Hatching egg polyunsaturated fatty acids and the broiler chickOA

Transgenerational effects of certain nutrients such as essential fatty acids are gaining increased attention in the field of human medicine and animal sciences as a new tool to improve health and animal performance during perinatal life.Omega-3(n-3) and omega-6(n-6) fatty acids are denoted by the position of the first double bond from methyl end of the hydrocarbon chain.Alpha-linolenic acid(18:3 n-3) and linoleic acid(18:2 n-6) are essential n-3 and n-6 fatty acids and cannot be synthesized by t...     

Effects of omega-3 supplementation on components of the endocannabinoid system and metabolic and inflammatory responses in adipose and liver of peripartum dairy cowsOA

Background: Dietary supplementation of omega-3 fatty acids can reduce the activation of the endocannabinoid system(ECS) by decreasing the availability of arachidonic acid, thus lowering endocannabinoids(e CBs) levels. The ECS is a modulator of energy metabolism, stress response and inflammation in mammals, yet there is little information on the roles of the ECS in transition dairy cows. During the periparturient period, the adipose tissue and liver are the main metabolic organs that participate ...     

Effects of dietary oil sources and fat extraction methods on apparent and standardized ileal digestibility of fat and fatty acids in growing pigsOA

Background:There is a lack of data for the standardized ileal digestibility(SID) of fat and fatty acids in national feed databases.In addition,it is important to specify the procedures used for fat analyses.Therefore,an experiment was conducted to 1) determine the apparent ileal digestibility(AID) and SID of fat and fatty acids in ten different oil sources for growing pigs and to develop prediction equations for SID of fat based on fatty acid composition;and 2) compare the effect of the fat extr...     

Effects of Dietary Starch Source on via the Portal Vein Nutrient and Energy Absorption of Growing Pigs

Four crossbred （Duroc x Landrace x Yorkshire） boars, weighing an average of 22.40 ± 1.08 kg and fitted with permanent catheters in their portal and mesenteric veins as well as their carotid artery,were utilized in a 4 × 4 latin square design experiment in order to investigate the effects of different starch sources （maize ,brown rice, sticky rice, and resistant starch） on the absorption of energy sources through the portal vein. Portal blood flow averaged 30.68, 28.40, 29.99, and 30. 12 mL/min per kg BW for pigs fed the maize, brown rice, sticky rice, and resistant starch diets, respectively, and did not dif- fer （P 〉 0.05） between treatments. The absorptions of glucose, plasma ammonia, and total amino acids were significantly lower （P 〈 0.05 ） in pigs fed the resistant starch diet than pigs fed the other starch sources. In contrast, significantly （ P 〈 0.05 ） higher amounts of propionate and total volatile fatty acids were absorbed from the portal vein of pigs fed resistant starch than pigs fed diets based on maize, brown rice, or sticky rice. In addition, significantly （P 〈 0.05） more lactic acid was absorbed from the portal vein by pigs fed the sticky rice diet than pigs fed the other three diets. The energy absorbed from the portal vein in the form of glucose and amino-N as well as the total energy absorbed was significantly （P 〈 0.05） lower in pigs fed the resistant starch diet than pigs fed the other three starch sources. In contrast, the amount of energy absorbed in the form of volatile fatty acids was significantly （P 〈 0.05 ） higher in pigs fed resistance starch than pigs fed the other three starch sources. The total energy absorbed through the portal vein as a percentage of the gross energy and digestible energy consumed in pigs fed maize were 50.8% and 54.6%, respectively, which were significantly （P 〈 0.05 ） higher than the values in pigs fed resistant starch （41.5% and 46.6% respectively）. The results indicate that energy is absorbed in different forms and with different utilization efficiencies in the digestive tract of pigs as a result of feeding different starch sources. Starch sources supplying most of their energy in the form of glucose had higher energy utilization efficiencies, while starch sources supplying most of their energy in the form of volatile fatty acids or lactic acid had lower energy utilization efficiencies.     

Effects of Dietary Starch Source on Nutrient and Energy Absorption via the Portal Vein of Growing Pigs

Four crossbred(Duroc×Landrace×Yorkshire)boars,weighing an average of 22.40 ± 1.08 kg and fitted with permanent catheters in their portal and mesenteric veins as well as their carotid artery,were utilized in a 4 × 4 latin square design experiment in order to investigate the effects of different starch sources(maize,brown rice,sticky rice,and resistant starch)on the absorption of energy sources through the portal vein.Portal blood flow averaged 30.68,28.40,29.99,and 30.12 mL/min per kg BW for pigs fed the maize,brown rice,sticky rice,and resistant starch diets,respectively,and did not differ(P0.05)between treatments.The absorptions of glucose,plasma ammonia,and total amino acids were significantly lower(P0.05)in pigs fed the resistant starch diet than pigs fed the other starch sources.In contrast,significantly(P0.05)higher amounts of propionate and total volatile fatty acids were absorbed from the portal vein of pigs fed resistant starch than pigs fed diets based on maize,brown rice,or sticky rice.In addition,significantly(P0.05)more lactic acid was absorbed from the portal vein by pigs fed the sticky rice diet than pigs fed the other three diets.The energy absorbed from the portal vein in the form of glucose and amino-N as well as the total energy absorbed was significantly(P0.05)lower in pigs fed the resistant starch diet than pigs fed the other three starch sources.In contrast,the amount of energy absorbed in the form of volatile fatty acids was significantly(P0.05)higher in pigs fed resistance starch than pigs fed the other three starch sources.The total energy absorbed through the portal vein as a percentage of the gross energy and digestible energy consumed in pigs fed maize were 50.8% and 54.6%,respectively,which were significantly(P0.05)higher than the values in pigs fed resistant starch(41.5% and 46.6% respectively).The results indicate that energy is absorbed in different forms and with different utilization efficiencies in the digestive tract of pigs as a result of feeding different starch sources.Starch sources supplying most of their energy in the form of glucose had higher energy utilization efficiencies,while starch sources supplying most of their energy in the form of volatile fatty acids or lactic acid had lower energy utilization efficiencies.     

PREFACE

正Animal foods supply nutritious sources of essential nutrients for the human diet.Meat,milk,cheese,eggs,fish,etcetera,provide concentrated energy including essential fatty acids,high quality protein rich in essential amino acids as well as numerous vitamins and minerals with high bioavailability.     

Changes of the liver metabolome following an intravenous lipopolysaccharide injection in Holstein cows supplemented with dietary carnitineOA

Background: Carnitine facilitates the flux of long-chain fatty acids for hepatic mitochondrial beta-oxidation, which acts to ameliorate the negative energy balance commonly affecting high-yielding dairy cows. Inflammation triggered by lipopolysaccharide(LPS) load can however pose a challenge to the metabolic integrity via the expression of pro-inflammatory mediators, leading to immune system activation and respective metabolic alterations. The effect of enhanced carnitine availability on hepatic...     

Susceptibility of dairy cows to subacute ruminal acidosis is reflected in both prepartum and postpartum bacteria as well as odd-and branched-chain fatty acids in fecesOA

Background: The transition period is a challenging period for high-producing dairy cattle. Cows in early lactation are considered as a group at risk of subacute ruminal acidosis(SARA). Variability in SARA susceptibility in early lactation is hypothesized to be reflected in fecal characteristics such as fecal pH, dry matter content, volatile and odd-and branched-chain fatty acids(VFA and OBCFA, respectively), as well as fecal microbiota. This was investigated with 38 periparturient dairy cows, wh...     

Dietary L-arginine supplementation reduces lipid accretion by regulating fatty acid metabolism in Nile tilapia(Oreochromis niloticus)

Background: Excessive white fat accumulation in humans and other animals is associated with the development of multiple metabolic diseases. It is unknown whether dietary L-arginine supplementation reduces lipid deposition in high fat diet-fed Nile tilapia(Oreochromis niloticus).Results: In the present study, we found that dietary supplementation with 1% or 2% arginine decreased the deposition and concentration of fats in the liver;the concentrations of triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein, total cholesterol, and high-density lipoprotein in the serum;and the diameter of adipocytes in intraperitoneal adipose tissue. Compared with the un-supplementation control group, the hepatic activities of alanine aminotransferase,aspartate aminotransferase, and lactate dehydrogenase, and hepatic concentration of malondialdehyde were reduced but these for catalase and superoxide dismutase were enhanced by dietary supplementation with 2% arginine. Arginine supplementation reduced the total amounts of monounsaturated fatty acids, while increasing the total amounts of n-3 and n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids in the liver. These effects of arginine were associated with reductions in mRNA levels for genes related to lipogenesis(sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1, acetyl-CoA carboxylase α, stearoyl-CoA desaturase, and fatty acid synthase) but increases in mRNA levels for genes involved in fatty acid β-oxidation(carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1α and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α). In addition, hepatic mRNA levels for Δ4 fatty acyl desaturase 2 and elongase 5 of very long-chain fatty acids were enhanced by arginine supplementation.Conclusion: These results revealed that dietary L-arginine supplementation to tilapia reduced high fat diet-induced fat deposition and fatty acid composition in the liver by regulating the expression of genes for lipid metabolism.     

Dual potential of microalgae as a sustainable biofuel feedstock and animal feed

The rise in global population has led to explorations of alternative sources of energy and food. Because corn and soybean are staple food crops for humans, their common use as the main source of dietary energy and protein for food-producing animals directly competes with their allocation for human consumption. Alternatively, de-fatted marine microalgal biomass generated from the potential biofuel production may be a viable replacement of corn and soybean meal due to their high levels of protein, relatively well-balanced amino acid profiles, and rich contents of minerals and vitamins, along with unique bioactive compounds. Although the full-fatted （intact） microalgae represent the main source of omega-3 （n-3） polyunsaturated fatty acids including docohexaenoic acid （DHA） and eicosapentaenoic acid （EPA）, the de-fatted microalgal biomass may still contain good amounts of these components for enriching DHA/EPA in eggs, meats, and milk. This review is written to highlight the necessity and potential of using the de-fatted microalgal biomass as a new generation of animal feed in helping address the globa energy, food, and environmental issues. Nutritional feasibility and limitation of the biomass as the new feed ingredient for simple-stomached species are elaborated. Potential applications of the biomass for generating value-added animal products are also explored.     

Chromatin condensation but not DNA integrity of pig sperm is greater in the sperm-rich fractionOA

Background Protamination and condensation of sperm chromatin as well as DNA integrity play an essential role during fertilization and embryo development. In some mammals, like pigs, ejaculates are emitted in three separate fractions: pre-sperm, sperm-rich(SRF) and post sperm-rich(PSRF). These fractions are known to vary in volume, sperm concentration and quality, as well as in the origin and composition of seminal plasma(SP), with differences being also observed within the SRF one. Yet, whether ...     

Structures and characteristics of carbohydrates in diets fed to pigs: a review

The current paper reviews the content and variation of fiber fractions in feed ingredients commonly used in swine diets. Carbohydrates serve as the main source of energy in diets fed to pigs. Carbohydrates may be classified according to their degree of polymerization: monosaccharides, disaccharides, oligosaccharides, and polysaccharides.Digestible carbohydrates include sugars, digestible starch, and glycogen that may be digested by enzymes secreted in the gastrointestinal tract of the pig. Non-digestible carbohydrates, also known as fiber, may be fermented by microbial populations along the gastrointestinal tract to synthesize short-chain fatty acids that may be absorbed and metabolized by the pig. These non-digestible carbohydrates include two disaccharides, oligosaccharides,resistant starch, and non-starch polysaccharides. The concentration and structure of non-digestible carbohydrates in diets fed to pigs depend on the type of feed ingredients that are included in the mixed diet. Cellulose,arabinoxylans, and mixed linked β-(1,3)(1,4)-D-glucans are the main cell wall polysaccharides in cereal grains, but vary in proportion and structure depending on the grain and tissue within the grain. Cell walls of oilseeds, oilseed meals, and pulse crops contain cellulose, pectic polysaccharides, lignin, and xyloglucans. Pulse crops and legumes also contain significant quantities of galacto-oligosaccharides including raffinose, stachyose, and verbascose. Overall,understanding the structure, characteristics and measurable chemical properties of fiber in feed ingredients may result in more accurate diet formulations, resulting in an improvement in the utilization of energy from less expensive high-fiber ingredients and a reduction in reliance on energy from more costly cereal grains.     

Alternatives to antibiotics as growth promoters for use in swine production:a review

In the past two decades, an intensive amount of research has been focused on the development of alternatives to antibiotics to maintain swine health and performance. The most widely researched alternatives include probiotics, prebiotics, acidiflers, plant extracts and neutraceuticals such as copper and zinc. Since these additives have been more than adequately covered in previous reviews, the focus of this review will be on less traditional alternatives. The potential of antimicrobial peptides, clay minerals, egg yolk antibodies, essential oils, eucalyptus oil-medium chain fatty acids, rare earth elements and recombinant enzymes are discussed. Based on a thorough review of the literature, it is evident that a long and growing list of compounds exist which have been tested for their ability to replace antibiotics as feed additives in diets fed to swine. Unfortunately, the vast majority of these compounds produce inconsistent results and rarely equal antibiotics in their effectiveness. Therefore, it would appear that research is still needed in this area and that the perfect alternative to antibiotics does not yet exist.     

Ginkgo biloba extract alleviates fatty liver hemorrhagic syndrome in laying hens via reshaping gut microbiotaOA

Background Ginkgo biloba extract(GBE) is evidenced to be effective in the prevention and alleviation of metabolic disorders, including obesity, diabetes and fatty liver disease. However, the role of GBE in alleviating fatty liver hemorrhagic syndrome(FLHS) in laying hens and the underlying mechanisms remain to be elucidated. Here, we investigated the effects of GBE on relieving FLHS with an emphasis on the modulatory role of GBE in chicken gut microbiota.Results The results showed that GBE treat...     

Lactobacillus frumenti mediates energy production via fatty acid β-oxidation in the liver of early-weaned piglets

Background: Early-weaning of piglets is often accompanied by severe disorders, especially diarrhea. The gut microbiota and its metabolites play a critical role in the maintenance of the physiologic and metabolic homeostasis of the host. Our previous studies have demonstrated that oral administration of Lactobacillus frumenti improves epithelial barrier functions and confers diarrhea resistance in early-weaned piglets. However,the metabolic response to L. frumenti administration remains unclear. Then, we conducted simultaneous serum and hepatic metabolomic analyses in early-weaned piglets administered by L. frumenti or phosphatebuffered saline(PBS).Results: A total of 100 6-day-old crossbred piglets(Landrace × Yorkshire) were randomly divided into two groups and piglets received PBS(sterile, 2 m L) or L. frumenti(suspension in PBS, 10~8 CFU/m L, 2 m L) by oral administration once per day from 6 to 20 days of age. Piglets were weaned at 21 days of age. Serum and liver samples for metabolomic analyses were collected at 26 days of age. Principal components analysis(PCA)showed that L. frumenti altered metabolism in serum and liver. Numerous correlations(P 0.05) were identified among the serum and liver metabolites that were affected by L. frumenti. Concentrations of guanosine monophosphate(GMP), inosine monophosphate(IMP), and uric acid were higher in serum of L.frumenti administration piglets. Pathway analysis indicated that L. frumenti regulated fatty acid and amino acid metabolism in serum and liver. Concentrations of fatty acid β-oxidation related metabolites in serum(such as3-hydroxybutyrylcarnitine, C4-OH) and liver(such as acetylcarnitine) were increased after L. frumenti administration.Conclusions: Our findings suggest that L. frumenti regulates lipid metabolism and amino acid metabolism in the liver of early-weaned piglets, where it promotes fatty acid β-oxidation and energy production. High serum concentrations of nucleotide intermediates, which may be an alternative strategy to reduce the incidence of diarrhea in early-weaned piglets, were further detected. These findings broaden our understanding of the relationships between the gut microbiota and nutrient metabolism in the early-weaned piglets.     

Palm oil protects α-linolenic acid from rumen biohydrogenation and muscle oxidation in cashmere goat kids

Background: In ruminants, dietary C18:3 n-3 can be lost through biohydrogenation in the rumen; and C18:3 n-3 that by-passes the rumen still can be lost through oxidation in muscle, theoretically reducing the deposition of C18:3 n-3,the substrate for synthesis of poly-unsaturated fatty acids(n-3 LCPUFA) in muscle. In vitro studies have shown that rumen hydrogenation of C18:3 n-3 is reduced by supplementation with palm oil(rich in cis-9 C18:1). In addition, in hepatocytes, studies with neonatal rats have shown that cis-9 C18:1 inhibits the oxidation of C18:3 n-3. It therefore seems likely that palm oil could reduce both rumen biohydrogenation of C18:3 n-3 and muscle oxidation of C18:3 n-3. The present experiment tested whether the addition of palm oil to a linseed oil supplement for goat kids would prevent the losses of C18:3 n-3 and thus improve the FA composition in two muscles, Longissimus dorsi and Biceps femoris. To investigate the processes involved, we studied the rumen bacterial communities and measured the mRNA expression of genes related to lipid metabolism in Longissimus dorsi. Sixty 4-month-old castrated male Albas white cashmere kids were randomly allocated among three dietary treatments. All three diets contained the same ingredients in the same proportions, but differed in their fat additives: palm oil(PMO), linseed oil(LSO) or mixed oil(MIX; 2 parts linseed oil plus 1 part palm oil on a weight basis).Results: Compared with the LSO diet, the MIX diet decreased the relative abuandance of Pseudobutyrivibrio, a bacterial species that is positively related to the proportional loss rate of dietary C18:3 n-3 and that has been reported to generate the ATP required for biohydrogenation(reflecting a decrease in the abundance of rumen bacteria that hydrogenate C18:3 n-3 in MIX kids). In muscle, the MIX diet increased concentrations of C18:3 n-3, C20:5 n-3, C22:6 n-3,and n-3 LCPUFA, and thus decreased the n-6/n-3 ratio; decreased the mRNA expression of CPT1β(a gene associated with fatty acid oxidation) and increased the mRNA expression of FADS1 and FADS2(genes associated with n-3 LCPUFA synthesis), compared with the LSO diet. Interestingly, compared to Longissimus dorsi, Biceps femoris had greater concentrations of PUFA, greater ratios of unsaturated fatty acids/saturated fatty acids(U/S), and poly-unsaturated fatty acids/saturated fatty acids(P/S), but a lesser concentration of saturated fatty acids(SFA).Conclusions: In cashmere goat kids, a combination of linseed and palm oils in the diet increases the muscle concentration of n-3 LCPUFA, apparently by decreasing the relative abundance of rumen bacteria that are positively related to the proportional loss rate of dietary C18:3 n-3, by inhibiting m RNA expression of genes related to C18:3 n-3 oxidation in muscle, and by up-regulating m RNA expression of genes related to n-3 LCPUFA synthesis in muscle,especially in Longissimus dorsi.     

Plant Hormone Regulated Tillering in Switchgrass北大核心CSCD

Switchgrass is a perennial gramineous plant.It is studied widely and applied as an energy crop because of its huge biomass to produce fuel ethanol. Tillering is the main factor that directly affects the biomass of gramineous plants. The production of tillers is determined by the development of tiller buds,which is regulated by many factors including plant hormones and external environment. A tiller-deficient mutant lt induced by EMS was studied in physiological,biochemical and molecular mechanisms. The results showed that the number of tillers and elongation rate of axillary buds of mutant lt decreased. And the shoot of lt responded to gravity weakly,the contents of auxin,abscisic acid and strigolactones in lt increased. At the same time,the expression level of genes involved in strigolactones pathway in lt mutant increased. These results indicated that the tillering development of switchgrass mutant lt was regulated by auxin,abscisic acid and strigolactones. These results could provide theoretical direction for increasing biomass yield of switchgrass. © 2019 Ｊｏｕｒｎａｌ ｏｆ Ｒｅｆｒｉｇｅｒａｔｉｏｎ. All rights reserved.     

The immune modifying effects of amino acids on gut-associated lymphoid tissue

The intestine and the gut-associated lymphoid tissue（GALT） are essential components of whole body immune defense,protecting the body from foreign antigens and pathogens,while allowing tolerance to commensal bacteria and dietary antigens.The requirement for protein to support the immune system is well established.Less is known regarding the immune modifying properties of individual amino acids,particularly on the GALT.Both oral and parenteral feeding studies have established convincing evidence that not only the total protein intake,but the availability of specific dietary amino acids（in particular glutamine,glutamate,and arginine,and perhaps methionine,cysteine and threonine） are essential to optimizing the immune functions of the intestine and the proximal resident immune cells.These amino acids each have unique properties that include,maintaining the integrity,growth and function of the intestine,as well as normalizing inflammatory cytokine secretion and improving T-lymphocyte numbers,specific T cell functions,and the secretion of IgA by lamina propria cells.Our understanding of this area has come from studies that have supplemented single amino acids to a mixed protein diet and measuring the effect on specific immune parameters.Future studies should be designed using amino acid mixtures that target a number of specific functions of GALT in order to optimize immune function in domestic animals and humans during critical periods of development and various disease states.     

Effects of ensiling processes and antioxidants on fatty acid concentrations and compositions in corn silages

Background： Corn silage is the main dietary component used for ruminant breeding in China and is an important dietary source of fatty acids for these animals. However, little is known regarding effective means to protect the fatty acid （FA） contents in silages. In this study, we examined the changes in FA contents and compositions during corn ensiling and screened several antioxidants for their inhibition of lipid oxidation during corn ensiling. Methods： We conducted two different experiments. In Experiment 1, corn was ensiled in 30 polyethylene bottles （bottle volume： 1 L, silage density： 600 g/dm3） and three bottles were opened at 0.5 d, 1 d, 1.5 d, 2 d, 2.5 d, 3 d, 5 d, 7 d, 14 d, and 28 d after ensiling. In Experiment 2, corn was treated with various antioxidants： （1） No additives （CK）; （2） BHA （Butylated hydroxyanisole）; （3） TBHQ （Tertiary butyl hydroquinone）; （4） TPP （Tea polyphenols）; and （5） VE （Vitamin E）. These treatments were applied at 50 mg/kg and 100 mg/kg of fresh weight with each treatment replicated 3 times. Results： During ensiling in Experiment 1, saturated fatty acids （SFA; C16：0 and C18：0） and malondialdehyde （MDA） contents tended to increase, whereas unsaturated fatty acids （UFA; C18：1, C18：2 and C1 8：3） tended to decrease. However, these changes were only significant on the first 2 days of ensiling. In Experiment 2, all of the antioxidants tested affected the total FA contents and those of unsaturated fatty acids （C1 8：1, C18：2 and C18：3） and MDA. The effects of TBHQ and TPP were greater than those of the other antioxidants. Conclusions; The reduced total FA contents in corn silages were due to unsaturated fatty acids＇ oxidation during the early stages of ensiling. Adding an antioxidant could prevent fattv acids＇ oxidation in corn silages.