Mohamed S Elsharkawy

Background: This study aimed to investigate the possibility of producing broiler meat rich in long-chain n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids especially eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, C20:5 n-3) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, C22:6 n-3) with preventing lipid oxidation of the produced meat by supplementing the diets with linseed oil or fish oil along with vitamin E (Vit. E) or sweet chestnut tannins (SCT) as antioxidants. A total of 144 1-day-old Cobb broiler chicks were divided into six treatments with three replicates, eight chicks each. The treatments were basal diets containing 2 g linseed oil/100 g (T1), 2 g linseed oil/100 g + 200 mg Vit. E/kg (T2) and 2 g linseed oil/100 g + 2 g SCT/ kg (T3), 2 g fish oil/100 g (T4), 2 g fish oil/100 g + 200 mg Vit. E/kg (T5), and 2 g fish oil/100 g + 2 g SCT/kg (T6) for 5 weeks. Fatty acid composition, thiobarbituric acid (TBA), and 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity were determined. Results: Dietary 2 g fish oil/100 g elevated (P ≤ 0.001) long-chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in broiler meat mainly EPA and DHA. At the same time, dietary fish oil resulted in a significant decrease (P ≤ 0.001) in αlinolenic acid in broiler meat (6%). However, total omega-3 fatty acids in meat were higher (P ≤ 0.001) with dietary fish oil than with dietary linseed oil. The ratio of n-6:n-3 PUFA was decreased (P ≤ 0.001) in the meat of broilers fed diets containing 2 g fish oil/100 g compared with broilers fed diets containing 2 g linseed oil/100 g. The two sources of antioxidant decreased (P ≤ 0.05) TBA value and increased (P ≤ 0.05) the DPPH radical scavenging activity in broiler meat compared to the diet without antioxidant. No significant differences observed between chicks fed 2 g SCT/kg or 200 mg Vit. E/kg on TBA and DPPH radical scavenging activity. Conclusions: It is concluded that inclusion of 2 g fish oil/100 g in broiler diets elevated levels of long-chain omega-3 PUFA mainly EPA and DHA, but decreased n-6:n-3 ratio. Moreover, the addition of 2 g SCT/kg diet or 200 mg Vit. E/kg diet as antioxidant sources inhibited lipid oxidation and enhanced antioxidant activity value in broiler meat, and each of them had the same effect.

The effects that maternal dietary methionine have on progeny have been reported on broilers. However, the paternal effects are not known, so the current study was conducted to explore the influences of paternal dietary methionine (Met) have on progeny carcass traits, meat quality, and related gene expressions. A total of 192 hens and 24 roosters from Ross parent stock at 36 weeks of age were selected. From week 37 to 46, the roosters were allocated to two groups with three replicates of 4 cocks each, (control, 0.28% Met), and methionine group (MET group, 0.28% Met + 0.1% coated Met). The results revealed that, although the heavier live body weight in progeny at day 49 of control group compared to MET group (p < 0.05), the relative eviscerated yield and relative thigh muscle yield were higher in MET group (p < 0.05); but the relative abdominal fat was lower (p < 0.05). In thigh and breast muscles, a positive response of pH24 h value, shear force (g) and drip loss (%) were observed in MET group (p < 0.05). The lightness (L) and redness (a) were increased (p < 0.05) in breast muscles of MET group, while only the redness (a*24 h) and yellowness (b*24 h) were increased (p < 0.05) in thigh muscles of MET group. The gender has a significant (p < 0.05) effect on carcass traits and muscle redness (a*), where these traits improved in males, and no interaction between treatments and gender were observed for these results. The expression levels of PRKAG2 and PRDX4 supported the changes in muscle pH, with these up-regulated in thigh and breast muscles of MET group, the PPP1R3A gene supported the changes in pH value being down-regulated (p < 0.01) in these same muscles. The BCO1 gene expression was consistent with the changes in meat color and was up-regulated (p < 0.01) in thigh muscles of MET group, consistent with the changes in b* color values. Finally, it was concluded that the supplementation of 0.1% Met to rooster diets could improve carcass characteristics and meat quality of progeny.

This study conducted to investigate the effects of dietary linseed oil (LO) or fish oil (FO) and/or antioxidants on productive performance, immune response, carcass traits and blood parameters of broiler chickens. A total of 168 one-day-old, Cobb broiler chicks were obtained from a local commercial hatchery. The birds were randomly divided into seven groups with three replicates, eight chicks each. Birds of the seven groups were fed on iso-caloric and iso-nitrogenous diets containing the same ingredients (basal diet) except the source of oil and addition of antioxidants. The first group was fed on the basal diets containing 2% soya oil (control), the 2 nd , 3 rd and 4 th groups were given the basal diets containing 2% LO, 2% LO + 200 mg vitamin E (vit E)/ kg or 2% LO + 0.2% Sweet Chestnut Tannin (SCT), respectively. While the 5 th , 6 th and 7 th groups were offered the basal diet containing 2% FO, 2% FO + 200 mg vit E/ kg or 2% FO + 0.2% SCT, respectively. During the whole period, adding FO without or with antioxidants significantly (p≤ 0.05) increased live body weight, body weight gain compared to control. Feed intake was not significantly (p> 0.05) affected by the dietary treatments. All dietary treatments had (p≤ 0.05) lower feed conversion ratio than the control. Moreover, the best FCR were recorded for the FO + 0.2% SCT dietary group, followed by the LO + 2% SCT, FO and FO + 200 mg vit E/ kg groups. No significant (P≥ 0.05) difference among treatments was observed in carcass traits of broilers. Inclusion of FO with or without antioxidants in broiler diets improved antibody titer against SRBCs in immune response (p≤ 0.05) compared to control. A significant decrease in plasma total lipid concentration was observed with all dietary treatments. The best HDL value were observed for the FO + 0.2% SCT dietary group, followed by the FO and FO + 200 mg vit E/ kg groups. It could be concluded that the inclusion of 2% FO and/or antioxidants of the broiler diets improved the productive performance, immune response and plasma lipid of broilers. Moreover, the addition of 2% fish oil with 0.2% SCT as antioxidants recorded the best productive performance, immune response and plasma lipids of broilers.