抗菌肽对断奶仔猪生长性能、养分消化率、肠道微生物含量及绒毛结构的影响

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

Effects of conditioning time and sodium bentonite on pellet quality,growth performance,intestinal morphology and nutrient retention in finisher broilers

1. This study was carried out to evaluate the effect of steam-conditioning time and different levels of processed sodium bentonite (PSB) on pellet quality, growth performance, intestinal development and morphology, and nutrient digestibilities in broilers during finisher period (d 24–45).

2. A total of 810 male chicks were reared in commercial conditions on floor pens till d 24. Then, birds were weighed and used in a completely randomised design experiment with a 3 × 3 factorial arrangement, including three levels of conditioning times (0, 2 and 4 min) and three PSB levels (0, 7.5 and 15 g/kg diet). Each of the 9 diets fed to 6 replicates group of 15 birds each.

3. The results showed that 2-min steam conditioning and 15 g/kg PSB supplementation significantly increased pellet durability index (PDI) and hardness, and decreased electrical consumption of pelleting. Diets had no significant effects on body weight, feed intake and feed conversion ratio. Although dietary treatments did not influence relative weight and length of three segments of small intestine, 2-min steam conditioning significantly improved villus height (VH) and crypt depth. Steam conditioning of diet for 2 min significantly increased apparent metabolisable energy (AME), ether extract (EE), calcium (Ca) and dry matter (DM) retention in birds measured during 38–42 d of age.

4. It could be concluded that 2-min steam conditioning improved PDI and hardness, VH and nutrient retention (AME, EE, Ca and DM), but did not affect growth performance in broilers during finisher period.     

Effects of lysolecithin supplementation in low-energy diets on growth performance,nutrient digestibility,viscosity and intestinal morphology of broilers

1. The study aimed to investigate the effect of lysolecithin supplementation in low-energy diets on growth, nutrient digestibility and intestinal mucosa characteristics of broilers.

2. A total of 800 one-d-old Ross 308 broiler chickens were assigned to 4 dietary treatments consisting of 10 replicates of 20 broilers each. Broilers were fed with 4 different diets: (i) HE: positive control group broilers received a diet with unaltered energy; (ii) LE: negative control group broilers received a diet with lower energy of about 0.27 MJ/kg; (iii) LElys500: broilers received a diet similar to LE supplemented with 500 g/tn lysolecithin product (Lysoforte Booster Dry^TM); and (iv) LElys300: broilers received a diet similar to LE supplemented with 300 g/tn lysolecithin product. The experimental period was 42 d.

3. Body weight gain in treatments HE was higher than LE during the overall experimental period, while LElys500 and LElys300 had intermediate values. Feed conversion ratio was lower in HE and LElys500 than LE group, while the LElys300 had intermediate values. Fat digestibility was improved in both LElys 500 and LElys300 compared to the HE group. Apparent metabolisable energy (AMEn) was higher in HE, LElys500 and LElys300 than LE. Ileum viscosity at 42 d was also affected, being higher in LE group compared to HE. At 28 d mucosal thickness was lower both in LElys500 and LElys300 compared to HE and LE, while no difference occurred between treatment proliferation patterns of duodenal epithelial cells.

4. These findings indicated that lysolecithin supplementation at 500 g/tn of feed in low-energy diets maintained broiler performance. Supplementation of reformulated low-energy diets induced an increase in digesta viscosity. Lysolecithin supplementation resulted in variable alterations in the duodenum mucosal morphology.     

Effect of gluconic acid on piglet growth performance, intestinal microflora, and intestinal wall morphology

Gluconic acid (GA) derives from the incomplete oxidation of glucose by some Gluconobacter strains. When fed to nonruminant animals, GA is only poorly absorbed in the small intestine and is primarly fermented to butyric acid in the lower gut. This study investigated the effect of GA on in vitro growth response and metabolism of swine cecal microflora and on animal growth performance, intestinal wall morphology, and intestinal microflora. During a 24-h in vitro cecal fermentation, total gas production and maximum rate of gas production were increased by GA (linear, P < 0.001). Ammonia in cecal liquor was reduced by GA after 4, 8, and 24 h of fermentation (quadratic, P < 0.01). After 24 h of fermentation, total short-chain fatty acids, acetic acid, propionic acid, n-butyric acid, acetic to propionic acid ratio, and acetic + butyric to propionic acid ratio were linearly increased by GA (P < 0.001). In the in vivo study, 48 piglets were divided into 4 groups and housed in individual cages for 6 wk. Piglets received a basal diet with a) no addition (control) or with GA addition at b) 3,000 ppm, c) 6,000 ppm, or d) 12,000 ppm. After 6 wk, 4 animals per treatment were killed, and samples of intestinal content and mucosa were collected. Compared with control, GA tended to increase average daily gain (+13 and +14% for GA at 3,000 and 6,000 ppm, respectively; P of the model = 0.11; quadratic, P < 0.05). Daily feed consumption and gain to feed ratio were not influenced by GA. Intestinal counts of clostridia, enterobacteriaceae, and lactic acid bacteria were not affected by GA. Gluconic acid tended to increase total short-chain fatty acids in the jejunum (+174, +87, and +74% for GA at 3,000, 6,000, and 12,000 ppm, respectively; P of the model = 0.07; quadratic, P = 0.07). Morphological evaluation of intestinal mucosa from jejunum, ileum, and cecum did not show any significant differences among treatments. This study showed that feeding GA influences the composition and activity of the intestinal microflora and may improve growth performance of piglets after weaning.     

复合微生态制剂对肉仔鸡生长性能、肠道菌群和免疫功能的影响

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

抗菌肽高表达量黄粉虫对肉鸡生长性能、肠道菌群和小肠绒毛形态的影响

为探讨抗菌肽高表达量黄粉虫对肉鸡生长性能、肠道菌群和小肠绒毛形态的影响。试验以玉米和豆粕为主要原料配制饲粮,试验采用单因子随机区组设计,选择1日龄雌雄各半、体质量相近、健康的爱拔益加（AA）肉鸡300只,测体质量后随机分为3个组,分别为对照组、黄粉虫未诱导组和黄粉虫诱导组,每组5个重复,每个重复20只鸡。对照组饲喂基础日粮,未诱导组和诱导组分别用未诱导和诱导的2%黄粉虫粉等量替代基础日粮中的鱼粉。试验期42d。结果显示,各组肉鸡的日采食量差异均不显著（P=0.559）,黄粉虫诱导组日增重极显著高于对照组和黄粉虫未诱导组（P=0.005）,而料肉比极显著低于对照组和黄粉虫未诱导组（P〈0.000 1）。黄粉虫诱导组大肠杆菌数量极显著低于对照组和黄粉虫未诱导组（P〈0.000 1）,各组肉鸡乳酸杆菌数量在21目龄差异不显著（P=0.191）,42日龄差异显著（P=0.034）。添加抗菌肽高表达量的黄粉虫极显著提高十二指肠、空肠和回肠小肠绒毛的长度（P〈0.000 1）和绒毛长度与隐窝深度的比值（P〈0.000 1）,各组肉鸡的隐窝深度差异不显著,但呈诱导组〈未诱导组〈对照组的趋势。结果表明,抗菌肽高表达量黄粉虫能够提高肉鸡的生长性能,降低肠道中大肠杆菌数量,促进肠道中乳酸杆菌繁殖,改善小肠绒毛形态。     

乳酸菌固体发酵制剂对肉仔鸡生产性能和盲肠菌群的影响

本试验研究日粮中添加不同水平的同源乳酸杆菌固体发酵制剂对肉仔鸡生长性能和盲肠菌群的影响并确定该菌种的适宜添加量。选用1日龄健康肉仔公雏300只随机分成5组,每组5个重复,每个重复12只鸡。Ⅰ组为对照组,饲喂基础日粮;Ⅱ组饲喂基础日粮+0.01%黄霉素;Ⅲ、Ⅳ、Ⅴ组为乳酸菌制剂组,分别饲喂基础日粮+0.05%草乳杆菌制剂、基础日粮+0.2%草乳杆菌制剂和基础日粮+1.0%草乳杆菌制剂,试验期为4周。结果表明,日粮中添加1.0%乳酸菌制剂能显著提高1～4周龄肉仔鸡的平均日增重,降低料肉比,且差异显著(P0.05);与Ⅱ组相比,添加1.0%乳酸菌制剂能显著增加盲肠内乳酸菌的数量(P0.05),有效抑制盲肠内大肠杆菌的繁殖(P0.05)。     

植物粉剂对肉鸡生长性能、肠道菌群数量和肌肉脂肪酸的影响

文章旨在评估植物粉剂(大蒜粉和石莲花粉)对1～42?d肉鸡生长性能、肠道菌群和肌肉脂肪酸组成的影响.试验选择平均初始体重为(48.33±0.47)g的1日龄商品肉仔鸡640只,随机分为4组,每组5个重复,每个重复32只.对照组饲喂基础日粮,药物组肉鸡饲喂基础日粮,但通过饮水补充2?mg/L维吉尼亚霉素水溶剂,大蒜粉组肉...     

不同种类有机酸对肉鸡生长性能、养分利用率和肠道菌群的影响研究

本试验研究不同种类有机酸对肉鸡生长性能、养分利用率和肠道菌群的影响。将240只1日龄艾维茵肉鸡随机分为4个处理(对照组、1.5%柠檬酸组、1.5%延胡索酸组、0.2%复合酸化剂组),每个处理6个重复,每个重复10只鸡。在试验17～20d和38～41d分别进行代谢试验;在试验第21天和第42天进行屠宰试验。结果表明:肉鸡日粮中添加1.5%柠檬酸、1.5%延胡索酸和0.2%复合酸化剂不同程度改善肉鸡生产性能;提高前期阶段饲粮能量和养分的利用率;对42日龄盲肠内容物的pH值有一定影响,同时,柠檬酸和复合酸化剂能显著促进肉鸡42日龄直肠乳酸杆菌的增殖;综合分析所有参数,0.2%复合酸化剂的作用效果最优。     

黄芩黄酮对肉仔鸡生长性能和肠道菌群的影响

试验旨在探讨不同添加水平黄芩黄酮对肉仔鸡生长性能和肠道菌群的影响。选择500只1日龄AA肉仔鸡,采用单因子设计随机分为5个处理,每个处理5个重复,每个重复20只鸡,对照组饲喂基础日粮,试验组在基础饲料基础上分别添加5、10、15、20 mg/kg黄芩黄酮,进行为期49 d的饲养试验。分别于第21、35、49天时称重,计算平均体重、日增重、料重比,于实验结束时采集肠道内容物,测定肠道微生物菌群数量。结果表明,各处理组平均体重较空白对照组均有所增加,其中10 mg/kg添加组最高(P>0.05),5 mg/kg添加组显著提高日采食量(P<0.05),对F/G和ADG影响不显著(P>0.05)。49日龄时,各试验组与对照组相比,大肠杆菌和沙门氏菌数量显著降低(P<0.05);乳酸杆菌(需氧)和双歧杆菌数量均高于对照组(P>0.05)。由此可知,日粮中添加适量黄芩黄酮在一定程度上可以促进肉仔鸡生长,改善肠道微生物菌群,其中添加10 mg/kg黄芩黄酮效果较好。     

Effect of cereal type and Xylanase supplementation on nutrient retention and growth performance of broilers

An experiment was conducted to study the effect of cereal (corn, wheat, barley and sorghum) and supplemental enzyme (a mono-component xylanase) in a 4 × 2 factorial arrangement. A 2-phase feeding program (0 to 21 and 21 to 42 d) was used and 4 iso-caloric, iso-nitrogenous diets were formulated containing corn, wheat, barley, or sorghum as the sole cereal. Diets based on each cereal were fed without or with supplemental xylanase (16,000 BXU/kg) to 8 replicate pens of 10 chicks (5 male : 5 female, Cobb 500) each. Growth performance was recorded at 21 or 42 d posthatch. Excreta was quantitatively collected from 18 to 21 and 38 to 41 d for the measurement of the total tract retention of dry matter (DM), nitrogen (N) and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and apparent metabolizable energy (AME). Ileal digestible energy (IDE) was measured at the end of the study (42 d posthatch) using titanium dioxide as an indigestible marker. For the overall 42 d period, birds fed barley-based diets had lower feed intake (P < 0.05), lower body weight (P < 0.05) and converted feed into gain less efficiently (P < 0.05) compared with the diets based on corn, wheat or sorghum. Xylanase supplementation improved weight gain in diets based on corn, wheat, and sorghum with the exception of barley-based diets (cereal × xylanase interaction, P < 0.05). Xylanase improved the overall feed conversion ratio (1.885 vs. 1.939; P < 0.05) with the effect being independent of the cereal type. The N retention of barley-based diets was lower (P < 0.05) compared with the other cereals, while xylanase improved N retention (P < 0.05) regardless of the cereal type. NDF digestibility differed (P < 0.05) across cereal (barley > wheat > corn > sorghum) and was improved (P < 0.05) by xylanase supplementation. A significant cereal × xylanase interaction (P < 0.05) was observed for energy measurements, where xylanase improved IDE of the corn-based diet, and AME of corn- and wheat-based diets. Results of the current study demonstrate potential of xylanase in improving nutrient retention and growth performance of broilers fed diets based on variety of cereal grains.     

苯甲酸和精油对肉鸡生长性能、抗氧化状态和肠道微生物群的影响

本研究开展了3个饲养试验,旨在探讨苯甲酸和精油单独或联合使用对肉鸡生长性能、肠道微生物含量及肝脏抗氧化性能的影响.试验1和2均选择1日龄肉鸡450只,分为3组,每组5个重复,每个重复30只.对照组均饲喂相同的基础日粮,试验1处理组肉鸡分别饲喂基础日粮添加1.5和3?g/kg苯甲酸,试验2处理组肉鸡分别饲喂日粮添加2和4...     

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

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

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

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

紫甘蓝粗提物对肉鸡生长、抗氧化和肠道发育的影响

选取1日龄肉仔鸡150只,采用1×3+1设计,研究不同剂量紫甘蓝粗提物对肉鸡生长性能、抗氧化指标及肠道发育的影响。对照组饲以基础日粮,试验Ⅰ组、Ⅱ组和Ⅲ组分别在基础日粮中添加紫甘蓝粗提物50、100和200 mL/kg,试验期49 d。试验第21、35和49天分别称重,计算采食量并采集血样,测定血清超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活性、谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(GSH-Px)活性和丙二醛(MDA)含量;第49天屠宰抽样,测定十二指肠、空肠和回肠的绒毛高度、隐窝深度和平滑肌厚度。结果表明:试验Ⅱ组料重比与对照组、试验Ⅰ组相比显著降低(P005),7周龄时体重显著提高(P005);试验Ⅲ组血清的SOD活性和GSH-Px活性与对照组相比显著提高(P005),MDA含量显著降低(P005);试验Ⅱ组十二指肠绒毛高度、隐窝深度和回肠平滑肌厚度与对照组相比显著提高(P005)。本试验数据显示,紫包菜提取物可提高7周龄内肉仔鸡生长速度,降低料重比,改善肠道发育状况,合适添加量为100 mL/kg。     

Conditioning time and sodium bentonite affect pellet quality,growth performance,nutrient retention and intestinal morphology of growing broiler chickens

ABSTRACT

1. The present study was conducted to evaluate the effects of conditioning times and processed sodium bentonite (PSB)-based pellet binder (G. Bind?) on pellet quality, performance, small intestine morphology, and nutrient retention in growing broiler chickens (d 11–24).

2. A total of 540, one-day-old male broiler chicks were fed a commercial starter diet (d 1–10). On day 11, birds were assigned to a 2 × 3 factorial arrangement including two conditioning times (2 and 4 min) and three levels of PSB (0, 7.5 and 15 g/kg) with six replicates of 15 chicks each. Feed intake and weight gain were recorded to calculate growth performance. The jejunal segment and excreta samples were collected to determine intestinal morphology and nutrient retention, respectively.

3. Diets produced with 2 min conditioning time and containing 15 g/kg PSB increased (P < 0.05) pellet durability index and hardness. Conditioning time and PSB levels had no significant effect on growth performance. The inclusion of PSB to broilers diet increased (P < 0.05) energy usage of the pelleting machine. Chickens fed the diet conditioned for 2 min and containing 15 g/kg PSB had the lowest (P < 0.05) relative jejunal length. Two minutes conditioning of diets containing 15 g/kg PSB increased (P < 0.05) apparent metabolisable energy retention in broilers.

4. It was concluded that 2 min conditioning of diet containing 15 g/kg PSB improved pellet quality and nutrient retention of broiler chickens, while the main effects of conditioning time and PSB levels were controversial in most evaluated parameters.     

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

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