There is a balance between oxidative stress, antioxidant capacity and immune response. Their roles in physiological and behavioural mechanisms are important for the maintenance of the organism’s internal equilibrium. This study aimed to evaluate the antioxidant effects of the exogenous alga Spirulina platensis (Arthrospira platensis) in a stress-induced rat model, and to describe its possible mechanism of action. Thirty-six adult male Sprague Dawley rats were separated into four groups: control (C), stress (S), S. platensis (Sp), and S. platensis + stress (SpS). The rats in groups Sp and SpS were fed with 1,500 mg/kg b.w./day Spirulina platensis for 28 days. All rats were exposed to prolonged light phase conditions (18 h light : 6 h dark) for 14 days. The SpS and S groups were exposed to stress by being kept isolated and in a crowded environment. Blood samples were obtained by puncturing the heart on the 28th day. The effect of stress on serum corticosterone, oxidative stress markers (TOS, TAC, PON1, OSI) and immunological parameters (IL-2, IL-4, IFN-ɣ) were tested. Also, the brain, heart, intestines (duodenum, ileum, and colon), kidney, liver, spleen, and stomach of the rats were weighed. Serum corticosterone levels were higher in the S group than in the C group, and significantly lower in the SpS group than in the S group. Mean total antioxidant capacity were lower in the S group than in the C group, and Spirulina reversed this change. Although not significantly different, IL-2 was lower in the S group than in the C group. However, in the SpS group, IL-2 increased due to Spirulina platensis mitigating effects of stress. Male rats fed a diet with Spirulina platensis could experience significantly milder physiological changes during stress, although stress patterns may be different. Exogenous antioxidant supplements merit further investigation in animals and humans where the endogenous defence mechanism against stress may not be sufficient.

Objectives: The purpose of this research was to look into the impacts after the implication of feeding broiler chickens with spirulina in arsenic-incited toxicities. Materials and Methods: Birds (n = 125) were distributed equally (n = 25) into four groups treated (T1, T2, T3, T4) and a group controlled, T0 (normal feed and water without supplement), the group taking in arsenic trioxide (100 mg/l)-induced diet (T1), and the groups T2, T3, and T4 (feed supplemented with 50, 100, and 200 mg/l of spirulina along with Arsenic Trioxide, respectively). The body weight and hematobiochemical parameters were recorded every 7 days. Results: Different growth development indicators, e.g., body weight, feed intake ratio, feed conversion ratio, depression, and skin lesions, were weak in arsenic trioxide groups and upstanding in the arsenic plus spirulina group. Over and above, the lack of body weight gain in chicken (2.7%–13.00%) in the arsenic-introduced groups given spirulina (T2, T3, and T4) overtook the mere groups exposed to arsenic, where the lack of weight gain was optimum (54.90%). Thereafter, in arsenic-instituted groups given spirulina (T2, T3, and T4), the drop in total erythrocyte count, total leukocyte count, hemoglobin, and packed cell volume values became less notable than in arsenic pollutant groups (T1, p < 0.01). Two measurable factors (serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase and serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase) were substantially (p < 0.01) raised in the group (T1) treated with arsenic, but in the arsenic-induced groups (T2, T3, and T4) treated with spirulina, they were elevated less. Conclusion: This study demonstrates that arsenic is a threat to poultry. However, spirulina may be advantageous for alleviating the effects of arsenic in poultry. [J Adv Vet Anim Res 2022; 9(3.000): 501-508]

Objective: Natural substances found in dietary sources and medicinal plants have attracted con¬siderable attention in recent years as chemopreventive agents. Spirulina is a blue-green alga that possesses chemopreventive properties. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of spirulina on rats with inorganic arsenic (As) [sodium arsenite (NaAsO2)]-induced lipid peroxidation. Materials and Methods: 120 rats were randomly assigned to 10 groups and designated T0, T1, T2, T3, T4, T5, T6, T7, T8, and T9. One group was kept as a control (T0) that received no treatment. The seven groups received 3.0 mg of NaAsO2/kg body weight in drinking water and were given spirulina ad libitum. T1 was treated with NaAsO2 but not with spirulina. Two groups of rats (T2 and T3), on the other hand, were treated with spirulina without receiving any As (NaAsO2). T2 received agro-based spirulina (Ab-Sp; grown in 1.5% soybean meal media and harvested on day 12 of seed inoculation) at 2.0 gm/kg feed, whereas T3 received commercially available spirulina (Com-Sp) at 2.0 gm/kg feed. T4, T5, and T6 were concurrently treated with Ab-Sp at 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0 gm/ kg of feed. On the other hand, T7, T8, and T9 induced by NaAsO2 were concurrently treated with Com-Sp at 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0 gm/kg feed. All groups received treatment for 90 days. Results: The efficacy of both spirulina in preventing lipid peroxidation caused by As was deter¬mined quantitatively by measuring the rats serum malondialdehyde (MDA). The results indicated that As supplementation increased serum MDA levels, whereas both types of spirulina signifi¬cantly decreased them. The highest dose of Ab-Sp (2.0 gm/kg feed) was found to be the most effective in preventing lipid peroxidation in rats treated with inorganic As. Conclusion: Ab-Sp could be a natural, cost-effective, and safe measure to mitigate As toxicity. [J Adv Vet Anim Res 2021; 8(2.000): 330-338]

The study was conducted to evaluate the prebiotic effects of Spirulina as a growth and immunity promoter for broiler chickens. Birds (n=100) were randomly and equally distributed into four groups (T0, T1, T2 and T3) and fed on a diet containing 0, 2, 4 and 8 g Spirulina/kg feed respectively for 4 weeks. The body weight was significantly (P<0.05) increased in the treatment groups fed with Spirulina diet from 7th days to 28th days old. FCR was also significantly (P<0.05) decreased among the treatment groups. Hematological parameters were significantly (P<0.05) increased except ESR which was decreased significantly (P<0.05) in the treatment group. Aspartate aminotransferase (ALT) and alanine aminotransferase (AST) level were significantly (P<0.05) decreased in all the treatment groups. The study suggests that, Spirulina is a good natural feed additive which has a tremendous effect to improve the broiler production and thereby may reduce the production cost. [J Adv Vet Anim Res 2015; 2(3.000): 304-309]

The aim of this research was to test the hypothesis of an improved growth, feed utilization efficiency, and economic efficiency (EE) of broiler chickens reared on different diets supplemented with spirulina (SPA), cinnamon oil (CO) and citric acid (CA). Total of 128 broiler chicken were divided randomly in to 4 group 32 chicks for each, with 4 replicants (8 bird/replicant).  Group1 (control) fed diet without any additives. Group2 fed control diet + spirulina (2g /kg feed). Group3 fed control diet + cinnamon oil (1ml /kg feed). Group4 fed control diet + citric acid (5g /kg feed). The result indicated that SPA, CO, and CA has a significant effect at (p<0.05) on growth performance parameters (feed intake (FI), weight gain (WG) and feed conversion ratio (FCR)). SPA recorded the highest FI while CA recorded the lowest value. It was noticed that SPA and CA do better than CO in live weight and weight gain. The best FCR was in CA group (1.61). SPA and CA has considerable effect at (P<0.05) on dressing percent while, CO had no significant effect. CO and CA had a significant impact at (P<0.05) on thymus relative weight. From The Economic point of view CA and SPA in the select doses had improved economic measures and relative economic efficiency (REE) indicating high return and net profit, benefit cost ratio, profitability percent, net profit margin. In contrast CO had no distinct effect on these parameters in the selected dose. Bearing in mind that citric acid had a preference in improving economic efficiency over spirulina. SPA, CO and CA may be used as feed additives for broiler chicken to enhance growth performance, Economically CA and SPA in the selected doses is better to increase return and profitability. Citric acid has the advantage in terms of its presence in the market and its low price compared to spirulina.

It is the most comprehensive and abundant source of nutrition found in nature. Spirulina contains an assortment of nutrients that are not found in any other source. The algae is rich in prophylactic and therapeutic nutrients, including proteins, minerals, B-complex vitamins, γ-linolenic acid, and superoxidants including β-carotene and vitamin E. Additionally, it contains trace elements and several bioactive compounds that have yet to be fully investigated. Spirulina exhibits a multitude of beneficial and therapeutic properties, including antioxidant, antibacterial, antiviral, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic, and antidiabetic effects, due to its apparent capacity to stimulate the entirety of human physiology. It seems that the consumption of Spirulina also stimulates the development of intestinal microflora. Lagenaria siceraria (Molina) is more commonly referred to in Hindi and English as lauki and bottle gourd, respectively. As a vegetable, both the aerial parts and fruits of this plant are frequently ingested. In India, China, European nations, Brazil, the Hawaiian island, and other regions, it has been historically employed medicinally due to its cardiotonic, general tonic, and diuretic attributes. Oil, fruits, leaves, stem, and seeds of Lagenaria siceraria have been utilized historically to treat skin maladies, diabetes, ulcer, piles, colitis, insanity, hypertension, and congestive cardiac failure.  Pectoral, emetic, sedative, purgative, cooling, diuretic, and antibilious are all properties of the fruit purée. Corticosteroids are among the effective treatments for several medical conditions. On long-term administration, adverse effects including osteoporosis, cataract formation, and muscle atrophy are widely acknowledged and have significant implications for public health. There are numerous reports available that address specific adverse effects. In this review, we would like to throw the light on the medicinal uses of spirulina, and Lagenaria siceraria, and the adverse health effects of corticosteroids.

The extraordinary increase in demand for animal protein such as meat, eggs, milk, and other animal products, as well as the large quantities of protein feed inputs required for animal production, have principally spurred research into spirulina as an animal feed. Spirulina (Athrospira sp.) is a highly nutritious edible microalga and a prospective feed supply for many agriculturally significant animal species. Animal growth, fertility, beauty, and nutritional product quality have all been linked to spirulina. Spirulina consumption has been related to improved animal health and well-being in studies. Because of its nutritious and protein-rich composition, its impact on animal development was significant, and commercial production was raised to suit consumer demand. As a result, Spirulina is emerging as a cost-effective resource for increasing animal output in order to achieve long-term sustainability and a viable food security future.

Subclinical mastitis is a major problem threating the cows' industry in Egypt. This study aimed to investigate the impact of SCC on the milk composition and evaluate the effect of spirulina supplementation on SCC and milk quality. Total of 270 milk samples were examined using CMT, BacSomatic and MilkoscanTMFT1 system. For evaluation of spirulina effect, ten cows were supplemented with spirulina powder (20 g per head for one month).The prevalence of SCM according to CMT and SCC was 32.2% and 54.4%, respectively.  SCC negatively correlated with Fat, protein, lactose, and casein% which had Means of 2.94±0.75, 3.48±0.37, 4.82±0.23, and 2.58±0.39, respectively at SCC (<200 ×103cell/ml) while, at SCC above 400 ×103cell/ml were 2.43±0.95, 3.24 ±0.33, 4.61±0.22, and 2.4±0.38, respectively. There was a significant decrease in the average of SCC from 6638.9±4675.9×103 to 361.1±321.4×103cell/ml after 3 weeks of spirulina supplementation. The Mean of Fat, protein, lactose, and casein% were increased from 2.84±0.29, 3.02±0.4, 4.49±0.4 and 2.34±0.28, respectively to reach 3.62±0.16, 3.65±0.43, 4.86±0.41 and 2.59±0.3, respectively and Milk yield increased from average of 21.7±3.23 kg/day to 24.2±2.39kg after 21 days of spirulina treatment. Therefore, milk quality and quantity can be improved by using Spirulina supplementation which reduces SCC.

The experimental trial of six weeks was undertaken on 90 broiler chicks divided into three groups. Control (To) group was fed standard broiler diet and T1 and T2 groups were provided same broiler diet supplemented with 300 and 500 mg of Spirulina per kg feed, respectively. Mean live body weight of six weeks of the experiment and live weight at the end of experiment were found to be significantly (P0.05) higher in Spirulina supplemented T1 and T2 groups of broilers than that of control (To) group. Comparatively better mean weekly weight gain and feed efficiency were also observed in Spirulina supplemented groups (T1 and T2)with decreased feed consumption as compared to control (To) group of broilers.

Objective: A 35-day-long trial was conducted to compare the consequences of supplementing citric acid (CA), Spirulina platensis, and their combination as natural substitutes for antibiotic growth promoters (AGP) on the productive performance, dressing percentage, and blood serum metabolites of broilers. Materials and Methods: A total of 150-day-old Cobb-500 broiler chicks were randomly assigned to 5 dietary treatment groups, each having 30 chicks in it (10 chicks per replicate cage). The dietary groups were as follows: 1- Control (corn–soybean-based), 2- Control + antibiotic (Enrofloxacin, 10 mg/kg bodyweight), 3- Control + 1% S. platensis, 4- Control + 0.5% CA, and 5- Control + 1% spirulina + 0.5% CA. Starting from day 7 up to day 21, antibiotics were administered via water; spirulina and CA were offered via feed. Results: When compared to the control, all dietary supplements significantly (p < 0.05) improved broiler growth performance. However, dressing characteristics and serum metabolites (serum creatinine, albumin, and uric acid) were not influenced (p > 0.05) by dietary changes, except cholesterol level (p < 0.05). Supplementation with antibiotics, CA, and spirulina produced com-parable results. Among them, the CA-fed group recorded the highest live weight, weight gain, feed intake, improved feed conversion ratio, and the lowest serum cholesterol level (106.5 mg/ dl). The combination group performed better than the control, but not as well as their single supplementations. Conclusions: CA and S. platensis might both be good candidates as natural alternatives to AGP (Enrofloxacin). But, among them, CA performed better in terms of production performance. [J Adv Vet Anim Res 2022; 9(1.000): 1-7]