Evaluation of chromium propionate on growth performance and immune response in weaned beef calves

This study investigated the effects of chromium propionate on growth performance, serum traits and immune response in weaned pigs. Twenty-four 4 wk-old crossbred weanling pigs (initial body weight about 9.52′0.48 kg) wererandomly allotted into one of two groups, a control group (basal diet), chromium propionate group (diet supplemented with 200 μg kg - 1 (ppb) of chromium propionate). This experiment was conducted over nine weeks. Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS) 100 μg kg - 1 BW was used as the stress-inducing agent in the middle (4 wks) and final (8 wks) periods. The experimental results indicated that chromium propionate had no effect on growth performance (p>0.05). Chromium propionate supplementation reduced the percentage of LDL+VLDL (low and very low-density lipoprotein) and increased HDL (high-density lipoprotein), but did not affect other serum traits. Pigs supplemented with chromium propionate had higher antibody titers specific for sheep red blood cells (SRBC) and serum total globulin relative to the control during the final period (p<0.05). A challenge with LPS increased white blood cells in the chromium propionate group in both experimental periods (p<0.05). The chromium propionate group exhibited higher IgG and γ-globulin than the control during the middle experimental period (p<0.05). Moreover, the PHA (phytohemagglutinin) challenge result in the chromium propionate group was better than the control group (p=0.056). Greater neutrophil activity was displayed than in the control (p<0.05). This suggests that chromium propionate supplementation benefited the weaned pigs in lipoprotein and immune response.

This study investigated 1) the effect of clinical bovine respiratory disease (BRD) and associated lung consolidations on growth performance and hematological profiles of recently weaned beef calves and 2) the relationship between clinical respiratory signs and lung consolidation detected by thoracic ultrasonography (TUS). One hundred and fifty-three weaned beef calves (209 days old [SD: 35.8] and 306 kg [SD: 26.3], at arrival) purchased and transported from auction markets were accommodated indoors in concrete slatted floor pens. Calves were weighed weekly from arrival until day 28 and on day 65 post-arrival. Assessment of BRD and blood sample collection for hematological profiles were performed on scheduled days (at arrival, on days 7, 14, and 28) and on other days upon BRD diagnosis. Animals were assessed for BRD using a total clinical respiratory score (CRS) of five clinical signs (rectal temperature, ear position, cough, nasal secretion, and eye secretion with each ranging from normal [0] to abnormal [3]) and TUS scores (normal [0] to lung consolidation ≥ 1 cm2 [2]). Based on CRS, 35% of calves were CRS+ (CRS ≥ 5) and 65% were CRS- (CRS < 5). Although no lung consolidations (TUS-) were detected at arrival, 34% of calves developed lung consolidation (≥1 cm2) (TUS+) during the first 28 d post-arrival. Only fever (>39.6 °C) and nasal discharge were weakly associated (r = 0.19, P <0.05) with lung consolidation. On the day of BRD detection, neutrophil number and neutrophil:lymphocyte ratio were 58% and 73% greater, respectively, in BRD calves with lung consolidation compared with healthy calves. From day 0 to 65, calf average daily gain (ADG) did not differ (P >0.05) between CRS+ and CRS- calves but was 0.09 kg/d lower (P < 0.05) for TUS+ compared with TUS- calves. Calves classified as BRD (CRS + TUS ≥ 5) with lung consolidation had lower (P < 0.05) ADG from arrival until day 28 than healthy calves and BRD calves without lung consolidation (0.11 ± 0.10 vs. 0.53 ± 0.07 vs. 0.57 ± 0.10 kg/d, respectively); however, no differences in ADG were observed from day 0 to 65. Conventional methods to diagnose BRD failed to detect calves with lung lesions. TUS is a useful tool to detect lung lesions and its implementation in combination with CRS should provide a more accurate and early diagnosis of BRD, which is fundamental to successful treatment, animal welfare, and growth performance.

ABSTRACT1. The objective of present study was to evaluate the effects of intra-amniotic injection of different probiotic strains (Bacillus subtilis, Enterococcus faecium and Pediococcus acidilactici) on the intestinal MUC2 gene expression, microbial population, growth performance and immune response in broiler chicken.2. In a completely randomised design, different probiotic strains were injected into the amniotic fluid of the 480 live embryos (d 18 of incubation), with 4 treatments and 5 replicates. Ileal MUC2 gene expression, microbial profile, growth performance and immune response were determined.3. Injection of probiotic strains, especially B. subtilis, had significant effect on expression of the MUC2 on d 21 of incubation and d 3 post-hatch, but not on d 19 of incubation.4. Injection of the probiotic strains decreased significantly the Escherichia coli population and increased the lactic acid bacteria population during the first week post-hatch.5. Inoculation of probiotics had no significant effect on antibody titres against Newcastle disease virus, antibody titres against sheep red blood cell and cell-mediated immune response of chickens compared to control.6. In ovo injection of the probiotic strains had no significant effect on growth performance of broiler chickens.7. It was concluded that injection of probiotic bacteria especially B. subtilis into the amniotic fluid has a beneficial effect on ileal MUC2 gene expression and bacteria population during the first week post-hatch, but has no effect on growth performance and immune response in broiler chickens.

The current study evaluated the effects of dietary seaweed supplementation in European seabass juveniles (Dicentrarchus labrax) subjected to rearing temperature and salinity oscillations, simulating natural variations in pond aquaculture conditions. Two experimental diets where formulated: a control diet (CTRL) with no supplementation and one supplemented with 7.5% seaweed mix (SW 2.5% Fucus sp., 2.5% Gracilaria sp. and 2.5% Ulva sp.). Seabass from both dietary groups (40.7 g initial body weight) was subjected to either combined salinity and temperature oscillations, or to fixed conditions. Growth performance, innate immune, and oxidative stress responses were evaluated. Results showed that seaweed supplementation had no significant effect on the analyzed parameters. However, environmental oscillations revealed significant effects on growth performance and oxidative stress response. Fish subjected to salinity and temperature oscillations had a significantly lower weight gain and daily growth index than those subjected to fixed conditions, regardless of dietary treatment. Total glutathione, oxidized glutathione, and catalase increased in fish subjected to oscillatory conditions. Lysozyme and peroxidase were not influenced by either diet or environmental conditions. In conclusion, this particular dietary seaweed mix supplementation did not mitigate the negative effects of environmental oscillations on growth performance and innate immune responses in European seabass.

This study was performed to investigate the effects of dietary threonine (Thr). level on performance, metabolizable energy, intestinal morphology, and immune system in coccidian–infected broiler chickens. The diets contained: 88%, 100% (Non challenged (NC) and challenged control (PC)), 112%, 124%, and 136% of Thr requirement according to Cobb 500 recommendation and fed during grower (pre challenged) and finisher (post challenged) periods. On d 23 (end of grower period), each bird received 0.5 mL of distilled water or received around 24000 sporulated oocysts. On d 23 and 31, one bird per replicate was slaughtered to measure the performance criteria. Mean dietary apparent metabolizable energy corrected for nitrogen (AMEn) and digestible energy were greater in NC birds than the challenged birds fed on 88% or 100% Thr diets. Feed intake and blood parameters were not significantly influenced by increasing levels of Thr in the diet. Compared with unchallenged birds with coccidia (NC), the growth performance, morphological parameters (not crypt depth), and immune responses decreased (P < 0.05) in the birds (PC) that were challenged with coccidia, and oocyte numbers were enhanced. Growth performance, jejunal morphology, and immune responses improved and oocyte count decreased in coccidian- challenged birds fed on the diets with greater levels of Thr (P < 0.05). Feeding the challenged birds with the diet containing greater levels of Thr improved (P < 0.05) their growth performance, morphology, and immune responses and decreased oocyte number. The birds fed on the diet with 124% Thr demonstrated a similar response as the NC birds. Increased diet Thr level linearly increased average daily gain and decreased feed conversion ratio in the grower and the whole experimentation periods. The AMEn and digestibility of crude protein were enhanced linearly Thr level increased in coccidian-challenged birds. It is concluded that diets containing 124% of Thr recommendation led to the greatest efficacy on the intestinal immuneresponse and normal growth maintenance of the birds contaminated with coccidia.

In this study, we aimed to determine the effects of dietary supplementation with chitosan nanoparticles (CNP) on growth performance, immune status, gut microbiota and immune responses after lipopolysaccharide challenge in weaned pigs. A total of 144 piglets were assigned to four groups receiving different dietary treatments, including basal diets supplemented with 0, 100, 200 and 400mg/kg CNP fed for 28days. Each treatment group included six pens (six piglets per pen). The increase in supplemental CNP concentration improved the average daily gain (ADG) and decreased the feed and gain (F/G) and diarrhoea rate (p<.05). However, significant differences in the average daily feed intake (ADFI) among different CNP concentrations were not observed. CNP also increased plasma immunoglobulin (Ig)A and IgG, and C3 and C4 concentrations in piglets in a dose-dependent manner on day 28, whereas IgM concentration was not affected by CNP. A total of 24 piglets in the control diet and control diet with 400mg/kg CNP supplementation groups were randomly selected for the experiment of immunological stress. Half of the pigs in each group (n=6) were injected i.p. with Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS) at a concentration of 100μg/kg. The other pigs in each group were injected with sterile saline solution at the same volume. Plasma concentrations of cortisol, prostaglandin E2(PEG2), interleukin (IL)-6, tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α and IL-1β dramatically increased after LPS challenge. However, CNP inhibited the increase in cortisol, PEG2, IL-6 and IL-1β levels in plasma, whereas TNF-α level slightly increased. Moreover, the effects of CNP on the gut microbiota were also evaluated. Our results showed that dietary supplementation with CNP modified the composition of colonic microbiota, where it increased the amounts of some presumably beneficial intestinal bacteria and suppressed the growth of potential bacterial pathogens. These findings suggested CNP supplementation improved the growth performance and immune status, alleviated immunological stress and regulated intestinal ecology in weaned piglets. Based on these beneficial effects, CNP could be applied as a functional feed additives supplemented in piglets diet.

این مطالعه به منظور بررسی اثر سطوح مختلف تراکم مواد مغذی و گلوتامین افزودنی بر عملکرد رشد، مورفولوژی ژژنوم و پاسخ‌های ایمنی جوجه‌های گوشتی در دورۀ آغازین (10-0 روزگی)، رشد (24-11 روزگی) و پایانی (42-25 روزگی) انجام گرفت. آزمایشی با 320 قطعه جوجه گوشتی نر سویه راس 308 در قالب یک طرح کاملا تصادفی با 8 تیمار، 4 تکرار و 10 قطعه جوجه در هر تکرار انجام شد. در این آزمایش از دو سطح تراکم مواد مغذی (توصیه راس و 5 درصد رقیق شده) و 4 سطح گلوتامین (0، 5/0، 1 و 5/1 درصد) در قالب طرح کاملا تصادفی به صورت فاکتوریل 2×4 استفاده شد. نتایج آزمایش نشان داد که در دورۀ رشد و پایانی، تراکم مواد مغذی توصیه شده و گلوتامین افزودنی در جیرۀ غذایی موجب بهبود ضریب تبدیل خوراک می‌شود. افزودن گلوتامین موجب افزایش وزن نسبی ژژنوم، کل روده کوچک، تیموس و بورس گردید. سطح تراکم مواد مغذی و گلوتامین بر ارتفاع ویلی و عمق کریپت ژژنوم تأثیر معنی‌داری داشت. در بررسی ایمنی هومورال، بیشترین تیتر آنتی‌بادی بر علیه SRBC اولیه و ثانویه در تیمار حاوی 5/1 درصد گلوتامین و کمترین آن در گروه شاهد (بدون گلوتامین افزودنی) مشاهده شد. با تزریق زیر جلدی فیتوهماگلوتینین- P مشخص شد که گلوتامین افزودنی موجب افزایش ضخامت پردۀ بین انگشتان پای پرندگان گردید. بطور کلی نتایج حاصل از این تحقیق نشان داد که با تنظیم جیره‌های ‌غذایی با تراکم مواد مغذی توصیه شده برای سویه راس و افزودن 5/0 درصد گلوتامین، عملکرد رشد بهبود می‌یابد و تغذیه جوجه‌ها با جیرۀ حاوی 1 درصد گلوتامین افزودنی و تراکم مواد مغذی توصیه شده پاسخ‌های ایمنی ارتقاء می‌یابد.

Effects of dietary supplementation of oligosaccharides on growth performance, gut health and immune response of hybrid catfish (Pangasianodon gigas × Pangasianodon hypophthalmus)

Global warming and climate change have become major concerns. These changes have led to more frequent and prolonged heat waves, resulting in economic losses for livestock industry. Pigs are particularly vulnerable to heat stress under high temperatures due to their thick skin layers and limited sweat glands. Panting is a common behavior in pigs to dissipate heat through evaporation, but this process is less effective in high humidity environments. This study was conducted to investigate the effects of high humidity under high temperature conditions on rectal temperature, growth performance, blood profiles, and immune responses of growing pigs. A total of 48 growing pigs [(Landrace × Yorkshire) × Duroc; initial body weight (BW): 23.21 ± 3.77 kg] were randomly assigned to two environmental treatments (2 pigs/pen; 12 replicates/treatment) in a randomized complete block design (block = initial BW): thermal neutral conditions (TN: 23.5℃, 35%) and heat stress conditions (HS: 32.5℃, 80%). Throughout two weeks of experiment, the pigs had ad libitum access to a basal grower diet based on corn and soybean meal. The rectal temperature of each pig was measured daily throughout the experimental period to monitor changes in body temperature. Blood samples were collected from 1 pig per pen at the beginning and end of the experiment. Measurements included growth performance [BW, average daily gain (ADG), average daily feed intake (ADFI), and gain to feed ratio], blood profiles [the number of white blood cells (WBC), red blood cells, hemoglobin, hematocrit, and platelet] measured by an automated hematology analyzer calibrated for porcine blood, and immune responses (cortisol, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-6, interleukin-1beta, and transforming growth factor-beta1) by the ELISA kits. Statistical analysis was performed using the general linear model procedure of the SAS program. Experimental unit was a pen. The statistical model included environmental treatment as a main effect and BW as a covariate for rectal temperature, growth performance, blood profiles, and immune responses. During the entire experimental period, the mean rectal temperature was 39.9℃ for TN and 40.5℃ for HS. Pigs under HS had decreased (P &amp;lt; 0.05) ADG and ADFI than those under TN. The WBC counts of pigs under HS were decreased (P &amp;lt; 0.05) than those under TN. In contrast, serum cortisol concentrations of pigs under HS were greater (P &amp;lt; 0.05) than those under TN. In conclusion, this study suggests that exposure to high humidity in combination with high temperatures has a negative impact on the growth performance and immune responses of growing pigs.

This study aimed to assess the effects of different arginine (Arg) to lysine (Lys) ratios on feed intake, nutrient digestibility, growth performance, carcass characteristics, and antibody titers of Newcastle disease (ND) and infectious bronchitis (IB) disease in broilers during 35 days of trial. For this purpose, a total of 816 day-old broiler birds having an average weight of 38 ± 3 g were divided into six dietary treatments in such a way that each treatment had eight replicates and each replicate had 17 birds. The treatments were 0.95 (1.19/1.25, 1.12/1.18, and 1.05/1.1), 1 (1.25/1.25, 1.18/1.18, and 1.1/1.1), 1.05 (1.31/1.25, 1.24/1.18, and 1.17/1.1), 1.10 (1.38/1.25, 1.30/1.18, and 1.23/1.1), 1.15 (1.44/1.25, 1.36/1.18, and 1.28/1.1), and 1.20 (1.50/1.25, 1.42/1.18, and 1.34/1.1) Arg/Lys divided into different amounts according to the nutritional needs of starter, grower, and finisher diets, respectively. The results showed that in the finisher phase, the FI was influenced cubically, while in the overall period, a quadratic effect was observed for the FI (p < 0.05). The results of BWG showed that BWG was linearly increased in birds given different Arg/Lys in the grower, finisher, and overall period (p < 0.05). The results also showed that during the grower, finisher, and overall phases, the body weight gain (BWG) was better in birds fed with 1.05 and 1.10 Arg/Lys (p < 0.05). Furthermore, a better feed conversion ratio (FCR) was shown in the starter and grower phases at 1.10 and 1.15 Arg/Lys (p < 0.05). The results of nutrient digestibility explored showed that the experimental treatments had a better effect (p < 0.05) on dry matter and crude fat digestibility in birds fed with 1.19/1.25, 1.12/1.18, and 1.05/1.1 and 1.25/1.25, 1.18/1.18, and 1.1/1.1 Arg/Lys in their diets while the crude protein digestibility remained unaffected with different treatments (p > 0.05). The treatments had no effect (p > 0.05) on relative organ weights, immune organs, and carcass characteristics. However, higher titers of ND and IBD were observed in birds fed with Arg/Lys of 1.38/1.25, 1.30/1.18, and 1.23/1.1 and 1.50/1.25, 1.42/1.18, and 1.34/1.1 in their diets (p < 0.05). Based on the results of the current study, it is concluded that the inclusion levels of 1.38/1.25, 1.30/1.18, and 1.23/1.1, and 1.44/1.25, 1.36/1.18, and 1.28/1.1 Arg/Lys resulted in better growth performance and immune response in the broiler birds, respectively. Therefore, adjusting the levels of Arg/Lys in feed is recommended to enhance broilers' growth performance and immune response.

The present study was designed to elucidate the changing pattern of growth performance, nutrient metabolism, antioxidant defense, and immune response after fishmeal (FM) was replaced by cottonseed meal (CSM). Four isonitrogenous and isolipidic experimental diets (42.5% crude protein, 14.0% crude lipid) were formulated to replace 0% (CSM0 diet), 20% (CSM20 diet), 40% (CSM40 diet), and 60% (CSM60 diet) of the FM protein with CSM. Juvenile golden pompano (Trachinotus ovatus) with an initial body weight of 24.8 ± 0.02 g were fed each diet for 6 weeks. The results showed that compared with the control diet, significant differences were not found in the weight gain ratio, specific growth performance, and apparent digestibility of dry matter and protein after 20% FM was replaced by CSM. Higher CSM replacement markedly decreased the growth performance (P &amp;lt; 0.05). Moreover, the CSM20 and CSM40 diets did not depress the feed efficiency ratio and protein efficiency ratio compared with the CSM0 diet. Further exploring the physio-biochemical and molecular responses, the present study also showed that dietary 20–40% CSM replacement had no significant effect on altering the whole body, plasma nutrient contents, free amino acids, or whole-body fatty acid contents. Additionally, the CSM20 diet did not change the mRNA and protein phosphorylation levels of the key enzymes and regulators involved in target of rapamycin (TOR) and amino acid response (AAR) signaling, nutrient metabolism, immune response, and antioxidant defense. Higher CSM inclusion significantly varied the TOR and AAR signaling response, nutrient metabolism, immune response, and antioxidant defense. Based on the results, CSM could successfully replace 20% FM in the formulated diets for golden pompano. This study proposes the optimal inclusion level of CSM in the diet, which has an important significance in optimizing aquafeeds formulation.

To what extent does the composition of batches formed at the sorting facility influence the subsequent growth performance of young beef bulls? A French observational study

The experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of β-1,3/1,6-glucan on growth performance, immunity and endocrine responses of weanling piglets. One hundred and eighty weanling piglets (LandracexLarge White, 7.20±0.25 kg BW and 28±2 d of age) were randomly fed 1 of 5 treatment diets containing dietary β-1,3/1,6-glucan supplemented at 0, 25, 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg for 4 wks. Each treatment was replicated in 6 pens containing 6 pigs per pen. On d 14 and 28, body weight gain, feed consumption and feed efficiency were recorded as measures of growth performance. Peripheral blood lymphocyte proliferation and serum immunoglobulin G (IgG) were measured to study the effect of dietary β-1,3/1,6-glucan supplementation on immune function. Plasma prostaglandin E 2 (PGE 2 ), growth hormone (GH) and ghrelin were measured to investigate endocrine response to β-1,3/1,6-glucan supplementation. Our results suggest that average daily gain (ADG) and feed efficiency had a quadratic increase trend with dietary β-1,3/1,6-glucan supplementation from d 14 to 28, whereas it had no significant effect on average daily feed intake (ADFI). The treatment group fed with 50 mg/kg dietary β-1,3/1,6-glucan supplementation showed a numerical increase in ghrelin, a similar change trend with ADG and no significant effect on GH. Lymphocyte proliferation indices, serum IgG and plasma PGE 2 concentrations varied linearly with dietary supplementation levels of β-1,3/1,6-glucan on d 14. Higher levels of β-1,3/1,6-glucan may have a transient immuno-enhancing effect on the cellular and humoral immune function of weanling piglets via decreased PGE 2 . Taking into account both immune response and growth performance, the most suitable dietary supplementation level of β-1,3/1,6-glucan is 50 mg/kg for weanling piglets.

Growth performance, intestinal morphology and nonspecific immunity response of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) fry cultured in biofloc systems with different carbon sources and input C:N ratios

The aim of this experiment was to investigate the effects of dietary crude protein (CP) contents and crystalline amino acids (CAA) supplementation patterns on growth performance, intestinal histomorphology, and immune response in weaned pigs under clean (CSC) or unclean sanitary conditions (USC). A total of 144 weaned pigs (6.35 ± 0.63 kg body weight) were assigned to 6 treatments in a 3 × 2 factorial arrangement based on CP content and sanitary conditions using a randomized complete block design, giving 8 replicates per treatment with 3 pigs per pen. Pigs were fed one of three diets for 21 d: one high CP (HCP; 22%) and two low CP (LCP; 19%) diets supplemented with 9 indispensable AA or only 6 AA (Lys, Met, Thr, Trp, Val, and Ile) as CAA. The CSC room was washed weekly, whereas the USC room had sow manure spread in the pens and was not washed throughout the experiment. Body weight and feed disappearance were recorded weekly. Blood was sampled from 1 pig per pen weekly, and the same pig was euthanized for jejunal tissues sampling on day 21. Pigs raised under USC had reduced (P < 0.05) average daily gain (ADG) and gain to feed ratio (G:F) in week 2, but contrary results that greater (P < 0.05) ADG and G:F were found in pigs under USC in week 3. Overall, there was an interaction where G:F did not differ between HCP and LCP under CSC, however, LCP decreased (P < 0.05) G:F compared to HCP under USC. Pigs fed the HCP diet had higher (P < 0.05) fecal scores than those fed the LCP diets throughout the experiment. Pigs fed the LCP had higher (P < 0.05) villus height to crypt depth ratio than those fed the HCP. An interaction was observed where goblet cell density in the jejunum was higher (P < 0.05) in pigs fed LCP than HCP under CSC, but no difference was found between HCP and LCP under USC. Different CAA supplementation patterns did not influence both growth performance and histomorphology. Pigs raised under USC had greater (P < 0.05) plasma interleukin (IL)-10 and IL-6 concentrations and reduced (P < 0.05) plasma tumor necrosis factor-alpha concentration. Also, the LCP diets resulted in a greater (P < 0.05) plasma IL-10 concentration. In conclusion, overall growth performance did not differ between HCP and LCP under CSC, but LCP diets reduced G:F under USC. Feeding LCP diets to weaned pigs improved gut morphology under USC and ameliorated systemic inflammation induced by USC, whereas CAA supplementation patterns did not affect growth performance and gut morphology.