Effects of dietary Selenomethionine supplementation on growth performance,antioxidant status,plasma selenium concentration,and immune function in weaning pigs

Background

This study was designed to evaluate the efficacy of DL-selenomethionine (DL-SeMet) supplementation on growth performance, antioxidant status, plasma selenium (Se) concentration, and immune function of weaning pigs. 216 weaning pigs were randomly allocated to 6 treatments with 6 replicates each according to a complete randomized block design. Each replicate had six pigs. Diet of group one was corn-soybean basal diet without any additional Se supplement. Group 2 was supplemented with 0.3 mg/kg of Se from sodium selenite. Groups 3-6 were supplemented with 0.1, 0.3, 0.5, and 0.7 mg/kg of Se from DL-SeMet, respectively. The trial lasted for 42 days.

Results

Pigs supplemented with 0.3 and 0.7 mg/kg DL-SeMet obtained better feed gain ratio (P < 0.05). The best antioxidant ability (serum, liver, and muscle) was shown in 0.1-0.3 mg/kg DL-SeMet groups (P < 0.05). The plasma Se concentration increased as the dietary DL-SeMet level elevated. The immunity among groups was not affected.

Conclusions

DL-SeMet supplementation in the diet significantly improved the growth performance, antioxidant ability and plasma Se content of weaning pigs. DL-SeMet can replace sodium selenite in the diet of weaning pigs.     

Effects of dietary rosemary extract supplementation on growth performance,nutrient digestibility,antioxidant capacity,intestinal morphology,and microbiota of weaning pigs

Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.) extract (RE) has multiple pharmacological and biological activities, including the use as a food additive and medicine. This study was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary RE supplementation on the growth performance, nutrient digestibility, antioxidant capacity, intestinal morphology, and microbiota of weaning piglets. A total of 192 crossbred weaned piglets [Duroc × (Large White × Landrace)] (initial body weight = 6.65 ± 0.33 kg, weaned days = 23 ± 1 d) were group housed (six pigs per pen; n = 8 pens/treatment). Pigs were fed a corn–soybean meal-based control diet or the basal diet supplemented with 100, 200, or 400 mg/kg RE. Pigs were allowed ad libitum access to fed for 21 d. The growth performance and apparent total tract digestibility of nutrients, and intestinal morphology and antioxidant status were evaluated. The components of the microbial microflora were also determined in the cecal samples. Compared with the control, dietary supplementation with RE increased the final body weight, average daily gain, and average daily feed intake (linear, P = 0.038, 0.016, and 0.009, respectively), and decreased the diarrhea ratio in piglets (linear, P < 0.05). The digestibility of crude protein (linear, P = 0.034) and gross energy (linear, P = 0.046) increased with treatment with RE. Piglets fed RE showed longer villus height (linear, P = 0.037 and 0.028, respectively) and villus height/crypt depth (linear, P = 0.004 and 0.012; quadratic, P = 0.023 and 0.036, respectively) in the jejunum and ileum, in addition to a lesser crypt depth in the jejunum (linear, P = 0.019) and ileum (quadratic, P = 0.042). The addition of RE increased the activity of superoxide dismutase (linear, P = 0.035 and 0.008, respectively) and glutathione peroxidase activity (linear, P = 0.027 and 0.039, respectively) and decreased the content of malondialdehyde (linear, P = 0.041 and 0.013; quadratic, P = 0.023 and 0.005, respectively) in the serum and liver. Dietary RE supplementation, compared with the control, increased the number of Bifidobacterium (linear, P = 0.034) and Bacteroidetes (linear, P = 0.029), while decreased Escherichia coli (linear, P = 0.008; quadratic, P = 0.014) in the cecal contents. Thus, dietary RE supplementation can improve growth performance, nutrient digestibility, antioxidant capacity, intestinal morphology, and the microbiota in weaned piglets, and 200 mg/kg may be considered the optimum dosage.     

Effects of different dietary sources and levels of selenium supplements on growth performance,antioxidant status and immune parameters in Ross 308 broiler chickens

1. Although different impacts of various sources of selenium (Se) on chicken performance have been largely studied, there is a lack of comparative experiments studying the effects of these sources on the immune system and antioxidant indices of broiler tissues. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of various sources and levels of dietary Se supplements on performance, antioxidant status and immune parameters in Ross 308 broiler chickens.

2. A total of 1200 1-d-old male broilers (Ross × Ross 308) were divided into 8 treatments with 6 replicate pens and 25 birds per pen. This experiment was conducted as a completely randomised design with a 4 × 2 factorial arrangement. Main factors included Se sources as sodium selenite (SS), Se-enriched yeast (SY), DL-selenomethionine (SM) and nano-selenium (NS) and levels at 0.1 or 0.4 mg/kg Se.

3. Dietary supplementation of organic Se sources significantly improved average daily gain (ADG), gain: feed ratio and European production efficiency factor (P < 0.05) compared to birds fed on diets supplemented with inorganic source. In addition, ADG was increased in response to increased level of supplemental Se. Based on contrast comparison, there were significant differences in these parameters between organic versus inorganic sources of Se. However, there was no difference between contrast comparisons of NS versus SM and SY.

4. Total anti-sheep red blood cell (SRBC) and Immunoglobulin G (IgG) titres and hypersensitivity were enhanced by increasing supplemental concentration of Se and using organic sources of Se rather than SS (P < 0.05).

5. Oxidation resistance assessment of tissues demonstrated that supplementation of organic sources of Se and increase in supplemental concentration of Se ameliorated glutathione peroxidase activity, total antioxidant capacity and malondialdehyde formation (P < 0.05). Mostly, there were significant differences between organic versus inorganic sources of Se in oxidation resistance.

6. Overall, dietary supplementation of 0.4 mg/kg Se from an organic source resulted in better production performance and immune system response. Moreover, minimum formation of malondialdehyde in broiler tissue was observed in birds fed on diets supplemented with SM at 0.4 mg/kg.

7. It can be concluded that SM is more effective than other sources of Se in reducing lipid oxidation.     

Effects of dietary iron supplementation on growth performance, hematological status, and whole-body mineral concentrations of nursery pigs

An experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of supplementing increasing concentrations of Fe to the diet of nursery pigs on growth performance and indices of hematological and mineral status. Pigs (n = 225; 6.5 kg; 19 +/- 3 d) were allotted randomly by BW, litter, and gender to one of five dietary treatments (five pigs per pen; nine pens per treatment). Basal diets for each phase (Phase 1: d 0 to 7; Phase 2: d 7 to 21; Phase 3: d 21 to 35) were formulated to contain minimal Fe concentration and then supplemented with 0, 25, 50, 100, and 150 mg Fe/kg of diet (as-fed basis) from ferrous sulfate. Three pigs per pen (n = 135) were chosen and bled throughout (d 0, 7, 21, and 35) to determine hemoglobin (Hb), hematocrit (Hct), transferrin (Tf), and plasma Fe (PFe). In addition, pigs (n = 5; 5.9 kg; 19 +/- 3 d) from the contemporary group were killed at d 0 to establish baseline (BL), and 30 pigs (six pigs/treatment) were killed at d 35 to determine whole-body and liver mineral concentrations. The improvements in growth performance during Phase 2 (ADG = linear, P = 0.04; ADFI = linear, P = 0.10; G:F = quadratic, P = 0.07) were of sufficient magnitude that dietary treatments tended to increase ADG (linear, P = 0.08), ADFI (quadratic, P = 0.09), and G:F (quadratic, P = 0.10) for the 35-d experiment. Hematological variables were not affected until d 21, at which time dietary Fe supplementation resulted in a linear increase (P = 0.03) in Hb, Hct, and PFe. This linear increase (P = 0.001) was maintained until d 35 of the experiment; however, dietary treatments resulted in a linear decrease (P = 0.01) in Tf on d 35. Whole-body Fe concentration increased (linear, P = 0.01) in pigs due to increasing dietary Fe concentrations. Moreover, pigs fed for 35 d had greater (P = 0.02) whole-body Fe, Zn, Mg, Mn, Ca, and P concentrations and lower (P = 0.001) whole-body Cu concentration than BL. Hepatic Fe concentration increased (linear, P = 0.001) in pigs due to dietary treatments; however, the hepatic Fe concentration of all pigs killed on d 35 was lower (P = 0.001) than the BL. Results suggest that Fe contributed by feed ingredients was not sufficient to maintain indices of Fe status. The decrease in Fe stores of the pigs was not severe enough to reduce growth performance. Even so, the lessening of a pig's Fe stores during this rapid growth period may result in the occurrence of anemia during the subsequent grower and finisher periods.     

Effects of dietary supplementation of Lycium barbarum polysaccharides on growth performance,immune status,antioxidant capacity and selected microbial populations of weaned piglets

Lycium barbarum polysaccharides (LBPs) are a complex mixture of highly branched and partially characterised polysaccharides and proteoglycans extracted from the goji berry. This mixture has great potential as a novel feed supplement for pigs. Two trials were conducted to evaluate the effects of supplementation with LBPs on the growth performance, immune status, antioxidant capacity and selected intestinal microbial populations in weaned piglets. In trial 1, a total of 400 weaned piglets [(Yorkshire × Landrace) × Duroc] with an average body weight (BW) of 6.34 ± 0.16 kg (21 days of age) were divided into five groups and fed a basal diet (control group) or a basal diet containing 1,000, 2,000, 4,000 or 6,000 mg/kg LBPs (supplemented at the expense of corn). Supplementation with 4,000 or 6,000 mg/kg LBPs for 2 weeks significantly increased the average daily gain (ADG) and average daily feed intake (ADFI) of the pigs compared with the control group (p < .05). In trial 2, thirty-two 21-days-old weaned piglets (BW: 6.33 ± 0.11 kg) were allotted to a control group (fed with a basal diet) or an experimental group (basal diet containing 4,000 mg/kg LBPs). The experiment lasted for 14 days. Pigs fed LBP diets exhibited an increased ADG and ADFI, and a decreased diarrhoeal incidence compared with those fed the basal diets (p < .05). Supplementation with LBPs increased the serum IgG and IgM levels (p < .05). Dietary LBPs effectively promoted antioxidant defence properties through enhancing the activities of serum, liver superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), in addition to decreasing the malondialdehyde (MDA) content (p < .05). The addition of LBPs increased the amounts of Bacteroidetes in the ileum and caecum and the caecal contents of Lactobacillus spp. and Bifidobacterium spp. (p < .05), while decreased the populations of Escherichia coli and Firmicutes in the ileum and caecum (p < .05) compared with the control group. Our results suggest that dietary supplementation with LBPs can enhance growth performance, immune status and antioxidant capacity, and improve the intestinal microbial populations of weaned piglets.     

Effects of dietary iron level on growth performance,hematological status,and intestinal function in growing-finishing pigs

This study investigated the different addition levels of iron (Fe) in growing-finishing pigs and the effect of different Fe levels on growth performance, hematological status, intestinal barrier function, and intestinal digestion. A total of 1,200 barrows and gilts ([Large White × Landrace] × Duroc) with average initial body weight (BW; 27.74 ± 0.28 kg) were housed in 40 pens of 30 pigs per pen (gilts and barrows in half), blocked by BW and gender, and fed five experimental diets (eight replicate pens per diet). The five experimental diets were control diet (basal diet with no FeSO₄ supplementation), and the basal diet being supplemented with 150, 300, 450, or 600 mg/kg Fe as FeSO₄ diets. The trial lasted for 100 d and was divided into the growing phase (27 to 60 kg of BW) for the first 50 d and the finishing phase (61 to 100 kg of BW) for the last 50 d. The basal diet was formulated with an Fe-free trace mineral premix and contained 203.36 mg/kg total dietary Fe in the growing phase and 216.71 mg/kg in the finishing phase based on ingredient contributions. And at the end of the experiment, eight pigs (four barrows and four gilts) were randomly selected from each treatment (selected one pig per pen) for digesta, blood, and intestinal samples collection. The results showed that the average daily feed intake (P = 0.025), average daily gain (P = 0.020), and BW (P = 0.019) increased linearly in the finishing phase of pigs fed with the diets containing Fe. On the other hand, supplementation with different Fe levels in the diet significantly increased serum iron and transferrin saturation concentrations (P < 0.05), goblet cell numbers of duodenal villous (P < 0.001), and MUC4 mRNA expression (P < 0.05). The apparent ileal digestibility (AID) of amino acids (AA) for pigs in the 450 and 600 mg/kg Fe groups was greater (P < 0.05) than for pigs in the control group. In conclusion, dietary supplementation with 450 to 600 mg/kg Fe improved the growth performance of pigs by changing hematological status and by enhancing intestinal goblet cell differentiation and AID of AA.     

圈舍卫生状况及日粮色氨酸对断奶仔猪生产性能的影响

卫生状况的改变会影响动物色氨酸的代谢．可能会导致色氨酸供应不足。本试验旨在研究轻度炎症与色氨酸对动物生长性能、色氨酸代谢、血浆氨基酸浓度、血浆球蛋白、谷胱甘肽浓度等方面的影响。试验显示脏乱圈舍环境不仅可造成断奶仔猪轻度炎症反应．还会引起仔猪对色氨酸代谢的改变,表明充足的色氨酸有益于断奶仔猪生长．     

复合益生菌制剂对黄羽肉鸡生产性能、抗氧化指标及免疫功能的影响

为研究复合益生菌制剂对黄羽肉鸡生产性能、抗氧化指标及免疫功能的影响,试验选用360羽黄羽肉鸡混合雏,随机分为4组,A组饲喂基础日粮,B组饲喂基础日粮及低剂量复合益生菌制剂(50g/t)、C组饲喂基础日粮及中剂量复合益生菌制剂(100g/t)、D组饲喂基础日粮及高剂量复合益生菌制剂(300g/t),每组9个重复,每个重复10羽,试验期50d。结果显示,复合益生菌试验D组日增重效果最佳,比对照组显著提高了4.11%(P<0.05),但与试验C组差异不显著,试验B组料重比最低,较对照组显著降低了4.58%(P<0.05),各益生菌试验组均能促进免疫器官发育,以试验D组免疫器官指数最佳,各试验组均能显著增加十二指肠绒毛长度(P<0.05),以试验D组的V/N值(肠绒毛/隐窝)最佳,试验D组显著提高血清中抗氧化指标和禽流感H5疫苗抗体滴度(P<0.05),同时增加抗体水平群体整齐度,但与试验C组差异不显著。结果表明,复合益生菌可以显著提高黄羽肉鸡生产性能,促进肠道发育,增强机体免疫功能及抗氧化水平,添加量以100g/t为最佳。     

Effects of dietary supplementation with Allium mongolicum Regel extracts on growth performance,serum metabolites,immune responses,antioxidant status,and meat quality of lambs

The present study was to evaluate the effects of dried Allium mongolicum Regel (AMR) powder and its water- and fat-soluble extracts (AWE and AFE) on the growth performance, serum metabolites, immune responses, antioxidant status, and meat quality of lambs. A total of 32 male small-tailed Han lambs (5 months old; initial body weight = 34.8 ± 0.40 kg) were used in a 60-d feeding experiment after a 15-d adaptation period. The lambs were randomly divided into 4 groups (n = 8) and fed a basal diet (control, CON group), the basal diet supplemented with dried AMR powder at 10 g/d per lamb (AMR group), the basal diet supplemented with AWE at 3.4 g/d per lamb (AWE group), or the basal diet supplemented with AFE at 2.8 g/d per lamb (AFE group). Blood samples were collected on d 0, 30, and 60 in the feeding experiment (n = 8). At the end of the experiment, the lambs were sacrificed and the longissimus dorsi muscles collected. Growth performance was not significantly affected by dietary supplementation of AMR, AWE and AFE (P > 0.05). However, significantly lower albumin (P = 0.006), total protein (P = 0.006), globin (P = 0.025), and blood urea nitrogen (P = 0.024) concentrations were observed in AFE group relative to CON and AMR groups. Similarly, a significantly lower lactate dehydrogenase activity (P = 0.018) was observed in AFE group relative to AWE group, but not in other groups (P > 0.05). In addition, significantly increasing trends in glutathione peroxidase (P = 0.06) in AMR, AWE, and AFE groups were observed relative to the control group. Furthermore, significantly lower drip loss (P = 0.011) across the treatment groups and cooking loss (P = 0.048) were observed in the AMR group relative to the control group. Taken together, these results indicate that AMR and its extracts had no significant effect on lamb growth performance, antioxidant status, and immune responses, but could significantly improve meat quality without the occurrence of pathological kidney and liver lesions.     

小肽对断奶獭兔生长性能和免疫性能的影响

100只体重为(891.42±23.68)g,健康状况良好的断奶獭兔,随机分为5组。对照组为基础日粮组,A、B、C、D组分别为基础日粮添加0.25%、0.50%、0.75%、1.00%的小肽。试验预试期7d,正试期30d。试验结果表明:添加0.50%小肽后,獭兔平均日增重比对照组提高24.16%(P<0.05),平均日采食量显著降低(P<0.05),料重比降低25.19%(P<0.05)。添加小肽后,獭兔胸腺指数、下颌淋巴结重显著高于对照组(P<0.05)。獭兔日粮中添加小肽可以增强断奶獭兔生长性能和免疫性能。     

液态或颗粒饲料添加精氨酸对21～42 d断奶仔猪生长性能和血浆氨基酸水平的影响

文章旨在研究饲喂颗粒料或液态料以及日粮添加精氨酸对断奶仔猪生长性能及血浆必需氨基酸和非必需氨基酸含量的影响。试验选择21 d断奶的健康仔猪672头,随机分为4组,每组6个重复,每个重复28头。试验日粮采用2×2多因素方差设计,2种饲料形态(液态料或颗粒料),2个精氨酸水平(0或6 g/kg精氨酸),试验共进行21 d。断奶后前10 d饲喂液态料较颗粒料显著改善了仔猪的平均日采食量、平均日增重和料比(P<0.05);在断奶后第11~13天液态料向颗粒料过渡阶段,液态料组较颗粒料组对日增重和料比具有负面影响(P<0.05);饲料形态和添加精氨酸以及饲料形态和仔猪日龄对断奶仔猪的平均日采食量的影响具有显著交互效应(P<0.05)。断奶后前10 d,饲喂液态料的仔猪较颗粒显著提高了干物质摄入量(P<0.05);断奶后前10 d饲喂添加精氨酸的液态料仔猪,由液态料向固体料过渡,显著提高了采食量和日增重(P<0.05)。液态或颗粒饲料添加精氨酸显著降低了断奶仔猪血浆尿素氮含量(P<0.05);饲喂液态料的断奶仔猪在28和37 d较颗粒料组显著降低了血浆尿素氮含量(P<0.05)。除了色氨酸、组氨酸、谷氨酸和甘氨酸外,液态料较颗粒料均显著提高了断奶仔猪血浆氨基酸水平(P<0.05);颗粒料或液态料添加精氨酸显著提高了断奶仔猪血浆亮氨酸、异亮氨酸、精氨酸和甘氨酸水平(P<0.05)。综上所述,断奶后仔猪饲喂液态料可以提高生长性能,但无论颗粒料还是液态料添加精氨酸均可以显著提高血浆精氨酸水平,降低尿素氮含量。     

蚯蚓提取物对成华猪生长性能、血清生化指标、抗氧化能力及免疫功能的影响

为研究蚯蚓提取物对成华猪生长性能、血清生化指标、抗氧化能力和免疫指标的影响,试验选用150日龄、体重(45±1)kg成华公猪80头,随机分为4组,每组5个重复,每个重复4头猪。对照组饲喂基础日粮,试验组在基础日粮中分别添加3、6、9 mL/kg蚯蚓提取物。预试期7 d,正试期70 d。结果表明:(1)9 mL/kg蚯蚓提取物组料重比较对照组降低12.9%(P <0.05)。(2)3 mL/kg和6 mL/kg蚯蚓提取物组血清总蛋白较对照组分别提高了17.2%(P <0.05)和23.2%(P <0.05)。(3)3、6、9 mL/kg蚯蚓提取物组血清乳酸脱氢酶(LDH)的活性较对照组分别降低54.6%(P < 0.05)、77.6%(P < 0.05)和80.0%(P < 0.05)。(4)6 mL/kg蚯蚓提取物组血清中抗炎因子IL-2的水平较对照组提高38.7%(P < 0.05),6、9 mL/kg蚯蚓提取物组血清中促炎因子IL-6的水平较对照组分别降低42.6%(P < 0.05)和46.8%(P < 0.05)。综上,饲料中添加蚯蚓提取物可以降低成华猪的料重比,促进蛋白质合成及利用,同时还可以通过影响LDH、IL-2和IL-6的水平进而提高成华猪的抗氧化能力和免疫功能,建议适宜添加量为9 mL/kg。     

富硒益生菌对肉鸡生长、组织硒沉积及抗氧化水平的影响

为探讨日粮中添加富硒益生菌对肉鸡生长、硒含量和抗氧化水平的影响,将200羽1日龄雄性罗斯308肉鸡随机分成4个组:对照组(饲喂基础日粮,硒含量为0.11 mg/kg)、益生菌组(基础日粮+益生菌,硒含量为0.11 mg/kg)、亚硒酸钠组(基础日粮+亚硒酸钠,硒含量为0.41 mg/kg)和富硒益生菌组(基础日粮+富硒益生菌,硒含量为0.41 mg/kg),试验期为42 d。结果表明:添加富硒益生菌和益生菌均能显著提高肉鸡的日增重(P0.05),且添加富硒益生菌能显著降低料重比(P0.05);添加富硒益生菌和亚硒酸钠均能显著提高组织硒含量(P0.05),且随着饲喂时间的延长,硒含量也显著升高(P0.05);添加富硒益生菌、益生菌和亚硒酸钠均能显著改善肉鸡的抗氧化状态(P0.05);且添加富硒益生菌对上述指标的作用效果都明显优于单独添加益生菌或亚硒酸钠。结论:富硒益生菌可以作为一种新的有机硒源的饲料添加剂,能提高肉鸡组织硒含量,能有效改善肉鸡的生长性能和抗氧化状态。     

Effects of dietary supplementation with essential oils and protease on growth performance,antioxidation, inflammation and intestinal function of weaned pigs

This experiment evaluated the impacts of essential oils(EO) and protease(PRO), independently or in combination, on growth performance, antioxidation, inflammation and intestinal function of weaned pigs.One hundred and sixty weaned pigs(21 d of age, BW of 6.74 ± 0.20 kg) were randomly divided into 4treatments with 8 replicate pens of 5 pigs per pen. Dietary treatments included the following: 1) control diet(CON), 2) CON with 300 mg/kg essential oils(EO), 3) CON with 500 mg/kg protease(PRO), 4) CO...     

冷应激对肉仔鸡生长性能、免疫及抗氧化功能的影响

冷应激可导致肉鸡生长缓慢、发病及死亡率高等,制约着养鸡业的发展.本文综述了冷应激对内仔鸡生长性能、免疫和抗氧化功能的影响.     

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.     

Effects of vitamin C supplementation on growth performance and antioxidant status of layer ducklings

The study was conducted to evaluate the effects of increasing dietary vitamin C supplements on growth performance, antioxidant status and humoral immunity of layer ducklings. The results showed that the body weight and daily body weight gain of ducklings increased (p < 0.05) with increasing dietary vitamin C supplementations and reached a maximum at 400 mg vitamin C/kg feed. The dietary vitamin C supplementations reduced the malondialdehyde concentration (p < 0.05) and increased the activities of superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase (p < 0.05) in serum and liver of ducklings at day 5 and 28. Additionally, feeding 400 mg/kg or 800 mg vitamin C/kg feed increased IgM and IgA concentrations in sera (p < 0.05) and serum IgG concentrations increased (p < 0.05) following supplementation in concentrations of 150-800 mg vitamin C/kg feed. In conclusion, the results suggested that dietary vitamin C supplements of 400 mg/kg feed provide optimal effects on growth performance, antioxidant status and parameters of humoral immunity.     

Effects of yeast selenium supplementation on the growth performance, meat quality, immunity, and antioxidant capacity of goose

The aim was to investigate the effects of yeast selenium (YS) supplementation on the growth performance, meat quality, immunity, and antioxidant variables of geese. A total of 96 one-day-old geese with similar body weight were randomly divided into four groups, with three replicates per group and eight geese in each replicate. The birds were fed basal diets supplemented with 0, 0.10, 0.30, 0.50 mg/kg YS (on selenium basis) during the 63-day experiment. Yeast selenium supplementation showed no effect on the growth performance of geese, but significantly improved the meat quality. No changes in ash or fat content were observed in breast muscle, but significant (p < 0.05) protein content increase was detected in the 0.1 and 0.5 mg/kg groups. Yeast selenium supplementation significantly (p < 0.05 or p < 0.01) promoted Se deposition in liver, kidney, pancreas, and muscle and the highest increases were all detected in the 0.5 mg/kg group. Yeast selenium supplementation enhanced the organ and cellular immunity of geese, but did not alter the humoral immunity. Furthermore, dietary YS significantly (p < 0.05) promoted the antioxidant capacity of both muscle and liver, but the effects varied with YS levels and organs. Hence, dietary YS supplementation was a good measure to improve the meat quality, Se content, immunity function, and antioxidant capacity of goose.     

Effects of dietary Bacillus coagulans and yeast hydrolysate supplementation on growth performance,immune response and intestinal barrier function in weaned piglets

The present study investigated the effects of Bacillus coagulans and yeast hydrolysate supplementation on growth performance, immune response and intestinal barrier function of weaned piglets. Twenty-four weaned piglets with an average body weight (BW) of 6.89 ± 0.15 kg were divided into four diets for 28 days. The treatments were basal diet (control), basal diet supplemented with antibiotic (20 mg/kg colistin sulphate and 40 mg/kg bacitracin zinc, AT), probiotics (400 mg/kg Bacillus coagulans ≥5 × 109 CFU/g, BC) or yeast hydrolysate (5000 mg/kg yeast hydrolysate, YH). Average daily gain (ADG) and average daily feed intake (ADFI) were improved by AT and YH diets (p < 0.05), while BC diet only increased ADG (p < 0.05). The complement 3 (C3), lysozyme (LZM) and tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) concentrations in serum were increased in BC diet (p < 0.05). Feeding AT and YH caused the increase of jejunal villus height (p < 0.05), and a higher ratio of villus height/crypt depth was observed in AT, BC and YH groups (p < 0.05). The mRNA expression of zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1) in jejunal mucosa was up-regulated by AT, BC and YH diets (p < 0.05). Dietary AT, BC or YH inclusion decreased the interleukin-1β (IL-1β) concentration and TNF-α mRNA expression (p < 0.05), and YH supplementation even down-regulated toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) and CD14 expressions (p < 0.05). In summary, the dietary administration of BC or YH both improves growth performance through promoting the intestinal barrier function, indicating both of them can serve as potential alternatives to antibiotics growth promoters for the piglet production.