The current study aimed to evaluate the effects of oral administration of spirulina (as a food supplement) on the reproductive performance of adult female rabbits. Female rabbits (16 to 18 weeks old) were divided into three groups (10 rabbits/ group). These groups are: (Gr.I) as a control group and (Gr. II) spirulina was given at a dose (0.5 g / kg of body weight) and (Gr. III) was given a complex of folic acid, B6 and B12 (2.5 + 50 +1 mg / kg body weight) all groups were treated for four weeks. At the end of the treatment period, 2 untreated males (two males/ group) were naturally mated with treated females. The results showed that there was no significant difference in the estrogen concentrations among all groups, while the progesterone concentration showed a significant decrease in the third compound group compared to the control group and DXN-spr. Also, the testosterone hormones did not show significant differences in all groups. FSH and LH concentrations appeared to be significantly decreased in the third group than in the other two groups. The fertility rate and the number of female fertilities increased in the second group (DXN-Spr.) compared to the other groups. There was also a significant increase in birth weight and fertility rate in this group compared to the control and group No. 3 groups. We conclude that oral dosed spirulina (0.5 g/kg body weight) acts as a natural antioxidant that improves reproductive efficiency and reproductive hormones.  

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: This study aims to investigate the hepatoprotective, anti-inflammatory, and wound-healing potentials of spirulina utilizing a rat model. Materials and Methods: Carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) was used to induce hepatotoxicity, while carrageenan was employed to induce hind paw inflammation. The wound healing capability was assessed by making a 6 mm round wound with a biopsy punch on the dorsal interscapular area of each rat. The animals were fed a diet mixed with spirulina at dosages of 250 and 500 mg.kg−1bwt. Paw thickness measurements were taken at 1, 3, and 6 h after carrageenan injection. Results: Intraperitoneal injection of CCl4 leads to hepatotoxicity, as evidenced by significantly elevated serum levels of alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase. Treatment with spirulina markedly reduced these biochemical markers. CCl4-induced hepatic cellular necrosis, central vein congestion, and steatosis were notably improved following spirulina administration. Additionally, spirulina treatment diminished paw edema and shortened wound closure time in a dose-dependent manner. Histopathological analysis of the inflamed paw revealed massive infiltration of inflammatory cells and thickening of the epidermis, both of which showed significant improvement with spirulina treatment. The anti-inflammatory and wound-healing effects of spir¬ulina were comparable to those of indomethacin, an established anti-inflammatory drug. Conclusion: Our findings demonstrate that Spirulina platensis possesses beneficial properties in counteracting hepatotoxicity and inflammation. Additionally, it exhibited significant wound-healing effects in rat models. These results reinforce the potential health advantages of spirulina as an effective functional food. [J Adv Vet Anim Res 2025; 12(1.000): 303-311]

Objectives: Lead (Pb), a toxic heavy metal, is a serious concern for poultry that negatively affects their productivity and health. To combat those issues efficiently, it is necessary to include feed supplements that have rich antioxidant properties for satisfactory health and productivity. Spirulina platensis (Sp), a microalgae, is a compound that provides several health benefits for humans and animals. This study explores that supplementation of Sp in diet as well as in water reduces the burden of Pb in different tissues, improves hematology, and improves the productive performance of advanced-age laying hens. Materials and methods: Forty birds were separated into four groups: the control (C), Spirulina (Sp), Pb, and (Pb + Sp) groups. The Pb group was given Pb acetate at a dose of 2 gm/l in water ad libitum for 4 weeks. Sp group was fed Sp at a dose of 4 gm/kg feed. The Pb + Sp group was given Pb and Sp as in the previous groups. Results: Productive performance and hematology such as hemoglobin (Hb), packed cell volume, red blood cell, mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular Hb (MCH) concentration, and MCH were significantly (p < 0.05) decreased in Pb-treated groups compared to controls. The distribution of Pb concentration was highest in the bones and lowest in the gizzard. However, Sp treatment significantly (p < 0.05) increased the productive performance and the hematological parameters. Moreover, Pb concentration in different organs significantly decreased in the group treated with Sp. Conclusion: This study indicates that Sp can possibly be used as a natural and powerful dietary additive to mitigate heavy metal intoxication in chickens, thereby being efficient and effective for production. [J Adv Vet Anim Res 2023; 10(4.000): 794-800]

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]

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 &lt; 0.01). Two measurable factors (serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase and serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase) were substantially (p &lt; 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]