Effects Of Dietary Protein Levels Research Articles

Relationships Between Gut Microbiota, Metabolome, Body Weight, and Glucose Homeostasis of Obese Dogs Fed with Diets Differing in Prebiotic and Protein Content.

Obesity is a major issue in pets and nutritional strategies need to be developed, like promoting greater protein and fiber intake. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of dietary protein levels and prebiotic supplementation on the glucose metabolism and relationships between the gut, microbiota, metabolome, and phenotype of obese dogs. Six obese Beagle dogs received a diet containing 25.6% or 36.9% crude protein, with or without 1% short-chain fructo-oligosaccharide (scFOS) or oligofructose (OF), in a Latin-square study design. Fecal and blood samples were collected for metabolite analysis, untargeted metabolomics, and 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing. A multi-block analysis was performed to build a correlation network to identify relationships between fecal microbiota, metabolome, and phenotypic variables. Diets did not affect energy homeostasis, but scFOS supplementation modulated fecal microbiota composition and induced significant changes of the fecal metabolome. Bile acids and several amino acids were related to glucose homeostasis while specific bacteria gathered in metavariables had a high number of links with phenotypic and metabolomic parameters. It also suggested that fecal aminoadipate and hippurate act as potential markers of glucose homeostasis. This preliminary study provides new insights into the relationships between the gut microbiota, the metabolome, and several phenotypic markers involved in obesity and associated metabolic dysfunctions.

Determination of optimum dietary protein level for juvenile walleye pollock, Gadus chalcogrammus Pallas 1811

An 8-week feeding trial was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary protein level on growth performance, feed utilization, body composition, plasma chemistry and antioxidant parameters of juvenile walleye pollock (Gadus chalcogrammus). Two-hundred and forty juvenile pollock, averaging 4.5 g, were randomly distributed between 12 400-L flow-through circular tanks (20 fish per tank). Four experimental diets with increased crude protein levels (40, 45, 50, and 55 %) were formulated, and referred to as the P40, P45, P50, and P55 diets, respectively. Each diet was assigned to three tanks and the fish were hand-fed to satiation twice daily. At the end of feeding trial, weight gain and specific growth rate increased with increasing dietary protein up to 50 %, and then decreased with further increase in dietary protein. The feed intake of the fish fed the lowest protein diet (P40) was greater than those of fish fed the higher protein diets (P45, P50 and P55). The feed efficiency was the lowest in the P40-fed fish. The protein retention tended to increase with dietary protein, from P40 to P45, and then decline when the dietary protein level was further increased to P55. The whole-body composition, except for the crude protein content, was not affected by the dietary protein content. Antioxidant response was also not affected by the dietary protein content. In conclusion, based on a second-order polynomial regression analysis of weight gain, the optimum dietary protein level for juvenile pollock was estimated to be 48.2 %.

Survival and protein synthesis of post-larval White Shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei were affected by dietary protein level

A 25-days experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of dietary protein levels on growth, survival, digestive enzymes and protein synthesis of post-larval Litopenaeus vannamei. Post-larval white shrimp (mean initial weight 2.1 mg) were fed five isoenergic diets containing gradient levels of protein (456, 469.9, 484.6, 501.4, 512.9 g/kg). Results indicated that 501.4 g/kg dietary protein increased the survival of post-larval white shrimp. Special growth rate (SGR) and weight gain (WG) showed no difference among each group. Whole body protein contents increased with the dietary protein increased to 484.6 g/kg. The relative mRNA levels of trypsin and chymotrypsin also increased with the dietary protein increased to 484.6 g/kg. Target of Rapamycin (TOR) and eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4E-binding protein (4EBP) mRNA expressions were significantly higher in shrimp fed the 484.6 g/kg dietary protein than other groups. The mRNA expression of two important translation initiation factors eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4E (eIF4E) and eukaryotic translation initiation factor 3k (eIF3k) were increased with the increasing dietary protein levels. Three endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress related genes (eIF2α, XBP1 and ATF4) expression also increased with the dietary protein increased to 484.6 g/kg. These results clearly indicated that proper dietary protein improved the survival, and enhanced the protein synthesis of post larval white shrimp. Quadratic regression analysis based on survival indicated that the optimal dietary protein level of post-larval white shrimp was 495.8 g/kg.

Effect of dietary protein levels on growth performance, hematological profile and biochemical composition of fingerlings rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss reared in Indian himalayan region

A 10-week feeding trial was undertaken to determine the optimum dietary protein requirement of fingerling rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss. Six casein-gelatin based isocaloric (20.90 kJ 100 g−1, gross energy) diets containing graded levels of dietary protein (300–550 g kg−1 crude protein) were formulated. Twenty fingerlings (1.56 ± 0.22 g; 5.80 ± 0.50 cm) were randomly stocked in triplicate groups in 75 L circular trough fitted with continuous flow-through system (water volume 2–2.5 L−1) and fed experimental diets at 5% BWday−1 at 0800, 1200 and 1700 h. Significant (P < 0.05) differences in live weight gain, specific growth rate (SGR), feed conversion ratio (FCR), protein efficiency ratio (PER) and body protein deposition (BPD) were noted. Quadratic regression analysis of SGR, FCR, PER and BPD data indicated requirements for dietary protein at 464.5, 471.0, 444.0 and 449.6 g kg−1 of dry diet, respectively. Maximum protein, low moisture and intermediate body fat contents were recorded with fish fed at 450 kg−1 protein diet, while highest HSI value was observed at lowest protein level. Significant differences (P < 0.05) were also observed in Hb, Hct and RBC values of fish fed varying protein diets. Based on the above results, it is recommended that rainbow trout fingerlings require protein in the range of 450–471 g kg−1 for its optimum growth and efficient feed utilization.

Effects of dietary protein levels on proximate, haematological and leukocyte compositions of &lt;I&gt;Clarias gariepinus&lt;/i&gt;

Study was conducted to evaluate effects of feeding different dietary protein levels on haematological profile and leukocyte population of Clarias gariepinus using net-hapa system. Catfish fingerlings (mean weight 4.50± 0.01g) were randomly stocked at 20 fish per net-hapa (1m3). Five experimental diets with crude protein of 40.00%, 42.50%, 45.00%, 47.50% and 50% were formulated and fed to the fish for 24 weeks. Blood samples were collected and examined for white blood cell (WBC), red blood cell (RBC), haemoglobin (HB), haematocrit (HCT) mean corpuscle volume (MCV) mean corpuscle haemoglobin (MCH) mean corpuscle haemoglobin concentration (MCHC), Platelet (PLT), leukocytes, lymphocytes, neutrophils, monocytes, eosinophils and basophils. Results revealed a reverse relationship between haematological indices of fish and dietary protein inclusion levels. The best WBC (207x103count/μl), RBC (4.9x106count/μl), Hb (19.0g/dl), HCT (41.0%), MCV (149.0fL), MCH (49.35pg), MCHC (40.6g/dl) and PLT (134.0 x 103 count/μl)) were presented in fish fed 40% protein diets. Results of leucocyte population did not follow any particular trend. A high positive correlation (r>0.9000; p<0.05) existed between the treatments in RBC, WBC, and Hb. The results conclude that 40% dietary protein inclusion is recommended for C. gariepinus for sound and healthy condition in floating net-hapa system.Keywords: Dietary protein, haematology, leucocyte, catfish health

Short Communication: Effect of dietary protein level on growth and body condition score of male Beetal goats during summer

The effects of feeding various dietary protein levels on the fattening of male Beetal goats were investigated. Twenty-seven bucks (initial bodyweight 35 ± 0.5 kg) between 12 and 16 months old were randomly assigned to one of three treatments The treatments, which were provided as isocaloric supplements to 5 kg fresh sorghum fodder, differed in the amount of crude protein (CP), namely i) 18% CP (LP) ii) 25.5% CP (MP) and iii) 31.6% CP (HP). Feed intake and faecal score were recorded daily. Live bodyweight was recorded every 14 days. Wither height, heart girth, body length and body condition score were recorded monthly. Dry matter intake and average daily gain increased linearly with the level of CP in the diet. The average body condition score, wither height and heart girth were significantly greater in for goats in the HP group compared with those in LP and MP groups. However, dietary protein did not affect body length. Thus, feeding higher levels of CP linearly increased the growth, feed intake and feed efficiency of growing Beetal goats. The mean faecal score was lower for goats in the HP group compared with goats in the LP group.Keywords: average daily gain, body measurements, faecal consistency

Effects of dietary protein levels on the growth, body composition, serum biochemistry and digestive enzyme activity in Chinese rice field eel ( Monopterus albus ) fingerlings

A 12-week feeding trial was conducted to determine the influence of dietary protein levels on growth performance, body composition, haematological parameters and digestive enzyme activity of Chinese rice field eel (Monopterus albus) fingerlings. Six isolipidic experimental diets (27.89%, 32.23%, 35.95%, 40.06%, 43.31% and 46.53%) were formulated to randomly assign to triplicate groups of 50 rice field eel fingerlings (5.0 ± 0.5 g) cultured in plastic cages. Results indicated that the best growth performance of fish with the highest WG (158.68 ± 31.59%) and SGR (2.28 ± 0.21%) was obtained at 40.06% group. Significant alterations were demonstrated on whole-body crude protein, crude lipid and amino acid profile by different dietary protein levels. Besides, haematological parameters including triacylglycerol, aspartate aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase decreased with various levels by the increasing of dietary protein levels. The lowest pepsin activity was observed in 27.89% protein group, which suggested lower availability of protein as substrate for protease activity. Meanwhile, the highest amylase activity in fish of 27.89% group indicated higher carbohydrate level in this group. Based on the polynomial regression analysis of WG and SGR, the dietary protein requirement for fingerlings of Monopterus albus was estimated to be 386.4–390.8 g/kg, respectively, with the lipid level of 10.08%.

Effects of dietary protein levels with various stocking density on growth performance, whole body composition, plasma parameters, nitrogen emission and gene expression related to TOR signaling of juvenile blunt snout bream (Megalobrama ambylcephala)

A 70-day experimental trial was conducted to examine the interaction effects of dietary protein levels supplemented with essential amino acid (EAA) and stocking density on growth performance and physiological responses of blunt snout bream juvenile (Megalobrama ambylcephala). 3 × 3 factorial design is used to formulate three isoenergetic (18 KJ/g−1) diets having three levels of dietary protein (30%, 33%, and 36%) and stocking density (20, 40 and 60 fish/m3). Triplicate groups of blunt snout bream juvenile (initial weight 4.01 ± 0.01 g) were distributed into the floating cage (1 m3) and feed on the experimental diets according to the design three times daily till apparent satiation. Results showed that growth performances of the fish were not affected by the level of dietary protein and their interaction but decreased significantly with increasing stocking density. The moisture content of whole fish body was significantly increased, while lipid content was decreased with increasing level of dietary protein. However, moisture content was decreased significantly while lipid and protein contents were increased with increasing stocking density. Total ammonium nitrogen emission was increased significantly with increasing level of dietary protein and stocking density. Plasma glucose was affected positively by the level of dietary protein whereas total cholesterol (TC) was affected negatively. In the meantime, plasma protein, triglyceride, and cholesterol were affected positively by stocking density. Expression levels of the target of rapamycin, insulin-like growth factor-1, eukaryotic initiation factor 4E binding protein 2, and ribosomal protein S6 kinase 1 gene were not affected by the level of dietary protein but affected significantly by stocking density. Generally, using minimum levels of dietary protein supplemented with EAA and optimum stocking density has economic and environmental benefits in blunt snout bream production.

The influence of indigestible protein on the performance and meat quality of broilers vaccinated for coccidiosis

High dietary protein and the use of poorly digested protein sources have been suggested to negatively impact broiler health, possibly because of protein fermentation in the distal intestinal tract. The effect of dietary protein levels with low or high indigestible protein fractions (LIP or HIP) on male and female broiler performance were evaluated. The trial was completely randomized with a 2 × 3 × 2 factorial arrangement, where gender, dietary protein levels (24, 26, and 28%), and dietary protein digestible fractions were the main factors. Ross 308 male (1944) and female (2232) were allocated to 72 pens with 54 males or 62 females per pen. Six grower diets 24-LIP, 24-HIP, 26-LIP, 26-HIP, 28-LIP, and 28-HIP were fed from 0 to 32 D of age. Birds were vaccinated with Coccivac-B52 on day 5, and feed intake and BW were recorded on 0, 12, 22, and 32 D. On day 32, 24 birds per treatment were processed for meat yield. Males were heavier than females at all post-hatch ages and the LIP birds were heavier than their HIP counterparts on 32 D. On day 22, birds fed 24 and 26% CP were heavier than those fed 28% CP. Birds fed the 28-LIP diet consumed less total feed than their 24 and 26-LIP equivalents. Birds fed 24% CP had the highest total feed to gain ratio, whereas LIP fed birds had a lower total feed to gain than those fed HIP diets. LIP diets resulted in higher total mortality than the HIP diets. Carcass yield was higher for females than males, increased with CP level, and was lower in HIP than LIP birds. An interaction between CP level and protein digestibility resulted in the 26 and 28-LIP having higher breast yield than all other diets. In conclusion, broiler growth performance and meat yield were affected by dietary indigestible protein alone or in combination with gender and dietary CP level.

197 Body temperature of pigs exposed to heat stress conditions: effect of dietary protein level

Abstract Heat stress (HS) reduces feed intake and increases body temperature (BT) in pigs. Increased dietary protein content may correct HS-related reduced amino acid intake, but it may further increase BT. The effect of dietary protein level on BT of HS pigs was analyzed with 9-ileal cannulated pigs (61.7 ± 2.7 kg BW). A thermometer set to register BT at 5-min intervals was implanted into the ileum. There were two treatments: low-protein (10.8%) wheat-free Lys-Thr diet (LP); high-protein (21.6%), wheat-soybean meal diet. The study was conducted in two-10 d periods; d1-d7 for diet adaptation and d8 to d10 for BT data analysis. Pigs were fed at 0600 (morning), 1400 (midday), and 2200-h (evening), same amount each time. Ambient temperature (AT) and relative humidity ranged from 30.1 to 35.4 °C and from 50 to 84%, respectively. Both AT and BT followed a similar pattern; BT did not differ between LP and HP pigs (P &gt; 0.05). Postprandial midday and evening BT was higher than postprandial morning BT (P &lt; 0.05). The BT increment after the midday meal was larger and longer (P &lt; 0.05) than that after the morning and evening meals. The postprandial morning and evening BT increments were longer in the HP pigs. Apparently, the capacity of pigs to dissipate postprandial body heat depends on the accumulated thermal load received before their meals; the thermal load before the morning meal was lower than that before the evening meal. In conclusion, these data show that the dietary protein level has a small effect on the BT of HS pigs, confirm that the effect of AT on BT of HS pigs is stronger than that of dietary protein content, and suggest that the capacity of pigs to dissipate body heat increases under HS conditions. This information may be useful to design better feeding strategies for pigs exposed to HS conditions.

Effects of dietary protein level on growth performance, digestive enzyme activity, and gene expressions of the TOR signaling pathway in fingerling Pelteobagrus fulvidraco.

An 8-week feeding trial was conducted to investigate effects of dietary protein levels (37, 40, and 43%) on the growth performance, feed utilization, digestive enzyme activity, and gene expressions of target of rapamycin (TOR) signaling pathway in fingerling yellow catfish. One hundred and eighty fingerlings (average weight 0.77 ± 0.03g) were equally distributed across four replicate tanks for each of the three treatments, with 15 fish per tank. No difference (P > 0.05) was observed in initial body weight, survival rate (SR), hepatosomatic index (HSI), viscera index (VSI), dressing percentage (DP), and condition factor (CF) among all the treatments. The diet containing 40% protein increased significantly (P < 0.05) final body weight, weight gain rate (WGR), specific growth rate (SGR), protein efficiency ratio (PER), nitrogen retention (NRE), and energy retention (ERE) in fish. The highest protease activity in the stomach and intestine was observed in the P40 group (P < 0.05), while amylase and lipase were not significantly different (P > 0.05). The transcriptional levels of IGF-1, IGF-1R, and Akt were significantly (P < 0.05) higher in fish fed P40 or P43 than those of fish fed P37. TOR and S6K1 mRNA expressions were significantly (P < 0.05) increased in the P40 groups. Hence, the diet containing 40% protein would be suitable for the optimum growth and effective protein utilization of fingerling Pelteobagrus fulvidraco. In vitro, the transcriptional levels of IGF-1, IGF-1R, Akt, TOR, and S6K1 in hepatocyte supplemented with a 40-μM mixed amino acids were significantly (P < 0.05) higher compared to other treatments. No difference (P > 0.05) was observed in eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4E-binding protein 1 in vivo and in vitro among all the treatments. Effects of dietary protein level on growth performance likely are involved in the activation of TOR signaling pathway in fingerling Pelteobagrus fulvidraco.

The dietary protein content slightly affects the body temperature of growing pigs exposed to heat stress.

: Heat stress (HS) increases body temperature (BT) and reduces feed intake in pigs. Increasing the dietary protein content may correct the reduced amino acid intake provoked by HS, but it may further increase BT. The effect of dietary protein level on BT of HS pigs was analyzed with nine ileal cannulated pigs (61.7 ± 2.5 kg body weight). A thermometer set to register BT at 5-min intervals was implanted into the ileum. There were two treatments: low-protein (10.8%) wheat-free-amino acid diet (LP); high-protein (21.6%), wheat-soybean-meal diet (HP). The study was conducted in two 10-d periods; in each period, d1 to d6 was for diet adaptation, d7 to d9 was for data analysis, and d10 for ileal sample collection. Pigs were fed at 0600 h (morning), 1400 h (midday), and 2200 h (evening), same amount each time. Following, the separate contribution of ambient temperature and thermal effect of feeding on the postprandial BT increment was analyzed in fed and fasted pigs. Ambient temperature ranged from 30.1 to 35.4 °C and relative humidity from 50% to 84%. Both ambient temperature and BT followed similar patterns. The BT of HP pigs after the morning and midday meals was higher (P < 0.05) but size of the BT increments did not differ between HP and LP pigs. Midday and evening postprandial BT were higher than postprandial morning BT (P < 0.05). The BT increment was larger and longer after the midday than after the morning and evening meals (P < 0.05). The capacity of pigs to dissipate postprandial body heat depends on the accumulated thermal load received before their meals, because the thermal load before the morning meal was smaller than that before the evening meal. The estimated contribution of thermal effect of feeding (0.42 to 0.87 °C) on the total postprandial BT increment (0.69 to 1.53 °C) was larger (P < 0.05) than that of ambient temperature (0.27 to 0.66 °C). In conclusion, these data indicate that the dietary protein level has a small effect on the BT of HS pigs regardless of feeding time. Also both the thermal effect of feeding and ambient temperature impact the BT of HS pigs, although the former had a stronger effect. This information may be useful to design better feeding strategies for pigs exposed to HS conditions.

Effects of dietary protein level and energy intake from 50 to 120 kg on body weight, back fat thickness and body composition in gilts

Body composition and body weight at mating plays an important role in reproductive performance and longevity of the sows, and therefore the dietary supply of protein and energy during rearing of the gilts are manipulated to obtain a more optimal body weight and composition at mating. The objective of the present study was to design a smaller but fatter gilt through different levels of dietary protein and different feeding strategies. It was hypothesized that gilts fed a low dietary protein concentration and had a high energy intake would have a lower BW and higher body fatness compared with gilts fed higher dietary protein levels with low energy intake. A total of 44 gilts entered the experiment at a BW of 47.6 ± 2.6 kg and were randomly allotted to one of six treatments in a 3 × 2 factorial experiment. The six dietary treatments consisted of three dietary protein levels (low (LP), medium (MP), high (HP)) and two energy levels (high (HE) and low (LE)). The BW of the gilts was recorded weekly for 84 days and back fat (BF) thickness was measured at day 1, 42 and 84. The body composition of the gilts was measured at day 1 and 84 by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scans. At day 84 gilts fed HP and HE had the greatest BW (136 kg) and gilts fed LP and MP at LE had the least BW (107–109 kg; P < 0.001). The greatest BF thickness at day 84 was observed in gilts fed LP and HE (12.5 mm), and these gilts had a BW of 123 kg. Gilts fed LP and HE had the greatest body fat content (29.3%; P < 0.001) and the least body lean content (68.3%; P < 0.001). In conclusion, it was possible to design lighter gilts with an increased fat percentage by feeding a low protein diet and high energy from 50 to 120 kg.

Effect of Dietary Protein Levels on Body Composition of Catlacatla from Pakistan

Samples of major carp,Catlacatla, were collected for the analyses of proximate body composition which were fed 15% crude protein (CP) in treatment-1 (T1), 20% CP in treatment-2 (T2), 25% CP in treatment-3 (T3) and 30% CP in treatment-4 (T4), reared under polyculture system in earthen ponds with a stocking density of 2000 fish/acre. Moisture, ash, fat, protein, organic contents and fat free dry mass were measured in fish samples of the different treatments. In the wet weight of the Catlacatla, mean values of moisture, ash, fat and protein contents were ranged 72.93%-81.88%, 3.26%-6.03%, 3.35%-6.83% and 13.52%-15.94, respectively, in different treatments. Results also revealed a definite effect of varying dietary protein levels on the proximate body composition of Catlacatla. Moisture and protein contents in wet weight of the fish bodywere found significantly higher (p 0.05) in different treatments. Results forregression analyses showed strong positive correlation (p<0.001) of percent moisture content with percent ash content while negative correlation with protein and fat percentage, in wet body weight of Catlacatla.Negative correlation was found in %moisture and %ash content, while %fat and %protein were positively correlated with fish size (weight and length) in wet body weight for all treatments. The baseline data generated on nutritional composition of this carp would be of use for both the consumers as well as fish processors.

Adaptation to Amino Acid Kinetics and Urea Production in Adult Cats (Felis catus) Fed Below Their Protein Requirement (P09-008-19)

ObjectivesCats are obligate carnivores that evolved eating meat-based diets and have high requirements for amino acids (AA). However, little is known about how they regulate AA metabolism, especially at intakes below their requirement. This study was undertaken to examine the effect of dietary protein level above and below their requirement on urea production and AA metabolism in cats. MethodsCats (n = 18) were allocated to three treatments (7.5, 15, or 40% ME intake as crude protein), fed at maintenance for 3 wk, and then fitted with saphanous and cephalic vein catheters. On the following day, they received primed continuous infusions of [13C]bicarbonate, [1-13C]Leu and [15N2]urea from 0 to 120, 120 to 480 and 0 to 480 min, respectively. Cats were fed hourly during infusion and Leu entry rate from diet was calculated. Breath was sampled at 0, 100, 110, 120, 440, 460, and 480 min to measure 13CO2, with blood sampled at 0, 440, 460, and 480 min to measure 13C enrichments in Leu and ketoisocaproate, and [15N2]urea. ResultsValues for non-oxidative Leu disposal (NOLD, an indicator of protein synthesis), Leu rate of appearance in plasma (Ra, an indicator of protein degradation), Leu oxidation, and urea production rate (an indicator of net protein catabolism) are shown in Table 1. There were no differences in any measurements in cats fed at (15%) or below (7.5%) their requirement for protein. However, those fed with 7.5% of ME intake as crude protein had numerically lowest rates of whole body AA catabolism and oxidation, whereas, Leu Ra was numerically greatest. ConclusionsUsing Leu kinetics to trace AA metabolism, there did not seem to be a difference between cats fed at or below their requirement for protein. This may indicate that cats are able to adapt to dietary protein content more than what was previously believed. Funding SourcesMassey University Research Fund, and the McGeorge Research Fund Supporting Tables, Images and/or Graphs▪

Effect of low- or high-CP diet with cold-pressed oil supplementation on growth, immunity and antioxidant indices of growing quail.

This study was to investigate the effect of dietary protein levels and supplementation with two cold-pressed oils on the performance, immunity and antioxidant indices of growing Japanese quails. A 3×4 factorial experiment, using 3 dietary crude protein (CP) levels (22%, 24% and 26%) and 4 supplemental herbal oils levels: control without additives, 250mg marjoram (Mar), 250mg thyme (Thy) and 125mg Mar+125mg Thy per kg diet. A total of 720 unsexed, 7-day-old quail chicks were randomly distributed into twelve treatment groups (4 replicates per group of 15 chicks in each). The live body weight (LBW) on 42days and body weight gain (BWG) from 7 to 42days were significantly improved (p<0.01 and 0.05) in chicks fed 24% or 26% CP compared with those of the 22% CP group. The groups fed diets supplemented with Mar or in combination with Thy oil exhibited significantly better LBW, BWG and feed conversion ratio (FCR) than the control at all periods except BWG from 21 to 42days and FCR from 7 to 21days were not significant. Feed intake was gradually decreased with increasing dietary CP level or adding herbal oils during the periods 21-42 and 7-42days of age. Plasma triglycerides, cholesterol, total lipids and malondialdehyde were decreased by cold-pressed oils supplementation, but the activity of reduced glutathione and superoxide dismutase was increased (p<0.01) compared with the control. In conclusion, quails fed a diet containing 24% or 26% CP or diets supplemented with Mar or Thy oils or both exhibited improvement in the performance, lipid profile, immunity and antioxidant capacity without any detrimental impacts on the other studied parameters.

Comparative analysis of growth performance and liver transcriptome response of juvenile Ancherythroculter nigrocauda fed diets with different protein levels

This study aimed at investigating the effects of dietary protein levels on the growth and liver transcriptome in juvenile Ancherythroculter nigrocauda. Six semi-purified diets were formulated containing 25 (control), 30, 35, 40, 45, and 50% protein. Each diet was fed to three groups of 35 fish (mean initial weight: 5.86 ± 0.10 g) for 56 days. The rate of weight gain and specific growth rate increased with dietary protein levels from 25% to 40%, but remained unchanged when fed with 45 or 50% dietary protein. The feed conversion ratio was significantly influenced by the dietary protein levels, being the lowest in fish fed 40% protein. Illumina RNA-seq analysis was performed to investigate liver gene expression changes under different dietary protein treatments. A total of 367.78 million clean reads were obtained from the six libraries. Compared with 25% protein treatment library, there were 734, 1946, 1755, 2726, and 1523 upregulated genes, and 407, 1882, 1865, 2216 and 1624 downregulated genes in the 30, 35, 40, 45, and 50% protein treatment libraries, respectively. Trend analysis of these differentially expressed genes (DEGs) identified six statistically significant trends. A series of DEGs that related to protein metabolism, growth and development, lipid metabolism and immune and stress response were identified. Moreover, gene ontology enrichment analysis of the DEGs demonstrated that cellular process, single-organism process, metabolic process and biological regulation were the most highly overrepresented biological processes. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes enrichment analysis revealed that protein processing in endoplasmic reticulum, PPAR signaling pathway, complement and coagulation cascades, and cytochrome P450 (CYP450s) were significantly enriched in the dietary protein treatment groups. Furthermore, qPCR results showed excellent agreement on those of RNA-seq for both up- and down-regulated genes (including fasn, accα, SCD, CPT-I, igf1, ST, AST, trdmt1, hsp70, cyp450, MHC-II, C4, tgfβ, ube4b, apoE and abcb7). Thus, our results provide the baseline information for the feed formulation and nutritional research for A. nigrocauda.

Role of genetic variant GC gene to vitamin D deficiency in Indonesian population

High dietary protein and the use of poorly digested protein sources have been suggested to negatively impact broiler health, possibly because of protein fermentation in the distal intestinal tract. The effect of dietary protein levels with low or high indigestible protein fractions (LIP or HIP) on male and female broiler performance were evaluated. The trial was completely randomized with a 2 × 3 × 2 factorial arrangement, where gender, dietary protein levels (24, 26, and 28%), and dietary protein digestible fractions were the main factors. Ross 308 male (1944) and female (2232) were allocated to 72 pens with 54 males or 62 females per pen. Six grower diets 24-LIP, 24-HIP, 26-LIP, 26-HIP, 28-LIP, and 28-HIP were fed from 0 to 32 D of age. Birds were vaccinated with Coccivac-B52 on day 5, and feed intake and BW were recorded on 0, 12, 22, and 32 D. On day 32, 24 birds per treatment were processed for meat yield. Males were heavier than females at all post-hatch ages and the LIP birds were heavier than their HIP counterparts on 32 D. On day 22, birds fed 24 and 26% CP were heavier than those fed 28% CP. Birds fed the 28-LIP diet consumed less total feed than their 24 and 26-LIP equivalents. Birds fed 24% CP had the highest total feed to gain ratio, whereas LIP fed birds had a lower total feed to gain than those fed HIP diets. LIP diets resulted in higher total mortality than the HIP diets. Carcass yield was higher for females than males, increased with CP level, and was lower in HIP than LIP birds. An interaction between CP level and protein digestibility resulted in the 26 and 28-LIP having higher breast yield than all other diets. In conclusion, broiler growth performance and meat yield were affected by dietary indigestible protein alone or in combination with gender and dietary CP level.

Effect of dietary protein level on fattening and mineral profiles of mud crab,Scylla serrata, in individual cages under mangrove ecosystem

A fattening demonstration was carried out in Sorlagondi (15.86400N, 80.96710E) mangrove ecosystem in Diviseema region, Krishna district, Andhra Pradesh, India, by adapting a holistic approach of “Integrated Mangrove Fishery Farming System.” The local Yanadi tribal communities engaged in mangrove afforestation programmes were provided with 144 individual crab fattening cages (60 × 40 × 30 cm). Two formulated feeds were prepared with two levels of protein (32% and 36%) and were tested on fattening of the marketable size (200–1,000 g) of mud crabs, Scylla serrata. Significantly (p < 0.05) higher weight gain, feed and protein efficiency measures were observed in crabs fed with CP-36% diet across all size groups. This diet also reduced the time (days) taken for fattening crabs irrespective of the size. Moisture content was very high in soft crabs (>800 g/kg) compared with hard crabs (679.70–688.65 g/kg), whereas the reverse trend was observed for protein, ether extract and ash content. Both diet and size of the crab have not shown much influence on proximate composition. However, cultured hard crabs had higher ether extract (20.10 g/kg) than wild hard crabs (17.06 g/kg). The changes in concentration of mineral values on wet basis indicated the increase in concentration in hard crabs compared with soft crabs, whereas when the percentage change, values on dry matter basis indicated the reduction in concentration of mineral contents of K, Na, P, Cu, Fe and Zn. This higher concentration of minerals in soft crabs could possibly be attributed to the reabsorption of minerals into soft muscle or to the body fluids.

Effects of dietary protein level on muscle protein signaling pathways in horses

Performing a brain computerized tomography scan (CT scan) on a foal requires specific equipment and anesthesia for large animals. However, the information obtained may demonstrate lesions responsible for the neurological deficits. Especially, CT scan findings may help to understand a mechanism of cerebral ischemia. Indeed, categories of cerebral ischemia are divided in three types: territorial infarctions (downstream of the territory of an artery), watershed infarctions (slow-flow at the junction of two arterial territories), and lacunar infarctions (small-vessel occlusions). Hypersensitivity reactions and type I anaphylactic IgE antibody reactions are severe potential adverse effects of sulfonamide administration, which occur in about three percent of cases. In horses, anaphylaxis is often clinically expressed as hypotension and collapse. Cardiovascular collapse may lead to multiorgan slow-flow leading to infarction with multiorgan failure and death. We report the case of a filly that suffered a presumed watershed cerebral infarction after antibiotic injection, indicated on a brain CT scan. This was attributed to a cerebral slow-flow during cardiovascular collapse, at the posterior junction of the right cerebral arteries. No abnormalities were initially identified on the CT scan; however, a review of the imaging by a radiologist specialized in cerebrovascular diseases detected a limited right occipital cortico-subcortical lesion in the visual cortex, interpreted as an ischemic scar in the watershed area related to hemodynamic infarction. This case highlights that detection of brain lesions by CT scan might require specialized knowledge and careful reading for interpretation particularly in the case of limited lesions.