Utilization Of Dietary Nutrients Research Articles

PSII-19 Effect of dietary supplementation of xylanase alone or combination of xylanase and β-glucanase on growth performance and intestinal measurements in broiler chickens

Abstract Poultry feeds primarily comprise plant ingredients such as cereal grains and cereal by-products that are high in non-starch polysaccharides (NSPs). However, poultry has limited digestive enzymes to efficiently utilize NSPs, and therefore, exogenous NSP-degrading enzymes (NSPase) are typically supplemented to poultry diets. Xylanase is the most widely used as NSPase in poultry diets because xylanase degrades arabinoxylans which is in increased amounts in most feed grains like corn and wheat, thereby improving dietary nutrient utilization and subsequent productive performance. β-glucanase is another potential exogenous NSPase used to degrade β-glucans present in plant ingredients. Although the benefits of dietary xylanase are well-documented, limited information regarding effects of dietary xylanase and β-glucanase complex is available. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the effect of dietary supplementation of xylanase alone or combination of xylanase and β-glucanase on growth performance and intestinal measurements in broiler chickens. A total of four hundred 8-d-old male and female Ross 308 broiler chicks were randomly allotted to 1 of 4 dietary treatments with 10 replicates. Each replicate had 5 male and 5 female birds. Dietary treatments included a positive control (PC) diet with adequate energy and nutrients, a negative control (NC) diet with high NSP-containing ingredients and less AMEn by 100 kcal/kg than PC diet, and 2 NC-based diets supplemented with 0.1% xylanase (4,000,000 units/kg) or 0.1% xylanase-glucanase complex (4,000,000 units/kg xylanase and 2,000,000 units/kg β-glucanase). The experiment lasted for 28 d. For intestinal measurements including jejunal morphology and ileal digesta viscosity, 1 male chicken per replicate was selected based on the body weight at the end of the experiment. Results indicated that birds fed PC diets had less (P < 0.05) FCR than those fed NC diets (Table 1). Birds fed diets supplemented with xylanase alone or combination of xylanase and β-glucanase had also less (P < 0.05) FCR than those fed NC diets. No difference in FCR was observed between birds fed PC diets and those fed diets supplemented with xylanase alone or combination of xylanase and β-glucanase. However, dietary treatments had no effects on body weight, body weight gain, and feed intake of broiler chickens. Jejunal villous height to crypt depth ratio (VH:CD) was greater (P < 0.05) for birds fed PC diets or diets supplemented with combination of xylanase and β-glucanase than those fed NC diets (Table 2). Feeding diets supplemented with xylanase alone or combination of xylanase and β-glucanase decreased (P < 0.05) ileal digesta viscosity as compared with feeding NC diets (Table3). In conclusion, feeding high NSP and low energy diets supplemented with either 0.1% xylanase alone or 0.1% xylanase and β-glucanase complex results in similar productive performance of broiler chickens as compared with feeding typical corn-soybean meal-based diets possibly due to improved intestinal structure and decreased digesta viscosity.

Effect of dietary β-mannanase supplementation on growth performance, intestinal morphology, digesta viscosity, and nutrient utilization in broiler chickens: Meta-analysis and meta-regression.

The present study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of dietary β-mannanase supplementation on growth performance, intestinal morphology, digesta viscosity, and dietary nutrient utilization in broiler chickens through a meta-analysis. The effects were further examined by a meta-regression analysis with activity levels of β-mannanase in broiler diets. A total of 23 studies, which conducted in 11 countries and completed between December 2003 and August 2023, were finally selected for this meta-analysis. The standardized mean difference (SMD) and its 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated as the effect size metrics using random effect model, with I2 value being utilized to measure heterogeneity. Investigated measurements included body weight gain (BWG), feed intake (FI), feed conversion ratio (FCR), villus height (VH), crypt depth (CD), VH:CD ratio, digesta viscosity, nitrogen-corrected metabolizable energy (AMEn), apparent ileal digestibility (AID), and apparent total tract retention (ATTR) of dry matter (DM), gross energy (GE), and nitrogen (N). All statistical analyses were performed using R version 4.3.3. Results revealed significant positive effects of dietary β-mannanase supplementation on BWG (P = 0.005), FCR (P < 0.001), VH (P < 0.001), VH:CD (P < 0.001), digesta viscosity (P < 0.001), AMEn (P = 0.011), AID of GE (P = 0.002) and N (P = 0.003), and ATTR of DM (P = 0.019), GE (P = 0.002), and N (P = 0.005) in broiler chickens. In the meta-regression analysis, increasing activity levels of β-mannanase in broiler diets increased VH:CD (P < 0.001, R2 = 79.2%) and AID of N (P = 0.038, R2 = 67.4%). the current meta-analysis indicates that dietary β-mannanase supplementation improves energy and nutrient utilization in broiler diets possibly by decreasing digesta viscosity and enhancing intestinal morphology in broiler chickens. These beneficial effects can contribute to improved growth performance in broiler chickens.

Imidacloprid disrupts larval molting regulation and nutrient energy metabolism, causing developmental delay in honey bee Apis mellifera.

Imidacloprid is a global health threat that severely poisons the economically and ecologically important honeybee pollinator, Apis mellifera. However, its effects on developing bee larvae remain largely unexplored. Our pilot study showed that imidacloprid causes developmental delay in bee larvae, but the underlying toxicological mechanisms remain incompletely understood. In this study, we exposed bee larvae to imidacloprid at environmentally relevant concentrations of 0.7, 1.2, 3.1, and 377 ppb. There was a marked dose-dependent delay in larval development, characterized by reductions in body mass, width, and growth index. However, imidacloprid did not affect on larval survival and food consumption. The primary toxicological effects induced by elevated concentrations of imidacloprid (377 ppb) included inhibition of neural transmission gene expression, induction of oxidative stress, gut structural damage, and apoptosis, inhibition of developmental regulatory hormones and genes, suppression of gene expression levels involved in proteolysis, amino acid transport, protein synthesis, carbohydrate catabolism, oxidative phosphorylation, and glycolysis energy production. In addition, we found that the larvae may use antioxidant defenses and P450 detoxification mechanisms to mitigate the effects of imidacloprid. Ultimately, this study provides the first evidence that environmentally exposed imidacloprid can affect the growth and development of bee larvae by disrupting molting regulation and limiting the metabolism and utilization of dietary nutrients and energy. These findings have broader implications for studies assessing pesticide hazards in other juvenile animals.

Imidacloprid disrupts larval molting regulation and nutrient energy metabolism, causing developmental delay in honey bee Apis mellifera

Imidacloprid is a global health threat that severely poisons the economically and ecologically important honeybee pollinator, Apis mellifera. However, its effects on developing bee larvae remain largely unexplored. Our pilot study showed that imidacloprid causes developmental delay in bee larvae, but the underlying toxicological mechanisms remain incompletely understood. In this study, we exposed bee larvae to imidacloprid at environmentally relevant concentrations of 0.7, 1.2, 3.1, and 377 ppb. There was a marked dose-dependent delay in larval development, characterized by reductions in body mass, width, and growth index. However, imidacloprid did not affect on larval survival and food consumption. The primary toxicological effects induced by elevated concentrations of imidacloprid (377 ppb) included inhibition of neural transmission gene expression, induction of oxidative stress, gut structural damage, and apoptosis, inhibition of developmental regulatory hormones and genes, suppression of gene expression levels involved in proteolysis, amino acid transport, protein synthesis, carbohydrate catabolism, oxidative phosphorylation, and glycolysis energy production. In addition, we found that the larvae may use antioxidant defenses and P450 detoxification mechanisms to mitigate the effects of imidacloprid. Ultimately, this study provides the first evidence that environmentally exposed imidacloprid can affect the growth and development of bee larvae by disrupting molting regulation and limiting the metabolism and utilization of dietary nutrients and energy. These findings have broader implications for studies assessing pesticide hazards in other juvenile animals.

Review: Nutrient and energy supply in monogastric food producing animals with reduced environmental and climatic footprint and improved gut health.

With more efficient utilisation of dietary nutrients and energy, diversified production systems, modifications of diet composition with respect to feedstuffs included and the use of free amino acids, the negative impact of animal food production on the environment and climate can be reduced. Accurate requirements for nutrients and energy for animals with differing physiological needs, and the use of robust and accurate feed evaluation systems are key for more efficient feed utilisation. Data on CP and amino acid requirements in pigs and poultry indicate that it should be possible to implement indispensable amino acid-balanced diets with low- or reduced-protein content without any reduction in animal performance. Potential feed resources, not competing with human food security, can be derived from the traditional food- and agroindustry, such as various waste streams and co-products of different origins. In addition, novel feedstuffs emerging from aquaculture, biotechnology and innovative new technologies may have potential to provide the lack of indispensable amino acids in organic animal food production. High fibre content is a nutritional limitation of using waste streams and co-products as feed for monogastric animals as it is associated with decreased nutrient digestibility and reduced dietary energy values. However, minimum levels of dietary fibre are needed to maintain the normal physiological function of the gastro-intestinal tract. Moreover, there may be positive effects of fibre in the diet such as improved gut health, increased satiety, and an overall improvement of behaviour and well-being.

Role of Diet-Microbiome Interaction in Gastrointestinal Disorders and Strategies to Modulate Them with Microbiome-Targeted Therapies.

Diet is an important determinant of health and consequently is often implicated in the development of disease, particularly gastrointestinal (GI) diseases, given the high prevalence of meal-related symptoms. The mechanisms underlying diet-driven pathophysiology are not well understood, but recent studies suggest that gut microbiota may mediate the effect of diet on GI physiology. In this review, we focus primarily on two distinct GI diseases where the role of diet has been best studied: irritable bowel syndrome and inflammatory bowel disease. We discuss how the concurrent and sequential utilization of dietary nutrients by the host and gut microbiota determines the eventual bioactive metabolite profiles in the gut and the biological effect of these metabolites on GI physiology. We highlight several concepts that can be gleaned from these findings, such as how distinct effects of an individual metabolite can influence diverse GI diseases, the effect of similar dietary interventions on multiple disease states, and the need for extensive phenotyping and data collection to help make personalized diet recommendations. Expected final online publication date for the Annual Review of Nutrition, Volume 43 is August 2023. Please see http://www.annualreviews.org/page/journal/pubdates for revised estimates.

Effects of various dietary carbohydrate sources on the growth performance and body composition of the dog conch, Laevistrombus canarium

This study investigates the effects of dietary supplementation with various carbohydrate sources on the growth and dietary nutrient utilization efficiency of a 0.72-g dog conch, Laevistrombus canarium. Five treatment diets had supplementation with alpha-starch (Sta), dextrin (Dex), pullulan gum (Pg), xanthan gum (Xg), and carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC). At the end of the feeding trial, the best growth performance (weight gain, 442.23%) and diet efficiency (protein efficiency ratio, 1.25, and feed conversion ratio [FCR], 2.04) were exhibited by the dog conch fed the Sta diet, whereas the lowest growth performance was observed in the dog conch fed the Xg and CMC diets. Dog conch fed the Sta (2.04) diet had a lower FCR than dog conch fed the other experimental diets (3.92–5.46). Apparent dietary digestibility (ADD) was significantly higher in dog conch fed the Sta diet than in the dog conch that were fed the other experimental diets. The ADD of protein was significantly lower in the dog conch fed the CMC diet than in those fed the other dietary treatments. The lowest ADD for energy was observed in the dog conch fed the CMC diet, followed by the Xg diet and Pg diet. Moisture, crude protein, and muscle crude lipid were affected by the carbohydrate source. An increase in carbohydrate complexity in the diet led to an enhancement of crude protein content and muscle crude lipid content. Compared with the other diets, the Sta diet yielded a significantly greater improvement in all shell parameters. These findings indicate that dog conch fed a Sta diet demonstrate the best growth parameters, feed efficiency, and ADD; therefore, diets supplemented with Sta are suitable for improving dog conch growth.

Effect of replacement of concentrate feed with Moringa leaves on dietary nutrient utilization in non-descript Chhattisgarh goats

An experiment was conducted to analyse the effect of replacing commercially available concentrate mixture with dried Moringa oleifera leaves on the nutrient utilization pattern of diet in non-descript goat breeds of Chhattisgarh. Eight non-descript yearling goats allotted randomly into 2 groups (group1 and group2) based on their BW (13.48±1.07 kg). Animals in group 1 were offered concentrate @ 1.5% of body weight and hybrid Napiergrass ad lib. In the group 2, 50% of concentrate was replaced by Moringa leaves on dry matter basis. Dried leaves were analyzed for their chemical composition. The CP content was 27.52% and Fe and Zn were 125.4 ppm and 29.8 ppm, respectively. There was no significant effect on palatability of feed that was evident from similar DM intake in both the groups. Intake of individual nutrients also did not differ significantly among the groups. There was no effect of moringa leaves inclusion on the nutrient utilization. However significantly higher N retention was observed in Moringa supplemented group compared to commercial concentrate supplemented group. Thus, Moringa supplementation was helpful in reducing the quantity of commercial concentrate mixture inclusion in the diet of non-descript goats.

Effects of Fat Pre-Emulsification on the Growth Performance, Serum Biochemical Index, Digestive Enzyme Activities, Nutrient Utilization, and Standardized Ileal Digestibility of Amino Acids in Pekin Ducks Fed Diets with Different Fat Sources.

Simple SummaryEmulsifiers, which can reduce fat chylomicrons and improve fat emulsification, are currently widely used in animal feed to increase the utilization of fats and improve animal growth performance. However, the traditional method of adding emulsifiers directly to feed has shown inconsistent effects on livestock and poultry. Moreover, China is the largest duck-producing country, and it can, therefore, be anticipated that many duck processing enterprises will produce a large amount of duck fat. However, there is no information about the effects of duck fat as a fat source for Pekin duck. Considering the increase in oil prices, this study was conducted to investigate the effects of fat pre-emulsification (preE), which is a new method to improve the utilization of dietary oil, on Pekin ducks fed diets with different fat sources. The obtained results revealed that fat preE contributed to the utilization of dietary nutrients, serum lipid metabolism, intestinal digestive enzyme activities, and liver health, thereby improving the growth performance of ducks; duck fat has higher bioavailability for ducks based on dietary ether extract (EE) utilization.This experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of fat pre-emulsification on growth performance, the serum biochemical index, intestinal digestive enzyme activities, nutrient utilization, and the standardized ileal digestibility of amino acids (SIDAA) in Pekin ducks fed diets containing different fat sources. Three hundred and twenty healthy ten-day-old Pekin male ducks (409 ± 27 g) were assigned to a 2 × 2 factorial design and given one of two types of poultry fat (duck fat or a mixed type of fat composed of chicken fat and duck fat in a 1:1 ratio) that had been pre-emulsified or not. This resulted in four treatments of eight replicates, with each replicate having ten ducks. The results showed that fat pre-emulsification (preE) significantly increased (p < 0.05) body weight and body weight gain and decreased (p < 0.05) the feed-to-gain ratio, the liver index, the activity of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and the concentration of total cholesterol (TC) in the serum. Fat preE also tended to decrease the activity of lipase (p = 0.07) and significantly reduced (p < 0.05) the activity of trypsin in the duodenum. The utilization of dietary dry matter, ether extract (EE), energy, and total phosphorus, as well as apparent metabolizable energy (AME) and the SID of serine (p = 0.090), were improved by fat preE. Duck fat markedly increased (p < 0.05) the serum TC concentration and the utilization of dietary EE; however, it also tended to decrease the serum triglyceride (TG) concentration (p = 0.09) and markedly decreased (p < 0.05) the activity of trypsin in the jejunum and duodenum. These results indicated that fat preE contributed to the utilization of dietary nutrients, serum lipid metabolism, intestinal digestive enzyme activities, and liver health, thereby improving the growth performance of ducks. Duck fat has higher bioavailability for ducks based on dietary EE utilization.

Gut transit rate in Atlantic salmon ( Salmo salar ) exposed to optimal and suboptimally high water temperatures

The gut transit rate of ingested feed in fish affects the utilization of dietary nutrients; however, the influence of water temperature, remains underexplored in Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar). The present study quantified the gut transit rate of four distinct regions of the gastrointestinal tract (stomach, pyloric caeca, small and large intestine) of post-smolt Atlantic salmon at two temperatures; 11 and 20°C, by feeding fish a diet incorporated with Ballotini beads. A determination of relative and total bead density in each region was assessed for 48 h, post-feeding. A clear inverse relationship in bead density between the stomach and large intestine was recorded at both temperatures. However, fish subjected to 20°C recorded a faster gut transit rate compared to fish at 11°C in both the stomach and large intestine. The pyloric caeca and small intestine transit rate appeared unaffected by temperature. The present study re-iterates the positive relationship between temperature and gut transit rate and also the critical function of the stomach in controlling gut transit rate in gastric fish. This information may be used to improve dietary strategies aimed at enhancing nutrient utilization through increased understanding of the gut transit rate in commercially important fish species.

Digestive Morphology of Native Pig Supplemented by Different Levels of Fermented Vigna radiata L.

Enhancing feed efficiency in converting feed mass into pig body mass is a critical phase for the profit in producing pig. To improve the metabolic utilization of dietary nutrients, it relies heavily on a healthy gut or gastrointestinal tract, and only a healthy digestive can result in better feed digestion and better nutrient absorption. Thus, the study investigates the growth performance, the response of the digestive morphology of native pigs, which treatment will stretch higher output and variations under different levels of fermented mungbean. The experimental research design was employed to determine the response of the three (3) pigs treated with mungbean for 70 days. The growth performance of pigs treated with different levels of fermented mungbean has a total gain weight of 7.50kg for Treatment 1; Treatment 2 is 9.00kg and, Treatment 3 is 6.50kg and is observed no significant difference on the final weight and the total weight with a p-value of &gt; 0. 050; the response on digestive morphology such as small intestine, large intestine, heart, stomach, liver, lungs, esophagus, spleen, and kidney of pigs shows no variations on their length, width, and weight with a p-value of &gt;0.050 under the different level of fermented mungbean; and resulted with high output treated with different level of fermented mungbean is observed on Treatment 2 with a lowest feed conversion efficiency of 3.89 for feeds and 1.39 for mungbean. Treatment 2 has the highest gain weight among the treated sample; the intestinal morphology of pigs was comparable under the three treatments; treatment 2 has the lowest feed conversion efficiency.

Ruminal Phages - A Review.

The rumen ecosystem is a complex and dynamic environment, which hosts microorganisms including archaea, bacteria, protozoa, fungi, and viruses. These microorganisms interact with each other, altering the ruminal environment and substrates that will be available for the host digestion and metabolism. Viruses can infect the host and other microorganisms, which can drive changes in microorganisms’ lysis rate, substrate availability, nutrient recycling, and population structure. The lysis of ruminal microorganisms’ cells by viruses can release enzymes that enhance feedstuff fermentation, which may increase dietary nutrient utilization and feed efficiency. However, negative effects associated to viruses in the gastrointestinal tract have also been reported, in some cases, disrupting the dynamic stability of the ruminal microbiome, which can result in gastrointestinal dysfunctions. Therefore, the objective of this review is to summarize the current knowledge on ruminal virome, their interaction with other components of the microbiome and the effects on animal nutrition.

Digestive Morphology of Native Pig Supplemented by Different Levels of Fermented Vigna radiata L.

Enhancing feed efficiency in converting feed mass into pig body mass is a critical phase for the profit in producing pig. To improve the metabolic utilization of dietary nutrients, it relies heavily on a healthy gut or gastrointestinal tract, and only a healthy digestive can result in better feed digestion and better nutrient absorption. Thus, the study investigates the growth performance, the response of the digestive morphology of native pigs, which treatment will stretch higher output and variations under different levels of fermented mungbean. The experimental research design was employed to determine the response of the three (3) pigs treated with mungbean for 70 days. The growth performance of pigs treated with different levels of fermented mungbean has a total gain weight of 7.50kg for Treatment 1; Treatment 2 is 9.00kg and, Treatment 3 is 6.50kg and is observed no significant difference on the final weight and the total weight with a p-value of &gt; 0. 050; the response on digestive morphology such as small intestine, large intestine, heart, stomach, liver, lungs, esophagus, spleen, and kidney of pigs shows no variations on their length, width, and weight with a p-value of &gt;0.050 under the different level of fermented mungbean; and resulted with high output treated with different level of fermented mungbean is observed on Treatment 2 with a lowest feed conversion efficiency of 3.89 for feeds and 1.39 for mungbean. Treatment 2 has the highest gain weight among the treated sample; the intestinal morphology of pigs was comparable under the three treatments; treatment 2 has the lowest feed conversion efficiency.

Fine-Tuning of Postprandial Responses via Feeding Frequency and Leucine Supplementation Affects Dietary Performance in Turbot (Scophthalmus maximus L.)

BackgroundFeeding-induced cell signaling and metabolic responses affect utilization of dietary nutrients but are rarely taken advantage of to improve animal nutrition. ObjectivesWe hypothesized that by modulating postprandial kinetics and signaling, improved dietary utilization and growth performance could be achieved in animals. MethodsJuvenile turbot (Scophthalmus maximus L.) with an initial mean ± SD weight of 10.1 ± 0.01 g were used. Two feeding frequencies (FFs), either 1 or 3 meals/d at a fixed 2.4% daily body weight ration, and 2 diets that were or were not supplemented with 1% crystalline leucine (Leu), were used in the 10-wk feeding trial. At the end of the trial, a 1-d force-feeding experiment was conducted using the aforementioned FF and experimental diets. Samples were collected for the analysis of postprandial kinetics of aminoacidemia, mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling activities, protein deposition, as well as the mRNA expression levels of key metabolic checkpoints at consecutive time points after feeding. ResultsIncreased FF and leucine supplementation significantly enhanced fish growth by 7.68% ± 0.53% (means ±SD) and 7.89% ± 1.25%, respectively, and protein retention by 4.01% ± 0.59% and 4.44% ± 1.63%, respectively, in feeding trial experiments. The durations of postprandial aminoacidemia and mTOR activation were extended by increased FF, whereas leucine supplementation enhanced mTOR signaling without influencing the postprandial free amino acids kinetics. Increased FF and leucine supplementation enhanced muscle protein deposition 21.6% ± 6.85% and 22.3% ± 1.52%, respectively, in a 24-h postfeeding period. ConclusionsWe provided comprehensive characterization of the postprandial kinetics of nutrient sensing and metabolic responses under different feeding regimens and leucine supplementation in turbot. Fine-tuning of postprandial kinetics could provide a new direction for better dietary utilization and animal performances in aquaculture.

Post-Prandial Amino Acid Changes in Gilthead Sea Bream.

Simple SummaryUsing combinations of plant protein concentrates and EAA supplementation, high levels of replacement (50–75% of fishmeal protein) have been achieved in gilthead sea bream without affecting the growth performance or quality traits. It was confirmed in this study that 16% replacement of marine protein with plant protein meets the amino acid needs of sea bream. The results of the present study suggest the need to further investigate tissue-specific and species-specific responses in the timing and ability to regulate metabolism due to dietary nutrient utilization.Following a meal, a series of physiological changes occurs in fish as they digest, absorb and assimilate ingested nutrients. This study aims to assess post-prandial free amino acid (FAA) activity in gilthead sea bream consuming a partial marine protein (fishmeal) replacement. Sea bream were fed diets where 16 and 27% of the fishmeal protein was replaced by plant protein. The essential amino acid (EAA) composition of the white muscle, liver and gut of sea bream was strongly correlated with the EAA composition of the 16% protein replacement diet compared to the 27% protein replacement diet. The mean FAA concentration in the white muscle and liver changed at 4 to 8 h after a meal and was not different to pre-feeding (0 h) and at 24 h after feeding. It was confirmed in this study that 16% replacement of marine protein with plant protein meets the amino acid needs of sea bream. Overall, the present study contributes towards understanding post-prandial amino acid profiles during uptake, tissue assimilation and immediate metabolic processing of amino acids in sea bream consuming a partial marine protein replacement. This study suggests the need to further investigate the magnitude of the post-prandial tissue-specific amino acid activity in relation to species-specific abilities to regulate metabolism due to dietary nutrient utilization.

The Role of Dietary Nutrients in Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic and relapsing inflammatory disease of the gastrointestinal tract. Although the precise etiology of IBD remains incompletely understood, accumulating evidence suggests that various environmental factors, including dietary nutrients, contribute to its pathogenesis. Dietary nutrients are known to have an impact on host physiology and diseases. The interactions between dietary nutrients and intestinal immunity are complex. Dietary nutrients directly regulate the immuno-modulatory function of gut-resident immune cells. Likewise, dietary nutrients shape the composition of the gut microbiota. Therefore, a well-balanced diet is crucial for good health. In contrast, the relationships among dietary nutrients, host immunity and/or the gut microbiota may be perturbed in the context of IBD. Genetic predispositions and gut dysbiosis may affect the utilization of dietary nutrients. Moreover, the metabolism of nutrients in host cells and the gut microbiota may be altered by intestinal inflammation, thereby increasing or decreasing the demand for certain nutrients necessary for the maintenance of immune and microbial homeostasis. Herein, we review the current knowledge of the role dietary nutrients play in the development and the treatment of IBD, focusing on the interplay among dietary nutrients, the gut microbiota and host immune cells. We also discuss alterations in the nutritional metabolism of the gut microbiota and host cells in IBD that can influence the outcome of nutritional intervention. A better understanding of the diet-host-microbiota interactions may lead to new therapeutic approaches for the treatment of IBD.

Effects of tributyrin supplementation on in vitro culture fermentation and methanogenesis and in vivo dietary nitrogen, calcium and phosphorus losses in Small Tail ewes

Butyric acid and its salt have been used as feed additives to improve feed efficiency, nutrient degradability and animal growth. In this study, an in vitro trial was conducted to evaluate the effects of tributyrin (TB) supplementation on fermentation, enzyme activity and gas production at dosages of 0, 2, 4, 6 and 8 g/kg dry matter (DM) basis in substrate, which was incubated for 36 h. In addition, an in vivo trial with the same concentrations of TB in diet as in vitro trial was conducted to assess the influence of TB addition on utilization of dietary nitrogen, calcium and phosphorus. Forty-five adult Small Tail ewes were randomly assigned to 5 treatments of 9 ewes each by initial body weight (55 ± 5 kg, mean ± SD). The in vivo trial lasted 18 days, and ewes had free access to water and the ration mixed with TB. The results showed that TB decreased in vitro molar proportion of acetate (P < 0.001), but increased propionate (P = 0.004), butyrate (P < 0.001) and valerate (P < 0.001). Tributyrin improved in vitro fermentation efficiency (P = 0.003) and enhanced activity of xylanase (P = 0.008), carboxymethyl cellulase (P = 0.062) and avicelase (P = 0.006). Tributyrin increased the in vitro apparent degradability of DM (P = 0.002), crude protein (P < 0.001), neutral detergent fiber (P < 0.001) and acid detergent fiber (P = 0.056). Tributyrin increased in vitro methanogenesis (P < 0.001), but decreased carbon dioxide production (P < 0.001). Besides, TB supplementation improved in vivo utilization of dietary nitrogen, calcium and phosphorus. The results indicated that TB addition had positive effects on not only in vitro fermentation but also in vivo dietary nutrient utilization, despite having an enhancing effect on methanogenesis.

Leucine Affects α-Amylase Synthesis through PI3K/Akt-mTOR Signaling Pathways in Pancreatic Acinar Cells of Dairy Calves.

Dietary nutrient utilization, particularly starch, is potentially limited by digestion in dairy cow small intestine because of shortage of α-amylase. Leucine acts as an effective signal molecular in the mTOR signaling pathway, which regulates a series of biological processes, especially protein synthesis. It has been reported that leucine could affect α-amylase synthesis and secretion in ruminant pancreas, but mechanisms have not been elaborated. In this study, pancreatic acinar (PA) cells were used as a model to determine the cellular signal of leucine influence on α-amylase synthesis. PA cells were isolated from newborn Holstein dairy bull calves and cultured in Dulbecco's modifed Eagle's medium/nutrient mixture F12 liquid media containing four leucine treatments (0, 0.23, 0.45, and 0.90 mM, respectively), following α-amylase activity, zymogen granule, and signal pathway factor expression detection. Rapamycin, a specific inhibitor of mTOR, was also applied to PA cells. Results showed that leucine increased ( p < 0.05) synthesis of α-amylase as well as phosphorylation of PI3K, Akt, mTOR, and S6K1 while reduced ( p < 0.05) GCN2 expression. Inhibition of mTOR signaling downregulated the α-amylase synthesis. In addition, the extracellular leucine dosage significantly influenced intracellular metabolism of isoleucine ( p < 0.05). Overall, leucine regulates α-amylase synthesis through promoting the PI3K/Akt-mTOR pathway and reducing the GCN2 pathway in PA cells of dairy calves. These pathways form the signaling network that controls the protein synthesis and metabolism. It would be of great interest in future studies to explore the function of leucine in ruminant nutrition.

Sustained swimming improves fish dietary nutrient assimilation efficiency and body composition of juvenile Brycon amazonicus

Sustained swimming (SS) usually promotes beneficial effects in growth and feed conversion of fishes. Although feed efficiency is improves at moderate water velocity, more information is required to determine the contributions of this factor on growth and body composition. Body composition and efficiency responses to the use of nutrients were determined in juvenile matrinxa Brycon amazonicus (Spix and Agassiz, 1829) fed with two dietary amounts of protein, 28 or 38% of crude protein (CP), and subjected to sustained swimming at a constant speed of 1.5 body lengths s−1 (BL s−1) or let to free swimming. The fish body composition under SS and fed with 28% of dietary protein showed 22% of increased in bulk protein and a 26% of decrease in water content in the white muscle. Red muscle depicted 70% less water content and a 10% more lipid. Nutrient retention was enhanced in fish subjected to SS and a higher gain of ethereal extract sustained was observed in the white muscle of exercised fish fed with 38% CP. The interaction between swimming and dietary protein resulted in a larger bulk of lipid in red muscle. Fish fed with 28% CP under SS at 1.5 BL s−1 presented the best utilization of dietary nutrients and body composition. Thus, this fish farming procedure is proposed as a promising management strategy for rearing matrinxa.

Baobab seeds as an alternative protein source in poultry feed

Alternative cheap sources of protein in poultry diets are desired hinged on feed safety, production cost and nutritional quality. The preceding review looks at how baobab seeds have featured as an alternative protein source in poultry diets. This is on the backdrop that the cost of compound feeds continue to be on the rise due to the high expense of conventional protein sources used in manufacturing animal feed. Soya bean has been the predominantly used and most expensive conventional protein source used in the manufacturing of compound feeds. It is suffice to suggest that there is an urgent need to accord adequate consideration to alternative cheap protein sources, and baobab seeds are one such alternatives. Previous studies have shown that baobab seeds have excellent nutritive value, despite containing inconsiderable levels of anti-nutritional factors. Baobab seeds contain some anti-nutritional factors, such as phytate (2%), oxalate (10%), tannins and saponins (3-7%) which reduces digestive efficiency and utilization of dietary nutrients in poultry. However, these anti-nutritional factor levels are generally assumed to be low enough not to cause any adverse effects in avian species. The seeds have a protein value that ranges from 20-36 % CP and an energy level of 4.19-16.75 kJ/kg, which is comparable to sunflower meal (24.4-36.7 CP and 19.1-20.2 kJ/kg) and soybean hulls (10.5-19.2 CP and 17.5-18.7 kJ/kg). It is apparent from previous studies that inclusion of baobab seeds at 5-10% level in poultry diets improves performance of broilers in terms of growth rate. Inclusion of the baobab seeds as partial replacers of soybean meal can be cost effective by inevitability reducing the escalating costs of poultry feed.