Supplementation Of Feed Additives Research Articles

The role of some feed additives in fish fed on diets contaminated with cadmium.

The decline of cadmium pollution in fish farms is needed by any adequate method. The present study was designed to explore the effect of dietary cadmium contamination and its amelioration by using dietary clay, probiotic (Bactocell®), vitamin C, and vitamin E supplementation in Nile tilapia fish diet on growth rate, feed efficiency, blood components, and cadmium residues. Fish were separated into 15 groups, each group of fish was stocked into three aquaria and each contains 20 fishes. The fish of the first five groups were fed the basal diet, the second five groups were fed the basal diet contaminated with 25mg cadmium/kg, and the third five groups were fed the same diet contaminated with 50mg cadmium/kg. Within each dietary cadmium level, the first group was fed the diet without any supplementation, the second was fed the diet supplemented with natural clay (bentonite) at level 3%, the third group was fed the diet supplemented with 1g Bactocell®/kg, the fourth group was fed the diet supplemented 50mg vitamin E/kg, and the fifth group was fed the diet supplemented with 100mg vitamin C/kg. Live body weight, daily body weight gain, and feed intake of Nile tilapia decreased significantly (P<0.001) with increasing dietary cadmium level, while feed conversion was impaired. Fish group fed on diets contaminated with 50mg cadmium/kg recorded the lowest live body weight and weight gain. Serum total protein and albumin concentration significantly (P<0.001) decreased, while serum creatinine, AST, and ALT significantly (P<0.001) increased with increasing cadmium level in fish diets. Blood hemoglobin and total erythrocyte (RBCs) significantly (P<0.001 or 0.05) decreased with cadmium contamination in fish diets, while leukocytes were insignificantly affected. Body cadmium residues increased significantly (P<0.001) by increasing cadmium level in fish diets. Live body weight, daily body weight gain, and feed intake of Nile tilapia increased significantly (P<0.001) with feed additive supplementation in diets, also while feed conversion improved. Fish group fed on diets supplemented with probiotic Bactocell® or natural clay recorded higher body weight and gain rate than the other experimental groups. Serum total protein, blood hemoglobin, and total erythrocyte increased, while urea-N, creatinine, ALT, AST, and leukocytes decreased as affected with the feed additive supplementation. Feed additive supplementation in fish diets significantly (P<0.001) decreased cadmium residues in fish bodies. Irrespective of dietary cadmium level, feed additive supplementation in fish diet improved the growth rate and decreased the concentrations of serum creatinine and ALT. The obtained results indicated that feed additive supplementation could modify the function of the kidney and liver in fish exposed to the cadmium toxicity.

384 Effects of dietary supplementation of natural feed additives on growth performance of nursery pigs

384 Effects of dietary supplementation of natural feed additives on growth performance of nursery pigs

Effect of different non-antibiotic feed additives either alone or in combination on the performance and cost economics of broiler chickens

In the present study, effect of different non-antibiotic feed additives either alone or in combination on the performance and cost economics of broiler chickens was investigated. Day-old commercial male broiler chicks (270) were randomly divided into nine treatment groups with six replicates of five birds in each. The dietary groups consisted of control diet, antibiotic (Virginiamycin @ 500 g/ton), probiotic (Protexin @ 500 g/ton), acidifier (Biotronic SE @ 3 kg/ton), prebiotic (Mos @ 500 g/ton) and its combinations with different inclusion rates. The results indicated that mean average body weight gain and feed conversion ratio of broilers were significantly influenced by addition of probiotic, prebiotic and acidifier either alone or in combination during prestarter, starter and finisher phases without showing any significant effect on average feed intake. Supplementation of dietary feed additives (except probiotic + acidifier) fed group yielded higher returns over feed cost compared to control and antibiotic fed groups. The highest return per bird was recorded with acidifier followed by probiotic + Mos groups.

Effect of dietary supplementation of Ajwain, hot red pepper and black pepper on the performance, haemato-biochemical and carcass characteristics of Japanese quail

An experiment was conducted to study the effect of dietary supplementation of herbal feed additives viz. ajwain, hot red pepper and black pepper on growth performance, nutrient utilization, haematobiochemical parameters and carcass characteristics in Japanese quail. A 5-week feeding trial was conducted in a completely randomized block design on growing Japanese quail from (2 to 6 weeks of age). Apart from the control group (C), without herbal feed additives, treatment groups T1, T2 and T3 were supplemented at 0.5% ajwain, 0.5% hot red pepper and 0.25% black pepper, respectively in feed where each group was divided into 2 replicates of 15 Japanese quails in each. The results indicated that hot red pepper improved body weight (P 0.05) utilization of crude protein while significantly (Pd”0.05) minimum fat utilization was observed on supplementation of feed additives. The carcass characteristics in terms of dressing percentage increased significantly (P<0.05) and heart, liver and gizzard weights were significantly (P<0.05) highest on black pepper supplementation. The juiciness and overall acceptability of meat of Japanese quail was significantly higher (P<0.05) on addition of dietary red pepper however, texture of quail meat was similar in all the groups. Based on the results it was concluded that the hot red and black pepper could be supplemented as potential herbal feed additive in broiler Japanese quail diet for better performance in terms of weight gain, feed efficiency ratio and carcass characteristics.

Rumen Fermentation Patterns in Rathi Calves Fed Complete Feed Supplemented with Herbal Feed Additives

An experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of supplementation of herbal feed additives in complete feed on rumen fermentation patterns in Rathi calves. For this, sixteen experimental Rathi calves of almost same age group (12-18 months) and of uniform conformation were randomly allotted to four dietary treatments viz., complete feed containing R:C ratio of 60:40 (T1), T1 supplemented with Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) at 3% level of feed (T2), T1 supplemented with Reetha (Sapindus mukorossi) at 3% level of feed (T3) and T1 supplemented with Ashwagandha & Reetha (1:1) at 3% level of feed (T4). Rumen liquor from calves was collected by stomach tube at 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 12 and 18 h post-feeding and was analyzed. This experiment revealed that rumen pH values were highest at 18 h and were declined to minimum by 4 h post-feeding, while total protozoal count, ammonia nitrogen (NH3-N) and nitrogen (N) fractions reached to peak at 4 h post-feeding and later followed a decreasing trend in all the treatments. Supplementation of herbal feed additives had no effect (P>0.05) on rumen pH, while it influenced to increase (P

Effect of supplementation of phytogenic feed additives (powdered vs. encapsulated) on performance and nutrient digestibility in broiler chickens

Inclusion of phytogenic feed additives (PFA) in feed may enhance performance of broilers. Levels of essential oils in powdered form (characterized by menthol and anethole) at 150 mg/kg (P-150) and matrix-encapsulated form (characterized by carvacrol, thymol, and limonene) at 100 mg/kg (ME-100) were supplemented in diet to investigate their effect on performance (trial 1) and apparent ileal digestibility (AID) of nutrients (trial 2) in broilers. A total of 480 1-day-old broilers (Cobb 500) were used in trial 1 and 120 broilers in trial 2. Broilers were distributed in 24 pens with 8 pens per treatment (trial 1) and 6 pens with 2 pens per treatment (trial 2), with 20 birds per pen. Feed and water were offered ad libitum throughout the experimental periods in both trials. In trial 1, body weight of birds at d 42 and overall body weight gain from d 1 to d 42, was higher in treatment ME-100 than birds in control treatment (P = 0.023 and P = 0.024, respectively). Feed efficiency during finisher phase was improved in treatment ME-100 relatively to control and P-150 treatments (P = 0.035). At d 21 in trial 2, the apparent ileal digestibility of crude protein was higher in ME-100 treatment in comparison with control and P-150 treatments (P < 0.001). Apparent ileal absorption (AIA) of phosphorus was higher in ME-100 treatment than control treatment (P = 0.028). AID of cysteine was higher in both phytogenic additive supplemented treatments in comparison with control treatment (P = 0.001). In conclusion, inclusion of a powdered phytogenic additive characterized by menthol and anethole at 150 mg/kg had no effect but only a tendency towards improved performance and AIA of phosphorus, whereas essential oils addition in encapsulated form characterized by caravacol, thymol, and limonene at 100 mg/kg improved performance as well as apparent ileal digestibility of nutrients in broilers, possibly due to improved secretion of digestive enzymes.

Application of Real-Time PCR for Quantifying Gastrointestinal Microbiota in Weaning Pigs Influenced by Dietary Feed Additive Supplementation

Application of Real-Time PCR for Quantifying Gastrointestinal Microbiota in Weaning Pigs Influenced by Dietary Feed Additive Supplementation

Challenges for Plant Breeders from the View of Animal Nutrition

The question of how to feed the growing world population is very old, but because of the increase of population and possible climate change, currently it has an explosive impact. Plant breeding can be considered as the starting point for the whole human food chain. Therefore, high, stable and highly digestible yields of phytogenic biomass with low external inputs of non-renewable resources, such as water, fuel, arable land, fertilizers, etc.; low emissions of gases with greenhouse potential during cultivation; and high resistance against biotic and abiotic stressors, including adaptation to potential climate change, and a low concentration of undesirable substances in the plants are real challenges for plant breeders in the future. Virtually unlimited resources such as sunlight, nitrogen and carbon dioxide from the air as well as the genetic pool of microbes, plants and animals can be used to breed/develop optimal plants/crops. Biofortification of plants may also be an objective of plants breeders, but it is more important for human nutrition to avoid micronutrient deficiencies. A lower concentration of undesirable substances in the plants can be considered as more important than higher concentrations of micronutrients in plants/feeds. Animal nutritionists have various possibilities for feed additive supplementation to meet animal nutrient requirements. Examples to reduce undesirable substances in feed plants are discussed and shown in the paper. In summary, plant breeding has a large and strategic potential for global feed and food security. All breeding technologies may contribute to solving important global challenges, such as sustainable use of limited global resources, improved use of unlimited resources, adaption to climate change and lowering global greenhouse gas emission. More publically supported research seems to be necessary in this field. All methods of plant breeding that contribute to a more resource-efficient production of high and stable yields of available biomass should be used/combined.

Effect of plant extracts derived from thyme on male broiler performance

The effect of dietary thyme-oil extract (TOE) supplementation on immune functions of broilers were assessed by feeding graded levels (50, 100, 200, or 400 ppm) of TOE to male broiler chicks during a 42-d feeding trial compared with negative- or positive-control diets. Dietary control treatments included a negative-control diet with no feed-additive supplementation and 2 positive-control groups supplemented with either virginiamycin or zinc bacitracin. In total, 300 1-day-old Ross × Ross male broilers were randomly assigned to 6 dietary treatments that consisted of 5 replicates of 10 birds each. On d 21 and 42, 2 birds from each replicate were killed by cervical cutting to measure the relative weights of spleen and bursa of Fabricius. At 25 d of age, chicks were injected with 0.5 mL of 10% SRBC suspension. Broilers fed with 200 ppm of TOE had heavier weights of bursa of Fabricius than those fed other dietary treatments at d 42 of age. Furthermore, dietary inclusion of 100 ppm of TOE resulted in higher (P < 0.05) total immunoglobulin response in primary antibody titer against sheep erythrocytes compared with other dietary treatments. On the other hand, diet modifications had no significant effect on blood leukocyte subpopulations and heterophil-to-lymphocyte ratio. These results suggest that dietary supplementation with TOE, especially at the level of 100 ppm, can improve immunological responses of broiler chicks.

Necessity of continuing of supplementation of non-nutritive feed additive during days 21–42 of age following 3 weeks of feeding aflatoxin to broiler chickens

The necessity of supplementation of non-nutritive feed additives (NNFA) at 2 g/kg diet of mannan oligosaccharides (MOS), hydrated sodium calcium aluminosilicate (HSCAS) and Lacobacillus acidophilus (Lac) to block the negative impacts of aflatoxin (AF) on broilers performance and physiological traits throughout the withdrawal period from days 21 to 42 of age following AF feeding during 1–21 days of age was studied herein. There were two main experimental groups during 1–21 days of age in which of two concentrations of AF were supplemented at 0 and 200 ppb, and four subgroups of NNFA within diet without AF supplementation (unsupplemented control, MOS, HSCAS and Lac, groups 1, 2, 3 and 4, respectively) and with AF supplementation (unsupplemented control, MOS, HSCAS and Lac, groups 5, 6, 7 and 8, respectively), thereby there were eight experimental treatments. During 21–42 days of age period, 210 broilers chickens left from the first part of this study (1–21 days of age) were used for studying the residual effects of AF during days 21–42 of age after AF removal from the diet at day 21 of age. Each group supplemented with MOS, HSCAS or Lac during 1–21 days of age was divided into two subgroups during the recovery period (21–42 days of age). One subgroup continued to receive the same NNFA it had received during 1–21 days of age. The other received only the basal diet without AF and NNFA supplementation. The positive control group (group 1) that had received basal diet without AF supplementation during 1–21 days of age continued on the same treatment during 21–42 days of age. The negative control group (group 5) that had received AF alone during 1–21 days of age received the basal diet without AF supplementation during the recovery period. AF had a chronic negative effect on productive performance of broilers during the recovery period and this was further confirmed by increasing liver enzyme and histology of liver. MOS at 2 g/kg diet induced the best recovery in growth performance of AF groups and continued of MOS seems to be essential to block the carry over effect of AF during the withdrawal period. However, growth performance of the non-AF group supplemented with Lac was the best.

Effects of crystalline amino acids, phytase and fish soluble supplements in improving nutritive values of high plant protein based diets for kuruma shrimp, Marsupenaeus japonicus

Abstract Plant proteins are the most important alternatives to fishmeal in shrimp diets. However, there is a general trend of reducing feed intake and shrimp performance with dietary inclusion of high levels of plant proteins. Supplementation of feed additives could overcome the negative effects of high plant protein based diet. Therefore, an experiment was conducted to assess the effectiveness of different feed additives such as crystalline amino acids (CAA), phytase (PT) and fish soluble (FS) in enhancing the utilization of high levels of plant proteins in the diets of kuruma shrimp, Marsupenaeus japonicus . Six isocaloric diets (19 kJ g − 1 ) were formulated where diet 1 was 40% fishmeal based control diet (FM). Diets 2 to 6 were prepared as follows, by replacing 60% fishmeal protein with a plant protein blend (soybean meal and canola meal; 6:4) alone (PP); protein blend and 1.5% CAA (PAA); protein blend and 0.04% phytase (2000 FTU kg − 1 ) (PPT); protein blend and 10% FS (PFS); and protein blend and a mixture of CAA, phytase and FS (PMX) respectively. Triplicate groups of shrimp (1.75 ± 0.40 g; mean initial body weight ± SD) were stocked in 54–l rectangular tanks at a rate of 15 shrimp per tank. The tanks were maintained under natural light/dark regime in a flow-through sea water system. Shrimp were fed the respective test diets at a rate of 8–10% of the body weight daily for 56 days. At the end of the feeding trial, final body weight (g), weight gain (%) and specific growth rate (% day − 1 ) were significantly ( P − 1 ) and protein retention (%) were significantly decreased in PP and PPT groups. Whole body crude protein was significantly lowest in PP group and highest in PMX group. Protease activity (unit mg − 1 protein) in the digestive tract of shrimp was lowest in PP and PAA groups; and the values were comparable among the rest. Overall, the best results for most of the parameters were found in shrimp fed PMX diet. Based on the overall performance of shrimp, it can be concluded that CAA, PT and FS are effective supplements in high plant protein diets for juvenile kuruma shrimp. A mixture of these supplements in appropriate ratio could further reduce the fishmeal levels in shrimp diets.

Influence of supplementation of tropical plant feed additives on in vitro rumen fermentation and methanogenesis

Tropical plants rich in secondary metabolites have the potential to modulate rumen fermentation for more efficient food production with reduced environmental impact. In the present study after extensive screening, three tropical tree leaves (Bahunia variegata, Psidium guajava and Cannabis indica) and three herbs (Cinnamomum zeylanicum, Trachyspermum ammi and Cinnamomum tamala) were selected to evaluate their effect on buffalo rumen fermentation. Total gas production, substrate degradability, volatile fatty acid pattern and enzyme activities were not affected by any of the plants tested in this study. However, methane production was lowered (P ≤ 0.05) due to inclusion of P. guajava leaves. Anti-methanogenic/anti-protozoal metabolites present in tropical plants seem to be better extracted by ethanol solvent and accordingly the best performing plant i.e. different levels of P. guajava extract was used for further evaluation. Both the methane inhibition and defaunating action of ethanol extract of P. guajava were found to be dose dependent. In conclusion, leaves of P. guajava appear to be a promising plant feed additive for decreasing methane production without affecting feed degradability in the rumen.

Performance of bobwhite quail fed different levels of protein and feed additive supplementation

SUMMARY Native bobwhite quail (Colinus virginianus) populations have declined during the previous 40 yr, and as a result, about 20 million birds are produced commercially to fulfill hunting needs. Limited information exists concerning the dietary requirements of bobwhite quail, and producers could benefit from such information. In experiment 1, a 26% protein starter diet (2,810 kcal of ME/kg) was fed from 7 to 21, 28, 35, or 42 d of age followed by 20% protein grower diet (2,810 kcal of ME/kg) introduced at the appropriate time and fed to 56 d of age. In experiment 2, a 26% protein starter diet was fed from 7 to 42 d of age where dietary treatments were control, phytase enzyme, mannan oligosaccharide, and penicillin. Afterward, a 20% grower diet containing no additives was fed from 42 to 56 d of age. In experiment 1, early growth was significantly (P < 0.05) delayed in birds fed the starter diet to 21 d of age. However, by 56 d of age, BW and FE averaged 149 g/bird and 4.51, respectively, with no differences between treatments. Therefore, bobwhite quail subjected to a decrease in protein intake are responsive to compensatory gain. In experiment 2, feed additives had no effect on improving BW gain, feed consumption, or FE under the conditions of this experiment. By 56 d of age, average BW and FE were 148 g/bird and 4.42, respectively.

Supplementation of prebiotics in fish feed: a review

Aquaculture is one of the fastest growing industries in the world. There is a need for enhanced disease resistance, feed efficiency and growth performance of cultured fish species. The cost of production are likely to be reduced if growth performance and feed efficiency are increased in commercial aquaculture. Also if the survivility of the fishes increase, then their overall production cost would be remarkably reduced. Dietary supplementation of different feed additives e.g. immunostimulants, probiotics and prebiotics usually in small quantities for the purpose of fortifying it with certain nutrients have been found to be beneficial for improving immune status, feed efficiency and growth performance of crustaceans and finfishes. The present article was constructed to highlight the effect of dietary prebiotics on different body growth parameters of fish. However, the application of prebiotics and supplementary enzymes in fish feed is now gradually gaining importance in commercial aquaculture practices, the article stresses on the effect of prebiotics on live body weight gain, dressing percentage, weight of vital organs and muscles and mean villus lengths in digestive tract of fish along with their application as growth promoters in commercial aquafeed (Gatesoupe in Aqua Feeds Formul Beyond 2(3):3–5, 2005; Ganguly et al. in Israeli J Aquac Bamidgeh 62(3):130–138, 2010a, Fish Chimes 30(7):64, 2010b).

Immune responses to genestein in male broiler chicks

This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of dietary genistein (Gn) on broiler immune system. A corn-soybean meal basal diet was supplemented with five genistein levels (10, 20, 40, 80 and 160 mg of Gn/kg) in a completely randomised design with 5 replicates of 10 birds. Dietary control treatments were included the negative control diet with no feed additive supplementation and two positive control groups supplemented with either virginiamycin or zinc bacitracin. Three hundred and fifty day-old male broiler chicks were fed with the experimental diets from 1 to 42 days of age. On days 13 and 23, chicks were vaccinated against Newcastle disease virus (NDV) and infectious bronchitis virus disease (IBV), respectively. The 10 chicks from each dietary treatment (two per pen replicate) were bled on day 6 and 12 after vaccinations. Sera samples were use in hemagglutination inhibition test for NDV and ELISA test for IBV. Dietary supplementation with 20 mg/kg Gn caused increases (p<0.01) in antibody titres against Newcastle and infectious bronchitis diseases viruses at day 12 after vaccine administration. However, diet modifications had no significant effect on blood leukocyte sub-populations and heterophil to lymphocyte ratio. The present results suggest that dietary supplementation with genistein especially at the levels of 20 and 40 mg/kg can improve immunological responses of broiler chicks.

아스타잔틴 생성 균주(Xanthophyllomyces dendrohous)의 급여가 오리의 성장과 육질에 미치는 영향

항산화물질인 astaxanthin을 함유한 균주 Xanthophyllomyces dendrohous를 급여하여 오리의 성장 및 육질에 미치는 영향을 확인하였다. 1일령 오리 450수를 공시하여 배합사료만을 급여한 대조구와 Xanthophyllomyces dendrohous가 함유된 사료첨가제를 사료의 0.1%, 0.2%씩 첨가한 처리구를 두었다. 오리의 성장과 육질을 분석한 결과, 평균증체량은 대조구에 비해 0.2% 처리구에서 유의적으로 높았고 사료요구율은 처리구가 유의적으로 높은 결과를 보였다. 일반성분검사 결과에서는 처리구의 오리고기 지방함량이 유의성 있게 낮았으며, 콜레스테롤 함량 역시 낮게 나타났다. 육질검사 결과 보수력, 육즙손실 및 전단력에 있어서도 처리구가 유의적으로 우수한 결과를 나타냈다. 지방산 함량분석 결과는 포화지방산인 palmitic acid과 stearic acid이 대조구에 비해 유의적으로 낮았으며 불포화지방산인 oleic acid과 linoleic acid는 대조구에 비해 유의적으로 높은 수준을 보였다. 본 연구결과 Xanthophyllomyces dendrohous가 함유된 사료첨가제의 처리는 오리의 성장 및 육질개선과 지방산 조성 등에 있어 효과가 인정되어 고품질의 오리육 생산에 기여할 것으로 생각된다. This study was carried out to investigated astaxanthin producing "Xanthophyllomyces dendrohous" on growth performances and meat quality in ducks. A total of 450 ducks (cheribery) were allotted into 3 groups. The three groups were control (commercial feed), treatment 1 (0.1% feed additives), and treatment 2 (0.2% feed additives). Each group had 3 replicates. Viable cell number of "Xanthophyllomyces dendrohous" is <TEX>$1.0{\times}10^8$</TEX> cfu/g. Growth performance carried out during 39 days. Average weight gain was significantly higher (p<0.05) in treatment 2 than that of control. Feed conversion was significantly lower (p<0.05) in treatment 1 and 2 than that of control. The results of nutrients composition analysis of duck meat showed that treatment 1 and 2 had significantly lower (p<0.05) fat and cholesterol levels. Water holding capacity showed significantly higher (p<0.05) value than that of control. Both treatment groups showed lower (p<0.05) value than control in drip loss and shear force. Control showed higher unsaturated fatty acids(palmitic acid, stearic acid) content than treatment 1 and 2. Treatment 1 and 2 showed significantly lower (p<0.05) saturated fatty acids (oleic acid, linoleic acid) levels than control. These results suggested that the supplementation of feed additives containing "Xanthophyllomyces dendrohous" might be used effectively for inproving productivity and meat quality of ducks.

Effect of dietary mannan oligosaccharide with or without oregano essential oil and hop extract supplementation on the performance and slaughter characteristics of male broilers

The effects of some alternative feed additives for antibiotic growth promoters on performance and some slaughter characteristics were examined in broilers fed wheat-soya based basal starter and finisher diets. A total of 2160 one-day-old male broiler chicks were randomly allocated to six groups with six replicate pens per treatment. The treatments were the basal diet (Control), and the basal diet supplemented with an antibiotic growth promoter (AGP); a prebiotic, mannan oligosaccharide (Bio-Mos, MOS); an essential oil of oregano (Herb-Mos Oregano, HMO); a plant extract of hop (Herb-Mos Hops, HMH) or a mixture of Herb-Mos Oregano and Herb-Mos Hops (HMOH). There were significant effects of dietary treatments on body weight and feed conversion ratio in the 0 - 21 d period, and on body weight and feed consumption in the 0 - 42 d period. The addition of all experimental additives to the diet resulted in significantly higher body weights as compared to the control treatment at both 21 and 42 days of age. Feed intakes were significantly different between the treatments at 0 - 21 d and 22 - 42 d periods, but not during the 0 - 42 d period. However, during the 0 - 21 d period the broiler chickens that received diets supplemented with AGP, MOS, HMO, HMH and HMOH had significantly better feed conversion ratios than the control group, but this pattern was not sustained during the finisher period (22 - 42 d). Mortality rate, hot carcass yield and relative weights of the small intestines, pancreas, abdominal fat and bursa of fabricius were not affected by experimental treatments. The HMH supplementation increased relative liver weight. These results showed that AGP, MOS and herbal feed additive (HMO, HMH, HMOH) supplementation to a diet provided significant advantages on broiler growth performance through a 42-d growth period. However, the combined supplementation of HMO and HMH did not exert either synergistic or additive benefits on the live performance of the broilers. These results also proved that MOS, HMO, HMH and HMOH improved broiler live performance as well as an AGP in both the starter and through the grower period. Furthermore, outstanding advantages were evidenced for the HMH treatment in particular. Therefore, the MOS, HMO, HMH and HMOH performance enhancer feed additives of natural origin may be considered as potential substitutes for AGP in broiler diets.

Effects of late gestation supplementation of rumen undegradable protein, vitamin E, zinc, and chlortetracycline to ewes on indices of immune transfer and productivity12

Late gestation supplementation of feed additives, such as rumen undegradable intake protein (RUIP), vitamin E, Zn, and chlortetracycline, has inconsistently improved ewe/lamb productivity. In 3 experiments, Western white-faced ewes were supplemented for at least 30 d during late gestation with 204 g/(ewe.d) on a DM basis of high (HS; 12.5% RUIP, 880 IU/kg of vitamin E, 176 mg/kg of Zn supplied by an AA complex, and 352 mg/kg of chlortetracycline) or low (LS; 7.56% RUIP and no supplemental vitamin E, Zn, or chlortetracycline) supplements. Ewes of different age (Exp. 1; 3- vs. 6-yr-old; n = 52) and BCS (Exp. 2; good vs. poor BCS; 3.0 and 1.7 +/- 0.5, respectively; n = 40) were supplemented individually in a 2 x 2 factorial arrangement of treatments for 29 d. Thereafter, each ewe was group fed the appropriate supplement until lambing (14 +/- 7 d). Ewe intake, colostral IgG, ewe and lamb parainfluenza type 3 (PI(3)) titers, milk production, ewe BW and BCS change, and lamb production were measured in both experiments. In Exp. 3, approximately 600 ewes were group fed HS or LS over 2 yr. Ewe BW, ewe BCS, lamb production, and lamb survival was measured in Exp. 3 with groups within year as the experimental unit. In Exp. 1, lambs born to 3-yr-old ewes fed the HS had greater (P = 0.01) anti-PI(3) antibody titers than lambs born to 3-yr-old ewes fed the LS. Three-year-old ewes had greater (P < 0.01) DMI than 6-yr-old ewes. In Exp. 1 and 2, d 3 and 10 milk production differences (P <or= 0.10) were detected among treatments; however, lamb production did not differ among treatments in either experiment. In Exp. 3, late gestation supplementation did not affect indices of ewe or lamb production. Under the condition of these 3 studies, late gestation supplementation of HS or LS did not affect ewe productivity. Similarly, ewe age and BCS did not affect productivity, nor did ewe age or BCS interact with type of late gestation supplement.

Carcass quality of feedlot finished steers fed yeast, monensin, and the association of both additives

To evaluate the effects of the supplementation of feed additives on carcass quality in beef cattle, 72 Nellore steers (339.5kg, 20-month old) were feedlot finished and fed for 91 days one of the following diets: 1) control with no additives; or added of 2) live yeast culture; 3) monensin; or 4) the association of both additives. After slaughter, renal, pelvic, and inguinal fat and hot carcass weights were recorded and carcass was split into muscle, bone, and trimmable fat. Carcass Longissimus muscle area and subcutaneous fat thickness at the 12th rib were measured and steaks of Longisimus muscle were taken to determine meat color, shear force, drip, and cooking losses. Yeast increased carcass dressing percentage but there were no effects on hot carcass weight, Longissimus area, subcutaneous fat thickness, percentage and weight of retail cut yield and trimmings. Feed additives had no effect on carcass pH, meat color, fat content, shear force, and drip losses. Supplementation of yeast, monensin or the association of both additives had no important effects on carcass traits and on meat quality of feedlot finished steers.

Effect of yeast culture, fungal fermentation extract and non-ionic surfactant on performance of Holstein cows during transition period

The effects of yeast ( Saccharomyces cerevisiae) culture (SC), fungal ( Aspergillus oryzae) fermentation extract (AO) and non-ionic surfactant (NIS) as feed additives on dry matter intake (DMI) and milk production of dairy cow were investigated. Forty Holstein dairy cows were equally assigned to four treatments including the control in randomized block design, and fed the total mixed rations supplemented 20 g, 100 g and 50 mL day −1 head −1 for SC, AO and NIS during prepartum period, and 30 g, 150 g and 50 mL day −1 head −1 for SC, AO and NIS during postpartum period, respectively. Cows fed the diets supplemented SC or AO had greater (P<0.05) DMI in the transitional period (−2 day, 0 day, +1 day of calving) than when fed the basal diet or NIS, but had no effect in prepartum (21 and 2 days) and postpartum (7, 21 and 42 days) periods. During entire experimental period, DMI was not significant difference between the control and NIS. Average milk production during the period of postpartum investigated was not influenced by supplementation of feed additives. Milk fat content, however, was significantly (P<0.05) increased about 3.9% in cows fed the diets supplemented AO or NIS compare to the control.