Lower Body Weight Gain Research Articles

Evaluation of defatted Hermetia illucens larvae meal for Litopenaeus vannamei : effects on growth performance, nutrition retention, antioxidant and immune response, digestive enzyme activity and hepatic morphology

Defatted black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) larvae meal (DBSFLM) has been shown an important alternative protein ingredient for fish, but little information is available about the effect of DBSFLM on growth and health of Litopenaeus vannamei. A 56-day feeding trial was conducted to assess the effects of partial replacement of fish meal with DBSFLM on growth performance, body composition, nutrition retention, blood metabolites, antioxidant and immune response, digestive enzyme activities and hepatic morphology of L. vannamei. Six isonitrogenous and isoenergy diets were formulated by replacing 0% (G0), 15% (G15), 30% (G30), 45% (G45), 60% (G60) and 80% (G80) of fish meal with DBSFLM. Each diet was randomly assigned to quadruplicate groups of 40 shrimp per tank. Shrimp were fed three times daily to apparent satiation. Blood samples were collected at the terminal trial to analyse antioxidant and non-specific immune enzyme activities. Hepatopancreas and intestine samples were collected to determine digestive enzyme activities and hepatic morphology. Shrimp fed G80 had lower (p < .05) final body weight, weight gain and specific growth rate, and higher (p < .05) feed conversion ratio than other groups. Crude protein (CP) in the whole body and muscle, coupled with CP and lipid retention of shrimp were decreased (p < .05) as dietary DBSFLM increasing. Shrimp fed G80 had lower (p < .05) serum total cholesterol but higher (p < .05) total antioxidant capacity than other diets, and serum malondialdehyde was lower (p < .05) in shrimp fed G45-G80 than those fed G0-G30. Hepatic and intestinal digestive enzyme activities were not altered by treatments (p > .05). Hepatocytes were shown to have different degrees of vacuolar degeneration, hepatic corpuscle atrophy and starlike lumen lose as observed in G60 and G80. The results demonstrated that up to 60% of fish meal could be replaced by DBSFLM without any adverse effects on growth performance, antioxidant and immune enzyme activities, and digestive enzyme activities of L. vannamei. However, hepatocyte damage was observed when the replacement levels exceeded 60%.

A comprehensive overview of the most common skeletal deformities in fish

Skeletal deformities in fish are abnormal transformations of normal bony and/or cartilaginous structures into abnormal skeletal structures that are histologically and anatomically different from their normal prototype. Such deformities are diverse in their location, morphology and impact. The three main topographic regions of a fish (head, trunk and tail) could be affected by several types of deformities with various degrees of severity depending on the cause, age and histology of the affected tissue, regardless of whether it is bony or cartilaginous. The degree of skeletal deformity could impact physiological processes, including swimming, reproduction, growth, resistance to diseases and susceptibility to predation, as well as being the direct or indirect cause of low body weight gain or even death in young fish. Skeletal deformities are commonly recorded from wild and cultured fish, with high incidence in fish hatcheries. Skeletal deformities are responsible for considerable economic damage to the sector of aquaculture by making fish unsightly and affected fish consequently remain unsold. Such deformities are also proposed as biological indicators of aquatic environmental pollution and defaults in aquaculture management. Several diagnostic techniques, such as radiography, ultrasonography and magnetic resonance imaging, have been used for detecting and defining skeletal deformities in fish. Here, the present review summarizes the incidence, classification, aetiological factors, diagnostic procedures and prevention of the most common skeletal deformities in fish.

Zinc oxide nanoparticles prevent multidrug resistant Staphylococcus-induced footpad dermatitis in broilers

ABSTRACT The current experiment was designed to evaluate the effects of dietary supplementations of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZONPs) on some behavioural, performance, welfare and histopathological changes in broilers exposed to multidrug resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)-induced footpad dermatitis (FPD). Eighty-four male Indian River (IR) broilers were randomly allotted to six different dietary treatments as follows: C−ve, C+ve, 10, 20, 30 and 40 ppm ZONPs from 7 to 49d of age. At day 28, broilers (n = 70) were sub-cutaneously injected with 0.5 ml of saline containing 5.3 × 107 CFU/ml of S. aureus (MRSA) in each metatarsal foot pad. Control (non-infected) broilers were given 0.5 ml of saline (n = 14). Results clarified that non-infected birds and ZONPs-fed birds had significantly higher standing and feeding activities and lower resting activities in comparison with the infected group. Also, the S. aureus infected group had significantly lower body weight gain (BWG) and higher feed conversion ratio (FCR) than the non-infected group. In addition, the non-infected birds and ZONPs groups had significantly lower object crossing and tonic immobility times (TI) and gait scores (GS) in comparison with the S. aureus group. Only ZONPs 30, 40 ppm and non-infected groups had a significantly higher latency to lie time (LLT) and lower serum cortisol level in comparison with the S. aureus group. Moreover, there were significant changes in the gross lesion score and histopathological lesions between the different groups. In conclusion, the dietary supplementation of ZONPs can reduce S. aureus-induced negative effects of FPD in broilers.

Review on the Effect of Heat Stress on Poultry Production and Productivities

Heat stress is a situation where too much heat is absorbed by a person, a plant or an animal and causes stress, illness or even death. Therefore, the objective of this review was to compile current knowledge and evidence from literature about the effects of heat stress in poultry production, and productivities. Heat stress is manifested by elevated body temperature, hot, dry skin, lack of sweating and neurological symptoms such as paralysis, headache, vertigo and unconsciousness. Poultry seems to be particularly sensitive to temperature-associated environmental challenges, especially heat stress. In the first days of their life poultry need hot climate (32-38°C), but the optimal temperature decreases rapidly with age by 2.5-3.0°C per week. Birds may use sand baths to dissipate the heat from the body, move to a shaded area or seek a micro-environment that avoids extremely high environmental temperature. Birds rose in an open-sided house at 37°C and humidity level of 50-60% showed signs of panting and wing lifting, elevation of body temperature, lower feed consumption, a higher feed conversion ratio, and lowered body weight gain. In females, heat stress can disrupt the normal status of reproductive hormones at the hypothalamus and ovary leading to reduced systemic levels and functions. Also in males, semen volume, sperm concentration, number of live sperm cells and motility decrease when subjected to heat stress. In egg production, heat stress has a significant harmful impact on body weight, and feed consumption of laying hens at peak production, egg weight, shell weight, shell thickness, and gravity. Both meat type and egg laying chickens respond negatively to high ambient temperatures. Heat stress reduces the relative weights of lymphoid organs like spleen, thymus and cloacae bursa.

Bypass fat enhances liveweight gain and meat quality but not profitability of smallholder cattle fattening systems based on oil palm frond

Context Oil palm frond (OPF) is abundantly available throughout Southeast Asia and is a good source of forage for feedlot cattle, particularly during the dry and monsoon seasons when other forage options are limited. However, the use of OPF in ruminants feed is constrained by its complex fibrous structure and low digestibility. Aims The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of supplementation with bypass fat on growth, meat quality and economic returns in smallholder feedlot systems where Napier grass is replaced with OPF. Methods Sixteen Brahman × Charolais crossbred steers, 23 ± 2.0 months old and with initial bodyweight of 425 ± 59.9 kg (mean ± s.e.), were randomly allocated in a 2 × 2 factorial randomised complete-block design experiment with the following dietary treatments: (i) fresh chopped Napier grass-based total mixed ration (TMR; Napier grass–fat), (ii) Napier grass-based TMR + 5% bypass fat (Napier grass+fat), (iii) OPF-based TMR (OPF–fat) and (iv) OPF-based TMR + 5% bypass fat (OPF+fat). Feed intake, digestibility of the diets and average daily gain were measured. The cattle were slaughtered to determine carcass dressing percentage and meat quality. Costs and return of fattening cattle were estimated. Key results Despite higher intake, cattle fed OPF–fat had a lower bodyweight gain than did cattle fed grass-based diets due to lower digestibility. Bypass-fat supplementation increased the bodyweigh of cattle fed OPF but not of cattle fed Napier grass. Fat supplementation enhanced colour, backfat thickness, and fat content of meat in both the Napier grass- and OPF-based diets. However, replacing Napier grass with OPF reduced the net profit of smallholder feedlot systems, even with fat supplementation. Conclusion While fat supplementation increased liveweight gain and enhanced some aspects of meat quality, the increased feeding cost reduced net profit. Therefore, supplementation of OPF with bypass fat is not recommended for smallholder feedlots in developing countries. Implications Appropriate technology to reduce the feeding cost of OPF needs to be developed to make it an economically viable option for smallholder farmers.

Maternal protein restriction before and during pregnancy leads to a gestational day-dependent response of folliculogenesis in outbred mice.

Knowledge of follicle development during pregnancy under experimental conditions could be a key factor to understanding maternal ovarian activity. Thus, this study evaluated the effects of maternal protein restriction before and during pregnancy on folliculogenesis. Swiss outbred female mice were allocated to either a control (CC; 20% protein) or treated (TT; 8% protein) group. Pregnant females were killed either on Gestational day (GD) 7.5 or GD17.5 and the ovaries were evaluated using histomorphometric and immunohistochemical methods. TT females showed higher feed and energy intakes, but lower bodyweight gain at GD17.5 (P <0.05). They also had lower number of secondary follicles at GD7.5 and a higher proportion of primordial follicles at GD17.5 (P <0.05). In addition, the areas of the secondary follicles and their granulosa layer were smaller in the TT group on GD7.5, whereas the areas of the oocyte and granulosa layer from atretic follicles were larger (P <0.05). Notwithstanding the slight increase in the insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1) receptor expression on GD7.5 in the TT group, there was a marked reduction in IGF1 expression detected in secondary follicles on GD17.5 (P <0.05). Collectively, these results demonstrate that protein restriction during pregnancy negatively affects follicle quality by reducing the size and activation capacity, which is more severe in late pregnancy.

Growth performance of broiler chickens fed on sprouted-papaya seed based diets

ABSTRACT The study investigated how sprouted-papaya seed meal (SPSM) a total of affected the growth and carcase traits of broilers. Based on a completely randomized design, 390 day-old Lohmann broiler chicks were allotted to CONT (chicks provided with control diet), SEED25 (diet containing 2.5% papaya seed meal), GERM1 (diet containing 1% SPSM), GERM25 (diet containing 2.5% SPSM) and GERM5 (diet containing 5% SPSM). Body weight and feed intake of chickens were weekly recorded from 14 to 36 days of age, while birds (six birds per treatment group; 30 birds in total) were slaughtered at day 36. Feeding SPSM up to 5% did not impair (p > 0.05) broilers’ growth or feed intake. At 5%, SPSM compromised (p < 0.05) feed conversion ratio (FCR) and reduced breast meat proportion. SPSM at 2.5% in diets had no (p > 0.05) detrimental effects, while papaya seed meal at the same proportion lowered (p < 0.05) final body weight, weight gain, and cumulative feed intake. Overall, SPSM may be incorporated in broiler rations up to 2.5% with no harmful effects on growth, feed intake, FCR and carcase traits of broiler chickens.

Impact of oral nutritional supplements (ONS) on growth outcomes and IGF-1 level in underweight older children and young adolescents (5-14 years) with short stature and no systemic disease: High versus normal calories density formula.

Objectives:This controlled trial investigated the effects of energy-dense pediatric oral nutritional supplements ONS versus standard ONS in pediatric patients requiring oral nutritional support for low body mass index (BMI) or weight gain per day (WGD) below the average for age and sex.Patients and Methods:34 children and adolescents (mean age 10.2 years) with faltering growth requiring ONS were randomized to cONS (n =22) or sONS (n = 12) for a year. We recorded their weight (WT), height (HT) and calculated height growth velocity (GV), Ht-SDS, BMI, WGD, every 3 months for a year.Results:The WGD, height growth velocity (GV: cm/year), and Ht-SDS increased significantly, in both groups, during the year of ONS. The use of the cONS resulted in significantly greater mean total WGD and BMI-SDS after 6 months and 1 year, compared to the sONS group. The increase in IGF1-SDS was significantly higher in the cONS groups versus the sONS group. Moreover, the WGD was correlated significantly with the height GV during the year of ONS intake.Conclusions:ONS improved the growth of underweight old children and adolescents who had no systemic illness. There was a significantly higher WGD and BMI-SDS in the group on cONS compared to those on sONS. In both groups, long-term use of ONS significantly improved Ht-SDS. (www.actabiomedica.it)

Light-dark cycle inversion effect on food intake and body weight in rats.

Background: most organisms inhabiting this planet have rhythmic functions in cycles that approximate 24 hours as a result of evolutionary adaptation. Disruption of these rhythms causes disruption in many bodily functions, including energy expenditure and consumption, and lipid and glucose metabolism, in addition to altering several biochemical parameters. Objective: the aim of this study was to determine the effect of altering the light-dark cycle on diurnal and nocturnal food consumption and body weight in rats. Material and methods: three experiments were carried out with an experimental group and a control group in each one. The groups included six males with an age of four months at the beginning of the experiment. Each experiment was 30 days long, starting with a baseline of 10 days and then inverting the light-dark cycle for another 20 days. In the first experiment the inversion took place at the end of the baseline period; in the second, the inversion was performed on days 10 and 20; in the third experiment inversions occurred every five days following the initial 10 days of baseline. Results: our results show a lower body weight gain in the experimental groups when compared to the control groups. Conclusions: significant differences in total consumption of food were not found, but were seen in the patterns of day and night consumption, along with a tendency to develop alterations characteristic of metabolic syndrome, which increased with the frequency of light-dark cycle inversion.

Changes in the ceca microbiota of broilers vaccinated for coccidiosis or supplemented with salinomycin

The objective of this study was to characterize differences in the cecal microbiota of chickens vaccinated for coccidiosis or receiving salinomycin in the diet. In this study, 140 male 1-day-old broiler chickens were divided in 2 groups: vaccine group (live vaccine) vaccinated at the first day and salinomycin group (60 ppm/kg since the first day until 35 d of age). Each treatment was composed for 7 replicates of 10 birds per pen. At 28 d, the cecal content of one bird per replicate was collected for microbiota analysis. The genetic sequencing was conducted by the Miseq Illumina platform. Vaccine group showed lower body weight, weight gain, and poorer feed conversion in the total period (P < 0.05). Bacterial 16S rRNA genes were classified as 3 major phyla (Bacteroidetes, Firmicutes, and Proteobacteria), accounting for more than 98% of the total bacterial community. The microbiota complexity in the cecal was estimated based on the α-diversity indices. The vaccine did not reduce species richness and diversity (P > 0.05). The richness distribution in the salinomycin group was larger and more uniform than the vaccinated birds. Salinomycin group was related to the enrichment of Bacteroidetes, whereas Firmicutes and Proteobacteria phyla were in greater proportions in the vaccine group. The last phylum includes a wide variety of pathogenic bacteria. The vaccine did not decrease the species richness but decreased the percentage of Bacteroidetes, a phylum composed by genera that produce short-chain fatty acids improving intestinal health. Vaccine group also had higher Proteobacteria phylum, which may help explain its poorer performance.

Effects of a combination of phytase and multi-carbohydrase enzymes in low-density corn–soybean meal based diets on growth performance and ileal nutrients digestibility of male broilers

A study was conducted to evaluate the effect of dietary supplementation of phytase and carbohydrase on growth performance and ileal digestibility of nutrients in broilers fed low-density corn–soybean meal-based diets. A total of 280 one-day-old Ross 308 male broilers were randomly assigned to 7 dietary treatments, with 4 replicates of 10 birds. Dietary treatments were (1) full nutrient specification without enzyme supplementation (positive control; PC), (2) diet with reduced nutrients as a phytase matrix (negative control; NC), (3) NC + phytase (500 FTU/kg diet), 4) NC + multi-carbohydrase (0.1 g/kg), (5) NC + phytase + multi-carbohydrase, (6) diet with reduced nutrients as phytase and multi-carbohydrase matrices; low negative control (LNC), and (7) LNC + phytase + multi-carbohydrase. Broilers fed either NC or LNC diets had lower body weight gain, the European production efficiency factor, and a higher feed conversion ratio than those fed PC diet (p < .01). Broilers fed LNC diet had lower dry matter (DM) and crude protein (CP) digestibility, and apparent ileal digestible energy (AIDE) than those fed PC diet (p < .01). Multi-carbohydrase supplementation on top of phytase-containing NC diets resulted in a similar effect on performance and digestibility of DM and AIDE in broilers compared with LNC diets containing phytase and multi-carbohydrase. Digestibility of CP was lower in NC + multi-carbohydrase groups than NC + phytase + multi-carbohydrase (p < .01). In conclusion, multi-carbohydrase was successful in improving broiler performance and nutrients digestibility in the diet based on the corn–soybean meal with lower nutrient density; thus, when supplementing it as a second enzyme in diets containing phytase, its matrix value should be considered for least-cost feed formulation. HIGHLIGHTS Phytase and carbohydrase matrix values should be considered when enzyme combination using in C-SBM diet. Carbohydrase improved broiler performance and nutrients digestibility in C-SBM diet with lower nutrient density. Cost-effectiveness use of enzyme combination in diets could reduce nutrient excretion.

The enhancement of fat oxidation during the active phase and suppression of body weight gain in glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase 1 deficient mice.

We investigated whether the deletion of glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GPD) 1 would affect carbohydrate oxidation, fat oxidation, and body weight by using the GPD1 null mice (BALB/cHeA (HeA)). We found that fat oxidation in HeA mice was significantly high during the early active phase than in BALB/cBy (By) mice used as a control under ad libitum conditions. Metabolic tracer experiment revealed that fatty acid oxidation in the skeletal muscle of HeA mice tended to be high. The energy expenditure and fat oxidation in HeA mice under fasting conditions were significantly higher than that in the By mice. Moreover, we monitored body weight gain in HeA mice under ad libitum feeding and found lower body weight gain. These data indicate that GPD1 deficiency induces enhancement of fat oxidation with suppression of weight gain. We propose that GPD1 deletion contributes to the reduction of body weight gain via enhancement of fat oxidation.

Microbial Phytase Improves Performance and Bone Traits in Broilers Fed Diets Based on Soybean Meal and White Lupin (Lupinus albus) Meal

Abstract For several years in Europe, there has been a growing interest in the use of native sources of protein (e.g. lupin seeds) in poultry nutrition. The current study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of a microbial phytase in broiler diets with the addition of different levels of white lupin seeds. A total of 480 one-day-old male broiler chickens (Ross 308) were randomly divided into six dietary treatments (10 replications/8 birds per group). The basal diet contained SBM as the main protein source and experimental treatments were prepared with white lupin meal (WLM) at 3 levels (0, 10, and 20%) and with or without phytase inclusion. The experiment was divided into two feeding periods: from 1 to 14 days (starter) and from 15 to 35 days (grower). Diets with phytase addition were deficient in Ca and non-phytate P. All diets were fed in mash form and offered ad libitum. On day 35 excreta were collected and on day 36, ten chickens from each group were euthanized and blood, tibia, and digesta samples were collected for further analysis. The 20% addition of WLM negatively increased the content of phytic-P. The results showed that feed conversion ratio (FCR) and body weight gain (BWG) were not affected by phytase inclusion but by the WLM level alone. In addition, birds fed the diet with 20% WLM were characterized by having the lowest BWG and the highest FCR of all groups. There were no significant differences in feed intake (FI) among chickens fed control and experimental treatments. Regardless of the white lupin level addition, phytase addition improved (P&lt;0.001) nitrogen-corrected apparent metabolizable energy (AMEN). In conclusion, the addition of phytase positively influenced the performance and availability of minerals (Ca and P) regardless of the level of WLM used. However, with regard to the use of WLM in poultry nutrition, it can be assumed that 10% addition is safe and does not affect performance.

Effects of phytase and benzoic acid supplementation on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, tibia mineralization and serum traits in male broiler chickens

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of phytase (Phy), benzoic acid (BA) and their interactions on growth performance, nutrients digestibility and tibia mineralization in broiler chickens fed standard or nutrient,s deficient diets. A total of 768 one-d-old male chicks were divided into 8 treatments for 42 d. The treatments were as follows:positive control (PC), PC diet with 0.5 g/kg of BA, PC diet with 500 FTU/kg of Phy, PC diet with 0.5 g/kg of BA and 500 FTU/kg of Phy, negative control diet (NC) with a nutrient deficiency (ND) equal to matrix value of 500 FTU/kg of Phy, NC diet with 0.5 g/kg of BA, NC diet with 500 FTU/kg of Phy, and NC diet with 0.5 g/kg of BA and 500 FTU/kg of Phy. Broiler chickens received NC diets had lower body weight gain (BWG), feed intake (FI) and higher feed conversion ratio (FCR) in the entire experiment (P ≤ 0.05). Dietary ND negatively influenced tibia and toe ash contents, serum, and tibia P contents as well as ileal P, Ca and CP digestibility at d 28 (P ≤ 0.05). FCR of d 1 to 11 and d 12 to 24 improved when Phy was added to NC rather than PC diets (P ≤ 0.05). Phy supplementation did not affect serum P and Ca content at d 28 (P> 0.05), but reduced serum alkaline phosphatase content in broiler chickens fed PC diets (P ≤ 0.05). Phy supplementation increased tibia and toe ash contents at d 28, especially in broiler chickens fed NC diets (P ≤ 0.05). Inclusion of BA did not influence (P> 0.05) tibia ash, tibia Ca and P contents at d 28, but increased toe ash content (P ≤ 0.05).The interaction between BA and the dietary nutrient level was significant for FCR of d 25–42 and d 1–42 (P ≤ 0.05). Broiler chickens fed PC diets with BA had better FCR compared with those fed PC diets without BA atd 25–42 (P ≤ 0.05). Adding Phy to the diets containing BA improved BWG and FI atd 1–11(P ≤ 0.05). In conclusion, Phy was effective in improving some growth performance traits, and bone mineralization especially when added to NC diets. However, BA had a positive effect on FCR of broiler chickens fed PC diets and had no impact on ileal nutrients digestibility, but improved toe ash content.

Feed contaminated by fumonisin (Fusarium spp.) in chicks has a negative influence on oxidative stress and performance, and the inclusion of curcumin-loaded nanocapsules minimizes these effects

The aim of this study was to determine whether the addition of curcumin (free and encapsulated) to chick feed would minimize the negative effects on health and performance caused by daily intake of fumonisin. We used 50 birds, divided into five treatments: CP, basal diet with 600 mg/kg of fumonisin, with antibiotic and coccidiostatic agent; CU, 600 mg/kg of fumonisin and 50 mg/kg of curcumin; NC5, feed with 600 mg/kg of fumonisin and 5 mg of nano-curcumin/kg of feed; NC10, feed with 600 mg/kg of fumonisin and 10 mg of nano-curcumin/kg of feed; and CN, fumonisin-free diet, with antibiotic and coccidiostatic. We measured weights, weight gain, and serum biochemistry, as well as antioxidant and oxidant activities. Lower body weight and weight gain were observed in chicks that received feed with fumonisin; curcumin did not minimize this negative effect. Lower glucose and triglyceride levels were also observed in the NC10 group, while the highest cholesterol levels were observed in all groups of birds that consumed fumonisin compared to the CN group. Uric acid levels were significantly lower in CP than in CN. Levels of liver enzymes were higher in CP than in CN. The highest levels of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances were found in CP and CU, whereas ROS was higher in CU compared to CN. Superoxide dismutase activity was significantly lower in CP, while glutathione S-transferase activity was higher in the CP group. Catalase activity was lower in groups of birds that consumed fumonisin compared to CN. Taken together, these findings suggest that intake of curcumin-loaded nanocapsules (10 mg/kg) had hepaprotective and antioxidant effects in chicks artificially intoxicated with fumonisin, minimizing the negative effects caused by this mycotoxin.

The Effect of Calcium Supplementation on Body Weight Before and During Pregnancy in Women Enrolled in the WHO Calcium and Preeclampsia Trial.

Obesity is a major and challenging public health problem. The aim of this substudy is to evaluate the effect of calcium supplementation on body weight in women recruited in the Calcium and Preeclampsia trial. Women were recruited before pregnancy and randomized to receive a calcium supplement containing 500 mg of elemental calcium or placebo until 20 weeks' gestation; all women received 1.5 g from 20 weeks until delivery. A total of 630 women conceived during the study, 322 allocated to calcium and 308 to placebo. Among these, 230 allocated to calcium and 227 allocated to placebo had information on body weight at baseline and at 8 weeks' gestation. During the study period, women allocated to calcium had a mean weight increase of 1.1 (SD ±5.5) kg, whereas those allocated to placebo had a mean increase of 1.5 (SD ±6.1) kg, a mean difference of 0.4 kg (95% -0.4 (-1.4 to 0.6); P = .408). Women classified as obese at the start of the trial had a lower body weight gain at 8 weeks' gestation (1.0 kg; 95% CI: -3.2 to 1.2; P = .330) and at 32 weeks' gestation (2.1 kg; 95% CI: 5.6-1.3; P = .225) if they received calcium as compared to placebo. However, none of these differences were statistically significant. The smaller increase in body weight found in women supplemented with 500 mg elemental calcium daily is quantitatively consistent with previous studies. However, in this study, the difference was not statistically significant.

Tributyrin Attenuates Metabolic and Inflammatory Changes Associated with Obesity through a GPR109A-Dependent Mechanism.

Obesity is linked with altered microbial short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), which are a signature of gut dysbiosis and inflammation. In the present study, we investigated whether tributyrin, a prodrug of the SCFA butyrate, could improve metabolic and inflammatory profiles in diet-induced obese mice. Mice fed a high-fat diet for eight weeks were treated with tributyrin or placebo for another six weeks. We show that obese mice treated with tributyrin had lower body weight gain and an improved insulin responsiveness and glucose metabolism, partly via reduced hepatic triglycerides content. Additionally, tributyrin induced an anti-inflammatory state in the adipose tissue by reduction of Il-1β and Tnf-a and increased Il-10, Tregs cells and M2-macrophages. Moreover, improvement in glucose metabolism and reduction of fat inflammatory states associated with tributyrin treatment were dependent on GPR109A activation. Our results indicate that exogenous targeting of SCFA butyrate attenuates metabolic and inflammatory dysfunction, highlighting a potentially novel approach to tackle obesity.

Effects of licorice extract, probiotic, toxin binder and poultry litter biochar on performance, immune function, blood indices and liver histopathology of broilers exposed to aflatoxin-B1

Probiotics, toxin binders, and plant extracts improve health and immunity of broiler chickens exposed to aflatoxin. The effects of licorice extract (LE), Protexin probiotic, toxin binder (Agrabound), and poultry litter biochar (PLB) in experimental aflatoxicosis were evaluated. In a completely randomized design, 504 broiler chickens were allotted to 7 treatments and 6 replicates with 12 broiler chickens in each. The experimental groups were as follows: T1) basal diet (B) without any feed additive or aflatoxin B1 (AFB1); T2) B + 0.5 mg AFB1/kg; T3) T2 + 3 g LE/kg; T4) T2 + 6 g LE/kg; T5) T2 + 0.5 g Protexin/kg; T6) T2 + 1 g toxin binder/kg, and T7) T2 + 5 g/kg PLB. Broiler chickens fed AFB diet (T2) had lower body weight gain at the end of grower period and higher feed conversion ratio at the end of the finisher period, whereas inclusion of LE, probiotic, toxin binder, or PLB restores body weight of broiler chickens to that of the control group. Aflatoxicosis decreased total protein, TG, albumin, Ca, and P concentrations and greater uric acid concentration in broiler chickens as compared with the control group (P < 0.05). As compared with the T2 group, inclusion of 3 mg LE/kg increased serum total protein; inclusion of 3 mg LE/kg, probiotic, and toxin binder increased TG; inclusion of 3 and 6 mg LE/kg, probiotic, and PLB increased serum albumin; and the whole additive decreased serum uric acid of broiler chickens comparing with the control group. Lymphocyte percentage, avian influenza antibody titer, thymus relative weight, and immune response to phytohemagglutinin were decreased in the T2 group, whereas heterophil percentage and heterophil-to-lymphocyte ratio were increased (P < 0.05). Aflatoxicosis increased breast meat malondialdehyde concentration, liver enzymes activities, and number of fat vacuoles (P < 0.05). As compared with the T2 group, all of the additives lowered alkaline phosphatase, aspartate aminotransferase, and alanine transaminase activities, breast meat malondialdehyde concentration, and liver pathological damages (P < 0.05). It can be concluded that all of the additives are capable to decrease the negative impact of AFB1 on broiler chickens' performance, blood indices, and immunity.

Splenic participation in glycemic homeostasis in obese and non-obese male rats

We evaluated the effects of splenectomy on glucose homeostasis in obese and non-obese rats. Obesity was induced by subcutaneous injections of monosodium glutamate (MSG; 4g/kg) in neonatal rats. Control (non-obese) animals received equimolar saline. Splenectomy (SPL) was performed at 21 or 60 days of life (SPL21 and SPL60) in MSG obese and non-obese groups. Glucose tolerance, insulin resistance (IR), adiposity, histology of white adipose tissue (WAT) depots and glucose-induced insulin secretion (GIIS) in isolated pancreatic islets were evaluated at 90 days of life. In non-obese, despite of hyperphagia, the spleen ablation reduced body weight gain and energy efficiency, without changes in GIIS or IR. Slight reduction in glucose tolerance and augmented adipocyte size in subcutaneous WAT was noted in non-obese SPL21 group. In MSG-SPL21 rats was observed augmented body weight gain and energy efficiency, without alter adipocyte size. In contrast, MSG-SPL60 rats had lower body weight gain, reduced energy efficiency and smaller adipocyte size in WAT visceral depot in relation to MSG non-operated. Spleen ablation reduced insulin plasma levels in the MSG-SPL21 and MSG-SPL60 groups. Moreover, splenectomy reduced GIIS and improved glucose tolerance in MSG-SPL21 group. In MSG-SPL60 rats were observed reduction in IR, without changes in GIIS, despite of elevated glucokinase expression in pancreatic islets. In conclusion, spleen ablation reduces body weight in non-obese rats and slightly modifies glucose homeostasis. In contrast, in MSG-induced obesity, absence of the spleen can ameliorate glucose tolerance and reduce insulin secretion, improving insulin sensitivity.

Frozen Autoclaved Sorghum Enhanced Colonic Fermentation and Lower Visceral Fat Accumulation in Rats.

As raw sorghum is not able to influence considerable colonic fermentation despite its higher resistant starch (RS) content, our study aimed to investigate the effects of frozen autoclaved sorghum on colonic fermentation. Fischer 344 rats were fed frozen cooked refined (S-Rf) and whole (S-Wh) sorghum diets and were compared against α-corn starch (CON) and high amylose starch (HAS) fed rats for zoometric parameters, cecal biochemical and microbiological parameters. Sorghum fed rats exhibited significantly lower feed intake and visceral adipose tissue mass compared to CON. Bacterial alpha diversity was significantly higher in the sorghum fed rats compared to HAS and the two sorghum fed groups clustered together, separately from HAS and CON in the beta diversity plot. Serum non-High Density Lipoprotein cholesterol and total cholesterol in S-Rf group were significantly lower compared to CON, while total fecal bile excretion was also significantly higher in the two sorghum fed groups. Lower visceral adiposity was correlated with lower feed intake, RS content ingested and cecal short chain fatty acid (SCFA) contents. Thus, higher RS inflow to the colon via frozen autoclaved sorghum might have influenced colonic fermentation of RS and the resultant SCFA might have influenced lower adiposity as manifested by the lower body weight gain.