Fecal Production Research Articles

Efek Perbedaan Jenis Rumput Laut Sebagai Agen Fitoremediasi Pada Sistem Budidaya Udang Windu (Penaeus monodon) Semi Intensif

The primary sources of organic waste in prawn ponds include feed waste from the farming process as well as ongoing metabolic activity, such as the production of urine and faeces. The increase in organic waste has an impact on reducing the water quality, one of the solutions is by implementing phytoremediation with seaweed. This research aimed to analyzed the growth and ability of seaweed Sargassum sp., Gracillaria sp., and Caulerpa sp. as phytoremediation agents to reduce organic matter in waters. This research was conducted for 68 days and used an experimental method with a completely randomized design (CRD) with 4 treatments and 3 replications. The treatment are A Sargassum sp., B Gracillaria sp., C Caulerpa sp. and D control. The results indicated that treatment C tended to decrease total organic matter (TOM) and sediment organic matter by 123.74 mg/l and 1.37%, respectively. The result also revealed that Caulerpa sp. the most effective seaweed to be used as phytoremediation organic materials in tiger shrimp farms compared to the two other seaweed species (i.e., Gracillaria sp. and Sargassum sp.). The growth of seaweed showed that there was a significant difference in specific growth of seaweed. The best specific growth rate value in treatment C was 1.37 ± 0.1%. The results of this study shown that Caulerpa sp. has more effective remediate organic matter and improve seaweed growth than Gracillaria sp. and Sargassum sp.

Sex-specific epigenetics drive low GPER expression in gastrointestinal smooth muscles in type 2 diabetic mice

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D) causes gastroparesis, delayed intestinal transit, and constipation, for unknown reasons. Complications are predominant in women than men (particularly pregnant and postmenopausal women), suggesting a female hormone-mediated mechanism. Low G-protein coupled estrogen receptor (GPER) expression from epigenetic modifications may explain it. We explored sexually differentiated GPER expression and gastrointestinal symptoms related to GPER alterations in wild-type (WT) and T2D mice (db/db). We also created smooth muscle-specific GPER knockout (GPER KO) mice to phenotypically explore the effect of GPER deficiency on gastrointestinal motility. GPER mRNA and protein expression, DNA methylation and histone modifications were measured from stomach and colon samples of db/db and WT mice. Changes in gut motility were also evaluated as daily fecal pellet production patterns. We found that WT female tissues have the highest GPER mRNA and protein expressions. The expression is lowest in all db/db. GPER downregulation is associated with promoter hypermethylation and reduced enrichment of H3K4me3 and H3K27ac marks around the GPER promoter. We also observed sex-specific disparities in fecal pellet production patterns of the GPER KO mice compared to WT. We thus, conclude that T2D impairs gut GPER expression, and epigenetic sex-specific mechanisms matter in the downregulation.

81 Effect of thymol on intake and digestion in beef cattle

Abstract Reducing enteric methanogenesis has been an area of focus and significance as methane emissions from cattle contribute to climate change and represent a loss of dietary-derived energy. Methane mitigation strategies have been widely researched, but most are limited in practical value due to associated diminishments in animal performance. One strategy, dietary supplementation of essential oils, has demonstrated variable reductions in enteric methane production in ruminants. The efficacy of using essential oils to reduce enteric methanogenesis likely varies due to inconsistent concentrations of bioactive components. Therefore, it is justified to investigate the effects of these individual bioactive components on methanogenesis and animal performance. Thymol, a terpene and main bioactive component in many essential oils, has effectively reduced methane production in vitro but in vivo data are limited. The objective of this study was to assess thymol fed at levels that correspond with effective in vitro doses on intake and digestion in beef steers consuming forage. This study was approved by the Texas State University IACUC (#8693). The project was a 4×4 Latin Square where four steers were provided one of four levels of thymol (0, 120, 240, and 480 mg thymol/kg forage intake) soaked on alfalfa cubes fed at 20% of the intake from the previous day, and ad libitum hay and water daily. Periods were 28-d with 8-d to adapt steers to treatments, 5-d to measure intake and digestion, 2-d to collect additional samples (i.e., ruminal microbiome and fat tissues), and a 14-d washout period for thymol depletion from the animal system. Diet, refusal, and fecal samples were analyzed for dry matter, organic matter, and fiber. Acid detergent insoluble ash was used to calculate total fecal production for digestibility estimates. Data were analyzed using the MIXED procedure in SAS 9.4. There was no effect of thymol dose on forage OMI (4.61 kg/d ± 0.31; P ≥ 0.48), total OMI (5.65 kg/d ± 0.38; P ≥ 0.44), or total digestible OMI (3.18 kg/d ± 0.18; P ≥ 0.26). Further, organic matter and neutral detergent fiber digestibility were not affected by treatment (56.70% ± 2.81, and 63.04% ± 2.49 respectively; P ≥ 0.14). These data indicate that thymol supplementation at doses that suppress in vitro methane production do not negatively impact intake and digestion in beef cattle. Future project activities include whole genome sequencing of rumen microbial communities to evaluate the impact of thymol on populations, with an emphasis on the methanogen archaea. These data have value for establishing a novel methane-mitigating feed additive to lower the carbon footprint of cattle production without sacrificing performance.

A single injection of high-concentration buprenorphine significantly reduces food and water intake as well as fecal and urine production in New Zealand White rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus).

To evaluate selected gastrointestinal side effects of high-concentration buprenorphine (HCB) in healthy rabbits. 10 healthy New Zealand White rabbits ranging in body weight between 3.0 and 3.8 kg. Eight, 6-month-old, New Zealand White rabbits received a single injection of HCB SC (0.24 mg/kg). The rabbits were previously randomized to receive SC and oral saline as a control. Two rabbits received saline for the purpose of blinding the outcome assessors. Food and water consumption, fecal and urine production, and fecal pellet number were recorded for all rabbits before HCB administration and the 3 days postinjection. A clinically and statistically significant decrease in food and water consumption was observed in rabbits receiving an injection of HCB, compared to rabbits receiving saline. In the 24 hours after injection, HCB-treated rabbits consumed a median of 17 g of food (range, 0 to 82 g), while saline-treated rabbits consumed 122 g of food (31 to 181 g). Rabbits receiving HCB injections also produced significantly less feces both in terms of pellet numbers and overall quantity, along with decreased urine production. A single administration of HCB has a clinically significant impact on multiple physiological functions in healthy rabbits. Administration of this drug could potentially worsen clinical signs of anorexia and decrease defecation in healthy rabbits. The effects of HCB on diseased or painful rabbits are not yet known.

Diagnosis and medical treatment of portal vein thrombosis in a pet rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus)

AbstractPortal vein thrombosis is the partial or total obstruction of blood flow due to a thrombus in the hepatic portal system. This case report outlines the diagnosis and treatment of portal vein thrombosis in a rabbit. The animal presented for inappetence and lack of faecal production, and was found to have markedly elevated alanine transaminase on biochemistry. Abdominal ultrasound revealed a focal hyperechoic structure within the right intrahepatic portal venous branches, with no flow on colour Doppler interrogation. The rabbit was subsequently diagnosed with portal vein thrombosis and treated with clopidogrel and rivaroxaban. Thirty‐two days after presentation, the previously noted intrahepatic portal venous thrombus had resolved, with normal flow visualised in the portal venous branches on colour Doppler interrogation. The rabbit has remained stable for 1 year 5 months after cessation of treatment.

Rainforest transformation reallocates energy from green to brown food webs

Terrestrial animal biodiversity is increasingly being lost because of land-use change1,2. However, functional and energetic consequences aboveground and belowground and across trophic levels in megadiverse tropical ecosystems remain largely unknown. To fill this gap, we assessed changes in energy fluxes across ‘green’ aboveground (canopy arthropods and birds) and ‘brown’ belowground (soil arthropods and earthworms) animal food webs in tropical rainforests and plantations in Sumatra, Indonesia. Our results showed that most of the energy in rainforests is channelled to the belowground animal food web. Oil palm and rubber plantations had similar or, in the case of rubber agroforest, higher total animal energy fluxes compared to rainforest but the key energetic nodes were distinctly different: in rainforest more than 90% of the total animal energy flux was channelled by arthropods in soil and canopy, whereas in plantations more than 50% of the energy was allocated to annelids (earthworms). Land-use change led to a consistent decline in multitrophic energy flux aboveground, whereas belowground food webs responded with reduced energy flux to higher trophic levels, down to −90%, and with shifts from slow (fungal) to fast (bacterial) energy channels and from faeces production towards consumption of soil organic matter. This coincides with previously reported soil carbon stock depletion3. Here we show that well-documented animal biodiversity declines with tropical land-use change4–6 are associated with vast energetic and functional restructuring in food webs across aboveground and belowground ecosystem compartments.

Relationship between sheep feces scores and gastrointestinal microorganisms and their effects on growth traits and blood indicators.

Fecal scores are crucial for assessing the digestive and gastrointestinal status of animals. The Bristol fecal scoring system is a commonly used method for the subjective evaluation of host feces, there is limited research on fecal scoring standards for fattening Hu sheep. In this study, Hu sheep were collected for rumen, rectum, and colon contents for 16S rDNA sequencing. 514 Hu sheep feces were scored based on the Bristol fecal scoring system, and production performance at each stage was measured. Finally, we developed the scoring standard of the manure of Hu sheep in the fattening period (a total of five grades). The result shows that moisture content significantly increased with higher grades (p < 0.05). We analyzed the relationship between fecal scores and production traits, blood indices, muscle nutrients, and digestive tract microorganisms. The growth traits (body weight, body height, body length, average daily gain (ADG), and average daily feed intake (ADFI) during 80-180 days), body composition traits of the F3 group, and the carcass traits were found to be significantly higher (p < 0.05) than those of the F1 and F2 groups. There was no significant difference in gastrointestinal microflora diversity among all groups (p > 0.05). Significant differences were observed in Aspartate aminotransferase, Glucose, Total bilirubin, and Red Blood Cell Count between groups (p < 0.05). The mutton moisture content in group F4 was significantly higher than in the other groups, and the protein content was also the lowest (p < 0.05). The results of the correlation analysis demonstrated that Actinobacteria, Peptostreptococcaceae, Acidaminococcales, Gammaproteobacteria, and Proteobacteria were the significant bacteria affecting fecal scores. In addition, Muribaculaceae and Oscillospiraceae were identified as the noteworthy flora affecting growth performance and immunity. This study highlights the differences in production traits and blood indicators between fecal assessment groups and the complex relationship between intestinal microbiota and fecal characteristics in Hu sheep, suggesting potential impacts on animal performance and health, which suggest strategies for improved management.

Polyphenol- and Glucuronoxylan-Rich Fiber Extract from Birch (Betula sp.) Wood Regulates Colonic Barrier Function and Cell Proliferation in Healthy Rats.

Birch wood-derived fiber extracts containing glucuronoxylans (GX) and polyphenols show potential for various food technological applications. This study investigated the effect of two extracts, GXpoly and pureGX, differing in lignin content on colonic barrier function. Healthy rats were fed diets containing 10% GXpoly, pureGX, or cellulose for 4 weeks. Colon crypt depth was lower in the GX groups than in the control group, but in the proximal colon, the result was significant only in GXpoly. An artificial intelligence approach was established to measure the mucus content and goblet cells. In the distal colon, their amounts were higher in the control group than in the GX groups. All diets had a similar effect on the expression of the tight junction proteins occludin, claudin-1, and claudin-7. GXpoly enhanced the fecal IgA production. Our results suggest that GX-rich extracts could support the colonic barrier and work as functional food ingredients in the future.

Effect of emulsifier supplementation on nutrient digestibility, bile acid balance, faecal waste production and faecal characteristics of yellowtail kingfish (Seriola lalandi)

Yellowtail kingfish (Seriola lalandi), a marine species, has recently been cultured in recirculation aquaculture systems (RAS). A challenge regarding faecal waste management of farming yellowtail kingfish in RAS is their poor faecal integrity. One approach to improve faecal waste management is to enhance nutrient digestibility and thus faecal waste production, which can be achieved through the addition of emulsifiers to the feed. We assessed the effect of emulsifier supplementation on nutrient digestibility, bile acid balance, faecal waste production and characteristics of yellowtail kingfish. This was investigated by using four experimental diets differing in emulsifier supplementation, where fish were fed restrictively (36 days). One diet without emulsifying supplements served as control. Three types of emulsifiers were tested (1) E484, composed of Glyceryl polyethyleneglycol ricinoleate; (2) Lysophospholipids (LPL) combined with lecithin; (3) Sodium taurocholate (STC). The results showed that the STC diet numerically improved fat digestibility and had a positive bile acid balance, which indicated an accumulation of dietary bile acids in the body bile acid pool. Despite a negative bile acid balance, the LPL diet improved fat digestibility as well. A negative bile acid balance shows that the daily amount of faecal bile acid loss exceeds the daily amount of dietary bile acid intake. Fish fed the E484 diet had more faeces removed than the other diets, whilst non-recovered faeces or faecal characteristics were not affected. In conclusion, the current study shows that supplementing both sodium taurocholate (STC), and the combination of Lysophospholipids (LPL) and lecithin can improve fat digestibility in yellowtail kingfish, but emulsifier supplementation does not improve faecal waste management.

Infection risk by oral contamination does not induce immune priming in the mealworm beetle (Tenebrio molitor) but triggers behavioral and physiological responses.

In invertebrates, immune priming is the ability of individuals to enhance their immune response based on prior immunological experiences. This adaptive-like immunity likely evolved due to the risk of repeated infections by parasites in the host's natural habitat. The expression of immune priming varies across host and pathogen species, as well as infection routes (oral or wounds), reflecting finely tuned evolutionary adjustments. Evidence from the mealworm beetle (Tenebrio molitor) suggests that Gram-positive bacterial pathogens play a significant role in immune priming after systemic infection. Despite the likelihood of oral infections by natural bacterial pathogens in T. molitor, it remains debated whether ingestion of contaminated food leads to systemic infection, and whether oral immune priming is possible is currently unknown. We first attempted to induce immune priming in both T. molitor larvae and adults by exposing them to food contaminated with living or dead Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial pathogens. We found that oral ingestion of living bacteria did not kill them, but septic wounds caused rapid mortality. Intriguingly, the consumption of either dead or living bacteria did not protect against reinfection, contrasting with injury-induced priming. We further examined the effects of infecting food with various living bacterial pathogens on variables such as food consumption, mass gain, and feces production in larvae. We found that larvae exposed to Gram-positive bacteria in their food ingested less food, gained less mass and/or produced more feces than larvae exposed to contaminated food with Gram-negative bacteria or control food. This suggests that oral contamination with Gram-positive bacteria induced both behavioral responses and peristalsis defense mechanisms, even though no immune priming was observed here. Considering that the oral route of infection neither caused the death of the insects nor induced priming, we propose that immune priming in T. molitor may have primarily evolved as a response to the infection risk associated with wounds rather than oral ingestion.

Cumulative Impacts of Oil Pollution, Ocean Warming, and Coastal Freshening on the Feeding of Arctic Copepods.

The Arctic is undergoing rapid changes, and biota are exposed to multiple stressors, including pollution and climate change. Still, little is known about their joint impact. Here, we investigated the cumulative impact of crude oil, warming, and freshening on the copepod species Calanus glacialis and Calanus finmarchicus. Adult females were exposed to ambient conditions (control; 0 °C + 33 psu) and combined warming and freshening: 5 °C + 27 psu (Scenario 1), 5 °C + 20 psu (Scenario 2) for 6 days. All three conditions were tested with and without dispersed crude oil. In Scenario 1, fecal pellet production (FPP) significantly increased by 40-78% and 42-122% for C. glacialis and C. finmarchicus, respectively. In Scenario 2, FPP decreased by 6-57% for C. glacialis, while it fluctuated for C. finmarchicus. For both species, oil had the strongest effect on FPP, leading to a 68-83% reduction. This overshadowed the differences between climatic scenarios. All variables (temperature, salinity, and oil) had significant single effects and several joint effects on FPP. Our results demonstrate that Arctic copepods are sensitive to environmentally realistic concentrations of crude oil and climate change. Strong reductions in feeding can reduce the copepods' energy content with potential large-scale impacts on the Arctic marine food web.

Thermal sensitivity of digestion in Sceloporus consobrinus, with comments on geographic variation

Individual variation in energetics, environment, and genetics can influence population-level processes. However, it is often assumed that locally measured thermal and bioenergetic responses apply among broadly related species. Even closely related taxa may differ in the thermal sensitivity of performance, which in turn influences population persistence, population vital rates, and the ability to respond to environmental changes. The objectives of this project were to quantify the thermal sensitivity of digestive physiology in an Sceloporus lizards, to compare closely related, but geographically distinct, populations. Sceloporus lizards are a model organism, as they are known to exhibit thermally dependent physiologies and are geographically widespread. Digestive passage time, food consumption, fecal and urate production, metabolizable energy intake (MEI), and assimilated energy (AE) were compared for Sceloporus consobrinus in Arkansas and S. undulatus in South Carolina and New Jersey. Published data were acquired for NJ and SC lizards, while original data were collected for S. consobrinus. Comparisons of digestion among populations were made at 30 °C, 33 °C, or 36 °C. Results suggest that digestive physiology differs among populations, with S. consobrinus being more efficient at warmer temperatures. In contrast, NJ and SC lizards had quicker passage times and lower fecal and urate production at 30 °C in comparison to AR. The results of the current study exemplify how closely related organisms can differ in thermal sensitivity of performance. Such data are important for understanding how individual-level processes can vary in response to climate, with implications for understanding variation in physiological traits across the range of Sceloporus lizards.

Validation of indicators LIPE, chromic oxide and titanium dioxide compared with the reference method (total collection), for determination of digestibility, fecal production and consumption for growing pigs

Validation of indicators LIPE, chromic oxide and titanium dioxide compared with the reference method (total collection), for determination of digestibility, fecal production and consumption for growing pigs

Effect of dietary starch, amylase and ash on nutrient digestibility, faecal waste production and faecal characteristics of rainbow trout, (Oncorhynchus mykiss).

Waste management is a critical issue in aquaculture. In this study, we examined nutrient digestibility, faecal waste production, faecal removal efficiency and the faecal characteristics of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) in response to the dietary starch level, amylase and ash supplementation and the interaction of dietary starch with amylase and ash. A basal mixture predominantly consisting of plant-based ingredients was formulated. The basal mixture was diluted with 100, 200, 300 and 400 g/kg gelatinised wheat flour, resulting in four diets of varying starch levels, referred to as 10-WF, 20-WF, 30-WF and 40-WF, respectively. Amylase was supplemented at 125 k-novo-α-amylase units (KNU)/kg to the 20-WF and 40-WF diets and referred to them as 20-WFα and 40-WFα. Two high ash diets were prepared by supplementing 20 g diamol/kg to the 10-WF and 30-WF diets and termed as 10-WFA and 30-WFA. Triplicate group of 25 fish (mean weight, 210 g) were restrictively fed one of the eight diets for five weeks. Higher dietary starch level led to increased faecal waste production, lowered faecal removal efficiency and resulted in greater accumulation of non-removed faeces in the system. Moreover, higher dietary starch level also diminished faecal stability, as evident by an increased share of particles <40 μm size in 40-WF upon exposure to mechanical stress. Amylase supplementation in the diet enhanced starch digestibility without influencing faecal waste production, removal efficiency, or the particle size distribution (PSD) of non-stressed faeces. Conversely, dietary ash supplementation increased faecal waste production and altered faecal characteristics by enhancing density and sinking velocity, although without improving its removal efficiency. In summary, this study underscores the potential of dietary manipulations to affect faecal waste production, removal efficiency, and various faecal characteristics, including viscosity, density, sinking velocity, particle size distribution, and stability.

Practical implications of lowering dietary starch content on waste management in recirculating aquaculture systems operated with drum filtration or sedimentation in yellowtail kingfish (Seriola lalandi)

Dietary starch negatively affects faecal removal efficiency by sedimentation in yellowtail kingfish (Seriola lalandi). In general, research on waste management in recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS) is conducted on solid removal by sedimentation. However, most commercial farms operate with screen filtration. Compared to sedimentation, where the efficiency of removed faeces depends on faecal particle size and density, faecal removal by screen filtration is based on particle size and its stability. Accordingly, this study investigated the effect of dietary starch level on solid waste loading and faecal removal efficiency by different solid removal techniques, namely drum filtration and sedimentation. This was tested in six individual operating RAS over an experimental period of 47 days. The experimental period was divided into two consecutive phases (Phase 1 and Phase 2). During Phase 1 (42 days), the six independent RAS were operated with drum filtration, while during Phase 2 (5 days), the same RAS were operated with sedimentation. Two experimental diets, one with low starch (LS; 0% gelatinized wheat flour inclusion) and one with high starch (HS; 20% gelatinized wheat flour inclusion) levels, were formulated to test the effect of dietary starch level. HS diet negatively affected the apparent faecal waste production, apparent faecal removal efficiency by sedimentation, and the apparent amount of non-removed faeces. No dietary treatment effect was observed when RAS were operated with drum filtration. However, to achieve similar apparent faecal removal efficiency by drum filtration, the backwash frequency was on average 110% higher at HS RAS compared to LS RAS. This is likely to be related to both an increased apparent faecal waste production and the tendency for increased clogging of the drum filter screen at HS RAS throughout the experimental period. Overall, lowering dietary starch level has the potential to reduce solid loading (sedimentation) or improve drum filter performance (water usage) in RAS for yellowtail kingfish.

Nutritive value of cereal grains, protein meals and by-products for yellow mealworms

Abstract Nutritive value of raw materials is needed to formulate diets that fulfil the requirements of the yellow mealworms. The objective of this study was to determine the nutritional value of six raw materials commonly used in yellow mealworm feeding (barley grain, corn grain, hominy feed, wheat bran, corn gluten feed and soybean meal) and to propose prediction equations for the nutritive value of raw materials from their chemical composition. From Monday to Friday 5 g of raw material and 20 g of gel (source of water and micronutrients) were daily supplied. After two days of fasting, frass was collected. This procedure was repeated for 6 weeks. During this period, the initial and final weight of the larvae, the consumption of the raw material offered, and the production of faeces were controlled. Raw materials and faeces were analysed for dry matter (DM), ashes, crude protein (CP), ether extract, acid detergent fibre (ADF) and gross energy (GE), from which their coefficients of digestibility were determined. The digestible energy (DE) content of the raw materials was 13.8, 14.2, 11.6, 8.7, 6.9, 11.3 MJ DE/kg DM and the digestible protein (DP) was 61, 52, 48, 74, 70 and 242 g DP/kg DM for the barley grain, corn grain, hominy feed, wheat bran, corn gluten feed and soybean meal, respectively. DE content of raw materials was closely correlated with their content on ashes, starch and ADF (−0.83, +0.69 and −0.65, respectively; ), while DP content was mainly correlated with their content on CP, starch and ether extract (+0.95, +0.60 and −0.69, respectively; ). It can be concluded that mealworms have a good ability to utilize cereal starch, wheat bran diets should be complemented with digestible carbohydrates and protein sources, and soybean meal may be a good source of vegetable protein for mealworms.

The Trade-Off between Enteric and Manure Methane Emissions and Their Bacterial Ecology in Lactating Cows Fed Diets Varying in Forage-to-Concentrate Ratio and Rapeseed Oil

An experiment was conducted to examine how dietary interventions reducing enteric methane (CH4) emissions influence manure CH4 emissions in biogas production (as biochemical methane potential (BMP)) or under static conditions mimicking natural manure storage conditions. Experimental treatments consisted of a factorial arrangement of high (HF: 0.65) or low (LF: 0.35) levels of forage and 0 or 50 g of rapeseed oil per kg of diet dry matter. Oil supplementation reduced daily enteric CH4 emissions, especially in the HF diet, by 20%. Greater dietary concentrate proportion reduced CH4 yield and intensity (6 and 12%, respectively) and decreased pH, increased total volatile fatty acids, and molar proportions of butyrate and valerate in feces incubated under static conditions. Oil supplementation increased daily BMP and BMP calculated per unit of organic matter (OM) (17 and 15%, respectively). Increased dietary concentrate had no impact on daily BMP and BMP per unit of OM, whereas it reduced daily CH4 production by 89% and CH4 per unit of OM by 91% under static conditions. Dietary oil supplementation tended to decrease fecal CH4 production per unit of digestible OM (23%) under static conditions. Diets had no impact on the alpha diversity of ruminal prokaryotes. After incubation, the fecal prokaryote community was significantly less diverse. Diets had no effect on alpha diversity in the BMP experiment, but static trial fecal samples originating from the HF diet showed significantly lower diversity compared with the LF diet. Overall, the tested dietary interventions reduced enteric CH4 emissions and reduced or tended to reduce manure CH4 emissions under static conditions, indicating a lack of trade-off between enteric and manure CH4 emissions. The potential for increasing CH4 yields in biogas industries due to dietary interventions could lead to a sustainable synergy between farms and industry.

Hydrolysed poultry byproduct meal in extruded diets for cats

ABSTRACT Hydrolysed proteins have been shown to be potential ingredients in cat diets due to their high digestibility, presence of bioactive peptides, and relatively low antigenicity. The effects of the substitution of conventional low ash poultry byproduct meal (PBM) with hydrolysed poultry byproduct meal (HPM) as a protein source were evaluated in extruded cat diets. Five diets with similar nutrient contents were formulated: a control (CO) diet based on PBM and 4 diets with different inclusions of HPM (5%, 10%, 20%, and 30%, on an as-fed basis) replacing PBM as the protein source. The total tract apparent digestibility (CTTAD) of nutrients, faecal characteristics and microbial fermentation products, urine production and pH, nitrogen balance and urea renal excretion were evaluated using 30 healthy cats (15 males and 15 females; 4.18 ± 0.86 kg; 4.17 ± 1.38 years old), with 6 cats per diet in a complete randomised block design. When significant differences were found with the F test, the effects were evaluated by polynomial contrasts according to HPM inclusion (p < 0.05). The CTTADs of DM (89 ± 0.41%), CP (90 ± 0.36%), fat (93 ± 0.41%) and gross energy (90 ± 0.33%) were similar among treatments (p > 0.05). The faecal production, score, short-chain fatty acids and ammonia concentration were similar among treatments (p > 0.05). Isobutyric, isovaleric, valeric, and total branched-chain fatty acid contents increased quadratically (p < 0.05), with the highest level in the faeces of cats fed the diet with 20% HPM. Lactate concentration in faeces increased linearly with the inclusion of HPM (p < 0.05). Urine characteristics and urea renal excretion did not differ among treatments (p > 0.05). At 10% inclusion, HPM tended to increase the nitrogen retention of cats (p = 0.083), which may reflect the higher tryptophan, methionine, lysine, and available lysine contents of HPM in comparison to PBM. The inclusion of up to 30% HPM can be considered in cat formulations without affecting nutrient digestibility or faecal and urine characteristics. HPM tended to increase nitrogen retention and increased branched-chain fatty acids in faeces, aspects which deserves further studies.

Marcadores externos para estimativa de consumo por vacas leiteiras em confinamento

Abstract The accurate determination of individual dry matter intake (DMI) is an important parameter for evaluating the nutritional value of a diet and allows for an adequate supply of food according to the nutritional requirements of each animal. When it is not possible to measure this parameter using a direct method, the DMI can be estimated based on faecal production markers and the in vitro digestibility of dry matter (IVDMD) of the diet. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of the external marker titanium dioxide (TiO2) and enriched and modified hydroxyphenylpropane (LIPE®) on DMI. Four multiparous Holstein × Gyr cows with an average of 60 days in milk and 488 kg of body weight were used. The animals were housed in a free stall barn and fed diets based on sugarcane silage supplemented with concentrate composed of ground corn, cottonseed meal and 0%, 5%, 10% and 15% whole cottonseed on a dry matter (DM) basis. A 4 x 4 Latin square design was adopted. The DMI was determined by the ratio between the faecal production estimated by the markers and the IVDMD of the diet, with faeces collected by rectal grabbing twice a day for a period of seven days. There was no difference (P&gt;0.05) in the DMI estimated by the external markers TiO2 and LIPE® (10.3 vs. 12.1; 11.1 vs. 12.5; 10.2 vs. 12.9; and 12.7 vs. 10.9 kg/cow/day in relation to the measured DMI for diets with 0%, 5%, 10% and 15% inclusion of whole cottonseed, respectively). The external markers LIPE® and TiO2 proved to be suitable for estimating cow DMI. Regardless of the diet offered, both external markers can be used to replace the external marker chromic oxide, as the DMI estimated by them did not differ from the DMI measured in the trough.

Lentils pasta by-product in a complete extruded diet for dogs and its effect on extrusion, digestibility, and carbohydrate metabolism.

Recently, increasing effort has been directed toward environmental sustainability in pet food. The aim of this study was to evaluate the extrusion parameters, nutrient digestibility, fecal characteristics, palatability and insulinemic and glycaemic curves of a complete diet for dogs in which the main carbohydrate source was a red lentil pasta by-product (LP). Five experimental diets were formulated: a basal diet (CO) based on rice and a poultry by-product meal; three experimental diets where LP substituted rice at 33, 66, or 100% (LP33, LP66, and LP100, respectively); and a diet formulated on 70% of the basal diet (CO) plus 30% LP (LPS) to evaluate the digestibility of LP ingredient. The extruder pressure, hardness and bulk density of the kibble increased in a linear manner with increasing LP percentage (P < 0.05), without affecting starch gelatinization. According to polynomial contrast analysis, rice replacement with LP at 33 and 66% caused no reduction in apparent total tract digestibility coefficient (ATTDC), with similar or higher values compared with the CO diet. Nitrogen balance did not change (P > 0.05), but we observed a linear increase in feces production and moisture content as the LP inclusion rate rose and a linear decrease in feces pH (P < 0.05). Nevertheless, the fecal score was unaffected. Fecal acetate, propionate, total short-chain fatty acids (SCFA), branched-chain fatty acids, and lactate all increased linearly as the LP inclusion rate increased (P < 0.05), without altering ammonia concentration in feces. Feces concentrations of cadaverine, tyramine, histamine, and spermidine also increased in a linear manner with increasing LP inclusion (P < 0.05). The fermentation of LP dietary fiber by the gut microbiota increased the concentration of desirable fermentation by-products, including SCFA and spermidine. The post-prandial glucose and insulin responses were lower in the dogs fed the LP100 diet compared with CO, suggesting the possible use of this ingredient in diets designed to generate a low glycaemic response. Finally, the palatability study results showed a preference for the LP100 ration in both the "first choice" and the "consumption rate" evaluation (P < 0.05). This trial reveals how a by-product discarded from the human-grade food chain retains both its nutritional and organoleptic properties.