Effect of replacing corn with whole‐grain paddy rice and brown rice in broiler diets on growth performance and intestinal morphology

The present study was conducted to investigate replacing corn with whole‐grain paddy rice (WPR) and whole–grain brown rice (BR) in broiler chicken diets and its effect on growth performance and histological structures of the intestinal villi. Marshall Chunky male chicks (14 days old) were divided into five groups with four replicates of four chicks each. In the dietary treatments, corn in the basal diet was replaced with WPR and BR. The chickens received five experimental diets consisting of corn, WPR and BR in ratios of 100:0:0 (Control), 50:0:50 (50Corn + 50BR), 50:25:25 (50Corn + 25WPR + 25BR), 25:50:25 (25Corn + 50WPR + 25BR) and 0:50:50 (50WPR + 50BR) respectively. Feed and water were provided ad libitum for 35 day. No significant differences were found in feed intake, body weight gain and feed efficiency among the treatment groups. The relative weights of the gizzard in the 50Corn + 25WPR + 25BR, 25Corn + 50WPR + 25BR and 50WPR + 50BR groups were significantly higher than that of the Control and 50Corn + 50BR groups (p < 0.05). The gizzard pH of the experimental groups was lower than those of Control (p < 0.05). The ileal crypt of birds on the Control diets was deeper (p < 0.05) than those observed in the experimental birds. Moreover, the ileal villus height: crypt depth ratio increased (p < 0.05) in the 50WPR + 50BR group (p < 0.05) compared with the Control group. No specific changes were observed in the epithelial cells on the duodenal apical surface among the groups except that the villus of the 25Corn + 50WPR + 25BR group had cell clusters. The jejunal and ileal villus apical surface of the experimental groups showed similar morphology to the Control group. These findings suggest that WPR and BR can totally replace corn in broiler diets without negatively affecting growth performance.     

转高赖氨酸基因稻谷替代玉米对肉鸡生产、屠宰性能的影响

试验采用不同比例(40%、100%)的转高赖氨酸基因稻谷替代玉米饲喂AA肉鸡,以研究转高赖氨酸基因稻谷替代玉米的效果及可行性。结果表明:21日龄,40%组平均体增重比对照组显著提高6.86%;40%组和100%组的料肉比比对照组分别低7.3%和10.1%;试验组与对照组的胸肌率差异显著,但两试验组之间差异不显著,40%组、100%组分别比对照组显著提高20.9%和14.4%;全净膛率、腿肌率和腹脂率均差异不显著。42日龄,40%组和100%组与对照组的平均体增重均差异不显著,但两试验组之间差异显著,100%组的平均体增重比40%组提高12.8%;料肉比相当;胸肌率三组间差异显著,40%组、100%组分别比对照组显著提高11.4%和22.5%,100%组比40%组显著提高10.0%;40%组腿肌率比对照组显著提高12.5%,而100%组与40%组和对照组均差异不显著;40%组的腹脂率比100%组、对照组分别显著提高38.6%和30.8%,全净膛重、全净膛率差异不显著。试验得出,用40%和100%转高赖氨酸基因稻谷替代玉米饲喂肉仔鸡无不良影响。     

Delivery routes for probiotics: Effects on broiler performance,intestinal morphology and gut microflora

Four delivery routes, via, feed, water, litter and oral gavage, were examined for their efficacy in delivering a novel probiotic of poultry origin, Lactobacillus johnsonii, to broilers. Seven treatments of 6 replicates each were allocated using 336 one-day-old Cobb broiler chicks. The treatments consisted of a basal diet with the probiotic candidate, L. johnsonii, added to the feed, and three treatments with L. johnsonii added to the drinking water, sprayed on the litter, or gavaged orally. In addition, a positive control treatment received the basal diet supplemented with zinc-bacitracin(Zn B, 50 mg/kg). The probiotic strain of L.johnsonii was detected in the ileum of the chicks for all four delivery routes. However, the addition of L.johnsonii as a probiotic candidate did not improve body weight gain, feed intake and feed conversion ratio of broiler chickens raised on litter during the 5-week experimental period regardless of the route of administration. The probiotic treatments, regardless of the routes of delivery, affected(P 0.05) the pH of the caecal digesta and tended(P = 0.06) to affect the p H of the ileal digesta on d 7, but the effect disappeared as the birds grew older. All probiotic treatments reduced the number of Enterobacteria in the caeca on d 21, and tended(P 0.054) to reduce it in the ileum and caeca on d 7 and in the ileum on d 21 compared with the controls. The probiotic also tended to increase the number of lactic acid bacteria and lactobacilli in the ileum and caeca on d 7, but this trend was not evident on d 21. The trend appeared most pronounced when the probiotic was delivered orally or via litter. The probiotic also decreased(P 0.05) the population of Clostridium perfringens rapidly from an early age to d 21 in the caeca, leading to a3-fold decrease in the number of C. perfringens between d 7 and 21. It also showed that the probiotic treatment presented the lowest number of C. perfringens in the caeca. Delivery of the probiotic through feed, water and litter increased(P 0.01) the weight of the pancreas on d 21, but the probiotic did not affect other morphometric parameters of the gut. Furthermore, the probiotic did not affect the p H and the concentrations of short chain fatty acids and lactic acid in either the ileum or caeca.     

Effects of dietary fiber and threonine on performance,intestinal morphology and immune responses in broiler chickens

The present experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of fiber and threonine (Thr) on growth performance, intestinal morphology and immune responses of broiler chickens. A total of 420 one-day-old mixed sex broiler chicks (Ross 308) were randomly divided into 6 experimental diets and 5 replicates of 14 chicks based on a factorial arrangement (2 × 3) from 1 to 42 d of age. Experimental factors included dietary supplemental fiber type (no supplemental fiber [NSF], 30 g/kg sugar beet pulp [SBP] or 30 g/kg rice hull [RH]) and Thr inclusion level (100% or 110% of Thr requirement recommended by breeder company [Ross 308]). Growth performance of broilers was assayed at different periods of the experiment. Intestinal morphometric features were measured at 21 d of age. Antibody titer against sheep red blood cells (SRBC), Newcastle and influenza disease viruses were measured on d 30 of trial. Dietary inclusion of SBP and RH significantly decreased feed intake and weight gain during the entire rearing period (P < 0.05). Interaction of fiber and Thr had no beneficial effects on the performance of chickens across the entire rearing phase. Dietary supplementation of 110% Thr required level improved jejunal morphometric features (P < 0.05), whereas its inclusion with fibrous materials failed to show the same effects. Dietary supplemental Thr together with SBP significantly increased antibody production against SRBC (P < 0.05). In conclusion, although supplemental 30 g/kg fibrous materials impaired growth performance, inclusion of SBP along with 110% Thr level improved the humoral immunity in broiler chickens.     

Effect of organic acids or probiotics alone or in combination on growth performance,nutrient digestibility,enzyme activities,intestinal morphology and gut microflora in broiler chickens

A feeding trial was conducted to determine the effect of organic acids or probiotics alone or in combination on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, enzyme activity, intestinal morphology and gut microflora in broiler chickens (Ross308). A completely randomized design was used, with 1,440 broiler chicks across four treatments and five replications of 72 chicks each. The chicks in the control treatment were fed on a control diet (CD), whereas for the other treatment groups, the CD was supplemented with 0.2 g/kg organic acids (CDOA), probiotics (CDP) or a combination of organic acids and probiotics (CDOAP). All the chicks were fed ad libitum during the feeding trial throughout 35 days. A total of 20 chicks were randomly allotted to individual metabolic cages to measure the nutrient digestibility (35–42 days) and the digestive enzyme activities (42 days). The intestinal morphology and gut microflora of 80 chicks were examined at the end of experiment. There were no significant (p > .05) differences in the feed intake, body weight gain or feed conversion ratio of the chicks across the four dietary treatments. The crude fibre digestibility was significantly increased in chicks fed on CDOA or CDOAP relative to CD (p < .05). Nutrient utilization, in terms of digestive enzyme activities and excreta thermal property, was unchanged by any supplementation. The chicks fed on the CDOAP had significantly higher duodenal villi height and crypt depth than the chicks fed on CDOA (p < .05). This dietary treatment dramatically improved gut microflora by decreasing the population of Escherichia coli and increasing the Lactobacillus spp.:E. coli ratio. Based on our investigations, supplementation of organic acids and probiotics in chick diets can increase the ability to digest crude fibre and villus height and decrease intestinal E. coli without impairing growth performance.     

DDGS日粮中添加复合酶制剂对肉鸡生长性能和屠宰性能的影响

选用960只1日龄改良型艾维茵肉鸡随机分成3个处理组,每个处理8个重复、每个重复40只鸡,分别饲喂玉米-豆柏型日粮、DDGS型日粮、DDGS加酶型日粮.DDGS添加量为前期5%、后期13%.其中DDGS加酶型日粮中添加复合酶150 g/t.测定分析了肉鸡的生长性能、屠宰性能以及生物学综合评定价值和经济效益分析.试验结果显示:DDGS加酶型日粮对肉鸡生产性能和屠宰性能均无不良影响(P0.05),生物学综合评定价值为100,并降低了全期单住增重饲料成本;而DDGS型日粮显著增加了肉鸡的料肉比(P<0.05),显著降低了屠体重、胸肌重和翅肌重(P<0.05),降低了生物学综合评定价值,增加了中大鸡的单位增重饲料成本.     

Effect of dietary supplementation with an ethanolic extract of propolis on broiler intestinal morphology and digestive enzyme activity

The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of different levels of an ethanolic extract of propolis (EEP) on broiler performance, carcass characteristics, weight of gastrointestinal organs, intestinal morphometry and digestive enzyme activity. 1020 male broiler chicks were assigned in a completely randomised experimental design to six treatments (EEP supplement levels of 0, 1000, 2000, 3000, 4000 and 5000 ppm) and five replications, and 34 birds per experimental unit. The experimental diets were administered from 1 to 21 days of age, and the birds were subsequently provided a ration based on corn and soybean meal. EEP supplementation from 1 to 7 days negatively affected (p < 0.05) the weight gain and feed intake. The proventriculus weight at 7 days exhibited a quadratic response (p < 0.05), which predicted a lower weight at a dose of 2865 ppm of the EEP. For the duodenum at 21 days of age, the response pattern (p < 0.05) predicted that birds that were fed 2943 and 3047 ppm of the EEP would exhibit an improved crypt depth and villus‐to‐crypt ratio respectively. The villus height, crypt depth and villus‐to‐crypt ratio in the jejunum and the ileum were not affected (p > 0.05). With increased EEP doses, the duodenal sucrase activity linearly decreased at 7 days of age and linearly increased in the jejunum at 21 days of age (p < 0.05), while pancreatic enzyme activity was unaffected (p > 0.05). Although the carcass and cut yields did not improve, the percentage of abdominal fat decreased (p < 0.05). The supplementation of the broiler pre‐starter diet with 1000–5000 ppm of the EEP impaired performance at this stage, most likely due to the decreased sucrase activity. However, the EEP supplementation from 3000 ppm improved intestinal morphophysiology at 21 days of age and did not affect the performance or carcass yield at 42 days of age.     

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.     

Effects of Enterococcus faecium supplementation and floor type on performance, morphology of erythrocytes and intestinal microbiota in broiler chickens

1. The experiment was to study the effects of floor type and probiotic supplementation (Enterococcus faecium) on performance, morphology of erythrocytes and intestinal microbiota of male Ross 308 broiler chickens. 2. The experimental design was a factorial 2 × 2 with 6 replicates. The factors were floor type (wire floor versus wood shaving litter) and the presence or absence of probiotic. 3. Birds housed on wood shavings exhibited significantly improved weight gain and food intake. 4. Addition of E. faecium led to significantly decreased food intake and gizzard weight. Supplementation with E. faecium positively influenced the ileal and caecal microbiota, with a significant decrease in the population of Escherichia coli. 5. Erythrocyte length decreased and erythrocyte width increased in the birds housed on wood shavings.     

Effects of enzyme addition on the nutritive value of broiler diets containing hulled or dehulled Chinese double-low rapeseed meals

An in vitro and a feeding trial was conducted to investigate the effect of fibre-degrading enzymes A (xylanase + β-glucanase), B (xylanase) and C (xylanase + cellulase) on the nutritive value of broiler diets containing either hulled (22.5% and 23.5% for 4–21 days and 22–42 days of age, respectively) or dehulled (20% and 21.5%) Chinese double-low rapeseed meals (DLRM). Overall, in vitro digestibility of dry matter (DM) or neutral digestibility fibre (NDF) did not differ (p > 0.05) because of meal types; both crude protein (CP) and NDF digestibility was improved (p < 0.05) because of addition of enzymes B or C either to hulled or dehulled DLRM diets. Birds fed dehulled DLRM diets had a higher (p < 0.05) growth rate, feed efficiency and lower (p < 0.05) feed intake than those fed hulled DLRM diets during the overall phase. Enzyme C addition to dehulled DLRM diets resulted in improved (p < 0.05) growth rate and feed efficiency during 4–21 days of age. Enzymes A and B addition elicited a positive response in feed intake and weight gain (p < 0.05), respectively, but did not affect (p > 0.05) feed efficiency. It would appear that the nutritive value of broiler diets containing Chinese DLRM could be improved by appropriate xylanase-based enzymes. Responses of broilers to fibre-degrading enzymes could be highlighted by hull removal of fed DLRM.     

发酵桑叶粉对肉鸡生长性能、血清生化指标及肠道组织形态结构的影响

试验旨在研究基础饲粮中添加2%的发酵桑叶粉对肉鸡生长性能、屠宰性能、内脏器官指数、血清生化指标及肠道发育的影响。选取120只1日龄罗斯308白羽肉鸡母雏,随机分成2组,每组6个重复,每个重复10只鸡。对照组饲喂基础饲粮,试验组饲喂基础饲粮加2%的发酵桑叶粉,试验期为42 d。结果显示:(1)与对照组相比,添加2%发酵桑叶粉提高1~21日龄及1~42日龄肉鸡体增重、采食量(P0.05),提升肉鸡42日龄的腿肌率(P0.05)。(2)基础饲粮中添加2%发酵桑叶粉可显著降低42日龄肉鸡心脏、肝脏及肾脏相对重量(P0.05),降低21日龄血清总胆固醇含量(P0.05)。(3)与对照组相比,添加2%发酵桑叶粉可显著提升42日龄空肠和回肠绒毛高度(P0.05),增加21日龄回肠和42日龄十二指肠、空肠、回肠的隐窝深度(P0.05)。试验结果表明:添加2%的发酵桑叶粉能够显著提升肉鸡体增重和采食量,改善肠道形态结构,促进肠道发育。     

Effects of fermented cottonseed meal on the growth performance,gastrointestinal microflora population and small intestinal morphology in broiler chickens

1. This experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of replacing dietary cottonseed meal (CSM) or fermented cottonseed meal (FCSM) for soya bean meal (SBM) on growth performance, carcass characteristics, gastrointestinal microbial populations, and intestinal morphology of broiler chickens.

2. CSM was fermented with Bacillus subtilis, Aspergillus niger and A. oryzae for 7 d. A total of 300 one-d-old male Ross 308 broiler chickens were used in a 42-d experiment in which the birds were randomly allotted to one of 5 dietary treatments (containing 0%, 10% and 20% CSM or FCSM) in a completely randomised design. Birds were reared on litter floor and had free access to feed and water during the experiment.

3. Results indicated that the fermentation process significantly reduced crude fibre and free gossypol, while it increased crude protein content and lactic acid bacteria (LAB) count in CSM.

4. The use of FCSM instead of CSM significantly improved growth performance of broilers. The abdominal fat yield in treatments containing FCSM was significantly lower than in the other treatments. The increase in the population of LAB in the crop and decrease in the population of coliforms in the ileum of birds fed on diets containing FCSM were more significant than in other birds. Villi in the duodenum and jejunum of the birds fed on diets containing FCSM were significantly higher than for the other experimental groups.

5. The positive effects of diets containing FCSM on growth performance and intestinal health of broiler chickens showed that this processed source of protein can serve as an appropriate alternative for SBM in diets for broiler chickens.     

Effects of concanavalin A on intestinal brush border enzyme activity in broiler chickens

1. The effects of Concanavalin A (Con A) on enzymes from the intestinal brush border were studied using membrane vesicles (BBMV) prepared from 3- and 6-week-old broiler chickens. 2. Maltase, sucrase, phytase, alkaline phosphatase and leucine aminopeptidase activities were assayed in BBMV in the absence (T0) or presence (T1) of Con A, or in the presence of casein (T2). Disaccharidase specific activities were assayed in the presence of Con A that had been pre-incubated with the enzyme (T3) or with the substrate (T4). 3. Con A significantly affected maltase and sucrase activities in 3-week-old broiler chicken intestinal BBMV. Pre-incubation of the lectin with the maltase or its substrate had no effect on enzyme activity. Pre-incubation of Con A with sucrose reduced enzyme activity. 4. Con A did not affect phytase, alkaline phosphatase or leucine aminopeptidase activities. 5. Maltase, alkaline phosphatase and leucine aminopeptidase activities were lower in 6-week-old than in 3-week-old broilers.     

纤维素复合酶对肉鸡屠宰性能和肉质性状的影响

选用1日龄AA肉鸡128羽,随机分成4组,每组4个重复,对照组饲喂基础日粮,试验组在基础日粮中添加0.05%、0.1%和0.15%的纤维素复合酶,研究添加不同水平纤维素复合酶对肉鸡屠宰性能和肉质性状的影响。结果表明,添加纤维素复合酶可显著提高肉鸡宰前活重、屠体重、半净膛重、全净膛重和胸肌重、全净膛率、半净膛率和胸肌率(P0.05),降低腹脂重和腹脂率(P0.05);改善肉鸡肌肉品质,显著降低了胸肌和腿肌的失水率(P0.05);显著提高肝脏重和肝脏指数(P0.05)。     

谷氨酰胺对肉鸡肠道发育及小肠消化酶活性的影响

将180只1日龄AA肉仔鸡随机分成3组,设3个重复,每组60只,1组为对照组,2、3组为试验组,分别饲喂添加0%、0.2%、0.4%谷氨酰胺的基础日粮,试验期42 d,探讨了外源性谷氨酰胺对AA肉仔鸡小肠生长发育和消化道酶活性的影响.结果表明,在肉鸡饲料中添加外源性谷氨酰胺,能促进小肠的生长发育,显著增加肉鸡十二指肠、空肠和回肠重量、长度以及肠道指数(P＜0.05),提高小肠蛋白酶、脂肪酶、淀粉酶和胰蛋白酶活性(P＜0.05);谷氨酰胺的适宜添加剂量为0.2%.提示谷氨酰胺可作为肠道促生长添加剂在肉鸡饲料中使用,其适宜添加剂量为0.2%.     

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.     

Effects of supplemental phytase on performance and phosphorus utilisation in broiler chickens fed a low phosphorus diet without addition of inorganic phosphates

1. Three experiments were conducted to evaluate the effects of the dietary addition of fungal phytase (derived from Aspergillus niger) on the performance and phosphorus utilisation in broiler chickens receiving low phosphorus diets without additional inorganic phosphates.

2. Graded amounts of supplemental phytase (125, 250, or 500 PU/kg diet) resulted in significant increases in both growth rate and food intake. However, only moderate improvements in food conversion were noted.

3. The enhancement of chick performance was related to an improved utilisation of dietary phosphorus, as confirmed by significantly elevated plasma concentrations of inorganic phosphorus and increased tibia ash percentages in birds receiving phytase‐treated diets. The apparent availability of phosphorus was markedly improved and its concentration in excreta was reduced (experiment 1, P<0.05).

4. It was concluded that an inclusion of phytase into practical broiler diet will allow the reduction or omission of additional dietary inorganic phosphorus.