Objective: This research assesses whether probiotics could enhance growth performance and improve nutrient digestibility in birds fed with low-protein diets. Materials and Methods: A total of 250 1-day-old ROSS chicks were used in a completely randomized design consisting of 5 treatments with 5 replicates and 10 birds for each replicate. The experimental diets were as follows: basal diet containing 100% crude protein (CP) according to Nutrition Research Council recommendation (control diet); basal diet containing CP 10% less than the control diet low protein (LP); LP with addition of probiotic by 50 mg/kg diet (LP + P1); LP with addition of probiotics by 100 mg/kg diet (LP + P2); LP with an addition of probiotics by 150 mg/kg diet (LP + P3). Results: Broilers fed with the control, LP + P2, and LP + P3 diets had greater body weight and weight gain than broilers fed with the LP during starter, finisher, and total periods (p < 0.01). The feed conversion ratio was the best (p < 0.01) in the control and LP + P3 treatments compared with the LP and LP + P1 treatments throughout the experiment. The European production efficiency factor was the lowest in the LP treatment compared with other treatments from 1 to 42 days. Protein efficiency ratio and protein retention were both higher in birds fed with the LP + P2 and LP + P3 diets compared to birds given the control and LP diets (p < 0.01). Conclusion: Adding probiotics to the diet remarkably improved the productive performance and nutrient digestibility of broiler-fed low-protein diets.

Objective: This study aims to determine the protein profile based on molecular weight (MW) and testosterone levels in seminal plasma (SP) that correlates to the semen quality of candidate Madura bulls. Material and Methods: A total of 10 male candidate madura bulls underwent semen evaluation (motility, viability, membrane plasma integrity (MPI), and sperm concentration). The centrifuge was run at 1,200 rpm (4°C) for 20 min to collect SP. SP testosterone levels were measured using an Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The characterization of SP proteins in Madura bulls was done using 1D sodium dodecyl-sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) analysis. All parameters were analyzed using Pearson correlation analysis. Result: The results of the SDS-PAGE analysis found eight protein bands with the highest MW of 110 kDa and the lowest of 12 kDa. The mean and SD of SP testosterone levels were 20.58 ± 8.56 ng/ml, motility 59.32% ± 20.14%, viability 67.45% ± 20.22%, MPI 32.77% ± 16.52%, and sperm concentration 1,002.64 ± 429.33 106/mm3. Proteins with MWs of 110 and 91 kDa significantly correlated with MPI, and 110 kDa negatively correlated with sperm concentration (p < 0.05). Proteins with MWs of 73 and 36 kDa significantly correlated with SP testosterone levels, while proteins with MWs of 29 kDa significantly correlated with sperm viability (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The expressed protein fraction based on MW is closely related to the quality of semen, so it has the potential to be a biomarker of semen quality. Further research is needed to determine the specific proteins in certain fractions.

Objective: This work examined the results of different dietary protein levels on indigenous Nigerian guinea fowl growth performance and carcass yield. Materials and Methods: One hundred and eight unsexed indigenous keets were randomly assigned to three treatments with experimental diets containing 22%, 24%, and 26% crude protein (CP) in a completely randomized design, with 3 replicates with 12 keets in each replicate. The parameters were measured, including proximate composition, feed intake, growth rate, feed conversion ratio (FCR), and carcass yield. Results: The birds fed diets containing 24% CP gained the most body weight at 619.83 gm and had the highest FCR of 3.45. The presence of CP had an impact that was significant (p < 0.05) on most carcass traits and prime cuts but not on gastrointestinal tract weight, head weight, dress percentage, or organ yield. Conclusion: The study concluded that the dietary CP level of 24% was optimal for body weight gain and carcass yield.

Objective: The objectives were to determine the appropriate level of dried cassava top (DCT) in total mixed ration (TMR) based on production performance and carcass characteristics of fattening Charolais crossbred steers. Materials and Methods: Fifteen fattening Charolais crossbred steers were randomly assigned to a randomized complete block design with initial body weight to receive three treatments, including without DCT, 15% DCT, and 30% DCT in TMR, on a dry matter (DM) basis. The production trial lasted 120 days; then, the fattened steers were slaughtered to study the carcass characteristics. Results: The in vitro gas production from the immediately soluble fraction of TMR containing 30% DCT was higher than the others (p < 0.05). However, in vitro DM and organic matter degradability were not significantly different among treatments. Feed intake, final weight, feed cost per gain, and carcass characteristics such as warm carcass percentage, marbling score, and loin eye area of feedlot steers were not affected by the inclusion of DCT in TMR. Although steers fed TMR containing 15% DCT had body weight gain, average daily gain, and feed conversion ratio lower than the control (p < 0.05); however, the use of DCT at 30% DM in TMR reduced the feed cost of feedlot beef production (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Using local ingredients such as cassava tops can increase profit margins for farmers without sacrificing product quality, but they must closely look at growth performance.

Objective: This research aims to identify the effect of various organic solvents such as n-hexane, ethyl acetate (EtOAc), and methanol (MeOH) on the antioxidant and antibacterial activities of Curcuma zedoaria extract, against three Gram-positive bacteria, namely Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, and Streptococcus pneumoniae, and three Gram-negative bacteria, namely Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhi, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Materials and Methods: As much as 1 kg of white turmeric rhizome (C. zedoaria) was extracted two times for 24 h using 3 l of MeOH before evaporating. The extract was then fractionated using n-hexane six times per 2 h, with each volume of 500 ml, and continued with the EtOAc fractionation. The MeOH fraction was added to 300 ml of water before adding 400 ml of EtOAc. Once the fractionation process was complete, all fractions were concentrated using a rotary evaporator. Results: The C. zedoria extract fractioned using MeOH produces alkaloids, phenolics, flavonoids, saponins, and coumarin compounds. The fractionation with EtOAc also produces alkaloids, phenolics, flavonoids, saponins, coumarin compounds, and triterpenoids. Meanwhile, fractionation with n-hexane only produces alkaloids and triterpenoid compounds. EtOAc and MeOH fractions had good activity in reducing free radicals produced by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), with an average IC50 value of 153.49 ± 2.66 and 185.77 ± 3.91 ppm, respectively. In contrast, the n-hexane fraction has weak antioxidant activity with an IC50 value of 837.92 ± 5.32 ppm. The n-hexane fraction has better activity compared to MeOH and EtOAc. The lowest concentration required was 2,500 ppm for all types of bacteria. Conclusion: Curcuma zedoaria extract produces alkaloids, phenolics, flavonoids, saponins, coumarins, and triterpenoids when fractionated with MeOH or EtOAc. Only alkaloids and triterpenoids are produced using n-hexane. EtOAc and MeOH fractions have good activity in reducing free radicals generated by DPPH, with an average IC50 value of 153.49 ± 2.66 and 185.77 ± 3.91 ppm, respectively. However, n-hexane has weak antioxidant activity, with an average IC50 value of 837.92 ± 5.32 ppm. All fractions have moderate antibacterial activity, but the extract of n-hexane from C. zedoary has better antibacterial activity compared to MeOH and EtOAc. The lowest concentration required is 2,500 ppm for all types of bacteria.

Objectives: This study aimed to measure the production potential of selected Pitalah and Bayang male ducks and their first generation. Materials and Methods: A total of 100 Pitalah and 100 Bayang 1-day-old ducks (40 males, 60 females) were obtained from local farmers and reared for 32–34 weeks. Twenty male ducks were selected as parental ducks based on their body weight (BW) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) at weeks 8 and 12. Forty female layer ducks were selected as parental ducks based on their blood cholesterol levels. Selected parental ducks were allowed to reproduce, and the ducklings were reared for 8 weeks before their BW, BW gain (BWG), feed intake, FCR, carcass weight percentage, abdominal fat percentage, and income over feed and duck cost (IOFC) ratio were measured. The data were subjected to a t-test. Results: Pitalah parental and first-generation ducks had better production performance and blood lipid profiles than Bayang ducks (p < 0.05). Based on the IOFC ratio, rearing Pitalah ducks for 8 weeks for meat production was more profitable and beneficial as a community economic resource. Conclusion: The selection of Pitalah and Bayang ducks was worth pursuing, as the G1 of both Pitalah and Bayang ducks had better production performance in terms of their BW, BWG, and FCR. Based on the IOFC values, raising Pitalah ducks for 8 weeks for meat production would be more economically beneficial.

Objective: The goal of this study was to look at quinolone-resistant (QR) Escherichia coli (E. coli) from retail beef and poultry meat in Egypt by looking at the QR mechanisms in the resistant strains. Materials and Methods: In total, 120 samples of raw poultry meat (n = 60) and beef meat (n = 60) were purchased from Mansoura retail stores between January and March 2021, and evaluated microbiologically for E. coli. Then, an antimicrobial sensitivity test was applied to all isolates. The prevalence of QR E. coli with concern for the QR determinants, including quinolone resistance-determining regions (QRDRs) mutations, the plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance gene (PMQR), and the efflux pump activity were determined. Results: The total prevalence of E. coli was 34.2% (41/120). Noticeably, the prevalence of E. coli in poultry meat (40%, 24/60) was higher than that of beef (28%, 17/60). All strains were assessed for their antimicrobial susceptibility using the disc diffusion technique; the highest rate of resistance (100%) was displayed to clindamycin and cefuroxime, followed by ampicillin (97.6%), doxycycline (92.7%), amoxicillin-clavulanate (92.7%), nalidixic acid (NA) (80.5%), sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim (70.7%), chloramphenicol (63.4%), gentamicin, and azithromycin (58.5% each). Multiple antimicrobial resistance (strains resistant to three or more antimicrobial classes) was displayed by 97.6% of E. coli isolates. Regarding QR, 37 isolates could resist at least one of the examined quinolones. Regarding PMQR genes, qnrS was determined in 70% (7/10) of QR E. coli, while qnrA, qnrB, and qnrD were not identified. While the mutations determined regions of QR in the resistant E. coli isolates, S83L was the most prevalent in gyrase subunit A either alone or combined with D87N and D87Y, and three isolates of QR E. coli isolates revealed a topoisomerase IV subunit mutation harboring S80I. 20% of the isolates displayed efflux activity, as NA showed a considerable difference between its zones of inhibition. Conclusion: The high prevalence of antimicrobial-resistant E. coli, with concern for QR strains harboring different resistance mechanisms in poultry meat and beef, threatens the public's health. Thus, standard manufacturing procedures and adequate hygiene conditions must be followed in all phases of meat preparation, production, and consumption, and public knowledge should be improved.

Objective: Hematological studies were carried out in cattle with tongue-rolling hyperactivity in order to establish the etiopathogenetic mechanisms of this behavioral disorder. Materials and Methods: Cattle were divided into two groups: Group 1 (n = 12), control animals that did not demonstrate the tongue-rolling orosthenic activity, and Group 2 (n = 12), cattle that manifested this stereotyped behavior. Blood samples were collected from all cattle twice at 10-day intervals from Vena jugularis for analysis of red blood cell counts, hemoglobin (HGB) content, mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular HGB (MCH), mean corpuscular HGB con¬centration (MCHC), hematocrit (HCT), white blood cell counts (WBC), and differential white cell counts [lymphocytes (LYM), monocytes (MON), and granulocytes (GRAs)]. Some blood biochemi¬cal constituents were assayed: calcium, inorganic phosphorus, magnesium, plasma total protein, blood glucose, total bilirubin, urea, creatinine, chlorides, cholesterol, triglycerides, and albumin, as well as the enzyme activities of aspartate amino-transferase (AST), alanine amino-transfer¬ase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), gamma-glutamyltransferase (γ-GT), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and creatine kinase (CK). Blood concentrations of the hormones adrenaline, noradrenaline, cortisol, adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), dopamine, serotonin, free thyroxine, thyroid-stim¬ulating hormone, and trace elements manganese, copper, and iron were determined. Results: It was found out that the cattle with tongue-rolling hyperactivity did not demonstrate changes in red blood picture (HGB, HCT, MCV, MCH, MCHC), white blood picture (WBC, LYM, MON, GRA), blood biochemistry (Ca, P, Mg, TP, Glu, TB, urea, creatine, Cl, Chole, TG, and Alb), AST, ALT, ALP, γ-GT, LDH, and CK activities, Cu, and Fe levels. In the study, increased concentrations of adrenaline, noradrenaline, cortisol, ACTH, and serotonin were established. Conclusion: The data demonstrating increased levels of adrenaline, noradrenaline, cortisol, and ACTH confirmed the etiological role of environmental stressors in the emergence of oral hyperac¬tivity. Increased serotonin concentrations in the blood suggest that cattle with the stereotype are probably "happy" with tongue rolling. The lack of changes in blood trace elements manganese, cop¬per, and iron allowed excluding their deficiency as a probable cause in the etiology of the disorder. [J Adv Vet Anim Res 2023; 10(2.000): 336-341]

Objective: This study aimed to establish and focus on the implications of precise energy and protein levels on reproductive performance. This study based on field facts showed that exces¬sive feed intake, especially protein intake, to increase productivity will lead to some decreased reproductive efficiency through disruption of reproductive hormonal compound biosynthesis or increasing blood urea nitrogen (BUN), which has rarely been studied. Materials and Methods: Healthy and mature Saanen crossbred goats raised by traditional farm¬ers (2–4 years old; ± 45 kg) were divided into three experimental groups [T0 = basal feed according to the feed provided by farmers, T1 = protein and energy balanced feed according to National Research Council (NRC) (±5%), T2 = feed >20% excess protein, and excess energy from NRC] (n = 75). The factorial method was used in the experimental design with a post-hoc least significant difference test. Results: The data showed a significant difference (p < 0.05) in the biochemical or hormonal parameters between the control and the treatment groups. Also, T1 showed leads in any blood profile and reproductive hormone parameters such as total protein (79.6 ± 5.3 gm/dl), cholesterol (3.26 ± 0.47 mmol/l), progesterone (1.79 ± 2.21 ng/ml), and estrogen (47.85 ± 5.51 pg/ml), as well as the lowest levels of BUN (11.6 ± 1.59 mmol/l) and cortisol (25.07 ± 14.85 ng/ml) levels. T1 had the highest reproductive potential after treatment. Conclusion: The adverse effects of high and low protein consumption on reproductive hormones seem to be related to the blood profile and ovarian function, as hormone concentrations change significantly and lead to reproductive impairment. The data showed that balanced nutrient levels (5%/T1) resulted in excellent blood and hormone parameters. [J Adv Vet Anim Res 2023; 10(2.000): 257-268]

Objectives: This study aimed to examine the impacts of the wide range of concentrations of glu¬cose and trehalose on the tris-citric acid-egg yolk-fructose (TCEF) extenders for cryopreservation of goat semen. Materials and Methods: The sperm sample was pooled, washed, and diluted in control (TCEF without glucose and trehalose), TCEF + glucose (75, 150, 450, and 900 mm), and TCEF + trehalose (75, 150, 450, and 900 mm). After equilibrations, the semen straws were frozen under LN2 in the LN2 tank. After LN2 storage, the straws were thawed at 37°C for 30 seconds. The sperm parame¬ters of all study groups were checked after equilibration and freezing. Results: After equilibration, the progressive motility (PM), total motility (TM), and viability of sperm in G-75, G-150, G-450, T-75, T-150, and T-450 were not significantly different (p < 0.05) from those in control. After cryopreservation and thawing, the PM, TM, and plasma membrane integrity (PMI) of T-150 were significantly higher (p < 0.05) than in control, G-75, G-900, T-75, and T-900. The viability of sperm in T-150 was substantially higher (p < 0.05) than in the control, whereas there was no significant difference among the control, G-75, G-900, T-75, and T-900. However, the acrosome integrity (AI) of sperm in G-900 was significantly decreased (p < 0.05) compared to the control, G-75, G-150, G-450, T-75, T-150, and T-450. Conclusion: According to the findings, the supplementation of 150 mm trehalose in the TCEF dilu¬ent was more efficient for sperm cryopreservation in the buck as reflected by PM, TM, viability, PMI, and AI. [J Adv Vet Anim Res 2023; 10(2.000): 169-177]