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There were interactions between SAO supplementation and E. coli challenge for the activity of glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration in serum and for the activity of GSH-Px in the liver of birds. Supplementation of SAO enhanced the activities of antioxidant enzymes but decreased the MDA content in the serum and liver of birds, and it also enhanced the expression of genes including superoxide dismutase, catalase, and nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) in the liver of the birds. Meanwhile, supplementation of SAO can also reduce E. coli challenge-induced oxidative stress in the serum and liver of birds, and the efficacy of SAO in birds during subclinical E. coli challenge is dose-dependent. In conclusion, the enhancement of antioxidant capacity by star anise or its effective compounds is through upregulation of Nrf2 signaling pathway. The optimum supplementation dose of SAO for protecting birds against E. coli challenge is 400 mg/kg.Emerging market differentiation for broiler meat from strains exhibiting a range of growth rates is necessitating comparative research on various physiological and production aspects of these strains. The objective of the present study was to compare select gastrointestinal, tibial, and plasma attributes in a sample of 48-day-old (50 male and 50 female) broilers obtained from fast-and slow-growing flocks maintained under similar feed and management regimens. Eight birds were randomly selected from a fast (B; representative of modern commercial strains) and each of the 4 slow-growing strains (SG; D, H, M, and E). The strains differed by estimated time to reach 2.2 kg bodyweight corresponding to 36, 50, 42, 44, and 50 D for B, D, H, M, and E, respectively. Blood samples were collected to determine plasma metabolites, and birds were subsequently euthanized, weighed, and necropsied for gizzard and small intestine weight, jejunal tissue for histomorphology, ceca digesta samples for concentration of short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) and left tibia for ash content. Gizzard was heavier (P 0.05) from any strain. Specifically, the tibia ash for B, D, H, SG 3, and E were 1.24, 1.44, 1.43, 1.49, and 1.39 g/kg BW, respectively. The B birds showed higher (P less then 0.01) plasma concentrations of aspartate transaminase, creatine kinase, lactate dehydrogenase, and creatinine than SG strains. In conclusion, although B and some SG strains had lighter gastrointestinal tract indicative of energy efficiency, higher circulating plasma enzymes in B birds suggested impaired hepatic function. Moreover, lower tibia ash in B suggested disproportionate body mass relative to skeletal support.This present study was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary supplementation of chitosan (CS) on carcass composition and meat quality in growing Huoyan geese. A total of 320 (28-day-old) growing Huoyan geese (sex balance) with similar body weight were randomly divided into the following 4 main groups basal diet (control), basal diet + 100 mg/kg CS (CS100), basal diet + 200 mg/kg CS (CS200), and basal diet + 400 mg/kg CS (CS400) groups. Each group includes 4 replicates with 20 geese per replicate, and the feeding trail lasted for 4 wk. The results showed that the geese in CS200 group had lower abdominal fat percentage, b∗ value, shear force, crude fat content, and drip loss of breast and thigh muscle than those in the control group (P less then 0.05). In addition, the CS200 group had higher glutamic acid, glycine, lysine, valine, total nonessential amino acids, total essential amino acids, total amino acids, C220, C161, C181, C201, C202, C205, total monounsaturated fatty acids concentration and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), and saturated fatty acids (SFA) ratio and lower total SFA, total PUFA concentration, and total n-6n-3 ratio in breast muscle than the control group (P less then 0.05). Taken together, these results indicated that addition of 200 mg/kg CS improved meat quality in growing Huoyan geese through altering slaughter performance, meat traits, amino acids, and fatty acids composition.The effects of different rearing systems (RS) including cage rearing systems (CRS), litter rearing systems (LRS), and perforated plastic slate rearing systems (PSRS) on the productive performance, carcass traits, blood hematological and biochemical parameters, and humoral immunity in broiler chickens exposed to heat stress were investigated. A total of 270 1-day-old Avian 48 chicks were randomly assigned to 3 groups equally, each was divided into 9 replicates (each of 10 birds) housed in studied RS. Results revealed that CRS had higher (P less then 0.001) body weight and weight gain at all experimental periods (except in the sixth wk for weight gain) followed by LRS. Birds housed in PSRS consumed lower (P less then 0.001) feed than those in CRS (during the fourth to sixth and overall periods) and LRS (during all experimental periods except the second one). Best values of feed conversion ratio and European broiler index were shown in CR birds. All carcass traits were not altered by different RS except the percentages of dressing, liver, breast, and left filet, which were elevated (P less then 0.05) in caged birds. Eosinophil, lymphocyte, basophil, and monocyte counts and phagocytic index and activity were reduced (P less then 0.05 or P less then 0.01) in LRS. SCR7 manufacturer Humoral immune response against the Newcastle disease virus and avian influenza were not differed. Birds in LRS showed higher (P less then 0.05) serum cholesterol, uric acid, and lactate dehydrogenase as well as liver and muscle cholesterol contents. Lipid peroxidation was reduced (P less then 0.05) in the LRS and PSRS groups, whereas superoxide dismutase was elevated (P less then 0.05) in CRS and LRS. Thus, CRS and LRS were preferred for better growth performance and carcass traits of heat-stressed broilers, whereas CRS and PSRS were better in reducing tissue cholesterol under the conditions of our study.The present study investigated the impacts of dried okra fruit powder (DOFP), used as a natural feed supplement, on growth, carcass, blood, and meat quality parameters of broilers. A total of 240 unsexed, one-week-old chicks were randomly allotted to 4 equal groups with 6 replicates in each group (i.e., 10 birds/replicate). The dietary treatments consisted of the basal diet as control, and 3 DOFP groups, supplemented with 1.0, 2.0, and 3.0 g DOFP/kg feed, respectively. The results showed that the highest values of live body weight and body weight gain were observed in the group with 1.0 g of DOFP/kg of feed during the fifth week of age and between 1 and 5 wk of age, respectively. During 1 to 3 wk of age, daily feed consumption of chicks fed DOFP-supplemented diets increased numerically with increasing DOFP levels. Dietary treatments significantly depressed liver, thigh, and dressing fat percentages. Chicks fed the diet containing 1.0 g of DOFP/kg of feed had the lowest values for serum urea and creatinine compared with the other treatment group.