Salient Achievements :-
- Analysis of Heat shock proteins (HSP70) expression during cyclic heat stress in broiler chickens and amelioration of heat stress by ascorbic acid supplementation.
Day old chicks of Cobb broiler birds and White leg horn (WLH) layer birds of 10-12 weeks age were procured from Private hatcheries of Jabalpur. The birds were maintained in battery cage system in a well ventilated room in the College poultry experimental unit. Control birds exposed to 26±1.0°C were maintained using air conditioner. A total of 500 broiler and 96 layer birds randomly divided into eight groups was used for the experiment. Plasma HSP70 and corticosterone status of broilers and egg type growers reveals that 200 mg ascorbic acid supplementation in feed is most effective in combating the rigors of heat stress, followed by 300 mg ascorbic acid supplementation. Relative mRNA expression (fold chain) of HSP70 gene in the liver samples of broilers and egg type growers enunciates that maximum down regulation is observed by feeding of 200 mg ascorbic acid, followed by 300 mg ascorbic acid supplemented group. This further indicates reduction in cellular stress at gene level by ascorbic acid. Significant increase in plasma glucose concentration is indicative of glucogenic effect of ascorbic acid in chickens. Reduction in thiobarbituric acid value indicates amelioration in oxidative stress via reduced lipid peroxidation in chickens. Improved production performance of chickens indicates beneficial effects of ascorbic acid during heat stress. No mortality was reported in groups supplemented with 200 mg and 300 mg ascorbic acid in both comfort and heat stressed chickens. However, control group recorded 16.67 % and 18.18 % mortality in heat stressed broilers and layers respectively.
- Effect of organic trace minerals supplementation on expression of some immune regulatory genes and antioxidant defence system in broilers.
A total of 312 broiler birds randomly divided into thirteen groups (n=24) were used for the experiment. Broilers were kept in closed ventilated system for 35 days during the experimental period. Blood samples (approx. 2 ml) were collected on day 21, 28 and 35 from each bird of all experimental groups. Supplementation of organic form of Zn, Se and Cr (40, 0.30 and 2 mg/kg, respectively) either alone or in combination increases humoral immune response and in turn decreases the level of stress in broilers. Up-regulation of cytokine IL-10 gene expression in the spleen indicates beneficial effect of organic trace minerals in augmentation of immunological apparatus in broilers. Up-regulation of CxCLi2 gene expression in bursa of fabricius and spleen indicates beneficial effect of organic trace minerals in potentiation of immune system in broilers. Also, up-regulation of immunoregulatory genes (chTLR2b, chTLR4, chIL-12p35 and chIFN-g) expression in bursa and spleen indicates beneficial effect of organic trace minerals in augmentation of immune system in broilers. Organic Cr is found to be necessary for glucose utilization in tissues and it also enhances protein synthesis, thus helps in faster body growth in broilers. Supplementation of organic form of Zn, Se and Cr (40, 0.30 and 2 mg/kg, respectively) improved anti-oxidant status of the broilers (reduced LP and increased activity of SOD, GSH Px and CAT). Supplementation of basal broiler diets with the organic form of Se (0.30 mg/kg) either alone or in combination with Zn and Cr (40, 2 mg/kg) improved production performance of broilers. Organic Zn, Se and Cr supplementation showed better antioxidant and anti-inflammatory status, which could be translated into lower mortality in broilers.
- Effect of betaine supplementation on production, reproductive performance and antioxidant status in postpartum murrah buffaloes.
A total of eighteen lactating Murrah buffaloes of 3rd to 5th parity were randomly selected for the study. The animals were selected on the basis of similarity in body weight, parity and age and free from any anatomical, physiological and infectious disorders. Supplementation of betaine at rate of 50 and 100 g/day/animal enhanced body weight, milk yield, milk fat% but did not change milk protein%, milk lactose% and improved reproductive performance in terms of reduced first postpartum heat and service period in Murrah buffaloes via ameliorating adverse impact of metabolic stress during lactation. Betaine supplementation in Murrah buffaloes improved postpartum metabolic status than control group of animals via diminishing negative energy balance (NEBAL) but did not influence their heamatological parameters. Betaine supplementation slightly improved postpartum thyroid, estrogen and progesterone profile, reduced cortisol concentration than control group and helps in early postpartum commencement of cyclicity in Murrah buffaloes. Supplementation of betaine during lactation period increased humoral immune response, antioxidant capacity and reduced heat shock protein (HSP70) concentration in buffaloes thus alleviates the level of metabolic and oxidative stress.
