Background: MUSHROOM WASTES are widely left from MUSHROOM production industries and have been supposed to possess prebiotic, antimicrobial, antifungal and antioxidant properties. Due to difficulties with using antibiotic growth promoters in poultry diet, MUSHROOM WASTES seem to be a proper substitute for them. Therefore, present experiment was carried out to investigate the effect of oyster MUSHROOM WASTES on PERFORMANCE, immune responses and INTESTINAL MORPHOLOGY of BROILER CHICKENS. To conduct the trial, total of 210-day-old BROILER CHICKENS (Ross 308) were assigned to 3 dietary treatments and 5 replicates of 14 mixed birds. Subsequently, PERFORMANCE, IMMUNITY and INTESTINAL MORPHOLOGY parameters were evaluated throughout the experiment.Results: 1 % MUSHROOM WASTES inclusion not significantly increased body weight (BW), weight gain (WG) and feed intake (FI) of CHICKENS (P>0.05), while using 2 % of these WASTES deteriorated BW and feed conversion ratio (FCR) (P<0.05). At 28 days of age, villus height and crypt depth of jejunum were significantly increased using both levels of MUSHROOM WASTES, however, these indices impaired in ileum with the same MUSHROOM levels (P<0.05). With the exception of antibody titer against Newcastle disease virus which was compromised using 2 %, other antibody-related parameters were not affected by supplementing 1 % MUSHROOM WASTES (P [0.05). The ratio of heterophil to lymphocyte also decreased by the waste inclusion (P<0.05).Conclusion: MUSHROOM WASTES in 1 % inclusion are able to improve some parameters of PERFORMANCE and IMMUNITY of BROILER chicks. Nonetheless, supplementation in 2 % might compromise the mentioned indices.

This experiment was conducted to examine the effects of different levels of edible MUSHROOM (Agaricus bisporus) in comparison with an antibiotic growth promoter (flavophospholipol) on INTESTINAL MORPHOLOGY and microflora composition in BROILER chicks. In this trial 180 nine-day-old mix sexes BROILER chicks (Ross 308) were weighed and randomly allocated to 1 of 6 experimental treatments. Each treatment consisted of 3 replicates of 10 birds. The 6 treatments were as follow: Basal diet ( Basal diet+antibiotic (4.5 mg flavophospholipol/kg diet); and Basal diet supplemented with either levels of 5, 10, 20 or 30 g of dried MUSHROOM/kg of feed. The morphological examinations of the intestine were carried out on 5-cm long excised segments from jejunum. The populations of Lactobacilli spp and Escherichia coli were enumerated in ileum by conventional microbiological techniques using selective agar media. The results of this trial showed that dietary MUSHROOM supplementation did not significantly affect crypt depth, villous height and epithelial thickness except for the goblet cell numbers that decreased in the BROILERs fed diets containing 30 g MUSHROOM/kg (p<0.05). The Lactobacilli spp. population in birds supplemented with MUSHROOM at the level of 30 g/kg non significantly was higher than other groups at 45 d of age (p>0.05). Escherichia coli loads significantly decreased in BROILERs fed diets containing 5 g MUSHROOM/kg (p<0.05). In conclusion, the results indicated that supplementing BROILER diet with 30 g MUSHROOM/kg could induce favorable influences on INTESTINAL health of BROILER chicks.

In this experiment, 560 day old male BROILERs (Ross 308) in a completely randomized design were used to study the effect of two fiber sources (processed fiber and corn hull) at inclusion levels of 3, 4, and 5 g/kg of diet on the PERFORMANCE and INTESTINAL MORPHOLOGY. In all three sections of small intestine the maximum number goblet cells, villus height and ratio of villus height to crypt depth and minimum crypt depth were observed in processed fiber groups especially at 5 g/kg of processed fiber. Growth rate and feed efficiency were improved when diets contained 5 g/kg of processed fiber (P<0.01). It was shown that there were an increasing linear regression between levels of processed fiber inclusion in the diet and goblet cell numbers, villus height and ratio of villus height to crypt depth in all INTESTINAL sections and body weight gain. A similar but decreasing linear regression was observed for feed efficiency. There was an increasing linear response between corn hull levels and crypt depth, feed efficiency and feed intake. A decreasing linear response was evidenced for villus height and ratio of villus height to crypt depth. In conclusion, the processed fiber behaves in a different manner from conventional fiber in terms of small INTESTINAL MORPHOLOGY and PERFORMANCEs. The superior PERFORMANCE of processed fiber fed birds could be attributed to healthier small intestine, especially at supplementation level of 5 g/kg.

Purpose Dried lemon pulp (DLP) is a by-product of fruit processing industry and is containing active antioxidants such as flavonoids, is oflavones, and flavones. Thus, current experiment was carried out to evaluate the effect of dietary graded levels of DLP on PERFORMANCE, INTESTINAL MORPHOLOGY, and humoral IMMUNITY in BROILER CHICKENS.Methods Accordingly, a total of 280-day-old BROILER CHICKENS (Ross 308) were assigned to 4 treatments and 5 replicates of 14 chicks each. Dietary treatments included control (CON) with no additive as well as DLP1: 2.5, 5, and 7.5%; DLP2: 5, 7.5, and 10%; and DLP3: 7.5, 10, and 12% in starter, growing, and finisher phases, respectively. Subsequently, PERFORMANCE, INTESTINAL MORPHOLOGY, and humoral IMMUNITY were evaluated throughout the experiment.Results Body weight of CHICKENS decreased when using graded levels of DLP during different periods of the experiment as compared with CON (P\0.05). Also, daily weight gain was lower in those supplemented by 7.5% DLP than CON across finishing period (P\0.05). Therefore, feed conversion ratio of BROILERs was impaired when using graded levels of DLP across the entire production phase compared to the birds in CON group (P\0.05). Antibody titer against influenza disease virus and sheep red blood cells decreased when using DLP3 and DLP2, respectively (P\0.05). Jejunal crypt depth decreased in CHICKENS fed on DLP3 compared with control.Conclusion Dietary graded levels of DLP modified INTESTINAL segments while deteriorated growth PERFORMANCE of CHICKENS. Furthermore, DLP3 decreased jejunal crypt depth. Thereby, the use of DLP particularly at high levels is not recommended.

This experiment was performed to evaluation treated wheat screening waste in diet of BROILER CHICKENS. A total of 432 BROILERs (Ross 308) were used in completely randomized design for 9 treatments with 4 replicates of 12 chicks per replicate for 42 days. Treatments included 1) corn and soybean meal 2) corn and soybean meal in which 15% corn was replaced with wheat screening 3) corn and soybean meal in which 30% corn with substituted by wheat screening 4) diet 2 Natuzyme plus500 g /tone of diet 5) diet 3 + Natuzyme plus diet 500 g / tone of diet 6) diet 2 + protxin 150 g / ton of diet 7) diet 3 + protxin 150 g / tone of diet 8 ) diet 2+ 75 g protxin + 250g Natuzyme plus /ton of diet 9) diet 3+ 75 g protxin + 250g Natuzyme plus /ton of diet. In terms of production efficiency index, the highest levels was observed in control and in the diet containing 15% wheat screening with and without enzyme, probiotic and enzyme + probiotic (P<0.05). The highest villi length was observed in the treatments receiving 15% wheat screening WASTES + multi-enzyme + probiotic supplement )P<0.05). In conclusion, the results of this experiment showed that, corn of diet replaced by 15% of wheat screening pluse 250 g of enzyme + 75 g probiotic per ton of diet can be used in BROILER diets without any adverse effects on PERFORMANCE, production index and nutrient digestibility

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of molasses kombucha on PERFORMANCE, INTESTINAL MORPHOLOGY and INTESTINAL microbial population on 320 Ross male BROILER CHICKENS in a completely randomized design in 5 treatments and 4 replicate with 16 CHICKENS in each replicate, in the starter (1-10 days old), growth (11-24), the final (25-42) and whole period (1-42). Experimental treatments include drinking water containing: 1) tap water with no kombucha, 2) 0.015 and 0.003 kombucha, respectively, during the starter and growth period, 3) 0.015, 0.003 kombucha and 0.003 three days a week, respectively during the starter, growth and finisher period 4) 0.015 Kombucha during starter and 0.003 kombucha three days a week during growth and finisher period 5) 0.015 Kombucha during starter and growth period and 0.003 kombucha three days a week during finisher. All experimental treatments had a higher body weight gain than the control group (P < 0.05). During the starter and whole periods, except for treatment 2, addition of molasses kombucha significantly improved the feed conversion ratio (P<0.05). There was a significant increase in the villus surface area of the treatments compared to the control group (P<0.05). Molasses kombucha caused a significant increase in the Lactobacillus population and decreased the total coliforms in the cecum environment (P<0.05). In conclusion, 0.015 Kombucha during starter and growth period and 0.003 kombucha three days a week during finisher can improve the PERFORMANCE of BROILER CHICKENS.

An experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of L-glutamine (Gln) supplementation on growth PERFORMANCE and small INTESTINAL MORPHOLOGY of BROILER CHICKENS. One hundred and ninety two day-old male BROILERs (Ross 308) were used in a completely randomized design with 4 treatments and 4 replicates with 12 birds in each replicate. Four experimental diets were formulated to be isonitrogenous and isocaloric with different levels (0, 0.5, 1.0 and 1.5%) of Gln supplementation and were fed for the first 21 days of rearing period. Results showed that body weight and average daily weight gain increased in the birds consumed 1% Gln supplemented diet compared to the control birds fed a standard corn-SBM diet (P<0.05). Birds fed diets supplemented with 1 or 1.5% Gln had heavier duodenum and jejunum relative weight compared to the control birds (P<0.05).Morphological assays showed that villus height and villus surface area of the duodenum and jejunum increased as 1 or 1.5% Gln was supplemented in BROILER diets comparing to the control group (P<0.05). Goblet cells density was not significantly affected by dietary Gln inclusion. The results of this study indicated that adding 1% Gln to diet for the first 21 days of rearing period improved growth PERFORMANCE and small INTESTINAL MORPHOLOGY of BROILER CHICKENS.

Introduction: In recent years, consideration has been given to changing the sex of a female bird to male because it has the functional characteristics of the male phenotype, and the technique of in ovo injection is used to achieve this. For this purpose, the production process of some sex hormones in BROILER CHICKENS is changed by injecting a substance containing anti-aromatase. The aromatase enzyme (Arom P450) is considered a key enzyme in estrogen synthesis. The administration of aromatase inhibitors leads to the inhibition of estrogen synthesis (a hormone responsible for ovarian structure and secondary sexual characteristics) in females and the production of males with female genotypes. Therefore, if aromatase enzyme expression is inhibited in some way, it can be expected that the percentage of male chicken production will increase. Aromatase inhibitors can be divided into two main groups in terms of production source, including synthesized and herbal compounds. Among the herbal extracts containing anti-aromatase are nettle root, button MUSHROOM, garlic, green tea, and tomato. On the other hand, the results of some studies have shown that the PERFORMANCE indicators of male and female poultry during the breeding period, such as daily feed intake (DFI), daily weight gain (DWG), feed conversion ratio (FCR), as well as the activity of the digestive system, especially the small intestine, are different and the ability to use nutrients, growth rate and FCR are better in males than females. According to male poultry characteristics, if the number of males in the flock increases, more profitability can be achieved in the production process. Therefore, the objectives of the current study were to determine the effects of in ovo injection of nettle extract, MUSHROOM extract, and their mixture on hatched CHICKENS, PERFORMANCE, and INTESTINAL indicators of Ross 308 BROILER CHICKENS.Materials and methods: This study was conducted to investigate the in ovo injection effects of nettle and MUSHROOM extracts, and their mixture on hatchability, the percentage of male CHICKENS produced, and some INTESTINAL parameters in BROILERs. 500 fertilized eggs were divided into five treatments and four replicates (25 eggs per replicate). Experimental treatments included: 1. Nettle hydroalcoholic extract (containing 300 micrograms of dry matter per 0.1 cc of injectable substance), 2. MUSHROOM hydroalcoholic extract (containing 500 micrograms of dry matter per 0.1 cc of injectable substance), 3. MUSHROOM and nettle extracts mixture (containing 400 micrograms of dry matter per 0.1 cc of injectable substance), 4. Positive control (distilled water), and 5. Negative control (eggs without any injection). The experimental design was a completely randomized block design. Samples were divided into five treatment groups, with each treatment group having four replications based on the gender segregation of the chicks into male and female. The experimental diet was used based on the requirements of the Ross strain during three periods, including starter, grower, and finisher. After the CHICKENS were hatched, PERFORMANCE and INTESTINAL indices were measured.Results and discussion: The results showed that the number of hatched chicks was affected by experimental treatments. Therefore, the lowest hatch percentage was related to URE treatment chicks. The number of normally hatched male CHICKENS, PERFORMANCE indices, and INTESTINAL parameters were not affected by the experimental treatments (P>0.05). The lack of significant difference in the number of male CHICKENS in the experimental treatments may be due to the incorrect selection of the concentration of the experimental extract. Furthermore, villi height, crypt width, and villi surface absorption area were not affected by experimental treatment (herbal extracts). In comparison, DWG and FCR significantly improved by the sex effect (P<0.05). Regarding the difference in the PERFORMANCE of male and female BROILER CHICKENS, it has been reported that these two sexes have a significant difference in DFI and FCR. It has also been reported that the increase in BWG and the weight of different parts of the carcass in males was higher than in females, which is consistent with the findings of the current research regarding all three indicators of DFI, DWG, and FCR.Conclusions: Although there was no significant increase in the number of hatched male CHICKENS in this study, it is recommended to optimize the preparation and production conditions of plant extracts containing anti-aromatase by focusing on extracting the pure active ingredient to achieve a higher percentage of male CHICKENS in the flock.Materials and methods: This study was conducted to investigate the in-ovo injection effects of nettle and MUSHROOM extracts and their mixture on hatchability, the percentage of male CHICKENS produced and some INTESTINAL parameters in BROILERs. 500 fertilized eggs were divided into 5 treatments and 4 replications (25 eggs per replication) in a completely randomized design. Experimental treatments consisted: 500 fertilized eggs were divided into 5 treatments and 4 replicates (25 eggs per replicate) in a completely randomized design. Experimental treatments consisted: 1- nettle hydroalcoholic extract (containing 300 micrograms of dry matter per 0.1 cc of Injectable substance), 2- MUSHROOM hydroalcoholic extract (containing 500 micrograms of dry matter per 0.1 cc of Injectable substance), 3- MUSHROOM and nettle extracts mixture (containing 400 micrograms of dry matter per 0.1 cc of Injectable substance), 4- positive control (distilled water) and 5- negative control (eggs without any injection). The experimental diet was used based on the requirements of the Ross strain during three periods, including starter, grower and finisher. After the chicken were hatched, PERFORMANCE and INTESTINAL indices were measured. Results and discussion: The results showed that the number of hatched chicks were affected by experimental treatment. So that, the lowest hatch percentage was related to URE treatment chicks. The number of normal hatched male chicken, periodic PERFORMANCE indices and INTESTINAL parameters were not affected by the experimental treatments (P>0.05). The lack of significant difference in the number of male chicken in the experimental treatments may be due to the incorrect selection of the concentration of the experimental extract. Furthermore, villi heigh, crypt width and villi surface absorption area(VSA) were not affected by experimental treatment (herbal extracts). In comparison, DWG and FCR significantly improved by the sex effect (P<0.05). Regarding the difference in the PERFORMANCE of male and female BROILER chicken, it has been reported that these two sexes have a significant difference in DFI and FCR. It has also been reported that the increase in BWG and the weight of different parts of the carcass in males was higher than females, which is consistent with the findings of the current research regarding all three indicators of DFI and DWG as well as the FCR. Conclusion: Although there was no significant increase in the number of hatched male CHICKENS in this study, it is recommended to optimize the preparation and production conditions of plant extracts containing anti-aromatase by focusing on extracting the pure active ingredient to achieve a higher percentage of male CHICKENS in the flock.Key words: nettle and MUSHROOM extract, ant i-aromatase, BROILER chicken, plant extract, in-ovo injection

The effect of dose and regimen of organic acids on micro-flora and MORPHOLOGY of small intestine were studied in a total of 300 male day old BROILER chicks using completely randomized design. Salkil had no significant effects on the number of villi per view field and percent of convoluted villi. Salkil had a significant effect on the number of tongue, ridge shaped (P<0.01) and leaf shaped (P<0.05) villi. Salkil had no significant effect on the villus dimensions. In conclusion consumption of Salkil had no effect on decreasing of microbial load of feeds. Also anti-Salmonella efficiency of Salkil in feed was not proved. In this research, consumption of Salkil in used levels has not adverse effects on PERFORMANCE and development of INTESTINAL mucosal tissue until 49 days.