Relative Weight Of Abdominal Fat Research Articles

Effect of terracotta drinker and/or water addition of ASPRO‐C plus on behavior, growth, and physiological response of broiler chickens exposed to high temperature

AbstractThis study aimed to evaluate the effects of a terracotta drinker and/or water supplementation with ASPRO‐C Plus on the zootechnical performance of broiler chickens reared in a hot environment. A total of 160 Cobb 500 broiler chicks of 15 days old (240.2 ± 39.82 g) were divided into four treatment groups in a 2 x 2 factorial arrangement of drinker type (plastic or terracotta) and water with or without ASPRO‐C Plus (1 g/L) supplementation, each consisting of 4 replicate pens. Respiratory rate, water intake, feed intake, and live body weight were recorded weekly. At 49 days old, 12 birds per group were randomly selected, fasted for 12 h, weighed, and slaughtered for carcass evaluation and blood collection. The respiration rate of broilers decreased significantly (p < 0.01) with the terracotta drinker as compared to the plastic drinker. The water intake, the feed intake and the body weight gain increased significantly (p < 0.01) with the terracotta drinker as compared to the plastic drinker. The water addition of ASPRO‐C Plus significantly increased (p < 0.01) the relative weight of abdominal fat and spleen in broilers. The alpha‐amylase activity was significantly decreased (p < 0.01) with the water addition of ASPRO‐C Plus. The serum content of total cholesterol was significantly increased (p < 0.01) with the terracotta drinker. It can be concluded that ASPRO‐C Plus can slightly improve liveability, but using the terracotta drinker can be more efficient in reducing the behavioral response to heat stress and can improve the growth performance.

Effect of different levels of turmeric (Curcuma longa) on productivity in broiler chickens

This research was conducted to evaluate the effect of different levels of turmeric powder on the performance, blood parameters, immunity, intestinal morphology, carcass characteristics, cecum microbial flora, fatty acid profile and sensory evaluation of breast meat of broiler chickens. A completely randomized design was used including four levels of turmeric powder (250, 500, 750 and 1000 mg/kg diet) and a control treatment (without turmeric), in 5 replications. The growth performance was measured periodically and at the end of the 42-day period, three chickens from each experimental unit were killed for carcass examination. In order to check blood parameters at the end of the course, blood samples were taken from three chickens from each experimental unit. To check the immunity of broiler chickens, the weight percentage of immune glands was also evaluated. To measure the morphology of the cecum, one chicken from each experimental unit was killed to check the desired traits. The results of the experiment showed that different levels of turmeric had a significant effect on performance, carcass characteristics, blood parameters, immunity, intestinal morphology, cecal microbial flora, fatty acid profile, and the sensory evaluation of breast meat (P<0.05). The results of the experiment showed body weight, feed intake and feed conversion ratio (FCR) at the end of the period were significant in the treatments that received turmeric powder (P<0.05). Survival percentage, produced body weight per square meter, and final profit was also significant (P<0.05). Relative weight of abdominal fat, villus height and villus height/ crypt depth of the small intestine were significant in the treatments receiving turmeric powder (P<0.05). By adding turmeric powder to the diet of broiler chickens, the microbial population of the cecum also became significant (P<0.05). The concentration levels of uric acid, total cholesterol, glucose, HDL, albumin and liver enzymes alkaline phosphatase and ALT were significant in the birdsreceiving turmeric powder (P<0.05). Turmeric powder in the diet of broilers also had a significant effect on chondroitinic acid, linoleic acid and total polyathenoids (P<0.05). Turmeric powder was significant on the lactobacilli microbial population (P<0.05). The results of this experiment showed that fat content, juicyness, crispyness, chewability, elasticity, mouthfeel and general acceptance were significantly improved (P<0.05). In this research, the treatment receiving 500 mg of turmeric powder per kg had the greatest effect on the measured characteristics of broiler chickens. It can be concluded that the addition of the powder of these medicinal and aromatic plants to the diet of broiler chickens has beneficial effects on the carcass characteristics and meat quality. Keywords: fatty acid, blood plasma, abdominal cavity, triglyceride, feed conversion ratio, Curcuma longa

In vitro and in vivo evaluation of the nutritional value of various hydrolyzed feather meals and comparison of their effect on performance and carcass characteristics of broilers

In the current study, the nutritional value of various hydrolyzed feather meals (HFM) was investigated in two separate experiments (an in vitro and an in vivo experiment). The in vitro experiment was based on a completely randomized design with five replications and seven treatments including (1) Raw feather meal (RFM), (2) HFM by autoclave (Au-HFM), (3) Fermented feather meal (FFM) by Bacillus licheniformis (Bl-FFM), (4) FFM by Bacillus subtilis (Bs-FFM), (5) FFM by Aspergillus niger (An-FFM), (6) FFM by Bacillus licheniformis + Bacillus subtilis + Aspergillus niger (Co-FFM), and (7) HFM by an enzyme (En-HFM). The highest in vitro pepsin-pancreatin and apparent ileal CP digestibility were observed in Co-FFM, and the lowest amount belonged to RFM (P < 0.05). For the in-vivo experiment, 480 1-d-old male Ross 308 broilers were distributed in the experimental units in a completely randomized design with 8 treatments and 5 replicates (12 chicks/replicate). The treatments were: (1) Control diet (without feather meal (FM)), (2), (3), (4), (5), (6), (7), and (8), diets containing 4 % RFM, Au-HFM, Bl-FFM, Bs-FFM, An-FFM, Co-FFM, and En-HFM, respectively. For the in-vivo study, the birds fed control and Co-FFM diets had the highest feed intake, body weight gain, and the lowest feed conversion ratio compared to the other treatments (P < 0.05). The broilers fed the control and FFMs diets had the lowest relative weight of abdominal fat and liver compared to the other groups (P < 0.05). Therefore, our findings advise the poultry feed industry to look for Co-FFM as an effective alternative and cheaper feed ingredient to replace part of soybean meal in poultry diet.

Effect of soybean meal extract and Lactobacillus plantarum on fat digestibility, fatty meat and carcass weight in broiler

The study aimed to evaluate the addition of soybean meal extract and Lactobacillus plantarum on fat digestibility, relative weight of abdominal fat, meat fat mass and carcass weight of broiler chickens. The experimental animals used were 8-day-old unsexed Cobb strain broilers as many as 192 birds with a body weight of 177.89±3.73 g. Soybean meal extract (SME) as prebiotic and Lactobacillus plantarum as probiotic. The research ration was prepared based on metabolizable energy of 3,034.58 kcal/kg and crude protein of 21.73%. The study was arranged using a completely randomized design (CRD) with 6 treatments and 4 replicates, each experimental unit was filled with 8 animals. The treatments applied include T0 (basal ration); T1 (basal ration + Lactobacillus plantarum 1.2%); T2 (basal ration + SME 0.15%); T3 (basal ration + SME 0.30%); T4 (basal ration + SME 0.15% + Lactobacillus plantarum 1.2%); T5 (basal ration + SME 0.30% + Lactobacillus plantarum 1.2%). Parameters measured included fat digestibility, relative weight of abdominal fat, meat fat mass and carcass weight. Data were processed using analysis of variance and Duncan's test in the SPSS version 16 program. The results showed that the addition of treatments to the ration had a significant effect (p&lt;0.05) on fat digestibility, relative weight of abdominal fat, and carcass weight, but had no significant effect (p&gt;0.05) on broiler meat fat mass. The conclusion is that the addition of 0.3% soybean meal extract and 1.2% Lactobacillus plantarum to the diet can reduce fat digestibility, relative weight of abdominal fat and increase carcass weight and produce the same meat fat mass.

Effects of lysolecithins on performance, egg quality, blood profiles and liver histopathology in late-phase laying hens

ABSTRACT 1. This study investigated the effects of lysolecithins (LL) on performance, egg quality, blood profiles, relative organ weight and liver histopathology in laying hens. 2. A total of 480 healthy 65-week-old Lohmann laying hens were randomly allocated into four treatments in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement design with two levels of energy (AMEn, 11.08 MJ/kg and 12.94 MJ/kg) and two levels of LL (0 and 0.05%). 3. Birds fed high energy diets had lower (P < 0.05) average daily intake and feed conversion rate during weeks 0–4, 5-8 and 0–8, but higher (P < 0.05) average egg weight (AEW) during trial weeks 0–4. There was an interaction in (P < 0.05) AEW during trial weeks 0–14 and 0–8 for energy and LL. The high energy diets increased yolk colour at the end of weeks 2 and 4, while addition of LL increased albumen height at the end of week 2. There was an interaction (P < 0.05) in yolk colour between energy and LL at the end of week 2. There was an interaction (P < 0.05) in serum superoxide dismutase and LDL-C throughout the experiment. 4. The high energy diets increased (P < 0.05) the relative weight of abdominal fat compared with low energy diets. The high energy diets increased (P < 0.05) liver ether extract content and liver pathological injury score compared with low energy diets at the end of week 8, while the addition of LL decreased (P < 0.05) liver pathological injury score. 5. The supplementation of LL in high energy diets could alleviate some negative effects on liver injury in late laying hens.

Research Note: Effect of increasing fat supplementation in diets on productive performance, egg quality, and fatty liver incidence in laying hens throughout the entire laying cycle

This study aimed to investigate the effect of increasing fat supplementation in diets on productive performance, egg quality, and fatty liver incidence in laying hens during the entire laying cycle. A total of three hundred eighty-four 18-wk-old Hy-Line Brown laying hens were randomly allotted to 1 of 3 dietary treatments with 8 replicates for a 52-wk feeding trial. Each replicate comprised 16 consecutive cages with 1 hen per cage. The experimental diets were prepared by supplementing 0, 1.5, or 3.0% tallow to a basal diet, but all nutrients and energy in 3 diets were formulated to be equalized according to the recommended nutrient and energy concentrations at each phase of laying hens. Results indicated that increasing fat supplementation in diets decreased (linear, P < 0.01) feed conversion ratio (FCR) by increased egg mass (linear, P < 0.05) but decreased feed intake (linear and quadratic, P < 0.05) in laying hens during overall periods. Increasing fat supplementation in diets decreased (linear and quadratic, P < 0.05) egg yolk color during overall periods. Increasing fat supplementation in diets had no effects on liver color and hemorrhagic score measured at 60 wk (phase 3) and 70 wk of age (phase 4) without affecting hepatic fat concentrations during overall periods. However, the relative abdominal fat weight in laying hens was increased (linear and quadratic, P < 0.05) during overall periods by increasing fat supplementation in diets. In conclusion, increasing fat supplementation up to 3.0% in diets improves FCR with no impacts on fatty liver incidence and economics in laying hens throughout the entire laying cycle.

Effects of different stocking densities on organ development, blood biochemical indices, and antioxidative status of breeder pigeons during the rearing period

The present experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of different stocking densities on the organ development, blood biochemical indices, and antioxidative status of breeder pigeons during the rearing period. A total of 280 (halfmaleandhalffemale) 40-day-old young pigeons were allocated into 4 groups, including 3 experimental groups (in compartments of the flying room): the high stocking density (HSD) (0.308 m3/bird), standard stocking density (SD) (0.616 m3/bird), and low stocking density (LSD) (1.232 m3/bird) and a caged control (0.04125 m3/bird). The results showed that the contents of corticosterone and heat shock protein 70 in males and the corticosterone content in females were higher in the control than in the other groups. The relative weight of liver, lung, and gizzard in males of the HSD group was the highest among the 4 treatments, whereas the abdominal fat index in the control group was higher than those in the other 3 treatments. Body weight and the relative weight of liver and abdominal fat in female pigeons in HSD group increased significantly. The levels of serum urea nitrogen and uric acid in pigeons of LSD group increased significantly, while the concentration of total cholesterol and the activity of alanine aminotransferase were higher in the control group. Ion (K+, Ca2+, and Na+) concentrations in female pigeon serum were also elevated in the control. The activity of antioxidant enzymes, including the total antioxidant capacity, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione peroxidase in pigeon breast muscle and liver had different degrees of inhibition when the space room was crowded. Moreover, the level of malondialdehyde in the liver of male caged pigeons was higher than that in the other treatments. In summary, rearing in cages or at a high density caused stress responses in the breeder pigeons. The stocking density of breeder pigeons during the rearing period should be ranged from 0.616 m3/bird to 1.232 m3/bird.

Effect of Adding Palm Kernel Meal Extract to Rations Using Microparticle Protein Sources On Fatty Meat and Carcass Weight of Broiler Chicken

The purpose of the study was to examine the effect of the addition of palm kernel meal extract (PKME) to rations using microparticle protein sources on fatty meat and carcass weight of broiler chickens. The experimental chickens used were unsexed CP707 strain broilers aged 8 days as many as 200 birds with an average body weight of 153.98 ± 4.41 g. Palm kernel meal extract as treatment material. Ration composition includes ground corn, rice bran, microparticle soybean meal, microparticle fish meal, CaCO3, premix, lysine and methionine. The study was arranged using a completely randomized design with 5 treatments and 4 replicates, each experimental unit was filled with 10 animals. The treatments applied are: T0=rations using protein microparticles/RPM, T1=RPM+PKME 0,2%, T2=RK+PKME 0,4%, T3=PKME+EBS 0,6% dan T4=PKME+EBS 0,8%. Parameters measured included fat digestibility, relative weight of abdominal fat, meat fat mass and carcass weight. Data were analyzed for variance at the 5% significance level, if there was a significant effect, Duncan's test was conducted at the 5% significance level. The results showed that the addition of EBS to rations using microparticle protein sources had a significant effect (p&lt;0.05) on fat digestibility, relative weight of abdominal fat, meat fat mass and carcass weight of broiler chickens. The conclusion is that the addition of 0.8% palm kernel meal extract to rations using microparticle protein sources can reduce fat digestibility, relative weight of abdominal fat, meat fat mass and carcass weight of broiler chickens.

Growth performance, intestinal morphology, and carcass traits in broiler chicken fed Conocarpus erectus leaf meal

This study evaluated the effects of adding Conocarpus erectus leaf meal to the diet on the perfor-mance, carcass traits, organ weights, and intestinal morphology of broiler chicken. A total of 396 one-day-old Ross 308 broilers were assigned to nine treatments, which included 0, 0.25%, 0.5%, 0.75%, 1%, 1.25%, 1.5%, 1.75%, and 2% C. erectus leaf meal addition to the broiler diet. Feed and bird weights were recorded weekly. On slaughter day, the weights of carcasses and organs were individual-ly reported using a digital scale as well as the intestine samples were pooled for tissue analysis. High levels of C. erectus leaf meal reduced (P&lt;0.01) body weight, body weight gain, and feed conversion ratio. The basal diet and 0.25% C. erectus leaf meal diet reported higher (P&lt;0.01) body weight and body weight gain than did the other treatments. Birds fed 0.25% C. erectus leaf meal supplementation performed similarly to those fed the basal diet. Significantly, with increasing amounts of C. erectus leaf meal in the diets, there was a linear slope decrease in live weight and body weight gain as well as a linear slope rise in the values of feed intake and feed conversion ratio. Carcass trait and relative organ weights were not altered among the dietary treatments. Feeding 1% C. erectus leaf meal diet decreased (P&lt;0.01) relative abdominal fat weight compared to birds fed the control diet. Birds fed dietary C. erectus treatments had higher (P&lt;0.01) villus height, villus width, crypt depth, and lower villus height/crypt depth ratio than did birds fed the control diet. In conclusion, the study indicated that feeding 0.25% C. erectus leaf meal showed no deleterious effects on the growth performance of the broiler. Growth performance and intestinal morphology were linearly reduced when broilers were fed up 2% of C. erectus meal.

Effects of metabolizable energy and emulsifier supplementation on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, body composition, and carcass yield in broilers

This study aimed to investigate the effect of metabolizable energy (ME) levels and exogenous emulsifier supplementation on growth performance, apparent ileal digestibility (AID), body composition, and carcass yield in broilers. The experiment was designed as a 2×2 factorial arrangement with ME levels (control ME vs. reduced 100 kcal/kg ME) and exogenous emulsifier supplementation (0 vs. 0.05 %). A total of 1,000 one-day-old male Cobb 500 broilers were randomly allocated into 4 treatments with 10 replicates and 25 birds per floor pen for 42 d (starter, d 0-14; grower, d 14-28; and finisher, d 28-42). Growth performance was measured biweekly, and AID was evaluated using the indigestible indicator method during d 21 to 28. Body composition was measured at d 35 using Dual-Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry (DXA), and carcass yield was evaluated at d 42. Data were analyzed using the GLM procedure for 2-way ANOVA. Results indicated reduced ME decreased body weight gain and feed intake (P < 0.05). Exogenous emulsifier supplementation improved FCR during the finisher and overall periods (P < 0.05). Reduced ME decreased AID of dry matter (DM), fat, and gross energy (P < 0.05) but increased AID of Val (P=0.013). Exogenous emulsifier supplementation increased AID of DM, crude protein, His, Ile, Lys, Thr, Val, Pro, Ala, and Tyr (P < 0.05). Reduced ME decreased dressing rate and the relative weight of abdominal fat (P < 0.05). DXA results indicated that reduced ME decreased bone mineral density and fat (P < 0.001) but increased bone mineral contents and muscle (P < 0.05). Therefore, a reduction of 100 kcal/kg ME in the diet had adverse effects on the growth performance and carcass characteristics, but the use of exogenous emulsifier supplementation improved growth performance and nutrient digestibility.

Zeolite and corn with different compositions in broiler chickens feeding

The objective of this work was to evaluate the behavior of zeolite against different types of corn in broiler chickens' diets. 1,200 male broiler chickens were assigned to 6 diets in a completely randomized design and a 2×3 factorial arrangement, consisting of 2 types of corn (higher or lower mycotoxin contamination) and the inclusion of zeolite (0; 5,000 and 10,000 g ton-1). In the period from d 1 to 21, there was an interaction (P=0.0040) between types of corn and the inclusion of zeolite for feed conversion ratio (FCR). In the phase from 1 to 42 d, there was an interaction (P=0.0322) on the serum levels of creatinine (CREA) and digestible gross energy (dGE); corn with lower mycotoxin level contamination (LMLC), caused a reduction in body weight gain (BWG) (P=0.0046) and increase in the relative weight of abdominal fat (P=0.0256). Inclusion rates of zeolite promoted an increase in the digestible CP (P=0.0477) and digestible ash (P < 0.0001), as well as an increase (P < 0.0001) in hot carcass yield (P=0.0433). The results indicate that the inclusion of zeolite, in the amounts used, did not alter the performance, serum levels, intestinal development and litter quality of the birds at 42 d of age. However, it was responsible for the improvement in the percentage of digestible nutrients (CP, GE, and MM).

Apparent metabolizable energy requirement of feed-restricted White Pekin duck breeder pullets

A dose–response experiment with 5 dietary apparent metabolizable energy (AME) levels (10.00, 10.62, 11.24, 11.87, and 12.49 MJ AME/kg) was conducted to estimate the AME requirement of White Pekin duck breeder pullets from 8 to 24 weeks of age. A total of 240 8-week-old female White Pekin duck breeder pullets were assigned to 5 experimental treatments, and each treatment was replicated 6 times with 8 birds per replicate. The ducks were reared in raised wire-floor pens from 8 to 24 weeks of age. All duck pullets were restricted-fed by limiting feed intake, and the feed intake increased gradually as age increased. At 24 weeks of age, the body weight, weight gain and feed/gain of each treatment were measured, and the relative weight of abdominal fat, skin and fat, and ovary of pullets and the contents of luteinizing hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone, and estradiol in plasma were also determined. As the dietary energy level increased from 10.00 to 12.49MJ AME/kg, the 24-week-old body weight and weight gain increased linearly or quadratically (P < 0.05) and the feed/gain decreased linearly or quadratically (P < 0.05). The absolute or relative weight of abdominal fat and skin and fat of the duck pullets also showed a linear increasing response to increasing dietary energy (P < 0.05). The duck pullets fed with high dietary energy levels had a higher absolute or relative weight of ovary than the birds fed with low dietary energy (P < 0.05) and this was accompanied by linearly or quadratically increasing plasma follicle-stimulating hormone and estradiol as dietary energy increased (P < 0.05). According to broken-line regression, the AME requirements for feed/gain and relative weight of skin and fat were 12.40, and 11.92 MJ/kg, respectively, and low AME requirements should be considered to control body weight and fat before laying age.

Response of growth performance, blood hematology, organ indexes, and myofiber traits to increasing dietary methionine levels in Jilin White goose

A total of 240 geese (28 days old; 120 ganders and 120 gooses) with an average initial body weight of 1068.19 ± 6.59 g were used to evaluate the effects of increasing dietary methionine (Met) levels on growth performance, blood hematology, organ indexes, and myofiber traits. The experimental period was 42 days. All birds were randomly assigned to four treatment groups based on the initial body weight. There were six replicate cages per treatment, and 10 geese per cage (5 ganders and 5 gooses). Dietary treatments were based on a basal diet containing 0.25% Met, and extra supplied 0.25%, 0.50%, and 0.75% Met to form different dietary groups (0.25%, 0.50%, 0.75%, and 1.00% Met, as-fed basis). The results of this study indicated that final body weight, body weight gain, and feed efficiency increased quadratically, relative weight of breast muscle and myofiber diameter increased cubically, serum total protein and uric acid concentrations, relative weight of liver and abdominal fat, and myofiber diameter increased linearly, whereas myofiber density decreased linearly, with the level of Met increased. The maximized growth performance and breast muscle parameters were observed in 0.75% Met-containing group.

Feeding of glucomannans and anthocyanins combination in the containing microparticle protein on fat digestibility and fat deposition on broiler chicken

This study aims to evaluate the effects of combination of glucomannan and anthocyanin in feeds containing protein microparticles on fat digestibility and fat deposition in broiler chickens. The 216 healthy 7-day-old broiler chicks strain CP 707 was used with treatment of glucomannan from porang tuber extract and anthocyanins from purple sweet potato extract. The study was arranged by a completely randomized design (CRD) with a factorial pattern with treatment consisting of 2 factors (A and B). In A, there were 3 glucomannan treatments, A1 (0%), A2 (0.05%) and A3 (0.1%), while in B contained 3 anthocyanin treatments, B1 (0), B2 (0.07%) and B3 (0.14%) with 3 replications. The measure was fat digestibility, precentage of abdominal fat and meat fat mass. The data were analyzed for variance at the 5% level and continued with Duncan's double test at the 5% level. The results showed that the addition of a combination of glucomannan and anthocyanin in the feed containing protein microparticles had an interaction (P&lt;0.05) on fat digestibility, meat fat mass and relative weight of abdominal fat in broiler chickens. The addition of a combination of 0.1% glucomannan and 0.14% anthocyanin (A3B3) in the feed containing microparticle protein was able to reduce fat digestibility, relative abdominal fat weight and meat fat mass in broiler chickens.

Dietary curcumin supplementation regulates the lipid metabolism in laying hens

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary curcumin on the hepatic lipid metabolism and antioxidant capacity in Roman laying hens. A total of 144 Roman laying hens (28 weeks old) were allocated 4 dietary treatments that included curcumin at concentrations of 0, 50, 150, and 250 mg/kg for 9 weeks. Each treatment had 6 replicates per group with 6 hens per replicate (2 birds/cage). The results showed that dietary supplementation of curcumin decreased (P < 0.05) the absolute and relative abdominal fat weight during 32–34 wk. Curcumin supplemented at 150 mg/kg had been reduced (P < 0.05) the concentrations of triglycerides (TG) and total cholesterol in plasma, the liver TG concentrations, and the enzyme activities of malic (ME) and lipoprotein lipase of Roman laying hens throughout the experiment. Curcumin supplemented also decreased (P < 0.05) the mRNA expression of Sterol expression-regulatory protein-1c (SREBP-1c), ACC, FAS, ME and while it increased the mRNA expression of Apolipoprotein B-100 and Apolipoprotein-II. Further research found that dietary curcumin boosted the activity of the antioxidant enzymes Superoxide dismutase, Catalase, and Glutathione peroxidase in plasma and liver. It lowered the levels of Malondialdehyde in plasma and liver. In conclusion, curcumin inclusion regulated the hepatic fat metabolism, reduced abdominal fat deposition and improved the antioxidant capacity of Roman laying hens. Highlights Curcumin can regulate the lipid metabolism of Roman laying hens by reducing the activity of lipid metabolism enzymes in the liver. Curcumin can regulate the fat deposition of Roman laying hens by reducing the expression of genes involved in lipid synthesis in the liver.

Milk Thistle (Silybum marianum), Marine Algae (Spirulina platensis) and Toxin Binder Powders in the Diets of Broiler Chickens Exposed to Aflatoxin-B1: Growth Performance, Humoral Immune Response and Cecal Microbiota

This research was performed to investigate the effects of milk thistle (MT), toxin binder (TB) and marine algae (Spirulina platensis; SP) on the performance, blood indices, humoral immunity and cecal microbiota of broiler chickens exposed to aflatoxin-B1 (AFB1). A total of 300 one-day-old male chicks were equally divided into five treatments, with six replicates with 10 birds per treatment. Dietary treatments included: (T1) a control diet (without any feed additive or AFB1); (T2) control diet + 0.6 mg AFB1/kg; (T3) T2 + 10 g/kg MT; (T4) T2 + 1 g/kg TB; and (T5) T2 + 10 g/kg SP. BWG and FI were found to be considerably reduced in broilers given AFB1-contaminated diets (p &lt; 0.05). The FCR was negatively influenced in birds fed AFB1-contaminated diets (p &lt; 0.05). MT, TB, and SP powders also reduced the deleterious effects of AFB1 on the growth of chickens (p &lt; 0.05). In comparison with the control birds and the other treatments, broilers given AFB1-contaminated diets had a higher relative weight of abdominal fat (p &lt; 0.05). The feeding of AFB1 resulted in a substantial rise in AST and ALT activity (p &lt; 0.05). MT, TB, and SP powders significantly decreased blood AST and ALT activity in broilers (p &lt; 0.05). The AFB1 and MT groups had the lowest skin thickness (p &lt; 0.05) twenty-four hours after injection. The phytohemagglutinin injection results showed that the TB and SP were more efficient than the other additives in removing toxins from the feed sources (p &lt; 0.05). The antibody titer against sheep red blood cells (SRBCs) was lower in the AFB1 group compared to the control group at 28 days of age (p &lt; 0.05). When comparing AFB1-fed chicks to the control treatment, there was a significant (p &lt; 0.05) concentration of cecal Coliform bacteria. When MT, TB, and SP powders were added to AFB1-contaminated diet, cecal Coliforms were decreased (p &lt; 0.05). When fed AFB1-contaminated diets, it can be concluded that MT, TB, and SP are suitable for supporting growth performance, immunological function, and the serum biochemical parameters of broiler chickens.

Effect of β-Mannanase Supplementation on Growth Performance, Ileal Digestibility, Carcass Traits, Intestinal Morphology, and Meat Quality in Broilers Fed Low-ME Diets.

Simple Summaryβ-mannans, an example of non-starch polysaccharides, is one of the important anti-nutritional factors found in many leguminous feedstuffs used as raw material in poultry feed formulation. β-mannans bind to nutrients, reduce their bioavailability, and also increase the viscosity of intestinal digesta, which prevents the proper mixing of enzymes with digesta and affects the digestibility of nutrients. All these conditions ultimately reduce the growth performance of poultry birds. So, the objective of present study was to lower the effect of β-mannans by using β-mannanase in broiler diets. Results suggested that β-mannanase supplementation improved the intestinal morphology, which helped to increase the dry matter and crude fiber digestibility in broilers fed low energy diets. In addition, growth performance of broilers was not affected by reducing dietary energy levels with added β-mannanase than the Control group. Similarly, carcass traits were not affected by decreasing dietary energy levels with supplementation of β-mannanase. In conclusion, it could be stated that a low caloric diet with added β-mannanase had no negative effect on growth performance and carcass characteristics; however, it improved the dry matter and crude fiber digestibility.Experiment was designed to analyze the effect of low caloric diets, supplemented with β-mannanase on growth performance, carcass characteristics, nutrient digestibility, and other parameters in broilers. In this study, 400 broiler chicks were randomly divided into four treatments (Cont: without β-mannanase; LM-30, MM-60, and HM-90: supplemented with 200, 400, and 600 mg/kg β-mannanase, respectively). Dietary metabolizable energy (ME) in Cont was standard (starter diet 3100 kcal/kg; finisher diet 3200 kcal/kg) and reduced by 30, 60, and 90 kcal/kg, correspondingly in β-mannanase-supplemented treatments. The results exhibited that growth performance was not affected by reducing dietary energy levels with supplementation of β-mannanase. Ileal digestibility of DM and CF was improved (p < 0.01) by supplementation of β-mannanase at low dietary ME levels. Concerning carcass traits, the relative weight of breast meat, drumstick, and abdominal fat increased (p < 0.05) with β-mannanase supplementation in low-ME diets. Treatment HM-90 showed significantly (p < 0.05) better results regarding villus height and VH:CD. It could be concluded from the present results that supplementation of β-mannanase could improve the nutrient digestibility so that it is possible to reduce the dietary energy level without compromising production performance, carcass trails, and meat quality in broilers.

Effects of cage versus floor rearing system on goose intestinal histomorphology and cecal microbial composition

Due to the demand for modern goose production and the pressure of environmental protection, the rearing systems of geese are changing from traditional waterside rearing to intensive rearing systems such as floor rearing (FR) and cage rearing (CR) systems. However, little is known about the effects of different rearing systems on goose intestinal functions and cecal microbial composition. Therefore, this study aimed to compare intestinal histomorphology and cecal microbial composition differences in geese reared under CR and FR at 270 d of age. Histomorphological analysis showed that the ileal villus height (VH) to crypt depth (CD) ratio was significantly greater in CR than in FR (P < 0.001). Taxonomic analysis showed that the dominant bacteria of cecal microorganisms in both rearing systems were roughly similar, with Bacteroidota, Firmicutes, Fusobacteriota, and Proteobacteria being the dominant phyla while Bacteroides, Fusobacterium, and uncultured_bacterium_o_Bacteroidales being the dominant genera. Differentially abundant taxa between CR and FR were also identified using Linear Discriminant Analysis Effect Size (LEfSe) analysis (P < 0.05, LDA score > 3.5). Megamonas and Anaerobiospirillum were significantly enriched in the CR group at the genus level, while uncultured_bacterium_f_Rikenellaceae and Sutterella were significantly enriched in the FR group. Notably, we found that the relative abundance of uncultured_bacterium_f_Rikenellaceae was significantly negatively correlated with the ileal VH and VH/CD (P < 0.05). The relative abundance of Megamonas and Anaerobiospirillum were significantly negatively correlated with abdominal fat weight and relative abdominal fat weight (P < 0.01), whereas that of Sutterella was significantly positively correlated with abdominal fat weight and relative abdominal fat weight (P < 0.01). Furthermore, PICRUSt2 analysis indicated that the lipid metabolism pathways of cecal microorganisms were lower enriched in CR than in FR. In conclusion, compared with FR, the CR significantly changed goose ileal histomorphological characteristics and cecal microbial composition, thereby affecting goose physiological functions and production performance.

Effect of supplementing papaya (Carica papaya) latex on performance, carcass traits and nutrient digestibility in broiler chicken fed recommended and sub-optimal levels of dietary protein

Three experiments were conducted to study the effects of supplementing papaya (Carica papaya) latex (papain) (PL) on performance, carcass variables and apparent ileal digestibility of nitrogen and energy in broiler male chickens (Vencobb 430) fed diets containing varying levels of protein. The PL (4000 TU g−1) was supplemented to maize-soybean meal based control diet (CD) to provide four concentrations of papain (0, 600, 800 and 1000 TU kg−1 diet) in experiment 1. In experiment 2, the CD (100% protein) and a low-protein basal diet (95% less protein i.e. about 1% of diet and proportionate limiting amino acids concentration) were fed with and without PL (0 and 1000 tyrosine units - TU kg−1 diet) in a 2 × 2 factorial design. Three graded levels of dietary protein (88%, 94% and 100% of the recommended level) with three concentrations of PL (0, 1000 and 2000 TU kg−1) were fed in experiment 3 to find the possibility of reducing dietary protein with higher concentrations of papain in the diet. Each diet was fed ad libitum to 10 replicates of 25 broiler chicks in each replicate (6.5 ×4 feet floor pen) from d 1–35. In experiment 1, supplementation of papain at 1000 TU kg−1 to the CD significantly improved the feed efficiency (FE) compared to the control group (1–35d). In experiment 2, by reducing the dietary protein by 1%, the body weight gain (BWG) and FE reduced (1–35 d). However, supplementation of 1000 TU papain significantly improved the BWG and FE, which were similar to the control. The interaction between dietary protein and PL did not influence the performance variables in experiment 3, except the FE during 1–21 d. At 88% protein, PL supplementation significantly improved the FE and such improvement was not observed at 94% and 100% protein during d 1–21. Supplementation of 2000 TU papain / kg improved FE similar to those fed the CD, which implies the possibility of reducing the dietary protein with papain supplementation. BWG and FE improved significantly with papain at 2000 TU kg−1 diet compared to the CD. An increase in dietary protein progressively reduced the relative weights of abdominal fat and liver. Papain supplementation reduced the ready to cook yield and breast weight. Papain supplementation significantly increased the digestibility of energy and nitrogen compared to the control group. Based on the results, it is concluded that papain supplementation (1000–2000 TU kg−1) in the form of papaya latex could able to reduce the requirement of protein (about 95% of the recommendation) in corn soybean meal based diets without affecting the performance. Increased digestibility of energy and protein with papain might be responsible for the reduced requirement of protein as observed in the current study.

Guanidinoacetic acid as a partial replacement to arginine with or without betaine in broilers offered moderately low crude protein diets

Guanidinoacetic acid (GAA) is the direct precursor of creatine and can spare arginine (Arg) for creatine synthesis in low crude protein (CP) broiler diets. This study aimed to determine the extent GAA could spare Arg in broilers offered low CP diets and if supplemental betaine provides additional benefits. Seven hundred twenty-day-old Ross 308 male broilers were assigned into 9 dietary treatments with 8 replicates of 10 birds each. The treatments were; normal CP diet, a low CP (−15 g/kg) diet deficient in Arg, a low CP diet sufficient in Arg, and low CP diets with GAA, where 0.1% added L-Arg was spared by GAA at 50, 100, and 150% with and without 0.1% betaine. The treatments were offered during grower (d 10–24) and finisher (d 25–42) phases. The birds offered a low CP Arg deficient diet had 7.8% lower weight gain, 10 points higher FCR, 8.5% lower breast meat yield, 27.2% lower breast meat creatine concentration and 30.4% more abdominal fat pad compared to those offered a normal CP diet. When Arg was added back to the Arg deficient diet, growth performance, breast meat yield and creatine concentration loss were restored. When GAA spared Arg at 150%, feed intake, weight gain, FCR, breast and abdominal fat yields, breast meat moisture, drip loss, and breast meat creatine concentration became comparable to Arg sufficient low CP and normal CP treatments. When GAA spared Arg at 100 and 50%, FCR was 3 and 5 points lower than the normal CP treatment. Breast meat creatine concentration was positively correlated to feed efficiency (r = 0.70, P < 0.001) and breast meat moisture (r = 0.33, P < 0.01), and negatively correlated to relative weight of abdominal fat (r = −0.37, P < 0.01) and breast meat pH (r = −0.49, P < 0.001). There were no benefits of adding betaine with GAA on the parameters measured but the results with GAA were consistent in the presence or absence of betaine.