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.     

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.     

Combined effects of xylo-oligosaccharides and coated sodium butyrate on growth performance,immune function,and intestinal physical barrier function of broilers

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary supplementation xylo-oligosaccharides (XOS), coated sodium butyrate (CSB), and their combination on growth performance, immune parameters, and intestinal barrier of broilers. A total of 192 1-day-old chicks were assigned to a 2 × 2 factorial design including two dietary additives (0 and 150 mg/kg XOS and 0 and 400 mg/kg CSB). This trial lasted for 42 days. CSB supplementation increased the thymus and bursa index, blood myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, and IgG and IgM concentrations, whereas adding XOS only improved IgM concentration (p < .05). A significant interaction was observed for MPO activity. Furthermore, broilers fed CSB and their interaction exhibited increased ileal villus height/crypt depth (VH/CD) and goblet cells numbers in the ileum, as well as decreased ileal CD (p < .05). Broilers fed XOS and CSB individually showed higher ileal VH, the number of goblet cells in the duodenum and jejunum (p < .05). Moreover, XOS and CSB individual supplementation upregulated the expression of claudin3 in the ileum (p < .05). Simultaneously, a significant interaction was found for the ileal expression of claudin3. Overall, XOS and CSB supplementation could improve the development of immune organs, the small intestine morphology, and the intestinal physical barrier of broilers. Although no clear synergy of XOS and CSB was detected, the combination had positively affect broilers intestinal barrier and immune parameters.     

Carcass traits,meat quality,antioxidant status and antioxidant gene expression in muscle and liver of Hu lambs fed perilla seed

The effects of perilla (Perilla frutescens L.) seed on carcass traits, meat quality, antioxidant status and antioxidant gene expression in the liver and muscle of Hu lambs were investigated in this study. Sixty Hu lambs (23.02 ± 1.36 kg) were randomly divided into four experimental groups receiving diets containing 0%, 5%, 10% or 15% perilla seed (CD, 5%PFSD, 10%PFSD and 15%PFSD, respectively). The addition of perilla seed had no significant impacts on carcass traits (p > .05). There were no differences in pH, meat colour, drip loss, cooking loss or shear force among the four treatments (p > .05). Addition of perilla seed increased (p < .05) deposition of intramuscular lipids but had no effect on other chemical components in the longissimus dorsi (LD) (p > .05). The 15%PFSD diet decreased the total antioxidant capacity (T‐AOC) and malondialdehyde (MDA) content in the liver (p < .05 for both) but increased the activity of these antioxidant enzymes in LD (p < .05 for both). Compared to CD, addition of perilla seed increased superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPX) expression in the liver and LD (p < .05 for all). These results indicate that perilla seed supplementation in lambs’ diets can increase deposition of intramuscular lipids and improve muscular oxidative status and meat quality.     

Physiological and health‐related response of broiler chickens fed diets containing raw,full‐fat soya bean meal supplemented with microbial protease

A 2 × 3 factorial study (protease: 0 or 1,5000 PROT/kg and raw full‐fat soya bean meal [RSBM] replacing the commercial SBM at 0, 45 and 75 g/kg of diet) was conducted to examine the performance of broilers. Phytase (2000 FYT/kg) was uniformly added to each diet, each also replicated six times, with eight birds per replicate. Birds were raised in climate‐controlled rooms using sawdust as the bedding material and offered starter, grower and finisher diets. Feed intake (FI) and body weight gain (BWG) were reduced (p < .05) due to increasing levels of RSBM, but feed conversion ratio (FCR; 0–35 days) was unaffected. Over the first 24 days, neither RSBM nor protease supplementation affected (p > .05) mortality, footpad dermatitis or intestinal lesions in birds. At day 24, the weight, length, width and strength of tibia bone were reduced in chickens that received an elevated level of RSBM (75 g/kg of diet), but this was not significant at day 35. At day 24 (p < .05) and 35 (p < .01), Ca concentration in the litter was reduced when the RSBM level was increased in the diet, but P content was not affected. On days 24 (p < .05) and 35 (p < .01), the N content in litter was also increased with increase in dietary RSBM. Protease supplementation increased (p < .05) the uric acid concentration in the litter (at day 35), but the reverse was the case for ammonia concentration. Overall, the results of this study indicate that there are no major health‐related risks, associated with the replacement of commercial SBM with RSBM (≤25%) in broiler diets.     

Effects of dietary supplementation of Lycium barbarum polysaccharides on growth performance,immune status,antioxidant capacity and selected microbial populations of weaned piglets

Lycium barbarum polysaccharides (LBPs) are a complex mixture of highly branched and partially characterised polysaccharides and proteoglycans extracted from the goji berry. This mixture has great potential as a novel feed supplement for pigs. Two trials were conducted to evaluate the effects of supplementation with LBPs on the growth performance, immune status, antioxidant capacity and selected intestinal microbial populations in weaned piglets. In trial 1, a total of 400 weaned piglets [(Yorkshire × Landrace) × Duroc] with an average body weight (BW) of 6.34 ± 0.16 kg (21 days of age) were divided into five groups and fed a basal diet (control group) or a basal diet containing 1,000, 2,000, 4,000 or 6,000 mg/kg LBPs (supplemented at the expense of corn). Supplementation with 4,000 or 6,000 mg/kg LBPs for 2 weeks significantly increased the average daily gain (ADG) and average daily feed intake (ADFI) of the pigs compared with the control group (p < .05). In trial 2, thirty-two 21-days-old weaned piglets (BW: 6.33 ± 0.11 kg) were allotted to a control group (fed with a basal diet) or an experimental group (basal diet containing 4,000 mg/kg LBPs). The experiment lasted for 14 days. Pigs fed LBP diets exhibited an increased ADG and ADFI, and a decreased diarrhoeal incidence compared with those fed the basal diets (p < .05). Supplementation with LBPs increased the serum IgG and IgM levels (p < .05). Dietary LBPs effectively promoted antioxidant defence properties through enhancing the activities of serum, liver superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), in addition to decreasing the malondialdehyde (MDA) content (p < .05). The addition of LBPs increased the amounts of Bacteroidetes in the ileum and caecum and the caecal contents of Lactobacillus spp. and Bifidobacterium spp. (p < .05), while decreased the populations of Escherichia coli and Firmicutes in the ileum and caecum (p < .05) compared with the control group. Our results suggest that dietary supplementation with LBPs can enhance growth performance, immune status and antioxidant capacity, and improve the intestinal microbial populations of weaned piglets.     

Effects of over-load iron on nutrient digestibility,haemato-biochemistry,rumen fermentation and bacterial communities in sheep

There is a risk of iron overload in grazing livestock. However, the effects on nutrient absorption and rumen function induced by excessive iron have not been well understood. Therefore, the purpose of present study was to investigate the impact of over-load iron on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, blood biochemistry, rumen fermentation and bacterial communities in sheep. Twenty-four German Mutton Merino cross-bred sheep with weight (42.66 ± 2.34 kg BW) were randomly divided into 4 groups, each with 6 replicates and 1 sheep per replicate. The basal diet consisted of 60% Leymus chinensis hay and 40% concentrate. The sheep in 4 groups were fed the basal diets supplemented with 50 (Control), 500 (T1), 1,000 (T2) and 1,500 (T3) mg Fe/kg as ferrous sulphate monohydrate (FeSO₄·H₂O) respectively. And the actual contents of iron in the diet were determined to be 457.68 (control), 816.42 (T1), 1,256.78 (T2) and 1,725.63 (T3) mg/kg respectively. The experiment lasted 62 days including a 7-day metabolism trial. During the whole experiment, the digestibility of dry matter, organic matter, neutral detergent fibre and acid detergent fibre showed a quadratic increase with increasing over-load iron levels (p < .05), and maximum responses were found with 500 mg/kg supplementation. However, the response of total VFA concentration showed a quadratic decrease, as did the concentrations of propionate, butyrate and valerate (p < .05). Serum total iron-binding capacity on day 30 showed a quadratic decrease with the increase in high-dose iron, while the serum iron content increased linearly at day 60 (p < .05). Excessive iron resulted in the change in bacterial communities. An increase in over-load iron linearly decreased the abundance of bacteria in the phylum Bacteroidetes (p < .05), but linearly increased the Firmicutes (p = .037) and Proteobacteria (p = .018). In addition, there was a quadratic effect (p = .003) on the Fibrobacteres, which was higher in the 500 and 1,000 mg/kg Fe-supplemented groups. At the genus level, there were quadratic effects on the abundances of Selenomonas_1 (p = .023) and Ruminococcaceae_UCG-014 (p = .016). Furthermore, feeding of iron linearly increased the relative abundances of Succiniclasticum and Succinivibrionaceae_UCG-002 (p < .05). These results indicate that increasing ferrous sulphate monohydrate in diets had no negative impact on the growth performance, but it changed nutrient digestibility, blood iron parameters, rumen fermentation and bacterial communities in sheep.     

Essential oils improved weight gain,growth and feed efficiency of young dairy calves fed 18 or 20% crude protein starter diets

The objective was to evaluate interactions between starter protein (180 vs. 200 g/kg, DM basis) and a mixture of essential oils (EOs; containing thymol, eugenol, vanillin, limonene and guaiacol) on growth, metabolic and ruminal functions of Holstein dairy calves. In a completely randomized 2 × 2 factorial design, 48 calves, 3 days old (averaging BW 42.7 ± 1.9 kg), were allocated into groups fed the following diets: (i) 180 g/kg CP with no EO (180P‐NEO); (ii) 180 g/kg CP with EO (180P‐EO); (iii) 200 g/kg CP with no EO (200P‐NEO); and (iv) 200 g/kg CP with EO (200P‐EO). The EO was supplemented as 1 g/kg of starter DM. Calves were fed ad libitum starter diet and were weaned at day 59 of age, but diets continued until day 80. There were no interactive effects of CP and EO on intake and growth. Pre‐weaning feed efficiency tended to be increased for 200P‐EO (p = .09). Average daily gain and feed efficiency during pre‐weaning period as well as weaning weight were increased (p < .05) by EO, whereas wither height was increased by EO (p = .03) and tended to be increased for 200P vs. 180P (p = .06). Post‐weaning blood urea nitrogen concentration tended to be lower in 180P vs. 200P (p = .08). Ruminal short‐chain fatty acids concentration was greatest in 200P‐EO. The EO increased both butyrate (p = .02) and propionate proportions (p = .01) and reduced acetate proportional ratio (p < .01). Ruminal ammonia‐N was tended to be lower in calves‐fed EO (p = .05) and was lower in those fed 180P vs. 200P (p < .01). In conclusion, supplementation of the starter diet with essential oil improved weight gain, growth and feed efficiency of dairy calves, irrespective of dietary protein content.     

Evaluation of the protective effect of lycopene on growth performance,intestinal morphology,and digestive enzyme activities of aflatoxinB1 challenged broilers

The current study was conducted to investigate the protective efficiency of dietary lycopene (LYC) supplementation on growth performance, intestinal morphology, and digestive enzyme activities aflatoxinB₁ (AFB₁) challenged broilers. A total of 240 days old Arber across male broiler chicks were randomly allocated in five treatments and six replicates (eight birds per replicate); feed and water were provided ad libitum during the 42 days experiment. The treatment diets were as follows: (i) Basal diet (control), (ii) Basal diet + 100 µg/kg AFB₁ contaminated diet, (iii) Basal diet + 100 µg/kg AFB₁ + 100 mg/kg LYC1, (iv) Basal diet + 100 µg/kg AFB₁ + 200 mg/kg LYC2, and (v) Basal diet + 100 µg/kg AFB₁ + 400 mg/kg LYC3. The results showed that the addition of LYC to AFB₁ contaminated broiler diets significantly increased (p < .05) average daily gain (ADG) and decreased feed conversion ratio (FCR) compared to the AFB₁ diet. AFB₁ diet decreased the intestinal villus height (VH) and crypt depth ratio (VCR) while increasing the crypt depth (CD). However, dietary LYC supplemented diets relieved the intestinal morphological alterations. Dietary LYC supplementation (200 and 400 mg/kg) significantly improved (p < .05) intestinal digestive enzyme amylase and lipase activities with AFB₁ contaminated diet. These findings suggested that LYC is a promising feed supplement in the broiler industry, alleviating the harmful effects of AFB₁.     

Effect of diets containing earthworm powder and vermihumus on egg production,hatchability, blood parameters and immunity of Japanese breeder quails

The present study is aimed to evaluate the effects of different levels of earthworm (EW) powder and vermihumus (VH) on the growth performance, humoral immunity response, plasma constituents and reproductive performance of Japanese breeder quails. A total of 336 birds were assigned to seven treatments in a completely randomized design from day 30 to 90 of age. The dietary treatments were carried out, one without any addition of EW and VH, the second had a standard rate of VH at 0.8%, while a range of EW additions was supplied from 0%, 0.5%, 1%, 1.5%, 2% and 2.5%. The effects of treatments on body weight and mortality were not significant (p > .05). The highest feed intake was observed in birds fed the diets supplemented with 1% and 1.5% EW (p < .05). The highest titre of antibodies against influenza virus and sheep red blood cells belonged to the EW and VH treatments (p < .05). The antibody titre against Newcastle disease virus vaccine was not affected by the treatments. In general, the birds receiving EW and VH had the highest egg weight, egg production and egg mass weight (p < .05). Nonetheless, various levels of EW powder negatively affected hatchability and increased mortality and leg disorders (p < .05). The results showed that the levels of dietary 1% and 1.5% of EW powder gave the best growth and reproductive performance to birds respectively.     

Effects of lactic acid bacteria and smectite after aflatoxin B1 challenge on the growth performance,nutrient digestibility and blood parameters of broilers

This study aimed to investigate the effect of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) and smectite on the growth performance, nutrient digestibility and blood parameters of broilers that were fed diets contaminated with aflatoxin B₁ (AFB₁). A total of 480 newly hatched male Arbor Acres broilers were randomly allocated into four groups with six replicates of 20 chicks each. The broilers were fed diets with the AFB₁ (40 μg/kg) challenge or without (control) it and supplemented with smectite (3.0 g/kg) or LAB (4.0 × 10¹⁰ CFU/kg) based on the AFB₁ diet. The trial lasted for 42 days. The results showed that during days 1–42 of AFB₁ challenge, the feed intake (FI) and body weight gain (BWG) were depressed (p < .05). The inclusion of LAB and smectite increased (p < .05) the BWG by 71.58 and 41.89 g/bird, respectively, which reached the level of the control diet (p ≥ .05), but there were no differences (p ≥ .05) in performance between LAB and smectite. LAB and smectite also increased (p < .05) the apparent total tract digestibility of the crude protein. Regarding the blood parameters, AFB₁ decreased (p < .05) the levels of red blood cell count, haematocrit, mean corpuscular volume, haemoglobin, albumin and total protein. In the meantime, the AFB₁ increased (p < .05) leucocyte counts, urea nitrogen, cholesterol, total bilirubin, creatinine, glutamic‐pyruvic transaminase, glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase and alkaline phosphatase. By contrast, LAB and smectite affected (p < .05) these parameters in the opposite direction. It can be concluded that after the AFB₁ challenge, LAB and smectite have similar effects on the growth and health of the broilers, suggesting that LAB could be an alternative against AFB₁ in commercial animal feeds.     

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 chlorogenic acid-enriched extract from Eucommia ulmoides Oliver leaf on growth performance and quality and oxidative status of meat in finishing pigs fed diets containing fresh or oxidized corn oil

To investigate the effects of chlorogenic acid-enriched extract (CGAE) from Eucommia ulmoides Oliver leaf on growth performance and quality and oxidative status of meat in pigs fed diets containing fresh or oxidized corn oil, a total of 180 barrows (initial body weight: 81.6 ± 2.08 kg) were randomly allocated into 6 diet treatments (5 replicate pens per treatment and 6 barrows per pen) in a 2 × 3 factorial design with corn oil (fresh or oxidized corn oil at 5% inclusion of diet) and CGAE (0, 500 or 1,000 mg/kg of diet containing fresh or oxidized corn oil) as main factors. The experiment lasted for 6 weeks. Dietary oxidized oil reduced average daily gain (ADG, p < .05) and average daily feed intake (ADFI, p < .01) of pigs and pH₂₄ (p < .05), total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC, p < .01), glutathione peroxidase (GPx, p < .05) and sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca²⁺-ATPase (SERCA, p < .05) activities in meat and increased drip loss (p < .01), cooking loss (p < .05), malondialdehyde (p < .01) and carbonyl (p < .01) contents and mRNA expression of superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1, p < .05) in meat. Dietary CGAE supplementation at 1,000 mg/kg increased (p < .05) ADG and ADFI of pigs and pH₂₄, T-AOC, T-SOD, GPx and SERCA activities and mRNA expression of SOD1 in meat and reduced (p < .05) drip loss, cooking loss, carbonyl and malondialdehyde contents in meat. No interaction effects between oxidized corn oil and CGAE were found in pigs. Overall, dietary CGAE supplementation at 1,000 mg/kg improved growth performance and quality and oxidative status of meat in pigs subjected or not to oxidative stress induced by dietary oxidized oil.     

Effects of dietary supplementation with epidermal growth factor on nutrient digestibility,intestinal development and expression of nutrient transporters in early‐weaned piglets

The abnormalities in intestinal morphology and digestive function during weaning are associated with the loss of milk‐borne growth factors. Epidermal growth factor (EGF) has been shown to stimulate the growth of animals. This study was to determine the effect of dietary EGF on nutrient digestibility, intestinal development and the expression of genes encoding nutrient transporters in weaned piglets. Forty‐two piglets were weaned at 21 days and assigned to one of three treatment groups: (1) basal diet (control), (2) basal diet + 200 µg/kg EGF or (3) basal diet + 400 µg/kg EGF. Each treatment consisted of 14 replicates, and seven piglets from each treatment were sampled on day 7 and 14. The EGF supplementation significantly elevated (p < 0.05) the coefficients of total tract apparent digestibility of crude protein, calcium and phosphorus, but tended to decrease sucrase activity (p < 0.10) than the control group. At day 7 post‐weaning, animals receiving EGF diets showed a tendency (p < 0.10) towards greater ileal villus height (VH), jejunal crypt depth (CD) and duodenal VH:CD when compared with the control group. Moreover, the mRNA levels of glucose transporter 2 (Slc2a2), neutral amino acid transporter (Slc6a19) and calbindin D9k (S100G) tended to be higher (p < 0.10) for EGF groups than the control group. By day 14, EGF supplementation markedly enhanced (p < 0.05) the VH, CD and VH:CD in the jejunum compared to the control group. This addition also up‐regulated (p < 0.05) the mRNA level and the protein abundance of peptide transporter 1 than the control group. These findings demonstrated that dietary EGF beneficially enhanced nutrient digestibility, improved intestinal development and increased the mRNA expression of nutrient transporters in weaned piglets.     

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 dietary supplementation with a chlorella by‐product on the growth performance,immune response,intestinal microflora and intestinal mucosal morphology in broiler chickens

This study aimed to determine the effect of different dietary levels of a Chlorella by‐product (CBP) on the growth performance, immune response, intestinal microflora and intestinal mucosal morphology of broilers. In total, 480 one‐day‐old broiler chickens were randomly allotted to four dietary treatments with four replicated pens consisting of 30 chicks. The basal diet was formulated to be adequate in energy and nutrients. Three additional diets were prepared by supplementing 25, 50 or 75 g/kg of CBP to the basal diet. The diets were fed to the broilers ad libitum for 35 days. Result indicated that increasing inclusion level of CBP improved BW gain (linear, p < 0.05). There was no effect of inclusion level of CBP in diets on total cholesterol, triglyceride, aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase levels during the 35 days. Plasma IgG, IgM and IgA concentrations increased (linear, p < 0.05) with inclusion level of CBP in diets. Supplementation of CBP in the diets increased (linear, p < 0.05) the concentrations of Lactobacillus in the caecal content and decreased (linear, p < 0.05) the concentrations of Escherichia coli and Salmonella in the caecal content. Villus height increased (linear and quadratic, p < 0.05) with inclusion level of CBP in diets. Crypt depth increased (quadratic, p < 0.05) with inclusion level of CBP, and a decreased villus height: crypt depth ratio (quadratic, p < 0.05) was observed as inclusion level of CBP in diets increased. The results of the current experiment indicate that dietary supplementation of CBP improves growth performance of birds. Dietary CBP has improving Lactobacillus spp. concentrations in the gastrointestinal tract, plasma immunoglobulin concentrations and intestinal mucosal morphology.     

Investigation of carryover effect of prior fibre consumption on growth,serum and tissue metabolic markers in Ossabaw pigs fed a high‐fat diet

Carryover effect of prior fibre consumption on metabolic markers was investigated. Treatments were arranged in 2 × 2 factorial with 2 fibre sources, 4% inulin or cellulose (Solka‐Floc®) and fat levels (5 or 15%) for the low‐fat diet (LFD) and high‐fat diet (HFD) respectively. Pigs were fed the two fibre diets for the first 56d (nursery phase), and thereafter fed either the LFD or HFD containing no added fibre source from d56 to 140 (growing phase). Pigs on the HFD were heavier (p = .05) than those on LF (64.61 vs. 68.38 kg), regardless of prior fibre type consumed. Pigs that were fed cellulose during the nursery and later fed the HFD had the highest ADG (p < .05). Feeding the HFD resulted in higher back fat (BF) (13.41 and 18.18 ± 0.12 mm for LFD and HFD, respectively; p < .01). The HFD resulted in higher (p < .01) insulin (0.014 and 0.016 ± 0.001 mg/L for LF and HF respectively) and glucose (100.89 and 125.03 ± 4.39 mg/dl for LF and HF respectively) concentrations in the serum. Inulin increased (p ≤ .02) jejunal expression of SREBP‐1c and CL‐4, but reduced (p < .05) TNFɑ and IL‐6 expression in the ileum. Alpha‐diversity was significantly different (p < .05) between the inulin and cellulose fed pigs at the end of the nursery and finishing phases. Therefore, inulin feeding before a HFD may lead to reduction in ADG and inflammatory markers in the small intestine of pigs, and thus prevent future metabolic disorders.     

Effects of astragalus and ginseng polysaccharides on growth performance,immune function and intestinal barrier in weaned piglets challenged with lipopolysaccharide

This experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of astragalus polysaccharides (Aps) and ginseng polysaccharide (Gps) on growth performance, liver function, immune function, TLR4 signalling pathways and intestinal barrier in weaned piglets challenged with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). In an experiment spanning 28 days, 180 weaned piglets were randomly divided into three treatment groups: basal diet (Con), basal diet supplemented with 800 mg/kg Gps (Gps) and basal diet supplemented with 800 mg/kg Aps (Aps). At the end of the experiment, 12 piglets of each group were selected; half (n = 6) were intraperitoneally injected with LPS and half with normal saline. Dietary supplementation with Aps and Gps significantly increased (p < .05) the average daily gain and feed conversion rate. Lipopolysaccharide challenge increased (p < .05) expression of serum urea nitrogen (BUN), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and tumour inflammatory factor-α (TNF-α), but decreased (p < .05) serum superoxide dismutase (SOD) level, total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) and immunoglobulin A (IgA) expression. Lipopolysaccharide-challenged piglets fed with Aps or Gps had lower (p < .05) BUN, ALT, AST, IL-1β and TNF-α levels and greater (p < .05) SOD, T-AOC and IgA levels. Lipopolysaccharide challenge increased (p < .05) the expression of TLR4, MyD88 and NF-κB, and LPS-challenged piglets fed diets supplemented with Aps or Gps increased TLR4 and MyD88 and decreased NF-κB expression. Lipopolysaccharide challenge reduced (p < .05) the jejunal villus height, and piglets fed with Aps or Gps had increased (p < .05) jejunal villus height. Supplementation with Aps or Gps enhanced the expression of occludin and claudin in challenged or unchallenged piglets. In conclusion, dietary supplementation with Aps or Gps enhanced piglet growth performance, alleviated liver dysfunction and reduced immunological stress caused by LPS, as well as increased the intestinal barrier function.     

Effects of enzymatic hydrolysate of locust bean gum on digestibility,intestinal morphology and microflora of broilers

To investigate the effects of different levels of enzymatic hydrolysate of dietary locust bean gum on nutrient digestibility, intestinal morphology and microflora of broilers, a total of 768 one-day-old Arbor Acres (AA) broiler chicks were randomly divided into 6 treatments with 8 replicates per treatment and 16 birds per replicate. The treatments were as follows: (1) CON, basal diet; (2) ANT, basal diet +62.5 mg/kg flavomycin; (3) LBG, basal diet +0.1% locust bean gum; (4) ELBG-0.1, basal diet +0.1% enzymatic hydrolysate of LBG; (5) ELBG-0.2, basal diet +0.2% enzymatic hydrolysate of LBG; and (6) ELBG-0.3, basal diet +0.3% enzymatic hydrolysate of LBG. The digestibilities of ether extract, crude protein and dry matter were increased (p < .01) in broilers fed the ELBG-0.3 diet compared with the CON and LBG diets on day 21. Duodenal villus height and the ratio of the villus height to crypt depth were greater (p < .01) in broilers fed the ELBG-0.3 diet than the CON, ANT and LBG diets. Jejunum villus height was higher (p < .05) in broilers fed the ELBG-0.2 and ELBG-0.3 diets than the CON diet. The number of caecal Escherichia coli was reduced (p = .01) in broilers fed the ELBG-0.2 and ELBG-0.3 diets compared with the CON diet. The number of caecal Lactobacilli was greater (p < .05) in broilers fed the ELBG-0.3 diet than the CON and ANT diets. In summary, the addition of 0.3% locust bean enzymatic hydrolysate can increase the surface area of intestinal villi and the number of beneficial bacteria, inhibit the proliferation of harmful bacteria, maintain the balance of intestinal microflora and improve the digestibility of nutrients.