Unsupplemented Control Diet Research Articles

The impact of dietary oregano essential oil supplementation on fatty acid composition and lipid stability in eggs stored at room temperature*

ABSTRACT 1. In many countries, eggs are not refrigerated and must be stored at room temperature. The objective of this study was to explore the effects of dietary oregano oil (275 mg / kg; ORE) versus an unsupplemented control diet (CON) on laying hens on the shelf life and fatty acid profile of eggs. 2. Treatments were randomly distributed into 10 pens containing 27 birds each. A total of 200 eggs were collected from both groups on the same day and were stored for either 0, 10, 21 and 35 d. At each storage time, egg yolks were analysed for fatty acid profile and lipid peroxidation. 3. The main indicator of lipid peroxidation, malondialdehyde (MDA), was significantly lower in ORE eggs compared to CON eggs (p = 0.001). Storage time had a significant impact on MDA concentrations (p = 0.023), with the highest found after 35 d. Significant differences were found for individual fatty acids, saturated (SFA), monounsaturated (MUFA) and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA). Palmitic acid, stearic acid, oleic acid, linoleic acid and arachidonic acid were significantly lower in ORE eggs compared to CON eggs (p < 0.05). Palmitoleic acid (p = 0.002), linolenic acid (p = 0.001) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, p = 0.001) were significantly higher in ORE eggs. 4. Storage only affected oleic, linolenic, linoleic, arachidonic and docosahexaenoic acids (p < 0.05). Total SFA, MUFA, n-6 and ratio of n-3 to n-6 (n-3:n-6) PUFA were significantly higher in CON eggs (p < 0.05). The ratio of SFA to PUFA (SFA:PUFA, p = 0.005) and total n-3 PUFA (p = 0.001) were significantly higher in ORE eggs. 5. The n-3:n-6 ratio was significantly impacted by treatment (p = 0.021) and storage (p = 0.031) with no significant interaction. This ratio is important for human health indication and could lead to the development of designer eggs.

Processed fava bean as a substitute for rapeseed meal with or without rumen-protected methionine supplement in grass silage-based dairy cow diets

Fava bean offers a sustainable home-grown protein source for dairy cows, but fava bean protein is extensively degraded in the rumen and has low Met concentration. We studied the effects of protein supplementation and source on milk production, rumen fermentation, N use, and mammary AA utilization. The treatments were unsupplemented control diet, and isonitrogenously given rapeseed meal (RSM), processed (dehulled, flaked, and heated) fava bean without (TFB) or with rumen-protected (RP) Met (TFB+). All diets consisted of 50% grass silage and 50% cereal-based concentrate including studied protein supplement. The control diet had 15% of crude protein and protein-supplemented diets 18%. Rumen-protected Met in TFB+ corresponded to 15 g/d of Met absorbed in the small intestine. Experimental design was a replicated 4 × 4 Latin square with 3-wk periods. The experiment was conducted using 12 multiparous mid-lactation Nordic Red cows, of which 4 were rumen cannulated. Protein supplementation increased dry matter intake (DMI), and milk (31.9 vs. 30.7 kg/d) and milk component yields. Substituting RSM with TFB or TFB+ decreased DMI and AA intake but increased starch intake. There were no differences in milk yield or composition between RSM diet and TFB diets. Rumen-protected Met did not affect DMI, or milk or milk component yields but increased milk protein concentration in comparison to TFB. There were no differences in rumen fermentation except for increased ammonium-N concentration with the protein-supplemented diets. Nitrogen-use efficiency for milk production was lower for the supplemented diets versus control diet but tended to be greater for TFB and TFB+ versus RSM. Protein supplementation increased plasma essential AA concentration but there were no differences between TFB diets and RSM. Rumen-protected Met clearly increased plasma Met concentration (30.8 vs. 18.2 µmol/L) but did not affect other AA. Absence of differences between RSM and TFB in milk production together with limited effects of RP Met suggest that TFB is a potential alternative protein source for dairy cattle.

The effects of green tea in the diet of broilers challenged with coccidiosis on their performance, carcass characteristics, intestinal mucosal morphology, blood constituents and ceca microflora.

Coccidiosis is an endemic protozoal disease of chickens normally controlled by ionophores. However, coccidiostats are also antibiotics, and evidence of resistance in both coccidia and bacteria may develop and reduce antibacterial activity in humans. This has led to a search for natural coccidiostats, such as green tea. To study the effects of supplementing broilers with various levels and types of green tea, in comparison to use of a conventional coccidiostat or a control, unsupplemented diet. A total of 360 male, day-old Ross 308 broilers (days 1-42) were used to evaluate the gut morphology and performance when challenged with coccidiosis and fed varying dietary levels of green tea powder or extract. Treatments were Negative control (NC, unsupplemented control diet); positive control (PC, control diet + commercial coccidiostat); control diets with 0.2, 0.3 or 0.4 g/kg green tea extract (GTE 0.2, 0.3 and 0.4); and control diets with 1, 2 or 3 g/kg green tea powder (GTP 1, 2 and 3). Compared with NC, PC and all green tea treatments, but particularly GTE0.4, increased feed intake and growth rate, with the best feed conversion ratio at GTE0.4. As a proportion of carcase weight, higher inclusion rates increased intestine weight and decreased abdominal fat. The duodenum, jejunum and ileum of birds fed green tea, and particularly GTE0.4, had longer, wider villi, and shallower crypts. Epithelium thickness was reduced by green tea and PC, compared to NC. Clostridium perfringens and coliform populations decreased in proportion to green tea inclusion rate and decreased in PC. Lactobacilli increased with green tea and were more for NC than PC. Green tea at the highest concentrations reduced blood glucose and LDL and VLDL cholesterol. Green tea offers a possible replacement for conventional ionophores to control coccidiosis in broiler chickens. The best inclusion rate was 0.4 g/kg.

Egg yolk colour in organic production as affected by feeding – Consequences for farmers and consumers

In organic table egg production, saponified extracts of carotenoids are not allowed to intensify egg yolk colour. Therefore, we investigated the suitability of organically produced marigold flower meal (Tagetes erectus, TE) and spinach (Spinacia oleracea, SO) as carotenoid sources (mixture of 25% TE and 75% SO) to reach values of 9–10 ‘Roche Yolk Colour Fan’ units (RYCF units). Feeding a completely unsupplemented control diet resulted in a yolk colour of 4.7 RYCF units, a total supply of 11.1 g/kg, 14.6 g/kg and 17.5 g/kg of TE and SO as stand-alone carotenoid sources induced a significant increase to 8.0, 8.2 and 8.9 RYCF units. Under ‘winter-feeding conditions’, i.e. minimal carotenoid supply in the diet, 17.5 g/kg TE and SO resulted in 9.3 ± 0.7 RYCF units. It can be concluded that supplementing TE and SO is suitable to improve the yolk colour in organically produced table eggs.

Dietary inclusion of the red seaweed Asparagopsis taxiformis boosts production, stimulates immune response and modulates gut microbiota in Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar

Salmonids represent US$23 billion of global aquaculture value, yet Atlantic salmon farms lose approximately 10% of their production to diseases and parasites every year. New approaches to minimise such losses are urgently needed because current treatments (e.g. antibiotics) have environmental and human health impacts with increasing sea temperatures predicted to further exacerbate the impacts of disease. Immunostimulants that boost fish resistance to disease without negative environmental or human health impacts are currently being assessed. Seaweeds and their extracts are used as immunostimulants for land animals and are increasingly being investigated for use in finfish aquaculture, including for Atlantic salmon. Here we show that when the red seaweed Asparagopsis taxiformis and its extract were incorporated in Atlantic salmon feed, fish growth rates were enhanced up to 33%, feed intake was enhanced up to 13%, FCR were reduced, and innate immune responses were enhanced up to 58% compared to fish fed unsupplemented control diets over 4 weeks. Overall, fish fed the methanolic extract of A. taxiformis (at an inclusion of ~1% on a dry weight basis, D:D of feed) had the best combination of enhanced growth rate, feed intake and immune response. Fish fed the immunostimulant lipopolysaccharide (LPS) derived from Escherichia coli had the highest innate immune response in our trial, however LPS had no enhanced effect on growth or feed intake. Additionally, we provide evidence that the seaweed and LPS supplements modulated the expression of immune and stress-related genes in both the liver and head kidneys. More specifically, the fish fed the supplemented diets showed increased expression of the HSP70 gene in both their liver and head kidney after 2 weeks of treatment. At 4 weeks high HSP70 and lysozyme gene expression was observed in the fish fed the two seaweed methanolic extract diets. The seaweed diets also enhanced the diversity of bacterial communities within the hindgut of Atlantic salmon while the LPS treatment appeared to have the opposite effect. Whole A. taxiformis or its methanolic extracts could therefore be used as functional feed ingredients that boost the immune response and enhance the growth rate of Atlantic salmon without affecting feed efficiencies.

Prenatal Exposure to Innately Preferred D-Limonene and Trans-Anethole Does Not Overcome Innate Aversion to Eucalyptol, Affecting Growth Performance of Weanling Piglets.

Simple SummaryWeanling piglets appear to be poorly adapted and motivated to ingest solid feed due to the innate reluctance of young animals to ingest an unfamiliar feed or flavor, i.e., feed neophobia, which commonly results in a period of underfeeding. This, and other common wean stress factors, lead to gastrointestinal disorders and impaired growth performance. Increasing the preference or familiarity for a certain type of food or for specific flavors may improve voluntary feed intake in weanling piglets. Botanical compounds (BCs) are described as functional feed additives and include sensorial properties that are able to influence feed intake and growth in pigs by dietary supplementation or sensory maternal learning. In this study, the effects of BCs such as D-limonene, trans-anethole, and eucalyptol on innate feed preference and growth performance of weanling piglets were evaluated by means of a double-choice feeding test and pre- and postnatal exposure to these compounds.In the present research, two studies were performed to determine the effects of specific botanical compounds (BCs) on the innate feed preference and feed intake of piglets, as follows: Exp. 1 studied the innate feed preferences of post-weaning piglets using a double-choice feeding test. A total of 828 weaned piglets were distributed into 36 pens (23 pigs/pen) and assigned to three dietary pair choice feeding options (n = 12): unsupplemented prestarter diets (reference) versus reference plus D-limonene, trans-anethole, or eucalyptol. Piglets showed a preference for diets with D-limonene (53.8%) and trans-anethole (54.5%), and an aversion to eucalyptol (41.6%) (p < 0.05). Exp. 2 studied whether the prenatal and perinatal exposure to D-limonene, trans-anethole, and eucalyptol influences the feed intake and growth of newly-weaned piglets. Twenty-eight gestating and lactating sows were distributed into two dietary treatments (n = 14): unsupplemented Control diets or Control plus a blend of BCs (BBC; containing D-limonene, trans-anethole, and eucalyptol). D-limonene, trans-anethole, and eucalyptol were transferred into the placental fluid, and D-limonene and trans-anethole into the milk (p < 0.05). Furthermore, weanling piglets (n = 200; Control) and (n = 203; BBC) received the same treatment as their mothers in prestarter diets. The early response after weaning showed that piglets’ post-weaning BW gain was higher in the Control (p < 0.05) group than in those exposed to BBC. In conclusion, prenatal exposure to preferred D-limonene and trans-anethole, or familiarity to eucalyptol did not help to overcome the innate aversion to eucalyptol and its negative effect on weanling piglets’ BW.

Replacing stearic acid with oleic acid in supplemental fat blends improves fatty acid digestibility of lactating dairy cows

The objective of our study was to determine the effects of altering the ratio of stearic (C18:0; SA) and oleic (cis-9 C18:1; OA) acids in supplemental fatty acid (FA) blends on FA digestibility and milk yield of dairy cows. Eight multiparous Holstein cows (mean ± SD; 157 ± 11.8 d in milk) were randomly assigned to treatment sequence in a replicated 4 × 4 Latin square design with 14-d periods. Digestibility and production data were collected during the last 4 d of each period. The treatments were an unsupplemented control diet (CON), and 3 diets incorporating FA supplement blends at 1.4% of diet dry matter (DM) containing (as a % of total FA) 50% SA and 10% OA, 40% SA and 20% OA, or 30% SA and 30% OA. The FA blends were balanced to contain 33% palmitic, 5% linoleic, and <0.5% linolenic acids. The FA supplements replaced soyhulls in the CON diet. Preplanned contrasts were as follows: (1) overall effect of FA treatments [CON vs. the average of the FA-supplemented diets; (50:10 + 40:20 + 30:30)/3], (2) the linear effect of OA inclusion in the supplemental FA blend, and (3) the quadratic effect of OA inclusion in the supplemental FA blend. There was no effect of treatment on DM intake, but the replacement of soyhulls in the FA treatments decreased neutral detergent fiber intake. Overall, compared with CON, FA treatments increased DM and neutral detergent fiber digestibility, and increasing OA within FA treatments quadratically increased digestibility of DM and neutral detergent fiber. Overall, FA treatments increased the intake of total, 16-carbon, and 18-carbon FA, decreased the digestibility of total and 18-carbon FA, but increased absorption of total, 16-carbon, and 18-carbon FA. Within FA treatments, increasing OA linearly increased the digestibility of total, 16-carbon, and 18-carbon FA, as well as the absorption of total, 16-carbon, and 18-carbon FA. Overall, FA treatments increased the yields of milk, energy-corrected milk, and milk fat, and tended to increase milk protein yield. Compared with CON, FA treatments had no effect on the yield of de novo milk FA and increased the yields of mixed and preformed milk FA. Within FA treatments, increasing OA did not affect the yields of milk or milk components, linearly decreased the yield of de novo FA, and quadratically affected the yield of mixed and preformed milk FA. Overall, FA treatments increased plasma nonesterified fatty acids but did not affect β-hydroxybutyrate or insulin. Within FA treatments, increasing OA quadratically affected plasma nonesterified fatty acids, and tended to linearly increase β-hydroxybutyrate and quadratically affect insulin. In conclusion, supplemental FA blends containing different ratios of SA and OA did not affect DM intake but increased the yields of milk and milk components. Supplemental FA blends also increased digestibility of DM and neutral detergent fiber and decreased digestibility of total and 18-carbon FA compared with CON. Although increasing OA within FA supplements did not alter milk production, increasing OA within FA supplements increased total, 16-carbon, and 18-carbon FA digestibility and FA absorption. Further research is required to determine longer term effects of SA and OA on nutrient digestion and partitioning and opportunities for maintaining or improving FA digestibility with increasing SA intake and availability in the small intestine.

Effects of chestnut tannins supplementation of prepartum moderate yielding dairy cows on metabolic health, antioxidant and colostrum indices

Abstract This study investigated the effects of dietary supplementation with chestnut tannins (CNT) on metabolic and antioxidant status of prepartum cows along with their colostrum quality. Pregnant multiparous Holstein cows were paired according to parity and body condition score, and assigned either to a diet supplemented with 20 g/d of commercially available product containing chestnut tannins (CNT, n=20) or to an unsupplemented control diet (CON, n=20) for the last 25±2 d of pregnancy. Serum metabolite, insulin and antioxidant capacity indices were measured in blood samples taken at d 25 and d 5 before expected parturition. Chemical composition and IgG concentration were determined in colostrum samples collected from the first milking postpartum. The addition of CNT led to lower BUN (P=0.02) and consequently higher serum glucose (P=0.02) and insulin (P&lt;0.01) concentrations which were associated with lower circulating NEFA (P&lt;0.01) and BHBA (P&lt;0.01) in CNT group than those of CON. The serum paraoxonase 1 (PON 1) activity and total antioxidant capacity (TAOC) were higher at -5 d in CNT than in CON (P&lt;0.01, P=0.03; respectively). Close-up CNT improved lactose percentage and IgG concentration (P=0.03, P=0.04; respectively) and tended to improve percentage of protein and SNF (Solid Not Fat) in primary colostrum (P=0.06, respectively), without affecting colostrum fat and total solid (P=0.98, P=0.43; respectively). Supplementation of CNT in the diet during close-up period did not have adverse effects on metabolic profiles prepartum. Instead, this feeding regimen was more beneficial to antioxidant capacity and colostrum quality than feeding the control diet.

Effect of xylanase and xylo-oligosaccharide supplementation on growth performance and faecal bacterial community composition in growing pigs

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of xylanase (XYL) and xylo-oligosaccharide (XOS) supplementation on the growth performance and faecal bacterial community composition in growing pigs over time. In this 35-day trial, a total of 464 grower pigs with an average initial body weight (BW) of 14.5 kg (SD ±1.56 kg) were blocked into mixed sexed pens of 4–5 pigs balanced for BW, sex and litter origin. Pens were randomly allocated to 1 of 4 dietary treatments in a 2 × 2 factorial treatment arrangement with 2 concentrations of supplementary XYL (0 and 0.15 g/kg) and XOS (0 and 0.20 g/kg). On a weekly basis, pen feed intake and pigs were weighed to calculate pig performance. Faecal samples from 32 male pigs were collected on days 1, 14 and 35 of the trial and analysed to profile the bacterial communities through 16S ribosomal ribonucleic acid (rRNA) sequencing of the V4 region on the MiSeq platform (Illumina). There was no effect of XYL on pig performance, nor was there an interaction between XYL and XOS. Pigs supplemented with XOS had a poorer gain to feed ratio during the first week (Day 1–7) of the trial (P < 0.01). During the second week of the trial (Day 8–14), pigs fed XOS showed an improved average daily gain compared to those without XOS (P < 0.01), but there were no performance effects in the overall trial period (Day 1–35). Alpha diversity increased over time (P < 0.05), and as an index of bacterial community compositions, beta diversity also changed over time (P < 0.05), but there was no overall effect of treatment on alpha or beta diversity. Despite no overall treatment effect, certain operational taxonomic units (OTUs) associated with Muribaculaceae_ge and Prevotellaceae NK3B31 group were higher in all 3 dietary treatments compared to the unsupplemented control diet (P < 0.05). In summary, XYL and XOS had limited effect on pig performance in this trial. Faecal bacterial communities significantly changed over time but despite influencing certain OTUs, treatment had no overall effect on faecal bacterial community composition. Supplementation of XYL or XOS, individually or simultaneously, increased the abundance of OTUs belonging to the Muribaculaceae and Prevotellaceae families which are associated with carbohydrate metabolism, indicating that these bacteria are likely involved in the mechanistic pathways of XYL and XOS.

Does Herbal and/or Zinc Dietary Supplementation Improve the Antioxidant and Mineral Status of Lambs with Parasite Infection?

This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of feed supplementation with a medicinal herbs mixture (Hmix) and organic zinc (Zn), alone or in combination, on the antioxidant responses and mineral status of lambs infected with the gastrointestinal nematode parasite Haemonchus contortus. A total of 24 experimentally infected lambs were randomly allocated to 1 of 4 dietary treatments (n = 6). The diets included an unsupplemented control diet (CON) and the CON further supplemented with Hmix, Zn, or both Hmix + Zn. Antioxidant enzymes activities, lipid peroxidation, total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and microelement (Zn, Cu, Fe, Mn) concentrations were analyzed in serum, liver, kidney, and intestinal mucosa. Zinc treatment elevated the superoxide dismutase activities in the duodenal mucosa and ileal TAC. Intake of Hmix resulted in higher kidney and ileal catalase activity and also influenced the TAC of the liver and intestinal mucosa. The inclusion of Hmix or Zn alone into the diet increased glutathione peroxidase activity in the blood, liver and duodenal mucosa. Tissue mineral uptake was not affected by herbal supplementation. Organic Zn intake increased the serum and liver Zn levels and influenced the Cu concentration in duodenal mucosa. Dietary supplementation with Hmix and/or Zn might promote the antioxidant status of lambs infected with Haemonchus spp.

Supplementation of glycine, prebiotic, and nucleotides in soybean meal-based diets for largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides): Effects on production performance, whole-body nutrient composition and retention, and intestinal histopathology

Aiming to optimize plant-based diets for largemouth bass (LMB; Micropterus salmoides), a 10-week feeding trial was conducted to evaluate effects of supplemental glycine, prebiotic, and nucleotides in soybean meal (SBM)-based diets formulated to contain 50% SBM, 40% crude protein, and 12% lipid. Four test diets were formulated by supplementing glycine at 2% (GLY), GroBiotic®-A at 2% (GBA), a nucleotide mix at 0.15% (NTMX), or all three test ingredients combined (COMB) to the unsupplemented control diet (CTL). Supplementation replaced wheat flour and aspartate in CTL as needed. The sixth diet (FMR) comprised a SBM-free formulation containing 44% fish meal and served as an standard reference. Each experimental diet was randomly assigned to four groups of twenty feed-trained LMB (6.0 ± 0.1 g/fish) stocked in 24, 110-L glass aquaria operating as a recirculating aquaculture system. Statistical significance was considered at P ≤ 0.05. Upon conclusion of the feeding trial, survival of LMB averaged 98.8% and was unaffected by diet. Final weight ranged from 48.5 to 60.6 g and weight gain from 712 to 913% of initial weight. GLY supported faster growth of LMB than GBA, NTMX and COMB, and was the only SBM-based diet to support growth and feed efficiency similar to FMR. Concentrations of isoleucine, phenylalanine, proline, and valine in LMB were influenced by diet. Lower retention efficiency of protein was observed in COMB- compared to CTL-fed groups, whereas FMR outperformed all SBM-based diets. COMB lowered plasma alkaline phosphatase activity among treatments and, along with NTMX, increased plasma transaminase activity relative to CTL and FMR groups. Liver malondialdehyde increased from CTL to GLY and was higher in all groups fed the SBM-based diets compared to FMR. Highest liver superoxide dismutase activity was observed in fish fed GLY, while glutathione peroxidase activity was unaffected by diet. Histopathological analyses of LMB intestine revealed signs of mild enteritis in all fish. Height of folds in both anterior and posterior intestinal segments increased from CTL to GBA and FMR-fed fish, while the height of enterocytes was unaffected by diet. Based on our results, i) supplemental glycine may improve growth performance of LMB when dietary FM is almost completely replaced and dietary glycine level is reduced by SBM; ii) similar responses of LMB gastrointestinal tract to SBM- and FM-based diets indicate tolerance to the former; iii) additional investigations on the role of supplemental nutrients/additives in optimizing plant-based diets for LMB are recommended.

Effects of a mannan-rich yeast cell wall-derived preparation on cecal concentrations and tissue prevalence of Salmonella Enteritidis in layer chickens.

Salmonella Enteritidis (SE) has been the most common Salmonella serotype associated with foodborne infections in the last several years. Dietary applications of yeast-based preparations in feed have shown to reduce Salmonella colonization in chickens augmenting SE control strategies. This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of a mannan-rich yeast cell wall-derived preparation (Actigen®) administered in feed at a rate of 400 g/ton on SE colonization in the cecum and internal organs of commercial layer chickens. Sixteen week-old layer pullets were orally challenged with a selected nalidixic acid resistant SE strain at a dose of 1.7×10^9 colony forming units (CFU) per bird. SE colonization was assessed by evaluating isolation rates from ovary and pooled liver/spleen samples as well as enumeration of SE in cecal pouches one week post-challenge. Recovery rates of SE from the ovaries of directly challenged birds receiving Actigen® were significantly lower (P <0.02) than those in directly challenged birds fed an unsupplemented control diet. Recovery rates of SE from pooled liver/spleen samples were not significantly different between Actigen®-treated pullets and controls (P = 0.22). Using direct plate count methods, cecal SE concentrations were 1 log10 lower (P <0.001) in challenged pullets in the Actigen®-supplemented group than in the challenged controls. The SE concentration distributions in the ceca were similar in groups testing positive and groups testing negative for SE in the ovaries and liver/spleens tissues. As a result, SE concentrations in the ceca could not be directly related to the occurrence or prevalence of SE in these tissues. In conclusion, Actigen® supplementation appears to decrease the prevalence of SE in ovarian tissue and concentrations of SE in cecal contents and may be useful as a tool for reducing the risk of eggshell contamination and transovarian transmission of SE in eggs.

Dietary bovine lactoferrin enhances defense factors on body surface and anti-parasitic effects against Neobenedenia girellae infection, and mitigates low-salinity stress in amberjack (Seriola dumerili) juveniles

This study investigated the effects of bovine lactoferrin (bLf) on the body surface defense factors, stress response to fresh water exposure, and anti-parasitic effects against Neobenedenia girellae in amberjack (Seriola dumerili) juveniles. In the first trial, amberjack juveniles were fed test diets supplemented with four different levels of bLf (0, 500, 1000, and 2000 mg kg−1) for 4 weeks to determine the appropriate bLf supplement level and feeding duration, and stress responses to short-term fresh water exposure followed by recovery at ambient salinity were also measured. This showed that a diet supplemented with ≥1000 mg bLf kg−1 for 2 weeks improved skin mucus production, non-specific defense factors, and mitigated stress. In the second trial, amberjack juveniles were fed diets supplemented with 0 and 1000 mg bLf kg−1 for 2 weeks and challenged by N. girellae oncomiracidia. It was found that fish that had been fed a diet supplemented with 1000 mg bLf kg−1 had significantly fewer parasites than fish that had been fed the unsupplemented control diet. Together, these results suggest that dietary bLf enhances defense ability the body surface, mitigates low-salinity stress, and enhances anti-parasitic effects against N. girellae oncomiracidia in amberjack juveniles.

Feeding broilers with thyme essential oil loaded in chitosan nanoparticles: an efficient strategy for successful delivery

ABSTRACT1. The use of chitosan nanoparticles (CNPs) for the entrapment of active components has gained considerable interest in food and pharmaceutical industries due to its mucous adhesiveness, non-toxicity, biocompatibility and biodegradability.2. This study aimed to investigate the usefulness of feeding encapsulated thyme essential oil (E-TEO) on performance, blood parameters, immunity and ileal microflora in broilers.3. CNPs were prepared by using ionotropic gelation and structurally characterised by dynamic light scattering; scanning electron microscope and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The encapsulation efficiency percentage of TEO in CNPs and its in vitro release were determined using ultraviolet visible spectroscopy and dialysis method, respectively.4. An in vivo experiment was conducted with five treatments of five replicates with ten chicks per pen. Dietary treatments consisted of an unsupplemented control diet, or supplemented with chlortetracycline (80 and 50 mg/kg during the starter and grower phase, respectively); CNPs (60 mg/kg); TEO (40 mg/kg diet) or E-TEO (60 mg/kg).5. Results showed uniform distribution of nanoparticles with roughly spherical morphology, and the size of particles ranged from 30 to 100 nm. It was observed that 68.3% of TEO was encapsulated into CNPs, from which more than 90% was released within the first 96 h. Birds treated with antibiotic and E-TEO showed significantly (P < 0.05) higher body weight gain than the control and the other treatments were intermediate. Compared to the control group, adding of E-TEO into diet significantly (P < 0.05) improved feed conversion ratio at 42 days of age. Feeding birds with E-TEO significantly (P < 0.05) decreased the number of coliform and total aerobic bacteria compared to other treatments. Birds supplemented with E-TEO showed lower heterophile to lymphocyte ratio compared to birds that received TEO.6. The results suggested that the entrapment of TEO in CNPs and its sustained release promoted broiler performance via the improvement of physiological status and modulating intestinal microbiota and therefore could be used as substitute for antibiotic growth promoter in broiler diets.

A dietary carbohydrase blend improved intestinal barrier function and growth rate in weaned pigs fed higher fiber diets.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of dietary xylanase (X) and a carbohydrase enzyme blend (EB: cellulase, β-glucanase, and xylanase) on nutrient digestibility, intestinal barrier integrity, inflammatory status, and growth performance in weaned piglets fed higher fiber diets. A total of 460 pigs (6.43 ± 0.06 kg BW; F25 × 6.0 Genetiporc) were blocked by initial BW and pens (n = 12 per treatment) were randomly assigned to 1 of 4 dietary treatments. The diets included a higher fiber unsupplemented control diet (CON) and the CON supplemented with 0.01% X, 0.01% EB, or both enzymes, arranged in a 2 × 2 factorial. The diets were based on corn, soybean meal, corn distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS), and wheat middlings. Pigs had 7 d to adapt to the environment and consumed the same commercial diet. Pigs were fed the experimental diets for 28 d with free access to feed and water. Body weight and feed disappearance were recorded weekly. One pig with BW closest to the pen average from each pen was selected and moved to metabolism crates on day 16 and intragastric gavaged a solution of lactulose and mannitol on day 22 followed by 12-h urine collection. Feces were collected from day 23 to 25. Intestinal tissues and mucosal scrapings were collected on day 28. Data were analyzed using PROC MIXED of SAS (9.4). Xylanase, EB, and their interaction were fixed effects and block was a random effect. The EB, but not X, increased pig BW and improved ADG over 28 d (P < 0.05). Neither carbohydrase impacted ADFI, G:F, or apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of DM, GE, or CP. The EB improved ATTD of ADF (32.45 vs. 26.57%; P < 0.01), but had no effect on NDF. Unexpectedly, X reduced ATTD of NDF and ADF (P < 0.01). The EB reduced urinary lactulose:mannitol and increased ileal claudin-3 mRNA abundance (P < 0.05), indicating improved small intestinal barrier integrity. There was a X × EB interaction on ileal secretory immunoglobulin A (sIgA) concentration (P < 0.05); in the absence of X, EB decreased sIgA compared to CON, but this effect disappeared in the presence of X. The EB also reduced ileal IL-22 mRNA abundance (P < 0.05), probably indicating decreased immune activation. In conclusion, EB but not X enhanced growth rate of weaned pigs fed higher fiber diets, which may be partly explained by the improved small intestinal barrier integrity and reduced immune activation, rather than improvement in nutrient digestibility.

Rumen responses to dietary supplementation with cashew nut shell liquid and its cessation in sheep.

Rumen responses to cashew nut shell liquid (CNSL) were evaluated in a feeding study. Four wethers were fed a hay and concentrate diet for 4weeks (pre-CNSL period), and then fed the same diet supplemented with low and high levels of CNSL for 2weeks each (L-CNSL and H-CNSL periods respectively). The diet was then reverted to the unsupplemented control diet for another 2weeks (post-CNSL period). Rumen parameters were monitored in each feeding period. CNSL, regardless of the two levels tested, did not show any adverse effects on total short chain fatty acid concentration and dry matter digestibility in the rumen. Propionate proportion increased in the H-CNSL period, while methane production potential, acetate and butyrate proportions, viscosity, foam formation and its stability, and ammonia concentration decreased. Values of these parameters returned to those in the unsupplemented control period after cessation of CNSL supplementation. Clone library analysis of 16S rRNA genes revealed the following shifts in the H-CNSL period. For bacteria, Firmicutes was frequently detected, while Bacteroidetes and Spirochetes were not. For archaea, Methanobrevibacter wolinii was predominant. These results indicate that CNSL could be a methane inhibitor and propionate enhancer by altering the rumen microbial community.

Responses in the rumen microbiome of Bos taurus and indicus steers fed a low-quality rice straw diet and supplemented protein.

Bos indicus typically perform better than Bos taurus when consuming a low-quality diet; however, the response to supplementation is generally greater in B. taurus. The underlying mechanisms supporting these responses have not been fully elucidated. Characterization of differences in rumen prokaryotic populations and their functional role in the two subspecies may provide additional insight. Ten cannulated steers (5 Angus and 5 Brahman) were used in concurrent 5 × 5 Latin squares. Animals were offered ad libitum access to rice straw (4.7% CP). Treatments consisted of an unsupplemented control diet and two levels (50 or 120 mg N/kg BW) of isonitrogenous supplements (30% CP), that were either high (H; 74%) or low (L; 26%) in undegradable intake protein. Rumen samples were collected at 0 and 4 h postfeeding and separated into liquid and solid fractions. Rumen bacterial taxa were sequenced utilizing a Roche 454 platform based on the 16s rRNA gene. At 97% sequence similarity, 97,826 operational taxonomic units were identified, which included 24 phyla, 108 families, and 255 genera. Analysis included SAS PROC mixed model, QIIME, and PICRUSt. Across all samples, Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes accounted for 65% and 28% of total bacterial abundance, respectively. The families Prevotellaceae (P = 0.05) and Ruminococcaceae (P = 0.004) and the genera Prevotellaceae (family; P = 0.003) within the phyla Bacteroidetes differed significantly in relative abundance with added protein when compared to the control. Consistent differences in the relative abundance of family and genus taxa between B. indicus and B. taurus suggest roles the symbiotic rumen microbiome may have in the capacity of B. indicus to utilize low-quality forage over a range of supplement types and levels including (Prevotella, Ruminococcus [family], Sphingobacteriaceae [family], Bacteroidales [order], Pontibacter, Bacteroides, Succiclasticum, Barnesiella, and Xylanibacter). Overall bacterial community diversity differences across parameters were limited. Rice straw is recalcitrant to bacterial digestion because of high levels of silica in the epidermis making this straw more resistant to bacterial attachment. Thus, this analysis represents the bacterial diversity and function of the rumen under conditions depleted CP, recalcitrant fiber matrix and restricted digestibility which appear to limit the microbial population to those capable of attaching and digesting complexed structural carbohydrates, resulting in reduced plasticity, and more evenness in diversity across parameters.

Moringa oleifera-rich diet and T cell calcium signaling in spontaneously hypertensive rats.

Moringa oleifera is a plant whose fruits, roots and leaves have been advocated for traditional medicinal uses. The physicochemical analysis shows that Moringa oleifera contains more dietary polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) than saturated fatty acids (SFA). The consumption of an experimental diet enriched with Moringa oleifera extracts lowered blood pressure in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR), but not in normotensive Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats as compared to rats fed an unsupplemented control diet. Anti-CD3-stimulated T cell proliferation was diminished in both strains of rats fed the Moringa oleifera. The experimental diet lowered secretion of interleukin-2 in SHR, but not in WKY rats compared with rats fed the control diet. Studies of platelets from patients with primary hypertension and from SHR support the notion that the concentration of intracellular free calcium [Ca(2+)](i) is modified in both clinical and experimental hypertension. We observed that the basal, [Ca(2+)](i) was lower in T cells of SHR than in those of WKY rats fed the control diet. Feeding the diet with Moringa oleifera extracts to WKY rats did not alter basal [Ca(2+)](i) in T cells but increased basal [Ca(2+)](i) in SHR. Our study clearly demonstrated that Moringa oleifera exerts antihypertensive effects by inhibiting the secretion of IL-2 and modulates T cell calcium signaling in hypertensive rats.

Bifidobacterium breve with \u03b1-linolenic acid alters the composition, distribution and transcription factor activity associated with metabolism and absorption of fat

This study focused on the mechanisms that fatty acid conjugating strains - Bifidobacterium breve NCIMB 702258 and Bifidobacterium breve DPC 6330 - influence lipid metabolism when ingested with α-linolenic acid (ALA) enriched diet. Four groups of BALB/c mice received ALA enriched diet (3% (w/w)) either alone or in combination with B. breve NCIMB 702258 or B. breve DPC 6330 (109 CFU/day) or unsupplemented control diet for six weeks. The overall n-3 PUFA score was increased in all groups receiving the ALA enriched diet. Hepatic peroxisomal beta oxidation increased following supplementation of the ALA enriched diet with B. breve (P < 0.05) and so the ability of the strains to produce c9t11 conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) was identified in adipose tissue. Furthermore, a strain specific effect of B. breve NCIMB 702258 was found on the endocannabinoid system (ECS). Liver triglycerides (TAG) were reduced following ALA supplementation, compared with unsupplemented controls (P < 0.01) while intervention with B. breve further reduced liver TAG (P < 0.01), compared with the ALA enriched control. These data indicate that the interactions of the gut microbiota with fatty acid metabolism directly affect host health by modulating n-3 PUFA score and the ECS.

Effect of Mineral Block Supplementation on In Vivo Digestibility and In Vitro Gas Production With Equine Fecal Bacteria

The effects of a mineral block for horses on in vivo digestibility and in vitro fermentability with equine fecal inoculum were evaluated. Fifty healthy horses from three groups (lactating mares n = 19, working horses n = 18, and maintenance horses n = 13) were randomly assigned to two treatment groups (with or without the mineral block; Ca 10.0%, P 12.0%, Zn 12.1 mg/kg, Cu 2,050 mg/kg, Mn 4,050 mg/kg, Se 30 mg/kg, and I 105 mg/kg). Dry matter digestibility was estimated with an internal marker. Samples of diet were incubated with equine fecal bacteria with varying amounts of mineral block (0, 1.1, 3.6, and 6.2 mg/g dry matter [DM]) to record gas production and to estimate in vitro DM digestibility. The results showed that mineral supplementation with the blocks increased in vivo DM digestibility (P < .01) in all groups, but there was an interaction (P < .01) with a greater response in the maintenance horses (55.5% vs. 78.0%) compared to lactating mares (62.8% vs. 79.6%) and working (70.3% vs. 75.1%). Block consumption was lowest in the lactating mares (12.8 g/d), intermediate in the working horses (44.6 g/d), and highest in the maintenance horses (74.2 g/d). The mineral supplementation did not affect the kinetics of gas production but tended (P = .10) to improve the in vitro DM digestibility (37.01% vs. 38.34%). Mineral block supplementation increased dry matter digestibility in horses. The unsupplemented control diet was deficient in several minerals, and block intake was not proportional to the mineral requirements.