Unsupplemented Diet Research Articles

Effect of herbal powder supplementation in protecting histopathological changes associated with Caecal coccidiosis

An experiment was conducted on one day old, 120 broiler chicks to study the effect of madar (Calotropis procera) leaf powder and amprolium supplementation on caecal histology of broiler chicks during coccidiosis. Broiler chicks were divided into five groups (I-V) each with two replicates of 12 chicks. Group I and II were provided unsupplemented diet, Group III was supplemented with 0.125% amprolium, group IV and V were supplemented with 0.2% and 0.4% madar leaf powder supplementation respectively. On 15th day of experiment, groups II, III, IV and V were infected with 50,000 sporulated oocysts containing 80% Eimeria tenella. Histopathological changes were studied on 5th, 10th and 15th days post infection from two birds of each replicate. Histopathological changes were minimum in group III. In madar leaf powder supplemented groups (IV and V) protection from histopathological changes was observed from lesions associated with coccidiosis and effect was concentration dependent.

Effects of dietary probiotic supplementation on growth, rumen development and selected blood metabolites of growing calves

Objective: The present study was carried out to evaluate the effects of probiotic in diets of growing calves on performance, blood metabolites and rumen metabolism parameters. Design: Descriptive study. Animals: Twelve Holstein calves (~151 kg) were divided randomly into three groups of four animals and were reared in clean well-ventilated boxes for 3 months. Procedure: In the treatment groups, probiotic (ANKOR ONE)® contained Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Aspergillus oryzae and Kluyveromyces marxianus was supplemented with concentrate mixture at the rate of 0.5 g/kg and 1 g/kg feed. All the calves were offered diet contained roughage and concentrate separately. Results: The average daily gain of the calves in the control group had significantly lower value (54 kg) as compared to those in the supplemented groups. Furthermore, calves fed unsupplemented diet had significantly the highest fecal score (3 = runny) compared to those fed supplemented diet with probiotic. Supplementation of probiotics in diets of calves did not show any significant differences in the blood glucose, total protein and albumin contents in comparison to those fed unsupplemented diet. Addition of probiotics led to significant higher concentrations of β-hydroxybutyrate and total volatile fatty acids of ruminal fluid in comparison to unsupplemented group. No significant effects for ammonia-N content of ruminal fluid were noted by feeding probiotic-supplemented diet compared to unsupplemented group. Conclusion and clinical relevance: Probiotic supplementation in diets of calves generally improved average daily gain, reduced the incidence of diarrhea and did not adversely affect the levels of blood metabolites indices.

Dietary Inulin Increases Lactiplantibacillus plantarum Strain Lp900 Persistence in Rats Depending on the Dietary-Calcium Level.

Synbiotics are food supplements that combine probiotics and prebiotics to synergistically elicit health benefits in the consumer. Lactiplantibacillus plantarum strains display high survival during transit through the mammalian gastrointestinal tract and were shown to have health-promoting properties. Growth on the fructose polysaccharide inulin is relatively uncommon in L. plantarum, and in this study we describe FosE, a plasmid-encoded β-fructosidase of L. plantarum strain Lp900 which has inulin-hydrolyzing properties. FosE contains an LPxTG-like motif involved in sortase-dependent cell wall anchoring but is also (partially) released in the culture supernatant. In addition, we examined the effect of diet supplementation with inulin on the intestinal persistence of Lp900 in adult male Wistar rats in diets with distinct calcium levels. Inulin supplementation in high-dietary-calcium diets significantly increased the intestinal persistence of L. plantarum Lp900, whereas this effect was not observed upon inulin supplementation of the low-calcium diet. Moreover, intestinal persistence of L. plantarum Lp900 was determined when provided as a probiotic (by itself) or as a synbiotic (i.e., in an inulin suspension) in rats that were fed unsupplemented diets containing the different calcium levels, revealing that the synbiotic administration increased bacterial survival and led to higher abundance of L. plantarum Lp900 in rats, particularly in a low-calcium-diet context. Our findings demonstrate that inulin supplementation can significantly enhance the intestinal delivery of L. plantarum Lp900 but that this effect strongly depends on calcium levels in the diet.IMPORTANCE Synbiotics combine probiotics with prebiotics to synergistically elicit a health benefit in the consumer. Previous studies have shown that prebiotics can selectively stimulate the growth in the intestine of specific bacterial strains. In synbiotic supplementations the prebiotics constituent could increase the intestinal persistence and survival of accompanying probiotic strain(s) and/or modulate the endogenous host microbiota to contribute to the synergistic enhancement of the health-promoting effects of the synbiotic constituents. Our study establishes a profound effect of dietary-calcium-dependent inulin supplementation on the intestinal persistence of inulin-utilizing L. plantarum Lp900 in rats. We also show that in rats on a low-dietary-calcium regime, the survival and intestinal abundance of L. plantarum Lp900 are significantly increased by administering it as an inulin-containing synbiotic. This study demonstrates that prebiotics can enhance the intestinal delivery of specific probiotics and that the prebiotic effect is profoundly influenced by the calcium content of the diet.

Dietary Lactobacillus casei can be used to influence intraepithelial lymphocyte migration and modulate mucosal immunity in chicks

ABSTRACT 1. The role of probiotics in modulating intestinal mucosal immunity in chicks was investigated by measuring migration of intraepithelial lymphocytes (IEL) and cytokine signals in chicks fed on a diet supplemented with the Lactobacillus casei compared with those of chicks fed on an unsupplemented diet. 2. Increased numbers of intraepithelial lymphocytes (IEL) were detected in the ileal epithelium at d 3 and d 7 after feeding a diet containing 108 CFU/g L. casei. 3. Greater expression of chemokine genes for C-C motif chemokine ligand 3, C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 12, C-C motif chemokine receptor 5, and C-C motif chemokine receptor 9 were detected in the ileum on d 3, suggesting a greater number of IEL was associated with lymphocyte migration through the chemokine signalling pathway. 4. After IEL migration, cell proliferation was evident in mucosal epithelial cells on d 14. Evidence of immune responses induced in the ileum from d 3–21 after feeding the diet containing L. casei was shown by the significant (P < 0.05) differences in transforming growth factor-β, secretory immunoglobulin A, interferon-γ, tumour necrosis factor-α, interleukin-4, and interleukin-10. 5. These results indicated that feeding L. casei helps guide IEL migration and modulates intestinal mucosal immunity.

Dietary High Chromium-Methionine Supplementation in Summer-Exposed Finishing Lambs: Impacts on Feed Intake, Growth Performance, and Blood Cells, Antioxidants, and Minerals.

This study aimed to investigate the effect of dietary high doses of chromium-methionine (CrMet) supplementation on blood hemato-biochemical parameters and growth performance of finishing lambs reared under warm condition with average temperature-humidity index (THI) of 85.8 unit. Fifteen male lambs (31.9 ± 1.2 kg) fed with either un-supplemented diet (CON) or supplemented with 1.5 (Cr1.5) and 3 (Cr3) mg of Cr/kg dry matter (DM) for 8 weeks. The results showed that high levels of supplemental Cr had no negative impacts on red (RBC) and white blood cells (WBC). Blood total antioxidant capacity (TAOC) tended to be higher in CrMet-fed lambs than those of CON (P < 0.1). Serum malondialdehyde (MDA), as a lipid peroxidation marker, was, respectively, 20.24 and 22.1%, lower in lambs given 1.5 and 3 mg of chromium comparing those of CON (P < 0.05). Moreover, erythrocyte glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX, U/dL) displayed higher activity in Cr3 (421.2) group than those of CON (334.6) and Cr1.5 (351.2) groups (P < 0.05). Accordingly, GSH-PX activity per gram hemoglobin (U/gHb) was 45.9% greater in lambs of Cr3 than the CON (P < 0.05). Furthermore, feeding 3 mg of Cr led to increased erythrocyte superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity (P < 0.05): as such, SOD was 1193.1, 1281.5, and 1433.0 U/gHb in CON, Cr1.5, and Cr3, respectively. Chromium supplementation linearly decreased serum iron concentration (P < 0.05), but neither blood calcium, phosphorous, copper, zinc, and glucose concentrations nor aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase activities were affected by supplemental CrMet. In comparison with CON (1250), lambs in Cr1.5 (1199) and Cr3 (1192) groups had lower daily feed intake (g/d, P < 0.01). In addition, feed to gain ratio was 21.5% lower in the Cr3 group than the control (P < 0.05). Collectively, these findings suggest that feeding summer-exposed finishing lambs with 3 mg of Cr/kg DM improves blood antioxidant status and feed to gain efficiency without adverse effects on lambs' health and metabolism.

Effect of herbal powder supplementation in protecting histopathological changes associated with caecal coccidiosis

An experiment was conducted on one day old, 120 broiler chicks to study the effect of madar (Calotropis procera) leaf powder and amprolium supplementation on caecal histology of broiler chicks during coccidiosis. Broiler chicks were divided into five groups (I-V) each with two replicates of 12 chicks. Group I and II were provided unsupplemented diet, Group III was supplemented with 0.125% amprolium, group IV and V were supplemented with 0.2% and 0.4% madar leaf powder supplementation respectively. On 15th day of experiment, groups II, III, IV and V were infected with 50,000 sporulated oocysts containing 80% Eimeria tenella. Histopathological changes were studied on 5th, 10th and 15th days post infection from two birds of each replicate. Histopathological changes were minimum in group III. In madar leaf powder supplemented groups (IV and V) protection from histopathological changes was observed from lesions associated with coccidiosis and effect was concentration dependent.

Dietary supranutritional supplementation of selenium-enriched yeast improves feed efficiency and blood antioxidant status of growing lambs reared under warm environmental condition.

The objective of this study was to investigate the impacts of dietary supranutritional supplementation of selenium-yeast (SY) on growth performance, blood cells, antioxidant status, and metabolic profile of lambs. Twenty-one Kermani male lambs (28.5 ± 2.6kg of body weight) were used in a completely randomized design for 8weeks under warm condition with temperature-humidity index (THI) of 81.3 ± 0.37 unit. The lambs were randomly divided into 3 groups given the basal diet either un-supplemented (control group) or supplemented with 0.6 or 1.2mg of Se/kg dry matter (DM) as SY. Average daily Se intake was 0.12, 0.83, and 1.54mg in lambs on control, 0.6mg and 1.2mg of supplemental Se treatments, respectively (P< 0.0001). The results showed that average daily gain tended to be higher in lambs received Se-supplemented diets than those fed the unsupplemented diet (P < 0.1). Feed efficiency improved by SY supplementation, thereby feed to gain ratio (FG) reduced 19 and 17% respectively in lambs fed 0.6 (FG = 6.58) and 1.2 (FG = 6.7) mg of Se/kg DM compared to those of the control (FG = 8.12) (P < 0.05). Feeding 1.2mg of Se to growing lambs not only improved blood total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) as 18.1% and glutathione peroxidase activity (GSH-Px) as 17.6%, but also made 13.1% reduction in serum malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration as a lipid peroxidation marker (P < 0.05). Despite its statistical insignificance (P > 0.05), erythrocyte superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity was also greater in Se-fed groups compared to that of the control. Based on the obtained data, lambs fed 1.2mg of Se/kg DM, had lower serum urea concentration and albumin to globulin ratio than those on unsupplemented diet (P < 0.05). Moreover, increased RBC count was observed in lambs received 0.6mg of supplemental Se (P < 0.05). Selenium-enriched yeast supplementation gave rise to increased blood lymphocyte percentage (P < 0.05). The results also indicated that dietary high Se feeding had no adverse effects on blood metabolites including glucose, total protein, albumin, globulin, liver enzymes, and triglyceride content. In the overall, these findings suggest that Se-enriched yeast is a kind of safe Se source for sheep and its dietary supranutritional supplementation for 8weeks improves feed efficiency of growing lambs. Furthermore, increasing the supplemental Se to 1.2mg/kg of diet promotes lambs' blood antioxidant status without inducing any detrimental impacts on cell metabolism.

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.

CRUDE PROTEIN REQUIREMENTS OF GROWING CHICKENS UNDER NIGERIAN ENVIRONMENT

A FEEDING trial was carried out with Warren cockerels to determine the minimum crude protein requirements of growing chickens (6 - 14 Weeks) under the Nigerian (tropical) environment. Three series of diets with protein levels ranging from 13 to 22 percent were used for this study. The first series consisted of unsupplemented all-plant protein diets, the second and third series were the all-plant protein diets supplemented with methionine or methionine plus fishmeal respectively. Satisfactory growth and feed conversion efficiency were observed with increasing concentration of protein, changes in body weight being similar to the pattern observed with the baby chicks fed the same protein levels (Njike 1978a). Maximum weight gain was achieved by chicks on unsupplemented rations containing 20 and 22 percent protein and on 18 % protein diets supplemented with methionine or methionine plus fish meal. The result clearly showed that there is no advantage in supplementing grower rations with fishmeal; the most economic ration is unsupplemented 18% protein diet The performance of chicks on unsupplemented 18% protein diet or 16% protein diet supplemented with methionine or methionine plus fishmeal are comparable and are protein levels of choice for growing chickens under tropical conditions like Nigeria.

SELENIUM AND VITAMIN E SUPPLEMENTATION OF HIGH N-ALKANE GROWN YEAST IN CHICK DIETS

A total of four experiments have been conducted to evaluate performance of chicks given high (300/kg diet) n-alkane grown yeast diet supplemented with vitamin E and selenium. Four levels (0,10,20,30 mg) of vitamin E were examined in experiment 1 while five levels (0,12.5,15.0,17.5,20mg) were examined in experiment 2. Performance was also measured at four selenium supplementation levels (0, 50,100, 150 µg Se/kg diet) initially and finally at five other (0,100, 125, 150, 175 µg/kg diet) more detailed levels. Supplementation of a 300g/kg yeast diet with 15mg Vitamin E produced significantly (P &lt; 0.05) higher body weight than unsupplemented high yeast diet. Higher levels produced no further growth response. At this level of vitamin E supplementation every level of selenium examined gave significant (P &lt; 0.05) increase in weight but optimum growth response was obtained at 100µg Se/kg yeast diet. There were no significant treatment effects on feed intake at all levels of vitamin E and selenium examined. Nitrogen retention also showed no response at the highest levels (100 - 157µg) of selenium supplementation. The results show that supplementation with appropriate levels of vitamin E and selenium significantly reduced the depression in growth rate caused by high levels of inclusion of n-alkane grown yeast in chick diet.

Mineral profile and dietary mineral supplements on the concentrations of some minerals in the brain regions of pigs.

The nervous system though largely electrical in action is "powered" by its content of minerals which exist in ionic forms in nature and play a major role in neural action, membrane permeability and excitation. 20 grower boars were randomly assigned to two dietary groups of 10 boars each. The first ration was a conventional grower feed without vitamin/mineral premix while the second diet was supplemented with Agricare® premix* and more common salt than the conventional diet. The animals were fed ad libitum and slaughtered at 60kg body weight. The brains were dissected out into six brain parts namely: cerebellum, amygdala, hippocampus, hypothalamus, cerebral cortex and medulla oblongata, and immediately analysed for electrolytes. Calcium in the cerebellum and hypothalamus of mineral-supplemented pigs was significantly higher (P&lt;0.05) than concentrations in the pigs on unsupplemented diets. Calcium concentrations in the other brain regions did not show significant differences. Sodium concentrations were relatively stable in all the brain parts irrespective of dietary mineral supplementation although higher concentrations were recorded in the brain parts of pigs on mineral supplemented diets. However, sodium concentrations were higher in the cerebellum and cerebral cortex of the mineral-supplemented pigs with values of 15.0 mg di and 14.8 mg dt- which are significantly (P&lt;0.05) higher than concentrations of 11.8 mg dr and11.3 mg dr respectively recorded for the pigs on the unsupplemented diet. This study has established a direct link between dietary minerals and salt on the mineral content of the pig brain

Soybean oil supplementation and alfalfa hay inclusion in starter feed of Holstein dairy calves: growth performance, digestibility, ruminal fermentation and urinary purine derivatives

Forty newborn Holstein female calves (BW = 39.9 ± 2.1 kg) were assigned to 1 of 4 treatment groups (each consisting of 10 animals) in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement of supplemental soybean oil [0 vs. 3% soybean oil (SBO) on dry matter basis] and forage level [0 vs. 15% alfalfa hay (AH) on dry matter basis] to evaluate the interaction effect of supplemental fat and forage feeding level in starter feed of dairy calves. Treatments were; (1) neither SBO supplementation nor AH inclusion (NSBO-NAH); (2) SBO supplementation but no AH included (SBO-NAH); (3) no SBO supplementation but AH included (NSBO-AH); and (4) SBO supplementation with AH (SBO-AH). Calves had ad-libitum access to water and starters throughout the study and weaned on day 63 of age but remained in the study until day 73 of age. The results showed that SBO supplementation reduced starter intake, average daily gain (tendency) and faecal consistency compared to un-supplemented diets. The lowest digestibility for neutral detergent fibre and crude protein, as well as the lowest wither height and volatile fatty acid production, were found for SBO-AH diet among experimental treatments. Moreover, the lowest urinary purine derivatives excretion but the highest urinary nitrogen excretion found in SBO-AH diet indicated the lowest nitrogen utilisation efficiency among experimental treatments. In summary, based on the current study condition, because the negative effects of SBO supplementation were exacerbated when AH was incorporated in the starter feed, concurrent feeding of SBO and AH is not recommendable in young calves. HIGHLIGHTS Supplemental soybean oil and alfalfa hay inclusion in starter feed of dairy calves was evaluated. Supplementation of SBO reduced crude protein digestibility and ruminal propionate concentration and caused looser faecal consistency. The inclusion of AH exacerbated the negative effects of SBO supplementation on ruminal fermentation and microbial activity. Concurrent supplementation of SBO and AH inclusion is not recommendable in dairy calves.

Using Lactobacillus Acidophilus in Fish Feed to Improve Disease Resistance and Immune Status of Cultured Nile Tilapia

The probiotic activity of Lactobacillus acidophilus bacteria as a dietary supplement was estimated by its effect on the immune response of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) and its protective effect against challenge infections The present study predestined the effects of different Lactobacillus acidophilus dietary levels as feed supplement on growth performance, biochemical parameters, antioxidant activity and protection of Oreochromis niloticus against Enterococcus faecalis that previously isolated from cultured Oreochromis niloticus from Kafr Elsheikh Governorate fish farms that identified by biochemical tests and API20 E .Six types of bacteria were found, Enterococcus faecalis by 25%, Aeromonas hydrophilla by 20.9%, Pseudomonas.auriginousa. by 18.6% Staphylococcus aureus20..9%., Escherichia coli by11.6% and proteus vulgaris by 2.3% were isolated from 60 apparently healthy and naturally infected Oreochromis niloticus fish collected from Kafr El Sheikh Governorate fish farms . Fish were allotted into 5 groups, 1st and 2nd group fed on basal diet and 3rd ,4th and 5th fed on basal diet supplemented by different levels of dietary Lactobacillus acidophilus 1.5 × 108, 3 × 108 and 6 × 108 CFU /g respectively for 10 weeks. Our results showed that dietary administration of different levels of L. acidophilus improved weight gain rate, relative growth rate, average body weight and feed conversion ratio compared to fish fed unsupplemented diet. Also showed the superior results in biochemical parameters (significant increase (P < 0.05) in lysosomal activity, bactericidal activity, WBCs, antioxidant enzymes activities and significant decrease (P < 0.05) in cholesterol, cortisol and glucose and the appropriate inclusion is 6 × 108 CFU /g. It could be concluded that using Lactobacillus acidophilus good due to their high effective growth promoting, antibacterial and positive impact on innate immunity and antioxidant enzymes activities and had hypocholesteremic and hypoglycemic effect. This study highly recommends the use of Lactobacillus acidophilus as therapeutic agents in dealing with Enterococcus faecalis infection in fish culture. On our study Lactobacillus acidophilus can act as probiotics to improve immune responses ,growth, and fish welfare.

Effect of Supplementing Rice Straw with Pigeon Pea Forage on Rumen and Blood Metabolites of Yankasa Sheep

A study was conducted to determine the effect of supplementing rice straw with pigeon pea forage on rumen and blood metabolites of Yankasa sheep. Sixteen yearling Yankasa ewes were used for the study. A completely randomized design was used with four animals per treatment. A basal rice straw diet was provided ad libitum and pigeon pea forage supplemented at 0.5, 1.0 and 1.5%of the body weight. Rumen and blood samples were collected at 3, 6, 9, 12 and 24 hours post-feeding. Results of the study showed low (1.16-3.81mg/100ml) NH3-N concentration in the unsupplemented ewes. Supplementation at 1 % body weight improved the level of NH3-N concentration to 10.38mg/100ml. Volatile faty acids also increased from 26.33 to 43.33mg/l in 0.0% and 1.0% of body weight pigeon pea forage supplementation. pH variations within treatments remain within acceptable range for rumen microbial activity: There was a uniformly low level of plasma urea nitrogen in the unsupplemented diet across sampling time, supplementing at 1.0% of the body weight had the highest plasma urea nitrogen level with 3 and 6 hours post-feeding being significantly (P&lt;0.05) higher than other sampling time. Levels of packed cell volume and haemoglobin improved from 21.00% and 48% in the supplemented diet to 32.00% and 73% at 1.0% pigeon pea forage supplementation respectively

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.

Safety and Efficacy of l-histidine monohydrochloride monohydrate produced by fermentation using Escherichia coli KCCM 80212 as a feed additive for all animal species.

Following a request from the European Commission, the Panel on Additives and Products or Substances used in Animal Feed (FEEDAP) was asked to deliver a scientific opinion on l‐histidine monohydrochloride (HCl) monohydrate produced by fermentation using Escherichia coli KCCM 80212 when used as a nutritional additive in feed for all animal species. The production strain is genetically modified. The production strain and its recombinant DNA were not detected in the final product. l‐Histidine HCl monohydrate manufactured by fermentation using E. coli KCCM 80212 does not give rise to any safety concern regarding the genetic modification. The use of l‐histidine HCl monohydrate produced by fermentation using E. coli KCCM 80212 is safe for the target species when used as a nutritional additive to supplement the diet in appropriate amounts to cover the requirements, depending on the species, the physiological state of the animal, the performance level, the environmental conditions, the background amino acid composition of the unsupplemented diet and the status of some essential trace elements such as copper and zinc. l‐Histidine HCl monohydrate produced using E. coli KCCM 80212 supplemented at levels appropriate for the requirements of the target species is considered safe for the consumer. l‐Histidine HCl monohydrate produced by E. coli KCCM 80212 is a skin sensitiser. There is a risk for persons handling the additive from the exposure to endotoxins by inhalation. The additive under assessment is not irritant to skin or eyes. The use of l‐histidine HCl monohydrate produced using E. coli KCCM 80212 in animal nutrition is not expected to represent a risk to the environment. l‐Histidine HCl monohydrate is considered an efficacious source of the essential amino acid l‐histidine for non‐ruminant animal species. For the supplemental l‐histidine to be as efficacious in ruminants as in non‐ruminant species, it would require protection against degradation in the rumen.

Lactobacillus plantarum enhances immunity of Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus challenged with Edwardsiella tarda

Edwardsiella tarda is a bacterial fish pathogen associated with high mortality in aquaculture. Lactobacillus plantarum, which is a probiotic with immunomodulatory properties, was used to improve the disease resistant in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). One hundred twenty O. niloticus (60 ± 5 g live body weight) were divided into four groups; the first (control) was fed on an unsupplemented diet, the second and the third group were fed on a diet supplemented with L. plantarum (1012 bacterial cells/kg feed) for two weeks (G1) and four weeks (G2), and the fourth group (G3) was fed on a diet supplemented with antibiotic florfenicol for ten days. Haemogram, liver enzymes (AST, ALT and ALP levels), hepatic antioxidant enzymes (GPx and CAT) and serum creatinine were measured to assess the impacts of the additives on the health status of fish. The level of gene expressions of interleukin beta 1 (IL-1β), tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α and IL-10 was measured after supplementation and challenge tests. Fish were challenged with the obtained median lethal dose (LD50) of E. tarda (2.54 × 106 CFU/ml). O. niloticus fed on supplemented diets with L. plantarum G1 and G2 showed significantly enhanced immune status even after fourteen days of the experimental infection with E. tarda; however, florfenicol treatment G3 (mortality 20%) had exhibited lower MR% compared with L. plantarum groups (mortality 43.3% for both) and the control (mortality 60%). L. plantarum could protect O. niloticus against E. tarda infection compared to the control with a significant enhancement of fish health that helps in the restoration of normal physiological status.

Exogenous xylanase improves broiler production efficiency by increasing proximal small intestine digestion of crude protein and starch in wheat-based diets of various viscosities

Changes in small intestine digestion kinetics and early enzymatic hydrolysis in the crop attributable to xylanase supplementation has not previously been thoroughly studied in relation to animal performance. The current paper reports the effects on broiler performance of a commercial mono-component GH11 xylanase added to normal and high viscous wheat-based broiler diets with emphasis on the site of early enzymatic hydrolysis as indicated by nutrient digestibility kinetics, and visual cereal cell wall degradation.The study was conducted using 2850 1-day old male Ross 308 broilers, allocated to 5 dietary treatments: (1) positive control, an optimized diet based on wheat, soy and corn; (2) negative control; (3) negative control of high viscosity; (4) negative control supplemented with xylanase; (5) negative control of high viscosity supplemented with xylanase. Both negative control and negative control high viscosity diets were reduced in apparent metabolizable energy (starter 3.3 %, grower 7.0 % and finisher 8.5 %) as well as digestible amino acids compared to the positive control, achieved by substituting corn for rye and wheat-coproducts. The xylanase was supplemented at 150 FXU/kg to treatment 4 and 5. Each treatment was fed ad lib to 19 replicated pens of 30 birds. The BW, feed intake (FI) and FCR were measured from d0−35 and intestinal viscosity and nutrient digestibility on d28. Statistical comparisons were performed using a mixed model. All negative controls had higher FI than the positive control regardless of xylanase supplementation. The negative control with high viscosity supplemented with xylanase had an increased BW at d35 compared to all other treatments. The xylanase improved d35 FCR compared to the unsupplemented diets resulting in a European efficiency factor similar to the positive control. Microscopy of digesta samples helped visualize that the exogenous enzymatic degradation of the cereal cell wall components commenced already in the crop and increased throughout the intestinal tract. This was accompanied by reduced jejunal and ileal digesta viscosity for the xylanase supplemented treatments. Depending on diet, the xylanase improved jejunal, but not ileal, digestibility of several nutrients including starch and protein. In conclusion, it is suggested that improved growth performance is caused by an array of multifactorial effects such as viscosity reduction, cell wall degradation and changes in the intestinal site of digestion. The current results display the potential of using xylanase in diets containing what is generally considered as lower quality arabinoxylan rich feedstuffs.

Lactobacillus plantarum Shinshu N-07 isolated from fermented Brassica rapa L. attenuates visceral fat accumulation induced by high-fat diet in mice

Lactobacillus plantarum Shinshu N-07 (N07) and Lactobacillus curvatus #4G2 (#4G2) were isolated from fermented Brassica rapa L. and selected as promising probiotics with anti-adiposity activities based on in vitro assays. The anti-adiposity effects of these two strains were investigated using a diet-induced obesity animal model. Epididymal adipose tissue weight and adipocyte area were significantly lower and serum triglycerides and glucose tended to be lower in mice fed the high-fat diet supplemented with N07 compared with those fed the unsupplemented high-fat diet. Strain N07 suppressed hepatic steatosis, with accompanying downregulation of lipogenic genes in the liver. Expression of inflammatory cytokines and macrophage infiltration markers tended to be suppressed by N07 supplementation. Upregulation of uncoupling protein-1 in epididymal adipose tissue by N07 suggested that the transformation of white adipose tissue to brown might have been induced. Intestinal microbiota analysis revealed that a decrease in abundance of family S24-7 (phylum Bacteroidetes) following ingestion of the high-fat diet was partly recovered by supplementation with N07. Changes in those parameters were not observed in mice fed the high-fat diet supplemented with strain #4G2, suggesting strain specificities. Thus, N07 is a potential probiotic strain that could be used to develop functional foods that attenuate visceral fat accumulation after an appropriate human intervention trial.

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.