Biomedical subjects

N Sahin

Publications and source records attributed to N Sahin.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

Identification of oxalotrophic bacteria by neural network analysis of numerical phenetic data.

A new approach with artificial neural network (ANN) was applied to numerical taxonomy of bacteria using the oxalate as carbon and energy source. For this aim the characters effective in differentiating separate groups were selected from morphological, physiological and biochemical test results. Fourteen aerobic, Gram-negative, oxalate-utilizing isolates and four oxalate-utilizing reference strains (Ralstonia eutropha DSM 428, Methylobacterium extorquens DSM 1337T, Ralstonia oxalatica DSM 1105T, Oxalicibacterium flavum DSM 15506T) were included in the study. ANN program used here was developed in Borland C++ language. Iterations were performed on an IBM compatible PC computer. ANN architecture having feed-forward backpropagation algorithm was used for teaching generalized delta rule. The results show that ANN can have a large potential in solving the taxonomic problems of oxalate-utilizing bacteria.

Gram-Negative Aerobic Bacteria↗

PubMed2006

Dietary arginine silicate inositol complex during the late laying period of quail at different environmental temperatures.

Arginine silicate inositol complex (ASIdagger; arginine 49.5%, silicon 8.2%, inositol 25%) is a novel material which is a bioavailable source of silicon and arginine. ASI offers potential benefits for vascular and bone health. Poor eggshell quality has been a major economic concern to commercial egg producers. Poor egg quality, skeletal abnormalities and architectural deterioration of bone tissue are common problems under hot conditions and in older birds. The effects of ASI supplementation on egg production, egg quality, levels of osteocalcin (OC) and bone mineral content were investigated in heat-stressed Japanese quail during the later part of the laying period. The birds were randomly assigned to six treatment groups consisting of six replicates of five birds each in a 2 x 3 factorial arrangement of treatments (temperatures, ASI levels). The birds were kept in wire cages in a temperature-controlled room at either 22 degrees C (TN) or 34 degrees C (HS) for 8 h/d and fed either a basal (control) diet or the basal diet supplemented with either 500 or 1000 g of ASI/kg. Heat exposure reduced egg production, egg quality and bone mineralisation when the basal diet was fed. ASI supplementation had no effect on feed intake or egg production under TN or HS conditions. However, ASI supplementation increased egg weight, shell thickness, shell weight and Haugh unit in both TN and HS groups during the late laying period. Bone mineral density (BMD) was significantly improved by ASI supplementation in both TN and HS groups. Serum osteocalcin (OC) concentrations and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity increased linearly with dietary ASI supplementation during the late laying period. The amount of calcium and phosphorus in the excreta decreased, while ash, mineral content, calcium and phosphorus concentrations in tibia increased in ASI-supplemented quail in both TN and HS groups during the late laying period. ASI supplementation significantly improved egg quality and bone mineralisation in quail during the late laying period and did not affect feed consumption or egg production.

Alkaline Phosphatase↗

PubMed2006

Dietary arginine silicate inositol complex improves bone mineralization in quail.

Skeletal abnormalities, low bone mass, bone deformities, and bone fractures increase the risk of osteoporosis and osteoarthritis, which are of concern from both a public standpoint and a cost-of-care burden standpoint. Arginine silicate inositol complex (ASI; Arg = 49.47%, silicone = 8.2%, inositol = 25%) is a novel, bioavailable source of Si and Arg and one that offers potential benefits for vascular and bone health. Skeletal abnormalities and architectural deterioration of bone tissue are common under hot climate conditions in the poultry industry. In this study, we evaluated the effects of ASI supplementation on performance and bone mineral density (BMD) in Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica) exposed to the high ambient temperature of 34 degrees C. The birds (n = 180; 10 d old) were randomly assigned to 6 treatment groups consisting of 10 replicates of 3 birds. Birds were kept in wire cages in a temperature-controlled room at either 22 degrees C (thermoneutral; TN) or 34 degrees C (heat stress; HS) for 8 h/d (0900 to 1700 h until the end of study) and were fed a basal (control) diet or the basal diet supplemented with either 500 or 1,000 mg of ASI/kg of diet. Heat exposure decreased performance and bone mineralization when the basal diet was fed (P = 0.001). The ASI supplement had no effect on feed intake, BW, feed efficiency, and carcass traits (P > 0.05) in quails reared under TN or HS conditions. The BMD was significantly improved by ASI supplementation in both TN and HS groups [0.72 (TN) vs. 0.60 (HS); P < or = 0.05]. Serum osteocalcin, dehydroepiandrosterone concentrations, and alkaline phosphatase activity increased, whereas tumor necrosis factor-alpha and Creactive protein concentrations decreased, as dietary ASI supplementation increased in quail reared under HS. This improvement was linear with increased doses of supplement (P = 0.001). In the ASI group, the amount of Ca, P, Mg, and Mn in the excreta decreased (P < or = 0.05), and the concentrations of these minerals in tibia ash increased in quail reared under HS conditions (P < or = 0.05). In conclusion, ASI supplementation to the basal diet significantly improved bone mineralization in quail and did not impact feed consumption, BW gain, or feed efficiency.

Animals↗

PubMed2006

Efficacy of supplementation of alpha-amylase-producing bacterial culture on the performance, nutrient use, and gut morphology of broiler chickens fed a corn-based diet.

A trial was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of an Escherichia coli strain producing alpha-amylase of Bacillus stearothermophilus on growth performance, nutrient use, and the morphology of the small intestine of broilers fed a corn-based diet. One hundred thirty-five 1-d-old chicks (Cobb 500) were randomly divided into 3 groups and treated as follows: (i) basal diet (control); (ii) basal diet and water supplemented with an E. coli strain that produced amylase, and (iii) basal diet and water supplemented with an E. coli strain that produced amylase plus bacterial hemoglobin. At 21 d of age, supplementation of E. coli improved daily gain (P < 0.05) and feed conversion (P < 0.01). At the end of the trial, birds supplemented with water containing bacteria consumed more and grew faster (P < 0.05) and had better feed conversion (P < 0.10) than broilers given no bacteria. Also, the presence of bacteria improved apparent digestibility of organic matter (P < 0.01). However, no effects were detected for CP or fat digestibility. Supplementation with E. coli reduced relative pancreas weight (P = 0.06) but did not affect the weight of the liver (P > 0.05) and length of duedonum, jejunum, ileum, and cecum (P > 0.05). Length of the villi and crypts were significantly increased with bacterial supplementation. Presence of the bacterial hemoglobin gene did not cause a significant difference in changes observed. The data indicated that supplementation of an E. coli strain capable of producing alpha-amylase improved digestibility of nutrients and performance of broilers fed a corn-based diet.

Animal Feed↗

PubMed2005

Chromium picolinate, rather than biotin, alleviates performance and metabolic parameters in heat-stressed quail.

1. The effects of chromium picolinate and biotin supplementation alone and in combination on performance, carcase characteristics, malondialdehyde (MDA), vitamin C, vitamin E, glucose and cholesterol levels were evaluated in Japanese quail exposed to high ambient temperature. 2. Two hundred and forty quails (10d old) were assigned randomly to 4 dietary treatments at room temperature (22 degrees C; thermoneutral, TN) or ambient (34 degrees C for 8 h/d; heat stress, HS). Both TN and HS were fed either on a basal (control) diet or the basal diet supplemented with 400 microg of Cr/kg (Cr group), 0.5 mg of biotin/kg of diet (biotin group) or both (Cr + Biotin group). 3. Supplementing the diet of heat-stressed quails with chromium picolinate improved live weight gain, feed intake, feed efficiency and carcase traits. Biotin supplementation during TN and HS conditions did not have any beneficial effects on body weight gain, feed intake, feed efficiency or carcase traits. 4. Either in combination or alone, chromium picolinate increased serum concentrations of vitamins C and E, but decreased MDA, glucose and cholesterol concentrations in birds kept at high ambient temperature. There was no difference in vitamins C and E and MDA concentrations between birds given chromium picolinate and birds receiving chromium picolinate plus biotin, while glucose and cholesterol levels were significantly lower in all groups. The lowest concentrations of cholesterol and glucose were found in the combination group under both TN and HS conditions. An interaction between diet and temperature was detected for glucose and cholesterol concentrations. 5. Excretion rates for zinc, iron and chromium were lower in TN groups than in the corresponding HS groups. Supplementing diet with chromium picolinate and chromium picolinate plus biotin decreased excretion of minerals while biotin alone did not effect excretion of minerals. 6. Chromium supplementation, but not biotin supplementation, attenuated the decline in performance and antioxidant status resulting from heat stress.

Animals↗

PubMed2005

Magnesium proteinate is more protective than magnesium oxide in heat-stressed quail.

We evaluated the effects of dietary supplementation with Mg-oxide and Mg-proteinate on performance; nutrient digestibilities; malondialdehyde (MDA) concentrations in serum, liver, and thigh meat; and serum cholesterol and triacylglycerol concentrations in Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica) exposed to high ambient temperature. The birds (n = 360; 10 d old) were randomly assigned to 12 treatment groups consisting of 6 replicates of 5 birds each in a 2 x 2 x 3 factorial arrangement (temperature, Mg source, Mg level). Birds were maintained in temperature-controlled rooms at 22 degrees C for 24 h/d or 34 degrees C for 8 h/d (0900-1700 h) and fed a basal diet or that diet supplemented with 1 or 2 g Mg-oxide or Mg-proteinate/kg of diet. Heat exposure decreased (P = 0.0001) live weight gain, feed intake, feed efficiency, and carcass weight in quail fed the basal diet. A linear increase in feed intake (P = 0.008) and body weight (P = 0.001), and improvements in feed efficiency (P = 0.001), carcass weight (P < 0.0001), digestibility of dry matter, organic matter, crude protein, and ether extract were found in Mg-supplemented, heat-stressed quail. The effects of Mg-proteinate were greater than those of Mg-oxide (P < or = 0.0001). Serum Mg (P = 0.001) concentration increased, whereas the concentration of MDA in serum (P = 0.0001), liver (P = 0.04), and thigh meat (P = 0.0001) and serum triglyceride and cholesterol concentrations decreased linearly (P = 0.001) with the level of Mg in the diet. Interactions between dietary Mg source, temperature, and level of supplementation (P < or = 0.05) were found for several variables. Results of the present study suggest that supplementation with Mg-proteinate is more protective than Mg-oxide in reducing the negative effects of heat stress in quail.

Animal Feed↗

PubMed2005

Supplementation of zinc from organic or inorganic source improves performance and antioxidant status of heat-distressed quail.

Two sources of zinc [ZnSO4.H2O or ZnPicolinate (ZnPic)] supplementation were evaluated for their effects on performance, carcass weight, levels of malondialdehyde, and vitamins C, E, A in Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix Japonica) exposed to high ambient temperature of 34 degrees C. The birds (n = 360; 10-d-old) were randomly assigned to 12 treatment groups consisting of 3 replicates of 10 birds each in a 2 x 2 x 3 factorial arrangement of treatments (temperatures, zinc sources, zinc levels). Birds were kept in wire cages in a temperature-controlled room at either 22 degrees C (thermoneutral) or 34 degrees C (heat stress) for 8 h/d (0900 to 1700 h) until the end of study, and fed a basal (control) diet or the basal diet supplemented with either 30 or 60 mg of Zn as ZnSO4 H2O or ZnPic/kg of diet. Heat exposure decreased (P = 0.001) live weight gain, feed intake, feed efficiency, and carcass weight when the basal diet was fed. A linear increase in feed intake (P = 0.01) and BW (P = 0.01), and improvement in feed efficiency (P = 0.01) and carcass weight (P < or = 0.05) were found in zinc-supplemented quail reared under heat-stress conditions. Serum vitamin C (P = 0.04), E (P = 0.05), and cholesterol (P = 0.01) concentrations increased linearly, whereas malondialdehyde concentrations decreased linearly (P = 0.02) as dietary zinc sulfate and ZnPic supplementation increased. An interaction between dietary zinc sources, temperature, and levels of supplementation (P < or = 0.05) for these parameters was detected. Serum vitamins C, E, and A concentrations were not different in supplemented birds reared at thermoneutral temperature. Supplementation with zinc improved carcass weight and antioxidant status of birds, and the effects of ZnPic were relatively greater than those of ZnSO4.H2O in heat-stressed quail. Results of the present study suggest that supplementation with ZnPic could be considered to be more protective than ZnSO4.H2O by reducing the negative effects of oxidative stress induced by heat stress in quail.

Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena↗

PubMed2005

Comparison of two different techniques for brachial plexus block: infraclavicular versus axillary technique.

BACKGROUND: Brachial plexus block via the axillary approach is problematic in patients with limited arm mobility. In such cases, the infraclavicular approach may be a valuable alternative. The purpose of our study was to compare axillary and infraclavicular techniques for brachial plexus block in patients undergoing arm or forearm surgery. METHODS: After institutional approval and informed consent were obtained, 30 patients (ASA physical status I or II) scheduled for forearm and hand surgery under brachial plexus anesthesia were included in the study. Patients were randomly allocated into two groups. Brachial plexus block was performed via the axillary approach in the Group A patients and via the infraclavicular approach in the Group I patients using a peripheral nerve stimulator. All blocks were performed with a total dose of 40 ml 0.375% bupivacaine. RESULTS: In each nerve territory (radial, ulnar, median, and musculocutaneous), the mean values of the degree and the duration of the sensory block and motor block were not significantly different between the two groups (P > 0.05). Inadvertent vessel puncture was significantly more frequent in the axillary approach (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Brachial plexus block performed via the infraclavicular approach is as safe and effective as the axillary approach. Infraclavicular approach may be preferred to the axillary approach when the upper arm mobility is impaired or not desired.

Adult↗

PubMed2005

Effects of dietary chromium supplementation on performance, carcass traits, serum metabolites, and tissue chromium levels of Japanese quails.

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of various levels of dietary chromium supplementation on performance, carcass traits, blood chemistry, and tissue distribution of chromium (Cr3+) in quails. Two hundred forty 1-d-old Japanese quails were divided into five groups with four replicates and were fed a basal diet or the basal diet supplemented with 20, 40, 80, or 100 mg/kg Cr (CrCl3.6H2O) until 38 d of age. Chromium supplementation decreased carcass fat percentage, serum low-density lipoprotein (LDL), and glucose and increased serum magnesium (Mg) and Cr content of kidney, liver, and muscle. In conclusion, 20, 40, 80, or 100 mg/kg Cr supplementation to quail diet had no effect on performance, chemical composition of carcass except fat percentage, serum protein, calcium (Ca), and inorganic phosphorus (Pi) levels, but reduced serum glucose, LDL and fat percentage of carcass. Chromium is accumulated mainly in the kidneys and liver.

Animal Feed↗

PubMed2005

CT in differential diagnosis of benign and malignant pleural disease.

BACKGROUND: CT plays a valuable role in assessment of patients with a wide variety of diseases of the pleura, and pulmonologists should be aware of the significance of different CT findings for the differential diagnosis of benign and malignant pleural diseases. METHODS: 155 patients with pleural disease who had undergone CT scans of the lungs and thorax before treatment were enrolled. We retrospectively reviewed CT findings in 146 patients with proven pleural disease. RESULTS: Fifty-nine of the cases were malignant, 87 of them had benign pleural diseases. CT findings that were helpful in distinguishing malignant from benign pleural disease were: 1) pleural nodularity; 2) rind; 3) mediastinal pleural involvement; and 4) pleural thickening greater than 1 cm. The sensitivities and specificities were 37%/97%, 22%/97%, 31%/85%, 35%/87%, respectively. CT findings differentiating malignant pleural mesothelioma from metastatic pleural disease were identified. Findings for malignant mesothelioma were as follows: 1) involvement of interlobar fissure (sensitivity 30%, specificity 92%), 2) pleural thickening greater than 1 cm (sensitivity 60%, specificity 77%). Whereas, findings for metastatic pleural disease were mediastinal/hilar lymph node enlargement and lung parenchymal involvement (P < .05). CONCLUSION: CT is helpful in the differential diagnosis of pleural diseases, particularly in differentiating malignant from benign conditions and metastatic pleural disease from malignant mesothelioma.

Chi-Square Distribution↗

PubMed2004

The effect of genistein supplementation on performance and antioxidant status of Japanese quail under heat stress.

Genistein, a phytoestrogen found in soybeans, is a powerful antioxidant. We evaluated the effects of genistein supplementation on performance, carcass characteristics, levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), homocysteine, vitamins C, E, A in Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica) exposed to high ambient temperature of 34 degrees C. Two hundred and forty Japanese quails (10 d old) were randomly assigned to eight treatment groups consisting of 10 replicates of three birds. The birds were kept in an environmental controlled room either for 24 h/d at 22 degrees C with (thermoneutral, TN groups) or for 16 h/d at 22 degrees C and for 8 h/d (09.00 am to 05.00 pm) at 34 degrees C (heat stress, HS groups). Birds were fed either a basal (control) diet (TN and HS) or the basal diet supplemented with 200, 400 or 800 mg of genistein per kg of diet. Heat exposure decreased birds' performance when basal diet was fed. Increase in feed intake and body weight, and improvement of feed efficiency and carcass traits were found in genistein-supplemented quails reared under heat stress conditions. Growth rate and feed efficiency improved in quails reared under thermo-neutral conditions as well. Concentration of serum vitamins C, E, and A increased in supplemented birds reared at high temperature, while non-significant changes occurred in TN groups. With genistein supplementation homocysteine levels in serum and MDA levels in serum and liver decreased in all birds of both TN and HS groups. Effects of genistein were relatively greater in heat-stressed quails than in quails kept under thermo-neutral conditions. Results of the present study suggest that supplementation with genistein can be considered to be protective by reducing the negative effects of oxidative stress induced by heat stress in quail.

Animal Feed↗

PubMed2004

Ascorbic acid and melatonin reduce heat-induced performance inhibition and oxidative stress in Japanese quails.

1. The effects of ascorbic acid (L-ascorbic acid) and melatonin supplementation on performance, carcase characteristics, malondialdehyde (MDA) as lipid peroxidation indicator, ascorbic acid, retinol, tocopherol and mineral status in the Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica) exposed to high ambient temperature were evaluated. 2. Two hundred and forty Japanese quails (10 d old) were randomly assigned to 8 treatment groups consisting of 10 replicates of three birds each. The birds were kept in a temperature-controlled room at 22 degrees C (Thermoneutral, TN groups) or 34 degrees C (for 8 h/d; 09:00 to 17:00 h; Heat stress, HS groups). Birds in both TN and HS were fed either a basal (control) diet or the basal diet supplemented with 250 mg of L-ascorbic acid/kg of diet (Ascorbic acid group), 40 mg of melatonin/kg of diet (Melatonin group) or both (Ascorbic acid + Melatonin group). 3. Supplementing heat-stressed quails with ascorbic acid and melatonin improved performance compared with the control group. Effects generally were greatest in quails supplemented with both ascorbic acid and melatonin. 4. Although supplementation did not consistently restore the concentrations of serum ascorbic acid, retinol and tocopherol to those of TN groups, these concentrations increased significantly with supplementation. Furthermore, serum and liver MDA and serum cholesterol and glucose concentrations were lower in the supplemented groups than in the heat-stressed controls. 5. Within each environment, excretion of Ca, P, Mg, Zn, Fe and Cr were lowest in the combination group and, in all cases, highest in the HS group. Interactions between diet and temperature were detected for live weight gain, cold carcase weight, MDA, ascorbic acid, tocopherol concentrations and excretion of zinc. 6. The results of the study indicate that ascorbic acid and melatonin supplementation attenuate the decline in performance and antioxidant and mineral status caused by heat stress and such supplementation may offer protection against heat-stress-related depression in performance of Japanese quails.

Animals↗

PubMed2004

Optimization of extracellular endoxylanase, endoglucanase and peroxidase production by Streptomyces sp. F2621 isolated in Turkey.

AIMS: To determine the effect of environmental conditions on the production of extracellular lignocellulose-degrading enzymes by Streptomyces sp. F2621 and to assess the potential use of these enzymes in the hydrolysis of lignocellulose material. METHODS AND RESULTS: The production of extracellular lignocellulose-degrading enzymes, endoxylanase, endoglucanase and peroxidase during the growth of Streptomyces sp. F2621 in basal salts-yeast extract medium containing different carbon sources and the effect of a number of environmental parameters (e.g. carbon sources and concentrations, pH and temperature) were investigated. The highest endoxylanase (22.41 U ml(-1)) and peroxidase (0.58 U ml(-1)) activities were obtained after 2-4 days of incubation at 30 degrees C in a basal salts medium containing 0.4% (w/v) oat spelt xylan and 0.6% (w/v) yeast extract, corresponding to C : N ratio of 6 : 1. Cell-free extracellular enzyme preparations from the strain were capable of releasing both sugar and aromatic compounds during incubation with eucalyptus paper pulp, straw and xylan. Overall, 9.3% hydrolysis of xylan occurred after 24-h incubation. However the rates of hydrolysis of paper pulp and straw were approximately twofold less than xylan hydrolysis, although the total percentage hydrolysis of available substrate (24.5% and 16.3%, respectively) was greater than xylan hydrolysis. CONCLUSIONS: The high levels of enzyme production achieved under batch cultivation conditions, coupled with no significant production of endoglucanase during the growth phase of organism and the release of both sugar and aromatic compounds from paper pulp and straw signify the suitability for these enzymes for industrial applications such as pulp and paper production. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: The results highlight the environmental conditions for the production of extracellular lignocellulose-degrading enzymes by Streptomyces sp. F2621 and suggest the use of streptomycetes and/or their enzymes in industrial processes.

Carbohydrate Metabolism↗

PubMed2004

Effect of chronic Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection on the development of atherosclerosis in a rat model.

In order to investigate the possible relationship between atherosclerosis and chronic Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection, 66 Wistar rats were given five separate intratracheal inoculations of either P. aeruginosa or sterile saline at 4-week intervals. The rats were divided into four groups: group 1 was infected with P. aeruginosa and fed a diet containing cholesterol 1% w/v; group 2 was infected with P. aeruginosa and fed a normal diet; group 3 was not infected and was fed a diet containing cholesterol 1% w/v; and group 4 (the control group) was not infected and was fed a normal diet. One month after the final inoculation, the rats were killed humanely; computerised image analysis was used to evaluate sections of the aorta and heart, and the maximal wall thickness of the aorta and coronary artery. The aortic wall thickness was significantly greater for group 1 (329.53 +/- 58.06 microm) compared to groups 2 (190.59 +/- 27.81 microm; p < 0.0001), 3 (262.90 +/- 61.12 microm; p < 0.0004) and 4 (158.00 +/- 30.30 microm; p < 0.0001). Similarly, the coronary artery wall thickness was significantly greater for group 1 (72.96 +/- 10.67 microm) compared to groups 2 (35.07 +/- 8.53 microm; p < 0.0001), 3 (41.45 +/- 10.22 microm; p < 0.0001) and 4 (32.30 +/- 5.27 microm; p < 0.0001). These findings strengthen the hypothesis that chronic infection plays a role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis.

Animals↗

PubMed2004

Effects of dietary combination of chromium and biotin on egg production, serum metabolites, and egg yolk mineral and cholesterol concentrations in heat-distressed laying quails.

Chromium picolinate is used in the poultry diet because of its antistress effects in addition to the fact that the requirement for it is increased during stress. This study was conducted to determine if the negative effects of high ambient temperature (34 degrees C) on egg production, egg quality, antioxidant status, and cholesterol and mineral content of egg yolk could be alleviated by combination of chromium picolinate and biotin (0.6/2.0; Diachrome, as formulated by Nutrition 21 Inc.), in laying Japanese quails (Coturnix coturnix japanica). Quails (n= 240; 50 d old) were divided into 8 groups, 30 birds per group. The quails were fed either a basal diet or the basal diet supplemented with 2, 4, or 8 mg of Diachrome/kg diet. Birds were kept at 22 degrees C and 53% relative humidity (RH). At 14 wk of age, the thermoneutral (TN) group remained in the same temperature as at the beginning of experiment, whereas the heat stress (HS) group was kept in an environment-controlled room (34 degrees C and 41% RH) for 3 wk. Heat exposure decreased performance when the basal diet was fed (p = 0.001). Diachrome supplementation at 4 and 8 mg/kg diet, increased feed intake (p = 0.05), egg production (p = 0.05), feed efficiency (p = 0.01), egg weight (p = 0.05), and Haugh unit (p = 0.01) in quails reared under heat stress conditions. Heat exposure increased concentrations of serum malondialdehyde (MDA) (p = 0.001), glucose, and cholesterol (p = 0.01), which were elevated by supplemental Diachrome (p < or = 0.05). Egg yolk Cr, Zn, and Fe (p = 0.01) concentrations increased linearly, whereas MDA and cholesterol concentrations decreased (p = 0.05) as dietary Diachrome supplementation increased in HS groups. Similar effects of supplementation on serum levels of glucose and cholesterol (p = 0.05) and egg yolk concentrations of cholesterol (p = 0.05) and Cr (p = 0.01) were observed in TN groups. No significant differences in other values were observed in the TN groups. Results of the present study suggest that supplementation with Diachrome protects the quail by reducing the negative effects of heat stress.

Animals↗

PubMed2003

In vivo antioxidant properties of vitamin E and chromium in cold-stressed Japanese quails.

An experiment was conducted to determine if vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol-acetate) and chromium (chromium picolinate, Cr Pic) supplementation attenuate the negative effects of cold stress on egg production, egg quality, serum metabolites, and antioxidant status in Japanese quails (Corurnix coturnix japonica). One hundred and fifty laying Japanese quails (50-day-old) were divided into five groups, 30 birds per group. The laying quails kept at 6 degrees C for 12 h/d (08.00 p.m. to 08.00 a.m.) were fed either a basal diet (low temperature-basal diet, CS group) or the basal diet supplemented with either 400 microg of Cr/kg of diet (Cr group), 250 mg of alpha-tocopherol-acetate per kg of diet (Vit. E group) or 400 microg of Cr plus 250 mg of alpha-tocopherol-acetate per kg of diet (Vit. E + Cr group) while quails kept at 18 degrees C were fed a basal diet (thermo-neutral-basal diet, TN group). Performance and egg quality were significantly reduced in CS group compared with TN group. Supplemental chromium and vitamin E significantly increased live weight change, egg production, and improved feed efficiency in cold-stressed laying hens compared with the group fed the basal diet at 6 degrees C. Egg production and egg weight were also greater (P < 0.05) in each supplemental group compared with the CS group. However, a combination of vitamin E and chromium, rather than each separately, provided the greatest performance. Supplemental vitamin E and chromium also increased serum vitamin C and E but, decreased malondialdehyde (MDA) concentrations (P < 0.05); the combination of vitamin E and chromium resulted in the highest levels of serum vitamin C and E within the cold-stressed quails. Results of the present study indicate that combined antioxidant supplements increased performance, egg quality and serum antioxidant levels while lowering MDA in cold-stressed quails.

Animal Feed↗

PubMed2003

Dietary vitamin C and folic acid supplementation ameliorates the detrimental effects of heat stress in Japanese quail.

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.

Animal Husbandry↗

PubMed2002

Vitamin E supplementation can alleviate negative effects of heat stress on egg production, egg quality, digestibility of nutrients and egg yolk mineral concentrations of Japanese quails.

The aim of this study was to determine if the negative effects of high ambient temperature (34 degrees C) on egg production, egg quality, digestibility of nutrients, and mineral content of egg yolk could be alleviated by dietary vitamin E (dl-alpha-tocopheryl acetate) supplementation in laying Japanese quails (Coturnix coturnix japanica). Japanese quails (n=240; 7-week-old) were divided into eight groups, 30 birds per group. The quails were fed either a basal diet or the basal diet supplemented with either 125, 250 or 500 mg of dl-alpha-tocopheryl acetate/kg of diet. Birds were kept at 22 degrees C and 55% relative humidity (RH). At 14 weeks of age, the thermo-neutral (TN) group remained in the same temperature as at the beginning of the experiment, whereas the heat stress (HS) group was kept at an environment-controlled room at 34 degrees C and 44% RH for 3 weeks. Heat exposure decreased performance when basal diet was fed (P=0.001). With 250 and 500 mg/kg of diet, an increase in body weight (P=0.01), feed intake (P=0.01), egg production (P=0.001), and improvement in feed efficiency (P=0.01) was found with vitamin E supplementation in quails reared under heat stress conditions (HS). Similarly, egg weight (P=0.01), egg specific gravity (P=0.01), egg shell thickness (P=0.05) and Haugh unit (P=0.01) were positively influenced by vitamin E supplementation. Heat exposure decreased digestibility of dry matter (DM) (P=0.03), organic matter (OM) (P=0.05), crude protein (CP) (P=0.02), ether extract (EE) (P=0.05) and were elevated by supplemental vitamin E (P<or=0.02). Egg yolk concentrations of Zn, Fe, and Mn decreased under high environmental temperature and were increased to values of the control group (P=0.001) when dietary vitamin E was supplemented. No significant differences in any values were observed in TN groups. Results of the present study conclude that supplementation with 250mg alpha-tocopherol acetate/kg of diet can be considered to be protective management practice in a quail diet, reducing the negative effects of heat stress.

Animal Feed↗