Veterinary and Animal Science最新文献

{"title":"Effect of vaccine diluents on the colonization of Salmonella Typhimurium vaccine in chickens","authors":"Siyuan Jia ,&nbsp;Andrea R. McWhorter ,&nbsp;Samiullah Khan ,&nbsp;Nicky-Lee Willson ,&nbsp;Daniel M. Andrews ,&nbsp;Gregory J. Underwood ,&nbsp;Kapil K. Chousalkar","doi":"10.1016/j.vas.2024.100409","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.vas.2024.100409","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>One of the commonly used methods to control on-farm <em>Salmonella</em> outbreaks in the poultry industry is vaccination. Vaccine diluents may affect vaccine efficacy but there are limited studies on how different diluents affect the colonization of live, attenuated vaccines. In this study, buffered peptone water, Marek's diluent and water were used as the diluents to reconstitute the commercially available <em>Salmonella</em> Typhimurium vaccine (Vaxsafe® ST). The diluent reconstituted vaccine was then given to day-old layer hens to test its effects on gut colonization. The vaccine reconstituted in Marek's diluent and buffered peptone water had a significantly higher colonization rate at 7 days post-vaccination in liver, spleen, oesophagus, crop, and proventriculus. At 14 days post-vaccination, there was a significantly higher vaccine load in the upper digestive tract of chickens that received vaccine reconstituted in Marek's diluent and buffered peptone water. The Marek's diluent and buffered peptone water reconstituted vaccine had a higher detection rate in the chicken's liver and spleen. Colonisation with water as a diluent was higher than the others especially in the lower parts of the intestine at 7 days post-vaccination. There was non-significant variation in the antibody titers at 7- and 14-days post-vaccination. In general, the results demonstrated that the use of nutrient-rich diluents in reconstituting live, attenuated <em>Salmonella</em> vaccine can enhance vaccine colonization. This study establishes a foundation for future work aimed at optimising strategies for vaccine reconstitution, crucial for eliciting a robust immune response in the host.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":37152,"journal":{"name":"Veterinary and Animal Science","volume":"26 ","pages":"Article 100409"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2024-11-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142661288","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Comparison of two methods of extracting bull epididymal spermatozoa","authors":"Ziyad Al-Kass ,&nbsp;Sanna Eriksson ,&nbsp;Jaana Peippo ,&nbsp;Theodoros Ntallaris ,&nbsp;Jane M. Morrell","doi":"10.1016/j.vas.2024.100407","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.vas.2024.100407","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Extraction of epididymal spermatozoa may be necessary to avoid losing valuable genetic material, for example, from individuals of rare breeds or endangered species, but the resulting sperm samples may be of poor quality. Two methods of extracting bull epididymal spermatozoa from slaughterhouse material were compared. The bulls were 16–23 months of age. Spermatozoa were extracted by making an incision one cm in length in the tail of the epididymis to allow the spermatozoa to flow out (method A), or by flushing the tail of epididymis (method B). The two methods were used for each bull, alternating between right and left epididymis, i.e. if method A was used for the left epididymis in Bull 1, it was used for the right epididymis in bull 2, etc. Sperm concentration in the extracted samples was adjusted to 69 × 10⁶/mL in Andromed; the sperm sample was packed in 0.25 mL straws. After cooling for two h at 5 °C, the straws were placed 4 cm above liquid nitrogen for 20 min before transferring them to liquid nitrogen. Sperm motility, viability, reactive oxygen species, membrane integrity and DNA fragmentation were analysed in the fresh samples and again after thawing. The results for all parameters in fresh semen were not different between methods. Although sperm quality was lower in thawed samples than in fresh samples, there was no difference in sperm quality between the two extraction methods in the thawed samples. In conclusion, both methods are useful for the extraction of bull epididymal spermatozoa.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":37152,"journal":{"name":"Veterinary and Animal Science","volume":"26 ","pages":"Article 100407"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2024-11-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142660848","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Cattle, sheep, and goat humoral immune responses against SARS-CoV-2","authors":"Mehrnaz Ardalan ,&nbsp;Konner Cool ,&nbsp;Natasha N. Gaudreault ,&nbsp;Dashzeveg Bold ,&nbsp;Anna Mannix ,&nbsp;Gregg A. Hanzlicek ,&nbsp;Juergen A. Richt ,&nbsp;Roman M. Pogranichniy","doi":"10.1016/j.vas.2024.100408","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.vas.2024.100408","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Following the emergence of SARS-CoV-2 in late 2019, several species of domestic and wild animals have been found to be susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 infection through experimental inoculation and animal surveillance activities. Detection of SARS-CoV-2 specific antibodies in animals is an important surveillance tool since viral shedding in animals can only be detected for a short period of time. In this study, convenience serum samples were collected from 691 cattle, 698 sheep, and 707 goats from several regions in the United States, between 2019 and 2022. The samples were evaluated for the presence of SARS-CoV-2 specific antibodies using two commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA); one based on the inhibition of the SARS-CoV-2 receptor-binding domain (sVNT) and the other based on the nucleocapsid protein (N-ELISA) of SARS-CoV-2. Positive samples from the sVNT were additionally evaluated using a conventional virus neutralization test (VNT) employing the Wuhan-like SARS-CoV-2 USA/WA1/2020 isolate. Our results indicate that ∼1 % (6/691) of cattle, ∼2 % (13/698) of sheep, and ∼2.5 % (18/707) of goat serum samples were positive when using the sVNT, whereas ∼4 % of cattle (25/691) and sheep (27/698), and 2.5 % (18/707) of goat serum samples tested positive with the N-ELISA. None of the sVNT positive cattle, sheep, or goat serum samples had detectable neutralizing antibody activity (&lt;1:8) against the SARS-CoV-2 USA/WA1/2020 isolate by the VNT. Our results indicate low seropositivity in cattle, sheep, and goats in the U.S., indicating the importance to continue monitoring for SARS-CoV-2 prevalence in animal species that are in close contact with humans.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":37152,"journal":{"name":"Veterinary and Animal Science","volume":"26 ","pages":"Article 100408"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2024-11-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142660849","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"A meta-analysis of genetic estimates for economically important traits in ducks","authors":"Navid Ghavi Hossein-Zadeh","doi":"10.1016/j.vas.2024.100405","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.vas.2024.100405","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study aimed to gather published genetic parameter estimates for economically important traits in ducks through a meta-analysis utilizing the random-effects model. The present study used a dataset on genetic parameters of various duck traits, including 275 genetic correlation estimates and 233 heritability estimates from 31 studies published between 1988 and 2024. The heritability estimates for growth traits were generally low to high and varied from 0.154 (for body weight gain) to 0.405 (for body weight at first egg), respectively. Results showed that heritability estimates for egg production and quality traits were generally low to moderate, ranging from 0.119 (for egg shell strength) to 0.340 (for egg weight). The heritability estimates for feeding traits were generally moderate to high and varied from 0.266 (for residual feed intake) to 0.624 (for meal feed intake), respectively. The results indicate that there was a high genetic correlation (0.827, P &lt; 0.05) between feed intake and residual feed intake, but low to moderate genetic correlations (P &lt; 0.05) were found between feed intake and feed conversion ratio (0.318). The results of the current meta-analysis supported the hypothesis that these duck traits exhibit additive genetic variation. Genetic selection schemes for ducks may thus potentially take advantage of the available additive genetic variation in these traits. Furthermore, in cases where accurate estimates for economically significant traits in duck populations across the globe are unavailable, the average genetic parameter estimates presented in this meta-analysis can be used in breeding plans.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":37152,"journal":{"name":"Veterinary and Animal Science","volume":"26 ","pages":"Article 100405"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2024-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142660847","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Assessment of Pedicle screw-Rod implantation as an external fixation method for tibial osteotomy in a canine model","authors":"Mohammad Mahdi Gooran ,&nbsp;Ramin Mazaheri-Khameneh ,&nbsp;Seyed Mohammad Hashemi-Asl ,&nbsp;Rahim Hobbenaghi","doi":"10.1016/j.vas.2024.100403","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.vas.2024.100403","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Recent advancements in minimally invasive osteosynthesis have improved atraumatic techniques for bone fracture fixation. Pedicle screws are implants primarily used for the internal fixation of the spine. To our knowledge, no studies have assessed the use of Pedicle screw-Rod for fixing long bone fractures or osteotomies. Our study aimed to assess the efficiency and performance of this implant as an external fixation method for experimentally induced tibial fractures, offering a novel surgical approach to tibial fixation. With approval from the Institutional Animal Care Committee, eight healthy, intact male dogs weighing 20–22 kg and aged 10–12 months of mixed breeds underwent aseptic surgical fixation of tibial osteotomies with Pedicle screw-Rod configuration using a minimally invasive medial approach to the tibia. All dogs were placed in the single treatment group. Postoperative clinical and radiographic evaluations were performed. The fixation device functioned effectively until removal. Lameness was fully resolved in all animals by 21 days post-operation. Clinical union occurred at 5.80 ± 1.30 weeks, while complete bone union was achieved at 11.40 ± 1.51 weeks after surgery. Postoperative mechanical medial proximal and distal tibial angles were, 92.00° (92.00°, 91.50°) and 93.40° ± 1.14°, respectively. The tibial valgus was 5.20° ± 1.48°, and tibial plateau angles measured 22.00° (23.00°, 22.00°). There were no significant differences noted when comparing values before and after the operation. Postoperative rotational alignment was anatomical, with satisfactory bone apposition. The study found that using a Pedicle Screw-Rod configuration for non-articular tibial osteotomy fixation is effective without significant complications.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":37152,"journal":{"name":"Veterinary and Animal Science","volume":"26 ","pages":"Article 100403"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2024-10-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142587396","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Firework aversion in cats and dogs as reported by Dutch animal owners","authors":"Ineke R. van Herwijnen,&nbsp;Claudia M. Vinke,&nbsp;Saskia S. Arndt,&nbsp;Pascalle E.M. Roulaux","doi":"10.1016/j.vas.2024.100402","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.vas.2024.100402","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Firework (noise) aversion is seen in cats and dogs relatively often and comes with a risk of animal welfare impairment. Affected animals may show behaviours like freezing, hiding, fleeing, but also inappropriate elimination, loss of appetite and (social) withdrawal. In The Netherlands, firework regulation has been a much-debated topic and we aimed to provide insight into how owners in this country report on their cat's or dog's firework aversion. We gathered reports on 3,009 dogs’ and 622 cats’ firework-related behaviours, exposure, animal (early life) characteristics and owner (dis)agreement with statements relating to firework aversion and animal guidance. We hypothesized that 1) suboptimal early life factors come with higher prevalence of firework aversion and 2) owners that report less firework aversion for their animal, agree more to the statement that owner behaviour affects an animal's future reactions to firework. Our findings confirm the first hypothesis for dogs and the second hypothesis for both species. Firework affects Dutch cats, dogs and their owners not just on New Year's Eve, but for multiple months a year: 64 % of the owners heard firework noise from September onwards. Suboptimal early life factors, of for instance not being noise habituated as a young animal came with higher prevalence of firework fear for dogs, but not cats and habituating particularly kittens seemed uncommon (4 % of kittens). Advice seeking was more common for dogs (54 %) than cats (23 %) with firework aversion. For both species reporting of lasting effects of therapeutic interventions was uncommon. &lt;30 % of the most often applied interventions were reported to have a lasting mitigating effect on firework aversion. This may indicate a high importance of hereditary and early life preventive measures, but our respondents were not in high agreement with statements reflecting such importance. Although our study presents associative evidence only and was based on owner report, not on direct animal observations, we present attention points for future studies. One such attention point is a seemingly low awareness of the lifelong influence of an animal's early life factors. Studying how such awareness affects people that opt for a puppy or kitten as to facilitate acquisition decisions that may or may not come with firework resilient animals, may ultimately benefit animals that were in this study seen to experience firework aversion for multiple months a year, with limited long-term effectiveness of therapeutic interventions.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":37152,"journal":{"name":"Veterinary and Animal Science","volume":"26 ","pages":"Article 100402"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2024-10-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142533492","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"A study on subcutaneous infection model of colibacillosis in broilers: Selected immunological and hematological aspects","authors":"Z. Ghahramani ,&nbsp;N. Mosleh ,&nbsp;T. Shomali ,&nbsp;S. Nazifi ,&nbsp;A. Khodakaram-Tafti","doi":"10.1016/j.vas.2024.100401","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.vas.2024.100401","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Colibacillosis is still a major challenge to poultry industry. This study examined selected immune and hematological features of broilers experimentally infected with <em>E. coli</em> via subcutaneous (sc) route. Fifty-one 5-week-old chickens were randomly assigned to three groups: two controls (NC and SCC) and one experimental (SC) group. The SC group was inoculated by O2 <em>E. coli</em> suspension via sc route in the inguinal region. Three days after inoculation, blood sampling was performed. Bacterial count of liver was determined. Histopathological samples of liver, lung, spleen, thymus, and bursa were also collected. Serum total protein and globulin significantly increased in birds of SC group as compared to control birds (<em>P</em> &lt; 0.05). Birds in SC group also showed decreased albumin/globulin ratio. Serum levels of IL-6, IL-10, and IFN-γ remained statistically the same among groups. Lymphocytosis, monocytosis, thrombocytosis and heterophilia were present in SC group. Heterophils/lymphocytes ratio increased in SC birds. Left shift was observed in SC group with cells showing vacuolated cytoplasm that contained toxic granules. Histologically, lung involvement was less severe than liver. Lymphoid depletion was present in all examined lymphoid organs. <em>E. coli</em> growth was observed in liver samples from SC group but not in control birds. In conclusion, using sc route for induction of colibacillosis was associated with a systemic inflammatory response in broilers and histopathological lesions of thymus, bursa, and spleen three days post-infection. It seems that detection of changes in serum cytokine levels (IL-6, IL-10, and IFN-γ) should be performed in earlier hours of the disease in this model.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":37152,"journal":{"name":"Veterinary and Animal Science","volume":"26 ","pages":"Article 100401"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2024-10-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142434067","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Electrocardiogram assessment in long-eared hedgehogs (Hemiechinus auritus) following administration of anesthetics","authors":"Majid Taati ,&nbsp;Abbas Raisi ,&nbsp;Maral Golmirzaei ,&nbsp;Negin Rashnoei","doi":"10.1016/j.vas.2024.100400","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.vas.2024.100400","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Anesthesia in animals is a crucial requirement for conducting surgery, diagnostic imaging, and other procedures when the animal cannot be safely managed in a conscious state. The present study aimed to compare the impact of different anesthetic techniques on the electrocardiogram of hedgehogs. The animals were given three different anesthetic combinations: ketamine + xylazine, ketamine + diazepam, and ketamine + midazolam. The study measured the heart rate, duration, and amplitude of the P wave, QRS complex, and T wave through bipolar II derivations. Normal sinus rhythm was observed following induction by all anaesthetic combinations; however, the combination of ketamine and xylazine resulted in a significant decrease in heart rate. The P wave was positive with different combinations of anesthetics. The mean amplitude of the P wave in hedgehogs anesthetized using ketamine+xylazine was significantly lower than when using ketamine+diazepam and ketamine+midazolam. The QRS polarity was positive in leads I, II, and aVF after anesthesia induced by all combinations. The duration and amplitude of the QRS complexes did not differ significantly between all combinations. Hedgehogs anesthetized with ketamine+midazolam revealed the highest amplitude of the QRS (0.23 mv), while in the ketamine+diazepam anesthetized group, lowest amplitude (0.18 mv) was observed. The T wave was positive in all leads except leads III and aVR. Animals anesthetized with ketamine + xylazine had the lowest amplitude (0.117 mv) and the longest duration (0.08 s) of the T waves. The findings suggest that ketamine+midazolam is the choice combination based on ECG evaluation in hedgehogs.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":37152,"journal":{"name":"Veterinary and Animal Science","volume":"26 ","pages":"Article 100400"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2024-10-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142533493","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Carbohydrase enzyme and polyethylene glycol altered the chemical composition, growth performance and apparent nutrient digestibility of Prosopis juliflora pods meal diets fed to Boschveld chicken breed","authors":"P Tshiambara ,&nbsp;CK Lebopa ,&nbsp;HK Mokoboki ,&nbsp;HS Mudau ,&nbsp;KE Ravhuhali","doi":"10.1016/j.vas.2024.100399","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.vas.2024.100399","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study was designed to evaluate how treating <em>Prosopis juliflora</em> pods with polyethylene glycol and carbohydrase enzyme will affect its chemical composition and how the inclusion of treated <em>P. juliflora</em> pods in Boschveld chicken's diets will affect growth performance and nutrient digestibility. Before <em>P. juliflora</em> pods were administrated to the diets, they were pre-treated with enzyme, PEG and a combination of both and analysed for their nutrient content. Five diets, namely PJPM1: commercial standard pullet grower diet as a control; PJPM2: commercial standard grower diet with untreated 30 % of <em>P. juliflora</em>; PJPM3: commercial standard grower diet with PEG treated 30 % of <em>P. juliflora</em>; PJPM4: commercial standard grower diet with carbohydrase enzyme treated 30 % of <em>P. juliflora</em>; PJPM5: commercial standard grower diet with PEG and carbohydrase enzyme treated 30 % of <em>P. juliflora</em>. A total of 300 six-week-old Boschveld chickens were used in this trial. After 42 days of feeding trial, three Boschveld chickens per replicate (<em>n</em> = 90) were randomly selected for the determination of nutrient digestibility. Results on the chemical composition of raw <em>P. juliflora</em> pods meal, pre-treated with enzyme, PEG and combination of both show significant difference (<em>P &lt;</em> <em>0.05</em>) in CP, Ash, NDF, CF, EE, Hemicellulose, NFC and NFE. Only overall feed intake shows significant different (<em>P &lt;</em> <em>0.05</em>) in all dietary treatments and all the measured parameters of nutrient digestibility. Enzyme and PEG positively contribute to the chemical composition, growth performance, and nutrient digestibility of diets containing <em>P. juliflora</em> fed to Boschveld chickens.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":37152,"journal":{"name":"Veterinary and Animal Science","volume":"26 ","pages":"Article 100399"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2024-10-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142416382","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The influence of Quercetin on behavior, performance and splenic immunity in broiler chickens","authors":"Sara Elsayed El-Kazaz ,&nbsp;Mona Hafez Hafez ,&nbsp;Ghadeer M. Albadrani ,&nbsp;Muath Q. Al-Ghadi ,&nbsp;Mohamed M. Abdel-Daim ,&nbsp;Yasser Said El-Sayed","doi":"10.1016/j.vas.2024.100398","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.vas.2024.100398","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Quercetin (QRT), a potent flavonoid, holds immense mechanistic potential in enhancing various aspects of broiler chicken physiological status. This comprehensive study explores the profound еffеcts of QRT on behavior, productive performance, and immune functions, unraveling the underlying mechanisms behind its efficacy. Four hundred, one-day-old Cobb 500 chicks were placed randomly into 4 supplementation groups (100 birds /group and five replicates) and provided diets enriched with varying concentrations of QRT (0, 200, 400, and 600 ppm) for six weeks. Visual scanning revealed significant (<em>P</em> &gt; 0.05) improvements in feeding and body care behaviors, accompanied by reduced instances of idleness and walking in the QRT-supplemented groups. Moreover, QRT supplementation exerted a substantial (<em>P</em> &gt; 0.05) positive influence on weight gain, feed intake and the final body weight of the broilers. In-depth evaluation of immune parameters, QRT supplementation elicited significant (<em>P</em> &gt; 0.05) enhancements in immune functions, including improved spleen, thymus, and bursa indices, enhanced secretion of immunoglobulin M (IgM) and immunoglobulin A (IgA), and stimulated humoral immunity against sheep red blood cells (SRBCs). Furthermore, QRT displays potent antioxidant properties, as showed by diminished splenic malondialdehyde levels and augmented activity of antioxidative stress enzymes. Remarkably, QRT supplementation elicited dose-dependent upregulation (<em>P</em> &lt; 0.001) of key immune-related genes, such as intеrlеukin-4 (IL-4), interferon-γ (INF-γ), Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in the splenic tissue. Collectively, these mechanistic insights underscore the profound impact of QRT as a functional feed additive, fostering enhanced behavior, performance, and immune function in broiler chickens, while delivering robust antioxidant fortification.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":37152,"journal":{"name":"Veterinary and Animal Science","volume":"26 ","pages":"Article 100398"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2024-09-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2451943X24000656/pdfft?md5=eb1b4694f04c49c31b188da40b82edb9&pid=1-s2.0-S2451943X24000656-main.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142274418","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}