Journal of Applied Poultry Research最新文献

{"title":"Isolation and molecular characterization of multidrug-resistant APEC isolates from Pakistan poultry, including high-risk ST410 subclones","authors":"Zulquernain Haider ,&nbsp;Zafar Hayat ,&nbsp;Shafiq ur Rehman","doi":"10.1016/j.japr.2026.100665","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.japr.2026.100665","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Colibacillosis is a systemic disease of poultry caused by avian pathogenic <em>Escherichia coli</em> (APEC). The prevalence rate of colibacillosis in Pakistani poultry production ranges 12.5- 89.2% with 20- 40% mortality. Many studies have reported the high prevalence of serotype O78, O1, O2, and O18 while a significant number of isolates remain non-typeable. The current study was conducted to isolate and characterize non-typeable or less commonly reported APEC isolates from Pakistani poultry. A total of ten APEC isolates were isolated from heart, liver, and lungs of morbid birds showing typical symptoms of colibacillosis. The isolates were characterized by the Congo red binding assay, phylotyping, serotyping, virulence factor profiling, and antibiotic susceptibility testing. The genomic DNA of five isolates were sequenced and characterized for virulence associated genes (VAGs), antibiotic resistance associated genes (ARAs), multi-locus sequence typing and phylogenetic analysis. The predominant virulence factors included o<em>mpA, IbeB, mat, irp2, iucD, iroN, and iutA.</em> All isolates were multidrug resistant with highest resistance against ampicillin/β-lactams, quinolones/fluoroquinolones, and cephems. The virulence associated genes (VAGs) of the studied APEC isolates were compared to VAGs of previously reported APEC isolates. Three isolates of high-risk ST410 representing B2/B3-H24R subclones were identified. In conclusion, these APEC isolates from diseased broiler birds exhibited high pathogenic potential and one health risks due to zoonotic MDR <em>E. coli</em> strains. All strains showed multidrug resistance to β-lactams, quinolones, and cephems, while pangenome clustering highlights genomic plasticity and niche specialization driving convergent pathogenicity across diverse isolates and clades in Pakistani poultry.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":15240,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Applied Poultry Research","volume":"35 2","pages":"Article 100665"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2026-01-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145923047","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Dietary phytogenic effects on cytoprotective and inflammatory responses in the ceca of laying hens","authors":"Evangelos C. Anagnostopoulos ,&nbsp;Ioannis Brouklogiannis ,&nbsp;Vasileios V. Paraskeuas ,&nbsp;Eirini Griela ,&nbsp;Aikaterini Koutsaviti ,&nbsp;Renata Breitsma ,&nbsp;Milan Hruby ,&nbsp;Efstathia Ioannou ,&nbsp;Konstantinos C. Mountzouris","doi":"10.1016/j.japr.2026.100664","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.japr.2026.100664","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study aimed to evaluate the effects of a phytogenic premix (PP) on critical gene components relevant to detoxification (AhR), antioxidant (Nrf2) and inflammatory (NF-κB) responses in the ceca of laying hens. The PP (Anco FIT Poultry) consisted of bioactive compounds derived from ginger, lemon balm, oregano, and thyme combined on clay-based functional carriers. A total of 385, 20-week-old, Hy-Line Brown layers were assigned to five treatments with seven replicates of eleven hens each. Treatments received a corn-soybean meal basal diet with no PP (CON) or supplemented with PP at 500 (P500), 750 (P750), 1000 (P1000) and 1500 mg/kg diet (P1500), respectively. The feeding trial lasted 12 weeks. At the 8^th and 12^th week of the experiment (i.e., 28^th and 32^nd week of layers’ age), ceca samples were collected and stored deep frozen until qPCR analysis. The nutrigenomic results revealed that at the 8^th week, diets supplemented with PP down-regulated (<em>P</em> ≤ 0.05) most of the AhR and the NF-κB pathway genes assessed in the ceca, while they up-regulated (<em>P</em> ≤ 0.05) genes involved in the Nrf2 pathway. In addition, at the 12^th week, PP dietary inclusion beneficially modulated (<em>P</em> ≤ 0.05) the AhR, Nrf2 and NF-κB pathway-related genes assessed in the ceca. In conclusion, according to the gene expression analysis, PP dietary inclusion appears to influence pathways related to detoxification, inflammation, and antioxidant responses, with the most pronounced effects observed at inclusion levels of 1000 to 1500 mg/kg diet.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":15240,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Applied Poultry Research","volume":"35 2","pages":"Article 100664"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2026-01-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145923049","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Analyzing slaughter modalities and environmental factors to improve prediction of Campylobacter concentration in broiler carcasses","authors":"Francis Lauriau ,&nbsp;Sofia Strubbia ,&nbsp;Jean-Michel Cappelier ,&nbsp;Benjamin Mahieu ,&nbsp;Nabila Haddad ,&nbsp;Sandrine Guillou","doi":"10.1016/j.japr.2025.100662","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.japr.2025.100662","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div><em>Campylobacter,</em> the most prevalent European bacterial foodborne pathogen, linked to poultry, poses challenges for French food manufacturers in meeting European regulatory hygiene limits for <em>Campylobacter</em> on broiler carcasses, highlighting the need to identify contamination sources to implement corrective measures.</div><div>This study aimed to identify the factors influencing <em>Campylobacter</em> contamination on broiler neck skin after chilling, by comparing two automated slaughterhouses with different contamination levels. Several statistical regression approaches were applied to data collected in both slaughterhouses, <em>i.e. Campylobacter</em> contamination in the air at different locations of the slaughterhouses and in the scalding bath, as well as on broiler cecal contents and neck skin, and recorded variables associated with operational slaughter settings. Several key contributors were identified, in order of importance: slaughter line speed, chilling efficiency, air contamination in the evisceration room, cecal contamination and air contamination at the hanging and plucking steps. Among these, cecal contamination and slaughter line speed were strong predictors of neck skin contamination after chilling.</div><div>This study highlighted the importance of both environmental factors and slaughter process in determining <em>Campylobacter</em> levels on broiler neck skin after chilling. A better understanding of these influences can support improved control strategies such as adjusting line speed and optimizing chilling, to reduce contamination and comply with regulatory limits.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":15240,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Applied Poultry Research","volume":"35 2","pages":"Article 100662"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-12-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145923048","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Growth dynamics and predictive modeling of Salmonella Enteritidis isolated from the commercial broiler farm environment","authors":"A. Fatima,&nbsp;M. Naeem,&nbsp;M. Bailey,&nbsp;D.V. Bourassa","doi":"10.1016/j.japr.2025.100661","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.japr.2025.100661","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div><em>Salmonella enterica</em> subsp. <em>enterica</em> serovar Enteritidis (<em>Salmonella</em> Enteritidis) is a leading cause of foodborne illness globally, particularly associated with poultry products. Rapid and accurate prediction of bacterial growth in poultry environments is essential for effective contamination control. This study aimed to assess growth dynamics and develop a predictive linear regression model to estimate the growth of nalidixic acid-resistant <em>Salmonella</em> Enteritidis isolated from the broiler farm exhaust fan, using optical density (OD) and incubation time as predictors. <em>In-vitro</em> experiments were conducted over 18 h, with hourly measurements of viable cell counts (CFU/mL) and OD, capturing the full bacterial growth cycle. Stepwise regression was used to construct a model based on log (ln)-transformed CFU, OD, and time data, which achieved high accuracy (R² = 0.910, RMSE = 0.591) and demonstrated reliable cross-validation performance. The final model equation integrated OD and its interaction with time, providing a practical method for estimating bacterial load without the need for labor-intensive plating. Results showed that OD alone does not adequately reflect viable counts unless contextualized with incubation time. This modeling approach addresses a key gap in the literature by focusing specifically on <em>Salmonella</em> Enteritidis from poultry-associated matrices rather than generalized serotypes or reference strains. The findings support the use of OD-based prediction models for real-time microbial monitoring in poultry processing and production settings. The model has potential applications in assessing contamination risk, facilitating rapid decision-making, and developing automated detection systems for food safety. Future work may extend this model to other environmental samples from broiler farms and serotypes to improve its broader applicability in poultry industry microbiology.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":15240,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Applied Poultry Research","volume":"35 2","pages":"Article 100661"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-12-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145891181","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Qualitative field factors and their relationships with carcass condemnations in broilers: A mixed data approach","authors":"Thiago Gonsalo Silva ,&nbsp;Maria Fernanda de Castro Burbarelli ,&nbsp;Leonardo de Oliveira Seno ,&nbsp;Fabiana Ribeiro Caldara ,&nbsp;Claudia Marie Komiyama ,&nbsp;Sarah Sgavioli ,&nbsp;Caio César dos Ouros ,&nbsp;Jean Kaique Valentim ,&nbsp;Rodrigo Garófallo Garcia","doi":"10.1016/j.japr.2025.100660","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.japr.2025.100660","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The application of new technologies in poultry farming has led to increased domestic production, positioning Brazil prominently in the global market. However, the adaptation of these technologies during the incorporation process may present challenges in the field due to structural and climatic conditions, consequently resulting in higher rates of carcass condemnation. Therefore, understanding the profile of carcass condemnations is crucial for informed decision-making in the field and slaughterhouse operations. This study aims to establish the relationships between qualitative field factors, such as sex, hatchery of origin, type of poultry house acclimatization, and genetic line, and the causes of condemnation in broiler carcasses via a factorial analysis of mixed data. This study analyzed 445 complexes of the early slaughtered broiler ±28 days of age and 1.8–2.2 kg, between January 2021 and August 2022 in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil. The technological level of the evaluated poultry houses emerged as the primary factor explaining the diversity in condemnations, with negative pressure poultry houses demonstrating higher rates of carcass condemnation. Complexes of male broilers and birds housed from a single hatchery presented the lowest rates of condemnation during the slaughter process. The Ross 95 strain had the least impact on carcass condemnation. Therefore, in the context of this study, housing complexes of Ross 95 males with a single origin from a hatchery under positive pressure represents the most favorable scenario for reducing carcass condemnation. Housing system type and the uniformity of broiler origin, significantly influence condemnation rates and performance, highlighting the importance of controlled environments and maintaining homogeneous complexes to optimize performance and reduce condemnation rates.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":15240,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Applied Poultry Research","volume":"35 1","pages":"Article 100660"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-12-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145836858","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Different sources and levels of zinc, copper, and manganese in diets of laying hens on zootechnical performance, egg quality, intestinal morphology, bone quality, and mineral deposition","authors":"Joelma V.C. Silva ,&nbsp;Adiel V. Lima ,&nbsp;Apolônio G. Ribeiro ,&nbsp;Anna N.E. Ferreira de Brito ,&nbsp;Thamires S. Ferreira ,&nbsp;Jorge C.L. Muniz ,&nbsp;Ricardo R. Guerra ,&nbsp;Matheus R. Lima ,&nbsp;Isabelle N. Kaneko ,&nbsp;Leonardo A.F. Pascoal ,&nbsp;Lucas R.R.A. Carvalho ,&nbsp;Fernando G. Perazzo Costa","doi":"10.1016/j.japr.2025.100659","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.japr.2025.100659","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Minerals are essential for poultry nutrition, influencing performance, eggshell quality, and overall health. Zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), and manganese (Mn) are critical trace minerals involved in bone metabolism, eggshell formation, and enzyme activity. However, their bioavailability varies depending on the source and dietary inclusion level. This study evaluated the effects of supplementing Zn, Cu, and Mn from inorganic (sulfates) and chelated sources (mineral hydroxy‑analogue methionine) at two inclusion levels (recommended vs. higher levels) in light laying hens (Hy-Line W-80) from one day of age to 54 weeks. The study assessed performance, egg quality, intestinal morphology, tibia parameters, and mineral deposition. Results indicated that the source and supplementation level influenced key traits, including feed conversion, intestinal villi structure, phosphorus deposition in eggshells, and mineral excretion. Birds receiving sulfate sources showed improved feed intake, egg production, deeper duodenal crypts, and higher phosphorus deposition in eggshells, while the chelated source increased feed conversion efficiency and eggshell weight but reduced phosphorus deposition. Higher supplementation levels led to greater mineral excretion without additional benefits to performance or eggshell quality. These findings highlight the importance of selecting appropriate mineral sources and inclusion levels to optimize production efficiency and sustainability in laying hens. The study suggests that supplementing Zn, Cu, and Mn from sulfate sources at recommended levels (32/8/32 ppm) is a cost-effective and efficient strategy for enhancing egg production and reducing mineral waste.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":15240,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Applied Poultry Research","volume":"35 2","pages":"Article 100659"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-12-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145923050","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Characterization of oviposition pattern in Columbian Rock and White Leghorn breeder layer chickens divergent in laying rate and clutch size","authors":"Adamu M. Isa ,&nbsp;Yanyan Sun ,&nbsp;Aixin Ni ,&nbsp;Yuanmei Wang ,&nbsp;Yunlei Li ,&nbsp;Lei Shi ,&nbsp;Hui Chen ,&nbsp;Panling Wang ,&nbsp;Pingzhuang Ge ,&nbsp;Yunhe Zong ,&nbsp;Hui Ma ,&nbsp;Jilan Chen","doi":"10.1016/j.japr.2025.100654","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.japr.2025.100654","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The objective of this study was to characterize the oviposition patterns in Columbian Rock (CR) and White Leghorn (WL) breeder hens and to identify candidate genes for the oviposition traits. Hens were selected for this study based on their divergence in egg number and clutch size. The selected hens were categorized into Columbian Rock large clutch (CRLC), Columbian Rock small clutch (CRSC), White Leghorn large clutch (WLLC) and White Leghorn small clutch (WLSC). Egg production and clutch traits were recorded until 52 weeks of age for all hens in the two breeds while oviposition time was monitored for 14 days (d) in the hens selected for divergent clutch traits and laying rate. Furthermore, the expression of 16 candidate genes associated with egg laying was analyzed in the ovary tissues of the four groups. Results indicated a higher laying rate in White Leghorn than Columbian Rock. Furthermore, all desirable egg production indices were favorable in the large clutch groups compared to those in the small clutch group irrespective of breed (<em>p</em> ≤ 0.001). The majority of the hens in CRLC laid eggs between 08:00 and 08:30 hours (h), whereas the majority of hens in CRSC laid eggs between 11:00 and 11:30 h. Similarly, over 83 % of oviposition in WLLC occurred prior to 11:30 h, in contrast to less than 60 % in hens of WLSC. In both breeds, lag in oviposition differed significantly (<em>p</em> ≤ 0.05) between the large and small clutch groups. The expression of <em>beta-hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase 1A, pleiomorphic adenoma gene 1</em>, and <em>regulator of G protein signaling 3</em> in the pre-hierarchical follicles was higher in the CRLC group than in the CRSC. The expression of <em>aromatase</em> was higher in WLSC than in WLLC, suggesting a group-specific expression pattern. Hens with large clutches demonstrated a narrow oviposition window and consistently shorter oviposition lag, leading to shorter internal cycle lengths and an overall higher egg-laying efficiency.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":15240,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Applied Poultry Research","volume":"35 1","pages":"Article 100654"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-12-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145836379","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Evaluation of limestones varying in calcium solubility on egg production performance and total tract calcium retention in Lohman LSL Lite laying hens","authors":"R.L. Drysdale ,&nbsp;P.L. Utterback ,&nbsp;B.W. Parsons ,&nbsp;J.E. Emmert ,&nbsp;C.M. Parsons","doi":"10.1016/j.japr.2025.100658","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.japr.2025.100658","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Limestone is one of the primary sources of Ca in poultry diets because it is often readily available and inexpensive. The amount and availability of Ca in limestone can vary due to factors such as the origin of the rock, particle size, and solubility. It is believed that larger particles that solubilize at moderate or slow rates may be advantageous by limiting Ca-phytate interactions and increasing retention time of particles in the gastrointestinal tract, which would lead to better utilization of Ca by the bird. There were 5 limestones evaluated with 2 dietary Ca levels fed per limestone (2.65 and 3.80 %) to Lohmann LS Lite hens from 50 to 66 wk-of-age. The 5 limestones differed in geographical origin within the U. S., particle size, and solubility. Utilization of low Ca diets (2.65 %) resulted in impairments in egg production, egg mass, feed efficiency, egg specific gravity, and eggshell breaking strength. There were few differences among the 5 limestones evaluated, albeit limestone 2, which had the lowest solubility at 30 min (88 %) and lowest Ca content (36.7 %), was generally inferior to the other limestones in both the 2.65 % and 3.8 % Ca diets. The results of this study highlight the importance of the dietary Ca level for supporting optimal egg production and eggshell synthesis. Further, some indication of limestone characteristics that may result in impairments to performance are provided, which will assist nutritionists in selecting which limestone to use in their rations.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":15240,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Applied Poultry Research","volume":"35 1","pages":"Article 100658"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-12-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145836380","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Comparison of the safety and immunogenicity of commercial lentogenic Newcastle disease vaccine strains in layer chicks in Nepal","authors":"Prakash Rawal ,&nbsp;Akash Adhikari ,&nbsp;Sujan Adhikari ,&nbsp;Shiva Prasad Kandel ,&nbsp;Narendra Prasad Bhatta ,&nbsp;Swagat Khanal ,&nbsp;Abhishek Adhikari ,&nbsp;Modnath Gautam","doi":"10.1016/j.japr.2025.100657","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.japr.2025.100657","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Newcastle disease (ND) continues to affect poultry flocks in Nepal despite routine vaccination, with outbreaks suggesting vaccine failure and interference from maternally derived antibodies (MDA). This study compared the safety and antibody response of three commercial lentogenic ND vaccine strains (HB1, F1, F) in layer chicks carrying MDA. Chicks were divided into vaccine, control, and baseline groups, with vaccines administered via the oculo-nasal-oral route at day 3. Vaccine safety was observed for 21 days, while vaccine efficacy and MDA levels were assessed by measuring antibody titers on days 1, 14, 21, and 28 using ELISA. Baseline MDA titers were high on day 1 but declined to negligible levels by day 28, with an estimated half-life of 6–7 days. All vaccines were safe, with no adverse effects even at tenfold dose. Significant differences in antibody response were observed among vaccine strains (<em>P</em> &lt; 0.001). HB1 induced a stronger response by day 14, while F1 and F produced weaker responses. By day 21, HB1 achieved protective titers in 90 % of birds, compared with 60 % for F1 and 30 % for F. These findings confirm that all tested vaccines are safe but differ in immunogenicity, with HB1 showing superior performance.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":15240,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Applied Poultry Research","volume":"35 1","pages":"Article 100657"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-12-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145797198","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Effects of Cinnamon Nanoparticles on Growth Performance, Antioxidant Status, Hematological, and Gut Microbial Composition in Broiler Chickens Under Heat Stress Conditions","authors":"Mokhtar Fathi ,&nbsp;Kianoosh Zarrinkavyani","doi":"10.1016/j.japr.2025.100656","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.japr.2025.100656","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Heat stress poses a major challenge to poultry production, emphasizing the critical need for efficient interventions to counter its negative impacts and support animal health and performance. The present study evaluated the efficacy of cinnamon nanoparticles in improving growth performance and alleviating heat stress in broiler chickens. A total of 500 one-day-old Ross 308 broiler chicks were randomly assigned to five dietary treatment groups in a completely randomized design. From day 1 to 25, broiler chickens were maintained under standard environmental conditions. Starting on day 25 until day 42, birds were subjected to daily heat stress exposure at 34 ± 2°C for 8 h per day (09:00–17:00). Each treatment included five replicates with 20 birds per replicate. The experimental treatments consisted of a control group receiving a basal diet without supplementation, and four groups supplemented with 150, 300, 450, or 600 mg of cinnamon nanoparticles (CNPs) per kilogram of feed. The CNPs were synthesized using an ultrasound-assisted method. Supplementation with CNPs significantly improved growth performance in a dose-dependent manner. Final body weight and body weight gain increased linearly, with the highest values observed at 600 mg/kg (2590 g and 1693 g, respectively) compared to control (1979 g and 1129 g). Although feed intake (FI) was numerically higher in the supplemented groups, the differences were not statistically significant across all levels. Feed conversion ratio improved significantly, decreasing from 1.73 in control to 1.40 at 600 mg/kg, while mortality rate was reduced from 10 % to 4 %. Antioxidant enzyme activities increased significantly with CNPs supplementation. Glutathione peroxidase and total superoxide dismutase activities showed linear improvements, reaching 229.91 mU/mL and 139 U/mL respectively at the highest dose, whereas malondialdehyde concentration decreased, and indicating reduced oxidative stress. Hematological indices were positively modulated; red blood cell counts increased significantly and white blood cell counts, heterophil percentage, and heterophil/lymphocyte ratio decreased, suggesting improved immune status and reduced physiological stress. Moreover, cecal lactic acid bacteria populations increased significantly with higher CNPs levels, while coliform counts remained unchanged. In conclusion, dietary cinnamon nanoparticles effectively mitigated heat stress effects in broilers by enhancing growth performance, antioxidant defenses, hematological health, and beneficial gut microbial, suggesting their potential as a natural feed additive in poultry production under heat stress conditions.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":15240,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Applied Poultry Research","volume":"35 1","pages":"Article 100656"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-12-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145836381","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}