Dietary Nutrient Density Research Articles

Role of Natural Protein Adequate Intake in Enhancing Anaerobic Power of Bodybuilders following 8-Week Resistance Training Program

This study aimed to investigate the effects of natural daily adequate protein intake on the anaerobic power of bodybuilders undergoing 8-week resistance training program. Thirty-one participants were randomly assigned to a group (n=31) who consumed their daily protein requirements from their regular diet. Participants' age, height, weight, and Body Mass Index were measured before and after the program. The anaerobic power of all participants was assessed pre- and post-8-week resistance training program through tests including 1 RM (Bench Press), 1 RM (Squats), 30-meter sprint test, Vertical Jump Test, and Peak Power Test (wingate test). The results showed a significant improvement in the anaerobic power of participants after the 8-week program. These findings suggest that natural daily adequate protein intake from regular diet can lead to significant improvements in anaerobic power of bodybuilders undergoing 8-week resistance training program. Therefore, coaches and athletes can focus on a balanced, nutrient-dense diet to meet their protein needs and enhance their anaerobic power without relying solely on protein supplements.

Efficacy of Best Prelay Diet on Production Performance of White Leghorn Layers Fed with Different Layer Diets

Background: Feeding high nutrient density best prelay diet (BPD) 2-3 weeks before egg production is beneficial and may allow to reduce layer diet nutrient density. Methods: Total 180, 16-week-old White Leghorn pullets were assigned to six-layer feeding strategies (kcal ME per kg/%CP/%Ca) during 19-40 weeks. Treatments were T0 (BIS control-2600/18.0/3.0), T1 (2500/18.0/3.0), T2 (2500/18.0/4.0), T3 (2500/17.0/4.0), T4 (2500/16.0/4.0) and T5 (2500/15.0/4.0). These layers were fed with same BPD (2700/18.0/2.5) during 16-18 weeks. Performance parameters were recorded during the study. Result: Feeding BPD did not influence pullets (16-18 woa) CaI, PI and MEI. The 3.0% layer Ca (T0 and T1) decreased (p less than 0.01) CaI than 4.0% (T2 to T5) and layer diet CP reduction from 18.0 to 15.0% decreased PI but 2500 or 2700 kcal ME/kg layer diet did not affect MEI (19-40 woa). BPD did not support 16 or15% layer diet CP (T4 and T5) but allowed to reduce CP (T3) by 1.0% (18.0 to 17.0%) to support production. BPD (2700/18.0/2.5) with BIS (2007) layer diet in T0 (2600/18.0/3.0) is the best combination for supporting BWG without affecting FC and improving EN, HDEP, FCDE, EFPR and PEI in layers.

Development of an efficiency ranking system for beef cows and effects on feed intake, ruminal fermentation, NDF turnover, and apparent total tract digestibility

Beef cows ( n = 100) were ranked for efficiency based on cow rump fat thickness at calving, calving date, and calf weaning weight (% dam BW) over 2 years. The nine most (ME) and least efficient (LE) cows were used to compare feed intake and ruminal fermentation using four 26-day periods with decreasing dietary nutrient density. There were no phenotype × diet interactions for variables of primary interest. Rump fat and calf weaning weight were greater, and the calving date was earlier for ME cows than LE cows ( P ≤ 0.032). The ME cows were lighter ( P < 0.001) but had similar DMI ( P = 0.93) to the LE cows, resulting in greater dry matter intake (DMI) %BW ( P < 0.001). Ruminal contraction amplitude height and area ( P ≤ 0.015) and ruminal digesta weight were greater for LE than ME cows ( P = 0.043). Ruminal ash-free neutral detergent fiber (aNDFom) passage was greater for ME cows than LE cows ( P = 0.047), but the rate of aNDFom degradation did not differ ( P = 0.69). Total tract digestibility did not differ. Efficient cows had greater rump fat, weaned heavier calves, ate more relative to their BW, had a smaller ruminal digesta mass, and had greater ruminal passage of aNDFom without reducing digestibility.

Effect of Cage Stocking Density and Dietary Nutrient Density on Productive Performance, Egg Quality and Blood Parameters of Japanese Quail

Effect of Cage Stocking Density and Dietary Nutrient Density on Productive Performance, Egg Quality and Blood Parameters of Japanese Quail

Putting small fish on the table: the underutilized potential of small indigenous fish to improve food and nutrition security in East Africa

Sub-Saharan Africa has a high prevalence of food insecurity. Small pelagic fish such as Silver cyprinid (Rastrineobola argentea) which is indigenous to Lake Victoria, can be a nutritious animal sourced food that contributes to a more nutrient dense diet. Potential sustainable catch of Silver cyprinid is estimated at 2 million tonnes yearly, which is four times the amount of the current catch. Whole sun-dried Silver cyprinid was purchased from several markets in Kenya and analysed for nutrient composition, microbial counts and metal content. The results show that utilizing the whole potential catch of Silver cyprinid would provide a significant daily source of vitamin B12, calcium, zinc and iron to the roughly 33 million people living in the Lake Victoria basin. Heavy metal concentration appears to be low, but other food safety aspects like microbial counts call for value chain improvements. We conclude that the underutilized potential of sun-dried Silver cyprinid could substantially contribute to fight malnutrition and food insecurity by providing an affordable nutrient dense animal sourced food to a large number of people. It also highlights the need to improve the value chains to increase the safety of these products.

Chicken adaptive response to nutrient density: immune function change revealed by transcriptomic analysis of spleen.

Feed accounts for the largest portion (65-70%) of poultry production costs. The feed formulation is generally improved to efficiently meet the nutritional needs of chickens by reducing the proportion of crude protein (CP) and metabolizable energy (ME) levels in the diet. Although many studies have investigated the production performance during dietary restriction, there is a lack of research on the mechanisms by which immune cell function is altered. This study examined the effects of ME and CP restriction in the chicken diet on serum immunoglobulins and expression of immune function genes in spleen. Changes in serum immunoglobulins and immune-related gene expression were analyzed in 216 YS-909 broilers fed with 9 different dietary treatments, including experimental treatment diets containing low, standard, and high levels of ME or CP in the diet. At 42 days of age, serum immunoglobulins and expression of spleen immune genes in 6 female chickens selected randomly from each dietary treatment (3×3 factorial arrangement) group were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and transcriptomic analysis using RNA sequencing, respectively. The results showed that the IgM level in the low ME group chickens was significantly (p < 0.05) lower than that in other groups. In addition, immune-related genes, such as MX1, USP18, TLR4, IFNG and IL18 were significantly upregulated when the dietary nutrient density was reduced, which may put the body in an inflammatory state. This study provided general information on the molecular mechanism of the spleen immune response to variable nutrient density.

83 Effect of a Saccharomyces cerevisiae fermentation product on intake and digestion in young horses undergoing exercise training

Young growing horses subjected to exercise have greater dietary requirements than horses at maintenance necessitating the delivery of a more nutrient dense diet. Inclusion of a grain concentrate in the total daily ration achieves this goal but also may put the young horse at risk of digestive disorders and reduced forage utilization. As such, the objective of this study was to determine if a dietary S. cerevisiae fermentation product (SCFP; TruEquine C, Diamond V) could influence nutrient utilization in young horses being introduced to grain concentrate feed and if the response was dose dependent. Thirty Quarter horse yearlings (561 ± 15.8 d of age and 371 ± 24.4 kg BW) were adapted to a 14% CP grain concentrate feed (Nutrena SafeChoice Original formulated without microbial ingredients), fed at 1% of BW as fed to meet or slightly exceed nutrient requirements for yearling horses undergoing light to moderate work and allowed ad-libitum access to Coastal bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon) hay (67.8% NDF) and fresh water. Horses were stratified by age, BW, and sex and randomly assigned to one of 3 levels of SCFP: 0, 46, or 92 mg/kg BW divided evenly and top-dressed onto the grain concentrate meal at 12 h intervals. After 14 d of adaptation, intake and total fecal production were measured overa 4-d period. Horses were housed in individual 3.7 × 3.7 m stalls and allowed 1 h of exercise in individual 3.7 × 7.4 m runs daily during the collection period. All statistical analyses were performed in SAS 9.4 using PROC MIXED with the model containing treatment and horse included as the random variable. There was no significant treatment difference for any measure of intake (P ≥ 0.33); forage DM intake averaged 6.14 kg/d, total DM intake averaged 9.60 kg/d, and total digestible organic matter intake averaged 4.97 kg/d. There was a tendency for improved DM digestibility (P = 0.09) with supplementation (56.3 and 56.8% for 46 and 92 mg/kg BW, respectively) compared with no supplementation (54.2%). Supplementation of SCFP resulted in no significant differences (P ≥ 0.15) in organic matter (OM) or NDF digestibility. There were no differences in any indicator of nutrient digestibility between the low and high level of SCFP supplementation. An observed tendency for improved DM digestibility with SCFP supplementation suggests further research is warranted.

Diet Quality and Its Relationship with Weight Characteristics in Pregnant Japanese Women: A Single-Center Birth Cohort Study

Maternal underweight and inadequate gestational weight gain (GWG) are problems in Japan. However, increases in food intake aimed at weight gain alone are not sufficient for mother-child health. This study assessed diet quality based on the 3-day dietary records of pregnant women in an urban area of Japan in order to show the importance of evaluating diet quality, using the Nutrient-Rich Food Index 9.3 (NRF9.3), which is one metric based on nutrition profiling, and the Japanese Food Guide Spinning Top (JFGST). After excluding misreporters of energy intake, we stratified women (n = 91) by pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI) and determined energy intake, diet quality status, and their relationship with GWG. Intakes of carbohydrate-containing staple foods, vegetable dishes, and fruit were insufficient regardless of BMI. Most of the underweight women with inadequate GWG had insufficient energy intake but high diet quality, as assessed by NRF9.3. In contrast, most women who consumed energy within the recommended range had low diet quality and gained weight at inappropriate levels. These results highlight the importance for pregnant Japanese women to maintain diet quality through a nutrient-dense diet, while simultaneously increasing energy intake after evaluation of their individual diet quality.

Transition of young adults with metabolic bone diseases to adult care.

As more accurate diagnostic tools and targeted therapies become increasingly available for pediatric metabolic bone diseases, affected children have a better prognosis and significantly longer lifespan. With this potential for fulfilling lives as adults comes the need for dedicated transition and intentional care of these patients as adults. Much work has gone into improving the transitions of medically fragile children into adulthood, encompassing endocrinologic conditions like type 1 diabetes mellitus and congenital adrenal hyperplasia. However, there are gaps in the literature regarding similar guidance concerning metabolic bone conditions. This article intends to provide a brief review of research and guidelines for transitions of care more generally, followed by a more detailed treatment of bone disorders specifically. Considerations for such transitions include final adult height, fertility, fetal risk, heritability, and access to appropriately identified specialists. A nutrient-dense diet, optimal mobility, and adequate vitamin D stores are protective factors for these conditions. Primary bone disorders include hypophosphatasia, X-linked hypophosphatemic rickets, and osteogenesis imperfecta. Metabolic bone disease can also develop secondarily as a sequela of such diverse exposures as hypogonadism, a history of eating disorder, and cancer treatment. This article synthesizes research by experts of these specific disorders to describe what is known in this field of transition medicine for metabolic bone diseases as well as unanswered questions. The long-term objective is to develop and implement strategies for successful transitions for all patients affected by these various conditions.

Supplementing oat hulls to the diet of suckling piglets altered their intestinal tract and colonic microbiota development.

Current study evaluated the effect of a fine and coarsely ground insoluble dietary fibre source on the gastrointestinal development of suckling pigs. Oat hulls (OH) were selected as a model feedstuff, rich in cellulose, lignin, and insoluble dietary fibre. Three experimental supplemental diets were formulated: a finely ground, low fibre and nutrient dense diet served as control (CON). For the 2 high fibre diets, 15% heat-treated starch in CON was exchanged with OH, either finely (OH-f) or coarsely ground (OH-c). Litters of 10 primi- and multiparous sows (mean litter size 14.6±0.84) were used. Within a litter, experimental diets were allotted to triplets of 4 piglets. From approximately 12d of age, piglets' individual feed intakes were recorded 2 times per day when separated from their dam for 70min. Piglets could suckle with their dam for the remainder of the day. On d 24 and 25, from the total pool of 120 piglets, seven healthy well-eating piglets per treatment were selected for post-mortem evaluation, resulting in 14 replicates per treatment. Consumption of OH-c and OH-f did not impede clinical health and production performance of piglets. The full stomach weights tended to be greater for OH-c compared to OH-f whereas CON was intermediate (P=0.083). Supplementing OH significantly increased ileal villus height and caecal dry matter concentration (P<0.05). For the colon, OH increased its length, contents weight, short-chain fatty acid concentration and reduced total bacterial count as well as γ-proteobacteria count and proportion (P<0.05). The OH-c treatment specifically increased full gastrointestinal tract weight and caecum contents weight compared to piglets fed CON and OH-f. Furthermore, OH-c reduced colonic crypt depth when compared to OH-f (P=0.018). In conclusion, supplementing OH to a diet for suckling piglets exerted subtle developmental effects on gastrointestinal morphology and colonic microbial community. These effects were largely independent from the particle size of the OH.

Ascites in Broiler: Updates

In recent years, intensive selection has resulted in the development of metabolic diseases, including ascites, in chickens as a consequence of their genetic potential to grow rapidly. Many factors interact to cause ascites, including management practices, environmental conditions, and genetic makeup. In the modern broiler industry, ascites syndrome (AS), also called pulmonary hypertension syndrome (PHS), is regarded as the main reason for morbidity and mortality. Current meat chicken lines have a faster metabolic process, which requires a greater amount of oxygen, particularly when they are fed high nutrient density diets or when they are kept in cold environments, Due to their underdeveloped cardiorespiratory systems, broilers cannot get enough oxygen to meet their requirements and suffer from hypoxemia, which in turn leads to pulmonary hypertension syndrome. A wide range of management practices as controlled feeding protocols, and limited lighting periods, besides adding antioxidants to feed, are outlined for reducing ascites incidence in broiler chickens. Also, the use of higher levels of dietary vitamins such as C and E, besides selenium, is believed to help lower the incidence of ascites. The improvement of low-temperature environmental shelter conditions appears to reduce the prevalence of PHS. Molecular genetics employed to diagnose and select against susceptible broilers' grandparents is being employed to eliminate involved genes.

Formulation and Optimization of Functional Milk Beverage using D – optimal Mixture Design

Functional foods are in great demand worldwide because of their many health benefits. As milk is a nutrient-dense diet that comprises all vital nutrients, it can be utilized as the primary base to produce a variety of functional foods. Ginger, cinnamon and pumpkin possess tremendous nutritional and therapeutic properties such as stimulating the digestive system, lowering blood cholesterol levels and exhibiting antioxidant,antidiabetic, antibacterial, antiviral and anti-carcinogenic activities, preventing oxidative stress-related diseases and in the ageing process. In this study, aqueous cinnamon and ginger extracts and pumpkin pulp were made and their functional properties like antioxidant activity and total phenolic content have been evaluated. Functional milk beverage was made using milk, cinnamon aqueous extract, ginger aqueous extract and yellow pumpkin pulp. The level of inclusion of these components was optimized using D-optimal mixture design (Design Expert Software) with regard to sensory attributes.The optimized level of functional milk beverage was chosen based on the desirability of the design and the range assigned to each response. The level of incorporation of milk, pumpkin pulp, aqueous cinnamon and ginger extracts were optimized at 40%, 10%, 20%, and 30% respectively. The antioxidant activity of the cinnamon aqueous extract, ginger aqueous extract, pumpkin pulp and optimized functional milk beverage was found to be 69.95 ± 0.07 %, 56.45 ± 0.08 %, 25.80 ± 0.10 and 60.53 ± 0.03 % respectively. The total phenolic content of cinnamon aqueous extract, ginger aqueous extract, pumpkin pulp and optimized functional milk beverage were 450.88 ± 0.03 mgGAE/100g, 106.93 ± 0.02 mgGAE/100g, 15.59 ± 0.09 mgGAE/100g and 280.63 ± 0.02 mgGAE/100g respectively

Brain-gut-brain axis, nutrition, and autism spectrum disorders: a review.

Autism is a neurological disorder that affects social skills and behavior. A significant number of children with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) may not display noticeable symptoms until they reach the age of three or older. Several factors, including genetic and environmental issues, could affect the progression of ASD in children. Dietary behavior or administration may have a crucial role in the development of autism. Epidemiological investigations have demonstrated that environmental influences play a significant role in how changes in diet can affect behavior and physiology. However, exclusion diets have not been thoroughly studied in relation to this effect. Atypical food behaviors, altered nutritional profiles, and being overweight, obese, or underweight are all associated with autism in children. Overweight or underweight was common in children with autism, but it was not necessarily uncommon in children with normal growth. Moreover, deficiencies in certain vitamins (B12, B9, and D), minerals (calcium and iron), fatty acids (omega-3 and -6), energy, and protein have been documented in children with ASD. The deficiency of these nutrients may lead to gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms and change the microbiota in children with ASD. Some nutritional interventions could help individuals with ASD to improve their mental health. Recognizing dietary habits and nutrient requirements can help in planning the best overall treatment for autism. This review discusses GI symptoms and disorders related to nutrition and nutrient-dense diets for ASD.

Effect of a Combination of Lysolecithin, Synthetic Emulsifier and Monoglycerides on the Apparent Ileal Digestibility, Metabolizable Energy and Growth Performance of Growing Pigs.

Two studies were conducted to determine the impact of an absorption enhancer containing a combination of lysophospholipids, monoglycerides and synthetic emulsifiers (LEX) on apparent ileal digestibility, metabolizable energy (ME), and growth performance of growing pigs. In the digestibility study, 12 male crossbred [Duroc x (Large White x Landrace)] pigs with an initial body weight (BW) of 30 kg were randomly allocated to two dietary treatments: (1) a positive control (PC) receiving standard diets formulated to 3100 kcal ME/kg, and (2) a negative control formulated with −100 kcal ME/kg and −2.5% AA content vs. PC and supplemented with LEX at 500 g/t. Apparent ileal digestibility of essential AA was significantly increased for lysine, methionine, threonine, histidine, isoleucine and phenylalanine in the LEX treatment (p < 0.05). Average uplift in AA digestibility as a percent of the PC was +1.88%; with greatest improvement for histidine (+4.22%). LEX supplementation effectively compensated energy deficiency of low-density diet and provided additional ME improvement compared to the PC diet (p < 0.05). A second study was conducted to evaluate LEX dose response on the growth performance of pigs fed a low nutrient density diet. Total 450 cross-bred pigs (240 males (castrated) and 210 females) [Duroc x (Large White x Landrace)] with an average initial BW of 7.19 kg were randomly allocated into 4 dietary treatments: (1) a positive control (PC) formulated with standard specifications, (2) a negative control formulated with −100 kcal ME/kg and −2.5% AA content vs. the PC (NC), (3) NC + LEX at 250 g/t (NC + 250) and (4) NC + LEX at 500 g/t (NC + 500). Results showed significant improvement with LEX supplementation on the final BW, average daily gain (ADG) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) of pigs of >50 kg body weight. Across the study, NC + 500 significantly increased ADG vs. PC and NC, and significantly reduced FCR compared to all other treatments. FCR of negative control diets improved by 9 and 15 points with the supplementation of 250 g/t and 500 g/t of LEX, respectively (p < 0.05). FCR in the NC + 250 diet was statistically similar vs. PC, which was significantly reduced compared to the NC. Taken together, these studies demonstrate that the addition of an absorption enhancer containing a combination of lysophospholipids, monoglycerides and synthetic emulsifiers can improve growth performance in growing pigs, driven by increased nutrient digestibility and retention.

Effect of diet on cognitive function and gut microbiota

AbstractBackgroundAlterations in the gut microbiota have been observed in patients with mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer’s disease. Dietary consumption directly modulates gut microbiota; therefore, the quality of a diet may impact cognitive function and susceptibility to dementia. We hypothesized that consumption of the nutrient dense Mediterranean diet (MeDi) would improve cognitive function through beneficial changes to the gut microbiota as compared to the diet primarily consumed by Americans, the Western diet (WD).MethodTen‐week‐old Sprague Dawley male rats were assigned a MeDi (n = 10) or WD (n = 9). After three months, Morris water maze (MWM) was used to assess spatial reference memory cognition. MWM data were analyzed with two‐way RM ANOVA. Fecal samples were collected prior to the MWM. Microbial composition was determined by 16S rRNA sequencing, and analyses included Mann‐Whitney with false discovery rate.ResultThe MeDi group also spent significantly more time in the target quadrant during probe testing (p = 0.03) and was quicker to reach the platform on reversal testing (p = 0.004), indicative of improved cognitive flexibility. Microbiota α‐diversity indices, Shannon (p = 0.053), Simpson (p = 0.054), and Chao1 (p = 0.056), had a trend to be increased in the MeDi. Microbiota β‐diversity was dissimilar between diets (p&lt;0.001). At the phylum level, Actinobacteria decreased and Patescibacteria increased with consumption of the MeDi as compared to the WD. Actinobacteria relative abundance correlated with MWM time in target quadrant (r = ‐0.58, p = 0.009). Further, relative abundance of Actinobacteria and Patescibacteria correlated with MWM reversal distance to reach platform (Actinobacteria, r = 0.77, p = 0.0001; Patescibacteria, r = ‐0.59, p = 0.007).ConclusionThe MeDi maintained long‐term spatial memory, as measured by the MWM, compared to the WD. Additionally, diet‐modulated gut microbiota at the phylum level and these changes were correlated with cognitive function. Modulation of the gut microbiota through a neuroprotective diet, such as the MeDi, may serve as a method to improve cognitive function.

Assessment of nutritional quality of non‐conventional millet malt enriched bar

Millet malt is a nutrient-dense diet for children and elders. There is a lack of research studies dealing with malt-based protein substitutes in snack bars. This research presents a novel concept for using millet malt for the production of the snack bar. Given health credentials, millet malt can be a healthier alternative to conventional snack bars. The study found the effect of millet malt addition ranges from 10, 12, 14, and 16% on the quality of snack bars. The most acceptable snack bar was millet malt level at 12% (M12), which contributes to 21.82% of protein and 450 kcal of energy. Millet malt–enriched bars (MMEB) have good antioxidant activity (95.89%), in vitro protein digestibility (79.08%), and total phenolic content (105.7%), which provide several health benefits and increase the oxidative stability of food. This research depicted effectively the use of millet malt for snack bars as a nutritional supplement in a low-protein bar. The developed MMEB can recommend for nutritionally risk groups like malnutrition and protein deficiency. Novelty impact statement The novelty of the present invention millet malt bar comprises the following: The underused millet malt was used as a plant protein source and plant protein was made from millet malt by liquefaction and deproteinization process, which contributes to greater protein digestibility. Natural color and flavor obtained from millet malt syrup by saccharification process were used as the substitute for artificial additives. It has a good balance of protein and energy, besides regular enhanced nutrition, and possesses greater antioxidant activity with the contribution of phenolic compounds. Nutribar provides all the essential nutrients, packed with fiber and phytochemicals.

The role of hen body weight and diet nutrient density in an extended laying cycle

The egg production (EP), egg quality and health of heavier or lighter hens fed a diet of either higher nutrient density (HND) or lower nutrient density (LND) during early lay, was assessed at very late lay. Based on their body weight (BW) at 18 wk of age (WOA) ISA Brown pullets were allocated as either heavier weight (HW; average 1.65 kg) or lighter weight (LW: average 1.49 kg). Half of each BW group received the HND (2,901 kcal/kg; 17.6% crude protein (CP) or LND (2726 kcal/kg, 16.4% CP) diet from 18 to 24 WOA. From 25 to 90 WOA all birds received identical early, then mid and late-lay diets. Hen BW was measured after peak-lay (36 WOA) and at 90 WOA. At 89 WOA and across 18 to 36 and 18 to 89 WOA feed intake (FI), EP, egg mass (EM), and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were calculated. Eggshell quality, breast score, relative ovary weight and liver and bone health were evaluated in very late lay. Differences in BW continued to 90 WOA. At 36 WOA HW hens produced heavier eggs, and had higher 18 to 36 WOA cumulative FI, EM (P < 0.001) and FCR (P < 0.05). When 89 WOA HW birds consumed more feed (P < 0.001) but EP, EM and FCR did not differ from LW hens. Cumulatively, 18 to 89 WOA FI and EM were higher for HW hens (P < 0.05), but cumulative EP and FCR was not different. The early-lay HND diet improved very late lay eggshell thickness (P < 0.05) and shell breaking strength (P=0.05). Lighter hens fed HND and HW hens fed LND diet produced heavier eggs, higher relative oviduct weight and lower liver lipid peroxidase in very late lay (P < 0.05). Bone strength did not differ, but LW hens had higher femoral manganese and zinc (P < 0.05), lowering their likelihood of osteoporosis. Overall LW hens sustained EP throughout a longer laying cycle with beneficial bone characteristics. The HND diet improved eggshell strength and, in LW hens reduced hepatic oxidation.

Prospective associations of lifestyle patterns in early childhood with socio-emotional and behavioural development and BMI: An outcome-wide analysis of the EDEN mother-child cohort.

Children's energy balance-related behaviours (EBRB), comprising diet, screen time, physical activity, and sleep, combine into "lifestyle patterns", which may exert a synergistic effect on health. To date, studies investigating this synergy have primarily focused on obesity risk, without addressing other facets of health. To examinethe prospective associations of preschoolers' lifestyle patterns with socio-emotional, behavioural, and body mass index (BMI) outcomes at 8 years. Participants were 876 children from the EDEN mother-child cohort. Three lifestyle patterns (unhealthy, healthy, and mixed) were previously identified at age 5, separately in boys and girls. At age 8, height and weight measures generated BMI z-scores while social-emotional and behavioural development was assessed by parents using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). Drawing from the outcome-wide approach, sex- and outcome-specific adjusted linear regressions were fitted. Boys' adherence to a healthy lifestyle pattern (combining a nutrient-dense diet and limited screen time) at 5 years was positively associated with prosocial behaviours (β= 0.14; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.01, 0.26) and inversely related to hyperactivity-inattention symptoms (β= -0.12; 95% CI -0.23, -0.01) at 8 years. Girls' mixed lifestyle pattern (sugar or artificially sweetened beverages, high screen, physical activity and low sleep times) was associated with prosocial behaviours (β= 0.12; 95% CI 0.01, 0.23). There was no evidence of associations between lifestyle patterns and BMI z-scores. Findings suggest synergistic benefits of engaging in a combination of optimal EBRBs, especially in boys, and support intervention efforts at preschool age to enhance some dimensions of their later socio-emotional and behavioural development.

Effectivity of Dry and Liquid BS4 Enzymes in Improving Performance of Broiler Chickens Fed Different Nutrient Density Diet

Supplementation of enzymes in feed is now commonly practiced to increase the nutrient availability of feed and the performance of poultry. A new enzyme called BS4 was produced by cultivating Eupenicilium javanicum. It is necessary to test the efficacy of this enzyme since the effectiveness of enzyme supplementation depends on many factors. An experiment was conducted to study the effect of dietary BS4 enzyme supplementation in improving the performance of broiler chickens. A number of 300 broilers DOC was distributed into 30 pens and reared until 35 d. Six experimental diets i.e., factorial of 2 (Standard diet, and low nutrient density diet) X 3 (Control, BS4 liquid enzyme, and BS4 powder enzyme) were formulated with 5 replications. The performance (feed intake, body weight, FCR, and survival rates) were observed during the starter (1-21 d) and whole (1-35 d) periods. At the end of the trial, measurements were also made on the carcass yield, abdominal fat, liver, and gizzard weights. Results showed that performances of broilers from 1-35 d were not significantly affected by interaction between nutrient density and enzyme supplement. The nutrient density also did not affect performances of broilers. However, dietary enzyme supplementation significantly reduced feed intake and improved FCR of broilers as compared to the control. Supplementation of BS4 in liquid or powder form, reduced feed intake by 3.6%. Supplementation of liquid and powder BS4 enzymes improved FCR by 6.4% and 8.9%, respectively, but no different effect between liquid and powder BS4 enzymes on performance of broilers. Nutrient density, enzyme supplementation, and interactions between the two factors did not significantly influence carcass yield, abdominal fat, liver, and gizzard relative weights of broilers.

The influence of hen size and diet nutrient density in early lay on hen performance, egg quality, and hen health in late lay

The effect of hen size and diet nutrient density during early lay on egg production (EP) at 24 and 69 wk of age (WOA) and late lay egg quality and hen health was evaluated. Based on bodyweight (BW) at 18 WOA ISA Brown hens were assigned as heavier (HW; n = 120) or lighter weight (LW; n =120). Sixty birds from each BW group were fed an early-lay diet of higher nutrient density (HND), or lower nutrient density (LND) between 18 and 24 WOA. From 25 WOA all hens received the same early-lay diet and then from 40 WOA the mid-lay diet. Hen average daily feed intake (ADFI), hen-day EP, egg weight (EW), egg mass (EM), and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were assessed at 24 and 69 WOA. Between 66 and 70 WOA eggshell and internal egg quality was evaluated and at 70 WOA BW, liver and bone health were assessed. At 24 WOA BW was highest in HW birds and birds receiving the HND diet (P < 0.01). Concurrently ADFI, and FCR were higher and hen-day EP was lower in HW compared to LW birds (P < 0.05). The HND diet resulted in lower ADFI and FCR at 24 WOA, but higher EW and EM compared to the LND diet (P < 0.01). At 69 WOA HW birds had higher ADFI, EW (P < 0.02) and heavier 70 WOA BW compared to LW hens. The lower FCR of the LW birds at 69 WOA was approaching significance (P = 0.054). Hen weight and diet density did not affect 69 WOA egg production. Between 18 and 69 WOA cumulative FI and EM were higher in HW hens (P < 0.01) than LW hens, as was cumulative FCR (P = 0.053). Hen weight and diet density did not alter 66–70 WOA internal egg quality, but the HND diet generated thicker eggshells and higher eggshell breaking strength (P < 0.05). Seventy WOA liver health, keel curvature and femur breaking strength did not differ. Overall LW hens had lower FCR than HW hens and the early-lay HND diet facilitated improved eggshell integrity during late lay compared to the LND diet.