A 12-month feeding study of reproduction/development in rats fed meat/milk powder supplemented diets derived from the progeny of cloned cattle produced by somatic cell nuclear transfer

The present 12-month feeding study was carried out with rat groups fed a diet supplemented with meat or milk (meat/milk) derived from the progeny of clones produced by somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) technology. It was conducted to obtain data concerning the chronic toxicities of these edible products during the process of development and reproduction in rats fed such products. The rats were subjected to clinical observations for general health condition and examinations such as sensory/reflex function, grip strength, motor activity, body weight, food consumption, ophthalmology and urinalysis. Moreover, sexually matured rats fed the test diets were mated and examined for items such as the reproductive performances of the dams and health of their pups. After the feeding period, factors related to rat health status, based on the findings for hematology, blood biochemistry, necropsy, organ weight and histology, were examined. There were no biologically significant differences in these factors between the rat groups fed meat/milk powder supplemented diets derived from the progeny and those fed meat/milk powder supplemented diets derived from conventionally bred cattle. Therefore, the present chronic toxicity study suggests that meat and milk derived from the progeny of SCNT cattle might be equivalent to those derived from conventionally bred cattle in use as dietary supplements for rats.     

Perinatal maternal feeding with an energy dense diet and/or micronutrient mixture drives offspring fat distribution depending on the sex and growth stage

Maternal nutrition during pregnancy and lactation influences offspring development and health. Novel studies have described the effects on next generation obesity‐related features depending on maternal macro‐ and micro‐nutrient perinatal feeding. We hypothesized that the maternal obesogenic diet during pregnancy and lactation programs an obese phenotype, while maternal micronutrient supplementation at these stages could partially prevent these features. Thus, the aim was to assess the influence of a perinatal maternal feeding with an obesogenic diet enriched in fat and sucrose and a micronutrient supplementation during pregnancy and lactation on offspring growth and obese phenotypical features during life course. Female Wistar rats were assigned to four dietary groups during pregnancy and lactation: control, control supplemented with micronutrients (choline, betaine, folic acid and vitamin B₁₂), high‐fat sucrose (HFS) and HFS supplemented. At weaning, the offspring were transferred to a chow diet, and weight and fat mass were measured at weeks 3, 12 and 20. At birth, both male and female offspring from mothers fed the obesogenic diet showed lower body weight (?5 and ?6%, respectively), while only female offspring weight decreased by maternal micronutrient supplementation (?5%). During lactation, maternal HFS diet was associated with increased body weight, while micronutrient supplementation protected against body weight gain. Whole body fat mass content increased at weeks 3, 12 and 20 (from 16 to 65%) due to maternal HFS diet. Maternal micronutrient supplementation decreased offspring fat mass content at week 3 (?8%). Male offspring showed higher adiposity than females at weeks 12 and 20. In conclusion, maternal HFS feeding during pregnancy and lactation was associated with a low offspring weight at birth and obese phenotypical features during adult life in a sex‐ and time‐dependent manner. Furthermore, maternal methyl donor supplementation protected against body weight gain in male offspring during lactation and in female offspring also during juvenile period.     

Response of animals to dietary gramine. II. Effects of feeding high-gramine yellow lupin seeds on reproductive performance of rats and on selected hematological and biochemical parameters in offspring.

Two groups of 26 male and 26 female rats at the initial age 30 +/- 2 days were fed during 31 weeks on diets containing 20 percent of yellow lupin seeds having low (LG) or high (HG) gramine content. The animals were mated twice within nutritional groups, 1 male: 1 female, and their main reproductive parameters were recorded. In both reproductive cycles body weight of females at mating, after parturition and after 21-days lactation was lower in HG than in LG group. Fertility rate and body weight of neonates were not affected by the diet while number of neonates per litter tended to be lower by 0.7 and 0.8 pups in HG than in LG group. Body weight of weaners was also substantially smaller in dams fed on HG than LG diet. Relative weight of spleen but not of liver, kidney and heart was significantly greater in HG females. Four weeks old males and females issued from the first litters born to LG and HG animals (ten males and ten females per treatment) were fed individually on respective diets during 3 weeks. Feed intake and growth rate did not differ between the treatments. In males relative weight of liver and testicles was greater, while hematocrit and red blood count were lower in HG than in LG group. In females organ weights did not differ. Activity of liver enzymes determined in males was not affected by the diet. It may be concluded that high-gramine lupin affects negatively lactational performance, probably via lower feed intake, but it does not induce apparent teratogenic effects in the progeny.     

The Effects of Dietary l-Carnitine Supplementation on Semen Traits,Reproductive Parameters,and Testicular Histology of Japanese Quail Breeders

The present study was conducted to determine the effects of supplemental dietary l-carnitine at different levels on semen traits, reproductive parameters, and testicular histology in male Japanese quail breeders. Forty-five 5-wk-old male Japanese quail breeders were fed the same basal diet that was supplemented with 0 (control), 250, or 500 mg of l-carnitine/kg of diet. There were no significant effects of dietary l-carnitine supplementation at different levels on BW, feed intake, testes weight, fertility rate, hatchability rate of set and fertile eggs, and malonaldehyde production (μg/mL of semen) of male Japanese quail breeders. However, the supplementation of dietary l-carnitine at levels of 250 or 500 mg/kg to a basal diet significantly increased sperm viability and decreased multinucleated giant cells per testes in mature male Japanese quail breeders. Additional studies are required to explore the antioxidant role that l-carnitine has in Japanese quail breeders.     

Mead acid supplementation does not rescue rats from cataract and retinal degeneration induced by N-methyl-N-nitrosourea

Fatty acids and their derivatives play a role in the response to ocular disease. Our current study investigated the effects of dietary mead acid (MA, 5,8,11-eicosatrienoic acid) supplementation on N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (MNU)-induced cataract and retinal degeneration in Sprague-Dawley rats. Experiment 1 was designed to inhibit cataract formation, with the dams fed a 2.4% MA or basal (<0.01% MA) diet during lactational periods. On postnatal day 7, male pups received a single intraperitoneal (ip) injection of 50 mg/kg MNU or vehicle. Lens opacity and morphology were examined 7 and 14 days after the MNU injection. Experiment 2 was designed to inhibit retinal degeneration and was performed with female postweaning rats. In this experiment, dams were fed the 2.4% MA or basal diet during the lactational periods. Thereafter, the female pups were continuously fed the same diets during their postweaning periods. On postnatal day 21 (at weaning), pups received a single ip injection of 50 mg/kg MNU. Retinal morphology was examined 7 days after the MNU injection. In experiment 3, six-week-old female rats were fed the 2.4% MA or basal diet starting at one week before the MNU injection and were then continuously fed the same diets until sacrifice. Rats at 7 weeks of age were given a single ip injection of 40 mg/kg MNU, and the retina was then examined morphologically one week after the MNU injection. In experiment 1, mature cataract was found in all of the MNU-treated groups, with or without MA supplementation. In experiments 2 and 3, atrophy of both the peripheral and central outer retina occurred in all rats exposed to MNU, with or without MA supplementation, respectively. The severities of the cataracts and retinal atrophy in the rats were similar regardless of MA supplementation. Dietary mead acid, which is used as a substitute in essential fatty acid deficiency in the body, does not modify MNU-induced cataract and retinal degeneration in rat models.     

乙基纤维素包被VC对SPF级豚鼠繁殖影响的初步研究

为评价乙基纤维素包被VC对SPF级豚鼠繁殖性能的影响,选取SPF级繁育适龄雄性豚鼠24只,雌性豚鼠72只,按性别随机分成对照组、试验组Ⅰ、试验组Ⅱ、试验组Ⅲ,每组24只,其中雄性6只,雌性18只。试验组Ⅰ、试验组Ⅱ、试验组Ⅲ豚鼠饲料中分别添加500、1 000、1 500 mg/kg的乙基纤维素包被VC,对照组饲料中添加1 800 mg/kg的单体VC。使母鼠完成2胎的生产,期间观察母鼠妊娠期情况、有无脱毛、流产情况和生产仔鼠的健康状况,计算各组母鼠受孕率、产仔率、仔鼠出生重、离乳率。结果表明,当乙基纤维素包被VC添加量为500 mg/kg时,可获得与添加单体VC一致的饲养效果;当乙基纤维素包被VC添加量为1 000 mg/kg时,SPF级豚鼠繁育指标达到最优,可满足繁殖状态下SPF级豚鼠对VC的需求;当乙基纤维素包被VC添加量为1 500 mg/kg时,SPF级豚鼠繁育指标并无显著变化。综上提示,饲料中添加乙基纤维素包被VC代替单体VC进行SPF级豚鼠饲养切实可行,且乙基纤维素包被VC最优添加量为1 000 mg/kg。     

苜蓿草和酶制剂对母猪行为学和繁殖性能的影响研究

旨在研究饲喂苜蓿草和酶制剂对母猪行为学和繁殖性能的影响,探索减少母猪异常行为发生以及提高母猪繁殖性能的饲喂技术。选取配种时间、胎次、体况相近的经产二元母猪45头,随机分为试验Ⅰ组(n=15)、试验Ⅱ组(n=15)和对照组(n=15)。试验Ⅰ组母猪于投喂精饲料后立即饲喂苜蓿草浆,饲喂量为2 kg/(头·d);试验Ⅱ组母猪的基础日粮中添加0.5 kg/(头·d)的苜蓿草粉;2个试验组母猪的基础日粮中均添加1 kg/t的酶制剂(优利酶);对照组母猪饲喂基础日粮。正式试验周期为4个月。试验期间观察并记录各组母猪的刻板行为和便秘发生情况,并测定其繁殖性能指标。结果表明,在整个试验期内的各个观测月份,试验Ⅰ组和试验Ⅱ组母猪的刻板行为和便秘发生次数均显著(P<0.05)低于对照组,并且试验Ⅰ组母猪的刻板行为和便秘发生次数均低于试验Ⅱ组,但差异均不显著(P>0.05);试验Ⅰ组和试验Ⅱ组的窝均产活仔数、仔猪出生窝重均显著(P<0.05)高于对照组,发情间隔与对照组相比均显著(P<0.05)缩短;试验Ⅰ组和试验Ⅱ组母猪的各项繁殖性能指标组间差异均不显著(P>0.05)。综上提示,母猪日粮中添加2 kg/(头·d)的苜蓿草浆或0.5 kg/(头·d)苜蓿草粉,同时添加1 kg/t的酶制剂,能够显著减低母猪刻板行为和便秘的发生次数,并显著提高母猪的繁殖性能。     

Performance and individual feed intake characteristics of group-housed sows fed a nonstarch polysaccharides diet ad libitum during gestation over three parities

The objective of this experiment was to study the effects of feeding group-housed gestating sows a diet with a high level of fermentable nonstarch polysaccharides (NSP; approximately 45% sugar beet pulp as fed) ad libitum on the development in individual feed intake characteristics and reproductive performance during three successive reproduction cycles. Performance of the ad libitum-fed sows was compared to the performance of sows that were fed a conventional diet restrictedly. Feed intake characteristics during gestation were only measured in the ad libitum-fed sows. One hundred and nineteen sows were assigned to one of two gestation feeding regimens. Gestating sows were fed a conventional Dutch diet restrictedly or a diet with a high level of fermentable NSP ad libitum. During lactation, sows were given free access to a commercial lactation diet from d 6 after parturition onward. The ad libitum-fed sows ate 1.3 kg/d more during gestation than the restrictedly fed sows (P < 0.001), resulting in higher body weight and backfat gains during gestation (P < 0.05). Sows that were fed ad libitum during gestation lost more body weight and backfat during lactation (P < 0.001) than sows that were fed restrictedly during gestation. Feed intake during lactation, however, did not differ between sows that were fed restrictedly or ad libitum during gestation. The numbers of total piglets born, live-born and stillborn piglets, piglet birth weight, weaning-to-estrus interval, and percentage of sows that returned to estrus after first insemination were not affected by gestation feeding regimen. Mean daily voluntary feed intake (as-fed basis) over the three reproduction cycles in the ad libitum-fed gestating sows was 4.2 kg/d. Depending on the number of preceding reproduction cycles during which a sow was fed ad libitum, the maximum voluntary feed intake was reached in Parity 3, 4, or 5 and then remained stable in subsequent parities. Mean daily feed intake of the ad libitum-fed sows increased from wk 2 to 6 of gestation and then decreased to wk 15 of gestation. The mean number of daily visits with feed intake over the three reproduction cycles was 13.8. On average, ad libitum-fed sows spent 90 min/d on eating. This study shows that it is possible to feed gestating sows a diet with a high level of fermentable NSP ad libitum during three successive reproduction cycles without negative effects on reproductive performance.     

Growth characteristics, blood metabolites, and insulin-like growth factor system components in maternal tissues of gilts fed L-carnitine through day seventy of gestation

A total of 59 gilts (BW = 137.7 kg) from 3 breeding groups were used to assess the effects of feeding l-carnitine during gestation on gilt growth characteristics, blood metabolites, and uterine and chorioallantoic expression of IGF axis components at d 40, 55, and 70 of gestation. Experimental treatments were arranged in a 2 x 3 factorial, with main effects of added l-carnitine (0 or 50 ppm) and day after initial breeding (d 40, 55, or 70 of gestation). All gilts received a constant feed allowance of 1.75 kg/d and a top-dress containing 0 or 50 ppm of l-carnitine beginning on the first day of breeding through the assigned day of gestation. No dietary treatment differences were observed for gilt BW, backfat, or estimated protein or fat mass at any day of gestation. No differences were observed in circulating total and free carnitine at breeding, but concentrations increased (P < 0.01) as day of gestation increased for gilts fed diets containing l-carnitine compared with those fed the control diet. Maternal IGF-I concentration decreased (P < 0.01) from d 0 to 70 for all gilts, with no differences between treatments. Insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3 mRNA (P = 0.05) and IGFBP-5 mRNA (P = 0.01) increased in the endometrium of gilts supplemented with l-carnitine. These data demonstrate that l-carnitine supplementation and day of gestation alter the expression of the IGF axis by changing the expression of IGFBP at the fetal-maternal interface in swine. These changes in the IGF axis at the fetal maternal interface may aid in determining the reasons for the effects of l-carnitine on reproductive traits.     

Nutritional value and physiological effects of soya-free diets fed to rats during growth and reproduction

The objective of the study was to assess the effects of substitution milk and egg for soya products in breeding diets for rats, with concomitant decrease of the dietary protein level and supplementation with amino acids. Soya-containing (S) and two soya-free (NS and NSA) diets were evaluated as protein and energy sources, and their effects on reproductive performance during two cycles, and on the quality of the offspring were assessed. Organ weights were registered in females and blood parameters were determined in males. In the offspring males from S and NS groups, plasma LH, testosterone and prolactin levels were measured on the 22nd and the 60th day of life. The S diet contained more protein of smaller concentration of methionine and cystine and lower biological value than both NS and NSA diets and promoted similar post-weaning growth rate, similar body weight changes of dams during gestation and lactation and slightly lower mating efficiency. Within each reproductive cycle, the number and individual and total body weight of newborn and weanling pups did not differ but in two cycles mean number of neonates per litter and mean litter weight were significantly lower on S than on NSA diet. Plasma concentration of hormones did not differ in 22-day-old offspring males while in the older ones LH and prolactin levels were higher in animals fed on S than on NS diet. It is concluded that replacing soya protein by milk and egg protein with concomitant lowering dietary protein level and amino acid supplementation does not impair the growth rate and tends to improve reproductive performance. Feeding soya-free vs. soya-containing diets differentiates hormonal status of young males.     

The effects of feeding diets containing potato protein concentrate on reproductive performance of rats and quality of the offspring

Two diets containing either soybean meal (SBM) or SBM and potato protein concentrate (PPC) in proportion of protein 1:1 (diet BS and BPP, respectively), were fed each to 22 females and 22 males from the age of 4-5 weeks throughout two reproductive cycles. A commercial closed-formula SNF diet containing unknown amount of potato protein was fed till the end of the first reproductive cycle. All three diets were also fed during 21 days following weaning, each to 10 offspring males born in the first cycle. The solanidine glycoalkaloids (GA) content in PPC was 2316 mg/kg DM. Feeding diets containing potato protein did not affect pregnancy rate, number and conformation of neonates and number of pups weaned (in all litters number of neonates left with dams being reduced to eight) but it depressed their body weight (weight of weaners on BPP diet only in the first cycle). Growth rate of the offspring males did not differ but feed intake was lower and feed conversion was higher on BPP than on BS and SNF diets. Feeding of BPP diet to offspring did not affect mass of body organs but increased blood urea and albumin concentrations while feeding SNF diet increased relative weight of small intestine and liver and raised blood concentrations of alanine amino transferase, albumin, protein, urea and cholesterol. In dams sacrificed after two cycles only relative weight of uterus and ovaries were lower in females fed on BPP than on BS diet. It is concluded that feeding moderate amounts (6.4%) of high-GA PPC does not impair reproductive performance, does not induce malformation of pups but depresses foetal and postnatal growth rate till weaning but not after weaning.     

Effects of rice feeding and carnitine addition on growth performance and mRNA expression of protein metabolism‐related genes in broiler grower chicks

This study was carried out to evaluate the nutritional effects of rice feeding and carnitine addition to a diet for broiler chicks. Thirty‐six male 10‐day‐old broiler chicks were assigned to one of the following four treatment groups: corn‐based diet (corn group), rice‐based diet (rice group), and each diet with added carnitine (100 ppm). The experimental period was 2 weeks. Rice feeding resulted in significantly higher growth performance (body weight gain and feed efficiency) compared to corn feeding. Carnitine addition also resulted in higher growth performance. Breast muscle and thigh muscle weight (g) were significantly higher in broiler chicks fed rice and those fed diets with added carnitine. Liver mRNA expression of IGF‐I was significantly higher in broiler chicks fed rice compared to those fed corn. There was no significant difference in mRNA expression of muscle atrogin‐1 or liver CPT‐I between broiler chicks fed rice and those fed corn, not between broilers chicks fed diets containing carnitine or not. Overall, these results show that rice feeding and carnitine addition improve the growth performance of broiler chicks by increasing mRNA expression of liver IGF‐I. In addition, carnitine action is not affected by different cereals (corn and rice).     

Maternal high‐fat diet promotes onset of diabetes in rat offspring

The onset and progression of type II diabetes is closely related to environmental factors, in particular dietary habit. Moreover, the environmental exposures very early in life can influence the risk for development of type II diabetes later in life. In this study, we investigated pathophysiological changes in the pups of maternal Spontaneously Diabetic Torii (SDT) rats that were fed a high‐fat diet (HFD) throughout gestation and lactation. Maternal SDT rats were continued on HFD for 5 weeks, from day 8 of gestation to day 21 after birth, and biological analyses of the pups were performed from 2 to 22 weeks of age. Results of serum lipid levels in pups from dams fed HFD were higher than pups from dams fed a standard diet, and the onset of diabetes was significantly accelerated in pups from dams fed HFD. In pathological analyses, pups from dams fed HFD showed increases in liver weight and vacuolation of hepatic cells at 2 weeks of age. In conclusion, the metabolic disorder of lipids and glucose in SDT rats is closely related to the nutritional condition of dams during the periods of gestation and lactation.     

饲粮叶酸添加水平对山麻鸭产蛋性能、蛋品质、生殖器官及血浆生殖激素指标的影响

本试验旨在研究饲粮叶酸(FA)添加水平对山麻鸭产蛋性能、蛋品质、生殖器官及血浆生殖激素指标的影响,以确定产蛋期(18~32周龄)山麻鸭FA的需要量。试验选用16周龄的山麻鸭360只,随机分成6个组,每个组5个重复,每个重复12只,单笼饲养。试验蛋鸭饲喂不添加FA的基础饲粮2周后,分别饲喂在基础饲粮中添加0、0.5、1.0、2.0、4.0、8.0 mg/kg FA的试验饲粮,试验期15周。结果表明:1)饲粮FA添加水平对产蛋初期、产蛋高峰期和试验全期的蛋鸭产蛋性能指标无显著影响(P0.05)。2)随着饲粮FA添加水平的提高,蛋壳相对重和蛋壳厚度先升高后下降,1.0 mg/kg FA添加组的蛋壳相对重显著高于其他组(P0.05)。3)随着饲粮FA添加水平的提高,优势卵泡重、优势卵泡重/卵巢重先升高后降低,饲粮FA添加水平对优势卵泡重和优势卵泡重/卵巢重有显著影响(P0.05),以4.0mg/kg FA添加组最高。4)随着饲粮FA添加水平的提高,血浆孕酮浓度先升高后下降,其中2.0 mg/kg FA添加组血浆孕酮浓度最高;8.0 mg/kg FA添加组血浆促黄体生成素浓度显著高于其他各组(P0.05)。由此可见,在玉米-豆粕型饲粮中添加FA在一定程度上有利于促进优势卵泡的发育,但未能显著影响山麻鸭的产蛋性能。仅考虑产蛋性能,玉米-豆粕型饲粮中不需添加FA;以蛋壳相对重和蛋壳厚度为评价指标,建议玉米-豆粕型饲粮FA适宜添加水平为1.0 mg/kg。     

l-carnitine supplementation and lipid metabolism of rats fed a hyperlipidaemic diet

Until now, there has been no clear knowledge about the effect of dietary carnitine supplementation on lipid metabolism. Therefore, this study was conducted to investigate the effect of a dietary l -carnitine supplementation (500 mg/kg) onx the lipid metabolism of adult rats. Rats fed a hyperlipidaemic basal diet containing 15% lard and 1% cholesterol were used as an animal model. The feeding period was 6 weeks. As parameters of lipid metabolism, the concentrations of individual lipids in plasma, lipoproteins and liver and the fatty acid composition of liver and erythrocyte total lipids were determined. There were no significant differences between the control group and the group receiving the diet supplemented with carnitine on parameters of animal performance (daily body weight gains and feed conversion ratio). As expected, plasma, very low-density lipoproteins (VLDL) and liver exhibited high concentrations of cholesterol. Concentrations of triglycerides and phospholipids in plasma and individual lipoproteins as well as the concentrations of triglycerides, cholesterol and phospholipids in the liver were not significantly altered by dietary carnitine supplementation. The concentration of cholesterol in plasma and liver was increased by dietary carnitine. The fatty acid composition of liver and erythrocyte total lipids was not influenced by dietary carnitine supplementation. In conclusion, this study does not indicate a lipid-lowering effect of dietary carnitine supplementation in hyperlipidaemic rats. Probably, the essential functions of carnitine in metabolism were realized by carnitine which was synthesized endogenously.     

微生物源性抗氧化剂对大鼠繁殖损伤的修复作用研究

本研究以脂多糖(LPS)作为自由基的诱发剂,微生物源性抗氧化剂作为自由基的清除剂,探讨自由基对大鼠繁殖性能的损伤及抗氧化剂的修复作用。将64只70日龄SD大鼠随机分成4组,每组16只,雌雄对半。对照组和损伤模型组饲喂基础日粮,抗氧化剂组和损伤修复组饲喂基础日粮并添加0.8 mL/d.只微生物源性抗氧化剂。损伤模型组和损伤修复组腹腔注射1 mg/kg LPS,对照组和抗氧化剂组注射等量的生理盐水,研究微生物源性抗氧化剂对雌鼠和雄鼠繁殖性能的影响。结果表明,注射LPS的雌鼠雌二醇浓度下降,受孕率降低,雄鼠精子数目、精子活动率和a级精子数显著降低。日粮中添加微生物源性抗氧化剂使雌鼠生育综合指数明显提高,血清中雌二醇含量升高,雄鼠精子数目增加,精子运动能力增强,断奶时仔鼠的数量和存活率提高。与损伤模型组相比,损伤修复组可一定程度提高大鼠的生育状况。结果提示,注射LPS导致大鼠产生氧化应激,对机体生殖机能造成损伤,微生物源性抗氧化剂具有提高大鼠繁殖性能并一定程度修复繁殖损伤的作用。     

Reproductive performance of first and second parity sows fed daily or every third day

Crossbred gilts were used in a two-parity experiment to measure the effect on reproductive performance of feeding every third day during gestation.Diets were formulated with maize and soybean meal to 12% and 16% crude protein for gestation and lactation, respectively. Experimental feeding regimens were imposed from an average day 30 to an average day 109 of gestation. During this period, the gravid gilts or sows housed in confinement were fed either 1.9 kg of the gestation diet daily or permitted ad libitum access to the diet for 1 day in each 3-day period. The lactation diet was provided ad libitum from farrowing until weaning at 28 days post partum. From weaning until the dietary treatments were reimposed about 30 days post-coitus, the females were fed 1.9 kg of the gestation diet per day.First-parity females fed ad libitum every third day consumed an average of 0.4 kg more feed per day than did those restricted to 1.9 kg of diet per day. There was no effect of feeding regimen on gestation weight gain or any criteria of reproductive performance, e.g. litter size or weaning weights of piglets. During the second parity, sows allowed to eat ad libitum every third day gained significantly more weight during gestation than those fed daily, reflecting an average daily feed intake that was 1.2 kg greater than that of the control animals fed 1.9 kg day^?1. Second parity reproductive performance was not affected by treatment. Backfat thickness measured at the point of the shoulder and at the last rib on day 30 and day 109 of gestation and at weaning increased during gestation and decreased during lactation regardless of feeding regimen or parity.Feeding gravid pigs every third day did not adversely affect reproductive performance; however, average daily feed intake was increased. Although the sows seemed to adapt quickly to a three-day feeding schedule, welfare aspects need to be investigated further.     

日粮纤维素水平及饲养环境对断奶猪生长性能、养分消化及肠道健康的影响

文章旨在评估日粮添加不同水平的纤维素及不同饲养环境对断奶仔猪生长性能、营养物质表观消化率及小肠绒毛形态的影响.试验将1296头24?d断奶、平均体重无显著差异的仔猪随机分为4组,每组324头,每组6个重复(54头/重复).将T1和T2组断奶仔猪饲养在环境条件良好的圈舍中,在断奶后前2周分别饲喂纤维素水平为0％和2％的日...     

Effects of probiotic Bacillus cereus toyoi on abdominal fat accumulation in the Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica)

Effects of a commercial probiotic, Bacillus cereus toyoi on abdominal fat accumulation in the Japanese quail fed either a commercial control diet (crude protein (CP), 23.5%; metabolizable energy (ME), 11.7MJ/kg) or a high‐energy diet (CP, 23.0%; ME, 13.8MJ/kg) were investigated. Four‐week‐old male birds (n = 108) were divided into four diet groups: control diet, control with probiotic, high‐energy diet and high‐energy diet with probiotic. At 8 weeks and 12 weeks of age (4 and 8 weeks of probiotic supplementation period, respectively), abdominal fat, muscles and the liver were weighed. The weight of total fat and protein in the muscles and liver were also determined. A rectal temperature was recorded weekly. Bodyweight and feed intake in both diets were not affected by probiotic supplementation. At 8 weeks of age, birds fed the control diet with probiotic had significantly less abdominal fat than those fed without the probiotic, and a similar tendency was seen for both diet groups at 12 weeks of age. The decrease in abdominal fat coincided with an increase in rectal temperature. These results suggest that greater metabolizable energy was consumed through elevation of heat production by supplementation of B. cereus toyoi, with hardly any energy stored as body fat. Probiotic supplementation appears to induce greater muscle weight, higher protein and lower lipid content in muscles by 8 weeks of age, and lower lipid content in muscles and greater liver weight by 12 weeks of age, in the Japanese quail.     

Effects of supplementary iodine on the performance and egg traits of laying hens

1. This experiment was carried out to determine the effects of dietary iodine supplementation on the performance and egg traits of laying hens. A total of 600 SHSY type brown layers aged 21 weeks of age were chosen at random from a large flock. They were randomly distributed into 30 pens at 20 hens per pen. Each treatment comprised 6 replicates of 20 layers in groups of 5 birds. The diets were supplemented with 0, 3, 6, 12 and 24 mg/kg iodine as calcium iodate. The experimental period lasted 30 weeks. 2. There were no significant differences among the groups in body weight, food consumption, egg production, food consumption per kg eggs, eggshell index, eggshell breaking strength, shell thickness or egg yolk index. 3. Supplementation of the diet with 12 mg/kg iodine increased food consumption per dozen eggs compared to the groups fed on diets supplemented with 0 and 6 mg/kg iodine. 4. Egg weight was less in groups fed on diets supplemented with 12 and 24 mg/kg iodine than in the group receiving no iodine supplementation. 5. Iodine supplementation to provide 12 and 24 mg/kg reduced egg albumen index and egg Haugh units. 6. There were no significant differences among the groups in egg cholesterol and egg yolk cholesterol contents. 7. The iodine concentrations in egg yolk, egg albumen and whole egg increased with increased iodine supplementation. 8. As a result, the 3 and 6 mg/kg iodine supplementation of diet could be used to enrich the eggs with iodine without any adverse effect on performance and egg traits.