Acclimation Period Research Articles

Acclimation period affects tissue condition in the Caribbean staghorn coral, Acropora cervicornis

Acclimation period affects tissue condition in the Caribbean staghorn coral, Acropora cervicornis

Thermoregulatory consequences of growing up during a heatwave or a cold snap in Japanese quail.

Changes in environmental temperature during development can affect growth, metabolism and temperature tolerance of the offspring. We know little about whether such changes remain to adulthood, which is important to understand the links between climate change, development and fitness. We investigated whether phenotypic consequences of the thermal environment in early life remained in adulthood in two studies on Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica). Birds were raised under simulated heatwave, cold snap or control conditions, from hatching until halfway through the growth period, and then in common garden conditions until reproductively mature. We measured biometric and thermoregulatory [metabolic heat production (MHP), evaporative water and heat loss (EWL, EHL) and body temperature] responses to variation in submaximal air temperature at the end of the thermal acclimation period and in adulthood. Warm birds had lower MHP than control birds at the end of the thermal acclimation period and, in the warmest temperature studied (40°C), also had higher evaporative cooling capacity compared with controls. No analogous responses were recorded in cold birds, although they had higher EWL than controls in all but the highest test temperature. None of the effects found at the end of the heatwave or cold snap period remained until adulthood. This implies that chicks exposed to higher temperatures could be more prepared to counter heat stress as juveniles but that they do not enjoy any advantages of such developmental conditions when facing high temperatures as adults. Conversely, cold temperature does not seem to confer any priming effects in adolescence.

Review of Athletic Guidelines for High-Altitude Training and Acclimatization.

Ramchandani, Rashi, Ioana Tereza Florica, Zier Zhou, Aziz Alemi, and Adrian Baranchuk. Review of athletic guidelines for high-altitude training and acclimatization. High Alt Med Biol. 00:000-000, 2024. Introduction: Exposure to high altitude results in hypobaric hypoxia with physiological acclimatization changes that are thought to influence athletic performance. This review summarizes existing literature regarding implications of high-altitude training and altitude-related guidelines from major governing bodies of sports. Methods: A nonsystematic review was performed using PubMed and OVID Medline to identify articles regarding altitude training and guidelines from international governing bodies of various sports. Sports inherently involving training or competing at high altitude were excluded. Results: Important physiological compensatory mechanisms to high-altitude environments include elevations in blood pressure, heart rate, red blood cell mass, tidal volume, and respiratory rate. These responses can have varying effects on athletic performance. Governing sport bodies have limited and differing regulations for training and competition at high altitudes with recommended acclimatization periods ranging from 3 days to 3 weeks. Discussion: Physiological changes in response to high terrestrial altitude exposure can have substantial impacts on athletic performance. Major sport governing bodies have limited regulations and recommendations regarding altitude training and competition. Existing guidelines are variable and lack substantial evidence to support recommendations. Additional studies are needed to clarify the implications of high-altitude exposure on athletic ability to optimize training and competition.

Influence of iron (hydr)oxide mineralogy and contents in aquifer sediments on dissolved organic carbon attenuations during aquifer storage and recovery

Aquifer storage and recovery (ASR) is a promising approach for managing water resources that enhances water quality through biogeochemical reactions occurring within aquifers. Iron (hydr)oxides, which are the predominant metallic oxides in soil, play a crucial role in degrading dissolved organic carbon (DOC), primarily through a process known as dissimilatory iron reduction (DIR). However, the efficiency of this reaction varies depending on the mineralogy and composition of the aquifer, and this understanding is essential for adequate water quality in ASR. The objective of this study is to investigate the impact of iron (hydr)oxide on acetate, as an organic carbon source, attenuation during the ASR. To achieve this, three sets of laboratory sediment columns were prepared, each containing a different type of iron (hydr)oxide minerals: ferrihydrite, goethite, and hematite. Following an acclimation period of 28 days to simulate the microcosm within an aquifer, the columns were continuously supplied with the simulated river water spiked with acetate (DOC 40–60 mg L−1), and the acetate concentration in the effluent was monitored. The result revealed that the column containing ferrihydrite achieved 97% acetate attenuation through DIR with anoxic conditions (DO < 0.1 mg L−1), while the goethite and hematite columns exhibited limited attenuation rates of 40 and 50%, respectively. Furthermore, the efficiency of acetate attenuation in the ferrihydrite columns increased with the content of ferrihydrite but experienced a rapidly declined at higher contents (3–4%), possibly due to the partial conversion of ferrihydrite to goethite as a result of the interaction between ferrihydrite and the Fe(II) produced during DIR. Additionally, an analysis of the microbial community demonstrated that microorganisms known to possess the ability to reduce iron (hydr)oxides under anaerobic conditions were abundant in the ferrihydrite columns.

Dietary monoglyceride supplementation to support intestinal integrity and host defenses in health-challenged weanling pigs.

Frequent incidence of postweaning enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) diarrhea in the swine industry contributes to high mortality rates and associated economic losses. In this study, a combination of butyric, caprylic, and capric fatty acid monoglycerides was investigated to promote intestinal integrity and host defenses in weanling pigs infected with ETEC. A total of 160 pigs were allotted to treatment groups based on weight and sex. Throughout the 17-d study, three treatment groups were maintained: sham-inoculated pigs fed a control diet (uninfected control [UC], n = 40), ETEC-inoculated pigs fed the same control diet (infected control [IC], n = 60), and ETEC-inoculated pigs fed the control diet supplemented with monoglycerides included at 0.3% of the diet (infected supplemented [MG], n = 60). After a 7-d acclimation period, pigs were orally inoculated on each of three consecutive days with either 3mL of a sham-control (saline) or live ETEC culture (3 × 109 colony-forming units/mL). The first day of inoculations was designated as 0 d postinoculation (DPI), and all study outcomes reference this time point. Fecal, tissue, and blood samples were collected from 48 individual pigs (UC, n = 12; IC, n = 18; MG, n = 18) on 5 and 10 DPI for analysis of dry matter (DM), bacterial enumeration, inflammatory markers, and intestinal permeability. ETEC-inoculated pigs in both the IC and MG groups exhibited clear signs of infection including lower (P < 0.05) gain:feed and fecal DM, indicative of excess water in the feces, and elevated (P < 0.05) rectal temperatures, total bacteria, total E. coli, and total F18 ETEC during the peak-infection period (5 DPI). Reduced (P < 0.05) expression of the occludin, tumor necrosis factor α, and vascular endothelial growth factor A genes was observed in both ETEC-inoculated groups at the 5 DPI time point. There were no meaningful differences between treatments for any of the outcomes measured at 10 DPI. Overall, all significant changes were the result of the ETEC infection, not monoglyceride supplementation.

Experimental trials of species-specific bat flight responses to an ultrasonic deterrent.

Unintended consequences of increasing wind energy production include bat mortalities from wind turbine blade strikes. Ultrasonic deterrents (UDs) have been developed to reduce bat mortalities at wind turbines. Our goal was to experimentally assess the species-specific effectiveness of three emission treatments from the UD developed by NRG Systems. We conducted trials in a flight cage measuring approximately 60 m × 10 m × 4.4 m (length × width × height) from July 2020 to May 2021 in San Marcos, Texas, USA. A single UD was placed at either end of the flight cage, and we randomly selected one for each night of field trials. Trials focused on a red bat species group (Lasiurus borealis and Lasiurus blossevillii; n = 46) and four species: cave myotis (Myotis velifer; n = 57), Brazilian free-tailed bats (Tadarida brasiliensis; n = 73), evening bats (Nycteceius humeralis; n = 53), and tricolored bats (Perimyotis subflavus; n = 17). The trials occurred during three treatment emissions: low (emissions from subarrays at 20, 26, and 32 kHz), high (emissions from subarrays at 38, 44, and 50 kHz), and combined (all six emission frequencies). We placed one wild-captured bat into the flight cage for each trial, which consisted of an acclimation period, a control period with the UD powered off, and the three emission treatments (order randomly selected), each interspersed with a control period. We tracked bat flight using four thermal cameras placed outside the flight cage. We quantified the effectiveness of each treatment by comparing the distances each bat flew from the UD during each treatment vs. the control period using quantile regression. Additionally, we conducted an exploratory analysis of differences between sex and season and sex within season using analysis of variance. Broadly, UDs were effective at altering the bats' flight paths as they flew farther from the UD during treatments than during controls; however, results varied by species, sex, season, and sex within season. For the red bat group, bats flew farther from the UD during all treatments than during the control period at all percentiles (p < 0.001), and treatments were comparable in effectiveness. For cave myotis, all percentile distances were farther from the UD during each of the treatments than during the control, except the 90th percentile distance during high, and low was most effective. For evening bats and Brazilian free-tailed bats, results were inconsistent, but high and low were most effective, respectively. For tricolored bats, combined and low were significant at the 10th-75th percentiles, high was significant at all percentiles, and combined was most effective. Results suggest UDs may be an effective means of reducing bat mortalities due to wind turbine blade strikes. We recommend that continued research on UDs focus on low emission treatments, which have decreased sound attenuation and demonstrated effectiveness across the bat species evaluated in this study.

Determination of an Acclimation Period for Swine in Biomedical Research.

Swine are widely used models in biomedical research due to their physiologic and anatomic similarities to humans. During transport from vendors to research facilities, pigs are subject to a number of stressors, including environmental, social, and stress as a result of deprivation from food and water. As stress can have a number of adverse psychologic and physiologic effects, an acclimation period, defined as the period of time that an animal has to adjust and stabilize in a new environment, is recommended. The literature indicates that swine should be conditioned to their new facility for 5 to 7 d prior to undergoing survival surgery; however, to date, there is no published scientific evidence to support this or any specific acclimation period for swine. To investigate whether a certain length acclimation period leads to decreased stress in swine, we measured 2 stress biomarkers, cortisol and chromogranin A (CgA), from the saliva of 12 naive Yorkshire swine (n = 6 males and 6 females) arriving at our facility for use in research protocols. Noninvasive saliva collection was performed on days 1, 3, 5, 7, 10, and 14 after arrival from the vendor (representing different acclimation periods). We hypothesized that longer acclimation periods would result in reduced levels of both cortisol and CgA, indicating reduced stress. Our data revealed that there was no statistical difference in cortisol levels over time (P = 0.8200), nor between the sexes (P = 0.9886) or individual animals (P = 0.6280). CgA, similarly to cortisol, showed no overall effect of time (P = 0.2017) or sex (P = 0.6598). For this analyte, individual animal was significant (P < 0.0001), which suggests high interanimal variation. Furthermore, there was a significant decrease (P = 0.0077) in salivary CgA from day 1 compared with day 14, suggesting that swine may benefit from an acclimation period of at least 14 d.

Transcriptomic analysis of Asparagus officinalis cultivars with varying levels of freezing tolerance over fall acclimation and spring deacclimation periods.

Asparagus (Asparagus officinalis L.) is an important vegetable crop in southern Ontario, Canada, where winter air and soil temperatures below 0°C are common. Consequently, cultivars growing in this area must possess winterhardiness and freezing tolerance for survival. Asparagus acquires freezing tolerance in the fall through cold acclimation and loses freezing tolerance in the spring through deacclimation. To understand the molecular bases of these processes, transcriptomic analysis (RNA-Seq) was conducted on two cultivars, one adapted, 'Guelph Millennium' (GM), and one unadapted, 'UC157' (UC), to the winter conditions of southern Ontario. RNA extracted from bud and rhizome tissues, sampled on three dates during early spring and late fall, was subjected to sequencing. In the fall, the numbers of differentially expressed (DE) genes at the second and third harvests increased, relative to the first harvest, in dormant buds and rhizomes as freezing tolerance of cultivars increased, and the majority of DE genes were downregulated. In spring, freezing tolerance decreased as plants deacclimated and most genes DE at second and third harvests were upregulated in both cultivars. GM had lower LT50 (lethal temperature at which 50% of plants die) values and hence higher freezing tolerance than UC on specific sampling dates during both spring and fall, and expression patterns of specific genes were correlated with LT50 differences. Functional analysis revealed that these genes were involved in carbohydrate metabolic process, plant hormone signal transduction (auxin and gibberellin), proline metabolism, biosynthesis of secondary metabolites, circadian rhythm, and late embryogenesis abundant proteins and could be associated with cold acclimation and deacclimation processes. These findings will help researchers understand the molecular mechanisms of freezing tolerance in asparagus, leading to breeding and genetic strategies to improve the trait.

THERAPEUTIC AND ANTAGONIST VILLI INSURGENCY OF GARCINIA KOLA ON ACETIC ACID INDUCED EROSIVE SMALL INTESTINAL ULCER OF WISTAR ALBINO RATS MODEL

The small bowel, also known as the small intestine, is a key component of the digestive system responsible for the majority of nutrient absorption from food. Positioned between the stomach and the large intestine, it receives digestive enzymes from bile and pancreatic juice via the pancreatic duct. The small intestine measures approximately 18 feet (6.5 meters) in length and is intricately folded to fit within the abdominal cavity. The Garcinia Kola plant was recognized by the Department of Pharmacology at Niger Delta University, located on Wilberforce Island, Amasomma, Bayelsa State. The seeds of this plant were collected from Amasomma and subjected to a drying process under natural sunlight for 14 days. Subsequently, they were ground into a fine powder and distributed into various beakers. After allowing the mixture to settle for three days, it was filtered using Watchman's No. 1 filter paper. For this research, thirty albino rats with weights ranging from 150g ± 3.5 to 205g ± 2.6 were utilized. These rats were sourced from the animal facility of the Pharmacology Department at Niger Delta University. They were kept in a controlled environment with temperatures maintained between 20°C and 27°C and a 12-hour cycle of light and darkness. The rats were grouped and provided with standard feed pellets from Guinea Feed Nigeria Plc and unlimited access to clean water for the duration of the study, which included a two-week acclimatization period. The handling of the animals adhered to the institution's guidelines for animal experimentation. The study spanned two months, with an initial four-week acclimatization phase. Post-acclimatization, the 30 rats were randomly assigned to seven groups (A to G). Group A (control) received a diet of pelleted growers feed (mash) and water. Group B (chronic exposure group) was given 1ml of 4% acetic acid orally, along with the standard diet, for 30 days. Group C (subchronic exposure group) received the same acetic acid treatment for 14 days. Groups D and E (sub-chronic exposure groups) were treated with acetic acid and varying doses of Garcinia Kola extract for 14 days. Groups F and G (chronic exposure groups) underwent a similar regimen with Garcinia Kola extract for 30 days. At the end of the treatment period, the rats were euthanized using chloroform anesthesia, and vital organs were harvested and preserved in 10% formalin. The tissues underwent standard histological processing and were stained with Haematoxylin and Eosin at the Histopathology laboratory of the Niger Delta Teaching Hospital (NDUTH) in Okolobiri. Histological examination revealed that the control group's villi and submucosal walls remained intact. However, plates 4.2 to 4.4 displayed erosion of the submucosal layer, interruption of the villi, and aggregation of white blood cells. Plate 4.5 indicated mild erosion of the mucosal layer and the presence of inflammatory cells. The findings suggest that oral ingestion of acetic acid for 30 days can cause inflammation and necrosis in the stomach tissues of lab animals. Additionally, it was noted that administering Garcinia Kola seed extract alone had minimal impact on the animals' histology.

Effect of Dietary Puerarin Supplementation on Growth Performance, Immune Response, Antioxidant Capacity, and Intestinal Morphology in Domestic Pigeons (Columba livia).

Puerarin is an isoflavone extracted from Gegen (Pueraria lobata) and has been widely utilized to treat various human diseases; however, information regarding its benefits in animal production is limited. In this study, we aimed to investigate the influence of dietary puerarin supplementation on growth performance, immune organ index, immunoglobulin profile, antioxidant capacity, and intestinal morphology in pigeons. In total, 375 healthy 28-day-old White King pigeons were randomly divided into five groups, each consisting of five replicates and 15 pigeons per replicate. Each group was administered one of five dietary treatments: the basal diet, or the basal diet supplemented with 40, 80, 120, or 160 mg/kg puerarin. Treatment duration was 30 days following a 7-day acclimation period. Puerarin treatment did not significantly alter the growth performance of pigeons but afforded a significant linear enhancement in the thymus index (P < 0.05). Additionally, puerarin supplementation significantly increased serum immunoglobulin A and immunoglobulin M levels in pigeons in a linear manner (P < 0.05). Similarly, puerarin significantly and linearly increased the activities of total antioxidant capacity, superoxide dismutase, glutathione, and catalase in the serum and liver, and decreased the malondialdehyde content (P < 0.05). Moreover, the villus height (VH), crypt depth (CD), and VH/CD ratio of the small intestine (including the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum) increased linearly upon puerarin supplementation (P < 0.05). Collectively, these results indicate that puerarin supplementation could improve the immune response, antioxidant capacity, and intestinal morphology of pigeons.

Toxicological Assessment of Clarias gariepinus Exposed to Leachates from Awotan Landfill, Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria.

Background: This study aims to determine the physical and chemical characteristics of leachate samples from the Awotan dumpsite in Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria, and provide a comprehensive assessment of the effects of these leachates on the haematology of Clarias gariepinus. Methods: Two Leachate samples were obtained from a leachate section at the Awotan dumpsite, and the physical and chemical parameters of the samples were estimated using standard methods. Physical and chemical parameters such as temperature, dissolved oxygen (DO), electrical conductivity (EC), total dissolved solids (TDS), and pH were measured in-situ using a calibrated multi 3630 digital meter and probe. Turbidity was measured using a calibrated Secchi Disc. Other chemical parameters such as Cl–, NO3–, SO42-, and PO42- were taken to the laboratory and measured using the titrimetric method. Samples of juveniles were obtained from the Department of Aquaculture and Fisheries Management at the University of Ibadan and transported to the genetics laboratory at Lead City University, where they were acclimatized in chlorine-free borehole water for 21 days. After the acclimation period, the toxicity assessment setup was initiated. Five treatment bowls, including control (0%), 5%, 10%, 25%, and 50% leachate concentrations were set up in triplicates and 15 samples of Clarias gariepinus were introduced into each of the treatment bowls, where they were bred and observed for 21 days before taking them to the laboratory for haematology analysis. Results: The physicochemical properties of the leachate samples showed that EC (4200 ± 13.0), TDS (2450 ±14.4), NO3– (87.00 ± 5.7), and PO42-(3.134 ± 0.11) all exceeded the SON and WHO recommended standards. Also, the concentration of heavy metals such as Cu (9.28 ± 3.2), Mn (45.64 ± 6.3), and Fe (604.48 ± 10.62) all exceeded the SON and WHO recommended limit. Conclusion: The haematological test showed that high concentrations of the leachate samples significantly reduced the number of Red blood cells (RBC), Haemoglobin (Hb), White Blood Cells (WBC) and Packed Cell Volume (PCV) in Clarias gariepinus..

The Effects of Black Mulberry (Morus nigra L.) Leaf Powder on Performance, Egg Quality, Egg Antioxidant Capacity, and Yolk Cholesterol Levels in Laying Hens

Different antioxidant substance are supplemented to prevent oxidative stress and improve egg quality in poultry nutrition. It is known that synthetic antioxidants negatively affect human health. For this reason, natural antioxidants are often investigated. In this study, the possibilities of using different levels of black mulberry (Morus nigra L.) leaf powder (BML) in laying hens were revealed. For this purpose, 3 groups were formed, 24 in each group, and a total of 72 hens (35 weeks-old, Brown Nick) were distributed to individual cages. The control group (BML-0) was fed with a basal diet. Experimental groups were fed with the supplementation of 0.3 and 0.6 g/kg BML to the basal diet, respectively. Performance, egg quality characteristics, egg yolk TBARS, DPPH, and cholesterol levels were evaluated in the trial, which lasted for a total of 8 weeks, one week of which was the acclimatization period. There was no statistically significant difference between the groups regarding performance, egg quality characteristics, and DPPH reducing % in egg yolk (P&gt;0.05). Egg yolk TBARS and cholesterol levels were significantly affected from supplemented-BML diet (P

Pilot study on the use of soft release for translocation of rehabilitated eastern box turtles (Terrapene carolina carolina)

Successfully rehabilitated eastern box turtles (EBTs, Terrapene carolina carolina) originating from destroyed or degraded habitats are prime candidates for translocation. However, physiological and behavioral characteristics of chelonians often lead to acclimation difficulties and limited survival post-release. Soft release is a translocation technique whereby an animal is held in a pen on location and allowed to acclimate to its new habitat area for a predetermined duration prior to release. This pilot study explored the viability of small-scale, soft release penning to aid wildlife rehabilitators in the translocation of rehabilitated EBTs. We hypothesized that soft release penning is a practical strategy to help rehabilitated EBTs maintain health and appropriately sized territory in new environments. We built and deployed two soft release pens that were used to relocate three rehabilitated EBTs with varying success to an urban greenspace in Nashville, Tennessee. Our results suggest that soft release penning provides a unique opportunity to observe health and behavior in a controlled environment during the initial period of acclimation, and this early intervention period may help rehabilitators facilitate successful translocation. Further research is recommended to evaluate the direct impacts of soft release pens on body condition, dispersal distance, and home range size of translocated EBTs.

Effects of Cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum) Extract on Adipocyte Differentiation in 3T3-L1 Cells and Lipid Accumulation in Mice Fed a High-Fat Diet.

Flavonoids and phenolic acid are two of the rich polyphenols found in cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum). The effects of cinnamon extract on the inhibition of adipocyte differentiation in 3T3-L1 fibroblast cells and prohibitory lipid accumulation in male mice fed a high-fat diet were examined. Upon treating 3T3-L1 cells with cinnamon for 3 days, the cinnamon inhibited lipid accumulation and increased gene expression levels, such as those of adiponectin and leptin. In in vivo experiments, mice were randomized into four groups after a one-week acclimation period, as follows: normal diet, normal diet + 1% cinnamon extract, high-fat diet, and high-fat diet + 1% cinnamon extract. After 14 weeks of supplementation, we found that cinnamon extract increased the expression of lipolysis-related proteins, such as AMPK, p-ACC, and CPT-1, and reduced the expression of lipid-synthesis-related proteins, such as SREBP-1c and FAS, in liver tissue. Our results show that cinnamon extract may exhibit anti-obesity effects via the inhibition of lipid synthesis and adipogenesis and the induction of lipolysis in both 3T3-L1 fibroblast cells and mice fed a high-fat diet. Accordingly, cinnamon extract may have potential anti-obesity effects.

Effects of dietary supplementation with 3-nitrooxypropanol on enteric methane production, rumen fermentation, and performance in young growing beef cattle offered a 50:50 forage:concentrate diet.

There is an urgent requirement internationally to reduce enteric methane (CH4) emissions from ruminants to meet greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets. Dietary supplementation with feed additives is one possible strategy under investigation as an effective solution. The effects of the CH4 inhibitor 3-nitrooxypropanol (3-NOP) at reducing CH4 emissions in beef have been shown mainly in adult cattle consuming backgrounding and high-energy finishing diets. In this study, the effects of dietary supplementation of young growing (≤6 mo) beef cattle with 3-NOP were examined in a 50:50 forage:concentrate diet. A total of 68 Dairy × Beef (Aberdeen Angus and Hereford dairy cross) male calves (≤6 mo of age at the start of experiment, body weight: 147 ± 38 kg) underwent a 3-wk acclimatization period and were then assigned to one of two treatments in a completely randomized block design. Dietary treatments were (1) control, placebo (no 3-NOP), and (2) 3-NOP applied at 150 mg kg-1 DM. Calves were fed a partial mixed ration for 12 wk. Body weight was recorded weekly and feed intake daily using the Calan Broadbent feeding system. Methane and hydrogen emissions were measured using the GreenFeed system. Total weight gained, dry matter intake (DMI), and average daily gain were not affected by 3-NOP (P > 0.05) supplementation. On average, the inclusion of 3-NOP decreased (P < 0.001) CH4 emissions: g d-1; g kg-1 DMI; by 30.6% and 27.2%, respectively, during the study with a greater reduction occurring over time. Incorporating 3-NOP into beef cattle diets is an efficient solution to decrease CH4 emissions during indoor feeding and when offered 50:50 forage:concentrate diet.

Effect of dietary phytase on water and fecal prokaryotic and eukaryotic microbiomes in a hybrid tilapia (Oreochromis aureus x O. niloticus) mixotrophic biofloc production system

In this study we evaluated feed and temporal effects on prokaryotic (16S) and eukaryotic (18S) microbiome dynamics in an outdoor mixotrophic biofloc system used to grow hybrid tilapia (Oreochromis aureus x O. niloticus) to market size. The dicalcium phosphate -free practical feed treated with 6-phytase (3000 FTU/kg; P-Free+Phytase) and positive (Control) and negative (P-Free) control practical feeds used were formulated to contain 27.7% digestible protein and 4% lipid. Sex reversed, all-male hybrid tilapia (28.9 g/fish) were stocked (29 fish/m3) in 9 outdoor rectangular tanks (16.6 m3) and grown for 154 days. The Control feed was fed to all fish during the 14-day acclimation period after which each test feed was fed to fish in three tanks/feed. Biofloc water and fecal samples were collected from all tanks at time 0 (T0, study day 15) and T7, T70, and T140; prokaryotic and eukaryotic abundance and diversity were assessed using high-throughput amplicon sequencing of the 16S and 18S rRNA genes, respectively. Fecal 16S microbiome in all treatments was dominated by Fusobacteria (namely Cetobacterium) with minority representation by Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, and Planctomycetes. Opisthokonts (namely Capsaspora) were the dominant eukaryote detected overall in all fecal samples. Fecal 16S and 18S relative abundances varied significantly with time. Relative abundance of fecal 16S differed significantly between Control and P-Free+Phytase feed treatments only at T140 (harvest). Fecal 18S relative abundance differences among feed treatments were detected only at T0 and T7 and only at the supergroup taxonomic level. Prokaryotic communities in biofloc water among feed treatments and across times were highly diverse and dominated by Proteobacteria, Bacteroidetes, Fusobacteria, Chloroflexi, Planctomycetes, and Actinobacteria. High relative abundances of Capsaspora across time characterized eukaryotic communities. Relative abundances of 16S and 18S taxa in water varied significantly over time. Control and P-Free feed 16S relative abundances in water differed significantly at T0 and T7. Time was the factor that explained most of the variation observed for 16S and 18S beta diversity. Overall, results of the present experiment suggest minimal influence of phytase-treated or dicalcium phosphate-free feeds on hybrid tilapia 16S and 18S water and fecal microbiomes throughout the experiment, particularly because the base feed formulation was the same for all treatments. During this experiment and at harvest tilapia in all treatments appeared healthy and robust, and no known pathogenic bacteria or eukaryotes were detected in any sample, suggesting the observed microbiomes may represent system-specific “healthy” core microbiomes.

Performance of a modified and intermittently operated slow sand filter with two different mediums in removing turbidity, ammonia, and phosphate with varying acclimatization periods

The present study investigated the utilization of blood clam shells as a potential substitute for conventional media, as well as the influence of the acclimation time on the efficacy of an intermittent slow sand filter (ISSF) in the treatment of real domestic wastewater. ISSF was operated with 16 h on and 8 h off, focusing on the parameters of turbidity, ammonia, and phosphate. Two media combinations (only blood clam shells [CC] and sand + blood clam shells [SC]) were operated under two different acclimatization periods (14 and 28 d). Results showed that SC medium exhibited significantly higher removal of turbidity (p < 0.05) as compared to CC medium (45.99 ± 26.84 % vs. 3.79 ± 9.35 %), while CC exhibited slightly higher (p > 0.05) removal of ammonia (23.12 ± 20.2 % vs. 16.77 ± 16.8 %) and phosphate (18.03 ± 11.96 % vs 13.48 ± 12 %). Comparing the acclimatization periods, the 28 d of acclimatization period showed higher overall performances than the 14 d. Further optimizations need to be conducted to obtain an effluent value below the national permissible limit, since the ammonia and phosphate parameters are still slightly higher. SEM analysis confirmed the formation of biofilm on both mediums after 28 d of acclimatization; with further analysis of schmutzdecke formation need to be carried out to enrich the results.

Effects of dietary camelina, flaxseed, and canola oil supplementation on plasma fatty acid concentrations and health parameters in horses

Camelina (Camelina sativa) is a hardy, low-input oilseed crop that provides a rich source of the n-3 fatty acid, α-linolenic acid (ALA). The primary purpose of the present study was to assess the effects of dietary camelina oil (CAM) consumption on various health parameters, as compared to horses fed canola oil (OLA) or flax oil (FLX). Secondly, to determine how dietary CAM, FLX, and OLA alter circulating plasma total lipids across time. Thirty horses, from three separate herds, were used for this study [14.9 years ± 5.3 years; 544 ± 66 kg calculated BW (mean ± SD)]. After a 4-week gradual acclimation period using sunflower oil mixed with soaked hay cubes, horses were balanced by location, age, sex, weight, and breed and randomly allocated to one of three treatment oils (CAM, OLA, or FLX) at an inclusion of 370 mg of oil/kg BW/day. Horses had ad libitum access to hay and/or pasture for the duration of the study. Body condition score (BCS), BW, oil intake, complete blood counts, plasma biochemical profiles, and plasma total lipids were measured on weeks 0, 2, 4, 8, and 16 throughout the 16-week treatment period. BW, BCS, and oil intake were analyzed using an ANOVA using PROC GLIMMIX in SAS Studio. Complete blood counts and biochemical profiles were analyzed using an ANCOVA, and fatty acids were analyzed using an ANOVA in PROC MIXED in SAS Studio. No differences were observed among treatment groups for BW, BCS, oil intake, complete blood counts, and biochemical parameters. Individual fatty acids that differed among treatments and/or across time were largely reflective of the different FA profiles of the oils provided. Most notably, plasma ALA was greater for FLX than OLA, but neither differed from CAM (P = 0.01). Linoleic acid did not differ among treatments or over time (P > 0.05). The n-6:n-3 ratio decreased over time for both CAM and FLX, and ratios were lower for FLX than OLA at week 16, but not different from CAM (P = 0.02). These results suggest that dietary CAM had no adverse effects on health parameters and that daily supplementation of CAM and FLX at 370 mg of oil/kg BW/day induces positive changes (a decrease) in the n-6:n-3 status of the horse. Consequently, CAM may be considered as an alternative oil to FLX in equine diets.

Evaluation of different light intensities on the well-being, productivity, and eggs quality of laying hens

Light sources and light intensity are factors that can elicit different responses in laying hens. Investigations carried out on this subject show divergent results or are scarce, particularly for light emitting diode (LED) sources and for more recent strains. Therefore, the goal of the present study was to evaluate the effects of different illuminances (5, 20, 50 and 100 lx), from linear LED lighting on the physiological responses, productive performance and egg quality of 25–36-week-old Hy-line W-80 laying hens. The experiment was conducted in climate-controlled wind tunnels and the birds were divided into three experimental flocks, each lasting 28 days. Initially, the birds underwent seven days of acclimatization, and the evaluations of all parameters were performed on Days 10, 14, 17, 21, 24 and 28 of each flock. The results demonstrated that the tested illuminances did not influence the responses of the birds and the quality of the eggs when their effect was evaluated separately (p > 0.05, F test). However, the illuminance exposure time influenced cloacal and surface temperatures, feed intake, body mass and albumen percentage. Therefore, an acclimatization period of 28 days is recommended for Hy-line W-80 laying hens at the peak laying period. The illuminances of 5, 20, 50 and 100 lx were not harmful for the laying hens, since the changes in the physiological responses remained within the thresholds recommended as comfort. Thus, environments with 5 lx were sufficient to guarantee access to feeders and drinkers by the birds and avoid discomfort and production and egg quality losses.

268 Copper Methionine Hydroxy Analogue Chelate in a Reduce and Replace Copper Strategy Improves Nutrient Availability in Growing Pigs

Abstract Research has shown that methionine hydroxy analogue chelated minerals [MHAC; MINTREX Trace Minerals (Novus International Inc., St. Charles, MO)] are more available than inorganic trace minerals. In growing pigs, 50 mg/kg of Cu as Cu-MHAC has been shown to reduce feed conversion compared with feeding 125 mg/kg Cu as CuSO4 and 150 mg/kg Cu as tri-basic copper chloride (TBCC). A metabolism study was conducted using 2 groups of 10 barrows (average BW of 33.2 + 3.03 kg) fed either 50 mg/kg Cu as Cu-MHAC or 150 mg/kg Cu as TBCC. There was a 14-d acclimation period followed by 3-d of total fecal and 5-d of total urine collection. Corn-soybean meal diets with 15% distillers dried grains and &amp;lt; 1% fat as soy oil were formulated to 0.98% SID lysine with 0.65% Ca and 0.49% P. Phytase was included at 1,500 FTU/kg. A common basal trace mineral premix supplying 120 mg/kg Zn, 10 mg/kg Cu and 20 mg/kg Mn in the SO4 form was used. Diets were provided in meal form twice daily at 5% of body weight per day. The total trial period was 21-d with BW measured at d 0 and 21. Feed disappearance was recorded throughout. Data were analyzed using the PROC MIXED procedure of SAS with treatment and initial BW as fixed effects and group as a random effect. Pigs fed Cu-MHAC gained 816 g/d compared with 787 g/d for those fed TBCC (P = 0.55). Feed conversion was 2.07 for TBCC pigs and 1.98 for Cu-MHAC pigs (P = 0.48). Dry matter digestibility was 90.9% and 89.9% (P = 0.18) for Cu-MHAC and TBCC pigs respectively. Dry matter fecal output was 9% less for Cu-MHAC pigs (P = 0.24). Cu retention percent was not different between Cu sources (64.4% Cu-MHAC vs 62.4% TBCC; P = 0.63). Cu excretion was less for Cu-MHAC pigs (41.3 mg/d Cu-MHAC vs. 103.9 mg/d TBCC; P &amp;lt; 0.001) as a result of reduced Cu intake. Cu-MHAC increased Zn (P &amp;lt; 0.05) and Mn (P &amp;lt; 0.01) retention by 8.9 and 11.1 percentage points, respectively. Iron absorption (P = 0.86) and retention (P = 0.81) were not affected by Cu source. Calcium absorption and retention were 3.8 percentage points greater (P = 0.12) for Cu-MHAC pigs. Absorption and retention of P was 3.4% (P = 0.25) and 2.7% greater (P = 0.49) for pigs fed Cu-MHAC. Cu-MHAC resulted in 1.9% greater N absorption (P = 0.06) and 8.7% greater N retention (P = 0.06%) than when 150 mg/kg Cu in the TBCC form was fed. These results indicate a reduce and replace Cu strategy with Cu-MHAC can reduce Cu excretion by 60% and improved overall mineral and N retention with the exception of Fe. These nutrient availability improvements may contribute to the improved feed conversion observed in performance trials with Cu-MHAC vs inorganic sources.