BACKGROUND: Vitamin C and Carum copticum with antioxidant activity may eliminate the negative effects of heat stress on broiler performance and immunity.OBJECTIVES: This experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of feeding heat-stressed broilers with Carum copticum seed powder (CSP) and vitamin C (VC) on their growth performance, blood metabolites, carcass characteristics, and meat quality.METHODS: Herein, we carried out A 2*3 factorial arrangement in a completely randomized design with six treatments, including three levels of CSP (0, 0.75 and 1.5 % of diet), two levels of VC (0 and 250 mg/kg of DM of diet), and four replicates, on 240 one-day-old male Ross 308 broilers. The collected data were analyzed using PROC GLM of SAS. Treatment means were compared employing the Tukey test.RESULTS: The effect of CSP on their performance was not significant whereas VC treatment improved weight gain significantly (P<0.01). Interaction of CSP and VC on weight gain and feed conversion ratio was significant as broilers fed with 250 mg VC and those fed with 1.5 % CSP had the best WG and FCR (P<0.01). The addition of VC decreased the concentration of alkaline phosphatase in the blood (P<0.05). The heterophil to lymphocyte ratio was reduced through the use of VC and 1.5 % CSP (P<0.05). CSP supplementation at the rate of 1.5 % increased the relative weight of bursa of fabricius (P<0.05). Dripping loss percentage was reduced in birds fed with 1.5 % CP and VC (P<0.01). The effect of CSP and their interaction on water holding capacity was significant and the highest amount belonged to the birds fed with 1.5 % CSP (P<0.01). Additionally, VC increased meat ash percentage compared to the control group (P<0.01).CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study indicated that addition of 250 mg VC and 1.5 % CSP could be conducive to improving growth performance, blood metabolites, and meat quality of broilers under heat stress conditions.

BACKGROUND: Carnitine biosynthesis needs methionine and lysine amino acids, vitamins niacin and ascorbic acid. So the usage of both L-carnitine and vitamin C may  improve the effects of only L-carnitine. OBJECTIVES: This study was carried out to investigate the effects of different levels of L-carnitine and vitamin C on the growth performance‚ body composition; blood serum parameters in Rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) were investigated. METHODS: For this purpose, 540 fingerlings with the average weight 40±2 g were arranged in treatments including 3 vitamin C levels: zero, 500, 1000 and 2 L-carnitine levels: zero, 800 (mg/kg diet), with 3 replicates. RESULTS: Results showed weight gain, special growth rate and feed conversion ratio in the level of 500/800 vitamin C/L-carnitine had a significant increase compared to control (p<0.05). The highest and the lowest lipid content were observed in control and 1000/800vitamin C/ L-carnitine, respectively (p<0.05). The highest protein content was observed in 500/800 vitamin C/L-carnitine (p<0.05). Cholesterol and glucose showed a significant decrease in 500/800 vitamin C/L-carnitine. It was observed that 1000/800 vitamin C/L-carnitine caused significant decrease in blood triglycerides (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Finally, it was determined that using vitamin C 500 and L-carnitine 800 mg/kg diet caused some improvement in growth performance with no  negative effects on blood parameters.

BACKGROUND: Vitamin C is one of the important nutrients in fish culture and as a potent anti-oxidant, is of great importance in preserving cells against oxidation and boosting resistance in stress conditions and against pathogens. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of the present study is to add high level of vitamin C supplementation to rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) diet reared at high density and analysis of growth indices, survival and carcass composition at two different stocking densities. METHODS: Rainbow trout juveniles with initial body weight of 9.6 ± 0.69 g at two densities of 50 and 100 pieces in 50 liters of water were fed two diets containing the same level of protein and fat. Experimental diets were diet 1 without adding vitamin and diet 2 with adding 1500 mg/kg of vitamin C. A total number of 900 rainbow trout juveniles in four treatments each with three replicates as T50 (0) (with the density of 50 and fed with diet 1), T100 (0) (with the density of 100 and fed with diet 1), T50 (C) (with the density of 50 and fed with diet 2) and T100 (C) (with the density of 100 and fed with diet 2) were randomly distributed in incubators. RESULTS: After 6 weeks of feeding, growth indices, feed conversion ratio and viability were significantly different between treatments (p<0.05). T50 (0) and T50(C) treatments had higher weight gain, specific growth rate and viability than T100 (0) and T100(C) (p<0.05). In the case of feed conversion ratio, it was higher in T100 (0) and T100(C) treatments compared to T50 (0) and T50(C) ones (p<0.05). Carcass composition was not significantly different between treatments (p>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The results showed that vitamin C supplementation in the diet of rainbow trout juveniles did not have significant effects on growth indices, feed conversion ratio, survival and carcass composition but density was a key factor in growth, feed conversion ratio and survival in this species.

Fifteen days old Jersey crossbred calf was brought to the hospital with the history of sudden hair fall around the trunk and legs and the other calf was apparently normal in twin birth. Clinical examination revealed severe alopecia in both fore limbs, hind limbs, trunks and easy epilation of hairs, along with erythematous skin and pruritus and mild scaling around its thighs, flanks and trunk. Dermatological analysis of skin scrapings revealed negative for ectoparasites and trichogram showed no hair growth abnormalities. Haemato-biochemical parameters were in normal range except low plasma ascorbic acid (0.16 mg/dL). The case was diagnosed as vitamin C responsive dermatosis and treated with single dose of intravenous injection of 2.5 g of ascorbic acid diluted with normal saline. The owner was advised to follow tab. vitamin C total dose of 2 g/day for 10 days orally. After one week, further hair was loss ceased and complete regrowth of hair noticed after four weeks of treatment.&nbsp;

The present study was designed to determine the adverse effect of sodium benzoate (SB), vitamin C (Vit.C) alone and their combination on liver and kidney functions in rabbits. Thirty-six adult male rabbits were divided randomly into six equal groups. Group 1 (Control group) received orally distal water, group 2: Vit.C (200mg/kg BW/day) received orally, group 3: received orally SB (60 mg/kg BW/day), group 4: received orally SB (120 mg/kg BW/day). Group 5: received orally SB+Vit.C (60+200 mg/ kg BW/day) and group 6: received orally SB+Vit.C (120+200 mg/ kg BW/day). The result revealed a significant increment in ALT, AST, ALP and MDA in groups 4, 5 and 6 while total protein levels increased in G3 and G4 and decrease in G5 and G6 compared to control and another treated groups. The urea and creatinine levels increased in G5 and G6 as compared to another groups. In conclusion that SB administration alone and together with Vit.C caused adverse effect on liver and kidney functions compared to the group treated with the Vit.C alone and control groups.

The present study was designed to determine the adverse effect of sodium benzoate(SB), vitamin C (Vit.C) alone and of their combination on reproductive functions inrabbits. Thirty-six adult male rabbits were divided randomly into six equal groups. Group1 (Control group) received orally distal water, group 2: Vit.C (200mg/kg BW/day)received orally, group 3: received orally SB (60 mg/kg BW/day), group 4: received orallySB (120 mg/kg BW/day). Group 5: received orally SB+Vit.C (60+200 mg/ kg BW/day)and group 6: received orally SB+Vit.C (120+200 mg/ kg BW/day). The result revealed asignificant decrease in serum testosterone concentrations in all treated groups ascompared with Vit.C and control group. Significant differences were observed in spermconcentration, viability, abnormality and significant decrease in sperm motility in groupstreated with combination of SB and Vit.C as compared with control. A significantimprovement in sperm concentration, sperm motility, viability and abnormality in G2(Vit.C) group compared with all-treated groups. Histopathological changes in testiculartissues in groups treated with SB+Vit.C showed marked vacuolation and degeneration ofseminiferous tubules, with arresting of spermatogenesis.

The present study was designed to determine the ameliorative effect of melatonin (Mel),vitamin C (Vit.C) alone and their combination on liver and kidney functions in acrylamide (ACR)intoxicated rats(administration ACR for 45days). Forty eight adult male rats were divided randomlyinto two main groups. Control group (no=20) subdivided into two groups: groupI: ten animals ofcontrol administration distal water and group II:ten animals give Mel(5mg/kgBW) for 21 days.second group: the ACR treated group(n=40) subdivided into ACR+distal water orally, ACR+Mel(5mg/kg BW/day), ACR+Vit.C (200 mg/kg BW/day), ACR+Mel (5mg)+Vit.C (200 mg)/kg BW/dayfor 21 days. The result revealed that no significant differences in serum AST, ALT and ALPenzymes levels between control group treated with Mel and control group. A significant reduction inserum AST, ALT and ALP levels were recorded in all treated groups compared with ACR-nontreated group in which the above cited parameters still significantly higher compared with control.No significant differences were recorded in serum total protein, urea and creatinine concentrationsbetween control+Mel treated group compared with control. A significant improvement in serum totalprotein, urea and creatinine concentrations were recorded in all treated groups compared with ACRnontreated group.

Stress is commonly used to describe the detrimental effectsof a variety of conditions surrounding animals on their health performance. Environmental stress causes an increasein oxidative stress and an imbalance in antioxidant status. Oxidative damage increases in stressed poultry when the plasma antioxidant vitamins and minerals such as vitamin C, E, folic acid, and zinclevels declined. Stress factors in birds involve many elements of the transport processes which may be detrimental to the birds. These factors include alteration in atmospheric temperature, poor handlingby man, removal of feed and water (starvation), high ambient temperature (AT) and relative humidity (RH). Other factors incude vaccination, disease conditions such as coccidiosis, novelty,confinement, motion, noise, microthermal core within the vehicle and the use of inappropriate vehicles. Live birds of all ages are being transported mainly by roads to their various destinations and across different ecological zones throughout the year. Mortality increaseswith journey length. The adverse effects of these factors and their combinations may range from mild discomfort and aversion to death. This review was aimed at providing comprehensive information on the role of vitamin C in combating stress factors in poultry with the view of exploring its potentials for future research undertaking.Information compiled in this review were obtained from search engines such as Elsevier, Pubmed, Springer, Medline, Science Direct, Google Scholar, and a library search for articles published in peerreviewedjournals. 100 to 200 mg/kg feed of vitamin C is capable of converting stress factors in poultry and thereby improving the productivity.