BACKGROUND: In order to compensate for the elimination of antibiotics from the poultry industry, finding suitable alternatives to improve the productive traits and the health of the birds is essential. Among them, naturally occurring compounds and additives are one of the best options in this regard. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of sodium humate and probiotic application and their interactions on feeding broiler chicks on biochemical, immunological and blood metabolites of broiler chicks. METHODS: 336 male broiler chicks (Ross 308) were used from 1 to 42 days old. A 3×2 factorial experiment on the basis of completely randomized design was done with four replications. Experimental factors were: three sodium humate levels (0, 0.35 and 0.45% of diet) and two probiotic levels (0 and 0.02% of diet). RESULTS: The best feed conversion ratio was obtained at the finisher 1 and 2 and the whole period at the use of 0.35% of diet (P ≤0.05). The highest live weight of the last course was obtained in the treatment of 0.35% sodium humate in diet (P ≤0.05). The production index improved at a level of 0.35% of sodium humate compared to other treatments (P ≤0.05). The percentage of carcass was higher in the group receiving probiotic and sodium humate than the control group. The abdominal fat pad percentage was lower in the probiotic and humate sodium group than in the control group (P<0.05). In terms of interactions, villi length was highest in treatments receiving 0.35 of sodium humate and 0.02% of probiotic in  diet, as well as 0.45%  of sodium humate and 0.02%  probiotic in  diet (P<0.05). The highest levels of SRBC and G-type immunoglobulin were obtained in groups receiving 0.45% sodium humate and 0.02% probiotic in diet. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, use of sodium humate about 0.35% and probiotic 0.02% in diet of broiler chicks improves the growth performance, carcass traits  and morphological characteristics of the intestine.

Introduction: Canine transmissible venereal tumour (CTVT) is a sexually transmitted tumour affecting dogs worldwide, imposing a financial burden on dog owners. A stable culture cell line in continuous passages for >18 months has only been achieved once. The present study investigated a stable CTVT cell line isolated from a bitch and its potential as a vaccine. Material and Methods: A biopsy from a 2-year-old mongrel bitch with CTVT was obtained for histopathological confirmation and isolation of tumour cells. The isolated cells were cultured to passage 55 and characterised by flow cytometry, with karyotyping by GTG-banding and by PCR detection of myc S-2 and LINE AS1. The isolated CTVT cell line was also used as a preventive vaccine in a canine model. Results: Histopathological analysis of the isolated tumour cells revealed typical CTVT characteristics. Constant proliferation and stable morphological characteristics were observed during culture. Phenotypic analysis determined the expression of HLA-DR⁺, CD5.1⁺, CD14⁺, CD45⁺, CD83⁺, CD163⁺, and Ly-6G-Ly-6C⁺. GTG-banding revealed a mean of 57 chromosomes in the karyotype with several complex chromosomal rearrangements. LINE-c-myc insertion in the isolated CTVT cell line at 550 bp was not detected. However, a 340-bp band was amplified. Isolated CTVT cell line inoculation at a concentration of 1×10⁸ did not induce tumour growth in bitches, nor did a challenge with primary CTVT cells. Conclusion: The present study successfully identified and isolated a stable CTVT cell line that may be useful in CTVT prevention.

The primary objective of this observational study was to examine the association between passive transfer of immunity and growth performance in preweaning calves. A secondary objective was to evaluate the utility of a heart girth tape (HGT) to estimate body weight (BW) in preweaning calves. A total of 142 Holstein calves were enrolled in this study. Blood samples were collected 24 to 48 hours after birth and serum immunoglobulin G (IgG) concentration for each calf was measured by radial immunodiffusion assay. Calf BW was determined at birth, at 21 days, and at weaning using an electronic scale (ES) and HGT. A significant positive association was detected between serum IgG and both BW at 21 days and average daily gain (ADG) from 0 to 21 days of life. Additionally, ADG from 0 to 42 days of life showed a trend toward an improved rate of gain as IgG concentration increased. The Pearson correlation coefficient between BW obtained from ES and HGT was 0.81 at birth, 0.86 at 21 days, and 0.83 at weaning. The mean differences between BW obtained from ES and HGT were -3.1 kg at birth, -3.2 kg at 21 days, and -7.7 kg at weaning. In conclusion, serum IgG concentration in neonatal calves is an important contributing factor for the variation in growth performance of preweaning calves. The HGT can be used to estimate the BW of preweaning calves but has a tendency to overestimate weight, especially at weaning compared to birth and 21 days of age.

This study was planned to evaluate the extracts of Aloe vera (AV) at three different pH as a growth promoter, immunostimulant and coccidiostat agent in broiler production. This experiment was undertaken for a period of 35 days in the Institute of Animal Sciences, Faculty of Animal Husbandry, University of Agriculture Faisalabad, Pakistan. A total of 150 dayold broiler birds (Cobb) were randomly assigned to 5 treatments with 3 replicates of 10 chicks each. Birds were offered commercial broiler starter and finisher diets supplemented with 100 mg/kg enramycin (ANT), 50 ml/liter AV of pH 3 (AV1), 50 ml/liter AV of pH 7 (AV2), 50 ml/liter AV of pH 12 (AV3) and only fresh clean water (CON).