Effects of feeding different dietary protein and energy levels on the performance of 12–15-month-old buffalo calves

The study investigated the performance response of different dietary protein and energy levels of Nili-Ravi buffalo calves. Sixty buffalo calves of 12–15 months of age and similar body weight (140 ± 14 kg) were divided in to 12 groups, five animals in each group, according to 4 × 3 factorial arrangements. Twelve rations were formulated containing four levels of crude protein (CP; 10.5%, 12.20%, 13.80%, and 15.55%) each with three levels (1.72, 2.11, and 2.5 Mcal/Kg) of metabolizable energy (ME). Experiment lasted for 100 days; first 10 days were given for dietary adaptation. Daily feed consumption in calves fed all experimental diets were statistically significant (p < 0.05) across all treatments. Higher feed intake was observed in buffalo calves fed diets containing 12.20% and 13.85% CP with 2.11 Mcal/kg ME. Results of dry matter (DM) digestion were significantly different (p < 0.05) across all treatments. There was a quadratic (p < 0.05) response of DM digestibility for levels of dietary protein while, curvilinear (p < 0.05) trend with respect to dietary energy levels. Daily weight gain of buffalo calves did not show any treatment effect. The outcome of the present study indicate that 12–15-month-old buffalo calves perform adequately well when fed on diets containing 12.2% CP and 2.10 ME Mcal/Kg.     

Effects of different forage sources as a free‐choice provision on the performance,nutrient digestibility,selected blood metabolites and structural growth of Holstein dairy calves

The objective of this study was to determine the effects of different forage sources on the growth performance, nutrient digestibility and blood metabolites of dairy calves. Individually housed calves (n = 40; body weight = 41.2 ± 3.5 kg) were randomly allocated (n = 10 calves per treatment: five males and five females) to one of the following four treatments: (i) starter without forage provision (CON), (ii) starter plus chopped alfalfa hay (AH), (iii) starter plus chopped wheat straw (WS) and 4) starter plus dried sugar beet pulp (BP) flakes. Calves fed AH diets had lowest (p < 0.05) starter intake than those fed other diets, and WS promoted a significant increase (p < 0.01) in starter intake during 43–80 days. Forage intake was greatest (p < 0.01) for calves fed AH than those fed WS and BP. Calves in the AH treatment consumed less (p < 0.01) total dry matter intake than those offered other forage treatments. Final body weight was greatest (p < 0.05), and age of weaning was lowest for calves fed BP than other treatments. Calves in the BP treatment had greater (p < 0.05) average daily gain (ADG) than CON and WS treatments, but similar to AH calves. Digestibility of NDF and ADF was greater (p < 0.05) in BP treatment than other treatments. Calves fed BP had greater (p < 0.05) digestibility of DM and OM than those fed CON diets and similar to those fed AH and WS diets. Calves in the AH treatment had greater (p < 0.05) CP digestibility than CON, but similar to WS and BP calves. Blood beta‐hydroxybutyrate concentration was lower in forage‐offered calves than CON one. Body measurements (with the exception of body barrel) did not differ across treatments. It was concluded that BP improves final body weight, ADG and nutrient digestibility of calves than starter without forage provision during weaning transition.     

Reduced dietary protein level influences the free amino acid and gene expression profiles of selected amino acid transceptors in skeletal muscle of growing pigs

This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of reduced dietary protein level on growth performance, muscle mass weight, free amino acids (FAA) and gene expression profile of selected amino acid transceptors in different fibre type of skeletal muscle tissues (longissimus dorsi, psoas major, biceps femoris) of growing pigs. A total of 18 cross‐bred growing pigs (Large White × Landrace × Duroc) with initial body weight (9.57 ± 0.67 kg) were assigned into three dietary treatments: 20% crude protein (CP) diet (normal recommended, NP), 17% CP diet (low protein, LP) and 14% CP diet (very low protein, VLP). The results indicated improved feed‐to‐gain ratio was obtained for pigs fed LP and NP diets (p < 0.01), while the pigs fed VLP diet showed the worst growth performance (p < 0.01). There was no significant difference in the weights of longissimus dorsi and psoas major muscle between LP and NP groups (p > 0.05). Majority of the determined FAA concentration of LP group were greater than or equal to those of NP group in both longissimus dorsi and psoas major muscle (p < 0.01). Further, the mRNA expression levels of sodium‐coupled neutral amino acid transceptor 2, L‐type amino acid transceptor 1 and proton‐assisted amino acid transceptors 2 were higher in skeletal muscle tissue in LP group compared to those of the pigs fed NP or VLP diet. These results suggested that reduced dietary protein level (3 points of percentage less than recommended level) would upregulate the mRNA expression of amino acid transceptors to enhance the absorption of FAA in skeletal muscle of growing pigs. There seems to be a relationship between response of AA transceptors to the dietary protein level in skeletal muscle tissue of different fibre type. To illustrate the underlying mechanisms will be beneficial to animal nutrition.     

Effects of feeding condensed barley distillers soluble on growth rate,ruminal fermentation,plasma metabolites,and myofiber properties of the longissimus thoracis muscle in Japanese Black calves

This study evaluated the effects of condensed barley distillers soluble (CBDS) on growth rate, rumen fermentation, plasma metabolite, and myofiber properties, and gene expression related to metabolism in the skeletal muscles of Japanese Black calves, compared with soybean meal and corn. Twenty‐four calves were divided into four groups: fed 5% CBDS based on the hay dry matter weight (low CBDS) and fed soybean meal and corn at the same nutrition level (control); and fed 15% CBDS based on the hay dry matter weight (high CBDS) and fed soybean meal and corn at the same nutrition level (high soy). The daily gain was larger in the low (p = 0.08) and high (p < 0.05) CBDS groups compared with the control group. In the CBDS‐fed groups, plasma β‐hydroxybutyric acid concentrations were significantly higher at 6 months of age (p < 0.05), the percentage of type I myofibers was significantly lower and their diameters were significantly larger at 9 months of age (p < 0.05), and carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1b mRNA expression was significantly lower (p < 0.05) and citrate synthase mRNA expression tended to be lower (low; p = 0.06, high; p = 0.05) compared with control group. Thus, feeding CBDS promotes growth and leads to animals with more glycolytic and less oxidative muscle metabolism.     

Wheat particle size,insoluble fibre sources and whole wheat feeding influence gizzard musculature and nutrient utilisation to different extents in broiler chickens

A 21‐day experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of wheat particle size, insoluble fibre source and whole wheat (WW) inclusion on the gizzard musculature, intestinal architecture and nutrient utilisation of broiler chickens. The following seven treatments, all in mash form, were tested: control diet using finely ground wheat (Fine); control diet using medium‐ground wheat (Medium); control diet using coarsely ground wheat (Coarse); fine diet diluted with 10 g/kg lignocellulose (LC); fine diet diluted with 30 g/kg oat hulls (OH); fine diet diluted with 30 g/kg wood shavings (WS); and ground wheat in the fine diet replaced with 50 and 100 g/kg WW during the second (day 8–14) and third (day 15–21) weeks of the study respectively. Except for the LC diet, all treatments increased (p < 0.05) the thickness of the caudodorsal thick muscle of gizzard compared to the fine diet. The highest (p < 0.05) caudoventral thin and cranioventral thick muscle diameters in the gizzard walls were achieved with the OH and WS diets. Feeding OH, WS and WW diets improved (p < 0.05) starch digestibility compared with the fine diet, while medium, coarse and LC diets had no effect (p > 0.05). All diets containing fibre sources (LC, OH and WS) reduced (p < 0.05) the energy digestibility compared to the fine diet. Birds fed OH and WS diets gained the lowest (p < 0.05) weights. Feeding LC, OH, WS and WW diets increased (p < 0.05) the feed per gain compared with the fine diet. The current results suggest that there is a potential for coarse particles, insoluble fibre sources and WW feeding to improve the gizzard musculature and digestibility of some nutrients, with the effect being more pronounced with the inclusion of structural fibre sources.     

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.     

Dietary supplementation of yeast cell wall improves the gastrointestinal development of weaned calves

The purpose of this study was to investigate the potential benefits of yeast cell wall (YCW) on the gastrointestinal development of weaned calves. Twenty healthy Holstein male calves (BW = 92 ± 8.29 kg and 60 ± 5 d of age) were randomly allocated into 2 groups: CON with no YCW, and YCW (accounted for 0.16% of the basal diet). The dietary concentrate-to-roughage ratio was 40:60. All the calves were fed regularly twice a day at 09:00 and 16:00 and had free access to water. The experiment lasted for 60 d. The results showed that calves fed YCW showed higher (P < 0.05) length, width, and surface area of papillae in the ventral sac of the rumen as compared to CON. For the dorsal sac of the rumen, the muscularis thickness was thicker (P < 0.05) in the YCW group when compared with CON group. The villus height of YCW calves was higher (P < 0.05) than that of CON in the ileum. Calves supplemented with YCW also showed a higher (P < 0.05) villus height-to-crypt depth ratio in the ileum. The YCW calves exhibited a greater (P < 0.05) thickness of the wall in the duodenum and jejunum. Calves supplemented with YCW improved (P < 0.05) the claudin 1 mRNA expression in the ileum and occludin mRNA expression in the jejunum and ileum. The YCW increased (P < 0.05) the contents of secretory immunoglobulin A in the jejunum and ileum of calves. In conclusion, dietary supplementation with YCW could improve the gastrointestinal development of weaned calves.     

Effects of exercise training on carbohydrate and lipid catabolism in the swimming muscles of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus)

This study aims to determine the effects of exercise training on carbohydrate and lipid catabolism in the swimming muscles of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) by measuring the levels of related enzymes, lipids and free fatty acids. We designed one control group and two training groups of fish that were exercised at different training intensities [0, 1 and 1.5 body lengths per second (bl/s)]. The fish in the experimental groups were trained for 12 h/day for 4 weeks. Compared with the control group, the 1 and 1.5 bl/s groups showed significantly increased hexokinase and pyruvate kinase activities in red muscle (p < 0.05). In white muscle, pyruvate kinase activity was significantly higher in the 1.5 bl/s group than in the control group (p < 0.05), and hexokinase activity did not significantly differ between the groups. The activities of hormone‐sensitive lipase and carnitine palmitoyltransferase I in both muscle types were significantly lower in the training groups than in the control group (p < 0.05). The plasma‐free fatty acid level decreased (p < 0.05), while the lipid percentages increased in red muscle (p < 0.05) after exercise training. These findings clearly indicated that with exercise training, glycolysis increased and lipid oxidation decreased in the swimming muscle of tilapia.     

Leucine alone or in combination with glutamic acid,but not with arginine,increases biceps femoris muscle and alters muscle AA transport and concentrations in fattening pigs

Forty‐eight Duroc × Large White × Landrace pigs with an average initial body weight of 77.09 ± 1.37 kg were used to investigate the effects of combination of leucine (Leu) with arginine (Arg) or glutamic acid (Glu) on muscle growth, free amino acid profiles, expression levels of amino acid transporters and growth‐related genes in skeletal muscle. The animals were randomly assigned to one of the four treatment groups (12 pigs/group, castrated male:female = 1:1). The pigs in the control group were fed a basal diet (13% Crude Protein), and those in the experimental groups were fed the basal diet supplemented with 1.00% Leu (L group), 1.00% Leu + 1.00% Arg (LA group) or 1.00% Leu + 1.00% Glu (LG group). The experiment lasted for 60 days. Results showed an increase (p < 0.05) in biceps femoris (BF) muscle weight in the L group and LG group relative to the basal diet group. In longissimus dorsi (LD) muscle, Lys, taurine and total essential amino acid concentration increased in the LG group relative to the basal diet group (p < 0.05). In LG group, Glu and carnosine concentrations increased (p < 0.05) in the BF muscle, when compared to the basal diet group. The Leu and Lys concentrations of BF muscle were lower in the LA group than that in the L group (p < 0.05). A positive association was found between BF muscle weight and Leu concentration (p < 0.05). The LG group presented higher (p < 0.05) mRNA levels of ASCT2, LAT1, PAT2, SANT2 and TAT1 in LD muscle than those in the basal diet group. The mRNA levels of PAT2 and MyoD in BF muscle were upregulated (p < 0.05) in the LG group, compared with those in the basal diet group. In conclusion, Leu alone or in combination with Glu is benefit for biceps femoris muscle growth in fattening pig.     

Evaluation of pigeon pea leaves (Cajanus cajan) replacing alfalfa meal on growth performance,carcass trait,nutrient digestibility,antioxidant capacity and biochemical parameters of rabbits

A 30‐day experiment was performed to determine the effect of pigeon pea leaves (PPL) on growth performance, carcass trait, meat quality, nutrient digestibility, antioxidant capacity and biochemical parameters of growing rabbits. In a completely randomized design, PPL replaced alfalfa meal at the level of 0%, 10%, 20% and 30%, which were named PPL0 (control), PPL10, PPL20 and PML30 respectively. Two hundred New Zealand white rabbits at 6 weeks with similar weight (870.23 ± 15.98 g) were allocated to four dietary groups with five replicates containing 10 rabbits/per replicate (male). The results showed that: (a) PPL powder contained 24.26% crude protein, 4.34% crude fat, 17.86% crude fibre, 7.05% ash, 1.35% calcium, 0.28% phosphorus, 1.09% lysine and 0.20% methionine, and the chemical compositions are on DM basis; (b) the ratio of feed to gain of rabbits fed diet PPL10 was significantly better (p < 0.05) than those fed other three diets; (c) the content of longissimus dorsi (LD) moisture in the rabbits fed diets without PPL (control group) was 12% lower than that in the PPL30 diets (60.1 vs. 72.1; p < 0.05). In PPL10, PPL20 and PPL30 diets, the leg muscle (LM) b*(yellowness) value was 33%, 30% and 22.6% higher than the control group respectively. The rabbits fed diets PPL0 had lower (p < 0.05) LM crude protein and ash and higher (p < 0.05) crude fat of LD and LM as compared with those fed other diets; (d) crude protein and energy digestibility of PPL0 and PPL10 diets were significantly higher (p < 0.05) than PPL30 diets; and (e) serum glutathione peroxidase (GSH‐Px) activity of the rabbits fed PPL10 and PPL30 diets was significantly higher (p < 0.05) than that fed PPL20 diets. Liver total antioxidant capacity (T‐AOC) activity of the PPL30 groups was 1.3% higher (p < 0.05) than the PPL10 group. Additionally, the control group (PPL0) had the highest (p < 0.05) blood urea nitrogen (BUN), total cholesterol (TCHO) and low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDLC) content compared with the groups supplemented with PPL. The PPL30 group had the highest (p < 0.05) triiodothyronine (T₃) and tetraiodothyroxine (T₄) value among the dietary groups.     

Effects of food processing and fibre content on the digestibility,energy intake and biochemical parameters of Blue‐and‐gold macaws (Ara ararauna L. – Aves,Psittacidae)

Considering the increased incidence of obesity and metabolic diseases in caged psittacines, the effect of fibre and food processing was evaluated in the Blue‐and‐gold macaw. Four food formulations (0%, 7%, 14% and 21% of sugarcane fibre) processed by pelleting or extrusion were studied, resulting in eight diets. To study digestibility, 48 macaws housed in pairs in cages was used in a block design. Subsequently, diets containing 0% or 21% sugarcane fibre, pelleted or extrude was fed for 4 months to evaluate energy intake and blood metabolites. A 2 × 2 × 2 (two fibre levels, two food processing methods and two genders) factorial arrangement with subplots (beginning and end) was used. When differences were detected in anova 's F test, data were submitted to polynomial contrasts in the first experiment and to orthogonal contrasts in the second experiment (p < 0.05). Fibre addition reduced protein, fat and energy (p < 0.001) digestibility in both food processing. Pelleted foods presented higher dry matter digestibility and food metabolisable energy (ME) than the extruded ones (p < 0.05). Fibre addition or the type of processing did not change ME ingestion (p > 0.05). The macaws gained body weight (p < 0.05) regardless of the diet (p > 0.05), but females fed with the high‐fibre diets did not gain weight (p > 0.05), suggesting a low food ME (12.5 kJ/g).The substitution of the original diet (sunflower seeds, fruits and cooked maize) by the experimental foods decreased the basal (12‐h fast) concentrations of glucose, cholesterol and triglycerides (p < 0.001). The consumption of pelleted diets reduced serum glucose and cholesterol (p < 0.05). Results suggest that the pelleted diets were more beneficial and can be used to reduce blood metabolites related to metabolic disorders that are commonly observed in macaws.     

Bovine colostrum enriched with lyophilized bovine colostrum stimulates intestinal epithelium renewal of Holstein calves in the first days of life

Consumption of a second meal of colostrum with high quality could contribute to the intestinal epithelium development, especially if there is poor supply of colostrum just after birth. The effect of a second colostrum meal was evaluated on histomorphometry of the intestinal mucosa of newborn Holstein calves fed with high‐ and low‐quality first colostrum. Seventy‐two calves were fed with a first colostrum meal with high (HFM, close to 100 mg/ml) or low (LFM, close to 30 mg/ml) IgG concentration. At 12 hr of life, three treatments of second colostrum feeding were applied to the calves either fed high or low first colostrum: calves fed with low (LOW—close to 30 mg/ml) or high (HIGH—close to 100 mg/ml) IgG concentration; and colostrum enriched with lyophilized bovine colostrum with high IgG concentration (ENRICHED—higher than 120 mg/ml), resulting in six groups. Intestinal samples were collected after 24 and 72 hr of life. In the distal jejunum and ileum, LOW showed higher villus height than ENRICHED (p < .05). In the distal jejunum, greater villus perimeter was observed in the LOW compared to ENRICHED at 24 hr (p < .05). In ileum, LFM showed higher villus perimeter compared to HFM (p < .05). LOW showed the highest villus height‐to‐crypt depth ratio in the medium and distal jejunum and ileum, p < .05. ENRICHED and HFM showed decreased muscle layer thickness in the proximal and distal jejunum respectively (p < .05). The results reveal that the high concentration of total solids, crude protein, IgG and IGF‐I of colostrum with high quality worsened the absorptive area, but may have stimulated the activity of cell division in intestinal crypts. Considering the present results, bovine colostrum enriched with lyophilized bovine colostrum stimulates intestinal epithelium renewal of Holstein calves in the first days of life.     

Interactive effect of corn particle size and insoluble fiber source on performance,nutrient utilization and intestine morphology in broilers fed pelleted diets

The effects of corn particle size and dietary fibre on the performance, coefficient of apparent ileal digestibility (CAID) and intestinal characteristics in broiler starters fed pelleted diets were studied. The experiment included 10 treatments arranged as a 2 × 5 factorial with two corn particle sizes (GMD of 1071 [CGC] vs. 534 [FGC]) and five diets that consisted in a low-fibre diet and four extra diets resulting from the inclusion of insoluble fibre sources (10 g/kg of lignocellulose (LC), and 30 g/kg of oat hulls; OH, rice hulls; RH, and sunflower hulls; SFH). In coarse grinding, all-fibre sources improved body weight gain and feed intake compared to the control diet (p < 0.01). Feed conversion ratio (FCR) improved with fibre supplementation (p < 0.01) and fine grinding of corn (FGC) (p < 0.01). Coarse grinding of corn (CGC) and inclusion of RH, SFH and OH reduced gizzard pH (p < 0.01). Fibre inclusion increased ileal fat and Ca digestibility (p < 0.01), gizzard weight (p < 0.01), digesta transit time (p < 0.01) and length of duodenum and small intestine (p < 0.01). The CAID of phosphorus increased in CGC fed birds and inclusion of RH, SFH and OH (p < 0.05). The weight of gizzard, proventriculus and pancreas (p < 0.01) was greater in CGC fed birds. Feeding SFH, RH and OH (p < 0.01), and CGC (p < 0.01) increased the villus height (VH) of the duodenum. The OH, RH and SFH supplementation increased the caecal population of Lactobacillus spp. and total anaerobic bacteria (p < 0.01) only in FGC fed birds. Overall, birds fed pelleted diets containing RH, OH and SFH (3%) exhibited improved performance, and increased nutrient digestibility, which may be caused by developed gizzards and intestine. Furthermore, coarse grinding of corn is beneficial to gizzard development.     

Effects of multistrain probiotics on growth performance,nutrient digestibility,blood profiles,faecal microbial shedding,faecal score and noxious gas emission in weaning pigs

This experiment was conducted to investigate the efficacy of multistrain probiotics in weaning pigs. A total of 125 28‐day‐old weaning pigs [(Landrace × Yorkshire) × Duroc] with an initial average body weight (BW) of 7.26 ± 0.76 kg were randomly allotted into 5 treatments, 5 replicate pens/treatment with 5 pigs/pen for 42‐day experiment. Dietary treatments were as follows: CON, basal diet; PC1, CON + 0.01% multistrain probiotics; PC2, CON + 0.03% multistrain probiotics; PC3, CON + 0.06% multistrain probiotics; PC4, CON + 0.1% multistrain probiotics. On day 14, pigs fed the PC4 diet had higher BW gain than pigs fed the CON diet. On day 42, pigs fed multistrain probiotics supplementation diets had higher BW gain than pigs fed the CON diet. From days 1 to 14, pigs fed the PC2, PC3 and PC4 diets had higher (p < 0.05) ADG than pigs fed the CON diet. From day 15 to 42, pigs fed the multistrain probiotics supplementation diets had higher (p < 0.05) average daily gain (ADG) and gain: feed ratio (G:F) than pigs fed the CON diet. In the overall period, pigs fed the multistrain probiotics supplementation diets had higher (p < 0.05) ADG and pigs fed the PC2 and PC4 diets had higher (p < 0.05) G:F than pigs fed the CON diet. On day 42, pigs fed the PC4 diet had higher (p < 0.05) apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of dry matter (DM), nitrogen (N) and gross energy (GE), faecal Lactobacillus counts and lower (p < 0.05) E. coli counts and NH₃ emission than pigs fed the CON diet. Pigs fed the multistrain probiotics supplementation diets had lower (p < 0.05) H₂S and total mercaptans emissions than pigs fed the CON diet. Conclusions, dietary supplementation with 0.1% probiotics improved growth performance, nutrition digestibility and intestinal microflora balance and decreased faecal noxious gas emissions in weaning pigs.     

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.     

Maternal dietary linoleic acid supplementation promotes muscle fibre type transformation in suckling piglets

As meat quality is basically dependent on muscle fibre characteristics, it is important to know how muscle fibres are regulated and transformed. This study aimed to investigate the effect of maternal dietary supplementation on muscle fibre types using 3% saturated fatty acid (palmitic acid, PA) or 3% unsaturated fatty acid (linoleic acid, LA) from 80 days of gestation to the weaning of offspring (25 days post‐natal). The results indicated that higher mRNA levels of MyHCI type genes were found in the soleus muscles of piglets that suckled from LA‐supplemented sows than from PA‐supplemented sows. In addition, LA treatment increased the gene expression of the type I muscle fibre marker troponin I (p < 0.01), suggesting that LA promoted muscle fibre type transformation to type I fibres. Moreover, PGC‐1α (p < 0.01) and MEF2c (p < 0.05) mRNA levels were higher in the piglets from the LA treatment group than in those from the PA treatment group. Furthermore, LA supplementation also significantly increased AMP‐activated protein kinase (AMPK) mRNA levels (p < 0.05), which is an upstream regulator of PGC‐1α. Collectively, these findings demonstrated that maternal dietary LA supplementation promoted muscle fibre transformation to type I fibre and that this process may be mediated through an AMPK‐dependent pathway.     

Growth of rumen papillae in weaned calves is associated with lower expression of insulin‐like growth factor‐binding proteins 2, 3, and 6

This study aimed to characterize the relationship between the growth of rumen papillae in calves and the mRNA expression of insulin‐like growth factor‐binding proteins (IGFBPs) in the rumen papillae. The length of rumen papillae, the mRNA expression of IGFBPs in rumen papillae by quantitative real‐time PCR, and the presence of insulin‐like growth factors I and II (IGF‐I and II) by immunohistochemistry (IHC) were analyzed in nine Holstein calves divided into three groups: suckling (2 weeks, n = 3), milk‐continued (8 weeks, n = 3), and weaned (8 weeks, n = 3). The length of rumen papillae was greater (p < 0.01) in weaned calves than in suckling and milk‐continued calves, whereas the expressions of IGFBP2, IGFBP3, and IGFBP6 genes were lower (p < 0.05) in the rumen papillae of weaned calves than in milk‐continued calves. Thus, rumen papillae length and IGFBP2, 3, and 6 expressions were negatively correlated. The IHC analysis showed that IGF‐I and IGF‐II were present in the rumen epithelium of calves. These results suggested that the growth of rumen papillae after weaning is associated with the induction of IGFs by the low levels of IGFBP2, IGFBP3, and IGFBP6.     

Progressive resistance‐loaded voluntary wheel running increases hypertrophy and differentially affects muscle protein synthesis,ribosome biogenesis,and proteolytic markers in rat muscle

We examined if 6 weeks of progressive resistance‐loaded voluntary wheel running in rats induced plantaris, soleus, and/or gastrocnemius hypertrophy and/or affected markers of translational efficiency, ribosome biogenesis, and markers of proteolysis. For 6 weeks, 8 male Sprague‐Dawley rats (~9–10 weeks of age, ~300–325 g) rats were assigned to the progressive resistance‐loaded voluntary wheel running model (EX), and ten rats were not trained (SED). For EX rats, the wheel‐loading paradigm was as follows – days 1–7: free‐wheel resistance, days 8–15: wheel resistance set to 20%–25% body mass, days 16–24: 40% body mass, days 25–32: 60% body mass, days 33–42: 40% body mass. Following the intervention, muscles were analysed for markers of translational efficiency, ribosome biogenesis, and muscle proteolysis. Raw gastrocnemius mass (+13%, p < .01), relative (body mass‐corrected) gastrocnemius mass (+16%, p < .001), raw plantaris mass (+13%, p < .05), and relative plantaris mass (+15%, p < .01) were greater in EX vs. SED rats. In spite of gastrocnemius hypertrophy, EX animals presented a 54% decrease in basal muscle protein synthesis levels (p < .01), a 125% increase in pan 4EBP1 levels (p < .001) and a 31% decrease in pan eIF4E levels (p < .05). However, in relation to SED animals, EX animals presented a 70% increase in gastrocnemius c‐Myc protein levels (p < .05). Most markers of translational efficiency and ribosome biogenesis were not altered in the plantaris or soleus muscles of EX vs. SED animals. Gastrocnemius F‐box protein 32 and poly‐ubiquinated protein levels were approximately 150% and 200% greater in SED vs. EX rats (p < .001). These data suggest that the employed resistance training model increases hind limb muscle hypertrophy, and this may be mainly facilitated through reductions in skeletal muscle proteolysis, rather than alterations in ribosome biogenesis or translational efficiency.     

Nutritional parameters in the blood of dams during late gestation and immediately after calving,in the umbilical vein at calving,and in the blood of calves immediately following birth in Holstein heifers pregnant with either Holstein or beef breed fetuses

Dairy cattle management lacks consideration of fetal breed, the effect of which on fetal growth and nutrition are unclear. We investigated blood parameters in 12 late-pregnant Holstein heifers with similar (Holstein, n = 5) or different (Japanese Black [n = 4] or F1 cross [n = 3]; Holstein × Japanese Black) fetus breeds and in their umbilical cords and calves. Samples were obtained from dams 1 week before calving (−1 week) and immediately after calving, from the umbilical vein at calving, and from calves immediately after birth. Dams with beef fetuses had higher serum glucose levels (−1 week; p < .05) than those with Holstein fetuses. Plasma total amino acid, total essential amino acid, total nonessential amino acid, and other amino acid concentrations were lower in the umbilical veins of dams with calves of the beef breeds than in those of the Holstein breeds (p < .05). Furthermore, serum glucose and plasma amino acid levels were lower in the beef calves than in the Holstein calves (p < .05). Overall, nutrient supply from dams to beef fetuses was lower than that to Holstein fetuses. Our findings may facilitate feeding management of dairy cattle pregnant with beef breeds for appropriate fetal growth and nutrition.     

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.