Toxicity of raw limabeans [Phaseolus Lunatus L.) and limabean fractions for growing chicks

1. In a 4‐week feeding trial, raw limabeans Phaseolus lunatus and extracted limabean fractions were tested as dietary ingredients in broiler starter diets. During the study, parameters such as body weight, lengths of intestinal sections as well as weights and histopathology of some organs (liver, kidney, heart, adrenals, spleen, brain, pancreas and small intestine) were investigated.

2. With the exception of broiler chicks fed on the diet containing soaked/boiled limabeans, growth was severely hindered in chicks fed on diets containing raw limabeans and limabean fractions.

3. Significant treatment differences in lengths of some intestinal sections were observed. The relative weights of the liver and spleen decreased, and the weights of the kidney, adrenals, small intestine and caecum increased in birds fed on diets containing raw limabeans and fractions containing high concentrations of anti‐nutritional factors, whereas there was no difference in the weights of these organs in soaked/boiled limabean diet‐fed birds.

4. The inclusion of raw limabeans, base‐soluble protein, acid‐soluble protein, defatted limabean and ether extracted meal in the diets for growing chickens was shown to produce serious histopathological changes within the livers, kidneys, pancreases, spleen and lungs.     

Nutritional value of a corn containing a glutamate dehydrogenase gene for growing pigs

Eight female PIC Line 42 pigs (initial BW = 47.5 +/- 1.8 kg) were used in a two-period switchback design (n = 4 per treatment per period) to evaluate the nutritional difference between a genetically modified corn and a similar nontransgenic corn. The genetically altered corn (gdhA+) contained a glutamate dehydrogenase gene isolated from Escherichia coli. The non-transgenic corn was the same variety lacking the transgenic cassette, grown at the same two locations. Pigs were surgically fitted with steered ileocecal valve cannulas for collection of ileal digesta. Diets were made up of primarily one of the two corn sources. Dietary AA profiles were adjusted using crystalline AA to match Illinois Ideal Protein Ratios. Pigs were limit-fed at 8% of metabolic body weight (BW0.75) in two equal feedings at 0600 and 1800 daily throughout the experiment. The study consisted of two 15-d periods. Each period consisted of a 7-d acclimation period, a 3-d total collection of feces and urine, two 12-h ileal collections, and a 3-d adjustment period between ileal collections to ensure adequate hydration. Crude protein, leucine, methionine, alanine, aspartic acid, glutamic acid, and tyrosine concentrations were greater (P < 0.05) in the gdhA+ corn than in the nontransgenic variety. The presence of the gene did not alter (P > 0.17) BW gain. Similarly, DM digestibility, fecal N excretion (grams per day), apparent total-tract N digestibility, N balance, net protein utilization, and N retained as percentages of absorbed were not affected (P > or = 0.32) by the gene modification. Apparent ileal AA digestibility values did not differ (P > 0.31) between the two dietary treatments. Results of this study suggest corn that contains the E coli. gene for glutamate dehydrogenase was nutritionally equivalent to the unaltered variety.     

Nutritional value,bioactivity, and application potential of Jerusalem artichoke (Helianthus tuberosus L.) as a neotype feed resource

The large-scale development of herbivorous animal husbandry in China has increased the demand for forage products. However, due to scarce land resources and poor soil quality, forage is in short supply. In particular, high-quality forage in China heavily relies on imports. The contradiction between supply and demand for forage grass products is increasingly notable. Therefore, the development of indigenous new forage resources with a strong ecological adaptability and a high nutritional value is a key to solving this problem. Jerusalem artichoke (JA, Helianthus tuberosus L.), a perennial herb of the genus Helianthus, has advantageous growth traits such as resistance to salinity, barrenness, drought, cold, and disease. The contents of crude protein, crude fiber, and calcium in the optimal harvest period of forage-type JA straw are comparable to those of alfalfa hay at the full bloom stage and the straw of ryegrass and corn at the mature stage. Inulin in JA tubers is a functional ingredient that has prebiotic effects in the gastrointestinal tract of monogastric animals and young ruminants. In addition, some bioactive substances (e.g. flavonoids, phenolic acids, sesquiterpenes, polysaccharides, and amino acids) in JA leaves and flowers have antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant functions as well as toxicities to cancer cells. These functional ingredients may provide effective alternatives to antibiotics used in livestock production. In this review, we summarized the potentials of JA as a feed ingredient from the aspects of nutritional value and fermenting characteristics of the straw, the functions of physiological regulation and disease prevention of inulin in the tubers, and bioactive substances in the leaves and flowers.     

Toxicological pathology of cockleburs (Xanthium spp.) for broiler chickens.

Spiking mortality syndrome (SMS) in chickens resembles cocklebur toxicity in cattle, sheep, pigs, and rats. In order to determine if cockleburs are toxic to broiler chicks, crushed burs were fed (25% wt:wt) to broilers for 21 days. Ingestion of cockleburs resulted in significant failure to properly gain body weight. Otherwise, chicks did not develop clinical signs of illness or gross or microscopic lesions. Although there were some significant differences in serum chemistry values among chick groups, there were no consistent patterns. Severe hypoglycemia is said to be a characteristic finding in chicks that die with SMS. Because glucose levels were not low in chicks that were fed cockleburs, we feel certain that cockleburs do not cause SMS.     

液态豆粕酶解发酵物对生长育肥猪的营养价值评定

用木瓜蛋白酶和酵母菌在液态状态下对豆粕进行酶解发酵,研究豆粕酶解发酵前后营养成分的变化,并通过猪消化试验对其进行了营养价值评定。结果显示:豆粕酶解发酵24h后,粗蛋白含量变化不显著(P>0.05),水溶性蛋白和小肽的含量显著提高(P<0.05);SDS-PAGE凝胶电泳图显示豆粕的大分子蛋白大部分已经被降解到了相对分子质量35 000以下;高分子蛋白质、中分子蛋白质的含量显著下降而低分子蛋白质的含量提高2.64倍(P<0.05);天冬氨酸、脯氨酸、丙氨酸、亮氨酸、赖氨酸含量以及总氨基酸含量有了显著的提高(P<0.05),精氨酸含量降低18.87%(P<0.05);猪消化试验表明豆粕液态酶解发酵物的粗蛋白、苏氨酸、甘氨酸、丙氨酸、胱氨酸、缬氨酸、蛋氨酸、异亮氨酸和酪氨酸的粪表观消化率和豆粕相比显著提高(P<0.05)。结果表明:豆粕经液态酶解发酵后蛋白质品质得到改善。     

Nutritional value of a partially defatted and a highly defatted black soldier fly larvae(Hermetia illucens L.) meal for broiler chickens: apparent nutrient digestibility,apparent metabolizable energy and apparent ileal amino acid digestibility

Background: The study aimed to determine the apparent total tract digestibility coefficients(ATTDC) of nutrients, the apparent metabolizable energy(AME and AMEn) and the amino acid(AA) apparent ileal digestibility coefficients(AIDC)of a partially defatted(BSFp) and a highly defatted(BSFh) black soldier fly larvae meal. The experimental diets were: a basal diet and two diets prepared by substituting 250 g/kg(w/w) of the basal diet with BSFp or BSFh, respectively.Results: Significant differences were found between BSFp and BSFh meals for ATTDC of the nutrients: BSFp resulted more digestible than BSFh, except for ATTDC of CP which did not differed between meals, while a statistical trend was observed for ATTDC of DM and EE. The AME and AMEn values were significantly(P 0.05) different between the two BSF meals, with higher levels for BSFp(16.25 and 14.87 MJ/kg DM, respectively). The AIDC of the AA in BSFp ranged from 0.44 to 0.92, while in BSFh they ranged from 0.45 to 0.99. No significant differences were observed for the AA digestibility(0.77 and 0.80 for BSFp and BSFh, respectively), except for glutamic acid, proline and serine that were more digestible in the BSFh meal(P 0.05).Conclusions: Defatted BSF meals can be considered as an excellent source of AME and digestible AA for broilers with a better efficient nutrient digestion. These considerations suggested the effective utilization of defatted BSF larvae meal in poultry feed formulation.     

Nutritional value of D-xylose and L-arabinose for broiler chicks.

1. Two experiments were conducted to examine the effect of feeding D-xylose and L-arabinose on broiler performance, body composition, caecal length and weight, and liver weight. 2. Graded amounts (25, 50 and 75 g/kg) of D-xylose or L-arabinose were added to either a practical type (Exp. A) or a semi-purified (Exp. B) basal diet. As reference, a diet containing 75 g D-glucose/kg was included in both experiments, which were conducted in battery brooders, the birds receiving the isocaloric [on metabolisable energy (ME) basis] diets as dry mash ad libitum from 6 to 27 d of age. 3. A negative dose-dependent effect of both pentose sugars on weight gain and feed utilisation was observed. The same was true for daily food intake of the D-xylose diets. Water intake increased linearly (P less than 0.05) as the dietary concentrations of both pentose sugars was increased. Consequently, dry matter content of the droppings decreased. 4. Fat content of the chick body tended to decrease when either D-xylose or L-arabinose was included in the diets. 5. Caecal weight was increased markedly by feeding L-arabinose. Liver weight was not affected by feeding either D-xylose or L-arabinose to birds. 6. From data for ME intake and gain in body energy it was estimated that utilisation of the ME of both pentose sugars was inferior to that of D-glucose.     

Assessment of the feeding value of South Dakota-grown field peas (Pisum sativum l.) for growing pigs

Four experiments were conducted to investigate the feeding value of South Dakota-grown field peas (Pisum sativum L.) for growing pigs. In Exp. 1, 96 pigs (initial BW = 22 +/- 3.35 kg) were allotted to four treatment groups (four pigs per pen, six replicate pens per treatment) and fed growing (0.95% Lys) and finishing (0.68% Lys) diets containing 0, 12, 24, or 36% field peas (as-fed basis). There were no differences among the treatment groups in ADG, ADFI, or G:F. Likewise, there were no differences in backfat thickness or lean meat percent among treatment groups, but pigs fed diets containing 12, 24, or 36% field peas had greater (P < 0.05) loin depths than pigs fed the control diet. In Exp. 2, 120 pigs (initial BW = 7.8 +/- 1.04 kg) were allotted to four treatment groups 2 wk after weaning. Pigs were then fed diets containing 0, 6, 12, or 18% field peas (as-fed basis) during the following 4 wk. There were five pigs per pen and six replicate pens per treatment. Results of the experiment showed no differences in ADG, ADFI, or G:F among treatment groups. In Exp. 3, apparent (AID) and standardized (SID) ileal digestibility coefficients of CP and AA in field peas and soybean meal were measured using six individually penned growing pigs (initial BW = 36.5 +/- 2.1 kg) arranged in a repeated 3 x 3 Latin square design. The AID for Met, Trp, Cys, and Ser, and the SID for Met, Trp, and Cys were lower (P < 0.05) in field peas than in soybean meal; but for CP and all other AA, no differences in AID or SID were observed between the two feed ingredients. Experiment 4 was an energy balance experiment conducted to measure the DE and ME concentrations in field peas and corn. Six growing pigs (initial BW = 85.5 +/- 6.5 kg) were placed in metabolism cages and fed diets based on field peas or corn and arranged in a two-period switch-back design. The DE values for field peas and corn (3,864 and 3,879 kcal/kg DM, respectively) were similar, but the ME of corn was higher (P < 0.05) than the ME of field peas (3,825 vs. 3,741 kcal ME/kg DM). The results from the current experiments demonstrate that the nutrients in South Dakota-grown field peas are highly digestible by growing pigs. Therefore, such field peas may be included in diets for nursery pigs and growing-finishing pigs in amounts of at least 18 and 36%, respectively, without negatively affecting pig performance.     

The feed value in growing pigs of a new cultivar of field beans (Vicia faba L.) supplemented with DL-methionine or DL-methionine-hydroxyanalog

Investigations in growing pigs on the feeding value of a new cultivar of field beans (Vicia faba L.) supplemented with DL -methionine or DL -methionine-hydroxyanalogue
A basal control mixture of barley, soy bean meal and soy bean oil was replaced by 25% of the new field bean-cultivar `Divine' and the resulting two mixtures were supplemented with minerals, trace elements, vitamins and amino acids according to the ideal protein concept. The control diet was adjusted with DL -methionine ( DL -Met), the field bean mixture either with DL -Met or DL -methionine-hydroxyanalogue ( DL -MHA) assuming biological equivalence on a molar basis for both supplements. The three experimental diets were fed to growing pigs (35–40 kg bwt.). Spontaneous urine samples were analysed separately for determining parameters that characterize the acid-base status of the pigs. There were no significant differences between experimental groups in nutrient digestibilities. The level of bacterially fermentable substances was increased in the diets containing field beans. The field beans contained 14 mg ME/kg DM. There were no significant (p < 0,05) differences in N- and mineral-retentions (Ca, P, Na, K) between the treatments. The stronger alkalinity found in urine after feeding the field bean mixtures resulted from a higher electrolyte balance of the diet.     

Fecal microbiome of growing pigs fed a cereal based diet including chicory(Cichorium intybus L.) or ribwort(Plantago lanceolata L.) forage

Background: The purpose of this study was to investigate how inclusion of chicory forage or ribwort forage in a cereal-based diet influenced the fecal microbial community(microbiome) in newly weaned(35 days of age) piglets.The piglets were fed a cereal-based diet without(B) and with inclusion(80 and 160 g/kg air-dry forage) of vegetative shoots of chicory(C) and leaves of ribwort(R) forage in a 35-day growth trial. Fecal samples were collected at the start(D0), 17(D17) and 35(D35) days after weaning and profiles of the microbial consortia were generated using terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism(T-RFLP). 454-FLX pyrosequencing of 16 S r RNA gene amplicons was used to analyze the microbial composition in a subset of the samples already analyzed with T-RFLP.Results: The microbial clustering pattern was primarily dependent on age of the pigs, but diet effects could also be observed. Lactobacilli and enterobacteria were more abundant at D0, whereas the genera Streptococcus, Treponema,Clostridium, Clostridiaceae1 and Coprococcus were present in higher abundances at D35. Pigs fed ribwort had an increased abundance of sequences classified as Treponema and a reduction in lactobacilli. However, the abundance of Prevotellaceae increased with age in on both the chicory and the ribwort diet. Moreover, there were significant correlations between the abundance of Bacteroides and the digested amount of galactose, uronic acids and total non-starch polysaccharides, and between the abundance of Bacteroidales and the digested amount of xylose.Conclusion: This study demonstrated that both chicory and ribwort inclusion in the diet of newly weaned pigs influenced the composition of the fecal microbiota and that digestion of specific dietary components was correlated with species composition of the microbiota. Moreover, this study showed that the gut will be exposed to a dramatic shift in the microbial community structure several weeks after weaning.     

The nutritive value of field beans (Vicia faba L.) for laying hens 1

In experiments carried out in three successive years an assessment has been made of the feeding value of field beans (Vicia faba L.) as a protein supplement in laying rations. When 15% beans were fed in a cereal‐based diet without methionine fortification, egg production was depressed significantly below that attainable with a diet containing fish meal as a protein supplement. When 0.1 % DL‐methionine was added to the diet, production was raised significantly to a level which in most cases was not significantly different from that supported by the fish meal diet. Whether or not methionine was added to the diets, the inclusion of bean meal at levels of 25 to 33% gave rise to lower egg production than did a level of 15%. Culling losses during the experiments tended to be higher on the bean diets.

It is concluded that field beans supplemented with methionine can be a useful source of dietary protein for laying hens but the rate of inclusion should not exceed 15% until more is known of factors which cause lowered production at higher levels.     

Production potentials of native chickens (Gallus gallus domesticus L.) of Western Visayas, Philippines

Poultry genetic resources diversity serves as a reservoir of genes adaptable to local conditions, production, resource utilization, and production that are compatible with consumer preferences for meat and egg products. This study was, therefore, conducted to determine the production potentials of native chickens in Western Visayas, Philippines. A total of 270 raisers were interviewed and 810 chickens were characterized. These numbers were divided equally among the provinces of Aklan, Antique, Capiz, Guimaras, Iloilo, and Negros Occidental. The data collected were analyzed using one-way analysis of variance and significant differences were determined using the Duncan’s Multiple Range Test. Results show that native chickens from Aklan had the highest (P?<?0.01) hatching percentage (93.10?±?1.67 %) and oldest (P?<?0.01) slaughter/marketing age (23.56?±?1.03 weeks). Those from Guimaras had the biggest (P?<?0.01) egg (42.69?±?0.87 g) and heaviest slaughter/marketing weight (920.00?±?22.72 to 924.44?±?23.01 g); the shortest (P?<?0.01) clutch interval (77.87?±?4.14 days) was observed from those in Iloilo. Those from Antique had the highest (P?<?0.01) survival rate from 1 day old to a slaughter/marketing age of 52.48?±?1.83 %. The adult live weight ranged from 1.27?±?0.04 to 1.62?±?0.04 kg with those from Aklan as the lowest (P?<?0.01) while those from Guimaras were the highest. Thus, the observed variations in reproductive and growth performances of native chickens from this region expressed their potentials for genetic improvement toward production.     

Metabolisable energy value and digestibility of fat and fatty acids in linseed determined with growing broiler chickens

1. In the first experiment, the AMEN of linseed was evaluated at rates of 40, 80, 160 and 240 g/kg in a basal diet with broiler chickens aged 28 d using the total collection method. 2. Increasing the concentration of linseed decreased the AMEN of diet, from 11.78 to 8.75 MJ/kg DM, and AMEN of linseed, from 16.64 to -2.96 MJ/kg DM. The negative values clearly indicated that linseed interacted with the other dietary ingredients and impaired their energy utilisation. 3. In the second experiment, a semipurified diet with graded addition of linseed (80, 120, 160 and 240 g/kg DM) was evaluated for crude fat and fatty acid apparent digestibilities. The coefficients decreased from 0.602 to 0.359 for crude fat and from 0.661 to 0.352 for individual fatty acids as the level of linseed increased. 4. In both experiments, a quadratic regression model explained the relationship between data better than the linear model. 5. The presence of mucilage and other antinutritional factors in linseed might explain the results obtained in this study.     

Chicory (Cichorium intybus L.) and cereals differently affect gut development in broiler chickens and young pigs

Dietary fiber, resistant to host-mediated digestion in the small intestine due to lack of endogenous enzymes, impacts many facets of animal health and is associated with gut development especially in young monogastrics. Furthermore, it can be used as in-feed antibiotic alternative. Chicory (Cichorium intybus L.) forage with high content of pectin (uronic acids as building blocks) is a novel class of dietary fiber that is chemically different from cereal grains (with high content of arabinoxylans). In the present study, we investigated effects of dietary inclusion of chicory forage on digestibility, gut morphology and microbiota in broilers and young pigs. In the chicken experiment, 160 1-d old broiler chicks were fed 3 nutritionally balanced diets for 30 d including a cereal-based diet and 2 diets with part of the cereals substituted with 60 and 120 g/kg chicory forage (CF60 and CF120), whereas in the pig experiment, 18 seven-wk old Yorkshire pigs were fed 3 diets for 18 d including a cereal-based diet and 2 diets with 80 and 160 g/kg chicory forage inclusion (CF80 and CF160). Our results showed that young pigs were capable to utilize chicory forage well with higher total tract apparent digestibility (TTAD) of all fiber fractions, particularly uronic acid, compared with the control (P < 0.01). In contrast, a decreased TTAD of all fiber fractions was observed in chickens fed on diet CF120 (P < 0.05). Moreover, diet induced changes in gut morphology were observed in the large intestine of chickens. The alteration of cecal mucosal thickness was further positively correlated with TTAD of non-starch polysaccharides (NSP) and its constituent sugars (P < 0.05). In addition, in pigs, terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism (T-RFLP) analysis of intestinal microbiota revealed substantial dietary effects (cereal control diet vs. chicory forage inclusion) on the relative abundance of 2 dominant bacterial phylotypes (Prevotella sp. vs. Roseburia sp.) respectively (P < 0.05). In conclusion, our data showed that chicory forage (Cichorium intybus L.), a novel dietary fiber source in animal nutrition, have potential beneficial properties as fiber ingredient in diets for both pigs and chickens.     

Chicory （Cichorium intybus L.） and cereals differently affect gut development in broiler chickens and young pigs

Dietary fiber, resistant to host-mediated digestion in the small intestine due to lack of endogenous enzymes, impacts many facets of animal health and is associated with gut development especially in young monogastrics. Furthermore, it can be used as in-feed antibiotic alternative. Chicory （Cichorium intybus L.） forage with high content of pectin （uronic acids as building blocks） is a novel class of dietary fiber that is chemically different from cereal grains （with high content of arabinoxylans）. In the present study, we investigated effects of dietary inclusion of chicory forage on digestibility, gut morphology and microbiota in broilers and young pigs. In the chicken experiment, 160 1-d old broiler chicks were fed 3 nutritionally balanced diets for 30 d including a cereal-based diet and 2 diets with part of the cereals substituted with 60 and 120 g/k9 chicory forage （CF60 and CF120], whereas in the pig experiment, 18 seven-wk old Yorkshire pigs were fed 3 diets for 18 d including a cereal-based diet and 2 diets with 80 and 160 g/kg chicory forage inclusion （CF80 and CF160）. Our results showed that young pigs were capable to utilize chicory forage well with higher total tract apparent digestibility （TTAD） of all fiber fractions, particularly uronic acid, compared with the control （P 〈 0.01）. In contrast, a decreased TTAD of all fiber fractions was observed in chickens fed on diet CF120 （P 〈 0.05）. Moreover, diet induced changes in gut morphology were observed in the large intestine of chickens. The alteration of cecal mucosal thickness was further positively correlated with TTAD of non-starch polysaccharides （NSP） and its constituent sugars （P 〈 0.05）. In addition, in pigs, terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism （T-RFLP） analysis of intestinal microbiota revealed substantial dietary effects （cereal control diet vs. chicory forage inclusion） on the relative abundance of 2 dominant bacterial phylotypes （Prevotella sp. vs. Roseburia sp.） respective     

Digestible energy content of pasture species in growing European wild boar (Sus scrofa L.)

The objectives were to determine the apparent energy digestibility of six pasture species frequently grazed by European wild boar (Sus scrofa L.) and to estimate the digestible energy (DE) consumption from pasture by grazing wild boar. Seven diets were prepared; a base diet (BD) which did not contain any pasture species, diets D1 to D5 which included 75% of the BD and 25% of the dried pasture species Lolium perenne (D1), Festuca arundinacea (D2), Agrostis capillaris (D3), Bromus staminius (D4) or Trifolium repens (D5) and D6 which contained 85% BD and 15% dried Plantago lanceolata. Seven purebred European wild boar (initial liveweight 24.4 ± 0.8 kg, average ± SEM) were given access to the diets following a Latin Square design. The animals received each diet for eight days, with faecal sampling on days 6, 7 and 8. The total apparent DE consumption from pasture by grazing wild boar was estimated using previously collected pasture consumption data from wild boar. The digestibility coefficients and DE contents of the pasture species ranged from 0.29 to 0.65, and 5.8 to 12.6 MJ/kg DM respectively, with L. perenne and P. lanceolata having the greatest digestibility coefficients and DE contents. The wild boar were estimated to satisfy between 52% and 142% of their maintenance energy requirements through pasture consumption. Grazing wild boar are able to utilise an important proportion of the energy present in pasture species.