Improved Body Weight Gain Research Articles

Season specific feed formulations for ameliorating climate stress in grower pigs reared under subtropical eastern Himalayan region

Thermal stress is an emerging issue for pig producers in tropical and sub-tropical Eastern Himalayan region. Thus, season specific feed was proposed to be formulated for amelioration thermal stress. Feeding experiment were conducted for both summer stress (May-August) and winter stress (November-February) in grower pigs (75% Hampshire and 25% Niang Megha). Forty-eight piglets for each experiment were selected and distributed by completely randomized design for these two experiments. The seasonal specific feed as well as standard feed were formulated and provided to the piglets as per the standard procedures. Blood cortisol was measured as indicator of stress, besides the body weight gain, average daily gain and feed conservation efficiency in the pigs. Results indicated that the grower pigs fed with summer specific feed had significantly (P<0.05) lower heat stress, higher body weight gain and better feed conversion ratio as compared to grower pigs fed with standard diet during summer season. Similarly, feeding of winter specific feed has significantly (P<0.05) lowered the cortisol level, improved the body weight gain and better feed conversion ratio in grower pigs. The study concluded that the feeding of season specific diet reduced thermal stress and improved body weight gain in growing pigs. Thus, season specific feed formulations are suggested as one of the strategies to alleviate thermal stress in the region under changing climate condition.

Encapsulation of essential oils of rosemary (

Context Dietary supplementation with phytobiotics may form part of an alternative strategy to the use of antibiotics as growth promoters in the poultry industry. Essential oils of rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.) may have antimicrobial and antioxidant properties. Aims The aims were to evaluate in vitro characteristics of non-encapsulated and encapsulated rosemary essential oils, and to investigate their effects on growth performance, intestinal morphology and microbial population in broiler chickens. Methods Essential oil main components were determined, and the minimum inhibitory concentration and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical assay methods were applied for determination of antimicrobial and antioxidant activities, respectively. In an in vivo study of performance, 1-day-old male chicks (n = 420) were randomly assigned to seven dietary treatments with five replicates of 12 birds in a completely randomised experimental design. Treatments were control (basal) diet, and basal diet supplemented with chitosan (encapsulating agent) at 150 mg/kg, encapsulated and non-encapsulated rosemary essential oils at both 150 and 300 mg/kg, and the antibiotic flavophospholipol at 650 mg/kg. Key results Non-encapsulated essential oil had stronger antioxidant activity than the encapsulated form (IC50 values 0.969 and 1.879 mg/mL, respectively). Non-encapsulated essential oil had greater antimicrobial effect against Escherichia coli, whereas the encapsulated form was more effective against Staphylococcus aureus. During the whole growing period of the in vivo study, supplementation with different levels of non-encapsulated or encapsulated essential oils significantly (P &lt; 0.01) improved bodyweight gain and feed conversation ratio compared with control and antibiotic diets. Furthermore, feed intake in birds receiving essential oils (150 or 300 mg/kg) was lower (P &lt; 0.01) than in other groups. Villus height was increased (P &lt; 0.01) in birds supplemented with essential oils compared with all other treatments. Ileal coliform count was lower in birds supplemented with non-encapsulated essential oil at 150 mg/kg than in birds fed the control diet. Conclusion Use of non-encapsulated rosemary essential oils at 150 mg/kg is recommended. Encapsulation did not provide additional benefits for most parameters. Implications Rosemary essential oils offer a potential replacement to conventional antibiotics in poultry nutrition, reducing the spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria and presence of antibiotic residues in animal tissues.

Production and reproduction of Salem Black goats on concentrate supplementation during physiological stages

A study was undertaken (February to August 2019) to assess the performance of Salem Black does fed on graded levels of concentrate feed in critical physiological stages viz., prior to and after breeding (21 d each), late gestation (last 28 d) and early lactation (up to 28 d). A total of 32 does of similar body weight (29 kg) and age (2 to 5 yr) were divided into four groups with eight each. The does under T, were allowed for grazing (6 h) alone, whereas the does under T2, T3, and T4 groups were offered concentrate feed daily @ 100, 200 and 300 g, respectively, besides grazing. The body weight gain after flushing were significantly higher (p<0.01) among the supplemented groups (T2, T3, and T4) whereas body weight loss was observed in T, group (−0.44±0.23 kg). Similarly, the body condition score of does after flushing and steaming up were 3.13 to 4.00 in supplemented groups (T2, T3, and T4) and 2.63 to 3.30 in T,. The number of services required per pregnancy ranged from 1.25 (T4) to 1.88 (T,) and did not differ significantly among the groups. The mean birth weight of kids was significantly higher (p<0.05) in T4 (2.3 2kg) than T, (1.98 kg), T2 (2.11 kg) and T3 (2.22 kg). The results indicated that the supplementation of concentrate feed @ 300 g to Salem Black goats improved body weight gain during flushing, pregnancy and birth weight of kids born as compared to non-supplemented group maintained on grazing only.

Growth performance, nutrient utilization and carcass characteristics of rabbits on probiotic supplementation

An experiment was conducted to study the effects of probiotic supplementation on growth, nutrient utilization and carcass traits in rabbits. Atotal of 60 weaner (28 days-old) Soviet Chinchilla rabbits were divided in four groups of 15 each. Pellet feed was supplemented with live microbial cultures of Lactobacillus plantarum (LP), Saccharomyces cerevisiae (SC) and combination of both L. plantarum + S. cerevisiae (LP+SC), whereas control group was supplemented with equal amount of culture medium. The rabbits were fed ad libitum pellet feed up to 84 days of age. The microbial population in feed pellets was 106 Cfu/g pellet feed. Body weight gain (28 to 84 days) was significantly (p<0.05) higher in LP+SC (1837 g) than control (1751 g), LP (1751 g) and SC (1774 g) groups. Higher digestibility of acid detergent fibre and cellulose was also recorded in LP+SC (14.6 and 22.4%) than LP (11.6 and 19.7%) and SC (11.3 and 18.8%). Carcass characteristics were not influenced in all the four treatment groups. The study suggested that supplementation of SC in feed pellets improved body weight gain in rabbits.

Administration of Selected Probiotic Mixture Improves Body Weight Gain and Meat Fatty Acid Composition of Creole Goats

Administration of Selected Probiotic Mixture Improves Body Weight Gain and Meat Fatty Acid Composition of Creole Goats

​Therapeutic Efficacy of Ethanolic Extract of Curcuma longa and its Component, Curcumin against Experimental Cryptosporidiosis in Mice

Background: Cryptosporidiosis caused by Cryptosporidium spp. is a zoonotic disease and is the most prevalent pathogens worldwide and leads to severe diarrhoeal diseases and affects the immunological status of the individual. Thus, the study was undertaken to examine the anti-cryptosporidial efficacy of curcumin in comparison with ethanolic extract of curcuma longa in immunocompromised mice infected with oocysts isolated from cattle calves of Jammu region and identified as Cryptosporidium parvum using nested PCR on small subunit ribosomal ribonucleic acid (SSU rRNA) gene. Methods: Two hundred female Swiss albino mice were equally divided into ten groups. Group I were kept as a healthy control, group II were immunocompromised, group III were immunocompromised and infected, group IV animals were immunocompromised, infected and treated orally with nitazoxanide. Animals in groups V to VII were immunocompromised, infected and treated with ethanolic extract of C. longa @ 4, 6 and 8 mg/kg/day/os respectively whereas groups VIII to X were immunocompromised, infected and treated with pure salt of curcumin @ 4, 6 and 8 mg/kg/day/os respectively for 5 successive days. Thus, mean oocysts per gram faeces, body weight gain and histopathological changes were measured in different groups. Result: Administration of curcumin as a therapeutic agent @ 8 mg/kg body weight for five days resulted in higher percent mean oocyst reduction of 74.03% and improved body weight gain in experimentally infected mice. Histopathological changes showed that treatment with oral curcumin (group X) in animals had minimal and improved intestinal lesions as compared to animals treated with C. longa (group VII). Altogether, curcumin showed promising anticryptosporidial effects under in vivo conditions and deserves further exploration.

Short and Medium Chain Fatty Acids and Their Derivatives as a Natural Strategy in the Control of Necrotic Enteritis and Microbial Homeostasis in Broiler Chickens.

The use of antibiotic growth promoters (AGPs) has historically been the most important prophylactic strategy for the control of Necrotic Enteritis (NE) caused by some Clostridium perfringens toxin types in poultry. During the last five decades, AGPs have also been supplemented in feed to improve body weight gain and feed efficiency as well as to modulate the microbiome (consisting of microbes and their genes both beneficial and potentially harmful) and reduce enteric pathogens, among other benefits. New regulatory requirements and consumer preferences have led to strong interest in natural alternatives to the AGPs for the prevention and control of illnesses caused by enteric pathogens. This interest is not just focused on the direct removal or inhibition of the causative microorganisms but also the improvement of intestinal health and homeostasis using a range of feed additives. A group of promising feed additives is short- and medium-chain fatty acids (SCFA and MCFA, respectively) and their derivatives. The use of SCFA and MCFA, including butyric, caproic, caprylic, capric, and lauric acids, has shown strong effects against NE in broilers both at experimental and commercial levels. These fatty acids also benefit intestinal health integrity and homeostasis. Other effects have also been documented, including increases in intestinal angiogenesis and gene expression of tight junctions. Chemical modifications to improve stability and point of release in the intestine have been shown to improve the efficacy of SCFA and MCFA and their derivatives. The aim of this review is to give an overview of SCFA, MCFA and their derivatives, as an alternative to replace AGPs to control the incidence and severity of NE in poultry.

Effect of Surface Layer Proteins Derived from Paraprobiotic Kefir Lactic Acid Bacteria on Inflammation and High-Fat Diet-Induced Obesity

The antiobesity action of nonviable probiotic lactic acid bacteria (PLAB) may be attributed to bacterial cellular components recognized by host cells. The anti-inflammation and antiobesity properties of surface layer proteins (SLPs) that are cellular components isolated from kefir PLAB were determined in macrophage RAW 264.7 cells and obese mice. Kefir SLPs significantly decreased secretion of IL-6 and production of NF-kB p65 protein by LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells in a dose-response manner. C57BL/6J mice were fed a high-fat (HF) diet with oral administration of either saline (CON) or kefir SLPs for 6 weeks. SLPs significantly improved body weight gain and adipose tissue weight, plasma triglyceride concentrations, and insulin resistance. Profiling of adipocyte gene expression showed that the antiobesity effect was significantly related to the expression of genes associated with adipogenesis, autophagy, and inflammatory/immune response, and fatty acid oxidation. Taken together, SLPs are a novel bioactive component in kefir PLABs to target obesity and obesity-related disorders.

Effect of Nanoencapsulated Alginate-Synbiotic on Gut Microflora Balance, Immunity, and Growth Performance of Growing Rabbits.

A synbiotic comprising Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast (SCY) and Moringa oleifera leaf extract (MOLE) has been encapsulated using nanotechnology. This duo is used as a dietary supplement for growing rabbits. Physicochemical analyses, in vitro antimicrobial activity, and gastrointestinal system evaluation were used to evaluate the quality of the nanofabricated synbiotic. The in vivo study was conducted using 40-day-old male growing rabbits (n = 16 rabbits/group) to evaluate the effect of the nanofabricated synbiotic on the health and growth performance of examined rabbits. Rabbits were equally allocated into four groups; (a) NCS, which received a basal diet supplemented with a noncapsulated 11 × 1012 CFU SCY + 0.15 g MOLE/kg diet, (b) LCS: those receiving a nanoencapsulated 5.5 × 1012 CFU SCY + 0.075 g MOLE/kg diet, (c) HCS: those receiving an 11 × 1012 CFU SCY + 0.15 g MOLE/kg diet, and (d) CON: those receiving a basal diet without treatment (control). The treatments continued from day 40 to day 89 of age. During the experimental period, growth performance variables, including body weight (BW), feed consumption, BW gain, and feed conversion ratio were recorded weekly. Blood samples were collected on day 40 of age and immediately before the start of the treatments to confirm the homogeneity of rabbits among groups. On day 89 of age, blood samples, intestinal, and cecal samples were individually collected from eight randomly selected rabbits. The size and polydispersity index of the nanofabricated synbiotic were 51.38 nm and 0.177, respectively. Results revealed that the encapsulation process significantly improved yeast survival through the gastrointestinal tract, specifically in stomach acidic conditions, and significantly increased in vitro inhibitory activities against tested pathogens. Furthermore, treatments had no negative effects on hematobiochemical variables but significantly improved levels of blood plasma, total protein, and insulin-like growth factor-l. Compared to the CON, NCS, and LCS treatments, the HCS treatment increased the amount of intestinal and cecal yeast cells (p < 0.05) and Lactobacillus bacteria (p < 0.05) and decreased number of Salmonella (p < 0.05) and Coliform (p = 0.08) bacteria. Likewise, both LCS and HCS significantly improved the small intestine and cecum lengths compared to CON and NCS. The HCS treatment also significantly improved BW gain and feed conversion compared to CON treatment, whereas the NCS and LCS treatments showed intermediate values. Conclusively, the nanoencapsulation process improved the biological efficiency of the innovative synbiotic used in this study. A high dose of encapsulated synbiotic balanced the gut microflora, resulting in the growth of rabbits during the fattening period.

Dietary supplementation of Bacillus-based probiotics on the growth performance, gut morphology, intestinal microbiota and immune response in low biosecurity broiler chickens

A feeding trial was conducted to evaluate the effects of Bacillus-based probiotics on growth performance, intestinal histo-morphology, gut microbial population and immune response in broilers. A total of 2000 Hubbard Classic day-old chicks were randomly enrolled in four experimental groups and 4 replicates of 500 birds in each group, and reared for 35 days under a low- level of biosecurity measures. The trial groups were assigned treatment-1 (T1): basal diet(control), treatment-2 (T2): basal diet plus Bacillus licheniformis (DSM17236), treatment-3 (T3): basal diet plus Bacillus subtilis (PB6), and treatment-4 (T4) basal diet plus 4% Flavomycin. All four groups were fed with maize-soybean based prepared feeds (starter, grower and finisher). Dietary inclusion of B. licheniformis significantly improved body weight gain and lessened FCR in T2 compared to other groups (p < 0.05). Probiotics increased the population of Bacillus spp. and decreased the population of Clostrium perfringens, Salmonella spp. and Escherichia coli in the jejunum and ileum in broiler birds on day 21 and 35 (p < 0.05). The highest antibody production was observed in B. licheniformis treated group (T2) compared to other probiotic treated group (T1). Taken together, the study findings suggest that B. licheniformis probiotics could be used as a feasible alternative to antimicrobials in the broiler production considering beneficial impacts at low biosecurity broiler farms.

197 Awardee Talk: Novel Management Strategies to Enhance Growth and Development of Feedlot Receiving Cattle

Abstract Feedlot receiving is one of the most critical phases within the beef production cycle, when cattle are exposed to several stress and health challenges that impact their welfare and productivity. These stressors include weaning, road transport, and commingling with different animals, which elicit adrenocortical and acute-phase protein responses known to impair cattle immunocompetence and growth. Accordingly, incidence of bovine respiratory disease (BRD) is elevated during feedlot receiving, despite efforts to minimize stress and vaccination protocols against BRD pathogens. With increased restrictions regarding the use of feed-grade antimicrobials in livestock systems, our research group has focused on developing management systems that minimize stress and enhance performance and immunity of receiving cattle. By providing all vaccines against BRD pathogens prior to feedlot entry, our group reported increased (P ≤ 0.05) vaccine efficacy, body weight (BW) gain, feed efficiency, and reduced BRD incidence during the receiving period compared to on-arrival or delayed vaccination. Reducing the number of cattle sources within receiving pens, as a manner to alleviate commingling stress, reduced (P = 0.04) the number of antimicrobials needed for cattle diagnosed with BRD to regain health. Administration of a bovine appeasing substance (BAS) to beef cattle at weaning alleviated (P ≤ 0.05) the resultant acute-phase protein response, enhanced humoral immunity against BRD pathogens, and improved BW gain during a 6-wk postweaning period. Likewise, BAS administration to steers upon feedlot arrival facilitated (P ≤ 0.05) early detection of BRD signs and lessened the BRD recurrence upon first antimicrobial treatment, resulting in improved (P ≤ 0.05) BW gain and feed efficiency during a 45-d receiving period. Collective, vaccinating cattle against BRD prior to feedlot arrival, reducing the number of cattle sources within receiving pens, and the use of BAS during stressful events are favorable strategies to enhance performance and immunity of feedlot cattle.

197 Awardee Talk: Novel Management Strategies to Enhance Growth and Development of Feedlot Receiving Cattle

Abstract Feedlot receiving is one of the most critical phases within the beef production cycle, when cattle are exposed to several stress and health challenges that impact their welfare and productivity. These stressors include weaning, road transport, and commingling with different animals, which elicit adrenocortical and acute-phase protein responses known to impair cattle immunocompetence and growth. Accordingly, incidence of bovine respiratory disease (BRD) is elevated during feedlot receiving, despite efforts to minimize stress and vaccination protocols against BRD pathogens. With increased restrictions regarding the use of feed-grade antimicrobials in livestock systems, our research group has focused on developing management systems that minimize stress and enhance performance and immunity of receiving cattle. By providing all vaccines against BRD pathogens prior to feedlot entry, our group reported increased (P ≤ 0.05) vaccine efficacy, body weight (BW) gain, feed efficiency, and reduced BRD incidence during the receiving period compared to on-arrival or delayed vaccination. Reducing the number of cattle sources within receiving pens, as a manner to alleviate commingling stress, reduced (P = 0.04) the number of antimicrobials needed for cattle diagnosed with BRD to regain health. Administration of a bovine appeasing substance (BAS) to beef cattle at weaning alleviated (P ≤ 0.05) the resultant acute-phase protein response, enhanced humoral immunity against BRD pathogens, and improved BW gain during a 6-wk postweaning period. Likewise, BAS administration to steers upon feedlot arrival facilitated (P ≤ 0.05) early detection of BRD signs and lessened the BRD recurrence upon first antimicrobial treatment, resulting in improved (P ≤ 0.05) BW gain and feed efficiency during a 45-d receiving period. Collective, vaccinating cattle against BRD prior to feedlot arrival, reducing the number of cattle sources within receiving pens, and the use of BAS during stressful events are favorable strategies to enhance performance and immunity of feedlot cattle.

Growth performance, nutrient digestibility and production economics of fattener pigs supplemented with graded level of indigenously developed pig specific mineral mixture

Present study was conducted to evaluate the effects of supplementation of pig specific mineral mixture on growth performance, nutrient digestibility and production economics. Fattening pigs (12) of 4 month-old, with an average body weight of 47.12±0.13 kg were subjected to 3 different isocaloric and isonitrogenous rations having pig specific mineral mixture at the rate of 0, 1.5 and 2.0%, respectively. Growth performance and digestibility coefficient of nutrients were assessed at 45 days and 90 days of experiment. Results showed that during the entire experimental periods pig specific mineral mixture supplementation @ 1.5% significantly improved body weight gain, FCR of pigs over control but further no significant improvement was observed with 2% supplementation rate. However, in comparison to control, only at 90th days of experiment digestibility coefficient of DM, CP and EE was significantly higher in pigs supplemented with 1.5% mineral mixture with no significant difference with 2% supplemented group. Moreover, calcium retention at both 45th and 90th day and phosphorus retention only at 90th days of experiment was significantly better in pigs supplemented with 1.5% mineral mixture with no further improvement with 2% supplementation. Margin of receipts per pig over feeding cost in 1.5% supplemented group was highest and was Rs. 833.60 higher than control. It was concluded that dietary inclusion of pig specific mineral mixture @ 1.5% is sufficient to improve the growth performance and nutrient digestibility with highest economic return from fattener pigs.

Immune status of broiler chickens experimentally infected with avian E.coli supplemented with amino acid mixture rich in Glycine

Meat producing broiler chickens may needs dietary amino acids of animal origin to obtain high growth, good health, muscles yield and healthy immune response. To investigate the effects of the amino acids mixture from animal origins rich in glycine on performance and immunity of broiler chickens an in vivo experiment was conducted at which T1 andT2 groups supplemented with amino acid mixture in every 10 days for successive 3 days, 8 hr. daily interval at dose 1 ml/L in drinking water and the second ( T2 group) was experimentally challenged with avian pathogenic E.coli (APEC) and the third group (T3) had no supplementation. The obtained results showed that amino acids mixture treated groups( T1 and T2) had a remarkable immune-modulation as noticed by significant elevation of phagocytic count and activities(lysozymes and nitric oxide production) ,expression of IL-4, IL-10 and interferon- gamma-genes using RT-PCR. Performance studies proved that there was an improvement of body weight gain and lowered mortality rate in amino acids treated group.

Effects of Condensed Tannins Supplementation on Animal Performance, Phylogenetic Microbial Changes, and In Vitro Methane Emissions in Steers Grazing Winter Wheat.

Simple SummaryGrazing wheat pasture is a common practice throughout the southeastern and south-central United States; however, the practice is limited by concerns regarding the occurrence of bloat. In addition, there are few reports concerning methane production by cattle grazing wheat pasture. Naturally occurring plant secondary compounds, including condensed tannins (CT), saponins, and essential oils, are extensively evaluated as natural alternatives to control bloat and to mitigate methane production. However, the effects of CT supplementation on ruminal gas production, rumen microflora community changes, and animal performance in stocker cattle grazing wheat forage are not fully defined. Supplementation with CT induced changes in ruminal bacteria, reduced methane emissions, and increased animal performance. These data indicate that CT supplementation may benefit stocker producers grazing wheat pasture by decreasing the incidence of bloat and increasing animal performance by changing rumen fermentation.Eighteen growing rumen-cannulated steers, with initial body weight (BW) of 167.4 ± 7.10 kg, were randomly allocated to one of three treatments that included a control (0% CT) and two CT treatment levels (0.05% and 0.07% condensed tannins (CT)/kg BW) with two replicates each. Both in vivo and in vitro experiments were conducted. In Exp. 1, final BW and average daily gain were greater (p < 0.05) for the 0.07% CT treatment compared to either 0.05% CT or control groups. Rumen bacterial populations in steers fed winter wheat in the absence of CT represented large proportions of the moderate-guanines and cytosines (GC) containing bacterial clusters with similarity coefficient (SC) ranging from 64% to 92% In the presence of CT on day 0, day 20, and day 60, however, the SC was 60% or greater (90% SC) with multiple bacterial band clusters as shown by the denaturing gel gradient electrophoresis banding patterns. In Exp. 2, in vitro total gas, potential gas, and CH4 productions decreased (p < 0.01) as CT supplementation increased in steers grazing wheat forage. These results suggested that the administration of CT improved BW gain and induced bacterial community changes in the rumen of steers grazing wheat forage.

Effect of microencapsulated organic acids on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, blood profile, fecal gas emission, fecal microbial, and meat-carcass grade quality of growing-finishing pigs

The present study was conducted to assess the effect of a microencapsulated mixture of organic acids (MOAs) supplementation on the growth performance, nutrient digestibility, blood profile, fecal gas emission, fecal microbial, and meat-carcass grade quality in growing-finishing pigs. A total of 90 crossbred pigs (Duroc × Landrace × Yorkshire) with mean initial body weight (BW) of 22.68 ± 0.01 kg were used in a 16-week experiment. Pigs were randomly distributed to one of 3 treatment and 6 replicate pens per treatment 5 pigs per pen. The dietary treatments were as follows: control, basal diet; MOAs1, basal diet + 0.05% MOAs; and MOAs2, basal diet + 0.10% MOAs, respectively).The supplementation of MOAs in the basal diet has significant (P< 0.05) linearly improvement in body weight gain (BWG) at week 8, 12, and 16 and average daily gain (ADG) at weeks 4, 8, 12 and the overall experiment. In addition, MOAs supplementation had linearly (P< 0.05) decreased fecal Escherichia coli (E. coli) counts in pigs at week 16. The inclusion of MOAs in pigs’ diet had linearly (P< 0.05) increased in backfat thickness (BFT) and lean meat percentage (LMT) at week 4. The drip loss decreased linearly (P < 0.05) on day 7 supplemented with a graded level of MOAs. Dietary supplementation of MOAs failed to show significant effects on nutrient digestibility, blood profile and fecal gas emission. Thus, MOAs supplementation had positively enhanced the growth performance, fecal microbial, and meat quality of growing-finishing pigs.

Recommendation of Choline Inclusion in Lambs’ Diet

Objective: To establish an inclusion recommendation for choline (herbal or synthetic) in fattening lambs’diet based on productive performance and blood metabolites.Design/Methodology/Approach: A literature review was carried out of herbal and synthetic choline supplementation in the diet of fattening lambs.Results: The addition of protected choline chloride (50% purity) in the lamb’s diet should be less than 2.5g/kg DM in order not to cause a detrimental effect on the productive performance. On the other hand, the inclusion of herbal choline in lambs’ diet should be greater than 6 g/kg DM to have positive effects on body gain and feed conversion.Study Limitations/Implications: It is necessary to establish the requirement for choline in fattening lambs because studies where choline is supplemented show that the contribution of conventional ingredients is insufficient.Findings/Conclusions: The inclusion of herbal (6 g/kg DM) and synthetic (2.5 g/kg DM) choline in lambs’ diet improves body weight gain and modifies energy metabolites

Supplementing Garlic Nanohydrogel Optimized Growth, Gastrointestinal Integrity and Economics and Ameliorated Necrotic Enteritis in Broiler Chickens Using a Clostridium perfringens Challenge Model.

Simple SummaryNecrotic enteritis (NE) is one of the most serious diseases in terms of economic losses. Aspects related to application of nanotechnology to control outbreaks of NE due to Clostridium perfringens (C. perfringens) are not completely understood. Hence, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the beneficial effects of garlic nano-hydrogel (G-NHG) on the performance, intestinal integrity, economic returns and alleviation of the intestinal C. perfringens levels using an NE challenge model in broiler chickens. Dietary inclusion of 400 mg/kg of G-NHG improved body weight gain (BWG) and feed conversion ratio (FCR). The digestive enzymes and tight junction and gut barrier-related genes expression were negatively impacted post C. perfringens challenge, resulting in a decrease in BWG with an increase in FCR. Meanwhile, G-NHG supplementation decreased C. perfringens levels, mortality rates and intestinal lesion score, and thereby improved intestinal permeability measurements, which consequently resulted in improved growth performance parameters. In conclusion, G-NHG markedly ameliorated the negative effects of C. perfringens challenge, which positively reflected on the growth performance of challenged birds, suggesting its beneficial effects in controlling C. perfringens infection in broiler chickens.Necrotic enteritis (NE) caused by Clostridium perfringens (C. perfringens) results in impaired bird growth performance and increased production costs. Nanotechnology application in the poultry industry to control NE outbreaks is still not completely clarified. Therefore, the efficacy of dietary garlic nano-hydrogel (G-NHG) on broilers growth performance, intestinal integrity, economic returns and its potency to alleviate C. perfringens levels using NE challenge model were addressed. A total of 1200 male broiler chicks (Ross 308) were assigned into six groups; four supplemented with 100, 200, 300 or 400 mg of G-NHG/kg diet and co-challenged with C. perfringens at 21, 22 and 23 d of age and two control groups fed basal diet with or without C. perfringens challenge. Over the total growing period, the 400 mg/kg G-NHG group had the most improved body weight gain and feed conversion efficiency regardless of challenge. Parallel with these results, the mRNA expression of genes encoding digestive enzymes (alpha 2A amylase (AMY2A), pancreatic lipase (PNLIP) and cholecystokinin (CCK)) and intestinal barriers (junctional adhesion molecule-2 (JAM-2), occludin and mucin-2 (Muc-2)) were increased in groups fed G-NHG at higher levels to be nearly similar to those in the unchallenged group. At 14 d post challenge, real-time PCR results revealed that inclusion of G-NHG led to a dose-dependently decrease in the C. perfringens population, thereby decreasing the birds’ intestinal lesion score and mortality rates. Using 400 mg/kg of G-NHG remarkably ameliorated the adverse effects of NE caused by C. perfringens challenge, which contributed to better growth performance of challenged birds with rational economic benefits.

Effect of dietary supplementation of phytogenic feed additives on broiler performance and economic efficiency

This study was conducted to explore the use of phytogenic feed additives (PFAs) in broiler nutrition as a natural growth promoter. Two commercial phytogenic products; Activo ® and Digestarom® P.E.P were added to a standard diet to determine their effect on growth performance and cost economics. A total of 180 one-day-old chicks (Cobb 500) were allotted to three treatment groups of three replicates (20 chicks / replicate). The dietary treatments were as follows: group (1) control (basal diet), group (2) basal diet + 100g/ton Activo® and group (3) basal diet + 150g/ton Digestarom® . Results showed that chicks fed PFAs had significantly higher (P ≤ 0.05) body weight and body weight gain than control, however feed intake was decreased (P ≤ 0.05) in supplemented groups than control and, in turn, caused an improvement (P ≤ 0.05) in feed conversion ratio. European Broiler index was increased in Activo® fed group and Digestarom® fed group compared to negative control. Interestingly, a lower feed cost was recorded in the supplemented groups combined with a higher growth rate and, therefore, a higher net return was observed. Moreover, economic efficiency showed a significant (P ≤ 0.05) difference in PFAs supplemented groups compared to the control .In conclusion, supplementation of broiler diets with PFAs can improve body weight gain, feed conversion ratio and overall broiler performance .The best economic efficiency was recorded in broilers fed PFAs.

Effects of Lactobacillus reuteri and Streptomyces coelicolor on Growth Performance of Broiler Chickens.

There are well documented complications associated with the continuous use of antibiotics in the poultry industry. Over the past few decades, probiotics have emerged as viable alternatives to antibiotics; however, most of these candidate probiotic microorganisms have not been fully evaluated for their effectiveness as potential probiotics for poultry. Recent evaluation of a metagenome of broiler chickens in our laboratory revealed a prevalence of Lactobacillus reuteri (L. reuteri) and Actinobacteria class of bacteria in their gastrointestinal tract. In this study Lactobacillus reuteri and Streptomyces coelicolor (S. coelicolor) were selected as probiotic bacteria, encapsulated, and added into broiler feed at a concentration of 100 mg/kg of feed. In an 8-week study, 240 one day-old chicks were randomly assigned to four dietary treatments. Three dietary treatments contained two probiotic bacteria in three different proportions (L. reuteri and S. coelicolor individually at 100 ppm, and mixture of L. reuteri and S. coelicolor at 50 ppm each). The fourth treatment had no probiotic bacteria and it functioned as the control diet. L. reuteri and S. coelicolor were added to the feed by using wheat middlings as a carrier at a concentration of 100 ppm (100 mg/kg). Chickens fed diets containing L. reuteri and S. coelicolor mixture showed 2% improvement in body weight gain, 7% decrease in feed consumption, and 6–7% decrease in feed conversion ratios. This research suggests that L. reuteri and S. coelicolor have the potential to constitute probiotics in chickens combined or separately, depending on the desired selection of performance index.