Improved Feed Conversion Efficiency Research Articles

Water supplementation of Moringa oleifera as a substitute for antibiotics on performance and blood parameters of broiler chickens

There is a serious public health concern of the use of antibiotics sub-therapeutically and/or as growth promoter in poultry feed and water. Therefore, there is an urgent need for alternatives. Moringa oleifera is a phytobiotic, which has been reported to possess antimicrobial and immuno-modulatory properties. This study aimed to investigate the effects of aqueous M. oleifera leaf extract (MOLE) supplementation on growth performance and hematological indices of broiler chickens. The 36 day-old broiler chicks (Cobb 500) were randomly divided into three dietary groups (group A, B and C) having 12 birds in each. The group A was considered as negative control which had received the basal diet and fresh drinking water. The group B was fed with basal diet and antibiotics (Ciprofloxacin) plus Vitamin B-complex mixed drinking water(Positive control). The group C was fed with basal diet and drinking water supplemented with 1% MOLE. Body weight, feed intake and feed conversion ratios of the birds were recorded on weekly basis. On day 35th of the feeding trail, blood samples from five birds per replicate were used for the study of hematological indices. Birds under Group C attained intermediate body weight (1892 g) and best FCR (1.48) those were comparable with that of Group B but better (p<0.05) than those of Group A. There was a trend of decrease (p>0.05) internal organs weight in Group C compared to other groups. However, zero mortality rate and similar hematological indices were observed in the birds across the treatments. Here, the results suggested that, the aqueous MOLE can be included in the drinking water of broiler chicken for reduced feed intake and improved feed conversion efficiency and it can be considered as an alternate to synthetic antibiotics as growth promoter to fight the emergence of antibiotic resistance phenomena in poultry industry.J. Bangladesh Agril. Univ. 16(2): 266-270, August 2018

Exercise improves growth, alters physiological performance and gene expression in common carp (Cyprinus carpio)

It has been suggested that induced swimming has the potential to improve the growth performance of fish. We tested this hypothesis by measuring growth, metabolic efficiency and physiological capacity of common carp (Cyprinus carpio). Fish were swum at different exercise regimes: 0.0 (control), 1.5 and 2.5 body lengths per second (BL/s) in 1600 L recirculating raceways for 4 weeks. The results showed a significant increase in weight gain, specific growth rate, improved feed conversion efficiency, and a higher hepatosomatic index for 2.5 BL/s exercised fish compared to control. Glycogen, protein and lipid energy stores in hepatic and muscular tissue showed limited differences among experimental groups. Likewise, plasma [Na+], [K+] and [Cl−] remained stable at all swimming regimes. Expression of genes controlling energy metabolism and growth (IGF-I axis, cytochrome oxidase) and stress response (cortisol receptor, heat shock protein 70) revealed clear regulatory roles as the mRNA transcript levels of IGF-I and growth hormone receptors in hepatic tissue were up-regulated in fish exercised for 3–4 weeks at 2.5 BL/s. Oxygen consumption rate and swimming performance (Ucrit) for each experimental group were evaluated in parallel in Blazka-type swim-tunnels (3.9 L) and showed no training effect while prolonged swimming at 1.5 and 2.5 BL/s facilitated ammonia excretion and prevented build-up of plasma ammonia. Overall, these data suggest that sustained exercise at 2.5 BL/s enhanced growth and physiological fitness without compromising energy metabolism or ion-regulation. Our study provides a prospective of implementing exercise as a tool to increase fish production efficiency in commercial aquaculture systems.

Self-selection of plant bioactive compounds by sheep in response to challenge infection with Haemonchus contortus.

Plant bioactives can potentially benefit herbivores through their effects on health and nutrition. The objective of this study was to determine the importance of polyphenols and terpenes on the ability of lambs to self-select these compounds when challenged by a parasitic infection and the subsequent impact on their health and productivity. Thirty-five lambs were housed in individual pens and assigned to five treatment groups (7 animals/group), where they received: 1) A basal diet of beet pulp:soybean meal (90:10) (CONTROL); 2) The same diet, but containing 0.3% of bioactive natural plant compounds extracted from grape, olive and pomegranate (BNP); 3) A simultaneous offer of the diets offered to the Control and BNP groups (Choice-Parasitized; CHP-1); 4) The Control diet, and when lambs developed a parasitic infection, the choice described for CHP-1 (CHP-2); and 5) The same choice as CHP-1, but animals did not experience a parasitic burden (Choice-Non-Parasitized; CHNP). Lambs, except CHNP, were dosed with 10,000 L3 stage larvae of Haemonchus contortus. Infected lambs under choice treatments (CHP-1 and CHP-2) modified their feeding behavior in relation to the CHNP group as they increased their preference for the feed containing polyphenols and terpenes, interpreted as a behavior aimed at increasing the likelihood of encountering medicinal compounds and nutrients in the environment that restore health. This change in behavior corresponded with an improvement in feed conversion efficiency. However, an increased preference for the diet with added plant bioactives did not have an effect on parasitic burdens, hematological parameters, blood oxidation, or serum concentration of IgE.

Mineral nutrition and bone health in salmonids

AbstractIn the recent years, challenges faced in salmonid farming with regard to deformities have helped to improve our knowledge on skeletal biology and development of bone health in salmonids. Different nutritional, genetic and environmental factors are associated with skeletal deformities in salmonids and other fish species. Minerals are a group of essential nutrients having a vital role to play in skeletal development, growth and remodelling. The knowledge generated thus far on the structural and functional importance of minerals in salmonid bone health is largely restricted to phosphorus. A brief account of dietary phosphorus‐related bone deformities encountered in salmonids, critical life stages for the development of bone deformities, recent developments in the understanding of their aetiology and dietary phosphorus levels required to improve bone health are presented. The effect of increased dietary level of phosphorus in reducing bone health disorders under conditions of improved feed conversion efficiency and use of triploids in salmon farming are illustrated with help of metadata analysis from literature. With regard to the role of other essential minerals (macro‐ and micro‐) impacting bone health in salmonids, data available are extremely limited and hence information on other fish species and mammals is summarized in relation to bone development and incidence of deformities. The need to improve mineral bioavailability, utilization and reduce effluent mineral load is presented in brief with example from Norwegian salmon farming. Refinements in mineral requirement recommendations for salmonids and advanced methodologies for studying aetiology of skeletal anomalies, bone mineral status, skeletal development and deformities are also discussed.

The combined effects of supplementing monensin and 3-nitrooxypropanol on methane emissions, growth rate, and feed conversion efficiency in beef cattle fed high-forage and high-grain diets.

The study objective was to evaluate the combined effects of supplementing monensin (MON) and the methane (CH4) inhibitor 3-nitrooxypropanol (NOP) on enteric CH4 emissions, growth rate, and feed conversion efficiency of backgrounding and finishing beef cattle. Two hundred and forty crossbred steers were used in a 238-d feeding study and fed a backgrounding diet for the first 105 d (backgrounding phase), transition diets for 28 d, followed by a finishing diet for 105 d (finishing phase). Treatments were as follows: 1) control (no additive); 2) MON (monensin supplemented at 33 mg/kg DM; 3) NOP (3-nitrooxypropanol supplemented at 200 mg/kg DM for backgrounding or 125 mg/kg DM for finishing phase); and 4) MONOP (33 mg/kg DM MON supplemented with either 200 mg/kg DM or 125 mg/kg DM NOP). The experiment was a randomized complete block (weight: heavy and light) design with 2 (NOP) × 2 (MON) factorial arrangement of treatments using 24 pens (8 cattle/pen; 6 pens/treatment) at the main feedlot and 8 pens (6 cattle/pen; 2 pens/treatment) at the controlled environment building (CEB) feedlot. Five animals per treatment were moved to chambers for CH4 measurements during both phases. Data were analyzed using a Mixed procedure of SAS with pen as experimental unit (except CH4). Location (Main vs. CEB) had no significant effect and was thus omitted from the final model. Overall, there were few interactions between MON and NOP indicating that the effects of the 2 compounds were independent. When cattle were fed the backgrounding diet, pen DMI was decreased by 7%, whereas gain-to-feed ratio (G:F) was improved by 5% with NOP supplementation (P < 0.01). Similarly, MON improved G:F ratio by 4% (P < 0.01), but without affecting DMI. During the finishing phase, DMI tended (P = 0.06) to decrease by 5% with both MON (5%) and NOP (5%), whereas ADG tended (P = 0.08) to decrease by 3% with MON. Gain-to-feed ratio for finishing cattle was improved with NOP by 3% (P < 0.01); however, no effects were observed with MON. 3-Nitrooxypropanol decreased CH4 yield (g/kg DMI) by 42% and 37% with backgrounding and finishing diets (P ≤ 0.01), respectively, whereas MON did not lower CH4 yield. Overall, these results demonstrate efficacy of NOP in reducing enteric CH4 emissions and subsequently improving feed conversion efficiency in cattle fed high-forage and high-grain diets. Furthermore, effects of NOP did not depend on whether MON was included in the diet.

Climate mitigation by dairy intensification depends on intensive use of spared grassland.

Milk and beef production cause 9% of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Previous life cycle assessment (LCA) studies have shown that dairy intensification reduces the carbon footprint of milk by increasing animal productivity and feed conversion efficiency. None of these studies simultaneously evaluated indirect GHG effects incurred via teleconnections with expansion of feed crop production and replacement suckler-beef production. We applied consequential LCA to incorporate these effects into GHG mitigation calculations for intensification scenarios among grazing-based dairy farms in an industrialized country (UK), in which milk production shifts from average to intensive farm typologies, involving higher milk yields per cow and more maize and concentrate feed in cattle diets. Attributional LCA indicated a reduction of up to 0.10kg CO2 e kg-1 milk following intensification, reflecting improved feed conversion efficiency. However, consequential LCA indicated that land use change associated with increased demand for maize and concentrate feed, plus additional suckler-beef production to replace reduced dairy-beef output, significantly increased GHG emissions following intensification. International displacement of replacement suckler-beef production to the "global beef frontier" in Brazil resulted in small GHG savings for the UK GHG inventory, but contributed to a net increase in international GHG emissions equivalent to 0.63kg CO2 e kg-1 milk. Use of spared dairy grassland for intensive beef production can lead to net GHG mitigation by replacing extensive beef production, enabling afforestation on larger areas of lower quality grassland, or by avoiding expansion of international (Brazilian) beef production. We recommend that LCA boundaries are expanded when evaluating livestock intensification pathways, to avoid potentially misleading conclusions being drawn from "snapshot" carbon footprints. We conclude that dairy intensification in industrialized countries can lead to significant international carbon leakage, and only achieves GHG mitigation when spared dairy grassland is used to intensify beef production, freeing up larger areas for afforestation.

Effects of dietary gallic acid supplementation on performance, antioxidant status, and jejunum intestinal morphology in broiler chicks

Gallic acid (GA), widely distributed in plants and feeds, is known to have a diverse range of activities such as anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, anti-allergic, anti-mutagenic, and anti-carcinogenic. The purpose of this study was to investigate the efficacy of inclusion of dietary GA at levels 0, 25, 50, 75, 100, or 150mg/kg on growth performance, antioxidant status, and jejunum intestinal morphology of broiler chicks. In total, 630 one-day-old Arbor Acres (AA) male broiler chicks were randomly allotted to 6 treatment groups for a period of 6 weeks. The results indicate that dietary addition of GA at 75 to 100mg/kg improved feed conversion efficiency in both the grower (d 21 to 42, P = 0.045) and overall (d 1 to 42, P = 0.026) periods. Dietary addition of GA at a concentration ≥100mg/kg was able to exhibit higher breast muscle ratio at 42 d (P= 0.043). Interestingly, dietary GA inclusion level from 50 to 100mg/kg reduced the crypt depth (P = 0.009) and increased the villus height:crypt depth ratio (VCR) of the birds (P = 0.006). Dietary supplementation of GA at 100mg/kg decreased plasma malondialdehyde (MDA) content at 42 d of age (P = 0.030). Moreover, dietary addition of GA linearly increased plasma total antioxidant capacity (P = 0.039) and plasma total superoxide dismutase activities (P = 0.049) at 21 d of age. However, analysis of plasma biochemical markers revealed that dietary supplementation of GA did not exhibit beneficial health effects. Overall, we conclude that 75 to 100mg/kg of GA are suitable for enhanced growth performance and health benefits in a broiler diet.

Effect of Aqueous Moringa Oleifera (Lam) Leaf Extracts on Growth Performance and Carcass Characteristics of Hubbard Broiler Chicken

ABSTRACT Two hundred and forty day old broiler chicks were used to investigate the effect of aqueous Moringa oleifera leaf extracts (AMOLE) on growth performance and carcass characteristics of broiler chicken. The birds were randomly allocated into six treatments with four replicates, and each replicate containing 10 broiler chicks; the CRD was used. The treatments contained AMOLE0+ (positive control with antibiotic treatment), AMOLE0- (negative control with ordinary water), AMOLE60 (60 ml/l), AMOLE90 (90 ml/l), AMOLE120 (120 ml/l) and AMOLE150 (150 ml/l) inclusion levels of AMOLE, respectively. Birds on positive control had the highest final body weight and growth rate (2392.00 g and 53.61 g respectively) and the ones on 150 ml/l of AMOLE had the least (2042.00 g and 45.37 g respectively). Results of feed intake showed that birds on positive control had the highest (84.70 g) and the ones on 90 ml/litre of AMOLE had the lowest (73.19 g); while the results of feed conversion ratio indicated that birds on AMOLE90 and AMOLE120 performed better than the positive control treatment. Birds on the AMOLE had similar dressing percentages though that of positive control was highest (94.93 %); while those on AMOLE60 and AMOLE150 had the highest large intestine and lung weights respectively. Aqueous Moringa oleifera leaf extract can be included up to 90 ml/litre in the drinking water of broiler chicken for reduced feed intake (12.83 %) and improved feed conversion efficiency (9.11) thus, AMOLE can be used to replace synthetic antibiotics as growth promoter.

Effects of nanoencapsulated aloe vera, dill and nettle root extract as feed antibiotic substitutes in broiler chickens

Abstract. Aloe vera, nettle and dill are herbs that have been used in the poultry diet as feed additives to utilise their benefits in improving performance, immune response and health of broiler chickens. However, reactive and volatile properties of bioactive compounds in herbal extracts cause limitations on direct usage of them in the diet. The use of chitosan (CS) nanoparticles for the entrapment of active components has gained interest in the last few years due to its mucous adhesiveness, non-toxicity, biocompatibility and biodegradability. This study was an effort to evaluate effects of nanoencapsulated extracts of aloe vera, dill and nettle root used in diet on performance, carcass traits and serum immunoglobulin (IgM and IgY) concentrations in broiler chickens. Chitosan nanoparticles were prepared by using ionotropic gelation principle. After nanogel preparation of herbal extracts, a total of 240 Ross (308) broiler chicks were divided into eight treatments, with three replicates of 10 birds. The eight dietary treatments consisted of control (no additives), antibiotic (bacitracin 500 g t−1), non-encapsulated and nanoencapsulated extracts of aloe vera, dill and nettle root. In each experimental period, non-encapsulated (free extracts) and nanoencapsulated extracts of aloe vera, dill and nettle roots were added in amounts of 0.02, 0.025 and 0.05 % to starter, grower and finisher diets, respectively. Birds in different treatments received the same diets during the experimental periods. Results revealed that increasing both non-encapsulated and nanoencapsulated herbal extracts to 0.05 % in finisher diets improved body weight gain in the time period of 28–42 days and consequently the whole time from 1 to 42 days. However, in these periods, birds fed a diet containing nanoencapsulated dill extract had a significantly (P &lt; 0.05) higher body weight gain compared with the antibiotic group, while non-encapsulated dill extract treatment was intermediate. The addition of nanoencapsulated nettle extract in diet significantly (P &lt; 0.05) improved feed conversion efficiency in the 28–42-day period compared with the antibiotic group. In comparison with the antibiotic group, nanoencapsulation of dill extract could profoundly improve growth performance and can therefore be used as a substitute for antibiotics in the diet of broiler chickens.

Exogenous β-mannanase improves feed conversion efficiency and reduces somatic cell count in dairy cattle

Exogenous fibrolytic enzymes have been shown to be a promising way to improve feed conversion efficiency (FCE). β-Mannanase is an important enzyme digesting the polysaccharide β-mannan in hemicellulose. Supplementation of diets with β-mannanase to improve FCE has been more extensively studied in nonruminants than in ruminants. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of β-mannanase supplementation on nutrient digestibility, FCE, and nitrogen utilization in lactating Holstein dairy cows. Twelve post-peak-lactation multiparous Holstein cows producing 45.5±6.6kg/d of milk at 116±19.0d in milk were randomly allotted to 1 of 3 treatments in a 3×3 Latin square design with 3 periods of 18d (15d for adaptation plus 3d for sample collection). All cows were fed the same basal diet and the 3 treatments differed only by the β-mannanase dose: 0% dry matter (DM; control), 0.1% of DM (low supplement, LS), and 0.2% of DM (high supplement, HS) supplemented to the basal diet. Supplementation of β-mannanase enzyme at the LS dose reduced dry matter intake (DMI) but did not affect milk yield or milk composition. Cows receiving LS produced 90g more milk per kg of DMI compared with control cows. Somatic cell count (SCC) in milk was lower for cows fed the LS diet compared with cows fed control diets. Cows fed LS diet had lower DM, organic matter and crude protein digestibility compared with cows fed control diets. Starch, neutral detergent fiber, and acid detergent fiber digestibility were not affected by LS. Milk yield, DMI, SCC, and nutrient digestibility did not change for HS. Despite the reduced crude protein digestibility, reduced N intake led to similar fecal N excretions in LS cows and control cows (234 vs. 235g/cow per day). Urinary N excretions remained similar between enzyme-fed and control cows (~190g/cow per day), although the percentage of N intake partitioned to urinary N tended to be greater in LS than in control cows (31 vs. 27%). Cows fed LS significantly improved the percentage of apparently absorbed N partitioned to milk protein N (42 vs. 38%). When supplemented at 0.1% of dietary DM, β-mannanase can improve FCE and lower the SCC of dairy cows without affecting milk yield, milk composition, or total manure N excretions of dairy cows.

1362 Supplementation of β-mannanase (CTCZYME) to lactating dairy cattle diets improves feed conversion efficiency and somatic cell count

1362 Supplementation of β-mannanase (CTCZYME) to lactating dairy cattle diets improves feed conversion efficiency and somatic cell count

Identification of Gene Networks for Residual Feed Intake in Angus Cattle Using Genomic Prediction and RNA-seq.

Improvement in feed conversion efficiency can improve the sustainability of beef cattle production, but genomic selection for feed efficiency affects many underlying molecular networks and physiological traits. This study describes the differences between steer progeny of two influential Angus bulls with divergent genomic predictions for residual feed intake (RFI). Eight steer progeny of each sire were phenotyped for growth and feed intake from 8 mo. of age (average BW 254 kg, with a mean difference between sire groups of 4.8 kg) until slaughter at 14–16 mo. of age (average BW 534 kg, sire group difference of 28.8 kg). Terminal samples from pituitary gland, skeletal muscle, liver, adipose, and duodenum were collected from each steer for transcriptome sequencing. Gene expression networks were derived using partial correlation and information theory (PCIT), including differentially expressed (DE) genes, tissue specific (TS) genes, transcription factors (TF), and genes associated with RFI from a genome-wide association study (GWAS). Relative to progeny of the high RFI sire, progeny of the low RFI sire had -0.56 kg/d finishing period RFI (P = 0.05), -1.08 finishing period feed conversion ratio (P = 0.01), +3.3 kg^0.75 finishing period metabolic mid-weight (MMW; P = 0.04), +28.8 kg final body weight (P = 0.01), -12.9 feed bunk visits per day (P = 0.02) with +0.60 min/visit duration (P = 0.01), and +0.0045 carcass specific gravity (weight in air/weight in air—weight in water, a predictor of carcass fat content; P = 0.03). RNA-seq identified 633 DE genes between sire groups among 17,016 expressed genes. PCIT analysis identified >115,000 significant co-expression correlations between genes and 25 TF hubs, i.e. controllers of clusters of DE, TS, and GWAS SNP genes. Pathway analysis suggests low RFI bull progeny possess heightened gut inflammation and reduced fat deposition. This multi-omics analysis shows how differences in RFI genomic breeding values can impact other traits and gene co-expression networks.

Effect of Feeding Bypass Protein Feed on Milk Production, Composition and Return over Feed Cost from Buffaloes of Tribal Areas in Panchmahal and Vadodara Districts

The study involving eighty buffaloes in their second to fourth lactation in Panchmahal and Vadodara districts indicated that during early lactation inclusion of concentrate mixture with bypass protein in the ration resulted in significant improvement in yield of whole milk, fat and 6% Fat Corrected Milk (FCM). The improved feed conversion efficiency in treatment group resulted in higher return over feed cost. The farm animals in 15-60 days post-partum period were selected based on their average daily milk yield and fat per cent following Completely Randomized Design, for the trial of 90 days duration at tribal villages in Panchmahal and Vadodara districts. The selected buffaloes were randomly allotted to two dietary treatments i.e. T1 (Control) and T2 (Bypass protein feed). The buffaloes in control group (T1) were fed as per the feeding schedule followed by the farmers (concentrate + green roughage + dry roughage) and those in treatment group (T2) were reared on farm feeding schedule + compound concentrate mixture containing bypass protein. The inclusion of bypass protein feed in early lactating buffaloes resulted in improvement in milk quantity and quality as well as feed conversion efficiency which led to increase in daily income by Rs. 29.18 ± 5.18 and 29.53 ± 7.33 per buffalo in Panchmahal and Vadodara districts, respectively.

Ration balancing at farmers' doorstep: a climate-smart strategy for sustainable increase in livestock productivity in developing countries.

Abstract In recent years, the share of developing countries in global milk production has increased significantly. Despite the breakthroughs in milk production, average productivity of livestock is quite low in the region, mainly because of imbalanced feeding in terms of protein, energy and minerals. Farmers do not have adequate knowledge, resources and skills to formulate a least cost balanced ration. Feed shortages notwithstanding in the region, considerable potential exists for improving livestock productivity and reducing the carbon footprint of milk by ration balancing with available feed resources. The National Dairy Development Board of India has developed a user-friendly ration balancing software for preparing a least cost balanced ration, using available feed resources and area-specific mineral mixtures. To educate farmers, a large-scale ration balancing programme has been implemented in different states of India. Various studies indicate that ration balancing has resulted in an increase in farmers' net daily income by increasing milk yield or milk fat, while reducing feeding costs. Ration balancing has also helped improve feed conversion efficiency and microbial protein synthesis, while reducing enteric methane emissions. A study on the cradle-to-farm gate life cycle assessment of lifetime milk production indicated that enteric methane is the largest contributor to the carbon footprint of milk. A significant reduction in the carbon footprint of milk has been observed when feeding a balanced ration. The present review summarizes the application of ration balancing approach at the farmers' doorstep that could serve as a climate-smart strategy for achieving sustainable increases in livestock productivity in developing countries.

Effects of virginiamycin and monensin administered alone or together with Megasphaera elsdenii strain NCIMB 41125 on in vitro production of lactate and VFA and the effects of monensin and M. elsdenii strain NCIMB 41125 on health and performance of feedlot steers

Virginiamycin (VIR) and monensin (MON) are included in high concentrate diets to mitigate digestive disturbances and to increase performance of ruminants in intensive systems. Megasphaera elsdenii strain NCIMB 41125 (Me) rapidly utilises lactate in the rumen, thereby controlling ruminal pH and digestive disturbances. Me promotes butyrate and valerate production whereas VIR and MON promote propionate that is gluconeogenic and perceived to be more favourable to performance. The objective of the present study was to determine whether the ratio between VFA proportions is more favourable when VIR or MON is administered together with Me and whether their respective effects on health and performance are additive. Two studies of factorial design were conducted, one in vitro fermentation trial where VIR or MON was incubated in the absence of Me (Me-) or in the presence of Me (Me+), and one in vivo trial with steers where MON or Me was administered alone or together. In the in vitro trial VIR and MON were administered to the fermentation vessels in two concentrations, a low dose (0.125µg/mL) and a high dose (0.375mg/mL). Me was administered at 100µL/40mL, supplying 2.5×105cfu/mL. In the in vivo trial 224 Bonsmara steers were allocated to a finishing diet with 80kg/ton roughage and 224 were allocated to a finishing diet with 20kg/ton roughage. Within each diet 112 steers received MON (MONY) and 112 not (MONN) and 112 steers within each diet were dosed with Me (MeY) and 112 not (MeN). In the in vitro trial VIRMe- and MONMe- decreased gas production, whereas VIRMe+ and MONMe+ increased fermentation. VIRMe- and to a lesser extent MONMe- increased total bacterial counts, a result which was apparently due to stimulation of M. elsdenii numbers as determined by 16R DNA sequencing, although other lactate utilising bacteria could have contributed. Me+ reduced lactate and the reduction was more in VIRMe+ and MONMe+. Fermentation end products in Me+ favoured butyrate and valerate and VIRMe- and especially MONMe-, propionate. VIRMe+ and MONMe+ displayed the median. In the steer trial MONY decreased intake and improved feed conversion efficiency. MONY increased carcass gain and dressing percentage on the 80kg/ton roughage diet but not the 20kg/ton roughage diet. Rumen score on both diets was improved by MONY and liver score by MONYMeY on the 20kg/ton roughage diet. Carcass weight was improved by MONNMeY on the 20kg/ton roughage diet. Morbidity and mortality were not affected by MONY but were improved in the presence of Me (MeY). In general, the results suggest synergy between MON and Me.

Impact give Specific immunoglobulin IgY isolated from the egg yolk in different ways in the productive performance of Ross 308 of experimental infected with Eimeria tenella parasite

The current study was conducted in the laboratory of the Faculty of Science / University of Anbar, for the period from 09/27/2012 until 11/17/2012 day for the purpose of comparison methods give treat disease Coccidosis in the productive performance of broiler through the use of 135 chick is one day old unsexal ( Ross strain 308) where distributed randomly to nine treatment and by five replicates per treatment and 3 chicks each repeater (15 chicks / treatment), gavage chicks in treatment first with distilled water (control negative) , and treatment second chicks for by gavage (Intra - Crop) challenge dose for the E. tenella locally isolated and by 5x 104 Oocyst / chick (2.5 ml) at 28 days for the treatment of positive control For the purpose of comparison methods give immunoglobulin IgY locally isolate, has been giving him a concentration of 11.013748 mg / ml amount of 0.5 ml / chick on all transactions, and in the third treatment given by antibodies capsule was given in the fourth treatment by gavage (Intra - Crop) after administration of 1 ml of acidity equalizer after preparing a tea spoon of equivalent acidity in 10 ml of distilled water (Sodium bicarbonate 2.80 gm, Tartaric acid 1.33gm, Citric acid 0.82 gm, Flavour to 5gm) . In the fifth treatment injected antibodies peritoneal membrane, and the sixth-treatment antibody was injected in the muscle (thigh, chest, neck) and in the seventh treatment injected objects counterrevolution in the yolk sac one day old and in the eighth treatment antibody injected under the skin (thigh, chest, neck) and in the ninth treatment antibody was injected intravenously. Notes from the current results of the experiment that the antibody injection in peritoneal membrane has led to a significant increase in body weight and the weighted increase in the seventh week of life compared to the rest of the transactions. In addition, got a significant increase (p> 0.05) in cumulative feed conversion ratio while significantly decreased the proportion of cumulative mortality (1-49 days) in the treatment of peritoneal injection and yolk sac injection treatment compared to the rest of the treatment. Inferred from the current study that giving intravenous IgY peritoneal membrane was significantly better than the rest of the transactions in its effect on the productive performance down Representative proportion of cumulative mortality and improve feed conversion efficiency, which is reflected in the body weight and increase the cumulative weighted.

The Use of Probiotics in Animal Nutrition

This paper reviewed issues regarding the use of probiotics (feed additive) in animal feeding. Probiotics are increasingly used in commercial animal production operations to advantageously alter gastrointestinal flora, thereby improving animal health and productivity. The major outcomes from using probiotics include improvement in growth, reduction in mortality, and improvement in feed conversion efficiency. Although it is not well defined, the mechanisms of probiotics activity to achieve their role include alteration in intestinal flora, enhancement of growth of nonpathogenic bacteria, forming lactic acid and hydrogen peroxide, suppression of growth of intestinal pathogens, and enhancement of digestion and utilization of nutrients. Different probiotics contain different microorganisms which may behave differently, as probiotics are not single entities. It has been indicated that multi-strain preparation is highly efficient in animal feeding. Finally, the efficacy of probiotics have been found to be variable depending on survival rate and stabilities of strains, doses, frequency of administration, interactions with some medicines, health and nutritional status of the animal and the effect of age, stress and genetics of animals.

Validation of an Analytical Method for the Determination of the Activity of Xylanase in Animal Feed Additives and in Animal Feedingstuffs

SummaryExogenous carbohydrases are commonly added to monogastric feed to help degrade non-starch polysaccharides (NSP). This action can increase the nutrient availability of feedingstuffs and decrease digestive disturbances, thus improving animal performance. This in turn can lead to improved feed conversion efficiency in meat and egg production. In light of the benefits associated with dietary xylanase inclusion, so too has it become increasingly relevant to quantity them in poultry feed premixtures with additional enzyme activities and directly in compound feed. Hitherto, the analysis of the activity of xylanase in animal feeds has proved difficult. Despite the widespread acceptance of the DNS method for the quantification of xylanase activity, it is not without limitations which can lead to erroneous under- or over-estimation of activity, and is particularly variable depending on the feed matrix wherein it is measured. The current method validation examined the following parameters: linearity, precision, uncertainty, sensitivity (limit of detection and limit of quantification) and the experiments were designed to highlight any interference from protease co-ingredients and possible matrix effects in various types of supplemented feed. The assay method described is convenient and inexpensive and could be applied to the rapid and routine analysis of xylanases in animal feeds during quality control and in investigating fraudulent adulteration of feed to ensure the authenticity and traceability of the product.

Additional dietary tryptophan and methionine improves feed conversion efficiency and markers of inflammation in weaner pigs infected with Escherichia coli

Additional dietary tryptophan and methionine improves feed conversion efficiency and markers of inflammation in weaner pigs infected with Escherichia coli

A combination of xylanase, amylase and protease influences growth performance, nutrient utilisation, starch and protein digestive dynamics in broiler chickens offered maize-, sorghum- and wheat-based diets

In order to examine the influence of an enzyme combination of xylanase, amylase and protease on growth performance and energy utilisation in boiler chickens offered maize-, sorghum- and wheat-based diets and also determine the impact of exogenous enzymes on digestive dynamics of starch and protein in the small intestine and their relativity to broiler performance, a 3 × 2 factorial array of dietary treatments were offered to 288 male Ross 308 chicks from 7 to 27 days post-hatch. Apparent digestibility coefficients of starch, protein and fat in the proximal jejunum, distal jejunum, proximal ileum and distal ileum were determined at Day 27. The digestion rates of starch, protein and energy were predicted by using exponential mathematical models to fit apparent digestibility coefficients with mean retention times in each small intestinal segment. Sorghum-based diets supported the highest weight gain (P &lt; 0.05) and feed intake (P &lt; 0.05) but feed conversion ratios (FCR) were similar across all three grain-based diets (P &gt; 0.10). There were significant interactions between grain type and enzyme supplementation in FCR and the enzyme combination significantly improved FCR in maize-based diets only (P &lt; 0.01). The enzyme combination significantly increased apparent metabolisable energy (AME) in all three grain-based diets (P &lt; 0.05) and increased nitrogen-corrected apparent metabolisable energy (AMEn) in maize- and wheat-based diets (P &lt; 0.05). Wheat-based diets had the lowest N retention (P &lt; 0.01), relative gizzard weight (P &lt; 0.001) and highest gizzard pH (P &lt; 0.05). There were significant grain × enzyme supplementation interactions for starch (P &lt; 0.01) and N (P &lt; 0.05) digestibility coefficients in the four small intestinal segments. Starch digestibility responses to the enzyme combination were most pronounced in wheat-based diets with significant improvement in all segments. The enzyme combination significantly retarded starch digestion rates (P &lt; 0.05) but did not influence protein (N) digestion rates (P &gt; 0.25). In conclusion, feed conversion of sorghum-based diet (1.475) was significantly more efficient than those based on maize (1.518) and wheat (1.532) in non-supplemented diets. The enzyme combination significantly improved energy utilisation (AME) in all three grain-based diets and improved feed conversion efficiency in maize-based diets.