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Aim: This study was aimed to evaluate the effects of Artemisia herba-alba (white wormwood) or olive leaf (Olea europaea) powder supplementation on growth performance, carcass yield, and serum biochemical parameters in broilers. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted from April to May 2017 in Chemini region, Northern Algeria. A total of 60 1-day-old Ross 308 male chicks were divided into three groups consisted of 10 chicks, in each of two replications. The chicks in Group 1 were fed with a standard commercial diet (SCD); Group 2 received the same SCD with 2% supplementation of A. herba-alba powder; and Group 3 received the same SCD with 2% supplementation of O. europaea powder. Growth performance was measured with body weights every 2 weeks, daily feed intake, feed conversion ratio (FCR), and carcass yield at the end of 42 days of rearing. Blood samples were collected to analyze serum glucose, cholesterol, triglycerides, urea, and total protein levels. Results: Results showed that, at 42 days of rearing, supplementation of O. europaea and A. herba-alba significantly increased (p<0.001) mean body weight (2230.10±26.38 g and 2117.42±26.38 g, respectively, vs. 2336.66±27.88 g in chicks of Group 1), but there was no significant difference (p≥0.05) among the three diets for FCR or percentage carcass yield. Among the serum biochemical parameters, glucose was significantly affected (p<0.01) by supplementation of olive leaf powder (1.90 g/L: Group 3), compared to the SCD (2.24 g/L: Group 1) or Artemisia powder (2.05 g/L: Group 2). Moreover, the supplementation of olive leaf powder in Group 3 broilers significantly affected (p<0.05) the serum cholesterol level (0.95 g/L), compared to the control diet (1.13 g/L). There was no significant difference (p≥0.05) for the other selected serum biochemical concentrations, namely triglycerides, urea, and total protein. Conclusion: The supplementation of Artemisia or olive leaf powder into the diet for broilers improved body weight by about 5% or 10%, respectively, at slaughter with moderate changes in blood biochemical parameters.

Hybridization in bovines is practiced with the main aim of improving production performance, which may imply the microbial variations in the rumen from the parental breed cross to their progeny. Besides, the interactions of offspring breed with sex in terms of rumen bacteria are not clear. This study aims to evaluate the variations in rumen bacterial communities in different breeds and sexes, and the correlations among fattening performance, serum biochemical parameters, and rumen fermentation. Forty-two 19.2 ± 0.67-month-old beef cattle (390 ± 95 kg of initial body weight) comprising two genetic lines (Yiling and Angus × Yiling) and two sexes (heifers and steers) were raised under the same high-grain diet for 120 d. On the last two days, blood samples were collected from each animal via the jugular vein before morning feeding for analyzing serum biochemical parameters; rumen fluid samples were obtained via esophageal intubation 2 h after morning feeding for analyzing rumen fermentation parameters and bacterial communities. The results show that both breed and sex had a certain impact on fattening performance, serum biochemical parameters, and rumen fermentation. No differences in the diversity and structure of rumen bacterial communities were observed. Significant interactions (p < 0.05) of breed and sex were observed for Succinivibrionaceae UCG-002 and Prevotellaceae UCG-001. The relative abundances of the Rikenellaceae RC9 gut group, Prevotellaceae UCG-003, and Succinivibrio were different (p < 0.05) between breeds. Heifers had a higher (p = 0.008) relative abundance of the Rikenellaceae RC9 gut group than steers. Correlation analysis showed a significant relationship (p < 0.05) of rumen bacteria with serum biochemical parameters, rumen pH, and rumen fermentation patterns. Additionally, only two genera, Prevotellaceae UCG-003 and Prevotellaceae UCG-001, had positive correlations with feed efficiency. In conclusion, serum biochemical parameters, rumen fermentation, and rumen bacterial communities are partly driven by the breed and sex of cattle fed a high-grain diet.

Endometriosis is a gynecological disease, the pathogenesis of which seems to be directly associated with inflammatory processes. Serum concentrations of IL-1β, IL-6, hs-CRP, IgG, YKL 40 and PRL, in comparison to the well-known CA 125 levels, were studied with the aim of identifying an additional noninvasive inflammatory marker or set of markers characteristic for endometriosis. The study group included 43 women with endometriosis (E), 35 women with benign gynecological disorders but without endometriosis (NE, non-endometriosis) as a comparative group, and a control group consisting of 18 healthy subjects (C). The serum concentrations of IL-1β, IL-6, hs-CRP, YKL-40, PRL and CA 125 were significantly higher in the E group (median values: 0.41 pg/mL, 2.42 pg/mL, 2.33 mg/L, 79.30 ng/mL, 21.88 ng/mL and 68.00 U/mL, respectively) than in the control group (median values: 0.21 pg/mL, 0.98 pg/mL, 0.52 mg/L, 49.77 ng/mL, 12.08 ng/mL and 12.20 U/mL respectively), with the significance of p = 0.011, p < 0.001, p = 0.028, p = 0.005, p < 0.001 and p < 0.001, respectively. The IgG concentrations were significantly lower in the endometriosis group (median value: 1061.21 mg/dL) as compared to healthy women (median value: 1210.50 mg/dL; p = 0.025). Significant differences in concentrations of IL-6 (p = 0.040), hs-CRP (p = 0.007) and CA 125 (p < 0.001) were observed in stage III vs. stage IV of endometriosis. Significantly higher concentrations of IL-6 (p = 0.010), hs-CRP (p = 0.037) and PRL (p < 0.001) were observed in the NE group vs. the control group. Only CA 125 concentrations were significantly higher in endometriosis patients as compared to the non-endometriosis group (p < 0.001). The proposed panel of inflammatory markers, especially IL-6, PRL and CA 125, may become a useful tool to identify women with advanced endometriosis who could qualify for treatment.

Background The present study compared the effects of soybean meal fermented by three different probiotics organisms with non-fermented soybean meal on growth performance, serum parameters, immune chemistry and intestinal morphology in weaned piglets. Methods One hundred and forty-four 35-day old crossbred ( Duroc  ×  Landrace  ×  Yorkshire ) piglets were randomly allocated into four different dietary treatments (n = 36 per group) containing 0, 5, 10 and 15% fermented soybean meal. Results The piglets fed fermented soybean meal showed an increase ( p  < 0.05) in average daily weight gain and a reduction in feed consumption ( p  < 0.05).The piglets fed 10 and 15% fermented soybean meal showed the greatest growth improvement with higher levels of serum alkaline phosphatase and total serum proteins. Serum urea nitrogen in the experimental group was significantly lower than control whereas serum IgG, IgM and IgA levels were all significantly higher. Moreover, villus height in the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum was significantly higher ( p  < 0.05) and the crypt depth was significantly lower ( p  < 0.05). The levels of the autophagy factor LC3B in piglets showed a downward trend in the jejunum and ileum compared to control. Conclusions Fermented soybean meal could significantly improve the growth, immune function and intestinal health in weaned piglets, and the best effective benefits showed in 10% FSBM group.

This study aimed to evaluate the impact of partial-record egg production selection on egg production performance, serum biochemical constituents, and egg quality traits in Dokki-4 laying hens. A selection experiment was conducted over four generations involving 2,880 hens distributed across three experimental lines: high egg number line (SHEN₉₀), heavy egg weight line (SHEW₉₀), and a random-bred control line (RBCL). Selection criteria were based on performance during the first 90 days of production. Line effects were highly significant for all egg production traits, serum calcium concentrations, yolk cholesterol levels, and most egg quality traits. The SHEN₉₀ line showed superior egg number, annual egg mass production performance, and exhibited favorable metabolic profiles with reduced serum cholesterol and triglycerides. The SHEW₉₀ line achieved significantly heavier egg weights and improved shell quality traits compared to other lines. Genetic gain estimates revealed significant improvements in economically important traits. The SHEN₉₀ line showed favorable genetic gains for EN₉₀, EM₉₀, EM₃₆₅, and favorable reductions in serum cholesterol, triglycerides, and yolk cholesterol. The SHEW₉₀ line exhibited significant positive genetic gains in EW₉₀, EM₉₀, EM₃₆₅, and favorable yolk weight and yolk index percentages. Heritability estimates were moderate for selection criteria (EN₉₀: 0.22; EW₉₀: 0.17) and ranged from 0.09 to 0.31 for correlated traits. Genetic correlations revealed strong positive relationships between EN₉₀ and egg mass traits. EW₉₀ showed positive correlations with most external quality parameters. Selection for partial-record egg production represents an effective breeding strategy for simultaneously improving multiple economically important traits in Dokki-4 laying hens.

The reference intervals (RIs) for clinical parameters of fish are crucial to identify abnormal test results. The well-established RIs for hemato-biochemical analytes are lacking for Pangas ( Pangasianodon hypophthalmus ) reared in different culture systems. The present study aimed to analyze the condition factor and generate RIs for hemato-biochemical parameters in diverse culture systems, which are very critical to improve fish welfare and production. Briefly, the fish sampling was conducted from three different fish farms practicing extensive (no supplemented food with a relatively low stocking density of 10–15 fish/m 3 ), semi-intensive (supplementary feed provided with a stocking density of 80 fish/m 3 ), and intensive culture systems (feed-based culture with a high stocking density of 100–150 fish/m 3 ). Results showed that Fulton’s condition factor for fish reared in an intensive culture system was significantly higher (0.98 ± 0.18), followed by semi-intensive (0.85 ± 0.30) and extensive (0.72 ± 0.16) systems. Hematological parameters such as hemoglobin, total erythrocyte count, and packed cell volume were significantly ( P  < 0.05) higher in the semi-intensive system. Total leucocyte count and mean corpuscular hemoglobin were significantly ( P <  0.05) higher in the intensive system. Serum biochemical parameters, including glucose, cortisol, protein profile, and lipid profile, were significantly ( P  < 0.05) high in the intensive and semi-intensive systems. The study indicated that the condition factor and haemato-biochemical parameters could serve as indicators of the health status of P. hypophthalmus . The intensive and semi-intensive culture systems of P. hypophthalmus demonstrated better health indicators compared to the extensive system. The established normative database can ensure the correct assessment of health and the growth of P. hypophthalmus in diverse culture systems. The reference intervals established for hemato-biochemical parameters in the current study can provide valuable benchmarks for monitoring the fish in different culture systems, enabling effective management and reducing economic losses associated with stress-related issues.

The present study was conducted to investigate effects of Bacillus subtilis on growth performance, serum parameters, digestive enzymes, intestinal morphology, and colonic microbiota in piglets. A total of 72 piglets were weighed and randomly allotted into three treatments (four replication pens per treatment with six piglets/pen) for a 28-day experiment. The dietary treatments were as follows: basal diet (control group, CTR), basal diet supplementation with antibiotic (antibiotic group, ABT), and basal diet supplementation with 0.1% Bacillus subtilis (probiotic group, PBT). The average daily gain of body weight increased in both the ABT and PBT groups, and dietary antibiotics decreased the feed:gain ratio (F:G), as compared to the CTR group ( P  < 0.05). Both ABT and PBT piglets had increased serum triglycerides and lipase, amylase, maltase activities and villus height:crypt depth ratio (V/C) in ileum ( P  < 0.05). The PBT group also showed an increase in serum glucose and villus height in the ileum ( P  < 0.05). Dietary antibiotics increased Lactobacillus johnsonii , as compared to the CTR group, but decreased bacterial diversity and increased Escherichia coli , as compared to the PBT group ( P  < 0.05). Piglets dietary with B. subtilis modulated the microbiota by increasing the abundance of Firmicutes ( L. johnsonii , L. reuteri ) and decreasing the abundance of E. coli , as compared to the control group ( P  < 0.05). These results indicate that dietary of B. subtilis improves growth performance and intestinal health and can be a promising alternative to antibiotics in piglets diet.

The acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitors are the main drugs for symptomatic treatment of neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer’s disease. A recently designed, synthesized and tested hybrid compound between the AChE inhibitor galantamine (GAL) and the antioxidant polyphenol curcumin (CU) showed high AChE inhibition in vitro. Here, we describe tests for acute and short-term toxicity in mice as well as antioxidant tests on brain homogenates measured the levels of malondialdehide (MDA) and glutathione (GSH) and in vitro DPPH, ABTS, FRAP and LPO inhibition assays. Hematological and serum biochemical analyses were also performed. In the acute toxicity tests, the novel AChE inhibitor given orally in mice showed LD50 of 49 mg/kg. The short-term administration of 2.5 and 5 mg/kg did not show toxicity. In the ex vivo tests, the GAL-CU hybrid performed better than GAL and CU themselves; in a dose of 5 mg/kg, it demonstrates 25% reduction in AChE activity, as well as a 28% and 73% increase in the levels of MDA and GSH, respectively. No significant changes in blood biochemical data were observed. The antioxidant activity of 4b measured ex vivo was proven in the in vitro tests. In the ABTS assay, 4b showed radical scavenging activity 10 times higher than the positive control butylhydroxy toluol (BHT). The GAL-CU hybrid is a novel non-toxic AChE inhibitor with high antioxidant activity which makes it a prospective multitarget drug candidate for treatment of neurodegenerative disorders.

Impacts of titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2 NPs) on serum glucose, albumin, total protein, cholesterol, triglyceride, sodium (Na+), potassium (K+), and chloride ion (Cl−) levels and serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and cholinesterase (ChE) activities of Clarias gariepinus were determined after exposing the fish to 1, 5 and 10 mg/L titanium applied as TiO2 over 1, 4 and 7 days. No mortality was observed during the experiments. Serum glucose and albumin levels increased while serum total protein, cholesterol and triglyceride levels decreased compared to control at the end of the 7th day. Serum Na+, K+ and Cl− levels of C. gariepinus decreased after 7 days of exposure to 10 mg/L TiO2 NPs. ChE activity decreased and AST, ALT, ALP activities increased at all exposure concentrations and LDH activities increased compared to control after 4 and 7 days of exposure to TiO2 NPs in C. gariepinus.

In poultry, organic zinc compounds have higher bioavailability than inorganic zinc sources. However, as an organic zinc source, the application of zinc lactate (ZL) on Chinese yellow-feathered broilers has been rarely reported. Hence, the present study aimed to investigate the effects of ZL supplementation on growth performance, small intestinal morphology, serum biochemical parameters, immune organ index, as well as hepatic metallothionein of Chinese yellow-feathered broilers. A total of 2100 broilers (19 days old) were randomly assigned to 5 treatment groups, including the control (fed basal diet), ZL40 (basal diet plus 40 mg/kg ZL), ZL60 (basal diet plus 60 mg/kg ZL), ZL80 (basal diet plus 80 mg/kg ZL), and ZS80 (basal diet plus 80 mg/kg ZS. Each treatment group had 6 replicates with 70 chickens per replicate. Compared to the control group, the ZL40 and the ZS80 groups had a lower feed to gain ratio (P < 0.05), ZL40 group had higher duodenum and ileum villus heights (P < 0.05), and ZS80 and ZL80 groups had a lower ratio of villus height to crypt depth in the jejunum (P < 0.01). In addition, the ZL60 group had a higher concentration of total protein (P < 0.05) and activity of glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) (P < 0.01) compared with the ZS80 and the control groups. Interestingly, the ZL40, ZL60, and ZL80 groups all had higher levels of hepatic metallothionein than the other groups (P < 0.01). In conclusion, zinc lactate had a higher bioavailability and could be used as an alternative to zinc sulfate.