Effect of protease derived from Pseudoalteromonas arctica supplementation on growth performance,nutrient digestibility,meat quality,noxious gas emission and blood profiles in finishing pigs

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary supplementation of protease derived from Pseudoalteromonas arctica (PPA) in finishing pigs. A total of 160 pigs were used in this 10‐week trial. Dietary treatment groups were as follows: CON (basal diet); TRT1 (basal diet + 0.1% PPA); TRT2 (basal diet + 0.2% PPA); and TRT3 (basal diet + 0.3% PPA). During weeks 1–5, pigs fed with different levels of PPA‐supplemented diet showed linear increase (p < .05) in the apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of nitrogen (N) and linear decrease (p < .05) in the concentrations of serum total protein. During weeks 6–10, pigs fed with different levels of PPA‐supplemented diet showed a linear decrease in feed conversion ratio (p < .05). During the overall period, there was a linear decrease in feed conversion ratio (p < .05) associated with the inclusion of PPA. Pigs fed diets with 0.2% PPA supplementation had lower (p < .05) feed conversion ratio than those fed CON diet during weeks 6–10 and the overall period, and had higher (p < .05) ATTD of N than those fed CON diet during weeks 1–5. Pigs fed diets with PPA supplementation had lower (p < .05) concentrations of serum total protein than those fed CON diet on week 5. In conclusion, dietary supplementation with PPA diet has beneficial effects on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, backfat thickness and the concentrations of serum total protein.     

In vitro effects of inulin and soya bean oligosaccharide on skatole production and the intestinal microbiota in broilers

The experiment was conducted to investigate the in vitro effects of inulin and soya bean oligosaccharide (SBO) on the metabolism of L‐tryptophan (L‐try) to skatole production, and the intestinal microbiota in broilers. Treatments were as follows: caecal microbiota control (Cc), Cc + inulin, Cc + SBO, rectal microbiota control (Rc), Rc + inulin and Rc + SBO. Microbial suspensions were anaerobically incubated at 38°C for 24 hr. The results showed that concentrations of skatole and acetic acid were significantly lower in caecal microbiota fermentation broth (MFB) than those in rectal MFB (p < .05). Addition of inulin or SBO significantly decreased the concentrations of indole and skatole and rate of L‐try degradation (p < .05). Inulin groups had lower indole than SBO groups (p < .05). PCR‐DGGE analysis revealed that addition of inulin or SBO decreased the microbiota richness (p < .05), but no significant differences in Shannon index (p > .05). Four distinct bands were detected in inulin and SBO groups, which were related to two of Bacteroides, one of Firmicutes and Bifidobacteria. Six bands were detected only in control groups, which represented uncultured Rikenellaceae, Roseburia, Escherichia/Shigella dysenteriae, Bacteroides uniformis (T), Parabacteroides distasonis and Enterobacter aerogenes. Populations of Lactobacilli, Bifidobacteria and total bacteria in inulin groups were higher than those in control groups (p < .05). For SBO groups, only population of total bacteria increased (p < .05). However, there were no significant differences in Escherichia coli population among treatments (p > .05). These results suggest that reduced concentrations of skatole and indole in the presence of inulin and SBO may be caused by decrease in L‐try degradation rate, which were caused by change in microbial ecosystem and pH value. Uncultured B. uniformis (T) and E. aerogenes may be responsible for degradation of L‐try to skatole.     

Dietary mulberry leaf powder affects growth performance,carcass traits and meat quality in finishing pigs

This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of mulberry leaves as an alternative source of protein on growth performance, carcass traits and meat quality in finishing pigs. A total of 180 Xiangcun Black pigs were randomly assigned to five treatment groups with six pens of six pigs per pen. The pigs were provided with a basal diet or a diet contained 3%, 6%, 9% or 12% of mulberry leaf powder during a 50‐day experiment period. The results showed that dietary mulberry leaf powder had no negative effect on growth performance in Xiangcun Black pigs, except in the 12% mulberry group, where final body weight and average daily gain decreased (p < .05) and feed to gain ratio of the pigs increased (p < .05). Dietary mulberry inclusion decreased (quadratic, p < .05) the back fat thickness, fibre mean cross‐sectional area (CSA) in the longissimus dorsi (LD) muscle and mRNA expression levels of myosin heavy chain (MyHC) IIb in LD and biceps femoris (BF) muscles, while increased (linear or quadratic, p < .05) the plasma concentration of albumin, levels of crude protein (CP), inosine monophosphate (IMP) and several amino acids in muscle tissues. When compared with the other groups, the 9% mulberry diet increased (p < .05) loin‐eye area and contents of CP and IMP in muscles, while decreased (p < .05) plasma activity of cholinesterase and concentrations of uric acid and urea. The 6% mulberry diet had the lowest fibre mean CSA and shear force and increased total fibre number of the LD muscle, when compared with the other groups. These results suggest that including mulberry in the diet at <12% is an effective feed crop to improve meat quality and the chemical composition of muscle without negatively affecting growth performance.     

Dietary thymol supplementation promotes skeletal muscle fibre type switch in longissimus dorsi of finishing pigs

As one of the key points related to meat quality, skeletal muscle fibre type is determined by energy metabolism and genetic factors, but its transformation could be also greatly influenced by many factors. Thymol, the primary effective ingredients of thyme, is well known for its anti-oxidation and anti-inflammatory, while little is known about its effect on skeletal muscle oxidative metabolism and fibre type switch. Therefore, in order to investigate its effects and possibility to be applied in livestock production, 36 150-day-old fattening Pigs were fed with different diet for six-week experiment. As a result, the drip loss ratio of longissimus dorsi (LD) was significantly reduced (p < .05). Oxidative metabolism-related enzyme activity, the mRNA levels and protein expression of COX5B and PGC1α, mRNA level of myosin heavy chain I (MyHC I) and protein level of MyHC IIa were significantly upregulated (p < .05). While compared with control group, the protein expression of MyHC IIb was significantly decreased (p < .05). The result revealed that thymol could promote the oxidative metabolism in the muscle of pigs and improve the meat quality to a certain extent.     

Effects of 25‐hydroxycholecalciferol supplementation in maternal diets on reproductive performance and the expression of genes that regulate lactation in sows

One hundred Yorkshire × Landrace sows were randomly assigned to one of two dietary treatments (diet ND: 6,000 IU vitamin D₃/d feed; diet 25‐D: 200 μg/day 25OHD₃ feed). The experiment began on d 90 of gestation and continued until weaning on day 21 of lactation. In sows that received 25OHD₃, the growth rate of the piglets before weaning was significantly accelerated (0.266 kg/day, p < .05). Sow serum was collected after weaning, and those in the 25OHD₃ group were found to have significantly higher serum calcium (CA) and phosphorus (PI) levels (p < .05). Interestingly, the oestrus cycle of sows fed 25OHD₃ was significantly shortened (p < .05), the oestrus time was concentrated on the fifth day after weaning, and the piglets were born with a higher degree of uniformity (p < .05). Colostrum was collected on the day of delivery, and the colostrum of sows fed 25OHD₃ contained higher milk fat content than the control group (p < .05). 25OHD₃ supplementation increased the mRNA and protein expression of INSIG1 and SREBP1, which regulate milk fat synthesis, in the mammary gland of lactating sows (p < .05). In conclusion, 25OHD₃ supplementation in maternal diets improved reproductive performance, milk fat content and the mRNA and protein levels of genes regulating milk fat synthesis in lactating sows.     

Crystalline amino acids supplementation improves the performance and carcass traits in late‐finishing gilts fed low‐protein diets

This study investigated the effects of amino acids (AA) supplementation in low‐crude protein (CP) diets on the growth performance and carcass characteristics in late‐finishing gilts. Ninety gilts (93.8 ± 5.5 kg) were randomly allotted to one of the five diets which consisted of a normal‐CP (137 g/kg) or four low‐CP (105 g/kg) diets for 28 days. The low‐CP diets were supplemented with lysine + threonine + methionine (LCM), LCM + tryptophan (LCT), LCT + valine (LCV) or LCV + isoleucine (LCI), respectively. Non‐significant difference in average daily gain (ADG) was obtained in gilts receiving the control and LCV diet, which was higher than that of gilts fed the LCM diet (p < .05). The additions of crystalline AA in the low‐CP diet resulted in the improvements in ADG (linear and quadratic effect, p < .05) and fat‐free lean gain (quadratic effect, p < .05) and influenced the valine concentration (linear and quadratic effect, p < .05) and proportion of saturated fatty acid (linear effect, p < .05) in longissimus muscle. The results indicated that the valine supplementation could further improve the performance in 94 to 118 kg gilts fed the 105 g/kg CP diet.     

Effects of Astragalus membranaceus,Codonopsis pilosula and allicin mixture on growth performance,nutrient digestibility,faecal microbial shedding,immune response and meat quality in finishing pigs

A 12‐week trial with 120 [(Landrace×Yorkshire)×Duroc] pigs (45.65 ± 1.93 kg) was conducted to evaluate the effects of Astragalus membranaceus, Codonopsis pilosula and allicin mixture (HM) supplementation on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, faecal microbial shedding, immune response and meat quality in finishing pigs. Pigs were allocated to one of three treatments with 0, 0.025% (HM1) and 0.05% (HM2) HM supplementation in a randomized complete block design according to sex and BW. Each treatment contained 10 replications with four pigs (two barrows and two gilts) per pen. Dietary HM resulted in a higher G:F (p < 0.05) than CON group during weeks 7 to 12 and the overall periods. Pigs fed HM2 diet had higher ADG than pigs fed CON diet. Pigs fed HM2 supplementation diet led to a higher (p < 0.05) apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of dry matter (DM) and gross energy (GE) than pigs fed CON diet at week 6, while the supplementation of HM led to a higher (p < 0.05) ATTD of DM and GE than pigs fed CON diet at week 12. The faecal E. coli counts were reduced, and Lactobacillus counts were increased by increasing HM supplementation (p < 0.05). Pigs fed HM1 diet had higher (p < 0.05) WBC concentration than those fed CON and HM2 diets at week 6. Pigs fed HM‐supplemented diet had higher (p < 0.05) IgG and IgA concentrations than those fed CON diet at week 12. Pigs fed HM diet noted better (p < 0.05) meat colour and redness value than pigs fed CON diet. Pig fed HM2 reduced (p < 0.05) the lightness value compared with CON group. In conclusion, dietary HM supplementation exerted beneficial effects on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, intestinal microbial balance (increased Lactobacillus counts and decreased E. coli counts), immune response and meat quality.     

Effects of dietary fibre level and body weight of pigs on nutrient digestibility and available energy in high‐fibre diet based on wheat bran or sunflower meal

The objectives of this study were (a) to investigate the effect of body weight (BW) on available energy in fibre‐rich diets containing two NDF levels; and (b) to evaluate the effect of fibre type and NDF level on AA digestibility. In Exp. 1, barrows (24 at 33.4 ± 1.1 kg; 24 at 86.8 ± 3.3 kg) were randomly allotted to 4 diets containing a high protein basal (HPB), a low protein basal (LPB), 70% HPB + 30% wheat bran (WB) (HPB‐WB) and 70% LPB + 30% sunflower meal (SFM) (LPB‐SFM). In Exp. 2, barrows (24 at 33.5 ± 1.8 kg; 24 at 87.0 ± 3.8 kg) were randomly allotted to 4 diets containing no SFM with 12% NDF (SFM0LF), no SFM with 16% NDF (SFM0HF), 24% SFM with 12% NDF (SFM24LF) and 24% SFM with 16% NDF (SFM24HF). In Exp. 3, twelve barrows (35.5 ± 3.4 kg) fitted with T‐cannulas were allotted to two 6 × 4 Youden square design with 6 diets (4 same diets as in Exp. 2 and 2 nitrogen‐free diets). The concentration of DE, ME and ATTD of GE, CP, NDF and ADF in diets was greater (p < .01) when fed to 90 kg pigs compared with 30 kg pigs. The ME in ingredients was not affected by BW. The ATTD of NDF was negatively correlated with the CF (r = ?.98; p < .01), ADF (r = ?.99; p < .01) and ADL content (r = ?.96; p < .01). The ME of diets was negatively correlated with the ATTD of CF (r = ?.98; p < .01). The addition of SFM increased the standardized ileal digestibility (SID) of Met (p < .05). In conclusion, diets rich in fibre had different nutritional values at different pig weight stages. The AA digestibility depends mainly on chemical composition of diets.     

Effect of dietary supplementation of calcium butyrate on growth performance,carcass traits,intestinal health and pro‐inflammatory cytokines in Japanese quails

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the potential effect of dietary calcium butyrate on growth performance, carcass traits and gut health in Japanese quails. In total, 320 one‐day‐old Japanese quails were randomly assigned to 4 equal treatments, with 8 replicates of 10 Japanese quails, for 4 weeks. The Japanese quails in control treatment were fed control diet whereas in the other treatments the Japanese quails were fed diet supplemented with calcium butyrate at 0.3, 0.5 and 0.7 g/kg diet. Data concerning performance measurements were recorded weekly. In addition, eight Japanese quails (one/replicate) from each treatment were selected randomly for serum collection to measure pro‐ and anti‐inflammatory cytokines. Pooled faecal samples from each replicate of each treatment were also collected at three time points (0, 2 and 4 weeks) for count E. coli and C. perfringens. The results showed that after 7 days of the experimental period, Japanese quails fed calcium butyrate supplemented diet at 0.7 g/kg showed a greater (p < .05) body weight and a favourable (p < .05) feed conversion ratio than the other treatments. Moreover, serum superoxide dismutase and catalase activities were increased (p < .05) in Japanese quails fed calcium butyrate supplemented diet at 0.7 g/kg. Calcium butyrate supplementation at 0.7 g/kg was associated with reduction (p < .05) in TNF‐α, IL‐6 and IL1‐β, while IL‐10 was increased (p < .05). In addition, after 2 weeks of calcium butyrate supplementation, a reduction (p < .05) in E. coli and C. perfringens counts was observed in excreta of Japanese quails fed 0.5 and 0.7 g calcium butyrate/kg diets. It is concluded that calcium butyrate supplementation improves body weight gain, reduces E. coli and C. perfringens counts and has anti‐inflammatory/anti‐oxidant effect in Japanese quails.     

Effects of a short‐term supranutritional selenium supplementation on redox balance,physiology and insulin‐related metabolism in heat‐stressed pigs

Heat stress (HS) disrupts redox balance and insulin‐related metabolism. Supplementation with supranutritional amounts of selenium (Se) may enhance glutathione peroxidase (GPX) activity and reduce oxidative stress, but may trigger insulin resistance. Therefore, the aim of this experiment was to investigate the effects of a short‐term high Se supplementation on physiology, oxidative stress and insulin‐related metabolism in heat‐stressed pigs. Twenty‐four gilts were fed either a control (0.20 ppm Se) or a high Se (1.0 ppm Se yeast, HiSe) diet for 2 weeks. Pigs were then housed in thermoneutral (20°C) or HS (35°C) conditions for 8 days. Blood samples were collected to study blood Se and oxidative stress markers. An oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was conducted on day 8 of thermal exposure. The HS conditions increased rectal temperature and respiration rate (both p < .001). The HiSe diet increased blood Se by 12% (p < .05) and ameliorated the increase in rectal temperature (p < .05). Heat stress increased oxidative stress as evidenced by a 48% increase in plasma advanced oxidized protein products (AOPPs; p < .05), which may be associated with the reductions in plasma biological antioxidant potential (BAP) and erythrocyte GPX activity (both p < .05). The HiSe diet did not alleviate the reduction in plasma BAP or increase in AOPPs observed during HS, although it tended to increase erythrocyte GPX activity by 13% (p = .068). Without affecting insulin, HS attenuated lipid mobilization, as evidenced by a lower fasting NEFA concentration (p < .05), which was not mitigated by the HiSe diet. The HiSe diet increased insulin AUC, suggesting it potentiated insulin resistance, although this only occurred under TN conditions (p = .066). In summary, HS induced oxidative stress and attenuated lipid mobilization in pigs. The short‐term supranutritional Se supplementation alleviated hyperthermia, but did not protect against oxidative stress in heat‐stressed pigs.     

Genotype and dietary lysine deficiency affect carcass and muscle amino acid composition of pigs growing from 10 to 25 kg body weight

Amino acid (AA) composition of body protein is considered constant although there are evidences that AA pattern in pigs may be altered by different factors. Pigs with different body composition and protein deposition rates—like fatty and lean pigs—may differ in AA composition, with possible consequences on their AA requirements. This work investigates effects of genotype and dietary lysine deficiency on AA composition of carcass and muscles of Iberian and Landrace × Large White pigs. Twenty‐eight barrows (10 kg body weight [BW]), 14 from each breed, were used. They were randomly assigned to two experimental diets according to a factorial arrangement (two breeds × two diets). Diets were isonitrogenous and isoenergetic (200 ± 1 g CP/kg dry matter (DM); 14.7 ± 0.1 MJ ME/kg DM) and with identical chemical composition except for lysine concentration (10.9 and 5.20 g lysine/kg DM, for lysine‐adequate (AL) diet and lysine‐deficient (DL) diet respectively). Pigs were individually housed, and daily feed allowance was adjusted on a weekly basis according to BW. Pigs were slaughtered at 25 kg BW. Isoleucine, valine and phenylalanine concentration were higher in carcass protein of Iberian pigs (p < .01). In longissimus muscle, higher concentration of arginine, isoleucine, phenylalanine, lysine and valine (p < .001–p < .05), and lower of methionine (p < .001) were detected in Iberian pigs, whereas phenylalanine, leucine, lysine, threonine and methionine concentration decreased and arginine increased (p < .001–p < .05) when pigs were fed DL diet. Genotype and lysine deficiency effects were moderate in the AA composition of protein of biceps femoris muscle. The results show that AA proportions in protein of carcass and longissimus muscle can be influenced by pig genotype and conditions of lysine shortage. The biceps femoris muscle, with different functional and metabolic properties, shows more constant AA composition than longissimus, which seem to prevail independent from genotype or nutritional challenges.     

Effects of dietary red yeast (Sporidiobolus pararoseus) on production performance and egg quality of laying hens

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of dietary red yeast (Sporidiobolus pararoseus) on production performance and egg quality of laying hens. A total of 200 Esa Brown laying hens (23 weeks of age) were allocated equally to negative control group (no yeast supplement); positive control group (2 g/kg of Saccharomyces cerevisiae); 0.5, 1, 2 g/kg red yeast respectively. The experiment was lasted for 12 weeks. Feed intake, hen‐day egg production and egg weight were not different between control and supplemented groups. However, yeast‐supplemented groups were significantly improved feed efficiency (p < .05). Incremental levels of red yeast increased the colour score of egg yolk (p < .05). The cholesterol and triglyceride of serum and yolk were significantly (p < .05) lower in the laying hens fed dietary administration red yeast compared to the control diet; however, no significant (p > .05) differences among yeast‐supplemented groups were observed. The hepatic hydroxymethylglutaryl‐coenzymeA (HMG‐CoA) reductase activity was significantly lower (p < .05) in the 2 g/kg red yeast‐supplemented group compared to the control and other red yeast‐supplemented groups. Concentrations of caecal short‐chain fatty acids was increased (p < .05) in laying hens fed 1 and 2 g/kg red yeast as compared to the control group. Dietary administration of 2 g/kg red yeast (S. pararoceus) significantly improved egg yolk colour, decrease serum and egg yolk cholesterol levels.     

Influence of Bacillus subtilis GCB‐13‐001 on growth performance,nutrient digestibility,blood characteristics,faecal microbiota and faecal score in weanling pigs

The present study investigated the influence of Bacillus subtilis GCB‐13‐001 on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, blood characteristics, faecal microbiota and faecal score in weanling pigs. A total of 120 weaning pigs [(Landrace × Yorkshire) × Duroc; 7.73 ± 0.75 kg (28 days of age)] were randomly allotted into three treatments according to their initial body weight (BW) and gender in a 6‐week experiment. There were 8 replication pens in each treatment, with five pigs/pen. Dietary treatment groups were as follows: (a) basal diet (CON), (b) CON + 0.1% Bacillus subtilis GCB‐13‐001 1 × 10⁸ CFU/kg (T1) and (c) CON + 0.1% Bacillus subtilis GCB‐13‐001 1 × 10⁹ CFU/kg (T2). Days 1 to 7, the BW and ADG with T2 treatment were higher (p < .05) than CON treatment, as well as F:G showed trends in linear reduction (p < .1). Days 8 to 21, the BW and ADG were improved (p < .05) in pigs offered T1 and T2 diets compared with CON diet. Days 22 to 42, BW and ADG were higher (p < .05) in pigs fed T2 diet than CON and T1 diets, and the pigs fed T1 diet had higher BW than CON treatment. Overall, the ADG with the T2 treatment was higher (p < .05) than that with the T1 and CON treatments, and pigs offered T1 treatment had higher (p < .05) ADG than CON treatment. Moreover, F:G ratio were significantly decreased (p < .05) by T2 treatment compared with CON treatment. The faecal Lactobacillus counts were improved, and E. coli counts were reduced (p < .05) in pigs fed T2 diet compared with CON at the end of the experiment. In conclusion, supplementation of 0.1% Bacillus subtilis GCB‐13‐001 1 × 10⁹ CFU/kg has shown a beneficial effect in improving BW, increase ADG, decrease F:G ratio.     

Effect of dietary manipulation and vaccination of turkey breeder hens on immunoglobulin levels of yolk,yolk sac and neonate poults

Two hundred turkey breeder hens and 24 viable toms of 30–35 weeks age of small white variety were distributed into two treatment groups having four replicates of 25 hens and three toms in each treatment. First four replicates were offered a turkey breeder diet (Diet A) (Nutrient requirements of poultry, 1994, National Academic Press, Washington, DC) and the rest four replicates were maintained on a higher plane of nutrition (Diet B) for 8‐week duration. After 6 weeks of experimental feeding, two replicates from each treatment groups were vaccinated with ND (R₂B) vaccine. Yolk sac of embryo from birds fed Diet B had a significantly higher (p < .05) IgG, IgM level and HI titre (log 2) than those fed Diet A. HI titre values of embryonic yolk sac from the vaccinated birds fed Diet B were significantly higher (p < .05) than that of the control groups. In addition, HI titre values were significantly higher (p < .05) in the day‐old poults of the birds fed Diet B than that of those fed Diet A. There was significantly (p < .01) positive correlation between serum IgG and IgM of the breeder birds and day‐old chicks. Similarly, there was significantly (p < .05) positive correlation between yolk IgG and IgM after 1‐month experimental feeding and yolk sac IgG and IgM. Positive correlation (p < .05) also existed between yolk sac IgM and day‐old chick serum IgM. Furthermore, the HI titres of breeder birds' serum at 14 days post‐vaccination were positively correlated with their egg yolk after 10 and 15 days post‐vaccination, yolk sac and day‐old chicks. Thus, the study envisaged that a higher immunity in neonate poults from turkey breeders maintained on a higher plane of nutrition may be elicited as there was maternal transfer of antibodies from the serum of breeder birds to their offsprings through their yolk sac.     

Milk fatty acid profile from cows fed with mixed rations and different access time to pastureland during early lactation

Milk fatty acid (FA) profiles were determined in Holstein cows (n = 27) fed total mixed rations (TMR) ad libitum (G0) or diet composed by TMR (50% dry matter [DM] offered) plus grazing of pasture with 6 hr of access time to paddock in one session (G1) or 9 hr in two sessions (G2) at 45 days in milk (DIM). Moreover, milk FA was determined at 65 DIM when G0 cows turned out to G1 diet without adaptation period (Post‐G0), G1 remained as controls. Milk FA was quantified using gas chromatography and mass spectrometry. Preformed FA at 45 DIM was greater (+27%) for G2 than G0 cows (p < .05). Stearic acid (C18:0) was 30% greater for G2 cows (p < .05). De novo FA was lowest for G2 cows (p < .05). Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) did not differ (p < .12), while vaccenic acid (C18:1trans) was twofold greater for grazing treatments (p < .01). Linolenic acid [C18:3(n‐3)] was greatest for G2 and lowest for G0 cows (p < .01). Omega 6 FA was greater for G0 than grazing cows, mainly due to linoleic acid [18:2cis(n‐6); p < .05]. These results determined that n‐6/n‐3 ratio was almost threefold greater for G0 than grazing cows (p < .001). When diet of G0 cows changed to include pasture (Post‐G0), preformed FA increased (p < .05), explained mainly by the increase (p < .05) of stearic (C18:0) and C18:1trans, while de novo FA tended to decrease (p < .1). Moreover, the amount of CLA and C18:3(n‐3) tended to increase (p < .1) in Post‐G0 cows. Offering 50% of dietary DM from pasture modified milk FA profile in early lactation potentially beneficial for human health. When TMR‐fed cows were turned out to 50% pasture, milk FA profile reflected dietary change without need of an adaptation period.     

Plane of nutrition affects growth rate,organ size and skeletal muscle satellite cell activity in newborn calves

Plane of nutrition effects on body, tissue and cellular growth in the neonatal calf are poorly understood. The hypothesis that a low plane of nutrition (LPN) would limit skeletal muscle size by reducing fibre growth and muscle progenitor cell activity was tested. At birth, calves were randomly assigned to either a LPN (20% CP, 20% fat; GE=1.9 Mcal/days) or a high plane of nutrition (HPN; 27% CP, 10% fat, GE = 3.8 Mcal/days) in a 2 × 3 factorial design to test the impact of diet on neonatal calf growth, organ weight and skeletal muscle morphometry with time. Groups of calves (n = 4 or 5) were euthanised at 2, 4 and 8 week of age and organ and empty carcass weights were recorded. Body composition was measured by DXA. Longissimus muscle (LM) fibre cross‐sectional area (CSA), fibre/mm² and Pax7 were measured by immunohistology. Satellite cells were isolated at each time point and proliferation rates were measured by EdU incorporation. Calves fed a HPN had greater (p < 0.05) BW, ADG and hip height than those fed a LPN for 2, 4 or 8 weeks. HPN calves contained a greater (p < 0.05) percentage of fat tissue than LPN calves. Liver, spleen and thymus weights were less (p < 0.05) in LPN calves than HPN animals. Calves fed HPN had larger (p < 0.05) LM CSA at 8 weeks than LPN fed animals with no differences between the groups in numbers of satellite cells per fibre. Proliferation rates of satellite cells isolated from HPN fed calves were greater (p < 0.05) at 2 weeks than LPN fed animals, which exhibited greater (p < 0.05) proliferation rates at 4 weeks than HPN fed calves. We conclude a LPN diet reduces body growth and organ size and metabolically reprograms satellite cell activity.     

Effects of chestnut tannins on intestinal morphology,barrier function,pro‐inflammatory cytokine expression,microflora and antioxidant capacity in heat‐stressed broilers

A study was conducted to evaluate the effects of chestnut tannins (CT) on intestinal morphology, barrier function, pro‐inflammatory cytokine expression, microflora and antioxidant capacity in heat‐stressed broilers. Four hundred 28‐day‐old male Ross 308 broilers were randomly assigned into four groups, with 10 replicates per group and 10 broilers per replicate. The broilers in the normal (NOR) group were kept at 22 ± 1°C and fed the basal diet, and each of the other three groups were treated with cyclic heat (33 ± 1°C from 0800 to 1800 and 22 ± 1°C from 1800 to 0800) and fed the basal diet with 0 (HT), 1 (CT1) or 2 (CT2) g of CT/kg of diet. The experiment lasted for 14 days. Compared with the HT group, broilers in the NOR and CT2 groups had higher (p < .05) average daily gain and villus height in the jejunum and lower serum d ‐lactate (p < .001) and diamine oxidase (p < .01) levels. The addition of 2 g CT/kg of diet increased the total antioxidant capacity (p < .001) and superoxide dismutase activities (p < .05) and zonula occludens‐1 mRNA expression level (p < .05) and decreased the malondialdehyde concentration (p < .01) and mRNA expression levels of interleukin‐6 (p < .001) and nuclear factor kappa B (p < .001) in the jejunal mucosa of heat‐stressed broilers. The populations of Escherichia coli and Clostridium in the jejunum (p < .01) and caecum (p < .05) of broilers in the HT group were higher than those in the NOR and CT2 groups. In conclusion, the addition of 2 g CT/kg of diet seemed to be a feasible means of alleviating the negative effects of heat stress on the growth performance and intestinal function of broilers.     

Effect of oak (Quercus persica) acorn level on apparent digestibility,ruminal fermentation,nitrogen balance and urinary purine derivatives in pregnant goats

The aim of this experiment was to investigate the effect of dietary oak (Quercus persica) acorn (OA) level on dry matter intake (DMI), apparent nutrient digestibility, nitrogen (N) utilization, ruminal fermentation, protozoa population and urinary purine derivatives (PD) during the last 60 days of goat pregnancy. Twenty‐four multiparous pregnant goats (41.7 ± 2.3 kg BW) were assigned to one of three experimental diets consisted of control diet (C, without OA) and diets containing 20 (OA₂₀) or 40 g/100 g of OA (OA₄₀) on a DM basis in a completely randomized block design. Goats fed OA₄₀ had lower DMI (p < .01), DM (p < .01), OM (p < .01) and NDF (p < .05) digestibility, ruminal NH₃‐N concentration (p < .01), N intake (p < .01) and N retention (p < .01). Crude protein digestibility and ruminal acetate and total volatile fatty acid (VFA) concentration were lower in animals fed OA‐contained diets (p < .01), whereas ruminal propionate concentration was higher in goats fed the C diet (p < .01). Animals fed OA₄₀ had higher faecal N excretion and lower urinary N excretion (p < .01). Urinary PD was lower in goats fed diets containing OA in relation to those fed the C diet (p < .01). Total protozoa population decreased linearly with increasing OA level in the diet (p < .05). These results suggest that feeding OA, especially high level, has negative impacts on DMI, nutrient digestibility, VFA concentration, N retention and urinary PD excretion that may have adverse effects on metabolism and performance of pregnant goats.     

Beta‐glucan from Agrobacterium sp. ZX09 improves growth performance and intestinal function in weaned piglets

Beta‐glucan is currently under consideration as an alternative to in‐feed antibiotics. The aim of the study was to investigate Agrobacterium sp. ZX09 beta‐glucan on intestinal morphology, cytokine concentration, mucin expression and microbial populations of weaning piglets. Pigs were randomly assigned to one of five dietary treatments supplemented with 0, 25, 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg beta‐glucan. Data showed an increase in ADG at the 100 mg/kg group (p = .03). A significant increase in villus height and reduction in crypt depth were fund in ileal tissue at the 100 mg/kg inclusion level (p < .05). Dietary supplementation of 100 mg/kg beta‐glucan enhanced IL‐10 concentration (p = .04) and gene expression of MUC1 and MUC2 (p < .05) in the jejunum. Dietary supplementation of 100 mg/kg beta‐glucan provoked the up‐regulation of Lactobacillus counts and down‐regulation of Escherichia coli counts in the caecum (p = .05). Data suggested that improved growth performance in response to beta‐glucan supplementation at 100 mg/kg in weaned piglets may be explained by the improved intestinal function.     

Effect of probiotic supplementation on growth performance,intestinal morphology,barrier integrity,and inflammatory response in broilers subjected to cyclic heat stress

This study investigated the protective effects of probiotic on heat stress‐induced intestinal injury and inflammatory response in broilers. A total of 180 male broilers were randomly allocated to three treatments with four replicates each from 22 to 42 days of age. The broilers were either raised under thermoneutral (TN) conditions (23 ± 1°C) or subjected to cyclic heat stress (28–35–28°C for 12 hr daily). The broilers kept at TN conditions were fed a basal diet, and those exposed to heat stress were fed basal diets supplemented with or without probiotic at a dose of 1.5 × 10⁸ cfu/kg. Compared with the TN group, heat stress decreased (p < .05) the growth performance, reduced (p < .05) villus height and villus height: crypt depth ratio in intestinal mucosa, increased (p < .05) serum levels of D‐lactic acid on day 28 and endotoxin, TNF‐α and IL‐6 on day 42, and decreased (p < .05) serum IL‐10 content on day 42. Dietary supplementation of probiotic reversed (p < .05) all these changes except for the growth performance in heat‐stressed broilers. In conclusion, dietary inclusion of probiotic could improve intestinal morphology and barrier function, alleviate inflammatory response, but exert no ameliorative effect on growth performance of broilers under cyclic heat stress.