Dietary supplementation of milk thistle (Silybum marianum): growth performance,oxidative stress,and immune response in natural summer stressed broilers

Tropical Animal Health and Production - The aim of the study was to investigate the influence of dietary supplementation of various levels of milk thistle (MT) on growth performance, oxidative...     

Glycerol in ovo feeding as an energy substrate improves performance of broilers from young breeders

Glycerol is one of the substrates used for glycogen production by the chicken embryo, which is the predominant energy source during the last days of incubation and during hatching. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the in ovo feeding (IOF) of glycerol in the light and heavy broiler eggs derived from breeders of two different ages. Two experiments, with 672 eggs each, were carried out. The only difference between the experiments was breeder age: 32 weeks old in Exp. I and 60 weeks old in Exp. II. A completely randomized experimental design in a 3 × 2 factorial arrangement was applied. Treatments consisted of three glycerol IOF doses (0, 6, or 12 mg/ml) and two egg weights (light or heavy). Incubation parameters, glycogen reserves and live performance parameters (1–7 days of age) were evaluated. Hatch of fertile eggs, embryo mortality after IOF and the number of early‐hatching chicks were not affected by the treatments in both experiments. Hatchlings from heavy eggs (68.03 ± 0.64 g) laid by young breeders and receiving 6 mg glycerol/ml showed higher liver glycogen levels than those injected with 0 or 12 mg/ml. Glycerol IOF of embryos from young breeders increased feed intake and weight gain at 7 days of age, independently of egg weight. However, different glycerol dosages had no effect on the performance of the progeny of 60‐week‐old breeders. These results show that glycerol may be used as an IOF ingredient without affecting incubation parameters. The chickens from young breeders had greater glycogen deposition with inoculation of 6 mg/ml of glycerol and better performance with glycerol administration. However, glycerol IOF did not improve the performance of the progeny of 60‐week‐old breeders. Therefore, glycogen IOF may be recommended for eggs laid by young breeders.     

Use of Silybum marianum fruit extract in broiler chicken nutrition: influence on performance and meat quality

The present study aimed at evaluating the effects of different doses of silymarin in diet on broiler performances and meat quality. For the trial, 180 male chicks (ROSS 508), were allocated in to three groups (S0, S40 and S80) of 60 animals each receiving a basal diet supplemented with 0 ppm, 40 ppm and 80 ppm of a sylimarin (provided by a dry extract of Silybum marianum fruits) respectively. During the trial feed consumption and live body weight were taken every 20 days. At the age of 40 and 60 days blood samples were taken in order to evaluate protein, aspartate aminotransferase, cholesterol, tryglicerides and uric acid. At the age of 60 days animals were slaughtered, dressing percentages were evaluated and samples of breast and meat were taken to evaluate chemical composition and susceptibility of lipid peroxidation by means of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances. Silymarin at the tested doses did not affect growth performances but slightly affected slaughtering yields negatively, no specific hepatoprotective effect was found. Treatments reduced lipid content of both breast and thigh and increased muscles resistance to oxidative stress.     

鸡胚给养氨基酸对肉仔鸡孵化率和胚胎生长的影响

本试验将90枚孵化第18天的落盘肉仔鸡胚蛋随机分为3组,分别向羊膜腔注射0.5mL复合氨基酸溶液、0.5mL生理盐水和不注射(对照组),研究对孵化率和后期胚胎生长的影响。结果显示:各处理组间的孵化率和出壳体重无显著差异(P>0.05),但出壳重与第18天胚蛋重的比值有显著差异(P<0.05),注射氨基酸组比对照组增加2.3%。这些结果表明鸡胚给养氨基酸可有效增加肉鸡出壳重。     

A comparison of the effects of antibiotics,probiotics, synbiotics and prebiotics on the performance and carcass characteristics of broilers

Routine use of the antibiotic flavomycin in broiler production may lead to resistance, and alternative growth promoters are used to enhance performance. Two hundred day-old male Ross 308 broiler chicks were allocated to five dietary supplements included from d 1–42: flavomycin, three possible alternatives, a probiotic, prebiotic and a synbiotic, as well as a control treatment. There were four replicate cages of 10 birds each in each treatment. Compared with the control and antibiotics treatments, the probiotic, prebiotic and synbiotic treatments increased (p?=?0.001) weight gain (64, 66, 73, 70 and 74 g/d, respectively). The synbiotic treatment reduced (p?=?0.004) the feed conversion ratio, compared with the control and antibiotic treatments (1.70, 1.84, 1.83, respectively). Compared with the control and antibiotic treatments, the birds fed the synbiotic treatment had greater relative gizzard (+47%) and spleen weights (+115%), and lighter kidneys (?47%). The birds fed the symbiotic treatment also had thinner walls of the caudal gut segments. The prebiotic had the most beneficial effect on cecal microbiota, stimulating aerobic and lactic acid producing bacteria and reducing Escherichia coli bacteria. Enterococci were increased in the antibiotic treatment. We conclude that there were significant performance and health benefits of using prebiotics, probiotics and synbiotics for broilers, rather than antibiotics.     

不同复合蛋白酶对肉鸡生长性能和营养物质利用率的影响

为研究添加不同复合蛋白酶制剂对肉鸡生长性能、屠宰性能和营养物质利用率的影响,试验选取2592只1日龄罗斯308商品肉仔鸡公雏,随机分为6个处理组,每个处理组12个重复,每个重复36只,饲养密度12只/m^2。处理1组为对照组,不使用酶制剂,日粮蛋白水平相对于营养标准降低了1.5%,处理2~6组在处理1组的基础上添加5种酶制剂,试验期38 d。结果表明:肉鸡13~24日龄,添加不同蛋白酶均在不同程度上有改善肉鸡料重比的趋势(P<0.10),其中T2组效果较佳,料重比改善0.017;其余阶段及全期,不同处理的肉鸡生长性能无显著差异(P>0.05);各处理组之间肉鸡全净膛率、胸肌率、腿肌率、翅重率、腹脂率、肌胃率、腺胃率差异不显著(P>0.05);在低蛋白日粮的基础上添加蛋白酶均可提高肉鸡日粮表观代谢能(AME)、氮校正表观代谢能(AMEn)、能量利用率以及粗蛋白质表观消化率,其中AME分别提高19、33、8、61、51 kcal/kg,能量利用率分别提高1.2%、1.3%、0.5%、2.2%、1.8%,但统计上差异不显著(P>0.05)。综上所述,在本次试验条件下,添加不同外源蛋白酶对肉鸡生长性能和屠宰性能无显著影响,但可在一定程度上提高营养物质利用率,从而降低肉鸡粪便氮排泄量。     

高温与高密度对黄羽肉鸡生产性能和胴体品质的影响

试验选用 2 8日龄健康快大岭南黄羽肉鸡 ,采用 2 (高温或低温 )× 2 (高密度或低密度 )因子随机分组设计 ,根据体重和性别一致原则随机分为 4组 ,每组 4个重复 ,试验饲粮各组一致。试验期 4 2d。结果表明 :高温使试鸡平均日增重和采食量均极显著降低 (P <0 .0 1) ,饮水量显著或极显著提高 (P <0 .0 5或P <0 .0 1) ,5 0～ 71日龄阶段饲料转化率显著降低 (P <0 .0 5 ) ;试鸡试验第 2 ,4 ,5周体温和第 1周呼吸数显著或极显著提高 (P <0 .0 5或P<0 .0 1) ,腺胃重显著增加 (P <0 .0 5 ) ,肌胃重和胸肌重显著降低 (P <0 .0 5 )。增加饲养密度 ,试鸡 2 8～ 4 9日龄阶段采食量显著降低 (P <0 .0 5 ) ,5 0～ 71日龄阶段平均日增重与饲料转化率均显著降低 (P <0 .0 5 ) ,试鸡腺胃重显著提高 (P <0 .0 5 )。环境温度与饲养密度对试鸡 2 8～ 4 9日龄阶段采食量的影响存在极显著互作效应 (P <0 .0 1) ,对第 4周体温和第 1,3周呼吸数影响存在显著或极显著互作 (P <0 .0 5或P <0 .0 1)。     

Dietary supplementation of Aspergillus oryzae meal and its effect on performance,carcass characteristics,blood variables,and immunity of broiler chickens

Tropical Animal Health and Production - This study investigated the effect of different levels and consumption periods of Aspergillus oryzae meal on performance, carcass characteristics, blood...     

水产下脚料对肉鸡生长性能、胴体性状及肠道健康的影响

文章旨在评估日粮添加不同水平的水产下脚料对肉鸡生长性能、胴体性状及肠道健康的影响.试验将504只体重一致的1日龄肉鸡随机分为3组,每组6个重复,每个重复28只.对照组饲喂基础日粮,处理组饲喂水产下脚料添加水平为8％和16％的日粮,对照组与处理组日粮的营养水平保持一致,试验为期6周.结果:T1和T2组42?d肉鸡体重、2...     

The effects of feeding flaxseed during the receiving period on morbidity, mortality, performance, and carcass characteristics of heifers

Two experiments were conducted at the Kansas State University Beef Cattle Research Center to determine the effects of feeding ground flaxseed (flax) during the receiving period on the growth, health, and subsequent finishing performance of heifers. Crossbred heifers (Exp. 1: n = 363, 214 +/- 1 kg of initial BW; Exp. 2: n = 377, 222 +/- 1 kg of initial BW) were purchased during January and April of 2006. Heifers were fed receiving rations based on steam-flaked corn with 0, 2, 4, or 6% ground flax (DM basis) for 56 d. Following the receiving period, cattle in Exp. 1 and 2 were fed steam-flaked corn-based diets for 150 and 147 d, respectively, and then slaughtered. Heifers were implanted 91 and 109 d before slaughter for Exp. 1 and 2, respectively. In Exp. 1, DMI during the receiving period tended to increase linearly (P = 0.09) with increasing flax in the diet. Average daily gain was 1.46, 1.56, 1.58, and 1.61 kg for heifers fed 0, 2, 4, and 6% flax, respectively (linear, P = 0.03). Final BW in Exp. 1 after the finishing period was increased (linear, P = 0.04) with increasing inclusion of flax in the receiving diets. In Exp. 2, growth performance and mortality during the receiving period were not different among treatments (P > 0.12). During the receiving period in Exp. 2, incidence of the first respiratory treatment tended to be greatest (P = 0.09) for heifers fed 4% flax. During the finishing period, DMI were 8.4, 8.4, 8.0, and 8.1 kg/d for 0, 2, 4, and 6% flax, respectively (linear, P = 0.05). In Exp. 2, LM areas were greatest (quadratic, P = 0.04) for cattle fed 2% flax at receiving. In general, feeding flax during the receiving period may have the potential to improve growth performance; however, performance between experiments was variable, and many factors excluding flax feeding may have contributed to this response.     

Dietary β-alanine enhances brain, but not muscle, carnosine and anserine concentrations in broilers

Carnosine (β‐alanyl‐L‐histidine) and its derivative anserine (β‐alanyl‐1‐methyl‐L‐histidine) are present in high concentrations in the muscle and brain of chickens. They are known as antioxidants and putative neurotransmitters in the brain. If administration of β‐alanine (β‐Ala), one of the constituents of carnosine, could increase the concentrations of these dipeptides in the brain and muscles, it could improve brain function and increase the commercial value of the meat in chickens. As an early step in investigating this hypothesis, in the present study, the effect of dietary β‐Ala on these dipeptide concentrations in the brain, Musculus pectoralis superficialis, Musculus pectoralis profundus and Musculus biceps femoris was investigated in broilers. Four‐week‐old broilers were given a commercial diet or diet containing 0.5, 1 or 2%β‐Ala for 4 weeks. At the end of the experiment, concentrations of both dipeptides were increased in the brain, while taurine concentration was decreased. In the muscles, concentrations of these dipeptides were unchanged. These results indicate that dietary β‐Ala might influence brain function, but is ineffective in increasing the concentrations of carnosine and anserine in the muscles of broilers.     

The effects of antibiotic,probiotic, organic acid,vitamin C,and Echinacea purpurea extract on performance,carcass characteristics,blood chemistry,microbiota, and immunity of broiler chickens

The present context investigated the comparative study on the supplementation of antibiotic, probiotic, organic acid, vitamin C, and herbal extract after vaccination into drinking water and their effects on performance, carcass quality, blood biochemical parameters, immune system, and intestinal flora in broiler chicks for 42 days. A total of 420 one-day-old male broiler chicks (Ross 308) were randomly assigned into 7 treatments with 3 replicates (pens) per treatment and 20 male chicks for each replicate (pen). The experimental treatments consisted of drinking water (control, without additive); drinking water + antibiotic sulfamet; drinking water + C-Vet-50; drinking water + antibiotic sulfamet + C-Vet-50; drinking water + probiotic Primalac; drinking water + butyric acid; and drinking water + extract of Echinacea purpurea Moench (coneflower). There were no differences observed among the treatments for feed intake, but during the whole experimental period, the highest body weight gain was found in the chicks fed with drinking water + antibiotic sulfamet + 50 cc vitamin C (P < 0.05). There were no differences (P > 0.05) observed among the treatments for feed conversion ratio (P > 0.05). Moreover, there were no differences reported among treatments for carcass characteristics at the end of the experiment. Among the treatments, drinking water + 50 cc vitamin C, and drinking water + extract of E. purpurea reduced (P < 0.05) the levels of cholesterol, triglycerides, and low-density lipoproteins. Drinking water + 50 cc vitamin C, drinking water + Primalac, and drinking water + extract of E. purpurea increased (P < 0.05) the lymphocytes count and decreased the heterophils count and heterophil:lymphocyte ratio. The highest Escherichia coli count and lowest Lactobacillus count in ileal content of the broilers were observed in the control group (P < 0.05). The additives used in this study may be incorporated in the drinking water of broiler chickens as growth promoters and for improved performance. A further, wider supplementation study is required to understand the performance, immune system, variation in the intestinal microbial counts, and any other possible alteration in the intestinal biota of the broilers.     

钠水平及种类对肉鸡生长性能、胴体性状及血清矿物质水平的影响

文章旨在评估日粮钠水平及种类对肉鸡生长性能、胴体性状及血清矿物质水平的影响.试验选择平均初始体重一致的白羽肉仔鸡832只,随机分为8组,每组4个重复,每个重复26只鸡.试验日粮采用4×2因子设计,即日粮钠水平分别为1.5、2.4、3.3和4.2 g/kg,以小苏打和硫酸钠两种形式添加,试验共进行42 d.结果:1～10...     

The effect of feeding system on fattening performance,slaughter, and carcass characteristics of Norduz male kids

The study was conducted to determine the effect of feeding systems on fattening performance, slaughter, and carcass characteristics of male Norduz kids. In the study, 20 male Norduz kids weaned at 2.5 months of age were divided into two groups after weaning. The first group was reared under semi-intensive conditions (SI) on a mixture of pasture and concentrate, and the second group was reared under extensive conditions (E) on pasture only. SI group had higher final weight (35.30 kg versus 32.81 kg), daily weight gain (153.10 g versus 132.14 g), and warm carcass yield (44.84% versus 46.55%) compared to the E group although there were no significant differences. Body organs, carcass parts, prime cuts, and chemical composition of the chop area did not also differ in two groups significantly. As a conclusion, this study showed that semi-intensive feeding systems improved kid fattening performance and carcass characteristics.     

The effects of supplemental threonine on performance,carcass characteristics,immune response and gut health of broilers in subtropics during pre‐starter and starter period

Three hundred thirty‐day‐old unsexed commercial broiler chicks (Vencobb‐400) with initial average body weight of 44.04 ± 0.42 g were allocated into five experimental groups, in a completely randomized design (CRD) with 21‐day experiment. Groups were formed according to dose of supplemental L‐threonine in various rations i.e., 100% NRC specification, 100% threonine of Vencobb‐400 strain specification, 110% threonine of Vencobb‐400 strain specification, 120% of threonine of Vencobb‐400 strain specification and 130% threonine of Vencobb‐400 strain specification. Average daily feed intake (ADFI), average daily body weight gain (ADG), cumulative feed conversion ratio (CFCR), carcass characteristics, immune response, intestinal morphometry and biochemical profile were studied. The ADFI and ADG increased linearly and quadratically as dietary threonine levels were increased. However, the CFCR did not differ (p ? 0.05) among the groups. Though the carcass weight and drumstick yield did not differ (p ? 0.05) among the groups, the relative breast yield increased linearly (p = 0.007). The relative dressing yield and relative thigh weight increased linearly (p = 0.05 and p = 0.03, respectively). The relative weight of immune organs like bursa and thymus increased linearly. The mean total serum immunoglobulin, ND‐ELISA titre and the mean lymphocyte proliferation response index increased linearly, whereas mean phagocytic activity index of neutrophil increased linearly (p < 0.001) and quadratically (p = 0.001). The mean villus height (VH), crypt depth (CD), villus surface area and mean goblet cell number/villus increased linearly and quadratically, whereas the villus width (VW) and goblet cell density increased quadratically. The serum glucose increased linearly (p = 0.001), whereas serum total protein concentration and serum globulin level increased both linearly and quadratically. The albumin: globulin ratio tended to decrease linearly. There was a significant decrease (p < 0.05) in serum cholesterol and VLDL cholesterol level. However, a linear increment (p = 0.04) in the blood serum HDL cholesterol level with a linear reduction (p = 0.01) in the blood serum LDL cholesterol was noticed.     

烟酸铬对肉鸡生产性能、胴体品质及血液生化指标的影响

铬是人和动物的必需微量元素。迄今的研究表明 ,日粮中添加有机铬能明显改进畜禽的胴体品质 ,调节各种脂蛋白的含量和胆固醇代谢 ,从而对机体脂类代谢和体脂的蓄积发生有益的影响。本试验以肉仔鸡为研究对象 ,以烟酸铬为铬源 ,研究烟酸铬对肉鸡生产性能、胴体品质及血液生化指标的影响 ,为生产中有机铬的应用提供试验依据。1　材料与方法1 1　试验动物和试验设计　选择 1日龄艾维茵商品肉鸡 3 6 0只 ,随机分为 3组 ,每组 3个重复 ,每个重复 40只。各组鸡的日粮中分别添加 0、0 2、0 4mg/kg铬量的烟酸铬。1 2　基础日粮组成及营养水平　…     

低聚壳聚糖季铵盐的体外抑菌作用及其对肉鸡生产性能、免疫和抗氧化功能的影响

旨在研究低聚壳聚糖季铵盐(QCOS)的体外抑菌性能及其对肉鸡生产性能、肠道菌群、免疫和抗氧化功能的影响。通过在不同pH值、时间条件下添加不同水平QCOS,体外评价其抗菌性能;将320只1日龄健康AA肉鸡随机分成5组(每组8个重复,每个重复8只):对照组饲喂基础饲粮,金霉素组在基础饲粮中添加50 mg/kg金霉素(有效含量计),添加QCOS的试验Ⅰ、Ⅱ、Ⅲ组分别在基础饲粮中添加2.5、5和10 mg/kg的QCOS,试验期42 d。结果显示:QCOS对大肠杆菌的最小抑菌浓度和最小杀菌浓度分别为0.01%和0.5%,杀菌率随培养时间延长或pH值降低而提高。与对照组相比,QCOS具有降低肉鸡料重比的趋势(P0.1),提高肉鸡盲肠内容物中乳酸杆菌含量(P0.05),降低回肠黏膜的丙二醛(MDA)含量(P0.05);试验Ⅱ、Ⅲ组均提高肉鸡回肠黏膜的总超氧化物歧化酶(T-SOD)活性及免疫球蛋白G(IgG)、免疫球蛋白M(IgM)含量;试验Ⅲ组提高了肉鸡空肠黏膜的IgG、IgM含量(P0.05)。与金霉素组相比,QCOS提高了肉鸡空肠、回肠黏膜的分泌型免疫球蛋白A(SIgA)、IgG、IgM含量(P0.05);试验Ⅲ组提高了肉鸡回肠的T-SOD活性,降低十二指肠、回肠黏膜的MDA含量(P0.05)。结果表明:QCOS对禽大肠杆菌具有良好的抑菌效果;可提高肉鸡盲肠乳酸杆菌含量及提高肠道黏膜免疫机能和抗氧化性能,且作用效果优于金霉素。     

Wheat distillers grains in feedlot cattle diets: feeding behavior, growth performance, carcass characteristics, and blood metabolites

A study was conducted to evaluate feed intake, ADG, carcass quality, eating behavior, and blood metabolites in feedlot beef steers fed diets that varied in proportion of wheat dried distillers grains with solubles (DDGS) replacing barley grain or barley silage. Two hundred crossbred steers (BW = 489 ± 30 kg) were blocked by BW and randomly allotted to 20 pens (5 pens per treatment). Steers were fed 1 of 4 diets: control without DDGS (CON), 25% (25DDGS), 30% (30DDGS), or 35% (35DDGS) wheat DDGS (DM basis). The CON diet consisted of 15% barley silage and 85% barley-based concentrate; the 3 wheat DDGS diets were formulated by substituting 20% barley grain and 5, 10, or 15% silage, respectively, with 25, 30, or 35% wheat DDGS so that the 35DDGS diet contained no silage. The diets were formulated such that wheat DDGS was substituted for both barley grain and barley silage to evaluate whether wheat DDGS can be fed as a source of both energy and fiber in feedlot finishing diets. Dry matter intake of steers fed 25DDGS was greater (P < 0.01), but final BW, ADG, and G:F were not different compared with steers fed CON diet. Carcass characteristics and liver abscess score were not different between CON and 25DDGS. Steers fed 25DDGS had longer eating time (min/d; P < 0.01), greater meal frequency (P < 0.04), but a slower eating rate (P < 0.04). Replacing barley silage with increasing amounts of wheat DDGS (from 25DDGS to 35DDGS) linearly reduced (P < 0.01) DMI. Final BW, ADG, and G:F were not affected by increasing amounts of wheat DDGS. Carcass traits were not different, whereas liver abscess scores linearly (P < 0.01) increased as more barley silage was replaced by wheat DDGS. Eating time (min/d) and duration of each meal linearly (P < 0.02) decreased, whereas eating rate (min/g of DM) linearly (P < 0.01) increased with increasing replacement of barley silage. Blood urea N was doubled (P < 0.01) compared with CON by inclusion of wheat DDGS. Results indicate that wheat DDGS can be used effectively in feedlot diets, decreasing the need for barley grain or silage without negatively affecting growth performance and carcass characteristics. A reduction in the amount of roughage required to maintain growth performance is a potential advantage in feedlot operations because forage is costly and often of limited availability. Thus, DDGS can be a possible alternative as long as they are available and cost effective; however, increased incidence of liver abscess and increased N content of manure need to be considered when greater amounts of wheat DDGS are included in finishing diets.     

Effects of feeding polyclonal antibody preparations on rumen fermentation patterns, performance, and carcass characteristics of feedlot steers

In a previous study, preparations of polyclonal antibodies (PAP) against Fusobacterium necrophorum (PAP-Fn) or Streptococcus bovis (PAP-Sb) were successful in decreasing ruminal counts of target bacteria and increasing ruminal pH in steers fed high-grain diets. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of feeding PAP-Fn or PAP-Sb on performance, carcass characteristics, and ruminal fermentation variables of feedlot steers. In Exp. 1, during 2 consecutive years, 226 or 192 Angus and Angus crossbred steers were fed a high-grain diet containing either PAP-Sb or PAP-Fn, or both. When measured on a BW basis, steers fed only PAP-Sb had a greater G:F (P < 0.05) than those fed no PAP. Nevertheless, when both PAP were fed, feed efficiency was similar (P > 0.10) to steers fed no PAP or only PAP-Sb. Steers receiving PAP-Fn (alone or in combination with PAP-Sb) had a decreased (P < 0.05) dressing percentage. Steers receiving PAP-Fn (alone or in combination with PAP-Sb) had a decreased severity of liver abscess (P < 0.05). No differences (P > 0.10) were observed in any other carcass characteristics. In Exp. 2, sixteen ruminally cannulated Angus crossbred steers (BW = 665 +/- 86 kg) were fed a high-grain diet containing either PAP-Sb or PAP-Fn, or both. Feeding only PAP-Fn or PAP-Sb for 19 d decreased (P < 0.05) ruminal counts of S. bovis when compared with steers fed both or no PAP. The ruminal counts of F. necrophorum in steers fed PAP-Fn alone or in combination with PAP-Sb were decreased by 98% (P < 0.05) after 19 d, when compared with the counts in control steers. Mean daily ruminal pH was greater (P < 0.05) in steers fed both PAP when compared with feeding either or no PAP. Ruminal pH in the first 4 h after feeding was greater (P < 0.05) for steers receiving PAP-Fn alone or in combination with PAP-Sb. Steers receiving either PAP alone or in combination had less (P < 0.05) ruminal NH(3)-N concentrations in the first 4 h after feeding when compared with those of control steers. Polyclonal antibody preparations against S. bovis were effective in enhancing G:F of steers fed high-grain diets, but dressing percentage was decreased. Mechanisms of enhancement of G:F remain unknown but may be related to changes in ruminal counts of target bacteria and associated effects on ruminal fermentation products.