Higher Levels Of Supplementation Research Articles

Effect of high level of carbohydrate and supplementation of condensed tannins on growth performance, serum metabolites, antioxidant and immune response, and hepatic glycometabolism gene expression of Lateolabrax japonicus

Condensed tannins (CT) have been observed to be beneficial to maintain glucose homeostasis and improve carbohydrate utilization for livestock, whereas little information is available about the effects of CT on glycometabolism of fish. Three diets were formulated to contain approximately 15 % carbohydrate (G1), 39 % carbohydrate (G2), and G2 supplemented with 0.1 % CT. A total of 225 juvenile Lateolabrax japonicus were randomly assigned to 3 groups (triplicate tanks per group) with 25 fish in each tank and fed to apparent satiation during 56-d feeding trial. Results indicated that fish fed G2 had lower (p < 0.05) final body weight, weight gain rate, feed intake, specific growth rate and serum insulin concentration, but higher (p < 0.05) feed efficiency ratio and serum glucose, total antioxidant capacity, superoxide dismutase, immunoglobulin M and lipopolysaccharide than those fish fed G1 or G3. The activity of pyruvate kinase (PK) was lower (p < 0.05) but glucokinase (GK) was higher (p < 0.05) in G2 than in G1 or G3. Gene expression of insulin like growth factor Ⅰ and PK were down-regulated (p < 0.05), whereas GK was up-regulated (p < 0.05) in G2 than in G1 or G3. No difference (p> 0.05) in these gene expressions were observed between G1 and G3. It was concluded that L. japonicus fed diet with 39 % carbohydrate exhibited depressed growth performance, increased antioxidant and immune capacity, and hyperglycemia. Supplementation of 0.1 % CT resulted in improved growth performance and decreased serum glucose concentration, mainly due to the positive effects of CT on the activity and gene expression of hepatic glycolysis and gluconeogenesis enzymes of L. japonicus.

End-Stage Renal Disease Patients on Chronic Hemodialysis Fare Better With COVID-19: A Retrospective Cohort Study From the New York Metropolitan Region.

IntroductionSeveral comorbid conditions have been identified as risk factors in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). However, there is a dearth of data describing the impact of COVID-19 infection in patients with end-stage renal disease on hemodialysis (ESRD-HD).MethodsThis retrospective case series analyzed 362 adult patients consecutively hospitalized with confirmed COVID-19 illness between March 12, 2020, and May 13, 2020, at a teaching hospital in the New York City metropolitan area. The primary outcome was severe pneumonia as defined by the World Health Organization. Secondary outcomes were the (1) the Combined Outcome of Acute respiratory distress syndrome or in-hospital Death (COAD), and (2) need for high levels of oxygen supplementation (HiO2).ResultsPatients with ESRD-HD had lower odds for poor outcomes including severe pneumonia [odds ratio (OR) 0.4, confidence interval (CI) 0.2-0.9, p=.04], HiO2 [OR 0.3, CI (0.1-0.8), p=.02] and COAD [OR 0.4, CI (0.2-1.05), p=.06], when compared to patients without ESRD. In contrast, higher odds for severe pneumonia, COAD and HiO2 were seen with advancing age. African Americans were over-represented in the hospitalized patient cohort, when compared to their representation in the community (35% vs 18%). Hispanics had higher odds for severe illness and HiO2 when compared to Caucasians.ConclusionsPatients with ESRD-HD had a milder course of illness with a lower likelihood of severe pneumonia and a lesser need for aggressive oxygen supplementation when compared to patients not on chronic dialysis. The lower odds of severe illness in ESRD-HD patients might have a pathophysiologic basis and need to be further explored.

Influence of vitamin coupled with micronutrient supplement on the biomethane production, process stability, and performance of mesophilic anaerobic digestion

Batch anaerobic digestion (AD) using municipal solid waste (MSW) as a substrate with anaerobic sludge as inoculum were carried out under mesophilic conditions to understand the effect of Vitamin supplement coupled with micronutrients on the AD process. Reactions were operated using various concentrations of vitamin and water-based metal supplementations. The stability and process performance in the low level supplementation was indicated by evaluating Volatile fatty acids to alkalinity ratio, pH as well as methane kinetics. The feasibility of AD process was further evaluated by cost-benefit ratio analysis. This study shows that Vitamin addition as a sole supplement had either no significant or negative effect on methane production and process performance of anaerobic digestion (AD). However, coupling the metal supplement with vitamins shows an increase in methane production up to 30% compared to sole vitamin supplement and control systems. This study also shows that high levels of metal supplementation were detrimental and 15% decline in methane production over the control system was observed in high concentrations. Low level addition improved the reactor performance and process stability. Moreover, cost/benefit ratios lower than 1 were achieved for these concentrations. Hence, low levels of vitamin and water-based metal supplementation at 0.5–5 mg/L, increased the methane production and process stability by approximately 15, and 25% respectively.

Effects of dietary laccase supplementation on growth performance, nutrient digestion, rumen fermentation and microbiota in dairy bulls

This study investigated the impacts of dietary laccase addition on performance, nutrient digestion, rumen fermentation and microbiota in bulls. Eight Holstein bulls with rumen cannula were allocated in a repeated 4 × 4 Latin square experiment design into four groups: control, low-laccase (LL), medium-laccase (ML) and high-laccase (HL) with 0, 0.2, 0.4 and 0.6 g/kg dietary dry matter (DM) of laccase addition, respectively. Addition of laccase did not influence DM intake but higher average daily gain and lower feed conversion ratio were found for bulls in ML group. Apparent nutrients digestibility elevated linearly with increasing laccase supplementation. Digestibility of DM and organic matter in ML, crude protein (CP) in ML and HL as well as neutral detergent fibre (NDF) and acid detergent fibre in LL, ML and HL were higher. Increasing laccase addition quadratically decreased ruminal pH, quadratically increased total volatile fatty acids content and changed ruminal fermentation mode to more propionate formation. Ruminal ammonia-N concentration decreased linearly. Ruminal degradability of concentrate CP and corn silage DM were higher for bulls in ML, but degradability of corn silage NDF was higher for bulls in ML and HL groups. Activities of cellobiase, α-amylase and laccase were higher for bulls in ML group. Populations of total bacteria, methanogens, Fibrobacter succinogenes, Ruminococcus albus, Butyrivibrio fibrisolvens, Prevotella ruminicola and Ruminobacter amylophilus increased linearly, but fungi and R. flavefaciens increased quadratically. Urine excretion of total purine derivatives was higher for bulls receiving medium or high level of laccase supplementation. The results suggested that dietary laccase supplementation increased performance and nutrient digestibility, and the appropriate addition level of laccase was 0.4 g/kg DM in bulls.

Productive performance, egg quality, nutrients digestibility, and physiological response of bovans brown hens fed various dietary inclusion levels of peppermint oil

Herbal plants and their extracts are commonly used as feed supplements to improve the performance and physiology of poultry. This study was conducted to determine the effects of supplementation of peppermint oil in laying hens’ diets on laying performance, egg quality, nutrients digestibility, and serum metabolic profile. A total of two hundred Bovans brown laying hens (32 weeks old) were assigned to five treatment diets including peppermint oil at 0, 74, 148, 222, and 296 mg/kg, respectively, for 12 weeks. Each treatment had eight replicates with five hens each. The results revealed that the incremental dietary peppermint oil linearly increased (P < 0.001) egg weight, egg production, egg mass, and feed intake from 32 to 38, 38 to 44, and 32 to 44 weeks of age. Moreover, feed conversion ratio significantly improved (linear, P < 0.001) following the increase of levels of peppermint oil in laying hens’ diet. Haugh unit and eggshell thickness and percentages were improved (P < 0.01) with the increase of levels of peppermint oil at 38 and 44 weeks of age. However, peppermint oil supplementation did not influence other egg quality characteristics like albumen and yolk percentages. Digestibility of crude protein, ether extract, and phosphorus linearly increased (P < 0.001) with the increase of levels of supplementation. Notably, serum total proteins increased (P < 0.01) while serum cholesterol significantly decreased (P < 0.001) with the increase of levels of peppermint oil. In conclusion, although all inclusion levels of peppermint oil improved egg production and quality, feed conversion ratio, digestibility of nutrients, and increased serum total proteins and decreased cholesterol levels of laying hens; however, better results were observed at higher levels of supplementation.

Growth Response of Heterobranchus Longifilis Fingerlings Fed Diets Supplemented with Moringa Oleifera Leaf Meal as Replacement of Soybean Meal

Moringa leaf meal (MLM) is a source of protein from a highly valued plant Moringa oleifera. Its protein has a profile of amino acids similar to that of soybean. A completely randomized design with three replicates was used in a 42 days study to determine digestibility and growth performance of 150 Heterobranchus longifilis fingerlings. Graded levels (0, 5, 10, 15 or 20) % of dried MLM was used to replace soybean meal in a 42.5% crude protein H. longifilis diet fed at 5% in the first 2 weeks and subsequently 3% body weight. The results showed that there were significant differences in weight gain (WG) and specific growth rate (SGR) of the fish with the significant highest observed in the group that fed on diet 2 with 5% MLM supplementation (P&lt;0.05) though not significantly different from the control (P&gt;0.05). The significant poorest WG and SGR were obtained in the group that fed on diet with 20% level of MLM supplementation (P&lt;0.05). There was no significant difference between treatments in terms of initial weight, feed intake and survival (P&gt;0.05). However there were significant differences in feed conversion ratio (FCR), SGR, total length and standard length among the groups that fed on diets with 15% and 20% supplementations (P&lt;0.05). The haematocrit and hemoglobin were also significantly reduced in the group that fed on the highest level of supplementation (P&lt;0.05). The in-vitro trial revealed significant reduction in digestibility with increase in MLM supplementation level (P&lt;0.05) the tannin and phytic-acid levels following the same trend. However there was no pathological defect observed in the fish from all the groups. There was no significant difference in the hepathosomatic index. The feed cost analysis showed a reduction in cost per 100kg feed with increased level of supplementation with 0.00, 11.50, 23.20, 34.00 and 50.64% for diets 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 respectively. It was concluded that 5 – 10% MLM supplementation could be used in the diets of H. longifilis to obtain a reduction in cost of feeding it at 11.2% and 23.5% per 100Kg feed respectively. There is need to try other processing methods if the level could increase above that obtained from this study

In vitro selenium bioaccessibility combined with in vivo bioavailability and bioactivity in Se-enriched microalga (Chlorella sorokiniana) to be used as functional food

Abstract Speciation of seleno-metabolites and selenoproteins in Se-enriched Chlorella sorokiniana microalgae, in vitro and in vivo extracts has been performed by HPLC-ICP-MS. Selenium bioaccesibility in Se-enriched Chlorela sorokiniana evaluated by in vitro gastrointestinal digestion of the selenized microalga was 81% (79% as SeMet). Mice supplemeted with Se-enriched C. sorokiniana presented increased Se concentration in kidney, reflecting a potencial mechanism of excretion by urine. In addition, selenium bioavailavility, which was in the range of 3–15% depending on the diet was 1.13-fold higher in mice fed with Se-enriched microalgae against the basal diet, but decreased with higher amounts of selenium. Regarding bioactivity (∑Se as selenoproteins in serum/total Se in serum = 76–85% depending on the diet), selenium and selenoproteins (SeP) increased in serum from animals fed high supplemental Se levels. These results showed that Se-enriched algae can be considered as an alternative selenized food for humans, due to their high Se bioavailability.

Dietary supplementation of Geotrichum candidum improves growth, gut microbiota, immune-related gene expression and disease resistance in gibel carp CAS Ⅲ (Carassius auratus gibelio)

Geotrichum candidum is a filamentous fungus mostly used in the dairy industry for cheese ripening and flavoring. The current study was designed to evaluate the potential probiotics effect of dietary supplementation of G. candidum on growth, digestive enzymes activities, gut microbiota and immune-related gene expression and disease resistance in Gibel carp CAS Ⅲ (Carassius auratus gibelio) against A. hydrophila infections. For this purpose, 420 healthy fish (initial body weight: 7.09 ± 0.02g) were randomly divided into 7 feeding groups in triplicates of 20 fish in each tank. Seven isocaloric and isonitrogenous diets were prepared, supplemented with 6 different doses of G. candidum viz; C: 0, T1:106, T2:107, T3:108, T4:109, T5:1010, T6:1011 CFU/kg diet and fed to fish twice a day for 60 days. Results showed significantly higher weight gain (WG) and feed efficiency (FE) in groups fed 106 and 108 CFU/kg diet compared to the control (P < 0.05).All G. candidum fed groups showed higher intestinal α-amylase activity (P < 0.05) while no difference in lipase and trypsin activity compared to the control group. Before challenge test, gut microbial diversity analysis revealed relatively more abundance of bacteria belonging to phylum Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria, Firmicutes and Bacteriodetes in group fed G. candidum supplemented diet and higher percentage of pathogenic bacteria belonging to order Aeromonadales and Vibrionales in control post-challenge.After challenge test immune response expressed numerically higher survival rate (P > 0.05) and significantly higher (P < 0.05) Respiratory Burst Activity(RBA), Immunoglobulin M level (IgM), Aspartate Transaminase activity (AST) and improved (P > 0.05) lysozyme activity, and Alanine Transaminase activity (ALT) in groups fed 106 and 108 CFU/kg G. candidum supplemented diet. The expression of immune related gene (IL-I β, TNF- α, HSP70 and TLR-2) in liver of the fish were significantly affected (P < 0.05) by supplementation of G. candidum post bacterial challenge. The results showed that G. candidum is a potential probiotic as it could improve feed utilization, immunity and cause no harmful effects on growth of gibel carp at higher supplementation levels. The productive results can be achieved by using the lower dose as 106–108 CFU/kg diet.

Protein supplementation for sheep fed with tropical forage

The effects of increasing levels of protein supplementation (50, 100, 150 and 200 animal per day) and mineral salt on feed intake, nutrient digestibility and ingestive behavior of sheep consuming tropical forage (Pennisetum purpureum Schum) were evaluated. Five non-castrated crossbred lambs (½ Santa Inês x ½ undefined breed) with average initial body weight of 35.0 kg (± 4.40 kg) were allocated in individual cages and analyzed in a 5x5 Latin square experimental design composed of five animals, five treatments and five evaluation periods of 14 days each. The contrast (protein supplement vs. mineral mixture) was not significant (p&gt;0.05) for total dry matter intake, total organic matter intake, total ether extract intake and total carbohydrate intake variables. However, it was significant (p&lt;0.05) for the variables forage dry matter intake, total crude protein intake, total mineral matter intake, total neutral detergent fiber intake and total non-fibrous carbohydrate intake, demonstrating possible replacement of forage by the supplement. Although the diet dry matter digestibility declined linearly (p &lt;0.05), there was a significant linear increase effect of supplementation (P &lt;0.05) on apparent digestibility of neutral detergent fiber, non-fibrous carbohydrates and consumption of digestible non-fibrous carbohydrates. This was due to higher participation of supplement in the diet ingested by supplemented sheep. The type of supplementation (protein or mineral mixture) did not affect the animals€™ daily activities. Protein supplementation did not affect the water ingestion (P &lt;0.05), demonstrating that even at the highest level of supplementation (200 g/day), animals were not induced to drink more water by the diet. We conclude that increasing levels of protein supplementation associated with good quality elephant grass resulted in increases in sheep digestive parameters, and supplementation below 100 g day-1 resulted in similar parameters to those of sheep receiving mineral mix (control). Additionally, protein supplementation did not affect (P&gt; 0.05) either the water intake or ingestive behavior of sheep, with rumination and rest coinciding with dusk and dawn.

Pasture dry matter intake per cow in intensive dairy production systems: effects of grazing and feeding management

The competitiveness and sustainability of low input cost dairy production systems are generally supported by efficient use of pasture in the diets. Therefore, pasture intake directly affects overall efficiency of these systems. We aimed to assess feeding and grazing management main factors that affect pasture dry matter intake (DMI) in commercial dairy farms during the different seasons of the year. Fortnightly visits to 28 commercial dairies were carried out between June 2016 and May 2017 to record production and price, supplement offered and price, pasture access time (PAT), herbage mass (HM) and allowance (HA). Only farms with the most contrasting estimated pasture DMI per cow (eDMI) were compared as systems with high (HPI; N = 8) or low (LPI; N = 8) pasture DMI. Despite a lower individual milk production in HPI than LPI (19.0 v. 23.3 ± 0.7 l/cow, P < 0.01), daily margin over feeding cost was not different between groups (3.07 v. 2.93 ± 0.15 U$S/cow for HPI and LPI, respectively). During autumn and winter, HPI cows ingested more pasture than LPI cows (8.3 v. 4.6 and 5.9 v. 2.9 ± 0.55 kg DM/cow per day, respectively, P < 0.01) although PAT, HM and HA were similar between groups. Both groups offered high supplementation levels during these seasons, even though greater in LPI than HPI (14.7 v. 9.7 ± 0.7 kg DM supplement/cow per day, respectively, P < 0.01). On the other hand, differences between groups for both pasture and supplement DMI were more contrasting during spring and summer (13.1 v. 7.3 ± 0.5 and 4.0 v. 11.4 ± 0.4 kg DM/cow per day for HPI and LPI, respectively, P < 0.01), with higher PAT in both seasons (P < 0.05) and higher HA during summer in HPI than LPI (P < 0.01). Unlike LPI, during these seasons HPI adjusted offered supplement according to HA, achieving a higher pasture eDMI and making more efficient use of available pastoral resource than LPI. As there was no grazing limiting condition for pasture harvesting in either group, the main factor affecting pasture DMI was a pasture by supplement substitution effect. These results reinforce the importance of an efficient grazing management, and using supplements to nutritionally complement pasture intake rather than as a direct way to increase milk production.

Short-Term Effect of Daily Herbage Allowance Restriction on Pasture Condition and the Performance of Grazing Dairy Cows during Autumn.

Simple SummaryDaily herbage allowance (defined as herbage mass × daily offered area) is recognized as the main grazing management factor to improve pasture utilization and milk output per hectare. Daily herbage allowances should balance the dual objectives of high milk output per hectare while maintaining the quality of the pasture to optimize the profitability of grazing-based dairy production systems. We tested two contrasting herbage allowances (17 and 25 kg dry matter (DM)/cow.day) and two levels of maize silage supplementation (4.5 and 9 kg DM/cow.day) in grazing dairy cows and measured a set of variables related to pasture management, sward characteristics, dynamic of herbage depletion throughout the grazing sessions, and cows grazing behavior, among others. Our results suggest that a more intensive grazing regime of 17 kg DM/cow per day of daily herbage allowance rather than a high level of supplementation with maize silage is appropriate to improve milk production and solids yield per hectare without affecting pasture quality or sward characteristics over the short-term.The aim of this study was to evaluate the short-term effects of daily herbage allowance (DHA, defined as the product of pre-grazing herbage mass and offered area per animal) on pasture conditions and milk production of Holstein-Friesian dairy cows. Forty-four early lactation dairy cows were randomly assigned to one of four treatments in a 2 × 2 factorial design that tested two levels of DHA (17 and 25 kg DM/cow.day) and two levels of maize silage supplementation (MSS, 4.5 and 9 kg DM/cow.day) over a 77-day period. Low DHA decreased the post-grazing herbage mass from 1546 to 1430 kg DM/ha and the compressed sward height from 5 to 4.4 cm, while the grazing efficiency remained unaffected. Low DHA induced a faster herbage mass reduction, while the sward-height and pasture characteristics did not differ from the high DHA regime. Low DHA decreased the tiller production rates and daily lamina growth, while the leaf-production rate was not affected by the DHA. Daily increases of herbage mass were greater in the high DHA than in the low DHA treatments. Individual milk production and milk protein concentration decreased at a low DHA compared to high DHA, while the milk fat concentration was greater and the milk output per hectare increased by 1510 kg. Neither the MSS level nor the interaction DHA by the MSS level had any effect on the sward characteristics or the productivity of the cows. From these results, it is suggested that, in a high-quality pasture, using 17 kg DM/cow.day was appropriate for improving both herbage utilization and milk production per hectare while maintaining the short-term conditions of a pasture grazed by dairy cows in the autumn.

Effects of clove powder supplementation on performance, blood biochemistry, and immune responses in broiler chickens

The goal of this study was to evaluate the effects of clove (Syzygium aromaticum) supplementation levels on performance, blood parameters, and immune response of broilers. A total of 336 one-day-old broilers were assigned to one of eight treatments: 1% to 6% clove supplementation levels, a positive control (vaccinated) and a negative control (unvaccinated). Bodyweight gain, feed intake, feed conversion ratio, serum protein profile, and immune responses were measured weekly. Lymphoid organs were weighed at 21 and 35 days. Levels of dietary clove between 2% and 6% supplementation resulted in a gradual decrease in weight gain and feed intake with an increase in feed conversion ratio at two and three weeks, whereas those that received 4% to 6% supplementation had reduced weight gain and the 3% to 6% supplemented animals consumed the least amount of feed at four and five weeks. High levels of clove supplementation (4%, 5%, and 6%) resulted in reduced total serum protein and albumin and the greatest activity of aspartate aminotransferase at 35 days. Antibodies to viruses against which the birds had been vaccinated were not affected by different levels of clove supplementation compared with the positive control. However, they were increased in birds in the negative control group without vaccination. Relative weights of lymphoid organs were not affected by any treatments at 21 and 35 days. These results indicate that clove supplementation at levels greater than 2% can lead to negative effects on performance without improving the health of the liver and immune responsiveness of broilers.Keywords: Gallus domesticus, serum biochemical, enzymes, antibody titers, lymphoid organs

Determining the effect of folate diets during pregnancy and lactation on neurobehavioural changes in the adult life of offspring.

ObjectivesAnimal and human studies have demonstrated that folic acid (FA) is essential for nervous system and brain development. In humans, insufficient maternal FA intake is known to cause neural tube defects, autism spectrum, and other neurodevelopmental disorders in children. The present study aimed to determine the impact of maternal FA supplementation on psychomotor skills and learning and memory functions in their adult offspring.MethodsEighteen female Wistar rats were randomly divided into three groups. The animals were fed three different concentrations of FA from preconception to pregnancy and during lactation. The adult offspring were assessed for neurobehavioural changes and histological confirmation by hippocampal neuron quantification.ResultsNeurobehavioural assessment revealed a significantly smaller number of alternations, a higher percentage bias, and a greater number of working and reference memory errors. The increased time spent in the dark compartment in the FA-supplementation group indicated deficit(s) in learning memory. Hippocampal neuron quantification revealed a higher mean number of viable neurons in the cornu ammonis (CA) region in the control group (CA1 region, 31.2 ± 3.2; CA3 region, 23.2 ± 3.2), with a distinct nucleus in both regions, and least in the FA-supplementation group (CA1 region, 24.2 ± 3.1; CA3 region, 15.2 ± 2.2).ConclusionResults of this investigation support the possible negative effect of high levels of maternal FA supplementation during pregnancy and lactation. Such alterations potentially lead to neurobehavioural changes in the adult offspring of Wistar rats.

Dietary manganese requirement and its effects on antioxidant enzyme activities, intestinal morphology and microbiota in oriental river prawn Macrobrachium nipponense (De Haan)

Manganese (Mn) is an essential micronutrient for animals. An 8-week feeding experiment with oriental river prawn Macrobrachium nipponense was conducted to determine the effects of Mn supplementation on growth, antioxidative indices, intestinal morphology, and gut microbiota in juveniles of this species. Manganese sulfate monohydrate was added to a basal semi-purified diet at six levels: 5.4 (control), 13, 22, 34, 73 and 150 mg Mn kg−1 diet. Each diet was fed to juvenile prawns (mean weight 0.104 ± 0.003 g), twice daily to apparent satiation, in four replicates. Prawns fed the 22 mg Mn kg−1 diet achieved the highest weight gain. The Mn concentration in muscle significantly increased with increased dietary Mn supplementation, from 5.4 to 22 mg kg−1 diet, but leveled off in animals fed greater levels. Prawns fed the 34 mg Mn kg−1 diet had the lowest malondialdehyde content. Total superoxide dismutase activity in the hepatopancreas increased significantly with an increasing level of dietary Mn in the groups fed the 5.4 (control) to 73 mg kg−1 diets, but plateaued with higher levels of supplementation. Prawns fed the 13–150 mg Mn kg−1 diets had significantly higher Mn superoxide dismutase activity than those fed the 5.4 mg kg−1 diet. Epithelial cells of the intestine were closely arranged, with clear cell definition, in the groups fed the 5.4 (control) or 22 mg Mn kg−1 diet, whereas these cells were completely separated from the basement membrane in prawns fed the 150 mg Mn kg−1 diet. The estimator of community richness (Chao1) in the intestine was significantly higher for prawns fed the 22 mg Mn kg−1 diet as compared with animals fed the 5.4 (control) and 150 mg Mn kg−1 diets. The dominant phyla in the gut of M. nipponense were Proteobacteria, followed by Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes, regardless of the level of Mn supplementation. The intestinal microbiota phylotypes significantly differed among the groups fed the 5.4 (control), 22 and 150 mg Mn kg−1 diets. We conclude that Mn supplementation in formulated feeds for this species can improve growth performance and Mn deposition in muscle, whereas diets causing Mn deficiency or excess will induce oxidant stress, and very high levels of dietary Mn could damage the intestinal morphology. The intestinal core microbiota were not affected by the dietary Mn level, although the microbiota richness was somewhat affected. Based on weight gain, the optimal level of Mn supplementation for juvenile M. nipponense is 17.59 mg kg−1 diet.

Replacement of fish meal with soy protein concentrate in diet of juvenile rice field eel Monopterus albus

Among plant protein sources, soy protein concentrate (SPC) has lower anti-nutritional factors and higher protein content. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of replacing fish meal in diet of rice field eel Monopterus albus with soy protein concentrate on growth performance, serum biochemical indices, intestinal digestive enzymes and growth-related genes expression in skeletal muscle. Six isonitrogen (45% crude protein) and isolipidic (5.5% crude lipid) diets were formulated with 0 g/kg, 8.5 g/kg, 17 g/kg, 25.5 g/kg, 34 g/kg and 42.5 g/kg SPC inclusion to replace 0%, 15%, 30%, 45%, 60% and 75% of fish meal (S0 (control), S8.5, S17, S25.5, S34, S42.5, respectively). Each diet was randomly assigned to triplicate groups of 100 fish per net cage (mean initial weight 25.56 ± 0.12 g). The fish were fed once at 18:00 per day for 56 days. Results showed that weight gain and feed intake significantly decreased in fish fed S42.5 (P < 0.05). Feed conversion rate was significantly higher in S34 and S42.5 groups compared to the other treatments (P < 0.05). No significant effects were found on hepatosomatic index and body composition among treatments. Viscerosomatic index significantly decreased with the increasing levels of SPC inclusion. Amylase and lipase activities in intestine peaked at S17 group. Dietary SPC supplementation significantly reduced the activities of intestine trypsin and serum glutamic oxalacetic transaminase and glutamate pyruvate transaminase as well as the content of serum triglyceride, total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein cholesterol and malondialdehyde, but significantly elevated the activities of catalase and total antioxidant capacity (P < 0.05). The superoxide dismutase activity had a rising trend compared to the control. High supplementation levels of dietary SPC down-regulated myogenic determination factor and myogenin mRNA expression, but up-regulated myostatin mRNA expression. These results suggested that fish meal could be partially replaced by SPC in diet of M. albus and the optimal supplementation level of SPC was 26% by using broken-line model curve. Replacing fish meal with dietary SPC has benefit in enhancing serum antioxidant capacity, improving serum lipid profile and modulating growth-related genes expression pattern in skeletal muscle of M. albus.

Effects of dietary ascorbic acid levels on cholesterol metabolism in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)

An 80‐day feeding trial was conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary ascorbic acid (AA) supplementation at different levels (0, 0.2 and 0.4 g/kg l‐ascorbate‐2‐polyphosphate; 7.6, 77.2 and 146.7 mg/kg AA, respectively) on cholesterol metabolism in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). Dietary AA supplementation regardless of inclusion level increased the serum total cholesterol and low‐density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels and LDL cholesterol/high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio. No significant differences were observed in the serum triiodothyronine and thyroxine levels, faecal cholesterol content, hepatic activity and mRNA expression of acyl‐coenzyme A:cholesterol acyltransferase among the dietary treatments. Dietary AA inclusion increased the faecal bile acid content, hepatic activity and mRNA expression of 3‐hydroxy‐3‐methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase and hepatic cholesterol 7α‐hydroxylase mRNA expression, but decreased the hepatic LDL receptor content. High level of AA supplementation (0.4 g/kg) depressed the serum cortisol levels. These results suggest that dietary supplementation with 0.2‒0.4 g/kg l‐ascorbate‐2‐polyphosphate may increase the serum total cholesterol level in rainbow trout. The cholesterol‐raising effect of AA may be due to the increased hepatic cholesterol production and the depressed cholesterol clearance from serum. In addition, dietary AA inclusion also facilitates the hepatic conversion of cholesterol to bile acids.

Antioxidant response and bioavailability of methionine hydroxy analog relative to DL-methionine in broiler chickens.

This study was designed to compare the effect of methionine (Met) sources (DL-methionine [DLM] and DL-2-hydroxy-4-methylthio-butanoic acid [HMTBa]) and their supplementation levels on broiler growth performance and redox state. A 2 × 2 factorial arrangement was used with 2 sources (DLM and HMTBa) and 2 supplementation levels (0.05% and 0.25%) of Met. A total of 480 one-day-old broiler chicks were randomly divided into 4 treatments with 8 replicates per treatment (15 birds per replicate). The experiment lasted for 21 d. Broiler growth performance, redox capacity, redox-related genes expression, and Met transporters in different tissues were tested. Broilers fed high Met supplementation levels had improved (P < 0.05) body weight (BW), average daily gain (ADG) and feed conversion ratio (FCR). Similarly, broilers fed high Met levels had better (P < 0.05) antioxidant abilities in the serum, small intestine, and liver. Whereas, interactive effects (P < 0.05) were also observed between Met sources and levels. Compared with DLM, birds fed HMTBa diets had decreased (P < 0.05) total glutathione (T-GSH) and oxidized glutathione (GSSG) contents in duodenum, ileum, and liver. Similarly, broilers fed HMTBa supplemented diets had increased (P < 0.05) thioredoxin (Trx) gene expression in the duodenum and ileum, but decreased (P < 0.05) glutaredoxin (Grx), glutathione reductase (GSR), and glutathione synthetase (GSS) genes expression. Furthermore, lower gene expression of Na+ and Cl− dependent neutral and cationic amino acid transporter (ATB0, +), and Na+ dependent neutral amino acid transporter (B0AT) in the duodenum brush border, but higher gene expression of diamine acetyltransferase 1 (SAT1) and Na+-independent branched-chain and aromatic amino acid transporter (LAT1) in the jejunum and ileum basement membrane along with higher expression of the proton dependent monocarboxylate transporter 1 (MCT1) gene in the ileum were detected in birds fed HMTBa diets. In conclusion, DLM can be effectively used in glutathione synthesis to exert antioxidant functions, whereas HMTBa favors S-adenosylmethionine (SAM) synthesis and thus stimulates antioxidant-related genes expression.

The effect of high levels of dietary zinc on growth performance, carcass characteristics, blood parameters, immune response and tissue minerals in growing Boer-cross goat kids

An experiment was conducted to determine animal performance, carcass traits, blood metabolites, immune responses, and tissue minerals in goats fed high levels of zinc (Zn). Twenty-one Boer-cross (Capra aegagrus hircus) growing goat kids (BW, 22.9 ± 1.4 kg, 4–5 months old) were housed individually and fed twice a day 80:20 grain mix: bermudagrass hay (BGH) diet ad libitum for 86 days. Goats in control group (0Zn) received orally 5 mL of water (1.95 + 0.03 ppm Zinc) with no added Zn. Treatment groups, 100Zn and 200Zn received 5 mL water containing additional 100 or 200 mg Zn as Zn sulfate heptahydrate, respectively. Average daily gain (ADG), DM intake, feed conversion ratio (gain: feed), carcass traits, majority of blood attributes and metabolites, and humoral immunity were similar among the treatment groups. However, cell-mediated immune response was higher for 100Zn group (quadratic; P = 0.04). Goats receiving high levels of Zn increased serum calcium (linear; P = 0.03), glucose (linear, P = 0.02), and lymphocytes (linear, P = 0.05 and quadratic; P = 0.01). Manganese (Mn) level in the liver increased (linear, P = 0.01), while liver copper (Cu) decreased (linear, P = 0.04) as the level of Zn was increased in the diet. Zinc in the feces increased (linear, P = 0.001), with no changes in urine Zn. Blood mineral phosphorus was reduced (linear, P = 0.03), and magnesium, and potassium tended to decrease (linear, P = 0.06 and 0.07, respectively) with increasing Zn levels in diet. High levels of Zn supplementation did not affect animal performance and carcass characteristics; however, improved immunity and impacted liver Mn and Cu.

Energy to protein ratios in supplements for grazing heifers in the rainy season

This study evaluated the effect of energy and protein supplementation on the nutritional characteristics, ingestive behavior, and productive performance in grazing heifers during the rainy season. Forty crossbred heifers (Nelore breed predominance) were used in the study, with an age of 14months and an initial mean weight of 182 ± 1.13kg. The treatments consisted of mineral supplementation ad libitum (control) and three supplements formulated to contain an energy: protein ratio (TDN:CP) of 1.13, 2.62, and 4.06; these were denominated as low (LC, 0.5kg animal d-1), medium (MC, 1.0kg animal d-1), and high consumption (HC, 1.5kg animal d-1), respectively, in order to guarantee an intake of 300g of crude protein (CP) animal-1 d -1, with variation in energy content. There was a difference (P < 0.05) in crude protein intake, with a 44% reduction for the LC treatment in relation to HC. The lowest grazing time (398min) was observed with the MC treatment. Urinary urea-N (UreaN) was lower for control animals (P < 0.05). Average daily gain (ADG) was lower for the control animals than for the supplemented animals (P < 0.05); there was no difference in ADG between the animals receiving supplementation. High supplementation levels and TDN:CP ratios are not recommended because they do not justify the increased costs of supplementation. Therefore, when forage presents great nutritional characteristics, it is possible to optimize the performance of the animals with low to medium consumption supplementation.

Corn gluten meal induces enteritis and decreases intestinal immunity and antioxidant capacity in turbot (Scophthalmus maximus) at high supplementation levels.

Corn gluten meal (CGM) is an important alternative protein source in aquafeed production. However, in turbot (Scophthalmus maximus), CGM could not be effectively utilized because of its low digestibility, the reason for which is still unclear. The purpose of the present study was to investigate and elucidate the cause for the poor utilization of CGM by turbot from the view of gut health. An 8-week feeding trial was conducted with turbot individuals (initial body weight 11.4 ± 0.2 g), which were fed with one of four isonitrogenous and isolipidic diets formulated to include 0%, 21.2%, 31.8%, and 42.6% CGM to progressively replace 0%, 33%, 50%, and 67% fish meal (FM) protein in a FM-based diet, respectively. The results showed that CGM caused dose-dependent decreases in (1) growth performance, nutrient digestibility, and feed utilization; (2) activities of brush-border membrane enzymes; (3) intestinal antioxidant indices of superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase activities, and reduced glutathione level; (4) intestinal immune parameters of acid phosphatase activity, complement 3, complement 4, and IgM concentrations. Dose-dependent increases in the severity of the inflammation, with concomitant alterations on microvilli structure and increasing expression of inflammatory cytokine genes of Il-1β, Il-8, and Tnf-α were observed but without a change in the intracellular junctions and the epithelial permeability established by the plasma diamine oxidase activity and D-lactate level examinations. In conclusion, the present work proved that CGM negatively affected the gut health of turbot by inducing enteritis and by decreasing intestinal immunity and antioxidant capacity, which could be one of the reasons for the reduced utilization of CGM by turbot.