We examined the influence of caffeine on honeybee lifespan, Nosema resistance, key enzyme activities, metabolic compound concentrations, and total DNA methylation levels. Caffeine slowed age-related metabolic tendencies. Bees that consumed caffeine lived longer and were not infested with Nosema spp. Caffeine-treated workers had higher protein concentrations. The levels increased with aging but they then decreased in older bees. Caffeine increased the activities of antioxidant enzymes (SOD, GPx, CAT, GST), AST, ALT, ALP, neutral proteases, and protease inhibitors, and the concentrations of uric acid, triglycerides, cholesterol, glucose, and Ca²⁺. Acidic and alkaline protease activities were lower in the bees treated with caffeine. Creatinine and Mg²⁺ concentrations were higher in the caffeine-treated workers but only up to 14 days of age. Caffeine significantly decreased DNA methylation levels in older bees. The compound could be considered as a natural diet supplement increasing apian resistance to stress factors. Our studies will enhance possibilities of using Apis mellifera as a model organism in gerontological studies.

It was postulated that a phytobiotic preparation containing cinnamon oil and citric acid added to drinking water for chickens in a suitable amount and for a suitable time would beneficially modify the microbiota composition and morphology of the small intestine, thereby improving immunity and growth performance without inducing metabolic disorders. The aim of the study was to establish the dosage and time of administration of such a phytobiotic that would have the most beneficial effect on the intestinal histology and microbiota, production results, and immune and metabolic status of broiler chickens. The experiment was carried out on 980 one-day-old male chickens until the age of 42 days. The chickens were assigned to seven experimental groups of 140 birds each (seven replications of 20 individuals each). The control group (G-C) did not receive the phytobiotic. Groups CT-0.05, CT-0.1, and CT-0.25 received the phytobiotic in their drinking water in the amount of 0.05, 0.1, and 0.2 mL/L, respectively, at days 1–42 of life (continuous application, CT). The birds in groups PT-0.05, PT-0.5, and PT-0.25 received the phytobiotic in the same amounts, but only at days 1–7, 15–21, and 29–35 of life (periodic application, PT). Selected antioxidant and biochemical parameters were determined in the blood of the chickens, as well as parameters of immune status and redox status. The morphology of the intestinal epithelium, composition of the microbiome, and production parameters of chickens receiving the phytobiotic in their drinking water were determined as well. The addition of a phytobiotic containing cinnamon oil and citric acid to the drinking water of broiler chickens at a suitable dosage and for a suitable time can beneficially modify the microbiome composition and morphometry of the small intestine (total number of fungi p < 0.001, total number of aerobic bacteria p < 0.001; and total number of coliform bacteria p < 0.001 was decreased) improving the immunity and growth performance of the chickens (there occurred a villi lengthening p = 0.002 and crypts deepening p = 0.003). Among the three tested dosages (0.05, 0.1, and 0.25 mL/L of water) of the preparation containing cinnamon oil, the dosage of 0.25 mL/L of water administered for 42 days proved to be most beneficial. Chickens receiving the phytobiotic in the amount of 0.25 mL/L had better growth performance, which was linked to the beneficial effect of the preparation on the microbiome of the small intestine, metabolism (the HDL level p = 0.017 was increased; and a decreased level of total cholesterol (TC) p = 0.018 and nonesterified fatty acids (NEFA) p = 0.007, LDL p = 0.041, as well as triacylglycerols (TAG) p = 0.014), and immune (the level of lysozyme p = 0.041 was increased, as well as the percentage of phagocytic cells p = 0.034, phagocytosis index p = 0.038, and Ig-A level p = 0.031) and antioxidant system (the level of LOOH p < 0.001, MDA p = 0.002, and the activity of Catalase (CAT) p < 0.001 were decreased, but the level of ferric reducing ability of plasma (FRAP) p = 0.029, glutathione p = 0.045 and vitamin C p = 0.021 were increased).

Enzymatic activity assays, used mainly to show biochemical transformations in humans and mammals, have recently found increasing application in birds. Enzyme activity in birds is affected by numerous factors, including age, sex, species, breed, nutrition, physiological state, and farming techniques. In large-scale poultry breeding, in a flock that may number over ten thousand birds, individual birds may be in different stages of development of a disease process, and may respond differently to stress factors present during rearing. There is also high individual variation among birds, so that results of enzyme activity analyses fall within fairly broad ranges. The aim of this paper is to review experiments on the activity of selected antioxidant, liver and cardiac enzyme profiles in turkey tissues. The results of many years of measurements of the activity of selected enzymes, presented in this study, may be considered physiologically normal for this group of birds. Analyses of the activity of these enzymes are important in determining whether oxidative stress reactions are induced in cells and which cells or organs have been damaged. During oxidative stress, which leads to cell damage or organ dysfunction (of the liver or heart), there is generally an increase in the activity of AST, ALT, ALP, LDH, GGT, SORD, MDH, AC, G6PC, G6PD, Cp, CK and HBDH, and a decrease in that of SOD, GPx, CAT, ACHE, BCHE, SDH, Ca2+ATPase. On the basis of the literature reviewed it can be concluded that the use of feed components and supplements with antioxidant or immunostimulatory properties can mitigate oxidative stress, which is manifested as beneficial changes in the activity of these enzymes.

The aim of the study was to test whether the use of probiotic bacteria Bacillus subtilis or Enterococcus faecium or a phytobiotic containing cinnamon oil can improve the metabolic parameters, immune status, gut microbiota and histology, and growth performance of broiler chickens. The experiment was carried out on 560 one-day-old male Ross 308 broiler chickens raised until the age of 42 days. The broiler chickens were assigned to 4 experimental groups of 140 birds each (7 replications of 20 individuals each). The control group (Control) did not receive additives. A probiotic preparation containing live bacterial cultures of Enterococcus faecium (EF, in the amount of 0.25 g/l) or Bacillus subtilis (BS, 0.25 g/l) or a phytobiotic preparation containing cinnamon oil (OC, 0.25 ml/l) was administered to the broiler chickens with their drinking water throughout the rearing period. The most important results indicate that the use of BS and OC resulted in: a significant (P≤0.05) increase in the level of ferric reducing ability of plasma (FRAP), high-density cholesterol (HDL) and glutathione (GSH + GSSH) and a significant (P≤0.05) decrease in the level of malondialdehyde (MDA), lipid hydroperoxides (LOOH), total cholesterol (TC), triacylglycerols (TAG), nonesterified fatty acids (NEFA) and interleukin 6 (IL-6), a ratio of heterophils : leukocytes (H:L) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), acidic phosphatase (AC) and creatinine kinase (CK), relative to the C group. In the blood of broiler chickens from the OC treatment, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), lactate dehydrogenase activity and 3-hydroxy-butyrate dehydrogenase (HBDH) significantly (P≤0.05) decreased in relation to the C group, and in broiler chickens from EF and BS treatments there was an increase (P≤0.05) in haemoglobin (Hb) content. Compared with group C, in the broiler chickens’ nutritional content from EF, BS and OC treatments, the total number of coliforms and number of fungi significantly (P≤0.05) dropped and the number of aerobic bacteria increased (P≤0.05) in the length of the villus and the depth of the crypt. It has been found that Bacillus subtilis , Enterococcus faecium and phytobiotic containing cinnamon oil can improve the microbiological and histological appearance of broiler chicken intestine. The addition of probiotic bacteria Bacillus subtilis or phytobiotic containing cinnamon oil to drinking water is more preferable than Enterococcus faecium regarding stimulation of the immune system, blood redox status parameters, parameters of metabolic changes and the gut microbiome and morphometry.

Genetic advance aimed at accelerating the growth rate of slaughter birds have reduced the natural resistance of poultry to infections. It also increased susceptibility to stress, which resulted in deterioration of the welfare and productivity of poultry. Additionally, intensive poultry production poses a risk of exposure of chickens to unfavorable zoo-hygienic conditions and contamination with pathogens from the external environment (bedding, water, feed, hen house staff, sick birds in the flock). Due to the potential production losses, measures are taken to improve the health and effectiveness of bird rearing, for example by using growth stimulants and improving the composition of the gastrointestinal microbiome and improving metabolism and the work of the immune system. The addition of phytobiotics to feed or drinking water supports digestion and metabolism in the body, stimulates the growth and development of a useful microbiome, limits the multiplication and adhesion of pathogens, and improves the structure and functioning of enterocytes. The aim of this study is to present the health benefits resulting from the use of phytobiotics in poultry production, as well as to make people aware of the dangers of incompetent incorporation of herbs into feed mixtures or into drinking water. Due to the fact that not all species of animals react equally to a given plant, the selection of plant materials should be carefully considered and matched to the expected benefits. By using phytobiotics you can improve growth and performance of broiler chickens, through greatly improve digestion and nutrient assimilation. Plant additives can improve health through stimulate immunity and increase resistance to stress. Using of phitobiotics improve the quality of meat and eggs, increase the weight of valuable parts of carcass (pectoral and leg muscles) and stimulate laying. Unfortunately, due to the potentially toxic effect of an excess of certain herbs on the work of the liver, and the adverse changes in the palatability of eggs, use caution in the use some herbs e.g. of garlic, turmeric, rapeseed, alfa alfa, shiny privet or moringa.