Improved Feed Conversion Ratio Research Articles

Xylooligosaccharide supplementation in rice protein concentrate based diets: A comprehensive analysis of performance and health of Labeo rohita.

The primary aim of this study was to examine the impact of xylooligosaccharide (XOS) in rice protein concentrate (RPC) based diets on the growth performance, body composition, digestive enzymes, intestinal morphology and blood biochemistry of Labeo rohita fingerlings. Four different XOS levels (0%, 0.5%, 1% and 2%) were used at each RPC (75% and 100%) level. Twenty-five fish per tank with an average initial weight of 25 ± 0.05 g were randomly assigned (Randomised complete block design) to each of the 8 groups in triplicate aquaria (36 × 16 × 12″) and then fed with respective diets @ 3% body weight for 90 days. The results showed significant improvements in growth performance, such as increased weight gain %, specific growth rate, and protein efficiency ratio and improved feed conversion ratio in 1% XOS supplemented diet at 75% RPC. A significant decrease in serum alkaline phosphatase activity (ALP) and plasma melanodialdehyde (MDA) were observed at 1% XOS level in 75% RPC based diets, respectively. Meanwhile, the lowest total cholesterol and highest lysozyme activity were observed in 1% XOS supplemented diet at 75% RPC levels. Moreover, the serum (alanine aminotransferase and aspartate transaminase) and plasma (superoxide dismutase, triglyceride, high density and low density lipoprotein) activities showed nonsignificant effects among the treatments. Furthermore, the digestive enzymes (protease & lipase) and intestinal morphology were significantly influenced at 1% XOS in the 75% RPC-based diet. Polynomial regression analysis showed that 1.25% XOS is the optimum requirement for the growth of rohu fingerlings when fed at 75% RPC based diets. Overall, it was concluded that the 75% RPC diet was efficiently replaced by fishmeal along with 1% XOS addition in L. rohita fingerlings without any negative effect on growth performance and intestinal health.

Investigating antibiotic free feed additives for growth promotion in poultry: effects on performance and microbiota

The poultry industry is evolving towards antibiotic-free production to meet market demands and decelerate the increasing spread of the antimicrobial resistance. The growing need for antibiotic free products has challenged producers to decrease or completely stop using antimicrobials as feed supplements in broiler diet to improve feed efficiency, growth rate, and intestinal health. Natural feed additives (e.g., probiotics and phytobiotics) are promising alternatives to substitute antimicrobial growth promoters. The goal of our study was to characterize the effects of a Probiotic and an Essential Oils blend on broilers' performance and perform a time-series analysis to describe their excreta microbiome. A total of 320 Cobb 500 (1-day-old) chicks were raised for 21 d in 32 randomly allocated cages. Treatments consisted of 4 experimental diets: a basal diet, and a basal diet mixed with an Antibiotic (bacitracin methylene disalicylate), an essential oils blend (oregano oil, rosemary, and red pepper), or a Probiotic (Bacillus subtilis). Body weight (on 1, 10, and 21d), and feed intake (10d and 21d) were recorded and feed conversion ratio was calculated. Droppings were collected daily (1-21d) to characterize broilers' excreta microbiota by targeted sequencing of the bacterial 16S rRNA gene. The Probiotic significantly improved feed conversion ratio for starter phase 1 to 10d (P = 0.03), grower phase 10 to 21d (P = 0.05), and total period 1 to 21d (P = 0.01) compared to the Antibiotic. Feed supplements did not affect alpha diversity but did impact microbial beta diversity (P < 0.01). Age also impacted microbiome turnover as differences in alpha and beta diversity were detected. Furthermore, when compared to the basal diet, the probiotic and antibiotic significantly impacted relative abundance of Bifidobacterium (log2 fold change -1.44, P = 0.03), Intestinimonas (log2 fold change 0.560, P < 0.01) and Ligilactobacillus (log2 fold change -1.600, P < 0.01). Overall, Probiotic supplementation but not essential oils supplementation positively impacted broilers' growth performance by directly causing directional shifts in broilers' excreta microbiota structure.

Application of Fine Bubbles in Biofloc Aquaculture: Towards Environmental Sustainability

Biofloc Technology (BFT) is specifically designed to tackle critical challenges in aquaculture, including the reduction of excessive water usage, minimizing effluent discharge, optimizing nutrient utilization from feed, and strengthening overall biosecurity on farms. This innovative approach utilizes clusters of bacteria, algae, or protozoa within a matrix rich in particulate organic matter to enhance water quality, improve waste management, and control diseases. Given the system loading rates, there is a heightened need for elevated dissolved oxygen levels and optimal flow rates. Acknowledging the limitations of traditional aeration systems, this review hypothesizes employing fine bubbles as a panacea. The article, therefore, condenses information on fine bubble impacts in biofloc with a special focus on faster biofloc establishment, favorable microbial diversity, improved respiratory health, accelerated growth rates, optimized metabolism, improved feed conversion ratios, reducing costs, and enhanced overall aquatic health. The suitability of fine bubbles in diverse aquaculture environments is also explored with highlights on areas for further research to optimize and scale up fine bubble-fueled biofloc as an environmentally friendly aquaculture.

The impact of multi-species bacteria as a probiotic on productive performance and egg quality of laying Japanese quail

This study investigated the effect of individual and/ or a mixture multi-species bacteria as a probiotic (Pediococcus acidilactici (T1), Enterococcus faecium (m74) + Pediococcus acidilactici (T2), and Bacillus licheniformis + B. subtilis (T3)) supplementation at different levels on productive performance and egg quality characteristics in laying Japanese quail. At 42 d, 350 chicks were chosen with nearly similar live body weight and divided into ten groups of 35 chicks/group. Chicks were fed the basal diet as a control group (L0) or basal diet supplemented with three levels L1 (1.25), L2 (1.75), and L3 (2.25) g/kg diet, respectively. The bacteria-supplemented diets (T1 and T2) had an average feed intake that was the lowest and similar to control group. Better feed conversion was obtained in T1 birds in the first and third month and in the second month in T2. Age at sexual maturity was gradually decreased by dietary supplementation of T3 and L1. Probiotics increased egg production (EP) and egg mass (EM). EP, egg weight (EW), and EM increased gradually due to T3 and L2 supplementation. Bacteria-supplemented diets markedly increased absolute albumen and yolk weight as well as absolute and relative eggshell weight. In conclusion, the mixture of E. faecium (m74) + P. acidilactici and B. licheniformis + B. subtilis improved feed conversion ratio (FCR), egg production, and egg quality traits of laying Japanese quail.

Black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) larvae meal improves quail growth performance.

The aim of the present study was to determine the nutritional value of black soldier fly (BSF) larvae meal for quail (experiment I) and the dose-response effects of BSF levels on growth performance, relative organ weight, and body composition of growing quails (experiment II). In experiment I, 100 35-day-old quail were distributed in a completely randomized design, with two treatments (reference and test diet) and 10 replicates. The experimental period consisted of 5days of adaptation, followed by 5days of total excreta collection. The experimental feed consisted of a reference diet and a test diet formulated with 850g/kg reference diet and 150g/kg BSF. In experiment II, 1000 1-day-old quail were distributed in a completely randomized design, with five dietary levels of BSF (0, 25, 50, 75, and 100g/kg). At 42days of age, birds were slaughtered, and the relative organ weight and body composition were determined. Apparent metabolizable energy values corrected for nitrogen retention of BSF meal were 13.8MJ/kg. Across the starter (1-14days) and overall period (1-42days), increasing BSF levels had a quadratic effect on body weight and body weight gain. Feed conversion ratio was quadratically affected during the starter phase and linearly reduced over the overall period. Additionally, the BSF levels linearly decreased the small intestine's relative weight at 42days and had a quadratic effect on the rate of protein deposition. We concluded that the inclusion of 100g/kg BSF meal improves feed conversion ratio for growing quail.

Effects of direct-fed microbials on productive performance, qualitative traits of eggs, blood biochemicals and ileal microflora of laying hens fed wheat-soybean-based diet

In this study, effects of direct-fed microbial on qualitative traits of eggs and productive performance, ileal and cecal microflora and pH of hens fed wheat-based diets were investigated from 60 to 68 wk of age. The total number of 240 Hy-Line W-36 laying hens were randomly distributed between 40 cages, and the five experimental diets including (A) corn-soybean meal-based control diet, (B) wheat-based diet with no microbial additive, (C) wheat-based diet supplemented with Bacillus velezensis, (D) wheat-based diet supplemented with S. cerevisiae and (E) wheat-based diet supplemented with B. velezensis + S. cerevisiae were assigned to hens with 8 replicate cages per diet and 6 hens per each replicate. Increased egg weight and production (EP), feed intake (FI), improved feed conversion ratio (FCR) and decreased pH of ileum and caecum were observed in layers fed the diet included B. velezensis + S. cerevisiae (P&lt;0.05). Improved intestinal morphology characteristics were observed in hens fed the microbe-added diets (P&lt;0.05). Increased plasma protein, albumen and HDL in hens fed microbe-added diets (P&lt;0.05). Adding B. velezensis + S. cerevisiae to diet, modulated the ileal and caecal microflora composition by decreasing the numbers of Salmonella and increasing the numbers of Lactobacilli. Based on the results of the current study, it can be concluded that adding B. velezensis + S. cerevisiae to the wheat-based diet improve performance and intestinal morphology characteristics of laying hens, decrease plasma levels of cholesterol, triglyceride, and LDL and the intestinal pH and number of Salmonella.

Chlorella vulgaris extract conjugated magnetic iron nanoparticles in nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus): Growth promoting, immunostimulant and antioxidant role and combating against the synergistic infection with Ichthyophthirius multifiliis and Aeromonashydrophila

Nile tilapia reared under intensive conditions was more susceptible for Ichthyophthirius multifilii (I. multifiliis) infection eliciting higher mortality, lower productive rate and further bacterial coinfection with Aeromonas hydrophila (A. hydrophila). The higher potency of magnetic field of iron oxide nanoparticles (NPs) can kill pathogens through inhibiting their viability. Herein, coating of Chlorella vulgaris extract (ChVE) with magnetic iron oxide NPs (Mag iron NPs) can create an external magnetic field that facilitates their release inside the targeted tissues. Thus, the current study is focused on application of new functionalized properties of Mag iron NPs in combination with ChVE and their efficacy to alleviate I. multifiliis and subsequent infection with A. hydrophila in Nile tilapia. Four hundred fingerlings were divided into: control group (with no additives), three groups fed control diet supplemented with ChVE, Mag iron NPs and ChVE@Mag iron NPs for 90 days. At the end of feeding trial fish were challenged with I. multifiliis and at 9 days post challenge was coinfected by A. hydrophila. A remarkable higher growth rate and an improved feed conversion ratio were detected in group fed ChVE@Mag iron-NPs. The maximum expression of antioxidant enzymes in skin and gills tissues (GSH-Px, CAT, and SOD) which came in parallel with higher serum activities of these enzymes was identified in groups received ChVE@Mag iron-NPs. Furthermore, group fed a combination of ChVE and Mag iron-NPs showed a boosted immune response (higher lysozyme, IgM, ACH50, and MPO) prior to challenge with I. multifiliis. In contrast, fish fed ChVE@Mag iron-NPs supplemented diet had lower infection (decreased by 62%) and mortality rates (decreased by 84%), as well as less visible white spots (decreased by 92 % at 12 dpi) on the body surfaces and mucous score. Interestingly, post I. multifiliis the excessive inflammatory response in gill and skin tissues was subsided by feeding on ChVE@Mag iron-NPs as proved by down regulation of IL-1β, TNFα, COX-2 and iNOS and upregulation of IL-10, and IgM, IgT and Muc-2 genes. Notably, group exposed to I. multifiliis-showed higher mortality when exposed to Aeromonas hydrophilia (increased by 43 %) while group fed ChVE@Mag iron-NPs exhibited lower morality (2%). Moreover, the bacterial loads of A. hydrophilia in fish infected by I. multifiliis and fed control diet were higher than those received dietary supplement of ChVE, Mag iron-NPs and the most reduced load was obtained in group fed ChVE@Mag iron-NPs at 7 dpi. In conclusion, ChVE@Mag iron-NPs fed fish had stronger immune barrier and antioxidant functions of skin and gills, and better survival following I. multifiliis and A. hydrophilia infection.

The effect of dietary eugenol nano-emulsion supplementation on growth performance, serum metabolites, redox homeostasis, immunity, and pro-inflammatory responses of growing rabbits under heat stress.

Heat stress (HS) is a main abiotic stress factor for the health and welfare of animals. Recently, the use of nano-emulsion essential oils exhibited a promising approach to mitigate the detrimental impacts of abiotic and biotic stresses, ultimately contributing to the global aim of sustainable livestock production. The current study was piloted to assess the impact of eugenol nano-emulsion (EUGN) supplementation on growth performance, serum metabolites, redox homeostasis, immune response, and pro-inflammatory reactions in growing rabbits exposed to HS. A total of 100 male weaning rabbits aged 35 days were divided into 4 treatments. Rabbits were fed the diet with EUGN at different concentrations: 0 (control group; EUGN0), 50 (EUGN50), 100 (EUGN100), and 150 (EUGN150) mg/kg diet for 8 weeks under summer conditions. Dietary EUGN levels significantly improved (p < 0.05) the body weight, body weight gain, carcass weights, and improved feed conversion ratio of rabbits. EUGN supplementation significantly increased Hb, platelets, and red blood cells , while the mean corpuscular hemoglobin and eosinophils were significantly decreased compared to the control one. Compared with EUGN0 stressed rabbits, all EUGN-experimental groups had a reduction in levels of total glycerides (p < 0.01), uric acid, total bilirubin, direct bilirubin, and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (p < 0.01). Total antioxidant capacity and glutathione peroxidase were significantly improved by EUGN treatment when compared to the control one (p < 0.01), while the EUGN100 exhibited the greatest levels of catalase. Lipid peroxidation (malondialdehyde) was significantly decreased in EUGN-treated groups. All pro-inflammatory cytokines serum interleukin 4, Interleukin 1β, and tumor necrosis factor alpha were considerably decreased after dietary EUGN supplementation (p < 0.05). The serum concentrations of immunoglobulins (IgG and IgM) were significantly improved in rabbits of the EUGN150 group. This study shows that EUGN can be used as a novel feed additive to enhance the growth performance, immune variables, and antioxidants, and reduce the inflammatory response of growing rabbits exposed to thermal stress.

Utilisation of Humic Substances as a Feed Additive in Aquaculture: A Meta-Analysis

Interest has recently grown in the research of humic substances (HS) as a potential aquaculture feed additive, resulting in a growing number of publications. However, previous studies have shown varying results. Therefore, to gain a comprehensive understanding of the effects of HS, a quantitative analysis conducted through a meta-analysis is required. This study employed a meta-analysis approach to evaluate the effect of HS as a feed additive on the specific growth rate (SGR) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) of fish aquaculture. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) method was used to collect the data. Multiple databases were searched to identify relevant articles from scholarly journals. Ultimately, 18 publications that met the requirements were included in the analysis using OpenMEE software. The results revealed an effect size (comparing the control and the HS-supplemented groups) of 0.154 (95 % CI, P &lt; 0.001) for SGR. Additionally, there was a notable improvement in FCR with an effect size of -0.220 (95 % CI, P &lt; 0.001). However, it is important to note that the analysis showed high heterogenicity (I2 values of 98.87 % and 97.91 % for SGR and FCR, respectively). In conclusion, HS supplementation may significantly improve fish growth and reduce FCRs in aquaculture. This meta-analysis contributes valuable insight into the use of HS as a beneficial feed additive in aquaculture practices.

Antiviral efficacies of neem (Azadirachta indica J.) and scent (Ocimum sanctum L.) leaf meals against Newcastle and infectious bursal disease in broiler chickens

The effects of neem (Azadirachta indica) and scent (Ocimum santum) leaf meals fed singly or in combination on the growth response, haemato-biochemical parameters and their antiviral potencies in broiler chickens were investigated. Two hundred 1-day old Ross 308 unsexed broiler chicks were randomly allotted to 5 treatments, consisting of 5 replicates with 8 birds each. Treatments 1 and 2 were basal diets with no leaf meals, treatments 3, 4 and 5 had the basal diets plus 3% neem leaf meal (NLM), 3% scent leaf meal (SLM) and the blend of 2% NLM + 2% SLM, respectively. Birds in treatments 2-5 were unvaccinated against Newcastle disease and Infectious bursal disease while birds in treatment 1 were vaccinated. On days 21 and 42, blood samples were randomly collected from 2 birds per replicate for haemato-biochemical assay, haemagglutination inhibition and agar gel precipitation tests. Data were subjected to descriptive statistics and ANOVA at p&lt;0.05. At the starter phase, an improved feed conversion ratio (p&lt;0.05) was recorded in birds fed the blend at the starter (1.83) and finisher (1.92) phases and the overall performance (1.88) compared to other treatment groups. The least platelet counts (11.08 ×104/µL) were recorded in birds placed on the blend of 2% neem leaf meal + 2% scent leaf meal while the 3% scent leaf meal group recorded the lowest lymphocyte counts (53.60%). At the finisher phase, lymphocyte counts of birds that received the blend of 2% neem leaf meal + 2% scent leaf meal (63.00%) were higher than the other treatments. In conclusion, birds fed diets supplemented with 3% neem and 3% scent leaf meals singly had haemagglutination inhibition titre values and conferred immunity above the protective threshold against Newcastle disease and produced antibodies against Infectious bursal disease. Birds fed the blend of 2% neem + 2% scent leaf meal diets had improved overall performance.

Inclusion effect of dietary fat and dietary fibre on growth performance and digesta mean retention time of young broilers fed on wheat/corn diets

Nutrient digestion and absorptions in animals are greatly influenced by the passage rate of digesta and the digesta passage rate or retention/residence time could be affected by the type of feed given. Therefore, the objective of this study was to examine the inclusion effect of dietary fat and fibre on digesta passage rate in broiler chickens. The hypothesis posited that the mean retention/residence time (MRT) of digesta would be elevated with higher levels of fat, whereas the addition of dietary fibre would have no effect on MRT. The study was designed as a 2 x 2 factorial arrangement of treatments, with two levels of dietary fat (low fat at 10 g/kg diet and high fat at 50 g/kg diet) and two levels of dietary fibre (0 g/kg diet and 40 g/kg diet). The meals were provided in mash form. The results of the present investigation indicated that dietary fat did not lead to a substantial increase in the total MRT of digesta in broilers, which contradicts the hypothesis of this study. However, the incorporation of a high level of fat has been found to increase body weight gain (BWG), improve feed conversion ratio (FCR) and reduce feed intake (FI). This effect has the potential to result in a more economically efficient production system, as it increases the amount of meat produced per kilogram of feed consumed. Further investigations on increasing digesta MRT are recommended in order to optimize the sustainable utilization of feed ingredients in broiler diets, particularly non-conventional feedstuffs, which involve in the application of feed enzymes such as enzymes that degrade fibre, phytate and other antinutrients present in feed.

Multi-strain probiotic improved feed conversion ratio and selected health indicators in Japanese quail*

Abstract Use of multi-strain probiotics in poultry nutrition provides advantages, including promoting microbial diversity in the birds’ gut. Less investigated, as compared to broilers, is how application of probiotics affects performance and health of Japanese quails. Up to date effects of either probiotics based on a single microorganism or using a single dose of probiotic were investigated. The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of gradual levels of multi-strain probiotic applied in the Japanese quails’ diet on their performance, carcass, microbiological and immunological parameters. Total of 240 Japanese quail mixed sex chicks were randomly selected into four treatments: 0.15, 0.10, 0.05 g/l of the probiotic and control group not provided with probiotic. Body weight gain (BWG), feed intake (FI), feed conversion ratio (FCR), carcass characteristics, selected gut microbiome species and sheep red blood cell (SRBC) immunoglobulin IgT, IgG and IgM antibodies were determined. Repeated measures ANOVA was performed on parameters related to productive performance of the birds, while one-way ANOVA on all other parameters using SAS software v 9.4. FI was the highest in the control group (16.84±2.19) and did not differ significantly between other groups (from 16.53±2.12 to 15.18±1.86). FCR was the highest in the control and the lowest dose group (3.15±0.28 and 3.07±0.27), as compared to two other groups of birds which received multi-strain probiotic (2.8±0.23 and 2.77±0.24, respectively). Birds in the control group and birds which received the lowest dose of the probiotic had lower counts of IgT (5.63±0.26 and 5.75±0.25, respectively) and IgG (4.00±0.38 and 4.13±0.3, respectively), as compared to two other treatment groups which received the multi-strain probiotic. Birds which did not receive the multi-strain probiotic had significantly lower levels of Lactobacillus (6.98±0.01), as compared to other birds, while those in the control group and which received lowest amount of probiotic had significantly higher levels of E.Coli (6.67±0.01). Multi-strain probiotic had overall positive effect on the selected parameters of Japanese quails’ performance and health, while efficacy varied depending on dosage.

Dietary strategies can increase cloacal endotoxin levels and modulate the resident microbiota in broiler chickens

Endotoxins released from poultry feces have been associated with impaired human health. Because endotoxins are released from gram-negative intestinal bacteria, it was hypothesized that dietary strategies may influence endotoxin excretion via modulation of gut microbiota. We therefore tested dietary strategies that could potentially reduce cloacal endotoxin levels in broiler chickens. One-day-old male Ross 308 (N = 1,344) broilers were housed in 48 pens (N = 8 pens/treatment, 28 chickens per pen) and fed 1 of 6 diets for 35 days (d) in a 3-phase feeding program: a basic diet (CON) that served as the reference diet, or basic diet supplemented with butyrate (BUT), inulin (INU), medium-chain fatty acids (MCFA) or Original XPC™LS (XPC), or a high-fiber-low-protein (HF-LP) diet. A significant (P < 0.05) increase in cloacal endotoxin concentration at d 35 was observed in BUT as compared to CON. Analysis of cloacal microbiota showed a trend (P < 0.07) for a higher gram-negative/gram-positive ratio and for a higher relative abundance of gram-negative bacteria at d 35 (P ≤ 0.08) in BUT and HF-LP as compared to CON. A significant (P < 0.05) increase in average daily gain (ADG) and improved feed conversion ratio (P < 0.05) were observed in MCFA during the grower phase (d 14-28), and a significant (P < 0.05) increase in average daily feed intake (ADFI) was observed in MCFA during d 0 to 28. Broilers fed HF-LP had a significantly (P < 0.05) higher FCR and lower ADG throughout the rearing period. No treatment effects were found on footpad dermatitis, but BUT had worst hock burn scores at d 35 (P < 0.01) and MCFA had worst cleanliness scores at d 21 but not at d 35 (treatment*age P < 0.05), while INU had better cleanliness as compared to CON at d 35 (P < 0.05). In conclusion, especially BUT and HF-LP were able to modulate resident microbiota and BUT also increased cloacal endotoxin levels, which was opposite to our hypothesis. The present study indicates that cloacal endotoxin release can be affected by the diet but further study is needed to find dietary treatments that can reduce cloacal endotoxin release.

Using black soldier fly larvae as feed for Thai frog (Rana rugosa Temminck and Schlegel, 1838) – Preliminary study of the effect on production parameters

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of the inclusion of either fresh or dried black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) in diets on the production parameters and chemical composition of Thai frogs (Rana rugosa) cultured in net cages. Frog fingerlings have an initial weight of 20.4 g and were distributed randomly into fifteen net cages (2 x 3 x 1.5 m) at a density of 240 frog.net cage-1. Including five dietary treatments named: T1 (100% commercial feed used as a control), T2 (100% dried BSFL), T3 (50% dried BSFL + 50% commercial feed), T4 (50% fresh BSFL + 50% commercial feed), and T5 (100% fresh BSFL) with three replicates for each treatment. The results showed that the survival rate of frogs ranged from 64.3% to 87.0%, improved feed conversion ratio (1.43 to 1.90%), increased live weight (194.7 – 244.6 g), daily weight gain (2.9 – 3.7 g.day-1), and frog’s yield (6.30 – 7.96 kg.m-2). The contents of crude protein (18.21 – 23.19%), ether extract (0.28 – 0.53%), and total ash (0.99 – 1.05%) of frog meat in this study were affected by the inclusion of either fresh or dried BSFL in the diets of frogs. In recommendation, the diet comprised from 50% fresh BSFL + 50% commercial feed could be applied successfully in Thai frog cage production.

Chromium propionate supplementation to energy- and protein-reduced diets reduces feed consumption but improves feed conversion ratio of yellow-feathered male broilers in the early period and improves meat quality

Growth performance and carcass traits may be retarded by low nutrient density diets. Organic chromium propionate (CrProp) can improve growth, carcass traits, and meat quality in farmed lambs, white broilers, and fish. Limited data regarding CrProp's impacts on yellow feathered broilers are available. Eight hundred yellow-feathered male broilers (1-d old) were randomly allocated to 4 dietary groups and reared for 56 d. The trial was a 2 (dietary nutrient density) ×2 (CrProp) factorial arrangement with 4 diets: regular nutrient diet and low nutrient density (LND, reduction in metabolizable energy by 81 kcal and crude protein by 0.43%) diet supplemented with or without 200 mg/kg CrProp. Broilers were euthanized at d 56 after blood collection. The results indicated that the LND diet led to greater average daily feed intake (ADFI) from d 1 to 42 and feed conversion ratio (FCR) from d 22 to 42 (P < 0.05). Supplementation of CrProp improved body weight (BW) from d 1 to 56, average daily gain (ADG), and FCR during d 1 to 42 but reduced ADFI during d 1 to 21, as well as lowered abdominal fat percentage (P < 0.05). Supplementation with CrProp to regular and LND diets reduced ADFI but improved FCR from d 1 to 21 (P < 0.05). The LND diet lowered total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) concentration and total superoxide dismutase (T-SOD) activity in the jejunal mucosa. CrProp elevated T-AOC levels and glutathione peroxidase activity (GSH-Px, P < 0.05). Dietary CrProp upregulated (P < 0.05) the expression of fatty acid transporter (FABP1) gene and peptide transporter (Pept1) gene. CrProp administration increased jejunal FABP1 expression and lowered cooking loss of breast meat (P <0.05) in the LND group while reducing shear force (P = 0.009) of broilers treated by regular diet. In summary, CrProp administration to the LND diet can improve growth performance in the starter period and meat quality on d 56, possibly through upregulated nutrient transporter gene expression in the jejunum and enhanced antioxidant capability.

The Impact of Varying the Amount of Octacosanol Added to Laying Hens’ Productive Performance and Various Oxidative Tests with and Without Vitamin E

A total of 120 laying hens were employed in this investigation, with 20 hens per treatment and 10 repetitions (2 hens each replicate). The experimental treatments included the following: T1: Control group, which received a basil diet without the addition; T2: 20 milligrams of vitamin E per kilogram of feed; T3: 20 milligrams of octacosanol per kilogram of feed; T4: 40 milligrams of octacosanol per kilogram of feed; T5: 20 milligrams/Kg (mixed octacosanol + vitamin E). The findings indicate that the treatments including the addition of octacosanol significantly increased the percentage of eggs produced, improved feed conversion ratio, and increased the eggs mass. Compared to the first, second, and third treatments, the MDA concentration significantly decreasing during the fourth, fifth, and sixth treatments. There were no significantly variations in glutathione levels. The concentration of the GOT enzyme also decreased significantly across all treatments as compared to the control group. When compared to the control treatment, the third treatment significantly improved the concentration of the GPT enzyme. Estrogen levels were not significantly affected by any of the treatments.

Supplementation of Amla (Emblica officinalis) Fruit Powder Modulate Growth and Reduce Heat Stress in Broiler Chickens

Heat stress is a significant environmental challenge that impairs broiler production, negatively impacting growth, feed intake, nutrient absorption, and gut ecology. Various methods exist to mitigate heat stress such as genetic and nutritional approaches, air conditioning, ventilation, and antibiotic growth promoters but they are often expensive and not always adequate. Keeping this view in mind, research has been focused on medicinal herbs which are available, cheap and safer to use. Amla fruit possesses antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anti-stress properties that could mitigate heat stress’s harmful effects on broilers. Therefore, this study was conducted to evaluate the impact of amla fruit powder on growth performance, gut microbiota and blood lipid profile of broilers under ambient temperature and heat stressed condition. A total of 126 broiler chicks were divided into two major groups, one group kept under ambient temperature and another group exposed to heat stress. Each major group was split into 3 subgroups with 3 replications having 7 chicks per replication. In case of each major groups, first sub groups were kept as a control and latter two groups were supplemented with 0.5% and 1.0% amla fruit powder, respectively. Total duration of the experiment was 35 days, where treatments were given with basal diet from 12 days. All the experiment birds were maintained with the similar management except the experimental diets. The results showed that body weight and body weight gain at the end of the experiment were higher in amla treated group than in the control group at both temperatures. Supplementation of amla fruit powder also improved feed conversion ratio (FCR) and dressing percentage than the control groups. Additionally, amla powder reduced TC, TAG and LDL levels and slightly increased HDL content. Amla fruit powder decreased pathogenic bacterial population such as Escherichia coli and Salmonella spp. concentration in the gut and increased probiotic bacterial concentration such as Lactobacillus spp. under both rearing temperatures. Taken together, it can be concluded that, amla fruit powder could be used as an alternative tool to improve broiler performance and mitigate the deleterious effects of heat stress on broiler chickens.

Growth performance and physiological responses of striped catfish (Pangasianodon hypophthalmus) under different carbohydrates supplemented biofloc aquaculture systems

Biofloc technology is booming in inland aquaculture sector across the world especially in the places where water scarcity is high and land cost is expensive. Currently, the lack of appropriate selection and application feasibility of suitable carbohydrate in water quality management and fish health in biofloc aquaculture system are the major concern for wider adaptability of the technology. Therefore, the present experiment investigated the effect of different carbohydrate sources on overall wellbeing of striped catfish (Pangasianodon hypophthalmus) fingerlings. The experiment was randomly designed in four treatments (T1, T2, T3 and T4) and one control in triplicates in indoor tanks (1.0 m3). T1, T2, T3 and T4 groups supplemented with tapioca flour, sugarcane bagasse, molasses and jaggery, respectively under biofloc system at C:N ratio of 15:1, whereas the control group was not supplemented with carbohydrate source. Pre-acclimatized 525 fingerlings (7.2 ± 0.03 cm, 7.4 ± 0.003 g) were randomly stocked (35 nos. m−3) in the tanks and reared for 90 days. Overall, better water quality, fish performance and health status were observed in all the carbohydrates supplemented treatments than the control. Higher abundance of heterotrophic bacteria (5.88–118.18%) and biofloc associated microorganisms in jaggery supplemented biofloc, significantly (P ≤ 0.05) reduced total ammonia nitrogen, nitrite‑nitrogen, and increased nitrate‑nitrogen concentrations than other treatments. In the T4 treatment, jaggery supplementation enhanced biofloc volume, which influenced enhancement of fish body weight gain, specific growth rate, and improvement of feed conversion ratio than other biofloc treatments. Enhanced gut microbial population and digestive enzymes activity in fish significantly enhanced protein efficiency ratio, apparent net protein utilization, and flesh protein content in the T4 treatment. Fish showed significantly (P ≤ 0.05) higher haematological, immunological, and improved antioxidative responses in the T4 treatment than other treatments. Consumption of biofloc significantly (P ≤ 0.05) improved intestinal villi microarchitecture as higher villi surface area, width and height were detected in the T4 treatment. Collectively, the findings suggested that jaggery was the suitable carbohydrate source in terms of overall improvement of the culture system including growth performance and health status of P. hypophthalmus, if applied appropriately in biofloc aquaculture system. The present study comprehensively addressed carbohydrate sources, biofloc formation, total ammonia nitrogen management, fish growth and health resulting in better adoptability of biofloc technology by farmers in aquaculture.

Rearing European Eel (Anguilla anguilla) Elvers in a Biofloc System.

European eel (Anguilla anguilla) elvers (initial body weight (BW) = 3 g) were raised in triplicate for 60 days in a biofloc system (BFT) at 21 °C. Data from the current first study evaluating this farming technology indicated that European eel elvers adapted well to BFT systems as data on growth performance (specific growth rate = 1.48% ± 0.13 BW/day and FCR = 1.05 ± 0.09) indicated, with production costs using BFT being lower than conventional RAS units. The most critical issues associated with this aquaculture system were the maintenance of the biofloc in tanks by the regular addition of refined sugar (46% C) to keep a relationship for C:N of 20:1, and the prevention of emergence of opportunistic pathogens like the monogenean Pseudodactylogyrus sp. The overall results of this study in terms of elvers' performance and quality and the composition of the biofloc material and its microbial composition indicated that BFT, which is considered to be one of the most cost-effective, sustainable, and environmentally friendly farming systems due to its zero water exchange and improvement of feed conversion ratio by the dietary contribution of bioflocs, may be satisfactorily used for farming European eels elvers at a density of 2 kg/m3. However, further studies are needed to test this technology with older eel stages.

The Effects of Different Carbon Sources on Water Quality, Growth Performance, Hematology, Immune, and Antioxidant Status in Cultured Nile Tilapia with Biofloc Technology

The biofloc technology system (BFT) is considered to be one of the sustainable aquaculture systems, which is based on the principle of nutrient recycling with the addition of a carbon source to give dominance to heterotrophic microorganisms. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of sugar cane molasses and tapioca flour as carbon sources on the water quality, growth, hematology, immune status, and non-specific antioxidant status of Oreochromis juveniles. Methodologically, the experiment was carried out for 10 weeks on 225 juvenile Nile tilapia with initial body weights of 47.0 ± 1.3 g that were randomly distributed in 09 tanks (1000 L) with a stocking density of 25 tilapias per tank; the treatments were: BFT + SM (S molasses), BFT + TF tapioca flour (TF), and a control with no carbon source added. The control group was fed 100% feed, while the BFT experimental groups were fed microbial flocs along with 75% feed. The results revealed that the water quality parameters were affected by the carbon sources, but were adequate for normal fish welfare, and the biofloc volume was higher (28.94) with the TF carbon source. The growth performance, such as weight gain (98.61), survival (99.01), and improved feed conversion ratio (FCR) (1.69), was recorded in BFT + TF. Significant improvements in WBCs, HCT, HB, lymphocytes, plasma proteins, albumin, and non-specific immune factors (lysozyme activity, immunoglobulins levels, and ACH50) were observed in biofloc-reared fish with tapioca flour as the carbon source compared to the control and sugarcane molasses groups. Moreover, significant increases in catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were found in the biofloc-reared fish with different carbon sources. In conclusion, the use of BFT + TF was found to affect improving the water quality, growth, hematology, immunity, and antioxidant status of juvenile Tilapia.