Significant Effect Of Diet Research Articles

Integrating Metabolomics and Genomics to Uncover the Impact of Fermented Total Mixed Ration on Heifer Growth Performance Through Host-Dependent Metabolic Pathways.

With the increasing demand for enhancing livestock production performance and optimizing feed efficiency, this study aimed to investigate the effects of fermented total mixed ration (FTMR) containing different proportions of rice straw and sheath and leaves of Zizania latifolia on systemic nutrient metabolism and oxidative metabolism under host genetic regulation and on growth performance of heifers. A total of 157 heifers aged 7-8 months were selected, and their hair was collected for whole-genome sequencing. They were randomly assigned into four groups of 18 to 21 cattle each and fed FTMR containing varying levels of rice straw (21% in LSF, 28% in MSF, 35% in HSF) or 31% sheath and leaves of Zizania latifolia (ZF) for a two-month period. At the end of trial, blood and urine samples were collected to measure biochemical indexes and metabolomics. The results showed that high rice straw content and ZF diets could increase blood glucose and non-protein nitrogen in heifers, that is, blood glucose and urea nitrogen levels in HSF and ZF groups were higher than those in LSF and MSF groups (p < 0.05). Meanwhile, the two diets could improve the antioxidant level of heifers. Urine metabolomics analysis between the groups identified three differential metabolic pathways, including 11 metabolites. Among them, l-homoserine and o-acetylserine had significant SNPs associated with them, which promoted glutathione metabolism. Although there was no significant effect of diet on heifers' average daily gain (ADG) in body weight (p > 0.05), there was substantial inter-individual variation in metabolites among all animals, as further correlation analyses illustrated. Twenty-eight metabolites were significantly associated with ADG (R > 0.3, p < 0.05). Four of them were identified as biomarkers, primarily regulating energy metabolism and oxidative balance. In conclusion, feeding HSF and ZF FTMR enhances glutathione metabolism and antioxidant capacity in heifers, positioning key metabolites as candidates for ADG markers. This integrative omics approach underscores the potential for enhancing livestock productivity and promoting sustainable agricultural practices.

GROWTH PERFORMANCE AND CARCASS YIELD OF BROILER CHICKENS FED FOUR COMMERCIAL DIETS

This study was conducted to determine the growth performance, carcass characteristics and cost benefit of feeding four different commercial diets to broiler chickens. Two hundred and eight (208) day-old chicks were randomly allotted to four diets in replicates of four. The diets were designated as A, B, C, and D. Each replicate had 13 birds assigned in a completely randomized design. Feed and water were supplied ad libitum and the trial lasted for 42 days. Results for growth performance revealed a significant (P&lt;0.05) effect of diet on nearly all indices in the starter, finisher and overall phases. At four weeks, birds fed diets C and A had significantly (P&lt;0.01) higher weights (1252.00 and 1230.70g) than those on diet D (1118.00g) followed by those fed diet B (1012.80g). Total weight gain was higher (P&lt;0.001) on diet D (1933.00g) than those on diet A (1663.70g), while those on diets B (1588g) and D (1511.00g), were similar and had the lowest weights. There was no significant effect of diet on total feed intake (2978.40 – 3232.40g) and overall feed efficiency (0.46 – 0.55). Carcass characteristics indicated that birds fed diet C (1.87kg) had higher carcass weights, followed by those on diet A (1.64kg) and D (1.56kg) which were statistically similar. The lowest carcass weight was recorded in broiler birds fed diet C (1.38kg). However, there was no significant influence of diet on dressing percentage (68.25 – 74.76%). Feed cost per kg varied from N880 - N960 and feed cost per kg gain was lowest on diet A (N1579.76) and highest on diet D (N1789.14). It was concluded that growth rate was similar for both diet A and C. however diet C was most economical and is recommended for profitable broiler chicken production.

EFFECTS OF SAMSORG-25 VARIETY OF SORGHUM (Sorghum bicolor) BASED DIETS ON CARCASS TRAITS AND HAEMATO-BIOCHEMICAL INDICES OF BROILER CHICKENS

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary samsorg-25 as a replacement for maize on the carcass characteristics and blood parameters of broiler chickens. Five diets were formulated, with samsorg-25 replacing white maize at 0, 25, 50, 75, and 100%. These diets were labeled as T1, T2, T3, T4, and T5, respectively. Three hundred (300) two-week-old broiler chickens, weighing between 187.00 and 194.75 grams, were randomly assigned to the five diets in four replicates of 15 birds each, following a Completely Randomized Design. Feed and water were provided ad libitum, and the feeding trial lasted for 42 days. The results of the carcass analysis revealed no significant effect (P&gt;0.05) of samsorg-25 on most carcass and organ characteristics. The carcass weight of the birds ranged from 1.75 kg (T1) to 1.87 kg (T4), and the dressing percentage varied from 74.88% to 77.68% for diets T2 and T4, respectively. The relative weight of the liver showed a significant (P&lt;0.05) dietary effect, with birds fed the control diet (T1) having a higher liver weight (1.73%) compared to those on T3 (1.53%). However, birds on both diets were comparable to those on other diets: T2 (1.66%), T4 (1.59%), and T5 (1.65%). Similarly, abdominal fat weight was higher on diet T1 (1.35%) than on T2 (1.17%), with birds on other diets showing comparable results to those on T1 and T2. The weight of the gizzard was also significantly (P&lt;0.05) affected, favoring diets T1 (3.37%) and T3 (3.31%), which were similar and comparable to T2 (3.13%) and T5 (3.02%). Birds fed diet T4 (2.89%) had the lowest average gizzard weight but did not differ significantly from those on T2 and T5. Except for platelet count, no haematological index was significantly (P&lt;0.05) affected. Platelet count was higher on T3 (2.69 x 103/µl) compared to T1 (1.70 x 103/µl) and T5 (1.60 x 103/µl), but comparable to T2 (2.13 x 103/µl) and T4 (1.88 x 103/µl). Serum biochemical assays indicated no significant dietary effect on all parameters except for urea. Urea concentration was higher (P&lt;0.05) in birds fed diet T2 (4.94 g/dl) compared to those on T1 (4.02 g/dl). However, birds in both groups did not differ significantly (P&gt;0.05) from those on other diets. It was concluded that Samsorg-25 can completely replace white maize in broiler chicken diets without any negative effects on carcass yield and the health of broiler chickens.

Biorefined perennial ryegrass press cake as an alternative feed for dairy cows in late lactation and during the dry period: a demonstration

Abstract To investigate the potential application of replacing a proportion of a perennial ryegrass (PRG) silage diet with press cake on productivity and enteric methane (CH4) emissions in late lactation and non-lactating spring-calving dairy cows, a study was undertaken in which control cows (n = 21) were offered PRG silage, while treatment cows (n = 21) were offered a diet consisting of 60% PRG press cake and 40% of the same PRG silage. Although treatment cows had higher group average dry matter intakes (DMI) and produced more enteric CH4, carbon dioxide (CO2), milk solids, protein, fat- and protein-corrected milk yield (FPCM) in late lactation, the magnitude of the difference between treatment and control cows varied from week to week (P &lt; 0.050). When enteric CH4 per kg of milk yield, milk solids and FPCM were considered, there was no significant difference between treatment and control. Absolute enteric CH4 was higher for cows fed press cake during the non-lactating period but this tended to vary from week to week. Similarly, CO2 (P &lt; 0.001) and hydrogen (H2; P = 0.023) differed from week to week for cows offered press cake, and cows offered PRG silage in the non-lactating period. Although there was no significant effect of diet on body weight (BW) and body condition score (BCS), when enteric CH4 was expressed on a per kg BW basis, cows offered press cake tended to produce more enteric CH4 in both late lactation and during the dry period.

Timing of standard chow exposure determines the variability of mouse phenotypic outcomes and gut microbiota profile.

Standard chow diets influence reproducibility in animal model experiments because chows have different nutrient compositions, which can independently influence phenotypes. However, there is little evidence of the role of timing in the extent of variability caused by chow exposure. Here we measured the impact of different diets (5V5M, 5V0G, 2920X and 5058) and timing of exposure (adult exposure (AE), lifetime exposure (LE) and developmental exposure (DE)) on growth and development, metabolic health indicators and gut bacterial microbiota profiles across genetically identical C57BL/6J mice. Diet drove differences in macro- and micronutrient intake for all exposure models. AE had no effect on phenotypic outcomes. However, LE mice exhibited significant sex-dependent diet effects on growth, body weight and body composition. LE effects were mostly absent in the DE model, where mice were exposed to chow differences only from conception to weaning. Both AE and LE models exhibited similar diet-driven beta diversity profiles for the gut bacterial microbiota, with 5058 diet driving the most distinct profile. However, compared with AE, LE effects on beta diversity were sex dependent, and LE mice exhibited nine times more differentially abundant bacterial genera, the majority of which were inversely affected by 2920X and 5058 diets. Our findings demonstrate that LE to different chow diets has the greatest impact on the reproducibility of several experimental measures commonly used in preclinical mouse model studies. Importantly, weaning mice from different diets onto the same diet for maturation may be an effective way to reduce unwanted phenotypic variability among experimental models.

Comparison of the effects of production and processing parameters on the eating quality of lamb.

While many separate research studies have investigated the effect of production and processing factors on eating quality of lamb, the relative impact of these parameters has been difficult to ascertain. In this study, the effect of eighteen production and processing factors on the eating quality of Welsh Lamb was compared, using meat from 624 lambs and assessments by 1920 UK consumers. Four experimental trials provided a balanced assessment of production and processing factors: muscle, breed type, lamb gender, ageing, finishing diet, season, carcase hanging and packaging method. The effect of other parameters was assessed using the combined data: farm type, individual farm, liveweight gain, abattoir, slaughter date, carcase weight, carcase conformation, carcase fat grade, age at slaughter, and transport time. The Meat Standards Australia protocol for consumer panels was used to provide a consistent methodology for comparing the effect on palatability of different treatments and factors and the interactions between them. The three factors that had the most significant effect on consumer sensory quality were muscle, season and individual farm. While the differences between muscles are well known, the effects of season within the 1st year and individual farm have not been widely reported. Meat from mid-season lambs received the highest scores for sensory quality while differences in sensory quality between meat from different farms were pronounced and unexplained; further research is needed to evaluate the role of genetics and/or microflora. Younger age and higher intramuscular fat content also gave improved eating quality, with gender and conformation grade having a small effect. Of the postslaughter factors, ageing to 14 or 21days, gave significantly better eating quality than 7days ageing, as did hanging "cross-legged" and vacuum packing, compared with Achilles hanging and modified atmosphere packaging, respectively. There was a significant muscle×hanging method interaction, with the greatest effect of "cross-legged" hanging observed in the loin. There was no significant effect of lamb finishing diet, abattoir, preslaughter daily liveweight gain or transportation time on any of the consumer sensory scores. The main factors tested that provide practical scope for improving the eating quality of lamb were ageing of the meat, carcase hanging and meat packaging. If the reasons for inter- and intra-farm differences in lamb quality can be elucidated, this may provide further management tools for improving the quality and consistency of lamb quality.

Multispecies pasture diet and cow breed impacts on milk composition and quality in a seasonal spring-calving dairy production system

In recent years, there has been significant emphasis on the composition of pasture-based cow feed and the potential benefits of incorporating multispecies swards to improve sustainability and biodiversity. This study compared the effects of a conventional perennial ryegrass (PRG) monoculture supported by high chemical nitrogen (N) usage with a low chemical N application multispecies sward system (MSS) on the composition and quality of milk across lactation using spring-calving Holstein-Friesian (HF) and Jersey Holstein-Friesian (JFX) cows. Bulk milk samples (n = 144) were collected from each group at morning and evening milking on a weekly basis (n = 36) throughout lactation and analyzed for gross composition and physico-chemical properties. Cow breed had a significant impact on milk profile, with milk from HF cows having significantly smaller milk fat globule (MFG) size, higher instability index values, higher yield, and lower total solids levels, compared with JFX cows. Notably, HF cows had increased milk total solids and fat levels when fed on MSS, as opposed to the PRG-fed HF cows. Feeding MSS pasture increased creaming velocity values in mid and late lactation, and resulted in similar milk gross composition to PRG. In comparison to PRG, MSS-fed groups showed significantly increased total solids yield, including higher levels of protein and fat yield. In late lactation, MSS feeding was associated with reduced MFG size. All physicochemical properties studied (MFG size, creaming velocity, instability index) showed decreasing values from early to late lactation stage. Overall, these findings demonstrate the significant effects of cow diet, breed and stage of lactation on compositional and physico-chemical characteristics of milk, with important implications for milk processing and dairy product quality.

Effect of specific nutrients or dietary patterns on mental health outcomes in adults; A systematic review and meta-analyses of nutrition interventions

Mental health disorders are the leading cause of ill-health and disability, with depression and anxiety being among the most prevalent(1). There is a growing body of evidence to indicate that optimal nutrition can help to promote better mental health, while suboptimal dietary patterns or status of specific nutrients have been associated with a greater risk of depression and anxiety, but the evidence is conflicting(2,3,4,5). Therefore, the aim was to conduct a systematic review with metaanalyses to investigate the effect of interventions with specific nutrients or dietary patterns on mental health outcomes in adults.Searches were conducted using the electronic bibliographic databases: MEDLINE, EMBASE and PsycINFO. The inclusion criteria were randomised controlled trials or controlled dietary interventions; study duration ≥ 12 weeks; participants aged ≥ 18 years old; outcome measures of depression or anxiety. The meta-analysis was conducted using Cochrane Review Manager Software (RevMan), version 5.4. The Risk of Bias and Quality of Evidence were assessed utilising the Cochrane Risk of Bias 2 tool and the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) framework, respectively.A total of 68 studies met the inclusion criteria: 5 investigated dietary patterns, while 63 were nutrient interventions, involving omega-3 (n = 22), vitamin D (n = 18), B-vitamins (n = 10), zinc (n = 7), iron (n = 1), vitamin D combined with calcium (n = 4), and omega-3 combined with vitamin D (n = 1). Insufficient studies were available to conduct a meta-analysis for any nutrient in relation to anxiety; all results relate to depression. Meta-analysis results showed that zinc intervention significantly reduced depression (standardised mean difference (SMD) in depression scores was −0.67; 95% Confidence Interval (95% CI) −0.96, −0.37); 4 studies, GRADE: moderate certainty). No significant effects on depression were reported in response to intervention with omega-3 fatty acids [SMD 0.26 (95% CI −0.64, 0.12); 10 studies, GRADE: moderate certainty] or vitamin D [SMD 0.07 (95% CI 0.34, 0.47); 10 studies, GRADE: moderate certainty], while there were insufficient studies to perform a meta-analysis for B-vitamins and depression. There was also no significant effect of the Mediterranean Diet on depression [SMD −0.95 (95% CI -1.90, 0.01); 3 studies, GRADE: high certainty], and insufficient studies for analysis of the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet.The results indicate that zinc supplementation has beneficial effects on depression, but there were no significant effects of intervention with the Mediterranean Diet, omega-3 fatty acids or vitamin D. These meta-analyses are however based on a limited number of intervention studies and therefore no firm conclusions can be reached. Further intervention trials are required to fully investigate the effects of specific nutritional factors on mental health.

Effects of a Carbohydrate-Restricted Diet on β-Cell Response in Adults With Type 2 Diabetes

Abstract Context β-Cell response to glucose is compromised in individuals with type 2 diabetes (T2D), possibly due in part to excessive carbohydrate consumption. Objective This study was conducted to determine if a eucaloric carbohydrate-restricted (CR) diet (∼9% energy from carbohydrate, 65% energy from fat), compared to a eucaloric higher carbohydrate (HC) diet (∼55% energy from carbohydrate, 20% energy from fat), would improve β-cell response to glucose in participants with T2D. Methods Participants were 57 African American and European American adults with T2D not using insulin. Medications were discontinued 1 to 2 weeks prior to baseline testing. A hyperglycemic clamp was used to assess the acute (first-phase) and maximal (arginine-stimulated) C-peptide response to glucose at baseline and after 12 weeks of controlled diet therapy (all food provided). An oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was used to assess the disposition index (DI). Results At 12 weeks, a statistically significant effect of diet was observed on acute C-peptide response (2-fold greater with the CR diet; P &amp;lt; .01). For maximal C-peptide, a significant effect of diet was observed (22% greater with the CR diet; P &amp;lt; .05), as was a significant diet-by-race interaction (P &amp;lt; .05), indicating that the diet effect was specific to European Americans (48% greater with the CR diet; P &amp;lt; .01). OGTT results showed a significant effect of diet on DI at 12 weeks (32% greater with the CR diet; P &amp;lt; .05). Conclusion These results suggest that a eucaloric CR diet has beneficial effects on β-cell function in patients with mild T2D.

PSVI-19 Abundance of some cecal bacteria in Lohmann LSL lite pullets and hens fed omega-3 fatty acids and yeast bioactives in low or high spacing allowance

Abstract Nutritional optimizations and rearing environment that meets welfare standards are prerequisite in the performance and health of laying hens. Rearing practices influence gastrointestinal development, microbiota, and immune function. However, little is known on the implications of rearing spacing allowance (SA) and feed ingredients on intestinal microbiota. We determined the abundance of selected cecal bacteria in pullets and hens in response to rearing SA and dietary omega-3 fatty acids (N-3 FA) and yeast bioactive (YB) from placement to 17 wk of age (woa). One-day old chicks (n = 2,632) were placed in cages in 2 SA of 24 cages each: High SA (HSA, 348 cm2/bird; ~50 birds/cage) and Low SA (LSA, 284 cm2/bird; ~68 birds/cage). Birds were fed corn and soybean-based diets (C), C + 3% co-extruded full fat flaxseed and pulse mixture (N-3 FA) and C + 0.05% YB processed with β-1,3-glucan hydrolase (YB). Birds were allocated to diets within SA according to 2 x 3 factorial design (n = 8 cage/treatment) and fed ad libitum. At 4 and 16 woa, 1 and 2 pullets/treatment respectively, were necropsied for ceca digesta from each cage and independently analyzed. At 18 woa, hens were placed in enriched cages based on rearing treatment identities in egg production facility and fed a commercial diet. At 35 woa, 18 hens per treatment were necropsied for ceca digesta samples and analyzed independently. Samples were analyzed for viable bacterial counts for E. coli, Enterococcus and Lactobacillus. Statistical analysis was performed by general linear mixed model procedures of SAS with diets, SA, sampling age and associated interactions as fixed factors, difference with P &amp;lt; 0.05 was considered significant. Comparison of log-transformed means (CFU/g) showed that diets and SA had no significant effect on cecal E. coli counts at 4, 8 and 35 woa (P &amp;gt; 0.05; Table 1). However, at 16 woa the least E. coli counts was found in LSA (P &amp;lt; 0.0001), with N-3-FA-fed and YB-fed pullets having fewer numbers (P = 0.007) than control-fed pullets. There was no interaction effects between diet and density for E. coli in all sampling wk (P &amp;gt;0.05). No significant effect of SA or diets were observed at any sampling week for Enterococcus counts, except LSA had a tendency at 8 woa (P = 0.078). At 8 woa, the cecal Lactobacillus counts (P = 0.009) were less in LSA relative to HSA pullets. In conclusion, feeding of N3-FA or YB during rearing influenced cecal microbiota. Supplementation of YB seemed to promote growth of beneficial Lactobacillus, which is associated with strengthened immunity.

Role of diet in development of non-communicable diseases: focus on gut microbiome.

The dietary composition is able to rapidly and significantly influence the diversity of the gut microbiome. This article focuses on how various types of diet affect the composition of the gut microbiome and how dietary changes are able to prevent or slow down the development of non-communicable diseases including obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular diseases, and low-grade inflammation. A review in PubMed and a hand search using references in identified articles were performed. Studies published in English from 2000 to 2024 were included. The studies showed the significant effect of diet on the development of non-communicable diseases dependent on the state of the gut microbiota and molecules it produces. The Western diet that continues to gain in popularity for Czech people, leads to dysbiosis and production of bacterial lipopolysaccharide or trimethylamine N-oxide causing systemic chronic inflammation in the body and thus promoting the development of non-communicable diseases. Findings from this review emphasize the importance of healthy eating habits in the prevention of intestinal dysbiosis and still increasing prevalence and incidence of obesity and other non-communicable diseases.

High protein diets improve the growth of juvenile barramundi (Lates calcarifer) at elevated temperatures

Elevated temperatures and low aquatic oxygen levels are increasingly accompanying climate warming and can adversely affect the production and welfare of farmed fish. Both environmental factors and diet affect fish energetics. Still, little is known about the dietary effects on fish energetics at elevated temperatures and low aquatic oxygen levels and how that influences growth. Thus, a feeding trial was conducted to investigate the effect of two isoenergetic diets, high protein (HP, 57% crude protein and 9% total lipid) and high lipid (HL, 40% crude protein and 19% total lipid), on juvenile barramundi (Lates calcarifer, initial body mass: ∼ 3 g). Fish were acclimated for at least four weeks on the diets (three weeks at 35 °C) before measurements began (i.e.: measurements were taken between weeks four to six of the trial). Additionally, feed intake and maximum metabolic rate were tested under three levels of aquatic oxygen levels (normoxia >80, 60% and 30% air saturation). We found no significant dietary effect on feed intake, routine, maximum and postprandial peak metabolic rate. Gill ventilation rate was also unaffected by diet treatment. However, fish fed the HP diet had increased haematocrit and haemoglobin levels, improved growth rates, feed conversion ratio, and protein deposition relative to those fed the HL diet. Thus, this study demonstrated that a high protein diet enhanced key physiological traits such as oxygen-carrying capacity, potentially supporting improved juvenile barramundi growth at elevated temperatures.

Partial replacement of soybean with alternative protein sources: Effects on meat quality, sensory attributes, and fatty acids and amino acids content of breast meat of a local chicken strain.

The environmental sustainability of soybean cultivation has been questioned as it has been linked to deforestation, eutrophication, pesticide use, and carbon dioxide footprint. Agri-industrial byproducts and black soldier fly (BSF) larvae meal are promising alternative protein sources that can be used to partly replace soybean in broiler diets. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of partial replacement of soybeans with agro-industrial by-products with or without the addition of BSF dried larvae meal on the meat quality, fatty acid and amino acid content, and sensory traits of breast meat of local chickens. A total of 252 one-day-old mixed-sex chicks from the Anadolu-T pure dam line were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 diets; a soybean-based Control diet, a diet in which soybean meal was partly replaced (SPR) with brewers' dried grain, sunflower seed meal, and wheat middlings and an SPR + BSF diet in which 5% of BSF dried larva meal was added to the SPR diet. All birds were slaughtered at a commercial slaughterhouse at 55 days and breast and drumstick muscles were sampled for meat quality analysis from 18 chickens/dietary treatments. No significant effects of diets were observed for the pH24 and lightness, redness, and yellowness of breast and leg meats. Thawing loss significantly decreased and cooking loss increased in the breast meat of chickens fed the SPR + BSF compared with those fed Control and SPR diets. Diets did not affect either texture profile or consumer sensory properties of breast meat. The chickens fed the SPR + BSF had the highest total saturated fatty acid and lower polyunsaturated fatty acid content in breast meat than those fed the Control and SPR diets. The essential and nonessential amino acid content of breast meat decreased by the SPR diet compared with the SPR + BSF diet. The chickens fed SPR + BSF diet had higher values of tasty, aromatic, and umami-related amino acids than those fed SPR and Control diets. In conclusion, the results of the present study indicated that agri-industrial byproducts with or without BSF larvae meal could be used to partially replace soybean meal in broiler diets without affecting technological meat quality traits. The addition of BSF larvae meal to the diet along with agri-industrial by-products improved the amino acid content of the breast meat of chickens but reduced polyunsaturated fatty acid levels.

THE EFFECT OF FEEDING GRADED LEVELS OF CASSAVA LEAF MEAL ON HAEMATOLOGY RABBIT DOES IN A SOUTHERN GUINEA SAVANNA ENVIRONMENT OF NIGERIA

An experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of feeding graded levels of cassava leaf meal (CLM) on haematology of rabbit does. A total of 20 rabbits at 28 weeks old, weighing between 1602- 1678g were randomly assigned to four dietary treatments in a trial that lasted for nine (9) weeks. The four diets were designated T, (control), T2, T3 and T, with cassava leaf meal inclusion of 0%, 10%, 20% and 30%, respectively. Each rabbit serves as a replicate in a completely randomized design. The results showed that cassava leaf meal had no significant effect (p&gt;0.05) Haemoglobin (Hb) Red blood cells, White blood cells and Leucocyte differential counts. Significant effect of diet was observed on packed cell volume (PCV). Haematological values obtained were comparable to the normal range for rabbits. It was therefore concluded that the inclusion of up to 30% of cassava leaf meal in the diet of rabbit does would guarantee good health. It is recommended that further study on the feeding potential of cassava leaf meal at higher levels of inclusion be investigated.

Impact of Nutritional Strategies to Prevent Post-Weaning Diarrhoea on Performance, Behaviour, and Microbiota in Piglets from Organic Farming.

Organic livestock farming is committed to high environmental and animal welfare standards, although pathologies such as post-weaning diarrhoea (PWD) may appear. The main objective of this study was to assess nutritional strategies to prevent PWD in organic piglets. A total of 134 weaned piglets were fed one of three diets: high crude protein (17.8%, HCP), low crude protein (16.8%, LCP), and low crude protein supplemented with liquid whey (LCP+W). Piglets were assessed weekly for four weeks on the following parameters: diarrhoea incidence, additional health parameters, average daily gain, and behaviour. Faecal samples were taken to analyse the intestinal microbiota composition. Data were analysed using LMM and GLMM models and Shannon and Whittaker indexes. No significant effect of diet on diarrhoea incidence was found, but the LCP+W diet increased average daily gain. Pigs fed the LCP+W diet presented a lower percentage of drinking and negative social behaviour compared with the HCP diet, and LCP pigs presented higher exploration compared with HCP. In addition, LCP+W piglets showed a higher abundance of the beneficial genus Frisingicoccus. Although liquid whey did not reduce diarrhoea incidence, the benefits found in growth, microbiota composition, and reduced negative social behaviour indicate that it could be an optimal supplement to organic diets.

Performance of Boran and Two Strains of Tanzania Short Horn Zebu Cattle Fed on Three Different Diets

A 3x3 factorial experiment was carried out to assess the performance of Boran breed (BRN), Iringa Red (IRR) and Singida White (SWT) strains of cattle fed on three different diets (D1, D2, and D3) under a feedlot condition. The diets contained hominy feed plus molasses (D1 or control), molasses and cassava meal (D2) and rice polishing (D3) as main energy sources. In addition, they contained sunflower seed cake as protein source, minerals and vitamins premix. Fifty-four (54) bulls of equal numbers of each strain, aged between 2 and 2.5 years and average initial weight of 194 ± 12.6 kg were randomly allocated in the three diets and housed in a feedlot structure. They were fed individually with their respective dietary treatments for 80 days, during which data on feed intake and growth performance were recorded. Thereafter 45 bulls with equal number of strains were slaughtered, and carcass characteristics were assessed and gross margins computed. The CP contents (g/kg) in the diets were highest in D2 (155), followed by D1 (141.7) and lowest (130) in D3. There were no significant (P&amp;gt;0.05) interaction effect of diet and breed/strain in all the parameters assessed on performance. Bulls fed on D2 grew faster (0.99 kg/d) and attained greater final weight (269.9 kg) and heavier carcasses (140.8 kg) followed by those fed on D1 with mean values of (0.92 kg/d), (258.1 kg) and (131.5 kg), respectively. The average dressing percentage followed a similar trend, being higher (P&amp;lt;0.05) in bulls fed on D2 (52.4) compared to those on D1 (51.7) and D3 (51.1). The BRN bulls had faster growth rates (1.04 kg/d) followed by the IRR (0.83 g/d), which had similar (P&amp;gt;0.05) average daily gain to that of SWT (0.83 g/d). The final weight of BRN bulls (267.4 kg) was not different (P&amp;gt;0.05) from that of IRR (257.5 kg), which was also found to be similar (P&amp;gt;0.05) to that of SWT (251.2 kg). The hot carcass weights followed similar trend, BRN having carcass weight (138.2 kg) similar (P&amp;gt;0.05) to IRR (130.4 kg), which happened to be not different (P&amp;gt;0.05) from that of SWT (129.3 kg). The mean dressing percentage was higher (P&amp;lt;0.05) for BRN (52.2) than other strains. It is concluded that value of weight gains and slaughter characteristics of Iringa red are comparable to those of Boran, thus for feedlot finishing farmers should be advised to select and use Iringa red bulls to obtain high carcass and large profit.

260 Effect of different doses of phytase (HiPhorius) and two primary calcium sources on nutrient digestibility, retention and blood parameters in weaned piglets

Abstract An 18-d study evaluated the effect of increasing phytase levels in diets with limestone or Ca-formate on Ca and P digestibility, P retention, and blood inositol, Ca, and P in weaned piglets. At weaning, male piglets [n = 60; 29.8 ± 1.10 d of age; initial body weight (BW) = 8.8 ± 0.31 kg) were randomly allocated to ten diets formulated as a 2 × 5 factorial design with 2 primary Ca sources (limestone or Ca-formate) and 5 Ca/P levels. There was a positive control diet (PC; 0.76% Ca, 0.34 dP) and 4 negative control diets (NC; 0.56% Ca, 0.34% dP) supplemented with phytase at 0, 750, 1,500, and 3,000 FYT/kg. At d 10, piglets were individually housed in metabolism crates and fed 3.2 x metabolic weight. On d 14 to 18, fecal and total urine samples were collected. Apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) was calculated for dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM), crude protein (CP), ash, Ca, and P using TiO2 as marker. Urinary P was measured to calculate P retention. These data were analyzed as a 2-way interaction. On d 0 (baseline), 8 and 18, blood samples were collected to analyze serum Ca and P, and plasma inositol. Blood data were analyzed as a 3-way interaction. Results indicated that piglets fed Ca-formate had greater ATTD of Ca (75.0% vs. 71.4%, P &amp;lt; 0.01) but decreased ATTD of P (66.4% vs. 68.8%, P &amp;lt; 0.01), than piglets fed limestone. Phytase supplementation improved ATTD of DM, ash, OM, CP, P, and Ca compared with the NC and PC. An interaction between Ca/P levels and Ca-sources was observed for urinary P (P = 0.03), as there were no differences between Ca sources in piglets fed the NC or the 750 FYT diets, but piglets fed the PC diet and the NC+1,500 or 3,000 FYT with limestone had greater urinary P compared with Ca-formate. A 2-way interaction between Ca/P levels and d was observed for plasma inositol (P = 0.012). On d 8 and 18, there was no difference between the NC and PC;, however, phytase supplementation at 750, 1,500, and 3,000 FYT increased plasma inositol on d 8 (58.2, 80.7, and 89.5 μmol) and d 18 (70.2, 85.4, and 106.4 μmol). There was only a main effect of Ca/P levels in serum P. Compared with the NC (73.7 mg/L), the PC and the NC+750, 1,500, and 3,000 FTU/kg increased serum P (90.3, 89.1, 87.6, and 93.2 mg/L, respectively, P &amp;lt; 0.01). There was no effect of Ca source on blood inositol and P. No significant dietary treatment effects were observed in serum Ca. In conclusion, using Ca-formate instead of limestone increases Ca digestibility but reduces P digestibility, likely due to a greater Ca solubility of Ca-formate. This suggests that diets should be formulated based on digestible Ca instead of total Ca.

The role of dietary preferences in osteoarthritis: a Mendelian randomization study using genome-wide association analysis data from the UK Biobank.

To understand the impact of individual preferences for specific dietary items on OA, and to help inform the development of effective and targeted OA prevention and management strategies, we performed a Mendelian randomization analysis between dietary preferences and osteoarthritis. This study utilized genetic data from the UK Biobank to investigate the association between OA and 21 different common dietary items. Instrumental variables representing European populations were carefully selected based on their genetic significance and linkage disequilibrium. In cases where a dietary item had few relevant genetic markers, a more lenient selection threshold was applied. To prevent bias, the analysis excluded single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with factors such as body mass index (BMI) and cholesterol. Using inverse-variance weighting (IVW) and Mendelian randomization, significant associations were detected between certain dietary items and OA. Using Mendelian randomization to examine the relationship between 21 different dietary items and OA, significant associations were found for coffee, peas, watercress, and cheese, where the first two had a promoting effect and the last two an inhibiting effect on OA. Due to heterogeneity in the test results for cheese, a random IVW representation was used. The results of sensitivity analysis showed no significant heterogeneity or horizontal pleiotropy in the selected SNPS, demonstrating the reliability of Mendelian randomization analysis. This study identified coffee, peas, watercress, and cheese as food items that may have significant dietary effects on osteoarthritis. This information may be useful to consider in the development of OA management strategies.

Supplementing low protein diets with methionine or threonine during mixed Eimeria challenge

We investigated the effects of supplementing low protein diets with methionine (Met) or threonine (Thr) during a mixed Eimeria (consisting of E. acervulina, E. maxima and E. tenella) challenge in broilers. All birds were fed the same starter diet (d1-9) and finisher diet (d28-35) which met Cobb 500 nutrient specifications. Birds were allocated to 1 of 4 dietary treatments from d9 to 28: a standard protein diet (19% CP); a low protein diet (16% CP); or the low protein diet supplemented with Met or Thr at 50% above recommendations. On d14, half of the birds were challenged, and half of the birds were unchallenged. From d14 to 28, feed intake was recorded daily and BW every 3 or 4 d. Oocyst excretion was measured daily from d18 to 27. On d21 and 28, 3 birds per pen were euthanized to assess nutrient digestibility, cytokine expression and intestinal histology. During the acute stage of the challenge, challenged birds reduced ADFI and ADG (P < 0.05). In the pre-patent and recovery stages, birds given the 16% CP diets increased ADFI (P < 0.05), meanwhile there were no differences in ADG in these stages (P > 0.05). Nutrient digestibility was reduced in challenged birds in the acute stage (P < 0.05) but tended to be greater than in unchallenged birds during the recovery stage. There was no significant effect of diet on oocyst excretion or intestinal histology (P > 0.05). Interactions were observed between diet and challenge on IL-10 and IL-21 expression in the cecal tonsils during the acute stage of the challenge (P < 0.05), due to reduced IL-10 expression in challenged Thr birds and greater IL-21 expression in challenged Met birds. Supplementation with Thr or Met had limited effects on the outcomes of a mixed Eimeria challenge but provides benefits to the host by enhancing their immune response.

Rumen Fermentation of Local Grasses Feed to Native Goat

The aim of this research was to examine the feed rumen fermentation in the rumen of goat fed 4 different diets. This study was designed based on the Latin Square Design which consists of 4 diet treatments with 4 replications in each diet treatment. A total of 4 male goats, with relatively the same weight and age, were randomly assigned to an individual metabolic cage fed with 4 diets. The four diets studied were R1: Elephant grass, R2: Mini elephant grass, R3: Panicum maximum grass and R4: Brachiaria decumbens grass. Each diet was added with 20% of rice bran. The result of this experiment indicated that there was no any significant effect of different diets on the pH values, concentrations of VFA (Volatile fatty acids), and Ammonia (NH3) in the rumen of goat. The pH values in the rumen of goat treated with R1, R2, R3, and R4 were 7.17, 7.12, 7.07, and 7.0, respectively. The concentration of ammonia (mM) in the rumen of goat treated with R1, R2, R3, and R4 were 4.6, 3.3. 4.5, and 4.1, respectively. Whereas the level of VFA (mM) in the rumen of goat treated with R1, R2, R3, and R4 were 40.4, 43.6, 48.7, and 49.9, respectively. There was no any significantly difference (p&gt;0.05) in the characteristic of rumen fermentation between the diet treatment. This might be due to the similarity in the nutrient content of those grasses studied. The characteristic of rumen fermentation was in the range of optimal growth of rumen microbes. It is concluded that those of four grasses studied edible, acceptable and contain a good nutrient as a feed resource for goat. The nutrient content of the grasses studied creates a good rumen environment for optimum feed fermentation in the rumen of goat.&#x0D;