Dietary Addition Research Articles

Aerial parts of Angelica sinensis supplementation for improved broiler growth and intestinal health

This research examined the impact of incorporating Angelica sinensis's aerial components (APA), commonly referred to as "female ginseng", into broilers' diet. Two hundred eighty-eight 1-day-old Cobb 500 broilers were randomly assigned to the 4 experimental groups with 6 replications and 12 birds/replicate. The 4 groups were fed the diets included 4 concentrations of APA (0 %, 1 %, 2 %, and 3%, respectively). The study spanned 42 days, categorized as the starter phase (1-21 days) and the finisher phase (22-42 days). Notably, broilers fed with 3% APA demonstrated a pronounced surge in feed consumption and weight gain during the 22-42 days and over the full 42-day period (P<0.05). Furthermore, when examining the broilers' intestinal structure, there was a notable increase in the villus height and villi ratio across the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum, with a decrease in crypt depth upon 3% APA inclusion (P<0.05). On a molecular note, certain genes connected to the intestinal mechanical barrier, such as Zona Occludens 1 and Claudin-2, saw significant elevation in the jejunum (P<0.05). The jejunum also displayed heightened levels of antimicrobial peptides like lysozyme, mucin 2, sIgA, IgG, and IgM, showcasing an enhanced chemical and immune barrier(P<0.05). Delving into the 16SrDNA sequencing of intestinal content, a higher microbial diversity was evident with a surge in beneficial bacteria, particularly Firmicutes, advocating a resilient and balanced microecosystem. The findings imply that a 3% APA dietary addition bolsters growth metrics and fortifies the intestinal barrier's structural and functional integrity in broilers.

Adaptation of Glucose Metabolism to Limb Autotomy and Regeneration in the Chinese Mitten Crab.

Limb autotomy and regeneration represent distinctive responses of crustaceans to environmental stress. Glucose metabolism plays a pivotal role in energy generation for tissue development and regeneration across various species. However, the relationship between glucose metabolism and tissue regeneration in crustaceans remains elusive. Therefore, this study is aimed at analyzing the alterations of glucose metabolic profile during limb autotomy and regeneration in Eriocheir sinensis, while also evaluating the effects of carbohydrate supplementation on limb regeneration. The results demonstrated that limb autotomy triggered a metabolic profile adaption at the early stage of regeneration. Hemolymph glucose levels were elevated, and multiple glucose catabolic pathways were enhanced in the hepatopancreas. Additionally, glucose and ATP levels in the regenerative limb were upregulated, along with increased expression of glucose transporters. Furthermore, the gene expression and activity of enzymes involved in gluconeogenesis were repressed in the hepatopancreas. These findings indicate that limb regeneration triggers metabolic profile adaptations to meet the elevated energy requirements. Moreover, the study observed that supplementation with corn starch enhanced limb regeneration capacity by promoting wound healing and blastema growth. Interestingly, dietary carbohydrate addition influenced limb regeneration by stimulating gluconeogenesis rather than glycolysis in the regenerative limb. Thus, these results underscore the adaptation of glucose metabolism during limb autotomy and regeneration, highlighting its essential role in the limb regeneration process of E. sinensis.

Effects of Bacillus subtilis on the immune parameters, intestinal morphology and mucin gene expression in broilers exposed to Salmonella enterica challenge

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of the probiotic Bacillus subtilis supplementation on bacterial population, morphometry and mucin gene expression of intestine, and on immune response in Salmonella challenged broilers. Treatments were: 1) negative control (no probiotic- no challenging); 2) probiotic treated (no challenging); 3) positive control (no probiotic-salmonella challenging), and 4) Salmonella challenged chicks fed probiotic. Salmonella infection resulted in significant decrease in the relative weight of thymus. In challenged birds, dietary addition of probiotic increased (P&lt;0.0.5) the relative weights of bursa and thymus. Population of lactic acid bacteria was significantly higher in probiotic treated groups as compared to negative control or challenged chickens. Challenged chickens had the lowest count of goblet cells and those received probiotic had the highest goblet cells count. The expression of mucin 2 gene was higher in group received dietary probiotic as compared with other treatments. Difference for gene expression was not found in challenged chickens and the negative control (P&gt;0.05). In conclusion, the dietary inclusion of Bacillus subtilis could alleviate the negative effects of Salmonella infection on intestinal cells and bacterial population and could improve the growth and development of immune organs and function in infected broilers.&#x0D;

Effects of dietary citric acid on growth performance, mineral status, body and muscle composition, muscle growth and mTOR signaling in yellow catfish Pelteobagrus fulvidraco fed with low-manganese diets

The positive impacts of dietary citric acid (CA) on aquaculture species have been studied. However, the wide application of CA in aquatic-feed requires a comprehensive understanding of its nutritional functions. Here, an 8- week feeding trial was performed to determine whether dietary CA supplementation could improve manganese (Mn) utilization and thus reduce Mn excretion by investigating the effect of dietary CA on growth performance, mineral statues, body and muscle composition, muscle growth and mTOR signaling of yellow catfish Pelteobagrus fulvidraco fed with low-manganese (L-Mn) diets. Four isonitrogenous and isolipidic diets were formulated and fed to triplicated groups of fish. A suitable Mn diet containing 5.7 mg kg−1 Mn was set as the control, while the diets without extra Mn addition was regarded as L-Mn group. The other two diets were supplemented with 30 g kg−1 CA into the control and L-Mn diet, respectively. The results showed that the weight gain, specific growth rate, feed efficiency, protein content in muscle, iron concentration in serum, and Mn content in whole body and muscle were significantly decreased after L-Mn diet and resumed by dietary CA addition (P < 0.05). Dietary low-Mn markedly decreased the diameters of muscle fibers, which was alleviated by CA supplementation. Dietary Mn and CA interacted to affect the density of the muscle fiber density, the mRNA expression of muscle development-, myocyte myogenic and myocyte enhancer factors-related genes (P-interaction <0.05). Besides, expression of genes in muscle involved in mTOR signaling including mtor, s6 and eif4e were significantly down-regulated in fish fed L-Mn diet compared to the control. CA supplementation reversed the L-Mn diet induced decrease of their mRNA levels. Furthermore, the protein expression of p-mTOR, S6 and p-S6 were significantly decreased after L-Mn diet, and were upregulated by CA supplementation in the muscle (P < 0.05). Taken together, this study revealed that CA as a feed additive could improve growth performance, mineral bioavailability, muscle growth and protein synthesis in yellow catfish under the condition of Mn deficiency. These positive effects may be partially attributed to dietary CA supplementation improving Mn absorption and bioavailability. This study also has a significance for the development of environmentally friendly feeds for the aquatic species.

Sensory, textural, physico-chemical and enzymatic characterization of melted cheese with added potato and carrot peels.

Food waste is one of the biggest societal problems in the globe due to its detrimental consequences on the environment. According to estimates from the Food and Agriculture Organization, this comes to about 1.3 billion tonnes per year. The current study aims to produce sustainable food products with high nutritional value by incorporating food waste. For the extraction of economically relevant products such as dietary fibers, biopolymers, natural antioxidants, and food additives, potato and carrot peel represent an inexpensive, valuable, and conveniently available resource. Cheese is a functional dairy product that people eat for its high nutritional content, which aids in the treatment of conditions including diabetes, obesity, hypertension, and digestive problems in addition to giving them energy. Thus a control sample and 10 samples of melted cheese with various amounts of potato and carrot peelings were prepared. To explore the nutritional value of potato and carrot peels in melted cheese, an analysis was conducted on the fluctuation of physicochemical (acidity, pH, dry matter, water activity, and salt content) and enzymatic (L-lactic acid, lactose, D-glucose, and D-galactose) parameters. Consumer acceptability of the products was assessed by textural and sensory analysis. During the whole storage period, the samples of melted cheese with potato and carrot peels recorded higher values than the control sample, the results obtained for them being better. Samples with added potato or carrot wastes were more stable over time, as compared to control samples.

Effects of selenium-enriched yeast dietary supplementation on egg quality, gut morphology and caecal microflora of laying hens

Selenium (Se) is an essential micronutrient for humans and animals and is a powerful antioxidant that can promote reproductive and immune functions. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of supplemental dietary selenium-enriched yeast (SeY) on egg quality, gut morphology and microflora in laying hens. In total, 100 HY-Line Brown laying hens (45-week old) were randomly allocated to two groups with 10 replicates and fed either a basal diet (without Se supplementation) or a basal diet containing 0.2 mg/kg Se in the form of SeY for 8 weeks. The Se supplementation did not have a significant effect on egg quality and intestinal morphology of laying hens. Based on the 16S rRNA sequencing, SeY dietary supplementation effectively modulated the cecal microbiota structure. An alpha diversity analysis demonstrated that birds fed 100 mg/kg SeY had a higher cecal bacterial diversity. SeY dietary addition elevated Erysipelotrichia (class), Lachnospiraceae (family), Erysipelotrichaceae (family) and Ruminococcus_torques_group (genus; p < .05). Analysis of microbial community-level phenotypes revealed that SeY supplementation decreased the microorganism abundance of facultatively anaerobic and potentially pathogenic phenotypes. Overall, SeY supplementation cannot significantly improve intestinal morphology; however, it modulated the composition of cecal microbiota toward a healthier gut.

Betaine supplementation alleviates corticosterone-induced hepatic cholesterol accumulation through epigenetic modulation of HMGCR and CYP7A1 genes in laying hens

Excessive corticosterone (CORT) exposure could cause hepatic cholesterol accumulation in chickens and maternal betaine supplementation could decrease hepatic cholesterol deposition through epigenetic modifications in offspring chickens. Nevertheless, it remains uncertain whether providing betaine to laying hens could protect CORT-induced hepatic cholesterol accumulation via epigenetic mechanisms. This study aimed to examine the effects of dietary betaine on plasma and hepatic cholesterol contents, expression of cholesterol metabolic genes, as well as DNA methylation on their promoters in the liver of laying hens exposed to CORT. A total of 72 laying hens at 130 d of age were randomly divided into 3 groups: control (CON), CORT, and CORT+betaine (CORT+BET) groups. The experiment lasted for 35 d. Chickens in CON and CORT groups were fed a basal diet, whereas the CORT+BET group chickens were fed the basal diet supplemented with 0.1% betaine for 35 d. On d 28 of the experiment, chickens in CORT and CORT+BET groups received daily subcutaneous injections of CORT (4.0 mg/kg body weight), whereas the CON group chickens were injected with an equal volume of solvent for 7 d. The results showed that CORT administration led to a significant increase (P < 0.05) in the contents of cholesterol in plasma and liver, associated with activation (P < 0.05) of sterol regulatory element binding transcription factor 2 (SREBP2), 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase (HMGCR), lecithin-cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT) and low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) genes expression, and inhibition of cholesterol-7-alpha hydroxylase (CYP7A1) and sterol 27-hydroxylase (CYP27A1) genes expression in the liver compared to the CON. In contrast, CORT-induced up-regulation of HMGCR mRNA and protein abundances and downregulation of CYP7A1 mRNA and protein abundances were completely normalized (P < 0.05) by betaine supplementation. Besides, CORT injection led to significant hypomethylation (P < 0.05) on HMGCR promoter and hypermethylation (P < 0.05) on CYP7A1 promoter. Moreover, dietary betaine rescued (P < 0.05) CORT-induced changes in methylation status of HMGCR and CYP7A1 genes promoters. These results indicate that dietary betaine addition protects laying hens from CORT-induced hepatic cholesterol accumulation via epigenetic modulation of HMGCR and CYP7A1 genes.

Role of Dietary Microalgae on Fish Health and Fillet Quality: Recent Insights and Future Prospects

An increase in the consumption of food fish, combined with a decrease in the harvest of fish, is driving the aquaculture industry at a fast pace. In parallel with the growth in the aquaculture sector and resulting stresses, the prevalence of diseases in farmed fish can increase. Although effective administration and prophylaxis are the main factors safeguarding fish species against diseases, recent approaches to mitigate the response caused by typical stressors include the uses of dietary additives. Microalgae are one of the main sources of nutrients, namely protein, lipids, vitamins, minerals, and pigments in aquatic animal diets. Numerous studies have proved the beneficial effects of microalgae on fish growth performance, feed utilization, disease resistance, and immunological and antioxidant activities. On the other hand, the administration of different microalgae to fish feed can enhance the fillet quality from several aspects, leading to an overall improvement in fillet shelf-life. This review focuses on the evidence supporting the beneficial effects of various microalgae on biochemical and organoleptic aspects as well as the proximate composition of carcasses in fish species.

Dietary Spirulina effects in Eimeria-challenged broiler chickens: growth performance, nutrient digestibility, intestinal morphology, serum biomarkers, and gene expression.

This study investigated the growth performance, nutrient utilization, and intestinal health responses of Eimeria-challenged broiler chickens to dietary Spirulina (Arthrospira platensis). On day 1, birds were assigned to 2 diets supplemented with Spirulina (0 or 5g/kg) in a randomized complete block design. The birds within each diet were divided into 2 Eimeria-challenge groups (challenge or no-challenge) and that resulted in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement with 2 levels each of Spirulina and challenge on day 14. On day 15, the birds in the challenge or no-challenge groups were orally gavaged with a solution containing Eimeria oocysts or 1% PBS, respectively. Samples were collected on days 21 and 26 (6- and 11-d post-infection; dpi). Data collected from days 1 to 26 were analyzed using the MIXED procedure of SAS. Birds that were fed Spirulina-supplemented diets had increased (P < 0.05) BW gain, gain-to-feed ratio, and total tract retention nitrogen from days 14 to 21. The ileal villus perimeter and area, serum catalase, HMOX1 and SOD1 jejunal abundance were all increased (P < 0.05) in birds fed Spirulina-supplemented diets on day 21 (6 dpi). However, there was no effect on bone ash or oocyst count. From days 21 to 26, there was a tendency (P = 0.059) for a Spirulina × Challenge interaction on the BW gain of birds. Moreover, dietary Spirulina addition increased (P < 0.05) serum catalase, total antioxidant capacity, ileal villus perimeter, tibia bone ash, and the relative mRNA expression of HMOX1, SOD1, claudin 1, and TNFα in the jejunal mucosa of birds on day 26 (11 dpi). On both 6 and 11 dpi, the Eimeria challenge negatively (P < 0.05) impacted growth performance, gut morphology, and the relative mRNA expression of genes. Overall, assessing the impact of Spirulina in broilers revealed its positive antioxidant, immune-modulating, and health benefits. However, its dietary addition did not completely reverse the Eimeria-induced effects in these birds. Ultimately, this study outlines the positive properties of dietary Spirulina beyond its use in the diet of healthy broiler chickens.

Efficacy of a novel multi-enzyme feed additive on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, and gut microbiome of weanling pigs fed corn-wheat or wheat-barley-based diet.

One-hundred-and-ninety-two weanling pigs (6.7kg body weight) were used to evaluate the impact of a carbohydrases-protease enzyme complex (CPEC) on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, and gut microbiome. Pigs were assigned to one of the four dietary treatments for 42 d according to a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement of diet type (low fiber [LF] or high fiber [HF]) and CPEC supplementation (0 or 170mg/kg diet). The LF diet was prepared as corn-wheat-based diet while the HF diet was wheat-barley-based and contained wheat middlings and canola meal. Each dietary treatment consisted of 12 replicate pens (six replicates per gender) and four pigs per replicate pen. Over the 42-d period, there was no interaction between diet type and CPEC supplementation on growth performance indices of pigs. Dietary addition of CPEC improved (P < 0.05) the body weight of pigs at days 28 and 42 and the gain-to-feed ratio of pigs from days 0 to 14. During the entire experimental period, dietary CPEC supplementation improved (P < 0.05) the average daily gain and gain-to-feed ratio of pigs. There were interactions between diet type and CPEC supplementation on apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of dry matter (DM; P < 0.01), gross energy (GE; P < 0.01), and neutral detergent fiber (NDF; P < 0.05) at d 42. Dietary CPEC addition improved (P < 0.05) ATTD of DM, GE, and NDF in the HF diets. At day 43, dietary CPEC addition resulted in improved (P < 0.05) apparent ileal digestibility (AID) of NDF and interactions (P < 0.05) between diet type and CPEC supplementation on AID of DM and crude fiber. Alpha diversity indices including phylogenetic diversity and observed amplicon sequence variants of fecal microbiome increased (P < 0.05) by the addition of CPEC to the HF diets on day 42. An interaction (P < 0.05) between diet type and CPEC addition on Bray-Curtis dissimilarity index and Unweighted UniFrac distances was observed on day 42. In conclusion, CPEC improved weanling pig performance and feed efficiency, especially in wheat-barley diets, while dietary fiber composition had a more significant impact on fecal microbial communities than CPEC administration. The results of this study underscores carbohydrase's potential to boost pig performance without major microbiome changes.

Exploring the effects of astragalus polysaccharide food supplementation on growth performance, immunity, antioxidant capacity, and intestinal microflora in Chinese mitten crabs

Astragalus polysaccharide (APS) is the main active ingredient in astragalus membranaceus, which is composed of rhamnose, arabinose, xylose, mannose, galactose, and glucose. This research evaluated dietary addition with APS effects on growth, non-specific immune, antioxidant status and intestinal microbiota of Chinese mitten crabs. Altogether 288 crabs with intact appendages were irregularly assigned 12 crabs per replicate to 24 tanks with 6 replicates per treatment. Crabs were given a basal diet in different groups containing 0 (control group), 500, 1000, and 2000 mg/kg of APS, respectively. The results indicated that the dietary APS addition increased the specific growth rate and percentage weight gain, serum phenoloxidase and lysozyme activities, increased superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase activities of serum and hepatopancreas, reduced the feed conversion ratio of Chinese mitten crabs (P < 0.05). APS addition quadratically increased acid phosphatase levels, decreased the malondialdehyde levels of Chinese mitten crabs (P < 0.05). APS inclusion linearly and quadratically increased hepatopancreas mRNA expression levels of TLR2, MyD88 and Tube of crabs (P < 0.05). Principal component analysis showed that the four groups had different composition of the intestinal microbiota in Chinese mitten crabs. On the other hand, this addition decreased the Chao1, Shannon indexes, abundance of phyla Bacteroidota, increased the abundance of phyla Firmicutes and genus Candidatus_Bacilloplasma in intestine microbiota of Chinese mitten crabs compared with the control (P < 0.05). The level of APS to the diet of Chinese mitten crabs with a 1000 mg/kg inclusion was better compared to its counterparts with 500 and 2000 mg/kg inclusions according to the better results on growth, immunity, and antioxidant capacity. In summary, dietary APS inclusion enhanced growth performance via improving antioxidant function, non-specific immunity, modulating the Toll/NF-κB pathway and proPO system, and ameliorating the intestinal flora in Chinese mitten crabs. The optimal level of supplemented APS in the diet was 1000 mg/kg.

Effect of a Dietary Essential Oil Blend in Dairy Cows during the Dry and Transition Period on Blood and Metabolic Parameters of Dams and Their Calves.

Cows face severe challenges of immunosuppression and negative energy balance during transition periods. The current study was designed to investigate the effects of essential oil blend supplementation in dairy cow's ration during dry periods on the health of the cow and calf. In the current study, 45 dry Holstein dairy cows were divided into three groups, each consisting of 15 animals. The control group was without any supplementation; the positive control group was only injected with 0.2 mg/kg levamisole (intramuscular) at 2 months before parturition and 1 month before parturition; and the treatment group was supplemented with 3 g/day for each cow essential oil blend mixed in total mixed ration (TMR). A mixed vaccine against E. coli, Rotavirus, and Coronavirus was administered to all cows before 42 days and after 21 days of calving. The day of the calving of the animal was accepted as day 0. Blood samples were collected from the coccygeal vein of all cows at -60, -45, -30, -15, -7, 0, 1 and 2 days, and the colostrum samples were taken on days 0, 1, and 2. Blood samples were also collected from the jugular vein (V. Jugularis) of the newborn calves on days 0, 1, and 2. The results of the hematological parameters revealed no difference in the total red blood cell count, hemoglobin amount, hematocrit, MCV, MCH, MCHC, RDW, PLT, MPV, and PCT values in both prenatal and postnatal blood of the cows (p > 0.05). In terms of immunological parameters, the total IgG level was significantly higher in the experimental group on the 7th day before birth compared to the other two groups, while the total leukocyte count, lymphocyte count, monocyte count and granulocyte counts were found to be lower after birth (p < 0005). Blood NEFA and BHBA levels were also lower in the experimental group compared to the other two groups (p < 0.005), and the blood glucose level was not different (p > 0.05). In calves, no difference was found between the groups in any of the parameters examined (p > 0.05). It is concluded that the dietary addition of an essential oil blend during the transition period enhanced the immune status and energy metabolism of cows without any effect on the health status of newborn calves.

Timing of dietary zinc additions during gestation for improved piglet survival.

The objectives of this study were to determine a practical approach to feeding elevated dietary zinc (Zn) to gestating sows in a commercial setting and to confirm preweaning mortality could be reduced by feeding high Zn to sows during different periods of gestation. The study was conducted at a commercial sow farm in the upper Midwest. Mixed parity sows (n = 267) over three consecutive weekly farrowing groups (sows farrowing within 1wk) were assigned randomly to one of the three dietary treatments within parity. Treatments consisted of: (1) control sows fed a corn-soybean meal diet containing 206mg/kg total supplemental Zn supplied by zinc hydroxychloride; (2) breed-to-farrow: as control + 147mg/kg supplemental Zn as ZnSO4 (353mg/kg total supplemental Zn) fed from 5 d after breeding to farrowing; and (3) day 110-to-farrow: as control fed from breeding to farrowing + 4,079mg/kg supplemental Zn as ZnSO4 (4,285mg/kg total supplemental Zn) starting day 110 of gestation until farrowing. At farrowing, individual piglets were weighed and identified within 12h of birth. Data were analyzed using PROC GLIMMIX of SAS and the model considered the fixed effect of dietary treatment and random effect of farrowing group. Dietary treatments did not affect number of total pigs born per litter. For breed-to-farrow sows, there was an increase in the percentage of pigs born alive compared to sows fed the control and day 110-to-farrow treatments (P < 0.001). The number of stillborn pigs expressed as a percentage of total litter size at birth decreased for breed-to-farrow sows (P < 0.001) compared with control or day 110-to-farrow sows. Mortality of low birth weight piglets from birth to weaning did not differ among dietary treatments (P = 0.305); however, a trend for decreasing post-natal mortality (P = 0.068) of normal birth weight pigs was observed for pigs born to sows fed elevated Zn 5 d before farrowing. In conclusion, feeding elevated Zn to sows throughout gestation increased the proportion of pigs born alive suggesting that elevated gestational Zn intake makes piglets more robust to endure the stresses of farrowing and decreases intrapartum mortality. Under the conditions of this study, elevated Zn intake of sows did not influence piglet post-natal survival. However, feeding high zinc throughout gestation may decrease piglet mortality during the parturition process.

Effects of Dietary Thymoquinone Inclusion on Antioxidative, Oxidative, Pro-Inflammatory Responses, Semen Attributes and Testicular Changes in Heat-Stressed Rabbit Bucks

Abstract Heat stress (HS) is considered a severe concern for rabbit buck’s health, welfare and reproductive features. Thymoquinone (THQ) is a natural molecule with robust antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory properties. Thereafter, three months of feeding research was applied to assess the role of THQ-enriched diets in improving the health, semen attributes and testicular changes of stressed rabbit bucks. Forty rabbit bucks were used in this research, and animals were fed diets containing 0 (THQ0; serve as a heat stress group), 100 (THQ100), 200 (THQ200), and 400 (THQ400) mg/kg of THQ for three months continually during the summer season. Outcomes displayed that THQ significantly enhanced FBW (final body weight), DBWG (daily body weight gain), and FI (feed intake) but did not affect FCR (feed conversion ratio). Compared with the THQ0 group, dietary THQ addition significantly decreased creatinine, TB (total bilirubin), TG (triglycerides), and GGT (gamma-glutamyl transferase) levels. Bucks receiving 200 mg of THQ had higher TAC (total antioxidant capacity) and GSH (glutathione) than other groups. At the same time, MDA was significantly shrunk in THQ-treated groups relative to the THQ group. The levels of interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) and interleukin-4 (IL-4) were significantly diminished (P &lt;0.001), but nitric oxide and lysosome activity were significantly increased in bucks given diets containing THQ (200 and 400 mg/kg) as relative to the TH0 group. Libido score and reaction time were significantly improved by THQ dietary inclusion. Semen attributes, including volume, motility, concentration, and vitality, were significantly augmented in THQ100 and THQ200 groups. Histological screening of testicular tissues showed moderate to severe degenerative and necrotic changes in the testicular tissues of bucks exposed to HS. This was enhanced with the supplementation of THQ at different levels. Collectively, THQ (200 or 400 mg/kg diet) can improve health, semen attributes and restore testicular damage in rabbit bucks via boosting antioxidant and reducing inflammatory cytokines.

Effect of Dietary Glycerol Addition on Growth Performance, Serum Biochemical Indexes, Carcass Traits, Fat Deposition, and Meat Quality in Fattening Period Kazakh Sheep

Effect of Dietary Glycerol Addition on Growth Performance, Serum Biochemical Indexes, Carcass Traits, Fat Deposition, and Meat Quality in Fattening Period Kazakh Sheep

Exploring the additive effect of Ampelopsis grossedentata flavonoids and Tween 80 on feeding Nubian goats.

The ban on antibiotics in animal husbandry underscores the crucial need for safe, natural feed additives. This study investigates the effects of Ampelopsis grossedentata flavonoids (AGF) and Tween 80 on the growth performance, blood indexes, and rumen microbiota of Nubian goats, evaluating their potential as alternative feed additives in livestock management. Thirty-two goats were randomly divided into four groups. The control group (CON group) was provided with a basal diet, while the experimental groups received diets supplemented with various dietary additives for a duration of 100 days: either a basal diet supplemented with 25 mg/kg of monensin (MN group), a basal diet containing 2.0 g/kg of Ampelopsis grossedentata flavonoids (AGF group), or a basal diet containing 7.5 mL/kg of Tween 80 (TW group). Blood and rumen fluid samples were collected for analysis at the end of the feeding period. Growth performance was monitored through regular weighing and feed intake measurements. Blood indexes were analyzed using standard biochemical techniques, while the microbial composition of the rumen fluid was determined through high throughput 16S rRNA gene sequencing to assess microbial diversity and function. The effects of the dietary treatments on growth performance, blood indexes, and rumen microbial composition were then evaluated. The AGF group exhibited significantly increased average daily gain, and decreased feed-to-gain ratio (p < 0.05). Blood indexes analysis revealed no differences between the CON and AGF groups, with both showing higher concentrations of triglyceride, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, glutamic-pyruvic transaminase, alkaline phosphatase, and lactate dehydrogenase compared to the monensin group (p < 0.05). The TW group had significantly higher glucose, glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase, and glutamic-pyruvic transaminase levels than the MN group (p < 0.05). Microbial diversity analysis revealed that the TW group had significantly greater alpha-diversity than other groups, while beta-diversity analysis showed closer similarity between the rumen microbiota of the AGF and CON groups. LEfSe analysis identified Proteobacteria, Deferribacteres, Ehryarchaeoia, and Elusimicrobia as biomarkers distinguishing the rumen microbiota among the groups. In conclusion, AGF supplementation increased the relative abundance of beneficial bacteria in the rumen of Nubian goats, and thus enhanced the growth performance. TW supplementation significantly increased rumen microbial diversity and abundance, suggesting benefits for rumen health despite poor palatability. These findings highlight the potential of AGF as a new green additive with important implications for the efficiency and development of animal husbandry.

Anacardato de cálcio como fonte de compostos fenólicos na dieta para coelhas Nova Zelândia Branco

Abstract The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of the dietary addition of calcium anacardate as a source of phenolic compounds on the reproductive performance and blood antioxidant parameters of New Zealand White female rabbits. Twenty-seven New Zealand White female rabbits were distributed in a randomized complete block design with three treatments and nine replicates, considering one animal as the experimental unit. The treatments consisted of pelleted diets with different inclusion levels of calcium anacardate (0, 0.5, and 1.0%). The inclusion of calcium anacardate in the diets increased the concentration of phenolic compounds and the antioxidant capacity in the blood of lactating female rabbits. Calcium anacardate at the level of 1.0% improves the feed conversion ratio during gestation and increases the phenolic compounds and antioxidant capacity in the blood serum of female rabbits at 21 days of lactation.

Effect of Dietary Supplementation with Fish Meal and Soybean Meal on Gastrointestinal Function in Carnivorous Companion Animals – Using Mink (Neovision vision) as a Model

Abstract Soybean meal (SBM) is fed to various livestock species worldwide. It is also present in dog food as a plant protein source, combined with animal-derived ingredients. The aim of this study was to compare the effect of dietary supplementation with fishmeal (FM, an animal protein source) and high amounts of SBM (a plant protein source) on nutrient digestibility, gastrointestinal function and enzyme activity in mink, a model carnivore. The experiment was performed on 14 female American mink of a standard strain. Diet FM was supplemented with 12% FM and 8% ground wheat grain with sugar beet pulp, and diet SBM contained 20% SBM. It was found that the dietary addition of 20% SBM to mink diets negatively affected the digestibility of protein, carbohydrates and energy. Enhanced colonic fermentation processes as a source of additional energy, observed in SBM group mink, were not sufficient to compensate for the loss of nutrients and energy in the upper gastrointestinal tract (GIT). Therefore, SBM should be applied with caution in diets for carnivorous species.

Micronutrient and antinutrient content of semi-processed fruit peels: Towards boosting immunity.

Fruits are excellent sources of micronutrients; hence, their consumption is highly recommended. However, fruit peels, often discarded, despite some being edible have been reported to contain essential nutrients and antioxidants, which contribute to disease prevention and well-being. This study sought to evaluate the micronutrient and antinutrient content of 10 edible fruit peels namely, orange, mango, pineapple, banana, lemon, mandarin, red apple, cucumber, guava and pawpaw peels. Laboratory analyses of the fruit peels were conducted at the University of Calabar, in a well-ventilated and temperature controlled environment to ensure accurate results. The research design was quantitative and experimental; laboratory analyses were carried out to determine the minerals, vitamins and antinutrients in fruit peels using AOAC standard methods. Data were analysed using ANOVA on SPSS version 20.0. Calcium was the most predominant of the minerals analysed, with values ranging from 33.12 ± 0.05 mg/100 g (cucumber peels) to 72.04 ± 0.08 mg/100 g (mango peels); calcium was followed by magnesium. Mandarin, banana and pineapple peels had statistically similar (p > 0.05) content of zinc (about 1.2 mg/100g), which was significantly (p < 0.05) higher than others. Mandarin peels had significantly higher content (100.48 ± 2.03 mg/100 g) of vitamin C, while cucumber peels recorded the lowest (27.50 ± 0.01 mg/100 g). The results show significant concentrations of micronutrients such as iron, selenium and vitamin K; among the antinutrients, hydrogen cyanide had the highest concentrations, followed by phytate. The values were within safe limits. Therefore, the processing of fruit peels, for use as dietary additives to enrich foods and boost immunity, should be promoted. The study shows the potential of fruit peels as food additives.

Comparative effects of nisin and monensin supplementation on growth performance, rumen fermentation, nutrient digestion, and plasma metabolites of fattening Hu sheep.

This study was conducted to compare the effects of nisin (NIS) and ionophore antibiotic monensin (MON) on the growth performance, rumen fermentation, nutrient digestion and plasma metabolites of fattening Hu sheep. Thirty-six male Hu sheep (23.5 ± 1.0 kg) were divided into two blocks based on BW (low BW and high BW). Sheep within each block were then allotted to 9 pens respectively (two sheep/pen). Pens within each block were randomly assigned to one of three dietary treatments: (1) basal diet (CON); (2) basal diet + 40 mg/kg DM of MON; (3) basal diet + 274.5 mg/kg DM of NIS. The study lasted 9 weeks, with the initial 2 weeks for adaptation and the subsequent 7 weeks for treatment. The results showed that both NIS and MON addition had no impacts on average daily gain (ADG), dry matter intake (DMI), and feed conservation rate (G:F) of sheep (p > 0.05). The digestibility of ether extract (EE) was lower in the MON-fed and NIS-fed sheep (p < 0.01) than in the CON group, whereas crude protein (CP) digestibility was higher in the MON-fed sheep compared to those fed NIS (p < 0.05). Both NIS and MON supplementation decreased acetate levels and acetate/propionate ratio in the rumen of Hu sheep (p < 0.05). Sheep fed MON exhibited higher total cholesterol concentrations (p < 0.05) compared to the CON and NIS groups. However, there were no significant differences in other plasma metabolites, including blood urea nitrogen (BUN), total bile acid, triglyceride, total protein, albumin, globulin, glucose, etc., among the three groups (p > 0.05). In conclusion, dietary addition of NIS and MON altered the rumen fermentation mode by reducing acetate levels, with no discernible effects on the growth performance of the fattening Hu sheep.