Effect of high moisture storage of pearl millet (Pennisetum typhoides) with or without feed enzymes on growth and nutrient utilization in broiler chickens

Effect of reconstitution of pearl millet with or without enzymes on its utilization in broiler chickens was studied. The pearl millet grains were reconstituted by adding water to raise the moisture level to 30%, followed by storage in sealed plastic buckets with or without feed enzymes (0.5 g/kg) for 21 days at room temperature (25°C). Subsequently, the grains were sun-dried to reduce the moisture content up to 10% to avoid mould growth. Nine dietary treatments were formulated incorporating pearl millet either raw with or without enzymes or reconstituted with or without enzymes in maize-soya based control diet replacing maize at 50 and 75% levels. The birds fed on diets containing enzyme reconstituted pearl millet accrued higher body weight than maize based control diet. Addition of enzymes to raw pearl-millet based diet improved the body weight gain significantly. The reconstitution of pearl millet with or without enzymes increased ( P  < 0.01) the dietary nitrogen corrected apparent metabolizable energy (AMEn) values and the highest improvement (6.11%) was recorded in diets containing pearl millet reconstituted with enzymes at 75% level of maize replacement. The percent nitrogen retention in pearl millet based diets was comparable to maize based control diet. It may be concluded that the supplementation of the feed enzymes or reconstitution of pearl millet may improve the utilization of pearl millet in broiler chickens.     

珍珠粟在畜禽饲料中的应用研究进展

珍珠粟作为一种重要的热带谷类作物而广泛地种植于半干旱地区,坑旱、耐瘠,其籽实蛋白质含量高,氨基酸组成合理,含抗营养因子少,作为玉米的替代品而广泛地应用于畜禽养殖业中,尤其在非反刍动物饲料中的应用效果较好。     

体外法评价玉米秸秆、谷草和玉米秸秆青贮饲料组合效应研究

本试验旨在利用体外产气法研究玉米秸秆(CS)、谷草(MS)与玉米秸秆青贮饲料(CSS)间的组合效应,筛选出不同饲料间的适宜组合比例。试验采用单因素试验设计,首先将玉米秸秆与谷草进行体外发酵试验,筛选出的最优组合,再与玉米秸秆青贮饲料组合进行试验,以上组合均以100∶0,80∶20,60∶40,50∶50,40∶60,20∶80,0∶100的比例进行,每个组合设3个重复,测定和分析不同粗饲料组合对体外产气量、干物质消失率、pH、微生物蛋白、氨态氮、挥发性脂肪酸的影响,计算出各组合的单项组合效应值和综合组合效应值。试验结果表明,不同饲料组合对产气量和干物质消失率影响显著或极显著(P<0.05或P<0.01);不同饲料组合间pH差异不显著(P>0.05);各饲料组合间微生物蛋白产量差异显著或极显著(P<0.05或P<0.01),玉米秸秆与谷草组合的微生物蛋白产量随玉米秸秆比例的减少而减少,再与玉米秸秆青贮饲料组合随玉米秸秆青贮饲料比例的增加而增加;不同饲料组合的氨态氮浓度差异显著或极显著(P<0.05或P<0.01),含量为17.35~24.63 mg/dL;各饲料组合间的挥发性脂肪酸产量差异显著或极显著(P<0.05或P<0.01)。以多项组合效应指数评定的最优组合为:玉米秸秆和谷草的搭配比例为60∶40,玉米秸秆、谷草、玉米秸秆青贮饲料的搭配比例为12∶8∶80。     

Whole pearl millet feeding does not impair performance and nutrient digestibility in 28-day-old broiler chickens

The effects of varying inclusion levels of whole grain millet in millet–soya bean-based diets on growth performance, gizzard development, digesta characteristics and nutrient digestion in broiler chicken were investigated. Starter (0–14 days) and grower (15–28 days) broiler chicken diets containing pearl millet at 500 and 540 g/kg diet, respectively, were formulated. The diets comprised of 0%, 20%, 40%, 60%, 80% and 100% of millet incorporated as whole grain. One-day-old unsexed Arbor Acres Plus chicks (n = 540) were allotted to the experimental diets in a completely randomized design with the diets and water provided ad libitum for 28 days. Each treatment was replicated seven times, and each replicate had 12 chicks. Results showed that daily live weight gain and feed conversion ratio of chickens on the whole millet grain diets compared favourably with chicken on the control in both starter and grower phases, while feed intake reduced quadratically (p < .05) with increased whole grain millet levels in the starter phase. Morphological and structural characteristics of the gizzard and small intestine and intestinal digesta pH and viscosity were also unaffected (p > .05) by whole grain millet inclusion levels. However, the weight of intact millet grain in gizzard increased linearly (p < .001) with whole grain millet inclusion in the diets. Dietary whole grain millet inclusion also consistently lowered (p < .05) jejunal and ileal maltase and sucrase activities, but did not influence (p > .05) pancreatic amylase activity. Ileal crude protein and starch digestibility increased, while ileal energy digestibility decreased significantly (p < .05) with whole grain millet inclusion. Whole grain millet inclusion in broiler starter and grower diets up to 500–540 g/kg did not negatively impact on broiler chicken performance.     

低能日粮中添加高剂量复合酶对肉鸡血清激素含量和微生物菌群的影响

试验研究了在低能日粮中,添加不同剂量复合酶对肉鸡血液指标和微生物菌群的影响。试验将320只1日龄AA+肉鸡分为4组,每组8个重复,每个重复10只。第Ⅰ组为正对照组,饲喂常规饲粮;第Ⅱ组为负对照组,配方中增加了杂粕和麦类原料的用量,同时降低ME 210 kJ/kg;第Ⅲ组和第Ⅳ组为常规剂量加酶组和高剂量加酶组,即分别在负对照组饲粮的基础上添加0.02%和0.2%复合酶,试验期为42 d。结果表明,负对照组甲状腺素显著低于其它3组(P<0.05);高剂量加酶组胰岛素含量显著高于其它3组(P<0.05);肉鸡其它各血清激素含量在4种不同日粮处理组之间未见显著性差异(P>0.05)。不同剂量的复合酶制剂对肉鸡空肠中大肠杆菌数没有显著性影响(P>0.05),两个加酶组乳酸杆菌数显著高于两个对照组(P<0.05)。研究表明,饲粮中添加0.02%和0.2%复合酶对肉鸡血清激素含量和微生物菌群均具有很好的改善作用。     

Evaluation of transgenic event CBH 351 (StarLink) corn in broiler chicks

The influence of transgenic event CBH 351 (StarLink; SL)-derived hybrid corn on the growth performance, health condition and physiological function in broiler chicks, as well as the possible transfer of the cry9C gene and Cry9C protein to blood, liver and muscle were examined in comparison with chicks fed on a diet with non-transgenic corn (SL-F). Bodyweight gain and feed conversion ratio in the chicks fed on a diet with SL were significantly greater than in chicks fed on a diet with SL-F during the starter phase (0–3 weeks of age), but this significant difference disappeared during the finisher phase (4–7 weeks of age). No abnormalities in health condition in either SL or SL-F groups were observed, and livability did not differ significantly between SL and SL-F groups. Moreover, no significant differences in serum biochemical and hematological values, histopathological observation and necropsy findings were observed between SL and SL-F groups at the end of the experiment. The cry9C gene and Cry9C protein were not detected in blood, liver and muscle of chicks at 3, 5 or 7 weeks of age. The results indicate that feeding SL does not influence growth performance, health condition or physiological function in broiler chicks, and the cry9C gene and Cry9C protein are not transferred to the blood, liver and muscles of broilers.     

Live performance,carcass characteristic and blood metabolite responses of broilers to two distinct corn types with different extent of grinding

The major objective of this research was to establish the main and interactive effects of corn type and extent of grinding on broiler performance including carcass characteristics. A completely randomized experimental design with a 2 (corn type) × 2 (fine and coarse) factorial arrangement, each with six replicates of 45 male Ross chicks, was applied. Experimental diets, containing dent or hard corn, were formulated with two extents of grinding (3.00 or 6.00 mm screens) for three growing phases. In comparison with dent corn, the hard corn increased body weight (BW) gain and thigh muscle yield (p < 0.05), while decreasing feed conversion ratio (p < 0.01) and abdominal fat deposition (p < 0.05), some aspects of which were age‐dependent and appeared to vary with extent of grinding. Coarser grinding increased the weight of proventriculus (p < 0.01), gizzard (p < 0.05) and small + large intestine (p < 0.10) relative to BW, particularly towards market size. These results suggest that feeding hard corn or large‐particle‐size corn have some favourable effects on growth performance or gastrointestinal development for finishing broilers.     

Utilization of potato peels and sugar beet pulp with and without enzyme supplementation in broiler chicken diets: effects on performance,serum biochemical indices and carcass traits

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of including potato peels (PP) and sugar beet pulp (SBP), as unconventional feeds, with and without enzyme in broiler diets from 1 to 42 days of age by observing the growth performance, blood parameters and carcass characteristics. A total of 150, 1‐day old, chicks were randomly assigned into five groups, each with 30 chicks. Birds in group 1 were fed on the control diet. Chicks in groups 2 and 3 were offered diets containing PP and SBP at the rate of 15% and 7.5%, respectively, while those in groups 4 and 5 were fed the same diets but with adding an enzyme mixture. Using the unconventional feeds in the diets was found to decrease the body weight (BW). However, the feed intake, weight gain and feed conversion did not differ from the control in PP at the grower period, but decreased in SBP throughout the experiment. Addition of enzyme greatly improved the BW in PP and SBP to a degree that it surpasses the control and also increased the feed intake and conversion. The total cholesterol and low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol serum levels were decreased in all tested groups. Carcass yield was not affected by treatments, but the carcass fat content was reduced using the unconventional feeds with or without enzyme. In conclusion, PP can be used at a rate of 15% in the grower diets of broilers. Furthermore, 15% PP or 7.5% SBP can be included in starter and grower diets, but with the addition of enzymes. This can help in solving the problem of current shortage and rising costs of conventional feeds.     

福美双对肉鸡生产性能、血清相关酶活性及胫骨软骨发育不良的影响

将120只1日龄AA肉鸡随机分为对照组、低浓度福美双组（50mg／kg福美双）、高浓度福美双组（100mg／kg福美双），试验进行28d。结果显示，饲料中添加福美双显著升高了血清AST、ALT和ALP水平（P〈0．05），提高了肉鸡胫骨软骨发育不良（TD）的发病率（P〈O．05），降低了肉鸡生产性能。表明福美双能通过损害肉鸡肝脏功能，影响骨代谢相关酶活性，而致发肉鸡TD。     

Development of goitre and enterohepatonephropathy in Nubian Goats fed with pearl millet (Pennisetum typhoides)

We present the first reported study of Pearl millet (Pennisetum typhoides) goitrogenesis and enterohepatonephropathy in 5-9-month-old Nubian goats of either sex. The goats were fed 0.25 or 1 g millet per kg body weight per day for 62 days. The effects on thyroid follicles, intestines, liver and kidneys are described and correlated with clinical signs, changes in serum and tissue iodine and selenium concentrations and alterations in serum aspartate transaminase, gamma glutamyl transferase, total protein, total lipids and other constituents and haematological values.     

玉米酒精糟和复合酶对生长育肥猪血液生化指标和肠道健康的影响

本试验旨在探讨生长育肥猪饲粮中添加一定量的玉米酒精糟(DDGS)和复合酶对生长育肥猪血液生化指标和肠道健康的影响。150头70日龄杜×长×大三元杂交商品猪,根据体重和性别随机分成3个处理,每个处理5个重复,每个重复10头猪,进行两阶段饲养。对照组饲喂玉米-豆粕型日粮,试验1组和2组在生长期和育肥期饲料中分别以10%和15%的玉米DDGS替代部分玉米和豆粕,试验2组添加200 g/T的复合酶。于试验开始后的第24,48,70和90天,每栏随机选取一头猪,直肠无菌采集粪样以检测其中的乳酸菌和大肠杆菌的数量。试验结束时,每栏随机选取一头猪进行屠宰,采集血液和组织样品,进行血液生化指标的测定和小肠形态的观察。结果显示,添加玉米DDGS和复合酶对肝、脾指数和血液AKP、γ-GT、GOT和GPT水平没有显著影响(P>0.05);试验组猪的十二指肠和回肠绒毛高度与隐窝深度之比值大于对照组,且试验2组在育肥期达到显著水平(P<0.05)。试验2组育肥期粪样中乳酸菌数量较对照组显著升高(P<0.05),试验1组生长期粪样中大肠杆菌数量则显著低于对照组(P<0.05)。因此,本研究中玉米DDGS的添加量不仅没有对生长育肥猪的肠道形态和肝脏等器官产生明显的毒害作用,而且结合复合酶的使用有利于提高十二指肠和回肠绒毛高度与隐窝深度之比值,一定程度上促进了生长育肥猪后肠中乳酸菌的生长,抑制了大肠杆菌的生长,有助于维持肠道健康。     

Effect of dietary supplementation of astaxanthin from Phaffia rhodozyma on lipopolysaccharide‐induced early inflammatory responses in male broiler chickens (Gallus gallus) fed a corn‐enriched diet

Effect of dietary supplementation of astaxanthin (Ax) from Phaffia rhodozyma on lipopolysaccharide‐induced inflammatory responses was investigated in male broiler chickens fed a corn‐based diet. Birds (1 week of age) were fed a corn‐enriched diet containing either 0 or 100 ppm Ax for 2 weeks and were intraperitoneally injected with lipopolysaccharide (LPS, 1 mg/kg body weight). Inflammatory responses were evaluated by determining changes in expression of messenger RNA (mRNA) in cytokines and mediators related to inflammatory responses (interleukin (IL)‐1 beta and ‐6, inducible nitrite synthase (iNOS), interferon (IFN)‐ γ and cyclooxygenase (Cox)‐2 in the liver and spleen after 2 h of LPS injection and plasma ceruloplasmin concentration as an acute phase protein. Birds fed Ax showed significantly higher iNOS mRNA expression in the liver and spleen compared to that of control birds. Ax‐fed birds also showed greater increase in mRNA expression in the liver of IL‐1, IL‐6 and IFN‐γ compared to that of control birds. The enhancing effect of Ax was further progressed when LPS was injected. No difference was found in plasma ceruloplasmin concentration between the Ax‐fed group and control group. The results suggest that feeding supplementation of Ax (100 ppm) to a corn‐enriched diet possibly does not have anti‐inflammatory effect in male broiler chickens.     

Effect of anthocyanin‐rich corn silage on digestibility,milk production and plasma enzyme activities in lactating dairy cows

Anthocyanin in purple corn (Zea mays L.) has been reported to show several functional and biological attributes, displaying antioxidant, antiobesity and antidiabetic effects in monogastric animals. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of feeding anthocyanin‐rich corn (Zea mays L., Choko C922) silage on digestibility, milk production and plasma enzyme activities in lactating dairy cows. The cows were fed diets based on the control corn or the anthocyanin‐rich corn silage (AR treatment) in a crossover design. The anthocyanin‐rich corn silage‐based diet had a lower starch content, nutrient digestibility and total digestible nutrients content when compared to the control diet. The milk yield, lactose and solids‐not‐fat contents in the AR‐treatment cows were lower than in the control cows. The feeding of the anthocyanin‐rich corn silage led to a reduction in aspartate aminotransferase (AST) activity and an increase in superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in the plasma. These data suggest that the anthocyanin‐rich corn has a lowering effect on AST activity with concomitant enhancement of SOD activity in lactating dairy cows. However, a new variety of anthocyanin‐rich corn with good nutritional value is needed for practical use as a ruminant feed.     

Circulating siderophagocytes and erythrophagocytes in a corn snake (Elaphe guttata) after coelomic surgery

Leukocytes containing nonheme iron and phagocytosed fragments of erythrocytes were found in blood smears from a corn snake (Elaphe guttata) collected 20 and 79 days after coelomic surgery (ovariosalpingectomy). Numerous immature and mitotic erythrocytes also were seen in the sample taken 20 days postsurgically. Siderophagocytes and erythrophagocytes had not been observed before surgery and were not found in multiple subsequent blood samples collected 112-602 days after surgery. Other than these hematologic abnormalities, laboratory findings were unremarkable and the snake recovered uneventfully. Based on examination of sequential blood smears, the circulating siderophagocytes were interpreted as recirculating macrophages involved in the removal of blood from the coelomic cavity after mild postsurgical hemorrhage.     

Body condition scoring (BCS) in corn snakes (Pantherophis guttatus) and comparison to pre-existing body condition index (BCI) for snakes

In the veterinary profession, the body condition score (BCS) plays an important role in the assessment of patients. It is a subjective, tactile method of evaluating body fat and muscle mass and is used in numerous species. Recognizing obesity (or the contrary, emaciation) is important for veterinarians treating reptiles and could be facilitated by a BCS. An existing form of body condition assessment already used is the body condition index (BCI), where the residuals from a regression of body mass on body length are calculated. Therefore, the goal of this study was to provide practitioners with a BCS system for corn snakes (Pantherophis guttatus) and to test it against the BCI. A total of 22 corn snakes (Pantherophis guttatus), stationed at the “Auffangstation für Reptilien” in Munich (reptile rescue centre, RRC), were subject of this study. Each had the following measurements taken: body weight (BW), snout–tail tip length (STL), snout–vent length (SVL) and circumference in the middle (C). Manual palpation of spine, area between vertebral spinous and transverse process, ribs and neck of each snake was performed by three veterinarians and assigned to specific scores by each examiner. A BCS (mean of examiners’ scores) was given to each snake according to manual palpation. The BCS system was chosen to be out of 5 in 0.5-point steps with 2.5 considered as ideal BCS. In the studied snakes, the BCS ranged from 1.5 to 3.5, with a median of 2.5. The median BW was 309 g (75–967 g), the median STL was 123 cm (79–153 cm), the median SVL was 104 cm (73–133 cm) and the median C was 7.5 cm (4.3–11 cm). BCS and BCI were positively correlated. A BCS includes a manual palpation of the animal and thus gives the examiner additional information to the objectively measured/calculated index.     

播量与水肥耦合对河北秋闲田饲用谷子产量的影响

为研究不同播量与水肥(N、P、K)耦合效应对河北秋闲田饲用谷子(Setaria itlica)产草量的影响,以冀谷18为材料,采用五元二次回归正交旋转组合设计进行盆栽试验,通过建立饲用谷子干草产量(Y)与土壤含水量(x1)、N(x2)、P(x3)、K(x4)以及播量(x5)之间的数学模型,模拟寻优。结果表明,水分、播量、磷肥、钾肥等对产草量有重要影响,其中,水分对产量的影响最大,其次是播量、磷肥、钾肥;播量与水肥耦合的显著项及其强弱顺序为:水分+播量钾肥+播量氮磷耦合水氮耦合水磷耦合;其他各项没有明显影响。构建了数学模型Y=20 543.756-565.570x1-39.942x2-23.102x3-38.470x4-151.877x5+1.052x1x2+1.604x1x3+12.953x1x5-0.173x2x3+0.737x4x5-2.292x52,其决定系数R2=0.788,显著值Sig.=0.0000.01,差异极显著,FLf=0.464F0.1=2.193,失拟性不显著,表明该模型预测结果可靠程度较高。明确了以经济效益为考核指标的最优方案:土壤含水量保持10%、饲用谷子播量15kg/hm2。该方案干草产量为14 037.15kg/hm2,经济效益为13 887.15元/hm2,较最优组合增收3 288.98元/hm2,增幅23.68%。为秋闲田饲用谷子生产实践提供了理论依据和技术支撑。     

The effects of transportation stress on Japanese quail (Coturnix Coturnix japonica) fed corn‐based diet in comparison with wheat‐based diet supplemented with xylanase and phytase

Harvesting, handling and transporting quails to the slaughterhouses, other farms and laboratories might covertly reduce their welfare. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of two major sources of energy in poultry nutrition on reducing transportation stress in Japanese quail (Coturnix Coturnix japonica). Male quails (n = 60) were divided into two groups. The first group was fed corn‐based diet, and the second was fed wheat‐based diet supplemented with xylanase and phytase. At the end of the experiment (day 35), quails were subjected to 80 km of transportation. Immediately on arrival and after 24 h, heterophil counts, lymphocyte counts and H:L ratios were measured. On arrival, H counts were lower, L counts were higher, and H:L ratios were lower for corn‐fed group. After 24 h, wheat‐fed group showed lower increment of H counts, greater increment of L counts and also decrement of H:L ratios rather than corn‐fed group which showed increment of H:L ratios. However, these ratios were still lower in corn‐fed group. Results indicate that corn‐based diets can help Japanese quail to better resist transportation stress, although it seems that feeding wheat‐based diets supplemented with xylanase and phytase could have positive effects for coping better with stress after journeys.     

Effects of corn dried distiller's grains with solubles and enzyme premix supplements on growth performance,carcass characteristics and meat quality parameters in finishing pigs

The objective of the present study was to investigate the effects of corn dried distiller's grains with solubles (DDGS) and enzyme premix (mannanase + phytase) supplementation on the growth performance, carcass and meat quality parameters in finishing pigs. Sixty hybrid pigs (L × LW × D) with initial weight of 63.92 ± 1.50 kg were used in a 3 × 2 factorial design with main effects of DDGS levels (0, 10 and 20%) and enzyme premix levels (0% vs. 0.14%). Average daily gain (ADG, P < 0.01) and average daily feed intake (ADFI, P < 0.05) were decreased due to an increased level of DDGS additive while the feed conversion ratio was improved (P < 0.05) by adding enzyme premix. The diet cost/gain (won/kg) was saved (P < 0.01) due to an increased level of DDGS additive. There were no significant differences in carcass characteristics and meat quality parameters of Longissimus dorsi muscle by DDGS level and enzyme premix. Palmitoleic acid, oleic acid and monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA) decreased (P < 0.05) according to DDGS level. The results indicate that DDGS may be used in feeds for finishing pig as a replacement of corn and soybean meal without affecting their carcass characteristics and meat quality.     

Development of enzyme immunoassay for chromogranin A (CgA) and profiling of plasma CgA concentrations in the cow

The objectives of this study were to establish and characterize a homologous immunoassay for bovine chromogranin A (bCgA) and to profile plasma bCgA concentrations during early pregnancies. We synthesized oligopeptide corresponding to the amino acid sequence 341–355 of bCgA for immunizing rabbits and peptide corresponding to the amino acid sequence 336–365 of bCgA for both a biotinylated tracer and reference standards. Recombinant bCgA protein was also generated in Escherichia coli lysate. Dose-dependent displacement curves were obtained from 1 to 1,000 nM of the reference standards. The displacement curves showed a good relationship between the reference standards of the synthetic peptide and the serially diluted plasma sample or recombinant bCgA protein generated in the present study. The assay sensitivity defined as the value of two standard deviations below the zero standard was calculated as 0.46 nM. The intraassay and interassay coefficients of variation were 6.48% and 13.4%, respectively. Changes in the plasma bCgA concentrations in early pregnancies undulated in nonpregnant animals. The results of the present study suggest that assaying plasma bCgA concentrations could be utilized as measures to evaluate the physiological status of cattle.