Growth Performance Variables Research Articles

Heterotrophic and mature biofloc systems in the integrated culture of Pacific white shrimp and Nile tilapia

This study evaluated the effects of heterotrophic and mature biofloc systems on yield, water quality, sludge production, water bacterial community, recovery of nutrients and fish health in Litopenaeus vannamei and Oreochromis niloticus integrated culture through a 53-day experiment. Two treatments were evaluated: an organic carbon (C) supplemented system (heterotrophic treatment), in which organic C was supplemented throughout the whole experiment and no biofloc inoculum was added at the beginning, and a mature treatment in which half of the volume of shrimp units was filled with biofloc-rich water from a previous rearing cycle before the culture started. Shrimp (3.34 ± 0.03 g) and fish (5.73 ± 0.06 g) were stocked at 300 shrimp m−3 and 344 fish m−3. The former were fed according to a feeding table, while the latter were fed at the rate of 1% of their biomass to stimulate the ingestion of bioflocs. Shrimp growth performance was unaffected (p > .05), but fish reared in the heterotrophic treatment exhibited better values for all growth performance variables evaluated (p < .05). Total ammonia nitrogen and nitrite were lower in the mature treatment (p < .05). Total sludge produced in the heterotrophic treatment was 114% higher than that in the mature treatment (p < .05), which resulted in greater sludge produced per animal biomass (sludge to biomass ratio) (p < .05). Bacterial community diversity was reduced in the heterotrophic treatment, and relative abundance of Vibrionaceae was reduced. The recovery of N and P was higher in the heterotrophic treatment (p < .05). Fish health was unaffected by the biofloc system. This research shows that the organic C supplemented system favored fish growth in the integrated rearing, maintaining water quality suitable for growing organisms and healthy fish. In contrast, the mature system produced less sludge.

Immune modulation, growth performance, and nutrient retention in broiler chickens fed a blend of phytogenic feed additives.

This study aimed to assess the effect of a commercial blend of phytogenic feed additives (PA), comprising 5% carvacrol, 3% cinnamaldehyde, and 2% capsicum oleoresin on the modulation of immune biomarkers of broiler chickens, their growth performance, dietary energy, and nutrient retention. Four-hundred day-old birds were assigned to one of four dietary treatments. Two control diets based on either wheat (WC) or maize (MC) were each given with and without PA at 100g/t. Growth performance variables including feed intake (FI), weight gain (WG), and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were recorded. Dietary N-corrected apparent metabolizable energy (MEn), dry matter (DMR), nitrogen (NR), and fat retention (FR) coefficients were also determined. Gene expression of immune biomarkers (cytokines) were determined in caecal tonsil tissue from 21 d old birds. Expression of IL2, IL18, IL10, and IL17C in the caecal tonsils were upregulated (P < 0.05) in the birds fed MC-based diets compared to the WC fed birds. Feeding PA supplemented diets downregulated the expression of CD40LG (P < 0.001), IFNG, and IL6 (P < 0.05). There was a cereal type × PA interaction (P < 0.05), as expression of IFNB was downregulated in the birds fed PA supplemented MC but not WC. However, expression of IL12B was downregulated in birds fed PA supplemented WC but there was no significant (P > 0.05) change in expression levels in birds fed MC diets. Feeding MC diets gave greater FI (P < 0.001) and ME (P < 0.05), but lower FCR (P < 0.05) compared to birds fed WC diets. The WG and nutrient retention coefficients were not affected (P > 0.05) by cereal type. Supplementary PA improved FI (P < 0.05), WG (P < 0.001), FCR (P < 0.05), MEn (P < 0.05), MEn: GE ratio (P < 0.05), and FR (P < 0.05). In conclusion, dietary inclusion of PA improved overall growth performance variables, energy, and nutrient retention and intestinal cytokine expression.

INCLUSION OF MESQUITE POD MEAL (&lt;i&gt;Prosopis juliflora&lt;/i&gt;) IN DIETS FOR NILE TILAPIA (&lt;i&gt;Oreochromis niloticus&lt;/i&gt;) JUVENILES

Alternative feeds are used to include or replace conventional ingredients in fish diets to generate regional socioeconomic sustainability and maintain the growth performance of fish. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of mesquite pod meal (MPM) in extruded diets for Nile tilapia juveniles fed graded levels of inclusion (26, 32, 38, 44, and 50%). Growth performance variables of plasma metabolites, enzymatic activities and haematological parameters were evaluated. Fish were fed at 6% of biomass for 45 days. Four-hundred Nile tilapias juveniles (11.5 ± 0.18 g) were distributed into twenty-500L aquaria in recirculation system. Significant differences of treatments on performance parameters, feed conversion ratio and survival were observed. Among the metabolic parameters, glycemia was altered (P &lt;0.05). The activities of digestive and transamination enzymes were not influenced (P&gt;0.05) by the inclusion of MPM. Hematological variables did not change (P&gt;0.05). It was concluded that MPM can be included up to 38.67% in diets for Nile tilapia juveniles without impairing performance, metabolism, enzymatic activities and health.&#x0D;

Effects of Moringa oleifera extracts and monensin on performance of growing rabbits

This study was designed to assess the effects of Moringa oleifera (moringa) leaf ethanolic extract (MLEE), moringa root ethanolic extract (MREE), and ionophore antibiotic monensin on growth performance, hematological variables, blood plasma metabolites and antioxidant indicators, digestibility, and cecal fermentation of growing rabbits. A total of 96 growing rabbits weaned at 35 d of age were randomly assigned to 4 treatments with 12 male and 12 female rabbits/treatment. The first treatment was the control (no additives), the second treatment was a basal diet containing 10 mg monensin/kg dry matter (DM), and the third and fourth treatments were MLEE and MREE, respectively, at concentration of 250 mg/L drinking water. From 35 to 77 d of age, the rabbits were housed in groups (8 cages/treatment, 3 rabbits/cage), and growth performance variables including body weight (BW), feed consumption, BW gain, and feed conversion ratio were recorded. From 78 to 93 d of age, after the end of the growth performance trial, the rabbits were housed individually. At 87 d of age, blood samples were collected from 10 rabbits (5 males and 5 females) that were selected randomly to determine hematological variables and blood plasma metabolites and antioxidant indicators. From 87 to 93 d of age, 8 male rabbits/treatment were selected randomly to determine digestibility, N balance, and cecal fermentation activity. The major chemical compounds in MLEE were α-linolenic acid, glycerine, ascorbic acid, and diethyl phthalate, whereas ascorbic acid, S-phenylmercapturic acid, 2-myristynoyl pantetheine, and 8,11,14-docosatrienoic acid, methyl ester were major compounds in MREE. Both the MLEE and MREE treatments improved (P < 0.05) final BW and overall feed conversion ratios compared to the monensin and control treatments. From d 64 to 77 of age, the monensin treatment decreased (P < 0.05) feed consumption compared to the other treatments. None of the treatments affected hematological variables, but the monensin, MLEE, and MREE treatments increased (P < 0.05) plasma albumin concentration. The monensin and MREE treatments decreased (P < 0.05) plasma globulin concentration compared to the MLEE and control treatments. Compared to the control, the monensin, MLEE, and MREE treatments increased (P < 0.05) plasma total antioxidant capacity by 66.17% but decreased (P < 0.05) both the plasma malondialdehyde concentration by 24.96% and reduced glutathione activity by 25.96%. The MLEE treatment increased (P < 0.05) the apparent digestibility of acid detergent fiber (6.49%) and hemicellulose (13.53%) compared to the other treatments. The MLEE and MREE treatments increased (P < 0.05) apparent cellulose digestibility and body N retention compared to the monensin and control treatments. The lowest (P < 0.05) cecal total volatile fatty acid concentration was observed with the monensin treatment, while the greatest (P < 0.05) was with the MLEE treatment. Compared to the control, the monensin and MLEE treatments decreased the molar proportions of butyrate (72.20 and 31.10%, respectively; P < 0.05) and increased the molar proportions of propionate (140.70 and 67.80%, respectively; P < 0.05). In conclusion, MLEE or MREE could be used at concentration of 250 mg/L drinking water to promote growth of weaned rabbits.

Effect of commercial guar meal (CGM) on the performance and nutrient utilization in broilers

A biological trial was undertaken to study the effect of inclusion of graded levels of commercial guar meal (CGM) in diet on the performance and nutrient digestibility in commercial broiler chickens. A total of 350 oneday- old broiler male chicks (Cobb 400) were reared on wire floor electrically heated battery brooders. The chicks were randomly divided into 7 groups. Each treatment had 10 replicates of 5 chicks each. All the groups received iso-nitrogenous and iso-caloric diets. First group was fed maize-SBM; 2nd, 3rd and 4th groups were fed control diet during pre-starter phase (1–14 days), later (starter and finisher phase) CGM was incorporated at 6, 12 and 18% respectively, replacing SBM. In rest 3 groups (5th, 6th and 7th), CGM was incorporated at 6% during pre-starter phase followed by (starter and finisher phase) incorporation of CGM at 6, 12 and 18% respectively. The results showed that body weight gain (BWG) was significantly better at 6% CGM inclusion and depressed at 12 and 18% CGM. There was no significant effect of non-inclusion of CGM in juvenile phase on BWG; though feed intake did not differ significantly by CGM inclusion but FCR was significantly higher at all inclusion levels of CGM (6, 12 and 18%). The slaughter parameters, nutrient digestibility, serum parameters did not differ significantly. It can be concluded that CGM could be incorporated up to 6% (60 g/kg diet) in broiler diets without affecting growth performance, nutrient utilization and slaughter variables.

Optimisation and investigations into the effect of a phosphorylated tocopherol mixture on growth performance, meat quality and plasma inflammatory biomarkers in broilers

This study investigated the effect of a novel phosphorylated tocopherol mixture (TPM) on the growth performance, nutrient digestibility, meat quality, and blood plasma markers of inflammation in broilers reared in normal temperatures (NT) or cyclical high temperatures (CHT). TPM has previously been shown to increase the oral bioavailability of lipid soluble nutrients. Following a preliminary dose optimisation study, three hundred and sixty Ross 308 day old broilers were housed in groups of 5 in cages (n = 12). Treatments were arranged in a factorial design encompassing 3 dietary TPM levels and ± CHT. From day of placement until d 35, broilers were assigned to 1 of 3 vitamin E-adequate, wheat and soybean meal-based diets containing TPM at 0 (Control), 10 or 20 mg/kg diet. From 21-35 d of age, birds were exposed to either normal temperatures (NT; 22 ± 1 °C; 60% RH) or cyclical high temperature (CHT; 32 ± 1 °C; 8 h; 80–90% RH and 16 h at 22 ± 1 °C; 60% RH). Implementing CHT negatively impacted feed intake (FI), body weight (BW) gain, feed conversion ratio (FCR) and final BW (d 35), apparent ileal digestibility (AID) and shear force of cooked breast muscle. Under both NT and CHT regimes, the TPM 10 group had improved BW gain (d 0-35), FCR (d 0-21) and final BW (d 35) when compared with Control diet groups containing TPM at 0. There was an interaction between diet and temperature regime on AID. The TPM 20 + CHT group had decreased AID of nitrogen (N) and gross energy (GE) when compared with the TPM 20 + NT group. However, there was no effect of the Control or TPM 10 on AID under either temperature regime. Breast muscle from CHT birds had increased temperature and shear force when cooked, and decreased pH and drip loss when compared with NT birds. The TPM 10 group tended to have lower drip loss (P = 0.057) under both temperature regimes when compared with the Control group. Implementing CHT increased the plasma concentration of select cytokines and chemokines (INFγ, IL-6, IL-10, IL-16, IL-21 and CCL5) when compared with the NT treatment. Birds offered the TPM 10 diets had numerically lower concentrations of all plasma chemokines and cytokines when compared with the Control diets. In summary, CHT depressed performance and nutrient digestibility and negatively impacted breast muscle quality. The TPM 10 treatment improved growth performance variables under both NT and CHT regimes and tended to reduce muscle drip loss.

Effects of dietary inclusion of commercial toxin binders and prebiotics on performance and immune responses of broiler chicks fed aflatoxin-contaminated diets

This study aimed to evaluate the efficiency of the dietary inclusion of commercial toxin binders (CTs) and prebiotics on growth performance, immune responses, intestinal morphology and blood variables of broiler chicks fed with aflatoxin and non-aflatoxin-contaminated diets. Six hundred one-day-old male Ross 308 broiler chicks, initial weight of 42 ± 3 g, were used in 10 treatments with six replications (n = 10 birds). ASRI1 and ASRI2 commercial toxin binders and lactose prebiotic were included in their diets. Experimental diets included: 1) basal diet without aflatoxin and additives (NC); 2) basal diet containing aflatoxin (PC); 3) NC diet containing ARSI1; 4) NC diet containing ARSI2; 5) NC diet containing prebiotics; 6) PC diet containing ARSI1; 7) PC diet containing ARSI2; 8) PC diet containing prebiotics; 9) PC diet containing ARSI1+prebiotics; and 10) PC diet containing ARSI2+prebiotics. Growth performance, humoral and cellular immune responses, jejunal morphology and some blood variables were assessed. Results showed that broiler chicks fed with a PC diet showed a higher feed conversion ratio and lower body weight in the grower and finisher periods. Broiler chicks fed with PC diets showed lower immunoglobulin G and M and also cellular immunities compared to the NC diet. The PC group also showed lower values for villus length, villus width and crypt depth, and higher values for liver enzyme activities compared to the PC diet. However, dietary inclusion of prebiotics and CTs, in single and combined form, improved growth performance in grower and finisher periods, cellular and humoral immunities, intestinal morphology and the serum concentration of triglycerides, cholesterol, glucose and liver enzyme activities of broiler chicks fed with aflatoxin. Keywords: Aflatoxin, ASRI1 toxin binder, broiler chicks, growth performance, humoral immunity

Evaluation of reduced amino acids diets added with protected protease on productive performance in 25-100 kg barrows

The objective of this research was to evaluate the effect of adding protected protease to low-amino acids (AA) diets on the growth performance of barrows. Three decreasing levels of AA (protein levels), with or without the addition of protease were fed to 48 hybrid barrows (27.42±3.48 kg initial body weight). The experimental design was a completely randomised with a factorial arrangement of treatments. An analysis of variance was performed with GLM of SAS and the means comparison was performed with Tukey test ( P ≤0.05). The productive performance was not affected by addition of proteases in the diet at the three stages ( P >0.05). Only in growing barrows, the interaction of standard protein diet and protease reduced backfat thickness ( P ≤0.05). Protein level in finishing I barrows did not affect ( P >0.05) growth performance variables. Low-protein diets increased ( P ≤0.05) average daily gain, final body weight and fat-free lean gain in growing and finishing II barrows. Concentration of urea in plasma decreased with the reduction of CP and increased with the addition of protease ( P ≤0.05) at the three stages. In conclusion, low protein diets improved or maintained growth performance variables and reduced the plasma urea nitrogen, whereas supplementation with protease did not show any effect on productive performance.

Evaluation of monensin, yeast and glucogenic precursor on growth performance, ruminal fermentation and digestive kinetics of feedlot steers

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of supplementation of monensin, yeast and glucogenic precursors on growth performance and digestive characteristics of feedlot beef cattle. The treatments evaluated were: control, monensin (40 mg/kg DM), S. cerevisiae (10 g/a/d) and a mix of 1,2-propanediol and calcium propionate as glucogenic precursors (20 g/a/d) as D1, D2, D3 and D4, respectively. In trial 1, eighty steers (261±8 kg) were evaluated for 120d for growth performance variables. Thus, supplementation increased the average daily gain, feed efficiency and final weight (P less than 0.05). In Trial 2, four steers (260±5 kg) were used to evaluate ruminal fermentation and total digestive parameters. The ruminal propionate concentrations and the flow of nitrogen to duodenum increased with supplementation (P less than 0.05) whereas the ruminal digestion of nitrogen decreased with supplementation (P less than 0.05). It is concluded that productive parameters and propionate production are higher when supplementing with 10 g/a/d of S. cerevisiae and 20 g/a/d of the glucogenic precursor which presented a lower ruminal protein degradation.

Feeding dihydroquercetin to broiler chickens

ABSTRACT 1. A total of 80 male Ross 308 broilers were used in a study to investigate the effect of dietary dihydroquercetin (DHQ) on growth performance variables, gastrointestinal tract (GIT) and immune organ development, glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and haemoglobin in blood, hepatic vitamin E content, dietary N-corrected metabolisable energy (AMEn) and nutrient retention coefficients when fed to broiler chickens from 7 to 35 d of age. 2. Two treatments were used in this study: control (C) and C + 0.5 g/kg extract of Siberian Larch (Larix sibirica) per kg feed, containing 85% DHQ. The diets were fed over 2 feeding phases, a grower phase from 7 to 28 d of age and a finisher phase from 28 to 35 d of age. The birds were reared under the breeder’s recommended conditions. 3. In general, there were no effects of DHQ on growth performance of broiler chickens. However, the results of this experiment showed that there can be changes in the redness colour of the breast meat when DQH is fed. No negative effects of feeding DHQ at 0.5 g/kg diet were observed in this study. 4. Supplementation of poultry diets with DHQ under standard industry-rearing conditions did not improve the performance or any of the studied variables, except an increase of redness index of the breast fillets. Feeding DHQ at different doses and/or under more challenging conditions, e.g. heat stress, may, however, bring positive responses.

Response to dietary methionine supply of growing pigs fed daily tailored diets or fed according to a conventional phase feeding system

There is a large variation in nutrient requirements among pigs, and, therefore, feeding pigs individually with diets tailored daily or in groups with a single feed may require different nutrients inclusion rates. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of the Met inclusion rate on growth performance, carcass quality, and nutrition health variables of growing pigs fed within an individual precision feeding (IPF) or a conventional phase feeding (CPF) system. Sixty barrows weighing 25–50 kg of body weight of the same high-performance genotype were used. A 2 × 3 factorial arrangement of treatments with 2 main factors: (1) 2 feeding systems (IPF or CPF system), and (2) 3 Met inclusion rates (70, 100 or 130% of the ideal protein ratio of 0.30 Met:Lys) was used in a complete randomized design. Final body weight, average daily weight gain, feed efficiency, Met, and Cys intake, and loin depth were lower (P = 0.01) for IPF compared with CPF. Average daily gain increased linearly (P < 0.01) with increasing Met inclusion rates for IPF and it had no effect for CPF pigs. Average daily feed intake and backfat thickness were not different between feeding systems, yet both tended to increase linearly (P = 0.08) with the increase of Met inclusion rates. Lysine intake was lower (P < 0.01) in IPF compared with CPF pigs but Lys tended to increase quadratically (P = 0.06) with increasing Met inclusion rates for both systems. Plasma urea N was lower, and creatinine was higher in IPF pigs than in CPF pigs (P = 0.01), and both linearly increased (P = 0.01) with increasing Met inclusion rates. Alanine aminotransferase was higher (P = 0.02) in IPF than in CPF pigs, and remained unchanged with the increase of Met inclusion rate. Total plasma protein, triglycerides, and C-reactive protein did not differ between feeding systems neither among Met inclusion rates. These results indicate that Met to Lys ratio is underestimated for pigs fed with diets tailored daily, and the ideal protein profile might differ when pigs are fed in an IPF system or in a CPF system.

Microbial insight into dietary protein source affects intestinal function of pigs with intrauterine growth retardation.

Dietary protein, as important macronutrient, is vital for intestinal function and health status. We aimed to determine the effects of dietary protein source on growth performance and intestinal function of neonates with intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) in a pig model. Eighteen pairs of IUGR and normal birth weight (NBW) weaned pigs were allotted to be fed starter diet containing soybean protein concentrate (SPC) or spray-dried porcine plasma (SDPP) for 2weeks. Growth performance, antioxidant variables, intestinal morphology and absorption capability, microbiota composition and short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) were assessed. IUGR led to poor growth performance, absorption capability and changes on antioxidant variables, while SDPP diet improved the growth performance, diarrhea index, intestinal morphology and antioxidant variables of IUGR or NBW pigs relative to that fed SPC diet. Importantly, SDPP diet improved bacterial diversity and increased the abundance of phylum Firmicutes, but decreased the phylum Proteobacteria in colonic digesta, associating with higher genera Lactobacillus and lower genera Escherichia-Shigella, linking to the increased concentration of SCFA. Our findings indicate that IUGR impairs the growth rate, intestinal function and oxidative status of weaned pigs, which could be partly improved by SDPP diet either for IUGR or NBW pigs, associating with the better antioxidant capability, composition of microbiotas and their metabolites.

Nutritional impacts of dietary oregano and Enviva essential oils on the performance, gut microbiota and blood biochemicals of growing ducks

Nowadays, there is much legislation in the world devoted to restrict the use of synthetic antibiotics in the poultry industry, which could reduce performance rate and production profits. Various phyto-biotic growth promoters have been proposed to serve as antibiotic alternatives with emphasis on plant extracts and essential oils. This study was conducted to assess the impacts of using the oregano essential oil (OEO) (comprised of 5% thymol and 65% carvacrol) and Enviva essential oil (EEO) (4.5% cinnamaldehyde and 13.5% thymol) as phytobiotic feed additives (PFA) on growth performance, cecal microbiota and serum biochemicals of growing ducks. In total, 800 11-day-old ducklings, housed in 20 floor pens, were allotted randomly into five dietary treatments: (i) A basal diet (BD) (control), (ii.) BD+50 mg EEO/kg, (iii.) BD+100 mg EEO/kg, (iv.) BD+150 mg OEO/kg and (v.) BD+300 mg OEO/kg diet. The growth performance traits were studied between 11 and 42 days of age. At the experiment end, 40 ducks were slaughtered (eight/ treatment) and cecal digesta and blood samples were collected to estimate the cecal bacterial populations and serum blood biochemicals. The results indicated that the tested levels of OEO and EEO did not display any significant effect (P>0.05) on the duck’s final BW, BW gain, growth rate, feed intake, feed conversion ratio or survivability rate. Besides, the different levels of EEO and OEO decreased the cecal populations of Coliforms (P<0.01), total aerobes (P<0.01) and lactose-negative Enterobacteria (P<0.05) in comparison with those of the control group. Finally, the tested EEO and OEO levels did not show any significant effect on the serum variables; in terms of total protein, albumin, globulin, total cholesterol, triglycerides, alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase. In conclusion, the antimicrobial effect of the OEO and EEO against the cecal microbiota has been proven, while they did not display significant effects on the growth performance or blood variables of growing ducks.

Nellore bulls in Brazilian feedlots can be safely adapted to high-concentrate diets using 14-day restriction and step-up protocols

In the present study, the effects of restricted intake of the final finishing diet as a means of dietary adaptation compared with diets increasing in concentrate content (step-up) over periods of 14 and 21 days on growth performance, carcass characteristics, feeding behaviour and rumen morphometrics of Nellore cattle were evaluated. One hundred and twenty 20 months old Nellore bulls (initial BW = 372.2 kg, s.d. = 21.5 kg) were randomly allocated in 24 pens (n = 5 per pen) and fed for 84 days. The study had a completely randomised design with a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement: adaptation using both 14-day and 21-day step-up and restriction protocols. Each treatment was replicated 6 times. One bull per pen was slaughtered (n = 24) at the end of adaptation period to evaluate rumen morphometrics. The remaining bulls (n = 96) were slaughtered at the end of experimental period. Interactions were observed (P &amp;lt; 0.05) for growth performance, feeding behaviour and rumen morphometrics variables. Overall, no protocol or adaptation length main effect (P &amp;gt; 0.05) was observed for any of the growth rate and carcass traits evaluated, except for hot carcass weight (P = 0.03) and dressing percentage (P = 0.04), where bulls adapted for 14 days had heavier carcasses and increased dressing percentage when compared with cattle adapted for 21 days. Cattle adapted for 21 days had a larger (P = 0.005) rumen wall absorptive surface area at the end of adaptation period than those adapted for 14 days; however, no differences were detected at the end of finishing period. Thus, Nellore yearling bulls could be adapted for 14 days regardless of the protocol.

Beneficial impacts of bee pollen in animal production, reproduction and health.

Bee pollen (BP) is one of the most useful therapeutic products favoured by natural medicine scientists because of its possible nutritional and medical applications. It exhibits many impacts such as antimicrobial, immunostimulating, antioxidants and hepatoprotective. Furthermore, BP has some useful therapeutic features in numerous pathological situations such as its impact to normalize wound healing. Based on previous literatures, the level of BP supplement in livestock and poultry ranged from 0.1 to 20g/kg diet. This variation depends on the species, physiological status, age and purpose of addition; so far generally, it accepted to use the level with no side effects. It has been observed that BP enhanced growth performance, immunity responses and blood variables and had hypoglycaemic activity by reducing the lipid in the blood and carcass. Also, BP contains more nutrients, which stimulate faster differentiation and proliferation of the cells of immune system of birds. Therefore, the present review recommends that BP supplementation (up to 20g/kg diet) had possible beneficial impacts, antioxidants and protective activities on most of the production, productive and health patterns of livestock.

Growth and biochemical variables in Amazon catfish ( Pseudoplatystoma reticulatum ♀ x Leiarius marmoratus ♂) under different water pH.

Although fish may live in different aquatic environments, variations in the water quality parameters, mainly pH, may have a substantial impact in their development and welfare. The objective of this study was to test the effect of different pH levels on the growth performance and biochemical variables in Amazon catfish juveniles (Pseudoplatystoma reticulatum x Leiarius marmoratus). Fish were subjected to four different water pH levels (4.56, 6.0, 7.24, and 8.90) for 40 days. The total ammonia and alkalinity were higher and lower, respectively, in the treatments with water pHs 4.56 and 6.00 than at the other water pH levels. The un-ionized ammonia was higher at water pH 8.90 than at the other water pH levels. Amazon catfish exposed to water pH 4.56 presented specific growth rate and weight gain significantly higher than other water pH values. In general, fish under exposure to water pH 8.90 presented lower growth performance than other water pH values. Biochemical changes were recorded at all water pH. In conclusion, water pH 4.56 is recommended for an Amazon catfish production system, since fish presented higher growth and water quality variables were kept within adequate limits for aquaculture.

Temperament effects on performance and adaptability of Nellore young bulls to the feedlot environment

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of temperament on cattle performance and adaptability to the feedlot environment, when kept under three space allowances (6, 12 and 24 m2/animal). Temperament of 1,350 Nellore young bulls (pure and crossbred) were assessed by the flight speed (FS) test on days 0 (FS0), 35 (FS35) and 87 (FSfin) in the feedlot, and the differences between FSfin and FS0 (ΔFS) were calculated. Three classes of flight speed were defined (calm, intermediate and reactive) for FS0 (FSC0) and FSfin (FSCfin). Performance was assessed by recording body weights on days 0, 35 and 87 (BW0, BW35 and BWfin, respectively), average daily gains between days 0 and 35, and 0 and 87 (ADG0-35 and ADG0-fin, respectively), and hot carcass weight (HCW). Adrenal glands of a subset of 270 animals were collected to measure their weight (WEIGHT), and cortical (COA) and medullary (MEA) areas. Spearman's coefficients of correlation were estimated to assess the relationships between FS test results over time. General linear mixed model with Proc MIXED of SAS was used in all other analyses, and a repeated measures modelling was used for FS, except for ΔFS. For FS analysis the model included the fixed effects of space allowance, days in feedlot and 2-way interaction. For ΔFS analysis only space allowance was included. Growth performance and adrenal gland variables were analyzed considering the fixed effects of space allowance, flight speed classes (for FSC0 and FSCfin, separately) and 2-way interaction in the model. In all models, BW0 was fitted as a covariate. Means comparisons between FS classes were corrected by Tukey adjustment. Significant and positive correlations were found between all FS test values, which decreased over time in all feedlot space allowances (p < 0.01). Calm animals showed higher (p < 0.05) ADG0-35, BW35 and BWfin means than intermediate and reactive ones, and also produced heavier carcasses at the end of the finishing period (p < 0.05). A significant effect of the interaction between FSCfin and space allowance was found for ADG0-fin, showing that only when kept at 12m2 of space allowance, reactive animals had lower (p < 0.05) growth performance than calm ones. Reactive cattle (FSC0) had greater COA and heavier WEIGHT (p = 0.01, for both) than calm and intermediate ones. Based on our results, it can be concluded that calm animals show better performance in the feedlot, regardless of the space provided to them in the pen, given their greater adaptability to feedlot conditions.

Growth, physiological, antioxidants, and immune response of African catfish, Clarias gariepinus (B.), to dietary clove basil, Ocimum gratissimum, leaf extract and its susceptibility to Listeria monocytogenes infection

Clove basil, Ocimum gratissimum, is a native plant to Africa and grows virtually in tropical and subtropical regions. It has good aroma and its leaves have become used as a spicy and in traditional medicine. The use of plant leaves in fish diets may deteriorate their growth because it may content anti-nutritional factors. Thus, it is better to use plants leaves extract. In the current study, clove basil leaves extract (CBLE) was administrated to African catfish, Clarias gariepinus (B.) to evaluate its effect on growth performance, physiological, antioxidants, and innate immunity variables. Fish (10.7 ± 0.5 g) were fed on diets enriched with 0.0, 5, 10, or 15 g CBLE/kg diet for 12 weeks. After the feeding trial, fish were further exposed to pathogenic bacteria (Listeria monocytogenes) for 14 days. Fish performance and feed intake were significantly enhanced with increasing CBLE levels and its optimum level is found to be 12 g/kg diet. It is noticed that the dietary CBLE in African catfish diets increased significantly the intestinal villi length, villi width, and absorption area in a dose-dependent manner and fish weight was highly correlated with villi length, villi width, and absorption area (R2 = 0.91, 0.91, and 0.92, respectively). On the other side, Dietary CBLE has significant modulatory effect on hemato- and physiological variables of African catfish in a dose-dependent manner. In this regard, blood glucose and cholesterol levels decreased significantly; mean while total protein, albumin, and globulin increased significantly in fish fed high CBLE levels (10-15 g/kg diet). Furthermore, activities of aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, urea, and creatinine levels were significantly elevated with increasing dietary CBLE levels and their maximum values were detected in fish fed 15 g CBLE/kg diet. Antioxidants and immunity variables were significantly enhanced by CBLE supplementation. Additionally, fish mortality after bacterial challenge was highest in fish fed the control diet (85%) than those fed CBLE-enriched diets. The lowest fish mortality was observed in fish fed 15 g CBLE/kg diet (13.5%). This study evoked that CBLE administration enhanced the performance, feed utilization, antioxidant, and innate immunity properties of African catfish with optimum level of 12 g/kg diet. Also, its supplementation enhanced fish challenge against L. monocytogenes.

Growth Performance and Ruminal Metabolic Variables of Goats Fed Rain Tree (Samanea saman) Pods.

The effect of rain tree pods (RTP) or acacia pods on the growth performance, rumen metabolites, and digestibility of dry matter (DM) and crude protein (CP) in goats was evaluated through feeding trial and in situ methods. Eighteen 7 month-old Philippine native goats with body weight range of 7.86±1.28 kg were divided into three groups consisting of six replicates and randomly assigned to one of treatment diets containing 0%, 50%, and 100% RTP in the concentrate portion of a ration containing 65% roughage and 35% concentrate. Three rumen-cannulated mature goats were used in the in situ studies to determine the dietary effects on rumen fluid pH, total volatile fatty acids (VFA), ammonia, and rumen DM and CP digestibilities. Differences (P values 50% RTP generally resulted in lower above-stated performance parameters. Rumen fluid pH of goats decreased after feeding and was lowest in goats fed with 50% RTP. Concentrations of VFA and ammonia were not significantly different. Slowly degradable DM of the test diets were higher in concentrate mixture without RTP. Degradable fractions of CP had highest value on concentrate mixture without RTP while lowest on 100% RTP. However, no differences were observed on potentially digestible fractions and degradability constants of DM and CP. It could be concluded that RTPs can be an alternative ingredient in concentrate mixtures given up to 50% in the mixture as part of a daily ration for goats.

Effects of Green Tea Extracts on freshwater angelfish, Pterophyllum scalare Growth Performance

The study was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary green tea extract (GTE) supplementation in diet on growth performance, feed utilization and biometric indexes in freshwater angelfish, Pterophyllum scalare. The fish (mean body weight, 2.61±0.01 g) were fed fish meal diets that included 0% (control), 2.5 and 5% GTE for 8 weeks. The results showed, the addition of green tea extract did not have a positive effect on growth performance and other variables. Addition of green tea extract did not change the amount of viscerosomatic index and hepatosomatic index.