Meal-based Diet Research Articles

Growing-finishing pigs do not need additional zinc in a phytase supplemented wheat-barley-soybean meal-based diet

Growing-finishing pigs do not need additional zinc in a phytase supplemented wheat-barley-soybean meal-based diet

Phenotypic and gene expression characteristics of Japanese eel late-stage leptocephali and glass eels after growth on different diets with a focus on nutrient-accumulation status

To evaluate the quality of glass eels that were derived from late-stage Anguilla japonica leptocephali raised on an old-type of shark egg-based diet (SE) or a new-type of fish meal-based diet (FSY), specific gravity (SG), feeding tests, and body compositional and RNA-seq gene-expression analyses were conducted. The largest content difference between the two dietary groups was in lipids, with the body-compositional index (BCI) being 29.2% lower in FSY-leptocephali and 43.1% lower in FSY-glass eels at day 3 post-metamorphosis, but the difference between groups narrowed to 21.6% at post-metamorphosis first feeding. FSY-leptocephali had heavier SG, a larger number of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) related to muscle development and/or movement, and higher creatine kinase expression, suggesting that they settled easily, and were forced to swim more against fast bottom currents in the tanks while consuming more energy. It was found that the days until first feeding in FSY-glass eels was significantly shorter than in SE glass eels, with lower variability among eels. The number of DEGs was larger in FSY-glass eels, with the largest difference of 3.6 times occurring at day 10 post-metamorphosis, especially in the metabolism category, but at first feeding, they decreased drastically in both groups narrowing the difference. In the FSY-glass eels, the number of DEGs related to lipid, amino acid, and protein metabolisms were larger at days 3–20 after metamorphosis. Total enzyme expression levels for acylglycerol degradation, ketone body biosynthesis and citric acid cycle pathways also tended to be higher, suggesting that they obtained energy aerobically using lipids and other materials. Based on the patterns of up- and down-regulation of expression levels, growth hormone, ghrelin/obestatin prepropeptide and pro-melanin-concentrating hormone-like were detected as possible orexigenic hormones, and proopiomelanocortin and nucleobindin-2 as possible anorexigenic hormones. These results indicate that diet quality affects not only SG and other characteristics of leptocephali, but even body composition, metabolism and time to first feeding in the post-metamorphic glass eels for use as seedlings for aquaculture.

Changes in performance, cecal microflora counts and intestinal histology of Japanese quails fed diets containing different fibre sources

The purpose of this experiment was to investigate how various fiber sources impact the performance, microbial population, and intestinal histology of Japanese quail that was performed in a completely randomized design for 42 days. The dietary treatments involved a fiber-free corn-soybean meal-based diet (control, CTL), and CTL with added levels of sunflower hulls (SFH) and sugar beet pulp (SBP) (20 and 40 g kg-1). Body weight gain (BWG) and feed intake (FI) were recorded weekly. Carcass characteristics, cecal microbial population, blood variables and intestinal histology were measured on the 42 day of age. Adding 40 g kg-1 of SBP led to a significant decrease in body weight gain and an increase in the feed conversion ratio of birds from 1 to 21 days (P < 0.05). The relative weight of the gastrointestinal tract and gizzard increased significantly in birds that consumed SFH. Blood triglyceride concentration decreased with the inclusion of fiber in the diet. However, there was a notable increase in blood cholesterol concentration in the birds that were fed SBP (20 and 40 g kg-1) in comparison to those fed SFH (P < 0.05). The population of E. Coli in the cecum increased significantly in the birds that were fed 4 g kg-1 of SBP as opposed to those fed 20 and 40 g kg-1 of SFH (P < 0.05). The villus height of the jejunum in birds that were fed 20 g kg-1 and 40 g kg-1 of SFH demonstrated a significant increase in comparison to the other treatments (P < 0.05). In general, the findings of this research indicated that the inclusion of 40 g kg-1 of SBP in the diet had a negative impact on performance and other physiological parameters. However, the use of SFH and 20 g kg-1 of SBP yielded similar results to birds in the CTL, and in some cases, even better outcomes.

Determination and prediction of the net energy content of wheat bran for pregnant sow

ABSTRACT Two experiments were conducted to determine net energy (NE) values of wheat bran ingredients and develop a prediction equation for NE of wheat bran. In each experiment, 12 multiparous pregnant sows were allocated to two 3 × 6 Youden squares with three consecutive periods and six diets in each square. The study consisted of six diets, including a corn-soybean meal basal diet and five diets formulated with 29.2% wheat bran. Each period lasted for 10 d, with 5 d allocated for adaptation and followed by 5 d for heat production measurement. Sows were provided feed at 604 kJ/kg BW0.75·d−1. On day 10, sows underwent fasting to measure fasting heat production. Results indicated that the inclusion of wheat bran in the diets significantly reduced digestibility of energy and nutrients in (p < 0.05). The average net energy (NE) content of wheat bran was determined to be 8.8 MJ/kg DM. A regress equation NE = 7.968 + 0.28 × CP + 0.607 × EE − 0.782 × ash − 0.05 × hemicellulose (R2 = 0.98, p < 0.01) was found to accurately predit the NE value when feeding pregnant sows with wheat bran-based diets. In conclusion, the net energy content of wheat bran fed to pregnant sows ranged from 7.24 to 10.67 MJ/kg DM and can be effectively estimated using proximate analysis methods.

Effects of dietary supplementation with fermented flaxseed meal on the growth performance, immune function, and intestinal microbiota of growing pigs

Flaxseed meal is a highly nutritious feed resource rich in protein and unsaturated fatty acids. However, the presence of antinutritional factors such as cyanogenic glycoside limits its practical use. Fermentation has been demonstrated to degrade these antinutritional factors. However, little research has been conducted to investigate the effects of fermented flaxseed meal (FFSM) on the growth performance of growing pigs. This study thus aims to examine the effects of supplementing with 10 %, 15 %, and 20 % FFSM on the growth performance, immune function, and intestinal microbiota in growing pigs. Utilizing a completely randomized design, ninety-six growing pigs, each averaging 39.57 ± 0.63 kg, were allocated into four dietary groups with eight replicates per group and three pigs per replicate. The dietary treatments included: a control group (corn-soybean meal-based diet without FFSM) and basal diets supplemented with 10 %, 15 %, and 20 % FFSM. The trial lasted for 30 days. Results showed that including FFSM at 10 %, 15 %, and 20 % did not affect the average daily gain and average daily feed intake of pigs. However, the gain-to-feed ratio exhibited a linear decrease as the level of FFSM increased. Furthermore, FFSM supplementation linear increases neutral detergent fiber (inclusive of residual ash) and acid detergent fiber digestibility (P < 0.05). Investigating immune parameters and metabolites revealed a linear increase in immunoglobulins (IgA and IgM) and total bile acid in serum with increasing levels of FFSM supplementation (P < 0.05). Delving deeper into the gut microbiota’s complex ecosystem reveals that the quadratic response in Lactobacillus abundance and linear increase in Bacillus abundance (P < 0.05), while a linear and quadratic decrease in Clostridium_sensu_stricto_1 abundance with increasing FFSM addition (P < 0.05). Additionally, the concentrations of butyric acid and total short-chain fatty acids in feces changed quadratically with increasing proportions of FFSM (P < 0.05). The collective findings underscore the valuable role of microbial fermentation in enhancing the nutritional profile and utilization of flaxseed meal in the diets of growing pigs. Incorporation of FFSM not only augments the immune functionality of pigs but also ameliorates the balance of the intestinal microecology.

Dietary vitamin E further enhances the effectiveness of Clostridium autoethanogenum protein as an alternative source of soybean meal in grass carp (Ctenopharygodon idellus) diets based on growth performance, flesh quality and antioxidant status

The effects of replacing soybean meal with Clostridium autoethanogenum protein and supplementing it with different gradients of vitamin E in grass carp diets on growth performance, flesh quality and antioxidant capacity were evaluated in a 69-day feeding trial. Five isonitrogen and isolipid diets were configured with the soybean meal-based diet (SM) served as the basal control diet, and the Clostridium autoethanogenum protein-based diet (CAP) as the treatment control diet. The CAP diet was supplemented with 80 mg/kg, 160 mg/kg and 240 mg/kg vitamin E (namely, 80VE, 160VE and 240VE), respectively. Final body weight (FBW) and specific growth rate (SGR) were significantly better in the CAP group than in the SM group (P < 0.05), and the 160 VE group was significantly better than the CAP group (P < 0.05). In terms of muscle quality, muscle fat content was significantly higher in the CAP group than in the SM group (P < 0.05), and muscle vitamin E content was significantly higher in each vitamin E-supplemented group than in the CAP group (P > 0.05). The total odor activity value in muscle in the CAP group was not significantly different from the SM group (P < 0.05), but the vitamin E-supplemented groups were significantly higher than the CAP group (P < 0.05). Muscle hardness and gumminess were significantly higher in the CAP group than the SM group and muscle shear force and gumminess were significantly higher in the 80VE group than the CAP group (P < 0.05). Muscle development-related genes in the CAP group were not significantly different from those in the SM group (P > 0.05), and Muscle Myf5 mRNA levels in the 160VE and 240VE groups were significantly higher than those in the CAP group, while the expression of MSTN genes was suppressed (P < 0.05). In terms of antioxidant properties, muscle MDA content was significantly higher in the CAP group than in the SM group (P < 0.05), and muscle MDA content was significantly lower in the 160VE and 240VE groups than in the CAP group (P < 0.05), at the same time, CAT and T-SOD activities were significantly higher (P < 0.05). In conclusion, complete replacement of soybean meal by the Clostridium autoethanogenum protein in grass carp diets promoted growth performance and muscle quality, but negatively affected antioxidant capacity, and supplementation of 160 mg/kg vitamin E in the CAP diet could further enhance growth performance and improve antioxidant capacity.

Influence of Fermented Broccoli Residues on Fattening Performance, Nutrient Utilization, and Meat Properties of Finishing Pigs.

The study determined the impacts of dietary fermented residues' (FBR) inclusion on growth, nutrient utilization, carcass characteristics, and meat properties in fattening pigs. Seventy-two robust pigs were randomly assigned to two experimental groups (Duroc × Landrace × Yorkshire, thirty-six pigs each). Each group was subjected to a 52-day trial, during which they received either a corn-soybean meal-based diet or diet enhanced with a 10% addition of FBR. Consequently, adding 10% FBR caused a significant decrease in the digestive utilization of crude dietary components in fattening pigs (p < 0.05) but showed no significant impact on the growth performance. Additionally, FBR inclusion increased the marbling scores (p < 0.05) and total antioxidant functions (p < 0.05) of muscle tissues, indicating improved meat quality. Gender affected backfat depth, with barrows showing thicker backfat depth. In conclusion, dietary supplementation with 10% FBR in finishing pigs influenced the meat quality by improving the marbling score and antioxidant performance while reducing digestibility without compromising growth performance.

Comparative analysis of using housefly maggot, silkworm pupae and earthworm meal-based diets in rohu, Labeo rohita (Hamilton, 1822)

A study was conducted in rohu fish, Labeo rohita (Hamilton, 1822) to assess the potential of silkworm pupae, housefly maggot, and earthworm meals as a replacement for soybean meal. In this context, four isonitrogenous and isolipidic diets were prepared, viz., control – SM (30% soybean meal inclusion level), SPM (30% silkworm pupae meal inclusion), HMM (30% housefly maggot meal inclusion level) and EWM (30% earthworm meal inclusion level). The rohu fingerlings (initial average body weight:5.07 ± 0.01 g) were fed twice daily with the respective experimental diets to reach satiation levels. Specific growth rate (SGR), final body weight (FBW), per cent weight gain (WG), protein efficiency ratio (PER) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were significantly affected among the experimental groups. SPM and HMM groups had significantly higher FBW, SGR, WG and PER values than the control - SM and EM groups. However, there was no significant difference between the control and EWM groups, and between SPM and HMM groups. FCR values showed a significant reverse trend in respect to WG. Incorporation of SPM and HMM in rohu diets gave greater growth performance and feed utilisation efficiency than SM and EWM-based diets.

Effects of the medicinal plant, Tamarindus indica, as a potential supplement, on growth, nutrient digestibility, body composition and hematological indices of Cyprinus carpio fingerlings

Tamarindus indica, a beneficial herb, has many health benefits but there is limited research on its use in fish nutrition industry. The current study investigated the effects of incorporating extracts of T. indica into the canola meal-based diets of Cyprinus carpio (common carp); following which, the growth, digestibility, carcass and hematological markers were assessed. A total of six diets were formulated with varying concentrations of T. indica extracts (TIE) viz, 0 %, 0.5 %, 1 %, 1.5 %, 2 % and 2.5 %. The fish (N = 270, 15 fish/tank with triplicates) in each tank were fed experimental diets for 70 days. The study demonstrated that TIE supplementation significantly improved the growth of common carp when compared to 0 % TIE level (control). The best results were observed at 1 % TIE level for the specific growth rate (1.68 ± 0.03 %), weight gain (15.00 ± 0.57 g), and feed conversion ratio (1.36 ± 0.05). Conversely, the 2.5 % TIE level gave the least improvement in terms of growth performance. Specifically for nutrient digestibility, the maximum values of crude protein (CP, 67.60 ± 0.83 %), crude fat (CF, 67.49 ± 0.45 %) and gross energy (GE, 70.90 ± 0.56 %) were recorded at 1 % TIE level. In addition, the best results of body composition (protein: 63.92 ± 0.06 %, ash: 18.60 ± 0.03 %, fat: 7.12 ± 0.02 % and moisture: 10.36 ± 0.04 %) and hematological indices, were measured in carps fed with 1 % supplementation level. In conclusion, the overall health of C. carpio fingerlings was improved with TIE supplementation in the diet containing 1 % TIE.

Dietary supplementation of protease and organic acid in poultry by-product meal-based diet in broilers.

This study investigated the impact of supplementation of protease and organic acid on growth performance and other biological parameters in broilers fed poultry byproduct meal (PBM) based diet. Five hundred 1-day-old broiler chicks (Ross 308) were distributed into five treatments with 5 replicates, each pen having 20 birds, and fed each group one of five isocaloric and isonitrogenous diets in two phases: stater phase (1 to 21 days) metabolizable energy (ME) 3000 kcal/kg; crude protein (CP) 22%, and a finisher phase (22 to 35 days) ME 3,200 kcal/kg; CP 19.5%. The dietary treatments were: i) standard broiler ration (Cont); ii) The control diet with 25% of the soybean meal replaced by PBM on an equivalent protein basis (PBM); iii) PBM diet supplemented with 0.5 g/kg of protease (PBMP); iv) PBM diet supplemented with 1 g/kg organic acid (PBMO); and v) PBM diet addition with 0.5 g/kg protease and 1 g/kg organic acid (PBMPO). The overall data showed that feed conversion ratio was improved (p<0.05) in the PBMP group. Apparent CP digestibility was higher (p<0.05) in both Cont and PBMP groups. Jejunal villus height increased (p<0.05) in PBMP and PBMPO groups, while only the PBMO group exhibited a higher (p<0.05) crypt depth. Lipase activity was increased (p<0.05) in the PBMP, PBMO, and PBMPO dietary treatments. However, trypsin activity showed a significant increase (p<0.05) in the PBMP and PBMO groups. Serum biochemistry increased (p<0.05) globulin and total protein levels in the PBMP group. PBM could partially replace the soybean meal with supplementation of either protease or organic acid in broiler diets without impairing overall growth performance. Furthermore, careful optimization must be considered when combining protease and organic acids.

Effects of micelle silymarin in corn-soybean meal-based diet on laying hens' performance, egg quality, and blood profile, with comparative assessment of blood absorption rates between powdered and micelle silymarin

Micelle silymarin (MS) is recognized for its diverse range of beneficial properties, which encompass anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, hepatoprotective, and antidiabetic effects. The main objective of this study was to examine the effects of micelle silymarin on the performance, egg quality, blood profile, and absorption rate of silymarin in laying hens. In experiment 1: 288 Hy-Line brown laying hens, 28 wk old, were utilized for this experiment. The hens were randomly allocated into 3 dietary treatment groups, with each group comprising eight replicates of 12 hens, each housed in individual pens with access to feed and water. Over a 12-wk feeding trial, the hens were provided with a basal diet supplemented with different levels of MS: 0, 0.03, and 0.06%. In experiment 2: For this experiment, 192 Hy-Line Brown laying hens were divided into 2 dietary treatment groups, with each group comprising eight replications of 12 hens. The dietary treatments were: TRT1, basal diet + powder silymarin 4%; TRT2, basal diet + MS 4%. From the first experiment, the findings revealed that incorporating micelle silymarin (MS) into the hens' diet significantly increased egg weight at wk 6 (P < 0.05). Similarly, at wk 12 and throughout the entire experiment, significant effects were observed on downgraded egg count, egg production, egg weight, and feed conversion ratio (FCR) (P < 0.05). Moreover, Haugh Units (HU) and albumen height showed a linear improvement (P < 0.05) at wk 4 with MS supplementation. Furthermore, there was a linear increase in egg yolk color, albumen height, and eggshell thickness at wk 8 with MS supplementation (P < 0.05). Furthermore, a layers-fed diet supplemented with MS showed a linear increase (P < 0.05) in HU, egg weight, yolk color, albumen height, eggshell strength, and eggshell thickness in wk 12. Regarding blood profile parameters, the study revealed linear reductions for aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) (P < 0.05), whereas there was a tendency for albumin, triglyceride, and cholesterol (P < 0.10). In the second experiment, it was observed that the blood absorption rate of silymarin was higher in TRT2 compared to TRT1 at 2- and 4-h intervals following administration. In summary, increasing MS supplementation in the diet of laying hens enhanced egg production, egg quality, and blood profile. Additionally, silymarin absorption was higher in its micelle form than in its powder form.

Supplementation of Saccharomycopsis fibuligera nucleotides in soybean-based diets enhanced growth, intestinal health, and reduced inflammatory responses of turbot juveniles (Scophthalmus maximus L.)

In this study, Saccharomycopsis fibuligera nucleotides (SFN) were extracted for exploring the influence on growth, inflammatory response and intestinal health level in turbot juveniles (initial weight 7.16 ± 0.01 g) for 10 weeks. Five isonitrogenous and isolipidic experimental feeds were formulated to include fishmeal-based diet (FM) that contained no SFN, while the other four soybean meal-based diet (SBM), that replaced 30 % FM, contained 0.25, 0.5 or 0.75 % SFN hereafter referred to as SBM0.25, SBM0.5 and SBM0.75, respectively. The feed efficiency exhibited a significantly quadratic or linear increase with the increase of SFN intake and the values reached the peak in the SBM0.5 treatment (P < 0.05). With the increase of SFN supplementation, the specific growth rate presented a significantly linear increase tendency (P < 0.05), and reached a peak in the SBM0.5 treatment. The hepatic antioxidant ability of turbot juveniles was significantly linear or quadratic promoted with dietary SFN supplementation in SBM-based diets (P < 0.05). Moreover, activities of plasma transaminases and γ-glutamyl transpeptidase of turbots showed significantly linear and quadratic decreasing trends with the SFN supplementation increasing (P < 0.05). The hepatic pro-inflammatory factor mRNA expressions were significantly linear or quadratic down-regulated and the anti-inflammatory factor mRNA expression was significantly linear and quadratic up-regulated with the SFN supplementation increasing (P < 0.05). Moreover, the height of villi and microvilli, the thickness of the muscularis and the tight junction proteins mRNA expression level exhibited significantly linear or quadratic increasing trends with the increasing dietary SFN supplementation (P < 0.05). The relative abundance of Lactobacillus plantarum of hindgut was significantly higher of fish fed the SBM0.75 diet compared with the SBM treatment. In conclusion, SFN supplementation was beneficial to the growth and health level of turbot juveniles, the appropriate amount of SFN supplemented was above 0.5 % in this study.

Growth performance and nutrient digestibility of broilers fed low-energy corn-soybean meal-based diets supplemented with an exogenous enzyme cocktail as a combined activity

Growth performance and nutrient digestibility of broilers fed low-energy corn-soybean meal-based diets supplemented with an exogenous enzyme cocktail as a combined activity

Effectiveness of feeding different biochars on growth, digestibility, body composition, hematology and mineral status of the Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus

Oreochromis niloticus fingerlings (5.15 ± 0.02 g; n = 315) were fed with different types of biochar (BC)-supplemented sunflower meal-based (SFM) diet to investigate the effects of various BC inclusions on their nutritional digestibility, body composition, hematology and mineral status for 60 days. Seven different diets were formulated based on the SFM based diet: one was a control (TD-I, CON) and the other six diets were supplemented with 2% BC derived from different sources. These BCs were derived from the following: cotton stick (CSBC, TD-II), wheat straw (WSBC, TD-III), corn cob (CCBC, TD-IV), house waste (HWBC, TD-V), grass waste (GWBC, TD-VI), and green waste (GwBC, TD-VII) biochar. There were three replicates for each test diet. Each tank had fifteen tilapia fingerlings, and they were fed with 5% of their live wet weight and twice daily. The outcomes showed that the supplementation of CCBC significantly elevated the growth, nutrient absorption, and body composition of the O. niloticus fingerlings (p < 0.05); with concomitant lowering of the quantity of nutrients released into the water bodies whereas HWBC gave negative impacts. The maximal mineral absorption efficiency (Ca, Na, K, Cu, Fe, P, and Zn) was achieved by the supplementation of 2% CCBC. All hematological parameters showed positive improvements (p < 0.05) with CCBC. Interestingly, CCBC significantly improved the growth, digestibility, body composition, hematology, and mineral status of O. niloticus.

Dietary Bacillus velezensis KNF-209 supplementation improves growth performance, enhances immunity, and promotes gut health in broilers

This study aimed to investigate the effects of dietary Bacillus velezensis KNF-209 (BV-KNF-209) on the growth performance, immunity, and gut health of broilers. A total of 540 one-day-old male Cobb-500 broilers were randomly divided into 5 groups of 6 replicates with 18 broilers per replicate. Dietary treatments were corn-soybean meal basal diets supplemented with 0, 50, 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg BV-KNF-209 (CON, BV 50, BV 100, BV 200, and BV 400 groups, respectively) for 42 d. Compared with the CON group, the average daily gains (ADG) at 0 to 42 d in the BV 100 and BV 200 groups were significantly increased (P < 0.01), and the feed-to-gain (F:G) ratios were significantly decreased at 0 to 21 d (P < 0.01) and 0 to 42 d (P < 0.05). The BV 200 and BV 400 groups had higher serum immunoglobulin M (IgM) levels at d 21 and 42 (P < 0.05). The serum levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) were significantly decreased in the BV 50, BV 100, and BV 200 groups at d 21 (P < 0.05), and serum IL-1β and IL-6 levels were also reduced in the BV 100 and BV 200 groups at d 42 (P < 0.05). Meanwhile, increased interleukin-10 (IL-10) levels in the jejunal and ileal mucosa at d 42 were observed in the BV 100, BV 200, and BV 400 groups (P < 0.05), while the IL-1β and IL-6 levels (P < 0.01) were decreased. The BV 200 and BV 400 groups showed significantly higher activities of lipase and trypsin (P < 0.05) in jejunal digesta as well as higher activities of amylase and trypsin (P < 0.01) in ileal digesta at d 42. The cecal acetic acid and propionic acid levels in the BV groups and lactic acid levels in the BV 50, BV 100, and BV 200 groups (P < 0.05) were significantly higher compared to those in the CON group. Overall, dietary BV-KNF-209 supplementation significantly improved broiler growth performance, an effect that may have been achieved by heightening immunity, increasing digestive enzyme activity, and raising intestinal short-chain fatty acids and lactic acid levels.

High protein requirements of juvenile Atlantic wolffish, Anarhichas lupus: Effects of dietary protein levels on growth, health, and welfare.

The objective of the present study was to investigate the optimal dietary protein requirement and the effect of varying protein levels on the growth and health of juvenile, wild-caught Atlantic wolffish, Anarhichas lupus, a promising candidate for cold-water aquaculture diversification. Six iso-energetic (ca. 18.3 MJ kg-1), fish meal-based experimental diets were formulated with crude protein levels ranging from 35% to 60%, with graded increments of 5% in a 12-week feeding trial in a recirculating aquaculture system (RAS). Weight gain, specific growth rate (SGR), and condition factor (K) were evaluated in response to dietary protein levels. Liver, muscle, and blood parameters were assessed for possible changes in protein and lipid metabolism and welfare. Overall growth was highly variable throughout the experiment on all diets, as expected for a wild population. The feed with highest in protein (60%) inclusion resulted in the highest growth rates, with an average weight gain of 37.4% ± 33.8% and an SGR of 0.31% ± 0.2% day-1. This was closely followed by feeds with 55% and 50% protein inclusion with an average weight gain of 22.9% ± 34.8% and 28.5% ± 38.3%, respectively, and an SGR of 0.18% ± 0.3% day-1 and 0.22% ± 0.3% day-1, respectively. Fish fed the high protein diets generally had increased hepatic lipid deposition (17%-18%) and reduced free fatty acid levels (3.1-6.8 μmol L-1) in the plasma relative to fish that were fed the lower protein diets (35%-45%). No effects of diet were found on plasma protein levels or muscle protein content. Furthermore, stress parameters such as plasma cortisol and glucose levels were unaffected by diet, as were plasma ghrelin levels. Overall, these results suggest that a high protein inclusion in the diet for Atlantic wolffish is required to sustain growth with a minimum protein level of 50%.

Effects of in ovo feeding of xylobiose and xylotriose on growth performance, carcass traits, ileal histomorphometry, and immune-related gene expression in broiler chickens

Xylooligosaccharides (XOS) are known as prebiotics which promote beneficial gut microbes, improve gut health and the performance of broilers. Xylobiose (XOS2) and xylotriose (XOS3) are two compounds in the XOS group. In ovo feeding could deliver these prebiotics to the embryo, and this is considered as an effective method for studying the effects of the prebiotics during embryonic development and the post-hatch period. This study investigated the effects of in ovo feeding of XOS2 and XOS3 on growth performance, carcass traits, ileal histomorphometry, and immune-related gene expression in broilers. A total of 144 fertilized eggs of Cobb 500 broilers were divided into three groups: (a) non-injected control (CON), (b) XOS2, and (c) XOS3. The eggs from XOS2 and XOS3 groups were injected with 0.5 ml of 0.85% normal saline solution containing 3 mg of XOS2 and 3 mg of XOS3, respectively, into their amniotic sac on the 17th embryonic day. A total of 131 hatched chicks were raised in 18 replicate pens (5 or more chicks per pen) following standard management practices and fed a corn-soybean meal-based diet for 21 days. The feed intake and body weight (BW) data were recorded weekly. The chickens were euthanized on day 7, day 14, and day 21 to collect ileum sections, and the carcass traits were recorded on only day 21. Total RNA was extracted from ileum tissues, and qPCR was performed to measure the gene expression. All the statistical analyses considered the significance level at a P value <0.05. The result showed that in ovo treatments did not affect the hatchability of the eggs. The XOS2 group showed a trend to increase the BW on day 0, compared to CON (P=0.052), and the XOS3 group showed better FCR improvement than the XOS2 group in the first week. There was no difference (P>0.05) among the groups for the weight of the breast muscle, drumsticks, gizzard, proventriculus, and carcass weight at the age of 21 days. The histomorphometry of the ileum on day 7 revealed a significant reduction (P<0.05) of villi height (VH), villi width (VW), and crypt depth (CD) in XOS2, compared to the CON group. On day 7, a lower CD and a higher VH to CD ratio were recorded in XOS3, compared to CON. On day 14, XOS3 showed an increase in VW and villi surface area (VSA) compared to XOS2 birds. On day 7, the expression of IL10 in XOS2 was higher compared to CON and XOS3, and CD56 was significantly higher (P<0.05) in the XOS2 compared to CON group. On day 21, the XOS2 and XOS3 significantly lower the expression of IFNγ. Overall, XOS2 and XOS3 significantly increased immunity until day 21. In conclusion, in ovo XOS feeding demonstrated the potential to modulate gut morphology and immunity of the chickens during the post-hatch days.

Dynamic responses of blood metabolites to nutrient depletion and repletion in broiler chicken nutrition

A total of 720 male Cobb 500 broiler chicks were used in a 5 treatment and 8 replicate experiment to explore dynamic changes in blood metabolites in response to short-term nutrient depletion and repletion. Day old chicks were offered a corn and soybean meal-based common starter diet from d1 to 14 that was formulated to meet all nutrient requirements of the birds. From d15 to 17, the experimental diets were offered, before returning all groups to a common diet from d18 to 20, at which point the experiment was terminated. A total of 5 experimental diets were designed. A standard grower diet served as a control and was offered to 1 of the 5 groups of chicks. The additional 4 experimental groups comprised diets that were low in digestible phosphorus (P), total calcium (Ca), crude protein and digestible amino acids (AA) or apparent metabolizable energy (AME). The common grower diet that was offered from d18-20 was designed to be nutritionally complete and was intended to explore dynamic response to nutrient repletion. Blood was drawn from 8 chicks per treatment at time 0 (immediately prior to introduction of the experimental diets) and then again 3, 6, 12, 24, and 48h after introduction of the nutrient depleted diets. Additionally, blood was drawn 3, 6, 12, 24, and 48h after the introduction of the nutritionally complete common grower diet. Chicks were not sampled more than once. Feed intake, body weight and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were assessed on d14, 17, and 20. Blood metabolites were analyzed using the iSTAT Alinity V handheld blood analyzer, the Vetscan VS2 Chemistry Analyzer and the iCheck Carotene Photometer. Live performance metrics were not affected by the short-term nutrient depletion and all chicks grew normally throughout the experiment. The diet with low digestible P generated a rapid temporary decrease in plasma P and an increase in plasma Ca, that were returned to baseline following the re-introduction of the common grower feed. Introduction of the diet with low total Ca resulted in a significant increase in plasma P, effects which were also mitigated during the nutrient repletion phase. Total plasma protein, albumin and uric acid (UA) were decreased, and plasma glucose increased, in the chicks that received the diet with low crude protein and digestible AA. There was a delayed increase in aspartate amino transaminase (AST) associated with the diets with low digestible P and low AME. These results demonstrate the capacity of blood biochemistry to adapt to quantitative and qualitative changes in nutrient intake. Point-of-care analysis of blood biomarkers offers nutritionists a valuable opportunity to calibrate nutritional matrices for common dietary ingredients, zootechnical feed additives and to optimize diet phase changes. It can be concluded that many blood biomarkers are plastic to changes in diet nutrient density and offer an objective index for optimization of nutritional programs for commercial broiler production.

Research Note: Water applied direct-fed microbial reduced mortality in heat stressed broilers

Pressure to reduce the use of antibiotics in the poultry industry has intensified research on alternative solutions to support intestinal health, including but not limited to direct fed microbials (DFM). Heat stress is known to impact intestinal health and function. The aim of this study was to determine efficacy of a water applied DFM product on broiler performance during the summer period. One of two treatments were randomly allocated to 12 replicate floor pens each: a control treatment and a treatment provided daily with a dual strain DFM comprised of Lactobacillus acidophilus AG01 and Bifidobacterium animalis AG02 at 1 × 108 CFU/bird/d. Each pen contained 20 Ross 308 broilers. All birds were fed the same three-phased wheat- and soybean meal-based diets. Body weight, feed intake, feed conversion ratio, and mortality were measured at d 0, 10, 24, 35, and 42. Due to natural extreme external temperature conditions, all birds were subject to heat stress during the end of the grower phase up to and including the finisher phase. Temperature was on average 5°C higher compared to industry recommendation. No significant differences were found in growth performance between the control and DFM treatment, yet BW at d 42 in both treatments was reduced by 19% compared to the breed standard. The DFM treatment significantly reduced mortality among the birds. Overall mortality from d 1 to d 35 was reduced from 4.58% to 0.42% (P = 0.023) and overall mortality from d 1 to d 42 was reduced from 5.83 to 0.83% (P = 0.027). This was driven by the difference in heat-stress related mortality in the finisher phase from d 25 to d 42, where mortality reached only 0.44% in the DFM treatment versus 2.88% in the unsupplemented control treatment. Post-mortem analysis confirmed heat-stress related hypoxia. In conclusion, the dual strain DFM may have provided improved (intestinal) homeostasis and barrier function allowing increased resilience to heat stress in broilers.

Effects of porcine somatotropin administration on the responses to dietary lysine and a near-ideal blend of amino acids on the amino acid composition of whole-body protein and amino acid accretion rate in growing pigs.

An experiment was conducted to assess the effects of porcine somatotropin (pST) on the responses to a near-ideal blend of AA on the AA composition of empty, whole-empty body (WEB) protein and WEB essential AA accretion rate in pigs from 22 to 60kg BW. Forty Hampshire × Yorkshire gilts were individually penned and assigned to a 4 × 2 factorial arrangement of treatments consisting of four diets with and without pST injection. A fortified corn-soybean meal basal diet was formulated to contain 1.50% total Lys with Thr, Met, and Trp added to obtain a near-ideal blend of these AA relative to Lys. In three additional diets, Lys was reduced to 1.25%, 1.00%, and 0.75% by diluting the basal diet with cornstarch, cellulose, and sand such that the diets also contained the same ratios of AA. Pigs that received pST were administered a daily i.m. injection of 2mg of pST. At 60kg BW, the WEB (carcass, head, viscera, blood, nails, and hair) was ground and analyzed for proximate and AA composition. Administration of pST increased (P < 0.001) accretion rates of WEB protein and essential AA. Increasing dietary essential AA increased (quadratic, P < 0.03) accretion rate of WEB protein, His, Leu, Trp, and Val in pST-treated pigs, but not in untreated pigs. Lysine composition in the accreted WEB protein was not affected (P > 0.05) by dietary Lys. The efficiency of Lys utilization for WEB Lys accretion was linearly affected (P < 0.01) by dietary Lys. These results indicated that the dietary Lys needed to achieve maximum WEB Lys accretion is markedly increased by pST administration.