Veterinary Research Forum

Abstract In this study, the effects of nanocurcumin on acetaminophen-induced acute hepatorenal toxicity in domestic pigeons (Columba livia) were investigated. Fifteen pigeons were randomly assigned into three groups. Group I was served as a negative control group and received tap water as a placebo. Pigeons in groups II and III were administered acetaminophen at the beginning of the experiment (hr 0). Group III was further treated with nanocurcumin, at 12 hr after acetaminophen administration, being continued every 12 hr for two days. The birds were observed for clinical signs of acute drug toxicity. Blood samples were collected from the pigeons at hr 0, 12, 24 and 48 of the experiment for biochemical analysis of the serum. The results showed that acetaminophen toxicity increased the serum levels of aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, urea and uric acid in the pigeons. Nanocurcumin treatment of acetaminophen intoxicated pigeons attenuated increases in biomarkers of the liver and kidney functions towards control levels. Also, the consumption of nanocurcumin minimized histopathological changes in the liver and kidney. A mortality of 60.00% was seen in the acetaminophen-induced toxicity group; while, none of the birds treated with nanocurcumin died. It can be concluded that nanocurcumin alleviates the acetaminophen-induced acute toxic liver and kidney damages, which can lead to pigeon mortality.

Abstract In the recent years, the use of medicinal plants to reduce the effects of mycotoxins in foods and feeds has been considered. This study was conducted to investigate the effects of Aloe vera on performance, serum biochemical parameters and liver histopathology in laying hens fed on aflatoxin B1 (AFB1)-contaminated diet. Seventy-two White Leghorns (Hy-Line W-36) were randomly allocated to four treatments. 1) basal diet (control), 2) control plus 1.00 mg kg^-1 AFB1, 3) control diet plus 1.00 mg kg^-1 AFB1 + 100 ppm Aloe vera powder, and 4) control diet plus 1.00 mg kg^-1 AFB1 + 300 ppm Aloe vera powder. Each treatment consisted of three replicates of 6 birds. Egg weight and Haugh units were not affected by AFB1. Egg production and eggshell thickness were lower for groups fed 1.00 mg kg^-1 AFB1. Egg production, egg weight and eggshell thickness were improved by incorporation of Aleo vera in the AFB1 contaminated feed but were not significant. Chickens fed AFB1 had significantly lower aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and uric acid and higher cholesterol than other groups. Aloe vera powder improved levels of cholesterol, uric acid, AST, and ALT. AFB1 also caused histopathological changes in liver tissues, such as vacuolar degeneration, fatty infiltration, and necrosis. The addition of Aloe vera powder to the aflatoxin containing diet reduced the severity of lesions in liver. The data demonstrated the ability of Aloe vera to reduce the adverse effects of AFB1 exposure in laying hens.

Abstract Spondylolisthesis known as kinky back syndrome is a deformity of the free sixth thoracic vertebra including enlargement and rotation resulting in posterior paralysis in broiler chicken. Genotype, feeding regimes and environment are involved in occurrence of this congenital anomaly. Spondylolisthesis may result in or happen simultaneously with two other major axial skeleton pathologies including spondylosis and spondylitis as a result of occurrence of degenerative necrobiotic lesions and inflammation of the vertebrae, respectively. This report deals with a male broiler chicken with posterior paralysis in the second week of rearing. After euthanasia, the specimen was evaluated at macroscopic and microscopic levels. Macroscopic findings showed the unilateral enlargement of body and transverse process of sixth thoracic vertebra and downward rotation of the body. The histopathological studies revealed the focal chondronecrosis and degenerative changes in articular facets and cranial process of the vertebra. In conclusion, a diagnosis of spondylolisthesis followed by spondylosis was made based on macroscopic and histopathological findings that to the authors’ best knowledge, is the first report in a broiler farm in Iran.

Abstract Poultry meat is very susceptible to oxidation because of the high concentration of polyunsaturated fatty acids, which negatively affects the quality and nutritional values of chicken meat. Coccidiosis is the most common parasitic disease of poultry. Intending to limit anti-parasites usage in poultry feed and also because of the concerns about antibiotic resistance and residues in poultry products, there is a need for research to discover natural alternatives. The effect of nanocurcumin on antioxidant profile (carotenoid and vitamin E contents, lipid oxidation and antioxidant capacity) and pH of broiler chicken breast meat infected with Eimeria species was investigated. Fifty, one-day-old male Ross 308 broiler chickens were assigned to five treatments including non-infected and non-medicated control (NNC), infected non-supplemented control (INC), infected and medicated with nanocurcumin 300 mg kg^-1 feed (NCRM1), infected and medicated with nanocurcumin 400 mg kg^-1 feed (NCRM2) and infected and antibiotic medicated group. Infection with Eimeria acervulina, E. maxima, and E. tenella decreased vitamin E and carotenoid contents of chicken breast meat significantly. The NCRM2 had significantly enhanced carotenoid and vitamin E levels in chicken breast meat, so there was no significant difference between NCRM2 and NNC group. No significant change was observed in pH value among groups. Malondialdehyde value of breast meat was significantly lower in NCRM1 and NCRM2 than the INC group. The NCRM2 and NCRM1 showed the best antioxidant capacity even better than NNC. In conclusion, nanocurcumin could be a potential feed additive that can increase oxidant stability of broiler chicken breast meat.

Abstract Fungal infections cause significant economic losses in the poultry industry either due to their direct infectious nature or due to mycotoxins production. Hatchery contamination with fungi can threaten chicken health. In this regard, geographical and seasonal distributions of airborne fungal contamination of 25 hatcheries in Mazandaran province, northern Iran, were investigated using an open plate method. The results of this study showed that hatcheries have various fungal contaminations, among which the most common were respectively Cladosporium (31.07%), Penicillium (24.00%), Aspergillus (20.63%), sterile hyphae (14.70%) and Alternaria (6.20%) from different regions. The results revealed that the highest level of fungal isolation was in spring and autumn. This study also showed that the concentration of fungal air spora in forest and seaside locations was significantly greater than mountainous ones. In spite of the regular disinfection in commercial hatcheries, fungal contamination was found in different parts.