Average Daily Body Weight Research Articles

Organic Acid-Based Chelate Trace Mineral Supplement Improves Broiler Performance, Bone Composition, Immune Responses, and Blood Parameters.

Organic acid-based trace minerals are known to have more bioavailability, possibly due to fewer antagonism reactions in the lumen. A 42-day study was conducted to assess the supplementation of manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn), selenium (Se), iron (Fe), and copper (Cu) from different sources. To that end, a total of 1248-day-old As-hatched Arbor Acres chickens were examined for performance, histology, bone integrity, and plasma biochemical parameters. Experimental groups were as follows: basal diet supplying 50, 75, 100, and 120% of trace mineral requirements using an inorganic trace mineral supplement (ITM50, ITM75, ITM100, ITM120); basal diet supplying 33, 66, and 100% of trace mineral requirements using an organic acid-based trace mineral supplement (OAT33, OAT66, OAT100); plus a basal diet supplying 100% of trace mineral requirements using an amino acid-based chelated trace mineral supplement (ATM100%) as control positive. According to results, birds' fed OAT66 had the highest (P < 0.05) average daily body weight gain (ADG), average daily feed intake (ADFI), and lower feed conversion ratio (FCR). Feeding OAT66 increased (P < 0.05) villus length to crypt depth ratio, compared to OAT33 and ITM100 by 26% and 19%, respectively. The relative weight of the bursa enhanced by 22% in birds' receiving OAT supplement, compared to those received ITM supplement (P < 0.05). The plasma uric acid was reduced by 42% (P < 0.001) in birds fed with OAT66 and OAT100 when compared to those fed ITM50. Overall, our results indicated that the same performance could be achieved by using lower levels of organic trace minerals.

Effect of exogenous fibrolytic enzymes supplementation on voluntary intake, availability of nutrients and growth performance in Black Bengal kids (Capra hircus)

A Growth experiment was conducted on fifteen weaned Black Bengal kids divided into three groups. Kids under control (T0) group were fed ad libitum Total Mixed Ration (TMR) prepared from concentrate mixture and green fodder @ 40: 60 (on a DM basis). Kids under T1 and T2 groups were supplemented with two levels of EFE (T1 with cellulase and xylanase @ 8000 and 16,000IU/kg TMR DM and T2 with 12,000 and 24,000IU/kg TMR DM). A digestion trial was also conducted during the last phase of the growth trial. The intake of nutrients, like DM, OM, CP, TDN, and DCP (g/kg W0.75) were significantly (P < 0.001) higher in enzyme-supplemented treatments. Supplementation of EFE also increased (P < 0.001) intake of DE and ME (Mcal/ kg W0.75) in Black Bengal kids. The differences in all the blood biochemical parameters and enzymes (glucose, total protein, globulin, albumin, urea, AST, and ALT) were non-significant (P > 0.05) among the three treatment groups. Average daily body weight gain (ADG, g/d/kid) was increased significantly (P < 0.05) by 7.00 % in T1 and 7.19 % in T2 over the control group (T0). The FCE (feed conversion efficiency) was also greater (P < 0.05) in both enzyme-supplemented (T1 and T2) groups compared to the control. The results depicted no additional advantage due to the supplementation of a higher level of an enzyme mixture. Therefore, it may be concluded that the supplementation of EFE @ cellulase 8000 and xylanase 16,000IU/kg diet DM increased the intake of different nutrients and growth performance in weaned Black Bengal kids.

Rumen and cecum bacteria of beef cattle that differ in feed efficiency fed a forage diet.

Most of the research addressing feed efficiency and the microbiota has been conducted in cattle fed grain diets, although cattle evolved to consume forage diets. Our hypothesis was that the bacteria in the rumen and cecum differed in cattle that have a common feed intake but had different ^average daily body weight gains (ADG) on a forage diet. Heifers (n = 134) were 606 ± 1 d of age and weighed 476 ± 3 kg at the start of the 84-d feeding study. Heifers were offered ad libitum access to a totally mixed ration that consisted of 86% ground brome hay, 10% wet distillers grains with solubles, and 4% mineral supplement as dry matter. Feed intake and body weight gain were measured, and gain was calculated. Heifers with the least (n = 8) and greatest (n = 8) ADG within 0.32 SD of the mean daily dry matter intake were selected for sampling. Digesta samples from the rumen and cecum were collected, and subsequent 16S analysis was conducted to identify Amplicon Sequence Variants. There were no differences in Alpha and Beta diversity between ADG classification within sample sites (P > 0.05). Both sample sites contained calculated balances of sister clades using phylogenetic isometric log ratio transferred data that differed across ADG classification. These findings suggest that bacteria did not differ at the community level, but there was structural difference at the clade level.

Growth Performance of Jaffarabadi buffalo in an Organized Herd in North Saurashtra region of Gujarat

Present study deals with growth performance of Jaffarabadi buffalo calves (N=53) born and raised at Bull Mother Farm, Kamdhenu University, Amreli which is located in North Saurashtra agro-climatic region of Gujarat. Overall birth weight in Jaffarabadi buffalo calves was 35.01 ± 0.69 kg which was significantly higher (9.92 %) in male calves (P, 0.016). Irrespective of sex, the Jaffarabadi buffalo calves weighed 81.76 ± 2.15, 126.40 ± 4.18 and 172.00 ± 6.37 kg at 3, 6 and 12 months of age, respectively. The Jaffarabadi buffalo heifers attained 395.44 ± 19.80 kg body weight at 2 years of age, which was higher than the optimum/ desired breedable body (about 375 kg). The average daily body weight gain from birth to 3 month growth phase was 516.98 ± 24.65 gm/day. In growth phases during 3 to 12 months of age, the average daily body weight gains were almost similar, 495.67 to 498.63 gm/day. Relative body weight gain, irrespective of sex, was maximum of 136.07 % in the birth to 3 month age group, followed by 54.55 % in the 3 to 6 month age group. The findings indicated that due care of the Jaffarabadi buffalo calves, especially during birth to 3 month age, is utmost important to explore their growth potential as relative weight gain of calves during this phase is maximum (136.07 %) for attaining early breedable weight and in turn, reducing age at first calving.

Effects of 25(OH)VD3 on Growth Performance, Pork Quality and Calcium Deposit in Growing-Finishing Pigs.

The study was conducted to evaluate the effects of 25(OH)VD3 with different inclusion levels of 0, 25, 50 and 75 μg/kg in the diet on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, bone properties and pork quality in growing-finishing pigs. The results showed that the average daily gain (p < 0.05) and body weight (p < 0.10) of pigs showed a trend of increasing quadratically as inclusion levels of 25(OH)VD3 increased. Dietary supplementation of 50 μg/kg 25(OH)VD3 increased calcium digestibility compared with the 0 μg/kg group (p < 0.05), and calcium and phosphorus digestibility increased quadratically as inclusion levels of 25(OH)VD3 increased (p < 0.05). Dietary supplementation of 50 μg/kg 25(OH)VD3 increased concentrations of polyunsaturated fatty acids, and decreased contents of saturated and monounsaturated fatty acids in the longissimus dorsi of pigs (p < 0.05). The addition of 25, 50 and 75 μg/kg 25(OH)VD3 to the diet increased breaking strength and bone stiffness in the tibia compared with the 0 μg/kg group (p < 0.05). Dietary supplementation of 50 μg/kg 25(OH)VD3 improved the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT), and increased the messenger RNA (mRNA) expression of Cu/Zn SOD in the longissimus dorsi compared with the 0 μg/kg group (p < 0.05). Supplementing 50 μg/kg 25(OH)VD3 improved the mRNA expression of calcium-binding protein D9k (CaBP-D9k) and D28k (CaBP-D28K) in the liver compared with the 0 μg/kg 25(OH)D3 group (p < 0.05). In conclusion, a diet with an added dose of 50 μg/kg 25(OH)VD3 showed a greatest growth performance of growing-finishing pigs, and 25(OH)VD3 enhanced calcium deposition and antioxidant capacity in the longissimus dorsi, which may be associated with improved expression of calcium ion channel proteins.

Geothermal Plus Sunlight-Based Incubator for Sustainable Pig Production

This experiment was conducted to assess the effects of a geothermal plus sunlight-based incubator on the growth performance, electricity uses and housing environment of piglets. A total of 20 piglets, average 7.7 ± 0.015 kg (mean ± std.) initial body weight, were randomly divided into two separated incubators: control (conventional incubator) and the geothermal plus sunlight-based heat pump (GS) incubator with 10 replicated piglets. The experimental duration was 8 weeks. Average daily weight gain, feed intake, electricity consumption, and house temperature, humidity, ammonia, and carbon dioxide concentration were measured on a weekly basis. There were no significant differences in the final body weight, average daily body weight gain (ADG), average daily feed intake (ADFI) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) between the incubators. The electricity consumption of the GS incubator was reduced by 120.95 kWh/head and the saving efficacy was about 64.76% that of the conventional incubator. The electricity cost was reduced by 3.26 USD and the ratio of feed cost to weigh gain was lower in the GS-based incubator. No significant differences were noted for the internal temperature and humidity between the incubators. The ammonia concentration and carbon dioxide concentration were significantly lower (p &lt; 0.05) in the GS-based incubator than the control incubator. The geothermal plus sunlight-based incubator might be healthy and economic for the sustainable pig production.

Growth performance and feed utilization of Hubbard Classic chickens fed on boiled and sundried mango (Mangifera indica Linn.) seed kernel

An investigation was undertaken to study the effects of feeding boiled mango seed kernel (BMSK) on the growth performance and feed utilization parameters of Hubbard broiler chicks with the objective of recommending the optimum level of mango seed kernel inclusion in broiler feed. The experiment was arranged in a completely randomized design with four treatments, each replicated three times with 13 birds each. One-hundred fifty-six-day-old chicks with uniform body weight (BW) were used and were distributed randomly to the four diets. The four treatment diets were control (T1) (100% maize + 0% BMSK), T2 (95% maize + 5% BMSK), T3 (90% maize + 10% BMSK) and T4 (85% maize + 15% BMSK). All the experimental chickens were weighted initially (initial BW) and lasted for 49 days during which growth performance traits were recorded. After 49 days, two birds from each replication were randomly selected and slaughtered to evaluate the effect of BMSK on the final body weight of the chicks. The results on average daily feed intake per bird for T1 and T2 were not significantly different, i.e., 71.4 and 70.8 g (P&gt;0.05) but it was significantly higher than that of T3 and T4 which was 68.13 and 68.23 g. At the end of 7 weeks, the final BW of chicks fed on T1 and T2 were 2657 and 2644, not significantly different, but were significantly higher than that of T3 and T4 which were 2610 and 2603 g per bird, respectively. The Average daily BW gain (ADG) for the respective T1 and T2 was 53.4, 53.2 g and was significantly (P&lt;0.05) higher than that of T3 and T4 which were 52.44 and 52.31 g per bird. The feed conversion ratio (g feed/g gain) for T1 and T2 was 1.36, 1.36 and was significantly higher than that of T3 and T4 which were 1.33 and 1.33 g per bird, respectively. Inclusion of mango seed kernel up to 15% in broiler nutrition has no detrimental effect, profitable and can be best alternative feed sources in broiler feed if treated well by using the best technical methods of anti-nutritional factors like boiling.

Effects of different milk feeding levels and frequencies on performance of Holstein heifers during weaning and first lactation

In the present study, the effects of milk feeding amount and feeding frequency (FF) on performance, blood metabolites, rumen fermentation, and performance of dairy heifers during the first artificial insemination (AI) and first lactation were investigated. The treatment group consisted of 48 female Holstein heifer calves (12/treatment) distributed in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement with milk feeding [high = 8 L/d, HL or medium = 6 L/d, ML] and feeding frequency [2 × or 3 ×]. All calves were fed on a step-up/step-down method, weaned from milk at 56 d of age, and observed until 70 d of age. Heifer calves were kept uniform from 70 d of age until the first lactation to evaluate the long-term effects of the treatments. We observed no FF effect and no interaction between the level and FF on feed intake, average daily gain (ADG), feed efficiency (FE), body weight (BW), structural growth, blood metabolites, and rumen fermentation parameters. Calves fed HL milk had higher total dry matter intake (DMI), BW, and ADG during the pre- and post-weaning periods. During the preweaning period, HL-fed calves had higher serum insulin (trend) and glucose concentrations compared to ML-fed calves. Lower age at first AI was observed in calves fed HL rather than ML regardless of FF. Weight at first AI, milk yield (305 d), and energy-corrected milk (ECM-305 d) in the first lactation showed a trend toward higher values in HL-fed calves compared to ML-fed calves. Preweaning performance and calf maturity can be positively affected by feeding high amounts of milk at both FF.

Provision of black soldier fly larvae (Hermetia illucens) in different ways benefits broiler welfare and performance, with largest effects of scattering live larvae

Including black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) in broiler diets has the potential to benefit broiler welfare and increase production performance, but the effects of dietary BSFL likely depend on the way BSFL are provided. In this study we aimed to discern the effects of different BSFL forms and provisioning methods by providing male broilers with no BSFL (CON), processed BSFL meal and oil incorporated in the feed pellets (INC-F), dried BSFL in the feeder on top of the feed (D-F), or dried or live BSFL scattered through the pen (D-S and L-S, respectively), and evaluating various indicators of broiler welfare and production performance. In all dietary BSFL treatments 8% of the total dietary dry matter content was replaced with BSFL. Dried and live larvae were provided in four equal daily portions at 08:00, 11:00, 14:00, and 17:00. Compared to a diet without BSFL, scattering dried or live larvae through the pen increased active behaviors, though only live larvae increased the time broilers spent standing. Broilers in the D-F, D-S and L-S treatments had higher average daily body weight gain during some periods, and they had higher final weights, despite L-S broilers having a lower total dry matter intake than CON broilers. Furthermore, the dry matter conversion ratio of INC-F, D-S and L-S broilers was reduced. At the end of the rearing period, pens in all dietary BSFL treatments had better litter quality than CON pens. Furthermore, food pad dermatitis was less severe for INC-F and D-S broilers than for CON broilers, and for L-S broilers than for broilers in all other treatments, and hock burn severity was less for L-S than for CON broilers. Broiler lameness, cleanliness, plasma natural antibody titers, and whole blood serotonin were not influenced by dietary BSFL treatment. Feather corticosterone concentrations were affected by treatment, though without any significant post-hoc differences. Our results indicate that BSFL meal and oil, and dried and live BSFL are all promising feed ingredients for broilers as they all benefit some aspects of broiler welfare and production performance. Scattering BSFL through the pen results in more welfare benefits than providing BSFL in the feeder, with live BSFL having the most beneficial effects on broiler welfare.

Growth performance of South African Windsnyer pigs to the dietary inclusion of Amarula oil cake.

Dietary inclusion of Amarula oil cake (AOC) in pig diets can ease pressure of relying on non-native feed sources and benefit the swine industry. The study was conducted to determine the growth performance of Windsnyer pigs fed increasing levels of AOC. Twenty-five clinically growing male boars with an initial body weight of 19.92 ± 8.74kg were used in the study that lasted 6weeks. All pigs were allocated to diets in a completely randomised design. Five experimental diets were formulated to contain 0, 50, 100, 150 and 200g/kg DM of AOC. Average daily feed intake (ADFI), average daily gain (ADG), feed conversion ratio (FCR), scaled average daily feed intake (SADFI), scaled average daily gain (SADG) and body weight (BW) were calculated weekly. The diet affected ADFI, ADG, FCR and SADG (P < 0.05). Scaled average daily feed intake was not affected by the diet (P > 0.05). There was a significant interaction between AOC inclusion and weeks of feeding on ADFI, ADG and FCR (P < 0.05). Age of pigs decreased FCR quadratically (P < 0.001). A quadratic relationship between ADFI and increasing levels of AOC was observed (P < 0.05). Average daily gain, FCR and SADG decreased linearly with increasing AOC levels (P < 0.05). Using the broken stick analyses, the maximum inclusion of AOC was 102.17g/kg DM. Amarula oil cake can be incorporated in diets of Windsnyer pigs up to 100g/kg DM without constraining growth performance.

Combined use of monensin and virginiamycin to improve rumen and liver health and performance of feedlot-finished steers.

Monensin and virginiamycin are included in beef cattle finishing diets as prophylaxis to minimize the incidence of ruminal acidosis and liver abscesses. Due to different and probably complementary modes of action, this study aimed to determine the effects of a combination of monensin and virginiamycin, both included in the diet at recommended doses, on ruminal health, the occurrence of liver abscesses, and growth performance of feedlot-finished cattle. One hundred and forty-four steers (6 animals/pen) were fed 1 of 3 corn-based finishing diets containing 30 mg of monensin (MN), 25 mg of virginiamycin (VM), or 30 and 25 mg of monensin and virginiamycin (MN + VM), respectively, per kilogram of dry matter. Ruminal pH probes were inserted into two animals per pen and set to record pH every 10 min. On d 100, animals were slaughtered, and rumens and livers were recovered, on which occurrence and degree of ruminal damage, prevalence and number of liver abscesses, and liver scores (A-: livers with no more than two small abscesses; A+: livers with at least one large abscess or more than four medium abscesses; A: any other abscessed liver) were determined. Simultaneous inclusion of monensin and virginiamycin resulted in a 4.3% decrease (P < 0.04) in dry matter intake (DMI; 8.8, 9.2, and 9.2 ± 0.19 kg/d for MN + VM, MN, and VM-fed animals, respectively) and similar (P > 0.13) average daily body weight gain (ADG; 1.49 ± 0.021 kg/d) and hot carcass weight (HCW; 269 ± 1.7 kg), compared with feeding diets containing one additive or the other. Therefore, in terms of ADG, a 9.4% improvement (P < 0.01) in feed efficiency was observed in MN + VM-fed animals. Backfat thickness (5.6 ± 0.08 mm) and ribeye area (69.9 ± 0.53 cm2) remained unaffected (P ≥ 0.74), as well as the minimum (4.98 ± 0.047), mean (6.11 ± 0.037), and maximum ruminal pH (7.23 ± 0.033) values and the time (125 ± 22.3 min/d), area (57.67 ± 12.383 pH × h), and episodes (22 ± 3.8 bouts) of pH below 5.6 (P ≥ 0.12). Overall, prevalence (24 ± 3.4%) and the number of liver abscesses (1.6 ± 0.14 abscesses/abscessed liver), liver scores (20 ± 3.1% of A- and 4 ± 1.8% of A livers), and prevalence (67 ± 3.5%) and degree of damage to the ruminal epithelium (2.5 ± 0.22% affected surface) were similar (P ≥ 0.18) across treatments; however, the occurrence of ruminal lesions tended (P ≤ 0.07) to be associated with that of liver abscesses and reduced ADG when feeding monensin alone.

Impact of palm kernel cake with or without multi-blend enzyme on the growth performance and carcass traits of Sasso broilers

ABSTRACT Non-conventional feeds help alleviate competition faced by the poultry industry as the prices of conventional poultry feed ingredients, are continually increasing. Thus, the objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of palm kernel cake (PKC) on the performance of Sasso X44 broiler chicks. Four hundred and fifty (450) unsexed 21-day-old broiler chicks of homogenous weight were randomly allocated to five dietary treatments in a completely randomized design with six replicates having 15 birds per replicate. Diets comprised the control, PKC0 (basal broiler diet), PKC10 (10% PKC diet), PKC10 + E (10% PKC diet+ 0.05% enzyme), PKC20 (20% PKC diet) and PKC20 + E (20% PKC diet + 0.05% enzyme). Data were collected on feed intake, body weight gain, feed conversion ratio (FCR), and carcase parameters. Results revealed that birds in the PKC10 + E group obtained improved (p < 0.05) FCR compared to the control group at the grower phase. At the finisher phase, the PKC20 + E group consumed more feed (p < 0.05), which was significantly different from the other groups except for the PKC10 + E group. Average daily body weight gain was highest for birds fed PKC10 + E diet, which, was significantly different (p < 0.05) from birds fed PKC20 diet. The percent dressed weight was significantly superior [p < 0.05) for birds fed PKC10 + E and PKC10 relative to PKC20. Sasso broilers could therefore benefit from a diet partially replaced with 10% palm kernel cake incorporated with multi-blend enzyme.

126 Antioxidant-Containing Kibble Supplemented to Adult Cats Elicited Improvements in Antioxidant Outcomes and C-Reactive Protein

Abstract The objective of this study was to evaluate oxidative health biomarkers in healthy male and female adult cats (n=30; 10 male and 20 female, avg age and BW + SD 3.34 ± 3.19 years; 3.85 ± 1.07 kg) fed an adult maintenance diet (Blue Buffalo Healthy Living Adult Chicken and Brown Rice) without (control diet) and supplemented with an antioxidant-containing kibble (test diet; proprietary blend containing blueberries, cranberries, and other antioxidant-containing ingredients). Both diets analyzed as 35.9% crude protein, 19.8% fat, 2.1% crude fiber, 6.4% moisture, 28.6% carbohydrate as-is. We hypothesized that test feeding would reduce serum pro-oxidative biomarkers, compared with control feeding. The study protocol was first approved by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee. All cats were fed a base kennel maintenance diet (no added antioxidants beyond maintenance requirements) for 14d before treatment phase. Animals were then randomized to control or test for a 28d treatment period in a randomized cross-over design. Base kennel maintenance diet was provided for a 14d washout, followed by another treatment period. Serum was collected on days 0, 14, and 28 of for biomarkers analysis. Data were analyzed as a mixed models 2-way ANCOVA (SAS v9.4). Significant differences between treatments were set at P&amp;lt;0.05. Average daily food intake and body weight were similar between treatments for the duration of the study. Serum advanced glycation end-products and malondialdehyde were significantly (P&amp;lt;0.05) less when animals consumed test diet compared with control diet. Interestingly, serum C-reactive protein (CRP) was decreased and Fms-related tyrosine kinase 3 ligand was greater (P&amp;lt;0.05) when cats were fed test diet compared with control diet. These data suggest that inclusion of an antioxidant-containing kibble extruded to preserve antioxidant activity to a base kibble exhibits some favorable modulation to serum antioxidant markers and CRP in cats. These observations warrant additional research to elucidate the effects.

125 Evaluation of Antioxidant-Containing Kibble on Serum Antioxidant Biomarkers in Adult Beagles

Abstract The objective of this study was to evaluate oxidative health biomarkers in healthy male and female adult Beagles (n=30, 13 male and 17 female; avg age and BW + SD 4.46 ± 1.41 years; 9.83 ± 2.37 kg) fed a commercial adult maintenance diet (Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Adult Chicken and Brown Rice) without (control diet) and supplemented with an antioxidant-containing kibble (test diet; a proprietary blend containing blueberries, cranberries, and other antioxidant-containing ingredients). Both diet offerings analyzed as 25.6% crude protein, 14.4% crude fat, 2.6% crude fiber, 8.6% moisture, 42.6% carbohydrate as-is. We hypothesized that test diet feeding would reduce serum pro-oxidative biomarkers, compared with control diet feeding. The study protocol was first approved by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee. All dogs were fed a base kennel maintenance diet (no added antioxidants beyond maintenance requirements) for 14d before treatment phase. Animals were then randomized to control or test for a 28-d treatment period in a randomized cross-over design. Base kennel maintenance diet was provided for a 14d washout, followed by another treatment period. Serum was collected on days 0, 14, and 28 of each treatment period for biomarker analysis. Data were analyzed as a mixed models 2-way ANCOVA (SAS v9.4). Significant differences between treatments were set at P&amp;lt;0.05 and a trend at P&amp;lt;0.10. Average daily food intake and body weight were similar between treatments for the entire study. Serum advanced glycation end-products and malondialdehyde tended (P&amp;lt;0.10) to be reduced when animals were fed test diet compared with control diet. No differences were observed in other antioxidant biomarkers. These data suggest that addition of an antioxidant-containing kibble extruded to preserve antioxidant activity to a maintenance diet results in some favorable modulation of serum antioxidant markers in dogs. The observed trends suggest additional research to elucidate the effects.

Effects of different levels of rutin on growth performance, immunity, intestinal barrier and antioxidant capacity of broilers

This study investigated the effects of different doses of rutin on the growth performance, immunity, intestinal barrier, and antioxidant capacity of broilers. A total of two hundred and fifty-six 1-day-old male broilers were divided into 4 groups and fed basal diets supplemented with 0 (control group), 250, 500 and 1,000 mg rutin/kg, respectively, for 42 days. In the starter period (days 1–21) and whole trial period (days 1–42), broilers fed diets containing 500 mg rutin/kg had significantly (p < 0.05) higher average daily feed intake, body weight and average daily gain and better feed conversion ratio. Dietary 500 mg rutin/kg increased the villus height, villus height to crypt depth ratio and villus area, while reducing the B cell lymphoma 2 associated X mRNA expression (p < 0.05). Dietary 500 mg rutin/kg increased the level of IgA in serum and decreased serum tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) content, and the nuclear factor kappa-B, interleukin-2 and TNF-α mRNA expression in jejunal mucosa (p < 0.05). Simultaneously, 500 and 1,000 mg rutin/kg significantly decreased serum diamine oxidase activity, D-lactic acid and lipopolysaccharide concentration, increased activities of total superoxide dismutase and total antioxidant capacity in jejunal mucosa (p < 0.05), and upregulated mRNA expressions of genes related to intestinal barrier and antioxidant capacity in jejunal mucosa (p < 0.05). These findings indicate that dietary rutin, especially at 500 mg/kg, improves broilers’ growth performance, intestinal barrier function, immunity, and antioxidant capability, which may be related to the nuclear factor erythroid-2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) pathway. Highlights Dietary rutin improved growth performance, jejunal morphology, and intestinal barrier function. Dietary rutin enhanced the immunity via inhibiting NF-κB, and improved antioxidant capacity via activating Nrf2/HO-1 pathway in broilers. The optimal dose of rutin was 500 mg/kg in broiler diet.

Live weight as an indicator of morphobiochemical blood composition of heifers under intensive breeding technology

Purpose: The growth processes of Holsteinized black-motley breed heifers during rearing as well as correlation relations of live weight with morphobiochemical blood parameters have been evaluated.Materials and methods. The studies are performed on healthy chicks of the golstinized black and qualifier of the breed (blood blood is more than 90 %). When forming an experimental group (n = 10) from clinically healthy animals at 1 month age, the principle of close analogues was used. To assess the morpho-bio-chemical status, with individual weighing of the heifers, blood samples were taken 1, 3, 6, 9, 12 and 13 months of age, which were used to determine morphological indicators (erythrogram, leukogram) and biochemical STGs, IPR1, general protein, albumin, albumin, albumin. Urea, activity Alat and Asat. Additionally calculated: the number of globulins (GL), the alb/GL ratio, il, alb/urea, GL/urea, STG/IFR-1, the lady of the de Ritis coefficient (Asat/Alat). To assess the intensity of the growth of the heifers, they were monthly weighed in individual machines, which made it possible to determine the average body weight (kg) and the average daily body weight (G). For statistical analysis, the Versia program was used. The values of p &lt;0.05 were used to indicate the significance of the differences between the signs. The relationship between the sub-signs was revealed by calculating the values of the correlation coefficients on the Spearman.Results. The blood samples of the heifers chosen for the experimental group (n=10) were taken at the ages of 1, 3, 6, 9, 12 and 13 months and body weight was determined every month. It was found that the body weight increases to 353,55±1,68 kg by the age of 13 months, and the highest average daily weight gain corresponds to the vegetative period of feeding. The morphophysiological composition of the blood of heifers is determined by age. Changes in the erythrogram are associated with an increase in the number of erythrocytes, hemoglobin and hematocrit by 29,28; 30,58; 27,87 % (p≤0,05), determining the morphological features of red cells. In the blood of heifers, the number of leukocytes would increase by 28.06 % (p≤0.05) by increasing the percentage of eosinophils, segmented neutrophils and monocytes by 45.31; 5.70 and 50.00 % (p≤0.05) and reducing lymphocytes and stab neutrophils by 5.69 and 43.39 % (p≤0.05). Protein metabolism has an anabolic orientation, as evidenced by an increase in the concentration of total protein, albumin and globulin by 13.11; 39.44 and 4.07 % (p≤0.05),ALAT and AsAT activity by 4.00 and 2.54 times (p≤0.05) against a decrease in urea levels by 26.57 % (p≤0.05). Protein anabolism is associated with regulatory effects of growth hormones, the concentration of which changes reciprocally: STH decreases by 54.32 % and IGF-1 increases by 32.07 times (p≤0.05). Body weight correlated statistically significantly with serum albumin (r=0.70±0.25 to 0.87±0.17), urea (r=-0.72±0.23 to -0.93±0.13), AsAT activity (r=0.53±0.30 to 0.65±0.27) and IGF-1 concentration (r=0.55±32 to 0.79±0.22).

Supplementation of multi-enzymes alone or combined with inactivated Lactobacillus benefits growth performance and gut microbiota in broilers fed wheat diets.

The effects of multi-enzymes mixture supplementation or combination with inactivated Lactobacillus on growth performance, intestinal barrier, and cecal microbiota were investigated in broilers at the age of 15–42 days fed a wheat-based diet. A total of 576 broilers (12 broilers/cage; n = 12) were used and divided into four groups and randomly allotted to four experimental diets throughout grower (15–28 days of age) and finisher (29–42 days of age) phases. Diets consisted of a corn-soybean meal-based diet (BD), a wheat-soybean meal-based diet (WD), and WD supplemented multi-enzymes (WED) or combined with inactivated Lactobacillus (WEPD). The results showed that the average daily gain (ADG) and body weight (BW) were reduced in broilers fed WD diet compared with those fed BD diet during the grower period (P < 0.05). Broilers in the WED or WEPD group had higher ADG and BW during the grower period (P < 0.05) and had a lower feed-to-gain ratio (F/G) compared to broilers in the WD group during the grower and overall periods (P < 0.05). Improved expression of intestinal barrier genes (claudin-1, ZO-1, and mucin-2) was observed in WEPD compared to the BD or WD group (P < 0.05). Compared to the BD group, the WD group decreased the abundance of Oscillospira, norank_f__Erysipelotrichaceae, and Peptococcus, which are related to anti-inflammatory function and BW gain. The WD also increased Bifidobacterium and some short-chain fatty acid (SCFA)-producing bacteria (Anaerotruncus, Blautia, and Oscillibacter), and Barnesiella, which were presumed as “harmful microbes” [false discovery rate (FDR) < 0.05]. WED and WEPD groups, respectively, improved Bilophila and Eubacterium_hallii_group compared with those in the WD group (FDR < 0.05). In addition, the Enterococcus abundance was reduced in the WEPD group compared to the WD group (FDR < 0.05). Higher acetate and total SCFA concentrations were observed (P < 0.05) among broilers who received a WD diet. Compared with the WD group, the WED or WEPD group further increased cecal propionate content (P < 0.05) and tended to improve butyrate concentration. These results suggested that supplemental multi-enzymes alone and combined with inactivated Lactobacillus could improve the growth performance based on the wheat-based diet and offer additional protective effects on the intestinal barrier function of broilers.

EFFECTS OF LENTIL (Lens culinaris) SCREENING AS A REPLACEMENT FOR NOUG SEED CAKE (Guizotia abyssinica) ON THE DIETS OF GROWING FARTA LAMBS IN ETHIOPIA

A study was performed with the objective to assess nutrient biological performance and assess economic feasibility of Farta lambs fed wheat straw (WS) as a basal feed and supplemented with lentil screening (LS) in replacement for noug seed cake (NSC). The experimental sheep were blocked into five based on their initial body weight and randomly assigned to treatment diets within each block. The experimental design used for this study was randomized complete block design (RCBD) with five replications. Result indicated %CP contents of experimental feeds were 26.13, 25.00 and 5.66 for lentil screening, NSC and WS, respectively. There was significant difference in WS DM intake (p&lt;0.05) in all treatment groups. The supplement DM intake increased significantly (p&lt;0.001) as lentil screening level increased from 0, 29.4, 55.4, 78.8, and 100% from (T1-T5), respectively. Total DM intake was significantly different (p&lt;0.01) among all treatment groups but CP intake was not significantly different among treatments (p&gt;0.05). Average daily body weight gain (ADG) and feed conversion efficiency (FCE) were significantly different (p&lt;0.01) among treatment groups. Among treatment groups, T5 had higher (p&lt;0.01) daily body weight gain (76.44 g/d) as compared to T4 (72.1 g/d), T3 (69.8 g/d), T2 (62.89 g/d), T1 (58.28 g/d). T5 returned a higher net income (110.94 Ethiopian Birr (EB)/sheep) as compared to the other treatment groups. From biological performance and economic return T5 could be recommended as an alternative supplement for growing Farta sheep both in biological performance and better economic gain.

The effect of partial substitution of Moringa oleifera leaf meal on the relative growth performance and incidence of scours in piglets

The effect of Moringa oleifera leaf meal (MOLM) as a scour prophylaxis and on growth parameters of piglets was evaluated. A total of 168 piglets from 15 litters were cross fostered and randomly assigned to three dietary treatments; 0% MOLM (control diet), 4.5% MOLM and 8% MOLM inclusion test diets. The feed conversion ratio (FCR), average daily gain (ADG), body weight (BW) and average daily feed intake (ADFI) and faecal viscosity (FV) were measured. The effect of MOLM inclusion level on FCR, ADG, BW, ADFI and FV was analysed using PROC GLM of SAS. Dietary inclusion of 4.5% MOLM significantly reduced the ADFI of piglets when compared to 0% MOLM, however 8% MOLM had higher ADFI than either 0% or 4.5% MOLM inclusion. There was no effect of MOLM dietary inclusion on ADG; however 8% MOLM dietary inclusion had a higher FCR when compared to 0% or 4.5% MOLM. Piglets in control treatment (0% MOLM) had more incidence of scours than 8% MOLM diet and did not differ from 4.5% MOLM. There was no effect in faecal viscosity between 4.5% and 8% MOLM diets. MOLM dietary inclusion significantly reduced the cost per kilogram weight gain. It was concluded that MOLM can replace soya bean meal up to 4.5% in piglet creep diets.

Supplementation with galacto-oligosaccharides in early life persistently facilitates the microbial colonization of the rumen and promotes growth of preweaning Holstein dairy calves.

We aimed to determine the effects of dietary supplementation with galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS) on the growth performance, serum parameters, and the rumen microbial colonization and fermentation of pre-weaning dairy calves. The study comprised 2 phases of 28 and 42 d, respectively. During phase 1, 24 newborn female Holstein dairy calves were randomly allocated to consume a diet supplemented with 10 g/d GOS (GOS, n = 12) or not (CON, n = 12). Thereafter, during phase 2, the GOS group was further divided into 2 groups: one that continued to consume GOS (GOSC, n = 6) and one that no longer consumed GOS (GOSS, n = 6), alongside the CON group. Galacto-oligosaccharides increased the average daily gain (ADG), body weight, feed efficiency, and serum high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol concentration of dairy calves during phase 1 (P < 0.05). Supplementation with GOS for the entire study reduced the incidence of diarrhea and increased the serum total protein and Ca concentrations (P < 0.05) compared with the CON group. The effect of GOS supplementation persisted after it was stopped because the ADG and final body weight of the GOSS group were higher than those of the CON group (P < 0.05). Furthermore, the GOSS group showed a persistently lower incidence of diarrhea and greater colonization of the rumen with probiotics, at the expense of less beneficial bacteria, which would promote ruminal fermentation and microbial protein synthesis. These findings provide a theoretical basis for the rational application of prebiotics and have important practical implications for the design of early life dietary interventions in dairy calf rearing.