Nowadays, the development of phytobiotics, an antibiotic-replacing agent, has attracted a considerable attention as poultry feed additive. The present study aims to develop the microcapsules loaded with a blend of essential oils (thyme, peppermint, savoury, and black pepper), and evaluate its health-promoting activity among the Clostridium perfringens-challenged broiler chickens. Based on the results, the spherical microcapsules containing a blend of thyme, summer savoury, peppermint, and black pepper essential oils had the particle size of 158.6 µm and encapsulation efficiency of 94.2%. The major bioactive compounds were thymol, carvacrol, p-cymene, and γ-terpinene. The microencapsulation of essential oil effectively prevented the release of bioactive phenolic compounds in the upper parts of the GIT. Additionally, it increased the delivery of the phenolic compounds to the lower segments of the GIT in the broiler chickens. The administration of the essential oil-loaded microcapsules (0.5, 1, and 2 kg/ton) in the C. perfringens-infected broiler chickens enhanced growth parameters, total feed intake, FCR, body antioxidant status, ileum morphostructure, and intestinal microbial population. Further, this treatment resulted in regulating the antioxidant and inflammation genes in ileum tissue. Consequently, the essential oil-loaded microcapsules can be considered as a promising phytobiotic against C. perfringens infection in broiler chickens.

Background: There have been some reports regarding supplementation of saffron petal extract on performance and egg quality in laying hens. However, the effect of saffron petal extract fed diet at different amounts on antioxidant status of laying hens and the impact of the resulting egg yolk on growth/inhibitory activity of cancer cells has not been fully studied.Objectives: The effect of dried saffron petal extract on the laying performance, egg qualitative traits, antioxidant status, and its inhibitory effect on cancer cells was studied.Methods: A total of 200 39‐week‐old Hy‐line W36 Leghorn laying hens were selected based on a completely randomised design in four treatments with five replications (10 hens per replication). The four treatment diets consisted of a basal diet with no supplement (control), and three diet supplement groups containing 40, 60 and 80 ppm of saffron petal extract.Results: Adding 80 ppm of saffron petal extract to layer diets increased egg production (p < 0.05). Malondialdehyde,1,1‐diphenyl‐2‐picrylhydrazyl value and Superoxide dismutase significantly improved by saffron petal dietary supplementation. The yolk weight and colour, Haugh unit and shell weight and thickness were also influenced (p < 0.05) with highest values achieved in the 60 ppm saffron extract supplemented diet. Results demonstrated a significant effect of saffron extract inclusion in the diet on the growth of Michigan Cancer Foundation‐7 and Prostate Cancer Cell in a positive dose‐dependent manner (p < 0.05) and the most intense inhibitory effect on cancer cells was observed with 60–80 ppm extract.Conclusions: Saffron petal extract can be used to potentially modulate the antioxidant status of laying hens and the inhibitory effect on cancer cells, best achieved with 60–80 ppm extract.

Background: There have been some reports indicating that supplementation of zinc could alleviate the negative effects of age on egg quality in laying hens. However, information regarding these positive effects on health and zinc deposition in the body is limited.Objectives: The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of organic and inorganic sources of zinc on the antioxidant activity, bone strength, and zinc deposition in the tissues of older laying hens.Methods: In a completely randomized design, 175 Leghorn laying hens (w36) aged 80 weeks were allocated into seven treatment groups and five replications: control (without zinc supplementation), zinc sulphate treatments (15, 30, and 45 mg/kg), and organic zinc treatments (15, 30, and 45 mg/kg).Results: There was a significant increase in feed intake in the zinc sulphate and organic zinc treatments compared to the control treatment (p < 0.05). The egg mass in organic and sulphate zinc showed a significant increase. The feed conversion ratio was decreased significantly in the organic zinc treatments (p < 0.05). Both organic and sulphate zinc supplements enhanced serum superoxide dismutase activity as an antioxidant index (p < 0.05). The cortical thickness of the tibia was improved in laying hens receiving 30 mg/kg organic zinc. Supplementation of zinc could lead to an increase in zinc deposition in tissues, and organic zinc boosts bone strength.Conclusion: Zinc supplementation can improve antioxidant activity, feed intake, and feed conversion ratio and enhance egg mass and optimal absorption of zinc in tissues. The use of 30 mg/kg organic zinc is recommended for improving the cortical thickness of the tibia in aged laying hens.

Background: It has been reported that supplementation of manganese (Mn) could alleviate the negative effects of age on egg quality in laying hens. However, limited information is available on compensatory ways in order to reduce the adverse effects of hen age on health and Mn deposition in the body.Objectives: The objectives were to investigate the effect of organic and inorganic sources of Mn on antioxidant activity, immune system, liver enzymes, shell quality and Mn deposition in the tissues of older laying hens.Methods: A total of 250, 80‐week‐old Leghorn laying hens (w36) were allocated into five treatment groups with five replications in a completely randomised design. Treatments were control (without Mn supplementation), 100% Mn sulphate, 75% Mn sulphate + 25% organic Mn chelate, 50% Mn sulphate + 50% organic Mn chelate and 25% Mn sulphate + 75% organic Mn chelate.Results: The groups fed 50 and 75% organic Mn chelate exhibited the lowest feed conversion ratio, as well as the maximum laying percentage, and egg weight and mass. Except to those fed 75% Mn sulphate, the hens received Mn supplements either as organic or inorganic, had higher immunoglobulin G and M compared with the control (p < 0.05). A significant elevation in the values of superoxide dismutase was observed in the hens receiving 50 and 75% organic Mn chelate when compared with the other treatments. The ALP activity decreased with increasing organic Mn chelate. Mn supplementation, either as organic or inorganic, increased Mn deposition in bone, egg yolk and shell, serum and liver.Conclusion: Dietary supplementation with 50–75% Mn–methionine has the potential to replace Mn‐sulphate in laying hens’ diet for improving eggshell quality, Mn deposition in the eggshell, antioxidant capacity and immune response, as well as improving laying performance, egg weight and feed conversion ratio.

Background: There have been some reports that supplementation of fat could alleviate the negative effects of heat stress on performance in broilers. However, information regarding compensation for the adverse effects of heat stress with diets differing in fatty acids source on immune system, bone strength and carcass quality of heat‐distressed broilers is limited.Objectives: The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of diets differing in fat source on performance, immune system, bone strength, and carcass quality of heat‐distressed broilers.Methods: In a completely randomized design with 4 × 2 factorial arrangement of the treatments, 320 24‐day‐old Ross 308 chickens, with average initial weight of 1220 ± 10 g were divided into eight treatments included sesame oil, tallow, sunflower oil and palm oil in either 22 or 32 degree of centigrade temperature. The broiler performance of each fat source‐treated group was not different in this experiment and decreased significantly in heat stress condition.Results: Heat stress showed a significant increase on fat, energy and ash content of thigh muscle. Tibia absolute length, width, ash and bone breaking strength were affected by fat source and increased when sesame and sunflower oil were used. Data analysis revealed that hot temperature decreased tibia weight, length, width, ash and bone breaking strength. Heat stress led to decrease of immune system parameters.Conclusion: Results suggest that there is no beneficial effect of broiler performance due to adding different sources of fat in broiler chicken diet under hot condition. Furthermore, the unsaturated fatty acids could improve the profile of fatty acids in thigh and enhance immune responses in broiler chickens.