Weight Of Small Intestine Research Articles

Investigation of Betaine and Vaccine Efficacy for Coccidiosis Prevention in Broilers

PurposeThis study aimed to assess the anticoccidial effects of betaine and a vaccine compared to monensin sodium in experimentally induced coccidiosis in broiler chickens.Methods600 day-old broiler chickens (Ross 308) were randomly assigned to five groups, each with four replicates of 30 birds. While the control group received a basal diet, two experimental groups received basal diet supplemented with either 100 mg/kg monensin sodium or 2.0 g/kg betaine. The remaining experimental groups received a commercial coccidiosis vaccine alone or in combination with betaine. All chickens were challenged with sporulated field-mixed Eimeria species at 20 days of age.ResultsThroughout the study, vaccinated birds showed superior performance in terms of body weight gain (BWG) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) compared to other anticoccidial treatments (P < 0.05), followed by betaine, vaccine + betaine, and monensin treatments in descending order. While all anticoccidial regimens significantly reduced fecal oocyst output only at the beginning of the observation period, this effect diminished thereafter (P < 0.05). Supplementation with monensin and vaccination against coccidiosis significantly decreased small intestine weight compared to untreated controls (P < 0.01), with a numerical decrease observed in chicks fed betaine-supplemented diets and treated with the combination of betaine and vaccine.ConclusionNotably, there has been no prior study comparing betaine with monensin sodium and a coccidiosis vaccine. These findings suggest that dietary betaine supplementation and a commercial coccidiosis vaccine containing mixed Eimeria spp. may offer benefits in controlling coccidiosis, presenting viable, cost-effective, sustainable, and safe alternatives to conventional ionophore anticoccidials, with added benefits of no residue and reduced resistance hazards for both animal and human consumption.

The Impact of Partially Replacing Dietary Maize with Graded Levels of Banana Peels on Nutrient Digestibility, Physiology, and Meat Quality Traits in Jumbo Quail

We evaluated the effect of replacing maize with graded levels of banana (Musa acuminata) peels (BPs) on feed utilisation, physiological performance, and meat quality traits in Jumbo quail. In a completely randomised design, 341 one-week-old, unsexed quail chicks were randomly allocated to 30 cages and reared on five experimental diets containing 0 (BP0), 25 (BP25), 50 (BP50), 75 (BP75), and 100 g/kg BP (BP100) in a conventional grower diet. Dry matter, organic matter, and gross energy digestibility values linearly declined (p &lt; 0.05) with BP levels. Feed intake in the 5th week linearly declined (p &lt; 0.05) as BP levels increased. The BP0 diet promoted greater overall body weight gain than BP100. Similarly, birds on BP0 had a higher (p &lt; 0.05) overall gain-to-feed ratio than birds on BP75 and BP100. Significant linear increases were observed for relative gizzard, and small and large intestine weights. There were negative quadratic effects (p &lt; 0.05) for relative proventriculus weight, breast lightness, and thigh chroma as BP levels increased. Furthermore, thigh yellowness linearly decreased, while hue angle linearly increased with BP levels. The partial substitution of maize with BP in Jumbo quail diet compromised feed digestibility and performance parameters, stimulated visceral organ development, and altered some meat colour attributes.

Effect of encapsulated Tahongai (Kleinhovia hospita l.) leaf extract on growth performance, intestinal condition and antioxidative status of broilers raised in high stocking density pens

The objective of the present study was to investigate the effect of Kleinhovia hospita L. extract (KE) on growth performance, intestinal condition and antioxidative status of broilers raised in high stocking density pens. A total of 370-day-old broiler chicks were randomly grouped into five groups with five replicates. The groups were T0 (chicks raised in normal density, 10 birds/m2; as a negative control), KE0 (chicks raised in high density, 16 birds/m2, without KE supplementation; as a positive control), KE0.25, KE0.5 and KE1 (chicks raised in high density with KE supplementation of 2.5, 5 and 10 g/kg, respectively). Based on the completely randomized design, the data were treated. Results showed that KE1 chicks had the highest (p&lt;0.05) body weight (BW) at day 21 and 28. The T0, KE0 and KE2.5 chicks consumed more (p&lt;0.05) feed than the other treatment groups. The KE0.25, KE0.5 and KE1 showed lower (p&lt;0.05) FCR than the KE0 group. The KE0 chicks showed lower (p&lt;0.05) carcass yield than the other groups. The KE0 had the highest (p&lt;0.05) heart relative weight of all groups. The KE1 had the highest (p&lt;0.05) small intestinal weight, cecum, colon and abdominal fat of any treatment group. Among the groups, crypt depth of the duodenum in KE0 was the lowest (p&lt;0.05). There was no substantial effect of the treatments on the counts of coliform and lactic acid bacteria in the ileum of broilers. The superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels in KE0.5 and KE1 were higher (p&lt;0.05) than those in T0, KE0 and KE0.25 groups. In conclusion, stocking in high density pens negatively af-fected the carcass yield of broiler chickens. Dietary KE supplementation was beneficial in improving FCR and antioxidant status of broiler chickens.

The Effect of Moringa oleifera Leaf Extract Administration through Drinking Water on Liver Weight, Gizzard Weight, Small Intestine Weight, and Small Intestine Length in Broiler Chickens

This study aimed to examine the effect of Moringa oleifera leaf extract administered through drinking water on liver weight, gizzard weight, small intestine weight, and small intestine length in broiler chickens. The research was conducted at the Poultry Workshop Facility of the Faculty of Animal Husbandry, Marine and Fisheries, Universitas Nusa Cendana, Kupang, from April 7 to May 26, 2023. The experimental design was a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with four treatments and six replicates, each replicate consisting of four chickens. In total, 96 broiler chickens were used in the study. The treatments were as follows: P0: drinking water without Moringa leaf extract, P1: drinking water + 40 mL/L Moringa leaf extract, P2: drinking water + 80 mL/L Moringa leaf extract, and P3: drinking water + 120 mL/L Moringa leaf extract. The parameters measured included liver weight, gizzard weight, small intestine weight, and small intestine length. Statistical analysis results indicated that all treatments showed no significant differences (P&gt;0.05) in liver weight, gizzard weight, small intestine weight, or small intestine length. The study concluded that the administration of Moringa oleifera leaf extract through drinking water had no effect on the liver weight, gizzard weight, small intestine weight, or small intestine length of broiler chickens.

CINNAMON-ZINC SUPPLEMENTATION EFFECT ON VISCERAL ORGANS OF BROILER CHICKENS REARED IN NIGERIA

Broiler production has been challenged by excessive heat production due to climatic change. This has resulted into oxidative stress , depressed weight gain and growth performance. Phytogenic supplements have been reported to enhance antioxidant enzymes which improves the ability of broilers to cope with stress conditions. Therefore this study was designed to evaluate the visceral organ weights of broiler chicks given cinnamon-zinc supplementation in Nigeria. Two hundred and forty (240) arbor acre broiler chickens with an average initial weight of 40g +_2 were grouped into five treatments (48 chicks/treatment) and randomly replicated thrice with 16 chicks per replicate. Experimental design included T1 (modified cooler environment), T2 no administration (Control), T3-800 mg of Cinnamon powder/kg basal diet, T4-800 mg of Cinnamon powder+40mg Zinc/kg basal diet and T5-1000 mg Cinnamon powder+40mg Zinc/kg basal diet. This study was carried out for 10 weeks with environmental temperature and relative humidity of 30OC and 70% respectively. Parameters measured include; live, liver, lungs, spleen, kidney, gizzard, heart, and small intestine weights. Result revealed a significant (p&lt;0.05) increase in relative organ weights of the lung and liver in birds given 1000 mg/kg of Cinnamon powder + 40mg of Zinc per kg basal diet, compared to values across other treatments, while the observed abdominal fat weights reduced in birds given 800 mg/kg basal diet. This revealed that cinnamon-zinc supplementation could be safely used to improve the performance of birds during environmental stress.

CARCASS TRAIT, MEAT LIPID PROFILE AND MEAT QUALITY OF BROILER CHICKENS FED DIETS CONTAINING HIGH INCLUSION LEVEL OF HIGH QUALITY CASSAVA (MANIHOT ESCULENTA) PEEL MEAL

The study evaluated the carcass trait and meat quality of finisher broiler chickens fed diets containing high quality cassava peel meal (HQCP) at 50% inclusion level in replacement of maize. A total of 320 broiler chickens (Cobb500) were allocated to 4 dietary treatments on a weight equalization basis. Diet 1 = Control Diet (Corn-soybean meal based diet) containing 4.0 g kg-1 digestible Methionine (MET), 0.96g kg-1 digestible lysine, Diet 2 = A diet containing 50% replacement of maize in Diet 1 with HQCP and containing 4.0 g kg-1 digestible MET, 0.96g kg-1 digestible lysine, Diet 3 = A diet containing 50% replacement of maize in Diet 1 with HQCP and containing 4.4 g kg-1 digestible MET, 1.02 g kg-1 digestible lysine, Diet 4 = A diet containing 50% replacement of maize in Diet 1 with HQCP and containing 4.8 g kg-1 digestible MET, 1.08 g kg-1 digestible lysine. The highest slaughtered, carcass, and small intestinal weight were recorded in birds fed Diet 2 while the birds fed Diet 3 had the least abdominal fat value (p &lt; 0.05). The water holding capacity and cooking loss percentage was highest in the meat of the birds fed Diet 4. The meat color of birds fed Diet 4 recorded the highest value. The very low-density lipoprotein and triglyceride concentration were least in the meat of birds fed Diet 2 (p&lt;0.05). It can be concluded that supplementation of MET/lysine to diets containing HQCP improved the carcass trait and meat quality of the birds.

GROWTH PERFORMANCE, NUTRIENT DIGESTIBILITY AND GUT MORPHOLOGY OF COCKERELS FED DIETS CONTAINING VARYING LEVELS OF COWPEA (Vigna Unguiculata) MILLING WASTE MEAL

Three hundred (300) one-week old Bovan Nera cockerel chicks were used to investigate the effect of feeding diets containing varying levels of cowpea milling waste meal (CMWM) on growth performance, nutrient digestibility and gut morphology of cockerels. The birds were randomly allocated to five dietary treatments, with three replicates per treatment made up of twenty birds per replicate, in a completely randomized design experiment. The treatments were 0, 10, 20, 30 and 40% dietary inclusion levels of CMWM and were tagged CMWM0, CMWM10, CMWM20, CMWM30 and CMWM40 respectively. The experiment lasted for eight weeks and data on growth performance were taken. At the end of the 7th week of the experiment, a nutrient digestibility trial was carried out. Two birds per replicate were selected and placed in specially constructed metabolism cages for seven days; three days to acclimatize them and four days for faecal collection. Gut morphology data were taken at the termination of the feeding trial at the 8th week of the experiment. One bird was selected per replicate and slaughtered by cervical dislocation and the internal organs weighed. Results show that birds on CMWM30 had the highest feed intake (1531.67) and the ones on CMWM, had the lowest (1120.46); birds on CMWM30 had the highest final bodyweight (428.47) and the ones on CMWM, had the lowest (354.57). FCR results indicated that birds on CMWM10 (3.28) and CMWM (3.55) were better than those on CMWM30 (4.07). The dietary treatments had effect (P&lt;0.05) on dressing % and weight of GIT, small intestine, large intestine and lungs. Result of digestibility trial show that dietary treatments had no effect on the digestibility of the nutrients by the birds. Therefore, it is recommended that up to 40 % of CMWM can be included in the diets of cockerels with no detrimental effects on their growth performance and nutrient digestibility but better gut morphology was obtained with CMWM20.

Effect of Probiotics on the Length and Weight of Broilers Small Intestine

The increasing need for chicken meat consumption every year makes farmers have to optimize the target of broiler production performance. One solution to maximize production targets is to provide probiotics. Probiotics are live microorganisms that function to increase the effectiveness of the gastrointestinal tract. The media used in making probiotics is prebiotics in the form of milk powder waste with kefir grain starter. In probiotic solutions there are several types of bacteria such as Lactobacillus, Bacillus sp. The purpose of this study was to increase the intestinal length of broiler chickens by probiotic supplementation in finisher phase broiler chickens. The research employed a Group Randomized Design (RAK) comprising 4 treatments and 5 repeats, namely P0 (Without probiotics), P1 (3% probiotics), P2 (5% probiotics) and P3 (7%) implementation of probiotics in broiler chicken drinking water given every afternoon to morning, using One Way ANOVA statistical test parameters with Duncan follow-up tests. Based on the results of P0, P1, P2 and P3 studies that have been carried out, the best probiotic dose research results were obtained at P3 (7% probiotics) with duodenal length worth 50.4 cm, jejenum 86.2 cm and ileum worth 52 cm. The weight of duodenum is worth 29.7 grams, jejenum is worth 30.4 grams and ileum is 30.1 grams.

A Study on Changes of Carcass, Bones and Muscles of Ningxiang Pigs

Background: Ningxiang pigs are known for tasty meat and high intramuscular fat content. Currently, the slow growth rate and low lean meat rate of Ningxiang pigs have greatly restricted the development of its market. Therefore, the objective of this study is to explore the changes in carcass traits, meat quality, visceral organ weight indices, bones and muscles development with slaughter ages of Ningxiang pigs. Methods: The experiment used 0, 60, 120, 180, 240, 300 and 360 days old Ningxiang pigs as the research objects, and 6 castrated male pigs in each group were randomly selected. The carcass traits, meat quality, visceral organs weights and skeletal muscle weights were measured. The correlation between carcass traits and meat quality were analyzed by bivariate analysis, and the regression equations between slaughter ages and these indicators were established. Result: The results showed that pre-slaughter weight and weights of carcass, head, feet, skeleton and muscle, loin eye area, cooking yield, marbling and the large intestine weight index at 0 d, backfat thickness at 60 d, fat percentages at 60 and 120 d, and the lean meat percentage at 240 d, redness at 120 d of Ningxiang pigs were lowest, the heart, lung, kidney and small intestine weight percentages were highest at 0 d (P less than 0.05). Carcass traits and meat quality had different significant correlation at different slaughter ages. So the indices of carcass, meat quality, bones and muscles of Ningxiang pigs changed with slaughter ages. In general, the overall performance of 300 d Ningxiang pigs is better.

Comparison of the effect of Sunset yellow on the stomach and small intestine of developmental period of mice

Sunset Yellow (SY), a synthetic food dye, is widely used in the food industry worldwide. The acceptable daily dosage for SY is 2.5 mg/kg/bw in humans. If SY is consumed in overdosage, it may cause histopathological effects in several organs. Studies in the literature about the effects of SY on growth and development in mammals are contradictory, and there are not enough of them. The investigation aims to determine SY's effects on the stomach and small intestine in different age groups of mice using histological methods. Control and treatment groups were created via mice aged 4, 8, and 10 weeks (n = 6). SY was administered by gavage at a level of 30 mg/kg/bw for 28 days to treatment groups. On the last day of the study, the mice were weighed and sacrificed by cervical dislocation. Stomach and small intestine tissues were removed from mice and transferred to 10 % formaldehyde. After passing through alcohol and xylene series and staining with Hematoxylin-Eosin, the tissues were evaluated under light and electron microscopy. The mean body weight (p = 0.01), mean stomach weight (p = 0.03), and mean small intestine weight were increased (p = 0.02) in treatment groups. In these groups, ruptures, fractures, and hemorrhage were detected in the small intestine tissue. In the stomach tissue, necrotic areas and hemorrhage were detected among the epithelial cells. The degenerations were more advanced in the weaning group. SY may be more harmful during weaning and puberty, but additional long-term studies are needed on the subject.

Neonatal Gut and Immune Responses to β-Casein Enriched Formula in Piglets

Backgroundβ-casein is the main casein constituent in human milk (HM) and a source of bioactive peptides for the developing gastrointestinal tract and immune system. Infant formulas contain less β-casein than HM, but whether different concentrations of β-casein affect tolerability and gut and immune maturation in newborns is unknown. ObjectivesUsing near-term piglets as a model for newborn infants, we investigated whether increasing the β-casein fraction in bovine-based formula is clinically safe and may improve gut and immune maturation. MethodsThree groups of near-term pigs (96% gestation) were fed formula with bovine casein and whey protein (ratio 40:60): 1) standard skim milk casein (BCN-standard, 35% β-casein of total casein, n = 18); 2) β-casein enrichment to HM concentrations (BCN-medium, 65%, n = 19); and 3) high β-casein enrichment (BCN-high, 91%, n = 19). A reference group was fed 100% whey protein concentrate (WPC) as protein (WPC, n = 18). Intestinal and immune parameters were assessed before and after euthanasia on day 5. ResultsClinical variables (mortality, activity, body growth, and diarrhea) were similar among the groups, and no differences in intestinal or biochemical parameters were observed between BCN-standard and BCN-medium pigs. However, pigs receiving high amounts of β-casein (BCN-high) had lower small intestine weight and tended to have more intestinal complications (highest gut pathology score, permeability, and interleukin-8) than the other groups, particularly those receiving no casein (WPC pigs). Blood lymphocyte, thrombocyte, and reticulocyte counts were increased with higher β-casein, whereas eosinophil counts were reduced. In vitro blood immune cell responses were similar among groups. Conclusionsβ-casein enrichment of bovine-based formula to HM concentrations is clinically safe, as judged from newborn, near-term pigs, whereas no additional benefits to gut maturation were observed. However, excessive β-casein supplementation, beyond concentrations in HM, may potentially induce gut inflammation together with increased blood cell populations relative to natural β-casein concentrations or pure whey-based formula.

Influence of Maternal Nutrition and One-Carbon Metabolites Supplementation during Early Pregnancy on Bovine Fetal Small Intestine Vascularity and Cell Proliferation.

To investigate the effects of nutrient restriction and one-carbon metabolite (OCM) supplementation (folate, vitamin B12, methionine, and choline) on fetal small intestine weight, vascularity, and cell proliferation, 29 (n = 7 ± 1 per treatment) crossbred Angus beef heifers (436 ± 42 kg) were estrous synchronized and conceived by artificial insemination with female sexed semen from a single sire. Then, they were allotted randomly to one of four treatments in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement with the main factors of nutritional plane [control (CON) vs. restricted feed intake (RES)] and OCM supplementation [without OCM (-OCM) or with OCM (+OCM)]. Heifers receiving the CON level of intake were fed to target an average daily gain of 0.45 kg/day, which would allow them to reach 80% of mature BW by calving. Heifers receiving the RES level of intake were fed to lose 0.23 kg/heifer daily, which mimics observed production responses in heifers that experience a diet and environment change during early gestation. Targeted heifer gain and OCM treatments were administered from d 0 to 63 of gestation, and then all heifers were fed a common diet targeting 0.45 kg/d gain until d 161 of gestation, when heifers were slaughtered, and fetal jejunum was collected. Gain had no effect (p = 0.17) on the fetal small intestinal weight. However, OCM treatments (p = 0.02) displayed less weight compared to the -OCM groups. Capillary area density was increased in fetal jejunal villi of RES - OCM (p = 0.02). Vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR2) positivity ratio tended to be greater (p = 0.08) in villi and was less in the crypts (p = 0.02) of the RES + OCM group. Cell proliferation decreased (p = 0.02) in villi and crypts of fetal jejunal tissue from heifers fed the RES + OCM treatment compared with all groups and CON - OCM, respectively. Spatial cell density increased in RES - OCM compared with CON + OCM (p = 0.05). Combined, these data show OCM supplementation can increase expression of VEGFR2 in jejunal villi, which will promote maintenance of the microvascular beds, while at the same time decreasing small intestine weight and crypt cell proliferation.

Growth performance and carcass quality of Tre chickens raised in different levels of saline water

This study aimed to find the effect of saline water on the growth performance and carcass characteristics of Tre chickens. A total of 150 Tre chickens was allotted in five treatments and three replicates per treatment. A completely randomized design was used for this study in which the birds from 4-14 weeks old had ad libitum access to feed and water in all treatments with five levels of salt (0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, and 0.8%). The results showed that the growth performance of Tre chicken was decreased when increased levels of salt in drinking water (P&lt;0.05). The birds avoided drinking water from treatment with salt of 0.8% (P&lt;0.05). The feed conversion ratio of birds was lowest at the treatment of 0 and 0.2%. Besides, carcass traits (carcass, breast, thigh, and gizzard weight) were decreased significantly when the level of salt in drinking water increased over 0.2% (P&lt;0.05), but there were no significant differences between 0-0.2% salt in drinking water (P&gt;0.05). Small intestine weight was longer at control treatment while large intestine was longer at treatment of 0.2% salt. Additionally, all examined criteria were decreased significantly with 0.4, 0.6, and 0.8% of salt in drinking water (P&lt;0.05). It can be concluded that Tre chickens’ growth could tolerant the salinity in drinking water up to 0.2%. With over 0.2% salt in drinking water, chicken’s performance might be reduced.

Effect of Quercetin on the Intestinal Carbohydrases Activity in the Offspring of the Lead Intoxicated Mother

Aim: This work aims to investigate the effect of quercetin on the development of small intestine disaccharidase activity in the offspring intoxicated with lead acetate. Material and Methods: The experiments were carried out on white outbred rats. Rats were divided into control and three experimental groups. In the control and 3rd experimental group, rats were nursed by intact mothers. In the 1st and 2nd experimental groups, rats were nursed by mothers who replaced drinking water with a 0.2% lead acetate solution. All experimental groups of rats were orally treated with quercetin (20 mg/kg/24 h) from the 3rd to 20th days of postnatal life. Body weight, small intestine weight as well as the activities of intestinal maltase and lactase were determined on the 7th, 14th, and 21st days after birth. Results: In rats nursed by mothers who used a solution of lead acetate instead of drinking water а body weight and the small intestine mucosa weight decreased, but intestinal maltase and lactase activity increased. Treatment of lead-intoxicated growing rats with quercetin restored the body weight, small intestine mucosa weight, and development rate of maltase and lactase activity. Conclusion: The effect of quercetin on the activity of intestinal maltase and sucrase in growing rats nursed by lead acetate consumed mother is mediated through the restoration of intoxication damage since treatment of intact growing rats with quercetin in the same way and at the same time did not affect on the intestinal disaccharidases activity.

Optimizing the Performance of the Small Intestine of Joper Chickens and KUB Chickens Using Herbal Medicine

This research aims to see the small intestine performance of KUB (Kampung Unggul Balitbangtan) and Joper (Jowo Super) chickens given herbal medicine. Amount of 200 chickens consisting of Joper and KUB chickens, rearing was carried out using open-house system cage. The feed used is commercial feed. The herbal medicine was produced by the UMM experimental farm, given through feed as much as 1 % of the total feed. The treatment in this study was the provision of herbal medicine in the feed and no herbal medicine in the feed (control). The variables observed were the length and relative weight of the small intestine (duodenum, jejunum, ileum). The data obtained was analyzed descriptively. Joper chickens given herbs and those without herbs gave relatively similar and normal small intestine weights. Meanwhile, in KUB chickens, chickens given herbal medicine had higher jejunum and ileum lengths compared to controls with values of 1.47 % and 1.17 % respectively. This research concludes that herbal medicine can increase the length and weight of the small intestine of KUB chickens but has no effect on Joper chickens.

The effect of varying levels of corticated marama bean (Tylosema esculentum) meal on growth performance, apparent retention of feed components, and physiological and meat quality parameters in Jumbo quail

This study evaluated the effect of varying levels of corticated marama bean (Tylosema esculentum) meal (CMBM) on growth performance, apparent retention (AR) of feed components, and physiological and meat quality responses in Jumbo quail. Five isocaloric and isoproteic diets were formulated to contain 0 (T1), 51.25 (T2), 67.49 (T3), 83.74 (T4), and 99.98 g/kg (T5) of CMBM. A total of 385, one-week-old quail chicks (26.7 ± 2.16 g live-weight) were placed in cages (11 birds/cage) based on body weight. The diets were allocated to cages in a completely randomised design to give 7 replicate cages per diet. Feed intake (FI), body weight gain (BWG), gain-to-feed ratio (G:F), as well as AR of feed components were measured. The birds were slaughtered at day 35 for measurements of blood indices, organs weight, carcass and meat quality attributes. Feeding increasing levels of CMBM reduced FI (P = 0.005) linearly in week 2 but had no effect on FI in weeks 3–5. Similarly, linear reductions (P < 0.0001) were observed for average weekly BWG and G:F in weeks 2 and 3. A positive linear effect (P = 0.033) and a negative cubic effect (P = 0.048) for AR of neutral detergent fibre and organic matter were recorded as CMBM levels increased, respectively. However, varying responses (P < 0.05) were observed for AR of essential amino acids (methionine, lysine, threonine, etc.). Serum lipase, neutrophils, eosinophils, monocytes, and basophils linearly increased (P < 0.05) with dietary CMBM levels. Significant cubic or quartic effects (P < 0.05) were recorded for serum glucose, albumin, white blood cells, neutrophils, monocytes, basophils, and platelets. There were negative linear effects (P < 0.05) for final body weight, carcass yield, and breast meat drip loss. However, linear increases were recorded for gizzard, proventriculus, small intestine, and large intestine weights as dietary CMBM levels increased. In conclusion, the inclusion of CMBM up to 99.98 g/kg in Jumbo quail diets compromised growth performance, physiological responses, slaughter weights and carcass yield of Jumbo quail.

Role of microencapsulated Lactobacillus plantarum in alleviating intestinal inflammatory damage through promoting epithelial proliferation and differentiation in layer chicks.

The alleviating effects of Lactobacillus plantarum in microencapsulation (LPM) on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced intestinal inflammatory injury were investigated in layer chicks. A total of 252 healthy Hy-Line Brown layer chicks were randomly divided into six groups. Birds were injected with saline or LPS except for the control, and the diets of birds subjected to LPS were supplemented with nothing, L. plantarum, LPM, and wall material of LPM, respectively. The viable counts of LPM reached 109 CFU/g, and the supplemental levels of L. plantarum, LPM, and WM were 0.02 g (109 CFU), 1.0 g, and 0.98 g, per kilogram feed, respectively. LPS administration caused intestinal damage in layer chicks, evidenced by increased proinflammatory factors accompanied by poor intestinal development and morphology (p < 0.05). LPM/LPS significantly increased body weight, small intestine weight and length, villus height, villus height/crypt depth, and mRNA relative expression of tight junction protein genes (p < 0.05) and performed better than free L. plantarum. These findings could be attributed to the significant increase in viable counts of L. plantarum in the small intestine (p < 0.05), as well as the enhanced levels of Actinobacteriota, Lactobacillaceae, and Lactobacillus in intestinal microbiota (p < 0.05). Such results could further significantly increase goblet and PCNA+ cell percentage (p < 0.05); the mRNA relative expressions of epithelial cell, fast-cycling stem cell, quiescent stem cell, endocrine cell, and Paneth cell; and goblet and proliferative cell marker genes, including E-cadherin, Lgr-5, Bmi-1, ChA, Lysozome, Mucin-2, and PCNA (p < 0.05). Furthermore, the mRNA relative expressions of key genes involved in epithelial cell proliferation, namely, c-Myc, Cyclin-1, Wnt-3, Lrp-5, and Olfm-4, exhibited significant upregulation compared with the LPS treatment, as well as the differentiating genes Notch-1 and Hes-1 (p < 0.05). To sum up, microencapsulated L. plantarum supplementation could alleviate intestinal injury in layer chicks induced by LPS by promoting the proliferation and differentiation of intestinal epithelial cells, which could be attributed to the increase in viable count of L. plantarum in the gut and optimization in intestinal microbial flora.

Effects of Alternative Cassava and Taro Feed on the Carcass and Meat Quality of Fattening Pigs Reared under Ecuadorian Backyard Systems.

Ecuadorian small producers use crossbred animals with a low level of genetic improvement, which are fed with alternative feeds to decrease production costs. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of geographical location and three diets according to the amount of cassava and taro incorporated into the feed (T1 conventional feed; T2 and T3 with 32% and 42% of cassava and taro, respectively) in pigs reared under the backyard system. The results did not show many differences between the treatments for morphological traits; however, between geographical locations, significant differences were evidenced. The fat content from the first rib was higher in the T1 group. The intramuscular fat percentage was higher in the T1 group, contrary to the protein levels, which were higher in the T3 group in Esmeraldas and the T2 group in Ro Chico. In the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) and its attached organs, differences were found in the empty stomach weight, full and empty small intestine weight, liver weight, and total GIT weight, with the T2 and T3 groups having the largest and heaviest. Cassava and taro did not affect the morphometric behavior and quality of the carcass but increased the amount of protein in the meat and the weight of the GIT. Geographical location was also observed to have a significant effect.

Evaluation of the Interaction between Gum Arabic Addition and Stocking Density on Growth Performance, Carcass Characteristics, and General Health Parameters of Broiler Chickens.

The present study aims to investigate the interaction between the addition of gum arabic as a prebiotic and various stocking densities on performance indicators, intestinal morphology, carcass characteristics, lymphoid organs, and selected blood indices of broiler chickens. A total of 816 1-day-old male broilers (Ross 308) were used and randomly divided into six blocks as replicates with eight treatments per block (forty-eight floor pens) based on 4 × 2 factorial arrangements with four dietary treatments containing 0.00% (CONT), 0.12% gum arabic (T1), 0.25% gum arabic (T2), and 0.10% commercial prebiotic (T3) and two stocking densities (normal = 28 kg/m2; high = 50 kg/m2). All performance indicators were evaluated during the feeding phases. Blood biochemical indicators were analyzed at 36 days of age. At 37 days of age, carcass characteristics, lymphoid organs, and intestinal morphology were measured. On days 1-36, growth performance indicators were negatively affected at high stocking density, but all growth performance indicators except feed intake improved in chickens receiving T1-T3 compared to CONT (p < 0.05). The relative weight of total small intestine and weight-to-length ratio showed a significant interaction between treatments and stocking density (p < 0.05). A high stocking density decreased pre-slaughter weight, carcass weight, and dressing yield, while legs and thymus increased (p < 0.05). None of the interactions or treatments affected carcass characteristics or lymphoid organs (p > 0.05). Indicators of blood biochemistry were not affected by treatments, stocking density, or their interaction (p > 0.05), except for uric acid, creatinine, and aspartate aminotransferase, which were higher at a high stocking density (p < 0.05). In conclusion, gum arabic as a prebiotic improved growth performance, production efficiency, and intestinal morphology in broilers. In contrast, high stocking density negatively affected performance, production efficiency, some blood indices, carcass weight, dressing yield, and intestinal morphology. Further research is needed to determine the mechanism.

Aucubin alleviates methotrexate-induced enteritis in rats by inducing autophagy.

One of the toxic side effects of methotrexate (MTX) is enteritis. Aucubin, an iridoid glycoside derived from traditional medicinal herbs, has been proven to have anti-inflammation, anti-apoptosis and anti-oxidation properties. This work explored the effect and mechanism of aucubin in treating MTX-induced enteritis in a rat model. Two doses of aucubin (5 and 10 mg/kg) were adopted for the assessment of its pharmacological activity. We observed that in rats with MTX-induced enteritis, the body weight and small intestinal weight decreased. The intestine barrier was injured, as reflected by pathological examinations and an increase in D-lactate and diamine oxidase concentration in serum. Intestinal inflammation was shown by the observation of macrophages in the intestine and the concentrations of inflammatory cytokines tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in serum. The NLR family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome was shown to be activated by the enhancement of NLRP3, cleaved-caspase 1, IL-18 and IL-1β. Moreover, autophagy was reflected by transmission electron microscopy as slightly induced, along with changes in autophagy-related markers microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 (LC3) and Beclin1. Remarkably, aucubin treatment attenuated the MTX-induced disease activity index increase, intestinal damage, inflammatory response and NLRP3 inflammasome activation, but provoked autophagy. Rapamycin, an autophagy activator, showed similar therapeutic effects to aucubin on MTX-induced enteritis. However, 3-methyladenine, an autophagy inhibitor, reversed the protective effects of aucubin. These findings prompted the hypothesis that aucubin alleviates MTX-induced enteritis by aggravating autophagy. This study might provide evidence for further investigation on the therapeutic role of aucubin in MTX-resulted enteritis.