Wheat-based Diets Research Articles

Variability of prececal phosphorus digestibility of triticale and wheat in broiler chickens

The aim of this study was to evaluate the P digestibility of different wheat and triticale genotypes in growing broiler chickens. Additionally, the relationships between physical or chemical properties of genotypes and P digestibility were determined. A low P, low Ca basal diet based on cornstarch and soybean meal was supplemented with 20% or 40% of 8 different wheat or triticale genotypes at the expense of cornstarch. Experimental diets were fed to broilers between d 20 and 26 of age before digesta samples were collected from their lower ileum for determination of prececal P digestibility (pcdP). Triticale-based diets had an average pcdP of 54%. Neither the concentration of triticale nor the genotype itself affected the pcdP of diets. The pcdP of triticale genotypes calculated by linear regression analysis ranged from 53% to 78%. No correlations were found between physical or chemical properties (viscosity, phytase activity, total and phytate P contents) and the pcdP of triticale genotypes. In contrast, a significant (P <0.05) effect of genotype and wheat concentration was observed in wheat-based diets. The average pcdP of diets decreased from 60% to 50% by increasing the wheat concentration from 20% to 40%. As no linear relationship was observed between P intake and the amount of pcdP in the diet, the pcdP (%) of wheat genotypes was calculated separately for both concentrations, and accounted for 38% to 67% and 20% to 38% with 20% and 40% wheat inclusion in diets, respectively. Single chemical and physical characteristics could not explain the observed differences in P digestibility. Our results revealed a high variation in the pcdP of different wheat and triticale genotypes that should be considered in diet formulation. However, further research is needed to identify factors that contribute to variation of P digestibility in both grains.

Non-starch Polysaccharide Degrading Enzymes in Corn and Wheat-Based Broiler Diets: Dual Activity for Major Substrates

Non-starch Polysaccharide Degrading Enzymes in Corn and Wheat-Based Broiler Diets: Dual Activity for Major Substrates

Effect of supplemental phytase and xylanase in wheat-based diets on prececal phosphorus digestibility and phytate degradation in young turkeys.

ABSTRACTThis study aimed to investigate the effect of phytase and a combination of phytase and xylanase on the prececal phosphorus digestibility (pcdP) of wheat-based diets in turkeys. A low-P basal diet (BD) based on cornstarch and soybean meal, and 2 diets containing 43% of different wheat genotypes (genotype diets GD6 or GD7) were fed to turkeys from 20 to 27 d of age. Diets were fed either without enzyme supplementation or supplemented with phytase (500 FTU/kg) or a combination of phytase and xylanase (16,000 BXU/kg). At 27 d of age, digesta were sampled from the lower ileum of animals to determine pcdP and pc myo-inositol 1,2,3,4,5,6-hexakis (dihydrogen phosphate) (InsP6) disappearance, and to analyze the concentrations of lower inositol phosphate isomers. Similar pcdP was observed in non-supplemented BD and GD (∼36%). Phytase alone increased the pcdP in all diets by 8 to 12%, but a beneficial effect of xylanase was found only for BD. Similar results were found for pc InsP6 disappearance, although xylanase addition compared to phytase alone decreased pc InsP6 disappearance in GD7 compared to phytase alone. Animals fed GD7 performed better than those fed GD6; however, these differences could not be linked to the pcdP. The pattern of lower inositol phosphates in digesta also changed with enzyme supplementation, resulting in lower proportions of InsP5 and higher proportions of InsP4. Phytase alone decreased Ins(1,2,3,4,6)P5 but increased D-Ins(1,2,3,4,5)P5 and D-Ins(1,2,5,6)P4 concentrations. An additional increase in D-Ins(1,2,3,4,5)P5 and D-Ins(1,2,5,6)P4 concentrations was achieved with xylanase, although for the former isomer, this was observed only with GD. These results indicate that enzyme supplementation alters the pc degradation of InsP6, and that combining both enzymes had a minor additional effect on the pcdP from wheat-based diets when compared to phytase alone.

Linoleic Acid:Dihomo-γ-Linolenic Acid Ratio Predicts the Efficacy of Zn-Biofortified Wheat in Chicken (Gallus gallus).

The amount of Zn absorbed from Zn-biofortified wheat material has been determined using an in vivo model of Zn absorption. The erythrocyte linoleic:dihomo -γ-linolenic acid (LA:DGLA) ratio was used as a biomarker of Zn status. Two groups of chickens (n = 15) were fed different diets: a high-Zn (46.5 μg Zn g-1) and a low-Zn wheat-based diet (32.8 μg Zn g-1). Dietary Zn intakes, body weight, serum Zn, and the erythrocyte fatty acid profile were measured, and tissues were taken for gene expression analysis. Serum Zn concentrations were greater in the high Zn group (p < 0.05). Duodenal mRNA expression of various Zn transporters demonstrated expression upregulation in the birds fed a low Zn diet (n = 15, p < 0.05). The LA:DGLA ratio was higher in the birds fed the low Zn diet (p < 0.05). The higher amount of Zn in the biofortified wheat resulted in a greater Zn uptake.

Short-chain arabinoxylans prepared from enzymatically treated wheat grain exert prebiotic effects during the broiler starter period

Carbohydrate-degrading multi-enzyme preparations (MEP) are used to improve broiler performances. Their mode of action is complex and not fully understood. In this study, we compared the effect of water-soluble fractions isolated at the pilot scale from wheat grain incubated with (WE) and without (WC) MEP. The fractions were incorporated in a wheat-based diet (0.1% w/w) to feed Ross PM3 broilers and compared with a non-supplemented control group (NC). The body weight gain (BWG), feed intake (FI), and feed conversion ratio (FCR) until d 14 were determined. At d 14, ileal and cecal contents and tissue samples were collected from euthanized animals. The intestinal contents were used to measure the short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) concentration using gas chromatography and to determine the abundance and composition of microbiota using 16S sequencing. Villi length of ileal samples was measured, while L-cell and T-cell densities were determined using immuno-histochemistry. The MEP treatment increased the amount of water-soluble arabinoxylans (AX) and reduced their molecular weight while retaining their polymer behavior. The WE fraction significantly (P < 0.05) increased FI by 13.8% and BWG by 14.7% during the first wk post hatch when compared to NC. No significant effect on FCR was recorded during the trial. The WE increased the abundance of Enterococcus durans and Candidatus arthromitus in the ileum and of bacteria within the Lachnospiraceae and Ruminococcaceae families, containing abundant butyrate-producing bacteria, in the ceca. It also increased the concentration of SCFA in the ceca, decreased the T-lymphocyte infiltration in the intestinal mucosa, and increased the glucagon-like-peptide-2 (GLP-2)-producing L-cell density in the ileal epithelium compared with WC and NC. No significant effects were observed on villi length. These results showed that AX present in the WE fraction altered the microbiota composition towards butyrate producers in the ceca. Butyrate may be responsible for the reduction of inflammation, as suggested by the decrease in T-lymphocyte infiltration, which may explain the higher feed intake leading to improved animal growth.

Effects of carbohydrase enzyme supplementation on performance, eggshell quality, and bone parameters of laying hens fed on maize- and wheat-based diets

ABSTRACT1. This study was conducted to determine the effects of enzyme supplementation of maize/wheat-based diets on the performance, egg quality, and serum and bone parameters of laying hens.2. During the 12-week experimental period, a total of 72 laying hens aged 52 weeks were randomly distributed among 6 experimental groups. Each experimental group contained 4 replicates, each with three birds. The experiment was a randomised design consisting of a 3 × 2 factorial arrangement, with three levels of wheat substitution and two levels of enzyme (xylanase: 1500.00 U/kg, β-glucanase: 100 000 U/kg, cellulase: 1 000 000 U/kg, α-amylase: 160 000 U/kg) inclusion in the diet. Wheat replaced 0, 50, or 100% of maize with or without 1.0 g/kg enzyme supplementation in iso-nitrogenous and iso-caloric experimental diets.3. Body weight, egg production, egg weight, egg mass, eggshell thickness, and the feed conversion ratio were adversely affected by the wheat-based diet. The eggshell quality parameters decreased with enzyme supplementation to the diet.4. Wheat-based diets adversely affected calcium and phosphorus concentrations in the tibia, but the addition of the enzymes to the wheat-based diet prevented the negative effects of wheat-based diets on tibia mineralisation in laying hens. The wheat-based diets tended to reduce plasma mineral contents, and the addition of enzymes tended to affect plasma minerals and biomechanical properties of the tibia positively in laying hens.5. These results indicate that wheat-based diets in aged laying hens adversely affected the mineral metabolism compared with maize-based diets, and the negative effects of wheat on bone mineralisation can be prevented by enzyme supplementation to the diets in laying hens.

Synovial fluid as an alternative viscoelastic material

Improving digestibility of NSP in poultry diets is one way in which producers can positively impact both feed efficiency and animal nutrition. NSP-degrading enzymes can save money by uplifting the average feedstuff quality, increase the flexibility to use a wider range of raw materials and reduce the risk of animal gut disturbances. Objective: objective of this trial was to evaluate the influence of NSPdegrading enzymes on growth performance, carcass traits and meat sensory quality of broiler chickens fed wheatbased diets.

Influence of dietary carbohydrases, individually or in combination with phytase or an acidifier, on performance, gut morphology and microbial population in broiler chickens fed a wheat-based diet.

The objective of this study was to examine the effects of dietary carbohydrases (xylanase and β-glucanase; XG), individually or in combination with phytase or acidifier on the growth performance, carcass attributes, intestinal microbial counts and morphology in broiler chickens fed a wheat-based diet. A total of 240 one-day-old male broiler chicks were randomly allocated into 4 treatment groups with 6 replicates of 10 birds each. The dietary treatments included a basal diet, the basal diet with an enzyme complex containing XG, XG plus a microbial phytase (XG + P) and XG plus acidifier (XG + A). The results indicated that feed conversion ratio (FCR) was improved in broiler chickens which received XG + A during the entire production period (1 to 35 d) of the trial (P < 0.05). The broiler chickens fed XG + P had lower feed intake compared with the control group at 29 to 35 d of age. The experimental treatments had no effect on the body weight gain of broiler chickens. In carcass traits, except for spleen (P < 0.05), the dietary treatments had no effects on the carcass characteristics of broiler chickens. The birds which received diets supplemented with XG and XG + A had a lower weight of the spleen compare with the control. Addition of XG in combination with phytase (XG + P) resulted in a decrease in ileal enumeration of Escherichia coli at 35 d of age (P < 0.05). However, dietary treatments did not alter the population of ileal Lactobacilli in broiler chickens. Supplementing carbohydrases with phytase and acidifier (XG + P and XG + A) significantly increased the intestinal villus length at 35 d of age (P < 0.05). In conclusion, the present study demonstrated that supplementation of the wheat-based diet with a combination with carbohydrases and acidifier (XG + A) improves FCR in broiler chickens. Furthermore, combinations of carbohydrases with phytase (XG + P) and with acidifier (XG + A) decrease the E. coli counts and increase the villus length in broiler chickens.

Effect of cereal type and Xylanase supplementation on nutrient retention and growth performance of broilers

An experiment was conducted to study the effect of cereal (corn, wheat, barley and sorghum) and supplemental enzyme (a mono-component xylanase) in a 4 × 2 factorial arrangement. A 2-phase feeding program (0 to 21 and 21 to 42 d) was used and 4 iso-caloric, iso-nitrogenous diets were formulated containing corn, wheat, barley, or sorghum as the sole cereal. Diets based on each cereal were fed without or with supplemental xylanase (16,000 BXU/kg) to 8 replicate pens of 10 chicks (5 male : 5 female, Cobb 500) each. Growth performance was recorded at 21 or 42 d posthatch. Excreta was quantitatively collected from 18 to 21 and 38 to 41 d for the measurement of the total tract retention of dry matter (DM), nitrogen (N) and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and apparent metabolizable energy (AME). Ileal digestible energy (IDE) was measured at the end of the study (42 d posthatch) using titanium dioxide as an indigestible marker. For the overall 42 d period, birds fed barley-based diets had lower feed intake (P < 0.05), lower body weight (P < 0.05) and converted feed into gain less efficiently (P < 0.05) compared with the diets based on corn, wheat or sorghum. Xylanase supplementation improved weight gain in diets based on corn, wheat, and sorghum with the exception of barley-based diets (cereal × xylanase interaction, P < 0.05). Xylanase improved the overall feed conversion ratio (1.885 vs. 1.939; P < 0.05) with the effect being independent of the cereal type. The N retention of barley-based diets was lower (P < 0.05) compared with the other cereals, while xylanase improved N retention (P < 0.05) regardless of the cereal type. NDF digestibility differed (P < 0.05) across cereal (barley > wheat > corn > sorghum) and was improved (P < 0.05) by xylanase supplementation. A significant cereal × xylanase interaction (P < 0.05) was observed for energy measurements, where xylanase improved IDE of the corn-based diet, and AME of corn- and wheat-based diets. Results of the current study demonstrate potential of xylanase in improving nutrient retention and growth performance of broilers fed diets based on variety of cereal grains.

Inclusion levels and modes of whole grain incorporation into wheat-based rations differentially influence the performance of broiler chickens

ABSTRACT1. The objective was to compare three whole grain (WG) inclusion levels (7.5, 15 and 30%) offered to broiler chickens by three modes of WG incorporation: (i) pre-pellet WG inclusion, (ii) post-pellet WG inclusion as a blend of WG and pelleted concentrate and (iii) post-pellet WG inclusion where WG and pelleted concentrate were provided in separate feed trays against a ground-grain, wheat-based control diet.2. Ten dietary treatments were offered to 6 replicate cages (6 birds per cage) of male Ross 308 chickens from 7 to 28 d post-hatch. The effects of treatment on relative gizzard weights, gizzard contents, pancreatic weights and pH of gizzard digesta were monitored. Parameters of growth performance, nutrient utilisation (apparent metabolisable energy [AME], metabolisable to gross energy [ME:GE] ratios, nitrogen [N] retention and N-corrected AME [AMEn]), apparent starch and protein (N) digestibility coefficients and disappearance rates in for small intestinal segments and concentrations of free amino acids in plasma taken from the anterior mesenteric vein were determined.3. Whole grain feeding (WGF) did not influence weight gain, but 30% post-pellet blended and 15 and 30% post-pellet separated treatments significantly depressed (P < 0.05) feed intakes while the 30% post-pellet separated treatment improved (P < 0.01) feed conversion ratios (FCR). WGF regimes significantly increased relative gizzard weights.4. Overall, WGF generated profound responses in AME, ME:GE ratios, N retention and AMEn that were highly correlated with relative gizzard weights. In general, WGF improved starch and protein (N) digestibilities and again there were some correlations with these outcomes and relative gizzard weights.5. Post-pellet WG inclusions where WG and pelleted concentrate were offered separately provided chickens with the opportunity to choice feed. Birds showed a preference for the relatively high-protein pelleted concentrate and at 30% WG, this resulted in an improvement in FCR of 7.69% (1.260 versus 1.365; P < 0.001) relative to the ground-grain control diet.

Age and dietary xylanase supplementation affects ileal sugar residues and short chain fatty acid concentration in the ileum and caecum of broiler chickens

The objective of this study was to investigate how xylanase-induced changes in soluble sugar, short chain fatty acid (SCFA) and microbial content of the gut might be linked to broiler performance. A 42-day experiment was conducted using 328 male Ross 508 broiler chicks divided into two treatment groups, fed wheat-based diets with or without xylanase (0 or 16,000 BXU/kg). Each group had 8 replicate pens (13 birds per pen), with 3 additional replicate sampling pens per treatment (20 chicks per pen). Early body weight differences were shown, with xylanase-fed birds being 21g (P=0.02) and 39g (P=0.10) heavier at days 11 and 21 than control birds. Over the entire 42day experimental period, body weight gain (BWG) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) with xylanase supplementation were not significantly different from the control, possibly due to the high performance of birds in both treatments. Xylanase supplementation increased (P<0.05) soluble arabinose and xylose residues in the ileum and decreased ileal viscosity of birds at all ages, suggesting arabinoxylan degradation to soluble oligosaccharides. Xylanase had no significant effect on soluble sugar residue concentration in the caecum at any age. Irrespective of treatment, caecal soluble sugar residue content was considerably higher in 11day-old birds, possibly illustrating poorer nutrient digestion and absorptive capacity of young birds. The proportion of xylose and arabinose residues in total caecal soluble sugars decreased (P<0.001) at day 21, suggesting greater utilisation by resident bacteria. At day 42, compared to the controls, xylanase-fed birds had higher (P=0.01) Bifidobacterium spp. levels (5.7 e+10 versus 8.1 e+9), increased quantities of acetic (P=0.002) and butyric acids (P<0.001), and lower (P=0.03) lactic acid levels in the caeca. At all ages, xylanase treatment reduced (P=0.04) the proportion of branched chain volatile fatty acids in total SCFA, suggesting a reduction in protein fermentation. These findings suggest that greater degradation of wheat arabinoxylan with xylanase can enhance colonisation of specific bacteria and production of SCFAs in the caeca, an event that may relate to improved broiler performance.

Influence of immunostimulant polysaccharides, nucleic acids, and Bacillus strains on the innate immune and acute stress response in turbots (Scophthalmus maximus) fed soy bean- and wheat-based diets.

Immunostimulants are widely applied in aquaculture practice and may have beneficial effects on the immune system and physical functions allowing higher tolerance to stress. In the current study, the impact of four (i-iv) dietary active ingredients on the immune and stress response of turbot was examined in two experiments (I and II). A basal low fish meal (FM; 32%) diet was formulated and supplemented with (i) yeast β-glucan and mannan oligosaccharide (GM), (ii) alginic acid (AC), (iii) yeast nucleotides and RNA (NR), or (iv) Bacillus strains (BS). The basal diet (C-LF) and a high FM (59%) control (C-HF) were maintained. All six diets were fed to juvenile turbots for 84days in experiment I and for additional 28days prior to experiment II. Immunological and hematological parameters were determined in experiment I. In experiment II, physical stress response to a typical short-term (<1day) aquaculture handling procedure (combination of capture, netting/transfer, and crowding) was investigated. For this, turbot blood was sampled before and at 0.5, 1, 4, and 24h post stress. Plasma lysozyme activity, neutrophil reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, and total plasma protein levels did not significantly differ between treatment groups; however, plasma cholesterol increased significantly in fish fed GM, AC, NR, and C-HF compared to C-LF (I). A significant increase in plasma glucose and triglyceride was observed in GM and NR treatments, while glucose levels were significantly higher in C-HF compared to C-LF. Moreover, the immunostimulant-supplemented diets exhibited significantly lower cortisol levels compared to controls C-LF (at 0.5h) and C-HF (at 1h) post stress, respectively (II). According to our findings, FM substitution did not modulate the innate immune response but was associated with reduced levels of cholesterol. Dietary immunostimulants were not effective enough to boost the immune response, but we believe they might be helpful to trigger metabolic advantages during stressful handling events on fish farms.

Next-generation non-starch polysaccharide-degrading, multi-carbohydrase complex rich in xylanase and arabinofuranosidase to enhance broiler feed digestibility

This study was carried out to evaluate the effect of a multi-carbohydrase complex (MCC) rich in xylanase (Xyl) and arabinofuranosidase (Abf) on overall broiler feed digestibility in broilers. Energy utilization and digestibility of dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM), protein, starch, fat, and insoluble and soluble fibers were measured using the mass-balance method. The experiment was carried out on 120 broilers (3-week-old chickens). Broilers were distributed over 8 treatments to evaluate the effect of the dietary arabinoxylan content and nutrient density with and without MCC (Rovabio® Advance). The graded content of arabinoxylan (AX) was obtained using different raw materials (wheat, rye, barley, and dried distillers’ wheat). Diet-energy density was modified with added fat. Measurements indicated that nutrient density and AX content had a significant effect on most digestibility parameters. Apparent metabolizable energy (AME) was significantly increased (265 kcal kg-1) by MCC. The addition of MCC also resulted in significant improvement in the digestibility of all evaluated nutrients, with average improvements of 3.0, 3.3, 3.2, 3.0, 6.2, 2.9, 5.8, and 3.8% units for DM, OM, protein, starch, fat, insoluble and soluble fibers, and energy utilization, respectively. The interaction between MCC and diet composition was significant for the digestibility of OM, fat, protein, and energy. Nutrient digestibility and diet AME were negatively correlated with AX content (P < 0.001). However, the addition of MCC resulted in a reduction of this negative effect (P < 0.001). The AME of diets with and without the addition of MCC were successfully predicted by the diet digestible nutrient (i.e., starch, protein, fat, insoluble and soluble fibers) content with and without MCC (R2 = 0.87; RSD = 78 kcal kg-1). This study confirms that the presence of AX in wheat-based diets and wheat-based diets with other cereals and cereal by-products reduces nutrient digestibility in broiler chickens. Furthermore, the dietary addition of MCC, which is rich in Xyn and Abf, reduced deleterious effect of fiber and improved overall nutrient digestibility in broiler diets.

Response of broiler chickens fed wheat-based diets to xylanase supplementation

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of xylanase supplementation on performance, footpad score (FPS), nutrient digestibility, and intestinal morphometry in broiler chickens. Two-hundred-eighty-eight Ross 308 broiler chicks (one d old) were placed in one of 3 experimental treatments: positive control (PC), negative control (NC) (-150kcal/kg), and XYL (NC supplemented with xylanase). Each treatment had 8 replicates with 12 animals each. Starter (zero to 21 d) and grower (21 to 42 d) diets, based on wheat and soy-bean meal, were available ad libitum. Body weight gain (BWG) and feed intake were measured, and mortality corrected feed conversion ratio (FCR) was calculated. The relative weights of the empty gastrointestinal tract compartments and FPS were recorded on d 21 and d 42. On d 42, ileal contents were collected for nutrient digestibility determination. Statistical comparisons were performed using one-way ANOVA (JMP Pro 12). The reduction of energy resulted in lighter birds at the end of the study (PC: 2,710vs. NC: 2,546g; P = 0.030) whereas xylanase supplementation numerically increased BWG by 84g (P = 0.229) and improved FCR by 12 points (P = 0.145) compared with the NC. Significant differences in FPS were observed on d 21. Score 0 (no lessions) was predominant in PC and XYL treatments, while score 1 (mild lesions) had a higher frequency in NC birds. Xylanase supplementation numerically increased organic matter (5.9%) and energy (4.7%) utilization with values above those observed with the NC. No treatment effects were observed in any of the morphometric measurements, with the exception of the gizzard (P = 0.036) and the ileum (P = 0.088) on d 42. Xylanase resulted in higher relative gizzard weights compared to NC (P = 0.102). Supplementation of broiler diets with xylanase tended to influence performance, which may be due to a better utilization of nutrients. The increase in gizzard and ileum weights in birds 42 d but not 21 d of age suggests an adaptive response that takes time to develop.

Effect of high canola meal content on growth performance, nutrient digestibility and fecal bacteria in nursery pigs fed either corn or wheat based diets

In North-America, soybean meal (SBM) and canola meal (CM) are the most extensively used protein supplements in the feed industry and corn and wheat are the primary sources of energy in swine diets. Recent studies show that piglets can tolerate relatively high levels of CM inclusion. However, it is unclear whether this ability depends on the cereal ingredient of the basal diet. This study was conducted to examine the effect of including CM in wheat or corn-based diet on growth performance, apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) and fecal microbial communities compared with wheat- or corn-SBM based diet. Ninety-six pigs (Yorkshire-Landrace x Duroc) with an initial BW of 6.63±0.028kg (barrows) and 6.78±0.036kg (gilts) were used in this 28-d feeding study. There were 8 replicates per treatment, each with 3 pigs. Pigs were randomly allotted to one of the four dietary treatments: corn-SBM diet (CSBM), corn-SBM diet+200g/kg CM (CCM), wheat-SBM diet (WSBM), and wheat-SBM diet+200g/kg of CM (WCM). A two-phase feeding program was used (phase I, 1–14 and phase II, 15–28 d post-weaning). Average daily gain (ADG), average daily feed intake (ADFI) and feed efficiency (G:F) were recorded weekly. Freshly voided fecal samples were collected on d 21 and 27 to determine ATTD of CP, energy, and fecal bacteria community. Data were analyzed as a randomized complete block design using the MIXED procedure of SAS and differences were declared significant at P<0.05. No significant differences were observed in ADFI, ADG, and final-BW among treatments. During phase I, pigs fed the WCM diet had higher G:F compared with those fed the CSBM diet (0.95 vs. 0.79, P<0.01). During phase II, pigs fed CSBM diet had higher ATTD of CP and energy compared with piglets fed the CCM, WSBM and WCM diets (96.6 vs. 89.0, 90.9 and 87.2%; and, 95.3 vs. 89.6, 90.8 and 86.9%, P<0.01). When compared to corn-based diets, wheat-based diets had a significant reduction in the relative abundance of Lactobacillus (P<0.05). Likewise, the relative abundance of Enterococcus was reduced (P<0.05). However, wheat-based diets had a significantly higher relative abundance of Clostridium cluster-IV (P<0.05). In conclusion, the inclusion of CM into either wheat- or corn-SBM based diet influences G:F, protein, and energy digestibility and relative abundance of the measured fecal microbial community without affecting voluntary feed intake and body weight gain.

Effect of feed supplementation with Satureja khuzistanica essential oil on performance and physiological parameters of broilers fed on wheat- or maize-based diets

ABSTRACT1. The aim of this study was to evaluate various levels of Satureja khuzistanica essential oil (SKEO) on performance and physiological parameters of broilers fed on wheat- or maize-based diets.2. Treatments consisted of two cereals (maize- or wheat-based diets) and three levels of SKEO)0, 250 and 500 mg/kg).3. Feed intake (FI) and body weight gain (BWG) decreased in broilers fed on the wheat-based diets compared to the control diet. Dietary supplementation of 500 mg/kg SKEO increased FI and BWG. Dietary SKEO supplementation was effective in improving FI and BWG only in wheat-based diets and was effective in improving feed conversion ratio (FCR) in both diets.4. Dietary supplementation of 500 mg/kg SKEO caused a significant decrease in plasma cholesterol and triglycerides. Also, plasma low-density lipoprotein concentration was decreased in broilers fed on 250 and 500 mg/kg of SKEO. Plasma cholesterol levels in birds fed on the wheat-based diets were lower than in those fed on maize-based diets.5. Dietary supplementation of 500 mg/kg SKEO increased caecal population of Lactobacillus and reduced total bacterial and Escherichia coli count. Caecal population of Lactobacillus decreased in broilers fed on the wheat-based diets.6. Digesta viscosity was increased in broilers fed on the wheat-based diets and decreased in broilers fed on 500 mg/kg SKEO compared to the control diet. Dietary SKEO supplementation was effective in reducing digesta viscosity values only in wheat-based diets.7. Villus height of the duodenum and jejunum decreased in broilers fed on the wheat-based diets. Dietary supplementation of 500 mg/kg SKEO increased villus height and villus height-to-crypt depth ratios and decreased crypt depth of the duodenum compared to the control diet.8. It can be concluded that dietary SKEO supplementation was effective in improving FI, BWG and FCR values in wheat-based diets.

Effects of feeding camelina cake to weaned pigs on safety, growth performance, and fatty acid composition of pork.

Feeding cake with remaining oil contributes dietary energy (fat) in addition to protein (AA) and may provide an opportunity to enrich the n-3 fatty acid content of pork. Information regarding safety, growth performance, and efficacy of feeding camelina cake to pigs is limited. We therefore evaluated the effects of camelina cake inclusion in pig nursery diets. In total, 192 pigs (9.4 kg BW) were randomly allocated by sex to 48 pens, 2 heavy and 2 light pigs per pen. Pigs were fed 1 of 4 wheat-based diets including camelina cake (0%, 6%, 12%, or 18%; variety Celine) replacing soybean meal for 4 wk. Individual pigs, pen feed added, and orts were weighed weekly. Feces were collected on d 26 and 27. A blood sample was taken on d 29 from 24 pigs with the lowest BW/pen, which were then euthanized and necropsied. Gross pathological examination was conducted, and organ weights were measured. Samples of liver, back fat, belly fat, and jowl fat were collected for fatty acid analysis. Increasing dietary camelina cake inclusion linearly decreased ( 0.001) apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of DM, OM, GE and ash but did not affect ATTD of CP and P. For the entire trial (d 0 to 28), increasing camelina cake inclusion by 6% linearly decreased ( 0.001) ADFI by 74 g/d, ADG by 51 g/d, and BW by 0.8 kg but did not affect feed efficiency (G:F). Increasing camelina cake inclusion linearly increased ( 0.001) liver weight relative to BW, linearly decreased ( 0.050) kidney weight, but did not affect spleen, heart, and thyroid weights. Increasing camelina cake inclusion did not result in serological (large-animal standard panel, T3, and T4) or gross clinical (morphology) findings that might suggest toxicity. In liver, back fat, belly fat, and jowl fat, increasing dietary camelina cake inclusion linearly increased ( 0.050) total n-3 fatty acids and shorter-chain n-3 and n-6 fatty acids but did not increase docosahexaenoic acid (n-3) or arachidonic acid (n-6). In conclusion, feeding camelina cake to weaned pigs at up to 18% did not elicit clinical signs of toxicity and increased n-3 fatty acids in carcass fat depots. The decrease in ADFI as camelina cake inclusion increased resulted in pigs fed 18% weighing 5 kg less than controls at the end of the nursery period.

Productive performance, nutrient digestibility and intestinal morphometry in broiler chickens fed corn or wheat-based diets supplemented with bacterial- or fungal-originated xylanase

An experiment was conducted to evaluate effects of dietary supplementation of a corn- or a wheat-based diet with two sources of exogenous xylanase (fungal or bacterial originated) on productive performance, ileal nutrients digestibility, nitrogen-corrected apparent metabolisable energy (AMEn) and digestive organs morphometry in broiler chickens. Broilers were fed with one of the six dietary treatments consisting of two basal diets (based on corn or wheat) each with or without xylanase (from bacterial or fungal origin) supplementation. Compared with corn-based diet, feeding birds with the wheat-based diet improved weight gain and feed intake by 4.71 and 4.81%, respectively, and ileal digestibility of dry matter and crude protein were greater in birds fed wheat-based diets compared with the birds grown on corn-based during Days 1–21 of age (p<.05). Villus length and villus length to crypt depth ratio increased (p < .05) in birds received wheat-based diets compared with those fed on corn-based diets. Gizzard weight was greater in birds fed with corn-based diets on days 21 and 42 of age by 11.5% and 31.8%, respectively, compared with those received wheat-based diets (p < .05). Supplementing diets with fungal xylanase increased liver weight in birds grown on wheat-based diets compared with those grown on control and corn-based diets, respectively, on Days 21 and 42 of age (p < .05). It was concluded that supplementing a corn- or wheat-based diet with a xylanase of bacterial or fungal origin had no effect on productive performance or AMEn of diets in broiler chickens during the starter and growing periods.

Effect of diet form and enzyme supplementation on stress indicators and bone mineralisation in heat-challenged broilers fed wheat-soybean diet

A study was carried out to evaluate the effect of dietary xylanase supplementation and feed form on the bone mineralisation and tibia breaking strength, serum enzyme activities, plasma minerals concentration, and heat stress biomarkers of broilers fed wheat-based diet under high ambient temperature (33 °C for 10 h, from 07.00 to 17.00 h, and 22 °C from 17.00 to 07.00 h). Two hundred and forty 1-d-old Ross 308 male broilers were allocated in six experimental treatments, each of which was replicated five times with eight broilers per replicate. A 2 × 3 factorial design was used in the study, and the main factors were composed of xylanase (with or without 300 mg/kg) and feed form (mash, crumbles, and pellets). Broilers fed crumbles or pellets had higher tibia breaking strength, plasma P concentration, and serum ALP activity than broilers fed mash. The tibia ash, Ca, and P contents in ash were greater (p < .001) for broilers fed pellets than for broilers fed mash or crumbles. The circulating heterophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, creatine kinase level, and heat shock protein 70 mRNA of breast muscle were also decreased (p < .05) by the crumbles and pellets diets. Xylanse significantly increased tibia ash, tibia Ca and P contents, ALP activity, plasma Ca and P concentrations (p < .05). The results indicate that crumbling or pelleting of the diets improved minerals retention and down-regulated heat stress biomarkers of broilers subjected to heat challenge. The results of the current study suggested that dietary addition xylanase has the potential to improve bone mineralisation. It could be concluded that feeding crumbled and pelleted diets may effective in partially ameliorating the resistance to heat stress in the birds under high ambient temperature.

Effect of elevated dietary amino acid levels in high canola meal diets on productive traits and cecal microbiota population of broiler chickens in a pair-feeding study

A pair-feeding study was conducted to determine if reduced feed intake (FI) in broiler chickens fed high canola meal (CM) diets per se accounts for reduced growth performance and whether this lower growth rate can be mitigated by increasing dietary amino acid (AA) levels. Five experimental wheat-based diets were formulated as follows: soybean meal (SBM) diet, high CM diet with normal AA concentration, and high CM diets with 3, 6, or 9% additional AA concentration (Lys, Met+Cys, Thr, Ile, Arg, and Val). Another group of birds was pair-fed with SBM diet to the consumption levels of birds fed CM diet with normal AA. There were 6 replicates of 17 male 10-day-old Ross 308 chicks per treatment over grower and finisher periods. Birds fed the CM diets had reduced FI and BWG, but improved FCR (P < 0.01) compared to SBM ad libitum fed birds. The SBM pair-fed birds gained the same weight and exhibited similar FCR compared to CM fed birds. Additional 9% AA improved FCR (P < 0.01) compared to SBM and CM diets with normal AA. No significant differences were observed in ileal digestibility of DM, energy, crude protein, and AA between CM with normal AA and SBM diets. The additional 6 and 9% AA in CM diets increased digestibility of crude protein and some AA (P < 0.05). SBM ad libitum and CM + 6 and 9% AA fed birds had the highest and lowest relative weight of abdominal fat, respectively (P < 0.05). Addition of 6 and 9% AA in CM diets increased relative carcass and breast yields (P < 0.01). Serum triglyceride level was higher in SBM ad libitum fed birds (P < 0.05). The composition of microbiota in the ceca was not affected by treatments. This study showed that reduced growth of birds fed high CM diets is primarily mediated through reduced FI. This growth depression could partially be ameliorated by increasing dietary AA levels.