Effect of multi-enzymes in combination with a direct-fed microbial on performance and welfare parameters in broilers under commercial production settings

The objective of this study was to determine the response of broilers to the combination of multi-enzymes and direct-fed microbial (DFM) under commercial production settings. A total of 7,000 1-day-old male broilers (Ross 308) were distributed over 10 pens (700 broilers/pen). Two dietary treatments were tested using complete randomized design, including a control diet and a test diet with addition of multi-enzymes (xylanase, amylase, and protease (XAP)] and DFM (a combination of spores from 3 strains ofBacillus amyloliquefaciens). Pelleted diets were offered ad libitum in 3 phases and water was freely available. During starter and grower phases (0 to 21 d), the enzyme and DFM combination resulted in improved FE (P < 0.05). During the finisher phase, higher feed intake and BW gain (P < 0.05) were observed for the test group. Overall, there were significantly higher feed intake, BW gain, and lower water-to-feed ratio in test group compared to the control group. This was related to improved (P < 0.05) modified production efficiency factor which was calculated based on final BW, survival rate, feeding period, and mortality-weight-corrected FCR. The test group had improved litter quality and a reduced foot-pad lesion score compared to the control. In addition, there was a tendency (P < 0.1) of reducingClostridium perfringens population in cecal digesta and higher lactic acid content in the ileal digesta, when expressed on an as-is basis, in the test group. In this study, we demonstrated that using a multi-enzymes and DFM combination in the diet for broilers can result in improved FE in starter/grower phases and animal welfare parameters, and lead to improved production efficiency under commercial settings.     

Bone morphological analyses in Spontaneously Diabetic Torii (SDT) fatty rats

The Spontaneously Diabetic Torii (SDT) fatty rat, a model for obese type 2 diabetes, shows bone quantitative abnormalities, namely low bone mineral density (BMD). The objective of this study was to evaluate bone morphological changes, in particular identifying the bone qualitative abnormalities, in the SDT fatty rat. Male SDT fatty rats showed increases in total trabecular area and trabecular number and decreases in trabecular thickness in cancellous bones of the proximal tibia, indicating trabecular miniaturization. The SDT fatty rat is useful for investigation of pathophysiological changes in bone quality in diabetic osteoporosis.     

Effects of supplementation with green tea by‐products on growth performance,meat quality,blood metabolites and immune cell proliferation in goats

Forty‐eight castrated male goats were used to determine the effects of feeding green tea by‐products (GTB) on growth performance, meat quality, blood metabolites and immune cell proliferation. Experimental treatments consisted of basal diets supplemented with four levels of GTB (0%, 0.5%, 1.0% or 2.0%). Four replicate pens were assigned to each treatment with three goats per replicate. Increasing dietary GTB tended to linearly increase the overall average weight gain and feed intake (p = 0.09). Water holding capacity, pH and sensory attributes of meat were not affected by GTB supplementation, while cooking loss was reduced both linearly and quadratically (p < 0.01). The redness (linear; p = 0.02, quadratic; p < 0.01) and yellowness (quadratic; p < 0.01) values of goat meat were improved by GTB supplementation. Increasing dietary GTB quadratically increased protein and decreased crude fat (p < 0.05), while linearly decreased cholesterol (p = 0.03) content of goat meat. The proportions of monounsaturated fatty acid, polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) and n‐6 PUFA increased linearly (p < 0.01) and n‐3 PUFA increased quadratically (p < 0.05) as GTB increased in diets. Increasing dietary GTB linearly increased the PUFA/SFA (saturated fatty acid) and tended to linearly and quadratically increase (p ≤ 0.10) the n‐6/n‐3 ratio. The thiobarbituric acid‐reactive substances values of meat were lower in the 2.0% GTB‐supplemented group in all storage periods (p < 0.05). Dietary GTB linearly decreased plasma glucose and cholesterol (p < 0.01) and quadratically decreased urea nitrogen concentrations (p = 0.001). The growth of spleen cells incubated in concanavalin A and lipopolysaccharides medium increased significantly (p < 0.05) in response to GTB supplementation. Our results suggest that GTB may positively affect the growth performance, meat quality, blood metabolites and immune cell proliferation when supplemented as a feed additive in goat diet.     

The effects of replacement of whole‐plant corn with oat and common vetch on the fermentation quality,chemical composition and aerobic stability of total mixed ration silage in Tibet

The objective of this experiment was to evaluate the effects of replacement of whole‐plant corn with oat and common vetch on the fermentation quality, chemical composition and aerobic stability of total mixed ration (TMR) silage in Tibet. Four TMR that varied in the forage sources on dry matter basis were used: (i) 52% whole‐plant corn (Control); (ii) 43% oat + 12% common vetch (OC3.6); (iii) 38% oat + 18% common vetch (OC2.2); and (iv) 33% oat + 23% common vetch (OC1.5). Silos were opened on day 45 and then subjected to an aerobic stability test for 12 days. The results showed that all silages were well preserved with low pH and NH₃‐N, and high lactic acid and V‐scores. With the increasing proportion of common vetch, crude protein, ether extract increased (P < 0.05), and neutral detergent fiber and acid detergent fiber decreased (P < 0.05). Under aerobic conditions, treated silages were more stable than the control silage as indicated by lower (P < 0.05) pH and yeast population. It was concluded that replacement of whole‐plant corn with oat and common vetch had no unfavorable effects on the fermentation quality and improved crude protein content and aerobic stability of TMR silage. OC2.2 silage was the best among three treated TMR silages.     

Beef quality traits of heifer in comparison with steer,bull and cow at various feeding environments

The present review has been focused largely on the sex type differences in beef quality among heifers, cows, steers and bulls in various feeding environments. Genetic groups, feeding systems and gender are the major factors that change carcass characteristics and fatty acid profiles of cattle. Studies identified that heifer beef has super characteristics in eating quality and a better healthy composition in fatty acids than steer, cow and bull. Diet influences the variation of fatty acid profile; particularly the level of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) interacts with breed and sex. Animals finished in pasture systems were reported to show better ratios of PUFA/ saturated fatty acids and n‐6/n‐3. Carcasses of roughage‐fed beef are lighter and have less marbling and lower quality grades but have higher cutability than carcasses of grain‐fed bulls. Heifers and cows are reported to deposit more fat than steers and bulls. Among males, lower production of testosterone by steers favors more fat thickness compared with bulls. Marbling greatly varies among cattle belonging to different sexes, and particularly, females have genetic makeup that efficiently controls deposition. The current review identified that heifers can be a premium beef brand, while steer beef currently take a large part of market share across the world.     

Analysis of Regular Nutritional Components and Amino Acid Contents of Mongolia Bullock Muscle Grazed in Kubuqi Desert

In order to evaluate the Mongolia muscle characteristics and nutritional value, six Mongolia bullocks aged 4 years grazed in Kubuqi desert were chosen to analyze the regular nutritional components and amino acid contents of Mongolia muscle.The results showed that the contents of water, crude protein (CP), crude fat (EE), crude ash (ash), calcium and phosphorus of Mongolia muscle (fresh) were 68.21%, 22.60%, 6.49%, 2.69%, 0.58% and 0.55%, respectively.A total amino acid (TAA) content of beef was 24.297 g/100 g, essential amino acid content was 10.265 g/100 g, the proportion of essential amino acid justified and exceeded the FAO/WHO standard.The ratio of essential amino acid and total amino acid contents (EAA/TAA) was 42.25%, the ratio of essential amino acid and the non-essential amino acid (EAA/NEAA) was 73.15%.In functional amino acid, the content of palatable taste amino acid and sweet flavor amino acid in total amino acid was 46.891%.In addition to valine, essential amino acid contents of Mongolia muscle were superior to ideal protein of FAO/WHO standard, the percentage of valine reached 83.972% in ideal protein.These results indicated that Mongolia muscle belonged to the comprehensive nutrition and high quality protein food on the evaluation of the regular nutrient content and the amino acid content of beef.     

Effect of Soybean Meal Replaced by Brewer's Grain or Fermented Brewer's Grain on Growth Performance,Immune Organ Index and Intestinal Flora of Meat Geese

This experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of soybean meal replaced by brewer's grain (BSG) or fermented brewer's grain (FBSG) on growth performance,immune organ index and intestinal flora of meat geese.A total of 250 geese at 28 days of age were randomly assigned to 5 groups with 5 replicates per group and 10 geese per replicate.The geese in control group were fed a basal diet (with soybean);The geese in groups 1 and 2 were fed the basal diet with the 10% and 20% BSG replacing the soybean,respectively;The geese in groups 3 and 4 were fed the basal diet with the 10% and 20% FBSG replacing the soybean,respectively.The whole experiment period was 42 days,including three phases:15 d (early stage),14 d (middle stage) and 14 d (later stage).The results showed as follows:①From the whole experiment period,compared with control group,the ADG of geese in group 1 was significantly increased (P<0.05),the ADG and ADFI of geese in group 4 were significantly decreased (P<0.05),there were no obvious change in growth performance of geese in groups 2 and 3 (P>0.05).② Compared with control group,the thymus index and spleen index of geese in groups 1,2 and 3 were extremely significantly increased at early stage (P<0.01);At middle and later stages,the spleen index of geese in group 2 were significantly and extremely significantly increased (P<0.05;P<0.01);There were no significant differences in bursa of fabricius index of geese among all groups (P>0.05).③ Compared with control group,the number of Escherichia coli and Salmonella in cecum in groups 1 and 2 were extremely significantly decreased at early and later stages (P<0.01),while the number of Bifidobacteria and Lactobacillus were increased in different degrees;the number of Bifidobacteria and Lactobacillus in cecum in groups 3 and 4 were extremely significantly increased at later stage (P<0.01).In conclusion,10% BSG replacing soybean in the basal diet could improve the growth performance and intestinal flora of meat geese;10% FBSG replacing soybean in the basal diet could promote the growth of beneficial bacteria of meat geese,but had no effect on growth performance;While 20% replacing soybean in the basal diet could decrease the feed intake and weight gain of meat geese,hinder its growth and development.     

添食色素对家蚕茧质影响的研究

家蚕是一种产业化生产的经济昆虫 ,家蚕彩色茧的开发与产业化利用 ,有望为丝绸业带来新的绿色活力.本实验采用色素添食法生产彩色茧 ,研究了添食色素对结茧率和全茧量、茧层量、茧层率的影响.结果发现 :添食红色素对结茧率和茧质无显著影响 ,添食橙色2号色素其茧质成绩有所提高.     

海州露天矿土地复垦示范区土壤综合质量评价

为有效地治理和改善矿区恶劣生态环境,使废弃的土地资源得以充分利用,通过对阜新海州露天矿土地复垦示范区土壤有机质、全N、有效P、速效K、EC、pH值、含水量、容重、紧实度等指标进行测定,开展了复垦土壤质量综合评价。结果表明:不同复垦示范区土壤质量差异较大,沙打旺、冰草示范区土壤质量最好;杨树、油松示范区次之;耕地、侧柏示范区土壤质量较差。     

武汉市农村种植户综合污水污染指标研究

指出了随着武汉市农村地区农副产品加工和水产、牲畜养殖的规模化发展,农村生活污水和生产废水的排放量与日俱增。随机对武汉市农村地区6个村庄,每个村庄3户农家的水样进行了取样和检测,分析了水质的COD、BOD、T N、T P、T SS ,结果表明：各地区水质特征基本吻合,整体波动幅度不大,提出了使用STCC工艺处理武汉市农村种植户综合污水的方案。