Growth Performance, Cytokine Expression, and Immune Responses of Broiler Chickens Fed a Dietary Palm Oil and Sunflower Oil Blend Supplemented With L-Arginine and Varying Concentrations of Vitamin E
FRONTIERS IN VETERINARY SCIENCE
Authors: Khatun, Jannatara; Loh, Teck Chwen; Foo, Hooi Ling; Akit, Henny; Khan, Kabirul, I
Abstract
This study set out to examine the combined effects of the supplementation of a dietary palm oil (PO) and sunflower oil (SO) blend, 0. 25% L-Arginine (L-Arg), and different levels of vitamin E (Vit E) on growth performance, fat deposition, cytokine expression, and immune response in broilers. A total of 216 1-day-old male broiler chicks (Cobb500) were randomly distributed into six dietary groups as follows: Diet 1: 6% palm oil (negative control); Diet 2: PO and SO blend (4% palm oil and 2% sunflower oil) + 0.25% L-Arg (positive control); Diet 3: (PO and SO blend + 0.25% L-Arg) + 20 mg/kg Vit E; Diet 4: (PO and SO blend + 0.25% L-Arg) + 50 mg/kg Vit E; Diet 5: (PO and SO blend + 0.25% L-Arg) + 100 mg/kg Vit E; and Diet 6: (PO and SO blend + 0.25% L-Arg) + 150 mg/kg Vit E. Weight gain and serum IgG and IgM increased while feed conversion ratio, fat deposition, and plasma cholesterol decreased in broilers fed Vit E with the oil blend and L-Arg, compared to those fed the negative control (Diet 1). Expression of IFN and TNF-alpha were reduced, whereas TGF-ss1 was up-regulated as the level of Vit E increased in the broiler diets. In summary, the combination of oil blend, L-Arg, and Vit E at a level of 50 mg/kg increased the performance and altered the expression of cytokines that may positively influence immune function in broiler chickens.
Seroprevalence of Dengue virus among pregnant mothers and their-newborn infants in the southwest of Saudi Arabia
CLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL OBSTETRICS & GYNECOLOGY
Authors: Alqahtani, Ali S.
Abstract
Dengue virus (DENV) is one of the most serious arthropod-borne viruses. This study was performed to investigate the prevalence of the virus in Najran, a city in the south west of Saudi Arabia. Four hundred and ten paired maternal and umbilical serum samples were obtained from mothers and their newborn infants. The samples were tested for the presence of IgG antibodies by ELISA. Anti-DENV IgG antibodies were detected in 31 maternal samples (7.6%), while all newborn samples were negative. All maternal seropositive samples were negative when tested by PCR. These results are further indication that DENV is endemic in Saudi Arabia and enhanced DENV surveillance is necessary.
COA
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