Key findings
- A study from Ilam University in Iran investigated dietary intervention to reduce ascites in cold-stressed broiler chickens.
- A diet containing Syrian mesquite, L-arginine, and vitamin E improved growth and reduced ascites in chickens.
- Chickens fed these diets had lower blood pressure and cardiac stress, indicating better health.
- The plant extract and L-arginine also regulate genes related to blood pressure and oxidative stress, providing a dual mechanism for managing ascites.
Ascites in broiler chickens is a metabolic disorder characterized by insufficient pulmonary vascular capacity and represents a major challenge for poultry farmers, especially under cold stress conditions. This condition, also known as pulmonary hypertension syndrome, can lead to high mortality and economic losses. A recent study conducted by Ilam University in Iran aimed to investigate dietary interventions that could mitigate the occurrence of ascites in broiler chickens exposed to cold environments.[1]The study investigated the effects of various natural and synthetic pharmaceuticals on growth performance, ascites-related parameters, and expression of specific genes in lung tissue. The researchers randomly assigned 450 one-day-old male Ross 308 chicks to six dietary treatments: a control group fed a basal diet and five experimental groups supplemented with hydroalcoholic extract of sumac (HES), Syrian mesquite (HEM), l-arginine, captopril, and vitamin E. The results showed that the diet containing HEM, l-arginine, and vitamin E significantly improved the average daily gain of chickens during a specific growth period compared to the control diet (p < 0.05). These feed additives also reduced red blood cell volume, left and right ventricular volumes, and systolic blood pressure, indicating a reduction in ascites-related symptoms. Interestingly, this study found that chickens fed the control and L-arginine diets had higher levels of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) mRNA in lung tissue compared to chickens fed HES, HEM, or captopril (p < 0.05). This is important because ACE is involved in regulating blood pressure and fluid balance, and its inhibition has been shown to reduce oxidative stress in the vasculature, as demonstrated in previous studies.[2]Additionally, HEM and L-arginine supplementation increased inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) mRNA expression in lung tissue compared to other treatments (p < 0.05). iNOS is an enzyme that produces nitric oxide, a molecule that relaxes blood vessels and improves blood flow, which may be beneficial in reducing pulmonary hypertension.[3]The study also noted that the feed additives increased the mRNA levels of Cu/Zn-superoxide dismutase (Cu/Zn-SOD) in lung tissue, with the exception of captopril (p < 0.05). Cu/Zn-SOD is an antioxidant enzyme that neutralizes reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reduces oxidative stress. This finding is consistent with previous studies showing that antioxidants can improve cardiopulmonary function by reducing oxidative damage.[3]One of the key findings from this study is that plant extracts such as HES and HEM may reduce the incidence of ascites syndrome not only through their antioxidant properties but also by regulating the expression of ACE, iNOS, and Cu/Zn-SOD genes. This dual mechanism of action provides a promising approach for ascites management in broiler chickens, especially under cold stress conditions. Moreover, the inclusion of L-arginine in the diet is particularly noteworthy. Previous studies have shown that L-arginine can improve pulmonary vascular function by increasing the bioavailability of nitric oxide and reducing oxidative stress.[3]The current findings support this, with L-arginine supplementation increasing iNOS expression and improving growth performance. In summary, this study provides valuable insights into the potential of dietary interventions to reduce ascites in broiler chickens. The use of natural plant extracts and L-arginine may be effective in reducing oxidative stress and improving lung function, thereby alleviating the symptoms of ascites. These results may pave the way for more effective and sustainable management strategies against ascites in poultry farming.
Health Genetics Animal Science
References
Main Research
1) Diets containing phytobiotics, L-arginine, vitamin E, and captopril modulate the expression of ascites syndrome-related genes in broiler chickens exposed to a cold environment.
Issued on July 25, 2024
https://doi.org/10.1002/vms3.1542
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