C and 250 mg of vitamin E provides the greatest performance in Japanese quails reared under heat stress and can be considered as a protective management practice in poultry diet, alleviating the negative effects of heat stress.

Topics: Animals; Antioxidants; Ascorbic Acid; Body Composition; Coturnix; Dietary Supplements; Digestion; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Heat Stress Disorders; Poultry Diseases; Random Allocation; Vitamin E; Weight Gain

One-day-old chickens were divided into two groups and reared under similar conditions. One group was fed a diet supplemented with 1000ppm ascorbic acid and the other group was fed an identical diet, but not supplemented with ascorbic acid. Both groups were vaccinated against infectious bursal disease (IBD) at 7 days of age and challenged orally with 4x10(5) of 50% embryo-lethal-dose IBDV 14 days later. The number of anti-IBDV antibody secreting cells, production of interleukin-2 (IL-2) by splenocytes, number of CD4(+), CD8(+) and IgM(+) cells in spleen and IgM(+) cells in bursa of Fabricius were compared between the two groups at 7 days (prior to vaccination), 21 days (14 days post-vaccination and prior to challenge) and 31 days (10 days post-challenge) of age. The number of CD8(+) in spleen at 7 days of age and IgM(+) cells in bursa at 7, 21 and 31 days of age were significantly higher in ascorbic acid supplemented group (P<0.05). Production of IL-2 by splenocytes was higher as indicated by higher stimulation indices in ascorbic acid supplemented group. The number of anti-IBDV IgG antibody secreting cells in spleen at 21 and 31 days of age were significantly higher in ascorbic acid supplemented group (P<0.05). Dietary supplementation of ascorbic acid may ameliorate the immunosuppression caused by IBDV vaccination and improve humoral and cellular immune responses.

Topics: Animals; Ascorbic Acid; Birnaviridae Infections; Bursa of Fabricius; CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes; CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes; Cell Count; Chick Embryo; Chickens; Culture Media, Conditioned; Flow Cytometry; Immunoglobulin M; Infectious bursal disease virus; Interleukin-2; Poultry Diseases; Random Allocation; Scintillation Counting; Specific Pathogen-Free Organisms; Spleen; Vaccination

The purpose of the present study was to determine if supplementation of ascorbic acid (AA) to the diet would have a beneficial effect on infectious bursal disease (IBD) vaccination of chickens for protection against infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV) infection. Two hundred forty specific pathogen-free (SPF) chickens were divided into eight experimental groups. A 2 x 2 x 2 factorial arrangement in a completely randomized design was used; AA supplementation at 1,000 ppm in the diet, vaccination, and challenge were the main effects. Prior to challenge and 10 d after challenge, serum AA concentration, serum corticosterone concentration, ELISA antibody titer to IBDV, body weight, bursa-to-body weight (B:B) ratio, and bursal histological score (BHS) were determined. Nonvaccinated chickens fed a diet supplemented with AA did not exhibit clinical signs or mortality following challenge, whereas AA-unsupplemented counterparts had 100% cumulative morbidity and 30% cumulative mortality. Serum AA levels of AA-supplemented and vaccinated chickens were significantly (P < 0.05) higher than AA-unsupplemented and vaccinated chickens. Fourteen days following vaccination, significantly (P < 0.05) higher ELISA titers to IBDV were observed in vaccinated chickens supplemented with AA as compared to AA-unsupplemented counterparts. Ascorbic acid-supplemented chickens, especially those also vaccinated, had higher body weight gains as compared to the AA-unsupplemented chickens. Ascorbic acid-supplemented chickens challenged with IBDV did not show any clinical signs or mortality. The results suggest that supplementation of AA at 1,000 ppm in the diet has beneficial effects on antibody response to IBD vaccination and body weight gain.

Topics: Animals; Antibodies, Viral; Ascorbic Acid; Birnaviridae Infections; Bursa of Fabricius; Chick Embryo; Chickens; Corticosterone; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; Indicators and Reagents; Infectious bursal disease virus; Poultry Diseases; Radioimmunoassay; Random Allocation; Specific Pathogen-Free Organisms; Statistics, Nonparametric; Tetrazolium Salts; Vaccination; Viral Vaccines

The objectives of this study were 1) to determine the effects of supplemental ascorbic acid (AA) on the energy conversion of broiler chicks maintained at thermoneutral and potential heat stress temperatures using indirect convective calorimetry; and 2) to determine whether changes in energy conversion are reflected in changes in lipid metabolism. In Experiment 1, 120 2-d-old cockerels, housed in two identical environmental chambers, were maintained under constant light (2.0 +/- 0.2 fc) and recommended thermal conditions (29.6 +/- 0.8 C; 33.4 +/- 8.0% RH) and consumed water and feed ad libitum. Beginning on Day 8 posthatch, one-half of the birds inside each chamber were randomly assigned and received feed supplemented with AA. Beginning on Day 9 posthatch, the temperature inside one chamber was increased to 34 C whereas the other chamber remained thermoneutral. This design resulted in four treatments: 1) thermoneutral (TN: 27.7 +/- 0.8 C; 40.9 +/- 9.4% RH) and 0 mg AA/kg feed (ppm); 2) TN and 150 ppm AA; 3) heat stress (H: 33.8 +/- 0.5 C; 43.3 +/- 7.4% RH) and 0 ppm AA; or 4) H and 150 ppm AA. Also beginning on Day 9 posthatch, birds were randomly assigned to one of three identical, indirect convective calorimeters designed to accommodate TN or H. Oxygen consumption, carbon dioxide production, respiratory quotient, and heat production were evaluated daily for 8 h, through Day 17 posthatch. Following calorimetric measurement, birds were returned to their respective caging unit/chamber for the remainder of the study. Weight gain, feed intake, and gain: feed were also measured over the 9-d study. Heat exposure depressed (P < 0.05) weight gain, feed intake, and gain:feed. Ascorbic acid increased (P < 0.10) weight gain. Oxygen consumption and carbon dioxide and heat production per kilogram0.75 decreased (P < 0.05) with age with no change in the respiratory quotient. Heat exposure lowered (P < 0.001) the respiratory quotient. A temperature by AA interaction was detected in which heat-exposed birds expressed lower (P < 0.10) respiratory quotients when consuming the AA-supplemented diet. In Experiment 2, 18 2-d-old cockerels, housed in an environmental chamber, were maintained under constant light and recommended thermal conditions (29.3 +/- 0.4 C; 41.4 +/- 3.3% RH) and consumed water and feed ad libitum. On Day 9 posthatch, birds were deprived of feed for 24 h with ad libitum access to water supplemented with either 0 or 400 mg AA/L. Blood samples were obtained f

Topics: 3-Hydroxybutyric Acid; Analysis of Variance; Animals; Ascorbic Acid; Calorimetry; Carbon Dioxide; Chickens; Dietary Supplements; Eating; Energy Metabolism; Food Deprivation; Hot Temperature; Housing, Animal; Hydroxybutyrates; Lipid Metabolism; Male; Models, Biological; Oxygen Consumption; Poultry Diseases; Random Allocation; Respiration; Stress, Physiological; Time Factors; Triglycerides; Weight Gain

1. A modern hybrid strain of laying hen (Hisex) was fed from point of lay to 68 weeks on a control diet and diets containing oystershell, fluoride, 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol, ascorbic acid, a lower concentration of phosphorus and a combination of a lower concentration of crude protein and higher concentration of vitamin K. Hens from a much older strain (Brown Leghorn J-line) were fed on the control diet. 2. Plasma variables were measured during lay. End-of-lay trabecular and medullary bone volumes in the proximal tarsometatarsus and free thoracic vertebra were measured by histomorphometry. 3. The majority of Hisex hens were considered to be osteoporotic by the end of lay. In contrast, none of the J-line were osteoporotic. 4. None of the nutritional treatments affected trabecular bone volumes. Medullary bone volumes were increased significantly by feeding oystershell or fluoride. 5. There was no phenotypic correlation between egg production and trabecular bone volume in the Hisex hens. 6. The experiment provided evidence that osteoporosis in laying hens, as assessed by trabecular bone volumes, is not caused by calcium deficiency and could not be prevented by any of the nutritional treatments studied.

Topics: Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; Animals; Ascorbic Acid; Bone Density; Calcitriol; Chickens; Dietary Proteins; Dietary Supplements; Female; Fluorides; Osteoporosis; Ostreidae; Oviposition; Phosphorus; Poultry Diseases; Species Specificity; Vitamin K

An experiment was conducted to determine whether ascorbic acid (AA) increases resistance of female Hubbard x Hubbard broiler chicks to multiple concurrent stressors. Stressors imposed from 10 to 17 d posthatch included 2 x 2 x 2 factorial combinations of beak trimming [(B), sham-operated or beak-trimmed and cauterized], coccidiosis [(C), gavage with 0 or 3 x 10(5) sporulated Eimeria tenella oocysts], and heat stress [(H), 28 vs 33 C]. A starter diet was supplemented with AA to provide 0, 150, or 300 ppm (milligrams per kilogram). This resulted in a 2 x 2 x 2 x 3 factorial design with two six-chick replicates of each of the 24 treatment combinations. Data were analyzed using ANOVA and a level of 95% significance. Ascorbic acid increased feed intake and lowered plasma corticosterone and heterophil:lymphocyte ratios. Heat depressed weight gain and feed intake and elevated heterophil:lymphocyte ratios. Heat and AA interacted to improve weight gain and feed intake and lower heterophil:lymphocyte ratios. Coccidiosis depressed weight gain, feed efficiency, and heterophil:lymphocyte ratios. Coccidiosis and AA interacted to increase feed intake and lower plasma corticosterone and heterophil: lymphocyte ratios. Beak trimming increase heterophil:lymphocyte ratios. Beak trimming and AA interacted to increase feed intake and lower heterophil: lymphocyte ratios. Weight gain and feed efficiency decreased whereas heterophil:lymphocyte ratios increased linearly in unsupplemented birds as a function of stressor "order" (the number of stressors imposed simultaneously) indicating an additive effect of systematically increasing the number of stressors. No changes in feed efficiency or heterophil:lymphocyte ratios were detected as a function of stressor order when AA was provided. Ascorbic acid reduced the slope of the regression equation describing the relationship between weight gain and stressor order. It was concluded that AA, particularly at 150 ppm, enhanced performance of broiler chicks exposed to multiple concurrent environmental stressors.

Topics: Animals; Ascorbic Acid; Beak; Chickens; Coccidiosis; Corticosterone; Eating; Eimeria tenella; Female; Hot Temperature; Lymphocyte Count; Poultry Diseases; Random Allocation; Regression Analysis; Stress, Physiological; Weight Gain

1. The effects of graded amounts of dietary ascorbic acid with or without 10 micrograms/kg dietary 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol on performance, blood and bone variables were measured in broiler chicks. 2. 1,25-Dihydroxycholecalciferol prevented the tibial dyschondroplasia and rickets caused by feeding a low calcium diet. Gain:food was decreased, but body weight was not affected by feeding 10 micrograms/kg 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol. Phytate phosphorus retention was increased by dietary 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol. 3. Dietary ascorbic acid did not influence the incidence of tibial dyschondroplasia, but did reduce the incidence of rickets at a dietary concentration of 250 mg/kg. Gain:food was increased when 250 or 500 mg ascorbic acid/kg diet were added along with 10 micrograms/kg 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol in one of two experiments. 4. Alkaline phosphatase activity and plasma 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol were not affected by the dietary treatments. Plasma 25-hydroxycholecalciferol concentration was decreased by dietary 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol. 5. Ascorbic acid had no synergistic effects with 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol on the blood and bone variables investigated in broiler chickens at the dietary concentrations of 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol used in this work.

Topics: Alkaline Phosphatase; Analysis of Variance; Animals; Ascorbic Acid; Calcitriol; Chickens; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Drug Interactions; Incidence; Osteochondrodysplasias; Poultry Diseases; Rickets; Tibia; Weight Gain

1. Single comb White Leghorn hens of an inbred line highly susceptible to fatty liver haemorrhagic syndrome (FLHS) were fed supplemented dietary ascorbic acid (200 mg/kg), alpha-tocopherol (75 mg/kg), or L-cysteine (3 g/kg, and 6 g/kg) for 28 d in order to evaluate the potential therapeutic effect of these compounds against the disease. 2. Supplementation of ascorbic acid, alpha-tocopherol, or a low level of L-cysteine (3 g/kg) did not significantly affect any of the hepatic variables evaluated. Hepatic glutathione was not increased by the supplementation of dietary L-cysteine. 3. L-cysteine supplemented at a level of 6 g/kg decreased hepatic dry matter and fat contents without affecting the hepatic malondialdehyde or the liver haemorrhagic score. 4. Because one of the predisposing factors of FLHS is a high hepatic fat content it was concluded that dietary supplementation of L-cysteine (6 g/kg) may be useful in the prevention of the disease.

Topics: Animals; Antioxidants; Ascorbic Acid; Chickens; Cysteine; Fatty Liver; Female; Food, Fortified; Glutathione; Hemorrhage; Liver; Oviposition; Poultry Diseases; Syndrome; Vitamin E

Tissue infiltration by white blood cells in poultry with ascites has been reported, which could alter endogenous antioxidant status from oxidant stress. Therefore, the objective of this study was to determine the effect of ascites on ascorbic acid, tocopherol, and glutathione (GSH), which are major intracellular antioxidants. Broiler chicks (1 day) were placed in environmental chambers maintained with normal ventilation (Control) or under low ventilation, which produced a cumulative mortality of 31.3% due to ascites. At 3, 5, and 7 wk, lung and liver tissues were obtained from control birds (n = 5) and from birds in the low ventilation chamber with (ASC, n = 5) or without (NASC, n = 5) overt symptoms of ascites. There were no differences in tissue ascorbate, tocopherol, and GSH between the control and NASC groups with the exception of hepatic tocopherol at 7 wk, which was higher (P < .05) in NASC birds than in ASC and control birds. In general, lung and liver concentrations of all three antioxidants were lower (P < .05) in ASC birds than in NASC and control groups. Uric acid, a product of purine metabolism, was lower (P < .05) in liver and lung in ASC birds at 3 wk compared with control birds. However, uric acid concentrations in ASC birds were higher (P < .05) in the lung and serum at 5 wk, and in the liver at 7 wk compared with NASC and control birds.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Topics: Animals; Ascites; Ascorbic Acid; Chickens; Glutathione; Liver; Lung; Poultry Diseases; Time Factors; Vitamin E

1. Four experiments were conducted to determine if dietary ascorbic acid (AA) affects body weight gain, food intake, organ weights, plasma cholesterol concentration, and ascorbic acid concentration in the plasma and liver of growing male broilers treated with an antithyroidal agent, propylthiouracil (PTU). 2. In the first experiment, 15 mg AA was administered daily into the crop of chicks fed on a diet supplemented with or without PTU (500 mg/kg). Administration of AA reduced plasma cholesterol concentrations in the PTU-treated chicks. 3. In the other three experiments, chicks were given the basal diet or an AA-containing (3 g/kg) diet supplemented with or without PTU (250 mg or 500 mg/kg). Feeding AA partly prevented the decreases in body weight gain, gain:food ratio and weights of the bursa of Fabricius and thymus in chicks fed on the 250 mg/kg PTU diet, and also prevented the increase in plasma cholesterol concentrations in chicks fed on the PTU diet. 4. These results suggest that AA improves the performance of chicks with experimentally induced hypothyroidism.

Topics: Adrenal Glands; Animals; Ascorbic Acid; Bursa of Fabricius; Chickens; Cholesterol; Eating; Hypothyroidism; Liver; Male; Organ Size; Poultry Diseases; Propylthiouracil; Spleen; Thyroid Gland; Weight Gain

A total of 480 day-old broiler chicks were divided randomly into 4 equal groups, each of 4 replicates, and reared for two weeks. To their rations, which contained sodium chloride at 2.5% ascorbic acid was added at the rate of 0, 150, 300 and 450 mg/kg for groups 1, 2, 3 and 4 respectively. Incidences of ascites cases were 20.8, 10.8, 7.5 and 7.5% for the groups 1, 2, 3 and 4 respectively. When vitamin C was added to their rations body weights were increased significantly, but feed consumption remained unchanged. There were no significant differences in water consumption or body moisture. The total serum protein was significantly increased. The packed cell volume was only increased in the chicks that had received 450 mg vitamin C/kg of feed and there were no significant differences in the ascorbic acid content of the plasma. It was concluded that the addition of vitamin C to the chicks' rations reduces the incidence of ascites caused by toxic dietary levels of sodium chloride.

Topics: Administration, Oral; Animal Feed; Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; Animals; Ascites; Ascorbic Acid; Chickens; Incidence; Poultry Diseases; Sodium Chloride

Seven experiments were conducted to test the influence of dietary supplementary ascorbic acid on the development of tibial dyschondroplasia in broiler chickens. Ascorbic acid supplementation significantly reduced the incidence and number of birds with a large mass of cartilage in the tibia in the first experiment but not in the two subsequent experiments. Because environmental temperature, microbial infection, and vitamin D3 status had been reported in the literature to influence ascorbic acid metabolism in the chicken, experiments were conducted to see if these variables could influence supplemental ascorbic acid effects on development of tibial dyschondroplasia. Results of the experiments indicated that none of these factors influenced the effect of ascorbic acid on the development of tibial dyschondroplasia. The presence of vitamin D3 in the diet significantly influences the incidence of this disorder.

Topics: Animals; Ascorbic Acid; Chickens; Chlortetracycline; Cholecalciferol; Male; Osteochondrodysplasias; Poultry Diseases; Temperature; Vitamin D Deficiency; Weight Gain

This study was undertaken to assess the effects of dietary ascorbic acid on the growth and immunoresponsiveness of chickens when subjected to particular types of stress. White Leghorn chicks were fed diets containing no supplemental ascorbic acid, and ascorbic-acid diet (330 ppm) for 2 days or for 19 days before challenge. Then, half of the females were inoculated with Escherichia coli; half of the males were challenged with dietary corticosterone (30 ppm) for 12 days; and the remaining chicks were maintained as controls. These chicks, reared under "good" husbandry procedures, did not realize advantages in growth or feed efficiency due to the short- or long-term consumption of diets containing ascorbic acid. Incubation with E. coli resulted in considerably higher heterophil-to-lymphocyte ratios 24 h after inoculation, and E. coli-induced mortality was higher for pullets on short-term ascorbic acid than for those on long-term or no ascorbic acid. Dietary corticosterone caused differences in body weight and the relative weights of certain organs, regardless of dietary levels of ascorbic acid. The antibody response to red-blood-cell antigens from sheep was enhanced in unchallenged cockerels (no dietary corticosterone) fed ascorbic acid on a long-term basis, but dietary corticosterone overshadowed the advantageous effects of dietary ascorbic acid. These data showed that the effects of supplemental ascorbic acid on growth and on immunoresponsiveness were related to the quality of the husbandry, length of supplemental feeding, age of the chicks, endogenous-exogenous balance for ascorbic acid, and the relationship with corticosterone.

Topics: Animals; Antibody Formation; Ascorbic Acid; Body Weight; Chickens; Corticosterone; Erythrocytes; Escherichia coli Infections; Female; Granulocytes; Immunity; Leukocyte Count; Lymphocytes; Male; Organ Size; Poultry Diseases; Sex Characteristics

Topics: Aminopyrine; Animals; Ascorbic Acid; Bursa of Fabricius; Chickens; Nitrites; Organ Size; Poultry Diseases; Sodium Nitrite; Thymus Gland

Two distinctly different basal diets were used to test the influence of supplementary ascorbic acid on the occurrence of tibial dyschondroplasia. Addition of either .1 or .25% ascorbic acid to these diets did not alter the occurrence of tibial dyschondroplasia in 25-day-old broiler chickens. However, supplementary ascorbic acid did increase the amounts of ascorbic acid present in blood plasma. Also, individual differences in circulating ascorbic acid were not associated with this disease. Furthermore, two strains of chickens selected for high or low incidence of tibial dyschondroplasia had similar amounts of this vitamin in blood plasma. In contrast to the results reported for the Willow Ptarmigan, ascorbic acid does not appear to be involved in the development of tibial dyschondroplasia in the young broiler chicken.

Topics: Animals; Ascorbic Acid; Body Weight; Chickens; Food, Fortified; Osteochondrodysplasias; Poultry Diseases; Tibia

Topics: Animals; Ascorbic Acid; Chickens; Female; Immunity, Innate; Immunization; Newcastle Disease; Poultry Diseases; Stress, Physiological; Time Factors

The comparative study reported in the present paper was undertaken to collect data on the collagen content and collagen quality of tendons showing high (low) tensile strength levels and a compact (loose) histological structure. It was shown that tendon tissues of these two groups do not differ in this regard. The effect of administering a number of mutrients (known to be essential in collagenesis) was tested during this study. Administration of these mutrients did not prevent synovitis and did not increase tensile strength.

Topics: Animals; Ascorbic Acid; Chickens; Collagen; Copper; Female; Glycine; Glycosaminoglycans; Male; Mucoproteins; Poultry Diseases; Stress, Physiological; Synovitis; Tendons; Vitamin E

Topics: Animals; Ascorbic Acid; Aspirin; Body Temperature Regulation; Chickens; Food, Fortified; Male; Poultry Diseases; Stress, Physiological

The response of intact and bursectomized chicks to stressful stimuli has been examined. The stressors imposed were: a. fast-acting ACTH adminstration; b. immersion in cold water; c. starvation. In Bursa-intact chicks the results were as follows: 1. Plasma corticosterone was increased by all stimuli. 2. Adrenal corticosterone was decreased by ACTH treatment while it was increased by immersion in cold water and by starvation. 3. Plasma glucose was increased by ACTH administration and cold water immersion and decreased by starvation of the birds. 4. Adrenal ascorbic acid concentration was not influenced by all stimuli. 5. Adrenal weights were found to be increased by ACTH and starvation treatments only. 6. Bursa weights were increased by ACTH administration. 7. A very low concentration of corticosterone was found in the Bursa of Fabricius. Bursectomized chicks differed from the intact ones in the following: 1. Plasma and adrenal corticosterone concentrations were not increased by starvation. 2. Plasma glucose increased moderately with ACTH administration. 3. Adrenal ascorbic acid was depleted by all stimuli but was not related to the corticosterone level in the adrenals and blood plasma.

Topics: Adrenal Glands; Adrenocorticotropic Hormone; Animals; Ascorbic Acid; Blood Glucose; Body Weight; Bursa of Fabricius; Chickens; Cold Temperature; Corticosterone; Male; Poultry Diseases; Starvation; Stress, Physiological

Experiments were conducted to determine individually the effects of dietary PCBs on the physiologic functions of vitamin E and selenium. Results showed that dietary PCBs did not affect the function of vitamin E in protection of biological membranes. However, PCBs did decrease the biological utilization of dietary selenium as measured by glutathione peroxidase activity in plasma and by the protection of biological membranes from peroxidation. These results indicate that dietary PCBs potentiate vitamin E-selenium deficiency in the chick by interference with the biological utilization of dietary selenium. An hypothesis for the mechanism of this effect is offered.

Topics: Animals; Ascorbic Acid; Chickens; Female; Glutathione Peroxidase; Lipid Metabolism; Male; Microsomes, Liver; Peroxides; Polychlorinated Biphenyls; Poultry Diseases; Selenium; Vitamin E; Vitamin E Deficiency

Adding ascorbic acid to a practical ration deficient in vitamin E and selenium for the growing duck substantially reduced associated mortality. The continued appearance of various myopathies but absence of vascular faults supported implication of a reduced de novo ascorbate synthesis as part of the syndrome. Presumably, alleviation of this induced secondary inadequacy with its more lethal pathology was the primary reason for the lower death rate.

Topics: Animal Feed; Animals; Ascorbic Acid; Ducks; Male; Poultry Diseases; Selenium; Vitamin E Deficiency

Topics: Animals; Antioxidants; Ascorbic Acid; Body Weight; Chickens; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Ethyl Ethers; Female; Glutathione Reductase; Male; Microsomes, Liver; Nutritional Requirements; Oxidation-Reduction; Peroxides; Poultry Diseases; Quinolines; Selenium; Vitamin A; Vitamin E; Vitamin E Deficiency

Topics: Animals; Ascorbic Acid; Deficiency Diseases; Ducks; Liver; Male; Muscular Dystrophy, Animal; Poultry Diseases; Selenium; Time Factors

Topics: Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; Animals; Ascorbic Acid; Capillaries; Chickens; Cytosol; Female; Free Radicals; Glutathione; Lipid Metabolism; Liver; Microsomes, Liver; Mitochondria, Liver; Models, Chemical; Oxidation-Reduction; Peroxidases; Peroxides; Poultry Diseases; Selenium; Vitamin E; Vitamin E Deficiency

Topics: Administration, Oral; Adrenal Glands; Animal Feed; Animals; Ascorbic Acid; Blood Glucose; Body Weight; Carbohydrate Metabolism; Chickens; Corticosterone; Female; Glycogen; Male; Organ Size; Poultry Diseases; Vitamin A; Vitamin A Deficiency

Topics: Animals; Ascorbic Acid; Calcium, Dietary; Diet; Eggs; Female; Hot Temperature; Poultry Diseases; Stress, Physiological; Turkeys

Topics: Animal Feed; Animals; Ascorbic Acid; Chickens; Cottonseed Oil; Food Additives; Gossypol; Male; Poaceae; Poisoning; Poultry Diseases; Vanadium

Topics: Animal Feed; Animals; Ascorbic Acid; Body Weight; Chickens; Coccidiosis; Deficiency Diseases; Food Additives; Pantothenic Acid; Poultry Diseases; Protozoan Infections; Protozoan Infections, Animal; Thiamine Deficiency

Topics: Anemia, Aplastic; Animal Feed; Animals; Ascorbic Acid; Blood Volume Determination; Chickens; Copper; Hemorrhage; Iron; Poultry Diseases; Quinoxalines; Vitamin B 12

Topics: Animals; Ascorbic Acid; Blood Glucose; Carbohydrate Metabolism; Carbohydrates; Chickens; Liver; Liver Glycogen; Male; Poultry Diseases; Vitamin A Deficiency

Topics: Adrenal Cortex Hormones; Adrenal Glands; Animals; Ascorbic Acid; Chickens; Poultry Diseases; Riboflavin Deficiency; Vitamin A Deficiency

Topics: Animals; Ascorbic Acid; Liver; Male; Poultry Diseases; Vitamin A; Vitamin A Deficiency

Topics: Acetaminophen; Animals; Ascorbic Acid; Blood Pressure; Body Temperature; Chickens; Hematocrit; Hemoglobinometry; Hot Temperature; Male; Poultry Diseases; Stress, Physiological

Topics: Adrenal Glands; Animals; Antibody Formation; Ascorbic Acid; Bursa of Fabricius; Escherichia coli Infections; Glucosidases; Hemagglutination Tests; Organ Size; Poultry; Poultry Diseases; Sepsis; Spleen; Stress, Physiological