Effects Of Dietary Inclusion Levels Research Articles

The interactive effect of dietary inclusion levels and preparation methods of myo-inositol on growth performance, antioxidant function and lipid metabolism homeostasis of Cyprinus carpio var. jian

To evaluate the interactive effect of inclusion levels (IL) and preparation methods (PM) of myo-inositol (MI) on growth performance, hepatic antioxidant capacity and lipid metabolism of Cyprinus carpio var. jian, five isonitrogenous and isoenergetic diets were formulated at a high level of dietary fat content (11.3%, HF basic diet), supplemented with 400 mg/kg or 800 mg/kg of enzyme biocatalysis MI (E-MI) (400E-MI, 800E-MI) and chemical acid hydrolysis MI (C-MI) (400 C-MI, 800 C-MI). 300 healthy C. Carpio var. jian (1.5 ± 0.1 g) were randomly fed one of the five experimental diets in triplicates (20 fish per tank) for 66 days. After the 66 days feeding trial, the growth performance, plasma biochemistry, hepatic antioxidant enzyme activities, and gene expressions related to lipid metabolism were determined. Two-way ANOVA analysis showed that PM and IL of dietary MI had an interactive effect on growth performance, antioxidant capacity and lipid metabolism of C. Carpio var. jian. The IL significantly affected protein deposition rate (PDR), activities of hepatic CAT, T-SOD and GPx (P < 0.05). Specifically, final average weight (FBW), weight gain rate (WGR), specific growth rate (SGR) and PDR in the 400E-MI group and 800 C-MI group were significantly higher than those in the 400 C-MI group (P < 0.05). The oil red O staining results showed that a large amount of lipid accumulation in the liver tissues of the HF group, while the hepatic lipid accumulations of 400 C-MI, 400E-MI and 800 E-MI were significantly reduced (P < 0.05). The expressions of lipid metabolization-related genes showed that the myo-inositol PM and IL had an interactive effect on mRNA expressions of hepatic ACO, ACSL, PPARβ and SIRT1 (P < 0.05). The mRNA expression levels of ACC, AMPK, PPARβ and SREBP-1 were significantly affected by IL (P < 0.05). Specifically, The mRNA expressions of LPL, PPARβ and SIRT1 of 400 C-MI, 400E-MI and 800 E-MI groups were significantly higher than those of the HF basic group. Overall, the supplementation of C-MI and E-MI in the HF diet improved the protein deposition and liver antioxidant ability, promoted lipid metabolism through activating AMPK and SIRT1 of C. Carpio var. jian fed HF diet.

Feeding kampong chickens with infertile eggs: effects on 6-weeks performance

The present study evaluated the effect of dietary inclusion levels of infertile eggs powder (IEP) from the hatchery processing industry on the performance of kampong chickens measured at 6 weeks. A total of 120 birds at 21 d (327±18 gram) were equally distributed to receive 10%, 20%, and 30% of IEP with control treatment without IEP. Each treatment group was replicated five times with eight birds in each, giving three dietary treatments including control. Diets were formulated to meet the Indonesia National Standard of the nutrient requirement for kampong chickens. Results showed that increasing dietary IEP at 10% and 20% significantly increased average daily gain (ADG), final body weight (BW), and decreased feed conversion when compared to control (p<0.05). When given at 30%, no effect on production performance parameters was observed. In conclusion, the present study suggests that infertile eggs powder can be partially used to substitute conventional protein sources in kampong chickens. Dietary inclusion of IEP up to 20% given in mixed with corn in the formula improves the performance of kampong chickens without negatively affecting feed intake.

Effects of Dietary Inclusion Level of Microwave-Dried and Press-Defatted Black Soldier Fly (Hermetia illucens) Larvae Meal on Productive Performance, Cecal Volatile Fatty Acid Profile, and Egg Quality in Laying Hens.

Simple SummaryThe microwave drying method is convenient in terms of time efficiency, space, and low operational cost compared with the conventional air-drying method. For the same reasons, the microwave drying method has the potential for manufacturing insect meals that could be an alternative protein source in poultry. Therefore, we evaluated the productive performance, cecal volatile fatty acid (FA) profile, and egg quality in laying hens fed on microwave-dried Hermetia illucens larvae meal (HILM) at two different substitution levels (2% and 4%) of soybean meal. Similar productive performance with no negative effects on the nutritional and physical quality of eggs was observed from the study, indicating that microwave-dried HILM can be a potential ingredient in the diets of laying hens. However, further research is needed in improving the manufacturing process for better bioavailability of HILM and improved FA quality of eggs.Black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) larvae meal (HILM) is a promising alternative to soybean meal (SBM). However, little information is available on the effect of microwave-dried HILM as a dietary protein source in the diets of laying hens. We studied the effect of dietary inclusion level of microwave-dried HILM on productive performance, cecal volatile fatty acid profile, egg quality, overall fatty acid profile, and heavy metal residues of the egg in laying hens. A total of 144 laying hens (25-week-old) were randomly assigned to three dietary groups (eight replicates and six birds/cage): a control diet, and two experimental diets in which SBM was replaced with 2% HILM (2HILM) and 4% HILM (4HILM). The laying hens that fed the HILM showed satisfactory results in productive performance and egg quality. Branched-chain fatty acid levels increased linearly (p < 0.001) with dietary treatment in the cecal digesta. Total monounsaturated fatty acid increased linearly (p < 0.01), while total polyunsaturated fatty acid decreased linearly (p < 0.01) in the eggs by dietary treatments. Heavy metals, magnesium, zinc, and aluminum were increased linearly with dietary treatment; however, undesirable heavy metals were under permissible levels. Thus, microwave-dried HILM could be a possible alternative to SBM in the diets of laying hens; however, improvements in fatty acid profile are needed.

Effects of Dietary Inclusion Level of Microwave-Dried and Press-Defatted Black Soldier Fly (Hermetia illucens) Larvae Meal on Carcass Traits and Meat Quality in Broilers.

Simple SummaryInsects are a potential source of protein for broiler diets because of the high price and limited supply of soybean. Black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens; HI) larvae are promising candidates as an alternative protein source to soybean meal; a microwave drying method is a convenient approach for producing HI larvae meal (HILM), as it is time- and energy-efficient. However, whether microwave-dried HILM is an appropriate protein source for producing healthy chickens for consumers has not been evaluated. Therefore, we examined the effect of 0, 25, and 50% dietary replacement of soybean meal with HILM on carcass traits, meat quality, and safety. We observed satisfactory results for the meat quality and fatty acid composition without detrimental effects on undesirable heavy metal residues in the meat. However, the carcass weight was reduced in 50% HILM-substituted diets, suggesting that a low level of HILM is beneficial. Microwave-dried HILM is a promising ingredient for broiler diets. However, further research is needed to overcome the lowering of the carcass weight in terms of utilization efficiency by improving the manufacturing process.Limited information is available regarding the use of microwave-dried Hermetia illucens larvae meal (HILM) as a dietary protein source for broiler diets. Therefore, we investigated the effects of microwave-dried HILM on carcass traits, meat quality, fatty acid (FA) profiles of abdominal fat and meat, and heavy metal residues of the meat in broilers. A total of 126 male broilers were randomly assigned to three dietary treatment groups (6 replicates and 7 birds/pen): a control diet and two experimental diets in which soybean meal was replaced with 25 or 50% HILM. The broilers were slaughtered at 35 days; the carcasses were weighed, and breast and leg meats were excised from 12 birds per treatment (2 birds/pen) for meat analysis. The breast meat quality and proximate composition showed satisfactory results. For the higher HILM diet, the content of saturated FA in the abdominal fat was increased and that of polyunsaturated FA was decreased (p < 0.001); the FA profile of leg meat did not significantly differ between groups. The concentrations of undesirable heavy metals in the HILM and leg meat were below permissible levels. However, the carcass weight was decreased (p < 0.001) in the 50% HILM group. Microwave-dried HILM is a potential ingredient for broiler diets, with up to 25% substitution showing no detrimental effects on carcass traits, meat quality, FA profiles, and heavy metal residues in the meat.

Effect of dietary inclusion levels of mechanically extracted neem seed cake on performance of young rabbits

A feeding trial lasting 56 days was conducted using forty (40) weaned rabbits of mixed breeds with uncrage initial live weight of 669+20g to determine the effect of dietary inclusion levels of mechanically extracted neem seed cake on their performance and carcass characteristics. The animals were assigned lo five treatments based on their initial live weight and ser. There were eight individually caged rabbits per treatment. The diets were formulated to be isonitrogenous (20% CP). The control diet was based on maize and soybean meal. The neem seed cake was included at 0, 10, 20, 30 and 40% levels. Feed and wuler were offered ad libitum. Weekly feed intake and body weight changes were determined and feed efficiency calculated. At the end of the 56-day experiment, 5 rabbits per treatment were removed and slaughtered for carcass evaluation. The results showed that rabbits fed the 10 or 20% dietary levels of mechanically extracted neem seed cake hud growth performance and carcass characteristics that were statistically comparable (P&gt;0.05) to those fed soybean meal (control) diet. Further increase in the dietary inclusion levels of the neem seed cake up to 30 or 40% resulted in significantly (P&lt;0.05) depressed growth performance. The results favour the use of mechanically extracted neem seed cake in young rabbit diet up to the level of 20%.

Post-lambing maternal effects in hair ewes fed omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids in the late gestation

Soybean oil (SBO) is rich in omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids and its dietary supplementation during late gestation to ewes improves colostrum production and lamb pre-weaning growth; however, little is known about the long-term maternal effects after lambing. So, aim was to determine the effects of dietary inclusion level of SBO (0 [control], 30 and 60 g kg-1 dry matter) during late pregnancy on udder size, milk secretion, and dam metabolism during the first 60 d post-lambing. Thirty Katahdin x Pelibuey multiparous ewes (100 d of gestation) were blocked and randomly assigned within each block to three treatments. After lambing, ewes were fed the same lactation diet until 60 d post-lambing and study variables were measured on this period every 10 d. Solids non-fat in milk from control ewes were lower at day 10 and greater at day 20 compared to milk from SBO-fed ewes, although opposite effects were observed for lactose content on those days. Udder volume, depth and width increased linearly as the SBO level increased. Body status, physiological variables, milk production and serum analyte concentrations were unaffected by SBO. It was concluded that feeding hair ewes in late gestation with diets including SBO improves udder size, and solids non-fat and lactose content in milk, without affecting dam metabolism, during the post-lambing period.

The effects of dietary iodine and its consumption duration on performance, carcass characteristics, meat iodine, thyroid hormones and some blood indices in broiler chickens.

This study was conducted to determine the effects of dietary inclusion levels of iodine supplementation and duration of feeding on performance, carcass characteristics, meat iodine, thyroid hormones and some indices including red blood cell, haematocrit, haemoglobin, aspartate transaminase, alanine transaminase and alkaline phosphatase in broilers. A total of 450 one-day-old male broiler chicks were used during a 42days experiment in 9 treatments with five replicates pen for each treatment. The experimental design was a 3×3 factorial arrangement of treatments including three levels of iodine (0, 2.5 and 5mg/kg as a source of potassium iodide) during the T (total, 1-42days), GF (grower and finisher, 11-42days) and F (finisher, 25-42days) periods (p<.05). The results demonstrated that none of the performance data (feed intake, body weight gain and feed conversion ratio) were influenced by level and duration of iodine consumption (p>.05). The diet supplemented with 5mg/kg iodine had no effects on relative weights during total (T) and grower and finisher (GF) periods, but there was an effect on the finisher (F) period. Moreover, increasing the iodine level from 0 to 5mg/kg linearly decreased the relative weights of the both small intestine and jejunum (p<.05). Increasing the iodine level from 0 to 5mg/kg linearly increased the breast iodine content. Also, the highest breast meat enrichment was observed during the T period (p<.05). Blood triiodothyronine concentration was not changed by any of the iodine level and duration of consumption, but tetraiodothyronine concentration was higher for T period than GF and F ones (p<.05) and even linearly increased by increasing the level of dietary iodine for 0 to 5mg/kg (p<.05). It was concluded that 5mg/kg iodine from day 1 to day 42 of age is needed in the diet to enrich the broiler meat.

Effects of Graded Dietary Inclusion Level of Full-Fat Hermetia illucens Prepupae Meal in Practical Diets for Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss).

Simple SummaryThe sustainability of fish production is mainly driven by the protein source used in aquafeeds. In conventional fish feed, protein sources are mostly vegetable ingredients and fishmeal. The present study explored the potential use of full-fat Hermetia illucens prepupae meal (H) replacing 0% (H0), 25% (H25), and 50% (H50) conventional ingredients in practical diets for rainbow trout. No significant differences in growth were observed in all experimental groups, while in fish fed the H50 diet both hepatic and intestinal alterations were detected. In addition, in the same fish group, genes related to stress and immune-response were significantly up-regulated. The results obtained so far highlighted an overall physiological adaptation of fish to the dietary manipulation, suggesting an adverse effect of full-fat H at the highest inclusion level.This study investigated the effects of dietary inclusion levels of full-fat Hermetia illucens prepupae meal (H) on growth and gastrointestinal integrity in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). A 98-day study was conducted using triplicate groups of trout (initial body weight, 137 ± 10.5 g) kept in 1-m3 tanks in a flow-through well water system. Three dietary treatments were prepared: one based on fishmeal and purified protein-rich vegetable ingredients (H0), and two experimental diets including graded levels of H meal (25% and 50%, referred to as H25 and H50, respectively). At the end of the feeding trial, no differences were observed in growth performance and plasma metabolite levels, with the biometric data confirmed by the liver expression of the genes involved in somatic growth regulation (igf1 and mstn1a). In the H50 group, a three-fold up regulation of liver hsp70 was observed. An activation of the stress/immune response (il-10, tnf-α, and tlr-5) was observed in medium intestine in the H25 and H50 groups (p < 0.05) together with a villi length reduction detected through histological analyses. Liver histology and Fourier Transform Infrared Imaging (FTIRI) spectroscopy highlighted an increase in lipid deposition. These findings suggest that caution should be taken into account when 50% replacement of conventional ingredients with H is selected.

Nutritional effects of the dietary inclusion of partially defatted Hermetia illucens larva meal in Muscovy duck

BackgroundThe present work is aimed at evaluating the effect of different inclusion levels of a partially defatted black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens, L.; HI) larva meal for ducks. A total of 192 female 3-day-old Muscovy ducklings (Cairina moschata domestica, Canedins R71 L White, Grimaud Freres Selection, France) were divided into 4 groups, assigned 4 different dietary treatments (6 replicates/treatment and 8 birds/replicate) and reared from 3 to 50 days of age. HI larva meal was included at increasing levels (0, 3%, 6% and 9%, HI0, HI3, HI6 and HI9, respectively) in isonitrogenous and isoenergetic diets formulated for 3 feeding phases: starter (3–17 days of age), grower (18–38 days of age) and finisher (39–50 days of age). The growth performance and apparent total tract digestibility were evaluated during the trial using titanium dioxide as an inert marker (0.3% of inclusion). At 51 days of age, two birds per pen were slaughtered and histomorphological investigations were performed.ResultsThe live weight and average daily gain showed a quadratic response to increasing HI meal in the grower period (minimum corresponding to the HI6 group). No effects of dietary inclusion levels were observed for the daily feed intake or feed conversion ratio. The apparent dry matter and organic matter digestibility were not affected by the dietary treatment. A linear decrease was observed for the crude protein apparent digestibility in the starter period (minimum for the HI9 groups). The ether extract apparent digestibility increased linearly during the grower and finisher periods (minimum for the HI0 group). The morphometric indices were not influenced by the dietary treatments.ConclusionsThe inclusion of up to 9% of HI partially defatted larva meal in the diet of ducks did not cause any effect on growth performance, as well as the apparent digestibility. Moreover, dietary HI inclusion preserved the physiological intestinal development.

Effects of dietary inclusion levels of palm oil on growth performance, antioxidative status and serum cytokines of broiler chickens.

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary palm oil inclusion levels on growth performance, serum antioxidative status and cytokines in Sanhuang broiler chickens. A total of 208 one-day-old female Sanhuang chickens were randomly allocated to four treatment groups with four replicates per group and of 13 birds each for a 42-day feeding trial. Dietary treatments were basal diet without palm oil (control) and diets containing 2%, 4% or 6% palm oil. During days 22 to 42 and the overall experimental period, chickens fed diets supplemented with 4% and 6% palm oil had a lower average daily feed intake (ADFI) (p=0.019) and feed to gain ratio (F/G) (p=0.031). Average daily gain (ADG) tended to be higher (p=0.089) for palm oil inclusion treatments compared with the control treatment from days 1 to 42. Dietary 2% and 4% palm oil treatments significantly lowed serum malondialdehyde concentration on day 21 when compared to the control and 6% palm oil treatments (p=0.027). Dietary 6% palm oil treatment significantly reduced the catalase (CAT) activity (p=0.018) and total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) (p=0.027) in serum in comparison with the control treatment on day 21. No significant differences were observed in superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activities in serum among dietary treatments on day 21. There were no significant differences in T-AOC, CAT, SOD and GSH-Px activities among dietary treatments on day 42. Dietary inclusion of 4% and 6% palm oil significantly increased (p=0.01) serum interleukin-1β (IL-1β) content, but improved transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) content in serum on both days 21 and 42 (p=0.032 and 0.022 respectively) as well as IL-10 content on day 42 (p=0.022) when compared with the control treatment. Furthermore, dietary inclusion of 6% palm oil significantly reduced tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) content on days 21 and 42 (p=0.021 and 0.001 respectively) compared with the control treatment. These results suggest that dietary inclusion of 4% and 6% palm oil could improve the growth performance, modulate the balance between pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines, and show limited effect on antioxidative status in Sanhuang broiler chickens.

Effects of dietary probiotic (Bacillus subtilis) supplementation on productive performance, immune response and egg quality characteristics in laying hens under high ambient temperature

A two level factorial experiment (3 × 3) was designed to evaluate the effect of dietary inclusion level of probiotic and breed on productive performance, immune status and egg quality characteristics in laying hens reared under high ambient temperature. A total of 216, 32-week-old laying hens representing three different breeds (White Leghorn, Saudi black and Saudi brown) were randomly assigned to three dietary treatments (0, 200 and 400 g/t feed) in a 90-d experiment. The current results indicated that the inclusion of probiotics in layer diets did not appear to cause any adverse effects on egg production traits compared with non-treated hens. Dietary supplementation with probiotics at 400 ppm level significantly (p < .05) increased shell thickness compared to non-treated laying hens. Moreover, an improvement in eggshell quality and breaking strength in hens fed a diet containing probiotics was observed under high ambient temperature. Also, plasma cholesterol and triglyceride were reduced in laying hens fed a diet supplemented with probiotics. Furthermore, probiotic inclusion significantly increased IgM immunoglobulin concentration in laying hens fed a diet containing either 200 or 400 ppm compared with untreated hens. Concerning breed effect, Saudi black laying hens recorded significantly (p < .02) higher egg mass compared with the other breeds. Also, both Saudi chicken breeds exhibited significantly higher cell-mediated response and IgM concentration compared with Leghorn hens.

Effects of soybean oil inclusion in the pre-lambing diet on udder size, colostrum secretion, and offspring thermoregulation and growth in hair-breed ewes

Dietary inclusion of vegetable oils in pregnant females is beneficial to improve offspring development and growth during its pre- and post-natal life because these oils are rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids. Excessive oil intake can result in contrary effects. To evaluate the effects of dietary inclusion level of soybean oil (SBO) during the last third of gestation on udder size, production and composition of colostrum, newborn thermoregulation, and lamb growth during the pre-weaning period, 30 Katahdin x Pelibuey multiparous ewes (Body weight [BW]= 50.8±0.38kg, body condition score [BCS]= 3.02±0.04 units) were assigned under a randomized complete block design to 1 of 3 treatments, which consisted in isoenergetic and isoprotein diets containing 0, 30 or 60g of SBO/kg DM. Diets were offered from d 100 of pregnancy to lambing. All measurements were collected around lambing and first 60 d post-lambing. There was no treatment x time interaction for BW, BCS, production and chemical composition of colostrum, and offspring thermoregulation. Maternal BW and BCS as well as chemical composition were not affected by SBO. Weight and volume of colostrum linearly increased (P = 0.01) as the dietary level of SBO increased from 0 to 60g/kg DM. Rectal temperature in newborn lambs was not affected by SBO, but eye and muzzle temperatures, as well as coat temperatures from ear, muzzle, loin, right flank, belly, rump, shoulder and leg linearly increased (P < 0.01) with increasing the SBO level in the pre-lambing diet. Treatment x time interaction affected (P ≤ 0.05) udder traits, being higher udder volume and circumference in ewes fed 60g of SBO/kg DM than in control during the pre-lambing period. At birth, morphometric measures in lambs were unaffected by the treatment x sex interaction or main factors, while male lambs from ewes fed 60g of SBO were the heaviest (P < 0.01) compared to any of the other treatments. Pre-weaning daily weight gain and weight at weaning showed a quadratic effect (P ≤ 0.05) with increasing levels of SBO. In general, results suggest that dietary inclusion of 60g of SBO/kg DM during the last third of pregnancy in hair ewes could be an optimal dose to simultaneously increase colostrum production, udder size pre-lambing, newborn thermoregulation and pre-weaning growth of their lambs.

Evaluation of Different Levels of Canola Meal on Performance, Organ Weights, Hepatic Deiodinase Gene Expression and Thyroid Morphology in Broiler Chickens.

This study was carried out to determine the effects of dietary inclusion level of canola meal (CM) on performance, organ weights and hepatic type I deiodinase gene expression in broilers. A completely randomized design with 4 levels of CM (0, 10, 20 and 30%) as a substitute for soybean meal (SBM) was utilized with 5 replicates of 9 birds each. The results showed that body weight gain (1 to 42 d) decreased linearly (P<0.01) as the inclusion of CM increased. An increase in dietary level of CM also resulted in a linear (P<0.05) increase in feed conversion ratio (1 to 42 d). Proportion of thyroids (P<0.05) and liver (P<0.01) increased linearly with increased levels of CM. A significant linear increase in right ventricular weight: total ventricular weight ratio (P<0.01) and heart weight (P<0.05) were observed by substituting CM for SBM. The concentration of plasma triiodothyronine and triiodothyronine: tetraiodothyronine ratio decreased linearly (P<0.01) with increasing level of CM. Expression of hepatic type I deiodinase gene (D1) decreased linearly (P<0.01) as inclusion level of CM in diets increased. Moreover, increasing linear (P<0.01) and quadratic responses (P<0.05) were observed in follicles number and epithelial thickness in broilers thyroids followed by increased levels of CM. In addition, increases in dietary CM inclusion led to a linear (P<0.01) increase in thyroid follicles diameters. In conclusion, the results of this study indicate that feeding increasing CM inclusions from 0 to 30% negatively affect growth performance of broiler chickens. From this study, it can also be concluded that substitution of CM for SBM adversely interferes with thyroid and liver functions and decrease D1 gene expression, likely because of higher dietary concentration of glucosinolates.

Effects of dietary inclusion level of a mixture of probiotic cultures and enzymes on broiler chickens immunity response.

The current study was conducted to analyse the effect of a mixture of probiotic cultures and enzymes (Probio Enzyme, XVET GmbH, Germany) on the immune response and weight of central lymphoid organs and liver in broilers. A total of 270 male chickens were randomly divided into nine groups, with three replicates of 10 birds each. Treatment groups were fed for either 22 or 42days with different levels of Probio Enzyme 250, 500, 750 and 1000g/ton, whereas the control group fed a basal diet without Probio Enzyme. To analyse the effects of dietary supplementation on broilers humoral immune response, the antibodies titres for avian influenza (AI) and Newcastle disease virus (NDV) and to the sheep red blood cells (SRBC) challenge were assayed in birds from each experimental unit, along with the assessment of the weight of the main lymphoid organs and liver. The addition of the Probio Enzyme mixture did not significantly affect the titres of the antibodies against AI and NDV at day 42, despite the wide individual variation observed specially on the antibody titres at day 33. Treatments affected the production of IgG after the second challenge with SRBC (P=0.003), which was transposed to the correspondent total Ig titres (P=0.044). Conversely, a lower birds' body weight (BW) was found in the majority of treated groups compared to control (P=0.031). The spleen was the only lymphoid organ showing differences in the absolute and relative weight (P=0.003 and P=0.001, respectively). No differences were found in thymus and Bursa of Fabricius weights. In conclusion, broilers treated with Probio Enzyme showed a satisfactory immune response compared with control, despite the wide variation found after the first vaccine challenge against AI. Moreover, the probiotic mixture dose and duration modulated differently the immune response and the spleen weight, unaffecting the central lymphoid organs weight.

187 Effects of dietary inclusion level of distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) and high-protein distillers dried grains (HP-DDG) on the growth performance and carcass characteristics of wean-to-finish pigs

187 Effects of dietary inclusion level of distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) and high-protein distillers dried grains (HP-DDG) on the growth performance and carcass characteristics of wean-to-finish pigs

189 Effect of dietary inclusion level of high-protein distillers grains (HP-DDG) and of dietary excesses of branched chain amino acids (BCAA) on the growth performance of pigs

189 Effect of dietary inclusion level of high-protein distillers grains (HP-DDG) and of dietary excesses of branched chain amino acids (BCAA) on the growth performance of pigs

Inclusion of glutamine associated with glutamic acid in the diet of piglets weaned at 21 days of age

The effects of dietary inclusion levels of the association of glutamine with glutamic acid (AminoGut: AmG) on the performance, gastrointestinal morphophysiology, and diarrhea incidence of piglets weaned at 21 days of age were evaluated. In the experiment, 120 piglets with 6.24 ± 1.00 kg initial weight were distributed according to a randomized block experimental design into five treatments with six replicates of four animals each. The following treatments were applied: negative control diet (0% AmG); 0.5% AmG; 1.0% AmG; 1.5% AmG; positive control diet (0% AmG, 4% inclusion of porcine plasma). The inclusion of 1.0% AmG, as compared to the positive control diet, improved weight gain, feed intake and feed conversion ratio. The lowest diarrhea score was observed when 1.0% AmG was included, whereas the best villus height and villus:crypt ratio were obtained with the inclusion of 0.82% AmG. Villus height, crypt depth, and villus:crypt ratio values obtained with 1.0% AmG were similar to those obtained with the positive control diet, except in the period of 21 to 28 days, when the diet with 1.0% AmG promoted higher villus:crypt ratio. The supplementation of 0.5 and 1.0% AmG affected organ weights, and reduced digestive content pH in the pylorus and in the ileum relative to the positive control diet. The dietary supplementation of 1% glutamine associated with glutamic acid improves the performance and the morphophysiology of piglets weaned at 21 days of age.

Effect of dietary inclusion level of a multi-species probiotic on broiler performance and two biomarkers of their caecal ecology

The effect of the dietary inclusion level of a three-species probiotic on broiler performance, nutrient digestibility, caecal microbiota composition and volatile fatty acid (VFA) pattern was evaluated. Day-old Cobb broilers (n = 448) were allocated in four treatments for 6 weeks. Each treatment had four replicates (two per gender) of 28 broilers each. Depending on the type of addition per kg basal diet, treatments were C (no other addition), PL (108 colony forming units of probiotic), PH (109 colony forming units of probiotic) and A (2.5 mg avilamycin). Overall bodyweight gain was better (P = 0.002) in PL and PH than in the control (2082 g) by 8.7% and 7.5%, respectively, while treatment PL did not differ from A (2341 g), which showed the highest bodyweight gain. The ileal and total-tract apparent digestibility of DM and the apparent metabolisable energy content corrected for N improved linearly (P ≤ 0.05) with the probiotic level. Fluorescent in situ hybridisation analysis showed caecal Bifidobacterium levels to increase linearly (P = 0.006) with the probiotic level. Probiotic administration resulted in altered caecal VFA patterns compared with the control. Gender effects (P ≤ 0.05) were noted for caecal levels of C. histolyticum group, Bacteroides fragilis group and Streptococcus spp., while interactions (P ≤ 0.05) of treatment with gender were seen for Bifidobacterium and all VFA components, except for acetate. In conclusion, beneficial effects on bodyweight gain, DM digestibility, apparent metabolisable energy content corrected for N, caecal Bifidobacterium levels and VFA patterns were noted with both probiotic inclusion levels.

The Effect of Dietary Methionine Levels on the Performance Parameters of Arctic Foxes (Vulpes Lagopus)

The Effect of Dietary Methionine Levels on the Performance Parameters of Arctic Foxes (Vulpes Lagopus)The objective of this study was to determine the effect of dietary inclusion levels of methionine and cystine on the performance traits and health status of Arctic foxes. The experimental material comprised 60 blue Arctic foxes of the Finnish type. Control group (C) animals were fed diets (CA and CB) with standard concentrations of methionine and cystine. In experimental groups E1 and E2, methionine content was increased by approximately 2 g per 100 g total protein, relative to the recommended intake. Diets for group E1 were supplemented with liquid methionine (E1A and E1B), and diets for group E2 were supplemented with crystalline methionine (E2A and E2B). Diets A were offered during the growing period, and diets B were administered during the furring period. During the growing period, methionine+cystine levels in diets E1 and E2 were 4.19+0.59 g and 4.22+0.53 g per 100 g total protein, respectively. During the furring period, methionine+cystine levels were 4.83+0.68 g in diets E1 and 4.91+0.61 g in diets E2. The body weights of Arctic foxes were determined, their body conformation was evaluated, and the duration of the rearing period was calculated. Blood samples for morphological and biochemical analyses were collected from animals aged 24 weeks, selected randomly from each group. After slaughter, pelt length and fur quality were determined in accordance with the International Trading System. The results of this study indicate that diets for Arctic foxes should be supplemented with methionine. The experimental diets contributed to improving the performance traits of foxes, in particular fur quality, and they had no adverse influence on the health status of animals. It may be concluded that farm-raised Arctic foxes of the Finnish type show an increased demand for methionine.

Effects of Dietary Inclusion Level of Distillers’ Dried Grains with Solubles (DDGS) from Wheat and Corn on Amino Acid Digestibilities in Broilers

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of different levels of Distillers' Dried Grains with Solubles (DDGS) from wheat and corn on prececal Amino Acids (AA) digestibilities, growth performance and some slaughter characteristics of broilers. A total number of 240 one day-chicks (Ross 308) were randomly allotted to 3 treatments (80 birds/group), with four replicate pens per treatment and 20 birds per pen. Chicks were fed the experimental diets with DDGS at levels of 0, 6 and 12%. All chicks had free access to feed and water ad libitum during the 5-wk experiment. Average daily gain, feed intake and feed conversion efficiency were determined weekly for 35 days. The results indicated that, body weight decreased in broilers fed 12 % DDGS than the control group at the end of the experiment. No significant differences with respect to feed intake and feed conversion at the first (1-22 d) and second (22-35 d) growing periods. A significant reduction in the warm and cold carcass weight and the warm and cold dressing % at 12 % inclusion level of DDGS. Tryptophan digestibility was lower (p<0.05) with the addition of 12% levels of DDGS at d 21. At day 35 there is a significant decrease in the digestibility of total amino acids, some individual AA like threonine (9.1%) and arginine (6.38%) at 12% inclusion of DDGS in comparison with the control group. The results suggest that 12 % level of DDGS from wheat and corn reduce growth performance, carcass traits, some AA and DM digestibilities in broilers under present experimental conditions.