Effect of moringa olifera oil extract added to lamb rations at different ratios on fattening performance and circadian change of adipokine (irisin, apelin), cerebral (BDNF), BMAL1, melatonin and cortisol hormone response

Circadian rhythm is the biological rhythmic activities of physiological processes and physical, mental and behavioral changes experienced by the organism throughout a 24-hour cycle. Circadian rhythm is of critical importance for growth performance and healthy growth and development of animals, primarily due to its effect on the endocrine system and digestive system. Changes in the light cycle and stress factors (feed and water restriction, high temperature, diseases) are also the main factors that cause circadian rhythm disruption. Circadian rhythm disruption can affect appetite, reduce feed consumption, negatively affect hormone release, slow down growth and development in lambs, weaken the immune system, reduce resistance to diseases, reduce reproductive performance and cause behavioral disorders (excessive mobility, loss of appetite, etc.). Herbal extracts have an important role in the circadian release of hormones and the regulation of circadian rhythm by affecting the endocrine system. Moringa olifera, attributed as a miraculous food, is widely used in traditional complementary medicine with its antioxidant and antimicrobial effects. This study is to investigate the circadian changes in adipokine (irisin, apelin), cerebral (BDNF), BMAL1, melatonin cortisol hormone response to the rations of Ile de France lambs with different doses of Moringa olifera oil extract. In this context, 48 male Ile de France lambs aged 2.5 months were used in the study and the animals were arranged in 4 groups, 1 control and 3 trials, each consisting of 12 male lambs. Moringa olifera oil extract (MOE) was added to the lamb fattening rations at the rates of M0 (control), M200, M400 and M600 ppm, respectively. The study was conducted between March and May 2024 and lasted 70 days in total, including 10 days of adaptation and 60 days of fattening trial. During the study, natural photoperiod (12 hours of light; 12 hours of darkness) was continuously on, and dim light producing less than 2 lux was continuously on to facilitate night examination. In order to evaluate the study circadian rhythm, blood serum samples were taken from the jugular vein of lambs at 07:00, 13:00, 19:00, 01:00, 07:00 on the 0th, 15th, 30th, 45th and 60th days of the study. Apelin, irisin, melatonin, Brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), Brain and Muscle ARNT-like protein 1 (BMAL1) levels in the serum samples obtained from the blood samples were examined by ELISA method. Serum samples were stored at -80 C° until analysis. Data belonging to the study were expressed as mean and standard error by checking the normal distribution of the data in IBM SPSS 22 Statistics program. The obtained data were analyzed by general linear model multivariate (apelin, irisin, melatonin, BDNF, BMAL1 and cortisol). Duncan's multiple comparison test was applied to compare the differences between the means and statistical significance value p value <0.05 was accepted as significant. When the study was examined on BMAL1 (time: 13:00), irisin, melatonin (time 01:00) values, while M400 additive dose was effective at 19:00 in 60 days, apelin (time 19:00) was effective at M600 dose at 13:00 in 60 days. While it was obtained on BDNF at M200 dose between 19:00 and 13:00 in 60 days, the best results were obtained in M400 dose on live weight and live weight gain increased linearly in 60 days. As a result, it was concluded that the M400 dose MOE application on the 60th day is safe, and it is effective on the levels of the circadian rhythm regulator protein BMAL1 and the melatonin hormone and the irisin hormone with its role in VKS regulation, and that it may be effective and beneficial on the highest live weight level. In addition, we think that the measurement of the Apelin hormone level can contribute to the effect of nutrition due to its role in glucose, insulin and energy metabolism; the evaluation of live weight and VKS due to the regulatory role of irisin, body condition score (BCS), and the examination and evaluation of melatonin, circadian, BDNF, and cerebral response due to its role as a circadian rhythm regulator hormone. However, it was concluded that more comprehensive and molecular studies should be conducted in this field, and that the circadian rhythm regulator BMAL1 may be useful in the establishment of feeding programs to be implemented by evaluating the circadian rhythm processes, their effectiveness and in the fattening performance management processes.