Soybean Meal Diet Research Articles

Effects of Lycium barbarum polysaccharides supplemented to high soybean meal diet on immunity and hepatic health of spotted sea bass Lateolabrax maculatus.

High soybean meal diet (HSBMD) decreased the immunity and damaged the liver health of spotted sea bass; in this study, Lycium barbarum polysaccharides (LBP) was added to HSBMD to explore its effects on the immunity and liver health. The diet with 44% fish meal content was designed as a blank control. On this basis, soybean meal was used to replace 50% fish meal as HSBMD, and LBP was added in HSBMD in gradient (1.0, 1.5, 2.0 g/kg) as the experimental diet. 225-tailed spotted sea bass with initial body weight of 44.52 ± 0.24 g were randomly divided into 5 groups and fed the corresponding diet for 52 days, respectively. The results show that: after ingestion of HSBMD, the immunity of spotted sea bass decreased slightly and hepatic tissue was severely damaged. And the addition of LBP significantly improved the immune capacity and protected the hepatic health. Specifically, the activities of serum lysozyme (LZM), immunoglobulin M (IgM), liver acid phosphatase (ACP) and alkaline phosphatase (AKP) were increased, and serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) activities were significantly decreased, and hepatic morphology was improved. In the analysis of transcriptome results, it was found that toll-like receptor 3 (TLR3) and toll-like receptor 5 (TLR5) were down-regulated in toll-like receptor signaling pathway. And LBP may protect hepatic health by regulating Glycolysis/Gluconeogenesis, Insulin signaling pathway, Steroid biosynthesis and other glucolipid-related pathways. In conclusion, the addition of LBP in HSBMD can improve the immunity and protect the hepatic health of spotted sea bass, and its mechanism may be related to glucose and lipid metabolism.

Effect of mixed meal replacement of soybean meal on growth performance, nutrient apparent digestibility, and gut microbiota of finishing pigs.

This study was carried out to investigate the effects of mixed meal (rapeseed meal, cotton meal, and sunflower meal) replacement soybean meal on growth performance, nutrient apparent digestibility, serum inflammatory factors and immunoglobulins, serum biochemical parameters, intestinal permeability, short-chain fatty acid content, and gut microbiota of finishing pigs. A total of 54 pigs with an average initial weight of 97.60 ± 0.30 kg were selected and randomly divided into 3 groups according to their initial weight, with 6 replicates in each group and 3 pigs in each replicate. The trial period was 26 days. The groups were as follows: control group (CON), fed corn-soybean meal type basal diet; Corn-soybean-mixed meal group (CSM), fed corn-soybean meal-mixed meal diet with a ratio of rapeseed meal, cotton meal, and sunflower meal of 1:1:1 to replace 9.06% soybean meal in the basal diet; Corn-mixed meal group (CMM), fed a corn-mixed meal diet with a ratio of Rapeseed meal, Cotton meal and Sunflower meal of 1:1:1 to replace soybean meal in the basal diet completely. The crude protein level of the three diets was maintained at 12.5%. Our findings revealed no significant impact of replacing soybean meal with the mixed meal (rapeseed meal, cotton meal, and sunflower meal) on the ADG (Average daily gain), ADFI (Average daily feed intake), and F/G (Feed gain ratio) (P > 0.05), or crude protein, crude fat, and gross energy (P > 0.05) in the diet of finishing pigs. Compared with the CON group, the serum interleukin 6 (IL-6) and interleukin 10 (IL-10) concentrations were significantly decreased in the CMM group (P < 0.05). However, there is no significant effect of the mixed meal (rapeseed meal, cotton meal, and sunflower meal) replacing soybean meal in the diet on the serum interleukin 1β (IL-1β), interleukin 8 (IL-8), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), immunoglobulin A (IgA), immunoglobulin G (IgG), and immunoglobulin M (IgM) concentrations (P > 0.05). Concordantly, there is no significant effect of mixed meal (rapeseed meal, cotton meal, and sunflower meal) replacing soybean meal in the diet on the serum antioxidant capacity, such as total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC), catalase (CAT), and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels of finishing pigs. Moreover, compared with the CON group, serum low-density lipoprotein (LDL-C) levels were significantly lower in the CSM group (P < 0.05) and their total bilirubin (TBIL) levels were significantly lower in the CMM group (P < 0.05). There is not a significant effect on serum D-lactate and diamine oxidase (DAO) concentrations (P > 0.05). The next section of the survey showed that the replacement of soybean meal with a mixed meal (rapeseed meal, cotton meal, and sunflower meal) in the diet did not significantly influence the acetic acid, propionic acid, butyric acid, valeric acid, isobutyric acid, and isovaleric acid in the colon contents (P > 0.05). Furthermore, compared with the CON group, the CMM group diet significantly increased the abundance of Actinobacteria at the phylum level (P < 0.05), U_Actinobacteria at the class level (P < 0.05), and U_Bacteria at the class level (P < 0.05). The result also showed that the CMM group significantly reduced the abundance of Oscillospirales at the order level (P < 0.05) and Streptococcaceae at the family level (P < 0.05) compared with the CON group. The Spearman correlation analysis depicted a statistically significant positive correlation identified at the class level between the relative abundance of U_Bacteria and the serum T. BILI concentrations (P < 0.05). Moreover, a significant negative correlation was detected at the order level between the relative abundance of Oscillospirales and the levels of acetic and propionic acids in the colonic contents (P < 0.05). Additionally, there was a significant positive correlation between the serum concentrations of IL-6 and IL-10 and the relative abundance of the family Streptococcaceae (P < 0.05). This study demonstrated that the mixed meal (rapeseed meal, cotton meal, and sunflower meal) as a substitute for soybean meal in the diet had no significant negative effects on the growth performance, nutrient apparent digestibility, serum immunoglobulins, serum antioxidant capacity, intestinal permeability, short-chain fatty acid content, and diversity of gut microbiota of finishing pigs. These results can help develop further mixed meals (rapeseed meal, cotton meal, and sunflower meal) as a functional alternative feed ingredient for soybean meals in pig diets.

Effect of dietary methionine hydroxy analogue‐free acid (MHA‐FA) supplementation levels on growth performance, blood metabolites and immune responses in broiler chickens

AbstractBackgroundBroiler diets are commonly supplemented by liquid methionine hydroxy analogue‐free acid (MHA‐FA) containing as product with 88% of active substance to meet sulphur amino acid (SAA) requirements.ObjectivesTwo experiments were conducted to assess the effects of different dietary MHA‐FA levels on growth performance, blood metabolites and immune responses in broilers.MethodsIn experiments 1 and 2, 432 and 360 male broilers were fed either a basal corn–soya bean meal diet that met the energy and nutrient requirements with the exception of SAAs or the basal diet supplemented with 5 graded levels of MHA‐FA (+0.9 and +0.8 g/kg), for 1–11 and 11–24‐day ages, respectively. Chicks were vaccinated with inactivated H9N2/Newcastle disease (ND) and live‐ND on days 5 and 11, respectively.ResultsResponses in both experiments had similar tendency at corresponding dietary MHA‐FA levels. By increasing dietary MHA‐FA level, weight gain (WG), feed efficiency (FE), relative breast weight (RBW) and immunity against ND and avian influenza virus inoculation improved with quadratic trend. Blood serum triglyceride, low‐density lipoprotein, alanine aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase concentration were affected in response to dietary MHA‐FA levels with quadratic trends. By using broken‐line regression analysis, the optimum dietary MHA‐FA levels for optimized WG, FE and RBW during 1–10‐day age were obtained at 2.20, 3.31 and 3.33 g/kg, respectively; based on MHA‐FA content of Met equivalent, the digestible SAA requirements were estimated 0.81%, 0.91% and 0.92%, respectively. Similarly, for the 11–24‐day age period, the optimum dietary MHA‐FA supplementation levels were obtained 1.79, 2.21, 2.41 and 2.53 g/kg, with the digestible SAA requirements estimated 0.75%, 0.79%, 0.80% and 0.81% for optimized WG, FE, RBW and immune responses, respectively.ConclusionsSupplemental levels of MHA‐FA that optimize performance, breast meat and immunity in broilers fed corn–soya bean meal diet, varied from 0.18% to 0.33%, correspond to age and what traits are considered for optimization.

Interactive effects of dietary protein and nano-chitosan on growth performance, immune response, and histological aspects of lymphoid organs in broiler chickens

A feeding trial was conducted to assess the effect of partial replacement of dietary soybean meal by three plant protein sources: coconut, rocket seed, and black cumin meals with their combination in the presence or absence of nano-chitosan (NCH) on growth performance and immune response in broiler chickens. Five starter and grower diets were formulated and used from 1 to 42 days of age. The NCH was added to starter and grower diets at 1.0 g/kg. Five-hundred-fifty-day-old Arbor Acres Plus broiler chicks were randomly divided into ten treatments with five equal replications. Final body weight (FBW), body weight gain (BWG), feed intake (FI), feed conversion ratio (FCR), and blood plasma parameters were investigated. Histological aspects of lymphoid organs (thymus: T, bursa of Fabricius: B, and spleen: S) were characterized. Apart from added NCH, the FBW, BWG, and FCR of broilers fed the diets containing the tested plant proteins were significantly superior to the control ones. However, FI of birds fed the diets containing CM alone or combined with RSM plus BCM was significantly reduced. All experimental broilers displayed high plasma levels of IgG compared with the control group. There were significant increases in plasma concentrations of IgM, IgA, and T4 for groups that fed the diets containing RSM, BCM, and mixture of CM, RSM, and BCM compared with their controls. The T3 levels of broilers fed the tested plant proteins were significantly increased compared with the controls. Aside from plant protein source, broilers fed the NCH-enriched diets achieved significant increases in levels of IgM, TAC, and FSH and activities of CAT and SOD but reduced the MDA level compared with control. The interactions between plant protein source and added nano-chitosan were not interrelated. Furthermore, CM, RSM, and BCM can be used as complementary dietary proteins singly or combined with NCH with no adverse effects on growth performance. Addition of NCH molecules has a positive effect on live body weight and increases feed intake compared with control chicks.Graphical

Comparative Study on the Effects of Four Plant Protein Sources on the Liver and Intestinal Health of Largemouth Bass, Micropterus salmoides.

The effects of plant protein sources (PPSs) on the health of the liver and intestine of the largemouth bass, Micropterus salmoides, were compared to verify the potential damaging effects of dietary fiber (DF). A diet containing 55% fish meal (FM) was used as the control. The test diets contained 25% soybean meal (SBM), rapeseed meal (RSM), cottonseed meal, or peanut meal, and the FM content was decreased to 30%. The protein and lipid contents of these five diets were balanced by casein and oil. Fish were raised for 8 weeks. The fish fed the diet containing PPS showed a trend of decreasing growth and apparent digestibility coefficients. The contents of total bile acid, lipid, and collagen in the liver were increased, and the mRNA expression levels of genes encoding inflammatory factors and enzymes involved in de novo fatty acid synthesis and bile acid synthesis were upregulated. Both the lipid and collagen contents in the liver were positively correlated with the DF content in the diet significantly. Morphology and histology showed reduced liver size, hepatic steatosis, and fibrosis in fish fed diets containing PPS. The lowest hepatosomatic index was observed in fish fed the SBM diet, and the most severe damage was observed in fish fed the RSM diet. No obvious histological abnormalities were observed in the hindgut. The bile acid profile in the liver could be used to distinguish the types of PPS very well by Fisher discriminant analysis. These results indicated that 25% of each of the four PPSs in the diet exceeded the tolerance range of largemouth bass and caused liver damage, which might be mediated by bile acid. DF in PPS might be an important agent contributing to liver damage.

Alternative and Sustainable Protein Sources in Pig Diet: A Review.

The search for alternative protein sources to soybean meal (SBM) in animal feeding is a strategic objective to reduce production costs and contribute to sustainable animal production. Spirulina, due to the high protein content, has emerged as a potential cost-effective, sustainable, viable, and high-nutritional-value food resource for many animal species. Insect larvae (Tenebrio molitor and Hermetia illucens) are also considered potential alternatives to SBM, given their high edible percentage of almost 100%, as well as a protein value higher than that of vegetable proteins. Rapeseed meal and grain legumes, such as fava beans, peas, lupins, and chickpea, can also be used as locally producible protein ingredients. This study reviews the nutritional value of these potential alternatives to SBM in pig diets, and their effects on animal performance, digestion, immune system, and the physicochemical and sensorial characteristics of meat, including processed pork products. The limits on their use in pig feeding are also reviewed to indicate gaps to be filled in future research on the supplementation level of these potential alternative protein sources in pig diets.

Paraprobiotic and postbiotic forms of Bacillus siamensis improved growth, immunity, liver and intestinal health in Lateolabrax maculatus fed soybean meal diet

Live commensal Bacillus siamensis LF4 showed reparative potentials against high SM-induced negative effects, but whether its paraprobiotic (heat-killed B. siamensis, HKBS) and postbiotic (cell-free supernatant, CFS) forms had reparative functions and potential mechanisms are not yet known. In this study, the reparative functions of HKBS and CFS were investigated by establishing an injured model of spotted seabass (Lateolabrax maculatus) treated with dietary high soybean meal (SM). The results showed that HKBS and CFS effectively mitigated growth suppression, immune deficiency, and liver injury induced by dietary high SM. Simultaneously, HKBS and CFS application positively shaped intestinal microbiota by increased the abundance of beneficial bacteria (Fusobacteria, Firmicutes, Bacteroidota, and Cetobacterium) and decreased harmful bacteria (Proteobacteria and Plesiomonasare). Additionally, HKBS and CFS improved SM-induced intestinal injury by restoring intestinal morphology, upregulating the expression of tight junction proteins, anti-inflammatory cytokines, antimicrobial peptides, downregulating the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines and apoptotic proteins. Furthermore, HKBS and CFS intervention significantly activated TLR2, TLR5 and MyD88 signaling, and eventually inhibited p38 and NF-κB pathways. In conclusion, paraprobiotic (HKBS) and postbiotic (CFS) from B. siamensis LF4 can improve growth, immunity, repair liver and intestinal injury, and shape intestinal microbiota in L. maculatus fed high soybean meal diet, and TLRs/p38 MAPK/NF-κB signal pathways might be involved in those processes. These results will serve as a base for future application of paraprobiotics and postbiotics to prevent and repair SM-induced adverse effects in fish aquaculture.

Mannanase improves the growth performance of broilers by alleviating inflammation of the intestinal epithelium and improving intestinal microbiota

This experiment aimed to discuss and reveal the effect and mechanism of mannanase on intestinal inflammation in broilers triggered by a soybean meal diet. In this experiment, 384 Arbor Acres broilers at 1 d old were randomly divided into 3 treatment groups. The broilers were fed a corn-soybean meal basal diet, a low-energy diet (metabolizable energy reduced by 50 kcal/kg), and a low-energy diet supplemented with 100 mg/kg mannanase for 42 d. The low-energy diet increased feed conversion ratio from 0 to 42 d, reduced ileal villus height and villus height-to-crypt depth ratio and upregulated the expression of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) in the ileum (P < 0.05). It also reduced cecal short-chain fatty acids (SCFA), such as acetic acid (P < 0.05). Compared with low-energy diets, the addition of mannanase increased body weight at 42 d, promoted the digestibility of nutrients, and maintained the morphology and integrity of the intestinal epithelium of broilers (P < 0.05). In addition, mannanase upregulated the expression of claudin-1 (CLDN1) and zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1) in the jejunum at 21 d, downregulated the expression of ileal NF-κB, and increased the content of isobutyric acid in the cecum of broilers (P < 0.05). The results for the ileal microbiota showed that a low-energy diet led to a decrease in the relative abundance of Lactobacillus reuteri in the ileum of broilers. The addition of mannanase increased the relative abundance of Lactobacillus-KC45b and Lactobacillus johnsonii in broilers. Furthermore, a low-energy diet reduced the relative abundance of Butyricicoccus in the intestine of broilers and inhibited oxidative phosphorylation and phosphoinositol metabolism. Mannanase increased the relative abundance of Odoribacter, promoted energy metabolism and N-glycan biosynthesis, and increased the activities of GH3 and GH18. It is concluded that mannanase could improve the growth performance of broilers by reducing the expression of NF-κB in the ileum, increasing the production of SCFA in the cecum, suppressing intestinal inflammation, balancing the intestinal microbiota, reducing damage to the intestinal barrier, and improving the efficiency of nutrient utilization to alleviate the adverse effects caused by the decrease in dietary energy level.

Effects of crude protease produced by Bacillus subtilis (MAFIC Y7) on growth performance, immune indices, and anti-inflammatory responses of broilers fed soybean meal- or cottonseed meal-based diets.

A strain of Bacillus subtilis (MAFIC Y7) was isolated from the intestine of Tibetan pigs and was able to express high protease activity. The aim of this study was to characterize the proteases produced by MAFIC Y7, and to investigate the effects of protease addition on growth performance, ileal amino acid digestibility, and serum immunoglobulin and immune factors of broilers fed SBM-based diets, or on growth performance, carcass characteristics, and intestinal morphology of broilers fed CSM-based diets. B. subtilis (MAFIC Y7) expressed protease showed its optimal enzyme activity at 50 °C and pH 7.0. The coated crude enzyme (CCE) showed greater stability at pH 3.0 than its uncoated counterpart. Experiment 1 was conducted with six diets based on three levels of crude protein (CP)-CPlow, CPmedium, and CPhigh-with or without CCE. In CPlow, CCE increased gain:feed (G:F) (days 1 to 21, days 1 to 42) by 8%, 3%, respectively, and enhanced apparent ileal digestibility (AID) of crude protein and lysine (on day 42) by 8.8%, 4.6%, respectively, compared with diets containing no CCE (P < 0.05). CCE increased G:F from days 1 to 21 from 0.63 to 0.68, improved G:F and average daily gain (ADG) during days 1 to 42, and enhanced AID of crude protein, lysine, cysteine, and isoleucine on day 42 compared with the unsupplemented treatments (in CPmedium, P < 0.05). CCE increased serum IgA (on day 21), serum IgA and IgG and increased serum IL-10 (on day 42), but decreased serum tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α; on day 21), and serum IL-8 and TNF-α (on day 42) compared with unsupplemented treatments. At CPhigh, CCE decreased serum levels of IL-6 and TNF-α (on day 21), and IL-8 and TNF-α (on day 42) compared with unsupplemented treatments (in CPhigh, P < 0.05). In experiment 2, CSM-based diets with two lysine-to-protein ratios (5.2% or 5.5%) with or without CCE. In the high Lys diet (5.5% Lys:protein), CCE increased ADG and G:F, increased carcass, but decreased abdominal fat compared with the unsupplemented treatment (P < 0.05). In the 5.2% Lys:protein dietary treatment, CCE improved duodenal villus height compared with the unsupplemented treatment (P < 0.05). Supplementation of protease produced by MAFIC Y7 was associated with lower inflammatory responses in SBM diets (CPmedium or CPhigh) and improved ADG in broilers fed CPmedium or CPhigh. The proteases improved ADG and the efficiency of CSM use when the ratio of Lys to protein was 5.5%.

Luteolin, a natural flavonoid, exhibits a protective effect on intestinal injury induced by soybean meal in early-weaned piglets.

Soybean meal is known to be able to cause intestinal damage and dysfunction in early-weaned piglets. However, research on natural compounds that can alleviate these effects is scarce. In this study, the effect of luteolin, a natural flavonoid, on intestinal health of piglets fed on a soybean meal-based diet was explored. A total of eighteen 21-d-old piglets were selected and randomly divided into 3 groups: a negative control group fed with an animal protein-based diet, a positive control group fed with a soybean meal-based diet, and a luteolin group that was fed with the positive control diet supplemented with luteolin. The results suggested that luteolin supplementation significantly increased the average daily gain and average daily feed intake of early-weaned piglets, while effectively reducing the diarrhea incidence. Additionally, luteolin supplementation lowered the levels of soybean antigen-specific immunoglobulin G and immunoglobulin E anitbodies, increased the superoxide dismutase activity in both sera and small intestine mucosa, and enhanced the total antioxidant capacity in sera. Further research found that luteolin supplementation increased the intestinal villi height and decreased the crypt depth, resulting in an increased ratio of villi to crypts. At the same time, it reduced the concentration of serum diamine oxidase, improving intestinal barrier function. Moreover, luteolin significantly decreased the gene expression of Bax and Caspase-3, reducing cell apoptosis in the intestinal mucosa. Luteolin supplementation also increased the abundance of Actinobacteria at the phylum level, reduced the abundance of Prevotella and increased the abundance of Olsenella at the genus level. In conclusion, the supplementation of luteolin to the soybean meal diet was capable of effectively reducing allergic response, enhancing the antioxidant capacity of early-weaned piglets, protecting their intestinal barrier function, inhibiting intestinal mucosal cell apoptosis, and altering the intestinal microbiota structure, therefore promoting intestinal health and improving production performance in early-weaned piglets.

Effect of extrusion on energy and nutrient digestibility of lentil-based diets containing either supplemental plant or animal protein fed to growing pigs.

Non-food grade and excess lentil grain production may be included in swine feeds to provide starch and protein and reduce feed cost. Extrusion processing may increase energy and nutrient digestibility of lentil-based diets containing either supplemental plant or animal protein sources. Therefore, the apparent ileal digestibility (AID) of crude protein (CP) and amino acids (AA), apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of gross energy (GE), and digestible energy (DE) value of lentil-based diets were assessed in growing pigs. Two diets were formulated to provide 2.4 Mcal net energy (NE)/kg and 4.35g standardized ileal digestible lysine/Mcal NE: (1) soybean meal (SBM) diet, containing 50% lentil, 31% wheat, and 12.8% SBM; and (2) fish meal (FM) diet, containing 40% lentil, 45% wheat, and 10% FM. Following mixing, each diet batch was divided into two parts: one part remained as mash, whereas the other part was extruded using a single-screw extruder (400rpm, 250kg/h). Eight ileal-cannulated barrows (32.3 ± 1.5kg) were fed the four diets at 2.8 times maintenance DE requirement (110 kcal per kg of body weight0.75) for four 9-d periods in a double 4 × 4 Latin square to achieve 8 observations per diet. Data were analyzed as a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement including protein source, post-mixing processing, and their interaction as fixed effects. The lentil sample contained 32.3% starch, 24.4% CP, 9.3% total dietary fiber, and 1.7mg/g of trypsin inhibitor activity on as is-basis. Interactions between dietary protein source and post-mixing processing were not observed. Feeding FM diets resulted in greater (P < 0.05) AID of dry matter (DM), GE, and most AA, and ATTD of CP, but lower apparent hindgut fermentation of DM and GE than SBM diets. Extrusion increased (P < 0.05) the ATTD of GE and DE value of diets. The AID of CP and AA was 3.2 and 4.7%-units greater (P < 0.05), respectively, for the extruded than mash diets. In conclusion, feeding FM diets resulted in greater ileal digestibility of DM, GE, and AA than SBM diets. Extrusion increased the AID of CP and most AA, and DE value of lentil-based diets containing either supplemental plant protein or animal-protein, indicating that extrusion can increase the energy and protein value of plant-based diets fed to pigs.

An estimation of optimum dietary concentration of soy bean meal for carps (Catla catla, Labeo rohita and Cirhinus mrigala).

Soybean meal is an inexpensive plant origin protein which has been used in practical diets as a replacement of animal protein such as fish meal or chicken meal, due to the uneconomical price of animal protein diets. Consequently, a research study was conducted on some commercial species of Indian major carps i.e. Catla (Cattla cattla), Rohu (Labeo rohita) and Mrigala (Cirhinus mrigala) (Hamilton, 1822) to estimate optimum dietary protein requirement of soy bean meal in diet in an intensive polyculture. Three different diets (SBM I, SBM II and SBM III) were formulated by 80%, 50% and 20% replacement of fish meal with soybean meal from a 45% fish meal diet (control).Highest monthly mean weight gain was obtained by SBM II (with 35% CP and about 50% substitution of fish meal), while SBM III (45% Crude Protein and about 20% substitution of fish meal) was stood second. All tested diets respond enormously by producing high yield as compare to control diet, though SBM II generated highest yield among all. On the bases of the following research, it was revealed that the SBM can surrogate even50% fish meal without any augmentation of other amino acids in the diet of Indian major carps.

Effects of Protease in Soybean Meal-Reduced Diets on Growth Performance, Nutrient Digestibility, and Intestinal Health of Weaned Piglets.

This experiment was conducted in weaned piglets to determine the effects of exogenous protease to low soybean meal (SBM) diets on growth performance, diarrhea rate, nutrient digestibility, and intestinal morphology. Seventy-two Duroc × Landrace × Yorkshire weaned barrows (21-day-old, 5.88 ± 0.95 kg) were randomly divided into four treatments with six replicates in each following a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement of SBM levels (0 to 14 d, 9%, 7.5%; 15 to 42 d, 20%, 18.5%) and protease (0 or 150 mg/kg) for a 42-day trial. Fecal samples were collected on days 11 to 14 and 38 to 42 of the experiment, and serum, intestinal tissue, and chyme samples were taken at the end of the experiments. Adding protease in low SBM diets had a significant increase in ADG (p < 0.05) and a decrease in F/G (p < 0.05). Protease significantly reduced the diarrhea rate (p < 0.05). Low SBM level decreased the apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of crude protein (CP) and ash (p < 0.05) but increased the ATTD of dry matter (DM), ash, organic matter (OM), and CP after the addition of protease (p < 0.05). The apparent ileal digestibility (AID) of aspartic acid (Asp), threonine (Thr), serine (Ser), alanine (Ala), lysine (Lys), and total amino acids (AAs) were significantly increased by protease supplementation (p < 0.05). Both the SBM-reduced and protease-added diets lead to lower albumin (ALB), albumin/globulin (A/G), and urea nitrogen (UREA) (p < 0.05), but greater globulin (GLOB) with low SBM diets (p < 0.05). The SBM-reduced and protease-added diets decreased the duodenum pH, respectively (p < 0.05). The protease increased the villus:crypt (V:C) in the duodenum and ileum, and ileal villus length (p < 0.05). In conclusion, the dietary supplementation of 150 mg/kg protease improved the intestinal health and performance of the weaned piglets and reversed the negative effect of a 1.5% SBM reduction in nutrient utilization, intestinal pH, and intestinal morphological parameters of weaned piglets.

Effect of dietary lysophospholipid supplementation on growth performance, serum lipids, small intestine morphology and caeca microflora in broiler chickens.

The digestibility of animal fats and oils is limited by a reduction in the production and secretion of lipase and bile salts in young chickens. The addition of a natural emulsifier (lysophospholipids [LPL]) in poultry diet may increase the emulsification of lipids and their digestibility. An experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of feed LPLs supplementation with different fat sources on performance, serum lipid composition, small intestine morphology and caeca microflora in broiler chickens. A completely randomized factorial design (2×3×2) was used to evaluate the effect of LPL supplementation (0 and 0.25g/kg) and three different fat sources (soybean oil, tallow and a 50:50 mixture of the two) in corn and soybean meal diets containing two levels of fat (1.5 and 3%), providing 12 isocaloric and isonitrogenous grower diets. Each experimental diet was fed to six replications of 10 birds from 15 to 28 days of age. Average growth performance during this period and small intestine morphology, serum lipid composition and caeca microflora were evaluated on day 28. The interaction effects of LPL supplementation, source and/or level of fats were not significant for the performance parameters measured during the 15 to 28 days. The treatment effects were significant for the villus width and crypt depth measured in the jejunum on day 28. The LPL supplementation significantly increased crypt depth. The interaction effect of fat source and level of fat were significant for villus width. The addition of a 3% blend of soybean oil/tallow (50/50) reduced the serum low-density lipoprotein (LDL) level. The Lactobacillus population was increased by the addition of LPL, or a 1.5% blend of soybean oil and tallow, to the diet. Our study showed that LPL supplementation of diet containing a 1.5% blend of soybean oil and tallow can improve serum lipid indices and caeca Lactobacillus populations in broiler chickens.

Response of broiler breeder pullets when fed hydrolyzed whole yeast from placement to 22 wk of age

The study examined the effects of feeding broiler breeder pullets hydrolyzed whole yeast (HY) from hatch to 22 wk of age (WOA). A total of 524-day-old Ross 708 pullets were placed in floor pens (∼24 birds/pen) for the starter (0-4 WOA) and grower (5-18 WOA) phases, then transferred to the egg production facility and redistributed to ∼20 birds/pen for the prelay phase (19-22 WOA). Two diets were allocated to pens (0-18 WOA; n = 11) and (19-22 WOA; n-12). The diets were a control corn and soybean meal diet formulated to meet specifications and control plus 0.05% HY (HY). Birds had ad libitum access to feed in the first week and daily feed allocation based on pen BW from 2 WOA. Birds had free access to water throughout the trial. Body weight (BW) and uniformity (BW CV) were monitored. Boosters for infectious bronchitis and New Castle disease vaccines were administered at 18 WOA, and samples of pullets bled for antibody titer 5-day later. One pullet/pen was randomly selected, weighed, bled for plasma biochemistry, and necropsied for organ weights, ceca digesta for short-chain fatty acids (SCFA), and leg bones morphometry. In the starter and grower phases, birds fed HY were lighter and gained less (P < 0.05) than control birds. However, there were no diet effects (P > 0.05) on growth, the BW prelay phase, or BW uniformity throughout the trial. There were no (P > 0.05) diet effects on breast, gastrointestinal, liver and bursa weights, serum antibody titers, plasma biochemistry, SCFA and bone attributes. However, pullets fed HY had heavier (P = 0.047) spleen and tended to have lower (P = 0.080) plasma concentrations of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) relative to control pullets. In conclusion, the parameters assessed showed no negative consequences of feeding HY to broiler breeder pullets. However, effects on the spleen and plasma AST may indicate modest modulation of immunity and metabolism. The impact of the provision of HY during broiler breeder pullet phase on reproductive performance and chick quality should be investigated.

Rumen fermentation of meal-fed sheep in response to diets formulated to vary in fiber and protein degradability.

The concentration of volatile fatty acid (VFA) provides an imprecise view of VFA dynamics due to the confounding effects of fluid pool size and dynamics. Determination of VFA flux using isotope is expensive and a complex methodology. Therefore, a rapid and affordable approach to explore VFA dynamics may allow comprehensive characterization of VFA availability. The objective of this study was to explore the use of VFA dynamics generated by meal feeding to derive time-series rates of VFA apparent appearance and disappearance driven by different protein and fiber sources. Six ruminally cannulated wethers were fed diets containing timothy hay or beet pulp (TH and BP) and soybean meal (SBM) or heated soybean meal (HSBM). Diets were, TH + HSBM; TH + SBM; BP + HSBM; and BP + SBM and the experimental design was a partially replicated 4 × 4 Latin Square. Concentrations of VFA and polyethylene glycol (PEG) in rumen fluid samples were estimated. Concentrations of PEG were used to estimate fluid passage and volume to calculate VFA mass, and fluid-mediated exit. Maximum apparent appearance rate (mmol/h), the rate of apparent appearance decline (mmol/mmol/h), mean apparent appearance flux (mmol/h), mean apparent disappearance (mmol/h), and apparent disappearance rate (mmol/mmol/h) were estimated by deriving a 1 pool model for each VFA on a mass basis where appearance was assumed to follow an exponential decay pattern and disappearance followed mass-action kinetics. Statistical analyses were conducted using a linear mixed effect regression with fixed effects for fiber source, protein source, and their interaction, as well as random effects for animal and period. Rumen fluid volume (L) was greater in HSBM diets (P = 0.033) and fluid passage (%/h) was greater in SBM diets (P = 0.048). Concentrations (higher acetate and butyrate, P = 0.002 and 0.004, respectively) and molar proportions (higher valerate, P = 0.035) of VFA were affected only by fiber source; however, protein source and fiber source interacted to significantly influence apparent appearance rates and absorption rates of many major VFA. On a flux basis, HSBM supported significantly elevated mean disappearance of propionate (P = 0.033). This data demonstrates that time-series evaluation of fermentation dynamics, including fluid dynamics and VFA concentrations can be used to estimate apparent appearance and disappearance of VFA. Although further work is needed to confirm the alignment of these estimates with measurements of VFA supplies to the animal, this modeling approach may provide a simpler way to better understand the kinetics of rumen.

Apparent nutrient digestibility, metabolizable energy and apparent ileal amino acid digestibility of commercial partially defatted Hermetia illucens meal for laying hens

Abstract A digestibility study with laying hens was carried out to determine the nutritional value of a commercial and representative (batch to batch variance adjusted) insect meal based on Hermetia illucens (HI) larvae, (from black soldier fly) which was the objective in this study. A basal diet (BD; CP 15%), formulated and fed as such and an experimental diet (HD; CP 21%) consisting of BD with inclusion of 18% of the HI meal were used in the study. The BD and HD were fed to eight and six replicate metabolic cages, respectively, with eight Dekalb White laying hens each from 25 to 27 weeks of age. Diets (pelleted with TiO2 as marker) and water were available for ad libitum intake. Excreta was collected during the last three days to determine AMEn and apparent total tract faecal nutrient digestibility coefficients (ATTDC). Distal ileal content was collected at the last day of the experiment to determine apparent ileal amino acids digestibility of diets and HI meal. Using table values for endogenous losses standardised ileal amino acids digestibility coefficient (SIDC) of HI meal were also calculated. Analysed nutrients (g/kg) in HI meal were: 47 moisture, 529 crude protein, 71 ash, 135 fat and thus 218 was calculated as carbohydrates. Determined AME AMEn for HI meal was 3,846 kcal/kg dry matter (DM) and AMEn was 3,498 3,671 kcal/kg DM and ATTDC AFD for crude protein, crude fat and carbohydrates was 0.830, 0.940 and 0.680, respectively. Average SID coefficient for the 18 amino acids was 0.861 86.1%. Among indispensable amino acids SIDC ranged from 0.790% for threonine to 0.950% for phenylalanine and was 0.840% for lysine. These findings highlight that HI meal is an interesting alternative protein source for soybean meal (SBM). Besides market prices and availability, demands for more sustainable poultry production will determine the use of HI meals as alternative for SBM in poultry diets in the near future, especially in regions where SBM is imported from overseas.

Reparative effect of different dietary additives on soybean meal-induced intestinal injury in yellow drum (Nibea albiflora).

Soybean meal (SBM) is an acceptable replacement for unsustainable marine fish meal (FM) in aquaculture. However, we previously reported that high dietary SBM supplementation causes intestinal inflammatory injury in yellow drum (Nibea albiflora). Accordingly, a 4-week SBM-induced enteritis (SBMIE) in yellow drum trial was conducted first, followed by a 4-week additive-supplemented reparative experiment to evaluate the reparative effect of five additives on SBMIE in yellow drum. The control diet comprised 50% FM protein substituted with SBM. The additive-supplemented diet was added with 0.02% curcumin (SBMC), 0.05% berberine (SBM-BBR), 0.5% tea polyphenols (SBM-TPS), 1% taurine (SBM-TAU), or 0.8% glutamine (SBM-GLU) based on the control diet, respectively. The weight gain (WG), specific growth rate (SGR), feed efficiency ratio (FER), and survival rate (SR) of fish fed the additive-supplemented diets were significantly higher than those of fish fed the SBM diet. The WG, SGR, and FER of fish fed the SBMC, SBM-GLU and SBM-TAU diets were significantly higher than those of fish fed other diets. Moreover, fish fed the additive-supplemented diets SBMC and SBM-GLU, exhibited significantly increased intestinal villus height (IVH), intestinal muscular thickness (IMRT), and intestinal mucosal thickness (IMLT) and significantly decreased crypt depth (CD) in comparison with those fed the SBM diets. The relative expression of intestinal tight junction factors (ocln, zo1), cytoskeletal factors (f-actin, arp2/3), and anti-inflammatory cytokines (il10, tgfb) mRNA was remarkably elevated in fish fed additive-supplemented diets than those of fish fed the SBM diet. Whereas, the relative expression of intestinal myosin light chain kinase (mlck) and pro-inflammatory cytokines (il1, il6, tnfa) mRNA was markedly lower in fish fed the additive-supplemented diets. The highest relative expression of intestinal ocln, f-actin, and arp2/3 and the lowest relative expression of intestinal mlck were found in fish fed the SBMC diet. Hence, all five dietary additives effectively repaired the intestinal injury induced by SBM, with curcumin exhibiting the strongest repair effect for SBMIE in yellow drum.

Effects of Dietary Fishmeal Replacement with Soybean Meal on Growth Performance, Digestion, Hepatic Metabolism, Antioxidant Capacity, and Innate Immunity of Juvenile Large Yellow Croaker (Larimichthys crocea)

A 70-day feeding trial was conducted to determine the effects of the replacement of fishmeal (FM) by soybean meal (SM) in diets on growth performance, digestion, hepatic metabolism, antioxidant capacity, and innate immunity of juvenile large yellow croaker (Larimichthys crocea). Four iso-lipidic and iso-nitrogenous diets replacing 0, 15, 30, and 45 FM protein by SM protein were formulated, named FM, SM15, SM30, and SM45, respectively. Results indicated that the specific growth rate (FM = 1.55, SM15 = 1.50, SM30 = 1.48, and SM45 = 1.34%) of fish showed a significant linear trend ( P &lt; 0.05 ). With increasing dietary SM, the activity of trypsin (262.02, 179.34, 144.41, and 123.92 U/mg·prot) significantly decreased (linear trend, P &lt; 0.05 ). The content of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol showed a significant linear trend and quadratic trend, and the maximum was observed in fish fed the diet with 45% protein from SM ( P &lt; 0.05 ). The mRNA expression of the mechanistic target of rapamycin (m-tor) and ribosomal protein S6 (rps6) showed a significant linear trend ( P &lt; 0.05 ). The content of malondialdehyde (81.82, 92.91, 79.64, and 126.45 nmol/mg·prot) showed a significant linear trend and quadratic trend; the minimum was observed in fish fed the diet with 30% protein from SM ( P &lt; 0.05 ). The activity of acid phosphatase (328.45, 300.08, 254.03, and 223.51 U/mg·prot) significantly decreased with increasing dietary SM substitution levels (linear trend, P &lt; 0.05 ). A significant quadratic trend was observed in the mRNA expression of interferon-γ and interleukin-1β, while the maximum was observed in fish fed the diet with 45% protein from SM ( P &lt; 0.05 ). In conclusion, this study demonstrated that the replacement of FM by SM in diets can decrease the growth performance, digestion, antioxidant capacity, and innate immunity and affect the hepatic metabolism of juvenile large yellow croaker. The minimum negative effect was obtained when 30% of FM was replaced by SM.

Effects of Perilla Seed Meal on Productive Performance, Egg Quality, Antioxidant Capacity and Hepatic Lipid Metabolism of Wenchang Breeder Hens.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of adding perilla seed meal (PSM) to the diet on reproductive performance, egg quality, yolk fatty acids, antioxidant capacity and liver lipid metabolism in breeding hens. A total of 192 31-week-old yellow-feathered hens were randomly divided into 4 treatments with 6 replicates of 8 birds for 8 weeks. The chickens were fed a typical corn-soybean meal diet containing 0% (control), 0.3%, 0.6%, and 1% PSM. The results showed that PSM can change the productivity of laying hens. Adding 0.6% PSM to the feed reduced the mortality rate of chickens. Adding 1% PSM improved the fertilization rate and hatching rate of chickens. Regarding egg quality, the albumen height and Haugh unit were improved in the 0.6% PSM group. The content of MUFAs and PUFAs in the egg yolk was increased in all the PSM groups, while SFAs were only increased in the 0.6% PSM group. Among the indicators related to lipid metabolism, serum GLU decreased in all the PSM groups. The 0.6% PSM group had a reduction in serum and liver TG, as well as reductions in serum LDL-C and ALT. The same results were observed for the abdominal fat percentage in the 0.6% PSM group. Liver lipid metabolism-associated gene expression of FAS and LXRα was decreased in all the PSM groups, and the mRNA expression of ACC and SREBP-1c was significantly reduced in the 0.6% PSM group. HE staining showed that the vacuoles in the liver tissue gradually decreased with increasing PSM doses, especially the 1% PSM dose. Lipid droplets with a similar trend were observed using Oil Red O staining. In the results of the antioxidant capacity test, the serum T-AOC was increased in the 0.6% and 1% PSM groups, and the SOD in both the serum and liver was significantly increased in all the PSM groups. The expression of antioxidant-related genes such as Nrf2, NQO-1, HO-1, CAT and GSH-Px was significantly upregulated in the 1% PSM group. In conclusion, the PSM diet improved the lipid metabolism and antioxidant capacity of breeding hens. PSM reduces mortality and improves fertilization and hatchability in the late laying period of chickens, resulting in greater benefits. We recommend adding 0.6% PSM to layer feed, which improves the physical condition of the hens and brings higher economic benefits.