Dietary Density Research Articles

Impact of Experimentally Induced Cognitive Dietary Restraint on Eating Behavior Traits, Appetite Sensations, and Markers of Stress during Energy Restriction in Overweight/Obese Women.

Weight loss has been associated with changes in eating behaviors and appetite sensations that favor a regain in body weight. Since traditional weight loss approaches emphasize the importance of increasing cognitive dietary restraint (CDR) to achieve negative energy imbalance, it is difficult to untangle the respective contributions of energy restriction and increases in CDR on factors that can eventually lead to body weight regain. The present study aimed at comparing the effects of energy restriction alone or in combination with experimentally induced CDR on eating behavior traits, appetite sensations, and markers of stress in overweight and obese women. We hypothesized that the combination of energy restriction and induced CDR would lead to more prevalent food cravings, increased appetite sensations, and higher cortisol concentrations than when energy restriction is not coupled with induced CDR. A total of 60 premenopausal women (mean BMI: 32.0 kg/m2; mean age: 39.4 y) were provided with a low energy density diet corresponding to 85% of their energy needs during a 4-week fully controlled period. At the same time, women were randomized to either a condition inducing an increase in CDR (CDR+ group) or a condition in which CDR was not induced (CRD− group). Eating behavior traits (Three-Factor Eating Questionnaire and Food Craving Questionnaire), appetite sensations (after standardized breakfast), and markers of stress (Perceived Stress Scale; postawakening salivary cortisol) were measured before (T = 0 week) and after (T = 4 weeks) the 4-week energy restriction, as well as 3 months later. There was an increase in CDR in the CDR+ group while no such change was observed in the CDR− group (p=0.0037). No between-group differences were observed for disinhibition, hunger, cravings, appetite sensations, perceived stress, and cortisol concentrations. These results suggest that a slight increase in CDR has no negative impact on factors regulating energy balance in the context of energy restriction.

Effect of dietary fermented corn in different energy dense diets on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, ileal microorganisms, and fecal noxious gas emission of growing pigs

This study evaluated the efficacy of fermented corn (FC) in growing pigs. One hundred twenty-eight growing pigs [(Landrace × Yorkshire) × Duroc)] with an initial body weight of 29.59 ± 1.34 kg were used in a 6 wk experiment. Pigs were assigned into one of four dietary treatments in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement with two levels of nutrient density (high energy: 3.37 Mcal kg−1, or low energy: 3.29 Mcal kg−1) and FC (0% or 20% substitute for corn). Pigs fed diets with FC increased (P < 0.05) average daily gain (ADG) overall. Pigs fed with high-density (HD) diets increased (P < 0.05) ADG and gain to feed (G/F) ratio overall. Apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of dry matter (DM), gross energy (GE), and nitrogen (N) increased (P < 0.05) in pigs fed with FC diets compared with pigs fed the diets without FC. In addition, pigs fed with HD diets increased (P < 0.05) ATTD of DM and GE compared with low-density (LD) diets. Furthermore, pigs fed with HD diets had a higher (P < 0.05) ATTD of DM and GE than those fed with LD diets. Both LD and FC supplementation led to lower (P < 0.05) fecal gas emission content. Pigs fed FC diets increased ileal Lactobacillus concentration and decreased Escherichia coli concentration. An interactive effect between nutrient density diet and FC was observed on the G/F, Lactobacillus on ileal microorganisms, and nutrient digestibility. In conclusion, the results indicated that dietary supplementation of HD diets and FC improved performance in growing pigs.

Effects of fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecumL.) seed extract supplementation in different energy density diets on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, blood characteristics, fecal microbiota, and fecal gas emission in growing pigs

This study evaluated the efficacy of fenugreek seed extract (FSE) in growing pigs. About 140 growing pigs [(Yorkshire × Landrace) × Duroc] with an average body weight (BW) of 23.70 ± 2.80 kg were used in a 6 wk trial. Treatments were (on as-fed basis) two levels of FSE (FSE0, 0 or FSE0.2, 2 g kg−1basal diet), and two levels of energy [low-energy diet (LED); 3160 or high-energy diet (HED); 3260 kcal kg−1metabolizable energy (ME)]. Pigs in HED and FSE0.2 diets had higher final BW, average daily gain, and gain:feed ratio (G:F) compared with in LED, and FSE0 diets, respectively (P < 0.05). Pigs fed the FSE0.2 and HED diets had higher energy (E) digestibility than the FSE0 and LED diets, respectively (P < 0.05). Pigs fed the FSE0.2 diet increased serum immunoglobulin G (IgG), and reduced total cholesterol (TC) concentration than the FSE0 diet (P < 0.05). Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) and ammonia (NH3) gas emission in FSE0.2 diet were lower than that in FSE0 group (P < 0.05). In conclusion, results indicated that dietary supplementation of FSE improved growth performance, digestibility, serum IgG, reduced serum TC, and noxious gas emission in growing pigs.

86 Influence of Protease Supplementation to Corn-Soybean Meal Based High and Low Energy Diets on Growth Performance, Nutrient Digestibility, Blood Profiles, and Gas Emission in Growing Pigs.

A total of 140 growing pigs [Duroc × (Yorkshire × Landrace)] with an average body weight (BW) of 24.10 ± 1.66 kg were used in a 6-wk trial to determine the effect dietary protease supplementation in different energy diets in growing pigs. Pigs were randomly allotted to one of four dietary treatments in a 2 × 2 factorial design, with 2 levels of nutrient density (low or high nutrient density) and protease (0 or 125 g protease/ton) according to their sex and BW (7 pens with 3 barrows and 2 gilts/pen). Individual pig BW and pen feed consumption were recorded at the end of sixth week to calculate average daily gain (ADG), average daily feed intake (ADFI), and gain to feed ratio (G:F). Fresh fecal samples were collected at the sixth week for calculation of dry matter (DM) and nitrogen (N) digestibility. All data were subjected to the mixed procedure of SAS for a randomized complete block design with a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement. Pigs fed the high density diets increased (P < 0.05) ADG, G:F, and energy digestibility compared with the low density diets during 6 weeks. The supplementation of protease in the diet did not have significant effect on BW, ADG, and digestibility of DM and N. However, at week 6, pigs fed the diet with protease supplementation increased energy digestibility (P < 0.05). In addition, trends in increased DM digestibility and G:F) (P = 0.08, P = 0.09 respectively) were observed. With regards to blood profiles, a significant increase in the level of creatinine at the 6th week and trends in increased blood urea nitrogen (BUN) (P = 0.06) and reduction in nor-epinephrine levels (P = 0.07) were also observed. Further more, ammonia gas emission, tended (P = 0.06) to reduce in the faeces of pigs fed protease supplemented diets. In conclusion, these results suggest that supplementation of growing pigs diet with protease significantly increased energy digestibility and creatinine levels, tended to increase G:F, DM digestibility, BUN, and decreased ammonia gas emission and norepinephrine levels. Key Words: digestibility; growth performance; pigs; protease. Table. Effect of different energy diet supplementations of protease on growth performance in growing pigs, wk 0 to 6 Table. Effect of different energy diet supplementations of protease on growth performance in growing pigs, wk 0 to 6

96 Growth Performance, Nutrient Digestibility, Fecal Microbiota and Fecal Noxious Gas Emission in Weaning Pigs Fed High and Low Density Diet with and without Protected Organic Acid Blends.

96 Growth Performance, Nutrient Digestibility, Fecal Microbiota and Fecal Noxious Gas Emission in Weaning Pigs Fed High and Low Density Diet with and without Protected Organic Acid Blends.

The interactive influence of dietary nutrient density and feed form on the performance of broiler chickens

The present study investigates the interactions between dietary nutrient density and feed form on the growth performance, coefficient of apparent ileal digestibility (CAID) of dry matter (DM), nitrogen (N), starch, fat, calcium (Ca) and phosphorus (P), and N-corrected apparent metabolisable energy (AMEn) in broiler chickens to 21d post-hatch. Maize-soybean meal diets with five tiers of nutrient density were formulated and mixed. The diets were then divided into two equal batches; the first batch was offered as unprocessed mash and the second batch was steam-pelleted at a conditioning temperature of 75 °C. A 5 × 2 factorial array of ten dietary treatments were offered to a total of 480, day-old male broiler (Ross 308) chicks accommodated in 60 cages (eight birds per cage). Significant (P < 0.001) interactions between nutrient density and feed form were observed for weight gain, feed intake and feed per unit gain. While birds fed pelleted diets outperformed those fed mash diets at each nutrient density level, the pellet-associated benefits were more pronounced at the lowest nutrient density. Increasing nutrient density increased (P < 0.001) N digestibility from 0.772 to 0.811, but decreased (P < 0.001) that of starch from 0.969 in very low density diets to 0.943 in very high density diets. No significant (P > 0.05) effect of nutrient density on the CAID of DM and fat was found. Feeding pelleted diets, regardless of nutrient density, reduced (P < 0.001) the CAID of DM, N, starch and fat. Significant nutrient density × feed form interactions were observed for the CAID of Ca (P < 0.001) and P (P < 0.01). Pelleting enhanced (P < 0.05) the CAID of Ca and P in the diet with lowest nutrient density but reduced (P < 0.05) the digestibility of these minerals in all other nutrient density diets. Increasing dietary nutrient density progressively increased the AMEn, but feeding of pelleted diets, regardless of nutrient density, reduced (P < 0.001) the AMEn. Overall, the present data showed that the magnitude of pelleting-induced benefits on broiler performance varied depending on dietary nutrient density, with responses to pelleting decreasing with increasing dietary nutrient density. The present study highlights that dietary nutrient density must be taken into consideration if the full benefits associated with feeding pelleted diets are to be achieved.

The relative roles of the ruminal fluid and epithelium in the aetiology of ruminal acidosis

Acute lactic acidosis (ALA) and subclinical ruminal acidosis (SARA) are economically-important pathologies associated with poor adaptation of the ruminal ecosystem to diets high in soluble carbohydrates. Both pathologies result from an imbalance in the rate of production of fermentation acids relative to removal of these acids by absorption, flow of acids post-ruminally, and buffering of the acids by bicarbonate from the saliva and blood. In ALA, lactic acid accumulates, driving the pH of the ruminal fluid below 5.0, while subclinical acidosis is characterised by the accumulation of short-chain volatile fatty acids and a ruminal pH of 5.0–5.5. These reductions in ruminal fluid pH reflect changes in the profile and activity of the microbial populations, the buffering capacity of the ruminal fluid, and the absorptive capacity of the ruminal epithelium. The relative importance of the ruminal fluid (microbial and chemical properties) and the ruminal epithelium (absorptive capacity) is unknown. A novel ruminal transfaunation model was used to separate these two components of the pathologies. Four groups of sheep were formed by combining two ruminal fluid adaptions (adapted to high-energy density or low-energy density diets) and two ruminal epithelium adaptations (adapted to high-energy density and low-energy density diets). The four combinations of fluid and epithelium were then challenged with an intra-ruminal infusion of glucose to simulate conditions conducive to the development of acidosis. All groups developed acute acidosis in response to the glucose challenge and there were no differences between groups in the pattern of pH decline over a 24-h period. There was no difference between groups in ability to regulate rumen fluid pH, suggesting the major factor contributing to development of acidosis is rapid microbial fermentation of soluble carbohydrates irrespective of adaption of the epithelium or microbial populations. Modifications to the challenge protocol to more closely reflect normal dietary challenges would be a useful modification in future studies using this technique.

Isoquinoline alkaloids supplementation on performance and carcass traits of feedlot bulls.

ObjectiveIsoquinoline Alkaloids, derived from one plant (Macleaya cordata) can be an alternative when it is desired to increase performance in feedlot cattle. However, results on these nutritional additives in high energy diets in ruminants are still incipient in literature. In this context, the objective of this study was to evaluate performance and carcass traits of feedlot bulls supplemented with sanguinarine, the main alkaloid presents in Macleaya cordata in high energy density diets.MethodsThirty-two crossbred Angus-Nelore bulls with mean initial body weight of 365±10 kg and mean initial age of 11±3 months were used. The experiment lasted 119 days, with 14 days of adaptation and 105 experimental days. Experimental diet consisted of 85% whole corn grains and 15% protein-vitamin-mineral nucleus and supplied ad libitum. Treatments consisted of a control diet (CON) and a diet with sanguinarine supplementation (SAN) at a dosage of 4 g of product sufficient to provide 6 mg of sanguinarine/d. Experimental design was completely randomized.ResultsDry matter intake, average daily gain and feed conversion were similar (p>0.05) between treatments. However, SAN group animals had higher carcass yield (p = 0.045) and were more efficient in the transformation of dry matter consumed in carcass gain (p = 0.046) than CON. In addition, haptoglobin, increased throughout feedlot duration meaning high challenge for the animals due to the diet, but this behavior was similar (p>0.05) between treatments.ConclusionSanguinarine produced positive results in relation to carcass yield and could be used as an additive for bulls fed diets receiving high energy density diet.

Effects of Multi-strain Probiotics with Variable Energy Density Diets on Growth Performance, Nutrient Digestibility, Blood Characteristics, Faecal Microflora, and Noxious Gas Emission in Finishing Pigs

The present study was conducted to investigate the effects of multi-strain probiotics with variable energy density diets on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, blood characteristics, faecal microflora and noxious gas emission in finishing pigs. Eighty [(Landrace × Yorkshire) × Duroc] pigs with initial BW of 79.95±2.49 kg were used in this 6-wk feeding trial. Pigs were allotted to one of 4 dietary treatments in a 2×2 factorial design with two levels of energy density (low or high) and probiotics (0 or 0.02% of diet). There were four replications and five pigs per pen. The pigs fed high energy density diet had better gain: feed ratio (P 0.05). In conclusion, administration of 0.02% multi-strain probiotics exerted beneficial effects on faecal microbial shedding and noxious gas emission irrespective of energy density of the diets.

Addition of a protease to low crude protein density diets of broiler chickens

ABSTRACTA total of 864 1-day-old Ross 308 broiler chickens with an average body weight of 40 ± 1.1 g were used to determine the effect of adding protease to broiler chickens diets with different crude protein (CP) density on growth performance, carcase characteristics, excreta microbiota, blood constituents, and nutrient digestibility. The chicks were allotted in pens with 18 birds/pen and 12 pen/treatment. Treatments were T1: basal diet, T2: T1 − 1.0% CP, T3: T2 + 0.05% protease, T4: T2 + 0.1% protease. Results showed that supplementing low CP diets with protease alleviated the negative effects of lowering dietary CP on BWG and FCR (P < .05) on days 1–21. Addition of protease to low CP diets improved BWG on days 1–35 (P < .05). Feeding the chickens with low CP diet reduced (P < .05) digestibility of dry matter (DM), but the addition of protease improved digestibility of DM. The results showed that lowering dietary CP had detrimental influence (P < .05) on digestibility of total essential amino acids (TEAA) and total non-essential amino acids (TNEAA). It is concluded that reduction of dietary CP had a negative effect on broiler chickens and the addition of protease alleviated the negative effects and improved chickens performance.

Growth performance, nutrient digestibility, fecal microbiota and fecal noxious gas emission in weaning pigs fed high and low density diet with and without protected organic acid blends

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary supplementation of protected organic acid blends including medium chain fatty acids and different nutrient density diets on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, fecal microbiota and fecal noxious gas emission in weaning pigs. A total of 90 crossbred [(Landrace × Yorkshire) × Duroc] weaning pigs with an initial body weight (BW) of 6.54 ± 0.78 kg were used in a six-week trial. Pigs were randomly allocated into one of six treatment groups in a 2 × 3 factorial arrangement with two nutrient density diets; high density (HD) vs low density (LD) supplemented with or without two levels (0.1 and 0.2%) of protected organic acids (OA) according to their sex and BW (3 replicate pens per treatment with 2 gilts and 3 barrows per pen). The inclusion of OA (0.1%, 0.2%) improved (P < 0.05) the average daily gain (ADG) during week 6. Likewise, during the overall experimental period, the ADG was higher (P < 0.05) in pigs fed HD diet than LD diet as well as in OA supplemented diet, but average daily feed intake (ADFI) was significantly improved (P < 0.05) only in diet supplemented with OA than non-supplemented diet. The gain: feed (G:F) ratio was higher (P < 0.05) in pigs fed HD than LD diet during week 3 and week 6 and overall experimental periods. The supplementation of OA (0.2%) led to a higher (P < 0.05) apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of energy during week 3 and week 6 compared with non-supplemented diet. In week 3, dry matter (DM) digestibility was higher in pigs fed diet supplemented with 0.2% OA but in week 6, DM digestibility was higher in both 0.1% and 0.2% OA treatments compared with control. The ATTD of energy was higher (P < 0.05) in pigs fed HD than LD diet during week 6. The supplementation of OA (0.2%) in the diet reduced fecal E.coli during week 3 and increased Lactobacillus counts during week 6. However, the fecal noxious gas emissions were not affected either by OA or diets. In conclusion, protected OA and different density diets improved growth performance, nutrient digestibility but no interactive effects with different density diets and OA were observed.

Addition of phytogenic blend in different nutrient density diets of meat-type ducks

ABSTRACTA total of 160 1-d-old ducklings (mixed gender) were used to evaluate the effects of dietary phytogenic supplementation on growth performance, carcass characteristics, and nutrient digestibility. Each treatment consisted of eight replications and five birds/replication. Treatments were: (T1) high nutrient diet; (T2) T1+phytobiotics; (T3) low nutrient diet; (T4) T3+phytobiotics. The results indicated that inclusion of phytobiotics and nutrients’ density of diets influenced body weight gain and feed conversion ratio (P < .05). Feeding low nutrient diets had a negative effect on drip loss percentage. Cooking loss percentage increased (P < .05) by reducing nutrient density. Relative weights of breast muscle, abdominal fat and body organs, pH value, and colour of breast muscle were not affected by treatment diets. Supplementing the diets reduced TBARS value on d 14 post-slaughter (P < .05). Density of nutrients and phytogenic blend (P < .05) improved the digestibility of dry matter and energy, but the digestibility of calcium and phosphorous were not affected by treatments.

The impacts of a lower protein and energy density diet in aged male Sprague Dawley rat studies

The collaboration project VASIB aims at reducing the antibiotic consumption in pig production by integrating information from consulting expertise in clinical inspection, hygiene, epidemiology, microbiology and pharmacology. In this VASIB subproject, we investigated the antimicrobial susceptibility and relatedness of porcine respiratory tract pathogens. Bordetella bronchiseptica (n = 47), Pasteurella multocida (n = 18) and Streptococcus suis (n = 58) were obtained from weaner pigs at two farms. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed by broth microdilution according to CLSI standards. Resistance genes were detected via specific PCR assays. Macrorestriction analysis was conducted to determine the relatedness of the isolates and to identify clones. The B. bronchiseptica isolates showed indistinguishable (farm 1) or two closely related XbaI-patterns (farm 2). Different SmaI-PFGE patterns of P. multocida isolates were obtained at three different time points. In contrast, PFGE analysis of S. suis indicated more than one fragment pattern per pig and time point. Isolates exhibiting indistinguishable PFGE patterns were considered to represent the same clone. This study showed that only two closely related B. bronchiseptica clones were present in both farms, which had low MICs to all antimicrobials, except to β-lactams. Different P. multocida clones were present at the three time points. They showed overall low MIC values, with two clones being resistant and one intermediate to tetracycline. S. suis clones were resistant to tetracycline (n = 19) and/or erythromycin/clindamycin (n = 16). They harboured the tetracycline resistance genes tet(O), tet(M) or tet(L) and/or the macrolide/lincosamide/streptogramin B resistance gene erm(B). Five penicillin-resistant S. suis clones were also detected.

Effects of Nutrient Density and exogenous enzymesin Starter Diet on Performance, Intestinal Microflora, Gut Morphology and Immune Response of Broiler Chickens

ABSTRACT A total of 810 one-day-old, straight-run broilers were used to evaluate the effects of dietary nutrient density and feed additives included in the starter diet on their performance, intestinal microbiota, gut morphology, and immune response. A 3×3 factorial arrangement with three nutrient densities (100, 103.75 and 107.5%, as recommended) and three feed additives (no additives, 0.5 g/kg diet Maxi-Gen, and Maxi-Gen + Superzyme + Bio-Phytase at the rate of 0.5, 0.25 and 0.1 g/kg diet, respectively), fed from 1 to 10 d of age. Similar commercial corn-soy grower and finisher diets fed to all birds from 10-24 and 24-42 d of age, respectively. There was higher (p<0.05) body weight gain and lower (p<0.05) feed conversion ratio in chicks fed starter diet with 107.5% nutrient density and Maxi-Gen with or without exogenous enzymes compared with those fed control diet at 10 and 42 d of age. Lactobacilli and Bifidobacteria counts in the cecal content were increased linearly as dietary nutrient density increased in 10-d-old birds (p<0.05). Higher duodenal and jejunal villus height and villus height to crypt depth ratio (p<0.05) were measured in the birds fed the starter diets with 103.75% and 107.5% nutrient density at 5 and 10 d of age. Total anti-SRBC and IgM titers were significantly higher in the broilers fed the 107.5% nutrient density diet containing feed additives at 35 day of age. It is concluded that higher nutrient density and the inclusion of feed additives in the starter diet may improve the growth performance, gut morphology, and immune response of broiler chickens.

The potential contribution of dietary factors to breast cancer prevention.

Breast cancer (BC), the leading cancer in women, is increasing in prevalence worldwide, concurrent with western metabolic epidemics, that is, obesity, metabolic syndrome, and diabetes, and shares major risk factors with these diseases. The corresponding potential for nutritional contributions toward BC prevention is reviewed and related to critical stages in the life cycle and their implications for carcinogenic and pathometabolic trajectories. BC initiation potentially involves diet-related pro-oxidative, inflammatory, and procarcinogenic processes, that interact through combined lipid/fatty acid peroxidation, estrogen metabolism, and related DNA-adduct/depurination/mutation formation. The pathometabolic trajectory is affected by high estrogen, insulin, and growth factor cascades and resultant accelerated proliferation/progression. Anthropometric risk factors – high birth weight, adult tallness, adiposity/BMI, and weight gain – are often reflective of these trends. A sex-based nutritional approach targets women’s specific risk in western obesogenic environments, associated with increasing fatness, estrogen metabolism, n-6 : n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid ratio, and n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acid conversion to proinflammatory/carcinogenic eicosanoids, and effects of timing of life events, for example, ages at menarche, full-term pregnancy, and menopause. Recent large-scale studies have confirmed the effectiveness of the evidence-based recommendations against BC risk, emphasizing low-energy density diets, highly nutritious plant-based regimes, physical activity, and body/abdominal adiposity management. Better understanding of dietary inter-relationships with BC, as applied to food intake, selection, combination, and processing/preparation, and recommended patterns, for example, Mediterranean, DASH, plant-based, low energy density, and low glycemic load, with high nutrient/phytonutrient density, would increase public motivation and authoritative support for early/timely prevention, optimally merging with other dietary/health goals, for lifelong BC prevention.

Reduced energy density of close-up diets decrease ruminal pH and increase concentration of volatile fatty acids postpartum in Holstein cows.

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of reduced energy density of close-up diets on ruminal fermentation parameters in transition cows. Fourteen Holstein dry cows were blocked and assigned randomly to three groups fed a high energy density diet (HD, 1.62 Mcal of net energy for lactation (NEL )/kg dry matter (DM)), or a middle energy density diet (MD, 1.47 Mcal NEL /kg DM), or a low energy density diet (LD, 1.30Mcal NEL /kg DM) prepartum, and were fed the same diet postpartum. The reduced energy density diets decreased the average dry matter intake (DMI) prepartum and tended to increase the DMI postpartum. The ruminal pH of the LD group was significantly higher prepartum and lower during the first week of lactation compared with the other two groups. The reduced energy density diet depressed the average ruminal concentration of propionate and butyrate prepartum, and increased the average concentration of total volatile fatty acids (VFA) postpartum. The LD group had higher populations of Butyrivibrio fibrisolvens and Ruminococcus flavefaciens relative to HD and MD groups on 7days in milk. In conclusion, the cows fed reduced energy density diet prepartum had higher VFA concentration, but were more susceptible to subacute ruminal acidosis postpartum.

Evaluation of essential oil or/and emulsifier in low energy density diets on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, blood cholesterol and meat quality in finishing pigs

A 10-week feeding trial was carried to determine the effect of dietary supplementation with emulsifier or/and essential oil for finishing pigs. One hundred and twenty pigs were used with six pens per treatment and four pigs per pen. Dietary treatments include: (1) basal diet (BD), (2) low energy diet (LC), (3) LC +0.05% emulsifier (LE), (4) LC +0.05% essential oil (LO) and (5) LC +0.05% emulsifier +0.05% essential oil (LEO). Pigs fed BD and LEO had greater (p < .05) gain:feed ratio (G:F) than those fed LC. The serum total cholesterol and high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c) concentrations in LE and LO were lower (p < .05) than BD at wk 10. The low density lipoprotein cholesterol concentration (LDL) in LEO was higher (p < .05) than BD, LE, and LO at wk 5. LC had higher (p < .05) colour score and marbling than BD. Firmness score in LO, lightness (L*) and yellowness (b*) values in LEO were lower (p < .05) than BD. The long muscle area (LMA) was higher (p < .05) in LEO than LC. In low energy treatments, pigs fed the combination of essential oil and emulsifier diet had higher (p < .05) G:F during wk 0 to 10. Serum low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and HDL-C concentrations were increased (p < .05) by the combination of essential oil and emulsifier supplementation at wk 5 and 10, respectively. Positive interaction (p < .05) effect was detected on a* and b* values. The water holding capacity was decreased (p < .05) and LMA was increased (p < .05) by essential oil.

Beneficial Effects of Renin-Angiotensin System Blockers on Testicular Morphology

Background: The renin-angiotensin system (RAS) is a set of peptides, enzymes, and receptors specially involved in the control of extracellular fluid volume and blood pressure (BP); however, some of its components have already been identified in the testis, such as angiotensinogen, angiotensin converting enzyme, and renin. Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate whether renin-angiotensin system blockers have effects on the testicular morphology of animals fed a high energy density (HED) diet. Materials and Methods: Male C57BL/6 mice were fed initially a standard chow (SC) or a HED diet. After 8 weeks, HED animals were randomized into 4 groups, each group receiving one of the following treatments for the next 6 weeks: HED-A: aliskiren (50 mg/kg/d); HED-E: enalapril (30 mg/kg/d); HED-L: losartan (10 mg/kg/d); and untreated HED group. The BP was measured biweekly. At the end of treatment, all animals were killed and the testes were processed for morphometric and stereological parameters including density of seminiferous tubules per area, density of length and the total length of the seminiferous tubules, height of the epithelium, and diameter of the seminiferous tubules. Samples were tested for their homoscedasticity and the differences between the groups were tested by one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), followed by the Holm-Sidak post-test. In all cases, the significance level adopted was P ≤ .05. Results: Compared to SC, HED groups presented an increase in BP, normalized by all RAS blockers. However, the HED diet caused testis alterations that were not affected by aliskiren or losartan. Only enalapril maleate was capable of reversing such alterations. Conclusions: Further studies are still needed to answer why only enalapril was able to reveal the morphological changes caused by the high energy diet; so enalapril could be suggested as the drug of choice for patients with previous reproductive dysfunction.

&lt;b&gt;Performance and economic viability of broiler chicken fed diets with multienzyme complexes

This study evaluated the effect of multienzyme complexes (EC1 and EC2) in low nutritional density diets on performance and economic viability of broilers. A total of 840 day-old chicks were assigned to 7 treatments, distributed in a completely randomized design: (1) PC: positive control, basal diet formulated to meet nutritional requirements; (2) NC1: negative control, reduced energy and nutrient density diet without enzymes; (3) NC1+EC1; (4) NC2: negative control, diet formulated with 7% over-estimated crude protein and amino acids of soybean meal without enzymes; (5) NC2+EC2; (6) NC3: negative control, reduced energy and nutrient density diet and over-estimation of crude protein and amino acids of soybean meal; (7) NC3+EC1+EC2. Feeding NC1 or NC3 impaired feed conversion ratio at 7, 21 and 42 days, and NC2 at 21 days. Inclusion of EC2 in NC2 diet improved feed conversion ratio and kept it similar to basal diets from 1 to 21 days. Association of EC1 with EC2 in NC3 diet did not improve performance. In summary, inclusion of EC2 in diets with reduced nutrient density keep feed conversion ratio similar to basal diets from 1 to 21 days but does not improve performance of broiler chicken from 1 to 42 days post-hatch.

An early feeding regime and a high-density amino acid diet on growth performance of broilers under subclinical necrotic enteritis challenge.

Broilers that have early access to feed have been shown to have enhanced immune system and gut development and heightened resilience against necrotic enteritis (NE). This study examined the effect of early feeding a high amino acid density diet on performance of broilers under a sub-clinical NE challenge model. Ross 308 broilers (n = 576) were assigned to a 2 × 2 × 2 factorial design with 2 feeding regimes (feed access either within 6 h post-hatch or after 48 h post-hatch), 2 diets (control diet or the control diet with an additional 10% digestible amino acids [HAA]) and either presence or absence of NE challenge. Oral administrations of Eimeria species (d 9) and a field strain of Clostridium perfringens (d 14) were used to induce NE. Broiler performance was analysed at d 13, 23, 30 and 35. Intestinal lesion score and bacterial count were analysed on d 16. The NE challenge reduced overall bird performance and induced severe intestinal lesions, without causing notable mortality. At d 23 bird weight was significantly lower (P < 0.001) in the challenged birds compared with the unchallenged birds, but by d 30 the challenged birds had recovered and challenge no longer had an impact on bird performance. Birds fed the HAA diet had greater body weight by d 35 and heightened Lactobacillus content in the ileum at d 16 (P < 0.05). Birds that were fed the HAA diet after a period of fasting performed better in terms of feed conversion ratio (FCR) under challenge. The findings from this study suggest there are beneficial effects of feeding high amino acid diets to birds in response to external stresses, such as post-hatch fasting and subclinical NE.