豆科牧草研究进展

豆科牧草的属间、属内、种间与种内均存在着巨大的遗传变异，利用这种变异，通过育种与选择，已培育出可良好地适应广泛的环境与管理条件的品种，遗传操作为此提供了更为广阔的空间，在豆科牧草固氮方面，对固氮过程、氮向伴生禾草的传送途径及残余氮对后继农作物的价值均有了进一步的理解。对包括施氮、采摘策略和影响混播草地中禾本科－豆科牧草平衡的胁迫等相互作用因素均已给予了阐明。在禾草／白三叶草草地为基础的家畜生产系统中，氮素的损失及其对环境产生的不良作用低于大量施氮的禾草草地系统。与禾草相比，豆科牧草无是用作放牧、青贮或用作干草，其物理、化学和解剖学等方面的特性均可增加家畜的嗜食性和自由采食量。由于豆科牧草的营养价值、可利用营养成分和采食特征，在单一豆科牧草或豆科牧草比重较大的禾草－豆科牧草混播草地上采食的不同种类、不同类型家畜的个体生产性能均优于在禾草草地上采食者。值得注意的是浓缩单宁在动物营养中的有益作用，这类单宁存在于诸如百脉根（Lotus corniculatus）、红豆草（Onobrychis viciifolia）和冠状岩黄芪（Hedys-crum coroharium）等植物中，其防止家畜患膨胀病，通过使较多的氨态氮到达小肠而提高氮的利用，并减轻绵羊肠道中线虫的作用。显然，培育含浓缩单宁的转基因豆科牧草是植物育种者现阶段的主要目标之一。此外，豆科牧草亦有许多其他用途，例如，在葡萄园中用作保护性植被，禾谷类作物的下层植被和为制药业提供次生化合物等。豆科牧草以其植物多态性和花朵的颜色等亦在美化景观和自然保护区中发挥着作用。可以预见，豆科牧草的作用在温带可持续农业中的作用将会增加，充分发掘现有的知识和相关研究成果，及有效的技术将是未来豆科牧草利用的主要特色。     

Comparative aspects of plant tannins on digestive physiology,nutrition and microbial community changes in sheep and goats: A review

Comparative aspects of plant tannins on digestive physiology, nutrition and microbial community in sheep and goats are discussed in the context of differences due to feed intake, digestibility, utilization of nutrients and microbial community. The purpose of this review was to present an overview of the potential benefits of tannin‐containing diets for sheep and goats and specie differences in their response to tannins. It is well established that moderate level of tannins in the diet (3%–4% tannins DM) can precipitate with soluble proteins and increase protein supply to the sheep, but comparative aspects of tannin‐containing diets in sheep and goats on animal performance, digestive physiology, rumen microbial changes and potential benefits to sustainable animal production by those compounds have received little attention. In addition, developing plant‐based tannin‐containing diets for control of rumen microbiota and rumen fermentation (e.g., methane gas) would be expected to have a greater impact on the ruminant health, productivity and emission of greenhouse gasses. The positive impacts of the plant tannin compounds mainly depend on their influence on the gut microbiome diversity and ability to generate fermentation end products (short‐chain fatty acids) that have diverse biological roles. Diets which contain optimal levels of tannins have potential benefits for sustainability of small ruminant production systems. However, there is a need for an improved understanding of the utilization of tannin‐containing forages to improve their management. This implies investigations of animal responses to tannin‐containing forages or browse species and, in particular, a better understanding of the interactions that can arise between sheep and goats on digestion, DMD, rumen fermentation and microbial community changes. This knowledge could help to improve current feeding systems in terms of efficiency of feed use and environmental impacts (reduce methane gas production) and thus contribute to the development of a sustainable sheep and goat production.     

Preference for condensed tannins by sheep in response to challenge infection with Haemonchus contortus

Herbivores prefer feeds that supply required nutrients and avoid those with excess nutrients and plant secondary compounds (PSC). Nevertheless, PSC such as condensed tannins can provide beneficial medicinal effects to herbivores as they act against infective diseases such as parasitism. The objectives of this study were to determine: (1) if parasitized lambs increased preference for a tannin-rich feed after they experienced the beneficial antiparasitic effects of condensed tannins relative to parasitized lambs that did not experience such benefits, and (2) if preference for the tannin-rich feed in the former group decreased when parasite burdens subsided. Twenty two lambs were familiarized with beet pulp and beet pulp+8% quebracho tannins (beet pulp+tannins) and choices were given between the two feeds (initial preference tests). Subsequently, all animals were dosed with 10,000 L(3) stage larvae of Haemonchus contortus. Twenty-two days later, animals were exposed to beet pulp (Control group; n=11) or beet pulp+tannins (Treatment group; n=11) during 24 d. After exposure (during a parasitic infection) animals in both groups were given choices between the two feeds. Lastly, animals in both groups received an antiparasitic drench and were again given a choice between both feeds (after a parasitic infection). Lambs preferred beet pulp to beet pulp+tannins throughout the study (P<0.001) and no difference in preference for the tannin-rich feed was detected between groups during initial preference tests (P>0.05). However, during a parasitic infection, intake of and preference for the tannin-rich feed was higher for lambs that experienced the beneficial effects of condensed tannins while parasitized (Treatment) than for lambs that did not (Control) (P<0.05). When parasitic infections were terminated by chemotherapy, differences between groups disappeared (P>0.05). Preference by the Treatment group for the tannin-rich feed was lower after than during a parasite infection (P<0.05). In contrast, preference by the Control group did not change during these periods (P>0.05). Lambs in the Treatment group displayed lower FEC than lambs in the Control group (Group × Sampling Date; P<0.05). These results show lambs learned about the antiparasitic effects of condensed tannins and increased their preference for the tannin-rich feed, which subsided after chemotherapy, indicating preference was due to parasite infection. These findings suggest management that allows animals to select tannin-rich feeds can enable parasitized animals to self-medicate.     

Quantification of Enterobacteriaceae in faeces of captive black rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis) in relation to dietary tannin supplementation

Free-ranging browsing herbivores ingest a range of secondary plant compounds, such as tannins, with their natural diet. As many of these substances have been shown to have antibacterial properties, it could be speculated that a lack of such compounds in captive zoo diets could favour the growth of potentially pathogenic intestinal bacteria. The effect of a supplementation of a conventional diet (N, consisting mainly of grass hay and/or lucerne hay and pelleted compound feeds) fed to eight captive black rhinoceroses (Diceros bicornis) from three zoological institutions with either tannic acid (T), a source of hydrolysable tannins, or quebracho (Q), a source of condensed tannins, was investigated. The number of faecal colony forming units (CFU) of Enterobactericeae was determined by colony count of dilution series from fresh faeces applied to MacConkey agar plates. Tannins were added to the diets at approximately 5-15 g/kg dry matter, depending on the varying intake of roughage and compound feeds by the animals. There was no difference in the number of CFU between diets N (95.0 x 10(5) +/- 225.3 x 10(5)/g fresh faeces) and T (164.3 x 10(5) +/- 225.1 x 10(5)/g fresh faeces); in contrast, diet Q led to a significant reduction in CFU (4.3 x 10(5) +/- 6.5 x 10(5)/g fresh faeces) compared with the other diets. These findings suggest that condensed tannins could have the potential to reduce the number of potentially pathogenic intestinal bacteria, and that the deliberate inclusion of tannin sources in the diets of captive wild animals should be further investigated. The fact that tannic acid, shown to have antibacterial effects in various in vitro studies, did not have an effect in this study, emphasizes that the relevance of tannin supplementation for intestinal health must be verified in vivo.     

Effects of tannins in animal nutrition

Tannins are watersoluble plant polyphenols that precipitate proteins. According to their chemical structure they can be divided into condensed tannins and hydrolysable tannins. Altogether, tannins are reported to have various physiological effects like anti-irritant, antisecretolytic, antiphlogistic, antimicrobial and antiparasitic effects. Phytotherapeutically tannin-containing plants are used to treat nonspecific diarrhoea, inflammations of mouth and throat and slightly injured skins. Studies with ruminants have also demonstrated that the denaturing properties of tannins can possibly be used to improve protein supply to the small intestine. Besides anthelmintic effects of condensed tannins have been observed in sheep and goats. On the other hand high tannin concentrations resulted in reduced animal performances and health disorders as well in ruminants as in monogastriers. Further scientific research is therefore needed to clarify whether tannins can be effectivly used in livestock feeding, for example in prophylaxis of diarrhoea or parasitic control.     

植物单宁及其对动物的作用研究进展

对植物中单宁含量、单宁对动植物的影响及降低单宁含量的方法进行了综述。植物单宁是广泛存在于植物体内的一类多元酚化舍物,是植物进化过程中由碳水化舍物代谢衍生出来的一种自身保护性物质。一般认为单宁在维管植物中有两种存在形式既水解单宁和缩合单宁。单宁的含量与基因、部位、植物生长阶段、植物病虫害等有关;植物含有高度单宁可保护植物...     

CPB-LAR-GFP表达载体的构建及其在紫花苜蓿愈伤组织中的表达

以无色花青素还原酶编码基因LAR为靶序列,构建携带绿色荧光蛋白GFP和抗除草剂bar基因的双标记选择植物表达载体,通过农杆菌介导法对紫花苜蓿进行遗传转化,经PCR检测和PPT筛选出抗性愈伤组织,转基因紫花苜蓿愈伤组织的缩合单宁含量比对照高30.8%。试验证明重组基因已转化至紫花苜蓿愈伤组织中并发挥生理功能,为研究缩合单宁合成与代谢的分子调控机制和培育具有抗除草剂和抗臌胀病的牧草新品种奠定基础。     

饲草中缩合单宁的研究进展

 饲料中高浓度的缩合单宁会降低动物对营养物质的消化利用率,影响自愿采食量,甚至损伤肠胃。适宜含量的缩合单宁,又能阻止臌胀病、肺水肿的发生,降低寄生虫病害的影响,改善肉质品味,提高动物的生产性能。论文概述了缩合单宁的营养作用、抗营养作用,影响饲草缩合单宁含量的因素,以及控制缩合单宁含量的方法,以便在实践中合理应用缩合单宁。     

Ovicidal and larvicidal activity of Melia azedarach extracts on Haemonchus contortus

Haemonchus contortus is responsible for severe economic losses in sheep and goat breeding in the Northeast of Brazil. However, the effectiveness of control is compromised due to anthelmintic resistance and misuse. In the search for natural anthelmintics, Melia azedarach L., a plant indigenous to India but now distributed throughout Brazil, was selected due to the reported anthelmintic properties of its seeds. The aim of this study was to evaluate the anthelmintic activity of the seed and leaf extracts of the Brazilian adapted plant and investigate the type of organic chemical compounds present in the most active extracts. The ovicidal and larvicidal activity of M. azedarach extracts on H. contortus was evaluated through egg hatching and larval development tests. Hexane and ethanol extracts of seeds and chloroform and ethanol extracts of leaves of M. azedarach were used in the tests. To perform the larval development test, feces of an animal free from parasites were mixed with third instar H. contortus larvae and extracts in several concentrations. The coprocultures were incubated for 7 days at 30 degrees C, then the larvae were recovered and counted. LC50 was calculated by probits using the SPSS 8.0 program. The seed ethanol extract was the most active on eggs (LC50=0.36mgmL(-1)) and the leaf ethanol extract showed the best inhibition of larval development (LC50=9.18mgmL(-1)). Phytochemical analysis of the most active extracts revealed the presence of condensed tannins, triterpenes and alkaloids.     

Effects of plants containing secondary compounds and plant oils on rumen fermentation and ecology

A number of experiments have been conducted to investigate effects of tropical plants containing condensed tannins and/or saponins present in tropical plants and some plant oils on rumen fermentation and ecology in ruminants. Based on both in vitro and in vivo trials, the results revealed important effects on rumen microorganisms and fermentation including methane production. Incorporation and/or supplementation of these plants containing secondary metabolites have potential for improving rumen ecology and subsequently productivity in ruminants.     

The possible role of methionine in the detoxification of faba bean (Vicia faba L.) tannins in chick diets

1. A metabolism trial was designed to investigate the role of methionine as a specific detoxifying agent of the condensed tannins present in faba beans (Vicia faba L.).

2. A 5 x 5 factorial approach was employed where 5 concentrations of dietary methionine were obtained (ranging from 3.9 to 12.15 g/kg diet dry matter) by the addition of DL‐methionine, and 5 concentrations of condensed tannins (ranging from 0.5 to 19.7 g/kg diet dry matter) by altering the ratio of tannin‐free and tannin‐containing faba bean hulls added to a basal diet.

3. The intake of condensed tannins had a significant, depressive effect on apparent available nitrogen (P< 0.001) and nitrogen corrected apparent metabolisable energy (AME_n ) (P< 0.001). There was no interaction between methionine and tannin (P>0.05). Thus the depressive effect of tannin was independent of methionine levels in the diet.

4. Methionine does not act as a specific detoxifier of faba bean condensed tannins.     

Novel forages for growth and health in farmed deer

AIMS: This paper reviews recent research on the use of new forages in deer farming that may be useful for increasing growth in weaner deer for venison production, increasing the trace element status of deer, and for developing systems less reliant on chemical inputs, notably of anthelmintics used to control internal parasites. GROWTH: Grazing on pure swards of red clover (Trifolium pratense) or chicory (Chicorium intybus) increased weaner growth during autumn by 26-47% and during spring by 10-14%, relative to red deer (Cervus elaphus) grazed on perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) /white clover (Trifolium repens) pasture (0.8/0.2). Pre-weaning growth during lactation was increased by approximately 20%. These increases were due to increased rate of degradation of feed particles in the rumen, leading to higher digestibility and higher voluntary feed intakes (VFI). Red clover and chicory produce a greater proportion of their total dry matter (DM) during late summer and autumn than perennial ryegrass/white clover pastures, and are therefore better aligned with the seasonal feed requirements of deer. Grazing on the legume, sulla (Hedysarum coronarium), in autumn and spring increased the growth of weaner deer by 33% and 10%, respectively, relative to pasture-fed animals. PARASITES: Plants containing substantial concentrations of secondary compounds such as condensed tannins (CT) show promise for reducing problems caused by internal parasites. CT present in some legumes and the presence of low concentrations of both CT and sesquiterpene lactones in chicory are reviewed. Feeding sulla containing 35g CT /kg DM reduced abomasal nematode establishment and tended to reduce lungworm (Dictyocaulis eckerti) larval counts in faeces. Relative to weaner deer grazing pasture, weaner deer grazing chicory during autumn required fewer anthelmintic treatments without depressing growth rates. CT extracted from a range of legumes, and CT and sesquiterpene lactones extracted from chicory reduced the in vitro motility of both lungworm and gastrointestinal nematode larvae. The beneficial effects of CT-containing forages on the ability of young deer to manage internal parasite infections could be due to: indirect effects of CT resulting in increased amino-acid absorption, better meeting demands of the immune system; direct inhibitory effects of CT on parasite larvae and; taller plant morphology, reducing the ingestion of infective larvae. The effects of CT depend upon both their structure and CT Condensed tannins DM Dry matter L1 First-stage larvae L3 Infective third-stage larvae LWG Liveweight gain ME Metabolisable energy OM Organic matter OMD Organic matter digestibility VFIVoluntary food intake concentration in the plant, which vary between growing conditions, plant varieties and species. TRACE ELEMENTS: Chicory contained higher concentrations of copper and cobalt than perennial ryegrass/white clover pasture grown on the same farm, and deer grazing chicory had higher liver concentrations of both copper and vitamin B12. These forages may contribute to maintaining adequate trace element status in deer. CONCLUSIONS: Grazing systems that include legumes and herbs such as sulla, red clover and chicory can be used to substantially increase the growth of weaner deer for venison production whilst maintaining deer health and reducing requirements for chemical inputs. For maximum plant persistence and animal responses, these plants should be grown and managed as special-purpose forages and not used in seed mixtures with perennial grasses.     

甘肃马先蒿寄生对禾草内生真菌共生体共生关系的影响

根寄生植物-甘肃马先蒿是高寒草地重度退化阶段主要滋生毒杂草种类,利用根部吸器与侵染内生真菌的禾草(紫花针茅和麦宾草)建立寄生关系。当禾草成为甘肃马先蒿和内生真菌共同寄主(宿主)时,有关内生真菌调控甘肃马先蒿对禾草根寄生危害的相关研究较少。以侵染Epichloë属内生真菌(E+)和未侵染内生真菌(E-)的紫花针茅和麦宾草为研究对象,观测甘肃马先蒿寄生对E+、E-紫花针茅和麦宾草株高、分蘖、根茎比、生物量变化和根部吸器数量及显微结构差异。结果表明:甘肃马先蒿寄生显著降低紫花针茅和麦宾草株高、分蘖和生物量,内生真菌侵染显著影响甘肃马先蒿根寄生处理禾草的生长特性。紫花针茅E+、E-植株被甘肃马先蒿寄生后,E+植株分蘖、生物量和根茎比明显高于E-植株,而E-植株根部功能性吸器数量明显高于E+植株; 麦宾草与甘肃马先蒿建立寄生关系后,E-植株株高、分蘖、生物量和根茎比明显高于E+植株,E+植株根部功能性吸器数量明显高于E-植株。由此可见,甘肃马先蒿与禾草建立寄生关系后,内生真菌与禾草间的共生关系处于互惠共生和相互拮抗的动态变化,草地群落其他植物与禾草间相互作用能调节禾草与内生真菌的共生关系。     

3种根茎型禾草无性繁殖时空扩展初探

以青海扁茎早熟禾Poa pratensis var. anceps cv.Qinghai、草原看麦娘Alopecurus pratensis、无芒雀麦Bromus inermis 3种根茎型禾草为材料,进行无性繁殖,并从地上和地下部分比较了3种根茎型禾草无性繁殖的时空扩展情况.结果表明:3种根茎型禾草分蘖株数、根茎数、侵占面积随着生长时间的增加存在显著差异(P<0.05),移植当年青海扁茎早熟禾分蘖株数可达68个/株、根茎数可达24个/株、侵占面积可扩展到731.2 cm2;分别较草原看麦娘多12个/株、2个/株、91.1 cm2;分别较无芒雀麦多22个/株、5个/株、321.9 cm2.3种根茎型禾草移植当年均能成熟,其中青海扁茎早熟禾成熟最早,草原看麦娘次之,无芒雀麦最晚,时空扩展速度表现为青海扁茎早熟禾>草原看麦娘>无芒雀麦.3种根茎型禾草分蘖株数与侵占面积之间呈线性关系,根茎平均长度与侵占面积呈指数关系.     

Black rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis) and domestic horse (Equus caballus) hindgut microflora demonstrate similar fermentation responses to grape seed extract supplementation in vitro

The domestic horse is used as a nutritional model for rhinoceros maintained under human care. The validity of this model for browsing rhinoceros has been questioned due to high prevalence of iron overload disorder (IOD) in captive black rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis), which is associated with high morbidity and mortality. Iron chelators, such as tannins, are under investigation as dietary supplements to ameliorate or prevent IOD in prone species. Polyphenolic compounds variably affect microbial fermentation, so the first objective of this experiment was to evaluate the effects of grape seed extract (GSE; a concentrated source of condensed tannins; CT) on black rhinoceros hindgut fermentation. Equine nutrition knowledge is used to assess supplements for rhinoceros; therefore, the second objective was to evaluate the domestic horse model for black rhinoceros fermentation and compare fermentation responses to GSE using a continuous single‐flow in vitro culture system. Two replicated continuous culture experiments were conducted using horse and black rhinoceros faeces as inoculum sources comparing four diets with increasing GSE inclusion (0.0%, 1.3%, 2.7% and 4.0% of diet dry matter). Diet and GSE polyphenolic compositions were determined, and sodium sulphite effect on neutral detergent fibre extraction of CT‐containing forages was tested. Increasing GSE inclusion stimulated microbial growth and fermentation, and proportionally increased diet CT concentration and iron‐binding capacity. Horse and black rhinoceros hindgut microflora nutrient digestibility and fermentation responses to GSE did not differ, and results supported equine fermentation as an adequate model for microbial fermentation in the black rhinoceros. Interpretation of these results is limited to hindgut fermentation and further research is needed to compare foregut digestibility and nutrient absorption between these two species. Supplementation of GSE in black rhinoceros diets up to 4% is unlikely to adversely affect hindgut nutrient digestibility or microbial viability and fermentation.     

甘肃红豆草无色花青素还原酶LAR基因的克隆和表达分析

以甘肃红豆草为材料,采用RT-PCR法克隆无色花青素还原酶LAR基因,分析该功能基因在甘肃红豆草不同器官表达的差异性。结果表明,克隆的甘肃红豆草LAR基因,与GenBank已报道LAR基因(登录号:HM152981)序列相似性达到98.34%,其ORF长为1089 bp,编码362个氨基酸残基;其编码的氨基酸序列与不同属豆科物种的相似性存在较大的差异。基因序列已注册到GenBank,序列登录号为KP013623。LAR基因在甘肃红豆草不同器官表达差异较大;其中叶中表达量最高,其次是花和果,茎中表达量最低,这与器官间缩合单宁含量的变化规律一致。推测其表达与甘肃红豆草缩合单宁器官间的积累差异有关。这些研究结果也为探索缩合单宁积累和表达调控的机制提供基础。     

饲料中添加缩合单宁对凡纳滨对虾生长性能、体成分、血清生化及抗氧化指标的影响

本试验旨在研究饲料中添加缩合单宁对凡纳滨对虾生长性能、体成分、血清生化及抗氧化指标的影响.选择初体重约为1.38 g的凡纳滨对虾600尾,随机分为5组,每组3个重复,每个重复40尾.5组对虾投喂缩合单宁添加量分别为0(CT0组,作为对照组)、0.5(CT 0.5组)、1.0(CT1组)、2.0(CT2组)、4.0 g/...     

Effects of condensed tannins on established populations and on incoming larvae of Trichostrongylus colubriformis and Teladorsagia circumcincta in goats

The use of tanniferous plants or tannins represents one alternative approach to the control of gastrointestinal parasites in ruminants but most data have been obtained in sheep. The current study was therefore performed in goats with two objectives: firstly, to investigate the effects of condensed tannins (CT) on adult populations of Trichostrongylus colubriformis and Teladorsagia circumcincta; secondly, to examine their effects on the establishment of infective larvae of these two species. In experiment 1, two groups of kids were infected with 6 000 L3 of T. colubriformis and 6 000 L3 of T. circumcincta. After 7 weeks, quebracho extracts were administered per os for 8 days to one group. A comparable group which did not receive tannins was included as the control. The kids were slaughtered on week 11. Parasitological and pathophysiological parameters were measured weekly. Worm counts were assessed and mast cells, globule leukocytes and eosinophils were counted in the abomasal and intestinal mucosae. Tannin administration was associated with a decrease in egg excretion, and a decrease in female fecundity, but with no changes in worm numbers. These changes were associated with an increased number of intestinal mast cells. In experiment 2, 24 goats were used according to a 2 x 2 factorial design, depending on infection and tannin administration. Two groups were either infected with 6 000 L3 of T. colubriformis or T. circumcincta. Within each group, the goats were either drenched or undrenched with tannin extracts. Pathophysiological parameters were measured weekly. Twelve days after the cessation of tannin administration, the goats were slaughtered. Worm counts and female worm fecundity were determined. Tannin consumption was associated with a significant reduction (P < 0.01) of Trichostrongylus populations and a close to significant reduction for Teladorsagia. No effect on fecundity was observed. Our results (1) confirm the consequences of condensed tannins on nematodes in goats as in sheep and (2) indicate divergent effects depending on the parasitic stage exposed to the condensed tannins.     

An in vitro biomechanical comparison of equine proximal interphalangeal joint arthrodesis techniques: two parallel transarticular headless tapered variable pitch screws versus two parallel transarticular AO cortical bone screws inserted in lag fashion

Objectives: To compare the mean number of cycles to failure under axial compression of equine proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joint arthrodesis constructs created by 2 parallel transarticular Acutrak Plus screws (AP‐TS) or 2 parallel transarticular 5.5 mm cortical screws inserted in lag fashion (AO‐TLS). Study Design: Paired in vitro biomechanical testing of 2 methods of stabilizing cadaveric adult equine forelimb PIP joints. Sample Population: Cadaveric adult equine forelimbs (n=5 pairs). Methods: For each forelimb pair, 1 PIP joint was stabilized with AP‐TS and 1 with AP‐TLS. The 5 construct pairs were tested for cyclic fatigue under axial compression. Mean number of cycles to failure for each fixation method were compared by a paired t‐test within each group with statistical significance set at P<.05. Results: The mean number of cycles to failure under axial compression for AO‐TLS fixation and AP‐TS fixation were 57,723±8488 and 35,322±4698, respectively. Conclusion: The AO‐TLS was superior to the AP‐TS in resisting cyclic fatigue under axial compression.     

The effect of canola meal tannins on the intestinal absorption capacity of broilers using a D‐xylose test

In three D‐xylose absorption experiments, the effect of 1% HCl/methanol, 70% methanol or 70% acetone extracts of canola meal (CM) or 70% acetone extract of soybean meal (SBM) containing polyphenols, phenolic acids, tannins and phytic acid on intestinal absorption capacity of broilers was determined. In Exp. 1, the experimental groups received orally D‐xylose solution alone or with methanol/HCl, methanol or acetone extracts of CM. In Exp. 2, the experimental groups received D‐xylose alone or with acetone extracts of CM or SBM. In Exp. 3, the experimental groups received D‐xylose plus sucrose solution or D‐xylose plus acetone extracts of CM or SBM. In Exps. 2 and 3, the CM extracts contained 2.7 and 2.6, 2.4 and 2.3, 3.2 and 3.2, and 2.4 and 2.2 times higher polyphenols, phenolic acids, tannins and condensed tannins than the corresponding SBM extracts respectively. Blood samples were collected in 40‐min intervals, and plasma D‐xylose was measured. Compared to the Control, plasma D‐xylose in Exp. 1 was lower (p < 0.001) by 81, 69 and 73% at 40‐min, by 41, 44 and 37% at 80‐min and by 22, 31, and 23% at 120‐min post‐ingestion of the HCl/methanol, methanol and acetone extracts respectively. In both Exps. 2 and 3, plasma D‐xylose level was lower (p < 0.001) in groups dosed with CM extract or SBM extract at each time of blood collection, when compared to the respective Control group. However, in Exp. 3, birds dosed with SBM extract had higher plasma D‐xylose than CM extract‐dosed birds by 28, 8 and 21% at 40, 80 and 120 min respectively (p < 0.01). In conclusion, although CM extract caused a lower absorption of D‐xylose, based on 5 to 10% of CM inclusion levels in practical broiler rations, the soluble bioactive components of CM will likely have minor impact on the absorption capacity of the chicken intestine.