Dietary supplementation of plant essential oil improves growth performance,intestinal morphology and health in weaned pigs

The present study was conducted to explore the effect of plant essential oil (PEO) on growth performance, intestinal morphology and health in weaned pigs. Twenty-four weaned pigs were assigned into four groups fed with a basal diet (CON) or basal diet containing PEO at a concentration of 50 (PEO50), 100 (PEO100) or 200 ppm (PEO200). After 21 days, pigs were slaughtered and blood and tissue samples were collected. Result showed that PEO200 group significantly increased the average daily gain (ADG) compared with CON group (p < .05). Moreover, PEO supplementation significantly improved the digestibility of DM (p < .05). However, it significantly decreased the serum triglyceride and cholesterol concentration (p < .05). Interestingly, PEO supplementation significantly increased the activity of sucrase in the duodenal and the activity of lactase in the jejunal mucosa (p < .05). Moreover, PEO supplementation improved the growth of intestinal mucosa. As compared to the CON group, the jejunum and ileum villus height were significantly elevated in the PEO200 group (p < .05). Importantly, the expression levels of critical genes associated with nutrient transportation (i.e., GLUT2 and SGLT1) and barrier function (occludin) were significantly elevated in the PEO200 group (p < .05). Moreover, the PEO100 and PEO200 group had higher propionic acid concentration and higher total bacterial gene copies in colon digesta than the CON group (p < .05) respectively. These results not only suggest that PEO has a positive role in the regulation of growth and intestinal health in weaned pigs, but also offer a potential candidate substituting the conventionally used antibiotics in the livestock industry.     

山楂提取物对断奶仔猪生长性能、免疫功能、抗氧化能力及肠道微生物的影响研究

为探讨不同添加量山楂提取物(CF)对断奶仔猪生长性能、免疫功能、抗氧化能力和肠道微生物的影响,试验选择体重为(8.85±0.73)kg左右、健康状况良好的28日龄"杜×长×大"断奶仔猪30头,按体重相近的原则随机分为5组,每组6个重复,每个重复1头仔猪.对照组(CON组)饲喂基础日粮,抗生素组(CTC组)是在基础日粮中...     

Effects of Armillariella tabescens mycelia on the growth performance and intestinal immune response and microflora of early‐weaned pigs

This study was performed to evaluate effects of Armillariella tabescens (A. tabescens) on the growth performance and intestinal immune response and microflora in early‐weaned pigs when used as feed additive. A. tabescens mycelia were added to basal diets at concentrations of 0%, 0.1%, 0.3% or 0.9% (w/w). A total of 144 commercial cross‐bred piglets were randomly allocated to one of these four diets and fed for 30 days. The growth performance of early‐weaned piglets displayed improvement with diets containing 0.1% and 0.3% dried mycelia powder from A. tabescens. Supplementing with 0.1% or 0.3% A. tabescens mycelia induced a 2.6‐ and three‐fold increase in secretory immunoglobulin A (sIgA) content in the jejunal mucosa, respectively, but had only a marginal effect on sIgA in the ileal mucosa. Expression of interleukin‐2, interferon‐γ, and tumor necrosis factor‐α in the jejunal mucosa were elevated with A. tabescens mycelia administration. Increased amounts of Lactobacillus spp. and Bifidobacterium spp. in the jejunum, and decreased amounts of Escherichia coli in the jejunum and ileum were observed with the administration of A. tabescens‐containing diets. This study demonstrated that A. tabescens had beneficial effects on the growth performance and intestinal microflora of early‐weaned pigs.     

抗菌肽对断奶仔猪生长性能、养分消化率、肠道微生物含量及绒毛结构的影响

文章旨在研究日粮添加不同水平抗菌肽替代抗生素对断奶仔猪生长性能、养分消化率、肠道微生物含量及绒毛结构的影响。试验选择平均体重为(5.76±0.02)kg的21 d断奶的杜×长×大仔猪672头,根据个体大小随机分为4组,每组4个重复,每个重复42头。试验分为1～14 d和15～28 d两个阶段,对照组饲喂基础日粮+60 mg/kg盐霉素,抗菌肽组饲喂基础日粮+0、50或100 mg/kg抗菌肽。试验进行28 d。对照组较抗菌肽组显著提高了断奶仔猪28 d体重(P <0.05),1～14 d和1～28 d日增重(P <0.05),1～14 d、15～28 d、1～28 d采食量,显著降低了1～28 d料重比(P <0.05)。随着日粮抗菌肽添加水平的升高,28 d体重、1～14 d、15～28 d及1～28 d日增重显著升高(P <0.05)。对照组较抗菌肽组显著提高了断奶仔猪14和28 d干物质、14 d粗蛋白质表观消化系数(P <0.05)。对照组较抗菌肽组显著降低了14和28 d粪中大肠杆菌含量(P <0.05),且总厌氧菌、梭菌和大肠杆菌含量随抗菌肽添加水平的升高而显著降低(P <0.05);与抗菌肽组相比,对照组显著降低了回肠总厌氧菌含量(P <0.05)。饲喂对照组日粮的断奶仔猪较抗菌肽组显著降低了空肠隐窝深度(P <0.05),显著提高了空肠绒毛高度与隐窝深度的比值(P <0.05)。根据试验结果推断,日粮添加抗菌肽可以作为抗生素替代品,具有提高断奶仔猪生长性能、干物质和粗蛋白质的表观消化率、绒毛形态及降低粪中有害菌含量的作用。     

苯甲酸和精油对肉鸡生长性能、抗氧化状态和肠道微生物群的影响

本研究开展了3个饲养试验,旨在探讨苯甲酸和精油单独或联合使用对肉鸡生长性能、肠道微生物含量及肝脏抗氧化性能的影响。试验1和2均选择1日龄肉鸡450只,分为3组,每组5个重复,每个重复30只。对照组均饲喂相同的基础日粮,试验1处理组肉鸡分别饲喂基础日粮添加1.5和3 g/kg苯甲酸,试验2处理组肉鸡分别饲喂日粮添加2和4 mg/kg精油。试验3选择1日龄肉鸡300只,分为2组,每组5个重复,每个重复30只,对照组饲喂基础日粮,处理组饲喂基础日粮添加1.5 g/kg苯甲酸和4 mg/kg精油。3个试验均开展42 d。结果：试验1,1.5 g/kg苯甲酸组较对照组和3 g/kg苯甲酸组显著提了21和42 d肉鸡的体重及1～21 d、22～42 d、1～42 d日增重（P＜0.05）,同时1.5 g/kg苯甲酸组各阶段肉鸡料重比最低（P＜0.05）。与对照组相比,苯甲酸处理组显著提高了盲肠乳酸菌含量（P＜0.05）,显著降低了盲肠大肠杆菌数量（P＜0.05）。试验2,基础日粮添加4 mg/kg植物精油组42 d肉鸡体重和日增重、盲肠乳酸菌含量（P＜0.05）,料重比和盲肠大肠杆菌数量最低（P＜0.05）。同时,植物精油组较对照组显著提高了肝脏谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶（GSH-Px）和谷胱甘肽-S转移酶（GST）活性（P＜0.05）,显著降低了肝脏丙二醛含量（P＜0.05）。试验3,处理组较对照组显著降低了嗉囊大肠杆菌数量（P＜0.05）。处理组肝脏谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶（GSH-Px）和和谷胱甘肽-S转移酶（GST）活性显著高于对照组（P＜0.05）,但丙二醛含量显著降低（P＜0.05）。结论：日粮添加1.5 g/kg苯甲酸或4 mg/kg精油可以改善肉鸡生长性能,降低肠道有害微生物含量,而苯甲酸与精油无论是单独添加还是联合使用均可以提高肉鸡肝脏的抗氧化状态。 [关键词]苯甲酸|精油|肉鸡|生长性能|抗氧化|微生物     

Effects of a protected inclusion of organic acids and essential oils as antibiotic growth promoter alternative on growth performance,intestinal morphology and gut microflora in broilers

This experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of protected essential oils and organic acids mixture on poultry feeding. A total of 450 1‐day‐old Cobb 500 chicks were randomly allotted into three treatments with six replicates. Birds were offered a basal diet (C), basal diet with 0.15 g/kg enramycin premix (A) and basal diet with 0.30 g/kg protected essential oils and organic acids mixture product (P). The results showed that protected essential oils and organic acids mixture supplementation reduced average daily feed intake and ratio of feed to gain (F/G) at 22–42 days of age, and F/G during 1–42 days of age also declined (P < 0.05). Product supplementation improved spleen index, villus height and crypt depth of the jejunum at 42 days when compared with the control (P < 0.05). In addition, secretory immunoglobulin A level of ileal mucosa and trypsin and chymotrypsin activities of intestinal tract were higher in the P treatment. Bacterial sequence analysis of the intestinal tract revealed that protected essential oils and organic acids mixture supplementation changed gut microflora mainly in Lactobacillus. These data suggested that dietary mixture of organic acids and essential oils addition could be used in the poultry industry as an antibiotic growth promoter alternative.     

Effect of essential oil supplementation to diet on meat quality,fatty acid composition,performance parameters and intestinal microbiota of Japanese quails

The effect of essential oil (EO) supplementation on carcass characteristics of Japanese quails and interactions between ingredients and intestinal morphology were investigated in this study. A total of 250 quails were fed different diet: D1, basal diet (BD); D2, BD plus palmarosa oil (PO; 100 µg/kg diet); D3, BD plus lemon myrtle oil (LMO; 100 µg/kg diet); D4, BD plus α-Tops (mixture of α-terpineol, cineole and terpinene-4-ol; 100 µg/kg diet); and D5, BD plus cyclodextrin. Overall growth performance was determined at multiple time points during 35 days of experiment. Carcass characteristics (fatty acid, pH and colour), intestinal morphology and the expression levels of meat quality-related genes including the insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1), myogenin and avian uncoupling protein (avUCP) were examined at the end of the trial. Additionally, intestinal microbiome of quails was studied by next-generation sequencing-based culture-independent analysis. Although the inclusion of EOs into the diet had no effect on the growth performance of quails and the microbial profile, the significant changes in pH₂₄ and colour (a*) of the quail's breast muscle (p < .05) in the group receiving PO were observed. Additionally, oleic acid content in the breast muscle was significantly higher in the EOs supplemented groups (p < .01). Quails fed the PO supplemented diet had higher villus and relatively rich in oleic acid. The expression levels of IGF-1 and myogenin genes in quail's muscle were not affected, but the expression of avUCP gene was significantly lower in quails fed with LMO and α-Tops (p < .05). The results demonstrated variable effects of these treatments on intestinal morphology. Taken together, dietary inclusion of EOs is found to be beneficial and hence can be recommended for improving the quality of poultry meat.     

不同能量水平日粮添加抗氧化剂对生长猪生长性能及肉质的影响

文章旨在研究不同能量水平日粮添加抗氧化剂对仔猪生长性能和肉质的影响。试验选择360头体重一致的仔猪(杜洛克和长白各半),随机分为6组,每组3个重复,每个重复20头猪。试验共设计6种日粮,其中对照组饲喂基础日粮,处理组分别在日粮中添加100、0、200、200和200 g/kg草粉,其中最后两个处理组分别添加200 mg/kgα-生育酚和儿茶素。试验由断奶开展到出栏。杜洛克猪肌肉pH45min显著高于长白猪(P <0.05),与对照组相比,处理1组和处理3组显著降低背膘深度(P <0.05)。杜洛克猪较长白猪显著提高了肌间脂肪和灰分含量(P <0.05),而长白猪较杜洛克猪显著提高了肌肉水分含量(P <0.05),处理5组较处理2组显著提高了肌肉灰分含量(P <0.05)。杜洛克猪较长白猪显著提高了肌肉C16:1和C18:1含量(P <0.05)。饲喂处理2和5组日粮的长白猪较对照组显著降低了肌肉MDA含量(P <0.05)。综上所述:日粮添加抗氧化及限饲提高长白猪肌肉瘦肉率和多不饱和脂肪酸含量。低能日粮可以改善背膘厚度和肌间脂肪水平,同时增加肌肉的氧化稳定性。     

Effects of dietary supplementation with a chlorella by‐product on the growth performance,immune response,intestinal microflora and intestinal mucosal morphology in broiler chickens

This study aimed to determine the effect of different dietary levels of a Chlorella by‐product (CBP) on the growth performance, immune response, intestinal microflora and intestinal mucosal morphology of broilers. In total, 480 one‐day‐old broiler chickens were randomly allotted to four dietary treatments with four replicated pens consisting of 30 chicks. The basal diet was formulated to be adequate in energy and nutrients. Three additional diets were prepared by supplementing 25, 50 or 75 g/kg of CBP to the basal diet. The diets were fed to the broilers ad libitum for 35 days. Result indicated that increasing inclusion level of CBP improved BW gain (linear, p < 0.05). There was no effect of inclusion level of CBP in diets on total cholesterol, triglyceride, aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase levels during the 35 days. Plasma IgG, IgM and IgA concentrations increased (linear, p < 0.05) with inclusion level of CBP in diets. Supplementation of CBP in the diets increased (linear, p < 0.05) the concentrations of Lactobacillus in the caecal content and decreased (linear, p < 0.05) the concentrations of Escherichia coli and Salmonella in the caecal content. Villus height increased (linear and quadratic, p < 0.05) with inclusion level of CBP in diets. Crypt depth increased (quadratic, p < 0.05) with inclusion level of CBP, and a decreased villus height: crypt depth ratio (quadratic, p < 0.05) was observed as inclusion level of CBP in diets increased. The results of the current experiment indicate that dietary supplementation of CBP improves growth performance of birds. Dietary CBP has improving Lactobacillus spp. concentrations in the gastrointestinal tract, plasma immunoglobulin concentrations and intestinal mucosal morphology.     

Medium‐chain triglyceride as an alternative of in‐feed colistin sulfate to improve growth performance and intestinal microbial environment in newly weaned pigs

Five hundred and twenty‐eight newly weaned pigs were given four treatments, with eight replicates per treatment. Sixteen to 18 pigs were assigned per replicate and were fed diets supplemented with 0 or 3% medium‐chain triglyceride (MCT) and 0 or 40 ppm colistin sulfate (CS) in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement for 2 weeks. The results showed that dietary supplementation with MCT improved the gain‐to‐feed ratio during days 3‐7 and in the overall period (P < 0.05). Dietary supplementation with MCT decreased coliforms counts (C) in colon and rectum content (P < 0.05). Dietary supplementation with CS decreased C and lactic acid bacteria plus C counts (L + C) in cecum (P < 0.05), and C, L + C (P < 0.01) and ratio of L and C (P < 0.05) in colon and rectum contents. The lack of interactions between MCT and CS indicates different modes of action and additive effects between the two supplementations. In conclusion, supplementation with MCT in diet with or without CS could improve the intestinal microbial environment and the feed utilization efficiency of newly weaned pigs.     

Effect of dietary polyphenol‐rich grape seed on growth performance,antioxidant capacity and ileal microflora in broiler chicks

In this study, we examined the effect of dietary supplementation with grape seed (GS) on the performance, carcass traits, plasma biochemistry, antioxidant status and ileal microflora in broilers. Experiment diets included a control diet (without additive) and three levels of GS powder (10, 20 and 40 g/kg of diet). Each diet was fed to a total of 300 one‐day‐old Cobb‐500 chicks for 42 days. The addition of 20 g/kg of GS to the basal diet increased final body weight and body weight gain, improved the feed conversion ratio and did not affect feed intake. Dietary 20 g GS significantly increased (p < .05) the percentage of carcass yield %, dressing % and gizzard. However, the addition of 40 g/kg of GS significantly reduced the percentage of abdominal fat in the birds. Diets supplemented with GS showed the lowest content of ether extract compared with the control group (p < .05). The physical characteristics of meat and the chemical composition of DM, CP and ash were not significantly influenced by treatments. In the GS groups, plasma protein, albumin, globulin, aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase concentrations showed no significant change compared with the control group. Broilers fed a diet supplemented with GS had lower levels of plasma glucose, total lipids, triglycerides and cholesterol compared with the control birds (p < .05). The addition of 40 g of GS significantly (p < .05) enhanced the activity of reduced glutathione, catalase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase and GST, and correlated with significantly decreased thiobarbituric acid‐reactive substances levels compared with the control group. The value of ileal pH was not significantly affected by the GS levels. Broilers fed diets supplemented with GS had lower ileal Streptococcus spp. and Escherichia coli populations but higher Lactobacillus spp. populations (p < .05). No adverse effects on birds’ health were detected due to the use of GS. Thus, GS could be recommended as an herbal supplement in the diet of broiler chickens to improve performance, reduce blood lipids, enhance antioxidant capacity and decrease detrimental bacteria in the ileum.     

复合微生态制剂对肉仔鸡生长性能、肠道菌群和免疫功能的影响

为研究探讨肉仔鸡日粮中添加不同剂量的复合微生态制剂对肉仔鸡生长性能、肠道菌群和免疫功能的影响,以期为复合微生态制剂的临床应用提供参考依据,将150只AA白羽肉仔鸡随机分成5个处理组(对照组、抗生素组、复合微生态制剂Ⅰ组、复合微生态制剂Ⅱ组、复合微生态制剂Ⅲ组),对照组饲喂基础日粮,抗生素组在基础日粮中添加0.05%的肉鸡饲用金霉素,复合微生态制剂Ⅰ、Ⅱ和Ⅲ组分别在基础日粮中添加0.05%、0.1%、0.2%的复合微生态制剂,测定平均日增重、平均日采食量、料重比、大肠杆菌数、沙门氏菌数、双歧杆菌数、乳酸杆菌数、胸腺指数、法氏囊指数、IgG含量、IgA含量、IgM含量等指标。结果显示,与对照组相比,复合微生态制剂Ⅱ组、Ⅲ组可显著增加平均日采食量、平均日增重、乳酸杆菌数、双歧杆菌数、胸腺指数、脾脏指数、法氏囊指数、IgA含量和IgG含量(P<0.05),显著降低料重比、大肠杆菌和沙门菌数(P<0.05)。与抗生素组相比,复合微生态制剂Ⅱ组、Ⅲ组可显著增加乳酸杆菌数、双歧杆菌数、胸腺指数、脾脏指数、法氏囊指数、IgA含量和IgG含量(P<0.05),显著降低料重比、大肠杆菌和沙门菌数(P<0.05)。表明肉仔鸡饲料中添加0.1%、0.2%的复合微生态制剂可显著改善提高肉仔鸡的生长性能、肠道菌群和免疫功能,其在改善肠道菌群和免疫功能方面的作用效果显著优于抗生素。     

Effects of dietary methionine supplementation on growth performance,intestinal morphology,antioxidant capacity and immune function in intra‐uterine growth‐retarded suckling piglets

This study investigated the effects of dietary supplementation with _L‐methionine (_L‐Met), _DL‐methionine (_DL‐Met) and calcium salt of the methionine hydroxyl analog (MHA‐Ca) on growth performance, intestinal morphology, antioxidant capacity and immune function in intra‐uterine growth‐retarded (IUGR) suckling piglets. Six normal birthweight (NBW) female piglets and 24 same‐sex IUGR piglets were selected at birth. Piglets were fed nutrient adequate basal diet supplemented with 0.08% _L‐alanine (NBW‐CON), 0.08% _L‐alanine (IUGR‐CON), 0.12% _L‐Met (IUGR‐LM), 0.12% _DL‐Met (IUGR‐DLM) and 0.16% MHA‐Ca (IUGR‐MHA‐Ca) from 7 to 21 days of age respectively (n = 6). The results indicated that IUGR decreased average daily milk (dry matter) intake and average daily gain and increased feed conversion ratio of suckling piglets (p < 0.05). Compared with the NBW‐CON piglets, IUGR also impaired villus morphology and reduced antioxidant capacity and immune homeostasis in the intestine of IUGR‐CON piglets (p < 0.05). Supplementation with _L‐Met enhanced jejunal villus height (VH) and villus area and ileal VH of IUGR piglets compared with IUGR‐CON piglets (p < 0.05). Similarly, _DL‐Met supplementation increased VH and the ratio of VH to crypt depth in the jejunum compared with IUGR‐CON pigs (p < 0.05). Supplementation with _L‐Met and _DL‐Met (0.12%) tended to increase reduced glutathione content and reduced glutathione: oxidized glutathione ratio and decrease protein carbonyl concentration in the jejunum of piglets when compared with the IUGR‐CON group (p < 0.10). However, supplementation with MHA‐Ca had no effect on the intestinal redox status of IUGR piglets (p > 0.10). In conclusion, supplementation with either _L‐Met or _DL‐Met has a beneficial effect on the intestinal morphology and antioxidant capacity of IUGR suckling piglets.     

益生素和低聚木糖对断奶仔猪生产性能、消化酶活性、血液指标和肠道微生物的影响

选用(21±2)日龄体质量为(6.83±0.9)kg的PIC断奶仔猪240头,随机分为4个处理,正对照组(positive diet,PD)含有较多的鱼粉和乳清粉;负对照纽(negative diet,ND)舍有较少的鱼粉和乳清粉,较多的豆粕;负对照+0.035%益生素(negative diet+probiotics,ND+P);负对照+0.002%低聚木糖(negative diet+xylo-oligosaccharide,ND+X).饲喂至65日龄屠宰.结果显示,在断奶仔猪日粮中乳清粉和鱼粉从5.50%降低到2.50%,豆粕从22.50%增加到26.50%可导致仔猪消化道酶活性、血糖和血清总蛋白水平、盲肠乳酸杆菌数量降低(P<0.05),血清尿素氮、盲肠大肠杆菌数量、仔猪腹泻指数扣料重比增加(P<0.05).添加益生素和低聚木糖可以提高仔猪消化道蛋白质、脂肪和淀粉消化酶活性(P<0.05),降低料重比(P<0.05);提高血糖,降低血清尿素氮水平(P<0.05),改善蛋白质平衡和能量代谢;提高盲肠乳酸杆菌数量,减少大肠杆菌数量(P<0.05),降低仔猪的腹泻指数(P<0.05).添加益生素和低聚木糖与否,均不影响日增重和采食量(P>0.05).益生素和低聚木糖可以改善断奶仔猪的消化功能、后消化道有益菌群、饲料转化效率,防治仔猪腹泻.     

Dietary organic acid and fiber sources affect performance,intestinal morphology,immune responses and gut microflora in broilers

This experiment was designed to investigate the effects of a dietary organic acid (OA) mixture and 2 fiber sources on performance, intestinal morphology, immune responses and gut microflora in broilers. A total of 390 one-day-old broiler chicks (Ross 308) were allocated to 6 dietary treatments with 5 replicate pens and 13 chicks each based on a factorial arrangement (2 × 3) in a completely randomized design. The experiment lasted 42 d. The following experimental diets and as well as their interaction were considered: a basal diet supplemented with or without OA (0 or 1 g/kg) and 2 fiber sources (sugar beet pulp [soluble fiber] or rice hull [insoluble fiber]; 0 or 30 g/kg). Dietary supplementation of OA increased daily weight gains of broilers across the entire rearing period (P < 0.05). The dietary fibrous materials did not affect the performance of broilers. Antibody titer against influenza disease virus was higher in birds fed diets containing rice hull compared with other experimental groups (P < 0.05). The population of Lactobacillus bacteria was greater in birds fed OA-added diets without or with 30 g/kg rice hull supplementation compared with other experimental groups (P < 0.05). In conclusion, dietary supplemental OA improved performance of broilers, and dietary supplemental OA with rice hull enhanced humoral immune responses.     

Effect of essential oils or saponins alone or in combination on productive performance,intestinal morphology and digestive enzymes' activity of broiler chickens

This study was carried out to evaluate the effect of essential oils or saponins alone or in combination on productive performance, intestinal morphology, and digestive enzymes' activity in broilers. Four hundred one-day-old male broiler chickens were randomly assigned to four treatments, each with 5 replicates. The birds were fed experimental diets contained either no phytogenic feed additives (control) or were supplemented with 25.0 mg/kg of an essential oil blend from star anise, rosemary, thyme and oregano (essential oils); 46.0 mg/kg of a Quillaja saponin blend (saponins); or a combination of both phytogenic preparations (essential oils plus saponins). The experiment lasted for 42 days. Body weight, feed intake and weight gain were recorded weekly, and the feed conversion ratio was calculated, throughout the experiment. Intestinal morphology and digestive enzymes' activity were determined at the end of the experiment. It was found that the body weight was increased by all dietary supplements at the end of the experiment. There was no change in performance parameters among the treatments during the starter period. At the grower period and the overall experiment, the weight gain of birds was higher in all supplemented groups compared to the control, but the feed conversion was better in the essential oils with saponins treatment. Supplementation of essential oils or saponins alone or in combination increased the villus height and the villus/crypt ratio of the intestine. There was an increase in trypsin, chymotrypsin and elastase activities in the essential oils plus saponins group only. The obtained results indicate that the phytogenic feed additives, especially essential oils with saponins, can be considered as new promising agents in promoting the growth performance of broilers. The effect could be related to its improving impact in intestinal development and increasing the protease enzymes' activity, resulting in increased protein digestibility and absorption of dietary nutrients.     

植物精油提取物对断奶仔猪生产性能及血液生化指标的影响

试验旨在研究植物精油提取物对断奶仔猪生产性能及血液生化指标的影响,并探讨其在断奶仔猪日粮中的适宜添加量。选用体重相近、健康的28日龄断奶杜×长×大三元杂交仔猪144头,采用单因子试验设计,随机分为4个处理,在玉米-豆粕型日粮中分别添加50、100和200g/t的植物精油提取物,对照组饲喂基础日粮,每个处理6个重复,每个重复6头猪,试验期30d。试验结果表明:日粮中添加适量植物精油提取物能提高断奶仔猪的平均日增重、平均日采食量、血清总蛋白(P0.05);降低料肉比、腹泻率和尿素氮(P0.05);谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶与超氧化物歧化酶的活力显著提高(P0.05)。研究表明,断奶仔猪日粮中添加适量的植物精油提取物(100g/t)可提高仔猪的生产性能和抗氧化能力。     

Effect of chito-oligosaccharide on growth performance, intestinal barrier function, intestinal morphology and cecal microflora in weaned pigs

A total of 180 weanling pigs (21 ± 3 d of age; 5.98 ± 0.04 kg) were used to investigate the effect of chito-oligosaccharide (COS) on growth performance, intestinal barrier function, intestinal morphology, and cecal microflora. Based on initial BW, gender and litter, the pigs were given 5 treatments during a 14-d feeding experiment, including a basal diet (control), 3 diets with COS supplementation (200, 400, or 600 mg/kg), and a diet with colistin sulfate (CSE) supplementation (20 mg/kg). Six randomly selected pigs from each treatment were used to collect serum, duodenal, jejunal, ileal, and cecal samples on d 7 and 14 postweaning. From d 1 to 7 postweaning, pigs fed COS or CSE had greater ADG and ADFI compared with the control pigs. From d 1 to 14, diets with either 400 or 600 mg/kg COS, or 20 mg/kg CSE increased (P < 0.05) ADG and G:F compared with the control diet. No significant differences were observed in ADG, ADFI, and G:F between the pigs fed COS and CSE. Pigs fed either 400 or 600 mg/kg COS, or 20 mg/kg CSE had less (P < 0.05) diamine oxidase (DAO) in the serum, but greater concentration of (P < 0.05) DAO in jejunal mucosa, than the control pigs on d 7 postweaning. Treatments did not affect villous height and crypt depth of the duodenum, jejunum, or ileum. Pigs fed COS at 400 mg/kg had greater (P < 0.05) concentration of Bifidobacteria and Lactobacilli in the cecum than pigs fed the control diet and CSE diet on d 7 postweaning. Supplementation of COS or CSE decreased (P < 0.05) the population of cecal Staphylococcus aureus compared with the control diet on d 7 postweaning. The number of cecal Bifidobacteria in pigs fed 600 mg/kg COS was greater (P < 0.05) than that of pigs fed the control diet or CSE diet on d 14 postweaning. No significant differences were observed in Escherichia coli counts in the cecum among treatments. The present results indicate that dietary supplementation of COS at 400 or 600 mg/kg promotes growth performance and improves gut barrier function, increases the population of Bifidobacteria and Lactobacilli, and decreases S. aureus in the cecum of weanling pigs.